Wylie East senior forward Mikiyas Abiy dunks during the second half of a Class 6A Division II bi-district playoff game against Tyler Legacy. Photo by Kim Dill Higginbotham / C&S Media
By David Wolman
The 2025-26 winter sports season was a rousing success for the Wylie East Raiders.
The Wylie News will take a look back and review the seasons of the basketball, powerlifting and wrestling teams.
Boys basketball
Wylie East continues to be a force on the hardwood under Kortney Smith, who concluded his third season as Raiders head coach.
Despite having to replace eight seniors from the previous season’s team that finished as a regional semifinalist for the second consecutive season, including District 9-6A MVP Parker Overstreet, Wylie East found its rhythm during the second half of district play.
The Raiders went 9-2 over their last 11 regular-season games, including a 55-47 win over district champion Wylie, to clinch a postseason berth. Although a furious second-half rally fell short in a 64-53 loss to Tyler Legacy in bi-district, Wylie East went 16-13 for its fourth straight season with a winning record.
Senior forward Mikiyas Abiy was one of the team’s most improved players. Named to the All-9-6A second team, Abiy saved his best game for last, scoring 20 points in the loss to Tyler Legacy.
Senior guard Praise Olufemi and junior guard Preston Samuels were honored on the first team.
Girls basketball
For the 11th consecutive season, Wylie East made the playoffs, this time finishing with 20 victories before falling 35-27 to North Forney in the Class 6A Division II bi-district playoffs.
The backbone of the 2025-26 Lady Raiders team was their defense. Wylie East used relentless pressure to wear down its opponents and force turnovers. The Lady Raiders held their district opponents to 39 or fewer points in 13 games and an average of 31.7 points per game.
Senior guard Sidney Sanders played a key role in Wylie East’s defensive efforts. Named the 9-6A Defensive Player of the Year, Sanders posted a team-best 59 steals. She also finished second on the team in scoring at 9.8 points per game.
Wylie East came into the season having to replace 14.1 points by Saliz Ward, but Sanders, junior forward Morgan Jennings and senior guard Sharmayne Jones stepped up their efforts and helped lead a balanced scoring effort. Jennings averaged a team-best 11.7 points per game, while Jones poured in 5.5 per contest.
Powerlifting
In what was a championship effort in powerlifting this school year for Wylie ISD, Wylie East had two state placers at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Class 6A state meet.
Alexandria Davis became the first Lady Raider to win a state championship since 2023. She won a nip-and-tuck battle to claim top honors in the 198-pound division after lifting 1,030 pounds.
Davis was one of two state medalists for Wylie East. Madisyn King captured fifth place at 181 with a 910-pound total, including a personal best lift of 405 pounds in the deadlift.
Alisabeth Riggins (sixth, 242-plus pounds) and Serenity Warden (sixth, 242) just missed out on finishing as state placers, while Elle Peoples (ninth, 220) took ninth and Aliya Aguila (10th, 105) placed 10th.
Wrestling
Senior Jacob West finished his high school career as a regional qualifier.
West advanced to regionals after earning third place at 157 pounds, highlighted by a 6-1 decision of Plano East’s Bernie Cox in the consolation semifinals at the district tournament – a victory for West that clinched a regional tournament berth.
West earned first place at the Raider Invitational, finishing the event with a perfect 3-0 record.
Also at the Raider Invitational, Wylie East’s Connor Liu (126 pounds), Mason Philo (132), and Levi Coin (175) all earned third place, while Blake Moore (144) and Kaden Roach (150) captured fourth. Jaden Phok (120), Cameron Serna (138), William Mitchell (165), and Connor Webb (285) also competed for the Raiders.
During the Crosstown Showdown, Wylie East won seven of the 10 matches that were wrestled, but the Pirates won the dual, 41-35.
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