Kris Anderson was the offensive spark plug and defensive tone-setter. Skylar Sutton was the perimeter gunner. Levi Yancy was the man in the middle.

That trio led White Oak to its second consecutive state championship, but Yancy gave the Roughnecks an advantage over every team they played: a 6-foot-7 shot-blocker and rebounder at the Class 2A level.

Yancy averaged better than 12 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks per game, earning Texas Association of Basketball Coaches 2A Player of the Year honors, among many others. For his stellar senior season, Yancy has been chosen the ETSN.fm Boys Basketball Super Team Player of the Year.

"Levi is the only kid I have ever coached with his talent and skill set. From the time that he made the varsity as a sophomore, I challenged him to own the paint on both ends of the court," said veteran White Oak coach Ron Boyett. "Offensively, he was a matchup nightmare because of his size and skill set. He could post smaller players and go by bigger players. He brought tremendous versatility to the offensive end of the court."

But defense was perhaps Yancy's most important role during his White Oak career. While Anderson, Sutton, and the rest of White Oak's perimeter players pestered opposing guards, they did so knowing they had a human eraser protecting the rim behind them.

"He was able to control the paint with his shot-blocking ability and dominate the defensive backboard," Boyett said. "I believe the team that controls the paint has the greatest chance to win and Levi gave us a player that was capable of doing that on both ends of the court."

Boyett leaned on his three seniors for leadership, but he said Yancy was "by far our most vocal leader." It doesn't hurt when one of your best players is also your most vocal.

"He had such a great understanding of our offensive and defensive schemes and he was such a great communicator," Boyett said. "Some players just have a natural feel for the game and Levi had the ability to see how all the pieces fit together and verbalize it. He'll be an excellent coach some day."

But first, Yancy will continue his playing career in college. He's received interest from several schools across multiple levels, including NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, and NJCAA Division I.

Yancy's dimensions and varied abilities will make him a solid college player, according to Boyett.

"Levi has three things that jump out to college coaches. First is his length. Second is the upside to his physical development once he matures physically and puts on more muscle," Boyett said. "Third is his skill set for a player his size, which mainly is his ballhandling skills and passing instincts. Levi will work hard to improve his strength and extend his shooting range. There is no doubt in my mind that he will be able to make the transition to college basketball and he will be a great asset to whichever school signs him."

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