By Anthony Council
Correspondent
Texas Metro News
The Duncanville Panthers have had a fantastic season so far, currently ranked 4th in the state with a 16-6 record. Their most recent victory, a dominant 83-51 win over heated rival DeSoto High School, has solidified their position as one of the top teams in Texas. With an average of 77 points per game, Duncanville is laser-focused on bringing home a state title as the season nears its end.
One standout player for the Panthers is shooting guard Kayden “Bugg” Edwards. The senior guard has been having an exceptional season, averaging over 26 points per game and hitting three 3-pointers per game, making him the No. 4 player in the state of Texas and the team’s leading scorer. In his most recent game, Edwards put up 36 points and 4 assists against DeSoto, marking his 5th game with 30 or more points.
A 1x state champion and 2x national champion, Edwards’ accomplishments speak for themselves. This season, he’s been nominated for the prestigious McDonald’s All-American game, further cementing his status as one of the top players in the country.
After the season, Edwards plans to continue his basketball career at Texas Christian University (TCU), under head coach Jamie Dixon.
For Duncanville, it’s been two years since their last title run. In a recent interview with NBC 5 sports reporter Pat Doney, Edwards reflected on how their previous teams’ near-miss opportunities fuel the current team’s drive toward a championship run:
“It really has motivated us a lot. Really for the groups that couldn’t do it, like last year’s group that couldn’t, we couldn’t get it done and then the suspension that we had, we really just want to do it for those guys who didn’t get that chance to get one.
“So, I mean, it’s really motivated us a lot ’cause at the end of the day, that’s the end goal.”
When it comes to the team’s dedication, Edwards emphasized their unwavering belief in getting better every day.
“100% belief, me and my teammates, we go hard every day—110%. Coaches, trainers, everybody’s just so dialed in on us. We don’t really worry about the next games; we just focus on us and get better each and every day.”
As the season continues and Edwards prepares for his future he emphasized that his decision to stay close to home was driven by fit, family, and the opportunity to play in a competitive, high-level conference like the Big 12.
“I’m a hometown kid. I love my family. They’ve never hardly missed any of my games,” Edwards said. “TCU was just the best fit for me. I’m just a Big 12 guy, arguably the best conference in college basketball. The atmosphere there is like family, and I know Jamie Dixon and his staff will not only give me the best opportunity to reach the NBA but also help me become a better man in life.”
As Duncanville finishes out the regular season and heads into the playoffs, all eyes are on San Antonio for the state championship game. With Edwards leading the charge, the Panthers are focused on making a deep playoff run.
While they lost last night to Lancaster, up next, they’ll travel to Mesquite to face the Horn Jaguars on January 31, and return home to take on the Mesquite Skeeters on February 4. These games are crucial as Duncanville pushes toward a spot in the state title game.
