Speculation about which teams deserve to be included in the MaxPreps Texas Top 25 will change into hard proof with the start of the postseason.
The UIL state playoffs in six classifications get under way this week and eventually culminate with the state Final Four on March 12-14 to be played this year at San Antonio's Alamodome.
In the largest classifications, the eventual champion will have to navigate its way through three rounds to reach a regional tournament, then win two more to reach the Final Four and survive against two more foes in San Antonio to claim the big prize -- seven postseason wins in all.
North Shore (Houston) and Kimball (Dallas) won state titles in the two largest classifications last year and are in the Class 6A and 5A brackets, respectively.
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MaxPreps Texas Top 25 Basketball Rankings
1. Plano West 26-2 (1 last week)
Paris Marquez, Atascocita
Photo by Ken Murray
The Wolves completed a 16-0 run to the District 6-6A title with an 83-79 overtime victory over rival Plano East (Plano).
Dennis Hogg led the way with 25 points and
Mickey Mitchell had 19.
2. Atascocita (Humble) 31-1 (2)Paris Marquez erupted for 23 points and
Greg Shead scored 15 in an 84-41 blowout of Memorial (Houston) in a playoff tune-up.
3. Lancaster 27-4 (4)The Tigers survived a game effort by Mansfield Summit (Arlington) for a 66-62 victory to complete a 16-0 run to the District 14-5A title.
Antwon Portley led with 18 points while
Elijah Thomas and
Deon Barrett each added 13.
4. DeSoto 28-4 (5)Eagles coach Chris Dyer wrapped up another District 8-6A crown with a 58-50 victory over Duncanville for an 11-1 league record.
Edric Dennis led with 14 points while
Julian Miranda and
Dominique Thomas each scored 13.
5. Cedar Hill 26-3 (6)Detron Fuller had 14 points and
Kealon Clayborne had 12 in a 67-60 victory over Rockwall-Heath in a playoff tune-up. Earlier in the week, the Longhorns defeated South Grand Prairie 57-49 to finish 10-2 and second place in District 8-6A.
6. Clear Lake (Houston) 29-2 (7)Christian West led the way with 18 points to help the Falcons to a 58-53 defeat over rival Clear Creek (League City). Both teams finished the District 24-6A campaign with matching 13-1 ledgers.
7. Clear Creek (League City) 29-3 (3)Tyquon Jordan scored 17 points, but it wasn't enough to prevent a 58-53 loss to rival Clear Lake (Houston).
8. Brennan (San Antonio) 29-2 (8)The Bears remained unbeaten in District 27-6A by defeating Holmes (San Antonio) 84-71.
Jordan Murphy racked up 28 points in the win.
9. Richardson 28-4 (9)Ben Nakwaasah had 24 points to lead the Eagles to an 80-59 taming of North Mesquite. The Eagles wrapped up the District 10-6A title with a 13-1 mark.
10. Clemens (Schertz) 28-4 (11)Cayne Edwards scored 18 points in an 83-54 defeat of New Braunfels. The Buffaloes finished 11-1 in District 25-6A.
11. Judson (Converse) 29-5 (12)The Rockets finished off an 11-1 record in District 25-6A with a 72-44 rout of Smithson Valley (Spring Branch).
Keiston Mackey led the way with 16 points.
12. Beaumont Central 27-3 (13)The Jaguars embark upon what they hope is a long playoff journey. Up first is New Caney.
13. Ozen (Beaumont) 27-3 (14)The Panthers capped the regular season with a 77-37 victory over Goose Creek Memorial (Baytown).
14. Bel Air (El Paso) 30-0 (15)The Highlanders completed a 30-0 regular season with a 53-30 rout of Ysleta (El Paso) for a 14-0 record in District 2-5A.
15. Andress (El Paso) 28-1 (16)The Eagles finished a perfect 16-0 run to the District 1-5A title with an 82-51 mauling of Irvin (El Paso).
16. Rockwall-Heath (Rockwall) 28-1 (17)The Hawks suffered their first defeat in a 67-60 loss to Cedar Hill in a playoff tune-up despite 25 points from
Camron Talley. Earlier in the week
Jackson Zivney had 19 points in an 88-40 thumping of Terrell to give the Hawks a 14-0 mark in District 12-5A.
17. Amarillo 27-3 (18)The Sandies, idle last week, draw El Dorado (El Paso) in the opening round of the state playoffs.
18. Fort Bend Elkins (Missouri City) 26-4 (10)Nathaniel Cephas scored 20 points but the Knights stumbled in their final regular-season game with a 64-58 loss to Fort Bend Bush (Richmond).
19. Kimball (Dallas) 24-7 (20)The Knights begin defense of their state title against Lake Ridge (Mansfield).
20. South Oak Cliff (Dallas) 28-5 (21)The Golden Bears open against Mansfield Timberview (Arlington) in the Class 5A state playoffs.
21. Cinco Ranch (Katy) 26-4 (22)Jay Jay Chandler paced the Cougars with 20 points in a 79-65 triumph over Morton Ranch (Katy) for a perfect 14-0 record in District 19-6A.
22. North Shore (Houston) 26-6 (23)Kerwin Roach had 24 points and nine rebounds in a 74-55 road victory over Memorial (Port Arthur).
23. Marshall 31-1 (NR)The Mavericks enter the playoffs having gone 14-0 in District 15-5A with a school record for season victories.
24. Liberty (Frisco) 27-3 (19)Reggie Chaney scored 24 points but Liberty came up a point short in a 66-65 loss to Lone Star (Frisco). The Redhawks finished at the top of District 9-5A with a 14-2 record.
25. Prestonwood Christian (Plano) 28-4 (25)DJ Mcgee notched 18 points in a 69-39 win over Parish Episcopal (Dallas). Earlier in the week,
Chris Stephens with 10 points led the way in a 48-20 triumph over Bishop Lynch (Dallas).
Dropped out: No. 24 Sam Houston (Houston).
