MaxPreps Texas Top 25 high school boys basketball rankings

Judson (Converse) ends the regular season atop the MaxPreps Texas Top 25 high school boys basketball rankings. Michael Wacker's Rockets (31-1) are riding a 29-game winning streak.

No. 2 DeSoto (26-3), Class 5A state champion in 2003 and 2009, traversed its way through one of the state's most competitive districts, finishing at the top of 7-5A with a 13-1 record.

Houston area powers North Shore (Houston), Manvel and Fort Bend Bush (Richmond) round out the top five.

The UIL playoffs begin this week and for state champion hopefuls, the task is daunting. It takes seven playoff victories in the one-and-done format to hold the trophy in Austin on March 8.

Class 5A and 4A teams must navigate a 128-team field.

Based on a strong regular-season finish, No. 14 Lancaster, a state finalist in 2010, is a team to watch in the Class 4A bracket. Elijah Thomas, a 6-foot-9 junior, leads coach Ferrin Douglas' team in scoring (17.8) and rebounding (11.4). Kaelon Wilson, a 6-2 junior, averages 14.5 points and 5.1 rebounds.

Be sure to visit the MaxPreps UIL Boys Basketball Playoff Brackets

Here is this week's best boys basketball teams in Texas. (Last week‘s ranking in parenthesis):


1. (1 last week) Judson (Converse), 31-1
The Rockets made it a 10-0 sweep through District 25-5A with a 91-60 rout of New Braunfels. Tanner Leissner led Judson with 18 points and eight rebounds. Judson faces Johnson (San Antonio) Tuesday in a bi-district playoff.

2. (2) DeSoto, 26-3
Cedric Carson led a balanced attack with 14 points in a 49-46 victory over Mansfield. The Eagles finished 13-1 and at the top of District 7-5A. Next is a bi-district playoff against Killeen.

3. (3) North Shore (Houston), 28-3
The Mustangs, champions of District 21-5A with a 13-1 record, concluded the regular season with an 87-48 blowout of Deer Park with junior Kerwin Roach scoring 17 on 6 of 7 shooting. Next is a bi-district playoff against Rayburn (Pasadena).

4. (4) Manvel, 28-4
Dexter Williams scored 16 points as the Mavericks clipped South Houston 53-48 to finish 14-0 in District 22-5A. Next is a bi-district playoff against La Porte.

5. (5) Fort Bend Bush (Richmond), 26-5
The Broncos closed the regular season with a 72-50 victory over Fort Bend Dulles (Sugar Land). Brendon Ganaway and Brandon Jones each scored 21 for the top seed from District 23-5A. Up next is a bi-district playoff against Clear Falls (League City).

6. (6) Plano West, 21-6
The Wolves nailed down the District 10-5A title with a 88-86 double-overtime triumph over Allen. Avery Johnson Jr. led the way with 29 points. Next is a bi-district playoff against Richardson.

7. (8) Churchill (San Antonio), 29-3
Ben Mammel scored 26 and Brian Herring had 22 as the Chargers fought off upset-minded Lee (San Antonio) 74-73 for an 11-1 record in District 26-5A. Next is a bi-district playoff against Smithson Valley (Spring Branch).

8. (9) South Grand Prairie, 22-6
Crosstown rival Grand Prairie proved no problem in the regular-season finale. Jalon Anderson scored 13 points in a 53-35 Warriors' victory for a 10-4 mark in District 7-5A. The 2013 state finalists open the playoffs against Shoemaker (Killeen).

9. (10) Tascosa (Amarillo), 24-1
The Rebels, champions of District 2-5A with a 15-1 record, face Franklin (El Paso) in a bi-district clash.

10. (11) Andress (El Paso), 27-2
Joey Pacheco and Jeffrey Long scored 15 each in a 102-37 crushing of Jefferson (El Paso) in the final game of the regular season. The District 1-4A champs face San Elizario in a bi-district playoff.

11. (12) Dunbar (Fort Worth), 21-4
Dennis Jones topped the Wildcats with 19 points in a 73-68 warm-up game victory over Class 5A Bellaire (Houston). Dunbar takes on Denton in a Class 4A bi-district playoff.

12. (13) Madison (Dallas), 23-4
Admon Gilder sizzled with 29 points in a 69-59 win over Triple A Academy (Dallas) to clinch the District 11-3A title with a 10-0 mark. The Trojans, defending 3A state champs, face Anna in a bi-district clash.

13. (14) Atascocita (Humble), 25-6
The Eagles completed a perfect 16-0 run to the District 13-5A title with a 45-32 win over Klein. Oklahoma State-bound Joe Burton had 15 points. Next is a bi-district encounter with Bryan.

14. (15) Lancaster, 27-4
The Tigers finished off a 13-1 run to the District 15-4A title with a 103-68 leveling of Mansfield Summit (Arlington) as Deondre Edwards led with 19. In a Saturday warm-up game, Elijah Thomas scored 39 in an 87-66 rout of Class 5A MacArthur (Irving). Next is a 4A bi-district playoff against Jacksonville.

15. (7) Bowie (Arlington), 25-4
The Volunteers had to settle for second place in District 3-5A with a 12-2 record after losing 52-47 to Martin (Arlington), despite 16 points by David Chavlovich. The Vols will face Northwest (Justin) in a bi-district playoff.

16. (16) Hebron (Carrollton), 23-7
Justin Montgomery scored 14 points in the Hawks' 61-38 rout of Ryan (Denton) for a 9-1 record in district play for the 5-5A champs. Hebron draws Nimitz (Irving) in a bi-district playoff.

17. (17) Marcus (Flower Mound), 24-4
The Marauders finished second in District 5-5A with an 8-2 record after a 54-48 victory over Lewisville. Xavier Adams led Marcus with 16 points. Next is a bi-district playoff against Irving.

18. (18) Trinity (Euless), 24-6
The Trojans capped a 13-1 district record and a 6-5A title with an 85-32 humbling of R.L. Turner (Carrollton). Adrian Ward scored 14 to lead the 13 Trojans that scored. Coppell is the Trojans' bi-district opponent.

19. (19) Bel Air (El Paso), 26-2
Jordan Enriquez had 18 points and Josh Gallegos scored 14 in a 55-44 victory over Americas (El Paso) in a regular-season finale. The Highlanders face Permian (Odessa) in a bi-district playoff.

20. (20) Allen, 22-7
The Eagles took District 10-5A champ Plano West to double overtime before losing 88-86. Olin Carter scored 22 points for Allen. Jesuit (Dallas) is the Eagles' bi-district opponent.

21. (21) Keller, 22-5
Nolan Taylor accounted for 16 points in the Indians' 58-38 ambush of Keller Central. Keller, District 4-5A champion with a 12-2 record, faces Paschal (Fort Worth) in a bi-district playoff.

22. (22) Clear Lake (Houston), 27-4
Guard Will West, a 6-2 senior, led four double-figure scorers with 15 points in a 66-48 demolition of Dickinson. Next is a bi-district playoff against Fort Bend Dulles (Sugar Land).

23. (23) Prestonwood Christian (Plano), 30-4
The Lions completed a 2-0 week with a 65-55 triumph over Bishop Lynch as DJ McGee and Shane Missimo each scored 15. Earlier in the week, Prestonwood dropped Nolan Catholic (Fort Worth) 89-70.

24. (24) Duncanville, 18-11
The Panthers clinched the No. 2 playoff slot from District 7-5A by outscoring Mansfield Timberview (Arlington) 84-77. Omar Sherman led the way with 25 points. Next is a bi-district playoff against Copperas Cove.

25. (25) Wheatley (Houston), 26-4
The Wildcats capped a 16-0 run to the District 21-4A title with a 114-66 romp over Davis (Houston) with Ronald Johnson scoring 32. In a warm-up game, Gerald Thomas scored 24 in a 103-73 blowout of North Forest (Houston). Next is a bi-district playoff with Tomball Memorial.

Dropped out: None.

On the bubble: Heritage (Frisco) 24-3, Highland Park (Dallas) 27-4, John Paul II (Plano) 24-5, Pearland 24-8, Plano East 18-9, Rowe (McAllen) 30-1, South Oak Cliff (Dallas) 24-6, Westfield (Houston) 26-6, Wagner (San Antonio) 24-7, Yates (Houston) 17-9