Talent, health, coaching and luck are all important components for championship teams. But in some states and classifications, it takes more to go home with the hardware.
From Kentucky's single-class state tournament to California's dynasty-dominated Division I bracket, MaxPreps looks at the five toughest basketball state titles to win in 2011-12.
Texas Class 5ADefending champion: Marcus (Flower Mound)2011-12 contenders: DeSoto,
Fort Bend Bush (Richmond),
Fort Bend Travis (Richmond), Marcus,
North Crowley (Fort Worth),
Plano West,
Seven Lakes (Katy)The chase: The proliferation of talent (a dozen Class of 2012 Top 100 seniors) and NCAA Tournament-on-steroids-style postseason makes winning a title in Texas tough in any classification, but especially at the 5A level where a handful of teams could make noise in the national rankings this season.
The state tournament features 128 teams in a single-elimination tournament over four weeks. 2011 champ Marcus finished No. 2 in the national rankings but had a fight on its hands in nearly every round, winning five of seven games by 10 points or less. The Marauders return most of their key pieces, but are not a slam dunk to repeat.
Recent history suggests that winning back-to-back titles will be an uphill challenge for Marcus. The last repeat champion at the 5A level was
Fort Bend Willowridge (Houston) in 2000 and 2001. The last six title games have featured 10 different teams.
2011 state tournament MVP Marcus Smart will try to help Flower Mound Marcus become the first team to repeat at the 5A level since Fort Bend Willowridge in 2001.
Photo by Jim Redman
