High school basketball: Toughest state tournament brackets in 2021-22

Winning a high school basketball state championship is always a challenge regardless of the state, classification or matchups along the way. The journey always provides unique challenges to each title suitor along the way.

Today, we examine the most challenging hardwood state tournament brackets in 2021-22. The hundreds of classifications across 50 states were narrowed down to the 10 toughest this season.

Many factors went into determining the most difficult state tournament brackets, including Top 25 teams in the field, quality of favorite(s) and top contenders, depth and quality of the tournament field and the overall difficulty of capturing the championship.

One notable omission from this year's toughest playoff brackets is the New York Federation Class 2A state championship tournament, which was canceled for the third season in a row due to COVID-19 concerns. Top contenders from Class 2A in New York included No. 17 Cardinal Hayes (Bronx), No. 18 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains) and No. 21 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville). 1. UIL Class 6A

State: Texas

2020-21 winner: Duncanville

Favorite(s): No. 1 Richardson, No. 2 Duncanville

Top contenders: No. 24 Westfield (Houston), Westlake (Austin), Fort Bend Elkins (Missouri City), Dickinson, Plano, Lake Highlands (Dallas). Atascocita (Humble)

Rundown: Winning the highest classification in the Lone Star State is always a grueling task, with seven wins required against quality in-state opponents. This year it will be historically difficult to win as one of the most loaded fields in state history features the top two ranked teams in the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings. No. 2 Duncanville has won the past two Class 6A state titles in 2019 and 2021 with COVID cancelling state championships in 2020. The Panthers will likely need to avenge their only loss this season against No. 1 Richardson to capture a third straight state championship. No. 24 Westfield and Westlake are the top challengers to Richardson and Duncanville as each of the four teams enter postseason play with one loss apiece.

Rundown: Capturing a title at the highest level in the Golden State is going to be a tall task this season as three teams appear to have a real opportunity to come out of the Southern Section and capture the coveted Open Division crown. Fifth-ranked Centennial enters as slight favorites, riding a 26-game winning streak into their CIF Southern Section Open Division title game against No. 13 Harvard-Westlake. The Wolverines, meanwhile, already have proven to be a tough out in postseason play, defeating No. 16 Sierra Canyon 63-60 last week. The Trailblazers have the most talented team, led by five-star UCLA signee Amari Bailey and a history of postseason success, but after their most recent slip-up they may have a tougher path as a lower seed.

Rundown: The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association's Executive Committee voted 33-4 to eliminate the NJISAA Tournament of Champions after the 2021-22 season. In its final year of existence, the 2022 New Jersey Tournament of Champions marks the end of an era of high-level high school basketball in the Garden State for a tradition started in 1989. No. 7 Camden and No. 9 Roselle Catholic enter postseason play as favorites to capture the last TOC trophy. In the first game of the season for both teams, Camden knocked off Roselle Catholic 67-64 on Dec. 17 behind 25 points from top-ranked junior D.J. Wagner. An ultra-talented, but youthful, Gill St. Bernard's squad, led by five-star prospects MacKenzie Mgbako and Naasir Cunningham, is the biggest challenger to the state's top-ranked teams.

Rundown: Although the highest classification in the Peach State is often ranked higher, talent remains abundant across the state as a number of teams are capable of making the deep run to a title. No. 11 Pebblebrook already had a first-round scare, slipping past Parkview (Lilburn) 86-82 on Wednesday. If the Falcons hope to capture their first state championship they will need to step up their level of play the rest of the way. A likely showdown with defending state champion Milton awaits in the state quarterfinals, while the winner of that contest could take on defending state runner-up Berkmar in the Class AAAAAAA Final Four.

Rundown: No. 20 Dr. Phillips eyes a repeat after defeating their first two postseason opponents by an average of 30.5 points. The Panthers could become the first team in the Sunshine State's highest classification to capture consecutive state titles since Winter Park went back-to-back in 2010 and 2011. Sitting on the other side of the bracket, Columbus appears to be strong challengers despite each of their top six scorers being underclassmen. Three of their top four scorers are also freshmen, led by former NBA player Carlos Boozer's highly regarded sons' Cameron and Cayden Boozer. It appears the two talent-laden rosters are on a crash course to meet March 5 in the Class 7A title game.

Rundown: No. 25 Weddington extended the nation's second-longest winning streak to 44 games in a 71-62 overtime victory Tuesday over Olympic (Charlotte) in the first round of state tournament action. The defending Class 3A state champions have a tough road to the Class 4A state championship. After moving up a classification in the offseason, they'll need five more wins to capture their second consecutive state crown. Chambers, North Mecklenburg and Grimsley are teams to watch on Weddington's side of the bracket. On the other side, fellow unbeaten New Hanover and one-loss Richmond are top challengers, while reigning Class 4A state champion Millbrook is likely to be a tough out as well.