MaxPreps Texas Top 25 high school basketball rankings

Video: Highlights of DeSoto guard Julian Miranda

Unbeaten and on a mission, the Eagles of Humble Atascocita are ranked No. 1 in this week's debut of the Texas Top 25 boys basketball rankings.

Coach David Martinez' crew is a perfect 21-0 including an 89-52 rout of College Park (The Woodlands) in a District 16-6A opener.

A season ago, the Eagles were upset in the Class 6A Region II title game by MacArthur (Irving) and missed making the state tournament despite a 35-2 record.

With most of the regulars back from that team, Atascocita appears intent on making amends this time.

Carsen Edwards, a 6-foot senior guard, sets the tempo for the Eagles with his ability wreck a defense by his shooting or penetration to the basket. Edwards has signed a letter of intent with Purdue.

Here are the rankings for the week beginning Jan. 4.


1. Atascocita (Humble) 21-0
Guard Carsen Edwards took MVP honors as the Eagles coasted to a tournament title in Missouri.

2. DeSoto 19-1
Marques Bolden, a 6-11 center, scored 13 points with 11 rebounds and three blocks in the Eagles‘ 58-40 rout of Shoemaker (Killeen) in the Whataburger Orange title game.

3. Fort Bend Elkins (Missouri City) 18-1
Kenneth Busby, a 5-10 senior guard, led the way with 15 points in a 94-30 derailing of Santa Fe.

4. Fort Bend Travis (Richmond) 17-3
The Tigers began the 2016 portion of the schedule with a 77-66 District 23-6A victory over Alief Elsik (Houston).

5. Lancaster 16-2
Deon Barrett canned six 3-pointers on the way to 22 points in a 64-60 Dallas ISD/Coca-Cola tournament championship victory over Skyline (Dallas).

6. Benjamin Davis (Houston) 16-2
Royce Hamm, a 6-7 junior post, is a key cog in the Mustangs' fast start that includes a 59-53 victory over Manvel.

7. Steele (Cibolo) 18-1
Kijana Love, a 6-3 senior guard, was one of four Knights in double figures with 17 points in a 78-35 rout of Smithson Valley (Spring Branch) in a District 25-6A opener.

8. Brandeis (San Antonio) 19-0
Ellis Jefferson, a 6-1 senior guard, led the way with 16 points in a 57-44 victory over Taft (San Antonio).

9. Houston Math Science & Tech 16-4
Kennard Robinson, a 5-8 senior guard, starred in a 68-53 victory over Beaumont Central.

10. Cedar Hill 14-2
Among its early-season accomplishments are three wins in a November tournament in Baton Rouge, La.

11. Skyline (Dallas) 15-1
Marcus Garrett scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half, but the Raiders settled for second-place in the Dallas ISD/Coca-Cola tournament after a 64-60 loss to Lancaster.

12. Shoemaker (Killeen) 19-2
Aaron Warren scored a team-high 13 points in a 58-40 loss to DeSoto in the finals of the Whataburger Orange tournament.

13. North Crowley (Fort Worth) 15-3
Brandon Battle led with 17 points in a 75-66 loss to Martin (Arlington) 75-66 in the Whataburger Orange tournament, but the Panthers followed it up with a 59-47 District 4-6A victory over Paschal (Fort Worth).

14. Flower Mound 17-4
Isaiah Brown led the way with 22 points in a 69-46 victory over Allen in a District 6-6A contest.

15. Tascosa (Amarillo) 18-0
The Rebels rolled to three easy wins by an average of 48 points in their hometown tournament.

16. Dekaney (Houston) 14-6
The Wildcats went on the road to post a 47-33 win over Klein in a District 15-6A opener.

17. Richardson 15-4
Brandon Averette registered 25 points in a 75-54 win over Lake Highlands (Dallas) in a District 10-6A contest.

18. Allen 15-4
Myles Nesbitt's layup at the buzzer sent the Eagles past Jesuit (Dallas) 85-83 in the In-N-Out Burger Allen Invitational title game.

19. The Woodlands 16-4
Romello Wilbert notched 18 points in a 61-47 District 16-6A victory over Conroe.

20. Plano West 13-6
The defending state champs are off to a 4-1 start and first place in District 6-6A after a 79-75 triumph over Hebron.

21. Prestonwood Christian (Plano) 17-7
The Lions finished a string of out-of-state tournaments games with wins over teams from Florida and Washington.

22. Ozen (Beaumont) 14-2
The Panthers cruised to a 75-42 win over Lumberton in a District 22-5A opener.

23. Martin (Arlington) 14-3
Kam Malbrough connected for 24 points in a 75-66 victory over North Crowley (Fort Worth) in the Whataburger Orange tournament.

24. Klein Forest (Houston) 13-4
The Golden Eagles squeezed out a 47-45 victory over Spring Westfield (Houston) in a District 15-6A opener.

25. Vista Ridge (Cedar Park) 19-1
Point guard Mekhi Burgess tallied 21 points in a 66-62 victory over West Mesquite (Mesquite).

Teams to watch

Americas (El Paso) 18-1

Churchill (San Antonio) 16-4

Cinco Ranch (Katy) 15-3

Fort Bend Hightower (Missouri City) 18-4

Fort Bend Marshall (Missouri City) 15-5

Lakeview Centennial (Garland) 15-3

Liberty (Frisco) 16-4

South Grand Prairie 13-6

Westfield (Houston) 15-5

Trinity Christian (Addison) 15-2