MaxPreps Texas Top 25 high school basketball rankings

Video: MaxPreps 2015-16 Early Contenders: Atascocita

The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) state semifinals and finals will be contested this weekend. Prestonwood Christian (Plano), No. 14 in MaxPreps Texas Top 25, has an opportunity for a third consecutive Class 5A state title under coach Chris Lovell.

District rival Trinity Christian (Addison) is also still alive and gave the Lions a tussle in a 49-45 loss on the final night of the regular season. Prestonwood defeated TCA 49-32 in last year's state championship game.

In Friday's semifinals, Prestonwood faces 22-5 St. Thomas (Houston) while TCA will meet 29-5 St. Anthony Catholic (San Antonio).

The first two rounds of the UIL state tournament are complete and the top half of the Top 25 came through unscathed save for one exception. Brandeis (San Antonio), No. 6 last week, saw its 31-2 season end at the hands of Judson (Converse), 60-51.

Even with double-digit losses this season, Judson is a solid program under coach Michael Wacker only two seasons removed from a state final appearance.


1. (Last week: 1) Atascocita (Humble) 34-0
The Eagles' potent offense is the team trademark, but in the first two rounds of the playoffs Atascocita held Klein and Anderson (Austin) to 37 points each in lopsided victories.

2. (2) DeSoto 31-2
Jordan Berry scored 21 points and Marques Bolden added 20 in a 78-43 romp over Euless Trinity in a bi-district playoff. The Eagles in the area round rolled 72-40 over Hebron.

3. (3) Lancaster 31-2
Deon Barrett and Jakolby Pemberton scored 17 apiece in a 92-49 bi-district blowout of Spruce (Dallas). The Tigers advanced to the third round with a 79-51 crushing of Whitehouse.

4. (4) Benjamin Davis (Houston) 29-2
Royce Hamm, a 6-7 junior, had 26 points, four rebounds and two steals in a 60-54 area playoff victory over Westside (Houston). The Falcons took down Langham Creek (Houston) in the bi-district round.

5. (5) Fort Bend Elkins (Missouri City) 32-2
Chad Bowie contributed 16 points and Bryce Terrell had eight rebounds in a 70-65 victory over Central (Beaumont) in an area playoff. The playoff road began with a 26-point victory over Terry (Rosenberg).

6. (7) Houston Math Science & Tech 31-4
Kendric Davis scored 22 points in an 80-70 area playoff victory over Cypress Falls (Houston). The Tigers defeated Strake Jesuit (Houston) 80-70 in the bi-district round.

7. (8) Tascosa (Amarillo) 31-0
Quinn Taylor led with 25 points and Darreus Brown had 20 in an 87-67 bashing of Bowie (Arlington) in an area playoff.

8. (9) Shoemaker (Killeen) 33-2
Antoine James scored 14 points in a 54-40 area-playoff victory over Highland Park. Earlier in the week the Wolves rolled 76-49 over Rockwall in bi-district.

9. (10) North Crowley (Fort Worth) 30-3
Jordon Myers led with 15 points in a 61-43 bashing of Amarillo in an area playoff.

10. (11) Skyline (Dallas) 31-2
Marcus Garrett recorded 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a 44-38 area playoff victory over Harker Heights.

11. (12) Fort Bend Hightower (Missouri City) 32-4
Kenneth Yarbrough was named the Hurricanes' Player of the Game in an 89-63 bi-district victory over Clear Springs (League City). Hightower rallied from a halftime deficit in the area playoff to defeat Dawson (Pearland) 59-57.

12. (13) Fort Bend Travis (Richmond) 30-4
The Tigers squeaked past South Houston 67-63 in an area playoff. In the opening round, Travis blasted Clear Brook (Friendswood) 72-49.

13. (14) Steele (Cibolo) 30-3
Kijana Love led with 30 points in a 92-87 area playoff victory over Brennan (San Antonio). The Knights started the week with a 74-57 bashing of Reagan (San Antonio).

14. (15) Prestonwood Christian (Plano) 31-7
After a 49-45 victory over Trinity Christian (Addison) in the final game of the regular season, the Lions reached this weekend's TAPPS state final four with convincing wins over Kelly Catholic (Beaumont) and Central Catholic (San Antonio).

15. (16) South Grand Prairie 24-8
Oklahoma State signee Cameron McGriff scored 21 points and USC signee Harrison Henderson had 20 in a 74-53 drubbing of Guyer (Denton) in an area playoff. The Warriors dispatched Richland in bi-district.

16. (6) Brandeis (San Antonio) 31-2*
Despite 20 points from guard Ellis Jefferson, the Broncos were ousted by Judson (Converse) 60-51 in an area playoff.

17. (17) Klein Forest (Houston) 27-5
Trailing as the fourth quarter began, the Eagles outscored Del Valle by 12 in the last eight minutes for an 83-72 victory. In bi-district Forest took down Conroe 73-59.

18. (18) Plano East 27-7
Guards Chris Parker and Terrance Propes scored 19 and 12 respectively in a 62-55 victory over Cedar Hill in an area playoff.

19. (21) Yates (Houston) 28-3
The Lions advanced to the third playoff round with a 111-83 drubbing of Temple. In bi-district, Tomball Memorial was a 95-65 victim.

20. (23) Clemens (Schertz) 26-7
Jalon Gates led with 17 points as the Buffaloes outscored Clark 38-15 in the second half of a 72-44 area victory.

21. (NR) Ozen (Beaumont) 28-3
The Panthers followed up a 70-56 bi-district victory over New Caney with a 48-43 area triumph over Fort Bend Bush (Richmond) as Josh Boyd led the way with 18 points, including the game-winning basket with 47 seconds remaining.

22. (NR) Westlake (Austin) 28-3
Sophomore Brock Cunningham's 21 points helped carry the Chaparrals to a 67-63 area playoff victory over Spring Dekaney (Houston).

23. (NR) Cypress Ranch (Houston) 29-5
The Mustangs are in a Region III quarterfinal after playoff wins of 91-65 over Nimitz (Houston) and 64-61 over Cinco Ranch (Katy).

24. (NR) Rowlett 24-6
Louisiana Tech signee Oliver Powell notched 18 points in a 64-49 area elimination of Mesquite.

25. (NR) Lakeview Centennial (Garland) 26-7
Nicolas René led a balanced attack with 18 points in a 73-65 ousting of Richardson in an area playoff.

*Season complete

Dropped out: No. 17 Cedar Hill, No. 20 Allen, No. 22 Fort Bend Bush (Richmond) No. 24 Guyer (Denton), No. 25 Spring Dekaney (Houston).

Teams to watch

Alief Taylor (Houston) 21-11

Cypress Lakes (Katy) 23-7

Dobie (Houston) 22-12

Judson (Converse) 22-12

Lake Travis (Austin) 20-11

Liberty (Frisco) 29-5

McAllen Memorial (McAllen) 27-6

Northwest (Justin) 23-12

Trinity Christian (Addison) 30-5

West Mesquite 29-5