Teams are jockeying for positions and rankings. Players are putting on performances on the court, hoping it will be enough to be recognized at the end, when its all said and done.
Just like the Oscar's where you have a lot of Movie Pictures worthy of Best Movie, you also have a lot of teams worthy of being the best team in the City. But from witnessing last night's performance, one team has shot up as the favorite to win it all.
Last night, O"Connor beat Brennan with an effort worthy of Best Team Performance (Ensemble Cast)!
Maybe I am making too much of it, but the 5 starters had 11, 11, 11, 11 and 10 points Respectivelly! Pretty Amazing! Can you have any more team balance than that? Just the same defensively, O'Connor players seemed to have more sense of urgency hustling for loose balls and rebounds, tying up ball when other team got the rebound, poking the ball away from offensive players, deflecting passes and you get the Picture. It almost seems you can't take a break and get a moment rest against them. I mean this in a good way, the team is pesky and they can frustrate the heck out of you.
Offensively, they moved the ball well making 3, 4, 5 passes before someone shot. They have the mindset of flying across the court for fast break opportunities from steals or defensive rebounds. I've been saying it since early last year, don't underestimate their guard play.
But one game doesn't necessarily determine ones team fate if you still qualify for the Big Dance. Anything can happen once that starts.
Brennan is still going to be a tough out come playoff time. They have great size across the board, depth and guard play just to mention a few of their strong points. They beat a real good Clark team pretty handily just a few days ago.
Last night though belonged to O'Connor.
Saturday, O'Connor vs Clark 2pm Paul Taylor Gym
A lot of people including myself have been saying how good Clark is all season. This is a game Clark can make a statement they belong in the Best of the City category. For O'Connor, they can solidify their grip as the Best Team in the City with a win.
Looking ahead, One game Can definitely determine a team's fate though when it comes to making the playoffs.
Case in point, going down the Standings in each District, starting with District 25-6A, Smithson Valley needs to virtually win out to have a chance to make the playoffs. Judson is probably in with 1 more win unless SV does sweep, they need two wins in the last 3 games. Wagner and Clemens are in. Steele needs to win 2 out of 4 to safely assure their playoff spot.
In District 26-6A, Johnson and Madison are locks to make the playoffs. The last 2 spots are between Roosevelt, Churchill and Reagan. I feel the magic number 7 wins in District will be enough to get you in the playoffs in this district. That means Roosevelt needs a win from either Madison, Johnson or Churchill to go in. No easy task. Churchill needs to win 3 out of 4. Two of those games are against the bottom 2 teams in district. If they take care of business there, then they need to beat either Reagan or Roosevelt and Churchill is in. Reagan has the toughest road. I feel they have to beat Churchill for starters. Then they have to beat either Madison or Johnson and take care of MacArthur.
In District 27-6A, O'Connor, Brennan, Brandeis, Clark are almost locks. Other teams are mathematically still in it but it's just a matter of playing out the remaining games. Brennan, Clark and Brandeis are all tied for number 2 seed and will be fighting for positioning. It may not seem like much but number 4 seed gets CC Carroll in the first round.
In District 28-6A, Carroll, Southwest, CC Ray and East Central are locked in for the playoff spots. Southwest is playing much better now and may be peaking. East Central can be dangerous with their dynamic young center.
In the Large Private School side, Incarnate Word got a good win over Antonian and then followed that up by beating Private School State Ranked #10 St. Stephens in Austin. IWHS and Antonian should represent well once the playoff starts. Antonian is deep. IWHS is playing well on both ends of the court.
Who will eventually be the best in the City? Just like the Oscar's, is it going to be the favorite or is there going to be an upset.
Which team has the best players? Who has the best Coach? Who has the best supporting cast?
Following are my teams going down the RED CARPET to the playoffs, all contenders. Everyone take your seats, the Show will begin shortly.....
1. O'Connor: Wins- Johnson, Madison, Reagan, Steele, Brennan (Twice), Brandeis. Losses- Waco La Vega, #1 3A Wall, Amarillo
2.Brennan: Wins- Wagner, Manvel, Madison (Twice), Reagan, Steele, Johnson, Brandeis, Clark. Losses- Reagan, Georgetown, #1 5A Vista Ridge, #1 6A North Shore, Amarillo, O'Connor(Twice)
3. Wagner: Wins- Johnson, Steven, Brandeis, Schertz Clemens(Twice), Steele Losses-Brennan, Madison, Antonian, Argyle, Reagan, Cedar Ridge, Austin Westlake, Pflugerville
4. Schetz Clemens: Wins-Reagan, Steele, Roosevelt, Round Rock. Losses-Corpus Christi Carroll, Liberty Christian, Brandeis, Wagner(Twice)
5. Clark: Wins-Madison, Cedar Park, Churchill. Losses- Liberty Christian, Brandeis, Brennan
6. Johnson: Wins-Brandeis (3 times), Stevens, Reagan, IWHS, Brandeis, Churchill, Madison. Losses- O'Connor, Wagner, Carroll, Amarillo, Brennan, Antonian, Churchill
7. Madison: Wins-Wagner, Brandeis, Stevens, IWHS, Reagan, Churchill. Losses-Brennan, Clark, O'Connor, Johnson
9. Roosevelt: Wins- Reagan, Churchill, Antonian. Losses Clemens, Churchill
Tied for 10th
Reagan: Wins- Wagner, Brennan, Steele, Judson, Smithson Valley. Losses- Stevens, Carrol, MacArthur, RR Cedar Ridge, Clemens, Johnson, O'Connor, Madison, Churchill, Roosevelt
Churchill: Wins- Brandeis, Roosevelt, Reagan, Johnson. Losses- Clark(Twice), Antonian, Johnson, Madison, Roosevelt, Madison
Honorable Mention
Incarnate Word, Southwest, Steele, Antonian, Judson, Smithson Valley
Remember, Anything can happen, I'm sure there will be plenty of surprises.
So try and Relax and Enjoy the Show........
Go Support Girls High School Basketball!!!!