Where am I going with this cause unlike the NBA, for the most part, High School teams don't have much of a home court advantage when they play in the larger venues, well playoff seeding does make a difference.
It's a long season, but every game has significance when things are so close. Last year the Spurs lost their last regular season game to the #8 seed and it cost them a higher seed as well as home court advantage in the first round. Things might have turned out different.
High School Girls Basketball is heading to the final stretch as teams are looking to clinch playoff berths and secure the best seeding possible. Would you want to face a team in the opening round of the playoffs thats a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th seed? The road in the playoffs is definitely easier the higher seed you land in District play.
In District 25-6A, Steele seems to have firm control on the District title with a 2 game lead and only 4 games left to go. But with both Judson and Wagner still lurking right behind, anything can happen.
In District 26-6A, Reagan and Johnson meet this weekend. If Reagan wins, they will have a heavy advantage to take the District title. Johnson with only one loss to Reagan in District play need a win to force a tiebreaker if they both can win out. I'm sure Madison is going to have something to say before it is all over. Churchill has the inside track for the last playoff spot by beating Lee earlier. Lee needs to win out including beating Churchill the next time they meet to have a chance at the last playoff spot.
In District 27-6A, Six teams still have a viable shot at making the playoffs with only 4 slots available. Clark and Brandeis are both tied for first with one loss each and are virtually assured of two playoff spots with one of them seemingly the District Champ. They play each other next Wednesday, the 3rd of February. Out of both teams, Brandeis seems to have an easier schedule to finish out.
Taft and O'Connor have the inside track for the last remaining playoff spots with a two game lead over Brennan and Stevens. But Taft has a tough schedule to end the season including a match up with Brennan. Brennan has a softer schedule but needs to beat Taft to strengthen their chances of making the playoffs. Stevens will need to beat O'Connor when they play each other next time they meet to have an outside chance, plus they need to win out as well.
In District 28-6A, Corpus Christi Carroll and Southwest sit atop the District lead with one loss each. They both face off on Friday for seemingly the District title if the winner can win out. East Central and CC Ray are sitting pretty for the final two playoff spots.
In TAPPS 2-5A, Antonian and Incarnate Word meet again next week to determine the District Champion. Both teams are locks for the playoffs.
This is the way I see it going into this weekend's play.
My Top 10 are as follows:
1) Steele- WINS: John Tyler, Argyle, Brandeis, Floresville, Brennan, O'Connor, Austin Bowie, Clemens, Judson, Wagner LOSSES: Austin Bowie
NOTES: Can anyone beat them from the San Antonio area? Only loss to Austin Bowie was avenged. The most consistent team plus loaded with talent. You better have some good guard play, strong inside presence and good shooting if you want to have a chance. That translates into Steele has a tough defense.
2) Clark- WINS: Incarnate Word, Brandeis, Brennan LOSSES: Killeen, Argyle Liberty Christian, Taft
NOTES: A very solid team with very strong guard play with a good inside presence. Didn't play many solid San Antonio teams outside their district which can hurt them once playoffs start. They have the talent to duplicate last years O'Connor great playoff run.
3) Incarnate Word- WINS: Westbury Christian(Twice), Kinkaid, Wagner, SA Cole, Johnson, Floresville, Antonian, St Stephens LOSSES: Georgetown, Westbury Christian, Richardson, Fayetville, AR
NOTES: Strong guard play with a mixture of veterans and young talent. A lot of capable shooters. If their defense is on, they have a strong fast break that can finish inside and out. Savvy floor general along with a bona fide scorer provides you a solid 1, 2 punch.
4) Judson- WINS: RR Westwood, Killeen, O'Connor(Twice), Wagner, Clemens LOSSES: Cedar Vista Ridge, Madison, Clemens NOTES: Talented and athletic club. Their defense provides sparks fast break opportunities. They have players that can hit the long ball at a moments notice which opens up the middle. At times, their overall intensity can be scary to opponents.
5) Antonian- Wins: Johnson (Three times), Brennan, Brandeis, Amarillo, St Stephens Losses: Johnson, Devine, Boerne, Incarnate Word NOTES: Overall its hard to find a team that gives you more effort and all out drive to compete than this group. They have shooters to compliment their aggressive defense. If you happen to play them, you better have some able guards cause you are going to be in for a long day if you don't.
6) Johnson- WINS Antonian, Wagner, Brandeis, Lee, Taft LOSSES: Antonian (Three times), Taft, Incarnate Word, Brennan, Reagan NOTES: A solid and very athletic front court. That is the key to their success. Offensive rebounds for second chance opportunities and defensive rebounds to start the fast break with a very capable point guard leading the way. They are most effective when they run the court getting to the bucket.
7) Wagner- WINS: Brandeis, Brennan, Plano Prestonwood, Clemens LOSSES: Incarnate Word, South Grand Prairie, Galena North Shore, Johnson, Richardson, Cedar Hill, Plano, Judson, Steele NOTES: Guard play are playmakers extraordinaire. Injuries have hurt as well as of lack of depth.
8)Brandeis- WINS: Amarillo, Taft, Brennan, O'Connor Losses: Antonian, Steele, Wagner, Brennan, Judson, Johnson, Clark, Clemens
NOTES: Another exceptional playmaking guard with some some nice solid players to go along with. They have taken their lumps early on in the season but seem to be clicking.
9) Reagan- WINS: Johnson, Clemens LOSSES: Wagner, Johnson, Brandeis, Brennan, Steele, RR Westwood, Pfurgerville, Killeen
NOTES: Solid and very capable starting unit inside and out. Another team that took their lumps early on but is clicking at the right team. Strong Senior leadership provides an essential ingredient of going deep in the playoffs.
10) Clemens- WINS: Judson, Brandeis LOSSES: Johnson, Brandeis, Wagner, Steele, Judson NOTES: Even if they come out as a 4th seed, look out for them. They can still make some noise.
GAMES OF NOTE:
FRIDAY
CC Carrol at Southwest 630pm
Judson at Wagner 7pm
Steele at Clemens 7pm
SATURDAY
Reagan at Johnson (LITTLETON GYM) 130pm
O'Connor at Clark (TAYLOR FIELDHOUSE) 2pm
GO SUPPORT GIRLS BASKETBALL!!!!!!
GAMES OF NOTE:
FRIDAY
CC Carrol at Southwest 630pm
Judson at Wagner 7pm
Steele at Clemens 7pm
SATURDAY
Reagan at Johnson (LITTLETON GYM) 130pm
O'Connor at Clark (TAYLOR FIELDHOUSE) 2pm
GO SUPPORT GIRLS BASKETBALL!!!!!!