There was a whirlwind of action all over the place with most teams participating in tournaments all over Texas. From McDonalds Invitational, Floresville Classic, San Marcos, South San, SAISD, Marble Falls, McAllen, San Antonio area teams were representing in full force.
A couple things come to mind as I see scores being posted.
I don't recall seeing so many blowouts all over the place. Some scores are so lopsided that it is hard to imagine there is so much discrepancy among area teams. And yet everything is so unpredictable that anything goes at any time.
Did Steele really lose to Navarro and San Marcos?
Did Antonian beat both Judson and Wagner back to back in the same week?
Is Wagner still looking for its first win after two whole weeks of playing basketball?
When is the last time that ever happened? Maybe Never.
How good is Waco La Vega? They beat 6A power San Antonio O'Connor not once but twice. Yes they are defending Champs but still 2 classes lower. What about Wall, they are defending Champs as well but 3 classes lower and they get the win over OConnor as well. I had never even heard of a town named Wall.
So as the HS Girls Basketball Landscape unfolds, I observe a couple of rules of thought from coaches setting schedules.
Let's either play the toughest non district schedule possible against some of the toughest competition to better prepare the team in many ways for a later run in the playoffs or play some possibly easier competition to build team chemistry, instill confidence etc and possibly make a run later at the top teams after they knock each other out.
Both scenarios might be positive depending on each individual team. But I'm starting to get the feeling that the teams that play the most experienced, balanced, most skilled and talented players and teams, are in the end, the teams that are going to come out on top come playoff time. Only time will tell of course. What we know now could possibly be totally upside down in a matter of no time at all.
Some Notes
2017 Stephanie Ruiz from Taft HS is a very Under Rated player cause a lot of people haven't seen her play. She has game and is fun to watch her play and compete. She doesn't back down at all. Very Crafty young player. Taft might surprise someone this year in District.
Marshall Rams are competing well with what they have. 2016 Abby Rolloque has stepped up under adverse situations since last year to show she is a threat at any point of the game. She is smooth and steady. 2016 Bri Lane out this year hurts the team but Marshall is still managing to hang in there. Last year they upset a talented Clark team and they can possibly do the same this year to another opponent that takes them lightly.
San Antonio Lee only won 3 games all of last year. They are on their way to a decent and respectable showing. They have a lot of new kids with a lot of energy on the court led by 2018 Jenesis Navarro avg 11 points a game. Add them to the mix of Juniors Jennifer Sullivan and Julie Hernandez plus other kids, don't be surprise if they get a District victory that has eluded them in recent memory.
Smithson Valley off to a great start. Maybe next year was going to be their year with a lot of young talent. Their new Head Coach is having the team believe that maybe this year is their year! Play Boerne Champion on Monday.
Looking around the area and its amazing how many players from different teams are having 20 plus point games. And not just once but multiple times. There are also players closing in on 30 pt games or exceeding that, seemingly without much effort. A lot of offense out there and a lot of points.
Looking ahead at District games for fun, some good teams are going to be left out of the playoffs.
In District 25-6A, Smithson Valley, Schertz Clemens, New Braunfels Canyon, perennial powers Judson, Wagner, Steele, who will be home for the playoffs? Could Wagner or Judson be sitting home come playoff time or possibly both
Just as intriguing is 27-6A, Brennan, Clark, Brandeis, OConnor and Stevens are the favorites, but that still leaves 1 team out and that doesn't include perennial power Jay and teams like Taft and Marshall wanting to make some noise. Someone is definitely going to be feeling down if they don't make it to the playoffs especially with so much talent in each team. That will be definitely tough.
Then we have District 26-6A, Reagan, Churchill, Johnson, Madison, Mac, Roosevelt and Lee. Who is sitting home for the playoffs? There might be a 5 way tie for first in this District.
You gotta love it.
This is how I see it as of right now. All in fun.
1. Brennan-Beats Madison handily and gets a great win over Defending State Champ Manvel. Feel they just have many different ways of beating you. Different player can definitely step up at any given moment. They have a great tough schedule that should bode well down the stretch. Game of the week will be #1 Class 5A Ranked Cedar Vista Ridge vs Brennan on Tuesday at 230pm. There will be talent galore all over the court in that match up. Best of Austin vs Best of SA. Doesn't get much better.
2. Scherts Clemens- They are tough team. Their Coach is constantly pushing them. The team plays a relentless attacking style. They might have one of the best pressing teams when they use it. What's best is that no matter who they are playing against if they stay close, they definitely have a go to player to go to at the end. They already beat Steele, Stevens, FW Trimble, Killeen Harker Heights, Reagan, Southwest and lost to Carroll. Just look at the competition they have played already. Looking down the road, they might not lose again till the playoffs.
3. Stevens- Have beaten Reagan, Killeen Harker Heights, Steele, Navarro, lost to FW Trimble and Schertz.
4. Clark- Picked up nice Wins vs Churchill then traveled to the Valley and won McAllen Tourney Championship beating Cedar Park and Churchill again. They are very deep. Just look how many kids are averaging over 6 points a game. Interesting match up vs MacArthur on Tuesday at 130pm at OConnor HS.
5. Churchill- Two very tough loses to Clark leaves Churchill to regroup some what. They have a favorable schedule heading into District play.
6. OConnor- Had some tough loses in a couple of tournaments to some great talented smaller schools. Looking down the road, first half of December is shaping up to be a real test for them.
7. Johnson- Had a relatively easy time winning the South San Tournament. Quality win over Brandeis to show and loses to OConnor and Carroll. Game vs Wagner on Tuesday at 530pm. Let's see if Wagner can get their first Win or if Johnson continue to roll.
8. Steele- They have played a lot of quality teams even though they have come up short some, they have been close. Nice win over Brandeis and have a win over Southwest. Loses to Schertz Clemens, Carroll.
9. Brandeis- Another team unchallenged winning Floresville Tournament with relative ease. Still in search of nice win. Losses to Churchill, Johnson, Steele.
Tied
10. Madison- Lost to Brennan and had a nice showing at the McDonalds Invitational winning Gold Bracket in Division 2. Good Matchup vs Brandeis on Tuesday
10. Smithson Valley- You have to acknowledge their strong start no matter who they have played. They have offensive weapons inside and out but what might surprise their opponents is that they play solid defense. Down the road looking forward to seeing them have a strong performance at Hay's Tournament.
Outside looking in
Reagan- played strong vs Schertz Clemens. Again we have to see their body of work even though they have come up short. Games vs Stevens, Carroll, Wagner and Clemens. 2016's Mailee Jones and Emily Sandoval are playing strong.
Antonian- Nice wins over Wagner and Judson. Good matchup vs Highlands on Tuesday. 2016 Sandy Ramirez taking the lead with her quickness and instincts.
Wagner- Searching for their first Win.
IWHS- Win over Floresville. Only two losses so far when 6 players (3 Starters) out due to School Function. One of losses to Laredo Alexander by 1 pt, 51 to 50. Still work in progress but you can start seeing guards 2016 Alexia Torres and 2018 Sophia Ramos read each other and starting to play like they have been playing with each other for a long time. They compliment each other really well and only should get stronger.
Games to Watch
Cedar Vista Ridge vs Brennan at Brennan Tuesday 230pm
Clark vs MacArthur at Oconnor HS Tuesday 130pm
Reagan vs Steele at Littleton gym Tuesday 7pm
Brandeis vs Madison at Littleton gym Tuesday 5pm
Many well wishes to all and safe travels during Thanksgiving Holidays.
Hope everyone has a great day together with family and friends and plenty of hot delicious food!
Get ready for a lot more action of Girls Basketball. Things will be heating up with more and more interesting Match ups of the top teams in San Antonio.
GO SUPPORT GIRLS BASKETBALL!!!
