Its good for many teams and not too good for others.
It doesn't matter what went on in non-district games anymore, it matters now, when your team is in the outside looking in, on playoff positions in district standings. Wins are hard to come by, so teams need to take advantage of every game they can win. It might get to the point very soon that everything including standings and playoff positions because of the cold weather will very well just FREEZE in place.
After all its troubles, Wagner is still unbeaten in District 25-6A play. Their guard play is their strong point but have a couple of freshmen healthy ready to contribute. They have a big game at Steele tonight at 7pm. Steele has a chance to stir things up with a win. Inside game is Steele's game and advantage. Which teams going to impose their will?
Judson is clinging on to the last playoff spot with an overtime victory over Smithson Valley. Because of it, Judson has an inside track, for now, for the last playoff spot despite sporting a losing overall record. Now, more than ever, Smithson Valley needs to somehow get a win against one of the top 4 teams in District to get in the Dance, despite its great overall record. Clemens is still in the hunt but might need more firepower than just Kyra Lambert. Scoring 40 points individually might not be the answer, but then again it might!
Talk about change of fortunes in a heartbeat, That's High School girls basketball.
Earlier in non district play, Brandeis was having trouble getting a big win all season. So they go on and beat Clark who was the then best team in the city. Now they sit atop District 27-6A tied with O'Connor at 4-0. O'Connor is simply rolling along. Dangerous team which can beat you a variety of ways, from the outside, inside and with a stingy defense. Clark is still a mystery to me. Anxious to see what they can do against Brennan and O'Connor. They have enough good players and are deep in the bench to beat anyone in the city. Maybe the loss to Brandeis is what they needed to jumpstart them into a deep playoff run. Time will tell. Stevens off to a great start this season has cooled down and is sitting out of the playoff picture for now. Jay is in danger of missing the playoffs in a very long, long time even though they almost pulled off a win against Brandeis. Brennan is steady rolling along as well. They are one of the most consistent teams in the city. In the end, that might be what propels them to State. Marshall's Abby Rolloque keeps impressing with her over all play. She is shooting a high percentage from downtown.
In District 26-5A, Madison and Johnson sit atop still unbeaten in district play. Johnson has shown they can matchup against any team especially when they are running the floor and playing full court defense at the right time. My early season dark horse team, MacArthur is 0-4 and now sits looking from the outside in the playoff hunt. Churchill has huge games next week vs Reagan and Roosevelt with playoff implications written all over it. Reagan is sitting steady and could be the dark horse team once the playoff starts. They've lost to Johnson 2 times already, will the 3rd time be the charm when they play again. Reagan has a chance to knock off Madison from the unbeaten ranks Saturday, 10th, at Noon. But they have to get by Madison's Moriah Creswell first. She is having a great season.
District 28-6A could possibly be like the Football NFC South Division. There could possibly be a team make the playoffs with a losing record. By all indications, Carroll should have the inside track. Corpus Christi Ray and Southwest should be duking it out for runner up spot. In the end it probably wouldn't matter what position they come out since they will face a tough opponent either way from District 27-6A. But crazier things have happened in the playoffs. Anything is possible.
In non district play, Johnson has an interesting match up with Antonian Tuesday, 13th at 730pm. Antonian has beaten, Wagner, Judson and Churchill, will Johnson be next?
Speaking of next, Antonian then plays Incarnate Word Thursday, 15th at Littleton gym (Blossom) in their first of two Rivalry match ups. A lot of anticipation is brewing in the Private School sector. It's shaping up to be a great game for any basketball fan to come watch.
And in the topic of private schools, middle schools St George Episcopal and St Matthews might have a chance to meet if they win out in Blessed Sacrament Tournament for the Championship on Saturday. Both teams have great young talent that will be showcasing their skills next year in the High School level
And always remember, it's ultimately not what you are ranked that matters, It MATTERS how you finish!
That being said, just a couple changes in my Top 10.
Here is my Top 10
1. O'Connor: Wins- Johnson, Judson, Madison, Reagan, Steele, Brennan, Stevens. Losses- Waco La Vega, #1 3A Wall, Amarillo
2.Brennan: Wins- Wagner, Manvel, Madison (Twice), Reagan, Steele, Johnson. Losses- Reagan, Georgetown, #1 5A Vista Ridge, #1 6A North Shore, Amarillo, O'Connor
3. Clark: Wins-Madison, Cedar Park, Churchill, Stevens twice, Killeen, Belton, Boerne. Losses- Liberty Christian, Brandeis
4. Johnson: Wins-Brandeis (3 times), Stevens, Reagan, IWHS, Brandeis, Churchill. Losses- O'Connor, Wagner, Carroll, Amarillo, Brennan
5. Madison: Wins-Wagner, Brandeis, Stevens, IWHS. Losses-Brennan, Clark, O'Connor
7. Schetz Clemens: Notable wins-Reagan, FW Timble Tech, Killeen Harker Heights, Stevens, Steele, Roosevelt, Round Rock. Losses-Corpus Christi Carroll, Liberty Christian, Brandeis, Wagner
8. Reagan: Wins- Wagner, Brennan, Steele, Judson, Smithson Valley. Losses- Stevens, Carrol, MacArthur, RR Cedar Ridge, Clemens, Johnson, O'Connor
9. Steele: Wins-Brandeis, Southwest, IWHS, San Marcos. Losses-Reagan, Clemens, San Marcos, Stevens, Carroll, Navarro, Brennan, O'Connor
Tied for 10th
Brandeis: Wins- Highlands, Antonian, Judson, Clemens, Clark Losses-Churchill, Johnson (3 Times), Steele, Madison, Wagner, Madison
Antonian: Wins- Wagner, Judson, Churchill. Losses-MacArthur (Twice), CC Ray, Roosevelt, Brandeis
Honorable Mention
Churchill: Wins-Brandeis, MacArthur. Losses-Clark twice, Antonian, Johnson, Madison
Stevens: Wins- Reagan, Killeen Harker Heights, Austin Westlake. Losses-Clemens, Judson, FW Trimble Tech, Johnson, Wagner, Madison, Clark, O'Connor
Incarnate Word: Wins-Marion, RR, Cole Losses-Steele, Johnson, Madison, Manvel
Go Support Girls Basketball!!!!!!
