Boys’ basketball playoffs: 10 key questions
Going into the last weekend of the regular season for area boys basketball, a look at 10 key questions:
Who can stop Atascocita in Class 6A’s Region II?
The Eagles are a perfect 32-0, regarded as the top team in the state and ranked as high as fourth nationally. The region isn’t a cakewalk. No. 7 Killeen Shoemaker and No. 8 Klein Forest are both on Atascocita’s side of the bracket, with No. 11 Dallas Skyline, No. 18 Dekaney and No. 20 Austin Westlake on the other.
Just how ridiculous is Class 5A Region III?
Put it like this — six of the state’s top seven teams sit in this region, and only one (No. 4 Yates) claimed an outright district title. No. 2 Elkins beat No. 1 Bush on Tuesday to force a tie atop 23-5A, while No. 5 Beaumont Ozen and No. 6 Beaumont Central split their two games in 22-5A.
So when will those powers meet?
If Bush, Elkins and the two Beaumont schools all win their first-round matchups, then these four powers will square off in the area round for the second year in a row.
Is Yates the forgotten team in Class 5A?
Not really. The Lions are ranked fourth in the state and enter the playoffs with a 26-3 record. They do avoid any of the other area powers until at least the region semifinals, but staying out of superheavyweight matchups early could bring about “out of sight, out of mind.”
Can Sam Houston win Class 6A Region III?
With a 29-4 record and No. 2 ranking in the state, the Tigers looked to have taken the next step. The only true knock against them is their height, but that hasn’t stopped Ralph Barrera’s group from pressuring opponents to death with their guard play and up-tempo play. The maturation of sophomore point guard Kendrick Davis could be key.
How does the region look overall?
Like last year, Sam Houston will be a tough out. But overall, there are a number of teams that could be the last one standing and punching its ticket to San Antonio. Aldine Davis is new but talented, and the Falcons have a dominant player in 6-foot-8 senior Royce Hamm. Travis isn’t too far removed for a state champion and may be the tallest lineup around. Dickinson is riding the wave of its first-ever district title, while Cypress Lakes and Kentucky signee De’Aaron Fox will definitely make things interesting.
Which lower seeds are dangerous?
Third- and fourth-place teams don’t always make deep playoff runs, especially when it means opening the postseason against a district champion. But there’s one out there lurking. Watch out for Manvel, which features talented sophomore Jalen Preston and could put a scare in someone. Fort Bend Marshall isn’t an ordinary third-place team, so watch for the Buffs to possibly win a game or two. And the same goes for Stafford in Class 4A.
Speaking of 4A, will 284A own the region?
At one point, La Marque, Brazosport, Stafford and Columbia were all tied for first place and among the top 15 teams in the state rankings. La Marque won the region last year with a roster that included no seniors. All but Stafford reached the region quarterfinals a year ago and there’s a good chance the district could send all four this season.
Could No. 1 vs. No. 2 meet in 4A’s Region III?
Wheatley finished second in District 22-4A last season, which meant meeting — and eventually losing — to Silsbee in the third round. The two teams are both district champions and on opposite sides of the bracket, which means that any playoff meeting between top-ranked Silsbee and No. 2 Wheatley would be for the right to go to the state tournament.
What about those still fighting to get in?
With a three-team tie for fourth in 16-6A, College Park and Summer Creek meet Friday at Oak Ridge. Conroe then faces the winner Saturday to decide the final playoff spot. Fort Bend Austin and Elsik play Friday to determine third and fourth place in 23-6A. Texas City and Galveston Ball meet Friday in Santa Fe to decide fourth place in 23-5A, while 23-4A champion Huffman Hargrave gets the winner of Little Cypress-Mauriceville and West Orange-Stark.