Through Dec. 26

Some thoughts and observations on the boys and girls basketball seasons so far, before the district races begin to intensify (in alphabetical order, unless otherwise noted):

 

PLEASE RETURN TO THIS STORY TUESDAY FOR A LINK TO THE STORY ON THE SOUTHSIDE REPORTER WEBSITE.

 

BOYS TOP 15:

 

1. Lanier

2. Central Catholic

3. Edison

4. East Central

5. Harlandale

6. Sam Houston

7. Burbank

8. South San

9. Highlands

10. Brackenridge

11. McCollum

12. Southwest

13. Memorial

14. Southside

15. Jefferson

 

GIRLS TOP 15:

 

1. Brackenridge

2. Southwest

3. Harlandale

4. Highlands

5. South San

6. Lanier

7. Holy Cross

8. Edison

9. Southside

10. East Central

11. Jefferson

12. Kennedy

13. McCollum

14. Memorial

15. Sam Houston

 

 

POSSIBLE BOYS PLAYOFF TEAMS – Class 5A: East Central, South San, Southwest. Class 4A: Brackenridge, Burbank, Edison, Harlandale, Highlands, Lanier, McCollum, Memorial. Class 3A: Sam Houston. TAPPS: Central Catholic.

COMMENTS – Sam Houston again is prohibitive favorite in 28-3A. Harlandale looks to be a step ahead of the pack in 29-4A. Lanier and Edison could challenge Brennan for 28-4A title. East Central, Steele and possibly Corpus Christi Carroll should vie for first in 28-5A. Central Catholic will make the playoffs in TAPPS 2-5A, but can they finish ahead of Antonian?

 

POSSIBLE GIRLS PLAYOFF TEAMS – Class 5A: East Central, South San, Southwest. Class 4A: Brackenridge, Edison, Harlandale, Highlands, Kennedy, Lanier, Southside. Class 3A: Sam Houston. TAPPS: Holy Cross.

COMMENTS – Behind Steele, Southwest and Carroll should battle for second. Co-leader Brackenridge gets its shot at favored Brennan Saturday in 28-4A. Harlandale should make the postseason from 29-4A while Kennedy and Southside are longshots. Holy Cross is a solid bet for the playoffs in TAPPS 3-4A.

 

TOP 10 BOYS PLAYERS– Ceddrick Ali, East Central; P.J. Escobar, Central Catholic; Louis Garza, Lanier; Demarcus Hartsfield, Highlands; Jordon Harris, Sam Houston; Tony Lewis, Central Catholic; Olando Lopez, South San; Brandon McClure, East Central; Ajax Reyes, Lanier; LorenzoVela, Edison.  

THE NEXT DOZEN – Eric Alcozer, South San; Devin Allen, Sam Houston; Aaron Embry, Southwest; Armando Guerrero, Harlandale; Gabe Hildebrand, Brackenridge; Jeremy Jones, East Central; Stuart Lynch, Central Catholic; Moses Montalvo, Burbank; Brian Perez, Southwest; Chad Plummer, Central Catholic; Justin Torres, Edison; Ram Torres, Harlandale.

COMMENTS – There’s an outstanding crop of local boys players, led by standout guards Escobar, Harris or McClure, depending on the night. Central Catholic’s Lewis is starting to deliver on his promise as the area’s best big man. Ali, Lopez and Garza are great leaders. Reyes and Vela are the most improved of the group. Hartsfield’s best is ahead of him. The next 12 aren’t far behind.

 

TOP 10 GIRLS PLAYERS – Miranda Acuna, Brackenridge; Joslyn Flores, Holy Cross; Connie Garza, Harlandale; Breeann Hernandez, Brackenridge; Cameron Orta, Kennedy; Aaliyah Prince, Highlands; Skyler Reyna, Brackenridge; Tiffani Rodriguez, Southwest; Desiree Rodriguez, Southside; Kim Tobias, South San.  

HONORABLE MENTION – Sasha Barrientes, Jefferson; Sabrina Cortinas, Lanier; Elisabeth Crane, Fox Tech; Sabrina Guzman, Southside; Miranda Moreno, McCollum; Justyne Perez, Harlandale; Marisa Salas, Edison; Brianna Salinas, Holy Cross.

COMMENTS – Rodriguez of Southwest has been the area’s best, although Garza has had a strong senior season for Harlandale. Brackenridge is blessed with senior leaders Acuna and Hernandez, while Reyna is rapidly improving.

 

BOYS PLAYERS TO WATCH – Joe Aguilar, Memorial; Davonte Anderson, Brackenridge; Juwan Anderson, Sam Houston; Cosmo Cantu, McCollum; Andy Castro, Edison; Robert Christian, Sam Houston; Albert Jimenez, East Central; Trey Johnson, McCollum; Jesus Maltos, Harlandale; Michael Mascorro, Burbank; Nathan Martinez, McCollum; Bryan Obregon, Memorial; Brandon Ramon, Harlandale; Chris Salazar, Lanier; Jesus Samarripas, South San; Isaiah Vargas, Lanier; Richard Wallace, Brackenridge; Jared Zapata, Edison.

 

GIRLS PLAYERS TO WATCH – Adriana Aguinaga, Jefferson; Janik Alexander-Smith, East Central; Emilee Almazan, McCollum; Alexandra Busby, Southwest; Dionna Camino, Sam Houston; Angela Hardcastle, Highlands; Karyssa Henry, Southwest; Jazmine Jackson, Highlands; Briana Longoria, Southwest; Paula Moreno, Edison; Brittany Rodgers, East Central; Mayra Sendejo, Southside.

 

BOYS GAMES TO CIRCLE ON YOUR CALENDAR:

 

Lanier vs. Brennan at Paul Taylor Gym, Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m.

Brackenridge vs. Burbank at Lanier, Jan. 4, 2:30 p.m.

Highlands vs. Burbank at Alamo Convocation Center, Jan. 7, 5 p.m. (first game at the renovated gym)

McCollum at Harlandale, Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m.

La Vernia vs. Sam Houston at Lanier, Jan. 21, 8 p.m.

Lanier vs. Edison at Alamo Convocation Center, Jan. 22, 8 p.m.

Floresville at Harlandale, Jan. 24, 6:30 p.m.

McCollum vs. Memorial at Edgewood Gym, Jan. 24, 6:30 p.m.

Antonian vs. Central Catholic at Bill Greehey Arena, St. Mary’s, Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m.

Brennan at Lanier, Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m.

Brackenridge vs. Burbank at Alamo Convocation Center, Jan. 28, 8 p.m.

Central Catholic vs. Antonian at Paul Taylor Gym, Feb. 6, 7 p.m.

Harlandale at McCollum, Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m.

Kennedy vs. Memorial at Edgewood Gym, Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m.

Corpus Christi Carroll at South San, Feb. 11, 7 p.m.

 

COMMENTS – Lanier will have its first showdown with Brennan Friday. The Alamo Convocation Center renovation is scheduled to be done in time for Highlands-Burbank Jan. 7. La Vernia, Sam Houston’s chief competition in 28-3A visits Jan. 21. Antonian-Central Catholic battles will be worth the price of admission Jan.24 and Feb. 6. The Harlandale-McCollum and Kennedy-Memorial rivalries could carry playoff significance Feb. 11.

 

GIRLS GAMES TO CIRCLE ON YOUR CALENDAR:

 

Brennan vs. Brackenridge at Lanier, Jan. 4, 1 p.m.

Steele at Southwest, Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m.

Harlandale at Southside, Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m.

Edison vs. Highlands at Lanier, Jan. 17, 6 p.m.

Harlandale at McCollum, Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m.

Corpus Christi Carroll at Southwest, Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m.

Edison vs. Lanier at Alamo Convocation Center, Jan. 22, 6 p.m.

Highlands vs. Lanier at Alamo Convocation Center, Jan. 31, 5 p.m.

Kennedy at Southside, Jan. 31, 6:30 p.m.

Brackenridge vs. Brennan at O’Connor, Feb. 4, 5 p.m.

Southside at Harlandale, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m.

Corpus Christi King at South San, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m.

COMMENTS – Brennan-Brackenridge is a crucial test for the Eagles Saturday. It could set the the tone for the remainder of District 28-4A , just as Steele-Southwest could Jan. 7 in 28-5A. Lanier’s playoff chances could depend on games Jan. 22 and Jan. 31. Kennedy-Southside Jan. 31 could be a battle for fourth place. Corpus Christi King at South San on the final day of the regular season also could have playoff implications.