These Deep East Texas Basketball Teams Are In The State Rankings

District play is wrapping up for Texas high school basketball teams. We are about a week away from the start of the bi-district playoff round.

Numerous teams from Deep East Texas will see postseason action. Some of those teams have been getting recognition from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) and MaxPreps.

Area Teams in the Top 25

Class 5A

• Lufkin Panthers - #28 MaxPreps
  • The Panthers have clinched the district championship. They are 21-11 on the season, undefeated in district, and have won 12 straight.

Class 4A

• Hudson Hornets - #19 in the state (TABC), #13 MaxPreps
  • The Hornets have been having a historic season under first-year head coach Jeff Brantner. Hudson is 28-4 on the year and has clinched the District 18-4A championship.

• Palestine Wildcats
  • The 'Cats are 18-8 and not included in the TABC Top 25 for Class 4A. However, they have clinched the runner-up spot in District 18-4A, and they are listed as the #28 team in the state according to MaxPreps.

Class 3A

• Crockett Bulldogs - #20 MaxPreps
  • Crockett was in the TABC Top 25 earlier in the season but they are not included in the most recent poll. Still, they have an impressive record of 27-6 and ranked 20th in the state in the MaxPreps poll.

• Central Bulldogs - #36 MaxPreps
  • The Bulldogs are 24-8 on the year, and they are first in their district. They have a big showdown with Central Heights for their final district game of the year.

Class 2A

• Shelbyville Dragons - #13 in the state (TABC), #13 MaxPreps
  • The 22-7 Dragons are the 2nd place team in one of the toughest 2A districts in Texas. The district features Beckville which is #3 in the state and Timpson which is #21. Shelbyville has beaten Timpson twice and lost by two points to Beckville in their last meeting.

• San Augustine Wolves - #14 in the state (TABC)
  • After starting the year 5-8, the Wolves have reeled off 12 straight wins, which includes a perfect 10-0 district mark.

• Grapeland Sandies - #17 in the state (TABC), #28 MaxPreps
  • Grapeland is 23-10 on the year and has won nine straight games. They have a showdown with the Centerville Tigers on Tuesday to decide the district championship.
• Timpson Bears - #21 in the state (TABC), #23 MaxPreps
  • Don't overlook the Bears. They may be 3rd in their district, but it is a very tough district. Timpson only played 16 basketball games this season due to their state championship run in football.
• Douglass Indians - #11 MaxPreps
  • I'm not sure how Douglass doesn't get a nod in the top 25 in the TABC rankings. They are 23-8 on the season, district champs (with no losses), and many of their season's losses have been close games with ranked teams. This could be a good thing as the Indians could use that as motivation for the playoffs.

• Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs - #26 MaxPreps
  • The Bulldogs are 26-7 on the season and their only losses in district play came to #14 San Augustine.

Class A

• Brookeland Wildcats - #6 in the state (TABC), #10 MaxPreps
  • The Wildcats have won 12 straight and are 13-0 in district. Brookeland's closest district games were 21-point wins against Burkeville and Leggett.

• Martinsville Pirates - #31 MaxPreps
  • The Pirates are 20-9 on the year and in 3rd place in a very tough district that features Laneville and Wells.
• Wells Pirates - #44 MaxPreps
  • These guys are on fire.  They have won 8 straight including a big win against Laneville which is #22 in the state (TABC). I would not want to be facing them when the playoffs roll around next week.