Regional Tourney Super Preview
GASO previews every regional tournament in the state with 24 tickets to the Alamodome set to be punched this weekend.
Table of Contents:
TexasHoops TV Highlight Hub
GASO Final Top 25 Rankings
Lyndon and Blue’s 6A-1A Class Breakdowns
Recruiting Quote of the Week
Regional Tournament Super Preview
Ryan Massad’s Playoff Performer Badges
TexasHoops TV Highlight Hub
Two big time matchups from the regional quarters and area rounds, as well as the latest Actin’ Bad Broadcast including Michael Timmins’ official state tournament picks.
Also check out a brand new GASOCast where we deep dive into even more state title discussion and talk prospects and teams we’ve seen throughout the playoffs.
GASO Final Top 25 Rankings
6A Breakdown:
Chaos all over the place in 6A, starting with Atascocita and Shadow Creek being ousted in the area round, and continuing to the regional quarterfinals earlier this week where we’ve officially lost half of our Top 10. Favorites are still alive in regions 1, 3 and 4 - but in 6A Region II we have a field exclusively comprised of teams that finished third in their districts!
We’ll get into each one individually in our regional previews below.
5A Breakdown:
Some close calls for regional contenders as El Paso Chapin pulled a 30-29 win over Palo Duro out of the fire at the very end, Fort Bend Marshall escaped a tough challenge from Friendswood, and Frisco Lone Star finished the game on a 27-5 run to pull off an incredible comeback against Dallas South Oak Cliff.
We also had two of the best matchups across any classification this past Tuesday as San Antonio Vets Memorial narrowly defeated Rouse for the 2nd straight year, and The Colony was able to outlast WT White in another prime 5A game.
4A Breakdown:
All year we’ve kept Anna in these rankings knowing how dangerous they can be once all the pieces fall into place with their football guys and basketball guys being able to gel, and the Coyotes went out and proved that in a major upset to deny Eastern Hills a trip to the regional tournament.
The other seismic upset came out in Region I with Decatur knocking Estacado out of the dance, then cruising past Glen Rose to make it to the regional tourney again. We’ll get into more of the “how” of Decatur’s run below with our playoff performers segment.
Small School Breakdown:
All the no.1 seeds are still alive, but it’s been a mass exodus from the playoffs for a lot of these top 10 squads. In 3A Brock was upset by Jim Ned, Chapel Hill ousted Hooks, and Ponder was able to defeat Dallas Madison for the 2nd year running.
2A is even more convoluted, as seeds 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 all exited early and Region IV has become a crapshoot with zero ranked teams remaining in the field.
1A’s only Top 10 casualties have been at the hands of other Top 10 teams as Graford was able to come back to defeat no.10 Slidell and Dodd City was able to deny no.6 Perrin-Whitt a regional berth yet again.
Recruiting Quote of the Week
Scoring is important but I will always value players who find other ways to make their team better outside of when the ball is going in. Deflections, rebounds, not allowing your man to score or making plays on the help side to keep your opponent from scoring. There are so many ways to impact a game that aren’t seen on a stat sheet. I want to find the guys who don’t need to score to impact the game!
- JUCO Coach
Regional Tourney Super Previews
The regional power rankings list exits our newsletter, and is replaced by GASO’s official regional tournament previews and predictions from FastBreak editor Lyndon Cook (@GASOLyndon)
Class 6A
6A Region I: Wilkerson-Greines, Fort Worth
Matchups:
Keller vs. Lewisville, 6 PM
Plano East vs. Eaton 8 PM
Breakdown: Plano East is 36-0 for very good reason. They have talent, experience, chemistry, coaching and just about every other box you need to have checked to make it this far without a loss. And while they don’t have a “5 star” on the roster, I’d argue that their balance and adaptability are the things that make them so dangerous against any opponent.
Keller is similar with their depth and ability to create advantage situations for themselves on offense, and the emergence of Steven Ramirez has been a huge boost to their firepower in the playoffs. Knocking out North Crowley was no small feat, but Lewisville will challenge them in several different ways when you consider the scoring talent of Rakai Crawford and Landon Brown among others.
And while Eaton may be labeled a surprise package to be here, the Eagles have consistently shown their ability to be a tough team to beat and was able to navigate past quadrant favorites Frenship in the quarters.
The Pick: Plano East over Keller
6A Region II: Panther Activity Center, Lufkin
Matchups:
Rockwall vs. Aldine Nimitz, 6:00 PM
Cy Ranch vs. Mansfield Lake Ridge, 8:00 PM
Breakdown: Since Duncanville’s last state title, Region 2 has really dialed up the unpredictability during the playoffs. We do wind up with 2 DFW and 2 Houston representatives, but the favorites to reach these spots have been replaced by 3-seeds across the board.
Lake Ridge enters as the favorites to advance, but this playing field is much more even than rankings would suggest as they will first have to contend with Cy Ranch’s super sophomore Jacob Williford. Rockwall freshman Mason Shepherd hit one of the coldest shots in the playoffs thus far with a last second bomb to send the Hornets to the regional semis, where they will be fully tested by the relentless guards of Aldine Nimitz.
The Pick: Lake Ridge over Nimitz
6A Region III: Campbell Center, Houston
Matchups:
Katy Seven Lakes vs. Beaumont United, 6 PM
Houston Bellaire vs. Clear Springs, 7:30 PM
Breakdown: The prospects in this field of four alone… WHEW.
AJ Bates. Kayde Dotson. Alec Belter. Shelton Henderson. Clarence Payia. Nasir Price. Anthony Andrews.
This mini-tournament is well in the conversation for the most talent under one roof this weekend, and for good reason. All of these teams had to survive a gauntlet of ranked teams just to get here and whoever comes out of this reason will have a full serving of battle scars to show for it.
Seven Lakes got here after a last second Tillman Jaramillo floater gave Clements their first loss of the season, while Beaumont United being here surprises exactly zero people across the state. Both teams have more than enough talent to get the job done and determining a favorite here is going to be very difficult. It would be impossible to find a better regional semifinal matchup in the state if it wasn’t for the game happening over in San Antonio at 7:30.
Alec Belter has had a playoff run for the ages so far, and will hope to keep that trend going against the size and talent of Bellaire. Something tells me this game will hinge on the scoring of Shelton Henderson to see who reaches the regional final.
The Pick: Seven Lakes over Bellaire
6A Region IV: Northside ISD Gym, San Antonio
Matchups:
Austin Lake Travis vs. San Antonio O’Connor, 5:30 PM
San Antonio Brennan vs. Round Rock Stony Point, 7:30 PM
Breakdown: No other public school playoff regional tournament in the country has the kind of national star-power that the 6A Region IV tournament does and I will die on that hill. Hudson Greer at Lake Travis, Josiah Moseley at Stony Point, and Kingston Flemings at Brennan all carry stars behind their names, but we haven’t even scratched the surface with the talent on these rosters.
O’Connor may be the outlier in that they have no nationally heralded prospects on their roster, but don’t think for a second that makes them a pushover. The Panthers made easy work of their quadrant of the bracket and look like they’re peaking at the right time of the season.
As for a prediction, it’s almost too close to call. Brennan got the better of Stony Point last year in this round, but the Tigers have clearly leveled up in the year since. I’m going with my gut and taking Brennan to return to the Alamodome to work on some unfinished business.
The Pick: Brennan over Lake Travis
Class 5A
5A Region I: Kay Yeager Coliseum, Wichita Falls
Matchups:
Amarillo vs. Mansfield Summit, 4 PM
El Paso Chapin vs. Colleyville Heritage, 6 PM
Breakdown: Three of the four teams making their third straight appearance at the KYC, while Heritage broke through to round 4 this season following a huge comeback win over Brewer in the quarters.
Could this be the year for El Paso Chapin to break through and get an El Paso team back to the state tourney? They do have Jayden Leverett, though he will face off with fellow 6’10 prospect Tim Finau in one of the premier big on big matchups across the state.
Amarillo and Summit have a tendency to meet up at this juncture and although Summit are defending regional champs, I just have the feeling this may be Amarillo’s year to make an appearance in San Antonio.
The Pick: Amarillo over Colleyville Heritage
5A Region II: Curtis Culwell Center, Garland
Matchups:
The Colony vs. Longview, 6 PM
Lancaster vs. Frisco Lone Star, 7:30 PM
Breakdown: This region has been a gauntlet in every sense of the word, as every team comprising this field has multiple wins over ranked teams.
The Colony and their contingent of talented 2026’s had one of the biggest wins of the previous round in knocking off WT White, and draw a Longview team that has been one of the most consistent teams in East Texas all year.
The Lone Star/Lancaster matchup may be the best in the entire 5A field. The winner here will have the inside track to the state tourney, and when in doubt, roll with Ferrin Douglas’ bunch.
The Pick: Lancaster over The Colony
5A Region III: Berry Center, Cypress
Matchups:
Fort Bend Marshall vs. Killeen Shoemaker, 5:30 PM
Killeen Ellison vs. Port Arthur Memorial, 7:30 PM
Breakdown: The Marshall-Ellison collision course may have not been as obvious throughout the season, and still isn’t in the playoffs considering the teams they have to face to reach the regional finals, but I still think it’s realistic for these teams to see each other with a ticket to state on the line.
And just like last year, I like the toughness and grit that Ellison brings to the table in a two game tourney.
The Pick: Ellison over Marshall
5A Region IV: Littleton Gym, San Antonio
Matchups:
Wagner vs. Edinburg Vela, 5:30 PM
SA Veterans Memorial vs. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial, 7:30 PM
Breakdown: The battle of Veterans’ Memorial determines one half of the 5AR4 final, while Vela represents the RGV’s best chance of getting state tourney representation at the 5A level since the days of Ryan Garza.
But Wagner looks to be a different animal in the playoffs after knocking off district foe Boerne Champion in the third round. I believe round 3 of Wagner vs. SA Vets determines the regional title.
The Pick: SA Veterans Memorial over Wagner
Class 4A
4A Region I: Rip Griffin Center, Lubbock
Matchups:
Canyon Randall vs. Krum, 6:00 PM
Canyon vs. Decatur, 8:00 PM
Breakdown: Randall has been playing for more than a repeat regional championship, as coach Leslie Broadhurst continues to be sidelined with health conditions (prayers up, Coach Broadhurst!). And results reflect that inspired level of play as they have scored 90+ in all 3 playoff games thus far.
I was courtside to see Krum knock off Hirschi Tuesday night, and in Ty Tabor’s pace and space system the Bobcats have a real chance to return to state for the first time in 25 years, though the athleticism of Randall will be a real challenge.
The other semi pits Canyon attempting to make their 2nd straight regional final against one of the hottest players in the entire state with Decatur’s Javen Colbert, whose low water mark for scoring in the entire playoffs in 34. If he can keep those numbers up, Decatur will have more than a chance to get back to the state tourney.
The Pick: Randall over Decatur
4A Region II: A&M Commerce Fieldhouse, Commerce
Matchups:
Faith Family vs. Dallas Pinkston
Dallas Carter vs. Anna
Breakdown: Faith Family has hardly played Texas competition in the past two months as they’ve been able to go national with their schedule, but the fact remains they have the size and talent to go toe-to-toe with any program in the state regardless of class.
If Dallas Carter can navigate past Anna, which will be no easy feat, their talented senior class will get one last shot at South Dallas rivals Faith Family with a return to state on the line.
The Pick: Faith Family over Carter
4A Region III: Bryan HS Gym, Bryan
Matchups:
Silsbee vs. Houston Wheatley, 6:00 PM
Houston Washington vs. Tyler Chapel Hill, 8:00 PM
Breakdown: The last two seasons its come down to the Silsbee/Washington winner to determine the region III title, and I don’t see any changes to that hierarchy.
And even with all the talent the other teams bring to the table, I just don’t think anyone has an answer for the length and talent of Chris McDermott.
The Pick: Booker T. Washington over Silsbee
4A Region IV: Steinke Center, Kingsville
Matchups:
Bishop vs. Stafford, 6:00 PM
Iowa Colony vs. Somerset, 8:00 PM
Breakdown: No major upsets along the way in region 4 gives us the best possible field for the southern region of class 4A.
Which prospect can impact the game more between Bishop’s Donny Thomas and Stafford’s Braden East will determine the first semifinal, while Iowa Colony is seeking to reach the state tournament over Somerset in only their 2nd year as a varsity program.
I get the feeling this goes to a round 3 between Stafford and Iowa Colony, where IC has been the more consistent team throughout the season.
The Pick: Iowa Colony over Stafford
Class 3A
3A Region I: Tiger Pit, Wolfforth
Matchups:
Holliday vs. Childress, 6:00 PM
WF City View vs. Shallowater, 7:30 PM
Breakdown: Holliday and Shallowater have both rolled their way into the regional tournament, while Childress has found it more challenging and City View has had to survive with a buzzer beater over Wall and OT against Peaster to be here.
Any of these 4 teams could win, but its just hard to see any result but a Holliday-Shallowater regional final. And in that game, I’m going with Keitenn Bristow as the best prospect in the field.
The Pick: Holliday over Shallowater
3A Region II: Prosper HS Gym, Prosper
Matchups:
Paradise vs. Tatum, 6:00 PM
Ponder vs. Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill, 7:30 PM
Breakdown: Chapel Hill has been one of the most consistent groups in 3A and will draw a Ponder team full of confidence after defeating Dallas Madison. Paradise and Tatum both had to survive tough roads to get here, so this is honestly a very even group of teams, though I would guess the winner of Ponder/Chapel Hill takes the crown.
The Pick: Ponder over Tatum
3A Region III: Midway HS Gym, Waco
Matchups:
Hitchcock vs. Lorena, 6:00 PM
Kountze vs. Westwood, 7:30 PM
Breakdown: Can anyone get in the way of a third straight title for Hitchcock? They will be tested by Camden Brock and Lorena, though they do already own a 73-40 win over Lorena back in December.
Kountze has been a steady top 10 group for much of the year, while Westwood has been just outside the ranks in making their first ever regional tourney. The safe play is to take Hitchcock to roll.
The Pick: Hitchcock over Kountze
3A Region IV: Seguin HS Gym, Seguin
Matchups:
Poth vs. Goliad, 6:00 PM
San Antonio Cole vs. Corpus Christi London, 8:00 PM
Breakdown: San Antonio Cole is back in the regional title hunt after a down campaign last season, and with James Livingston and co. playing some high level ball lately it’s going to be tough to pick against them. Don’t be surprised if Poth gives them a run for their money though.
The Pick: Cole over Poth
Class 2A
2A Region I: Texan Dome, Levelland
Matchups:
Floydada vs. New Home, 6:30 PM
Plains vs. Olton, 8:00 PM
Breakdown: What a topsy turvy year it’s been out west for 2A. While New Home are the reigning regional champs, Floydada is more than dangerous and Plains ended up winning that district the first time around. Expect more unpredictability over the next two days.
The Pick: Plains over Floydada
2A Region II: McKinney Boyd HS Gym, McKinney
Matchups:
Lipan vs. North Hopkins, 5:00 PM
Muenster vs. Poolville, 7:00 PM
Breakdown: Lipan had to survive double OT with Seymour to get back to the regional tournament, while North Hopkins has been able to cruise through for the most part.
As a Muenster graduate, I have to shoutout coach Kyle Cavitt and the Hornets for returning to the regional tournament for the first time since 2020. But Poolville and coach Doug Boxell will be the sternest test Muenster will have seen thus far in the playoffs.
The Pick: Lipan over Poolville
2A Region III: Athens HS Gym, Athens
Matchups:
Martins Mill vs. Beckville, 6:00 PM
LaPoynor vs. Shelbyville, 8:00 PM
Breakdown: It doesn’t get much better than no.2 versus no.3 in the regional semis but that’s what we get with Martins Mill and Beckville. Both teams can score it, but both teams also know how to grind out wins. This may be a true coin toss.
Shelbyville has played spoiler in this region before, and you can never count out LaPoynor and a core group that has won the last two regional titles in Athens.
The Pick: Beckville over LaPoynor
2A Region IV: Buda Johnson Gym, Buda
Matchups:
Sabine Pass vs. Santa Maria, 6:00 PM
Thrall vs. Kenedy, 8:00 PM
Breakdown: Nowhere in the state did our rankings/projections fall flatter than in 2A region IV. Upsets abound gave us this field of 4 that not many would have penciled in as of two weeks ago, but here we are. It’s a shot in the dark, but give me Thrall over Sabine Pass.
The Pick: Thrall over Sabine Pass
Class 1A
1A Region I: Texan Dome, Levelland
Matchups:
Texline vs. Whitharral, 1:00 PM
Wildorado vs. Jayton, 2:30 PM
Breakdown: Texline has been steadily thumping teams and I would expect them to at the very least play for the regional title.
Wildorado vs. Jayton poses a different kind of question, but Ryan Bleiker returned a lot of experience from last year’s state runners-up. Jayton just seems to get the job done when the chips are down so they’ll get my pick here.
The Pick: Jayton over Texline
1A Region II: WTC Coliseum, Snyder
Matchups:
Benjamin vs. Irion County, 4:00 PM
Robert Lee vs. Clyde Eula, 6:00 PM
Breakdown: The question on everyone’s minds in 1AR2 all year has been how can we stop Grayson Rigdon.?
Knox City almost figured out the combination earlier this week in playing Benjamin to 6, though. Rigdon still accounted for 47 of his team’s 75. When you have the nation’s leading scorer, I think you’re always going to come in as the favorite.
The Pick: Benjamin over Eula
1A Region III: Mansfield HS Gym, Mansfield
Matchups:
Gordon vs. Dodd City, 5:00 PM
Huckabay vs. Graford, 8:00 PM
Breakdown: Graford’s march towards a three-peat nearly ended prematurely as they had to overcome a fourth quarter deficit against Slidell earlier this week, and their road doesn’t get any easier with all 4 of these teams in the Top 10.
This is an inexact science to say the least, but having formerly coached in this region, I’ve got a feeling we get some new blood representing 1AR3 this year.
The Pick: Dodd City over Graford
1A Region IV: Burger Center, Austin
Matchups:
Brookeland vs. Rocksprings, 6:00 PM
Fayetteville vs. Wells, 8:00 PM
Breakdown: Brookeland has been steadily consistent the entire year, while all the other contenders have had at least one wobble as the season went on. Consistency with talent wins these kinds of two day tourneys, so I’m going with Brookeland.
The Pick: Brookeland over Fayetteville
Ryan Massad’s Playoff Performer Badges
🔥 Top Performer - Damarion Dennis (24) - SA Vets Memorial
🍿 Entertaining - Amir McMillan (24) - Mansfield Lake Ridge
🔪 Versatile - Bryce Dixon (26) - The Colony
💪 Interior - Josiah Moseley (24) - RR Stony Point
🦈 Top Tier - Jojo Moore (24) - Leander Rouse
🔋 Next-Gen - Nasir Price (26) - Katy Seven Lakes
📡 Under the Radar - Michael Grant (25) - Dallas Jesuit
📈 Stock Riser - Steven Ramirez (25) - Keller
🪣 Bucket - Alec Belter (24) - Clear Springs
🎒 Playmaker - Jacob Williford (26) - Cy Ranch
🐕 Dog - Divine Ugochukwu (24) - FB Clements