This season went by very fast and a lot of teams had great campaigns. But, now the playoffs are here and we will separate the pretenders from the contenders. Records don't matter anymore because anyone can get beat at anytime. Here are the teams, from my point of view, that will make a deep run in the 2019 playoffs. (Not in order)
1. ESTACADO MATADORS (4A)
The Matadors swept district, and they also swept all of the major awards as Dre Conwright was the Offensive MVP to lead the way. Coach Wagner said he enjoyed this year more than any other as he has brought some young talent along. The Mats' should get to the Regional Tournament again this season, but will they advance to San Antonio? The talent is there so my question is, who makes the clutch buckets in prime time? I think this is the year they get to San Antonio and play Carter in the State Semifinal...
#2 TULIA HORNETS (3A)
Tulia is ready folks.. They have been slept on all season despite the great record under Faught and the dazzling performances; from their 111 points vs Muleshoe, to their defensive masterpiece against Spearman. The Yarbrough twins can light it up along with Shawn Kelly in the front court. Now, my concern for Tulia is... Do they have enough depth to go far? The bench will be needed for a run with teams like Shallowater and Brownfield waiting..
#3 MONTEREY PLAINSMEN (5A)
The Plainsmen to the Regional Tourney in 5A? Why not.. Their first game against Abilene Wylie will be a tough one due to the Bulldogs' size, but I got a feeling they get it done. Camden Grant, Devin White and more will be explosive and tough to contend with. Monterey has beaten Palo Duro, Caprock, and Coronado this season along with a tough schedule. I'm ready to see just how long they play for in the tournament!
#4 GRUVER GREYHOUNDS (2A)
Gruver has the best player in the 806 in Jalin Conyers... So, with his move to Gruver, the Greyhounds are already on the contender list for 2A. But, there are so many teams in 2A, especially in the Region, that could send them home. Teams will double Jalin and make the other good players on Gruver win the game. They have the talent to, they just gotta be on every game; 2A IS A GRINDER!
#5 SHALLOWATER MUSTANGS (3A)
The Mustangs are a real threat to get to San Antonio. Out of all the good 3A teams we have in the 806, Shallowater is a great one, and maybe the only one on that top-tier line with Brownfield slightly behind them. Josh Servantez has one of the purest jumpers we've seen and he will take and make the pressure shot. Expect the Mustangs to see Brock in the Regional Tourney for a chance at State.
#6 TRINITY CHRISTIAN LIONS (PRIVATE )
The Lion way.. The Hard way.. The winning way... This team is loaded, proven, and tested as they head into another playoff run where the Lions should win it all. Tru Buchanan and Ethan Duncan lead a cast of all-stars; I mean, all the players on the roster are good! Expect Trinity to be right there with the trophy when it's said and done, and that's a testament to their great coaching staff and all the players buying in!
#7 PALO DURO DONS (5A)
A dangerous team that is very quick and lethal with their full-court press. The Dons were the dons of one of the toughest districts in Texas in 3-5A and look to continue their dominance in the tourney. Don't be surprised if we get two teams from 3-5A in the Regional Tournament like last season, and don't be surprised if Palo Duro is one of them.
#8 CAPROCK LONGHORNS (5A)
Coach Reggie Gibbs has some serious talent on his roster and one thing you will do if you play for Coach Gibbs: Play with maximum effort on both sides of the ball. Chris Wilson will be counted on to lead the 'Horns and I expect he will have a great postseason. Caprock's defense is legit..Can their offense be consistent for this run?? If so, lookout!
#9 NEW DEAL LIONS (2A)
In 2A's gauntlet, the Lions are ranked the highest in the 806 at number eight. Layton Reed has been out of his mind this season; putting up 40-point performances and let's not forget the 37 he scored in the Lions thumping of Floydada by 41 points a couple of weeks ago. Can the Lions keep their head in the game because it seems like the games they lose, they have no business losing and when they are locked in, they'll put a beating on you.. Can they get out of the Regional Tourney and get to San Antonio? We will see soon, but the combo of Layton and DK Blaylock could prove to be too much for a lot of teams around here.
#10 SPEARMAN LYNX (3A)
The Lynx... Here we go.. I had "this guy" on my Facebook page say he thought I was against Spearman and their 28-2 record, which wasn't true lol. I did say I needed to see some more out of them as far as being a dominant force in 3A because there are teams like Shallowater, Brownfield, Wall, and Tulia to deal with. In the game I watched, they were clearly outplayed by Tulia, but then again.. They have beaten Pampa and Perryton this year! The true unknown is here; they could get beat this week, or they could make a run to the Regional Tourney. If their shots are falling, they should be around a while in 3A...Anything can happen in the tourney!
TEAMS THAT COULD ALSO MAKE A RUN IN THE PLAYOFFS
CORONADO
WEST TEXAS
BROWNFIELD (SLEEPER TITLE CONTENDER)
SUNRAY
NAZARETH
NEW HOME
HAPPY
FLOYDADA
Jason Pearson
@806hssc twitter
1A PLAYOFF BRACKET
http://www.uiltexas.org/basketball/playoff-brackets/boys/1A/1-3
2A PLAYOFF BRACKET
http://www.uiltexas.org/basketball/playoff-brackets/boys/2A/1-3
3A PLAYOFF BRACKET
http://www.uiltexas.org/basketball/playoff-brackets/boys/3A/1-3
4A PLAYOFF BRACKET
http://www.uiltexas.org/basketball/playoff-brackets/boys/4A/1-3
5A PLAYOFF BRACKET http://www.uiltexas.org/basketball/playoff-brackets/boys/5A/1-3
6A PLAYOFF BRACKET
http://www.uiltexas.org/basketball/playoff-brackets/boys/6A/1-3