BASKETBALL PRIMER: Nocona girls, Benjamin boys lead TRN Top 10 rankings
The TRN Top 10 is subjective and represents a team’s relevance in its district and regional playoffs. However, unlike the football version, head-to-head matchups may be weighted more since it’s not uncommon for teams in lower classifications to beat those in higher. But if a team in a higher classification doesn’t project as well in its district or region, then an opponent it may have a win against could be ranked higher. Record and preseason ranking are in parenthesis.
GIRLS TRN TOP 10
1. Nocona (19-2, 1) – Cousins Megyn Meekins and Skyler Smith get a lot of the attention for the Lady Indians, but we can’t ignore the recent sharpshooting by Avery Crutsinger, who made four 3-pointers against Decatur on Tuesday. The pieces around Meekins and Smith is what makes Nocona a top regional and state title contender.
2. Holliday (9-6, 4) – No one expected the Lady Eagles to be as good as they were a year ago. There’s no replacing Jalynn Bristow and Katy Piper. But Kenna Wood and Co. have Holliday looking like the District 7-3A favorite, and at least a tough out in the playoffs.
More: TRN SPORTS SCOREBOARD: Wichita Falls area high school basketball, soccer results (Jan. 2-7)
3. Windthorst (10-4, 3) – The Trojanettes remain the biggest threat to Nocona in the district, and don’t discount them in the region. This team is deeper and more experienced than it was a year ago, and that squad had eventual state champion Lipan on the ropes.
4. Newcastle (18-1, NR) – The Lady Cats passed a big test with flying colors Tuesday night, taking early command of District 21-A with a 24-point victory against Throckmorton. Mattie Dollar was off our radar as a transfer from Martins Mill. She’s firmly on it now.
5. Harrold (14-2, 6) – It’s not often a girls basketball team surpasses 100 points, but that’s what Harrold did in a 102-19 victory against Chillicothe on Tuesday. Harrold’s boys team also eclipsed the century mark, scoring 101 points against the Eagles.
6. Throckmorton (18-2, 5) – The loss to Newcastle doesn’t change the Lady Hounds’ projection as a top threat in Region III-A. The rematch with the Lady Cats remains circled on our calendar.
7. Jacksboro (12-10, NR) – The Tigerettes have emerged as the top challenger to Holliday in District 7-3A but have dealt with a bit of the injury bug lately. This team hopes to be at full strength for Friday’s big district matchup at Holliday.
8. Burkburnett (13-7, 10) – Burkburnett has the look of a district champion, at least in District 7-4A. Although, Sanger will want to have a say in that matter.
9. City View (9-11, 2) – The Lady Mustangs have played a tough schedule, but it’s safe to say expectations were higher than this. Still, take the Lady Mustangs lightly at your own risk. This team is talented enough to beat almost anyone in Class 3A on a given night.
10. Electra (14-8, 9) – The Lady Tigers made great strides last season, winning a playoff game, and they’re the favorites to finish second in District 16-A behind Harrold.
BOYS TRN TOP 10
1. Benjamin (7-0, 1) – Grayson Rigdon has scored at least 37 points in every game so far this season. And the Benjamin junior also has a quadruple double on his résumé. The Mustangs seem destined for another trip to the state tournament.
2. Holliday (14-2, 3) – Speaking of dominant scoring performances, Keitenn Bristow is rivaling Rigdon albeit at a higher classification. Bristow has been unstoppable for any opponent this season. And the Eagles have several quality wins on their résumé already.
3. Burkburnett (15-6, 2) – Burkburnett showed a lot of promise with a young team last season. That promise is being realized. The Bulldogs are back as a regional contender.
4. Knox City (16-2, 4) – Knox City wants to have a say in county rival Benjamin’s plans to return to the state tournament. This is an experienced group with multiple players capable of dropping 20 points on a given night.
5. City View (10-6, 6) – The Mustangs have made consecutive trips to the Region I-3A Tournament and have the talent to make it three in a row. They remain the biggest threat to Holliday in District 7-3A.
6. Hirschi (7-10, 5) – As usual, Hirschi’s schedule has been loaded with some of the top teams in the region and even New Mexico. We got a Burk-Hirschi preview last month, and if it’s a sign of what’s to come, we’re in store for two more epic matchups in the rivalry – the final chapters in one of the Wichita Falls area’s best series regardless of sport.
7. WFHS (17-7, NR) – That said, Old High may have the experience and scoring power to give Burkburnett and Hirschi a challenge. The Coyotes are massively improved, and Blake Vanderburg is one of the best scorers in the area. At the very least, this team seems like it will end a more than decade long playoff drought.
8. Vernon (14-5, 8) – The Lions return all the athleticism that made them a contender in District 7-3A last season. That district is ultra-competitive once again, and it’s going to be hard for anyone to run the table.
9. Nocona (8-8, 7) – Don’t let the record fool you. The Indians have played a very tough schedule against several opponents from higher classifications. They remain the favorite to win District 9-2A ahead of Seymour, Windthorst and Archer City.
10. Electra (17-3, NR) – Electra has to contend with Benjamin in its district, but the Tigers can light up a scoreboard as well. They’re state ranked for good reason.
TUESDAY’S GIRLS RESULTS
DISTRICT 5-5A
Granbury 47, Rider 36
Standouts: (Ri) Olivia Vanderburg 17 points; (G) Hamlin 12 points.
DISTRICT 7-3A
Jacksboro 37, Bowie 35
Standouts: (J) Kylie Tullous 11 points; Landrie Valenzuela 10 points; (B) Hanna Bell 9 points.
Vernon 63, Henrietta 54
Standouts: (V) Mari Johnson 14 points; Cirstin Ivy 14 points; Key’Maria McBride 13 points; Mija Johnson 11 points; (H) Jocelyn Turner 14 points; Kirstyn Barnard 12 points.
DISTRICT 16-A
Harrold 102, Chillicothe 18
Standouts: (H) Kiylan Marks 36 points, 13 steals, 8 rebounds; Flo-Raya Richardson 23 points, 16 rebounds.
DISTRICT 21-A
Newcastle 54, Throckmorton 30
Standouts: (N) Mattie Dollar 33 points; Camren Mallory 10 points; (T) Mady Shields 9 points.
DISTRICT 22-A
Slidell 71, Prairie Valley 28
Standouts: (PV) MaKaylee Gomez 16 points; Linzie Priddy 12 points; (S) Ricketts 15 points.
NON-DISTRICT
Petrolia 43, Hirschi 15
Standouts: (P) Maddy Ruddy 10 points, 6 rebounds; (H) Hardeman 8 points.
Archer City 42, Wichita Christian 15
Standouts: (AC) Addy Peters 12 points.
Windthorst 51, Bryson 7
Standouts: Abby Schroeder 10 points.
Nocona 49, Decatur 36
Standouts: (N) Avery Crutsinger 16 points; Megyn Meekins 15 points; (D) Bralyn Peck 20 points.
Childress 42, Quanah 35
Standouts: (Q) Emily Meza 18 points.
Olney 50, Moran 19
Standouts: (O) Camryn Castro 19 points; Ellie Hinson 10 points, 5 assists.
OTHER SCORES
(No stats reported.)
DISTRICT 7-3A
Holliday 41, Iowa Park 28
DISTRICT 16-A
Crowell 51, Benjamin 31
Munday 41, Northside 13
DISTRICT 22-A
Saint Jo d. Gold-Burg by forfeit
Slidell 71, Prairie Valley 28
NON-DISTRICT
Graham d. FW Castleberry
TUESDAY’S BOYS RESULTS
DISTRICT 5-5A
Granbury 68, Rider 51
Standouts: (G) Colston 23 points; (Ri) Caiden Reed 31 points.
DISTRICT 7-3A
Vernon 83, Henrietta 47
Standouts: (V) Adarius Williams 19 points; Jackson Aydelott 17 points; Julius Dawkins 17 points; (H) Kayden Shaw 11 points; Brysen Washington 10 points.
Holliday 54, Iowa Park 39
Standouts: (H) Keitenn Bristow 22 points; Ashtyn Berry 15 points; Grant Cox 11 rebounds; (IP) Parker Allen 20 points.
DISTRICT 15-A
Knox City 74, Rotan 20
Standouts: (KC) Blake Abila 25 points; Bryson Callaway 16 points; Devin Guillory 13 points; Tristin Baxter 12 points.
DISTRICT 16-A
Harrold 101, Chillicothe 31
Standouts: (H) David Albineda 45 points; Kasen Ramsey 16 points; Carson Welch 16 points; Keylan Marks 12 points.
Benjamin 82, Crowell 47
Standouts: (B) Grayson Rigdon 39 points; Keegan Hayes 12 points; Jules Pugi 10 points; Tallon Hayes 10 points; (Cr) A. Hernandez 13 points; C. Alvarado 10 points.
DISTRICT 22-A
Slidell 95, Prairie Valley 54
Standouts: (PV) Traye Campbell 12 points; JR Jones 11 points; (S) Davis 19 points.
NON-DISTRICT
Burkburnett 71, Decatur 62
Standouts: (B) Ozavian Buford 23 points, Ayden White 23 points, Robert Ingram 22 points.
Quanah 50, Wildorado 43
Standouts: (Q) Carter Christanelli 15 points; Derahn McDow 11 points; Anish Bhakta 10 points.
Electra 65, Guthrie 40
Standouts: (E) Jeremiah Murphy 29 points; Collin McKiddy 12 points; (G) Moore 13 points.
Windthorst 57, Bryson 29
Standouts: (W) Jaxon Stark 24 points; Brayden Berend 12 points; (B) Ford 12 points; Allen 10 points.
OTHER SCORES
(No stats reported.)
DISTRICT 7-3A
Bowie 38, Jacksboro 35
DISTRICT 16-A
Munday 73, Northside 45
NON-DISTRICT
Graham 74, FW Castleberry 56
Olney 83, Moran 33
FRIDAY’S GAMES TO WATCH
GIRLS
Jacksboro at Holliday – The winner will sit alone atop the District 7-3A standings. Does Jacksboro have the firepower to take down the defending state champs?
Graford at Throckmorton – Throckmorton doesn’t have time to reel from Tuesday’s loss to Newcastle. Graford is also a state-ranked opponent in the competitive District 21-A.
BOYS
City View at Vernon – There will not be a lack of athletes on the floor. This matchup will go a long way to deciding the district champion and playoff seeding.
Harrold at Quanah – A non-district matchup that’s caught our eye. Quanah is coming off a win against Class A No. 15 Wildorado, and Harrold just dropped 101 points on Chillicothe.
Hirschi at Martins Mill (Saturday) – Hirschi continues its tradition of taking on some of the top smaller classification teams in the state. Martins Mill is ranked second in Class 2A.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita Falls area high school basketball TRN Top 10, top performers
