HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Who is the biggest threat to Holliday boys in District 7-3A?

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 (24-3, 1) – The Lady Indians got their most lopsided win of the season, 82-5, against Olney on Friday. Holding any team to five points for a game is remarkable, especially considering how much time the backups logged late in the game. Nocona shut out the Lady Cubs in the second half.

More: HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Wichita Falls area stat leaders

2. Newcastle (23-1, 2) – Newcastle got a final tuneup before its final big game of the regular season Tuesday – a huge road test at Throckmorton.

3. City View (14-11, 3) – Heath Aldrich’s surprise return to the sideline Friday is the latest bit of inspiration he’s supplied the Lady Mustangs. His fight with cancer has translated to the Lady Mustangs’ fight on the court.

4. Windthorst (14-5, 4) – The Trojanettes had a nice bounceback win against a scrappy Seymour team on Friday. Rylee Wolf had a 26-point performance, adding another impressive showing to her best season on the basketball court.

5. Harrold (18-2, 5) – There have been more players registering triple-doubles this season than we can recall in recent memory. There were years where a single player notched multiple, but not multiple players. The latest to achieve the feat was Harrold’s Kiylan Marks, who had 18 points, 13 rebounds and 10 steals Friday. She was just two assists shy of a quadruple-double.

6. Throckmorton (22-2, 6) – Throckmorton has won every game comfortably since losing to Newcastle earlier this month. Now the Lady Hounds get a chance to avenge that loss, pull even atop the District 21-A standings and make a statewide statement.

7. Holliday (14-8, 7) – The Lady Eagles snapped their two-game losing streak with an 18-point win against Bowie. They remain a comfortable two games ahead of Jacksboro and Vernon in the 7-3A standings and still have district title hopes.

8. Burkburnett (17-7, 8) – The Lady Bulldogs snatched early control of District 7-4A with a 44-40 win against Sanger. It wasn’t long ago Burkburnett won six district titles in a row, but the Lady Dogs haven’t claimed one since 2019.

9. Vernon (15-14, 9) – The Lady Lions’ late-season surge continued Friday with a 38-30 victory against Iowa Park. They’re knocking on the door for the program’s first playoff berth since 2021.

10. Electra (18-9, 10) – Electra got perhaps its biggest win of the year Friday, beating Crowell, 46-27. The victory puts the Lady Tigers in great position to lock up the No. 2 playoff seed from District 16-A.

BOYS TRN TOP 10

1. Benjamin (11-0, 1) – The Mustangs played without Grayson Rigdon on Friday. It didn’t matter. Chillicothe wasn’t a match for Jules Pugi, Keegan Hayes and Co.

2. Holliday (23-2, 2) – The Eagles continue to knock down all contenders, finishing the first half of District 7-3A undefeated at 6-0. They have a two-game lead over Bowie, Vernon and City View who have beat up on each other so far.

3. Burkburnett (18-7, 3) – We mentioned in Tuesday’s version about Burkburnett’s Big 3 of scoring in double figures almost guaranteeing a win for the Bulldogs. Ozavian Buford scored 29, Robert Ingram had 25 and Ayden White 11 in the Bulldogs’ win against Sanger, 91-75, furthering our theory.

4. Knox City (20-2, 4) – Knox City provided the most lopsided boys win from Friday night, routing Paint Creek, 82-10. The Greyhounds got through the first half of District 15-A undefeated.

5. Hirschi (9-10, 5) – The Huskies also proved one of our statements in a previous TRN Top 10. We keep screaming about how hard their strength of schedule was, and it has shown in District 7-4A play. Gainesville had two losses heading into Friday’s meeting with the Huskies. Now the Leopards have three, with the latest coming by 30 points to Hirschi.

6. Nocona (16-11, 6) – The Indians are already the only undefeated team in District 9-2A, holding a one-game lead over Petrolia and Seymour. They’ve already beaten Seymour. Besting Petrolia puts the Indians in a great spot in their push for a second straight district title.

7. Electra (21-3, 7) – Jeremiah Murphy made history Friday, becoming Electra's all-time leader scorer in a win against Crowell. Ironically, it was a game with his lowest scoring output of the season with just eight points, and the Tigers still got a big district win. Murphy has been one of the area's most consistent scorers over the past three seasons.

8. Vernon (16-7, 10) – Who is the top challenger to Holliday in District 7-3A? It’s very difficult to rank City View, Vernon and Bowie considering all three teams are 1-1 against the other two. Vernon and City View both lost to the Eagles at Holliday, and we’re going to excuse road losses more than a failure to defend your home court. Vernon owns a win against City View, so the Lions get the nod here.

9. City View (13-9, 9) – We considered the margin of defeat against Holliday as the tiebreaker for these rankings, which would have put City View ahead of Vernon. But is there really that big a difference between losing by 19 and 27 points? Neither Vernon nor City View had an answer for the Eagles.

10. Bowie (14-13, 8) – As mentioned above, the Rabbits land behind the Lions and Mustangs because they lost to Holliday in Bowie. We give the other two teams a better chance of knocking off Holliday on their home court, while Bowie will have the tall task of beating the Eagles in Holliday.

TUESDAY’S GAMES TO WATCH

GIRLS

City View at Henrietta – City View has won seven straight games, including a 75-38 victory against Henrietta on Dec. 19. But Henrietta is playing its best basketball, surging into the playoff conversation.

Vernon at Jacksboro – Both teams are tied for third in the District 7-3A standings with a 4-4 record – a half-game ahead of Henrietta. The winner takes a key step toward a playoff berth.

Newcastle at Throckmorton – Newcastle rolled in the first meeting, but Throckmorton is capable of giving the state contenders a game.

BOYS

Burkburnett at Hirschi – It’s the area’s greatest rivalry, regardless of sport, and there’s only one meeting remaining after this one. And as usual, the winner takes command of the District 7-4A title race.

WFHS at Sanger – This isn’t a must-win for the Coyotes, but it’s close. Both teams are winless in District 7-4A play.

Bowie at Iowa Park – Iowa Park is two games outside the playoff race, but we think the Hawks are sneaky good and capable of upsetting one of the top four teams in District 7-3A. This is a dangerous road game for the Rabbits.

Windthorst at Archer City – We’re paying attention to nearly any time these two county rivals meet, no matter the sport, and this matchup is no different with playoff implications abounding.

Petrolia at Nocona – The Indians have established themselves as the 9-2A favorites, but Petrolia is very good with double-double machine Ramsey Hensley on the floor. Hensley has a triple-double this season with points, rebounds and blocks, too.

FRIDAY'S GIRLS RESULTS

DISTRICT 5-5A

Brewer 71, Rider 23

Leading scorers: (Ri) Olivia Vanderburg 6, Addi Williams 6; (B) Kasonga 15, Woldai 12, Jackson-Allen 10, Carr 10.

DISTRICT 7-3A

Vernon 38, Iowa Park 30

Leading scorers: (IP) Raylee Huse 19; (V) Key’Maria McBride 16, Mari Johnson 10.

City View 45, Jacksboro 39

Leading scorers: (CV) Emarei Brandon 17, Amani McKinney 12; (J) Kylie Tullous 12, Brailyn Tullous 10.

DISTRICT 2-2A

Wheeler 42, Quanah 38

Leading scorers: (W) Herrera 19, Holwick 13; (Q) Emily Meza 14, Autumn Woods 12.

DISTRICT 9-2A

Windthorst 55, Seymour 46

Leading scorers: (W) Rylee Wolf 26; (S) Addie Castilleja 22, Khloe Hons 11.

Nocona 82, Olney 5

Leading scorers: (N) Skyler Smith 29, Megyn Meekins 25; (O) Camryn Castro 3.

DISTRICT 16-A

Harrold 74, Northside 22

Leading scorers: (H) Kiylan Marks 18 (13 rebounds, 10 steals, 8 assists), Jaylee Lowe 14, Madison Parker 13 (11 rebounds).

Electra 47, Crowell 26

Leading scorers: (E) Chi Lalk 16, Remi Buchanan 18, Thelma McGee 10; (Cr) S. Bearden 10.

DISTRICT 21-A

Perrin-Whitt 49, Bryson 15

Leading scorers: (PW) Callie Weddle 13, Erika Hernandez 12; (B) Braydee Thorne 6.

NON-DISTRICT

Newcastle 58, Aspermont 23

Leading scorers: (N) Mattie Dollar 28; (A) Mylee Van Meter 8.

FRIDAY'S BOYS RESULTS

DISTRICT 5-5A

Brewer 60, Rider 27

Leading scorers: (B) Perez 20, Johnson 10; (Ri) Caiden Reed 11.

DISTRICT 7-4A

Burkburnett 91, Sanger 75

Leading scorers; (S) Nelms 43; (B) Ozavian Buford 29, Robert Ingram 25, Ayden White 11, Rmetrius Massey 11.

Hirschi 62, Gainesville 32

Leading scorers: (H) DaMarion Gatewood 20, Cayden McKinney 20.

DISTRICT 7-3A

Holliday 58, Bowie 43

Leading scorers: (H) Keitenn Bristow 26 (15 rebounds), Ashtyn Berry 16 (10 rebounds), Grant Cox 9 (11 rebounds).

Vernon 72, Iowa Park 59

Leading scorers: (V) Adarius Williams 26, Kell Castleberry 17, Jackson Aydelott 12; (IP) Paxson Allen 15, Hunter Britt 11, Austin Stokes 10.

City View 75, Jacksboro 46

Leading scorers: (CV) William Jordan II 25, Brian Williams 17, Jaydynn Holt 11, Desmond Whiteside 10; (J) Cannon Valenzuela 15, Brayden Rockey 11, Eric Pizana 10.

DISTRICT 2-2A

Wheeler 37, Quanah 35

Leading scorers: (W) Adkins 16; (Q) Carter Christanelli 10.

DISTRICT 9-2A

Petrolia 50, Archer City 32

Leading scorers: (P) Ramsey Hensley 13 (17 rebounds), Jordan DeMoss 11, Jesse Shaw 11.

Seymour 64, Windthorst 47

Leading scorers: (W) Brayden Berend 18, Kolby Teakell 11; (S) Payton Sullivan 22, Keaton Anderson 17, Brayden Loyd 11.

Nocona 65, Olney 40

Leading scorers: (O) Hernandez 22, Castillo 11; (N) Javier Gaytan 21, Johnathon Stone 12.

DISTRICT 15-A

Knox City 82, Paint Creek 10

Leading scorers: (KC) Blake Abila 25, Devin Guillory 23, Tristin Baxter 15, Bryson Callaway 14.

DISTRICT 16-A

Harrold 74, Northside 54

Leading scorers: (H) David Albineda 22 (11 rebounds), Keylan Marks 19 (11 rebounds), Kasen Ramsey 18.

Electra 46, Crowell 34

Leading scorers: (E) Brayden Huffstutler 17; (Cr) Austin Hernandez 9.

Note: Jeremiah Murphy set the Electra program record for most career points scored.

Benjamin 83, Chillicothe 22

Leading scorers: (B) Weston Weatherford 12, Keegan Hayes 18, Jules Pugi 19; (Ch) Belcher 8.

DISTRICT 21-A

Perrin-Whitt 83, Bryson 26

Leading scorers: (PW) Jack McCormick 35, Case Lambert 15, Cole Keeney 13, Ryan Richerson 10; (B) Ben Bennett 8, Evan Ford 8.

GIRLS STANDINGS

BOYS STANDINGS

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita Falls area basketball TRN Top 10, top performers & standings