HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: TRN Top 10 rankings, Tuesday's top performers & updated district standings

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.

This is the final girls basketball TRN Top 10 of the season.

GIRLS TRN TOP 10

1. Nocona (29-3, 1) – There has been some public outcry by some appalled by the Lady Indians’ 73-2 victory against Olney. Many see a lopsided score like this and scream foul play or poor sportsmanship. Keep in mind that Nocona has its own bigger goals in mind. The Lady Indians haven’t been pushed for four full quarters in a long time. That can be a problem in the playoffs, so maintaining the same intensity for 32 minutes, even against an overwhelmed opponent, is important for Nocona.

More: HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Wichita Falls area playoff schedule

2. Newcastle (28-1, 2) – The Lady Cats finish the regular season with one loss. So who beat them? It was Gorman, currently ranked 11th in the TABC’s Class A poll. Gorman finished second in District 19-A behind No. 8 Gordon. Gorman also had a notable loss to Rider on Dec. 1. Newcastle’s 48-44 loss to Gorman occurred in its second game of the season Nov. 14. Newcastle has since won 27 straight games with their most notable victories against City View and Eastland.

3. Harrold (22-2, 5) – Let’s break down Harrold’s two losses this season in the same fashion. The Lady Hornets two losses occurred on the same day, Nov. 20, in tournament play against Lindsay (58-51) and a team from Australia (58-44). Lindsay is a solid Class 2A program that finished second in District 13-2A. Harrold has since won 21 straight games, including a dominant run through District 16-A. The Lady Hornets finally received some statewide recognition with the TABC ranking them 18th in the latest Class A poll.

4. Holliday (18-8, 6) – The Lady Eagles got retribution after surrendering a lead to City View three weeks ago. The come-from-behind victory set up what is now a highly-anticipated seeding game with the Lady Mustangs at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Burkburnett. The winner gets the No. 1 postseason seed.

5. City View (17-12, 3) – Why is the seeding game important? The No. 1 seed’s path to a regional tournament berth is less resistant, while the No. 2 seed draws region favorite and second-ranked Jim Ned in the second round. Tenth-ranked Brock is the toughest team in the No. 1 seed’s portion of the bracket but remember City View defeated Brock in the playoffs last season.

6. Windthorst (20-6, 6) – The Trojanettes have made the postseason in 14 consecutive seasons. The last time they didn’t qualify for the postseason was 2010. This is the longest streak for a girls basketball program in the TRN Sports coverage area.

7. Burkburnett (21-7, 7) – The Lady Bulldogs missed their chance to win the District 7-4A title outright, but they still earned a share of a district title for the first time since 2018. Burkburnett and Sanger chose not to play for the No. 1 seed, and the Lady Dogs won the coin flip to earn it. How often is a coin toss chosen to decide seed over playing a game for it? Our experience says its about 50/50 between the two choices, but it’s more common for a game to be played when the No. 1 seed is on the line.

8. Electra (22-9, 8) – The Lady Tigers have not won a playoff game since 1999 when they defeated Jacksboro, 52-51, for a bi-district championship. Electra has a legit shot at ending that drought Tuesday when they open the postseason against Rotan.

9. Throckmorton (25-4, 9) – Another district tiebreaker decided by coin toss with Throckmorton winning the flip with Graford for the No. 2 seed out of District 21-A. This set up the Lady Hounds with a matchup against Slidell rather than Forestburg.

10. Vernon (18-15, 10) – Speaking of lengthy playoff win droughts, the Lady Lions haven’t advanced past the first round since 2006 when they defeated Pottsboro, 64-61, in double overtime. The Lady Lions went three rounds deep that year, falling to district rival Hirschi, 60-38. Vernon has a tough first-round matchup Tuesday, meeting Comanche in Anson. While it would be seen as an upset if the Lady Lions won, it should only be considered a mild surprise.

BOYS TRN TOP 10

1. Benjamin (16-0, 1) – Grayson Rigdon dropped 72 points in a 99-36 victory against Northside on Tuesday. That’s the most points we can remember seeing scored in a single game. Rigdon is now averaging 46.7 points per game. Some have questioned the legitimacy of scoring so many points against overwhelmed competition. Our response? How many times have you heard of someone scoring 72 points in a game? Regardless of the opponent, that number is video game-like. So are the 21 assists recorded by freshman Keegan Hayes.

2. Holliday (27-2, 2) – The Eagles had pulled even with City View late in the fourth quarter when Kyle Tucker walked to the scorer’s table and said, “Win or lose, this game is good for us.” Holliday eventually won the game thanks to a cold-blooded pull-up 3-pointer by Keitenn Bristow with 12.7 seconds left. But Tucker’s point holds true. No one has tested Holliday like this in months.

3. Hirschi (13-10, 3) – Hirschi is playing defense at a very high level right now. No one has scored more than 45 points against the Huskies since a 61-34 loss to defending New Mexico state champion Albuquerque Volcano Vista, which by the way, is peak school naming.

4. Burkburnett (21-8, 4) – The Bulldogs have had a couple scares in District 7-4A action since losing to Hirschi in the final minute 2 ½ weeks ago. Both Gainesville and Sanger gave the Bulldogs issues. But no one should expect Hirschi to roll past the Bulldogs based on recent results. These two teams remain very close to each other.

5. Knox City (25-2, 5) – The Greyhounds clinched a share of the District 15-A title without playing Tuesday. They had already done enough to earn it.

6. Nocona (21-11, 6) – Speaking of district championships, Nocona claimed its second consecutive 9-2A crown. Last year, we were a little surprised to see the Indians surge to the top of the district. This season, the Indians have flawlessly handled having a target on their backs.

7. City View (16-10, 7) – City View isn’t being dropped in these rankings for a one-point loss to Holliday. No one limited the Eagles’ offense more, and the game plan to just run body after body at Keitenn Bristow almost worked. It took true greatness to beat the Mustangs.

8 Electra (25-4, 8) – Electra is going to have a challenge to open the playoffs as the No. 2 seed from District 16-A. They’re likely drawing Aspermont and will be the favorite in that matchup. But Aspermont has had success and played several meaningful games over the past couple seasons.

9. Vernon (19-8, 9) – The Lions get their own shot at Holliday on Friday. They’re unbeaten at home during District 7-3A play.

10. Seymour (13-14, 10) – Seymour is locked in as the No. 2 seed in District 9-2A, which should set up at least one playoff win and a fighting chance to go deeper.

FRIDAY’S GAMES TO WATCH

No girls games are being listed. This is for boys district matchups only.

BOYS

Hirschi at Burkburnett – It doesn’t get bigger than this regarding district matchups. This is the area’s most notable rivalry, regardless of sport, after the Old High-Rider football game. Hirschi clipped the Bulldogs in the final minute of the first meeting for a 47-44 victory.

Sanger at WFHS – This is the Coyotes’ last chance to get into the playoffs. If they lose, they’re eliminated from postseason contention. Sanger won the first meeting 65-61. This is also the Coyotes’ final home game in the program’s history.

Holliday at Vernon – The Eagles knew their biggest district tests were coming this week with back-to-back road games against City View and Vernon. They narrowly survived the first test, clinching the outright 7-3A title. Vernon successfully defended its home court against Holliday last season. Holliday won the first meeting, 62-35.

Crowell at Munday – Both have locked up playoff berths in District 16-A, but the winner likely takes the No. 3 seed. The fourth seed has the misfortune of opening the postseason against Knox City, making this a big deal. Munday won the first meeting, 64-60.

TUESDAY'S GIRLS TOP PERFORMERS

DISTRICT 5-5A

Rider 50, Saginaw 44

Leading scorers: (Ri) Olivia Vanderburg 17.

DISTRICT 7-3A

Holliday 45, City View 40

Leading scorers: (H) Bailee Bowers 22, Jordyn Peters 12; (CV) Kyra Taylor 15.

Note: Holliday and City View share the District 7-3A title. A seeding game will be played to decide the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds later this week.

Iowa Park 45, Henrietta 39

Leading scorers: (IP) Callista Berrett 16, Raylee Huse 14; (H) Brynna Johnson 10.

Vernon 39, Bowie 27

Leading scorers: (V) Mija Johnson 13; (B) Emily Cueva 5.

DISTRICT 2-2A

Quanah 45, Wheeler 34

Leading scorers: (Q) Emily Meza 15, Mari Meza 11, Autumn Woods 11.

DISTRICT 9-2A

Windthorst 61, Seymour 32

Leading scorers: (W) Abby Schroeder 17, Megg Lindley 15; (S) Addie Castilleja 18.

Nocona 73, Olney 2

Leading scorers: (N) Megyn Meekins 18, Skyler Smith 13, Reagan Phipps 12.

Petrolia 51, Archer City 34

Leading scorers: (P) Holland Horton 9, Zoie Bowers 9; (AC) Malia Jones 11.

DISTRICT 16-A

Harrold 61, Munday 17

Leading scorers: (H) Kiylan Marks 20 (10 rebounds), Flo-Raya Richardson 14 (10 rebounds).

Electra 40, Chillicothe 19

Leading scorers: (E) Thelma McGee 8, Chi Lalk 8; (Ch) C. Martinez 7.

DISTRICT 21-A

Newcastle 66, Perrin-Whitt 37

Leading scorers: (N) Mattie Dollar 29, Emma Hawkins 10, Lilly Parsons 12; (PW) Callie Weddle 11.

Garner 29, Bryson 23

Leading scorers: (B) Jaydah McComick 9, Kaylie Sherrin 9; (G) Faith Smith 7.

DISTRICT 22-A

Saint Jo 68, Prairie Valley 27

Leading scorers: (PV) Linzie Priddy 14; (SJ) Cervantes 23, Dean 13, Patrick 10.

TUESDAY'S BOYS TOP PERFORMERS

DISTRICT 5-5A

Saginaw 70, Rider 48

Leading scorers: (Ri) Caiden Reed 20, Gavin Aday 14.

DISTRICT 7-4A

Burkburnett 77, Sanger 71

Leading scorers: (B) Robert Ingram 21, Ayden White 20, Ozavian Buford 15; (S) Nelms 33.

Hirschi 58, Gainesville 35

Leading scorers: (H) Isaiah Anderson 13, Jimmell McFalls 10.

DISTRICT 7-3A

Holliday 47, City View 46

Leading scorers: (H) Keitenn Bristow 24, Ashtyn Berry 11; (CV) William Jordan II 24, Jaydynn Holt 14.

Iowa Park 66, Henrietta 33

Leading scorers: (IP) Koyt Holloway 13, Parker Allen 13, Cayson Gossett 10; (H) Isaac Stolarczyk 10.

Vernon 59, Bowie 44

Leading scorers: (B) Tucker Jones 14, Boston Farris 10; (V) Kell Castleberry 14, Ty Scott 13, Julius Dawkins 13, Adarius Williams 11.

DISTRICT 9-2A

Seymour 55, Windthorst 41

Leading scorers: (W) Jaxon Stark 21; (S) Payton Sullivan 14, Isaac Willden 10, Keaton Anderson 10.

Nocona 54, Olney 30

Leading scorers: (N) Jose Gomez 12, Javier Gaytan 20; (O) Jacob Hernandez 11.

DISTRICT 16-A

Benjamin 99, Northside 36

Leading scorers: (B) Grayson Rigdon 72, Keegan Hayes 10 (21 assists).

Electra 88, Chillicothe 27

Leading scorers: (E) Elijah Murphy 20, Collin McKiddy 19, Jeremiah Murphy 16, Brayden Huffstutler 10; (Ch) Belcher 7, J. Sanchez 7.

DISTRICT 22-A

Saint Jo 61, Prairie Valley 43

Leading scorers: (SJ) Stewart 20, Johnson 10; (PV) Trae Campbell 13, Tyson Easterling 12.

GIRLS STANDINGS

BOYS STANDINGS

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita Falls area basketball rankings, top performers and standings