RECRUIT SCOOP: Kara Rao, West Brook Soccer

With Christmas Week’s daytime temperatures forecast in the mid 70’s, the Austin area is far from frozen. The same cannot be said, however, for the Boys Basketball Power Rankings. Ten of the Top 11 teams swept their games this past week, the sole exception being McNeil who lost a hard-fought battle with Vandegrift.

So, while there was some minor shuffling this past week – Westwood’s impressive win over Hutto moved them to #2; Lake Travis slipped above Round Rock; Cedar Park edged in front of McNeil – the Rankings remained relatively intact, dominated by 25 and 26-6A squads. #5 East View stayed put as the top-ranked 5A club.

With many teams easing into the Holidays with just a single game last week, there wasn’t a lot of movement at the top of this week’s Girls’ Power Rankings. Westlake – the first team to win 20 games this year -- Glenn, Vandegrift and Liberty Hill all posted solid wins to maintain their spots. Austin High’s dominant win over Dripping Springs, however, not only moved the Lady Maroons into the Top 10 at #9, it also allowed Round Rock, Rouse and Bowie to move up.

Austin High’s big move also bumped 4A New Tech and 5A Crockett down through no fault of their own, while Cedar Ridge climbed two spots after Hays and Weiss split their week.