GAMES
RANKINGS
The stars of 2025-26 Fort Bend Marshall Basketball
HOOPS HIERARCHY: Seven Lakes, Marshall, SBS Top the Charts in VYPE Houston Rankings past midseason
Seven Lakes (25-0) has been the model of consistency, rolling into January unbeaten behind a balanced rotation that has made nightly adjustments nearly impossible for opponents. Atascocita (16-6) remains close behind, with its only local blemish coming in a one-point loss to the Spartans in the season opener.
Just below that tier, Pearland (21-2), Dickinson (18-5), and Klein Oak (19-3) have surged through district play and now look well-positioned to secure league titles, setting the stage for deep playoff pushes if current form holds.
Elsewhere in the classification, depth across the rankings continues to stand out. Cypress Falls has quietly established itself as a steady district leader, while Shadow Creek’s athleticism and experience have kept it firmly in the mix.
North Shore, after a challenging non-district slate, appears to be rounding into form as games tighten, and Grand Oaks has proven capable of making timely runs when momentum swings. The middle of the rankings remains fluid, with several teams capable of reshuffling the order as district races intensify.
In 5A, continuity and timing have been key themes. Fort Bend Marshall (17-7) has picked up right where it left off last March, using its postseason experience to navigate early district play with confidence.
Friendswood (20-7) and Iowa Colony (19-6) are tracking on parallel paths, each showing resilience and balance while eyeing a critical stretch that could decide district positioning. Baytown Sterling (20-5) and Madison (16-5) have emerged as welcome surprises, flashing upside that suggests neither will be an easy out come playoff time.
The private school ranks remain headlined by proven power. Second Baptist (21-2) continues to overwhelm opponents behind elite production and depth, while Houston Christian’s near-perfect (27-1) campaign has kept it squarely in championship conversations. With programs like Kinkaid and Episcopal lurking, however, little is guaranteed as the season moves toward its final act.
As district races tighten, the coming weeks promise clarity—and plenty of volatility—across every classification.
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Seven Lakes Spartans
Matt Powell (VYPE)
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VYPE Houston Updated Boys Basketball Rankings -- January 2026
6A TOP-20
1. Seven Lakes Spartans -- 25-0 // 8-0 in District 19-6A
2. Atascocita Eagles -- 16-6 // 4-0 in 23-6A
3. Pearland Oilers -- 21-2 // 7-0 in 22-6A
4. Dickinson Gators -- 18-5 // 4-0 in 24-6A
5. Klein Oak Panthers -- 19-3 // 7-0 in 15-6A
6. Cypress Springs Panthers -- 20-4 // 3-1 in 16-6A
7. Cypress Falls Eagles -- 16-5 // 4-0 in 17-6A
8. North Shore Mustangs -- 19-5 // 3-1 in 23-6A
9. Shadow Creek Sharks -- 14-6 // 6-1 in 22-6A
10. Hightower Hurricanes -- 19-5 // 3-1 in 21-6A
11. Grand Oaks Grizzlies -- 17-8 // 6-1 in 13-6A
12. Fort Bend Travis Tigers -- 19-4 // 3-1 in 21-6A
13. Katy Jordan Warriors -- 16-8 // 4-3 in 19-6A
14. Tompkins Falcons -- 17-6 // 5-2 in 19-6A
15. Clear Brook Wolverines -- 19-5 // 1-3 in 24-6A
16. Heights Bulldogs -- 19-5 // 3-0 in 18-6A
17. The Woodlands Highlanders -- 16-6 // 6-1 in 13-6A
18. Summer Creek Bulldogs -- 12-9 // 3-1 in 23-6A
19. College Park Cavaliers -- 17-9 // 5-2 in 13-6A
20. Clear Springs Chargers -- 15-8 // 3-1 in 24-6A
Others to Watch: Strake Jesuit Crusaders (20-6A), Katy Tigers (19-6A), Cypress Woods Wildcats (16-6A), Cinco Ranch Cougars (19-6A), Alief Taylor Lions (20-6A), C.E. King Panthers (23-6A), Clear Lake Falcons (24-6A), Dawson Eagles (22-6A), FB Elkins Knights (21-6A), Cypress Ranch Mustangs (16-6A), Foster Falcons (20-6A), Clements Rangers (21-6A), Humble Wildcats (23-6A), Westside Wolves (18-6A)
5A TOP-5
1. Fort Bend Marshall Buffalos -- 17-7 // 4-0 in District 22-5A
2. Friendswood Mustangs -- 20-7 // 3-1 in 20-5A
3. Iowa Colony Pioneers -- 19-6 // 3-0 in 20-5A
4. Baytown Sterling Rangers -- 20-5 // 2-2 in 19-5A
5. Madison Marlins -- 16-5 // 7-0 in 21-5A
Others to Watch: Angleton Wildcats (20-5A), Barbers Hill Eagles (19-5A), La Porte Bulldogs (20-5A), West Fork Gators (18-5A), Crosby Cougars (18-5A)
1. Second Baptist Eagles (TAPPS-5A) -- 21-2
2. Houston Christian Mustangs (SPC-4A) -- 27-1
3. St. Thomas Episcopal Saints (TAPPS-4A) -- 18-7
4. The Kinkaid School Falcons (SPC-4A) -- 23-5
5. Episcopal Knights (SPC-4A) -- 16-7
Others to Watch: Westbury Christian Wildcats (TAPPS-4A), TWCA Warriors (TAPPS-5A), FBCA Eagles (TAPPS-5A)
The Seven Lakes Spartans claim an undefeated tournament championship with their 74-62 win over Klein Oak
2025 VYPE Holiday Invitational Recap: Seven Lakes Stays Hot, All-Tournament Teams Revealed
Per usual, Brazuca baller Isaiah Santos put on a master class in the Spartans’ four-game sweep in Aldine. The junior earned Tournament MVP honors for his steady, multi-faceted impact across every phase of the game, scoring and rebounding at will.
Tournament MVP Isaiah Santos, being presented the award by VYPE CEO Derek DusekMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
He wasn’t alone in raising the bar. UTSA-bound senior Nasir Price provided his signature blend of swagger and scoring punch, while Sean Mwesigwa (Sr. G) and Dean Spencer (Jr. G) supplied timely precision on both ends.
Add in Jose Martins, whose defensive disruption and downhill pressure have turned him into one of the tournament’s most relentless presences, and Seven Lakes’ rotation felt less like a lineup and more like a puzzle snapping together.
Yet for all the mounting attention, the Spartans have shown a refusal to be steered by it.
“We really preach this mindset to our guys: Did we get better today? They take it on themselves to fix what needs to be addressed. We’re focused on the process,” Heston said. “If we’re a better team than the day before all the way through, hopefully, March, I like our chances at the end of the year.”
Now, Seven Lakes shifts from statement wins to the next test: the district slate.
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TOURNAMENT AWARDS
MVP
Isaiah Santos, Seven Lakes
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS
FIRST-TEAM
TroyNelle Belle, Dickinson
Marcus Epps, Klein Oak
JJ Price, Trinity Christian Academy (TCA)
Nasir Price, Seven Lakes
Fola Sodipo, Tompkins
TroyNelle Belle -- Dickinson
SECOND-TEAM
Jaron Couture, CC Veterans Memorial
Valin Idusuyi, Dickinson
Jose Martins, Seven Lakes
Alim Olajuwon, Episcopal
Ramsey Sato, The Woodlands Christian Academy (TWCA)
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Rakin Ali, Klein Oak
Xavier Cooper, Aldine Davis
Nyle Harrison, Episcopal
Kenrik Kabano, Klein
Marley Maxwell, St. Francis Episcopal
Jeremiah Moore, CC Veterans Memorial
David Mosby, Nimitz
Carter Shipman, Tompkins
Chancellor Simpson, Klein
Drake Smith, Trinity Christian Academy (TCA)
Dean Spencer, Seven Lakes
Daryus Tasby, Klein
Sean Mwesigwa, Seven Lakes
Tyrie Wooten Jr., Klein Oak
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The 2nd-place finisher of the VYPE Holiday Invitational -- the Klein Oak PanthersMatthew Ogle (VYPE)