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THE POWER RANKINGS: Bowie tops closely bunched Boys Basketball rankings
It’s (very) early in the season but there’s already been considerable turnover in this year’s Boys Power Rankings. Several teams that consistently placed in last year’s rankings have cycled out this year as they look to rebuild, perhaps none more prominent than Stony Point.
All of which leaves a considerable void atop our initial Power Rankings of the year. Although Bowie occupies the top spot at 14-1, many of the top teams have already beaten up on each other.
On the other side of the coin, a remarkable nine of the initial Top 15 teams finished last season outside of the rankings altogether – including the aforementioned Bulldogs. So, Boys Basketball in the Austin area bears more than a passing resemblance to the Upside Down from “Stranger Things.”
It’ll be a while before it all sorts itself out, if it even does. In the meantime, let’s all sit back and enjoy the season!
VYPE's Austin Boys Public School Basketball Rankings
(Final 2024-25 rankings in parenthesis)
1. (NR) Bowie (6A) – 14-1(5-0 in tourn,)
2. (8) Vandegrift Vipers (6A) 11-3 (Def. Stony Point 77-57; 3-2 tournament)
3. (7) Westlake Chaparrals (6A) – 10-2 (Lost 71-68 OT @ Reagan; 4-0 in tourn.)
4. (5) Westwood Warriors (6A) – 10-2 (Def. McNeil 72-57; 4-0 in tourn.)
5. (6) East View Patriots (5A) – 10-4 (Lost 66-60 @ Belton; 3-2 in tourn,)
6. (4) Round Rock Dragons (6A) – 9-3 (Def. Vista Ridge 53-51; 2-2 in tourn.)
7. (NR) Lake Travis (6A) – 9-5 (Lost 102-86 @ St. Michael’s; 2-2 in tourn.)
8. (NR) McNeil (6A) – 10-5 (Lost 72-57 vs. Westwood; 3-2 in tourn.)
9. (NR) Cedar Park (5A) – 8-2 (Def. McCallum 73-61; 5-0 in tourn.)
10. (NR) Vista Ridge (6A) – 8-5 (Lost 53-51 vs. Round Rock; 2-2 in tourn.)
11. (NR) Hendrickson (5A) – 8-3 (5-0 in tournament)
12. (NR) Akins (6A) – 9-1 (5-0 in tourn.)
13. (NR) Dripping Springs (6A) – 7-6 (Def. Smithson Valley 66-47; 2-2 in tourn.)
14. (3) Liberty Hill Panthers (5A) – 6-5 (Def. Pflugerville 73-43; 2-2 in tourn.)
15. (NR) Lockhart (5A) – 7-3 (Def. Crockett 63-49; 2-2 in tourn.)
THE POWER RANKINGS: Familiar faces and surprises dot early Girls Basketball landscape
As usual, the ladies are a week ahead of the guys in basketball season, which provides just an extra little bit of clarity when trying to sort out the contenders from the pretenders.
A very little bit. Just enough to be dangerous.
Case in point might be District 25-6A where two of the powerhouses – Vandegrift and Round Rock -- have posted similar overall records (11-4 and 11-3 respectively, as of press time). Yet the Lady Vipers are a perfect 3-0 in district play while the Lady Dragons have dug a shallow hole at 1-2. We’ll see how much that matters. Also in the mix is another perennial power, Vista Ridge, with Cedar Ridge and Manor off to good starts as well
Unbeaten Westlake is crushing the competition in 26-6A, racing out to a perfect 13-0 mark. Unlike the larger District 25, teams in 26-6A have yet to begin their district gauntlets, leaving us to pore over the non-district tea leaves for clues. So far, Bowie, Austin High, Dripping Springs and Lake Travis have emerged as the early playoff contenders.
No one has really emerged from the pack in District 23-5A. Weiss and Elgin are the only two teams (barely) above .500 as of this writing, although it’s far too early to write off Georgetown or Hendrickson.
Crockett is raising some eyebrows in District 24-5A. An 18-15 squad last year, the Lady Cougars have raced to a 9-1 non-district mark thus far. LASA–Austin is the only other team above breakeven.
Which leaves District 25-5A (again) as the 5A powerhouse in Austin. Glenn, Rouse, and perennial state power Liberty Hill are a combined 30-5 so far in the early going. Cedar Park, another deep threat, as well as Hays and Lockhart are also above .500. That’s going to be an entertaining race.
Manor New Tech has posted a gaudy 12-1 mark between the holidays to stake a claim to being the area’s top 4A squad.
We’ll know a little bit more and post our first Power Rankings for the girls after this weekend’s action.