Who’s Rising, Who to Watch, and What’s Next in Texas High School Basketball

As the 2025-26 high school basketball season moves deeper into non-district play and heads toward the holiday break, several programs across Texas are emerging as early leaders, potential district favorites, and teams worth following into January and beyond.

Here’s a snapshot of the top teams statewide, young stars and breakout programs, and key upcoming scheduling milestones as the season unfolds.

Current Statewide Standouts

According to Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) boys’ rankings from December 15th, teams across classifications have distinguished themselves through early successes. In Class 6A, programs like Katy Seven Lakes (15-0), Duncanville (7-1), and Atascocita (9-2) sit atop the list, with SA Brennan, Little Elm, and North Crowley also featuring in the Top 10. In smaller classifications, teams including Bmt united and Frisco Heritage have opened strong starts in their respective groupings. These rankings reflect early momentum but will adjust as more games are played. 

In girls basketball (according to TABC’s own separate rankings), teams such as Austin Westlake (19-0), Summer Creek (13-2), and Lancaster (11-4) have built impressive records and claim early positioning toward district-play favorites. These rankings span classifications and provide a sense of which programs are flying under the radar heading into late December. 

Teams Worth Watching – Boys Basketball

Here are programs that have drawn early attention this season:

• SA Brennan: 12-3 record through early December with strong wins over high-profile opponents and a national rankings presence.
• Duncanville: Holding a top-tier position in 6A rankings and continuing a tradition of competing deep into the postseason.
• Katy Seven Lakes and Atascocita: Representing strong competitive depth in the Katy area, both teams have shown balance on both ends of the floor.
• North Crowley: Consistently competitive in 6A and worth watching as district play begins.

These teams have combined winning records, strength of schedule, and positional talent that suggest they could contend for district titles and deeper postseason runs.

Players Stepping Up

Individual breakout performers are emerging across the state. AJ Palacios of Nixon is leading his team in both scoring and three-point shooting, pushing Palmview past key matchups and moving toward another District 30-5A title opportunity. Senior Jon Lozano of LBJ has also delivered consistent scoring, helping his squad maintain momentum this season. 

Standout nights from individual scorers, such as Mikey Barron’s 36-point outing for St. Augustine, highlights how individual talent can power a team’s rise in the rankings and influence its district outlook. 

When Does District Play Start?

According to UIL’s official calendar, the district certification deadline for boys basketball is Feb. 21, 2026, which means district records will be locked in shortly thereafter. Playoff rounds (including bi-district and area) are scheduled to begin in late February and will lead into regional rounds through early March.

This means the rest of December, January, and early February will be spent finishing non-district games, playing in holiday tournaments, and sharpening rosters before district games carry the power to propel teams toward postseason positions.

Key Upcoming Tournaments & Matchups

The holiday stretch often features showcase events and multi-team tournaments that can change the perception of programs heading into district play. While full tournament schedules vary by region, notable events such as:

• Holiday Classic Series: A recurring late-December event that draws teams from across classifications.
• Tatum Tough Holiday Tournament: Scheduled in the final week of December, where programs from 4A and beyond test their postseason readiness.