9 Basketball Teams From The Pineywoods Are State Ranked

Deep East Texas is well-represented in the latest high school basketball state rankings. 9 teams from the Lufkin/Nacogdoches region in the most recent poll released Monday by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC)

Lufkin Panthers

Lufkin features the Maryland-bound Austin Brown, but the Panthers are solid up and down their lineup. Lufkin is 18-4 on the season and ranked #5 in the Class 5A. Last year, Lufkin finished perfect in district and had an overall mark of 34-3 before losing in the 2nd round of the playoffs to Highland Park.

Onalaska Wildcats

I had a chance to watch these guys play a couple of weeks ago, and they are athletic and quick. Onalaska is 21-4 on the year and ranked #4 in Class 3A. Last year, the Wildcats advanced to the state semifinals before losing to Columbus.

Chireno Owls

The Owls come in this week ranked #17 in Class 2A. Chireno is 18-4 on the season, thus far. The Owls are currently leading their district and hope to improve upon last year's bi-district playoff loss.

Big Sandy (Dallardsville) Wildcats

MaxPreps shows the Wildcats' record at 17-3. They are ranked #23 in the state in Class 2A, but I believe this team deserves to be in the top 15. A good gauge of how good they are will come on January 27 when they take on 20th-ranked Sabine Pass.

Brookeland Wildcats

Brookeland is no stranger to the state rankings in Class A. Currently, the Wildcats are #3 in the latest poll with a 15-9 record. Last year, Brookeland made it to the state semifinals before losing to the eventual state champions, Perrin-Whitt.

Slocum Mustangs

The 10th-ranked Mustangs are 18-6 this season. They have yet to lose in district play, but have a big showdown with Neches on Tuesday. Neches comes in with a record of 19-5 and is also undefeated in its district.

Wells Pirates

The Pirates play in District 27-A, which is a stout league featuring 3 state-ranked teams. Wells is ranked #13 in the state, and they have a perfect district record so far.

Kennard Tigers

District 27-A is also home to Kennard, who is ranked #14 in the latest poll. Their only district loss is to #13-ranked Wells.

Centerville Bulldogs

And coming in at #15 in the state is Centerville. They are tied for 2nd in District 27-A with their only league loss coming to Kennard last Friday night. The Bulldogs have another big game on Tuesday as they take on Wells.