Lake Travis Cavaliers Brendan Ponce (0) brings a rebound down over Westlake Chaparrals Powell Frickenschmidt (1) and Blake Cannatti (4) in the second quarter of the game between the Lake Travis Cavaliers and the Westlake Chaparrals, Jan. 9, 2026 in Lake Travis.

Lake Travis Cavaliers Brendan Ponce (0) brings a rebound down over Westlake Chaparrals Powell Frickenschmidt (1) and Blake Cannatti (4) in the second quarter of the game between the Lake Travis Cavaliers and the Westlake Chaparrals, Jan. 9, 2026 in Lake Travis.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Central Texas boys basketball teams are in the thick of district play as the calendar enters mid-January.

The majority of schools are at least three games into district play, which is the most important time of the season. The goal for all teams is to qualify for the UIL or TAPPS state playoffs, which start the last week of February. 

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In District 25-6A, the lone nine-school district in the Austin area, most teams have already played six games and the first round of the double round-robin finishes Friday.

Here are the American-Statesman’s top 10 power rankings entering Jan. 12 with updates from Friday’s action:

1. Westwood

The Warriors (19-2, 6-0 District 25-6A) move into the top spot for the first time this season after routing Stony Point 79-41. Sumner Holland hit six 3-pointers and scored 21 points and John McNair tallied 15 points to lead the way. 

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2. Vandegrift

The Vipers (20-4, 6-0 District 25-6A) blasted Hutto 76-32 as Preston Kuykendoll made five 3-pointers for all 15 of his points and Henry Defoore (14 points), Trey Block (13) and Destin Herring (10) joined him in double figures. 

3. St. Michael’s

The Warriors (21-6, 1-1 TAPPS District 3-6A) lost 71-59 to San Antonio TMI-Episcopal. 

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4. Lake Travis

The Cavs (17-7, 3-0 District 26-6A) topped Westlake 64-62 in double overtime on Tate Tapken’s 3-pointer at the buzzer. Tapken finished with 14 points, while both Alex Jacob and Will Slyker scored 19 points. 

5. Westlake 

The Chaps (18-6, 2-1 District 26-6A) received 32 points from Bo Ogden in a 64-62 double-overtime loss to Lake Travis. 

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6. Bowie 

In a wild game, the Bulldogs (21-4, 2-1 District 26-6A) outscored Akins 99-80. Lamin Jabbi scored 20 points and Joshua Baskin finished with 19 points to lead Bowie. 

7. Cedar Park

The Timberwolves (16-4, 3-0 District 25-5A) hammered Lockhart 89-42 as Nolan Embry poured in 22 points and Nabil Ismail tallied 20 points. 

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8. Hendrickson

The Hawks (19-6, 3-0 District 23-5A) are the hottest team in Central Texas as they used a fourth-quarter comeback to beat Pflugerville 59-52 for their 11th straight win. Hendrickson trailed by seven entering the final eight minutes. 
Ryan Longoria hit four 3-pointers and scored 16 points to lead the Hawks. DJ Hardge (12 points, four steals, four assists, three boards) had an impressive all-around game, Tristan Thomas finished with 10 points and six rebounds and Legend Samuel tallied 10 points in other notable performances for Hendrickson.

9. East View

The Patriots (18-5, 2-0 District 23-5A) had a district bye Friday after defeating Connally earlier in the week. 

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10. Round Rock

The Dragons (15-6, 4-2 District 25-6A) had a district bye Friday. 

District 25-6A

Vista Ridge 69, Manor 47: Christian Cotten poured in 24 points and Cayden Sneed added 13 points as the Rangers (17-7, 4-2) moved into a third-place tie with Round Rock. 

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District 26-6A

Del Valle 55, Dripping Springs 54 2OT: Josiah Williams scored 16 points and Keandre Sharpe finished with 15 points to lead the Cardinals (9-15, 1-1) to a crucial win for their playoff hopes. Rushton Budge poured in 28 points and Isaac Terry added 10 points for the Tigers (12-11, 0-3).

District 24-5A

McCallum 75, Cedar Creek 52: Ethan Plummer poured in 26 points and surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his career and Tristen Wright finished with 13 points to lead the Knights (8-12, 2-1). Darby Roldan added nine points for McCallum, which plays Bastrop on Friday. 

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LASA 59, Navarro 40: David Podbielski’s 10 points and nine points from Jonah Cihock led the Raptors (5-14, 1-1) to the win. 

Bastrop 61, Crockett 37: Preston Alexander hit for 17 points and Caleb Burns recorded 13 points and nine rebounds as the Bears (12-13, 3-0) stayed undefeated in district play. 

District 25-5A

Glenn 50, Hays 41: The Grizzlies (15-9, 3-0) have won eight of their last nine entering Tuesday’s showdown with Cedar Park for the district lead. Dallas Hernadez scored 14 points, Hudson Roberts added 10 points, Orden Roberts recorded nine points and six rebounds and Justin Lee finished with seven points and six boards to lead the way against the Hawks. 

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Rouse 64, Leander 54: DJ Gardner tallied 19 points, KJ Scott had 15 points and Ayden Davis added 12 points as the Raiders (13-10, 2-1) picked up a key district win. Jazz Cheeves’ 14 points and Gage Faglie’s 12 points and nine boards paced the Lions (6-14, 1-2).

District 25-4A

LBJ 52, Legacy Ranch 31: Marquis Murry II recorded a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds and Tre Riley finished with 12 points and eight boards as the Jaguars (11-12, 3-0) rolled to an impressive win.  

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Nondistrict

Austin High 58, Anderson 51 2OT: The Maroons (13-11) pulled away in the second extra session for a nondistrict win. Cason Davis (11 points), Hayes Bryant (11), Brady Ford (10) and Dean Jones (10) all scored in double digits for Austin High. 
Austin Haywood (15 points), Ben Burris (13) and Cam Pullen (10) all reached double figures for the Trojans (9-15) in the loss.