AGN preseason boys basketball top ten rankings
1. CLARENDON
The Broncos have won two straight state championships in Class 2A. Though they lost LaMarcus Penigar to graduation, they return preseason MVP Jmaury Davis, junior Lyric Smith and Tascosa transfer Josiah Hearn. Clarendon is currently ranked as the No. 1 team in the state and that's where they'll remain until they no longer are.
2. TEXLINE
Yes, Will Luther and Noel Lozando are both gone and Angel Herrera has moved to Dalhart. But Texline still returns a duo of seniors in Elias Espino and Stratton Potter from a team that made the state tournament last year. They also added Hayden Alston from Hedley, while Hayden Drumm is back for more, too. Given the run the Tornados have been on, and having those pieces in place, count on them to put up another solid year.
3. CANYON
Brooks Wagner and Parker Cunningham are gone, but Chris Bryant and Kemper Jones are still around to lead this team. The Eagles qualified for the regional finals last year and with coach Travis Schulte to guide them, expect Canyon to make some noise again.
4. RANDALL
The Raiders return one of the top players in the area last year in KJ Thomas, who averaged more than 20 points a game as a sophomore. Randall is dropping down to 4A and the player losses to West Plains didn't impact the Raiders' football or volleyball team. After making the regional quarterfinals last year, look for Randall to excel in 4A this year.
5. PALO DURO
The loss of Cutter Camp hurts, but Audi Luckey is one of the very best players in the entire Panhandle. The Dons won 25 games and made the regional quarterfinals last year and head coach Jeff Evans will always have his squad ready to go.
6. AMARILLO HIGH
Losing Brendan Hausen amounts to losing two starters. Add on that the Sandies lost 7-footer Cade Hornecker and UT-Arlington signee Damonze Woods, and we can't blame if you're down on the Sandies this season. AHS still made the regional finals last year, Brendan's brother Braden is getting Division I offers and Cooper Pillon is back with valuable experience. That's enough reason to leave AHS in the top ten.
7. BUSHLAND
The Falcons were regional quarterfinalists last year and return their best player in Cole Purcell. Add in the return of Baylor King and Breckan Reed and you can expect Bushland to make big things happen in 3A this year.
8. WILDORADO
The Mustangs will have to deal with the loss of Dustin Bryant to graduation and Logan Mason to transfer, but the cupboard is far from bare. Swayde Cleavinger and Trey Matthews are back from a team that made the regional semifinals and should guide them to another solid season.
9. NAZARETH
The Swifts made the regional quarterfinals before losing to Wildorado by just one point. Carson Heiman and Kayle Rogers return to lead this group and should do so admirably.
10. HEREFORD
Aiden Arias is gone, but Hereford didn't make the 4A regional semis last season because of one player alone. Look for the Whitefaces to stay up this season.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo Globe-News names top 10 preseason boys basketball teams
