Four Rio Grande Valley boys basketball programs — Brownsville Pace, North Mission IDEA, San Perlita and Santa Rosa — rank among the best teams in the state, according to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches top 25 preseason poll.
Brownsville Pace, the defending District 32-5A champion, is ranked No. 24 at the Class 5A level. The Vikings return a solid senior group led by Alex Agado, Christian Guajardo and Benny Villarreal with hopes of advancing further than last year’s second round playoff exit.
The RGV landed two teams in the Class 3A top 25 led by No. 22 Santa Rosa and No. 23 North Mission IDEA.
Santa Rosa made a run to the regional final last season before falling to San Antonio Cole. The Warriors graduated a strong class, but return seven lettermen from a season ago. Santa Rosa begins the year as a favorite to successfully defend its District 32-3A championship.
The North Mission IDEA Warriors finished last season 22-3 overall and 18-0 in District 31-3A to win the district title. The Warriors return all five returning starters from a season ago led by twins Manuel and Raul Bejarano.
Meanwhile, San Perlita landed at No. 17 in the Class 1A top 25. The Trojans won the District 32-1A title and reached the regional semifinals during their playoff run.