By Michael Adams
michael@otssports.com

Rouse and Connally were the only Class 5A teams from the Austin area to make it out of the second round. 

Both ran into juggernauts in the regional quarterfinals. 

For the Raiders (27-9), that juggernaut was Class 5A semifinalist San Antonio Veterans Memorial. For the Cougars (27-10), it was Bryan-Rudder, who lost to Fort Bend Marshall in the 5A-Region III semifinals. 

Both teams have more experienced rosters and big playmakers that are ready for a bigger encore. 

Connally is led by junior Mekhal Bryant, a 6-foot-6 small forward that averaged a double double as a sophomore of 13 points and 11 rebounds per game. The reigning District 23-5A are the favorites to repeat. 

The Cougars got off to a rocky start in their season opener, falling to upstart Glenn 55-45. Connally returns to action tonight at home against LBJ. 

Rouse is led by senior Josiah Moore, a 6-3 guard and Siena commit. Moore is rated as the 37th best recruit in Texas by 247Sports and averaged 14.8 points per game. The District 25-5A MVP leads a talented group of starters that includes senior Devin Brown and sophomore Trey Nielson. 

The Raiders opened their season with a 44-29 win over San Antonio Clark and will return to action on Tuesday at home against Dripping Springs. 

• Read more: Class 6A boys basketball preview 

Preseason 5A-Power 5

1. Rouse (27-9)

2. Connally (27-10)

3. Leander (21-13)

4. LBJ (21-15)

5. Glenn (20-17) 

Preseason 4A-Below Power 5

1. Thorndale 26-9)

2. Manor New Tech (26-9)

3. Wimberley (26-8)

4. Jarrell (17-15)

5. Gateway (16-19) 

Fab 5

Here are five players to watch for Class 6A teams in the Austin area: 

Josiah Moore, Rouse, G, senior: The 6-foot-3 Siena commit and reigning District 25-5A most valuable player averaged 14.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game as a junior. His record-setting junior year also set new school bests for assists (243) and single-game points (40). 

Mekhai Bryant, Connally, F, junior: The District 23-5A most valuable player led the Cougars to the regional quarterfinals, averaging 13 points and 11 rebounds per game. 

Robert Conrad, Cedar Creek, G, senior: Last year’s District 23-3A leading scorer averaged 10.6 points per game for the Eagles. 

Braden Pickel, Thorndale, C, junior: The 6-foot-6, 210-pound Pickel is a force for the Bulldogs and helped lead the team to the 2A-Region IV championship game as a sophomore. 

Ja’den Stiggers, Manor New Tech, G, junior: The 6-0, 180 pound junior averaged 12.9 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game as a sophomore to help lead the Titans to a second-place finish in District 22-4A. 

Predictions

District 23-5A: 1. Connally, 2. East View, 3. Hendrickson, 4. Cedar Creek, 5. Georgetown, 6. Elgin, 7. Pflugerville, 8. Bastrop 

District 24-5A: 1. LBJ, 2. Northeast 3. McCallum, 4. Crockett, 5. Austin LASA, 6. Navarro, 7. Travis, 8. Eastside 

District 25-5A: 1. Rouse, 2. Leander, 3. Glenn, 4. Liberty Hill, 5. Hays, 6. Cedar Park, 7. Lockhart, 8. Lehman

District 22-4A: 1. Manor New Tech, 2. Giddings, 3. La Grange, 4. Smithville, 5. Taylor, 6. Austin Achieve, 7. Caldwell

District 24-4A: 1. Gateway, 2. Lampasas, 3. Jarrell, 4. Marble Falls, 5. Burnet, 6. Lago Vista

District 27-4A: 1. Boerne, 2. Wimberley, 3. Comal Davenport, 4. Fredericksburg, 5. Bandera, 6. Canyon Lake, 7. Navarro

District 27-2A: 1. Thorndale, 2. Milano, 3. Bartlett, 4. Hearne, 5. Thrall, 6. Holland, 7. Granger

Last Year’s playoff results

• Connally (27-10): District 23-5A champion, lost to Bryan-Rudder in the regional quarterfinals 
• Hendrickson (27-10): 2nd in District 23-5A, lost to Killeen Ellison in the area round of the playoffs
• East View (28-11): 3rd in District 23-5A, lost to A&M Consolidated in the area round of the playoffs
• Georgetown (24-12): 4th in District 23-5A, lost to LBJ in the first round of the playoffs
• LBJ (21-15): District 24-5A champion, lost to Bryan-Rudder in the area round of the playoffs
• McCallum (17-14): 2nd in District 24-5A, lost to East View in the first round of the playoffs  
• Northeast (15-15): 3rd in District 24-5A, lost to Hendrickson in the first round of the playoffs
• Austin LASA (16-13): 4th in District 24-5A, lost to Connally in the first round of the playoffs
• Rouse (27-9): District 25-5A champion, lost to San Antonio Veterans Memorial in the regional quarterfinals
• Leander (21-13): 2nd in District 25-5A, lost to Boerne Champion in the area round of the playoffs  
• Hays (21-16): 3rd in District 25-5A, lost to San Antonio Wagner in the first round of the playoffs 
• Glenn (20-17): 4th in District 25-5A, lost to San Antonio Veterans Memorial in the first round of the playoffs 
• Manor New Tech (26-9): 2nd in District 22-4A, lost to Leland Prep in the first round of the playoffs
• Taylor (17-16): 4th in District 22-4A, lost to Houston Washington in the first round of the playoffs
• Gateway (16-19): Co-District 24-4A champion, lost to Gatesville in the first round of the playoffs
• Jarrell (17-15): 4th in District 24-4A, lost to Waco Connally in the first round of the playoffs
• Wimberley (26-8): 2nd in District 27-4A, lost to Stafford in the area round of the playoffs
• Thorndale (26-9): 2nd in District 27-2A, lost to Flatonia in the Region IV championship game
• Thrall (11-14): 4th in District 27-2A, lost to Flatonia in the first round of the playoffs