This weekend's state tournament in San Antonio could turn into a local Dallas affair. Again.
Last year, the Dallas area won state tournaments in the top three classifications. This year seven boys teams have a chance to be a part of a Dallas-area sweep of the top four classifications. If it happens, it would be just the second time in history and the first since 2008 when Ponder (2A), Kennedale (3A), South Oak Cliff (4A), and North Crowley (5A), all won.
Here's a look at how the D-FW area can capture four state titles and some potential pitfalls along the way.
Best chance at a title: 3A Madison
The 3A semifinals appear loaded. Madison finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the Texas Association of basketball state-wide rankings. Santa Rosa, Madison's first-round opponent finished No. 2. The other two finalists, Jarrell and Brock, were No. 3 and No. 5, respectively.
But none appear to have the depth Madison does. Seniors JeMichael Bowens, Patrick Terry and Jacolby Sims as well as junior Quintarius Johnson all average more than 11 points per game and are a big reason Madison is 17-0 in district or playoff games with an average margin of victory of 49 points.
Most wide open race: 5A with Mansfield Timberview and Justin Northwest
The 5A playoffs turned into landmines for top teams. It is the only class that doesn't have a team that finished ranked in the top five in the semifinals. Timberview, ranked No. 7, leads the way behind its dynamic guard duo of senior Tim Johnson and Chris Mullins, but it's not by much. No. 10 Fort Bend Marshall beat No. 1-ranked Waco University by 20 last weekend.
Justin Northwest will face Marshall in the second 5A semifinal and while young, it has plenty of talent. Sophomore Avery Anderson and freshman Julien Smith have joined big man Darrell Simpson to lead Northwest's surprising run to state. Lack of experience could be an issue, but in a year like this, why can't Northwest finish it off?
Toughest road to a D-FW title: 4A Midlothian Heritage and Argyle
Both teams enter their semifinals as underdogs. Argyle faces No. 1 Silsbee. Midlothian Heritage faces No. 4 Freeport Brazosport.
If Argyle can pull of a victory, it'll have to start with senior Nathan Priddy, who scored a total of 43 points in two regional tournament games. Midlothian Heritage will have to continue the magic it's found. On Saturday, a 3-pointer by junior Kerrion Fields with 1/10th of a second left gave Midlothian Heritage a 56-55 win over Seminole. Heritage has won four of its five playoff games by eight points or less.
Biggest stars: 6A Skyline and Keller
Skyline and Keller both have legitimate chances at the title and both can thank their superstars for that. Skyline's Marcus Garrett, a Kansas signee, has averaged close to a triple double this season. Keller's R.J. Nembhard, a TCU signee, is one of the smoothest scorers in the area, dropping 37 in the regional final against Arlington Bowie and 29 in the semifinal against Allen. But to get to state it's going to take more than one player. Each team's depth will be tested, but each team also showed last weekend it's more than a one-man show.
Skyline's Jase Townsend scored more than Garrett over the last two games (37 points to 33) and notched the game-winning basket on Saturday with 8.4 seconds left to beat No. 1 Klein Forest.
Keller's Carson Hughes scored double figures in both games last weekend and is the heir apparent as the star when Nembhard graduates.
Twitter: @michaelflorek