Austin Area Preview: District 25-6A

The 2020-21 high school basketball season is upon us as pre-season matchups begin this weekend all across Texas. It was an unorthodox summer for the majority of high school hoopers, but the quickly approaching season will bring a bit of normalcy to the high school basketball landscape. We continue our Austin Area Season Preview with District 25-6A, which features three seniors ranked in PrepHoops Texas rankings, as well as an impressive group of juniors who are on the rise in the Austin-Metroplex, and a watchlist of underrated gems.   District 25-6A Teams Cedar Ridge Raiders Hutto Hippos McNeil Mavericks Round Rock Dragons Round Rock Westwood Warriors Stony Point Tigers Vandegrift Vipers Vista Ridge Rangers   In this article, we preview standout players from District 25-6A who fans, coaches, and college programs should keep an eye on for the 2020-21 high school basketball season.   [player_tooltip player_id="1027620" first="Braedyn" last="Dawes"] | SG | Vista Ridge (2021) Texas Ranking: 142 Dawes made our Texas rankings for the 2021 class after an impressive junior season where he averaged 17.4 points per game and continued his great play during the summer circuits. A true shooting guard who can light it up from beyond-the-arc, Dawes possesses the ability to take over games with his scoring ability and will be a huge force for the Rangers this upcoming season. Has the creativity and a variety of moves to create space for his shots, including cross-over step back shots and effective pump fakes. Dawes landed more than a handful of D-3 offers over the summer.   [player_tooltip player_id="1039048" first="Jailen" last="Bedford"] | SG | Hutto (2021) Texas Ranking: 146 Bedford is an underrated senior who is on the rise and is expected to take a big leap during his senior year at Hutto. A bouncy athlete with a good frame to add strength to, Bedford is a sniper from the mid-range where he gets great lift on his jump shot. Has sneaky quickness to get to the basket and has enough wiggle to create separation on his pull-up jumper.   [player_tooltip player_id="1041910" first="Petia" last="Dogale"] | PF | Round Rock (2021) Texas Ranking: 147 Dogale transferred from Austin High to Round Rock for his senior year and is a massive addition to a talented Round Rock squad. The 6'6" forward is a terrific rim protector and shot-blocker, who does a great job anticipating and using his length as a defender. Dogale plays with a non-stop motor and it shows up on the boards. Does a really good job running the floor and can be an electric finisher above the rim with monster dunks.   [player_tooltip player_id="1027630" first="Jaelyn" last="Brooks"] | SG | Round Rock (2022) Texas Ranking: 61 After a tremendous sophomore debut, Brooks junior season will be one to watch as he made a massive leap in PrepHoops Texas rankings for the 2022 class. Brooks is a threat to score at all three levels of the half-court and is a bouncy athlete who can finish aggressively at the rim. He possesses a smooth shot in both the mid-range and from deep. Brooks won the Newcomer MVP last season and could be in line for an MVP run this season.   [player_tooltip player_id="1027631" first="Kaden" last="Smart"] | PG | Hutto (2022) Texas Ranking: 109 Smart enters his junior season taking over the reins as the floor general for the Hippos. A smooth playmaker with filthy handles and a good three-point shot, Smart is one of the top point guards in the Austin-Metroplex for the 2022 class. Smart can fill up the stat sheet and is a threat to score in bunches, where he led Hutto in scoring last season and had five games of 20+ points while adding 2.7 assists per game.   [player_tooltip player_id="1050444" first="Marcel" last="Bryant"] | PF | Cedar Ridge (2022) Texas Ranking: 123 Bryant has the attention of several college programs after his impressive play this summer going up against some of the top talents in Texas. The 6'6" forward can play small or power forward and has a nice blend of power and deceptive speed. Bryant plays tough in the paint bringing down rebounds and finishing through contact. Has soft touch on his shot in the paint, mid-range, and short corner, but he also possesses the ability to hit shots from beyond-the-arc.   [player_tooltip player_id="1039598" first="Hudson" last="Johnson"] | PG | Stony Point (2022) Texas Ranking: 128 Johnson returns to Stony Point for his junior season as the best three-point shooter in the district after posting a 47% from beyond-the-arc as a sophomore. The combo-guard can create his own shot as a true point or be a knockdown shooter coming off screens and moving without the ball. Johnson has great short-area quickness and is a threat to score from anywhere on the court, including a nice running floater in the paint.   Watch List PG Braden Lee - Round Rock (2021) PG [player_tooltip player_id="1039600" first="Reese" last="Miller"] - Round Rock (2022) PG Bryce Friday - Vandegrift (2022) PG [player_tooltip player_id="957938" first="Dylon" last="Richardson"] - Hutto (2023) SG Davean Richardson - Hutto (2022) SG Zachary Engels - Westwood (2022) SF Seth Ford - Round Rock (2021) SF Jaylin Carroll - Hutto (2021) PF Larson Featherstone - Round Rock (2021) PF Rashid Elabor - McNeil (2021) PF Joemori Francis - Hutto (2022) C Carson King - Westwood (2022)