Duncanville, with the nation watching its every move on the basketball court, lives by four words.

"Eat, or be ate," said senior forward Roger Franklin, one of three Division I signees for the team. "Every time we step on the floor, we either eat or get eaten."

The quote stems from several facts. Duncanville is ranked No. 1 Class 5A team in the state by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and No. 1 nationally in several polls.

The team also wears a chip on its shoulder after its regional semifinal loss to North Crowley last season.

"We expect to win every time, but we know it's hard," senior wing Shawn Williams said. "You have to have the same level of intensity for 40 games. Roger and I are just trying to get everyone else on that level. It's not easy."

Franklin and guard Reger Dowell have signed with Oklahoma State. Williams, the state's top-ranked player, has signed with Texas. Franklin and Williams have been varsity players for Duncanville coach Phil McNeely since their freshman seasons.

All three seniors are trying to finish with a state championship – and possibly a national title or two.

"We're trying to reach for the stars," Dowell said. "We know we have the talent and the coaching staff to be the best team in the country."

Life as the state's top-ranked 4A team has more positives than negatives for Lincoln.

Great things are expected of the South Dallas power. It has one of the best sophomores in the country in LeBryan Nash and a host of talented players, including North Dallas transfer Desean Miles.

The added bonus of Lincoln being ranked No. 1 by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches is eyed as a blessing and not a curse.

"I don't think there's pressure," coach Leonard Bishop said. "At Lincoln, you expect to achieve. Our guys are young and athletic, and they understand how important it is to get better and improve individually."

Lincoln advanced to the 4A Region II semifinals last season. It returns several key players, including sophomore forward Jordan Williams, junior guard DeKabrien Eldridge and Nash, an electrifying prospect in the Class of 2011.

"LeBryan is just a sophomore, but he's going to have to step up and be a leader," Bishop said. "He knows what we expect out of him."

District 11-4A could be the state's new super district in basketball.

Carter has moved from 5A to 4A and was put it in a district with Kimball, Pinkston and defending 4A state champion South Oak Cliff. Those four teams won a combined 94 games last season.

"With the district being so competitive from top to bottom, the four teams that come out with will be very strong teams," SOC coach James Mays II said. "Don't be surprised to see two of them fighting it out in the regional finals."

SOC, playing for its fifth consecutive state-tournament appearance, will be led by guards Princeton Andrews and Thomas Owens. Carter will feature guards Jarvis Phillips and Dre Evans. Carter's Jarred Shaw, a 6-11 center, will be a district X-factor.

Pinkston is a team to watch with Javarez "Bean" Willis and North Dallas transfer Corey Bradley III. Kimball includes 6-3 Davion Green, 6-4 Spruce transfer Keldon Hampton and 6-6 Alex Duncan, three athletes who play larger than their sizes.

Today: First day of UIL games

Feb. 13-14: SPC Tournament, Houston

Feb. 14: TAPPS playoffs begin

Feb. 23: UIL playoffs begin

Feb. 27-28: TAPPS state tournament, Mansfield

March 12-14: UIL state tournament, Austin