A rare goose egg beams from the loss column of the Mumford boys basketball team, which is one of three teams in the state still undefeated on the season.

Mumford coach Chris Sodek isn't concerned about that zero or the 26 victories that precede it, however. Sodek is thinking about the number one, as in getting one more victory when the Mustangs (26-0, 5-0) play at Normangee (3-2) on Tuesday night.

"There's a long way to go yet," Sodek said. "We are just starting the second round of district. We're not crowning ourselves or anything like that. The only big picture we see right now is a bus trip to Normangee tomorrow."

Sodek wants his players focused on league play more than their overall record or state ranking.

"If you only focus on the game you have coming up, the season is nothing but a big string of being 1-0, trying to win that next game," Sodek said.

For those of us able to take a wider view, Mumford is ranked behind Clarksville, which is 20-5. The only other undefeated boys teams in the state are La Vega in 3A and Jarrell in 2A.

Mumford is young and extremely balanced. The Mustangs start seniors Robert Galicia and Quincy Lewis, junior Josh Sustaita, sophomore Aubrie King and freshman LaKendrick Hyson. Top reserves are sophomore Seth Smitherman and juniors Willy Pompa and Mike Hansen.

Sodek loves the way his kids share the basketball, and it shows in their statistics. Mumford has five players scoring in double figures, led by big men King (17.9 points per game), Hyson (15.6) and Lewis (15.1). Point guard Galicia averages 6.8 assists per contest.

"Our kids play real good together and it's probably the hardest working group I've ever had," Sodek said. "There's no one guy that feels like they've got to take all the shots."

The Mustangs have what sounds like great height for a Class A Division I team with the 6-foot-6 King joined by Lewis and Hyson at 6-3. Incredibly, among Mumford's district mates, Burton has a taller front line while Iola has a 6-8 player.

One benefit of being unbeaten and highly ranked is Mumford can count on getting the best its opponents have to offer.

"I'm hoping that's going to help us in the long run because everybody's best shot is exactly what you'll get in the playoffs," Sodek said.

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Mumford-Milano region looks salty: Sixth-ranked Milano (23-1, 5-0 in 27-A) gives the Brazos Valley two state contenders in Class A Division I Region IV. Fortunately, Mumford and Milano will be in opposite halves of the regional bracket if they win their respective districts. In that case, they could only meet in the Region IV championship game for a trip to the state tournament. If you want to plan way ahead, the regional final will be played at New Braunfels Canyon High School on March 3.

Don't talk to Sodek about potential playoff matchups. He has painful memories of last season, when the Mustangs lost to 27-A champion Milano in the second round of the playoffs. Normangee advanced to the regional tournament last year despite losing twice by 30-plus points to Mumford in the regular season and finishing third in 26-A.

"You want to make sure your kids are playing [well] at the right time," Sodek said. "How many times have we seen a third-place team end up in the regional tournament?"

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Marquee matchups: They will be easy to overlook in a sports week headlined by national signing day and UIL realignment, but there are some great boys basketball matchups this week.

District leaders will be involved in head-to-head battles from Class 5A to Class A. The small schools will have a key game Tuesday, with Milano playing at second-place Thrall in 27-A Division I.

Friday offers several important games, starting with Harker Heights' visit to 22nd-ranked A&M Consolidated. The Knights and Tigers will go into Tuesday games (Consol at Copperas Cove, Heights home against Bryan) tied for the 12-5A lead at 8-1. If both teams go into Friday's game at 9-1, the winner has a great shot at winning the league title outright.

In 16-4A, first-place Manor will visit third-place Rudder on Friday. Another pairing of league leaders will see Brenham at Magnolia in 17-4A.

Larry Bowen's e-mail address is larry.bowen@theeagle.com.