Continuing the tradition of one of the best programs in the DFW area, the Kennedale Wildcat (18-7, 4-0), under Head Coach Doug Groff, are once again in the driver’s seat in the race for a top seed in the upcoming UIL playoffs.
The Wildcats have nine games left. Eight are district games. Currently, the Cats are 4-0 in district play and are coming off a 72-42 win over Alvarado (12-10). Other district wins this season include Godley (5-16) by 74-38, Hillsboro (12-9) by 87-40, and Ferris (15-10) by 78-37.
The two games that remain in the first half of district play include Life Waxahachie (20-6, 2-1) at home tonight, January 10, weather permitting, and at Venus (10-13, 3-1) Tuesday, January 14. Kennedale starts the second round at Ferris on Tuesday, January 21. Tip-off for all district games are 7:30 pm.
District standings: Kennedale is in first place (4-0) followed by Venus 3-1, Life Waxahachie (2-1), Ferris (2-1), Alvarado (1-2), Hillsboro (0-3), and Godley (0-4).
The Wildcats are state-ranked …
Maxpreps has the Wildcats of Kennedale at #7 in Class 4A
Top Ten in Class 4A – #1 Dallas Kimball (11-5), #2 Amarillo Randall (16-5), #3 Stafford (23-0), #4 Lubbock Estacado (17-3), #5 Lubbock Liberty (17-3), #6 Frisco Panther Creek (16-8), #7 Kennedale (18-7), #8 Dallas Carter (17-5), #9 Huffman Hargrave (19-2), and #10 Burkburnett (16-5).
Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) January 6, 2025 Class 4A has Kennedale ranked #14. TABC is considered the more comprehensive ranking.
Top 15 in Class 4A – #1 Dallas Kimball (11-5), #2 Amarillo Randall (16-5), #3 Dallas Carter (17-5), #4 Stafford (23-0), #5 Houston Washington (14-3), #6 Houston Yates (10-5), #7 Estacado 17-6), #8 Houston Wheatley (11-6), #9 LaMarque (24-2), #10 FtW Eastern Hills (10-7), #11 Decatur (17-6), #12 Sumerset (14-11), #13 Silsbee (10-13), #14 Kennedale (16-7), #15 Frisco Panther Creek (16-8).
Strength of schedule …
The challenge of the schedule is always a factor in rankings. A Groff team will play up whenever possible. This season, Kennedale has played more 5A and 6A teams (13) than 4A teams (6) outside of district play.
Breakdown of teams played, division, ranking, record and result (W/L) …
Six 4A teams: Record 4-2 (All teams were ranked in the top 20 by TASB and/or by Maxpreps)
#23 Krum (12-8) W (Maxpreps rank #20), #24 Brock (16-7) W, Celina (16-11) L by 9 (Maxpreps rank #16), #19 Burkbur nett (16-5) played twice both W (Maxpreps rank #10), #2 Randall (18-5) L by 10.
Eleven 5A Teams – Record 8-3 (3 teams ranked in top 23 by TASB or Maxpreps)
#10 Crowley (16-8) L by 4; Granbury (11-15) W; Cleburne (5-17) W; FtW Arlington Heights (14-12) L by 2 and W by 13; Mansfield Centennial (20-5) W (Maxpreps rank #23); Ennis (10-14) W; Mansfield Legacy (11-7) W, Wichita Falls Memorial (10-14) W; Saginaw (7-17) W; FTW Paschal (18-6) L; #14 Birdville (23-1) L (Maxpreps rank #5)
Two 6A Teams – Record 1-1 (1 team ranked in top 26 by TASB or Maxpreps)
Mansfield (10-11) W; 6A Little Elm Braswell (18-7) L (Maxpreps rank #26)
Private schools – Record 1-0
TAPPS 6A Frisco Legacy Christian (11-12) W (Maxpreps rank #14)
Link Connections
Kennedale High School Sport Schedules: https://www.kennedaleisd.net/departments/athletics/schedules
Maxpreps: https://www.maxpreps.com/tx/kennedale/kennedale-wildcats/basketball/schedule
