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? ? ?Three KHS Seniors, Sadie Fleschner, Jamaika Hughes and Travanti Downes, are saying that Kennedale is going to win the regionals and will be in Austin for the final four. Each of these players have been to the regional finals the last three years and each time the Lady Kats lost to the eventual state champions. Now, it is Kennedale’s turn.?? ? ?In 2009-10 Kennedale Lady Kats lost by one point in the final second to Liberty-Eylau, 61-60. The next two years Kennedale lost in the regional finals to Abilene Wylie. The winners advanced to the final four and won, leaving the Lady Kats frustrated and thinking what if… {{more}}?? ? ?Asked what will be the difference this time. Sadie said that “we [team] are closer, a lot closer.? Travanti added ?we have matured more and we know the circumstances.? But this team has the skill and experience also. Travanti was named to the all-region team last year. Senior Autummn Williams was named both to the all-region team and the all-state team last year. Junior McKinley Bostad, who is playing her best game right now, was all-region in 2010-11 and 2011-12. And although she is unable to play because of an injury, Jamaika Hughes, will be on the bench providing support and leadership. She was all-region and all-state in 2010-11 and 2011-12. Plus, Coach Vance Hughes has been there and done that. His 2008 team made it to Austin and played in the championship game before losing to Canyon, a team that has since moved up to 4A.?? ? ?At the regional playoffs in Lubbock this weekend, the #3 Lady Kats (28-6) will play hometown favorite #8 Lubbock Cooper (30-4) Friday night at 7 p.m. Then if things go as they should, Kennedale will face #1 Stephenville (27-8) in the regional finals on Saturday at 1 p.m. Kennedale has to make up for an early season loss to Stephenville. ?This was the game that put Stephenville in the #1 spot. ?Kennedale had started the season in that spot before dropping to ?#3. So Kennedale has a lot to play for when they leave for regionals this weekend.
