Kennedale rolls into 3A regional title game (see more at “Sports”)

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By Michael DuPont II

Special to the Star Telegram

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LUBBOCK ? The Kennedale Lady Kats advanced to the Class 3A Region I final for a third consecutive year with a 66-50 victory Friday night against Lubbock Cooper at United Spirit Arena. ?Kennedale (29-6) started the game on a 9-0 run, and Travanti Downes scored eight points of her night?s 16 points in the first quarter to help the Wildcats to an early 22-13 lead. Guard Katy Boren (11 points) knocked down two 3-pointers during the run.{{more}} Kennedale?Coach Vance Hughes said he will not be satisfied until the Wildcats close out their trip to Lubbock with another victory.?

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?One more, man. One more,? Hughes said. ?We were here the last two years in the regional final, so we can?t get satisfied until tomorrow.?

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Kennedale?s size was too much for the Pirates (31-5). to overcome in the first half. Seniors Autummn Williams and Downes combined for 22 points in the first half. Lubbock Cooper had 25 total points in the half.?Hughes said his seniors have elevated their play all season with the goal of finally advancing past the regional final.

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?Those girls, they?ve been stepping up all year,? Hughes said of his seniors. ?Travanti Downes, Jamaika Hughes, Sadie Fleschner have been in the regional tournament final game for three years straight. ?Hopefully this is the year we can get over that hump and get to state for them.?

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Williams continued her dominating play in the second half with 11 more points, which allowed Kennedale to maintain a double-digit lead the rest of the game.?Williams claimed her main focus was making sure she did not leave anything on the court in her final appearance at the Regional Tournament.

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?My mindset is always to pass to the open person,? Williams said. ?But if I have the room to go to the basket, that?s what I?m going to do to help out my team.?

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Downes, Williams and sophomore guard Jasmyn Poe (11 points) each surpassed the double-digit scoring mark in the winning effort, combining to score 46 of Kennedale?s 66.?Kennedale will face Stephenville, which defeated Perryton in the semis, at 1 p.m. today in the 3A Region I final at United Spirit.

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Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/02/23/4638411/kennedale-rolls-into-3a-regional.html#storylink=cpy