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Sunday, December 22, 2024

Lady Kat Basketball Playoffs: A look ahead

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1st round Tuesday vs Midlothian Heritage 7:00 pm Mansfield Timberview

 
Many expect, including the current Lady Kats, that this will be the year Kennedale returns to the big dance at state. Over the past decade and a half, the girls? basketball program at KHS has established itself as not only a district power but a consistent regional power {{more:Read more}}and is regularly ranked in the top 20 in the state.
 
Consider that this is the 15th straight year for the Kats to make the playoffs. Through last season, the Kats have made it as an area qualifier 14 straight years. The Kats have made the regional quarterfinals 8 times out of the last 11 years. Kennedale has missed the regional semifinals only twice in 10 years. And, the Kats have gone on to play in 5 regional finals, 2 state semifinals and 2 state finals.
 
State playoff primer …
 
The state playoff system is based on the four regions that divide Texas in each classification. The playoffs start with a bi-district match-up in the first round with a 1st seed from one district playing the 4th seed and a corresponding game matching 2nd and 3rd seeds. Winners advance to area play for the second round followed by third round action at region quarterfinals.
 
Kennedale will play Midlothian Heritage (19-13, 5-7) Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at Timberview High School in Mansfield in first round action.
 
Locations of these games are determined by each school?s representative and are at neutral locations. The regional semifinals and finals pitting the top four teams from the regions against each are played on the same weekend at a designated site established before the basketball season starts.
 
For Region I, where Kennedale plays, the standing site is Texas Tech University. Last year there was a conflict in scheduling for Texas Tech and the regional games were moved to nearby Lubbock Christian University.
 
A look by region …
 
Region I ? This is Kennedale?s region and if things go by the rankings, #2 Kennedale (31-3, 12-0) will play #4 Godley (30-4, 12-0) in the 3rd round of the Region 1 playoffs (quarterfinals). This should be the premier match-up in Region 1 and many expect that this will determine the region?s representative in the final four of the state championships.
 
There are other teams in Region I that have serious talent including #7 Levelland 28-4, 10-0), #10 Stephenvile (24-7, 10-2), #13 Denver City (23-6, 8-2), #15 Brownwood (23-8, 8-0) and #20 BurkBurnett (22-3, 8-0).
 
Region II – #1 Argyle (30-2, 10-2) plays in Region II and will be challenged by undefeated #5 Tatum (30-0, 8-0,). While #12 Gilmer (29-3, 10-0) hopes to play the spoiler role.
 
Region III – Expect #3 Liberty Hill (30-2, 12-0) to make the region champioships but #6 Navasota (32-4, 7-0) and #8 Madisonville (25-3, 8-0) also have plans on the region title.
 
Region IV ? This region may have the best chance of providing a surprise champion. Top choice are #9 Devine (25-5, 7-1), #16 Fredericksburg (27-6, 8-0), #23 La Vernia (23-12, 8-0) or maybe Orange Grove (28-5, 12-2).
 
State Championship Tournament …
 
This pits the four champions from the regional playoffs against each other March 2-4 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
 
Everyone expects that the road to a state championship will go through #1 Argyle, the defending state champions who already boast early wins over #2 Kennedale and #3 Liberty Hill. Kennedale is counting on a rematch.
 
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