Kennedale tops Dunbar 84-74 in overtime for first place tie

For the second time in two years, the same two teams find themselves in a tie atop District 9/4A. Kennedale and Dunbar are traditional area and regional basketball powers. {{more: continue …}}Both are in the same district and once again, not surprisingly, they find themselves with a shared single loss in district play.

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Dunbar came into the game last Friday as the odds-on favorite after having bested Kennedale in first round action on Kennedale?s home court. The Dunbar Wildcats were also ranked as #5 in that week?s 4A rankings.

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According to Coach Groff early last week, this was a game described with caution along with a shake of the head and a muttered ?I don?t know.? Then the Cats did their thing.

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Game started slow for the K-Cats ?

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Kennedale started slow, spotting the D-Cats an early 7 point lead. But Kennedale battled back with the help of Blake Taylor?s 7 points to keep the Cats within 3 at the end of the Q1, 17-14

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The Wildcats bested Dunbar in Q2, outscoring the D-Cats 19-10 and took a 33-27 lead in to the half. Scott Whorley chipped in 6 to lead Kennedale for the quarter.

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In Q3 Dunbar managed to forged a 51-51 tie by outscoring Kennedale 24 to 18. The lead was being passed back and forth during the second and third quarters and continued into Q4. Christian Whitaker put up 7 to lead Kennedale scoring during Q3.

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Q4 ended knotted at 71, sending the game into overtime. Both teams had added 20 points to the 3rd period score for the tie. Francis Rivera lead the K-Cats, hitting the net for 7 points in the fourth.

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Kennedale shines in overtime ?

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It was no contest in overtime, with Kennedale having the hot hand, outscoring Dunbar 13-3. Wayne Landry scored 8 of the 13 points followed by 2 by Rivera and 3 by Taylor. Kennedale won 84-74.

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Scoring for the Kennedale was Austin Pickett 4 points,

James Cain 6, Wayne Landry 16, Francis

Rivera 13, Scott Whorley 16, Christian Whitaker 6, Blake Taylor 15, Dennis

Simmons 2, Versie Hodges 4 and Kyle Brooks 2.

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Standings and more …?

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District standing after Friday night – Dunbar 7-1, Kennedale 7-1; Benbrook 5-3; Western Hills 4-3; Castleberry 3-5; Lake Worth 1-7; Diamond Hill-Jarvis 0-7. (Top 4 teams make the playoffs).

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Kennedale enters top 25 at 23 in latest TABC ranking for 4A, Dunbar falls to #12 after loss to Kennedale.