After a super second season going 16-2 and entering the region quarterfinal game on a 13 game winning streak, the Kennedale Wildcats fell to Midlothian Heritage in a hard fought game 63-56. {{more: Read more … }}
The Wildcats (25-11, 12-0), unranked all season and coming off an upset overtime win over Burkburnett on Tuesday night in the area round, were playing the underdog role once again.
Tai Davis (l) drives down
court and Uniikye Washington (r) takes a charge during region semifinals (Photo:Staci Otts) |
The Cats took an early lead in the first quarter at 11-8 as each team began to probe the match-ups and test their game plans.
After Heritage scrapped their trademark press as the Cats proved that they could master it, the Jaguars outscored the Cats 20-12 and took a 28-23 lead into the half.
In the third, Heritage continued their dominance but the Cats found a way to cut the lead to 30-29 with 5:30 in the third. The Wildcat faithful were looking for another Kennedale trademark 4th quarter comeback.
After following behind the 2nd the Cats
did rally several times pulling within 1 in the 3rd (Photo:Staci Otts) |
It was not to be, as Heritage went on a 12-0 run and the Cats went cold from the field.
At 42-29 with just over 7 minutes in the game, the Jaguars had their biggest lead of the game and one that proved too much for the Cats.
Kennedale won the 4th quarter 27-24 and did fight back to whittle the lead down to 4 points (49-45) with just over 2 minutes left in the game but that was as close as the Cats could get.
Uniikye Washington trying
for a shot against Heritage. He led the Wildcats with 15 points (Photo:Staci Otts) |
Kennedale had three players in double digits led by Uniikye Washington (15), Tre Jones (14) and Devon Stapleton (13).
Scoring Stats:
Kennedale
{{t2:Uniikye Washington (Jr): }}15, {{t2:Tre Jones (So): }}14, {{t2:Devon Stapleton (Jr): }}13, {{t2:Chris Saulsby (Sr): }} 8, {{t2:Stephone Jackson (Sr): }} 4, {{t2:Tai Davis (Jr): }} 2.
Midlothian Heritage
Michael Holland 16, Kerrion Fields 15, Jackson McLaughlin 10, Steven Wallace 10, Jaren Shead 9, Seth Golden 3
Box Score:
1
2
3
4
Final
Kennedale
11
12
6
27
56
Midlothian
Heritage
8
20
11
24
63
Video compliments of Star Telegram dfwVarsity and Darren Lauber (does include a brief commercial in the beginning)