KHS Lady Kat basketball coach departs for Peaster leaving Kennedale look for longterm commitment

Garrett Hilton who has coached the Kennedale Lady Kat the last two years has accepted the head coaching job at 3A Peaster High School. {{more: continue …}}

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Hilton came to Kennedale after a five-year stint at 6A Clear Brook. At Clear Brook, he struggled to get the Lady Wolverines out of the middle of the pack in district play. However, in both of his seasons here at Kennedale, the Kats went 12-0 in claiming the district title.

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In his first season, the Lady Kats finished 21-14, 12-0 and made it to the second round of the UIL playoffs before losing to Dallas Pinkston. In 2020, the Kats went 23-14, 12-0 and returned to the playoffs losing in second round action once again to Pinkston.

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Moving to a basketball town ?

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Peaster ISD is located along the northern border of Weatherford in Parker County and they are use to winning. They will be looking for someone to push Peaster over longtime rival Brock.

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In the last five years, Brock has won the district 4 out of 5 years while Peaster has managed to win one. In the other four years, Brock finished 2nd or 3rd. In the recent realignment, Peaster and Brock remain as district competitors.

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According to the Weatherford

Democrat, Peaster Athletic Director Gary McElroy called Hilton an excellent fit for the program, higlighting his past experience.

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Kennedale has own reputation to protect but needs someone who will stay awhile ?

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Whoever steps in as the next as the next head coach of the Kennedale Lady Kats, has to consider the winning records established over at least the last 15 years.

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The Kats have:

• claimed 12 district titles in the last 15 years?
• won 10 undefeated district championships, including the last 4?
• never finished lower than 2nd in district play.?
• never had a losing season in 15 years nor missed the playoffs.?
• twice have been state runner-ups
• gone three-deep in 11 of those playoffs

Robert Hughes who earned two state runner-up titles was the last head coach to stay more than 3 years. All were winning coaches but moved on quickly.? Mindy Morris?was here 2 years followed by Doug Watson who completed 3 years. Watson preceded Hilton’s two years.?

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It would be realistic to expect that those who are involved in the hiring process would be looking for someone that will at least see the entering freshmen through graduation in 2024.?