Article reprinted from the Star-Telegram
By Darren Lauber
Special to the Star-Telegram
KENNEDALE ? Both teams came in undefeated in district play, but Kennedale came in undefeated on the season and showed why they?re ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 3A in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches poll.
The Wildcats inched their way to an eight-point halftime lead before putting away Mineral Wells 91-69 in a District 6-3A game at The Cage. {{more}}
Kennedale (26-0, 3-0 district) used its full-court pressure and dominating inside play to build a 14-7 lead after one quarter, but Mineral Wells (11-8, 2-1) kept in the game behind Biren Clardy, who finished with 31 points.
The Rams hung tough with the Wildcats for most of the second and third quarters, but a steal by Stephen F. Austin signee Ty Charles (Sr) resulted in an intentional foul that seemed to spark Kennedale.
The Wildcats went on an 8-0 run highlighted by a one-handed dunk by Charles off of a perfect assist from Aundre Jackson (Sr) that gave Kennedale a 58-40 lead with 1:27 left in the third quarter.
?Ty Charles is an exceptional player and not just scoring,? Kennedale coach Doug Groff said. ?He?s very unselfish and toward the end was clearing out for Colton Otts, a sophomore, to post up and getting him the ball. ? He?s special.?
Mineral Wells tried to rally behind Clardy and Nick Wendt, who finished with 17 points. The Rams scored six straight to pull within 59-46, but the Wildcats? pressure and quickness took over.
Kennedale had five players in double figures led by Charles (20 points), V.J. Hughes (17), Otts (16), Jackson (15), and Trystan Carr (11).
