By Michael DuPont
Special to the Star Telegram
Kennedale’s unbeaten streak continues after the Wildcats defeated Stephenville 70-39 in the 3A Region I final on Saturday.
The game was a tale of two halves, and there were nine lead changes in the first half.
Senior B.J. Walker led Stephenville (16-16) with eight points in the first half. Senior guard Grayson Sweet also added six first-half points for the Yellow Jackets. {{more}}
Kelon Doss 15 points in Region 1 Final
Stephenville led narrowly after the first quarter and a back-and-forth second quarter produced a tie at 25 at halftime.
Junior V.J. Hughes led the Wildcats in scoring with nine points at halftime. He finished with 19.
Senior guard Ty Charles returned to the lineup for Kennedale (38-0) after missing the previous two games because of injury. He finished with 12 points.
Kennedale coach Doug Groff said the third quarter proved to be the turning point for the Wildcats.
Stephenville scored the opening basket of the second half, but Kennedale responded with a 15-0 run to open a 40-27 lead in the third quarter.
“We had told them at halftime, defensively, we thought we played a good game – we held them to 25,” Groff said. “We just told them defensively, be steady. Offensively, we need to more patient and extend the defense a little more in the wings, and we did and it went well.”
Kennedale closed the game on a 19-4 run as guard Kelon Doss led the Wildcats with nine points in the fourth quarter. Doss finished with 15.
Senior forward Aundre Jackson added 16 points for the Wildcats. Jackson was named 3A Region Tournament MVP for his efforts throughout the weekend. Hughes also was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Aundre Jackson MVP Region 1 Tournament
“It’s a great honor for them,” Groff said. “They know they get those honors because the rest of their team did their job.”
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