No. 3 Kennedale Ends Hornets’ Season, 62-48 – Headed to region quarterfinals

? ? ?Third-ranked Kennedale started early, then held off several late charges to down Gatesville 62-48 Friday night in a Class 3A boys’ area playoff game at West High School. Kennedale never surrendered the lead in the game. Kennedale will meet #16?Burkburnett at 8 p.m. at Decatur High School Tuesday for a region quarterfinal game.

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? ? ?With the loss, the Hornets finish their season at 17-16. GHS, makings its second consecutive appearance in the postseason, had advanced after finishing {{more}}as co-runners-up in District 8-3A and downing Glen Rose 35-33 in OT earlier in the week.

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? ? ?In Friday’s game, Kennedale caught fire early with a relentless defense and fast-break offense that sprinted to a 14-3 lead in the first four minutes of the game. Kennedale, which advances to play Burkburnett (76-64 winner over Liberty Hill), hit a three to start the second quarter, but consecutive 3 pointers by Gatesville pulled the Hornets to within 23-17. Kennedale went on a 7-0 run and outscored the Hornets 15-4 to take a 38-21 lead into halftime.

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? ? ?Despite the 17-point deficit, Gatesville never quit and continued to battled but could only cut the lead to 44-35 with just 0:42 left in the third period. ?The Wildcats made the last five points and the lead was 49-35 at the quarter’s end.

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? ? ?Audre Jackson had a great night putting in 22 points for Kennedale, followed by VJ Hughes with 12, Kelon Doss with 9, Ty Charles with 8, Oscar Howard with 5, Jay Jurchinson with 3 and Brett Taylor with 3.?

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