By Greg Bogomol
Special to the Star-Telegram
BRIDGEPORT ? Kennedale entered the second half of Tuesday?s Class 3A regional quarterfinal game against Burkburnett trailing by three and with key player Ty Charles out for the second half with an injury.
With a chance to fold, the Wildcats did just the opposite, using a 17-0 run to end the third quarter that extended to a 22-0 run into the fourth to knock off Burkburnett 86-74 at Bridgeport High School. {{more}}
With the victory, Kennedale (36-0), ranked No. 2 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches state poll, advances to the 3A Region I tournament in Lubbock on Friday against either Shallowater or Monahans. (It will be Shallowater at 8:30 p.m. in Lubbock).
KHS Senior Plays ?big? under basket with 25 points
?We went into the locker room feeling like we played one of the worst halves of basketball we played all year,? Kennedale coach Doug Groff said. ?We missed too many open shots and knew we were going to have to do a better job on defense and getting some stops.?
Charles missed the second half after rolling his ankle and had to be on crutches, forcing others to step up in the second half.
With the game tied at 47, Kelon Doss, who finished with 28 points, hit back-to-back 3-pointers, and Brandon Conwright followed with a 3 and another bucket to open a 58-47 cushion.
Burkburnett (24-7), No. 9 in the state poll, went on a 10-0 run to cut its deficit to 68-59. But Kennedale?s Aundre Jackson, who had 25 points, responded with four straight points to extend the Wildcats? lead to 13.
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