The Kennedale Wildcats ranked #16 in last week?s TABC state poll with a record of 11-4, enter the holiday classic 57th Annual Whataburger Basketball Tournament as the defending champion in the small school division. Kennedale has won this tournament the past two years. {{more}}
A ?3-peat? is the last thing on Head Coach Doug Groff?s mind. Nothing about this tournament is going to be easy. Last year?s Wildcat team was ranked #2 in the state and 18-0 entering the tournament, on their way to an undefeated regular season.This year?s tournament field includes 16 teams from 4A, 3A and 2A with at least ten teams ranked in the state?s top 25 in their respective classes.
Kennedale is coming off a tournament win in the Glen Rose Lions Club Tournament. Kennedale was a repeat winner in that tournament also. The Wildcats finished the pre-holiday schedule with a disappointing loss to Carrollton Ranchview 76-70 and their second win against Stephenville 75-50.
The Whataburger tournament goes back to 1958, when eight north Texas high schools played in the first ?Fort Worth?s West Lions Club? Tournament. Bowie High School defeated Arlington Heights 70-52 for the title.In 1984, Whataburger became the sponsor of the annual tournament as it grew into a regional holiday classic, attracting some of the best team from across the state as well as outside of Texas.It now has three different divisions: the Orange Division for the top boys teams in Class 5A and 6A, the Boys? Blue Division for Class 2A, 3A and 4A and the Girls? Blue Division for Class 2A, 3A and 4A.
The Kennedale LadyKats are also entered in the Girls? Blue Division. This is the first time for the LadyKats to play in this tournament.Whataburger has listed Kennedale Wildcats’ Senior V.J. Hughes and Junior Brandon Conwright and LadyKats’ Senior Jasmyn Poe, Senior Brenee Ellis and Sophomore Dajia Simmons as players to watch in the tournament.The Wildcats’ first game will be at 11:30 a.m. today against
Argyle Liberty Christian at Chisholm Trail High School, 3100 NW College Dr.
Fort Worth, TX 76179.
Bracket/schedule Boys Blue Division
Read more about the tournament at 57thWhataburger Tournament
Or follow on the tournament’s Facebook page.
