Last Tuesday night, the #4 Brock Eagles (2A) came to town hoping to bring back the hide of the #5 Kennedale Wildcats (3A) but left minus their tail feathers. The Wildcats downed the Eagles 76-53 for the first challenge of the basketball season. Saturday afternoon, the Azle Hornets swarmed into the Wildcat gym but Kennedale swatted them down 72-43. {{more}}
Ty Charles In the game with Brock, the Eagles never recovered from the 28-13 first quarter. Brock had no answer for the ?monster? underneath the basket, Aundre Jackson (Sr). Jackson led all scorers with 25 points. Other Wildcats scoring in double digits were Kelon Doss (Sr) 14 points, V.J. Hughes (Sr) 13 points and Ty Charles (Sr) with 11.
It is early in the season but Kennedale is showing why it should be one of the teams fighting for a state berth from Region 1 in class 3A this year. Head Coach Doug Groff?s teams have been in the playoffs 8 of the last 10 seasons, making it to the regionals (?sweet sixteen?) four times and winning it all in 2008. Last year?s team was 33-3, losing in the regional quarterfinals.
Kelon Doss This year at a minimum should be another regional year. A strong cast of seniors will be carrying team starting with Ty Charles and Aundre Jackson along with Vance Hughes and Kelon Doss.
All played big roles in last year record setting year. Charles was named to the All-State team. He and Jackson made the All-Region team. Hughes and Doss joined Jackson and Charles on the All-District team last year. It was the second year in a row for Doss and Charles.
Kennedale was ranked in the top 10 all season and ended the regular season ranked #3. This year they start with a #5 ranking in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches? high school poll.
The basketball Cats passed a minor test on Friday with Brock, a traditional 2A basketball powerhouse. They should be facing another ranked team in December when they go up against Stephenville. Stephenville was one of only three teams to tack on a loss to the Wildcats last year. This year the game is in Kennedale on December 20th.
Vance ?VJ? Hughes Kennedale does have some big tournament to play before district begins in January. December 5-7th, the Cats will be playing in the College Station high school tournament, a new one for Kennedale and one that should be very competitive.
The following week, Kennedale will be defending its title in the annual Glen Rose tournament. After Christmas, the Wildcats will again be defending another tournament title in the Whataburger Classic which always includes some of the best teams in the state.
If you like “round ball,” this should be another good year.
