Updated 1/13/16
Photos by StaciOtts
The Kennedale Wildcats basketball team (11-11) has found a team formulation that seems to be working. It was on display Friday night when the Wildcats entered the Eagles?s homecourt at Argyle High School and robbed the nest. {{more}}
Post player #34 Colton Otts w 9 points #4 Argyle (16-5), who finished forth in the recent Whataburger Tournament where they had expected to compete for the title and then lost to Wilmer Hutchinson last week, was not expecting this from Kennedale. The Wildcats were coming off at 1-3 performance at the Whataburger. But, it was the Wildcats that lead throughout the game. Then despite a comeback flurry by Argyle in the second half, hung on to secured the win at the foul line in the closing seconds of the game, 59-56.
Brandon Conwright led the Wildcats with 22 points followed by 15 from Darius Hammond and 9 from Colton Otts. For Argyle, Nathan Priddy dominated scoring with 27, followed by 8 from David Davis and 7 from JC Chalk.dominated the first quarter…
The Wildcats, now riding a two game win streak, dominated the first quarter, outscoring the Eagles 17-6. It didn?t start out that way as both teams were slow to score. The Cats scored first on an Otts’ basket from underneath but didn?t put up any point again until halfway through the quarter. Argyle wasn?t scoring either and ended up shooting 43% from the field. Meanwhile, Kennedale went on a scoring spree helped by two 3?s from Conwright and one from Hammonds. The Eagles never fully recovered from that 1st quarter drubbing.
#10 Darius Hammonds w 15 pts including final two
In the 2nd quarter, Argyle held their own, but Kennedale remained ahead going into the half 30-18. Wildcats shooting cooled a ittle with both teams shooting around 55% from the field. Turnovers for the half were equal at 7 apiece.
An engerized Eagles team came on the court in the 3rd, outscoring the Cats 10-4 in the first half of the quarter to close the gap to 4 points at 36-30. Kennedale recovered to hold off the Eagles with some key turnovers ended the 3rd still on top at 43-38. Mainly shooting from the outside, the Cats dropped to under 50 % for the third.
the lead was cut to one with the clock ticking?
Now in most games that are between two good teams, this is when the homecourt advantage comes into play. With the hometown team making a comeback and and the crowd roaring, even the officials can get caught up in the moment. The opposing team has to show a lot of poise to prevail in this type of situation.
#22 Uniikye Washington sank 2 key foul shots in last moments
Kennedale had the lead and needed to keep it. Otts scored first followed by 4 points by Hammonds and the Kennedale had pushed the lead to 49-38. But, Argyle was not through and went on a 12 point run outscoring the Cats 12-5 in the later portion of the quarter to make it 54-50.With just about a minute to play Kennedale was called on a foul on a 3 point attempt by Argyles?s Priddy. Priddy made all three foul shots and the score was 54-53. With seconds ticking, Argyle was forced into fouling Kennedale as the Wildcats were trying to run out the clock. Starting with Uniikye Washington‘s 2 points, Kennedale went 7-8 from the line and limited Argyle to 3 points giving the Cats the win by three. At the line were Conwright who went 1 for 2 and Hammonds who went 4 for 4.
a real chance of going 11-0 before playoffs?
Kennedale finishes predistrict play Tuesday against Community HS, Nevada, TX on Tuesday before starting district play against FTW Diamon Hill-Jarvis on Friday. Both games are at home with varsity games starting at 8 p.m. Kennedale with this remix in the line-up has a real chance to extend their current two win streak to a 11 and arrive in the playoffs at 22-11 and a state ranking.
KEN 17 13 13 16 59ARG 6 12 20 18 56
Scoring for Kennedale: Brandon Conwright 22, Darius Hammond 15, Colton Otts 9, Stephone Jackson 4, Uniikye Washington 4, Quardriaz Wadley 3, Alex Groff 3 and Chris Saulsby 3.
