This past week before going on a short Christmas break, the Kennedale Wildcat basketball team made an early claim to another district title when they defeated Mineral Wells at Mineral Wells 81-66. {{more:Read more …}}
Going into district play Mineral Wells (11-5) was pegged as a team that would be competing along with Kennedale (10-8) for the district title. Winning the first game of two in district play is a big step.the 2016-17 Wildcats …
Tre Jones (So) continues to impress as stats leader for Cats (
Photo:Staci Otts
)
Kennedale Head Coach Doug Groff is a believer in this team, saying that this team is not going to blow away other teams as some past Kennedale teams have done, but they will always be in the game, ready to win.The team at 10-8 has proven that more than once, winning against team that they really shouldn?t have. The average point differential win or lose has been 8.5 points in the 18 games played so far.Groff says this is a smart team. They are supportive of each other and they play well together. They are able to take what other teams give them and make points out of it. In other words, they are disciplined players that can exploit weaknesses to their advantage.
the season so far ?
The Wildcats started the season on a low note with three consecutive losses to #4 Brock (10-3), China Springs (12-4) and #5 Argyle (10-1). None were blowout games and against Argyle, the Cats lost 44-41.
Alex Groff (Sr) & Chris Saulsby (Sr) battle Argyle (dark uniforms) down to the final seconds in an early season loss (Photo: Staci Otts
)
But then, the Cats put together a 5 game win streak against larger 5A teams, defeating Granbury, Western Hills, Ennis, North Forney and Lindale.
Since that spree, they have broken even with 5 wins and 5 losses. The Cats loss to 5A Grapevine, Hillsboro, #10 Midlothian Heritage and Ranchview; split games with Life Waxahachie and won versus Alvarado, Marlin, Stephenville and Mineral Wells.
Is this bad for the Cats? Not if you consider last year?s team who lost the first 5 of 6 games and were 8-7 at this time last year. That team finished 23-13 and a berth in the region playoffs before losing in a regional semifinal game to Levelland.
should do well in district play …The Cats should do well in district play but can’t afford any surprises. This year District 7-4A is composed of Mineral Wells, Springtown, Castleberry, Lake Worth, FTW Benbrook, Diamond Hill-Jarvis as well as Kennedale.
Devin Stapleton caught between 2 Rams trying to get ball off to Tre Jones & Godfrey Agogo in Cats win over Mineral Wells 81-66 (
Photo: Staci Otts)However, before Kennedale resumes district play in January, the Cats have another major test coming up when the play in the annual Whataburger Tournament next week Dec 28-30. The tournament pits some of North Texas’s top 3A and 4A teams against each other.Kennedale has drawn #19 Decatur (11-5) in the first round on December 28 at 8:30 pm playing at Chisholm Trail High School. WhataburgerWildcat Basketball Schedule
2016-17 Wildcat Roster …
- 10 Sherrod
Poe
So. 5-9 150- 14 Dylon
Barber
Sr. 5-10- 20 Alex Groff SG, PG Sr. 5-8 155
- 22 Uniikye
Washington
SG, PG So. 5-11 160- 24 Tai Davis PG, SF Jr. 5-8 140
- 30 Devon
Stapleton
PG, SG Jr. 5-7 115- 32 Bryce
Hackett
Jr. 6-0 160- 34 Godfrey
Agogo
Sr. 6-3 175- 42 Chris
Saulsby
PF, C Sr. 6-2- 52 Tre Jones PF, C So. 6-4 185
- 54 Stephone
Jackson
C, PF Sr. 6-5 220
