Published: 06 March 2014 05:32 PMUpdated: 07 March 2014 12:09 AM
AUSTIN ? Coach Doug Groff told his players that if someone was going to knock off his unbeaten Kennedale team, that team would have to make plays. His players weren?t going to fold. {{more}}
KHS Senior Ty Charles has 21 points in loss to Yates at State Semi-finals
(photo MichaelAinsworth Dallas Morning News
Enter Houston Yates guard Davion Houston.
With Kennedale mounting a comeback, trailing by two with 62 seconds remaining in the Class 3A semifinal, Houston took ? and hit ? his only 3-pointer of the game, staving off a comeback in Yates? 86-79 win.
?If they miss that shot, and we get the rebound, it?s a different game,? Groff said.
As expected, the game was played at breakneck speed, with teams combining for 45 fast-break points and 49 turnovers.
Kennedale?s offensive game plan worked ? in part. Pushing the pace, Groff?s team forced Yates into committing 25 fouls. But Kennedale made only 16 of 33 free throw attempts (48.5 percent), well below its season average.
KHS Senior Aundre Jackson leaves with 21 points & 5th foul in loss
to Yates at State Semi-finals
(photo Michael Ainsworth DallasMorning News
Kennedale stars Aundre Jackson and Ty Charles pulled the team back in the game, combining for 23 points after the half. Kennedale (38-1) trailed by 12 at halftime but closed the deficit to a single possession on three different occasions.
Four busses and a long line of cars brought Wildcat fans to the Drum in Austin Jackson attacked Yates? two 6-7 posts ? Melvin Swift and J.C. Washington ? scoring 21 points with 10 rebounds. He battled foul trouble for much of the second half, fouling out with 1:56 remaining in the game.
Charles, a Stephen F. Austin signee, scored 21 points with 17 rebounds, five assists and six steals ? but he missed a last-minute 3-point attempt that would have cut Kennedale?s deficit back to a single possession.Kelon Doss & Trystan Carr feel the loss but the Wildcats walk away with a 38-1 record
Yates (24-8) will face defending champ Madison at 10 a.m. Saturday in a rematch of last year?s 3A final.
?Everybody wants to see us and Madison play again, because we are the two best teams in Texas,? Yates guard Damion Lewis said. ?So I feel like we have to come and show up for Saturday?s game.?
