Photo: Kennedale High School
The Kennedale Wildcats (29-7) won an area title Friday night against Aubrey High School (22-11) by a score of 59-48. The Wildcats now move to the UIL region quarterfinals in the D2 bracket. The 64-team field has now been whittled to 16.
2025 UIL Texas Boys Basketball State Championships 4A D2 – Playoff Bracket
MaxPrep‘s current ranking has Kennedale at #7 in Class 4A. The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) had Kennedale pegged at #12 in Class 4A overall in their final rankings of the regular season (February 17, 2025)
Kennedale swept District 12/4A with a 12-0 record. The last time that happened was in 2016-17 when the Cats also won the district title. It was also the last time the Wildcats made it into the third round/region quarterfinals.
Looking for #14 …
Kennedale is currently on a 13-game win streak. This includes an 80-76 double overtime win over Dallas Lincoln in bi-district action last week.
Side note: Kennedale has recorded only 1 losing season and 1 break even season (13-13) in the last 29 years. Twenty-one out of the 29 years have been 20+ win seasons. And Kennedale has missed the playoffs only once during this period.
Next opponent is North Lamar …
The Wildcats will play the North Lamar High School Panthers (25-19) (North Lamar High School Athletics) who were runner-ups in District 14/4A with a record of 8-2 just behind Paris (25-6, 9-1).
In UIL playoff action, North Lamar defeated Caddo Mills (10-24) by a score of 63-51 in the bi-district round and won 52-43 over Van (21-13) in area play.
The last time North Lamar made the regional quarterfinals was in 2015-16. That year they advanced to the state quarterfinals before losing.
According to MaxPreps, Kennedale and North Lamar have met only twice since 2005-06 with Kennedale winning both games.
This season each team played Celina early in the season. Kennedale lost 78-69 and North Lamar lost 65-51. Life Waxahachie was also a common opponent with the Wildcat winning two games by scores of 69-52 and 70-65 in district play. The Cougars lost a single match up with Life 84-57.
Head Coach for the Wildcats is Doug Groff assisted by Matt Casey and Jay Jurchinson.
UIL Region Quarterfinal – 4A/DII Tuesday (today) 7pm @ Royce City High School
