It was a sweet evening on Valentine’s Day for the KISD high school basketball program as the two varsity teams won easily. For the Lady Kats, it was a UIL tournament bi-district win over FWISD Benbrook by a score of 63-30. The Wildcats wrapped up the District 10/4A season with a 76-35 win over Venus.
The Lady Kats have made the UIL State Basketball tournament for the last 21 years and has won the first-round game, 20 of those 21 years. The Kats are now 18-11 for the season and 10-2 in the district.
They will face Frisco Panther Creek (22-12, 8-2) who are coming off a 92-19 shellacking of Summit International Prep, a 4th seed out of District 12/4A and in a district made up of prep schools.
The two teams have not played each other this year but they have had some common opponents. Both teams lost to Crandall – Lady Kats 43-55 and Panthers 40- 48; and, the Lady Kats beat Midlothian HS 51-48 while the Panthers lost 51-34.
Two-year-old Panther Creek finished in first place in District 11/4A this year with two losses but ahead of Anna (25-8, 7-3), Van Alstyne (21-10, 7-3) and Aubrey (13-19, 4-6).
Kennedale versus Frisco Panther Creek Friday, February 17, 7 pm at Grapevine High School.
Wildcats win big and will play first playoff game next door …
Meanwhile the Wildcats, the Kennedale boys team finished the 2022-23 regular season with a 36-point victory over hapless Venus. Venus ended their season at 6-27, 0-12.
The Kennedale Wildcats are now 27-7, 10-2, and as the #2 seed from District 10/4A will play the #3 seed Young Men’s Leadership Academy of Fort Worth out of District 9/4A.
YMLA (13-14, 7-5) finished in District 9/4A behind Eastern Hills (25-7, 11-1) and Dunbar (14-12, 10-2). Earning the 4th seed was Benbrook (11-21, 5-7). Kennedale is currently ranked #17 by MaxPreps in 4A.
The Cats now have been given the opportunity to play their first playoff game at Martin High School which is nearly next door. According to Google Maps, from the front doors of Kennedale High School to Martin High School is less than 4 driving miles. Martin High is located at 4501 W Pleasant Ridge Drive, Arlington, TX 76015.
Wildcat Basketball is hoping that the proximity of the first-round game will bring more local fans. Bi-District Playoff Game – Kennedale vs YMLA Tuesday, 2/21/23 at Martin HS, 7 pm. You can buy tickets in advance online @ Arlington ISD
Game summary from the Venus game played Tuesday night …
Coming big for Kennedale in the Venus game was Pablo Agosto with 20 points scored followed by Tristan Lewis (16), Landon Brooks (14), Tyler Choice (7), Noah Biles (6), Austin Pickett (4), Destined Mason (3), Ruben Rivera Agosto (2), Breylen Harris (2) and Emmanuel Okewoke (2). Tristian Lewis led the team in steals with 9 and Landon Brooks came down with the most rebounds (13) while Jacoby Lovings provided the most assists with 5.
TEAM STATS (Kennedale/Venus): Rebounds 50/29; Assists 14/7; Steals 15/5; Blocks 6/4; FG% 39/24; 3PT% 29/22; FT% 77/69
