Kennedale Lady Cat …
The #6 KHS Lady Kats, who just moved into the #6 slot this week in Class 4A TABC rankings, added to their win column with a victory over Burkburnett Tuesday evening 61-46. The Lady Kats are now 23-5 with 10 games left in the regular season. Burkburnett fell to 12-11 on the year.
It was a long road trip to Burkburnett but the Kats managed to work out the kinks and do what they do best – win. Jayla Jackson Allen (SO) and Reagan Jackson (JR) were once again scoring leaders combining for 38 of Kennedale’s 62 points. Each netted 19 points in the game.
Kennedale will return to district play with a game this coming Friday, January 7 at North Hills Prep. Varsity is set to play at 6:30 pm. North Hills does not field a freshman or JV squad. The Lady Kats of Kennedale are currently 3-0 in district play.
North Hills Prep is located in Irving, TX at 606 E Royal Ln, Irving TX 75039. It is part of the Uplift Education Charter School network.
Kennedale Wildcats …
Monday afternoon, the Kennedale Wildcats, now 17-3, defeated the spread game of Mabank by a score of 45-33. Mabank fell to 8-7 for the season.
For those not familiar with the spread offense, it is the same thing as playing for the last shot or to secure the win by running out the clock. This happens often in a game when the team with the ball has the lead or is attempting to win with the last shot. Players are in the far corners of the court, passing the ball around and waiting for the clock or for the other team to make a mistake/foul.
It makes for tense basketball near the end of the half or of the game. But, when it goes for the full game, it is like watching molasses spread. Mabank apparently makes this a regular part of their game – all game long. It tested Kennedale and probably taught them something about patience.
Mabank scored 14 points in the first two quarters while Kennedale had 17 points. Mabank made enough points to keep in the game and even take the lead at times. At one point in the 2nd the Cats were down 9-10 (again not a high-scoring game and margins were small).
In the third, Kennedale once again fell behind 17-18 but that was the last time and the fourth began with the Cats up 30-24. From that point on, Kennedale was finding it easier to score against the spread. At one point in the quarter, the margin was 16 with Kennedale up 42-29.
Kennedale for the game hit 14 of 18 in the two-point range, 5 for 17 for threes, and made 3 of 4 free throws in the game. Fifteen points were off of turnovers.
For the Wildcats, Christion Whitaker had 12 points, Hunter Limbaugh 11, Landon Brooks 8, Breylen Harris 6, Jordan Miller 5, and Austin Pickett and Tyler Choice each had 2 points.
District play begins …
The Wildcats will travel this Friday night, like the Lady Kats, to play Uplift North Hills. This will be the first game in the district for the Cats. The game time is set for 8 pm. Not to overlook North Hills, but the biggest game in district play and of the season so far will be the following day against Oak Clift Faith Family. Faith Family is currently ranked #1 by TABC in Class 4A at 18-4. They are coming off a loss against 14-0 Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Oak Cliff Eagles’ game will be in the Wildcat Den at Kennedale High School starting at 6:30 pm on Saturday, January 8, 2022.
