Houston Wheatley Wildcats (28-7), ranked #7 in the last TASB 4A state poll but #6 in the latest MaxPreps rankings, earned a berth in the finals this week after a 5-point win, 49-44, over the #9 La Marque Cougars (39-3).
Kennedale Wildcats (32-7), ranked #12 in the last TASB 4A state poll but #2 in the latest MaxPreps ranking, earned a berth in the finals this week with a 62-60 win over #15 Krum (#10 MaxPreps. Krum had just defeated #2 Canyon Randall (31-6) in regionals by a score of 63-61.
Background info on Wheatley…
Wheatley comes out of one of the toughest districts in the state, with three teams in the final 4A TASB poll. Wheatley finished second place in District 20/4A, just behind #6 Houston Washington (29-4, 17-1) followed by #7 Houston Yates (23-7, 15-3) and Houston Worthing (18-13, 11-7) rounded out the top four in the 10-member district.
Washington and Worthing went 4A D1 with larger enrollments. Worthing lost early, but Washington is in the D1 finals playing #1 Dallas Kimball (22-5) on Friday.
Wheatley and Yates, with smaller enrollments, went into the D2 playoffs, with Wheatley eliminating Yates in the regional finals 90-84. Note that during district play, Yates was 2-0 vs. Wheatley.
The Wheatley Wildcats are coming off a 23-7 season in 2023-24, going 4 deep in the playoffs before losing to Silsbee. The Wildcats did struggle to make the playoffs for several years, but before that, they had a solid playoff history.
Wheatley’s road to the finals…
Bi-District: Tarkington Longhorn (91-63); Area: #11 Silsbee Tigers (78-75): Regional Semifinals: Waco Connally Cadets (88-62); Regional Finals: #7 Yates Lions (90-84)
Current team stats…
* 9 seniors on 13-man roster (3 juniors, 1 freshman) all but 1 listed at 6’1″ or above, tallest 6’7″.
* 13-game win streak, 11 games with 90+ points scored, 5 games with 100+ points, ave 82.1 points per game
Background on Kennedale Wildcats …
The Kennedale Wildcats captured the District 12/4A title with a 12-0 record. The top four teams in District 12, in order, were #12 Kennedale, Life Waxahachie (25-9, 9-3), Venus (14-18, 7-5), and Alvarado 17-15, 6-6).
Life Waxahachie and Alvarado, with larger enrollment, were assigned to D1. Alvarado was defeated by #1 Dallas Kimball early, as was Life by #4 Dallas Carter. Dallas Carter fell to Kimball, who is now playing in the D1 finals this week. Kennedale and Venus were assigned to the Division 2 tournament. Venus fell in first-round action.
Kennedale has made the UIL playoffs for 16 straight years. The Wildcats won a state title (2007-08) and played in another state-final (2014-15). Cats’ best record, 38-1, was recorded that same year. Kennedale is coming off a 29-5 season.
Kennedale’s road to the playoffs…
Bi-District: Dallas Lincoln Tigers (80-76 2OT); Area: #22 (MaxPreps) Aubrey (59-48); Regional Semifinal: Paris North Lamar 82-52; Region Finals: #14 (MaxPreps) Sanger 76-53; State Semifinals: #10 (MaxPreps) Krum 62-60.
Current team stats…
* 5 seniors on 14-man roster (8 juniors, 1 So), 8 players listed at 6′ or above, tallest 6’9″
* 17-game win streak, average 69.6 points per game, highest points score in a game 102
