Jason Orts' High School Review: District 19-3A boys' race better than advertised

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Jason Orts' High School Review: District 19-3A boys' race better than advertised

By Jason Orts Tribune-Herald staff writer

Sunday February 14, 2010

Leading up to Valentine’s Day, we’ve been inundated with advertisements telling us what we should get for “that special someone.”

I have a hard time believing that “every kiss begins with Kay.” If that were the case, every kiss would cost a fortune. Flowers are great and all, but they will eventually wilt. Have you ever had some of those chocolates from the big heart-shaped boxes? Some of them taste like they’re filled with toothpaste. Oh, and cards? They can be nice, but I’m not big on giving “that special someone” a piece of paper with a saying written by someone else on it.

Exactly what does this have to do with anything? Well, not everything can live up to its advertising.

You want to know what has? The District 19-3A boys’ basketball race. If anything, it’s exceeded expectations, which is pretty special, because anytime three ranked teams are in the same district, you can’t help but believe it’s going to be an unbelievable fight.

Going into the final regular-season games Tuesday, nothing has been decided as far as the playoffs go.

Lorena is all alone in first at 7-2 and needs only a win over a piping-hot Groesbeck squad, which is part of a three-way tie with La Vega and Mexia for second, to clinch its second straight district championship.

That would knock the Goats out of the playoffs, unless Robinson pulls an upset against Mexia or Connally finds a way to knock off La Vega.

The most fun scenario — for fans, anyway — is the possibility for a four-team playoff for the three postseason spots.

It’s more of a possibility than you might think.

All that would have to happen is a Groesbeck win over Lorena, while Mexia and Connally take care of business against the district’s teams that have been eliminated from the playoffs. That would leave Groesbeck, La Vega, Lorena and Mexia all tied at 7-3 and let the playoff to get into the playoffs begin.

Understandably, Michael Kusler wants nothing to do with that.

“We would like to play well Tuesday and have it decided,” Kusler said. “If we would’ve taken care of our business over at La Vega (last Tuesday), we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

That said, the Leopards are in the best position, although it’s doubtful that anybody’s lining up to play Groesbeck right now.

In fact, La Vega and Mexia would surely prefer for Lorena to take care of Groesbeck. Sure, it would knock them out of district title contention, but they’d be guaranteed a playoff spot instead of having to come through a stressful four-team tournament.

Just a couple weeks ago, the Goats were a team opponents were leery of, but knew they could get a ton of turnovers, speed up the tempo and render Groesbeck’s size moot.

Now the Goats are controlling the tempo, taking care of the ball and getting it inside to their bigs, who are about as big as they come in 3A. And as would be expected, Groesbeck is absolutely pounding opponents on the boards.

All of that has led to the Goats soaring into contention, and the ascension included wins over La Vega and Mexia within the span of a week.

If they finish their run through the district’s ranked teams Tuesday, then the race will only be getting started.

Things aren’t quite as jumbled in 16-4A, but they’re not exactly clear, either.

On Saturday night, Midlothian beat Ennis to keep itself in a first-place tie with University at 10-3, while Waco High is in third place by itself at 9-4.

But the team that deserves the most credit for the way its managed to stay in the race lately is Midway, which has ripped off three straight wins to put itself in a fourth-place tie with Ennis.

Both teams face tough closing games, but the Panthers have the better of it taking on Waxahachie, while Ennis must deal with University.

The Panthers are riding high after surviving a cliffhanger against Waco High on Friday night and appear to have all the momentum going into Tuesday’s game. If they keep playing like this, they could be a tough out in the playoffs.

Other districts of note are much simpler, as Gatesville has wrapped up the 7-3A championship, with West and Glen Rose as the other playoff teams. In 16-2A, it’s all about Troy at the top, while Crawford and Hico will be the other playoff representatives.

Also, kudos to Bosqueville, which has clinched a share of the 16-1A Division I crown. The Bulldogs have lost only one district game, but it was a 35-point shellacking at the hands of Axtell, which it later rebounded to beat.

Late roundup

BOYS

Bremond 63, Iola 57 (OT): In Iola, D. Ray Morgan scored 16 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to help Bremond clinch its third straight playoff berth Friday.

Jamal Wortham put in 14 points for the Tigers (15-10, 5-4 District 26-1A Division I).

GIRLS

McGregor 62, Mart 50: In Glen Rose, Sha Brown scored 23 points to lead McGregor to victory in a playoff warm-up game between two undefeated district champions Saturday.

Ashley Reineke added 16 for the Lady Bulldogs (24-6), who led, 33-23, at halftime.

Keshia Daniel poured in a game-high 25 points, and Kaymee Gooden chipped in with 13 for the Lady Panthers (24-5).

jorts@wacotrib.com

757-5717

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CENTRAL TEXAS HONOR ROLL

BOYS

Addison Collins, Bosqueville: 14 pts, 10 rebs, 2 asts (win over Chilton)

D.J. McCormick, Bosqueville: 16 pts, 11 rebs, 4 stls, 3 blks

D.Ray Morgan, Bremond: 26 pts, 8 rebs, 3 asts (games vs. Somerville, Iola)

Travis McAninch, Lorena: 14 pts, 3.5 rebs, 2 stl (games vs. La Vega, Connally).

Kelvin Anthony, West: 20.5 pts, 23-for-26 FT (games vs. Whitney, Glen Rose)

Coaches may nominate players for the Central Texas Honor Roll by calling (254) 757-5717 or e-mailing jorts@wacotrib.com between noon and 4 p.m. on Saturdays.