Around the Rim – Postseason Style 

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

EAST TEXAS – The regular season in area basketball is over and the playoffs are now underway for both the boys’ and the girls’ team as they look to go all the way to San Antonio for a shot at hoops immortality.

The girls kicked off Bi-District play on Monday, Feb. 13 with the Grapeland Sandiettes taking on the Cayuga Lady Wildcats in Fairfield. The Sandiettes used a strong defense and some clutch free throw shooting down the stretch to defeat their neighbors in Anderson County by a final score of 67-40.

The Sandiettes were scheduled to take on the Rosebud-Lott Lady Cougars on Friday, Feb. 17 in Madisonville for the Area Championship, but as of press time, the score was unavailable.

The Crockett Lady Bulldogs were also in action on Monday as they took on the Hemphill Lady Hornets in a first round matchup. Crockett won the game by a final score of 58-44 and moved on to the Area Championship where they faced the Kountze Lady Lions. The game was scheduled for Friday, Feb. 17 in Livingston, but as of press time the score was unavailable.

The Slocum Lady Mustangs had a first round bye and were scheduled to play the Abbott Lady Panthers in the Area Championship on Friday in Leon, however, as of press time the score was unavailable.

The Kennard Lady Tigers also kicked off their playoff run on Monday with a 48-41 win over the Avalon Lady Eagles. The win sent the Lady Tigers to the Area Championship against the Coolidge Lady Yellow Jackets on Friday, Feb. 17 in Frankston, but as of press time, the score was unavailable.

The Lovelady Lady Lions and Palestine Lady Cats weren’t quite as fortunate as the Sandiettes, Lady Bulldogs and Lady Tigers. The Lady Cats fell to the Gatesville Lady Hornets on Monday by a final score of 50-24 while the Lady Lions fell to the Italy Lady Gladiators on Valentine’s night by a final score of 71-55.

On the boys’ side of the court, the postseason tips off with Bi-District play on Monday, Feb. 20 and Tuesday, Feb. 21. The Grapeland Sandies are scheduled to play the Cross Roads Bobcats on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Tyler Junior College at 7:30 p.m.

The Lovelady Lions also qualified for the playoffs but because of tie breakers in District 19-2A, the Lions’ Bi-District opponent has yet to be determined. They are expected to face the loser of the Feb. 17 game between the Kerens Bobcats and Italy Gladiators.

The Crockett Bulldogs start their journey down the road to San Antonio o Tuesday, Feb. 17 with a Bi-District game against the Central Heights Blue Devils at Angeline College. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

I n Anderson County, the Slocum Mustangs are in the playoffs but needed to play the Milford Bulldogs on Saturday, Feb. 18 to determine where they would be seeded in the postseason tournament. The game was scheduled to tip-off at high noon but as of press time, the score was unavailable.

The Neches Tigers will open up their postseason with a Bi-District game against the San Augustine Wolves on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Wells High School. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

And last but not least, the Westwood Panthers start their playoff run on Tuesday, Feb. 21 with a game against the Maypearl Panthers. The game will be held at Navarro College in Corsicana and is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].