Lady Bulldogs clinch playoffs
Beat J'ville, 38-30, and have two games left in regular season; boys fall at J'ville
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

Photo by Lester Murray JUMP! - Kilgore High School's Tai'Shea Reese (10), a senior, leaps for the ball against a player from Jacksonville on Tuesday night at KHS gymnasium. Reese and the Lady Bulldogs won, 38-30, and are headed back to the UIL Class 4A playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season. Kilgore still has two regular-season games left, however, and is tied for first place in the District 12-4A standings with the Nacogdoches Dragons.

After two seasons absent from the UIL Class 4A playoffs, the Kilgore High School Lady Bulldogs will make their return to the postseason this year.

That much was assured with a 38-30 win here over Jacksonville High School on Tuesday night.

Now, what's not assured is the Lady 'Dogs' exact playoff placement. That's because Kilgore and Nacogdoches are knotted in a tie for first place in District 12-4A, and with just two regular-season games left, that tie might stick. If so, Kilgore and Nac would be forced to either play a third time, a playoff seeding game, or flip a coin. Nac beat Kilgore early in the season here, then Kilgore returned the favor, beating Nac on its home court last Friday.

Kilgore is now 14-8 overall this year, 9-2 in district play, and will host Pine Tree on Friday night. That will be a 6:30 p.m. varsity tipoff, and the KHS seniors will be honored prior to the game.

Kilgore's boys didn't fare as well against Jacksonville, dropping a 78-47 decision (see below).

• Kilgore 38, Jacksonville 30 (girls): Kilgore really cruised in this one, although Jacksonville did come back late. The Lady Bulldogs were up by 20 at the start of the fourth period.

Jacksonville had just eight points at halftime, and trailed 32-12 going into the fourth quarter. Ashia Kelly got into foul trouble, however, and Jacksonville did manage to score 18 fourth-quarter points, but Kilgore held on for the win.

Tai'Shea Reese had another doubledouble, with 15 points and 12 rebounds. It was her second consecutive doubledouble. She also had two steals.

Raven Wiley had 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals for KHS. Kelly scored seven, grabbed eight rebounds, and had four steals. Troylisha Orange scored three points. Ladoris Conrod had two.

"We had a good defensive night," coach Davia Garrett said. "Defense is really getting it done for us right now. I think we're a great defensive team, maybe the best in the district."

KHS has just two games left: here against Pine Tree on Friday, and at Hallsville on Tuesday.

"It's just a matter of us finishing strong," Garrett said. "I think we can. The girls are really determined right now. ...They're hungry. I think that's something that's really brought us as far as we are."

• Jacksonville 78, Kilgore 47 (boys): The Jacksonville Indians scored at least 20 points in every quarter save one Tuesday night, getting 22 points from Demarcus Session in this win.

The loss drops KHS to 6-17 on the season, 2-8 in district play. Jacksonville is one of the top three teams in the district (along with state-ranked Whitehouse and Nacogdoches). The Tribe is 19-7 overall and 7-3 against district foes.

Kilgore will once again play on the road Friday night at Pine Tree High School in Longview. KHS has four games left, beginning with the game at PT, and the Bulldogs are back home Tuesday, hosting Hallsville.

Against Jacksonville Tuesday, the Bulldogs managed just eight first-quarter points, and trailed 36-22 at halftime. The Bulldogs went 9-of-18 from the free-throw line. Jacksonville took just 11 free throw shots, hitting just four.

Kilgore was led by Drake Bickham's 21 points. Corwin Rowlett had 13, and those were the only two players in double figures. Michael Hardeman, Cody Murphy, and Xavian Sanders each scored three points. Deveron Harvey scored two, and J.J. Adams and Shaun Edwards each hit a free throw.

Jacksonville also won the freshmen game (35-27) and the JVgame (57-36).

KHS-Pine Tree tips off Friday at 5 p.m. with freshmen.