Boys basketball clinches fourth seed in playoffs

The boys basketball team (14-10, 7-5) is set to host the top team in District 15-5A, Highland Park (16-9, 12-0) tonight at 7 p.m. for Senior Night. The team currently sits in fourth place of the district and has the opportunity to take the third seed with wins tonight and next Tuesday at West Mesquite, in addition to needing North Forney to lose their final two games.

“This is a meaningful game as we still have a chance to move up a spot in the standings,” head coach Kyle Herrema said. “We want to build momentum going into the playoffs and play our best basketball of the year.”

After a successful week, the team clinched a spot in the playoffs. Herrema said that the team has maintained their focus and will work hard to be at their best in the most important time of the season.

“I don’t think things change at all,” Herrema said. “I think you stick to the process that has gotten you to this point.”

Last Friday, the team faced Mesquite Poteet (9-16,4-8). They fell in a tight battle, 39-38, at the hands of the Pirates with Kyle Olsen leading the team in points with 11.

“We needed to rebound the ball better and attack in transition,” senior Jackson Carswell said. “But we did a good job of getting their big man, Tracy Jones, in foul trouble and we also did well spacing the floor for drives.”

Traveling to Royse City (10-14,1-11) on Tuesday, the team defeated the Bulldogs and clinched a playoff spot, winning 58-36.

“We really stayed true to the gameplan and executed perfectly,” sophomore Luke Ledebur said. “The game gave us confidence and momentum for our last two games, now we just have to stay focused and work our tail off so we can go deep in the playoffs.”

For Carswell, clinching playoffs provides security for the team as they enter their final district games.

“It’s a big relief to all of us, but we know we have the opportunity to move up and get a better seed so we still need to work hard and finish off the regular season right,” Carswell said.