The Texas high school 4A-Division II state championship delivered an exhilarating contest.
The Kennedale Wildcats (32-7) rallied, guided by junior guards Trey Smith and Jacob Lovings, to secure the state title. Smith stood out with 22 points, earning him the MVP accolade.
Despite being behind for much of the first three quarters and facing a 14-point deficit in the second quarter, Kennedale’s dynamic junior guards sparked a comeback. They completed the half with a 12-0 run, entering the break trailing by just two points, 36-34.
“We trust them to win us the game,” Kennedale coach Doug Groff stated. “Everyone understands their role, and they know they’re the finishers. The others know they’ll get it done.”
In the second half, Kennedale kept fighting, closing the gap to one on multiple occasions. However, Wheatley consistently found a way to maintain their lead.
That is, until Lovings sank a corner three-pointer on a swift offensive play, granting Kennedale their first lead since the early moments of the opening period at 46-44.
The fourth quarter saw rapid, back-and-forth action as both teams fought fiercely for the coveted state championship trophy. Ultimately, it was Lovings who hit key free throws, extending the lead to four, while Smith added one of two at the charity stripe to help secure the win with under 10 seconds remaining.
“What was going through my mind was, ‘I gotta make one free throw,’ but I aimed to make both; it just didn’t happen,” Smith reflected. “So, I’m relieved I made the first one.”
Wheatley’s Quinton Sanders, who amassed a game-high 24 points, played a pivotal role in his team’s lead during the third. Yet, Kennedale kept up their tenacity.
As Kennedale’s Jackson Stingley dashed down the court to counter Wheatley’s full-court press, he spotted Lovings to his left. The 5-10 guard did not hesitate to reward his teammate with a three-pointer, allowing Kennedale to take the lead for the first time with just 56 seconds left in the third quarter.
“It is a dream come true; we have been dreaming of this for a long time,” Lovings expressed on behalf of himself and his Kennedale teammates after clinching the prestigious Texas basketball state championship. “It feels amazing.”
Groff and his Kennedale squad were unfazed by the spotlight, confident in their chances as they had faced numerous tough situations throughout the season.
“They don’t quit. They fight,” Groff noted. “We have been in tight spots before against strong teams. We believed if we kept it close, we’d have our chance to make a run in the fourth quarter and pull away.”
No. 12 Kennedale vs No. 8 Wheatley: UIL TX-4A Division II state championship Recap
Final Score: Kennedale: 68-65
4Q: 5.3: Kennedale: 68-65
Wheatley took a final shot, with Kobre Dickerson banking in a three-pointer with 5.3 seconds left.
4Q: 14.6 seconds: Kennedale: 68-62
Quinton Sanders attempted a desperate three, but it missed; Trey Smith grabbed the rebound and was fouled, set to shoot two.
Lovings maneuvered around the defense and drew a foul in the corner with 25 seconds remaining, converting both free throws.
Kennedale retained possession.
Wheatley called a full timeout while having possession of the ball.
4Q: 41.5 seconds left. Kennedale: 66-62
Trey Smith intercepted the ball from a Wheatley player and drove to the hoop, earning a foul. He hit 1 of 2 from the line.
Lovings sunk two crucial free throws a minute later, restoring Kennedale’s three-point lead.
4Q: 1:02: Kennedale: 63-62
Kennedale struggled at the free-throw line, making only 4 of 16 attempts.
Quinton Sanders scored a layup on the opposite end after Kennedale missed two free throws, leading to a timeout for Kennedale.
4Q: 2:40: Kennedale: 60-57
Jacob Lovings executed a stunning acrobatic layup, drawing a chance at a three-point play, which he completed with a free throw.
Stingley made a crucial block at one end of the court before scoring on the other.
Trey Smith delivers an off-balanced floater that’s pure cinematic magic. Score: 57-55.
Elder draws an And 1 foul at the rim, regaining a three-point lead for Wheatley. He completes the play at the free-throw line.
Wheatley is assessed a technical foul after a player reaches across the end line and makes contact with a Kennedale player.
4Q: 5:55: Kennedale: 50-48
After Wheatley knotted the score at 46, Kennedale has rallied back with their press defense, securing consecutive steals to reclaim the lead.
4Q: 8:00: Kennedale: 46-44
At the end of the third quarter at the Dome, Kennedale has fought their way back and heads into the final period with a 2-point advantage.
3Q: 48.8 SECONDS: KENNEDALE: 46-44
Jacob Lovings hits a corner three, marking Kennedale’s first lead of the game with less than a minute left in the third.
Jacob Lovings maneuvered around a defender for an off-balance floater, and Trey Smith intercepts a long pass, quickly scoring a two-point bucket to pull within one.
3Q: 3:08: Wheatley: 43-38
An impressive outlet pass during a press break finds Quinton Sanders wide open for a breakaway dunk.
3Q: 5:09 Wheatley: 39-38
A’Meir Williams rises for a powerful offensive rebound and slam.
Bryson Nickerson secures a hard-fought two points for Kennedale.
Quinton Sanders kicks off the scoring for Wheatley with an ‘And 1.
THIRD PERIOD
HALFTIME LEADING SCORERS: Kennedale: Trey Smith 14 points; Wheatley: Quinton Sanders 11 points
HALFTIME SCORE: WHEATLEY LEADS BY A MERE 2 POINTS AFTER ONCE HOLDING A 14-POINT ADVANTAGE, 36-34
Leading at halftime, Trey Smith has put up 14 points for Kennedale.
Kennedale has found new life, with both Jacob Lovings and Trey Smith stepping up for the Wildcats in green. They closed the first half on a commendable 12-0 run in the final 2:15 of the period.
2Q: 2:04: Wheatley: 36-26
Following a 7-0 run by Wheatley, Kennedale countered with two quick buckets, narrowing their deficit to 10.
DUNK ALERT!!! Quinton Sanders executes a one-handed putback slam off an offensive rebound.
Herb Goldsmith sinks his second three-pointer of the game.
Wheatley leverages transition offense for a Kobre Dickerson bucket, sparking a 6-0 run that stretches their lead back to 9, leading 29-20 at 4:24.
2Q: 4:45: Wheatley: 27-20
Kennedale struck back with consecutive buckets, bringing the score to 19-18, but Wheatley quickly retaliates with a three-pointer from Quinton Sanders at the top of the key.
SECOND PERIOD
End of the FIRST QUARTER: Wheatley leads 18-12
1Q: 1:19: Wheatley: 16-12
A’Meir Williams and Lovings both contribute with an impressive sequence of back-to-back buckets.
The Wildcats respond with a three-pointer from Kobre Dickerson.
Kennedale, regaining their composure, delivers consecutive buckets to trim the lead to three. Score: 11-8 at 2:29 in the first quarter.
Despite showing early nerves, Kennedale has already committed six turnovers.
1Q: 5:08: Wheatley: 9-2
Trey Smith finally puts Kennedale on the scoreboard with his initial basket.
Dorsey heads to the foul line for three free throws, as Wheatley starts strong with a 9-0 run.
Elder connects with a transition jumper from the corner.
David Dorsey contributes with two free throws.
Wheatley draws first blood with a well-executed post pass from Peter Dorsey to Marquon Elder.
FIRST PERIOD
Kennedale starters: Trey Smith, Jacoby Lovings, Bryson Nickerson, Jacks Stingley, A’meir Williams
Wheatley starters: David Dorsey, Quinton Sanders, Marquan Elder, Peter Dorsey, Kam’ron Hamilton
