District 9-5A basketball preview

Finishing 14-2 in District 9-5A in the 2014-15 season, the boys basketball team could be poised to improve on that mark as the team starts district play Tuesday night against Wakeland at the Nest.

Halle Barham

Finishing 14-2 in District 9-5A in the 2014-15 season, the boys basketball team could be poised to improve on that mark as the team starts district play Tuesday night against Wakeland at the Nest.

With the boys basketball team starting District 9-5A play Tuesday night at home versus Wakeland and the girls having kicked off district play during Thanksgiving Break the real, meaningful season of school basketball is beginning.

Here’s a look at what to expect the rest of the way.

Girls Basketball:

Last Season- The girls basketball team went undefeated in district play, averaging a 15 point margin of victory in each game. This was the third straight year the girls went undefeated, bringing their winning streak to 45 games over the course of four seasons.

The girls basketball team has not lost a district game in more than four years and is closing in on 50 straight district wins.
The girls basketball team has not lost a district game in more than four years and is closing in on 50 straight district wins.

Pre-Season- The girls competed in the Frisco ISD Tip Off and Allen Lady Eagle Hoopfest tournaments, finishing 5th in both tournaments. Good wins for the team include wins over 6A #4 Flower Mound and 6A #11 Cedar Hill. All three of the girls losses have come against 6A opponents, by a total of 17 points combined.

Player to Watch- junior Jordan Hamilton: Averaging 13.8 points per game, Hamilton has been a huge part of the team’s offense, leading the way against Flower Mound with 24 points and 32 against Prestonwood Christian Academy.

Key for the Team- The Youth: With four freshman on varsity, the girls will need to rely on the youth of the team to provide them with spurts. The freshman have done a good job on varsity, with Randi Thompson averaging 9.4 points per game.

Prediction- There’s no reason to think there will not be another sweep of district for the team. Expect them to finish 1st and end up with a 16-0 district record.

Boys Basketball:

Last Season- The boys basketball team went 14-2 in district play, with both losses against Lone Star by a combined 7 points. This was the best district record in history for the team, marking the 1st time the team has had more than 8 wins in a district season.

Pre-Season- The boys competed in the Lone Star Thanksgiving Tournament and the Garland Culwell Center tournament. Splitting 4 games, they went 2-2 in the Thanksgiving tournament, and finished 1st in the Culwell Center tournament, defeating 6A #16 Plano East 70-49.

Player to Watch- Sophomore Reggie Chaney: The number 18 recruit in the nation has been averaging 14 points per game, and was named to the All-District and Region II 5A All-State teams. He was the leading scorer in the team’s semifinal win over South Garland, scoring 22 points.

Key for the Team- Staying out of foul trouble: Foul trouble has plagued the team in important games. Chaney struggled with fouls during the team’s loss to DeSoto, and head coach Marcus Eckert was forced to bench Carter Brown and Trey Curry in the Cedar Hill loss as they struggled as well.

Prediction- The team should record a historic mark, matching the girls’ unbeaten record and finishing 16-0 and topping the district.