Boys’ basketball dribbles into playoffs

With+Redhawks+on+either+side%2C+the+Heritage+Coyotes+struggle+to+find+an+open+shot.+With+Coyotes+eager+to+score%2C+%235%2C+Jonathan+Dupree-Buford%2C+and+%2323%2C+Jacobe+Coleman%2C+block+the+shot.

Harley Classe

With Redhawks on either side, the Heritage Coyotes struggle to find an open shot. With Coyotes eager to score, #5, Jonathan Dupree-Buford, and #23, Jacobe Coleman, block the shot.

Kaden Groom, Sports Reporter

Even though it was a day off from school on Friday, the Redhawks girls’ basketball team was back in action, taking on the Lancaster Tigers in their second playoff matchup at Lake Highlands High School.

With points hard to come by, the Redhawks secured the 33-21 win.

“Everyone’s mental toughness really shined throughout and I think that helped us prevail,” captain, senior Jazzy Owens-Barnett.

Friday’s win advanced the girls to Tuesday’s third round, where they face McKinney North in a battle of two of the state’s top 5A teams with McKinney North #2, and the Redhawks #4

“We will come in with the same mentality to lock in and continue to fight and play every possession to a T,” Owens-Barnett said. “I think it’ll be a fun atmosphere and a pretty good game!”

Tuesday’s game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. at McKinney High School

The Redhawks boys’ basketball team is also back in play after a week of preparation for Tuesday’s first round playoff game at 7:30 p.m. against Prosper Rock Hill at Plano West High School.

“Rock Hill is a good team,” head coach Stephen Friar said. “They’re a two year program but they a lot of kids with a lot of varsity experience.”

For the Redhawks, this will be the teams first playoff appearance in two seasons.

“It’s been two years since we’ve been to the playoffs,” Friar said. “Our only senior was the only person a part of the playoff program and he was a freshman. We’re excited for the opportunity to play but we are going to compete and win.”