The UIL Boys Basketball Tournament kicks off Thursday March 10 -12th at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin.
For the second consecutive year, District 23-5A will be sending a representative to the state tournament. The district is known to be one of the toughest districts in the state. Hightower the fourth place team advanced to the tournament by way of defeating District Champion and rival Fort Bend Travis. The Hurricanes are making their first appearance since 2003.
La Marque got passed a great Galveston Ball team to stamp their ticket to Austin. A very happy Cougar team lost in last year’s Class 4A Region III Final to Yates, who went on to win the Title.
Around the state
An all Dallas Area final is possible in Class 4A and 5A. First in Class 4A, in one semifinal Kimble (36-3) will face Cedar Park (22-16) and Arlington Heights (32-3) vs. La Marque (33-5).
Dallas Kimble outlasted rival Lincoln to return to Austin for the first time since facing Yates for the 2009 Title. The Knights faced Lincoln three times this season, winning the last two, including the Region II Championship Game, 51-42.
The two Top 5A schools are back from last season, nationally ranked Garland Lakeview (No. 7) and Flower Mound Marcus (No.8), both lost to Fort Bend Bush the last season’s 5A Champion. For Marauders it was an ever so painful semifinal lost that was close enough to go in anyone’s favor, mean while Lakeview lost the lead in the later stages of the contest in the championship round.
Flower Mound Marcus (37-1) gets it second semifinal opponent from District 23-5A, the Hightower Hurricanes (29-7) and Garland Lakeview (36-1) will take on Northside Taft (34-5)from, the Region IV Champion.
Thursday
1A Division I Semifinals
8:30 a.m. Clarendon (24-6) vs. Tenaha (27-9)
10:00 a.m. Clyde Eula (35-2) vs. Evadale (21-15)
3A Semifinals
2:00 p.m. Corpus Christi West Oso (33-3) vs. A. Maceo Smith (26-9)
3:30 p.m. Burkburnett (32-3) vs. Mexia (31-5)
4A Semifinals
7:00 p.m. Fort Worth Arlington Heights (32-3) vs. La Marque (32-4)
8:30 p.m. Kimball (36-3) vs. Cedar Park (22-16)
Friday
2A Semifinals
8:30 a.m. Idalou (31-1) vs. Hallettsville (33-4)
10:00 a.m. Melissa (36-1) vs. Tatum (31-7)
1A Division II Semifinals
2:00 p.m. Paducah (27-6) vs. Waelder (31-7)
7:00 p.m. Bronte (32-3) vs. Roxton (25-6)
5A Semifinals
3:30 p.m. Flower Mound Marcus (37-1) vs. Fort Bend Hightower (29-7)
8:30 p.m. Garland Lakeview (36-1) vs. Northside Taft (34-5)
Saturday
8:30 a.m. Conference 1A Division I FINAL
10:00 a.m. Conference 3A FINAL
2:00 p.m. Conference 2A FINAL
3:30 p.m. Conference 4A FINAL
7:00 p.m. Conference 1A Division II FINAL
8:30 p.m. Conference 5A FINAL