District play gets tipped off this Friday for three of our coverage area districts. 18-5A, 19-4A and 22-3A start district play.
Here are some first district game key match ups:
18-5A
I would consider all three games as key but the big game is Kingwood Park at Crosby. KP is the defending champ, Crosby was #2 seed last year. I think these are the two best teams again and the likely DC will come from these two. Other two games are Porter at Dayton and Splendora at West Fork. Porter/Dayton will be a battle while West Fork finally has a full roster to contend with for a playoff spot. Pasadena has the district off this Friday.
19-4A
Again, all these games are key match ups but the marquee game is Hardin-Jefferson at Hamshire-Fannett. HJ missed the playoffs last year while HF was the runner up in district to Huffman. HJ has looked very solid over the last 6-7 games. They want to prove last year was a fluke. HF has lost several games the last week and are looking to right the ship. Other two games has Livingston at Liberty (Livingston looking really good, will be heavily favored in this one) and Shepherd at Tarkington. Tarkington finished 3rd last season and this will be a key start for them to keep that playoff streak alive.
22-3A
IMO, this district is just a two horse race with East Chambers and Orangefield. So I expect blow out wins for those two this Friday. There are two other games that look interesting. Anahuac at Buna and Hardin at Kountze. Buna looks to be the third best team in this district and an early win over Anahuac can get them started to a good district season. Anahuac lost out to Buna last year for that final playoff spot. Kountze is really struggling this year and if they want a shot of making the playoffs, these are the games they have to win. Hardin is looking for some of that football mojo to rub off on the basketball court. IMO, this game is vital to each team.
Let me hear your thoughts on any or all these match ups.