Bobcats face Hawks in 21-3A showdown

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Bobcats face Hawks in 21-3A showdown

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

ORANGEFIELD — The District 21-3A race is a long way from being over, but the Orangefield Bobcats currently love where they sit in the standings.

Coach Rea Wrinkle’s Bobcats (16-4) are sitting atop the catbird’s seat with a familiar face in the third-ranked and defending Class 3A state champion Hardin-Jefferson Hawks (22-3) with both teams owning 4-0 district marks.

The Bobcats solidified their spot in district thus far by pounding West Orange-Stark 61-46 on Tuesday.

The climb up the 21-3A mountain will become much steeper for the Bobcats as they’ll visit H-J tonight, will head to Silsbee (13-3, 3-1) Tuesday and will host the Jasper Bulldogs (8-9, 3-1) next Friday.

“I’m so proud of the way the kids have put forth a ton of effort all year long,†Wrinkle said. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of kids to coach. They really took care of business early in district and won the games they should have won. Now, we’re getting into the very tough part of the schedule and they understand that they’re going to have to rise up even more.â€

The Bobcats have been a superb unselfish squad throughout their tremendous start.

Jeremy Granger has controlled the inside with his lunch-pail work ethic, scoring plenty of points and dominating the boards. Sophomore Zach Hayes has been the leading scorer but gets all of his teammates involved as well with crisp passing. Tyler Angelle has been the sharp-shooter from beyond the three-point arc. Point guard Jared Helton provides great leadership and does all the little things that doesn’t always show up in the stat box. Then you have the likes of Derrick Evans, Devin Green, Kellen Free and Casey Sparks, who all provide solid roles in what the Bobcats are trying to accomplish.

“The best thing about this group is that they truly love being around each other,†Wrinkle said. “If one struggles, it seems like another steps in and steps up his game.â€

The Hawks will definitely be a test, especially with their rowdy crowd at home.

“Hardin-Jefferson is a different kind of beast,†Wrinkle said. “Coach (Todd) Sutherland always has them playing sound, fundamental basketball. It’s going to be really loud when we go over there because they always have tremendous fan support. H-J is so deep and talented. They go about 12-deep and they really don’t miss a beat when they bring any of their seven players in off the bench.â€

Two different game-plans will likely be in effect tonight as well as Orangefield looks to slow down H-J’s high-octane fastbreak and pressing attack.

“We would like to slow down the pace and keep the score in the 50s and we’ll have a good chance,†Wrinkle said. “If the game gets in the 70s and 80s, we’ll probably find ourselves in trouble.â€

Wrinkle realizes the significance of the next seven days.

“Our start has been awesome but the next three games will be a test,†Wrinkle said. “I would love for us to establish ourselves and come up with the big wins. Any win is nice but the goal remains the same for every team out there and that’s winning a district championship.â€

How about this for a “wrinkle.†Coach Wrinkle sports a 15-4 overall record this year, which isn’t shabby. However, Bobcat assistant coach Brandon Prouse is batting 1.000 after he stepped in for Wrinkle to guide the team in the win over WO-S.

Wrinkle and his lovely wife Amber were busy at the hospital Tuesday as they introduced a new Wrinkle to the mix in beautiful baby girl Ella.

“It was definitely a crazy night for us,†said Wrinkle. “We’re so proud of our little baby girl. I’ll admit, it was tough missing out on the game but I was able to tune in to the radio (KOGT) and listen. You guys gave Coach Prouse a tough time but he eats that kind of thing up and he did a great job.â€

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ORANGEFIELD DOESNT HAVE A CHANCE...

H-J 84

ORANGEDIRT-2

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH ORANGE WHAT ORANGEDIRT

dude stop bashing people....there in the run for 1st place so aparently there not that bad