Bobcats Take on Explosive Coldspring

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Bobcats take on explosive Coldspring

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

WOODVILLE — Rolling into the playoffs on a high.

That certainly describes Coach Rea Wrinkle’s Orangefield Bobcats.

The Bobcats had to take the Jasper Bulldogs down twice last week just to join the postseason party.

Well, mission accomplished as Orangefield edged past the Bulldogs 62-60 last Tuesday and then buried them 67-52 on Friday to earn the third-place playoff spot out of District 21-3A.

Tonight, the Bobcats (22-9) will face a stern test in District 22-4A runnerup Coldspring at 6:30 p.m. at Woodville High School in the Class 3A Region III bidistrict playoffs.

The Bobcats have played well under pressure of late, led by the likes of seniors Jared Helton, Jeremy Granger, junior Tyler Angelle and sophomores Zach Hayes and Derrick Evans.

“The kids have responded well all season in some tight situations,†said Wrinkle. “They’ve played so well together and I’m extremely proud of them. They’re so excited about making the playoffs but they don’t want to just settle with that.â€

Wrinkle likes the mindset of the Bobcat squad.

“They’re really playing excellent basketball,†Wrinkle said. “The win over Jasper last Friday was the best game they’ve put together all season. They executed so well and we only had about seven turnovers, against a good pressing team.â€

The Bobcats will face more defensive heat tonight against the Coldspring Trojans.

“Coldspring has tremendous athletes and they love to full-court pressure you and man you up,†said Wrinkle. “They remind me a lot of the way Silsbee likes to do things.â€

Coldspring, which advanced all the way to the 3A Region III Finals in 2006 in which it fell to West Orange-Stark, has a solid all-around team and are led by the likes of 6-4, 215-pound post James Scott and flashy point guard Chad Allen.

“The Scott kid is a buly player that likes to have his way with people inside,†said Wrinkle. “He’s got excellent jumping ability and he crashes the boards. We’ve got to be able to limit them to one shot on their end, so we’re going to have to block out well. The Allen kid makes everything go for them. He averages about 13 points a game but he also dishes out seven or eight assists a game.â€

Wrinkle feels the game will be all about tempo.

“We’ve got to maintain our philosophy and that’s dictating the tempo and slowing the game down to our liking and not turn the ball over, which we’ve done well of late,†Wrinkle said. “Coldspring likes to push the ball up and down the floor. The big key for us is getting back on defense and not allowing those easy buckets.â€

The winner of the Orangefield-Coldspring game will face Navasota in the area round later this week.

In other Southeast Texas playoff action tonight, SIlsbee will face Kingwood Park at 7 p.m. at Barbers Hill High School in 3A bidistrict action.

In 4A action, Beaumont Central will take on Barbers Hill at Lee College at 8 p.m. and Dayton will meet Crosby at 8 p.m at Barbers Hill High School.

In Class 5A, Beaumont West Brook will battle Deer Park at 6 p.m. at Barbers Hill. In Class 2A, East Chambers will take on Corrigan-Camden at 7 p.m. at Splendora High School and Hardin will meet Woden at 7 p.m. at Livingston High School.