Bobcats Rolling; Now Face Tough Rattlers Squad

[Bobcatfan4life]

Bobcats rolling; now face tough Rattlers squad

Gabriel Pruett

The Orange Leader

ORANGEFIELD — It was not that long ago the Orangefield Bobcats were run out of their own gym by the Silsbee Tigers.

In fact it was just four games ago to be exact when the Tigers blew out the Bobcats 66-33 in Bobcats Gym.

Even though that game was on Feb. 8, it seems like such a long time ago looking at Orangefield now.

First the Bobcats (23-9) defeated Jasper 62-60 on the road to force a play-in game against the same Bulldogs.

No sweat.

Orangefield won that one too, 67-52.

Then came the Coldspring Trojans in Tuesday’s Class 3A Region III bi-district round.

Once again, simply no sweat for these Bobcats. They won again 66-55.

Up tonight in the Class 3A Region III area round are the No. 4 Navasota Rattlers (26-2), one of the toughest tests yet for the Bobcats. The two teams will square off at 7:30 p.m. at Cleveland High School.

“We are playing our best basketball we have played all season long and it is at the perfect time,†Orangefield Coach Rea Wrinkle said. “This team really came together at the end of the district stretch and it gave us a shot at the playoffs. (Jared) Helton has been leading us, Jeremy (Granger) has beeing playing strong and our role guys in Zach (Hayes), Derrick (Evans) and Devin (Green) have all stepped up. Then there is also Tyler Angelle. What else can you ask for?â€

Wrinkle has been very pleased with his team’s play over the last three games. Granger had two monster games against Jasper and Angelle lit up Coldspring in the first half for 20 of his 24 points.

“Tyler, what more can you say, he was in a zone,†Wrinkle said after the Coldspring game. “When he gets hot, he doesn't miss. Tyler didn't score against Jasper in our last game while Coldspring was scouting. They left him alone early and he made them count. And then he made them count when they were all over him.â€

Navasota poses a new problem for the Bobcats — size. One Rattlers’ post player stands only 6-feet, 9-inches.

“Navasota is big, Navasota is fast,†Wrinkle said about tonight’s opponents. “We are going to have to control the tempo, block out and get back in transition. If we do those three things, we will be OK. We don’t want to give up the fast-break points. We got the film on them and the kids watched it.

“The players are not intimidated. When you play state-ranked teams in district over the last two months, that makes things easier. We did not beat Hardin-Jefferson and we did not beat Silsbee but both teams prepared us for this point.â€

On offense, Wrinkle will still be looking for the Bobcats to continue to feed Granger the ball inside even with the Rattlers size advantage.

“We cannot turn the ball over,†Wrinkle added. “Even though those guys are big, we still have to feed the post. Even though Jeremy didn’t have many points Tuesday, we still fed him and it opened things up. We have to shoot consistently and take what they give us.

“I’m as happy as a person can be with this team. This team’s work ethic is exceptional and they are a great bunch to coach. You really can’t ask for a better situation.â€

The Bobcats might also have a little bit extra to play for tonight against the Rattlers.

On Tuesday it was the Lady Rattlers who knocked out the Lady Bobcats in the regional quarterfinals.

The game was sent to overtime on a very controversial call after Orangefield battled back from a 17-point deficit.

“I think in a way it does factor in with our guys,†Wrinkle said. “Right now it is also a little different situation for our team. We expect a huge crowd because it has been a while since we played without the girls playing. Our crowd has something to prove I think against Navasota. It is going to be a different and great experience.â€

The winner of the Orangefield/Navasota game will take on the winner of Sweeny/Hardin-Jefferson next week in the regional quarterfinals.