By Kevin Lonnquist
NTX Varsity Sports Columnist
We are at the turn of the Texas girls state basketball playoffs. This is the regional finals round. The turn meaning the winners win regional titles and move on to the state semifinals with the hopes of playing in the state tournament March 5-7 in San Antonio’s Alamodome.
Remember, that starting in the 2024-25 competition calendar, all-semifinal matchups were played at other locations before the state championships.
As for the boys, this is the pivotal round. We have a lot of great matchups between teams whose seasons will end sooner than they anticipated. The area round typically features games where district champions and state-ranked programs oppose each other.
These games should be played in the regional round. But the brackets are the brackets. Winners advance to the regional semifinals next week.
Always know this about the postseason tournament: it’s cruel.
The NTX Varsity Sports coverage area is down to two teams in Paradise (Class 3A, Division II) and Decatur (Class 4A, Division I) for the girls.
Then we are left with four teams on the boys side between Mildred (Class 2A, Division I), Krum (Class 4A, Division II), Graham (Class 4A, Division I) and Paradise (Class 3A, Division II).
To get you ready for these six games, let’s give you a snapshot of each matchup. All the contests are being played on Friday.
Girls
Class 4A Division I Region I
No. 1 Decatur (34-4) vs. No. 2 Canyon (30-2); 5:00 p.m., Childress
Notable: This is what we wanted to see. The rematch. No. 1 vs. No. 2. Warrior against Warrior. Decatur beat Canyon in this round last year, 42-37, en route to winning a state championship. You could only imagine Canyon has lived with that for the last year desiring another shot at Decatur. Now, it’s here. It should be low scoring just like it was last year. The stars in this meeting are Decatur’s Bralyn Peck, who signed with Oklahoma State, and Canyon’s Kambrie Graser, who signed with Lubbock Christian. And just to add to things? Decatur is on a 22-game winning streak. Canyon has won its last 14.
Class 3A Division II Region II
No. 6 Paradise (32-4) vs. Valley View (22-10); 6:00 p.m., Denton High School
Notable: Third meeting between these District 10-3A foes. Not surprisingly, the Lady Panthers won the two district meetings decisively, 84-37, and 69-44. Odds are this one won’t be close either. Paradise head coach Michael Barnes has three players averaging double figures in the postseason: daughter and point guard Hartley Barnes (12 points); forward Renlee Longenbaugh (11 points) and guard/forward Allie McCormick (11 points). Valley View is a cool story. This team advanced to the regional final with a 42-39 overtime victory over Quitman in the regional semifinal.
Boys
Class 2A Division I Region III
Mildred (24-3) vs. Lovelady (22-7); 6:00 p.m., Madisonville
Notable: This is considered a 50/50 game. The Eagles had no problems with Bruceville-Eddy in the opening round, 80-53. Lovelady topped Frankston, 66-51. Mildred is the District 18-2A champion. Lovelady is the District 20-2A champion. Mildred has never advanced to the third round/regional semifinals of the playoffs in its history.
Class 4A Division II Region I
No. 7 Krum (29-5) vs. No. 9 Lubbock Liberty (28-5); 2:30 p.m., Abilene Wylie
Notable: As mentioned above, this is what happens when the rankings are what they are and very solid teams face each other this early in the playoffs. This has the makings of a tremendous matchup. The District 7-4A Champion Bobcats have won 18 straight. The District 5-4A Champion Patriots have won 11 straight. Each had comfortable wins in the opening round. Do not be surprised if it comes down to the final possessions of the fourth quarter. The winner could be on a collision course with Brock in the regional finals.
Class 4A Division I Region I
Graham (20-15) vs. No. 8 Burkburnett (29-5); 6:00 p.m., Wichita Falls Memorial
Notable: This is the fourth consecutive playoff appearance for the Steers. But this is the first time they have moved into the area round in this run. They topped San Angelo Lake View this past Tuesday in a grinder, 38-32. This program also reached the 20-win plateau. But the matchup against the state power Bulldogs is going to be difficult. The only chance the Steers have to pull off this upset is to keep this game in the 50s or 60s. Burkburnett averages 84 points per game.
Class 3A Division II Region II
No. 2 Paradise (32-2) vs. Chisum (26-5); 8:00 p.m., Gainesville
Notable: Panthers forward Cooper Jones scored 26. Max Jordan added 16 and Cash Gibson chipped in 12 in the 73-57 opening playoff victory over Village Tech this past Tuesday. Head coach Bo Rickner said Chisum’s length could be a factor in the way his team runs its offense. Rickner needs his group to be sound with its transition defense. The Mustangs were District 12-3A co-champions. What else is in play? Paradise has won 15 consecutive games.