Fans will need to make sure their calendars are cleared and gas tanks full at the beginning of next week as four Killeen ISD boys basketball teams begin their postseason treks.
Four games in four towns over two days.
Game on.
District 16-5A co-champion Ellison leads off the slate with its bi-district game Monday, Feb. 23, while District 12-6A champion Harker Heights, Shoemaker and Chaparral play Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Head coach Alberto Jones Jr.’s Eagles (22-12), who won eight in a row to snap them out of a six-game slump and send them to a fourth straight league title, will face Crandall (15-15) in a Class 5A Division II clash at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at Hillsboro High School.
Ellison has reached at least the state semifinals three years running, playing in the final twice since 2023-2024.
In two stints with KISD programs that total nine seasons, Harker Heights head coach Jason Fossett has led teams to district titles in eight of those years.
The Knights (28-6) won their fifth straight District 12-6A title on the heels of a nine-game winning streak and would like to add a 10th to that in their Class 6A Division II first-round bout against Mesquite Horn (20-11) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at West High School.
These teams met at the same stage a year ago with the Jaguars eking out a 50-48 victory.
Harker Heights’ 28 wins are the most since the 2021-2022 season.
Another rematch is on the docket Tuesday, Feb. 24, when Shoemaker (20-12) tangles with No. 5 Lancaster (20-11) in a 6A-II contest.
A year ago, head coach Karron Taylor’s Grey Wolves stunned the then-reigning Class 5A state champion Tigers, 66-65, in the first round before narrowly falling 66-64 in the area playoffs versus Wylie East.
Shoemaker is in the postseason for the fifth straight year.
Head coach Christopher Onwukaife has Chaparral back in the playoffs for a second consecutive season, this time with a program-best 25 victories in tow.
The Bobcats (25-9) will square off with No. 5 Red Oak (26-5) in a Class 5A Division I matchup Tuesday, Feb. 24 at China Spring.
It’s yet another first-round rematch for a KISD club. The Hawks took last year’s encounter, 68-55.
The games
Bi-District
Class 5A Division II
Ellison (22-12) vs. Crandall (15-15)
7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23
Hillsboro High School
Class 5A Division I
Chaparral (25-9) vs. No. 5 Red Oak (26-5)
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24
China Spring High School
Class 6A Division II
Harker Heights (28-6) vs. Mesquite Horn (20-11)
7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24
West High School
Shoemaker (20-12) vs. No. 12 Lancaster (20-11)
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24
Fairfield High School