The three-month middle school basketball season culminated Saturday with the finale of the Killeen ISD two-day district basketball tournament, and two schools combined to claim the four championship plaques up for grabs.
The single-elimination tournament to decide this season’s champs started Thursday with the top-eight, seventh- and eighth-grade boys and girls squads seeded in bracket play. The four winners in each group advanced to Saturday’s semifinals hosted by Ellison and Chaparral high schools. Semifinal winners then squared off to decide the champions, four contests that gave everyone a reason to cheer.
At Chaparral High School, the seventh-grade girls final came down to Liberty Hill and JDA, and the Lady Lions, coached by Troy Foster, prevailed 25-19 to claim the district crown.
The eighth-grade final featured Patterson and Smith, and head coach Meghan Love’s Lady Cavaliers pulled away for a 54-23 victory to clinch their championship.
"We were all on the same page the entire year. We knew what we wanted and what it took to achieve it," Love said. "These young ladies worked hard every practice and game. They were extremely committed to our goal and our program."
Over at Ellison High School, Liberty Hill, coached by Freddie Nichols, locked up first with a 52-28 win over Union Grove before head coach Quincy Francis' Patterson Cavaliers defeated JDA, 59-52, in the third meeting of an exciting season series between the top-two eighth-grade teams.
Joe McKenzie (14 points), Jasyh Van Buren (13) and La’Daevion Moore (11) scored in double figures for Patterson. Jevan Morrison added nine points, Marcello Brewster eight and Jamarcus Nails four.
"The victory wasn’t just about talent, it was a result of their collective commitment, focus, and unyielding desire to be the best," Francis said. "Every practice, every drill, every game was a step toward achieving their ultimate goal."
Though only four champions emerged, the hard work put forth by all teams starting in November through early February is certainly commendable, and all coaches and players can hold their heads high after a job well done.
