TATUM, Texas-Texas High is in search of No. 20.
The Tigers basketball team opens the postseason against Whitehouse a victory away from a 20-win season.
THS dominated Hallsville, 70-42, to take the second seed from District 15-5A to extend the Tigers' win streak to six in a row.
"You always want to peak at this point of the year," Tigers coach Keith Jones said. "I don't want to jinx us, but I think we are. We're playing pretty good, and our intensity is excellent. If we can continue that, good things might happen."
Tonight's starting lineup will include Quan Hampton, Jaylen Rhone and Lavon Brown at guards, and Curtis Crump and JaNiro Lane at forwards. Rotating in at guard will also be Vonderic Stanley, Caleb Wilson, R.J. Reid and Stephen Austin, and Jacoryn Larry and Dominic Hooper will help at post.
The Tigers' defense smothered Hallsville with a full-court press and man-to-man half-court.
"I don't know much about Whitehouse; I've been worried about us and doing the best we can," Jones said. "If we just take care of ourselves, that's the most important thing. If we do that, I think we'll be all right."
The Wildcats were caught in a tie in the middle of the 16-5A standings heading into Tuesday's season finale. Whitehouse wrapped up third place by beating Jacksonville, 52-36, sending the Indians into a tie with Corsicana for fourth. Lufkin and John Tyler tied for the district championship, but Lufkin took the top seed by virtue of a coin flip.
The Texas High game will be broadcast on KTXK 91.5 FM.
The winner of the Tigers-Wildcats clash will advance to the area round later this week to play either Lancaster (29-2) or Dallas Spruce. Lancaster is the defending state champions and ranked No. 3 in the state.