MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas-Daingerfield is looking to make a repeat trip to the Region II-3A tournament, and the Tigers need just one win to do so.
Daingerfield clashes with Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill in a regional quarterfinal game, and the winners advance to Friday's regional semifinals at Rockwall Heath High School.
The Tigers and Red Devils tip off at 7 p.m. at Willie Williams Gym on the campus of Mount Pleasant High School.
"Chapel Hill is good; they like to run a lot and have good shooters," Tigers coach Curtis Lewis said. "They put pressure you. They can put five kids on the floor who can all pretty much do the same thing: beat you off the dribble or dish it outside with shooters out on the wing. They're a familiar Chapel Hill team with kids who can shoot the ball."
The Tigers advanced to last season's regional tournament for their first postseason trip that deep in 18 years. Daingerfield overcame a tough Arp team, 63-54, in the area round, and the Red Devils topped White Oak, 65-49, Friday.
"If you're going to keep playing, you have to make people match your intensity," Lewis said. "We did a good job of coming out and playing (against Arp). We couldn't afford to come out and start slow. I feel like the kids are getting better.
"I didn't know at the start of the season if we could put it together after we graduated 9 of 11."
Daingerfield's lineup includes point guard Keiston Rushing, shooting guard Reggie Jeter, guard Timmyon Broner, forward Tim Broner, and post Keilyn McCain. Forward Jay Johnson, center Mikal Reeves, and guard Keith Bryson will also see significant minutes.
Chapel Hill's lineup includes guards Bryant Roberts, Kevin Sanroman and Cole Posey, forward Zachary Shipp and post Josh Simmons.
"We talked Saturday morning about how I'm proud of them and that it's always a different guy stepping up for us," Lewis said. "Keilyn McCain, the sophomore, made a couple of buckets down the stretch to get us over the hump when Tim had fouled out, and Mikale was having cramps. And we just needed that extra spark, and we talked about how the only way we're going to keep playing is if a different guy steps up every night when the chance comes."
The Daingerfield-Chapel Hill winner will play at 8 p.m. against either Triple A Academy or Ponder, and the regional championship is slated for 1 p.m. Saturday.