Bobcats look to prove themselves in playoffs

By Kevin Lonnquist

klonnquist@star-telegram.com

Scott Curran has no problem changing the perception of his basketball program. The Byron Nelson boys basketball coach has this program already performing at a high level. In 2011-2012, the Bobcats won 24 games and won the district championship.

This year, they approached Tuesday’s regular season finale against Denton with a program-best 25 wins (25-5) and a chance to tie for the District 5-4A championship. They were 11-2 and trailed Denton Guyer by one game. So they needed to beat Denton and have Guyer lose to White Settlement Brewer to create the tie.

But district championships aren’t good enough. This program, which hasn’t won a playoff game in its first two appearances, wants that to change.

“Ultimately, this program is going to be judged on how well we do in the postseason,” Curran said. “We want to get to the postseason and do well every year. We were excited when we won the district championship but really disappointed when we went out in the first round.”

Talent plays a role. This program has quickly earned the reputation as one that will be difficult to contend with annually. The Bobcats bounced back last week with impressive wins over Brewer and Azle.

“It looked like we were more in a rhythm and took care of the ball and didn’t commit too many mistakes,” Curran said. “We definitely want to take some momentum into the playoffs. There’s a lot more urgency with the kids.”

Lineup switch proves valuable

When Curran switched Nate Lloyd for Cale Popovich in his starting lineup last week, he wanted to see how the new combination would gel.

Well, he got good results. Lloyd, a senior forward who averaged 1.8 points per game, averaged eight points in the two wins.

“He added some energy and has a scorer’s mentality,” Curran said. “He earned the starts in practice and just did a great job. That’s not to say we’re going to keep it, because when you get into the playoffs and get your match-ups, you’re going to have some different things to look at.”

Northwest update

The Texans (17-13, 8-5 in 4-5A) clinched their fourth playoff appearance in five seasons with an impressive 42-32 victory over district co-leader Keller last Friday.

This is what makes athletics so bizarre. Northwest swept Keller. Keller swept co-leader Richland and Keller Timber Creek, which was fighting for a playoff appearance, swept Northwest. Yes, match-ups do play a role on why one team has success against the other.

“We were able to cut off Keller’s ability to drive and penetrate against us, but we had trouble with Timber Creek,” coach Mike Hatch said. “They were just harder to contain. Now, when you see Keller sweeping Richland, that just doesn’t make sense. But that’s the game.”

Northwest surged into the postseason because of production from the unexpected. Senior guard Michael Healer, who averaged about two points a game this year, drilled seven three-point baskets and scored 15 and 12 points respectively in the wins over Keller Central and Keller.

“We always believed he could shoot it,” Hatch said. “He just got off to a bad start this year and never was into it.”

Northwest’s playoff situation wasn’t locked up going into the Tuesday finale at Keller Fossil Ridge. If the Texans won, they clinched third. If they lost but Carroll lost to Timber Creek, they clinched third. If Northwest lost and Carroll beat Timber Creek, the teams would be tied for third and then Hatch said he would prefer to play for the spot.

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