Southlake Carroll boys playoff-bound after rout of Keller Timber Creek

By Kevin Casas

Special to the Star-Telegram

SOUTHLAKE -- Eric McDade's first season as coach at Southlake Carroll will end somewhere in the state playoffs.

The Dragons overcame a rough start to knock off Keller Timber Creek, 70-49, at Dragons Gym in the final District 4-5A regular-season game.

It's Carroll's second trip to the playoffs in the last five years and McDade's sixth straight trip spanning three different head coaching jobs.

It's also McDade's 13th appearance in 14 seasons as a head coach.

"You just look out at those seniors," McDade said. "I don't have to do much selling of basketball to them. They love the game, they work hard every game and they don't make many mistakes."

Before the Dragons dance, though, they'll settle a little pressing matter with Justin Northwest on Friday to determine the third-place seed in district. Time and site for the third-place playoff game will be determined.

Carroll (19-13, 8-6 in district) opened up the second quarter with a 19-0 run to begin building a lead that grew to as much as 29 points. The Dragons never looked back.

Forward Daniel Brown, who scored 23 points, had eight points in that run and Brett Jolly had six points on the low post.

Jolly finished with 13 on the night.

But maybe most important heading into the playoffs, Carroll's defense is peaking.

Jolly had five blocks on the evening and the Dragons forced 10 turnovers in corralling Timber Creek (15-17, 5-9).

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