by JASON GORDON
The Hays High boys basketball team accomplished something historic last season.
The Rebels won their first playoff game since 1980 in the bi-district round against Kerrville Tivy before losing in area against Lake Travis.
The Hays boys basketball team’s record might be hovering around the .500 mark heading into the Rebs’ district opener this season Friday night at Lockhart, but the team’s coaches and players are expecting not only success in 27-4A but an even deeper playoff run.
“I honestly think this is a team that can win the district title and that’s what our goal is,” Hays head coach Dean McMullen said. “Our effort and intensity level has been excellent all season. I think we can beat any team in our district when we are playing our game, and our players feel the same way.”
Hays senior guard Steven Jass said the Rebels will build on last year’s success.
“I think the strength of our team is chemistry,” Jass said. “We know each other’s capabilities and tendencies on the floor. Our non-district schedule (which included strong teams like Killeen Ellison, Harker Heights and Leander) helped us learn how to compete with some of the toughest teams around.”
Jass said he likes Hays’ chances in the district race.
“I think we will contend for the district title, because we’ve come close to beating good teams this season and now it’s our turn to close out those games with victories,” he said. “I do believe this team is capable of going further in the playoffs. We weren’t satisfied with what we accomplished last season. We’re a team that’s never satisfied.”
Hays forward Heath Agnew agrees the Rebs have honed their game as a team during non-district play.
“We have learned to handle pressure and have found out that we have many different options who can score,” Agnew said. “We can be as good as we push ourselves to be. We will have a chance to win district if we can handle all of the different styles of play we’ll face just like we’ve done all season. We played against teams with the same playing styles as the ones we’ll face in district, like Clemens, Alamo Heights, etc.”
Agnew said the Rebels have had trouble in the third quarters of games this season and that if Hays can get that problem fixed, the sky is the limit for the team.
“This team has a real shot at the playoffs and making a run if we take care of business,” he said. “If we make some final adjustments, take care of things in the third quarter and hit our peak at the right time, we can go far.”
Hays and Lockhart are scheduled to tipoff Friday in the Lions Den at 7 p.m. The Rebs will then play in the Wimberley Tournament Dec. 27-29, before returning to district action at home on Jan. 2 against Clemens.
