6A State Playoffs: Cedar Hill Upsets Guyer in Round 2
I was treated to a thrilling postseason matchup between the Cedar Hill Longhorns and Denton Guyer Wildcats in the second round of the Texas 6A Region 1 playoffs on Friday. Guyer got out to a 13-4 lead after one quarter…
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Continue ReadingI was treated to a thrilling postseason matchup between the Cedar Hill Longhorns and Denton Guyer Wildcats in the second round of the Texas 6A Region 1 playoffs on Friday. Guyer got out to a 13-4 lead after one quarter of play, but Cedar Hill refused to go away and fought their way back within one point by halftime. The second half was a back and forth contest with each team trading blows throughout.
The game required overtime to decide who would advance to the next round. The Wildcats had an opportunity to tie the game while down three with six seconds remaining in OT, but they opted to go for a two with the hopes that they could get a three-point play opportunity. The Longhorns smartly did not foul as time expired and ended up winning 48-47. They will advance to the regional quarterfinals where they will take on South Grand Prairie on Tuesday.
Here are five takeaways from the game:
Cedar Hill Played with More Intensity
Guyer entered this game with a more talented roster from top to bottom. However, Cedar Hill consistently operated with more urgency at both ends. They played with more swagger despite being the underdog. The Longhorns swarmed their opponent defensively and never allowed them to feel comfortable. Portia Adams and Makalah Robinson were menaces on defense all night. These two also did a fantastic job of keeping the ball moving on offense and continuously attacking the basket. In addition, Kyla Howard came alive as a scorer in the fourth quarter, helping propel Cedar Hill to an upset victory.
Anzhane Hutton was a Beast on the Glass
The senior power forward got off to a slow start in the first quarter, but once she reentered the game in the second, she could not be stopped on the boards. Hutton afforded her team with tons of second chance opportunities due to her efforts on the offensive glass. Guyer’s center got into foul trouble and was not on the floor for large portions of the contest and Hutton took advantage of this by dominating as a rebounder.
Evie Goetz is the Real Deal
Goetz continued to display her vast array of skills vs. Cedar Hill. The TCU verbal commit’s combination of size and playmaking ability makes her a mismatch for anyone who tries to defend her. She has an incredibly dynamic game and makes timely plays when her team needs them. The tall combo guard can shoot the three-ball, operate in the post, as well as put it on the floor and get to the hole with ease. She made some beautiful passes too. I can’t wait to see what she does during her senior campaign next season.
Cedar Hill’s Assortment of Guards are Difficult to Match Up With
Hutton is the centerpiece of the Longhorns’ roster. That said, the diverse group of guards who surround her are what makes Cedar Hill so tough to deal with. Robinson and Adams are forces on defense, Howard can heat up in an instant and score in a variety of ways, and junior point guard Carolynn Washington might be the fastest player on or off the ball I’ve seen this season. They all have different skill sets, making them a difficult team to prepare for.
Guyer Will Remain a Top Team in the State Next Season
Although they came up short this postseason, the Wildcats have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about next season. Senior leader Jade Thompson will be off to college, but the rest of their stars will be returning for another year of high school ball. Goetz and Isabella Earle are two of the most dynamic combo guards in the state and will headline their 2020-21 squad. Furthermore, Katelyn Jones, who started at point guard as a freshman this season, will likely see an increased role and should continue to develop her game. Guyer will be right back in the thick of things this time next year.