The Hitchcock Bulldogs are back in the State Title game Saturday morning against Ponder High School, after knocking off San Antonio Cole 57-40 in the semis.
The ‘Dogs (34-3) are trying to defend their Class 3A State Title from a year ago with virtually their entire 2023 roster back in the fold.
Easy, right?
Wrong.
“It’s not easier,” coach Chris Jordan-Foster said. “We are the defending State Champs and we get maximum effort from everyone we play. It’s been like that all season. We’ve played a little short-handed in stretches this year with injuries, but no one is going to feel sorry for you.”
Up next is Ponder, who beat Holliday, 62-46, in their semis. The Lions are led by coach JD Sullivan, who runs a very structured offense.
“They are so disciplined and technically sound,” Jordan-Foster said. “We are going to have to defend multiple sets because Coach Sullivan is a great X and Os coach. We have to defend without fouling and hope they don’t get hot from the outside. Our defense just needs to bother them just enough.
“On offense, we have to get a good inside touch and not fall in love with jacking up the three-pointer.”
The Bulldogs will lean on their stars – senior Damien McDaniel and juniors Elijah Sherwood, Lloyd Jones and Kelshaun Johnson.
“Elijah has been our constant all season,” Jordan Foster said. “He is a true basketball player. Damien is our leader, but he’s been banged up a little bit, and Lloyd is our quiet leader who is going to get you 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds).”
This weekend marks the third consecutive year that Hitchcock has reached the State Tournament.
“It really started with that group three years ago, who made it to the semis,” he said. “I still talk to them today and they could see what was coming. The community has really rallied around us and they know we can make history tomorrow.
“Now, we just have to take advantage of it.”