By Alex Kielar
ajk347@kielarscreativechronicles.com
The Breckenridge Buckaroos (19-13, 10-4) head to Bowie High School this coming week to face the Holliday Eagles (27-4, 11-1) in the bi-district round of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) playoffs, after finishing third in District 8-3A Region 1.
Fresh off a gritty 53-47 road win against the Tolar Rattlers, the Bucks enter the Monday, Feb. 23 bi-district game with some momentum and confidence.
Breckenridge’s win in the snake pit on Tuesday, Feb. 17, was one of their most composed performances of the season. After falling behind 36-32 in the third quarter, the Bucks switched to a 2-3 matchup zone, which completely changed the game’s rhythm. Tolar scored just 18 points in the entire second half, matching their second-quarter total alone.
“I was tired of watching them get layups,” head coach Brent Lucas said. “We got in that 2-3 matchup, and they weren’t prepared for it. It stifled them.”
The Bucks closed the game with strong free-throw shooting and a disciplined two-minute stretch of their “3-man” stall offense to secure the win.
“That was a big win for us,” Lucas said. “Our kids are excited, and you can see it in practice. They’re loose, they’re moving the ball and they’re hitting shots.”
Preparing for Holliday
To prepare for the playoff environment and get comfortable with the gym, the Bucks will travel to Bowie on Friday, Feb. 20 for a practice game against Bells–the same team they faced in the Eula tournament after Christmas. The matchup, tipping off at 6 p.m., is intentional: Bells runs the same 2-3 matchup zone that Holliday uses heavily.
“We’re going to get a lot of practice against it,” Lucas said. “That’s exactly why we wanted that game.”
The tune-up also gave the Bucks a chance to get comfortable on the Bowie floor before Monday’s playoff tipoff.
Holliday enters the postseason ranked No. 20 in Class 3A and brings a fast, guard-heavy lineup that thrives on pace and pressure. Lucas watched the Eagles earlier this week in a practice game against Windthorst and came away with a clear picture of what Breckenridge will face.
“They really extend their zone out, so there are big gaps in there,” he said. “But they’re fast. They get it up the floor. We’ll have to be ready for that.”
The Eagles rely on an aggressive 2-2-1 press that can speed opponents up if they’re not disciplined.
“They pressure you. Their top two guys come right at your guards trying to inbound the ball,” Lucas said. “If you can break it, you can get a good look–but it has to be quick, because they’re fast.”
Despite Holliday’s speed, Lucas believes the Bucks hold the advantage inside, an area they can go after and attack.
“We’re stronger and bigger,” he said. “That’s something we can use.”
In fact, Lucas noted that even the Eagles’ bigger, post-type guys are bench players.
Senior Group Seeks Its Moment
This playoff appearance is the first for Breckenridge’s seniors since they were sophomores, and Lucas said the group has earned the opportunity and is hungry to make something happen.
“Our kids deserve, in a team sport, to win something,” he said. “Nobody’s going to give it to us. We’ve got to go out there and nab it for ourselves.”
Lucas said he expected nerves as the postseason approached, but he’s seen the opposite.
“I thought we’d be nervous, but they’re not,” he said. “They’re loose and playing hard. That’s a good sign.”
The winner of the Bucks and Eagles playoff game, tipping off Monday, will advance to the area round.
“We ain’t afraid of nobody,” Lucas said. “We’re going to get after them.”
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