The Denton girls basketball team is regrouping this week, trying to overcome two disappointing District 5-4A losses and avoid a late season meltdown that could cost it a playoff spot.

The Lady Broncos (9-18, 4-4) are barely holding onto the third and final playoff spot in the district with a huge game scheduled tonight.

Dennis Krishka

Denton entered the week in third place with a 4-2 record, but quickly lost its momentum. The Lady Broncos lost to Wichita Falls 58-31 on Tuesday and then to a relatively weak Sherman team on Friday, 51-38.

So instead of holding a one, or possibly two-game lead over the Guyer Wildcats (8-17, 3-4), Denton is clinging to a slight half-game lead. The two teams will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Guyer — with a possible playoff spot on the line.

“I’m not sure where we’re at right now,” head coach Dennis Krishka said. “Since we lost to Ryan we’re just not the same team. We’re just not playing very good basketball.”

In the teams first meeting on Dec. 18, Guyer shot 15 percent from the field and went 0-for-15 from beyond the arc, losing to the Lady Broncos, 44-25.

This time around though, the Lady Broncos can’t depend on Guyer having a bad shooting night. Guyer is a much-improved team from the one Denton saw in December. The Lady Wildcats will enter this game having won two of their last three.

Guyer is 0-5 all-time versus the Lady Broncos.

The Lady Broncos are a full game ahead of Sherman (8-17, 3-5), which now holds the tiebreaker over Denton, and two games ahead of Rider (7-18, 2-6).

But that could all change, depending on tonight’s outcome.

Back to the basics

Denton’s coaching staff continues to harp on defense, rebounding and playing smart basketball, to prepare their team for a playoff run.

But are the players listening?

“I don’t think so,” Krishka said. “We harp on them every day, but the Sherman game, we told them how huge that was and it didn’t compute…and I didn’t think our practice this morning was very good. We practiced like it was a day off.”

A win tonight could be just what the doctor ordered for the Lady Broncos.

Boys basketball

Missed opportunities

The Broncos suffered a heartbreaking loss to District 5-4A leader Wichita Falls last Tuesday, 57-56, in what could have been a season-changing game.

The Broncos (8-16, 1-5) entered the game with a 1-3 district record and had a chance to knock off the Coyotes (20-3, 6-0).

They played what head coach Harold Jackson called their best game of the year, but a last second 3-point attempt from Fred Hunter bounced off the rim.

The win would have been huge for the Broncos, as they could have gained a game on Denison, Ryan and Sherman.

Three days later, the Broncos lost to Sherman, 85-62.

“We just didn’t come out and play very well,” Jackson said. “We’re on life support now, but there’s always hope.”

The Broncos are now tied for last place in the district with Guyer, while Wichita Falls, Sherman (17-7, 4-2) and Ryan (15-9, 4-2) are holding on to the three playoff spots. 

Denison (13-11, 3-3) and Rider (8-15, 2-4) are right on their tails and shouldn’t be counted out.

Battle for the basement

The Broncos will travel to Guyer tonight to take on their cross-town rivals, the Wildcats at 7:30 p.m.

The winner will still have slim playoff hopes, while the loser of this game will probably be relegated to a district spoiler role.

“This is an in-town game and those are very important, these guys know that,” Jackson said. “Both teams will come out and play hard. But they are a tough team, as talented as anyone in the district, I think.”

The Wildcats have not won a district game since beating the Broncos by one point on Dec. 18.

Guyer is coming off a much-needed bye, after their 6-7 junior post Walter Phillips left the team following an on-court altercation in the game against Wichita Falls.

Sophomore John Kornet is expected to replace Phillips in the lineup.

Football

Banquet date set

The annual Denton High football banquet is set for next Monday, Jan. 28.

The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the UNT Gateway Center.

For more information, call: 940-387-1229.

Athletics

Room for one more?

Class 4A superintendents in Texas recently voted to let a fourth team into the playoffs from each district, starting with football in the 2008 season.

The new rule encompasses all team sports.

Denton girls basketball coach, Dennis Krishka said the new system will have pros and cons.

“It just seems as though, maybe we’re watering down the system a little,” he said. “But, it’s all about our young people and I guess it gives the young people more opportunities to play in a playoff atmosphere, and that’s what we are all here for, the young people.”

Player of the Week

Denton senior Fred Hunter had another outstanding week for the Broncos, and almost led his team to a huge upset win over the Wichita Falls Coyotes on Tuesday.

Hunter was 5-of-7 from 3-point range, scored a game high 30 points and 15 rebounds.

In a loss to Sherman on Friday, Hunter didn’t have his best game, but still managed to rack up a double-double and lead his team in scoring. He finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

For his exceptional play on the basketball court, Denton’s Fred Hunter is this week’s Denton Record-Chronicle Player of the Week.

MONTY MILLER can be reached at 940-566-6869. His e-mail address is mwmiller@Dentonrc.com .