TURKEY, Texas (KFDA) - The Valley Patriots are back in the UIL boys basketball state semifinals for the second straight season.
Patriots’ playoff run
Valley enters the semifinal as outright district champions and have made their way through the playoffs, defeating O’Donnell, Borden County, Happy and Boys Ranch. The win over Boys Ranch came after the Patriots did not take the lead until the final minute of the game.
Players, coach credit team chemistry
Senior Kanyon Taylor said the team’s ability to rely on one another has been a key factor this postseason.
“I feel like this year, we’re doing a better job of leaning on each other,” he said. “If one of us doesn’t have a good game, the other four are going to step up and there’s just always someone stepping up and making big plays.”
Patriots’ head boys basketball coach, Aaron Green, said the team focuses on taking the playoffs one game at a time.
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“We always talk about just being 1-0,” Green said. “We try not to look too far in advance. We do talk about it every once in a while...this is our goal and we want to get there, but it’s a process to get there. You have to go 1-0 every night, every time you step on the floor or you’re going to lose that opportunity. It’s a good group of guys. They love each other and they hold each other accountable.”
The Patriots will face No. 6 Munday on Monday at 6 p.m. at the Texan Dome in Levelland.
The winner of this game advances to San Antonio later in the week to compete in the 1A Division I state title game.
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