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E-mail This StoryGrading the basketball teams so far...
Plano East Girls
Team Grade: A
Though Plano East has the best record in district play at the moment, a little more was left to be desired in tournament play if the Lady Panthers are to make a deep playoff run. The Lady Panthers certainly have plenty of talent, with a handful of seniors such as: Simone Bridges, Jheryn Lewis and Nicole Johnson. Plus, watch out for their deep bench.
Coaching Grade: A+
LaGwenna Mingilton, in her first season at East, has the Lady Panthers playing at their best right now. Mingilton has taken a predominantly slow-it-down program and turned them into gunners on defense and offense. Her attitude has changed this program immensely.
Playoff prognosis: Lock
At 8-0, the Lady Panthers still have some regular season goals to accomplish, like say a District 9-5A championship, but this club looks primed to make some playoff noise.
Plano West Girls
Team Grade: A-
With so many new players it’s easy to understand how Plano West piled up some early losses, but the Lady Wolves made it to the McKinney ISD Tournament finals and are second in district.
Coaching Grade: A-
That this team is even in a position to challenge for the district title says a lot about the job Don Patterson has done. Sure, West has two players that stand 6-foot-2, but the Lady Wolves also lost 80 percent of their staring lineup from last year and the one returner, senior Katie Makanani, began the season injured. This team is extremely young though and could probably stand a bit more patience from Patterson.
Playoff prognosis: Lock
West will be in the playoffs and a win over Plano East could nab them the district crown. A return to regionals may not be in the cards for the Lady Wolves, but with their size you never know.
Plano Senior Girls
Team Grade: B+
If an E could be given out for effort, the Lady Wildcats would get a gold start next to the awarded letter. After catching the injury bug, Plano Senior has persevered and is still in a tie with two other teams for third in the district. This young team has had a full first half of basketball and should grow up quickly in their race to the playoffs.
Coaching Grade: A
With the amount of youth the Lady Wildcats have filling their bench, this team would be dominating the JV ranks, Lynn Meger has been teaching almost her entire team the basics. To be in the position they are in right now, Meger and assistant coach Rodney Belcher have nurtured them well.
Playoff prognosis: On the fence
Plano lost to Allen and beat Wylie, the other two third place teams, in the first round of district play. Beating both teams in the last six games would seal the deal for the Lady Wildcats.
Plano East Boys:
Team Grade: A-
An 18-6 record is nothing to sneeze at, but considering Plano East started the year 11-1 and won the Garland ISD Coca-Cola Classic while ascending to No. 10 in the state, this can be viewed as a minor disappointment.
Coaching Grade: B
The Panthers have had some problems in and around their program, which manifested on the court recently with three straight losses. Some of the blame for that has to go to Doug Bleadorn, although I trust the East coach has the ability to straighten things out.
Playoff prognosis: Seem like a shoe-in, but…
The Panthers seem like a lock for the playoffs, but any more outside drama could cause the squad to implode like the football team did in the fall. But if the ultra-talented seniors get their act together, who knows how far East, which has already beaten Plano West twice, can go.
Plano West Boys
Team Grade: A
Plano West deserves credit for being tied for first in district and ranked No. 4 in the state. Their only district loss came to Plano East and there was certainly a chance for the Wolves to pull away with a win in that game. Even still, this West team is young and playing with a tenacious physical element. Plus, they can roll out a variety of looks at any point in the game.
Coaching Grade: A
Anthony Morgan is taking advantage of a plethora of talented players and has gotten them to play to their fullest potential. However, against top-tier opponents, like North Crowley, Fort Worth Dunbar and East, will Morgan optimize the final minutes of the game? We’ll see against Berkner this Friday.
Playoff Prospects: Lock
No way this team hits a skid; the Wolves have too many players who will step up. That’s fine for the regular season and possibly a district title, but the playoffs will really define these youngsters.
Plano Senior Boys:
Team Grade: Incomplete
This was a tough one as Plano Senior is obviously having a difficult year on the court. The Wildcats are tied for last in the district and have a 6-13 record. However, Plano was also without a good third of its roster as the Wildcats football team advanced to the Class 5A State Semifinals.
Coaching Grade: B
How can the coach of a 6-13 team get the same grade as that of an 18-6 club? Simple, talent and expectations. Tom Inman has done more than a serviceable job with a short bench early in the season and integrating the returning football players back onto the team. He instilled the mentality that the team wasn’t waiting for the football cavalry.
Playoff prognosis: Watching from the stands
The six-year Plano playoff run is all but over, but the Wildcats still give their all in every game. Even if more often than not, it isn’t enough.
