By Brian Gosset
Birdville lost both district games vs Denton this season, 64-62 in overtime on Jan. 20 and 55-46 on Feb. 23 – sending the Broncos to the 6-5A championship.
Meeting for the third time this season with the highest of stakes on Friday night in the Class 5A D1 Region 1 final, Birdville got its revenge with a 50-49 victory over Denton at Flower Mound HS.
The Hawks advance to the state semifinals for the second straight year. They lost in the 5A D1 title game in San Antonio last year.
Denton caps off one of its best seasons all-time with a 29-5 record. The Broncos played in their first regional final since 1974.
Avery Webb hit a three-pointer with 10 seconds left for the game-winner.
Birdville faces #1 Frisco Heritage in the state semis. Heritage beat West Mesquite 87-59 on Friday night. Birdville beat Heritage in last year’s semifinal round.
The Hawks led by 7 after the first quarter, but Denton had a strong second period that included an 11-2 run. The Broncos led 22-21 at the intermission.
Denton continued to lead 45-38 with 5:56 left in the fourth.
Birdville answered with a 9-0 run following a layup by Gabriel Zachariah and then Webb gave the Hawks the lead with 2:56 to play. Denton went up 49-47 on two free throws by Ethan Ashu and 23 seconds remaining.
Webb drilled a three from the left wing to give Birdville a 50-49 edge. He led all scorers with 16 points while Sawyer Dotson added 13.
Ethan Sheats led Denton with 14 points while Lojok Loliwa and Reid Robinson each chipped in 12.
