After a one-year absence, the Yorktown Kitty Kats are back in the playoffs, clinching a berth with a thrilling 52-43 victory over the Kenedy Leopards in a fourth-place tiebreaker last Friday night.
Yorktown and Kenedy entered the final week of District 312A play deadlocked at 8-6, setting up a mustwin showdown. The Kitty Kats first had to navigate a high-stakes road test against Pettus, where they clawed out a hard-fought 5850 victory. Freshman Palyn Koopmann led the charge with 15 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while senior Laynie Boyd added 13 points. A defensive switch in the fourth quarter, with sophomore Rylie Krueger, who had seven key points in the game, and freshman Trinity Flores face-guarding Pettus standout Hayleigh Cruz, proved crucial in sealing the win.
That set the stage for Friday’s tiebreaker game in Yorktown, where the Kitty Kats played with the intensity of a team determined to extend its season. Yorktown jumped out to a 15-10 lead in the first quarter, but Kenedy refused to back down, trimming the deficit to 26-22 at halftime. The teams traded blows in the third, with Yorktown clinging to a 35-32 edge entering the final frame.
Boyd and senior Sydnie Krueger extended the lead early in the fourth, but Kenedy’s Mariah Jackson responded with back-toback three-pointers, bringing the Leopards within a point at 39-38. The teams continued to trade baskets before Villarreal delivered a clutch three-pointer to keep the Kitty Kats ahead. After another triple from Jackson cut the lead to 44-43, Yorktown’s defense locked in, holding her scoreless the rest of the way. A closing 8-0 run, capped by consecutive baskets from sophomore Kendall Sievers, secured the victory and the playoff berth.
Villarreal and Koopmann paced the offense with 13 points apiece, while Boyd contributed 10. S. Krueger dominated the glass with 16 rebounds and five steals, while Boyd pulled down 13 boards and added four steals. Koopmann also had six rebounds and six assists.
On the boys’ side, the Yorktown Wildcats saw their postseason hopes slip away after dropping both games this week. The Wildcats fell 5447 to Pettus before a 61-54 loss to Woodsboro sealed their fate. Yorktown will conclude its season on Tuesday, Feb. 11, when it hosts Three Rivers for Senior Night, honoring Sam Forbes, Ethan Fitts, and Xavier Naranjo.
With their playoff spot secured, the Kitty Kats turn their focus to Monday night’s bi-district showdown against District 322A champion Agua Dulce. The game is set for Feb. 10 in George West, where Yorktown will look to extend its postseason run.
