Indians advance to regional finals, face no. 12 Kennedale

Sanger beat Canton 44-36 on Tuesday night at Farmersville High School in the Regional Semifinals of the UIL Class 4A DII Division.  It was a low scoring affair. At the half Sanger led 17-14 and the Indians extended their lead to as much as nine points in the fourth quarter, but Canton managed to hang around.  Sanger head coach Bubba Stastny told his players that an ugly win is better than a pretty loss and to enjoy the victory. 

The Indians varsity basketball team has advanced four-rounds deep in the playoffs for the first time since 2005.  That team made it to the regional tournament (semifinals) after winning bi-district, area, regional quarterfinal and playing in regional semifinal.  With this years new UIL two divisions (I & II) in each classification, the regional quarterfinal has been eliminated.  But, for the first time in nearly 50 years, Sanger’s boys basketball team has advanced to the regional final round of the playoffs.

Hunter Nelms led the Indians (27-6) with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. Alex Dee contributed 13 points, five rebounds and three assists. Baylor Beard scored 4, Dillon Brown had 5 points and Kason Peebles added 3.

Sanger has not advanced to a regional final dating back to 1978, when Sanger lost to Coppell (Class 2A) by two points. Coppell went on to win the state championship that year. The Indians are one win from reaching their first-ever state semifinal.

Sanger advances to face No. 12 Kennedale (30-7) in the 4A Division II Region II at Lewisville High School on Friday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m.  The Indians will be the home team.