01/21/2005
By: Geoff Ajdukovich

Plano - One week does not make a season, but it sure can clear things up. Or, depending how one looks at it, it can create mass confusion.

One week ago Plano East had a one-game lead and the only perfect record in District 8-5A, and Plano seemed to slip a little after dropping their first district loss and moving a game back of Plano East.

Meanwhile, Plano West was struggling at .500 a week ago, and was in desperate need of a winning streak.

But one week later, some things became clear. Plano is not about to concede the District 8-5A title to anyone, while Plano West has plenty of grit and fight left in the its tank. Therefore, if Plano East wants to repeat as district champions, the Panthers will definitely have to earn it.

Even in the midst of the district race clearing up, some confusion remains.

Plano and Plano East are tied for the district lead and Plano West and Allen tied for third. That quandary leaves one giant question unanswered: Come playoff time, which good team will be on the outside looking in?

Plano (18-4, 5-1) got things started with their 66-59 victory over Plano East. If the Wildcats want to make a serious run, they cannot stumble into tonight's game at The Colony (10-13, 1-5).

The Wildcats proved they are more than a one-man show with their complete team effort against the Panthers. They will need more of the same as the second round of district games loom on the horizon.

Plano East (19-5, 5-1) must rebound as they host Flower Mound (10-12, 2-4) at Archie E. McAfee Gymnasium.

Shawn Schepel leads Flower Mound averaging 18.9 points per game. Peyton Reger, Kevin Winland and Sean Poe each average around seven points per contest.

Plano West (12-11, 4-2) used last week's 66-65 gritty, overtime victory over Allen to pull back into the playoff picture.

The Wolves travel to Flower Mound Marcus (15-7, 2-4) tonight and need a victory to assure they at least keep pace with Allen.

Plano West will have to contend with Marcus' Clinton Houston. Houston averages 11.8 points per game.

All games begin at 7:30 p.m.