02/03/2006
By BRIAN PORTER, Staff writer

PLANO - Plano retained its two-game advantage over Plano East and Plano West and its sweep Friday of Lewisville helped its city counterparts gain a slight advantage in the District 8-5A boys basketball playoff race.

Plano (19-8, 9-2) needs only to win one game or get one more Flower Mound Marcus (17-10, 6-5) loss across the final three games to gain a playoff berth. The Wildcats currently hold a two-game edge over Plano East (18-7, 7-4) and Plano West (18-9, 7-4), the two teams tied for second place in the alignment.

Plano East and Plano West each picked up victories Friday, but with two teams a game back the race for the playoff berths in the district is still on.

"It's hard to say what this does for us," Plano East coach Doug Bleadorn said. "Anyone can get in the playoffs in a number of ways. We've got to remain focused on our next game."

Plano 86, Lewisville 67 - [Boxscore] Plano inched closer to a playoff berth by outscoring Lewisville, 54-36, in the second half to run away with an 86-67 win at Lewisville.

Plano needs a win at Flower Mound to clinch a playoff berth. The Wildcats visit the Jaguars at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Plano led 32-31 at halftime before putting it into fifth gear as the Wildcats outscored Lewisville, 22-14, in the third period to take a 54-45 lead into the final period.

Plano then closed out the game with a 32-22 run in the fourth.

Four Wildcats were in double figures Friday. Joseph Fulce led all scorers with 23 points. Eric Zastoupil scored 16, while John Roberson scored 15 and Rex Burkhead 13.

Lewisville was led by Cameron Clemons' 17 points.