JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
The Randolph High School Ro-Hawks boys' basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the first time in 20 years after winning the regional title March 7 in Seguin.
Randolph (30-3) played Childress in semifinals of the University Interscholastic League Class 3A state tournament Thursday, at 3 p.m., at the Alamodome. If Randolph wins, they will advance to play in the championship game at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The Ro-Hawks advanced to state after winning the Region IV-3A tournament at Seguin High School with wins over the Aransas Pass Panthers, 53-48, in the tourney semifinals last Friday, and the Falfurrias Jerseys, 50-37, in the regional final Saturday.
Randolph will be appearing in its fourth state tournament in school history and their first since 1995.
Guard Jordan Williams led Randolph in scoring at the regional tournament, averaging 20.5 points per game. Williams, a junior, scored 18 points against Aransas Pass and 23 in the final against Falfurrias.
Randolph coach Tim Gendron said the Ro-Hawks have accomplished what they set out to do at the beginning of the year - being one of the four teams that will play in the state tournament.
"They've met their goal to be the last team standing in Region IV," said Gendron, who will be coaching in his first state tournament with the Ro-Hawks. "They've met their goals and now they are going to live their dream of trying to win a state championship."
In the regional tournament, guard Jordan Williams led Randolph with a 20.5 scoring average per game. Williams, a junior, scored 18 points against Aransas Pass and 23 in the final against Falfurrias.
Randolph started its playoff run after clinching the District 26-3A title in February with key wins over Marion and Cole. In their first three playoff games, Randolph defeated Comfort, 64-33, on Feb. 24; Goliad, 51-24, on Feb. 27; and Jarrell, 56-30, on March 3.
Leading the Ro-Hawks have been the team's co-captains, seniors Bryan London and Shaun Jackson.
London, a 6-foot, 2-inch post, averages 14 points a game, which leads the team. Jackson is the Ro-Hawks' starting point guard. Rounding out the team's starting lineup is Williams, sophomore guard J.J. Gomez and junior forward Nick Hardy.
Gendron said it is rewarding for him to see the Ro-Hawks four seniors, London, Jackson and role players Braelin Barnes and Caleb Hentz, get the opportunity to play in the state tournament.
"Bryan (London) and (Shaun) Jackson and Caleb (Hentz) have been here since the seventh grade, and Braelin (Barnes) came his freshmen year," he said. "It's not often you get kids that hang around here that long. They've worked so hard and to finally see them reach their goal, it's hard to describe in words. It's a feeling you have inside of great joy."