The Cougars are back for the fourth time since 2001, and Sumner’s No. 17-ranked squad is among the state’s final 16 teams and two wins from next weekend’s state tournament.
For the first time in several trips, though, he’ll be bringing a team new to deep playoff runs. The only players remaining from Jarrell’s last regional tournament appearance in 2007 - when the Cougars advanced to state - are juniors Kreece Cooper and Aaron Mueller.
First up for the Cougars is Santa Rosa at 6 p.m. today in a regional semifinal at Seguin High School. The winner will meet No. 10 Hitchcock or No. 13 Universal City Randolph in the title game at noon Saturday.
For Jarrell (25-9) to have a chance at a trip to Austin, Sumner believes that surviving the first quarter - along with the usual pregame jitters - is the biggest key.
“Once they get playing, everything’s going to be fine,” he said. “It’s just at the very beginning getting out the butterflies and the frog in your throat.”
Along with nerves, the Cougars will have to deal with another team that will press, trap and use its speed to try to turn the game into a track meet.
Santa Rosa’s Warriors used that style, along with their zone defense, to get past Jourdanton 80-69 on Wednesday night in a regional quarterfinal. This is the first regional tournament since 2003 for District 32-2A champion Santa Rosa.
Jarrell handled that kind of pressure just fine after a slow start in its 87-85 win over Hallettsville on Wednesday. The Cougars took advantage of the pressure defenses, scoring off easy layups and open jumpers. Jarrell shot nearly 50 percent from the floor and knocked in eight 3-pointers.
Junior Daniel Tucker scored a season-high 33 points, including 19 in the first half. Cooper took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of his 24 points, including the dagger 3-pointer with a 1:25 left. Senior Taylor Cooper, who has scored in double digits in all three playoff games, chipped in 16.
“We got a lot of really good shots,” Sumner said. “I would rather have the game in the 60s, but it all worked out for us.”
Without post players and brothers Aaron and Matt Mueller, who will miss their second consecutive game because of a recent off-the-court incident, the Cougars once again will rely on their bench players for rebounding and defense.
“Everybody’s going to have to play a little harder and play a little smarter,” Sumner said. “They did the job (Wednesday). We need everybody. We’ve got some big shoes to fill.”
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
