One of the most important boys’ basketball games in recent years will be played at Tiger Gym Friday.
Snyder can qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2008 with a win over Big Spring. Snyder won the first meeting of the District 5-4A season, 70-60.
A season of change may best describe Snyder’s journey. Despite all the setbacks, Snyder controls its playoff destiny. A loss would not eliminate Snyder, but a win would put the Tigers in position to finish in a tie for third place. Snyder would need Sweetwater to lose at Brownwood Tuesday for that to happen.
But the focus of the players is on Big Spring. It will be the last regular season game for four seniors — Josh Deen, Trey Samaniego, Cedrick Quiroz and Barron Wesley. The seniors deserve a capacity crowd and that also would help the team in its bid to clinch a playoff spot.
Big Spring remained in the playoff hunt with a home win over Sweetwater, which played without starting guard Kobe Clark.
Friday’s game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. or following the freshman and JV games.
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In District 12-1A, Ira can earn a No. 2 seed for the playoffs with a win over Westbrook at 6:30 p.m.
Borden County can win the outright district championship by beating Loraine at home.
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All three Scurry County girls’ basketball teams are heading to the postseason.
Snyder, which finished third in District 5-4A, returns to the postseason for the first time since 2014. The Lady Tigers will play District 6-4A co-champion Graham in a bi-district game at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Jim Ned High School in Tuscola.
The program progressed the past two seasons, going from two to 13 wins while playing in a competitive district. Snyder finished behind two top 15 teams — district champion Wylie (No. 11) and runner-up Brownwood (No. 15).
Snyder will be one of the youngest teams in the playoffs with four freshmen on the 11-player roster.
Meanwhile, Ira, which finished third in District 12-1A, is waiting to learn its bi-district opponent.
Klondike won the District 11-1A championship with a three-way tie for second place — O’Donnell, Ackerly Sands and Grady. The district is holding a tiebreaker tournament to determine the final two playoff teams.
Hermleigh won the District 12-1A title, the first in 20 years for the program. The Lady Cardinals received a bye in the bi-district round.
Larry McCarty is the sports editor of the Snyder Daily News. He may be contacted at mccarty@snyderdailynews.com. Results of local teams and breaking news will be posted on the Snyder Daily News Facebook page.