01/20/2005
By: Brian Porter

Plano - The boys celebration had mostly ended Tuesday night following a 66-59 victory over Plano East at the Plano Activity Center when the girls basketball team returned from Archie E. McAfee Gymnasium.

With a 46-35 victory over the Plano East girls, the Lady Wildcats had sealed a crosstown sweep of the Lady Panthers on Tuesday night.

"I was really happy for the girls," Plano boys basketball coach Tom Inman said. "It means a lot to us to beat Plano East."

The Wildcats (18-4, 5-1 in District 8-5A) are tied with Plano East (19-5, 5-1) for first place in the boys district alignment. The Lady Wildcats (13-13, 2-6) are simply attempting to stay above. 500 for the season and gain some momentum entering the offseason.

Wins accomplished goals on both courts. Plano remains in control of its own playoff destiny in the boys race and the Plano girls opened the second stretch through district play with a win.

"I thought it was an unbelievable high school game," said Inman of the boys game. "It was the type of game that if I bought a ticket I would have said it was great."

As a coach, Inman liked the win for what it meant.

"If we lose, then we're going on the road in the second half to win at Allen and Plano East just to forge a split," Inman said. "It was kind of a tale of two Tuesdays. Last Tuesday was a heart-breaker (a 40-38 loss to Allen). That was a good Plano East team we beat."

Among the fans split in the Plano East cheering section was Jimmy King. He was Mr. Basketball in the State of Texas in 1991 at Plano East, but on Tuesday watched the Panthers take on his cousin Joseph Fulce and Plano.

"He had the emotions of his Alma Mater and family," Inman said. "Joseph was probably bouncing on Jimmy's knee in high school. I think there's total respect on both sides back and forth."

Fulce was limited to 10 points, with four coming in the fourth period, and Plano's guard rotation of Mark Foster, Ryan Manack and Brandon Ware had 36 points.

"That was just huge," Inman said.

Plano is not only in position to qualify for the postseason, but halfway along the barometer Inman uses to measure a playoff team. He believes 10 wins can almost ensure a team of a playoff berth and Plano is 5-1 with eight games remaining. Plano is 2-1 against the Plano ISD and Allen - teams Inman expects to all contend for the four postseason spots.

"I'd like to see all three Plano schools get there," Inman said. "If we could get six wins by the turn, then we might only have to go 4-3 to get in. Going 4-3 would be a disappointment, but 6-1 buys you some margin."

Meger addressed the opportunity to be at .500 in district play. Plano lost by three points to Plano East and The Colony in the first stretch through the district schedule. She believes the Lady Wildcats could have won both games and would have been on the verge of the playoffs.

"The girls know they have played well since Christmas," Meger said.

The Lady Wildcats are 2-3 in January with its three losses coming to teams currently in playoff position.