Defense was the Key in Game 3

March 6, 2011

By DeMarco King of Justin F Kimball High School


Garland-      Kimball's defense stopped Oklahoma St. signee LaBryan Nash and Lincoln Saturday afternoon. As Kimball celebrated in center court as they're headed to Austin playing Thursday against the Region 4 Champions Cedar Park on March 10, 2011. Lincoln had a 16-12 after the first. Kimball allowed three field goals the next two quarters and took a double-digit lead it wouldn't relinquish. Nash finished with 20 points but only had eight in the decisive first three quarters. Kimball held Lincoln to a new low points in a quarter of 4 points in the 3rd quarter in Coach Bishop's era. "Our thing is if we were going to beat this team today we were going to do it defensively," coach Royce "Snoop" Johnson said. "Bottom line." 
   Austin Franklin led Kimball with 13 points and Shannon Lilly had 11 points with some key assists. Despite Nash scoring points, his counter parter, West Virginia's signee, Keaton Miles only had 5 points. Defense was the name of the game for the Knights and stopping Nash. As the game went on, the defender on Nash switched - Franklin to Oscar Lewis to Williams to Henry. It was complicated, changing, and it worked. Both Franklin and Lewis went to Browne Middle School with Nash, trains with him, knows his nuances. He would pick Nash up and then a big man like Jordan Williams would join if a double team was needed. 
   Kimball Big 3 only had a total of 22 points together, but they played great defense. The first two times Kimball played Lincoln, Johnson said, he didn't mold a specific game plan. He was too focused on his own guys. Not this time. 
   
   Kimball is now 36-2.

  "This is the final four," Henry said. "We have to get it done."