Decatur’s Addy Kemp finished with a team-high 15 points to lead the Lady Eagles (31-5) to a 48-38 4A Region I quarterfinal win over Stephenville Tuesday at Aledo High School. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
Following a transfer from Victory Christian Academy to Decatur last year, Addy Kemp was forced to play on the Lady Eagles’ junior varsity squad after being ruled ineligible by the UIL.
In her first season with the varsity team, Kemp, a junior, made her biggest contribution Tuesday night. She finished with 15 points to lead Decatur (31-5) to a 48-38 4A Region I quarterfinal win over Stephenville at Aledo High School.
Decatur’s Bralyn Peck elevates for a shot near the basketball in the Lady Eagles’ 48-38 4A Region I quarterfinal win over Stephenville Tuesday at Aledo High School. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
“We were down at halftime, and that made me sad because I wasn’t ready for this season to be over,” Kemp said. “I’m not ready to stop playing. I knew we had to come out and fight for our season. At halftime, we talked about how we just had to pick it up, and I knew someone needed to bring the energy. Stephenville’s a good team — I play select basketball with [Brinley Hall], so I know she’s legit. But I had no doubt we would come out with a win.”
The win helped the Lady Eagles earn their first regional tournament berth in coach Drew Coffman’s second season with the program. Decatur’s last trip came in 2022 under former coach Lindsay Griffin.
“There’s a reason this job came open two years ago — no one leaves when the cabinet is full,” Decatur coach Drew Coffman said. “The cabinet was pretty bare when [Griffin] left, so last year was a very challenging year. We played a lot of young kids, and now they’ve grown and allowed us to put together a really good year this season. It’s been amazing and a lot of fun… I’ve never questioned how hard this team wants to be good. It’s fun to see them get rewarded for all of their hard work.”
The Lady Eagles held a 10-7 lead after 8 minutes of play thanks to four points from Renee Longenbaugh. Stephenville turned the tables on Decatur in the second quarter, using Kyla Ray’s six points to spark a 13-8 run to take a 20-18 halftime lead.
Decatur coach Drew Coffman celebrates with the Lady Eagles during a fourth-quarter timeout in the Lady Eagles’ 48-38 win over Stephenville in the 4A Region I quarterfinals Tuesday at Aledo High School. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
Limited to just one point in the first half, Kemp caught fire offensively out of the break. She scored five points in the third quarter to fuel Decatur’s 12-8 run, pulling the Lady Eagles ahead by 2, 30-28.
“I was disappointed at the start of the game because I actually missed my first three starts,” Kemp said. “At the beginning of the season, I ended up having a bad game if I started out cold like that. I just knew I had to keep my head up. I’m glad to see that I’ve learned how to change that during the season and play better.”
Kemp’s shooting success spilled over into the fourth frame, scoring nine points. The Lady Eagles hit 12 of their 14 free throw attempts in the final 8 minutes to seal the win.
“It’s crazy to be going to the regional tournament,” Kemp said. “I know it’s going to be harder competition and a bigger venue. Whenever I moved here, the team really just brought me in. They’ve become my best friend, and I love this team. I have no doubt that we’re going to pick it up and do even better than we did in this game tonight.”
Bralyn Peck finished with 11 points. Renee Longenbaugh added eight, while Laken Coffman scored seven.
Coffman praised Kemp for her efforts in the victory.
“Addy was really good at Victory, and then she came here an averaged 20 to 25 points on the JV,” Coffman said. “This year, it’s been a challenge for her — there’s been a lot of highs and lows. Watching her have a good game tonight was really fun to see. She had a great attitude throughout, and I’m so glad to see her come through for us.”
The coach said the Lady Eagles’ battle against Stephenville showed his team’s resiliency.
“Games like tonight are what playoff basketball is all about,” Coffman said. “We told them at halftime that it’s not easy, and it’s not supposed to be. Everyone’s good in the third round of the playoffs, and it only gets a little harder from here on out. I don’t think our best player played her best tonight, but we’ve been a team all year long and we had a lot of people step up. It’s fun to be a part of a team where players can step up as they’re needed.”
Decatur will face Canyon in the 4A Region I semifinals Friday at Lubbock Christian University. Game details have not been released.
The Lady Eagles claimed a 41-40 neutral site win over Canyon in their lone meeting this season Dec. 8 at Vernon College.
“We played Canyon earlier in the year,” Coffman said. “They are a very well-coached team that has a ton of tradition. They can really shoot the ball from all five positions. With that, it makes them a team that is really hard to guard. We were fortunate to beat then in a 1-point game. We know it will be another rock fight, but we are excited for the challenge.”
A win against Canyon will put the Lady Eagles into the regional final Saturday against the winner of the Canyon Randall/Glen Rose semifinal.
“I’ve told people for years that Region I is the toughest region on the girls side,” Coffman said. “If you look at the state rankings, it’s full of Region I teams. You have to go ball and play your best, and let the chips fall where they may. I’m confident with our group that if we play our best, we’re going to give ourselves a chance.”
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