Broaddus, Zavalla Battle in Showdown of State-Ranked Teams

The Zavalla gym is going to be rocking Friday night when the Lady Eagles play host to the Broaddus Lady Bulldogs. Zavalla is 23-3 on the year and ranked #5 in the state in Class A basketball. Meanwhile, Broaddus is 22-5 and #14 in the state. Both teams are undefeated in district play.

Broaddus ISD FB contributed

A Look Back at Last Season

Both teams had phenomenal seasons last year. Broaddus had a record of 34-4 and captured the Class A, Division I state championship. Meanwhile, Zavalla had a record of 23-14 and advanced to the state semifinals in Class A, Division II. Broaddus defeated Zavalla in both of their district matchups last season.

Underestimating Broaddus

The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches poll has Broaddus ranked #14. That's about as silly as calling the Grand Canyon a pothole. The Lady Bulldogs have defeated Chireno twice this season, and the Lady Owls are ranked 9th in Class 2A. Broaddus's losses include Lipan (#7 in Class 2A), Martins Mill (ranked 4th in Class 2A), Winnsboro (#13 Class 3A), and Longview (Class 6A with a record of 17-4). I think Broaddus has a very real shot at contending for another state championship trophy.

Zavalla ISD FB contribugted

Breaking Down Friday's Matchup

Even though Zavalla is #5 in the state rankings, and Broaddus is #14, I believe the Lady Bulldogs enter Friday's game as a sizable favorite. Broaddus is battle-tested, given its strength of schedule, and last year, the Lady Bulldogs beat Zavalla by scores of 51-21 and 78-21. But this is a different year, and games are decided by players on a court, not statistics or predictions.

Regardless of the outcome, when it comes to the playoffs, Zavalla should once again be the district's top seed in Class A, Division II, while Broaddus will be the Division I top seed.