A look at Andress’ semifinal opponent Lancaster

With a shot at the buzzer to be Palo Duro, Andress stunned the state.

All that stands between them and a state championship birth is Lancaster – the state’s top ranked 5-A team.

Lancaster is a team with plenty of size to accompany its talent.

That size is what many say will make the difference in the game.

But Andress coach Jim Forbes says it won’t decide the game.

“Does it help you? Of course it does, especially if your bigs are good and their bigs are good,” Forbes told ABC-7. “But it’s not an automatic, it’s not a given. There’s a reason why you play the game. Are they going to pose some matchup problems? Yes, they will but on the flip side, some of their bigs are going to have to guard some of our guards.”

Forbes thinks his team has speed on their side.

“I think that we’re a lot quicker than they are, a lot faster,” Forbes said. “They’re bigger so we’re going to use their size to our advantage as well and make them guard us on our end.”

Andress may not be as big but they’re fast and scrappy.

They have a lot of different players who contribute.

But anyone looking for a timid team won’t find one here.

Andress is ready to play and expects to win – even if no one else does.

“It’s like motivation almost. We don’t have that many supporters but we try to do our best to put this city on the map because people don’t really know what we have out here. They sleep on us.”

The roster is littered with veteran leadership. There are 11 seniors and few teams can match their chemistry and comradery.

Forbes says the group has more than 100 wins together since the class’ freshmen year.

That means they’re used to expectations – and used to winning.

How to Watch Thursday’s Game

Fox Sports Southwest, which has the broadcast and webcast rights to the state playoff games, will provide live webcast coverage of the UIL boys basketball semifinal games on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13 at FoxSportsSouthwest.com.

Championship games on Saturday, March 14 will be televised on FOX Sports Southwest but not webcast