Despite falling behind 15-3 early in the first quarter, No. 11 Plano East gave No. 1 Lake Highlands all it could handle in the area round.

Eventually, it was the Wildcats who prevailed, winning 66-64. Plano East rallied in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to single digits in the final minutes, but ran out of time as Narit Chotikavanic’s 3 went in as the buzzer sounded.

Plano East’s basketball season comes to a close in the second round of the state playoffs, but with plenty of accolades to remember a successful 2022-23 season. Their 31 wins on the season is the most for the program since 1995.

With only two seniors, starting center Corey Upkins and Nate Malone, Plano East hopes to be competitive in the years to come. All five of Plano East’s losses came against top 10 ranked teams at the 6A level. 

Lake Highlands advances to face the winner of Arlington Martin and Lewisville in the regional quarterfinals.