There’s something about Hendrickson.

Lake Travis (25-4, 5-1) was upended by the Hawks for the third year in a row in district play, 68-60, Friday night.

The loss still keeps the Cavaliers in the driver’s seat in District 25-4A with three games to play, including the district finale at home against Killeen next Tuesday. If the Cavaliers win out, they’ll have sole possession of the district title – something a Jan Jernberg coached team has yet to do at Lake Travis.

“Our destiny is in our hands,” Jernberg said, assuring that it was no easy path past Marble Falls and Hutto before the final battle with Killeen. “It’s going to be tough because other teams are getting better as the season goes along, so they will be a challenge the second time around more so than the first time.”

But what is it about Hendrickson that keeps stalling the Cavaliers each season in district play?

“When you miss 22 free throws,” Jernberg said. “That’s pretty much about it.”

That was the issue Friday night, but the Hawks’ gym has never been friendly to Lake Travis.

“We were shooting about 68 percent from the line for the team going in, it was just a really bad anomaly. You almost wonder how it’s possible,” Jernberg said. “It’s just a bad gym for us to play in, and even when we’ve beat them, our shooting hasn’t been good.”

After 15 straight wins and a growing profile as one of the state’s best programs, the loss could have been devastating, but in what may be a sign of that program’s maturation, the team was positive overall.

“I think they handled it well,” Jernberg said. “I think they were disappointed, but I also think the loss might have been a good thing. There was a little pressure, a reminder that we’re mortal because now we know we have to work hard every day.”

And he was quick to remind how different the game would have been if the team hadn’t shot so poorly from the charity stripe.

“If we just hit 60 percent, which isn’t good, that’s the game for us,” Jernberg said.

For now, he’s not too worried about the team.

“We just need to bring our best game and focus,” he said. “If we execute, we do great. And we didn’t execute great the other night, but could have won if not for the free throw line.”

Plus, there’s always a battle with Killeen to look forward to.

“We put the dagger in as a program if we can beat Killeen twice,” Jernberg said. “This is going to be fun. At our house, it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be freaky. Everyone better come prepared.”

Lake Travis beat Killeen in the first trip through district play on a three-pointer as time expired from Robert Carlton, 48-46. Last year, the teams split in district play before Lake Travis eliminated Killeen  in the playoffs.