2022-23 Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine

FRONT

FRONT

FRONT ROW: Cole Purcell, Bushland • Stratton Potter, Texline Harlie Brabham, San Jacinto Christian • Vanessa Byrd, Caprock Sadie Sanchez, Randall

BACK ROW: Emma Troxell, Bushland • Elias Espino, Texline Cade Mills, San Jacinto Christian • Lleyten Brown, Caprock KJ Thomas, Randall

FRONT ROW: Logan Heard, Idalou • Iris Schilderink, Nazareth Harley Gerber, Nazareth • Taytum Goodman, Springlake-Earth Halee Toscano, Springlake-Earth • Natalie Urias, Sundown

BACK ROW: Jyson Lacy, New Deal • Jason Brazell, New Deal Kayle Rogers, Nazareth • Luke Schulte, Nazareth Carson Heiman, Nazareth • Shea Beadles, Sundown

FRONT

NO PLACE BUT TEXAS.

We are proud to support Panhandle Plains basketball. And we’re happy to serve you the Best Treats & Eats® in Texas before and after the game.

PANHANDLE FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES

“

To see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes ”

What is FCA?

Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to reach every coach and every athlete with the transforming power of Jesus Christ. FCA focuses on serving local communities around the globe by engaging, equipping and empowering coaches and athletes to unite, inspire and change the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Who We Are:

We pursue our vision and mission through the strategy of “to and through the coach”. We seek ministry first to coaches’ hearts, marriages and families. Then, when ready, we minister through coaches to their fellow coaches, teams and athlete leaders. Billy Graham said, “A coach will impact more people in one year than the average person will in an entire lifetime.” With the influence of a coach, FCA recognizes the most strategic

To lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church

2022 State Champions

Clarendon Broncos

Gruver Lady Hounds

The Clarendon Broncos and Gruver Lady Hounds in UIL Class 2A and the Lubbock Christian Lady Eagles in TAPPS Class 3A all won state championships in March 2022 – Clarendon and Gruver in San Antonio and Lubbock Christian in Waco.

Lubbock Christian Lady Eagles

Lookin’ back...

1982-83

All Panhandle-Plains Super Team

Boys 1st Team

Kevin Cleveland, Dimmitt

James Dawn, Tascosa

Mike Nelson, Pampa

James Randel

Gil Wright, Plainview

Girls 1st Team

Rosalind Brown, Slaton

Connie Coffman, Lockney

Lisa Logsdon, Levelland

Laura Williams, Phillips

Carmen Wynn, Amarillo High

Boys 2nd Team

Greg Allen, Canyon

Doug Butler, Palo Duro

Lance Simpson, Amarillo High

Jeff Watts, Dimmitt

Coyle Winborn, Pampa

Girls 2nd Team

Dorice Bedell, Follett

Stacy Blasingame, Perryton

Leisa Durr, Sanford-Fritch

Rhonda Hoelting, Nazareth

Darla Isaacks, Levelland

Twelve athletes from eight area schools graced the 1982-83 PanhandlePlains Basketball cover. Amarillo High, Dimmitt, Levelland and Pampa each had two players on the cover with one each from Littlefield, Lockney, Plainview and Slaton.

Carmen Wynn, a 5-11 Amarillo High senior, finished as a two-time all-state post and was high-point with 20 in the Texas High School Girls Coaches Association all-star game. She went on to star for the Wayland Flying Queens. Sandie Lance Simpson, a 6-0 senior, had averaged 12 points as a junior and was second-team all-district as a senior. His father was hall of fame coach Allen “Bones” Simpson.

Gil Wright of Plainview, 6-4, led the Bulldogs after averaging 22 points as a junior and being named district MVP.

Lisa Logsdon, a 5-7 senior guard for Levelland, had averaged 17 points as a junior and helped Coach Dean Weese’s team

to the state title as a senior. She scored 1,064 points for Texas Tech from 1983 to 1987. Lobo teammate Darla Isaacks, a 5-11 junior post, had averaged 10 points as a sophomore and upped it to 13.4. She was all-state and all-American. Isaacks played for Texas Tech from 1984 to 1988.

James Randel of Littlefield had averaged 23.3 points as a junior while earning second team all-state honors. The 5-10 guard could “shoot the eyes out of the basket,” according to PPB

Lockney’s Connie Coffman, a 5-10 senior forward, had averaged 20.3 points as a junior and, as a senior, helped lead the Lady Horns to bidistrict under Coach Sheri Haynes. Coffman was an accurate shooter, especially from the corner. She was allSouth Plains and on the PPB Super Team.

Mike Nelson of Pampa was on the cover for the third time after outstanding sophomore and junior seasons. The 6-3 senior guard finished as the Harvesters’ all-

time leading scorer with 1,995 points and played for Texas Tech from 1983 to 1987.

Teammate Coyle Winborn, a 6-6 junior forward, averaged 16 points as a junior and 23 as a senior along with 12 rebounds a game. Winborn would be the area’s player of the year as a senior. He played for SMU from 1984 to 1988.

Rosalind Brown of Slaton, a 5-7 senior, had averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, 7 steals and 4 assists as a junior. She helped the Tigerettes to the state tournament in 1983 and made the all-tournament team.

Dimmitt was represented by Jeff Watts and Kevin Cleveland, who had helped the Bobcats to the state title as juniors and spurred an undefeated repeat as seniors. Cleveland, son of Coach Kenneth Cleveland, had averaged 22 points as a junior, and Watts averaged 11. Both earned all-state honors, and Cleveland scored 2,728 points in his career.

Top Area Players 1972-2022 7

Super Teams 2022-23 12

Clarendon boys repeat at state 14

Courtside

Gruver girls’ 2nd state title............................................ 17

LCHS girls’ 2nd straight state title

An idea – 50 years later

Founder Andrews profile 25

Wow, how basketball has grown 26

Founder von Netzer profile ........................................... 28 Bob Schneider in WBHOF ........................................... 29

Brandon Schneider wins at KU..................................... 32

Shallowater’s Darden retires ......................................... 34

Allene Stovall’s legacy at WT 37

Weese: Dean of championships 40

Joe Lombard: 2016 WBHOFer 43

Booker’s Wynn leads Emporia ...................................... 44 Girls, boys loyal to Hoop 10 ......................................... 46

Wohlfarth, Martindale: two pros ................................... 48

The 300 Club 49

State Champs through the years 50 2021-2022 Postseason Results 51

Basketball News ............................................................ 52

Basketball Briefs ........................................................... 71

Texas Tech Men ............................................................ 73

Texas Tech Women 76

West Texas A&M Men 80

West Texas A&M Women 84

Lubbock Christian Men 88

Lubbock Christian Women ........................................... 91

Wayland Men ................................................................ 94

Wayland Women ........................................................... 96

South Plains Men .......................................................... 98

South Plains Women 101

Frank Phillips College Men 104

Frank Phillips College Women 105

Clarendon College Men .............................................. 108

Clarendon College Women ......................................... 109

Class 6A at a Glance Preseason Picks/Honor Roll 111 Class 5A at a Glance Preseason Picks/Honor Roll 115 Class 4A at a Glance Preseason Picks/Honor Roll ........................................ 140 Class 3A at a Glance Preseason Picks/Honor Roll 165 Class 2A at a Glance

Preseason Picks/Honor Roll 225 Class 1A at a Glance

Preseason Picks/Honor Roll ........................................ 337 Private Schools at a Glance Preseason Picks/Honor Roll 403 Index of Schools 440

NOTICE: School basketball schedules published in the magazine can change due to COVID-19. Check with your school for current information.

Panhandle-Plains Basketball Staff

PUBLISHERS: Sheri Haynes, 806-662-2312; Mike Haynes, 806-670-9017; David Haynes, 806-779-2217

PRODUCTION: Hartsfield Design, 806-748-5403

EDITORIAL OFFICE: 6210 Cornell St., Amarillo, Texas 79109

ADVERTISING OFFICE: Box 232, McLean, Texas 79057

2022-2023 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

FOUNDERS: Danny Andrews, Garet von Netzer

PRINTING AND BINDING: ColorArt Printing, Amarillo, Texas; Lindsay Web Press, Lindsay, Oklahoma; C&R Bindery, Dallas, Texa

ADDITIONAL COPIES: Extra copies of the magazine may be obtained by sending $13 to Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine, 6210 Cornell St., Amarillo, TX 79109.

50 years of pride in area young people

What can you say about something that has lasted 50 years? Apparently it has served a purpose or purposes. I think this magazine certainly has done that for the Texas South Plains and Panhandle region, and it’s due to the vision of Danny Andrews and Garet von Netzer, who started it five decades ago. Their accounts of the early days and the growth of the magazine and of basketball are fascinating, and you can find those on pages 22 (Andrews) and 26 (von Netzer).

From the photos of Palo Duro’s Fred Mitchell and Canyon’s Lynn Davis on the first cover to the 11 cover photos of this year’s outstanding boys and girls to the hundreds of teams and thousands of area players showcased inside the magazine through the years, Panhandle-Plains Basketball has attempted to do what Caprock girls coach David Smiley described here: “Since I was a player, being a part of this has been a blessing. I can say it because I have coached in other parts of the state, and there is nothing like this anywhere else in the state, and that is a shame! You guys do such a great job of promoting basketball and noticing our kids when they would go unnoticed otherwise.”

The top players do get noticed in TV sportscasts and newspaper reports, but not so much for the young people who come off the bench and might be honorable mention all-district or just a potential letter-winner. We try to mention as many of them as we can in our team profiles and publish their photo headshots.

We do give plenty of space to those who reach the pinnacle in Texas, the state championship. Look in the color section for photos of this year’s champions, plus in-depth stories on the Clarendon boys (page 14), Gruver girls (page 17) and Lubbock Christian High girls (page 20).

In this 50th edition, we have returned to past decades on a few pages, listing the players the magazine chose 25 years ago as the best of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s plus those selected each year for our first-team Super Teams from 1997 to 2022. Fans of Panhandle and South Plains schools will find lots of names they recognize.

As for our shared basketball past, we have an announcement: The Southwest Collection at Texas Tech University plans to digitize every page of the magazine’s first 50 years. Eventually all the magazines will be available online for all to search and peruse.

An explanation for the expanded cover of this 50th edition: The area has so many outstanding players that we decided to take cover photos of even more than in the past. They spill over to a “second cover,” but that doesn’t mean those you see when you turn the page are secondary to the athletes on the front. They’re all equal in our eyes, and those on the second page were put there by chance.

For the past 12 of the 50 years, the magazine has been published by the two brothers and sister listed below, and we take seriously the responsibility of continuing the “baby” that Garet and Danny created. We thank all who helped with this edition: Danny Andrews, Dana Burgin of Hot Shots Photography, C&R Bindery, Mark Gilliam of Lindsay Web Press, Mark Hartsfield of Hartsfield Design, Kathy Haynes, Brady Hochstein and others at ColorArt Printing, Lance Lahnert, Kevin Lewis, Cathy Martindale, Tricia Odom, Lee Passmore and Dave Wohlfarth.

And great thanks go to the schools, coaches, parents, booster clubs, cheer sponsors, businesses, colleges and fans who make PPB possible.

We believe the photo below illustrates not only the love of sports in the Panhandle and South Plains, but the intense pride and support of our schools and communities for our young people.

Mike Haynes, Sheri Haynes and David Haynes Co-Publishers

Photo courtesy of Gruver.net; 50th anniversary logo designed by ColorArt Gruver’s send-off to state, March 2022

2022-2023 Cover Boys and Girls

The players on the cover of the 50th anniversary edition of Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine represent the best of the year from Texas Panhandle and South Plains high schools.

Below is a list of the outstanding boys and girls who were selected for the 2022-23 cover: Boys

Abernathy

Caleb Harrell

Abernathy Anthony White

Amarillo High Braden Hausen

Amarillo High Corey Nickerson

Amarillo High Cooper Pillion

Bushland Cole Purcell Canyon Chris Bryant

Amarillo High McKenzie Smith Bushland Emma Troxell Canyon Ta’Leeyah Glynn Canyon Jaylee Moss Canyon Abree Winfrey

Canyon

Evan Hughes Canyon Kemper Jones

Caprock........................................................................Lleyten Brown

Childress Lamont Nickleberry

Clarendon Jmaury Davis

Clarendon Lyric Smith

Coronado Ty Green

Coronado

Tyler Williams

Dimmitt...........................................................................Ivan Moreno

Dimmitt................................................................................ CJ Willey

Follett Jayden Watson

Frenship Jalen Braziel

Frenship Tate Beeles

Gruver Jefferson Weaver

Hereford

Hereford

Caprock..........................................................................Vanessa Byrd Childress

Zavan Gonzales

Kenyon Loftis

Levelland Carson Boggs

Levelland Taeshaun Jones

Littlefield Chip Green

Lubbock Christian Asher Fleming

Lubbock Christian Riley Schroeder

Lubbock Cooper Amaree’ Garson

Monterey.......................................................................Zyrin Brantley

Nazareth Carson Heiman

Nazareth Kayle Rogers

Nazareth Luke Schulte

New Deal Jason Brazell New Deal Jason Lacy

Olton Jake Soliz

Palo Duro

Abdulrahim Palo Duro Audi Luckey

Panhandle Landyn Hack Plainview Karomo Collins

Cooper Lusk Stratford Luke Braden Stratford Tony Duran

Tascosa............................................................................Jaylin Sledge Texline Elias Espino Texline

Stratton Potter

Wellington Jordan Nation West Plains Jedd Phillips West Plains Ayden Rodriquez Whiteface Brighton Scoggins

Chloe Teichelman Clarendon Finley Cunningham Clarendon Makenna Shadle Coronado Jazlyn Braithwaite Coronado Jannaeleigh Cooper Coronado Kya Smith Dumas Kamryn Cox Farwell

Charlie May Trimble

Frenship ........................................................................... Abby Boyce Frenship Abbi Holder Gruver Brenna Butler Gruver Kimber Whitehead Happy Brittney Gibson Happy Halee Johnson Hereford Kyndal Blair Idalou .............................................................................. Logan Heard Levelland Laci White Littlefield Madison McNeese Lubbock Cooper Calyn Dallas Lubbock Cooper Majik Esquvel Memphis Ava Arant Monterey Aliyah Chavez

Monterey............................................................................ Kelly Mora

Nazareth Harley Gerber Nazareth Iris Schilderink Palo Duro Jada Torrence Panhandle Sydney Adee Panhandle Grace Sims Petersburg Bailey Norris Plainview

Mady Williams Randall

Sadie Sanchez

Ropes Ava Grace Falls Ropes Allie Wilson

San Jacinto Christian Harlie Brabham

Shallowater Madilyn Barnes Shallowater Kinleigh Richardson Shallowater Shelby Roberts

Spearman ..................................................................... Braylen Lusby

Springlake-Earth Taytum Goodman

Springlake-Earth Halee Toscano

Stratford Dezzeray Tims

Sudan Stevi Lockhart

Sudan Gracyn Shultz

Sundown Shea Beadles

Sundown

Natalie Urias

Tascosa............................................................................Avery Carter

Tascosa.....................................................................Zamiyah Dickson Tascosa............................................................................Daizja Oages

Wellington Asia Shrubs

West Plains Piper Patterson

West Plains Brooklyn Pearson

White Deer....................................................................Taysen Swires

Whiteface

Emma Ayers Whiteface Allison Martha

2022-2023 Cover Photos

Front row: Finley Cunningham, Clarendon • Makenna Shadle, Clarendon • Ta’Leeyah Glynn, Canyon • Abree Winfrey, Canyon • Jaylee Moss, Canyon

Back row: Danner Price, Sanford-Fritch • Jmaury Davis, Clarendon • Lyric Smith, Clarendon • Christian Bryant, Canyon • Kemper Jones, Canyon • Evan Hughes, Canyon

Front row: Charlie May Trimble, Farwell • Aaliyah Chavez, Monterey • Emma Ayers, Whiteface • Allison Martha, Whiteface • Calyn Dallas, Lubbock Cooper • Majik Esquivel, Lubbock Cooper

Back row: Zyrin Brantley, Monterey • Kelly Mora, Monterey • Brighton Scoggins, Whiteface • Jake Soliz, Olton • Amaree Garmin, Lubbock Cooper

Front row: Brenna Butler, Gruver • Jayden Watson, Follett • Taytum Bell, Amarillo High • Lacey Rice, Amarillo High • Jada Graves, Amarillo High • Corey Nickerson, Amarillo High

Back row: Kimber Whitehead, Gruver • Jefferson Weaver, Gruver • Braden Hausen, Amarillo High • Cooper Pillion, Amarillo High • McKenzie Smith, Amarillo High

Front row: Bailey Norris, Petersburg • Rylee Webb, Kress • Jannaeleigh Cooper, Coronado • Kya Smith, Coronado • Jazlyn Braithwaite, Coronado

Back row: Anthony White, Abernathy • Kaleb Harrell, Abernathy • Ivan Moreno, Dimmitt • Conler Willey, Dimmitt • Tyler Williams, Coronado • Ty Green, Coronado

2022-2023 Cover Photos

Front row: Dezerray Tims, Stratford • Sydney Adee, Panhandle • Grace Sims, Panhandle • Brittney Gibson, Happy • Halee Johnson, Happy • Kyndal Blair, Hereford

Back row: Tony Duran, Stratford • Luke Braden, Stratford * Landyn Hack, Panhandle • Zevan Gonzales, Hereford • Kenyan Loftis, Hereford

Front row: Riley Schroeder, Lubbock Christian • Kinleigh Richardson, Shallowater • Madilyn Barnes, Shallowater • Abby Boyce, Frenship • Abbi Holder, Frenship

Back row: Asher Fleming, Lubbock Christian • Shelby Roberts, Shallowater • Hayden Buckley, Shallowater • Cooper Lusk, Shallowater • Tate Beeles, Frenship • Jalen Braziel, Frenship

Front row: Asia Shrubs, Wellington • Brooklyn Pearson, West Plains • Piper Patterson, West Plains • Taysen Swires, White Deer • Jada Torrence, Palo Duro

Back row: Jordan Nation, Wellington • Ayden Rodriguez, West Plains • Jedd Phillips, West Plains • Walid Abdulrahim, Palo Duro • Audi Luckey, Palo Duro

Front row: Madison McNeese, Littlefield • Laci White, Levelland • Stevi Lockhart, Sudan • Gracyn Shultz, Sudan • Allie Wilson, Ropes • Ava Grace Falls, Ropes

Back row: Chip Green, Littlefield • Carson Boggs, Levelland • Taeshaun Jones, Levelland • Karomo Collins, Plainview • Mady Williams, Plainview

2022-2023 Cover Photos

Front row: Kamryn Cox, Dumas • Chloe Teichelman, Childress • Braylen Lusby, Spearman • Daizjia Oages, Tascosa • Zamiyah Dickson, Tascosa • Avery Carter, Tascosa

Back row: Ava Arant, Memphis • Lamont Nickleberry, Childress • Jailyn Sledge, Tascosa • Will Dickerson, Tascosa • Khalil Jackson, Tascosa

Front row: Logan Heard, Idalou • Iris Schilderink, Nazareth • Harley Gerber, Nazareth • Taytum Goodman, Springlake-Earth • Halee Toscano, Springlake-Earth • Natalie Urias, Sundown

Back row: Jyson Lacy, New Deal • Jason Brazell, New Deal • Kayle Rogers, Nazareth • Luke Schulte, Nazareth • Carson Heiman, Nazareth • Shea Beadles, Sundown

Back row: Emma Troxell, Bushland •

• Cade Mills, San Jacinto Christian • Lleyten Brown, Caprock • KJ Thomas, Randall

Front row: Cole Purcell, Bushland • Stratton Potter, Texline • Harlie Brabham, San Jacinto Christian • Vanessa Byrd, Caprock • Sadie Sanchez, Randall

Elias Espino, Texline

Top Panhandle-Plains Players 1972-2022

The following lists appeared in the 25th anniversary edition of Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine in 1997. (Year indicates graduation year)

Boys Teams of the 1970s

First Team

Craig Ehlo, Monterey, 1979

Mike Jackson, Borger, 1977

Fred Mitchell, Palo Duro, 1974

J.C. Eakin, Monterey, 1974

Billy Wilbon, Pampa, 1975

Second Team

Ricky Dickson, Borger, 1977

Kelly Kitchens, Hereford, 1978

Victor Mitchell, Amarillo High, 1978

Tom Perry, Borger, 1978

Howie Lewis, Pampa, 1975

Third Team

Rocky Rawls, Dimmitt, 1977

Brian Bailey, Pampa, 1977

Dwight Phillips, Levelland, 1981

David Reynolds, Perryton, 1979

Dale Cleveland, Friona, 1975

Honorable Mention

Jerry Wade, Plainview, 1975; Eddie Owens, Caprock, 1974; Eric Felton, Lubbock High, 1974; Gene Strickland, Friona, 1975; Mike Lorenc, Tascosa, 1976; Bryon Carter, Tascosa, 1975; Jackson Pace, Monterey, 1974; Danny Huffine, Plainview, 1975; Tony Hamby, Monterey, 1978; Welton Cobb, Snyder, 1975; James Mays, Hereford, 1977; Joe Kerr, Borger, 1975; Gregg Belton, Borger, 1981; Tim Price, Channing, 1980; Todd Loftis, Palo Duro, 1980; Ricky Guy, Memphis, 1978; Mark Sherrod, Channing, 1975; Jason Welch, Borger, 1977; Troy Patton, Morton, 1977; Rusty Ward, Pampa, 1978

Boys Teams of the 1980s

First Team

Mike Nelson, Pampa, 1983

Pat Nash, Plainview, 1988

James Dawn, Tascosa, 1983

Gil Wright, Plainview, 1983

Dwight Phillips, Levelland, 1981

Second Team

Sammy Simpson, Amarillo High, 1987

Kevin Cleveland, Dimmitt, 1983

Coyle Winborn, Pampa, 1984

Terrance Sheppard, Borger, 1983

Willie Ansley, Plainview, 1988

Third Team

Kendall Walling, Canyon, 1981

Terry Whitcher, Borger, 1986

Toby Christian, Lubbock High, 1987

Brant Capps, Amarillo High, 1987

Brad Dale, Amarillo High, 1989 Honorable Mention

Leslie Wallace, Lubbock High, 1989; Ashton Nowak, Amarillo High, 1987; Lance Simpson, Amarillo High, 1983; Mike Mitchell, Tascosa, 1987; Bruce Irlbeck, Plainview, 1990; Tim Johnson, Tascosa, 1989; Scott Hunt, Borger, 1982; Curry Blackwell, Monterey, 1985; Tracy Saul, Idalou, 1989; Brandon Schneider, Canyon, 1990; Bryce Cunningham, Monterey, 1990; Kenny Falk, Tascosa, 1990; Pat McDonald, Dimmitt, 1986; Wayne Dickson, Borger, 1986; Lance Perry, Amarillo High, 1988; Chris Clay, Palo Duro, 1990; Jerry Joyce, Morton, 1987; Gary Rinker, Perryton, 1982; Zack Parker, Canyon, 1989; Troy Fry, Caprock, 1984; Kirby Williams, Plainview, 1990; Gregg Belton, Borger, 1981; Ed Teal, Abernathy, 1984; Kenneth Stewart, Coronado, 1990; Doug Butler, Palo Duro, 1983; Mike Sheppard, Bovina, 1987; Ed Cunningham, Sanford-Fritch, 1985

Boys Teams of the 1990s

First Team

Rayford Young, Pampa, 1996

Dibi Ray, Plainview, 1994

Steven Riddley, Plainview, 1994

Koy Smith, Hale Center, 1992

Ryan Jama, Lubbock High, 1996

Second Team

Stephen Hamrick, Canyon, 1992

Nathan Nash, Plainview, 1990 Marcus Williams, Plainview, 1994

Ceedric Goodwyn, Coronado, 1995

Jeff Young, Pampa, 1992

Third Team

Cederick Wilbon, Pampa, 1992

Todd Jones, Levelland, 1995

Chad Elliott, Monterey, 1994

Shad Evans, Brownfield, 1994 Brock Barnes, Perryton, 1993

Honorable Mention

Clint Bryant, Monterey, 1992; Brandon Smith, Palo Duro, 1997; Kevin von Netzer, Tascosa, 1991; Jay Lusk, Shallowater, 1996; Dwight Nickelberry, Pampa, 1993; Zeke Battenfield, Tascosa, 1992; Kirk White, Tascosa, 1998; Frank White, Tascosa, 1994

Coy Laury, Pampa, 1996; Joe Thompson, Highland Park, 1993; Kevin Clayton, Randall, 1997; Jeff Isom, Borger, 1991; Blaine Brunson, Plainview, 1991; Danny McCampbell, Clarendon, 1995; Reggie Sampson, Lubbock High, 1995; Tim Marshall, Tulia, 1997; Larry Johnson, Memphis, 1993; Lon Dale Cannon, Abernathy, 1991; Tim Fox, Petersburg, 1993; Matt Robertson, Plainview, 1997 • • •

The following lists appeared in the 25th anniversary edition of Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine in 1997. (Year indicates graduation year)

Girls Teams of the 1970s

First Team

Sheri Haynes, McLean, 1975

Merry Johnson, Canyon, 1978

Jill Rankin, Phillips, 1976

Gay Hemphill, Plainview, 1981

Robena Johnson, Canyon, 1976

Second Team

Lynn Davis, Canyon, 1974

Chris Kennedy, Slaton, 1979

Cheryl Hartman, Nazareth, 1978

Terri Henry, Hale Center, 1979

Debra Rankin, Phillips, 1979

Third Team

Nancy Walling, Canyon, 1979

Glenda Williams, Canyon, 1978

Kathy Booth, Farwell, 1977

Cindy Robinson, Slaton, 1980

D’Lynn Brown, Stratford, 1975

Honorable Mention

Deedy Johnson, Canyon, 1977; Karen Schulte, Nazareth, 1978; Tresa Williams, Canadian, 1976; Rosemary Scott, Slaton, 1975; Beth Cleveland, Dimmitt, 1977; Connie Crowell, Groom, 1979; Darla Wardlaw, Hale Center, 1975; Rosemary Schulte, Nazareth, 1978; Becky Wheeler, Spearman, 1975; Carla Ratliff, Canyon, 1974; Colleen Gerber, Nazareth, 1979; Kelley Hart, Gruver, 1978

Marcey Dale, Amarillo High, 1980; Kellye Richardson, Pampa, 1980; Trish Fortenberry, Dumas, 1980; Elaine Schulte, Nazareth, 1976; Dawn Harwell, Vega, 1978; DeRenda Durr, Sanford-Fritch, 1979; Darla Armes, Gruver, 1980; Joyce Gensman, Darrouzett, 1974; Sharon Brown, Canyon, 1978

Girls Teams of the 1980s

First Team

Kamie Ethridge, Monterey, 1982

Leona Gerber, Nazareth, 1985

Sheryl Swoopes, Brownfield, 1989

Carmen Wynn, Amarillo High, 1983 Gay Hemphill, Plainview, 1981

Second Team

Krista Kirkland, Sudan, Spearman, 1989

Amy Claborn, Canyon, 1987

Carol Bailey, Levelland, 1989

Vanessa Wells, Palo Duro, 1984 Kim Robinson, Slaton, 1989

Third Team

Terri Meyer, Levelland, 1987 Noel Johnson, Nazareth, 1991

Missy Kraai, Canyon, 1989 Phoebe Dunn, Abernathy, 1986 Reena Lynch, Morton, 1986

Honorable Mention

Lisa Logsdon, Levelland, 1983; Ramona Irlbeck, Abernathy, 1981; Kristin von Netzer, Tascosa, 1988; Kriss Ethridge, Monterey, 1981; Josephine Longoria, Levelland, 1988; Missy Fisher, Sudan, 1984; Roxanne Birkenfeld, Nazareth, 1982; Stephanie Brockman, Nazareth, 1989; Johnna Pointer, Shallowater, 1988; Nedra Johnson, Morton, 1988; Kristi Schonerstedt, Levelland, 1986; Rachel Hesse, Levelland, 1989

Darla Isaacks, Levelland, 1984; Teresa Tinner, Tulia, 1986; Tammy Williams, Canyon, 1988; Tiffany Hobbs, Tascosa, 1988; Janice Farris, Monterey, 1990; Ramona Black, Plainview, 1987; Diana Kersey, Monterey, 1990; Sharon Gerber, Nazareth, 1981; Von Tucker, Childress, 1984; Darla Leavitt, Nazareth, 1990; Ramona Heiman, Nazareth, 1986; Becky Remington, Plainview, 1987; Nickey Allen, Amarillo High, 1988; Marie Pesch, Bovina, 1986; Kelly Schilling, Nazareth, 1986; Melissa Mayo, New Deal, 1982; Yolanda Brown,

Pampa, 1989; Twylana Harrison, Levelland, 1991

Girls Teams of the 1990s

First Team

Angie Ogletree, Panhandle, 1993

Melinda Schmucker, Nazareth, 1996

Twylana Harrison, Levelland, 1991

Phylesha Whaley, Slaton, 1996

Melinda White, Borger, 1992

Second Team

Noel Johnson, Nazareth, 1991

Tracie Swayden, Amarillo High, 1994

Courtney Sims, Canyon, 1997

Sandy Parker, Randall, 1993

Natalie Ritchie, Amarillo High, 2000

Third Team

Katria O’Neal, Plainview, 1997

Erika Valek, Coronado, 2000

Halley Bradley, Dimmitt, 1993

Missy Frazier, Levelland, 1997

Kim Sumrall, Monterey, 1992

Honorable Mention

Natasha Taylor, Childress, 1993; Jan Ruzowski, Amarillo High, 1993; Julie Rampley, Hereford, 1998; Dana Cunningham, Levelland, 1993; Joyce Howard, Levelland, 1994; Jenny Blades, Amarillo High, 1997; Stephanie Cotter, Highland Park, Canyon, 1991; Candi White, Canyon, 1998; Amy Arp, Levelland, 1992; Lindy Lombard, Canyon, 1998; Tandy Dunivan, Caprock, Randall, 1992; Carla Pruitt, Plainview, 1991

Cassie Blaut, Channing, 1991; Valerie Valdez, Canyon, 1997; Angie Wilson, Tascosa, 1993; Lori DeShields, SanfordFritch, 1993; Thelma Robinson, Slaton, 1993; Amanda Sandlin, Randall, 1992; Shea Bennett, Hart, 1995; Kenda Chisum, Sunray, 1993; Rosielita Smith, Slaton, 1997; Shannon Jennings, Tulia, 1991; Leslie Shippy, Canyon, 1992; Alison Cudnoski, Monterey, 1998; Amy Wells, Monterey, 1996; Kristina Edwards, Lubbock Cooper, 1992; Kim Linder, Amarillo High, 1994; Tabitha Shewmake, Monterey, 1992; Cindy Chapman, Plainview, 1992; Bandi Bayer, Levelland, 1998; Jon Alair, Canyon, 1996; Amber Seaton, Pampa, 1992

Top Panhandle-Plains Players 1972-2022

The following lists appeared in Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine editions from 1997 through 2022.

1997-1999

First Team Super Teams

Boys:

1997: Kirk White, Tascosa; Wes Allen, Amarillo High; Jimmy Webb, Randall; Devon Phillips, Lockney; Andy Ellis, Lamesa

1998: Mikey Marshall, Tulia; Ryan Chancler, Tascosa; Rod Ansley, Plainview; Josh Faltesek, Amarillo High; Chris Ogden, Seminole

1999: Mikey Marshall, Tulia; Luke McDonald, Frenship; Rod Ansley, Plainview; Jamaal Hunnicutt, Randall; Kenneth Brown, Palo Duro

Girls:

1997: Erika Valek, Coronado; Candi White, Canyon; Natalie Ritchie, Amarillo High; Alison Cudnoski, Monterey; Bandi Bayer, Levelland

1998: LaKishia Harper, Palo Duro; Erika Valek, Coronado; Casey Jackson, Palo Duro; Keisha Cornelius, Randall; Natalie Ritchie, Amarillo High

1999: Natalie Ritchie, Amarillo High; Erika Valek, Coronado; Casey Jackson, Palo Duro; T’nae Thiel, Canyon; Jolee Ayers, Canyon

2000s

First Team Super Teams

Boys:

2000: Cody Hodges, Hereford; Keenan Hooker, Randall; Josh Washington, Monterey; Eric Sheets, Seminole; Derrick Collins, Caprock

2001: Matt Pierce, Abernathy; Kade Wilcox, Nazareth; Josh Washington, Monterey; Tate Lombard, Canyon; Bryson Davis, Plainview

2002: Kyle Shields, Palo Duro; Charlie Knighten, Estacado; Tyler Cooper, Amarillo High; Danny Storey, Canyon; Dennis Pease, Coronado

2003: Austin Johnson, Palo Duro; Kyle Shields, Palo Duro; Chris Hinz, Amarillo High; Will Mitchell, Caprock; Tyler Cooper, Amarillo High

2004: Austin Johnson, Palo Duro; Dave Smith, Plainview; Justin Butler, Palo Duro; Daniel Sherwood, Amarillo High; Justin Mason, Palo Duro

2005: Justin Mason, Palo Duro; Nathan Maxwell, Randall; Justin Butler, Palo Duro; Nick Evans, Frenship; Troy Pickering, Monterey

2006: Zal Smiley, Plainview; Cody Hill, Monterey; Josh Davis, Monterey; Kyler Hill, Amarillo High; Desmond Dickson, Estacado

2007: Al Duvall, Estacado; D’Andre Williams, Palo Duro;

Melvin Baker, Palo Duro; Mason White, Randall; Jordan Kinnear, Randall

2008: Jonathon Lawrence, Brownfield; Jordan Ashmore, Spearman; Steven Hobratschk, Littlefield; Jordan Scaff, Shallowater; Jabree Gibson, Lubbock High

2009: Trestin Clay, Palo Duro; Quay Johnson, Coronado; Michael Cobbins, Palo Duro; Alex Clendening, Pampa; Joseph Scott, Randall

Girls:

2000: Kami Bates, Plainview; Mandi Moore, Canyon; Jametra Clark, Hale Center; Courtney Nowlin, Perryton; Alesha Robertson, Plainview

2001: Brooke Baughman, Canyon; Stephanie Thiel, Nazareth; Leah Rush, Amarillo High; Alesha Robertson, Plainview; Chelsi Welch, Plainview

2002: Brooke Baughman, Canyon; Alesha Robertson, Plainview; Leah Rush, Amarillo High; Tawanna Flowers, Levelland; Kalee Carey, Canyon

2003: Sierra Wilcox, Canyon; LaVonda Henderson, Estacado; Sara Benham, Muleshoe; Tamika Daniel, Palo Duro; Katy Pounds, Shallowater

2004: Sierra Wilcox, Canyon; LaVonda Henderson, Estacado; (Continued on next page)

Jordan Hampton, Canyon; Kayla Gerstenberger, Levelland; Ashleigh Brady, Frenship

2005: Megan Coats, Palo Duro; Britteni Rice, Pampa; Morgan Robertson, Amarillo High; Layne Reeves, Trinity Christian; Mandi Whitecotton, Canyon

2006: Megan Coats, Palo Duro; Britteni Rice, Pampa; DeAndra Thomas, Palo Duro; Layne Reeves, Trinity Christian; Renee Wilson, Trinity Christian

2007: Chassidy Cole, Amarillo High; April Ehlers, Lubbock Cooper; Mandi Padilla, Levelland; Layne Reeves, Trinity Christian; Savannah Carver, Randall

2008: Callie Schniederjan, Dalhart; Brianna Taylor, Palo Duro; Lacee Logan, Sudan; Kaycie Boyles, Coronado; Haley Schneider, Monterey

2009: Nicole Hampton, Canyon; Brianna Taylor, Palo Duro; Lacee Logan, Sudan; Devin Griffin, Coronado; Haley Schneider, Monterey

2010s First Team Super Teams

Boys:

2010: Trestin Clay, Palo Duro; Parker Wentz, Trinity Christian; James Castleman, Amarillo High; Joe Scott, Randall; Michael Patterson, Palo Duro

2011: Jarod Adams, Seminole; Michael Grant, Frenship; Ridrell Holman, Randall; Riley Payne, Idalou; Parker Wentz, Trinity Christian

2012: Logan Brittain, Randall; Matthew Johnson, Dimmitt; Christian O’Neal, Coronado; Wyatt Sippy, Canyon; Charles White, Palo Duro

2013: Micah Bailey, Shallowater; Duncan Douglas, Coronado; John Hood, Amarillo High; Koal Houchin, Idalou; Boston Hudson, Canadian

2014: Michael Dawn, Amarillo High; Cade Engle, Pampa; Brennen Fowler, Smyer; Aaron Gutierrez, Texline; Cole Stowers, Friona

2015: Cade Engle, Pampa; Emoree Giddens, Coronado; Ja’Qualyn Gilbreath, Palo Duro; Darreus Brown, Tascosa; Kentton Williams, Levelland

2016: Gannen Braddock, Littlefield; Cameron Copley, Canadian; Jarrett Culver, Coronado; Jezreel Griffin, Brownfield; Parker Lowrey, Hereford

2017: Nathan Betts, Amarillo High; Blair Conwright, Coronado; Jack Kirkpatrick, Frenship; Akuel Kot, Palo Duro; Corey Sato, Randall

2018: Blair Conwright, Coronado; Robby Devries, Dalhart; Jake Gerber, Nazareth; Akuel Kot, Palo Duro; Chris Wilson, Caprock

2019: Maurice Carr, Crosbyton; Jalin Conyers, Gruver; Bryson Daly, Abernathy; Jelani Mohamed, Palo Duro; Daequan Tillman, Coronado

Girls:

2010: Nicole Hampton, Canyon; Desiree King, Levelland; Kellyn Schneider, Monterey; Uniqua Wilson, Slaton; Haley

Fowler,

Smyer

2011: Morgan Ashmore, Spearman; Brooke Barker, Frenship; Laura Castillo, Plainview; Haley Fowler, Smyer; Kellyn Schneider, Monterey

2012: Kyndal Davis, Canyon; Lizzy Dimba, Coronado; Suzzy Dimba, Coronado; Brianna Scott, Hereford; Sasha Watson, Palo Duro

2013: A’Jahn Harvey, Palo Duro; Kameron Johnston, Randall; Madison Parker, Canyon; Breklyn Wentz, Trinity Christian; Karli Wheeler, Plainview

2014: Lexy Hightower, Amarillo High; Maci Merket, Canadian; Erin Richardson, Wellington; Breklyn Wentz, Trinity Christian; Karli Wheeler, Plainview

2015: Caitlyn Cunyus, Canyon; Angel Hayden, Canyon; Lexy Hightower, Amarillo High; Kiera McKinney, Tascosa; Allie Schulte, Nazareth

2016: Rylee Albracht, Panhandle; Kityana Diaz, Palo Duro; Kaylee Edgemon, Littlefield; Angel Hayden, Canyon; Allie Schulte, Nazareth

2017: Jenna Cooper, Claude; Channing Cunyus, Canyon; Braylyn Dollar, Monterey; Ka’Lia Smith, Tascosa; Zayla Tinner, Amarillo High

2018: Cassandra Awatt, Frenship; Lainey Choate, Panhandle; Blakely Gerber, Nazareth; Ashlyn Shelley, Idalou; Zayla Tinner, Amarillo High

2019: Lauren Catherman, Trinity Christian; Cambrie Heiman, Nazareth; Bailey Maupin, Gruver; Shaylee Stovall, Idalou; Zayla Tinner, Amarillo High

2020-2022

First Team Super Teams

Boys:

2020: Ethan Duncan, Trinity Christian; Mark Flemons, Paducah; Brendan Hausen, Amarillo High; Jelani Mohamed, Palo Duro; Blake Walker, Hereford

2021: Brendan Hausen, Amarlilo High; Cade Hornecker, Amarillo High; William Luther, Texline; Tajavis Miller, Frenship; Damonze Woods, Amarillo High

2022: Jalen Braziel, Frenship; Jmaury Davis, Clarendon; Kemper Jones, Canyon; Audi Luckey, Palo Duro; KJ Thomas, Randall

Girls:

2020: Bree Brattain, Shallowater; Merry Gerber, Nazareth; Bailey Maupin, Gruver; Mia Trevino, Monterey; Kenadee Winfrey, Canyon

2021: Briley Barnes, Amarillo High; Bree Brattain, Shallowater; Gabrielle Fields, Brownfield; Bailey Maupin, Gruver; Taylor Thomas, Canyon

2022: Brenna Butler, Gruver; Aliyah Chavez, Monterey; Kelly Mora, Monterey; Sadie Sanchez, Randall; McKenzie Smith, Amarillo High

Penigar tallies 41 in title game Clarendon repeats at state

By DAVE WOHLFARTH

With his team trailing by eight points at halftime of last spring’s Class 2A state championship game, Clarendon Coach Boston Hudson wanted to get LaMarcus Peniger more involved in the offense.

But something else had to happen first.

Peniger had scored only eight points and sat on the bench for about 10 minutes in the second quarter because he had picked up two fouls. When he re-entered the game, he got his third foul with less than two minutes left in the half.

Lipan led the Broncos 24-16 at intermission.

“I felt we were almost playing not to lose,” Hudson said.

He pointed out that eight of Lipan’s 11 first-half field goals came as a result of points off offensive rebounds.

There was an urgent need for the Broncos to rebound.

“And the things that we do really well, like getting out in transition, we talked about,” Hudson said. “Well, if you don’t get the rebound, there is no transition. So we did that and got out, and got LaMarcus in space, and he took off.”

He did indeed.

The 5-9 senior guard fired in five 3-pointers in the third quarter, and the Broncos led by 12 entering the final period. Peniger finished the game with 41 points, connecting on 14 of 20 field goal attempts, including six of 10 on 3-pointers.

“I was just taking anything that was given me,” Peniger said. “At first, they were giving me mid-ranges. And then they were letting me shoot. Then they started face guarding me.”

Lipan’s defensive attempts were futile. Peniger was on fire, scorching the nets for 33 points in the second half.

After the 65-51 Clarendon victory, his thought on his performance was: “I couldn’t believe it.”

But Hudson could believe it because Peniger had a penchant for big-point explosions.

“In the last two years, he’s had 30-, 35-point games. Now never 41, but still 35 points in a 32-minute game, that’s a lot of points,” Hudson said.

“He’s fully capable of going by you because he’s just that quick. One thing about LaMarcus is he gets his shot off so fast. Where some other people were kind of amazed at what he did, he had done that two or three times this year.”

Peniger put it this way: “I been doing that this whole season. Nobody ever spoke on it.”

But Peniger had his cold nights, too. Steady Jmaury Davis, Clarendon’s 6-2 junior forward, actually led the team in scoring, averaging 20 points a game to Peniger’s 19. Peniger basically served as the point guard, averaging 5 assists and 3-4 steals per game.

Davis led the Broncos in rebounds (6.5 rpg) and blocked shots (2-3 per game).

“You know, night in and night out, JD (Davis) was the best player,” Hudson said. “I didn’t see everybody in the state, but Jmaury is probably the best 2A player in the state.”

Sixth back-to-back titlists

Clarendon, though, certainly had more weapons than those two guns as it became the sixth Texas boys team to win back-to-back state championships. Canadian (2014-15) was the last to repeat.

The Broncos started the season with four starters and five other letter winners back from their 2021 title team.

In addition to Davis and Peniger, Cayden D’Costa and Jordan Herndon had started the previous year.

D’Costa, a 6-2 senior guard, averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds last season. When his coach asked for rebounds, D’Costa answered, pulling down 16 rebounds in the championship game.

“I was just doing my job,” D’Costa said. “My job the whole game was to take out their post, ’cause I was guarding him. So I was just trying to get on the boards. And then I gave the ball to LeMarcus, because he was hot.”

Hudson said D’Costa was the team’s “X factor” all year.

Head Coach Boston Hudson, left, and Assistant Coach Alton Gaines, right, join Jmaury Davis, LaMarcus Peniger, Cayden D’Costa and Jordan Henan, members of the 2021-22 Clarendon state championship team. (Photo by Cathy Martindale)

“When Cayden played well, we were going to be tough to beat because I kinda felt like Jmaury was going to do what Jmaury does, LaMarcus was going to do what LaMarcus did, and Cayden could be that third scorer to get 12 to 15,” he said, “and I didn’t think anybody in the state was going to beat us.”

Herndon, a 5-10 senior guard, suffered a knee injury in Clarendon’s last playoff football game and missed the first seven games of the basketball season. Still, he managed to post 8 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg stats to go along with 2-3 steals a game.

Sophomore Lyric Smith, a 6-2 sophomore guard, was the newcomer in the lineup and contributed 8.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg.

When Herndon was sidelined early, 6-0 sophomore guard Anthony Ceniceros filled in.

“He did a good job,” Hudson said. “I think in the long run, Anthony getting that experience might have helped us when Jordan came back. Anthony became more comfortable with the pace of the game as a sophomore.’

Tyler Harper, a 6-0 junior guard, was another contributor off the bench. The Broncos usually used only seven players as they averaged 66 points a game while yielding 47.

The Broncos, true to their name, like to run. They apply tight man-to-man half-court defense to generate turnovers.

Davis and D’Costa, at 6-2, were Clarendon’s tallest players.

“When you talk about us being undersized a bit, you know,” Hudson said. “They (Clarendon’s opponents) may have a size advantage, but can they keep up with the pace of the game? And I think that’s something we took advantage of.”

Most also played football

The Broncos won 31 games and lost only two, both in nondistrict. They captured the White Deer Tournament title and breezed to the District 2-2A championship with a 10-0 record.

However, the season got off to a bit of a sluggish start because of Clarendon’s progress (second round) in the football playoffs. All the Broncos except D’Costa played football.

“We had one practice before we played our first game,” Hudson said. “I didn’t think we hit our stride until halfway through district.”

Davis explained the difficulty of transitioning from football to basketball.

“You don’t have as much timeouts or anything like that,” he said. “In football, you have time to catch your breath. In basketball, it’s just down and back and down and back. It took me until like district to get into really like basketball shape.”

Davis, a 180-pounder, excels in football as a running back and slot back. He’s already committed to Texas Tech, where he may play safety.

Despite the transition from football, the Broncos won their first three games before losing to Class 3A Shallowater 61-53 in the Nazareth Tournament finals. A week later, Clarendon won a showdown of defending state champions, beating Class 1A Texline 60-56 with Peniger scoring 21 points.

Clarendon’s second – and last – loss came in late December when it bowed to Class 4A Canyon 46-32 in the Canyon Holiday Tournament finals.

That loss had an impact on the Broncos.

“I think after that, it kinda woke us up like, ‘We’re not where we need to be,’” D’Costa said.

Davis agreed that the Canyon loss really opened the players’ eyes.

“Made us look at everything that we had to fix and some things

we had to execute,” he said.

Practice became a lot harder after that with an emphasis on defense, they both said.

Hudson took a different tack on the turning point of the season. He thought it was the game with Canyon, which had reached the regional finals in Class 4A the previous year. “You know, I thought it was a hard matchup,” he said. “It was a five-point game going into the fourth quarter. So it’s not like we played bad, they just kinda wore us down and took advantage of their size.”

“I think it was early in the district when we made a turn and started hitting our peak.”

After that Canyon loss, the Broncos won 19 in a row. They dashed past Sunray 60-34 in bidistrict, Vega 86-65 in the area game, Gruver 63-36 in the regional quarterfinals, New Home 64-53 in the regional semifinals and Christoval 60-49 in the regional finals.

Community traveled to Alamodome

In the state games in San Antonio, Clarendon held off LaRue LaPoynter 69-60 in the semis as Davis scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. That set up the finals meeting with Lipan, which carried a 39-0 record into the game.

Hudson’s whole family – parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles – were among the Bronco backers who filled two full seating sections in the Alamodome. The town of about 2,500 folks supported its team.

The Broncos celebrated the big win that day on the River Walk, then were honored with a big parade and a downtown cookout when they returned to Clarendon.

Even though Clarendon entered the season ranked No. 1 in the state’s Class 2A ratings, Hudson said there were some obstacles to overcome for a repeat championship.

“I think what people forget is we lost Donovan Thompson, who was the (state finals) MVP last year,” he said. “We lost Sylvester Ballard that was a big-time player for us last year.”

Herndon said the loss of a couple of players from the previous year made the 2021-22 team more determined.

“We knew as seniors we had to step up if we wanted to win this year,” he said.

The seniors – and junior Davis – did step up, according to Hudson.

“I’ll even go as far as maybe last year’s team was more talented. But you know how it is when you put seven really good players on a team; sometimes it’s hard to manage all those personalities,” he said.

“This year we had not as many; we still had good players. Last year’s group got along; this year’s group got along better. Not a lot of people thought we would do this again. But the pieces came together.”

In two years at Clarendon, Hudson has coached two state champs and posted a won-lost record of 58-6. Not bad for a 26-year-old coach.

See a team photo of the 2021-22 Clarendon Broncos in the front color section.

Courtside

All of the action isn’t on the court. Clockwise from right: Audrey Robertson is intense in encouraging the Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps in their 70-62 win over Texas Woman’s in February with Allie Schulte backing her up. The West Texas A&M Buff mascot is an attraction for a toddler at the Lady Buffs’ 59-54 win over the Lady Chaps in the South Central Region championship game in March. Ella Tofaeono of Texas Tech poses with a fan at the Lady Raiders’ 68-61 win over UNLV last December at First United Bank Center in Canyon. The Lady Raider bench, wearing pink uniforms in support of ending cancer, cheers on the Tech team in its 71-68 loss to Kansas in February. Tech All-American Vivian Gray has a fun conversation with a fan before the Lady Raiders’ victory over UNLV in December. And retired longtime high school coach Jim Kirkland and his wife Phyllis, parents of Lady Raider head coach Krista Gerlich, are in the stands early for the UNLV game in Canyon. (LCU photo courtesy of LCU Athletics; others by Mike Haynes)

Perfect Gruver goes 33-0 Lady Hounds lock up second state title

By DAVE WOHLFARTH

The team had a racker, two locks, a rabbit and a dragon. The players’ favorite game was Fish Bowl, and an honorary director of basketball operations presided at all games.

The team was the Gruver Lady Hounds, who won the 2022 Class 2A state championship with a perfect 33-0 season. Gruver and Class 5A girls champ Cedar Park were the only Texas teams – boys or girls – to go undefeated last season.

When the Lady Hounds were racing down the court in transition, each player had a responsibility. The racker’s job was to get the ball and push it up the floor. The locks, or wing players, sprinted deep to the corners. The rabbit was the rim runner obviously near the basket, and the dragon was the inbounder.

Fish Bowl was the fun game they often played at Coach Trent Lankford’s house. It’s a guessing game with an element of charades but more involved. It produced some high comedy and solid bonding for the team.

Scotty Hintergardt, a Gruver resident in his 60s, was designated by Lankford as his director of basketball operations. The Lady Hounds’ No. 1 fan traveled with the team.

The team left for state accompanied by horse riders and a drone and returned to 125 honking cars lining the streets of Gruver.

The team had a star, too. Bailey Maupin, a 5-10 senior who could play any position, averaged 22 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. A cover girl on this magazine’s past three editions, she earned the girls player of the year award from the Amarillo Globe-News and Press Pass Sports. Dave Campbell’s Texas Basketball named her Miss Texas Basketball, and she was the Class 2A state tournament MVP.

She played in 124 winning games in her four-year Gruver career and scored 2,707 points. She’s now shooting her baskets for the Texas Tech Lady Raiders.

“Bailey’s always been one of those kids that has a really good aura about her,” Lankford said. “She’s never lacked confidence. And her confidence comes from the work she puts in. I know at Tech, she’s just going to blossom.”

But Maupin was far from the whole show at Gruver. Maupin and two other Lady Hounds – Camryn Armes and Brenna Butler – had started for the 2020 Gruver team that captured the school’s first girls state championship. Callie Conyers and Kami Whitehead were bench players on that team.

So Gruver had lots of experience but also a new coach ... well, kinda.

Lankford had coached the Lady Hounds for four years, including a run to the state finals in 2015, his final year. He moved over to Amarillo High as an assistant for five years, then back to Gruver when Shannon Fisher took the

girls job at Childress.

Girls overcome injuries, close calls

The Lady Hounds had to overcome some serious injuries and some close calls to achieve what Lankford called a surreal season.

First off, Lankford’s daughter, freshman Hannon Lankford, tore her ACL in the team’s second scrimmage and was out for the season. She became an energetic and enthusiastic cheerleader on the bench.

Kami Whitehead, a 5-10 senior guard who had started the past two seasons, had double bunion surgery, requiring operations on both feet. She was in a lot of pain as the season began.

“There were tears pretty much in practice because somebody stepped on her foot, you know, just running up and down,” Coach Lankford said.

Whitehead had her feet taped every day to relieve the pressure caused by her big toes. Nevertheless, she kept fighting to get back on the court. And she did.

“She never broke into the starting lineup, but she never whined, she never complained,” Lankford said. “She never made it about herself at any point. And she just played her role as best she could.”

Kimber Whitehead, a 5-8 junior guard, took her sister’s spot spot in the starting lineup. Kimber Whitehead contributed 7.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2 apg while Kami Whitehead supplied some key moments coming off the bench.

Camryn Armes’ injury was even more serious. As a sophomore, she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia during the regional tournament. She kept playing as the Lady Hounds won state.

She was supposed to undergo hip surgery that April, but COVID-19 postponed it until August. She missed basically all of her junior year, playing in only the last five games.

It was a long road back through rehabilitation.

“I was in a wheelchair for about two months. Then I was on

Bailey Maupin moves toward the basket in Gruver’s 69-29 win over San Saba in the Class 2A state semifinals March 4 in San Antonio. (Photo by Annie Rice/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

Coach Trent Lankford

crutches for like six weeks, using a walker at home,” Armes said. “And then just slowly getting back to walking again.”

It hurt when she ran. She tried different things, like stretches, and different shoes. Finally in the sixth game of the season, a 63-47 win over Nazareth, she tried a new pair of shoes.

“That was the best I’ve ever felt,” she said. “At halftime, we came in and it’s like, it’s the shoes. And that’s basically one of my sayings all year.”

Lankford pointed out that Armes also had compartment syndrome surgery on her calves. So she had two major surgeries and overcame those, finishing her season with 12.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, and 2.2 apg.

In June, Armes was awarded the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame’s Dee Henry Award for battling back from serious injuries. Armes is playing collegiately at Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City. The struggles she and Kami Whitehead endured didn’t go unnoticed.

“Those two kids fought through some major adversity to be a part of this team and help the team achieve what we achieved,” Lankford said. “I was just in awe daily in the fight and the grit that they showed.”

Rebounder and “glue girl”

Joining Maupin, Kimber Whitehead and Armes in the Lady Hounds’ starting lineup were 5-9 senior guard Callie Conyers and 5-6 point guard Brenna Butler.

Conyers (9.5 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.3 apg) had been working on rebounding the entire year and grabbed 10 rebounds in the state championship game.

“Coach Lankford told me at the beginning of the season that he was going to teach me how to rebound,” Conyers said. “I remember that. But I did get a lot better at it as it went on, and it became one of my strengths.”

Conyers is the sister of Jalin Conyers, the former West Texas High and Gruver star who now is playing football at the University of Oklahoma. Their mother is Kimberly Conyers, the Gruver principal. Callie Conyers, the class valedictorian, will attend Oklahoma State on the academic McKnight Scholarship.

Lankford often calls Butler (10.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.8 apg) the

“glue girl” of the team.

“She just did whatever it took to win,” he said. “Whether it be making the extra pass, getting a bucket when we needed one sometimes, to rebounding, to playing defense, to sticking her nose in there on a loose ball.”

The Lady Hounds’ top subs were Allie Sparks, Maizie Kelp and Kami Whitehead. A ninth player, sophomore Jaylee Lane, was called up from the JV team late.

The perfect season had its share of close encounters. In nondistrict games, the Lady Hounds defeated reigning state champions Brownfield (Class 3A) and Canyon (4A). They also trimmed higher classification teams such as Palo Duro, Idalou, Tascosa, Wichita Falls Rider, Perryton, Hereford and Canadian. Perennial 1A power Nazareth was a victim, too.

After a 56-50 win over Idalou in the second game of the season, Lankford told his team 50 points were too many to yield.

“Nobody scored over 49 points on us the rest of the way,” he said. The Lady Hounds averaged 66 points on offense and gave up an average of only 35 on defense.

Tough competition

Gruver endured a rough stretch early in the season with games against Nazareth (on Tuesday), Brownfield (Thursday) Lubbock’s Trinity Christian (Friday) and Canyon (Saturday). And they had to play all four without point guard, er, racker, Butler, who was out with a rolled ankle.

Maupin took over as racker, and she racked up 35 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the 63-47 conquest of Naz. At the end of the week, Maupin swished a 3-pointer in the final seconds to force overtime against Canyon. Gruver beat the Lady Eagles 49-44 in double overtime.

“We really came together then,” Maupin said of that week.

Later the Lady Hounds rolled Canadian 57-32 in the finals of the Gruver Holiday Classic. Both teams entered the game undefeated. Gruver was ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, Canadian No. 1 in 3A.

Gruver raced through its eight District 2-2A games without

Some of the 14 riders who escorted the Gruver Lady Hounds’ bus in March 2022 on the way out of town toward the state basketball tournament carry American, Texas and Gruver flags. A convoy of vehicles also followed the bus in the send-off. The Lady Hounds rewarded their fans with a second Class 2A state title in three years. (Photo courtesy of Gruver.net)

Bailey Maupin

Camryn Armes

Callie Conyers

so much as a sneeze. Victories such as 88-14, 91-9 and 84-5 were logged.

With an open date in the district schedule, Lankford scheduled a game at Liberal, Kansas, to get his team some competition. The Lady Hounds were down one point with three minutes to go but ended up winning by 10, 55-45.

“That was a game we needed,” Lankford said. “We needed to face that, kind of a slap in the face. Like, this is going to get tougher as we near the playoffs.”

After rolling past Memphis and Olton in the first two playoff rounds, the Lady Hounds faced a challenge from Panhandle, the team that had eliminated them the previous season, in the regional quarterfinals. No sweat; Gruver won 50-32.

Gruver did do some sweating in the regional semifinals, however, as it needed an overtime to beat New Home 47-44. The Lady Hounds had handed New Home a 60-49 loss early in the season.

“We kind of staggered around, and we didn’t do a good job in that game of controlling the basketball,” Lankford said. “But to win a state title, or go undefeated, you’re going to have to go through some hard times.”

That was the last hard time for the Lady Hounds. They cruised past Wellington 44-28 in the regional finals.

Then, with Gruverites filling two sections of San Antonio’s Alamodome to cheer them on, Gruver crushed San Saba 69-29 in the state semifinals and Stamford 50-38 in the state finals.

Maupin, Armes and Conyers didn’t envision an unbeaten season when the 2021-22 campaign began. Neither did their coach.

“Absolutely not,” Lankford said, “not with the schedule we

had in place.”

When the Lady Hounds left Gruver for San Antonio, they departed the town of 1,100 people accompanied by a slew of horses with flag-bearing riders riding along the fences and fields next to the bus. And a drone flew overhead.

After winning their school’s second state championship in three years, they were greeted by a police escort that picked them up in south Borger and led them to outside of Gruver. Then the victory parade was passed off to the Hansford County sheriff’s department. When they were driving down Gruver’s Main Street, they were greeted by 125 cars (by actual count) honking their horns. People were videoing and cheering.

The Lady Hounds had just racked up a piece of history. See a team photo of the 2021-22 Gruver Lady Hounds in the front color section.

The Gruver Greyhound (Photo by Cathy Martindale)

Seniors lead 26-5 season

Lubbock Christian High girls repeat

By DAVE WOHLFARTH

The team that stays together plays together.

So it was for the Lubbock Christian Lady Eagles, who won their second straight TAPPS Class 4A state championship last spring.

With nine seniors leading the way, Lubbock Christian rolled to an undefeated district (6-0) championship and a 26-5 season. The state title was the Lady Eagles’ 12th.

Eight of those nine seniors played on LCHS’s 2021 state champs. The exception was Paige Parker, who transferred from Shallowater for her senior season.

“I think that these girls have played the game growing up together. They knew each other, they trust each other,” Coach Brad Crow said.

“They just knew wherever each one was on the floor. And just knowing how much work they had put into it, they had a sense of confidence that they could go out and play the game well together.”

Raegan Lee, who saw considerable action as a freshman on last year’s team, agreed that the team unity was important.

Good relationships

“We just had such good relationships together, and we had a lot of leadership going,” she said. “Because I was a freshman last year, I think the leadership helped the younger people; because you know we didn’t have that many younger people, so it was like it was senior-led, so that was good. And we had like very close relationships.”

Crow said building relationships is the No. 1 priority for him and his staff. A retreat featuring a scavenger hunt, making signs for the locker room and having team dinners helped build chemistry.

“I think those things help in terms of just building relationships,” he said. “They know each other well. They love each other well.”

He said the senior leadership was especially good.

“As juniors we only had one senior on the team, so I think a lot of them kinda stepped into leadership roles even as juniors,” he said.

He listed six seniors – Abbie Crow, Brooke Hooten, Parker,

Skylar Simmons, Lexi Caddell and Hagan Bennett – as rotating starters and team leaders in the championship run.

Abbie Crow, the coach’s daughter, led the team in scoring, averaging 13.5 points. The 5-7 guard was the TABC Mid-Size Private School player of the year, district MVP, TAPPS firstteam all-state and TABC all-state. She’s playing collegiately at Angelo State.

Hooten, the 6-0½ post, was next at 12.3 ppg. She led the Lady Eagles in rebounding at 6.5 grabs a game and assists (3.1 a game) and was the district offensive player of the year, TAPPS first-team all-state and TABC all-state.

Lady Eagles were balanced

“We were pretty balanced,” Coach Crow said. “Instead of having girls with 25 points or 21, we had 13 or 12, 10, 10 and 9.”

The statistics bear him out. Four other Lady Eagles averaged in the 6 to 10 ppg range.

Parker (8.7 ppg), who led the team in steals, was the district defensive player of the year, plus TAPPS first-team all-state and TABC all-state. Simmons (6.8 ppg), who signed to play at Hardin-Simmons, also was first-team all-district, TAPPS first-team all-state and TABC all-state. Caddell (5.9 ppg) was first-team all-district, TAPPS second-team all-state and TABC all-state.

Bennett didn’t score that much but led the team in taking charges (3.4 per game) and pass deflections for the second straight season. She was first-team all-district and TAPPS honorable mention all-state.

With Hooten, the 5-9 Caddell, 5-9 Callie Roberts and 6-0 Linley Bruington operating inside, the Lady Eagles won the rebound battle in every game they played, averaging 31 (for) and 22 (against) for the season. LCHS averaged 58 points offensively while yielding 33.6 defensively with its full-court man-to-man defense.

The Lady Eagles ran an inside-out offense. “I just think the combination of girls who can knock it down from the outside and girls who could score inside,” Coach Crow said. “I think we

On display at Lubbock Christian High School are banners celebrating the Lady Eagles’ 2021 and 2022 TAPPS state championships plus trophies and gold basketballs. (Photo by Cathy Martindale)

Callie Roberts

Linley Bruington

Raegan Lee

were a complete team.”

Started in grade school

The completeness started years ago when the Lady Eagles were playing together in grade school. And that’s when Crow began coaching them.

“I had been coaching all these girls,” Crow said. “I had put them on an AAU team when they were in the third grade.”

At that time, Crow was coaching the LCHS boys team. Coaching the Lady Eagles never had crossed his mind. But the girls team had undergone three coaching changes in as many years, and Crow’s daughters - Macey and Abbie – both were in high school.

So after 19 years coaching the Eagles, Crow decided, when asked, to fly with the Lady Eagles.

He was quite successful (379-215 for a .638 winning percentage) with the boys but even more so (110-33, .769) with the girls.

In four years, Crow’s Lady Eagles have won three district championships and tied for another and reached the state tournament every season. They lost in the state semifinals the first two years before taking it all the past two.

Their path to the state title last spring was fairly smooth as TAPPS requires only four playoff games to reach the state finals compared with six in the UIL. Because Christian received a bye in bidistrict, the Lady Eagles needed only three to get to the

championship game in Waco.

“Our playoff road has been the same; we had to go through (Fort Worth) Lake Country and at the end, (Magnolia) Legacy Prep,” Crow said.

LCHS whipped Legacy Prep 74-49 in the state finals, the second straight year the Lady Eagles had beaten that team in the last game.

Along the playoff path, they also eliminated district rival Trinity Christian 58-32, marking the ninth time in 13 meetings that the Lady Eagles had whipped their Lubbock crosstown rival.

One day of practice

Last season didn’t begin that well. Because of involvement in the state volleyball tournament, the Lady Eagles had only one day of practice before opening their season at Sudan. They lost 58-54.

They won the next four before losing to New Home 59-55 in a tournament.

“We were up 14 in the fourth quarter. And we went away from what got us there,” Crow said. “You know, we stopped getting the ball to our scorers, girls started taking shots, just did some silly things. But we learned from that and never did that again. Like when we had leads, we played in a way to protect those leads. So I thought we learned.”

Five days later LCHS lost again, 54-38 to Plano St. Paul II, which went on to win the TAPPS Class 6A state championship. The Lady Eagles learned some toughness – fighting back from behind – in that defeat.

A fourth loss, 41-23 to Sands in another December tournament, was because the Lady Eagles weren’t patient and rushed some shots, according to Crow.

He said the last loss – 47-37 to Brownfield on Jan. 18 – showed the importance of competing against a high-level team. Brownfield had won the Class 3A state title the previous year.

“We knew how tough they were and how disciplined they were, and so we just kinda used that as a measuring stick of can we really compete with the big dogs,” Crow said. “Our girls started believing, ‘Hey, we’re not just good at TAPPS, we can compete with anybody.’ I thought that was a good loss for us.”

The Lady Eagles didn’t lose again. Ten wins later, they were state champs for the second straight year.

That was gratifying, Crowe said, but the season was even more meaningful than that.

“I’ll tell you, the times with this team, just prior to or after practice, watching them cut up and have dance-offs and dancing in the bus and telling their jokes and just that time together, I really enjoyed this team,” he said.

“They were funny and had a good time. Kinda didn’t care who’s watching, they just were themselves, and that was the most fun for me. That’s great.”

See a team photo of the 2021-22 Lubbock Christian Lady Eagles in the front color section.

Coach Brad Crow shows off the plaque awarded to the Lubbock Christian Lady Eagles for winning the 2022 TAPPS Class 4A state basketball championship. Crow has been a head coach at LCHS for 23 years, 19 of those on the boys side. (Photos by Cathy Martindale)

This Lubbock Avalanche-Journal story highlights the LCHS Lady Eagles’ 2021 TAPPS state championship. The photo by Sam Craft shows Abbie Crow, daughter of Coach Brad Crow, and teammates celebrating after their finals win in College Station.

Publicity for region’s kids

An idea – 50 years later

By DANNY ANDREWS Magazine Co-Founder

As Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine celebrates its 50th year, I’m stickin’ with my story that the idea for a basketball magazine for this region was mine.

But I’m also as quick to acknowledge it never would have become a reality but for the driving force of Garet von Netzer, my co-publisher for 36 of the first 38 years of the publication.

Way back in November 1972, when Garet was writing sports for the Amarillo Globe-News and I was sports editor of the Plainview Daily Herald, Garet met me in Plainview, and we drove to Midland to cover the Floydada-Alpine playoff football game.

That’s when the subject of the magazine came up and, as I recall, I said something like “Bill Harle and Sam Mayo are making some money putting out Top O’ Texas Football; why don’t we start a basketball magazine?”

Being young with small children (Garet’s two kids went on to star in basketball at Amarillo Tascosa, and two of my three played JV ball at Plainview) and not making a lot of money, I’m sure we kicked around the idea, but I probably forgot about it as soon as I got home.

But a few weeks later, Garet called and said, “Let’s start that basketball magazine we talked about.” So we put $100 into a checking account, Garet printed up the forms and we contacted area coaches and said, “Take the football magazine around and tell advertising prospects that we’re going to start a basketball magazine to give publicity to the kids in this region.”

It certainly was not lost on us that football is king in Texas, so we had no idea what to expect.

High schools and colleges

As it turned out, we had 85 high schools plus Texas Tech, West Texas State (as it was then known), Wayland Baptist, Amarillo College, Clarendon College, Frank Phillips, South Plains and Western Texas in a 264-page inaugural issue. In later years, the magazine grew to more than 440 pages.

I don’t remember what our most expensive ad was long before Garet decided to start selling color advertising. However, the smallest was $15, causing one curmudgeonly Plainview shop owner to grouse, “Don’t you have anything cheaper for us little guys?” Fifteen dollars then converts to about $80 now – well above the most inexpensive current ad at $50. (That’s not counting the $20 signature ads that many supporters purchase.)

Before we quickly discovered that most businesses didn’t care about having a lot of magazines lying around, we decided to give a book for every $3 in advertising, so the fewest any establishment received was five. I have no idea where we put all those

magazines before distribution, but Garet’s garage in Amarillo was full of old magazines.

We hired Globe-News employee Bob Tosh, who had his own “hot lead” shop in his garage, to do the layouts in those days before a lot of folks went to offset printing and well before personal computers were in vogue. We established a relationship with Dave Autry of Trafton-Autry Printing (later Trafton, then Cenveo, now ColorArt) to do the color cover and get the magazine printed at various places through the years, including Dallas Offset. That relationship continued for many years with Tony Freeman at Trafton and Cenveo and now Brady Hochstein at ColorArt.

Bobby Smith of Bobby’s Photographic Memories in Plainview took cover shots for many years, and another longtime cover photographer has been Steve Satterwhite of Amarillo, who is retiring in 2022.

Obviously, another big project was delivering the magazines to the various schools or coordinating with folks to pick them up in Amarillo. In recent years, two- or three-day delivery runs have been made across the South Plains and Panhandle with the help of Sam D. Haynes and others.

Garet and I spent many long nights and weekends working on the magazine and often marveled at how we ever got it out before computers, email and PDF files. I’m sure we talked on the phone and mailed back and forth a lot.

Because we got the first edition out about mid-October, we advised coaches not to distribute the magazines too early so we wouldn’t get football coaches mad at us for “trying to start basketball too early.”

Mitchell and Davis on first cover

That first issue had only two players on the cover – compared with the 90 or so in recent years. Fred Mitchell, a 6-7 all-district player from Amarillo Palo Duro, wearing dark glasses, sat on a stool in the foreground with Lynn Davis of Canyon, a 5-5 allstate guard (five years before Texas adopted the five-player game starting in 1978-79), standing in the background. (See that first cover in this edition’s color section.)

Features in the first issue included legendary Wayland Flying

Danny Andrews

Queens coach Harley Redin, who had retired after the previous season; Wayland men’s coach Bob Clindaniel, who was marking 26 years in the business; another Southwest Conference title for the Texas Tech men of Gerald Myers; women’s basketball in China by George Nicodemus, the coach at John F. Kennedy College in Wahoo, Nebraska (a foe of the Wayland Flying Queens in those days when gender-equity Title IX was just a year old); and how the National Women’s Invitational in Amarillo had gotten started five years earlier.

The first All-Panhandle-Plains boys team included Fred Mitchell and Vernon Krueger of Levelland inside and Tom West of Lubbock Coronado, Wayne Pitt of Canyon and Eric Felton of Lubbock High (who became an All-Southwest Conference football defensive back for Texas Tech) outside. Second teamers included Dan Vanderzee of Hereford and Walter Bond of Shamrock (later head coach at his alma mater) and Eddie Owens of Amarillo Caprock, Tim Massey of Hale Center and Leon Freeman of Hedley.

The girls’ first team in the days before larger schools like Amarillo High and Plainview fielded girls’ teams had Sheri Haynes of McLean (now co-publisher of this magazine with her brothers Mike and David; she was on the second cover), Mary Faye Smith of Crosbyton and Joyce Gensman of Darrouzett at forward and Lynn Davis, Mary Brunson of Valley and Deena Lowrance of Claude as guards. Second teamers were Renee White of Hedley, Darla Rhodes of Friona and Kim Carroll of Follett at forward and Lynda Martin of McLean, JoAnne Coker of Springlake-Earth and Becky Wheeler of Spearman at guard.

With the help of many coaches, Garet put together All-Decade teams (first, second and third teams and honorable mentions) from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s for both boys and girls for the magazine’s 25th edition.

For three years (1975-1976-1977), the magazine provided uniforms for and organized the Panhandle-Plains All-Star Game for boys played at Hutcherson Center in Plainview.

Ehlo, Swoopes and many more

The region has produced many remarkable players. That list includes former NBA standout Craig Ehlo (1979 Monterey graduate) and former WNBA superstar Sheryl Swoopes (1989 Brownfield graduate).

We’re delighted that many of the youngsters whose names have appeared in the magazine have gone on to play college basketball.

The coaching ranks in this region also are full of individuals who played in high schools covered by the magazine, including several who have coached or currently are coaching at their alma maters.

That many of the players listed in the first magazine, then mostly 15 to 18 years of age, are now well over 60 and have or had children or grandchildren playing is sobering to all of us.

Of course, the magazine never could have existed without the cooperation of coaches providing information, rosters, schedules and pictures. Through the years a lot more individual pictures and action photos have been added as well as many more features, making for an even more enjoyable and valuable publication.

Oddly, we had no returning state champions from the region that first year when 3A was the highest classification for girls (4A was introduced in 1977 and 5A for both boys and girls in 1981). The smallest classification was Class B (changed to 1A in 1980-81).

However, since the magazine began, Abernathy (4), Amarillo High (4), Amarillo Tascosa, Brownfield (2), Canyon (17), Randall (2), Claude, Dimmitt, Dumas, Farwell, Gruver (2), Hale Center, Follett, Levelland (7), Lubbock Monterey, Morton, Nazareth (24), Panhandle (2), Phillips, Plainview (4), Seagraves, Shallowater (2), Slaton (5), Smyer (2), Spearman, Sudan (6), Stratford, Tulia, Vega, Whiteface and Whitharral have won girls state championships. Also since the magazine’s first season, Abernathy (2), Amarillo High, Brownfield, Canadian (2), Clarendon (2), Dimmitt (3), Idalou, Lamesa, Lubbock Estacado, Morton (5), Nazareth (6), Paducah (3), Pampa, Plainview, Seminole, Shallowater, Sudan, Texline (2), Vega and West Texas High have claimed state gold basketballs on the boys’ side.

While we would have liked to have had every school from Dalhart to Seminole and Muleshoe to Childress in the magazine through the years, not all have been included, and some have participated sporadically for various reasons.

Sadly, several communities represented in that first magazine –Allison, Briscoe, Estelline, Higgins, Lakeview, Mobeetie, Phillips, Quail, Samnorwood and Stinnett – no longer have high schools or have consolidated. Amarillo College dropped basketball in the mid-1980s.

Though somewhat off the Panhandle’s beaten path, that first issue also included Electra and Seymour.

Production partners

After the first year, magazine production was done by another Globe-News printer, Seeger I. Jenkins; then for several years by the capable folks at The Canyon News; then Mike Mahon of Photographix in Amarillo; then for several years by Karen Edwards, formerly of the Globe-News and Cenveo. Recent production has been done by Justin Frank of Amarillo and Hartsfield Design of Lubbock with printing by Cenveo/ColorArt of Amarillo and Texoma Web Offset of Gainesville and binding by C&R Bindery of Dallas.

Garet and I sold the magazine to former New Deal basketball coach Jimmy Pope and longtime coach-turned-sports equipment salesman Sam Mayo after our second issue, but they sold it back to us after two years.

It is a labor-intensive product that begins in May when information is solicited from coaches and ad sales are coordinated by folks associated with the participating schools. The revenue generated has been vital to the success of the magazine, and school organizations receive a commission to fund their various projects.

Mainly over the course of the summer and through September, stories and features are written, schedules and rosters typed in, photos processed and layouts coordinated as deadlines always are looming for a project of this magnitude.

As we decided to include more players on the cover over the years (and even with 90 or so, the decision process is difficult with so many excellent players to choose from), half the cover photos have been taken in Amarillo and half in Plainview.

Through the years, Garet’s wife Mardi and my wife Carolyn were invaluable in assisting with typing rosters, schedules, etc., and helping keep up with the financial end. The typing job as well as compiling statistics and predictions has been handled the past 12 years by Kathy Haynes.

Magazine moves on

Garet decided after 38 years to move to his ranch in Fredericksburg and devote full time to raising sheep. In 2010, he sold

his part of the magazine to Mike Haynes, then a mass media instructor and adviser of the school newspaper and magazine at Amarillo College, who also writes a religion column for the Globe-News.

When Mike’s sister, Sheri Haynes – a former McLean allstater who played at AIAW national champion Delta State in Mississippi and finished at Wayland before coaching at Lockney, Lubbock Roosevelt and Lubbock Monterey – and another brother, businessman David Haynes – approached me in 2011 about selling my part, I hesitated only briefly, thinking it might be good to depart after 40 years. But we “worked the deal,” and I agreed to do some feature writing.

I know I speak for Garet, Mike and Sheri in saying a sincere thanks to all the coaches, players and ad purchasers as well as all who had any part in the production of the magazine over five decades.

We’ve all made some great friends and associations. It truly has been a labor of love, and we hope it continues to showcase the outstanding basketball talent in this region for many years to come.

Andrews: Sports, news, church, family

By DAVE WOHLFARTH

Danny and Carolyn Andrews answer to “Poppy” and “Maymee” these days.

They’re in the grandparenting game.

They moved from their beloved Plainview to Burleson, about 10 miles south of Fort Worth, five years ago to be closer to their seven grandkids.

Danny, co-founder of this basketball magazine 50 years ago, now attends wrestling, volleyball and soccer matches played by his grandchildren.

“Following the grandkids’ sports keeps me busy,” said Danny, who just turned 74 in October.

Of course, he’s always followed sports. He played a couple of years of baseball and one season of football at Plainview High School. Later he spent eight years as sports editor of the Plainview Daily Herald. He officiated basketball for 15 years and umpired baseball for 20. He did radio broadcasts of football, basketball and baseball games over a 40-year period.

However, possibly the best move he made in high school was not excelling in math. Danny said he met Carolyn Fuson in a “dummies’ geometry class.”

They’ve been married 62 years and have three children – Brandon, Kayla and Brad. Brandon lives in Burlington, Pennsylvania. But Kayla is in nearby Dallas and Brad in Burleson.

The grandkids range in age from 20 to 1. Danny is active in a few more activities than answering to “Poppy.”

He works part-time – officiating as a deacon – at Mountain Valley Funeral Home, located about 10 miles from his house.

On Sundays, he’s teaching 7- and 8-year-olds in a Sunday school class at First Baptist Church in Burleson. He also sings in the choir.

He’s president of the local Gideons Bible group. Just recently he gave up working at the local food bank. He’s always been active, involved in many civic organizations.

“Keeps me off the street,” Danny said. “I enjoy people. That’s the main thing.”

Danny graduated from Wayland Baptist University in 1972 with a degree in history. He edited the school paper and served as WBU’s sports information director. His association with the school covered almost 50 years.

He already had begun working for the Plainview Daily Herald when he was a senior in high school. That employment lasted nearly 40 years.

After his stint as the Daily Herald’s sports editor, he moved up to editor shortly before the Hearst Corporation bought the paper. He stayed in that position for 28 years, writing two columns a week and riding herd on local affairs. The paper won numerous press awards under his direction.

“I was the longest tenured editor in the Hearst Corporation,” Danny proudly stated.

He also was heavily involved in the Plainview community, serving as a leader in the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Noon Optimist Club and Salvation Army Advisory Committee.

Danny was named Plainview’s 1995 Man of the Year.

After he retired from the Daily Herald, he became the alumni director at Wayland Baptist. He was inducted into Wayland’s Athletic Hall of Honor in 2006.

Danny also is a member of the Panhandle Press Association’s Hall of Fame. In 2014 he authored a book, Things I Have Saw and Did, featuring 250 stories.

Wonder if that book could add a chapter on grandparenting.

Danny and Carolyn Andrews and family

Danny Andrews

Area passionate about sports

Wow, how basketball has grown!

By GARET VON NETZER Magazine Co-Founder

When you enjoy what you’re doing, work isn’t really work, it’s more of a passion, and a passion is much more fun than just plain work.

Many don’t relate to this truth, but I have been fortunate to fall into the slice of people who’ve enjoyed their work throughout their lives, always looking forward to each day.

Among the work stages of my life was a stint that spanned more than three decades in Amarillo, trade center for a geographical area that includes parts of four states.

What brought me to Amarillo?

It was a job as a sportswriter at the Amarillo Globe-News in February 1971. Little did I know then that my wife, Mardi, and I would set down roots on the High Plains of Texas, far from our hometown of Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country. We found a wonderful quality of life in the Texas Panhandle where an independence of spirit dominated thoughts and actions of most, where neighbors eagerly helped neighbors, where cowboys in faded jeans still went to work each day on a horse, where people often sealed huge deals with a handshake rather than just through high-powered attorneys, and, oh yes, where people were passionate about their sports teams.

It quickly became apparent that what held communities together in the sparsely populated Panhandle area was their schools and that those schools made their communities proud in many ways, especially through sports. A win for those schools’ sports teams was something everyone could agree on for game days and nights.

Tradition, spirit, passion

I quickly learned about the pride in Amarillo when its only high school then won three state football championships in the 1930s (’34, ’35, ’36). But I also learned how proud the folks were in Claude, and throughout the Texas Panhandle, that the Mustangettes’ girls’ basketball team won the first three state championships offered by the University Interscholastic League in the early 1950s (’51, ’52, ’52).

Tradition, spirit, passion – all went into the sports seasons that provided an escape from the vagaries of weather, the markets, accidents and tragedies that punctuated the routines for some of America’s hardest-working, most productive ranchers and farmers and those around them.

People will always support their kids, especially those who dare

to step into the arena to compete. That hasn’t changed. And that support means so much to those who pay the price to strive for excellence. When you realize you are representing your school, your community, your region, it’s easier to reach down a little deeper for the extra effort needed to compete at the highest levels.

Beginning in the early 1970s, it was our treat, and actually our jobs, when life-long and dear friend Danny Andrews and I found ourselves traveling together to cover a high school football playoff game. He was sports editor of the Plainview Herald; I was a sportswriter for the Amarillo Globe-News. We had lots of time to talk, to get to know one another better, and on that trip, an idea was spawned that would change our lives and cement our friendship.

Why, we wondered, wasn’t there a preseason basketball magazine like there was for football for the Texas Panhandle area? Especially with the success in the record books for many Panhandle girls’ cagers.

We couldn’t think of a good reason.

Soon thereafter, we acted on our idea, and Panhandle-Plains Basketball emerged with us holding our breaths that it might fill a niche.

It did.

Why? Because communities supported their sports teams –and they still do.

We were newspaper people, so we knew how to meet deadlines, how to process information, how to interview coaches and athletes. We knew there had to be an interest in such a magazine, but it was going to be lots of work.

Why? Well, first there were two teams for every school, so that meant twice as much information (schedules, rosters, stories, pictures) to be processed than for football, which obviously, girls didn’t play.

Print publications, as well as all forms of media, survive based on the amount of advertising revenue they can generate. Fortunately for us, Danny and I knew a lot of folks in most Panhandle towns, so it wasn’t hard to get school information and generate ad sales. We structured the ad sales as a win-win, making it more

Garet von Netzer

appealing for schools to help because of generous commissions. Many school booster clubs and fans took advantage and generated income later used to support their kids as well as generate publicity for their cagers.

It worked.

And now, after 50 years, it’s still working, thanks to coaches, advertisers, booster clubs, readers and many more.

Passing it on

Though Danny and I sold out our interests in the magazine several years ago after 38 years of publishing the magazine together, we were fortunate that the Haynes family from McLean decided to acquire PPB.

One of those family members is Sheri Haynes, who was a one-girl wrecking crew on the athletic field for McLean High School and was one of our early cover subjects. I recall that Sheri, as a senior for McLean High School, was an unstoppable all-state basketball forward in the six-player game and in the spring of her senior year, she qualified for the spring regional meets in golf, tennis and the maximum-allowed five events in track – all the same weekend in Lubbock! She finished as the state golf medalist.

Her brother, Mike, has provided enviable improvements in content and design, thanks to his career in journalism that includes writing, layout and design and teaching others at Amarillo College and Texas Tech to pursue the profession. He has made great improvements to the magazine.

Little could Danny and I have known what was coming for the sport of basketball when we produced our first few editions.

The sport has grown faster and larger than anyone could have imagined back in the ’70s.

When we began the magazine, March Madness was just a shadow of what it’s become. College women’s basketball hadn’t even become an NCAA sport yet, there was no WNBA, and the NBA players were far from the worldwide celebrities they are today.

Fast forward to 2022. While football is the leading spectator sport in America, basketball is the most popular youth participant sport with more than 10 million girls and boys playing each year, according to Insports Centers, which keeps the official scorecard on such things.

Just look at the huge industry that has sprung up to meet the interest in youth basketball.

Camps, training, technology

Today every college, and likely almost every high school, provides summer camps to teach skills, work ethics, teamwork. Many colleges offer individual and team camps, skill camps, basketball fitness training and more.

Just look at the emergence of select teams for boys and girls from primary grades to high school ages. Tournaments are available every weekend somewhere during the summers and around high school basketball seasons. Scouts scour those tournaments for prospects as young as middle school age and place capsules of information about the players on subscription lists. These prospect lists go to college coaches, and so serious recruiting begins at younger and younger ages with many young cagers receiving more professional scrutiny than imagined just a few years ago.

And how about technology’s impact on the game? For those who play on select and high school teams all over the United States, their games often now are streamed live by a myriad of

video services such as BallerTV, YouTube, Facebook, Athlete Vision, Passthaball and the NFHS network.

Imagine a parent or grandparent or sports fan in Claude or Follett or Childress getting to watch their child or grandchild or school standout play live on a select team in Atlanta, Dallas or New Orleans, or in the state tournament in San Antonio, from their armchairs in the living room on the TV, their computers, their cell phones!

Danny and I are proud to have had an idea and acted on it. We’re proud that kids and grandkids of many of the players we once wrote about in the magazine now are appearing in the magazine. We’re proud of the Haynes family for the professionalism and passion continuing in the magazine.

We’re also proud we got to write in our magazine about kids who dared to step into the arena and compete, to represent their families, their schools, their communities. Those kids included players who didn’t make all-district lists but also many who did, including one Olympian (Lubbock Monterey girls basketball coach Jill Rankin Schneider, who played at Phillips High School and later made the 1980 U.S. Olympic team) and one who played 14 years in the NBA (Lubbock Monterey’s Craig Ehlo).

We hope you enjoy this 50th anniversary edition, and we look forward to many more years of the magazine.

You are invited to the 65th Annual Ceremony of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame

2 p.m. Sunday, June 11, 2023 (Date subject to change.)

Grand Plaza Amarillo Civic Center

Induction of the New Hall of Fame Honorees

Recognition of Athletes of the Year Coaches of the Year and More Awards (Free admission. Table seating with light food available.)

von Netzer: From news to bottles

By CATHY MARTINDALE

Things have come full circle for Garet von Netzer.

Co-founder of this magazine, Garet grew up on the family ranch near Fredericksburg, working with the operation’s sheep, goats and cattle.

Now he’s back there, working with the livestock and the plentiful wildlife that inhabit the spread.

Although no longer involved in daily newspapering, he remains passionate about local journalism. “Local, local, local” was his mantra as the Amarillo Globe-News sports editor who expanded the paper’s coverage of youth sports, particularly women’s sports and girls’ basketball; he continued that emphasis as the paper’s editor and later publisher.

It’s still his passion today.

“I just despair sometimes about the media in our country,” he said. “Both ends of the spectrum — the radical right and the radical left — don’t want to print the objective truth. If the news is something they don’t like or agree with, well, just ignore that and go on to something else.”

He’s less pessimistic about the state of small local newspapers that concentrate on local news and events. But he points to the tremendous economic pressures facing those publications.

Today he focuses most of his time and energy on developing and breeding specialized brands of sheep. When he retired from the Globe-News, the staff pooled funds and bought him what surely is a unique going-away present: a specially bred ram christened Headline.

He rattles off facts about Dorper, St. Croix, Mouflon and Royal White breeds like some sports fanatics spout stats about their favorite teams.

He’s been secretary of the Texas Hill Country Dorper Association several times and shows animals at the group’s annual show, an event that has grown so extensively that it now has an internet sales arm.

Another activity keeping him busy is the more than a dozen yearly guided hunts on the ranch, Hunters can seek several exotic species of deer, sheep or antelope that live on the ranch.

Garet is quick to point out that these are not the “canned” hunts sometimes written about where the client is perched right over a feed stand or where beaters flush the game to the spot.

“I’ve never shot off a feeder or out of a truck in my life, and no hunter here has either,” he vowed. “We go to a spot where game frequently come by and we wait. Eventually we usually

get a shot.”

Coping with the vagaries of nature and battling nature’s predators — coyotes, buzzards, feral hogs — have kept him so busy that he’s given up one of his passions — youth sports coaching.

“It got to where I was neglecting things at home,” he said.

He and his daughter, Kristin McKinnon, coached Fredericksburg girls youth teams, including his granddaughter, Madison McKinnon, for several years. Their focus on fundamentals has paid off with the Fredericksburg High School Battlin’ Billies now regulars in the UIL playoffs.

Garet and his wife, Mardi, also have a son, Kevin von Netzer, who lives in Amarillo and also has been involved in youth basketball.

Nowadays Garet and Mardi have a little time to enjoy the activities of their six grandchildren. That is, when he isn’t stalking a coyote threatening the flocks, mending miles of fencing or wrangling two or three bottle lambs.

Then-publisher of the Amarillo Globe-News, Garet von Netzer poses with the Globe-News 1989 Woman of the Year, Eveline Rivers. Dr. Winfred Moore was the Man of the Year. (Globe-News photo)

Garet von Netzer shows off a lamb on the family ranch near Fredericksburg.

Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

Icing on Bob Schneider’s coaching legacy

By LANCE LAHNERT

What? Wait a minute.

You mean that Bob Schneider, who last spring joined the elite of basketball as one of the newest members of the prestigious Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, didn’t always want to be a coach?

The man who guided Canyon High through one of the greatest University Interscholastic League Texas high school girls basketball playoff runs, making the state championship game 10 consecutive years, wanted to be behind the microphone calling hoops for a living, not coaching?

That guy who nurtured an afterthought of an early 1980s West Texas State University women’s basketball program into a powerhouse where those Lady Buffs became a player on the national Division II scene and were beloved by their fans, really, accidentally became a coach?

“That’s right,” Schneider says at age 86. “I always wanted to be a broadcaster. Really didn’t think about coaching.”

Inspired by his love of competition, where he played every sport at little Darrouzett High School up in the northeastern Texas Panhandle – and by his high school speech teacher Gladys Phillips – when Schneider was ready for the real world after graduating in 1958 from then-West Texas State, his desire was to land a legit broadcasting job in the Texas Panhandle.

That job never materialized.

“There weren’t any of those jobs out there,” Schneider said of a broadcasting field that nowhere near held the numerous opportunities 60 years ago that it does today. “I needed a job, and so that’s when I applied at Darrouzett.”

Going back home?

He was OK with all of that. A teacher/coaching position was available, but the Darrouzett school board told Schneider he needed six more credits to be a coach. So back he headed to WT for the summer, taking three hours each in coaching classes conducted by WT head coaches Gus Miller (for basketball) and Frank Kimbrough (for football). And, boy, did Schneider ever coach.

Coaching everything at small schools

He was the Darrouzett head football coach, head volleyball coach, head boys and girls basketball coach and was assigned to start a boys track program. And he had zero assistants helping him. Not a one. His teaching load was world history, government and American history.

“I didn’t know if I was coming or going that entire year,” Schneider said.

But he did know one thing for sure. The coaching bug bit him and would never let go.

A year coaching at Darrouzett, then off to Clayton, New Mexico, for four years following friend Roy Pennington, then it was McLean High for two years, where he started as an assistant football and track coach, then in year two was asked to coach the sport he would gravitate to: girls basketball.

The summer after his second year at McLean, Schneider enrolled in classes at WT to begin earning a master’s degree, and his life would never be the same.

Canyon Junior High was reinstating girls basketball, and Schneider was asked if he had any interest in the job. He did, and

Bob Schneider gives his acceptance speech - within the time limit - at the induction ceremony of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame June 11, 2022, at Knoxville, Tennessee. Schneider’s 1,045-293 record was compiled primarily at West Texas A&M and Canyon High School. Also inducted in 2022 were Alice “Cookie” Barron, a 1954-1957 Wayland Baptist Flying Queen; TV analyst Debbie Antonelli; DePaul Coach Doug Bruno; WNBA All-Star Becky Hammon; Olympic and WNBA player Delisha Milton-Jones; Western Kentucky Coach Paul Sanderford; and Olympic and WNBA player Penny Taylor. (Photo courtesy of Lynette Linton)

Bob Schneider attends a pep rally at the McLean gym during the 1965-66 school year. (Photo courtesy of the Tumbleweed yearbook)

the job was his. However, when the high school basketball season rolled around, he wasn’t the Canyon Junior High girls basketball coach; he was the Canyon High girls varsity basketball coach.

“One day when I came home, there was a note on my door from the Canyon principal asking for me to come see him,” Schneider said. “I had no idea what he wanted. Maybe to discuss some junior high things.”

The Canyon High girls head basketball coaching job had opened up, and Schneider was asked if he wanted the job, in part because McLean superintendent Jack Riley “had some favorable things to say about me,” Schneider said. “I knew just the year before there had been talk about ending the girls basketball program. But it didn’t take long for me to say ‘yes.’”

As they say, the rest is basketball history.

1,045 victories, 293 losses

Schneider would coach basketball 48 years in high school and college, winning 1,045 games, losing 293. Incredible numbers. His teams were like his own strong-jawed face, famous for their grit, fundamental play, full-court pressing defense and always prepared for the moment at hand.

Former player after player under Coach Schneider will tell you playing for him was a challenge, the hardest work they put in during their life, but when you entered a game, you knew nobody was better prepared for what was about to happen.

That preparation was born from Schneider’s dogged work ethic from having grown up on a farm, plus simply enjoying the lead-up and practices “almost as much as the game,” Schneider said. “To see a player develop and understand how to play the game to me was why I loved coaching so much. And those relationships we built. That’s what you remember. I don’t know why, but I just enjoyed practice and strategy of the game. I talked basketball with anybody I could and learned so much that way from other coaches.”

Three years into his Canyon High tenure – which netted 385 overall wins and an “are you kidding me” 103-2 record his final three seasons – Schneider had built up the program in numbers and already was making a statewide name for himself and the

Eaglettes.

The 1968-69 Canyon team not only made it to the state tournament in Austin – Schneider still lights up talking about seeing his team and town honored with a lightbulb on a state map in the gym showing where their high school was located – the Eaglettes won it all, claiming the title in Class 3A (the largest classification at that time).

The 1968-69 Canyon team started a run of excellence never since duplicated in UIL basketball history, cementing the word dynasty on the Eaglette girls basketball program forever.

Those fundamental Eaglettes under Coach Schneider would play in 10 consecutive state championship games, winning four more titles in 1972, 1974, 1977 and 1978. The 1978 team went 36-0, sending a message in the state championship game by pounding a very good Corpus Christi Tuloso-Mdway, 59-37, in the final.

“That first state championship you never forget,” Schneider said when asked if he had a favorite year at Canyon High. “But they were all special to me. Even when we didn’t win state. Those were some good teams. I really haven’t thought about a legacy or anything like that. To be honest, I think I was at Canyon High School at the right time. I wasn’t even their first choice. So somebody else had a hand in all of this. I guess the good Lord was just saying, ‘Bob, you are going to be a coach,’ because things started moving in the right direction. I know I’m not smart enough to have done all of this.”

Moving to 5-on-5, college coaching

With the high school game moving on from six-on-six to the

Coaches Jim Goss, Bob Schneider and Fred Hedgecoke pose at the football banquet during the 1965-66 school year at McLean High School. (Photo courtesy of the Tumbleweed yearbook)

Bob Schneider, left, and Joe Lombard were inducted Oct. 21, 2022, into the first class of the Canyon ISD Athletic Hall of Fame. Both coached the Canyon High School girls basketball team. Both also are members of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee. Also inducted were Mike Wartes, Heston Kjerstad, Chelsea Carroll Burney, Merry Johnson Byers and Jim Wilcoxson. (Photo courtesy of Jon Mark Beilue)

five-person style, Schneider had an inkling to move on as well. He made the jump to college as a close friend was the athletic director at Texas Woman’s College in Denton.

With some of the promises to build up the TWU women’s basketball facilities and program unfulfilled after five years, Schneider headed back to Canyon. But not to coach his beloved Eaglettes. Despite a $10,000 pay cut, Schneider said the time was right for him and his family to try to guide the West Texas State University women’s program.

At the time, WT was a Division I program coming off an 8-14 season and not on anybody’s radar.

“They cut some funding at TWU, so I came back to WT,” Schneider said. “I’m being honest here; it was not a good situation, because they really didn’t want to get the women’s program going. I just did what I thought I needed to do. And you can thank my parents for that. They were hard workers. I grew up on a farm and learned if you got a job, you got to do it the best you can and go from there.”

Schneider rolled up his sleeves and put WT Lady Buff basketball on the map, racking up mind-boggling numbers during a career lasting 25 years where “The Box” became a dreaded place for opponents to play and a home-court advantage few programs ever have enjoyed. Some accomplishments:

• 100-game home winning streak at “The Box,” aka the WT Fieldhouse

• 52-11 the last two years in Division I in the Oil Country Conference

• Sixteen seasons winning 20 or more games

• Ten seasons winning 25 or more games

• Nine seasons winning conference titles

• Six first-team All-Americans

• Four first team All-Americans from the Texas Panhandle in Vanessa Wells (Palo Duro), Teresa Tinner (Tulia), Natasha Taylor (Childress) and Emily Brister (Amarillo High)

• Three seasons winning 30 or more games

• Three Division II Elite Eight appearances

• One Division II national title game appearance

Joe Lombard is the legendary girls basketball coach at Nazareth and Canyon who won 1,000 games before losing 100 and owns 19 Texas girls state basketball championships. Lombard said Schneider and Dean Weese of Levelland are the unshakable foundation for girls basketball in West Texas and should be given credit for the growth and excellence of girls basketball in this area.

“Bob Schneider was one of the pioneers of great basketball coaches in the Panhandle,” Lombard said. “His teams were always fundamental and very successful. Local high school coaches learned from Bob and helped establish West Texas as one of the premier regions in the country in girls hoops. Bob is one of the icons of the sport.”

Short but sweet at WBHOF in Knoxville Schneider owns several personal awards, the two latest special to him. In mid-October he was inducted into the inaugural Canyon ISD Athletics Hall of Fame. On June 11 in Knoxville, Tennessee, Schneider reached the rarest of air when he was inducted into the 2022 class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Schneider was eloquent in his speech, thanking his family, the many players who played under him and other coaches.

“It was surreal standing up there,” Schneider said. In giving his thanks, he showed remarkable discipline by sticking to the asked-for few minutes while others went past 20 minutes in their speeches. “I’m going to say it was one of the greatest moments in my life,” he said. “I was humbled to be there.”

Barbara Schneider, Bob’s wife throughout his coaching career, sat courtside next to her husband for all his college games at West Texas. Barbara would keep statistics. So Barbara, how was Bob able to be successful so long?

“He really loved coaching,” Barbara said. “That was it. He loved practice. He loved all aspects of it. And I wouldn’t tell my two boys this (Brett, head women’s basketball coach at Frank Phillips College and Brandon, head women’s basketball coach at the University of Kansas), but he always thought the women worked harder. He was fortunate to start at Canyon High, where the parents were so good and supported their kids.

“It does make him proud that both of his boys are coaching women’s basketball.”

Maybe it’s not too late for Bob Schneider to start that broadcasting career, calling a game for his sons’ teams.

But let’s get real here; we all know the basketball coaching world without Coach Bob Schneider would not have been the same. Especially right here in the Texas Panhandle.

Coach Bob Schneider instructs the West Texas State Lady Buffs during a game at The Box during the 1985-86 season. (Photo courtesy of West Texas A&M University)

Bob and Barbara Schneider sport their Kansas Jayhawks attire at a game Feb. 19, 2022, in Lubbock when the KU women’s team coached by their son Brandon Schneider defeated Texas Tech 71-68. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Schneider work ethic Creating success in Kansas

By LEE PASSMORE

Things happened that were a long time coming for Brandon Schneider in 2022, at least according to his timetable.

Schneider, a 1990 Canyon High graduate, is coming off his seventh and most successful season at the helm of the University of Kansas women’s basketball team. Last year Schneider led the Jayhawks to a 21-10 record and a fifth-place finish in the rugged Big 12 Conference.

Kansas earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament and reached the second round. Schneider was recognized by being voted the Big 12 Coach of the Year.

“We reached a lot of milestones,” Schneider said. “A lot of things happened that hadn’t happened since 1999-2000.”

That includes making the NCAA tourney for the first time since 2013, the first 20-win season since 2011 and the most regular season and conference wins since 2000.

The 50-year-old Schneider appears to have established something in Kansas. But it didn’t quite happen overnight.

“We came here with aspirations of turning around the program,” said Schneider, who came to Kansas from Stephen F. Austin in 2015. “It took us quite frankly a little bit longer than what we wanted. In 2019-20 we were really close. We were going to go to the postseason that year and then COVID hit, and in 2021 we had four seniors opt out about midway through the season.

“We knew the last couple of years we were making strides internally that others weren’t aware of on the outside.”

Steady progression

Despite not reaching competitive respectability as rapidly as he expected, Kansas has shown steady progression since Schneider’s arrival. The 6-25 record in his initial season of 2015-16 is easily the poorest in his 24 years as a head coach at Kansas, SFA and Emporia State, but in each of their four seasons after that, the Jayhawks improved on their win total from the previous season, concluding with a 15-14 mark in 2019-20, Schneider’s first winning record at the school.

The program took a step back in the COVID-plagued 202021 campaign, falling to 7-18. Last year, though, made that a distant memory.

Schneider felt his team was on firmer footing heading into last season, and that was confirmed with a strong showing against perennial power Tennessee early in the season at a shootout in Las Vegas. Kansas was 4-0, but Schneider still was trying to find out how good his team was.

“We played Tennessee, which was ranked five or six when we played them in a Thanksgiving tournament,” said Schneider, whose team lost that game 68-58. “We were really competitive and had chances to win that game. One of our best players played limited minutes due to foul trouble. That was a game that affirmed a lot of things for our players.”

Kansas went 9-1 before opening Big 12 play and was prepared for the rigors of a competitive conference. The Jayhawks were sparked by a seven-game winning streak during the heart of the schedule in February, including a come-from-behind 71-68 vic-

tory over Texas Tech in Lubbock. Their record also included a 70-66 overtime win at perennial power Texas and two losses to always formidable Baylor by a total of 11 points.

An 11-7 record in the Big 12 was an accomplishment in and of itself, and that helped the Jayhawks get into the NCAA Tournament, where they routed Georgia Tech 77-58 in the first round before falling to Final Four participant Stanford 91-65 in the second round. Last season showed that Schneider and his staff finally had hit on a formula that could lead to long-term success, something that was a bit of a mystery when he first got to Kansas.

“We took some risks maybe on some players in hindsight from a talent standpoint that we would not take now,” Schneider said. “As a staff we really built our recruiting efforts around culture and chemistry first and made decisions based on fit rather than what a player could do on the court. That has really benefited our program and our staff.”

The long haul

It would have been logical for Schneider to be concerned about job security heading into last season. In five of his first six seasons at Lawrence, the Jayhawks posted losing records.

But Schneider always was thinking long haul, and after last season he was given a four-year contract extension. He’s been at KU longer than his athletic directors.

“I’ve had three ADs here in seven years and two chancellors, so I think as a coach when you start worrying about those things you might not be making the best decisions in the best interests of the program,” Schneider said. “I’ve made other stops at Emporia State and Stephen F. Austin, and we always felt like if every decision

Kansas women’s basketball coach Brandon Schneider communicates with his Jayhawks during a tense game at Texas Tech on Feb. 19, 2022. Kansas won, 71-68, as Schneider’s parents, Bob and Barbara Schneider, and brother, Brett Schneider, watched from the stands. Bob is a retired hall of fame coach, and Brett coaches the Frank Phillips College women’s team. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

we made was in the best interest of the program, then we would build a successful and sustainable program. I think as a coach if you start making selfish decisions and survival-based decisions, you’re not going to build a sustainable program.”

That’s a lesson he learned from his father Bob, a coaching legend in Canyon. Bob Schneider’s coaching career included building Canyon High’s powerhouse girls program before he spent a quarter century as the women’s head coach at West Texas A&M and earned a spot in the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame and in the national Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame last summer.

Brandon couldn’t help but absorb Bob’s example.

“There’s a couple of things that really stand out,” Brandon said. “Number one, I don’t know that there’s a better fundamental teacher of the game of basketball. I also really learned the importance of being yourself. I grew up around my dad, Joe Lombard and Dean Weese, the Texas greats, if you will.

“All of those individuals have much different personalities, and the thing that my dad always tried to stress with me is just don’t try to be somebody else. The players will see through a phony in a second.”

Those coaches all stressed discipline. They got hold of the system at the junior high level and made sure all the practices were structured similarly, a lesson Brandon and his brother Brett, who coaches the Frank Phillips College women, have taken to the next level.

Grew up with basketball

Bob said Brandon always was willing to learn the secrets to coaching well before he ever diagrammed a play.

“He’s been around the game for a long time,” Bob Schneider said of Brandon. “He was around a lot of coaches in high school and college because I had a lot of basketball camps. I would hire a lot of the successful coaches around here that I liked. We all lived in the dorm. We would have some free time at night, and we just always talked.

“We’d stay up and talk basketball probably until about midnight. Even after he went to college, he’d come back and help us.”

Now Brandon is in a position to build a legacy of his own. Numbers indicate that his greatest success at Kansas may be yet

Brandon Schneider watches his team, the University of Kansas women, in a come-from-behind, 71-68, win at Texas Tech on Feb. 19, 2022.

to come.

The Jayhawks return their two leading scorers from last season, senior guards Holly Kersgieter and Zakiyah Franklin, both of whom averaged in double figures. Another senior, 6-foot-6 post Taiyanna Jackson, is an imposing figure in the middle.

Schneider also has been recruiting in foreign countries, as six players hail from Europe.

“We only lost two players from a year ago,” Schneider said. “Going into this season we have four juniors, eight sophomores and two freshmen, so we feel like we’re really set up for the next couple of years to be really competitive. We feel we can be one of the teams who have an opportunity to compete for the conference championship. The farthest a University of Kansas women’s basketball team has ever gone is the Sweet 16, and we have goals of accomplishing second weekend participation in the next couple of years and even beyond.”

That will be a challenge in the Big 12. Schneider said Texas and Baylor will be title contenders as usual and that Iowa State and Oklahoma return a lot of talent.

It won’t be easy duplicating last year’s success for any school in the conference, as Schneider estimates as many as six teams in the Big 12 could ranked in the top 20.

Schneider has been coaching in Division I since he made the jump to Stephen F. Austin in 2010 after winning the Division II national championship at Emporia State. He’s had far more wins than losses; in 24 seasons, he’s posted a 482-261 record.

If Kansas has any sort of success resembling last season, Schneider will hit a major coaching milestone in 2022-23 with his 500th career victory.

“That would be an accomplishment for a lot of players over the years and a lot of other staff members and assistant coaches,” Schneider said. “It’s still well short of 50 percent of what my dad did. That’s one of those things where he’ll give me a pat on the back and a wink, wink.”

Not that Bob would ever be disappointed if Brandon eclipsed his successes. With a 1,045-293 career record, Bob has left an untouchable legacy of his own and thinks Brandon can live up to it.

“He’s my son, but he’s very intelligent,” Bob Schneider said. “He’s also very dedicated, and he wants to win. He’ll work his tail off to get that type of success. At college, if you don’t win, it’s adios.

“Records are meant to be broken, and I hope he breaks mine. He’s on a higher level now, and I’m sure he can do that. He never gave up and kept working hard.”

It’s in his blood.

Brandon Schneider

(Photo by Mike Haynes

Led Shallowater for 41 years

Chuck Darden coached the right way

By DAVE WOHLFARTH

Chuck Darden had his mind made up to be a football coach. Forty-one years later, Darden retired as one of the most successful girls basketball coaches in the state.

His Shallowater Fillies won 1,052 games and two state championships. When he retired last spring, he ranked as the 11th winningest girls coach in Texas history and fourth among active coaches.

However, 44 years ago when Darden joined Shallowater ISD, he was coaching everything – junior high football, basketball and track – all on the boys side.

“I got into coaching to be a football coach,” Darden recalled. “That’s what I wanted to do.”

By his third year at Shallowater, he had moved to the high school level and was assisting Keith Kitchens, the boys basketball coach. Darden still was coaching all sports – for the boys.

The girls basketball team had been led by three different coaches in as many years. Describing the Fillies’ program, Darden said, “I’ll just be nice; it was not good.”

June rolled around, and still no girls basketball coach for the next year. Superintendent Charles Hohertz called Darden and asked him to take the job.

“I told him there was no way,” Darden said.

They talked for a while and finally came to an agreement.

“We made a deal,” Darden said. “I said, ‘OK, I’ll do it for one year. If I don’t like it, you’re not going to fire me and I get my job back on the boys side. Or if the girls and their parents don’t like me, you’re not going to fire me.’”

The superintendent agreed. Forty-one years later, Darden still was coaching the Fillies.

“So I guess, I don’t know if they liked me, but I liked them,” he said.

Taylor assisted for 34 years

The Fillies liked their coach just fine, according to his longtime assistant, T’Linda Taylor.

“He had such a love for the kids,” said Taylor, who was Darden’s aide for 34 years. “He treated them like they were his own. The girls loved him, so it was a two-way street.”

That two-way street had few roadblocks. One of the tricks Darden used to keep everybody on the same road was to pass out treats.

“He always had a certain kind of candy he gave the girls,” Taylor said. “In the championship season (2019-20), he gave the girls Junior Mints on game days and told them, ‘It’s Mint to be.’” Indeed, it was.

Johnna Pointer, who played on some of Darden’s early teams, couldn’t remember any candy treats, but there still was plenty of camaraderie and team chemistry.

“No candy, but we jammed to ‘California Girls’ on the bus,” she said.

Pointer played for Shallowater from 1984 to 1988 and was on the first Fillies team to make it to the state semifinals in 1988. She scored 2,362 points at Shallowater and was all-state and all-

America. Later, she was an all-Southwest Conference performer for the University of Texas.

She had several successful college coaching stops before becoming director of Hoop 10, a basketball training facility in Amarillo.

“He believed in me as a person and a player, and that gave me a lot of confidence both at Shallowater and UT. He had a huge impact on my life,” Pointer said of Darden. “I still hear his voice in certain situations both on and off the court.”

Pointer is one of two Darden products who went on to play at Division I colleges. Katy Bounds at Texas A&M was the other.

Many former Fillies have played for Division II teams, including Bree Brattain, a current freshman at West Texas A&M.

“I can’t name them all, but I’ve had multiple kids go on and play college ball,” Darden said. “I’m proud of them for that.”

Fillies to state in five decades

In addition to the two state championships (2A in 2004 and 3A in 2020) and the 1,000-plus wins, he’s proud of the fact that the Fillies went to the state tournament in every decade he coached – the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020.

“Just me looking at it, we had a program; it wasn’t just a few good kids here,” Darden said. “We built the program that withstood decades and years and decades.”

He’s also proud of his career as a classroom teacher, not as a PE instructor. He taught American history, Texas history and

Chuck Darden, whose Shallowater girls teams won 1,052 games in his 41 years as head coach, holds two notes that his sons, Chip and Matt, gave him when they were young. The notes encouraged their dad after tough losses, and Darden still keeps them in his billfold. (Photo by Cathy Martindale)

then government and economics to seniors for the past 35 years.

Another positive Darden takes pride in is that his teams played the game the right way. He always stressed that.

“What that means to me is respecting the game, respecting the officials, respecting the opponents, respecting the opposition coaches. Setting an example for the fans,” he said.

“I remember a referee, and we were talking after a game one time, and he said, ‘You know, those fans feed off of you.’ I took that to heart. I think a lot of coaches set the tone.”

Darden also took to heart some messages from his sons, Chip and Matt.

Shallowater had lost a playoff game, and when Darden came home, there was a note from his son, Chip, who was about 12 at the time.

“It meant a lot to me,” Darden said, “and I kept it.”

He put it in his billfold. Years later, another note – this one from younger son Matt – found a resting place in Darden’s wallet. Both notes still are there.

“They just hated to see their dad hurt and how proud they were of their dad and they loved me, especially after a tough loss,” Darden said. “I never took losses very well.”

Taylor agreed that Darden didn’t like losing.

“He almost took it personal, like it was his fault,” she said.

Seldom, but once in a while, Darden got too emotional during a game.

The Dardens often posed questions of their children during dinner. It was 5-year-old Matt’s turn to answer the evening’s

question: What don’t you like about your dad being a coach? “It came to Matt, and he looked at me and he started tearing up and he said, ‘I don’t like it when you yell at those officials,’” Darden recalled.

The teary youngster continued, ‘Daddy, last night you stomped your foot. You got real mad at those referees, and that really bothers me.’

After supper he told his wife, Carolyn, “Well, I’ve got to watch that stuff.”

Darden later called that a good lesson for him from his own boy. For the record, Darden had only four technicals called in his entire coaching career.

Coaching runs in the family

Coaching was a constant theme, and still is, in the Darden household.

Sons Chip and Matt both are coaches at Lubbock Cooper – Chip as head football coach and Matt as one of his assistants. Daughter Meg is married to Max Kattwinkel, the athletic director at Cooper. Daughter-in-law Stacy Darden is a speech therapist at Cooper. Meg played for her dad back in the late 1990s, and those teams went to the state tournament twice, losing in the finals and semifinals.

“All through my coaching career, my family has just been so supportive with it,” Darden said. “I wouldn’t have had the success without Carolyn. She’s the stable factor in my life.”

The Dardens have five grandchildren ranging in age from 16 to 6 months old.

Chuck Darden met Carolyn Langley when they were students at Texas Tech. They’ve been married 44 years.

Darden grew up in Lubbock and attended Coronado High School. His best sport was golf – he had a few scholarship offers – but he described his athletic career as “just a kid who tried to make teams and made a couple.”

He’s shot a couple of 65s on the golf course, and he’s shot his age a couple of times these days.

He turned 70 Oct. 11.

A lot of folks thought he might retire after the 2020 championship season. But Darden wanted to keep coaching those girls. Then the past year, three of those girls were seniors who had been in the Shallowater program since the seventh grade.

The Shallowater Fillies pose in San Antonio after their 2020 state championship. Head Coach Chuck Darden is third from the right and Assistant Coach T’Linda Taylor is fifth from the left, both in the back row. The coaches also led Shallowater to the 2004 state title. (Photo courtesy the Shallowater Fillies)

T’Linda Taylor, left, and Chuck Darden display a banner marking the Shallowater girls’ 2020 state basketball championship. Darden retired after the 2021-22 season after 41 years as the head coach, and Taylor retired after working as his assistant for 34 of those years.

“I really hadn’t made a decision 100 percent until that last game,” Darden recalled of the 51-45 loss to Canadian in the regional quarterfinals. That was only the third defeat of the season for the Fillies, who won 30.

“I just felt like it was the right time. I had coached here for 44 years and been the head girls coach for 41,” he said. “I just felt like this time in my life, getting ready to turn 70, and you know, coaching with me, basketball was seven days a week. I mean, I’ve got to slow down just a little bit. As long as I was going to coach, I wasn’t going to slow down.”

So he announced his retirement in the dressing room after the Canadian game. He wanted his players – his team – to be the first to know, although his family kinda knew.

“Well, we already had a bunch of tears because they got beat,” he said of the Fillies’ reaction. “They were already crying, so I thought, ‘We’re already crying, so we might as well cry a little bit more.’”

When Darden retired, so did Taylor.

“When he was gone, I was gone,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine coaching with anybody else.”

1,052 wins and 288 losses

Darden’s final coaching record – all at Shallowater, of course –was 1,052 wins and 288 losses. That’s an .822 winning percentage.

“I remember more the 288 than the 1,052,” Darden said. “My family and friends tell me, ‘Well, you remember all the losses, don’t you?’ Well, yes, but we should have won. Yes. I should have done this.”

His record is second only to the legendary Joe Lombard,

who piled up 1,318 victories coaching at Nazareth and Canyon. Darden remembers playing Lombard’s Lady Eagles at least once and says his team got whipped bad.

Darden was inducted into the Texas Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame in July and will be a member of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame next May.

He keeps in close touch with his former players, and they keep tabs on him. About 70 ex-Fillies showed up for a reception after he had notched win No. 1,000. Later, a bunch were there at a retirement reception.

Those players know how Darden has influenced their life.

“He respected the game and his players,” Pointer said. “He believed in girls basketball and made a tremendous impact in growing the girls game in this area. I’m honored to be a part of that with him.”

Darden has the OK from his cardiologist that he’s good to go for a little bit longer. He’s playing as much golf as possible, but his friends still are working. He’s getting a little bored around the house.

“I’ve worked since I was in junior high,” he said. “That’s just how it was. I’m looking to do something part-time.”

But he’s done with coaching. And what a career it was.

The book gives a history of girls’ basketball from 1930 to 2020, spotlighting many of the coaches, teams and players who have made the Panhandle and South Plains area number one in high school and college girls’ basketball in the state of Texas.

Book available at rickeyharman.com

Chuck Darden, Shallowater’s head girls basketball coach for 41 years, points to a trophy case that his teams added to substantially. (Photo by Cathy Martindale)

Chuck Darden

Johnna Pointer

Persistence paid off WT women’s sports started with Allene Stovall

By LEE PASSMORE

In just about every way, Allene Stovall could be considered the mother of West Texas A&M athletics, and her family has always felt her impact.

Stovall, who led the women’s athletic program that was being established at then-West Texas State in the early 1960s, died on July 17, 2022, in Amarillo at the age of 88. It capped a life whose legacy was felt by those who played for her well beyond the confines of any athletic venue she presided over in her coaching career.

That era wasn’t one where women’s college athletics enjoyed anything resembling big time national television contracts or any endorsement deals to gain exposure beyond their hometowns. During the first half of her career at WT, Stovall didn’t even have the benefit of Title IX, the 1972 legislation intended to provide funding and support comparable to what the men’s programs got.

Stovall, who coached the WT women’s basketball team from 1963 to 1979, had to pretty much do it herself.

“The thing about Allene Stovall was there wasn’t one problem or issue that she did not approach with tenacity and grace combined into this really positive approach to things,” said Alma Ramsey, who played basketball at WT for Stovall from 1972 to 1976 and also lettered in track, rifle and volleyball. “One of the

things that I think belongs in any discussion about her is that Allene Stovall, with her own money, her own effort and her own car, cajoled other people to come and coach and built a fantastic women’s athletics program.”

There were no buses or certainly no planes fueled up and ready to go for the Lady Buffs when they got ready to leave Canyon for a road trip. The team generally had to pile into Stovall’s blue paneled station wagon during her early years for road trips that made today’s Lone Star Conference excursions seem like a hop, skip and a jump.

But it wasn’t just gasoline and wear and tear on her station wagon that hit Stovall’s pocketbook. She also paid for the school’s first basketball uniforms out of her own pocket.

And Stovall sure didn’t have a staff to lean on. She relied on student-athletes to help her.

Cindy Pearce Barnes became an all-sports athletic trainer while also lettering in track and softball at WT from 1976 to 1979. She met Stovall while attending Howard College in Big Spring when Stovall’s WT team was visiting for a basketball game. Stovall offered Barnes a job as trainer and manager of the basketball team and put her in a converted women’s towel room as an office.

Barnes wasn’t a part of the salaried faculty at WT.

“She paid my whole salary,” Barnes said. “It took me awhile to figure it out. The checks came from her, but I didn’t realize that it was literally her money. No one had a budget. For a 19- or 20-year-old kid going to college, I didn’t really question where the money came from.”

Small budgets required ingenuity

Wherever it came from, there usually wasn’t a whole lot of it. Stovall started with a $1,600 budget when she arrived at WT, which incrementally grew during her tenure.

Allene Stovall, the driving force behind the WT women’s athletic program, was inducted into the hall in 1997. Pinson played basketball from 1971 to 1973 and competed in softball and on the rifle team.

The women’s athletic program at WT started practically from scratch a few years after Stovall arrived at there in 1960 as a physi-

In the early years of women’s sports at West Texas State, Allene Stovall, in glasses, coached everything from basketball to volleyball to bowling to rifle competition, often using the same uniforms for different sports.

Becky Smith Pinson, left, poses with her college basketball coach, Allene Stovall, on Jan. 18, 2020, in front of the WT Hall of Champions Wall in the First United Bank Center in Canyon. They were celebrating the recognition of Stovall’s parents, Arthur and Lela Mae Stovall, as 2019 Legacy Award recipients.

(Information from Tom Musser; photo by Mike Haynes)

cal education instructor. From 1910 to 1924, WT had competed in intercollegiate women’s athletics in basketball, tennis and soccer, but few, if any, records are available from that era.

In 1959, women’s intercollegiate athletics were reinstated at WT but with no financial backing from the college. It took four years before women’s basketball returned to campus, and Stovall was tabbed to head the program.

Stovall came to WT from Snyder, where she coached at the high school before returning closer to home, her native Panhandle. One of the people who followed Stovall north from Snyder was Helen Jo Ivison Lee, who played volleyball, which Stovall also coached at WT.

“We had no support from the school,” Lee said. “She was an individual who tried to encourage you to be the best you could be. It made me want to practice every minute that I had to be a better player and a better person. It excited me because I was very fond of her and she came to our house a lot (in Snyder). She just wanted to give back to young people and give them an opportunity to be the best they were.”

The Lady Buffs had a theme of togetherness in the Stovall era that was as much out necessity as anything. The team often stayed eight to a room on the road, and Stovall started coaching during an era when she couldn’t buy gas on Sundays to fill her station wagon.

There wasn’t exactly a paid support staff either, especially on the road.

“If we had two games in a day, we only had one set of uniforms,” Ramsey said. “We had to wash them in the bathtub. There were daddies who met us with gas somewhere on the highways so we could get back. That’s not something anyone would think was even possible today.”

Positive, persevering attitude

Ramsey said Stovall worked overtime to keep things positive even when nature literally deemed things otherwise.

“We were going down to play Texas Tech, and we had a flat right outside of Happy in one of the worst dirt storms I have ever seen,” Ramsey said. “There was not a frown anywhere. It was Allene’s leadership which said, ‘We have a flat, and we need to fix it. Let’s get to the game.’”

Barnes said Stovall and her players didn’t enjoy much in the way of perks from the university.

“The thing I enjoyed with Allene in the very beginning was the love of the game,” Barnes said. “There had begun to be a very little bit of money, like $2,000, but it didn’t go too far for a team. We were still stealing tape from the guys’ locker room to tape ankles.

“Allene helped giving young ladies the opportunity to compete and to grow up. She taught us the value of volunteering and

working with agencies which made a difference for people.”

By this time in Stovall’s tenure, there had been some progress in the WT women’s athletic program, even if it seemed glacial. Most of the battles she fought for the program didn’t include that many allies.

Lee was there from the beginning and says it’s hard to imagine the WT women’s program being anywhere near where it is today without Stovall stoking the flames.

“As far as I’m concerned, she’s the base,” Lee said. “She’s what started it and what kept it going even though she didn’t have any support whatsoever. They just didn’t do that for the women during the time I was there.”

Stovall fought for support from the university, which didn’t necessarily endear her to the WT administration. Coaches of female sports sometimes were hesitant to push too hard for funding.

Responses to requests for funding generally fell on deaf ears in the early 1970s. The closest thing the women’s program enjoyed in terms of an athletic “windfall” came in early 1973 when legendary sportscaster Keith Jackson spoke at the Canyon Chamber of Commerce and donated half of his $1,000 speaking fee to WT women’s athletics. It was the first recorded scholarship aid given to the school’s women’s athletic programs.

By the time Bob Schneider came on campus and started his legendary run as women’s basketball coach in 1981, women’s athletics was under the purview of the NCAA. Schneider acknowledges the differences between building his own program and the obstacles Stovall faced.

“She was a fine lady and worked very, very hard,” Schneider said. “That was before Title IX. They didn’t have any women’s basketball. She did everything she possibly could to give those ladies a chance to play basketball. She went through some rough times when she didn’t have any money to travel. I really have to give her credit for sticking in there and doing that.”

Athletes picked up cans, cleaned houses

In order to travel, Stovall and her players resorted to tactics that resembled local youth organization fundraisers more than

Allene Stovall, center front, poses with many of her former West Texas State athletes and supporters, most wearing shirts that say, “Title IX,” which opened up sports for women at U.S. colleges and universities. (Photo courtesy of West Texas A&M University)

black tie booster club banquets.

“What I appreciate the most is in order to field a team of any sort, the women athletes at WT picked up beer cans in a dry county, officiated intramural games and cleaned houses,” Ramsey said. “Allene Stovall’s lighthearted approach to those tasks ensured that the women that competed for WT would be a strong cohesive group who didn’t take anything for granted. We knew we had to earn our own way. That lesson all by itself is probably the best part of the education I got at WT.”

The fight never really stopped for Stovall or many of the athletes who played for her. Stovall stayed on as WT women’s athletic director for two years after retiring from coaching, during which time lawsuits and complaints were brought against the university for noncompliance and discrimination against women’s athletics.

Some of the situation was mitigated in 1980 when the university funded 10 $200 women’s athletic scholarships in Stovall’s name. By 1997, Stovall finally was recognized as a pioneer in the area as she was named to the WT Athletics Hall of Champions and inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame.

“Allene was the person who had the staying power and sustained the fight as different things happened,” Barnes said. “Allene really persisted, and she got to the point where she said,

‘I’m not scared of you.’

“She would say she didn’t do this alone. There were other coaches involved. The beginning was very hard, and they did it for nothing.”

Stovall spent time on her family farm in Panhandle during the offseason and after she retired from coaching. Those who played or worked for her still remember her legacy.

“With the passing of Allene Stovall, WT has lost its link with a huge, huge history,” Ramsey said. “With her passing, the shame is that a rich history of women’s athletics is now gone with her. The one thing that I hope is that WT will honor the legacy that she represents.”

• • •

In the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame book, Pride of the Plains, Allene Stovall told the story of how the WT women’s basketball team came to be known as the Lady Buffs.

“A sportswriter came to our game and asked what our nickname was,” she said. “So at halftime we met and I told the girls we need a name. We decided on the Lady Buffs. If not, we might have been the Buffettes the rest of our lives.”

Allene Stovall has had her portrait displayed at the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame since she was inducted in 1997.

After many years at Amarillo College, the PSHOF now is located at Kids Inc. at 2201 E. 27th Ave. in Amarillo.

At Spearman, Wayland, Levelland

Weese was dean of championships

By DANNY ANDREWS Magazine Co-Founder

The man who sandwiched two great coaching stints in high school around a stellar six years at Wayland Baptist College used both to cement his place in American basketball history and enshrinement in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Dean Weese was anointed heir to the head coaching job of the famed Hutcherson Flying Queens at the small school in Plainview by his predecessor Harley Redin and the team’s longtime sponsor, Claude Hutcherson.

Weese had spoken at Wayland basketball clinics and, bolstered by state championships in 1966, 1971 and 1972 at Spearman in the Texas Panhandle, was a logical choice when Redin decided to retire. Redin’s record of 437-68, six national Amateur Athletic Union championships and six second-place finishes in 18 years would be a tough act to follow.

“I really didn’t interview for the job. I guess Harley and Claude just liked what they saw,” chuckled Weese, who turned 87 in September 2022. “Claude flew me and Harley to the Iowa state girls basketball tournament, but we never talked about Harley getting ready to retire. But when he decided to retire (after the 1972-73 season), I think he and Claude knew what they wanted, and I felt like it was time for me to go, though I hadn’t been looking for another job at all.”

A native of Higgins, about 60 miles southeast of Perryton near the Oklahoma border, he had coached one season in his hometown after graduating from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. It happened that his sister, Kay, was a member of the Higgins team.

Although he got his draft summons for the Army and resigned, he was playing in a semipro baseball game in Shattuck, Oklahoma, when the superintendent at Spearman offered him the girls basketball job with the option to coach boys if that job came open.

“The superintendent had a friend on the draft board in Perryton and said he could pull some strings to get me a deferment. Anyway, that’s how I got into coaching girls,” Weese recalled.

A sought-after baseball catcher by several area teams, Weese had been playing with and against grown men since the eighth grade. “That’s how I got started chewing tobacco,” he laughed, saying he gave up the habit a long time ago.

15 successful years at Spearman

Weese spent 15 years at Spearman High School, coaching the Lynxettes to a record of 444-76 with 13 straight district titles.

Before Weese came to Wayland, he was asked by Redin to be his assistant for the Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia, in 1971. A mix of seven Flying Queens and several AAU players from around the country assembled in Plainview for about a

week of workouts before heading to Cali for a week of games. America and Brazil finished with 5-1 records, but Brazil claimed the gold medal by virtue of its 64-60 win over the U.S. in the first game.

He said the adjustment to coaching the fiveplayer game in Cali and later at the college level wasn’t difficult because his Spearman teams worked equally hard on defense as well as shooting. “I figured if you can’t play 2-on-2 or 3-on-3, you can’t play 5-on-5 or 6-on-6,” said Weese, whose mantra was “Can’t pass, can’t shoot, can’t play.”

“I thought the six-player (divided court) game was a super game. Some folks in Oklahoma threatened to sue to keep the six-player game after most other states except Iowa had adopted the five-player, full-court game. They wanted me to take their side for the six-player game, but all the colleges were going to the five-player game,” Weese said.

Before taking the Wayland job, Weese and his wife, the former Jo Ann Parsons – who he married Nov. 25, 1959, in her hometown of Alva, Oklahoma – had been to Plainview to see one of his former players, Marcia Shieldknight. Her sister, Leanne, played a total of eight years for Weese at Spearman and Wayland. Another former Lynxette, Sheila Patterson, also played for Weese in college.

Weese didn’t recall talking about a contract to coach at Wayland and wasn’t paid a lot more than he was making at Spearman, but he said he looked forward to the new challenge.

Jo Ann remembers being included in an interview with the Wayland president, Dr. Roy C. McClung. “He knew we weren’t Baptists, but he was kind of laying out how we were supposed to act. He thought we were Methodists, but when I told him we were First Christian, he said, ‘Well, they’re about as liberal as Methodists.’ I knew girls weren’t allowed to wear pants at Wayland. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to wear lipstick,” she related with a laugh.

Jo Ann said finding a house in Plainview after Weese took the Wayland job in 1973 was difficult because they moved a couple of months after a tornado did considerable damage to homes in the west part of town. DeAnn was about to start the seventh grade, and Todd was going to be a fourth grader. Jeremy wouldn’t come along until 1976, shortly after the Flying Queens played in the semifinals of the fifth national tournament of the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women in State College, Pennsylvania.

While Todd was able to play Little Dribblers, Plainview didn’t start basketball for girls until 1977-78. DeAnn played on the team that advanced to the state semifinals in Plainview’s first year of

Dean Weese makes a point while coaching the Wayland Flying Queens in the late 1970s.

University Interscholastic League play the following season.

Weese was able to supplement his Wayland salary by hosting summer camps, attracting “140 kids per session with a waiting list,” bringing in area coaches to assist as well as getting help from members of the Flying Queens. Camps ran from Sunday to the next Saturday noon for three weeks.

National tournaments at Wayland

Weese compiled a 190-30 record in six years at Wayland plus five appearances in the national AIAW tournament (Manhattan, Kansas; Harrisonburg, Virginia; State College, Pennsylvania; Los Angeles, California and Stanford, California), two AAU titles and four National Women’s Invitational championships in Amarillo.

Even today, Weese is convinced the deck was stacked against a man winning the AIAW title. “They had a lot of older ladies coaching and in leadership, women officials and bookkeepers. Of course, the people we played were tough,” he admitted.

On the subject of tough, Weese personified it with a no-nonsense approach in practice and games. Leanne Waddell, a member of the Queens’ team that advanced to the Final Four in Los Angeles in 1978, quipped that she thought her first name was “Dadgummit” because Weese frequently barked at her, “Dadgummit, Waddell!” when she made a mistake.

Weese’s comeback to a college official, who ran halfway down the court to apologize because “I’m sorry, I missed that call,” is the stuff of legend. “Hell,” Dean retorted, “you been missin’ ‘em all night. I don’t know why you’d come down here and brag on that one!”

At Wayland, Weese coached six players in the top 20 of alltime Flying Queen scorers, five Kodak All-Americans, six AAU All-Americans and consistent achievers in the classroom and campus activities.

Jo Ann fondly recalls an AAU-sponsored trip to the Soviet Union that included six Wayland players. The team played in four cities, and each time a different Russian squad included 7-foot Uljana Semjonova, a future Naismith and Women’s Hall of

Famer and member of the Russian contingent that played at Wayland in the mid-1970s. Wayland also sponsored the Queens on a “Hong Kong for Christ” trip that included games and testimonies by the players. “We got to spend a few days in Hawaii on the way back,” she said.

Although he turned down an opportunity to coach high school in Iowa, “I think I talked to Stephen F. Austin (in Nacogdoches) one time when I was in Spearman,” he said, regarding college opportunities. “Sue Gunter later was the coach there, and she was one of my favorite people. She probably saved my life by helping me with the rules of Title IX (passed into law in 1973 to foster equity in women’s athletics) such as recruiting.”

Speaking of recruiting, Weese said most of his was done by telephone, via the Texas-Oklahoma High School All-Star Game that rotated between Plainview and Lindsey, Oklahoma, each summer and by assistant Shena Cooper, who knew a lot of players in Oklahoma.

“Of course, the fact that we flew to our away games helped in recruiting, though I think some of the players thought we were flying on big airplanes” (rather than four-passenger Beechcraft Bonanzas provided by Claude Hutcherson).

Jo Ann said she knew things were going to get tougher on the recruiting trail when NCAA schools launched women’s basketball in the late 1970s and “Debra Rankin (sister of Flying Queens star Jill Rankin of Phillips, near Borger) signed with the University of Texas.”

Jo Ann fondly recalls the respect new recruits had for veteran players like Carolyn Bush and Brenda Moeller and the bonding experiences players had during freshman orientation and basketball initiation. “The veteran players would take the newcomers way out from Plainview and make them walk back to town and then take them to breakfast,” she remembered with a laugh.

After the 1978-79 season that saw the Queens advance to the AIAW quarterfinals, All-American center Jill Rankin made the Olympic Trials and Weese was being wooed by Jud Phillips, owner of the Dallas Diamonds of the fledgling Women’s Basketball League.

“Phillips read a story about Dean in Texas Monthly, and we flew to Dallas and got the royal treatment,” Jo Ann said. It didn’t hurt that Weese’s salary jumped from $18,000 to $23,000 with the Diamonds, whose lineup included former Queens Jerrianne John, Valerie Goodwin, Shena Cooper as player-assistant coach, and Carolyn Bush, who had graduated in 1975.

“Jill and I had a deal. She said, ‘If you stay, I’ll stay. If you go, I’m going to Tennessee’ (to play for eventual Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt),” Weese related.

Coach Dean Weese, left, poses with his 1977-78 Wayland Flying Queens. They are, from left, (front row) Kathy Booth, Kathy Harston, Tina Slinker, Sheri Haynes, (middle row) Jerianne John, Leanne Waddell, Trina Bryant, Breena Caldwell, (back row) Weese, team statistician Jo Ann Weese, Marie Kocurek, Jill Rankin, Elaine Schulte, Valerie Goodwin, assistant coach Shena Cooper and team sponsor Wilda Hutcherson. (Photo courtesy WBU Athletics)

Dean and Jo Ann Weese

But things weren’t so rosy as the pro team got off to a miserable start, playing their home games with few fans at the Dallas Convention Center. “I think the team and games were promoted well, but I guess people just weren’t ready (for women’s pro basketball, which had been tried unsuccessfully a time or two before),” Jo Ann surmised. “Also, Jud Phillips had declared bankruptcy and wanted a fresh start, so he fired Dean at midseason.”

A side note: Eric Nadel, who would go on to become the Hall of Fame voice of the Texas Rangers baseball team, was the play-by-play voice of the Diamonds, traveling with the team. He recalled that experience on a Ranger broadcast in 2010. “Eric was a real nice guy. I got to go to a couple of games in California before they decided they didn’t have enough money for me to fly,” Jo Ann said.

As it turned out, Weese got two more paychecks from the Diamonds and, with suburban Plano booming, found a job delivering supplies for a construction company. “I was afraid he’d get lost in Dallas since he got lost driving in our neighborhood,” Jo Ann laughed. “But they realized he was a coach and was used to being in charge, so they made him foreman, and he got a raise.”

More championships at Levelland

Weese soon got a call from former Plainview High School principal Bob Henry, who was in a similar role in Carlsbad, New Mexico, as well as Bill Vardeman, the superintendent in Levelland. Both were seeking a new girls coach.

While DeAnn Weese graduated from Plano High School, where she played basketball, Todd Weese was about to be a junior but would have to miss a varsity season under existing UIL transfer rules. However – providentially, it would seem – the UIL changed the rule and Dean Weese accepted the Texas job.

Over the next 19 years, Weese would add to his sterling resume with a record of 551-85, seven more state championships (including four in a row from 1985 to 1989) and 17 district titles.

In 2000, Weese was inducted as part of the second class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee, with a 42-year record of 1,207-197 and also joined the Wayland Athletics Hall of Honor. The same year, he was selected as National Girls’ Sports Coach of the Year by the National Federation of Coaches and was named one of the 100 Sports Legends of the Texas Panhandle by the Amarillo Globe-News.

In 2001, he was inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in Amarillo. He also is a member of the Texas High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

Jo Ann kept the scorebooks for her husband during his high school coaching days and proudly says she got something he didn’t: a 20-year pin as

a teacher’s aide in Levelland. She enjoys spoiling her 8-year-old granddaughter Olivia.

The Weeses have lived in Granbury since 2002, and he was one of the better players on the Pecan Plantation golf course until having to give up the game a couple of years ago.

Weese said his biggest satisfaction in coaching came from that fact that “we had good players and good support and people liked the job we did.”

Dean Weese was inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. After many years at Amarillo College, the PSHOF now is located at Kids Inc. at 2201 E. 27th Ave. in Amarillo.

(Story courtesy of the Hutcherson Flying Queens Foundation)

You are invited to the 65th Annual Ceremony of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame

2 p.m. Sunday, June 11, 2023 (Date subject to change.)

Grand Plaza Amarillo Civic Center

Induction of the New Hall of Fame Honorees

Recognition of Athletes of the Year Coaches of the Year and More Awards (Free admission. Table seating with light food available.)

Danny Andrews, left, and Dean Weese pose at Hutcherson Center at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview. Andrews is a former editor of the Plainview Herald and a former Wayland employee.

Toby Wynn credits Panhandle coaches Booker grad winning at Emporia State

By Lee Passmore

Toby Wynn has become well aware of what it takes to maintain tradition, both from the standpoint of where he is now and where he was in the first place.

Wynn, a 1994 Booker High graduate, is entering his fifth season as the head coach for the Emporia State women’s basketball team in Kansas. He’s been successful leading Emporia, posting a 79-37 record over four seasons at the perennially successful Division II university.

As such, Wynn is the latest caretaker of a tradition whose roots run through the Texas Panhandle. He knew what came before him well before he arrived on campus.

“Emporia State has a long women’s basketball tradition of success,” Wynn said. “It really got started with Cindy Stein back in the late 90s and (Canyon native) Brandon Schneider stepped in. I knew Brandon, Bob and their family because Bob grew up in Darrouzett. Bob coached my mom in high school.”

“After Brandon won the national championship in 2010 it elevated the program even more. When I had the opportunity to come here it was a once in a lifetime type of deal to take over a program like this.”

Brandon Schneider is now coaching at the University of Kansas, where he’s the reigning Big 12 Coach of the Year. Wynn came to Emporia from Seward County College in Kansas, another perennially successful program.

By now, Wynn has gotten used to following coaches at successful programs. He knows that comes with heightened expectations.

“It’s tough,” Wynn said. “My first job at Seward County College I followed a legend in Jim Littell who was 416-82. I had to do the same with Jory Collins here.

“My dad told me a long time ago if it’s not broke don’t try to fix it. I just try to work extremely hard and at the same time put my own spin on it. I kind of had a different style from what Jory had. Fortunately I’ve been successful doing it.”

Indeed, Wynn took the Lady Hornets to the NCAA Tournament in each of his first three seasons. Last year, though, the team went 15-14, as it suffered from several key injuries according to Wynn.

With a healthier team, Wynn thinks the Lady Hornets can repeat the success of his first three seasons at the school.

“We have a lot of good players back,” Wynn said. “I think

the big thing for us is staying healthy. We have a 6-4 post (Maary Lakes) who transferred here from Kansas State and she hasn’t played in a year. Having her back healthy makes a big difference inside.

“We have a couple of Division I transfers who are from Kansas originally who are going to give us some much-needed scoring and depth as well. On paper we’re going to have one of the most talented teams since I’ve been here.”

There will also be a name familiar to area girls high school basketball fans suiting up for the Lady Hornets this season. Junior Sidney Tinner, an Amarillo High graduate, should be a contributor to Emporia this season.

“She’s battled injuries since she’s been here but she’s had a great preseason so far,” Wynn said of Tinner. “We look for her to have a good impact for us. She’s probably going to be first or second off the bench.

“She can play anywhere up front for us. She can defend all five positions. We expect her to have a really good year for us.”

While Wynn is in Kansas, it seems as if the Texas Panhandle is never very far from him. That’s generally the case for women’s basketball coaches who’ve cut their teeth in the area.

For Wynn, his turning point came when he consulted with some of the region’s coaches after a highly unsuccessful first season leading a high school program.

“My first year coaching I was coaching high school boys in Balko, Okla.,” Wynn said. “We went 0-19. That next fall I got to go to a clinic at the University of Oklahoma with Dale Blaut, Jim Wilcoxon and Joe Lombard and I talked with those guys. I think the long tradition and history of successful coaches in the Panhandle and seeing how they do things is probably a reason for the success of you see out of a lot of people who come from the Panhandle. Those guys have a profound impact on a lot of our lives.”

Wynn eventually went on to success as the head coach for the Liberal (Kan.) High girls team. He went to Seward County Community College where he was an assistant for one season before taking over as head coach.

In 13 seasons at Seward, Wynn posted a 349-84 record and two Region VI Tournament titles before coming to Emporia. He

Toby Wynn, head coach of the Emporia State women’s basketball team, has a 79-37 record entering his fifth year leading the Lady Hornets. (Photo courtesy Emporia State Lady Hornet Basketball)

maintained both his own and the program’s success while inheriting several players he didn’t recruit.

There has been an increasing Panhandle flavor on the team since Wynn arrived. In addition to Tinner, Wynn signed Follett’s Mollie Mounsey, a top outside shooter, and next year Claude’s Bobbie Fouquet has committed to play for the Lady Hornets.

Now that Wynn has maintained the success level at Emporia, he thinks it’s time to take the next step and win his first NCAA Tournament game. He doesn’t claim to be trying to fulfill some grand beyond that.

“I didn’t have a big plan,” Wynn said. “I was just trying to survive the first year. I think a lot of time when you go into a place that’s been successful, usually that first guy that follows that successful coach is always in a tough spot. I was

While the Emporia (Kansas) State women’s basketball team was in South Bend, Indiana, in 2021 to play an exhibition game against Notre Dame, legendary Fighting Irish men’s coach Digger Phelps stopped by the Lady Hornets’ shootaround. Emporia State head coach Toby Wynn, son of Daryl and Susie Wynn of Booker, said, “He was nice enough to share a few stories with our team.” NCAA Division I Notre Dame won the game over Division II Emporia, 104-46. (Photo courtesy Emporia State Lady Hornet Basketball)

just trying to do everything I could to try to be able to get to the tournament. That’s a big thing around here.”

Year-round basketball Boys, girls tend to stick with Hoop 10

By LEE PASSMORE

After two-plus decades in Amarillo, it seems as if Hoop 10 is as much an institution to recognize and develop young basketball players as any school in the area.

On any given weekend at a facility on Amarillo’s Hillside Road, boys and girls ranging in age from early elementary school to high school seniors can be found participating in games and drills under the Hoop 10 banner. Talent level predictably ranges from raw, undeveloped enthusiasm for the game to near-finished products ready to take the next step to college.

A myriad of young athletes across the age and talent spectrum have come through Hoop 10’s instruction since Johnna Pointer founded the organization. For the most part, Pointer says business has been good.

“Year to year we’re pretty consistent with our numbers and with our teams,” Pointer said. “One of the goals that we have in Hoop 10 is that as kids join our program at a young age, they stay with our program. They develop and they grow, and they move up from year to year.

“We’ve had some kids that started with us in third grade and gone all the way through our program and are now seniors and are getting ready to finish their high school career. They’ve secured college scholarships and are ready to go to the next level.”

That’s where Pointer, a native of Shallowater, went after she led her alma mater to the Class 2A state tournament in 1988. She went to the University of Texas, where she played four seasons and as a senior averaged 12.8 points a game.

Pointer later coached at Frank Phillips College and Wayland Baptist before starting Hoop 10, where the emphasis has been on teaching young players. The organization has become a genuine part of the Texas Panhandle’s basketball fabric.

Loyalty breeds numbers

Players have started in Hoop 10 as young as 3 years old in the Wee League. After that, many have chosen to stick with the

organization and give basketball a try.

Over the years, the retention level of the program generally has remained high.

“I do know that the kids who buy into what we’re doing have been very loyal to our program,” Pointer said. “Part of that is we really try to build a family atmosphere with our kids. We give them our very best and do everything we can to help them develop and prepare them and help them reach their goals.”

The key is getting athletes to start young and teaching them to love the game. That’s a big reason Hoop 10’s numbers are so large from the third through sixth grades.

It’s at that point when they decide whether they want to stick with it.

“There’s lots of girls playing who want to get better, but of course, by the time you get to middle school and high school, girls have kind of decided basketball is my sport and this is what I want to pursue,” Pointer said. “Between seventh grade and high school, kids get more serious about it and potentially want to train more and be on a travel team and put more time in at that point.”

But it all starts by the time kids hit double digits in age. That’s on display during a game featuring 10- and 11-year-old girls on the weekends, coached by parents.

For someone like Piper Hughes, it may start at the Netplex, which is headquarters for Hoop 10. Hughes attends Sleepy Hollow Elementary, and if all goes according to plan, she could suit up at Amarillo High.

Hughes has been involved with Hoop 10 for two years and thinks it’s worth it.

“They are really good coaches, and it just makes me better,” Hughes said. “I was really bad, and I’ve improved a lot.”

A teammate of Hughes, Berkley Stovall, was almost born into it. Stovall’s mother, when she was known as Mandi Moore, played for Joe Lombard at Canyon High.

“My mom was in the Hall of Fame for the New Mexico Lobos,

Coach Jason Cooper and a team of Hoop 10 boys hang out after practice. Cooper is the Hoop 10 boys director and also head coach of the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens. (Photo courtesy of Hoop 10)

Coach Chasity Nachtigall poses with a group of fifth graders at Hoop 10. (Photo by Lee Passmore)

and my parents have wanted me to play basketball,” Stovall said. “I tried it out, and I fell in love with Hoop 10 and my team. I feel really confident in myself. At first I was pretty stressed out, but I’ve improved very much.”

A family affair

Stovall’s position is hardly unique in Hoop 10. During weekends when there are competitive tournaments, it’s not unusual to see parents scrambling from one game to another to catch their kids in action.

That’s one of the drawing points of Hoop 10 that Pointer has seen develop.

“We love seeing the older brother or sister come through and making their way through our program, then here come little brother or sister who for so long was kind of watching on the sideline and they’re bouncing the ball out in the lobby,” Pointer said. “Now it’s their turn to put on the uniform and be a part of the program. That’s something which is really special to us.”

It’s what has led some parents to shell out extra gas money to ensure that their children can enjoy the experience. Lacye Smallwood lives in Dalhart but travels to Amarillo frequently so her three children can participate.

Smallwood’s oldest daughter Meagyn plays on a fifth grade team, and her son Milam and youngest daughter Maebry also have gotten involved.

“We heard from Hoop 10 on Facebook,” Smallwood said. “We thought we’d give it a try for fall league back in 2020, and here we’ve been. I didn’t really know what it would entail.

“We drive over here one or two times a week for training with coach Joey Sanchez, and then we participate in the fall league and spring league. It’s definitely worth it.”

Smallwood played high school basketball in Dalhart, so she’s passing on a natural affinity for the sport to her children. But Hoop 10 has been about more than just basketball to her.

“My kids love the family feel of it,” Smallwood said. “We came from Dalhart, and we knew no one when we came here. My kids feel like they’re part of the family.

“The entire team knows all of the kids and the parents who are involved in the program. It’s a lot of people for them to remember. They’re always striving to make your kids better.”

Year-round cycle of basketball

It’s not just the winter, when high schools and colleges play, that the best players are on the court. For those who want to get better, basketball is a year-round endeavor, which is why Hoop 10 stays open all year.

It’s the “off” season, though, when people are thinking more about baseball or football (or vacation) which separates those who are serious about basketball from those who are more casual about it. Pointer says that’s reflected in attendance.

“The spring and summer are definitely our big seasons,” Pointer said. “We have more teams who want to come in and play, whether it’s from this area or they’re traveling in from New Mexico, Oklahoma or even Colorado. The fall league is a short season. It really just allows players to get back on the court, get a ball in their hands and get the rust off.”

That’s when you’ll see people like Claude senior Bobbie Fouquet come around more regularly. She started coming to Hoop 10 in her early elementary school years and hasn’t stopped.

Fouquet, who has committed to play college basketball at Division II power Emporia State in Kansas, gives credit to Pointer for developing her game.

“We love Johnna,” Fouquet said. “She’s the best. She’s been really successful here and Hoop 10 and I had to stay. She’s taught me a lot, so I can’t really pick one thing. She taught me how to be tough and keep going.”

Fouquet said she’s gotten friends to come to Hoop 10 regularly, and she has a 7-year-old sister who’s just started in the program.

“I think they would recommend it to anyone, and so would I,” Fouquet said.

Johnna Pointer

Coach Richard Alaniz joins his Hoop 10 team as the girls show off a tournament trophy. (Photo courtesy of Hoop 10)

Coach Jenna Cooper Jackson and a Hoop 10 team pose in the gym. Cooper Jackson is the Hoop 10 girls assistant director and also a “super senior” playing for the Wayland Flying Queens. (Photo courtesy of Hoop 10)

Pair is indispensable to magazine

Two journalists who have been essential to the creation of each edition of Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine for the past 12 years deserve more than a brief mention on page 2. Dave Wohlfarth has written almost all of the high school team profiles, a good portion of the college team profiles and many of the feature stories on state champions and other basketball topics during that decade-plus, all so thoroughly and professionally that it would be difficult to replace him. Cathy Martindale, also a talented journalism veteran, has been his meticulous editor and has written a few stories for the magazine herself. Plus, when Dave has traveled around the Panhandle and South Plains to interview coaches and players, she has accompanied him as a photographer.

The pair came up with the idea of the 300 Club, the magazine’s chart listing area coaches whose teams have won at least 300 games in their careers. They have collaborated to update the 300 Club every year. And they have graciously helped deliver magazines when needed.

By the way, Dave and Cathy have been married to each other for 31 years.

This magazine is just one bullet point on the resumes of both longtime journalists. Dave ended his full-time career as a professor at West Texas A&M University, and Cathy’s full-time newspaper career peaked as executive editor of the Amarillo Globe-News.

Dave Wohlfarth

Dave Wohlfarth was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.S. in journalism. He was sports editor of the Daily Nebraskan for several semesters and played three years of varsity tennis. Dave worked part-time as a sportswriter for the Lincoln Star while finishing his final semester.

He worked a year in sports for the East St. Louis Journal, which later became the Metro-East Journal, then moved to Dayton, Ohio, and worked in sports for 15 years for the Dayton Journal-Herald. He switched over to news and eventually became the news editor.

After 20 years with the Dayton paper, Dave moved back to Lincoln for five years as the executive sports editor for the Lincoln Journal-Star.

He then started a new career, moving to Amarillo and earning a master’s degree in mass communications at Texas Tech University. He taught journalism and mass comm courses at West Texas A&M University from 1991 to 2008 and also was adviser for the school newspaper, The Prairie, for 12 years.

Dave retired from teaching in 2007. In 2012, WT honored him with the title, Instructor Emeritus of Mass Communication.

He wrote the majority of the stories for the 2008 book, Pride of the Plains: 50 Years of the Panhandle-Sports Hall of Fame, the 2014 sequel to the book and the 2019 second edition. He served as a full-time quality control manager in Amarillo for the 2010 U.S. Census.

Dave has six children and 13 grandchildren from a previous marriage. He says he and Cathy currently are in charge of two horses, three dogs and two cats.

Cathy Martindale

Cathy Martindale was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. She graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

She did a summer internship at the Journal Herald in Dayton and became a full-time reporter the following year. She worked at the Journal Herald for 13 years, including stints covering beats such as metro and city education, investigative reporting, law enforcement, civil rights, copy desk, city editor and production editor.

In 1983, Cathy became copy desk chief of the Florida TimesUnion in Jacksonville, Florida. In 1986, she became copy desk chief of the Wichita Eagle-Beacon in Wichita, Kansas.

And in 1988, she became executive editor of the Amarillo Globe-News.

In 2003, she became corporate editor of Morris Communications, based in Augusta, Georgia, but worked from Amarillo.

Cathy served one term as president of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, and in 2014, she was inducted into the Panhandle Press Association Hall of Fame.

She says she and Dave enjoy traveling and overseeing their vast ranch of 10 acres and two horses, two dogs and two cats (at last count.)

(Cathy obviously didn’t edit this story, because there remains a discrepancy between the number of dogs that she and Dave claim live at their house. Maybe we should let sleeping dogs lie.)

Dave Wohlfarth and Cathy Martindale

The 300 Club

Finally! The 300 Club has a woman coach.

Jeri Been Goodman, girls coach at Springlake-Earth, moves into the exclusive club after notching win No. 300 last season.

There may be other women coaches who have achieved 300 or more wins, but none have reported their precise records on their Panhandle-Plains Basketball questionnaire.

So Goodman is No. 31 in the club with her 307-218 won-lost record, achieved primarily at Springlake-Earth. She also coached at Hale Center.

The 300 Club is a compilation of the active basketball coaches in the PPB area who have reached that magic number of varsity high school wins as a head coach.

Last year there were 30 club members. This year there are 31.

Six coaches dropped out, either by retiring, no longer coaching (or assisting) basketball or by moving out of the area. Six new coaches gained membership, while one past member returned.

The Nos. 2 and 3 coaches on last year’s membership both have retired. No. 2 Shallowater’s Chuck Darden called it quits after 41 years at that school. His Fillies won two state championships and posted a 1,052-288 record for a .785 winning percentage.

No. 3 Denny Wrenn (781 wins) retired a year ago. The longtime Plainview girls coach spent his final year at Lubbock Kingdom Prep.

Other former members are:

No. 6 Kyle Bean of New Deal (606 wins), who retired after serving the past few years as an assistant to his son, Kyler; No. 7 J.D. Sullivan (603 wins), who moved from the Abernathy boys to coach at Ponder;

No. 14 Brian Legan (526 wins), who moved from the Sundown girls to coaching girls softball at Seminole;

No. 25 Alan Ayers, the Lubbock Trinity Christian girls coach who had 394 wins entering last season, no longer is coaching in the area.

The six newbies are No. 5 Kevin Richardson, West Plains girls (600 wins); No. 13 Brad Crow, Lubbock Christian girls (489); No. 23 Will Flemons, Lubbock Cooper boys (422); the Canyon duo of No. 29 Travis Schulte (boys 318) and No. 30 Tate Lombard (girls 314); and No. 31 Goodman.

Steve Rhodes, No. 26, returns to the club after a two-year hiatus from coaching. Rhodes, now leading the River Road boys, has 346 victories.

The club has two brothers – Kevin and No. 24 Kurt Richardson (Shallowater girls) – and a father-son duo.

The father, of course, is the club leader, Canyon’s Joe Lombard, with a staggering record of 1,379-133 for a .912 winning percentage. The son is Tate Lombard, whose .826 winning percentage isn’t too shabby.

Joe Lombard still is a member because several years ago it was decided that a former head coach who is still active in a school’s basketball program deserves to keep his or her place in the club. Joe Lombard still is serving as a volunteer assistant coach for Tate Lombard’s Lady Eagles.

So, after Joe Lombard, there’s a 700-plus win gap to No. 2 Leslie Broadhurst of Randall. Broadhurst has the most boys wins with 638. The list is arranged in order of total combined wins.

(Story and chart by Dave Wohlfarth and Cathy Martindale)

Area State Championship Boys Teams

Abernathy: 1980, 1991 (2A)

Amarillo High: 1986 (5A)

Amarillo Palo Duro: 1956 (3A)

Brownfield: 2016 (3A)

Canadian: 2015 (2A), 2016 (2A)

Canyon: 1950 (1A); 1964 (2A)

Carey: 1937 (all schools)

Clarendon: 2021, 2022 (2A)

Dimmitt: 1952 (1A); 1952 (Division II); 1975 (2A); 1982, 1983 (3A)

Dumas: 1962, 1971 (3A)

Gruver: 1950 (B); 1966 (1A)

Idalou: 2011 (2A)

Lamesa: 1960, 1967, 1975 (3A)

Lubbock Dunbar: 1953, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1965 (PVIL 3A)

Lubbock Estacado: 2010 (3A)

Lubbock High: 1951 (2A)

McAdoo: 1960, 1963, 1964 (B)

Memphis: 1949 (1A)

Morton: 1972, 1977, 1983, 1986, 1987 (2A); 2005 (1A-I); 2005 (Texas Cup)

Nazareth: 1986 (1A); 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2010 (1A-II); 2003 (Texas Cup)

Paducah: 1987, 1988 (1A); 2011 (1A-II)

Pampa: 1953, 1954, 1958, 1959 (4A), 1996 (4A)

Plainview: 1994 (4A)

Seminole: 1955, 1979 (2A)

Shallowater: 2004 (2A)

Stratford: 1946 (B)

Sudan: 1995 (1A)

Texline: 2015, 2021 (1A)

Vega: 1979 (1A)

West Texas High: 2018 (2A)

White Deer: 1962 (1A)

Area State Championship Girls Teams

Abernathy: 1958, 1959, 1986, 1991 (2A); 1981, 1984 (3A)

Amarillo High: 1993, 1994 (5A), 2018 (5A), 2019 (5A)

Amarillo Tascosa: 1991 (5A)

Brownfield: 1988, 2021 (3A)

Canadian: 2017 (3A)

Canyon High: 1969, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1992, 2003, 2004,

2005, 2007, 2008 (3A); 1981, 1996, 2000, 2011, 2014 (4A), 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021 (5A)

Canyon Randall: 1992, 1998 (4A)

Claude: 1951, 1952, 1953, 1962 (B); 1971 (1A), 1972 (1A)

Dimmitt: 1954, 1955 (1A); 1993 (3A)

Dumas: 1980 (3A)

Farwell: 2000 (2A)

Gruver: 2020, 2022 (2A)

Hale Center: 1979 (1A)

2022 UIL State Champions

Clarendon Boys Gruver Girls

Follett: 1969 (B); 2008 (1A-II)

Friona: 1964 (2A)

Klondike: 1969 (B)

Levelland: 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1997 (4A)

Lubbock Monterey: 1981 (5A)

Lubbock Roosevelt: 1957 (B); 1965 (1A)

Morton: 1987 (2A)

Nazareth: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 (B); 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996. 2000 (1A); 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2014 (1A-II), 2015, 2017 (1A), 2018 (1A), 2019 (1A), 2020 (1A)

New Deal: 1953 (1A)

Panhandle: 1992, 2017 (2A)

Phillips: 1976 (2A)

Plains: 2014 (1A-I)

Plainview: 1987 (5A); 2001, 2002, 2003 (4A)

Ropesville: 1957 (1A)

Seagraves: 2005 (1A-I); 2005 (Texas Cup)

Shallowater: 2004 (2A), 2020 (3A)

Slaton: 1974, 1978, 1979, 1980 (2A), 1987 (3A)

Smyer: 2010, 2011 (1A-I)

Spearman: 1966, 1971, 1972, 1977 (2A)

Springlake-Earth: 1967, 1968 (1A)

Sudan: 1983, 1987, 1994, 1995 (1A); 2009 (1A-I); 2012 (1A-I)

Stratford: 1969, 1976 (1A)

Sundown: 1961, 1962, 1963 (1A)

Tulia: 1966, 1967, 1991 (3A)

2012-2013 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Vega: 1999 (1A)

Whiteface: 1997 (1A)

Whitharral: 2012 (1A-II)

2021-2022 Postseason Results

Boys Region 1 Tournaments

Class 6A

Quarterfinals: North Crowley 53, Odessa Permian 43; McKinney 54, Richardson 52; El Paso Americas 42, Keller Central 38; Arlington Martin 66, Lake Highlands 62

Semifinals: McKinney 68, North Crowley 48; Arlington Martin 42, El Paso Americas 37

Finals: McKinney 58, Arlington Martin 36 Class 5A

Quarterfinals: Amarillo High 58, Randall 41; Mansfield Summit 52, Richland 48; El Paso Chapin 76, Palo Duro 56; Mansfield Timberview 62, Mansfield Legacy 60 (OT)

Semifinals: Amarillo High 72, Mansfield Summitt 65; Mansfield Timberview 83, El Paso Chapin 56

Finals: Mansfield Timberview 68, Amarillo High 59 Class 4A

Quarterfinals: Canyon 54, Estacado 52; Argyle 55, Fort Worth Dunbar 51; Hereford 70, Dumas 41; Wichita Falls Hirschi 52, Decatur 27

Semifinals: Canyon 38, Argyle 35; Wichita Falls Hirschi 48, Hereford 35

Finals: Wichita Falls Hirschi 46, Canyon 39 Class 3A

Quarterfinals: Abernathy 52, Tulia 34; Wichita Falls City View 65, Peaster 36; Shallowater 68, Bushland 48; Brock 54, Holliday 40

Semifinals: Wichita Falls City View 40, Abernathy 22; Brock 61, Shallowater 57

Finals: Wichita Falls City View 46, Brock 44 (OT) Class 2A

Quarterfinals: Olton 52, New Deal 51 (OT); Christoval 52, Coleman 34; Clarendon 63, Gruver 36; New Home 79, Seagraves 43

Semifinals: Christoval 59, Olton 42; Clarendon 64, New Home 53 Finals: Clarendon 60, Christoval 49 Class 1A

Quarterfinals: Texline 91, Springlake-Earth 77; Whitharral 40, Lenorah Grady 39; Wildorado 46, Nazareth 45; Jayton 68, Klondike 31

Semifinals: Texline 68, Whitharral 39; Jayton 40, Wildorado 18 Finals: Texline 52, Jayton 34

Boys State Tournaments Class 6A

Semifinals: McKinney 68, Austin Westlake 66 (2OT); Duncanville 50, Humble Atascocita 36

Finals: McKinney 2, Duncanville 0 (Forfeit) Class 5A

Semifinals: Beaumont United 66, Dallas Kimball 64; Mansfield Timberview 55, Boerne Champion 43

Finals: Beaumont United 62, Mansfield Timberview 57 Class 4A

Semifinals: Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy 70, Silsbee 62; Wichita Falls Hirschi 63, Boerne 57 (OT)

Finals: Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy 76, Wichita Falls Hirschi 50

Class 3A

Semifinals: Dallas Madison 69, Wichita Falls City View 62; San Antonio Cole 53, Hitchcock 49

Finals: Dallas Madison 53, San Antonio Cole 51 Class 2A

Semifinals: Lipan 58, Mumford 40; Clarendon 69, La Rue La Poynor 60

Finals: Clarendon 65, Lipan 51 Class 1A

Semifinals: Graford 32, Calvert 30; Texline 58, Mertzon Irion County 42 Finals: Graford 42, Texline 39

Girls Region 1 Tournaments Class 6A

Quarterfinals: Southlake Carroll 51, Fort Worth Boswell 45; South Grand Prairie 56, Coppell 50; Hurst Bell 37, Euless Trinity 33; Denton Braswell 57, Plano East 54

Semifinals: South Grand Prairie 61, Southlake Carroll 40; Denton Braswell 44, Hurst Bell 35

Finals: South Grand Prairie 47, Denton Braswell 35 Class 5A

Quarterfinals: Amarillo High 62, Lubbock Cooper 50; Mansfield Timberview 48, Mansfield Legacy 44; Monterey 73, Randall 48; Lake Dallas 54, Mansfield Summit 47 Semifinals: Amarillo High 73, Mansfield Timberview 50; Lake Dallas 65, Monterey 53 Finals: Amarillo High 63, Lake Dallas 42 Class 4A

Quarterfinals: Canyon 44, Levelland 37; Argyle 60, Bridgeport 36; Seminole 85, Big Spring 12; Decatur 37, Krum 34 Semifinals: Argyle 33, Canyon 32; Decatur 50, Seminole 47 Finals: Argyle 52, Decatur 40 Class 3A

Quarterfinals: Idalou 70, Bushland 38; Peaster 50, Nocona 48; Canadian 51, Shallowater 45; Jim Ned 61, Brock 34 Semifinals: Idalou 49, Peaster 31; Canadian 37, Jim Ned 32 Finals: Idalou 52, Canadian 39 Class 2A

Quarterfinals: Wellington 55, Clarendon 23; Ropes 37, Sundown 36; Gruver 50, Panhandle 32; New Home 71, Sudan 58 Semifinals: Wellington 40, Ropes 22; Gruver 47, New Home 44 Finals: Gruver 44, Wellington 28 Class 1A

Quarterfinals: Nazareth 63, Springlake-Earth 26; Sands 56, Whiteface 27; Valley 60, Miami 24; Borden County 44, Klondike 40 Semifinals: Sands 46, Nazareth 28; Valley 55, Borden County 47 Finals: Sands 42, Valley 31

Girls State Tournaments

Class 6A

Semifinals: South Grand Prairie 65, Humble Summer Creek 41; DeSoto 56, Northside Clark 47 Finals: DeSoto 40, South Grand Prairie 23 Class 5A

Semifinals: Cedar Park 59, College Station 31; Frisco Memorial 59, Amarillo High 48 Finals: Cedar Park 45, Frisco Memorial 40 (2OT) Class 4A

Semifinals: Hardin-Jefferson 49, Argyle 42; Brownsboro 60, Fredericksburg 41 Finals: Brownsboro 50, Hardin-Jefferson 49 Class 3A

Semifinals: Fairfield 54, Idalou 35; Winnsboro 62, Bishop 52 Finals: Fairfield 60, Winnsboro 54 Class 2A Semifinals: Gruver 69, San Saba 29; Stamford 68, Martin’s Mill 64

Finals: Gruver 50, Stamford 38 Class 1A

Semifinals: Robert Lee 46, Neches 44; Sands 56, Huckabay 29 Finals: Sands 60, Robert Lee 33

Basketball News

Basketball scores big time with PSHOF

Basketball players and coaches were well-represented among the honorees at the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame ceremony June 12, 2022, at the Amarillo Civic Center.

One of the four inductees into the PSHOF was an outstanding high school and college basketball player, and seven other awards went to hoops athletes, coaches or teams.

Wayne Kreis, the 196th PSHOF inductee, was a two-year starter for Pampa on the 1962 and 1963 basketball teams. Starting along with Kreis on the 1963 team were Randy Matson, Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the shot put, and Ken Hebert, an All-America wide receiver at the University of Houston, both also in the PSHOF Hall of Fame. Kreis averaged a team-high 19.9 points a game, leading the Harvesters to a 29-1 record.

He signed to play basketball at TCU, and was a fixture for the Horned Frogs for the three years. As a 5-foot-10 guard, Kreis averaged in double figures each year – 14.7, 15.7, and 13.8 points a game – from 1965 through 1967.

As a junior, he was named first-team All-Southwest Conference by The Dallas Morning News and was TCU’s MVP. He finished with 1,002 career points in 68 games and is the Frogs’ fifth all-time in free-throw accuracy at 81.2 percent.

Kreis earned a business administration degree at TCU and in 1971 graduated from the University of Texas Law School. After practicing law, he shifted to the oil and gas business, where he was an innovator and entrepreneur in oilfield technology.

Kreis died on May 4, 2019, at age 74 in Fort Worth.

Also inducted June 12 were the late Elmer Tarbox, Steve McFarland and Becky Boxwell McIlraith.

Tarbox grew up in Higgins, became an outstanding football player at Texas Tech in the late 1930s and served as a Texas state representative. He was the co-MVP of the 1939 Cotton Bowl and was drafted 18th by the Cleveland Browns but declined to play pro football. In 2021, Tarbox was inducted into the Texas Tech Ring of Honor at Jones Stadium.

McFarland, an Alamo Catholic High School graduate, was one of the most recognizable names in the sport of diving with more than 50 years as a competitor, coach, TV analyst and administrator. He won two AAU national championships in Platform diving in 1973 and 1974 and was sixth in the 1976 U.S. Olympic Trials.

McFarland eventually became a diving coach for the University of Miami, where one of his divers was legendary Olympic champion Greg Louganis. He has been vice president and president of USA Diving.

McIlraith was a standout volleyball player at Amarillo High, where the Sandies won 38 matches without a loss in 1983, her senior year, before an upset in the regional finals. At Texas Tech, she had three outstanding seasons from 1985 to 1987. She was Tech’s first three-time All-Southwest Conference women’s athlete.

In 2005, she was inducted into Tech’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

The PSHOF basketball player of the year was Brendan Hausen, the Amarillo High graduate who now plays at Villanova. Hausen finished his senior year with the Sandies averaging 17.5 points, 4 rebounds and 3.5 assists, leading the AHS to a 32-7 record and an appearance in the regional finals.

Hausen is Amarillo High’s all-time leading scorer with 2,208 points. The 6-4 guard is on the 2022-23 Villanova Wildcats roster.

The late Wayne Kreis of Pampa and TCU was inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame June 12 as the 196th member.

Basketball coach of the year was Boston Hudson, the Clarendon boys basketball coach who led the Broncos to Class 2A state championships in his first two seasons as head coach. Hudson was a standout player at Canadian, where his father, Johnny Hudson, was the coach. In 2021, at 25 years old, Boston Hudson led Clarendon to the state title with a 64-60 win over Grapeland. Then in 2022, his Broncos came from behind to defeat Lipan 65-51 to repeat as state champions.

The Big Play/Big Game Award went to LaMarcus Penigar, a member of that Clarendon state title team. Penigar’s second-half performance in the Class 2A state finals has been described as the most dominant finals performance by any player in Texas Panhandle history.

Clarendon went into the second half trailing 24-16, but Penigar scored 33 of his game-high 41 points in the third and fourth quarter. He was named the tournament MVP.

Penigar averaged 21.7 points and 5.3 assists as a senior and was all-district, all-region and all-state. He has moved on to Fort Scott Community College in Kansas.

The PSHOF Super Team Award went to the Gruver Lady Hounds, who won the Class 2A state championship with a 50-38 finals win over Stamford. Gruver finished the 2021-22 season undefeated with a 33-0 record.

The Dee Henry Inspiration Award went to Camryn Armes, a key player on the Lady Hound team. The senior overcame surgery for hip dysplasia to help lead the Lady Hounds to the 2022 state title. Arms signed to play basketball at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.

A Special Achievement Award went to Bailey Maupin, another Gruver standout who was on the all-tournament team

at the 2022 state tournament. Maupin averaged 22 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists in the Lady Hounds’ undefeated season that ended in their second state championship; the first was her sophomore year.

She was named Dave Campbell’s Miss Texas Basketball Player of the Year in March 2022 and was a McDonald’s High School All-American nominee. Maupin, a four-star top 60 player according to ESPN, had more than 15 offers from Big 12 and SEC schools going into her senior season. She decided to stay close to home and signed to play for another area legend, Krista Gerlich, at Texas Tech University.

Bob Schneider, the longtime coach at Canyon and West Texas A&M, received another PSHOF Special Achievement Award. Schneider, already PSHOF inductee No. 141, was elected to the 2022 class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition to long stints at Canyon and WT, he also coached at his hometown of Darrouzett; McLean; Clayton, New Mexico; and Texas Woman’s College. His overall record was 1,045-293.

Area 2022 TABC awards

Three area high school players were named Players of the Year in 2022 by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. In UIL competition, LaMarcus Penigar of Clarendon was the boys Class 2A Player of the Year, Will Luther of Texline was the boys Class 1A Player of the Year and Bailey Maupin of Gruver was the girls Class 2A Player of the Year.

In TAPPS competition, Abigail Crow of Lubbock Christian was the girls medium private school (Class 4A) Player of the Year.

All three of the players’ teams won 2022 state championships, and their coaches – Boston Hudson of Clarendon, Trent Lankford of Gruver and Brad Crow of Lubbock Christian – received TABC Coach of the Year awards in their classifications.

The Dean Weese Outstanding Coach Award went to Brooke Walthall of Randall in Class 5A. Aaron Marks of Canadian was a finalist for the Weese Award in Class 3A, and Amy Bowles of Valley was a finalist in Class 1A.

Taylor Schulte of Nazareth was a finalist for the Don Coleman Outstanding Coach Award.

Boys Assistant Coach of the Year winners were Cody Wolfe of Shamrock and Trevor Johnson of Randall.

Sarah Blakely of Lubbock Cooper was a Girls Assistant Coach of the Year finalist.

Koty Huseman of Smyer was a Girls Middle School Coach of the Year.

On the college level, Parker Hicks of Lubbock Christian was the Men’s Small College Player of the Year for the second year in a row.

Todd Duncan of Lubbock Christian was Men’s Small College Coach of the Year, and Josh Prock of West Texas A&M was the Women’s Small College Coach of the Year. Jason Imes of Lubbock Christian was the Men’s Small College Assistant Coach of the Year. Miro Szabados of Lubbock Christian was the Men’s Student/Grad Assistant Coach of the Year.

Richardson, Cogburn first at West Plains

The first head basketball coaches at the new West Plains High School are starting new programs, but both have extensive experience.

Kendall Cogburn, the Wolves’ coach, and Kevin Richardson, coach of the Lady Wolves, both are Canyon school district graduates. Cogburn graduated from Randall in 2008, and Richardson graduated from Canyon High in 1992. Cogburn’s most recent job was coaching the boys at Bushland. He had been head coach of the Falcons since 2016, and in 2021-22 Bushland reached the Class 3A regional quarterfinals. He also coached at Happy from 2014 to 2016. His overall coaching record is 153-79 over eight years. Richardson just completed three years coaching the Wall boys, who won three district championships under his tutelage. Before Wall, he was head coach at Abernathy from 1999 to 2001 and Canadian from 2001 to 2019. His overall coaching record is 600-147 over 24 years.

Both coaches graduated from West Texas A&M.

Canyon ISD athletic director Toby Tucker told Shawn Moran of the Amarillo Globe-News that Richardson has valuable experience. “He is proven,” Tucker said. “Everywhere he’s been, he’s been a winner. He’s a gentleman of the game, and you get excited about bringing guys like that in.”

Tucker told Moran that Cogburn has great promise. “If you look at a mountain, he is the guy climbing that mountain,” Tucker said. “He’s one of the up-and-comers, he’s one of the hottest names in high school basketball in the state of Texas, and we’re fired up to have him at West Plains.”

Boys assistant coaches this first year are Keenan Hooker and Cameron Copley. Girls assistants are David Castellon and Haley Palmore.

Kendall Cogburn, left, and Kevin Richardson

Cookie Barron joins WBHOF in Knoxville

Former Wayland Baptist Flying Queen Alice “Cookie” Barron was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee, on June 11, 2022.

Barron, who helped establish the Flying Queens’ national record 131-game winning streak in the 1950s, was one of eight people inducted as the Class of 2022, along with former West Texas A&M coach Bob Schneider. Others were Debbie Antonelli (Contributor), Doug Bruno (Coach), Becky Hammon (Player), DeLisha MiltonJones (Player), Paul Sanderford (Coach) and Penny Taylor (International Player). Barron was voted in as a veteran player.

The WBHOF has 179 Hall of Fame inductees, including nine – five players, three coaches and a sponsor – who have ties to the Flying Queens.

Other former Flying Queens players in the WBHOF are Patsy Neal, Lometa Odom, Katherine Washington, Jill Rankin-Schneider and Carolyn Bush Roddy; coaches are Harley Redin, who was part of the inaugural class in 1999, Dean Weese and Marsha Sharp (Queen Bees junior varsity and later Texas Tech coach); and sponsor Claude Hutcherson. Former WBU Pioneer and storied high school coach Joe Lombard was inducted in 2016. In addition, the 1953-58 Flying Queens teams that established the record 131-game winning streak were recognized as Trailblazers of the Game.

Barron, who was inducted into the WBU Athletics Hall of

Honor as part of the fourth class in 1995, never played in a losing game as a member of the Flying Queens from 1953-57. The 5-foot-4 guard from Georgetown helped the Flying Queens win 104 straight games and claim national championships all three of her seasons.

Barron was co-captain of the Flying Queens her final season in 1956-57, when she was named Wayland’s Outstanding Woman Athlete. It was Barron’s free throw with four seconds left in the third overtime that prolonged the win streak in a 53-52 road win over Iowa Wesleyan that season, and she was a first team All-American as the Queens claimed a fourth straight Amateur Athletic Union national title. She also was a member of the United States national team that beat Russia in the finals of the 1957 World Tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Barron’s success continued into her professional career as an educator and athletics administrator. Upon her retirement in 1990 after 12 years as coordinator of athletics for Jefferson County School District, Colorado’s largest with 85,000 students, Barron had been recognized by numerous professional associations.

She also has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of the National Federation of State High Schools Association, Jefferson County Schools Athletic Directors Association, Colorado High School Coaches Association, Sportswomen of Colorado, Colorado High School Activities Association, and Colorado Coaches of Girls’ Sports.

Throughout her career, Barron, who lives in Lakewood, Colorado, has remained a supporter of Flying Queens basketball. Her efforts contributed to the formation of the Flying Queens Alumni Association, now the Hutcherson Flying Queens Foundation, which provides support for the current team.

Hausen sticks with ’Nova

Former Amarillo High standout Brendan Hausen, who committed on Sept. 27, 2021, to play at Villanova University in Philadelphia, stuck with his decision after the coach who recruited him, Jay Wright, retired.

Wright who had led the Wildcats for 21 seasons and claimed two national championships, announced his retirement in April 2022. His coaching record was 520-197, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

Wright’s former assistant, Kyle Neptune, was named the new Villanova head coach. Neptune was a Wildcat assistant from 2013 to 2021 and spent one season as head coach at Fordham University. Wright has joined CBS Sports and WBD Sports as a college basketball analyst.

The 6-4 Hausen is Amarillo High’s all-time leading scorer despite a COVID-shortened season his sophomore year. The Sandies reached the Class 5A state semifinals his junior year, where they fell to Dallas Kimball, 60-56, in overtime. In his senior year,

Alice “Cookie” Barron

The 2022 inductees into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, including Bob Schneider of Canyon and West Texas A&M and Cookie Barron of Wayland Baptist, signed programs while in Knoxville, Tennessee, for the June ceremony. (Photo courtesy of WBU Sports Information)

Brendan Hausen

Basketball News

(Continued from previous page)

AHS lost to Mansfield Timberview, 68-59, in the regional finals.

Hausen was ranked as a four-star recruit and according to 247Sports.com, was the No. 11 shooting guard and No. 95 prospect in the nation. He picked the Wildcats over Oregon, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Texas Tech and Nevada. He had 23 college offers, according to The Villanovan student newspaper, and was the second player to sign with Villanova’s 2022 class.

He is the son of Benji Hausen, an AHS assistant coach who took the McLean girls to the Class 1A state title game in 2010, and Stefanie Andrus Hausen, who played basketball at the University of Texas and was on two AHS state championship teams in 1993 and 1994. His brother, Braden Hausen, is a 6-7 Sandie junior. His sister, Bennett, is in the seventh grade.

Betty Solis named Distinguished Alumnus

Betty Solis, a longtime backer of West Texas A&M basketball who became a friend and supporter of Buff and NBA star Maurice Cheeks, was one of four people honored in September with 2022 Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Other recipients were Col. Steven McCraw, who earned WT degrees in 1979 and 1981 and has served since 2009 as director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, and Val White and her husband Pat White, 1981 and 1982 graduates who have helped revitalize the town of Wellington through the Zephyr Foundation.

Solis has been known to athletes through the dedades as “the mother of WT.”

“WT strives to create a commitment to being self-reliant, courageous, resourceful and part of something larger than one’s self, and each of these recipients fully embodies those ideals,” said Ronnie Hall, WT Alumni Association executive director.

Solis, a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, moved to the United States in 1954. She graduated from WT in 1959 and began her career in education as a first grade teacher at Dwight Morrow Elementary School in Amarillo. She was the first bilingual teacher in the Amarillo school district and earned a master’s of education degree in 1978.

She worked her way up to principal of Glenwood Elementary School, where she retired in 2001 after 41 years working for the district. She is a volunteer who was instrumental in the formation of the Eveline Rivers Christmas Project as well as giving vital

service to the Maverick Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Family Support Services and more. She was the Amarillo Globe-News Woman of the Year in 2002.

At WT, Solis and late husband John were devoted fans of WT basketball, frequently inviting team members to their Amarillo home for dinner.

“Our extraordinary friendship started some 48 years ago, and it still remains strong today,” wrote Cheeks, assistant coach of the Chicago Bulls, who graduated from WT in 1978. “There was a time when I struggled and was on the verge of leaving WT to return back to Chicago. But with the support and encouragement of Betty and her family, I made the difficult decision to stay. Betty was my mother away from home.”

“Betty Solis is an ambassador of good will, human dignity and virtue,” wrote Vic Hayes, a former WT athlete and retired U.S. Air Force officer. “Mrs. Solis understood the bedrock of hope is family. … Her personal investment of time, talent and treasure into the lives of young men guided many to reach lofty professional heights.”

Solis didn’t believe WT President Walter Wendler when he called her on April 1 to tell her about her honor. “I didn’t tell anybody for about two weeks,” she said. “I still kept thinking that maybe it was a joke or something.”

The Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor given by the WT Alumni Association, has been given annually since 1970. In that time, 119 alumni have been honored, including this year’s inductees.

(Story courtesy of Chip Chandler, WTAMU Communication and Marketing)

Rick Barnes’ faith

After Tennessee won the Southeastern Conference tournament in March for the first time since 1979, Coach Rick Barnes said, “First of all, I thank God for the blessing of having this wonderful team with me and these great fans.”

For Barnes, those weren’t casual words. After the season, the former Texas Longhorns coach said on Sports Spectrum’s “Table Forty” podcast that he often neglected God in his early coaching career. He recalled a player once telling him that he was troubled by Barnes’ cursing, which made him rethink his coaching style. The 67-year-old said God has been at work in his life, drawing Barnes back to him.

“I’m just thankful that God, you know, He won’t let go of you,” Barnes said on the podcast. “I don’t think there’s any question he had me when I was young, but I let the world take me down a road and roads that I shouldn’t have gone. But I believe that once he gets a hold of you, he won’t let you go. I think he has great plans to help me become more and more like him every day.”

Barnes said he often starts his day by spending time with God, in His Word and in prayer.

Betty Solis

Basketball News

Tech took title 30

years ago

April 4, 2023, will mark 30 years since the Texas Tech Lady Raiders won the NCAA Division I national championship in Atlanta.

Coach Marsha Sharp’s team won Tech’s first national title in any team sport after a 19-game winning streak and finished with a 31-3 record. The star was Sheryl Swoopes, who scored a record 47 points in the 84-82 championship win over Ohio State. Tech led for much of the game, and the Buckeyes made it a two-point contest with a basket at the end.

Swoopes, who went to WNBA and Olympic stardom, and Krista Kirkland Gerlich, Tech’s current head coach, were named to the Final Four all-tournament team.

In a story by Patrick Gonzales at ttu.edu, basketball hall of famer Nancy Lieberman said, “There are some poignant moments scattered all over sports history, and the Lady Raiders certainly were a part of that.

“It was the first time a women’s Final Four was sold out, and they were a big reason why. They just captivated the national audience because they represented everything West Texas is about: they’re weren’t jerks, they had a nice coach and just played really hard.”

1993 Texas Tech Lady Raiders Roster

Name Pos. Hometown Class

Michi Atkins P Loraine Fr

Cynthia Clinger P Afton, Wyo. Sr Patrice Conwright G Lubbock Estacado Soph. Janice Farris F Lubbock Monterey Jr. Nikki Heath G Sweetwater Soph. Noel Johnson G Nazareth Soph. Diana Kersey G Lubbock Monterey Jr. Krista Kirkland G Spearman Sr. Kim Pruitt F New Deal Jr.

Stephanie Scott G Plano Jr.

Sheryl Swoopes F Brownfield Sr. Michelle Thomas G S.A. Roosevelt Fr Melinda White F Borger Fr

Coach: Marsha Sharp

Asst. Coaches: Linden Weese, Roger Reding, Terri Meyer Weldon (graduate assistant)

Trainer: Natalie Steadman

Manager: Lance White 1992-1993 record: 31-3

Tech’s Ham leading Lakers

Darvin Ham, the former Texas Tech standout who played nine seasons in the NBA, is the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Ham has been an assistant coach in the NBA since 2011, the past four seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks.

He was a Red Raider from 1993 to 1996 and is most known for shattering the backboard in an NCAA tournament game against North Carolina. A photo of him breaking the backboard with glass raining down was on the cover of the March 25, 1996, issue of Sports Illustrated magazine. Tech made it to the Sweet 16 that season under Coach James Dickey.

In the NBA, Ham played with the Nuggets, Pacers, Wizards, Bucks, Hawks and Pistons. He was a member of the 2004 Pistons championship team.

“Our players and fans will immediately identify with Darvin’s no-nonsense and hard-working approach, which we feel will bring toughness and a competitive edge to all we do,” said the Lakers’ General Manager Rob Pelinka. “When you add that to Darvin’s sophisticated grasp of in-game strategy and deep knowledge of the game of basketball, we have the ideal coach for this next chapter in Lakers history.”

Ham is the 28th head coach in the franchise’s history. He is a native of Saginaw, Michigan.

Darvin Ham shattered the glass against North Carolina in the 1996 NCAA tournament. Tech also won the game, 92-73.

LCU scholar-athletes have much in common

The 2022 Lubbock Christian University male and female recipients of the annual Lone Star Conference Scholar-Athlete Awards get to keep the physical awards in the same house.

They’re married to each other.

Each LSC member school has two award winners each year, and this year LCU’s are former men’s basketball player Parker Hicks and former women’s basketball player Allie Schulte – now Allie Schulte-Hicks.

Schulte and Hicks, who both graduated from LCU this year, were married on June 11, 2022, and a few days later the LSC awards were announced.

Hicks, who is beginning his first year as head coach at Levelland, closed out an LCU career full of on-and-off the court honors. He became the university’s 24th CoSIDA Academic All-America honoree (also claimed CoSIDA All-District Team honors) and LCU’s first two-time NABC All-America Team selection. Additional accolades included D2CCA All-America Team, D2CCA South Central Region Player of the Year, Lone Star Conference Player of the Year (winning the award for the second straight season) and TABC Small College Player of the Year credits.

Six times during the year, he was named the LSC Defensive Player of the Week, and he earned one Offensive Player of the Week award as well. This season, the Decatur native led the Chaparrals in scoring and rebounding with 19.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Hicks shot 55.7 percent from the field to lead the conference in that category, including 43.0 percent from behind the arc.

He played in all 31 LCU games, averaging 35.1 minutes per contest. An 85.2 percent shooter at the free throw line, Hicks also contributed 33 steals and 27 blocks during the season. He scored in double-figures in every game of the season and collected 14 double-doubles. On Feb. 8, Hicks set a new LCU program record when he scored 50 points against Texas A&M International. In total, he scored 597 points during the 2021-22 season, the third

most ever in a single season by a Chaparral player.

Schulte was a unanimous All-America selection this season, claiming the recognition from D2CCA, WBCA and World Exposure Report. The Nazareth graduate is a three-time All-Lone Star Conference selection, and off the court she was recognized with three All-Academic selections in the LSC and with a pair of CoSIDA Academic All-District accolades.

Schulte closed out a collegiate career leading LCU all-time in games played with 155. She scored 1,587 points in her LCU career and leaves as the all-time leader in three-point shooting percentage (.444, 176/396), while also ranking second in steals (320) and fourth in field goal percentage (.522, 569/1091) and assists (421).

She was part of two NCAA Division II national titles and is the Lady Chaps’ all-time scoring leader in NCAA postseason play with 205 points.

Schulte also played on three state championship teams for the Nazareth Swiftettes.

Her award marks the third straight season LCU’s recipients included a member of women’s basketball. Maddi Chitsey was honored in 2020, and Ashton Duncan in 2021. Hicks is LCU’s first recipient representing the men’s basketball program.

Hightower finishes strong

Lexi Hightower, the Amarillo High standout who also became a star at West Texas A&M, finished her basketball playing career with a twist – as a Texas Tech Lady Raider in the Big 12.

The 5-8 guard has excelled at every level. She was all-state for the Sandies, then played three seasons at WT, where she was a two-time Lone Star Conference Player of the Year, scoring 1,642 career points. As a senior with the Lady Buffs, Hightower came back from a 2019-20 season-ending injury and earned recognition as a third-team All-American.

After transferring to Tech, she averaged 8.3 points and 3.2 rebounds and made a team-best 39 three-pointers.

Lexi Hightower signs an autograph Dec. 12, 2021, as a Texas Tech Lady Raider at a game between Tech and UNLV at – ironically – her previous home court, West Texas A&M’s First United Bank Center. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Parker Hicks and Allie Schulte-Hicks

Basketball News

Conference team championships, 14 LSC individual championships and three NCAA individual national championships. WT ranks No. 4 in NCAA Division II athletic programs.

Fugate’s gift brings the total amount for the One West Campaign to about $110 million. The campaign’s goal is $125 million.

The first basketball player to receive a Fugate scholarship is Jayla Burgess, a sophomore biology major from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Burgess started all 37 games of the 2021-22 season, with 159 rebounds, 50 assists, 41 blocks and 33 steals on top of a 51.9 percent shooting average and a 70.8 free-throw average.

“Jayla is one of the most outstanding young ladies I’ve ever worked with,” Coach Josh Prock said. “Not only is she a tremendous basketball player, she’s an even better student and person. That’s why she was chosen for this award, because we believe that she embodies everything Judy Fugate believes in.”

Museum space to honor Queens

Fugate donation boosts Lady Buffs

Women’s sports at West Texas A&M got a boost this April when Judy Fugate donated $1.85 million for scholarships for WT female athletes. With the donation, the J. Fugate Fund for Lady Buffs Athletics will be created.

“Judy’s gift today will ensure that the success of our women’s athletics will continue,” said WT Athletic Director Michael McBroom. “With this gift, we hope to continue to attract the best and brightest in the Panhandle.”

The first annual scholarships were schedule to go this fall to one athlete from each of the women’s sports.

Fugate, 72, a graduate of Pampa High School, played badminton and bowled for WT in the 1960s and early 1970s. She received a physical education degree in 1972, then a master’s degree at Texas Tech. She was certified in special education and spent a few years coaching and teaching special education in Amarillo.

In 1978, Fugate took a job at Pantex that eventually led to work in the engineering department. She retired in 2006 after 28 years, and she had done well with investments.

She attends most WT women’s volleyball, basketball and softball games.

“To see the fruition of your work and have a life accomplishment – it’s so important,” Fugate said in an Amarillo Globe-News story by Brianna Maestas. “I hope to encourage other WT alumni and individuals who have attended WT to step up and help in some way, too.”

According to McBroom, WT student-athlete graduation rates are at an all-time high at 61%, a 17% rise over the past 15 years.

During the 2021-22 season, WT teams won six Lone Star

By JONATHAN PETTY WBU Communications Director

Wayland Baptist Members of the Hutcherson Flying Queens Foundation gathered in February 2022 with Wayland Baptist University officials, the WBU Flying Queens basketball team and members of the community at the Jimmy Dean and Llano Estacado Museum to break ground on the Flying Queens Museum.

A project driven by the foundation, Wayland is providing space, expertise and training to properly catalog and preserve the artifacts that will be on display in the museum. Linda Price, president of the foundation, said the museum and the stories housed in it will show the impact the Queens and Wayland have had on the game of women’s basketball in West Texas and beyond.

“While segments of the Flying Queens story are presented in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, and in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee, this will be the only venue in the United States that presents a complete picture of the program’s accomplishments and of the significant role the Flying Queens program played in the development of the women’s game and the history of women’s basketball,” Price said.

Sponsored by Claude and Wilda Hutcherson, the Flying Queens program changed the face of women’s basketball. Price outlined several historical accomplishments for the program.

• The first women’s team to fly to all road games.

• The first collegiate program to award four-year athletic scholarships to women.

• The first women’s team to play in Madison Square Garden.

• The first and only team to win nine consecutive NWIT National Championships.

• Graduates from the program helped establish the first women’s professional basketball league.

• The first and only team in collegiate history to win 131

Judy Fugate

consecutive games.

• And currently first among collegiate program wins with more than 1,700 as a program, 300-plus more wins than any other collegiate women’s program in the nation.

The Flying Queens also have had international influence with players selected to play in FIBA World Championships, the Pan America games and FISU World University games in Moscow.

“We are telling a unique story that took place in West Texas and involved many young women who grew up on the plains and were influenced by its culture,” Price said. “However, the museum collection goes beyond preserving basketball accomplishments. It also tells the collective story of strong, determined women who used basketball as a means of obtaining a college education. As graduates, Flying Queens were hired post-Title IX to initiate and then to maintain equity and excellence in sports for women and girls.”

Current Flying Queens coach Jason Cooper echoed Price’s comments about the important role the program has played in fostering opportunities for women. He noted the difference in the Flying Queens mascot and the Pioneers name that all other Wayland athletic teams use.

“Our mascot may be different than the rest of our fellow athletes, but make no mistake, these women were true pioneers,” Cooper said. Both the Queens and the Pioneers basketball teams are starting their 75th year of competition in 2022.

After the ceremonial turning of the dirt, Wayland President Dr. Bobby Hall invited people into the museum to view the existing space that will be renovated. Artist renderings were provided by Halo Architects in Lubbock. The Naismith Hall of Fame trophy, ring and jacket were on display in an enclosed case.

Fundraising for the project is being conducted by the foundation. In her comments, Price thanked the Texas Historical Foundation for providing the first significant grant for the project.

Culver to Atlanta

The Atlanta Hawks signed former Lubbock Coronado and Texas Tech star Jarrett Culver to a two-way contract in September.

Culver previously was with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he appeared in 37 games last season, averaging 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 9.1 minutes. The 6-6 guard saw action in three postseason games with the Grizzlies, averaging 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 7.3 minutes.

He also saw action in four games (all starts) with the Memphis Hustle, the NBA G League affiliate of the Grizzlies, averaging 18.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks in 33.1 minutes.

Drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Culver’s draft rights were traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 6, 2019. Over his three-year career, the Lubbock native has suited up for the Timberwolves (2019-21) and Grizzlies (2021-22), appearing in 134 games (42 starts), averaging 6.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17.5 minutes (.401 FG%).

Culver played collegiately at Tech for two seasons (2017-19), seeing action in 75 games (58 starts), registering 14.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 29.5 minutes (.459 FG%, .341 3FG%, .687 FT%).

The 2019 Big 12 Player of the Year led the Red Raiders to the 2019 NCAA Championship Game as a sophomore, their first-ever Final Four and championship game appearance, en route to being named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team.

In his freshman season, Culver guided Tech to its first Elite Eight in program history. Culver, who finished his Red Raider career with 1,119 total points, became the first player in Tech history to score at least 1,000 points as a freshman and sophomore.

Holding shovels Feb. 19, 2022, for the Flying Queens Museum groundbreaking are Wayland Baptist Athletic Director Bill Weidner, Flying Queens Coach Jason Cooper, former Texas Tech Coach Marsha Sharp, Hutcherson Flying Queens Foundation President Linda Price, Wayland President Dr. Bobby Hall, Halo Architects representatives Scott Harvey and Kyle Flusche and Plainview Mayor Dr. Charles Starnes along with the current Flying Queens basketball team. (Photo and story courtesy of Hutcherson Flying Queens Foundation)

Jarrett Culver

Basketball News

• Willie Ansley, one of the top three-sport athletes in Bulldog history, the 1989 graduate was an all-state baseballer in addition to being all-district in football as a speedy and powerful runningback and linebacker and all-district basketballer as well, averaging about 15 points over four seasons. The slugging centerfielder was the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior, No. 1 draft choice of the Houston Astros, played in the Texas High School All-Star Game in the Astrodome and spent 10 years in the minor leagues. He works for the Pasadena, Texas, school district and owns a baseball academy.

Norman Reuther Gene Knolle

Knolle, Reuther honored

Former Texas Tech basketball players Gene Knolle and Norman Reuther were inducted into the Tech athletic department’s Hall of Fame in October.

Knolle, who with teammate Greg Lowery was one of the first two African-American players on the Red Raider basketball team, averaged 21.5 points during his two seasons at Tech from 1969 to 1971, still the best career average for a Tech player. He was All-Southwest Conference both seasons. Joe Yeager of 247sports. com wrote that Knolle and Lowery, who averaged 25 points as a senior, were “the greatest pure scoring tandem in Texas Tech basketball history.” Knolle was from St. Albans, New York.

Reuther also played with an outstanding teammate, Dub Malaise, from 1964 to 1966. Malaise is considered one of the best players in Tech history, but Reuther averaged 16.6 points and 8.1 a game and was one of the top rebounders to play for the Red Raiders. He was All-Southwest Conference as a senior. Reuther is a native of Fort Worth.

Plainview honorees represent the area

The inaugural class of the Plainview High School Athletic Hall of Honor was recognized at halftime of a Sept. 9 football game with a reception at the Plainview Junior High gymnasium south of the stadium where the permanent display and plaque are located.

The 10 honorees were chosen from almost 100 former athletes and coaches by a 14-member committee of longtime Bulldog fans organized by Danny Andrews, sports editor of The Plainview Herald from 1970 to 1978, editor from 1978 to 2006 and co-publisher of Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine for 36 of its first 38 years of existence.

Each of the inductees played basketball for a team represented in Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine. The inductees include:

• One of the most gifted athletes in PHS history, 1981 graduate Gay Hemphill excelled in three sports, made all-state in basketball and led Plainview to the state semifinals its first year of UIL competition in 1979. She owns school records in basketball scoring and in the discus. She went on to star at Wayland Baptist for two years where she was an All-American, then helped the University of Texas win the NCAA national championship in 1986. She had three-year stints as an assistant coach at Rutgers, Dartmouth and Manhattan College. She is a physical educator instructor at a private academy in New York City.

• Until surpassed in 1965 the all-time leading receiver in the National Football League was 1948 graduate Bill Howton, a three-sport athlete at PHS, once scoring 38 points in basketball against Borger. He was an All-American end at Rice University and played 12 years in the NFL – the first seven with Green Bay and the first four years of the Dallas Cowboys franchise. He finished with 8,459 yards and 61 touchdowns receiving and was the first president of the National Football League Players Association, serving for four years. Bill is a member of the Packers, Rice and Panhandle Sports halls of fame. He is retired from banking and lives in Houston.

• A 1968 graduate of PHS, where he was a starter in basketball after playing several sports at Plainview’s Booker T. Washington High School, Lawrence McCutcheon went on to a stellar career at Colorado State University where he rushed for almost 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. He then played 10 years in the National Football League for Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver and Buffalo, playing in four Pro Bowls, throwing a touchdown pass in the 1979 Super Bowl and rushing for 8,377 yards. A resident of Huntington Beach, Calif., he is a member of the Panhandle Sports, Colorado State and Los Angeles Rams halls of fame and is retired after working for the Rams organization for 39 years.

• Ronnie Peret led the 1963-64 Bulldog basketball team to a district co-championship and scored 30 points in a 72-71 overtime victory over Lubbock High on a shot at the buzzer in a game televised from Bulldog Gym. He scored 44 in a game vs. Midland as a senior. The 1965 grad went on to a stellar career at Texas A&M, earning All-Southwest Conference honors and Player of the Year laurels in 1969 and is a member of the A&M Athletic Hall of Honor. He was drafted by the NBA Los Angeles Lakers and ABA Indiana Pacers but was unable to continue playing due to chronic knee problems. He is an investments advisor in League City, Texas.

• A four-time all-stater in basketball, Alesha Robertson-Ellis played three sports and led the Lady Bulldogs to three consecutive state basketball championships in the early 2000s, finishing as the No. 2 scorer in school history before starring at Texas Tech the next four years. She went on to coach eight seasons at Wayland Baptist University, posting a 189-55 overall mark and 122-22 in Sooner Athletic Conference play, winning three SAC titles and four SAC tournaments and taking her teams to the national tournament all eight years, including the 2018 semifinals. A 2004 graduate of PHS, she now is head women’s coach at Angelo State University.

• Greg Sherwood, considered one of the best basketball players ever at Panhandle High School where he graduated in 1955, is the man who helped put Plainview on the football map. He led the Bulldogs to their first-ever playoff appearance in 69 seasons when PHS advanced to the state quarterfinals against Odessa Permian in his first year at the helm in 1978. Sherwood, who passed away in 2006 and for whom the high school stadium was renamed in 2007, had a record of 63-36 in his 10 years as PHS head coach and athletic director. He is a member of the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame and Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame.

• A 1969 graduate, Jerry Sisemore was a 3-sport athlete at PHS, including playing basketball with a heavy cast as a junior after suffering a broken arm. He was a consensus two-time AllAmerican offensive tackle at the University of Texas where he helped the team win three Southwest Conference titles, played in the Senior Bowl and then played 14 years for the Philadelphia Eagles after being their No. 1 draft choice and was named AllPro twice. He played in the 1980 Super Bowl and is a member of the College Football, University of Texas, Panhandle Sports and Philadelphia Eagles halls of fame. He is retired owner of Rock Marina in Austin.

• A gifted three-sport athlete, 2006 graduate Jamar Wall led the state in rushing in 2005 when the Bulldogs went to the state quarterfinals for the second time in his three varsity seasons. He established school records for total yards rushing and touchdowns. Jamar also was all-district in basketball and the state champion high jumper as a senior and made the all-state drum line. After a standout career as a defensive back at Texas Tech, he played nine years for Calgary in the Canadian Football League, including five Grey Cup championship games, winning two. He works for an oil company in Calgary.

• In a 30-year career as head coach of the Lady Bulldogs, Danny Wrenn led Plainview to three consecutive state championships in 2001-02-03 over Dallas Lincoln and to the 2004 finals against Lincoln. Plainview won or shared numerous district titles, advanced to the playoffs almost every year in his 30 seasons and made it to state two other times. He also coached one year at Lubbock’s Kingdom Prep. The former Wayland player from Seminole received many Coach of the Year honors and his overall record of 781-272 is the third best among Panhandle-Plains area coaches. He is retired and lives in Happy.

Benny and Stevi Lockhart are two of the few parent-child duos to have graced the cover of this magazine in its first 50 years. Benny Lockhart, left, starting his 10th year as Sudan’s head girls coach and his 25th year as a head coach overall, was on the cover of the 1989-90 issue. As a player, he represented Sundown, where he graduated, which is about 48 miles from Sudan. Stevi Lockhart, right, is on the cover of this year’s edition representing Sudan, and it’s the third time for the senior all-stater. With an “lol,” Dad wrote, “Stevi gives me the business that I only made it once.”

Jeri Been Goodman, Springlake-Earth’s girls basketball coach, picked up her 300th win during the 2021-22 season. Goodman’s Lady Wolverines defeated Cotton Center 56-24 on Dec. 11 for the historic win on the road. According to the Lamb County Leader-News, Halee Toscano led Springlake-Earth with 20 points, Taytum Goodman had a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists, and Sayler Beerwinkle had 11 points and 7 rebounds. Sydney Furr scored 8, and Mahalia Delgado had 3 points. Taytum Goodman is the coach’s daughter. Mother and daughter are at the center of the Lamb County Leader-News photo.

Basketball News

Harston, Thomas honored as coaches

A former Flying Queen and a former Pioneer are the most recent two people selected to receive the Harley Redin Coach’s Award at Wayland Baptist University.

Kathy Harston, the senior associate athletics director for sports programs at the University of Texas, received the 2022 award Oct. 29 in Plainview.

Tim Thomas, who has coached high school basketball for many years in addition to working as a college assistant coach, received the 2020 award. No award was given in 2021.

The award is presented to a Wayland alumnus who has demonstrated outstanding success as a head coach at the university or public/private school level. The recipient also is recognized for outstanding contributions to community, school and church.

The award is named in honor of Wayland’s most successful coach, Harley Redin, who coached a total of 27 years at Wayland. He led the Pioneers to a 171-97 record and three national tournament appearances from 1948 to 1957 and the Flying Queens to a 431-66 record – including wins in his first 76 games as part of a collegiate-record 131 straight victories – and six Amateur Athletic Union national championships and seven runner-up titles in 18 years.

Redin died on Aug. 1, 2020, just 28 days short of his 101st birthday.

During her playing days with the Flying Queens, Harston was a Kodak All-American and finalist for the 1980 Wade Trophy given to the national player of the year. She led the Flying Queens to the 1977 National Women’s Invitational Tournament championship and to a fourth-place finish at the 1978 AIAW National Championship. In January 2006, she was selected as one of the “Top 25 Players of the Pre-NCAA Basketball Era” by ESPN.com.

Harston, a native of Southlake, received her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Wayland in 1980 and her master’s degree in education from North Texas in 1982. After two years as an assistant coach at Texas Tech, she was the head girls basketball coach and athletic coordinator for five years at Plainview High School, leading the Lady Bulldogs to the Texas Class 5A state championship in 1986-87, when she was named Texas State High School Coach of the Year.

Harston went on to serve as an assistant coach at UT-Austin

from 1989 to 2007. She then served as an academic counselor at UT for one year. During her time on the bench alongside Hall of Fame coach Jody Conradt, the Longhorns made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Final Four in 2003. Texas also claimed eight total conference championships, including five regular-season titles and three postseason tournament crowns.

After a four-year stint as basketball operations director for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, Harston returned to the University of Texas in 2012 in her current role, responsible for sports administration of six programs, including day-to-day oversight of women’s basketball. She recently was appointed to a four-year term to serve on the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Competition Committee.

Harston was inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Wayland Baptist Athletics Hall of Honor in 2008.

Harston is the 11th person to receive the Redin Award, following Joe Lombard (2000), Marsha Sharp (2001), Rick Cooper (2002), Danny Wrenn (2003), Marsha Porter (2008), Chris Kennedy (2012), Ray Murphree (2017), Valerie Goodwin-Colbert (2018), Brandon Schneider (2019) and Tim Thomas (2020).

• • •

Tim Thomas credited his mother for being the biggest influence on his successful basketball coaching career.

“My determination and a big part of who I am as a man, and a coach, comes from her. She inspired me to coach the kids hard but to love them even harder,” Thomas said. “Relationships are the best part and the most important wins that a coach can have.”

Thomas was the 2020 recipient of the Redin Award.

“I’m thankful that I had a chance to meet and get to know Harley Redin. He was such an all-around great person and, of course, a coaching icon,” Thomas said. “What an unsuspected, incredible honor.”

A member of the WBU Athletics Hall of Honor since 2003, Thomas – a native of Montgomery, Ala. – played basketball at Wayland for two seasons from 1983 to 1985 after transferring from Clarendon College. He played all four seasons under current Texas Tech coach Mark Adams. As a senior, Thomas earned hon-

Tim Thomas

Kathy Harston

orable mention all-America honors while helping the Pioneers to the NAIA national championship game. With 1,111 points in just two seasons, he ranks 31st on the program’s all-time scoring list.

Thomas, who received a bachelor of science degree in physical education and mathematics before earning a master’s at Texas Tech, served as assistant coach for the Pioneers for two seasons under then head coach and former athletic director Rick Cooper, who won the award in 2002. Thomas also worked as an assistant coach at Central Florida and Texas-Pan American before becoming a successful high school boys coach with more than 500 wins over 20 years.

Thomas has been a high school head coach at Amarillo Palo Duro, Lubbock Estacado, Temple, Cedar Hill, Fort Bend Hightower, Odessa Permian and now Fort Worth Southwest. His teams have claimed 10 district championships and appeared in the regional tournament nine times.

Thomas was named Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 6A Coach of the Year in 2010 and a was a finalist for the award two years ago.

“By the will of God I will continue to try to live up to what this award means: what it means as a coach, what it meant to Coach Redin and the distinguished group of men and women who have received the award in the past,” he said

Mary Williams

Different in small towns

Williams in WBU hall

Mary Williams, a former Flying Queen, was one of five people who were inducted into the Wayland Baptist Athletics Hall of Honor Oct. 29.

Williams, a native of Tulia, was a four-time letter winner for the Flying Queens from 1969 to 1973 and was credited with breaking the color barrier for Wayland women’s basketball. She played on two AAU championship teams and four NWIT championship teams, earning all-tournament, and played on a USA Pan American team.

As a senior at Wayland, Williams was named the Roscoe Snyder Award winner as the school’s top female senior athlete. She went on to become a successful assistant girls basketball coach and head track coach at Sweeny High School.

Others inducted in 2022 were the late Jim Carlisle, a 1977 Wayland graduate who later served as assistant track and field coach and was a track and field official; Shahala Hawkins of Denver City, a four-time All-America volleyball player – including three first team honors – from 2012 to 2015; Alden Mann of Wimberley, a two-time all-American in football in 2015 and 2016, the first for the Pioneers since the school restarted its gridiron program in 2012; and Tamyra Mensah-Stock of Katy, who won a gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and was the second American female and first black woman to win gold since women’s wrestling was added as an Olympic sport in 2004.

Retired basketball coach Nan Cook of Perryton was in the June 2022 issue of Texas Highways magazine in a feature written by Amarillo’s Jason Boyett.

Cook coached at several schools in the region, and her observation of basketball in small towns is spot on. The beginning of Boyett’s feature is below. For the rest of the story, go to https://texashighways.com/culture/ people/the-good-lifeof-hoops-and-ranching-in-perryton.

High school girls’ basketball is huge in the Texas Panhandle. Nan Cook ought to know. The Perryton resident retired in 2020 from a teaching career that included 22 years coaching high school teams from Abilene to Amarillo and in various small towns, including nearby Spearman.

“In a small-school setting, it’s fun to watch the community come out to watch the kids play,” Cook says. “At larger schools, you have mostly parents and family members [in the stands]. “But here, it’s everyone. You’d better be there on Tuesday night and Friday night, or people will wonder what’s wrong.” …

Nan Cook (Photo by Dave Shafer for Texas Highways)

is a

Basketball News

Kenon grandson excels

Those who remember the great Larry Kenon might be interested that his grandson, Jordan Mason, is playing basketball as a freshman at Texas State University.

Mason was a standout player at San Antonio Clark High School, where he averaged 23.5 points as a senior and was all-state twice. His parents are Adam and Tatiana Mason, and his grandparents are Larry and Vanessa Kenon.

Larry Kenon was a junior college AllAmerican at Amarillo College. He transferred to Memphis State after the 1971-72 season and led the Tigers to the national championship game against UCLA. In his one year at Memphis State, he was the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year.

this year at

University

freshman, she started for the Lady Rebels, shown in the

above, when they played Texas Tech Dec. 12, 2021, at West Texas A&M’s United Bank Center in her hometown of Canyon. In the foreground is Bryn Gerlich, daughter of Tech Coach Krista Gerlich. Winfrey tallied 3 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and 4 pass deflections in 21 minutes of the 68-61 loss to Tech. The 5-11 guard played in 28 games as a UNLV freshman. Winfrey is the daughter of Todd and Jennifer Winfrey. Her father is Canyon’s head football coach. Her sister Brylee played on the Lubbock Christian University women’s basketball teams that won the 2019 and 2021 NCAA Division II national titles. Sister Abree won the 400-meter hurdles at the 2022 Nike Outdoor Nationals. Sister Sydnee is a sophomore at Canyon who averaged 3 points a game as a freshman. (Photo

Jerseys in Ring of Honor

The jerseys of two Wayland Flying Queens have been hanging in the Ring of Honor at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee. The numbers of Kaylee Edgemon and Jenna Cooper were chosen for display in recognition of their outstanding play during the 2021-22 season.

Edgemon is from Littlefield, and her sister, Kaitlyn Edgemon, is on this year’s Queens team. Cooper is from Claude, and her father, Jason Cooper, is the team’s head coach.

The Ring of Honor is one of the WBHOF’s most popular exhibits.

Kenon left Memphis State early for the ABA and then the NBA, averaging 17.2 points in a 12-year pro career, including five years at San Antonio, where he averaged 20.7 points. (Thanks to Monte Miller for the information.)

Larry Kenon, left, a 6-9 basketball star at Amarillo College, Memphis State and the NBA, poses at a 2019 reunion of his 1970s AC team with Mike Higgins, center, a longtime Amarillo sports photographer and sports historian, and Bill McDonald, who was coach of the Badgers when Kenon played.

Kenadee Winfrey, an all-stater on Canyon’s 2021 state championship team,

sophomore

the

of Nevada-Las Vegas. As a

photo

by Mike Haynes)

Jordan Mason

Hayden winds up career

Angel Hayden, the outstanding point guard who led Canyon to four state championships and was the state tournament MVP three times, wound up her college playing career in 2022 as a Wayland Baptist Flying Queen.

Hayden played her first two collegiate seasons at Texas Tech under then-Coach Marlene Stollings. As a Lady Raider, she played in 56 games. Her scoring high was 19 points against Oklahoma State as a freshman. Stollings later was fired as the Tech coach with Krista Gerlich taking the head coaching job.

She transferred to Angelo State for the 2019-20 season, where she played in 20 games under Coach Nate Harris. Her season high was 14 points against St. Edward’s. Harris later was replaced as coach by Alesha Robertson Ellis.

Hayden finished at Wayland Baptist for the 2021-22 season, where she averaged 9.7 points, 8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 steals in 33 games. Her head coach at WBU was Jason Cooper, who took the Queens position after Ellis left the Plainview school for Angelo State.

Whitaker named ‘Woman of Impact’

As Candi Whitaker begins her fourth season coaching the Griffons, the women’s basketball team at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, the Canyon and Texas Tech graduate has received the first Bill Snyder Woman of Impact Award.

The new award, presented to Whitaker this September, recognizes a female athlete, coach, administrator or contributor who achieved an outstanding season or accomplishment during the past year.

In high school and college, then-Candi White played for two legendary coaches: Joe Lombard at Canyon High School from 1994 to 1998 and Marsha Sharp at Texas Tech from 2000 to 2002. In between, she spent two years competing at Seward County Community College in Kansas. After a highly successful playing career, she was an assistant coach at Valparaiso from 2002 to 2004 and at Missouri-Kansas City from 2006 to 2012.

Whitaker was head coach at Missouri-Kansas City from 2006 to 2012 and became the secondwinningest coach in program history. During the 2012-13 season, she was associate head coach at Oklahoma State.

She led the Texas Tech Lady Raiders from 2013 to 2018. Her first season, she took the team from six wins the previous year to 15 wins. After Tech hired Marlene Stollings in 2018, Whitaker became Missouri Western’s head coach.

Her 2021-22 Griffons had the school’s best season since 1995, going 24-10 and making it to the Division II Elite Eight. They led the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Association in scoring with 74.2 points a game and in rebounds with 41.1 a game.

For 2022-23, the Missouri Western women return 11 players from that Elite Eight team.

Bynum Award goes to Naz, LCU star

Allie Schulte-Hicks was presented the 15th annual Dick Bynum award this July by the Amarillo Downtown Lions Club. The award goes to the top Amarillo area female college athlete.

Schulte-Hicks, a Nazareth graduate, played 155 basketball games for the Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaps, a school record, and helped LCU to two NCAA Division II national championships.

She led the Lady Chaps with 11.7 points a game during her senior season, and her 320 career steals rank her second all-time in school history. She was named All-America for 2021-22 and was the Most Outstanding Player in the 2022 Elite Eight.

At Nazareth, Schulte-Hicks was an all-state in basketball and tennis. She helped the Swiftettes to three Class 1A state championships and a 140-11 record in four years.

In June, Schulte-Hicks married Parker Hicks, who graduated with her from LCU. Hicks was the Lone Star Conference Player of the Year twice for the men’s basketball team.

Angel Hayden, left, finished her college basketball career with the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens after stints at Texas Tech and Angelo State. Hayden was a key player on Canyon Lady Eagles state championship teams all four of her high school years. (Photo courtesy of WBU Sports Information)

Allie Schulte-Hicks

Coach Candi Whitaker

Basketball News

Chavlovich returns

David Chavlovich is beginning his first season as an assistant coach after joining the West Texas A&M men’s basketball staff in July 2022.

Chavlovich returned to WT after playing professionally in Croatia and Australia. Following his four-year career at WT, he signed a contract with the Croatian Side KK Bosco in Zagreb, Croatia, before traveling to Australia to play with the FDBA Frankston Blues.

The Arlington graduate registered one of the greatest careers in program and Lone Star Conference history as he finished as the all-time leading scorer with 2,490 points from 2014 to 2018. He finished his time at WT as the only player in program history to reach 2,000 points while also sitting at the top in career field goals (789), field goal attempts (1,912), 3-pointers (388), 3-point attempts (1,062), and free throws (524). In his final season, Chavlovich also set the single-season school record in points scored (726) to surpass his previous record of 665.

Chavlovich led the Buffs to the program’s first NCAA Elite Eight appearance since 1998 with a 95-87 victory over UT Permian Basin. He totaled 71 points during the regional tournament, including 28 in the finals to earn MVP honors. The Buffs went on to defeat Le Moyne College, 87-73, to advance to the Final Four for the first time in school history.

He was a four-time All-American and finalist for the 2018 Bevo Francis Award, which is given to the top men’s basketball player who competes in the NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III and NAIA. During his senior season, he was named a First Team All-American by Basketball Times and received honorable mention All-America honors from the Division II Conference Commissioners’ Association and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

WT player turns pro

West Texas A&M men’s basketball’s Hayden Blankely has signed a two-year professional contract with the East Asia Super League Bay Area Dragons.

“Hayden was instrumental player for us in the three years he was at WT,” said WT head coach Tom Brown. “I would have really liked to see him finish his career here at WT. However, he has signed a very lucrative contract to play professionally.”

“I built friendships and relation -

ships playing for WT that will be cherished forever,” Blankley said. “Playing underneath coach Brown, Gove, Henderson and such a winning culture helped me develop winning habits that I can now use in my upcoming professional career. They helped prepare me for what my goal has been ever since I began playing basketball: becoming a pro.”

The Sydney, Australia, product played three seasons for WT and helped the Buffs to an 80-11 record, including three consecutive Lone Star Conference Championship titles while also seeing action in the 2021 NCAA Division II National Championship game.

“I know Hayden will eventually finish school, as he was a terrific student as well as being an exceptional basketball player,” Brown said.

Blankley played in 81 games with 23 career starts with 453 total points. He brought down 289 rebounds for WT to go along with 36 blocks, 52 steals and 60 assists. Blankley reached doublefigure scoring 20 times during his career, including a high of 21.

“I will always be a Buff and will proudly represent the school and program in my professional career,” Blankley said.

The Hong Kong-based Dragons are the latest addition to the EASL, which began in 2016. The league features the top teams in Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines.

Pointer directs NWIT

Johnna Pointer, the former Shallowater and University of Texas standout player who operates the Hoop 10 youth training and competition center in Amarillo, has been hired as primary director of the preseason and postseason Women’s National Invitation Tournaments.

Fort Collins, Colorado,-based Triple Crown Sports, which produces the WNIT, announced the hiring on Oct. 4.

Pointer was all-Southwest Conference under legendary coach Jody Conradt at the University of Texas before playing professionally in Germany. She was head coach at Frank Phillips College and Wayland Baptist University and worked as an assistant coach at the University of Colorado while also establishing a presence in the club basketball arena in 2004 as founder and owner of Hoop 10 Basketball.

The preseason WNIT was scheduled to begin Nov. 12 with four teams. The preseason WNIT began in 1994, and the postseason WNIT started in 1998.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to join the Triple Crown Sports team,” Pointer said. “The WNIT has been such an important part of the landscape of women’s basketball, and I’m honored to be in this position.”

“The tournaments are part of the fabric of women’s basketball, and we are excited to add Johnna’s insight and enthusiasm into the work we do here that spreads the word on the depth of tal-

David Chavlovich

Hayden Blankley

Johnna Pointer

ent in the game,” said TCS chief operation officer Sean Hardy.

“Johnna is a fantastic hire for the WNIT,” said Texas Tech head coach Krista Gerlich. “Her passion has been women’s basketball her entire life, and she has invested so much of herself into sharing that passion with others. Johnna will reignite the WNIT.”

“Johnna will do an incredible job as the director of the WNIT,” said Jennie Baranczyk, head coach at Oklahoma. “She has a strong work ethic, loves our game and is a passionate leader. This is a home-run hire for the WNIT and for women’s basketball.”

Ellis in Hall of Fame

Plainview native Alesha Robertson Ellis was inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches in May 2022 at a banquet in San Antonio.

Ellis, head coach of the Angelo State Rambelles since 2021, was all-state at Plainview all four of her high schools years, leading the Lady Bulldogs to state championships in 2001, 2002 and 2003. She also was selected to the state all-tournament team all three years. She was named a Parade, Women’s Basketball Coaches, and TABC All-American her senior year of high school. Plainview’s record during her career was 137-7.

Ellis played for Hall of Fame coach Marsha Sharp at Texas Tech, where she was named to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in her first season. She was honorable mention Big 12 the next two years before being named to the All-Big 12 Second Team her senior season, when she led the team in scoring with 13.1 points a game and rebounding with 8.7 rebounds a game. Ellis is eighth all-time on the Tech career scoring list with 1,571 points.

Ellis joined Angelo State following an eight-year stint at Wayland Baptist, where she led the Flying Queens to the NAIA Tournament all eight seasons and won at least 19 games in seven of eight seasons, compiling a winning percentage of .784 and a career win-loss record of 189-52.

The 2019-20 season saw Ellis lead the Flying Queens to a program-record 31 wins. She was named the Sooner Athletic Conference Coach of the Year four times in her eight-year stint at Wayland.

Before Wayland, Ellis coached at All-Saints Junior High School before working at Sharp Academy from 2011 to 2013 as well as coaching at Lubbock Christian High School during the same time, which culminated in winning the TAPPS Class 3A State Championship in 2013.

She is married to Andy Ellis, an assistant coach for the Rambelles and a former Texas Tech men’s basketball player.

Area basketball history

Some historical items from a 1987 edition of the Amarillo Globe-News, probably written by Putt Powell and courtesy of Mike Higgins: Basketball

Basketball got a late start in Amarillo.

Amarillo was one of the last high schools in the area to have an indoor gym. The Sandies played their games on an outside dirt court until 1927-28. A few of the games were played at The Nat at Sixth and Georgia. It was built as a swimming pool and then turned into a dance hall.

AHS had poor teams for years. The first team to win its way to the state tournament at Austin was in 1943. The Sandies were back again in 1946 and 1947.

Boone Pickens was a starting guard on the 1946 and 1947 teams that reached the semifinals.

The Sandies had several good teams in the 1950s, but the area was dominated by Pampa. The Harvesters won state championships in 1953, 1954, 1958 and 1959.

Palo Duro opened in the 1955-56 school year. Tom Gilley coached the Dons to the state 3A championship.

The Sandies finally won the state championship in 1986. They were coached by Allen Simpson.

Tascosa and Caprock never have won their way to the state tournament.

Amarillo College has had many outstanding teams and players down through the years. The sport was dropped following the 1985 season.

Girls Sports

Newspaper files show that Amarillo had a girls’ basketball team as early as 1905.

AHS had teams most of the times during the 1920s and 1930s, but lack of interest caused the sport to be dropped until the University Interscholastic League revised basketball again 11 years ago. (That UIL action probably refers to the adoption of five-on-five girls basketball from the previous six-player game.)

The UIL didn’t sponsor any sports for girls except tennis for many years.

The high schools in Amarillo have fielded basketball, cross country, volleyball and track teams for girls since the official return.

Carmen Wynn gained all-state basketball honors for Amarillo High in 1983. She not only made All-American for Wayland Baptist but set a new scoring record.

Alesha Ellis

Basketball News

Carl Irlbeck was basketball icon

Longtime coach Carl Wayne Irlbeck of Plainview died Feb. 1, 2022, at the age of 84.

The funeral service took place Feb. 7 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainview with interment at Parklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors.

Irlbeck was born on July 21, 1937, in Happy to John and Doris Irlbeck. He graduated from Happy High School and Clarendon College and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Texas State University. He married Arlene Wills in Groom on March 3, 1962.

He was an active member of Saint Alice Catholic Church. Being a man of God with a heart of gold, he was dedicated to inspiring young people through the fundamentals of life. He loved being outside taking care of his flower gardens, windmills and pecan trees, and he strived to reach a daily goal of 10,000-plus steps. He was a master at card games and dominos because of his competitive spirit, wittiness and perseverance to win.

He said, “I’ve had more good things happen to me in my lifetime than any one person deserves.”

Irlbeck will be remembered by the way he built his legacy as an educator, coach and role model for more than 50 years in the classroom and on the courts. As a self-made competitor, he left his mark on an 84-foot court where he became not only a hero to many boys and girls, but also a legend to the game of basketball.

He began his story as “a boy, a ball, an opportunity,” and his remarkable journey led to numerous accolades, including a varsity basketball record of 1,065-504 (67.9 winning percentage); multiple 20-plus winning seasons with only three losing seasons; 30 playoff appearances 26 district championships; four state championships at various levels; coached team and individual state championships in cross country, tennis and volleyball; 1994 Texas Basketball Coach of the Year; 1994 TABC All-Star Championship; traveled abroad to Australia coaching Texas teams and working with youth to develop the sport of basketball; became the 138th member of Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in 2006; and inducted into Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.

Irlbeck is survived by his wife Arlene Irlbeck; a daughter, Ramona Thiel, and her husband Chuck of Brock, Texas; three sons, Cletus Irlbeck of Plainview, Everett Irlbeck of Plainview and Bruce Irlbeck and his wife Kimberly of Lubbock; 10 grandchildren, Stephanie Thiel, Jackie Cyr, Adam Thiel, Amy Thiel, Benjamin Thiel, Kyle Thiel, Carson Irlbeck, Carleigh Brown, Steven Neeley and Kiley Irlbeck; four great-grandchildren, Aubrea, Dalton, Charlie and Zechariah; two brothers, Dean Irlbeck and his wife Marian of Redwing, Minnesota, and Bill Irlbeck of Raleigh, North Carolina; two sisters, Marcella Shaw of Happy and Angelina Carver of Foreman, Arkansas.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Coach Carl Irlbeck Memorial Scholarship Fund at Happy State Bank, 3110 Olton Road, Plainview, Texas 79072.

Lucy Harris was Queen of Basketball

Lusia “Lucy” Harris, who led Delta State of Cleveland, Mississippi, to three national championships in the 1970s and scored the first points in Olympic women’s basketball history, died Jan. 18, 2022, at age 66.

In 1992, Harris was the first African-American woman inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Her coach at Delta State, Margaret Wade, had been inducted in 1985. Harris also was drafted by the NBA’s New Orleans Jazz in 1977, making her the first and only woman to be officially drafted by an NBA team.

Although the main rival of Harris and her DSU Lady Statesmen was the Catholic school Immaculata in Pennsylvania, another rivalry developed with Wayland Baptist in Plainview. Delta State and Wayland played at least three games while Harris was competing. DSU prevailed 61-60 in 1975-76. In 1976-77 in a home-and-home series, the Lady Statesmen won 73-67 in Mississippi, and the Flying Queens turned the tables 82-67 at Plainview.

One Wayland player of the time who later coached on the high school and college levels said she didn’t like looking at Deltabrand faucets because it reminded her of their Mississippi rival.

Harris remains Delta State’s career record-holder in points

Carl Irlbeck

Lusia “Lucy” Harris

(2,891) and rebounds (1,662), as she averaged 25.9 points and 14.5 rebounds in 115 career games played. Harris shot 63.3 percent from the field for her career. She was a three-time All-American.

After Harris’ death, Delta State flew its flag at half-staff for a few days in her memory. She had received a bachelor of science in education degree in health, physical education and recreation in 1977, a master of science in education degree in 1984 and an honorary doctor of public service degree in 2014 – all from Delta State.

A native of Minter City, Mississippi, Harris was a standout on Delta State’s team that won three consecutive national titles from 1975 to 1977 and was a member of the United States’ silver medal-winning team at the 1976 Olympic Games, where she scored the first points ever in Olympic women’s basketball history.

“Without her, we don’t win a silver medal,” the late Pat Summit said in a 2005 documentary. The legendary Tennessee coach, a member of that team, called Harris the “anchor” of the 1976 squad in her book “Sum It Up.”

Harris didn’t pursue her NBA opportunity but spent a season playing for the Houston Angels in the Women’s Professional Basketball League. She later worked as a coach and teacher.

Harris was inducted into Delta State’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1992, she was the first African-American and one of the first two women inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. She was a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.

She was featured in the award-winning 2021 documentary, “The Queen of Basketball.”

A statement by her family said, “She will be remembered for her charity, for her achievements both on and off the court, and the light she brought to her community, the state of Mississippi, her country as the first woman ever to score a basket in the Olympics, and to women who play basketball around the world.”

In an ESPN story by Mechelle Voepel, Ann Meyers Drysdale, who was an Olympic teammate of Harris, said, “Watching her play was marvelous. There was no one like her. She was 6-foot-3, solid as a rock. Had great footwork, great hands, could hit the 15-footer. Her post moves were so good.”

Nancy Lieberman, another Olympic teammate, said, “I remember her as player just being cool, calm, collected. She gave everything she could of who she was.

“Lucy was such a powerful, quiet leader. She never really raised her voice, but she had a presence about her. I feel so bad for her kids, for Delta State, for us. Because we just loved her.” Sheri Haynes, this magazine’s co-publisher, was Harris’ Delta State teammate in 1975-76.

Tom Hall was Wayland’s voice

Tom Hall, the longtime “Voice of Wayland Basketball” and a member of the Wayland Baptist Athletic Hall of Honor, died Sept. 26, 2022 at the age of 73. Services were Sept. 30 at First Baptist Church in Plainview.

Hall, Plainview’s 2005 Man of the Year, spent nearly two decades providing play-by-play radio coverage during some of the most exciting years of both Flying Queens and Pioneers basketball. He broadcast Plainview High School and Wayland sports for a total of 47 years.

He was inducted into the Wayland Athletic Hall of Honor in 2007. Also in 2007, he and his wife, Linda, were honored as Centennial Circle of Honor recipients.

A native of Plainview and a 1967 graduate of Plainview High School and a 1983 mass communication and English graduate of West Texas State University, Hall began broadcasting Wayland basketball games in 1978.

He joined the Wayland staff full-time in 1981 as director of student services and director of contractual services. In 1984, when the Wayland Sports Network briefly expanded to include television as well as radio coverage, he also provided those broadcasts.

Hall served as co-director of the Queens Classic basketball tournament at Hutcherson Center, witnessing at least some of every game played during the 29 years of the tournament’s existence.

He coached the Plainview Senior Little Dribblers All-Stars to a national championship in 1997.

He was named operations director of KKYN Radio and host of the morning show in 1999 and was known as the voice of Plainview High School’s Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs, providing play-by-play coverage of most PHS athletic events. In 2007, Hall was inducted into the WBU Athletic Hall of Honor.

(Continued from previous page)

Lusia “Lucy” Harris, shooting in this Sports Illustrated photo by John G. Zimmerman, led the Delta State Lady Statesmen to three AIAW national basketball titles in 1975, 1976 and 1977.

Tom Hall

Basketball News

Two years later he began serving as Wayland’s dean of students, a position he held for 11 years. He spent a total of 28 years at Wayland.

He was coach of the Plainview Lady Air summer basketball team for 19 years and the Plainview Christian Academy Lady Eagles for four years. He also taught Christian leadership and boys Bible classes at PCA.

Hall is survived by his wife of 53 years, Linda Hall; his daughter, Jenny Rosetta, and son-in-law Randy; granddaughters, Mallory and Darby Rosetta of Lubbock; his brother, Dr. Bobby Hall and wife Laurie of Plainview; his sister, Carol Lawrence and husband Curtis of Canyon; his nephews, Lucas Hall of Farmers Branch, Jarrod Lawrence and wife Nicole, Aria, Hadley and Reid of Midland, Justin Lawrence of Amarillo; his niece, Alexis Hall of Farmers Branch; and his grandpuppy, Macie.

Memorials may be made to and T.G. & Marie Hall Endowed Scholarship Fund, Wayland Baptist University, 1900 W. 7th Street, Plainview, Texas 79072.

Sherman Ray led Sandies to title

Sherman Ray Jr., who was a key member of Amarillo High’s 1986 state basketball championship, died on March 27, 2022, at age 53.

Ray was named to the all-tournament team after the Sandies defeated Dallas Kimball, 68-63, in the Class 5A state title game. The 6-4 senior forward scored 16 points and had five rebounds.

A memorial service took place April 9 at Encounter Church in Amarillo.

You are invited to the 65th Annual Ceremony of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame

2 p.m. Sunday, June 11, 2023 (Date subject to change.)

Ray was born early on Father’s Day morning on June 16, 1968, in Hale Center to Ella Smith and Sherman Ray Sr. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1986. He attended Cisco Junior College and earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and biology in 1997 at Texas A&M University.

He worked for Autoplex in Amarillo, Patterson BMW in Wichita Falls and Sewell BMW in Grapevine. He loved taking his father and sons fishing in Palestine. His favorite sports teams were the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Ray was blessed with a large and loving family with whom he enjoyed spending time. He was an educator at heart and always was there to help solve a problem, no matter how big or small.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Atlee and Eddie Smith of Hale Center; his father, Sherman Ray Sr. of Amarillo; and Nota Garland Ray of Plainview.

He is survived by his mother, Ella R. Hager of Frisco; his children, Sherman Deandre (Danielle) Ray III of Frisco, Brennan (Angell) Ray, Tyler Fraser, Bailey Harrison of Amarillo, Bryce Harrison of Arlington, Kriste and Stephany Fraser of Dallas; sisters, Sheron L. (Robin) Ray of Seattle, Washington, Felecia (Kirk) Jackson of Cedar Hill; brothers, Roderick (Tosha) Diggs of Amarillo, Keven Ray of Pflugerville; stepmother, Billie Ray of Pflugerville; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandkids and friends.

Sherman Ray Jr.

Eddie Owens shared stories

Eddie Owens, 69, died Sept. 19, 2022, in Lubbock. Services were Sept. 26 at First United Methodist Church in Lubbock.

Owens was born in Silverton to Gaston and Lottie (Vaughan) Owens, on Aug. 30, 1953. His faith was his foundation, and he led his life modeling Jesus’ example of serving others.

He earned a master’s degree in mass communications, with a public relations concentration, from the College of Media and Communication at Texas Tech University. In 2011, he was honored as an Outstanding Alumnus by the college. He also had a bachelor’s degree in political science and speech from Wayland Baptist University. He received the Wayland Distinguished Service Alumni Award in 2009.

He married Lynn Blodgett Owens, on March 22, 1997, and she stood by, supported and encouraged him every day of their 25 years. His daughter, Kami, inherited the world’s best “bonus mom.” Eddie and Lynn’s world would forever change and be brighter with the birth of “Katie Scarlett” (as known by her Pop Pop), Kami’s daughter and their grandchild.

Second to the love of his family was his passion for storytelling, especially if it involved sports. It is said that if you find a job you love, you never feel like you are working. Eddie hit a home run in his professional life.

His first job after graduation was telling the stories of Wayland Baptist University, where he was director of public relations and taught mass communication courses. He then was a sports reporter and editor for the Plainview Daily Herald, where he wrote the “first draft” of many historical sporting events.

Moving to Lubbock, Owens joined St. Mary of the Plains Hospital as director of community relations and later served as director of marketing and public relations for Covenant Health Systems. Later, he was director of communications for United Supermarkets. He was honored with the American Advertising Federation’s silver award in 2012 by the Lubbock chapter.

From the merger of St. Mary’s and Methodist hospitals, which created Covenant Health System, to the United Supermarkets centennial anniversary, Owens was in the center of the action, crafting stories and sharing messages.

He served on the board of several nonprofit organizations, including Hospice of Lubbock, South Plains Kidney Foundation, Lubbock ISD Foundation for Excellence, Lubbock Area United Way, the Lubbock Chapter of the American Red Cross and Volunteer Center of Lubbock.

Owens is survived by his wife, Lynn; daughter, Kami Bedford, and son-in-law, Brandon Bedford; granddaughter, Scarlett Kate Bedford; sister-in-law, Shirley Henderson; nephew, Wayne Henderson and his family; niece, Sonya Bitner and her family; sisters-in-law Sue O’Connor, Jan Blodgett, and Lori Parham; and nieces Wendy Forrest and her family and Melissa Parham.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Dolphus and Lou Blodgett; brother,Dwain Henderson; nephew, Zane Henderson; sister-in-law, Teresa Blodgett; and a host of cousins and countless friends from all corners of the world.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Lubbock Area United Way, Hospice of Lubbock or Morris Safe House.

Basketball Briefs

Coach Jeff Evans’ Palo Duro teams have had several recent players go on to play basketball in college.

Graduates from 2022 include Cutter Camp, who chose Arlington Baptist, where former Texas Tech star Bubba Jennings is the coach. An assistant coach is Tony Starnes, who was Clarendon College’s head coach for 14 years.

Paetyn Walker, another 2022 graduate, is playing at Southern Nazarene in Bethany, Oklahoma. Classmate Kadden Price is at Frank Phillips College.

Other recent Palo Duro players are Jalen Thomas at Tarleton State, where former Division I coach Billy Gillespie is the head man, Thaddeus Udoh and Bonaventure Udoh, both at Wayland Baptist, And Akeul Kot at Fort Lewis, where he was first-team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference last year.

Ja’Qualyn Gilbreath was the leading scorer in Canada last season at Trinity Western University and has signed a professional contract in Sicily.

• • •

Camryn Armes, who played on two Gruver Class 2A state championship teams, signed to play basketball at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. The 5-7 guard overcame surgery for hip dysplasia to help lead the Lady Hounds to the 2022 state title. Because of her physical ordeal, she was named the 2022 recipient of the Dee Henry Award from the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. The NCAA Division III Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls won their first American Southwest Conference championship since 2004 last season with a 21-5 record.

• • •

Two Monterey players have signed to play in college. Aiden Castillo chose Howard Payne University in Brownwood, and Vyson Miller signed with William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri.

Malikih Gillum of River Road is on the roster as a freshman at Howard Payne.

• • •

Two Caprock players signed in April to play collegiately. Tommy Watley connected with Wayland Baptist, and Yel Deeng signed with Clarendon College.

• • •

Glenn Youngkin, who was elected governor of Virginia a year ago, played basketball in Texas at Rice University.

The 55-year-old Republican, whose father Carroll Wayne

Eddie Owens

Basketball News

(Continued from previous page)

Youngkin played basketball at Duke University, competed four seasons at Rice, totaling 82 points and 67 rebounds. The roster listed his height at 6-7. He graduated in 1990 with bachelor’s degrees in managerial studies and mechanical engineering, then earned an MBA in 1994 at the Harvard Business School.

• • •

Becca Whittle Wilhite, who played for the Wayland Flying Queens from 1996 to 2000 and received the Dr. Leroy Walker Sportsmanship Award from the NAIA in 1999, recently was inducted into the Gatesville High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

She was first-team TABC All-State as a Gatesville senior and second team as a junior. She is the all-time leading scorer in school history with 1,935 points. She taught and coached in Plainview for eight years and now works in the financial services/ insurance field.

•

• •

Kyle Bean, who stepped down as the New Deal boys coach after the 2017-18 season to work as an assistant to the new head coach, his son Kyler Bean, has retired from coaching, according to his son.

Kyle Bean compiled a record of 606-302 in his 33-year head coaching career, all at New Deal. Kyler Bean’s assistant coach is Dillon Moats.

• • •

Vivian Gray, the Argyle product who received All-American honors and was All-Big 12 four times – twice at Oklahoma State and twice at Texas Tech – signed a free agent contract in April with the Phoenix Mercury of the NBA but was waived a few weeks later.

The 6-1 Gray also was all-conference her freshman year at Division II Fort Lewis State. Before completing her career at Tech, she reached the 2,000-point mark for her Division I career and the 2,500-point mark for her entire college career. She averaged 20.2 points and 5.3 rebounds her senior season as a Lady Raider.

•

• •

Walt Howard, who retired in January 2022 after 40 years as a reporter and news anchor at KFDA-TV in Amarillo, is mentioned in Basketball News because … he played basketball at Amarillo High.

Howard graduated from AHS in 1975 and was inducted into the Sandie Hall of Fame in 2021 for his news career, not for basketball. But he wasn’t through with the sport after AHS. His son Aric told KFDA’s Cassie Stafford, “I played basketball as a kid and he had to work in the evenings, but he’d come out to coach basketball practice. He’d be in his suit, and we all thought we were NBA players because on TV, all their coaches always wore a suit.”

Roger the dribbler

Many people know that Roger Staubach played football at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell for season during the 1960-61 school year. He set a school record for passing yards and accounted for 18 touchdowns.

It took Amarillo sports researcher Mike Higgins to dig up a box score showing that Staubach also played basketball at NMMI. In a game when the military school defeated Amarillo College 81-53, Roger the Dodger scored 15 points on 6 of 14 field goal shooting and 3 free throws. He committed 2 personal fouls against the Badgers. High point for NMMI was Roger Ronner with 32 followed by Douglas Law with 16.

This box score from the Amarillo GlobeNews shows that Roger Staubach, the legendary Dallas Cowboy quarterback, not only played football at New Mexico Military Institute but scored in basketball against Amarillo College.

Richard Barker was the top scorer for AC with 9 points.

Staubach also played baseball during his year in Roswell before transferring to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he won the 1963 Heisman Trophy. In the NFL, he played 11 seasons at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, leading them to five Super Bowls and winning Super Bowls VI and XII. He was the MVP of Super Bowl VI, making him the first of four players to win the Heisman and a Super Bowl MVP award.

West Texas A&M student golfers Gam Songprasert, left, Rylie Cook, Alyssa Campbell and Lorenza Perini pose with the Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine tee box sponsor sign that was on display at the 47th annual Buffalo Club Golf Classic Aug. 26, 2022, at Palo Duro Creek Golf Course in Canyon. (Photo courtesy of WT golf coach Meredith Jameson)

Texas Tech Men

Red Raiders different but energetic

By LANCE LAHNERT

In mid-October Kansas and Illinois, two of college basketball elite men’s programs, squared off in a 3½ hour scrimmage.

The standout players off each team were Kevin McCullar Jr., for Kansas and Terrence Shannon Jr. for Illinois.

Sound familiar? Yes, those two guys did have excellent years for Texas Tech last year.

So with the two-year-old NCAA portal paving an easy way for players to transfer – which McCullar and Shannon did – that’s simply the new way of Division I hoops.

With that in mind, when second-year Texas Tech head coach Mark Adams looks at his 2022-23 roster and sees only three returnees and one starter in Kevin Obanor back from last year’s 27-10 Sweet 16 team and he’s seriously pumped up, he doesn’t sound crazy.

“That was a great team last year and had some great leadership out of Bryson Williams, and several guys bought in,” Adams said. “So that was a totally different team with six or seven transfers and a lot of older players. Half of this year’s team is underclassmen, and so we are different.

“I think for most Division I coaches, especially in the Power 5, these rosters are changing all the time because of the portal. That’s just going to be the wave of the future. Fortunately, my background is mostly junior college, and I had a new team every year. So it’s a little easier for me to adjust as a head coach.

TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 7 Northwestern State 8 p.m.

Nov. 10 Texas Southern 7 p.m.

Nov. 14 Louisiana Tech 7 p.m.

Nov. 21 Creighton @ Maui, Hawaii 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 22 Arkansas or Louisville @ Maui, Hawaii TBD

Nov. 23 TBD @ Maui, Hawaii TBD

Nov. 30 Georgetown 7 p.m.

Dec. 7 Nicholls 7 p.m.

Dec. 13 Eastern Washington 7 p.m.

Dec. 17 Jackson State @ Houston TBD

Dec. 21 Houston Christian 1 p.m.

Dec. 27 South Carolina State 7 p.m.

Dec. 31 TCU @ Fort Worth TBD

Jan. 3 Kansas 8 p.m.

Jan. 7 Oklahoma 6 p.m.

Jan. 10 Iowa State @ Ames, Iowa 7 p.m.

Jan. 14 Texas @ Austin TBD

Jan. 17 Baylor 8 p.m.

Jan. 21 Kansas State @ Manhattan, Kansas 1 p.m.

Jan. 25 West Virginia 6 p.m.

Jan. 28 LSU @ Baton Rouge, Louisiana 1 p.m.

Jan. 30 Iowa State 8 p.m.

Feb. 4 Baylor @ Waco 12 p.m.

Feb. 8 Oklahoma State @ Stillwater, Oklahoma 7 p.m.

Feb. 11 Kansas State 6 p.m.

Feb. 13 Texas 8 p.m.

Feb. 18 West Virginia @ Morgantown, W.V. 11 a.m.

Feb. 21 Oklahoma @ Norman, Oklahoma 8 p.m.

Feb. 25 TCU 11 a.m.

Feb. 28 University of Kansas @ Lawrence, Kansas 8 p.m.

Mar. 4 Oklahoma State 5 p.m.

Team chemistry is the key

“The key always is going to be team chemistry and getting these guys to learn the system, complement each other and put the team first. If we can have a team that understands to be unselfish and play for the name on the front of the jersey, play for each other, make those extra passes, take charges and get on the floor, that a coach and fans want to see, we will have great results.

“We feel like we recruited the right guys, and our character with this team is as good or better than we have ever had here. These guys are focused on what’s important.”

As one can tell from those comments, the man who coached the West Texas A&M men’s basketball program from 1987 to 1992 is fired up.

“We have a lot of new players,” said Adams, who at age 65 last year coached his first DI season as a head coach, saw his Red Raiders go 18-0 at home and reached the Sweet 16, losing to Duke and its retiring Coach K. “And we are a little younger than last year. This team has a lot of energy and enthusiasm and wants to be coached.”

Those three Tech returners are Obanor, a 6-8 super senior forward, 7-0 forward redshirt sophomore Daniel Batcho and 6-6 junior forward KJ Allen.

Combined, the trio started 33 games last year – all of those by Obanor – and each should contribute big minutes with Adams particularly seeing a massive transformation in Batcho’s game because of his off-season work.

Obanor was a force last year for Tech, transferring from Oral Roberts. He is a preseason All-Big 12 honorable mention selection, averaging 10 points and 5.5 rebounds last season.

Obanor also showed an outside game, leading Tech in 3-pointers made with 48, and caught fire late, averaging a double-double in all three of Tech’s NCAA Tournament games.

Kevin Obanor maneuvers inside during Texas Tech’s 77-64 win over Texas Feb. 1 in former Red Raider coach Chris Beard’s first game in Lubbock after he left to lead the Longhorns. Mark Adams’ Tech team also defeated Texas 61-55 Feb. 19 in Austin. (Photo courtesy of TexasTech.com)

Batcho, meanwhile, saw the floor in all 33 Tech games, averaging 9.9 minutes of playing time, 2.2 points and 2.7 rebounds.

Allen saw action in 19 games, averaging 7.6 minutes of playing time, 1.5 points and one rebound per game.

“We have three returners in Kevin Obanor, Daniel Batcho and KJ Allen, and all three have made huge progress,” Adams said. “I’m excited for the fans to just see that when we start playing games. Daniel Batcho is just a different player than he was last year. A lot of times in practice he separates himself from the other players because he’s a 7-foot guy who is athletic, and he’s worked on his scoring. He’s just a completely different player, and I think people are going to enjoy watching him play. I’ve told other people and our coaches I think Daniel has a chance to play in the NBA in a couple of years.”

Portal goes both ways

With just three returners, Adams completed his roster by dipping into the portal – coming away with some eye-openers in a good a way as well as signing four freshmen. Tech will open the season at home Nov. 7 against Northwestern State with a roster of 13.

The most intriguing transfer is 6-11 Fardaws Aimag, who starred at Utah Valley State University in the Western Athletic Conference. Aimag was the 2021 WAC Player of the Year and added WAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 and 2022.

In 2021 he averaged 15 rebounds a game, the first player in NCAA DI ball to produce that number in more than 40 years. The past two seasons at Utah Valley, he averaged 16.9 points,

14.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

He did suffer a foot injury in September, and his availability for the opener remains in question.

“Fardaws is big on the floor and off the floor,” Adams said. “He has a great personality and is a leader. He’s great to coach and fun to be around. He may have more skill than any other big guy that has been here. He can score inside and outside, and you look back at his resume back at Utah Valley, he was player of the year and defensive player of the year. Even though this is a little higher level in practice, he has fit in well, and when he’s on the floor you can just feel and see his presence.”

Another intriguing newcomer is 6-6 freshman Elijah Fisher out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Fisher reclassified to 2022, making him one of the younger DI players at 18. He doesn’t turn 19 until Jan. 3.

Texas Tech Red Raiders Roster

Name, Ht., Pos., Class,

Hometown

Kevin Obanor, 6-8, F, Sr., Houston, Texas

Lamar Washington, 6-4, G, Fr., Portland, Oregon

Richard Issacs, 6-2, G, Fr., Las Vegas, Nevada

D’Maurian Williams, 6-3, G, Jr., Phoenix, Arizona

Robert Jennings, 6-7, F, Fr., Desoto, Texas

KJ Allen, 6-6, F, Jr., Los Angeles, California

Fardaws Aimaq, 6-11, F, Sr., Vancouver, British Columbia

Daniel Batcho, 6-11, F, Soph., Paris, France

CJ Williams, 6-1, G, Fr., Fayetteville, Arkansas

Jaylon Tyson, 6-6, G, Soph., Plano, Texas

Elijah Fisher, 6-6, G, Fr., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

De’Vion Harmon, 6-2, G, Sr., Denton, Texas

Kerwin Walton, 6-5, G, Jr., Hopkins, Minnesota

Coach: Mark Adams

Asst. Coaches: Corey Williams, Al Pinkins, Steve Green

Chief of Staff: Rick Cooper; Adviser: Sean Sutton Player Personnel Director: Darryl Dora

Player Development Director: Luke Adams 2021-2022 record: 27-10, 12-6

Fisher is a consensus five-star-rated player from ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals and received 21 scholarship offers from elite programs. He competed at the varsity level for Crestwood Academy in Toronto starting in the sixth grade and as a junior last year averaged 28 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals per game.

“Elijah might be the youngest player in all of Division I basketball as he reclassified,”

“He has great credentials out of high school,” Adams said. “At 6-6 he can really play four positions. One thing about Elijah that is so impressive is how tough he is and very physical. For being the youngest guy out there, he mixes it up well and doesn’t shy away.”

Joining Fisher in the Tech freshman class of five are walk-on 6-1 guard CJ Williams from Fayetteville, Arkansas, 6-4 guard Lamar Washington from Arizona Compass High, 6-7 forward Robert Jennings of Desoto and 6-2 guard Pop Isaacs from Las Vegas.

“A guy like Elijah has a high basketball IQ,” Adams said. “He has made that adjustment quickly. As have all of our freshmen. We are really pleased with Lamar Washington doing great. Robert

Kevin Obanor Daniel Batcho KJ Allen

Daniel Batcho dunks the ball at United Supermarkets Arena during the 2021-22 season. Batcho, a 7-0 redshirt sophomore from France, is one of only three Texas Tech returners in 2022-23. (Photo courtesy of TexasTech. com)

Jennings is doing well. We think all could see big moments for us.”

Steve Green, Luke Adams arrive

Also new to Tech this year are a couple of coaching changes as Adams brought on Steve Green as an assistant coach and Luke Adams as director of player development.

Green coached against Adams many times at the junior college level and made a name for himself at South Plains College, winning three national titles in 22 seasons in Levelland.

Luke Adams is Mark’s son who played at Tech from 2012 to 2015 and spent the past four seasons as head coach at New Mexico Junior College.

“This is a dream come true,” Luke Adams said in his first interview at Tech. “I’ve always wanted to coach with my dad and work together in the same foxhole. We’ve always enjoyed talking to each other about our teams, but now to be on the same team officially is awesome.”

Mark Adams said it’s certainly special to have his son work with him and said Luke brings basketball knowledge and a strong

work ethic to the Tech staff.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say this will be special for me,” Adams said in a radio interview on “The Drive at 5” with yours truly. “Luke has earned his way here, and while he still has a lot to learn, he will certainly be able to help our players out.”

Adams knows the Big 12 Conference is a gauntlet night-in and night-out. But he likes what Tech is about on the court and with its fan base.

“We might not have the length of last year, but at the same time we are skilled and better in other areas,” Adams said. “We have a much better 3-point shooting team, and we have players who have experience as combo guard or point guard, so hopefully we will show more efficiency than we did last year.

“I love these guys. They have bought in to our program, and I love the culture of this team. We went out and recruited guys we thought would play hard and fit into our system and play hard and play together. We have four (scholarship) freshmen and love those guys as well. We think all our guys have a high ceiling and have something to grow this team.

““We are excited about the future, and we have high expectations of this team just like Red Raider fans do. We have reminded this team that last year we were 18-0 at home and had sellout crowds, so the fan base expects big things out of them.

“West Texas fans want guys who play hard and play together and show grit on the floor. It’s a tall order, but these guys have embraced that. I’ve been pleased with their intensity, and I think this team can compete with any team in the country.”

• • •

Ethan Duncan, who was injured and redshirted as a Red Raider freshman last year, has entered the transfer portal. Duncan, an all-state guard from Trinity Christian High School in Lubbock, is the son of former Texas Tech All-Southwest Conference shooter Todd Duncan, who is the head coach of the Lubbock Christian University men.

Robert Jennings

Asst. Steve Green

Lamar Washington

Elijah Fisher

Jaylon

Tyson

Luke Adams, Staff

Corey Williams

De’Vion Harmon

Kerwin Walton

Fardaws Aimaq

D’Maurian Williams

Richard Isaacs

Coach Mark Adams gives a Guns Up in the midst of the wild celebration of his Texas Tech team’s 77-64 victory over Texas Feb. 1 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock. (Photo courtesy of TexasTech.com)

Texas Tech Women

Gerlich ready for memorable season

By LANCE LAHNERT

Krista Gerlich isn’t a little bit competitive.

The veteran coach, all-state high school player from Sudan and Spearman and starter on Texas Tech’s 1993 women’s national championship basketball team lives a life of taking losses harder than enjoying wins.

That’s why as she looks at her third year of guiding the Texas Tech women’s basketball program, well, last year’s 11-19 overall mark and 4-14 Big 12 record must simply be improved on in 2022-23.

“We want better,” Gerlich says matter-of-fact about winning more games. “The effort was there last year. We had some bright moments and learned a lot. We talked a lot to our kids about believing in themselves and having confidence. For us it’s about being consistent and putting wins together on a consistent basis.”

Gerlich thinks a mix of the old and new this year on the Lady Raider roster will bring that needed consistency she preaches about to her players.

Tech returns seven players from last year and brings in seven new players. The newbies include a pair of true freshmen in all-state guard Bailey Maupin from state champion Gruver, and from Mullen High in Denver, 6-1 guard/forward Kilah Freelon.

“I do think we were able to recruit some depth in some different positions that will enable us to play at a really high level on a consistent basis,” Gerlich said.

TEXAS TECH LADY RAIDERS SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 1 Midwestern State 7 p.m.

Nov. 7 Texas A&M Corpus Christi 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 15 Jackson State 7 p.m.

Nov. 16 Colorado 7 p.m.

Nov. 20 Louisiana @ Lafayette, Louisiana 4 p.m.

Nov. 25 Middle Tennessee @ Las Vegas, Nevada 1 p.m.

Nov. 26 Mercer @ Las Vegas, Nevada 10 p.m.

Dec. 1 Alabama State 7 p.m.

Dec. 4 Incarnate Word 2 p.m.

Dec. 6 Sam Houston 11:30 a.m.

Dec. 14 Oral Roberts 7 p.m.

Dec. 19 McNeese State 7 p.m.

Dec. 22 UC Riverside 2 p.m.

Dec. 27 Mississippi Valley 2 p.m.

Dec. 31 Iowa State 2 p.m.

Jan. 4 Kansas @ Lawrence, Kansas 7 p.m.

Jan. 7 TCU @ Fort Worth 5 p.m.

Jan. 11 Oklahoma 7 p.m.

Jan. 14 Kansas State @ Manhattan, Kansas 4 p.m.

Jan. 18 Texas 7 p.m.

Jan. 21 West Virginia @ Morgantown, W.V. 12 p.m.

Jan. 28 Baylor 2 p.m.

Feb. 1 Oklahoma State @ Stillwater, Oklahoma 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 5 Kansas State 1 p.m.

Feb. 8 Texas @ Austin 7 p.m.

Feb. 11 Kansas 2 p.m.

Feb. 15 Oklahoma @ Norman, Oklahoma 6 p.m.

Feb. 18 Oklahoma State 2 p.m.

Feb. 22 West Virginia 7 p.m.

Feb. 25 Baylor @ Waco 5 p.m.

Mar. 1 TCU 7 p.m.

Mar. 4 Iowa State @ Ames, Iowa 3 p.m.

Five super-seniors back

She obviously is pleased to have her five seniors back, because each qualifies as a “super-senior” – meaning they basically are playing five years of college ball – and each own at least two years of experience playing under Gerlich.

“Our team is really composed of a good group of kids,” Gerlich said. “I really like the fact that our five seniors are all super-seniors. They have played Division I basketball for a long time. What I like is they have all played in our program for at least two years. So with that, I think we have some really good experience in knowledge of what our philosophy is and what our program looks like. What we want to do on and off the court.”

Four of the five seniors returning earned starts last year led by 6-0 guard Bryn Gerlich.

If the name Gerlich looks familiar, it should, as Bryn is Krista’s daughter. After opening her career at Oklahoma State, this will be her third in a Texas Tech uniform. Gerlich started 26 games last year, handling a lot of the point guard duties and averaging 7.4 points, dishing out a team-high 127 assists and finishing second in 3-pointers with 27.

“I think Bryn did a really good job of playing out of position the past two years and positioned herself to help her teammates play at a high level by being our assist leader, and her assist-toturnover ratio was really good,” Coach Gerlich said. “She is able to distribute that for us. And she is scoring at a better level for us now that we are kind of taking the ball out of her hands more.”

Also returning with starts are 6-3 center Ella Tofaeono, a transfer from Texas A&M the previous year, who snagged 18 starts and averaged six points and 4.1 rebounds a game; 5-8 guard Tatum Veitenheimer from Windthorst, who started 14 games, averaged 1-3 points and 1.5 rebounds a game while ranking second in assists with 55; and 5-11 guard Bre’Amber Scott, who was injured most of last season but late in the year played in games, starting three and averaging 8.4 points.

Bryn Gerlich, left, and Bre’Amber Scott pose during Big 12 Media Day in Kansas City in October. (Photo courtesy of TexasTech.com)

“Bre’Amber is finally healthy, and that’s been a huge blessing,” Coach Gerlich said. “We saw what she could do when she got on the court for an extended period of time last year. And we are expecting great things out of her.”

Scott is a transfer from Arkansas-Little Rock last year who played her first two seasons of college ball at Mississippi State. In her last healthy season, she averaged 18 points a game at Little Rock.

“I feel great,” Scott said at the Big 12 media day in October. “I’m looking forward to enjoying this season with my teammates. I’m in a safe environment, a healthy environment, so it’s easy for me to enjoy it. Some seniors are looking so forward into the future, you don’t enjoy it. So really, I’m looking forward to enjoying this season with my teammates and making history.”

New but not new

New to Tech but not new to Coach Gerlich is 6-1 forward Katie Ferrell, a senior graduate student who played under Gerlich her freshman and sophomore seasons at the University of Texas at Arlington. Ferrell averaged 5.3 points and 5.6 rebounds and departed UTA as the second all-time assists leader at 491.

“Katie Ferrell, who I coached her freshman and sophomore years at UT-Arlington, has been in our program and knows what to expect,” Coach Gerlich said. “Her overall basketball IQ and her team play against Iowa State last year in the NCAA Tournament is something we really needed.”

Coach Gerlich gets almost giddy talking about her post players and their versatility. She will be able to call on 6-3 Tofaeono; 6-5 JoJo Nworie, who averaged 12.6 points and 8.1 rebounds last year for College of Southern Idaho; 6-4 Jazmine Lewis, a transfer from the University of Houston; and 6-4 sophomore Lana Wenger, who saw action in 18 games last year for Tech.

“It’s going to be really great to have some post players that can run the floor and get out on the break,” Gerlich said. “I think that will be great for us, and then another thing is they can play the front of our press that will be instrumental in getting deflections and disrupting offense for us.

“We have a lot of versatility there, and that will help us. We can go big and strong if we want to in both spots. We can go

Texas Tech Lady Raiders Roster

Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown

Ella Tofaeono, 6-3, P, Sr., Sydney, Australia

Kilah Freelon, 6-1, G/F, Fr., Denver, Colorado

Jasmine Shavers, 5-8, G, Fr., Mesquite, Texas

Jojo Nworie, 6-5, F/P, Soph., Lagos, Nigeria

Rhyle McKinney, 5-9, G, Soph., Argyle, Texas

Bryn Gerlich, 6-0, F, Sr., Colleyville, Texas

Saga Ukkonen, 5-9, G, Soph., Helsinki, Finland

Lana Wenger, 6-4, F, Soph., Hersberg, Switzerland

Bailey Maupin, 5-10, G, Fr., Gruver, Texas

Bre’Amber Scott, 5-11, G, Sr., Little Rock, Arkansas

Ashley Chevalier, 5-7, G, Soph., Chatsworth, California

Tatum Veitenheimer, 5-8, G, Sr., Windthorst, Texas

Katie Ferrell, 6-1, G/F, Gr., Plano Texas

Jazmaine Lewis, 6-4, P, Jr., Kansas City, Missouri

Coach: Krista Gerlich

Asst. Coaches: JC Carter, Ashley Crawford, Plenette Pierson

Chief of staff: Jared Boyd; Operations director: Jordan Vessels 2021-2022 record: 11-19, 4-14

long and athletic and really fast in both spots if we want to. We can obviously have a combination of that, which you will likely see more often than not. But it’s going to be really great to have post kids that can run the floor and get out. I think our posts will push each other. They are a tight-knit group, and we will see a lot of production out of that post group.”

Can’t replace Vivian Gray

Coach Gerlich said that versatility also will play out at guard because of options at point guard with Veitenheimer, University of Texas transfer 5-7 Ashley Chevalier, Bryn Gerlich and Gruver’s Maupin.

“Tatum and Ashley are true point guards,” Coach Gerlich said. “Bryn has played there, and Kat (Katie Ferrell) was a true point guard most the time I coached her. And Bailey Maupin will see some time there as well. We have a lot of different options and don’t want to put it in one person’s hands. I feel we can be more versatile and harder to guard if we can have multiple people that can get it up the floor quickly.

Bre’Amber Scott Bryn Gerlich Ella Tofaeono

Ella Tofaeono eyes the basket against UNLV in Texas Tech’s 68-61 win played at First United Bank Center in Canyon on Dec. 12, 2021. Tofaeono scored 13 points against the Lady Rebels. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

“Also, Rylie McKinney is one of our returning guards that can score at a pretty high level. She had a good off-season, and I’m expecting great things out of her.”

Coach Gerlich and her team had a unique August, playing games in Greece, and she called the trip “amazing. We were able to spend quality time together off the court and bonded as well on the court. It was a blast.”

Of course, replacing last year’s leading scorer Vivian Gray at 20.2 points a game will be a challenge. But Coach Gerlich is confident in her roster to get the job done.

“I don’t think you can replace Vivian Gray,” she said. “Obviously, what she did on the court, she’s a fantastic player. But I think we will have a group of girls that will play together and get some good looks. I think we may be tougher to guard because you have to defend everyone. It’s not going to be so specific where we are getting the ball to. There was no doubt when we played last year that our primary focus was to get Vivian the ball as many times as we could, because she is such a great player.

“I think our leadership has been phenomenal. Our kids do such a good job of just pushing each other and holding each other accountable and playing hard.”

Yes, she talks about 1993

Gerlich knows the Big 12 is no picnic night-in and night-out with several teams seemingly always ranked in the top 20.

“We need to bring confidence in to Big 12 play,” she said. “Because we know what a gauntlet that it is, and we have to step up and play.

“I think we will really be hard-nosed. We are really preaching defense and making sure we can defend and dictate on defense how we want that game to go. Whether we want it fast-paced and press and run it up and down the floor or slow it down and get stops and make it a half-court game. I really think this will be a fun team for our fans to watch.”

Coach Gerlich said she does talk to her current players about that magical Texas Tech 1993 national championship team she played on. And the message is that they can do it again.

“We absolutely talk about the national championship a lot,”

she said. “What you learn and what you know is from what you have gained from your experiences. What I know is you can get to a national championship quickly. You just have to have the right chemistry and right kids buying in and believing in one another.

“I think you have to have the support of the community for us to be able to maybe go that extra effort in a close game. Homecourt advantage certainly helps you. I just think this team is going to be special because our five seniors have been in the program before. They know the expectations, and they are ready to show what they can do.”

Ashley Chevalier

Kilah Freelon

Rhyle McKinney

Saga Ukkonen

Katie Ferrell

Jazmaine Lewis

JoJo Nworie

Tatum Veitenheimer

Bailey Maupin

Jasmine Shavers

Lana Wenger

Texas Tech Lady Raiders head coach Krista Gerlich, right, laughs with assistant coach Ashley Crawford before Tech’s 68-61 win over UNLV on Dec. 12, 2021, at First United Bank Center in Canyon. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Homecoming for some, a win for Tech

In an unusual arrangement, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders played the UNLV Lady Rebels on Dec. 12, 2021, at West Texas A&M’s First United Bank Center in Canyon. It was a homecoming for at least six people.

Krista Gerlich, the Lady Raider coach since 2020, was WT’s coach from 2006 to 2013 before heading the UT-Arlington program from 2013 to 2020.

In the photos, clockwise from right:

• Former WT Lady Buff Lexi Hightower swishes a free throw as a Lady Raider – something she had done many times in that gym.

• The Tech Masked Rider, without her horse, and cheerleaders support the team in front of WT banners.

• Jordan Vessels, Tech basketball operations director and a former Lady Buff under now Gerlich, and Jared Boyd, Tech chief of staff and a former student assistant under Gerlich at WT, walk onto the court before the UNLV game.

• Hightower prepares to move against a UNLV player.

• Freshman Lady Rebel Kenadee Winfrey, a former Canyon Lady Eagle, throws the ball in guarded by Bryn Gerlich, Coach Gerlich’s daughter. Tech won the game, 68-61. (Photos by Mike Haynes)

West Texas A&M Men

Buffs are back! Primed to keep winning

By LANCE LAHNERT 146-19.

That’s the eye-opening combined record of the West Texas A&M men’s basketball program over the past five years under head coach Tom Brown.

Brown and the Buffs of 2022-23 have their eyes set on continuing that ridiculous .884 winning percentage and making a run at an NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance and a national title.

“Our goal, like every year, is to get into the regional tournament and to hopefully host the regional tournament,” said Brown, in his ninth season at WT this year. “Then you have to win three games to get to that Elite Eight. We just came up a little short last year.”

Last year WT rolled off a 29-7 record – “Those seven losses were a few too many for us,” Brown said – increasing its Lone Star Conference Tournament winning streak to five in a row and ending its season in the South Central Regional semifinals 91-77 to Black Hills State. The game was played at host Lubbock Christian.

Three leading scorers back

Returning off last year’s team are the top five of seven players in minutes played along with the three leading scorers in senior 5-10 guard Julius Brown, junior 5-11 guard Zach Toussaint and junior 6-4 guard Larry Wise.

“We have been fortunate to have players coming back recently,” Coach Brown said. “This year we are very fortunate to have three first-team all-conference players returning. And those with the

WEST TEXAS A&M BUFFS SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 5 Northwest Missouri State @ Lakewood, Florida 7 p.m.

Nov. 6 Florida Southern @ Lakewood, Florida 4:45 p.m.

Nov. 14 Wayland Baptist 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 Oklahoma Panhandle State 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 26 Oklahoma Baptist 2 p.m.

Dec. 1 UAFS 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 3 Oklahoma Christian 3 p.m.

Dec. 8 @ Texas A&M Kingsville 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 10 Texas A&M International @ Laredo 3 p.m.

Dec. 18 Missouri-St. Louis @ Las Vegas, Nevada 3:15 p.m.

Dec. 19 Dominican @ Las Vegas, Nevada 12 p.m.

Dec. 30 Midwestern State 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 1 Cameron 3 p.m.

Jan. 5 Angelo State @ San Angelo 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 7 UT Permian Basin @ Odessa 3 p.m.

Jan. 12 Western New Mexico

7:30 p.m.

Jan. 14 Eastern New Mexico 3 p.m.

Jan. 19 @ Dallas Baptist 7 p.m.

Jan. 21 UT Tyler @ Tyler 3 p.m.

Jan. 26 Cameron University @ Lawton, Oklahoma 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 Midwestern State @ Wichita Falls 3 p.m.

Jan. 31 Lubbock Christian @ Lubbock 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 UT Permian Basin 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 4 Angelo State 3 p.m.

Feb. 9 Eastern New Mexico @ Portales, New Mexico 8:30 p.m.

Feb. 11 Western New Mexico @ Silver City, N.M. 4 p.m.

Feb. 16 St. Mary’s

7:30 p.m.

Feb. 18 St. Edward’s 3 p.m.

Feb. 23 Lubbock Christian 7:30 p.m.

Mar. 3 LSC Quarterfinals TBD

minutes played means a lot that we have that experience. Now, I think it’s crucial to have new guys come in and help right away whether that’s a freshman or a transfer.”

Julius Brown emerged as the leader of the Buffs, not only fitting in after transferring from Lincoln Memorial, but thriving in the WT up-tempo style of play.

Julius Brown averaged a team-best 16 points a game earning D2CC All-American honors and named to the LSC first team, LSC Newcomer of the Year and LSC All-Defensive team.

The 5-10 guard recently was named the LSC preseason player of the year.

“When I think of Julius, I think of composure,” Coach Brown said. “I think a comfort level for me as a coach is knowing that he is going to take care of the basketball. And he can get his shot almost any time he wants. Yet, I think he does a great job of facilitating, and we need him to do that.

“He had a great year last year. It’s not going to come easy. He worked really hard to accomplish what he did last year. I think he had a little chip on his shoulder. If he doesn’t have that chip again, it will be tough. But this is it. This is his last go-round at the college level, and he wants to play professionally.”

Toussaint, a favorite with Buff fans, begins his fourth year in the WT program and always will be remembered for hitting the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer sending the Buffs to their first-ever national championship game in 2021. He started all 36 games for WT last year and has tremendous shooting skills, owning 219 made 3-pointers in his career. Last season he ranked third on the Buffs in scoring at 14.9 points a game.

“Zach is someone who brings work ethic,” Coach Brown said. “Because if he doesn’t work, he’s just an average, run-ofthe-mill 5-10 player. But he works at it. He puts the time in the gym, and he’s dedicated to it. It’s one of those things where he has the drive. And he has the shot.”

Cameron Bell drives in West Texas A&M’s 83-73 win over Angelo State in the Lone Star Conference tournament March 3, 2022, at the Comerica Center in Frisco. (Photo courtesy of WTAMU Athletics)

Wise is the Silent Assassin, as the junior from Waxahachie is the quiet leader of the Buffs. He is coming off a season where he ranked second in scoring on the team, averaging 15.2 points a game. He averaged five rebounds a game, led WT in free throws made at 102 and earned first-team All-LSC honors.

“Larry had a great season last year,” Coach Brown said. “He’s a multiple defensive player and can guard a lot of guys. He really has that figured out. He can score at all three levels. And he’s just a very humble and modest kid who is very talented player.

“When all three are on the court at the same time it’s really nice, because all three can score. And no question about it, they have to be the leaders. Larry is not the most vocal, but he is a very good leader for us.”

Strong supporting cast

Also returning and logging strong minutes for the Buffs last year are sophomores 6-5 Jesse Iweze and 5-10 guard Cameron Bell and 6-3 redshirt junior Addison Wallace.

Bell was fourth in minutes played last year, earning a start and averaging 2.7 points and 1.3 rebounds. Iweze made 24 starts, played in 35 games and averaged 14.7 minutes a game (ranking eighth on the Buffs’ minutes played roster last year). He earned All-LSC freshman team honors, scoring 6.2 points and averaging 4.3 rebounds a game.

Wallace made four starts, saw action in 33 games, averaged 15.1 minutes of playing time (ranked seventh on the team) and averaged 4.7 points and 3.5 rebounds a game.

Plus, Coach Brown and his staff added three transfers and three true freshmen to their recruiting class.

Leading the transfers is 6-5 scoring machine Damion Thornton. The 6-5 senior guard (by the way, Coach Brown lists all his players as guards on the WT official roster) brings quite the resume to the Buffs, having spent the past three seasons at Southwestern Oklahoma State, where he departed as the all-time leading scorer with more than 1,400 points scored.

The other two transfers also look to have an impact on the Buffs’ season in a good way.

Junior guard 6-5 Ryland Holt arrives from Minnesota StateMankato, where he made 38 starts and averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds.

Sophomore 6-2 guard Journee Phillips is a San Antonio native and spent two seasons at Texas A&M International, where he averaged 19.1 minutes of playing time and 7.7 points.

The three freshmen joining the Buffs are 6-2 guard Nicholas Jett out of Frisco Heritage; 6-0 guard Ahamed Mohammed from Apollo High in Glendale, Arizona, where he departed as the alltime scorer in school history; and 6-3 guard Brock Mishak from Fossil Ridge High in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Rebounders will be missed

West Texas A&M Buffs Roster

Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown

Journee Phillips, 6-2, G, Soph., San Antonio, Texas

Jesse Iweze, 6-5, G, Soph., Roanoke, Texas

Ahamed Mohammed, 6-0, G, Fr., Glendale, Arizona

Brock Mishak, 6-3, G, Fr., Fort Collins, Colorado

Julius Brown, 5-10, G, Sr., Westerville, Ohio

Ryland Holt, 6-6, G, Jr., Gibson City, Illinois

Parker Nielsen, 6-4, G, Soph., Prescott, Wisconsin

Damion Thornton, 6-5, G, Sr., Edmond, Oklahoma

Nicholas Jett, 6-2, G, Fr., Frisco, Texas

Zach Toussaint, 5-11, G, Jr., Johnsburg, Illinois

Jonas Carlisle, 6-2, G, Soph., San Antonio, Texas

Cameron Bell, 5-10, G, Soph., Edmond, Oklahoma

Addison Wallace, 6-3, G, Jr., Cleburne, Texas

Larry Wise, 6-4, G, Jr., Waxahachie, Texas

Coach: Tom Brown

Asst. Coaches: Chris Gove, David Chavlovich 2021-2022 record: 29-7, 11-5

Coach Brown said the Buffs will miss the rebounding and overall play of the departed Dallin Williams, Hayden Blankley and Kavon Booker.

“It really hurts losing those three,” Coach Brown said. “We were one of the leading rebounders in the conference, and I don’t think that’s going to be the case this year. But so far, so good on the chemistry of this team. It takes a bit to work that out.”

Brown said the yearly turnover of the roster is the way of life in NCAA basketball these days with the transfer portal.

“At this level or any level, you could see the majority of a team returning, but it’s very unlikely these days,” he said. “There are going to be guys who want to play at a higher level. Guys who want more minutes, and it’s very easy to transfer. That’s the way it is.”

The Buffs’ coaching staff of Brown, associate head coach Chris Gove and assistant Quincy Henderson had been in place since day one when Brown was named coach on April 16, 2014.

Henderson departed after last year, landing a head coaching

Julius Brown Zach Toussaint Larry Wise

West Texas A&M’s Zach Toussaint moves around an Angelo State defender in the Buffs’ 83-73 win over the Rams March 3, 2022, in the Lone Star Conference tournament at the Comerica Center in Frisco. (Photo courtesy of WTAMU Athletics)

job at St. Cloud State. Coach Brown called on a familiar name to Buff fans to replace Henderson in David Chavlovich. “Coach Chav” is the all-time leading scorer in WT history with 2,490 points and was a four-time All-American. He played four seasons of pro ball in Croatia and Australia.

“Quincy was a staple in the program,” Coach Brown said. “David is going to be great. He has a lot of energy and is someone who enjoys being around the program and someone who played here and knows what our expectations are.

“I know it was tough for me going from a player to a coach. It’s totally different, and you see things through a different lens. David is a great fit. He’s going to be in charge of recruiting and on court and do many things you don’t see.”

With Coach Brown’s gaudy 181-43 overall record, success follows him around like a puppy dog following his owner after being lost. The Buffs have four Elite Eight appearances, a national runner-up effort and are the five-time defending LSC Tournament champs.

“You need time to jell a team together,” Coach Brown said. “The exhibition and early games are very important. But I really like this team. Time will tell, but I feel good about our chances.”

Damen

Julius Brown of West Texas A&M shoots a layup in the Buffs’ 83-73 win over Angelo State March 3, 2022, in the Lone Star Conference tournament at the Comerica Center in Frisco. (Photo courtesy of WTAMU Athletics)

Jonas Carlisle drives past a Ram defender as West Texas A&M defeated Angelo State 83-73 in the Lone Star Conference tournament at the Comerica Center in Frisco March 3, 2022, . (Photo courtesy of WTAMU Athletics)

In the top photo, Zach Toussaint floats a shot toward the basket with one second left in West Texas A&M’s game with Montana State-Billings Dec. 17, 2021, in the Holiday Hoops Classic at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the second photo, the ball has dropped through the net and the red border has flashed on the backboard indicating the end of the game.

Thacker of MSU-Billings had made a 3-pointer with 5.7 seconds left to tie it at 57, but the Buffs rushed down the court, and Toussaint’s prayer of a shot gave WT a 59-57 win. The Buffs had trailed 20-8 in the first half. (Photos by Mike Haynes)

Cameron Bell

Jesse Iweze

Parker

Nielsen

Jonas Carlisle

Addison

Wallace

West Texas A&M Women

Elite Eight effort inspires Lady Buffs

By LANCE LAHNERT

Josh Prock’s smile tells it all when he is asked about his Lady Buffs basketball program for the 2022-23 season.

“I’m so excited for this season,” said the second-year West Texas A&M women’s basketball coach, breaking into a grin. “So excited.”

And Prock’s comment might be the biggest understatement of the year when it comes to women’s Division II basketball across the United States.

That’s because Prock returns seven players off his 2021-22 team that became one of the feel-good stories in the Texas Panhandle.

The Lady Buffs rolled to a 26-11 record, catching fire late, winning 15 of their final 17 games, winning the Lone Star Conference regular season and tournament titles, taking the South Central regional championship and reaching the NCAA Division II Elite Eight while drawing strong home crowds at First United Bank Center.

No doubt replacing the gifted, graduated post Alivia Lewis will be difficult since she was the leading rebounder and outstanding

WEST TEXAS A&M LADY BUFFS SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 5 Fort Hays State @ Kansas City, Missouri 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 6 Nebraska- Kearney @ Kansas City, Missouri 11:30 a.m.

Nov. 11 Colorado Mesa @ Rapid City, South Dakota 6 p.m.

Nov. 12 South Dakota Mines @ Rapid City, South Dakota 8 p.m.

Nov. 18 Southwestern Oklahoma State 6 p.m.

Nov. 26 Oklahoma Panhandle State 12 p.m.

Dec. 1 UAFS 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 3 Oklahoma Christian 1 p.m.

Dec. 8 @ Texas A&M Kingsville 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 10 Texas A&M International @ Laredo 1 p.m.

Dec. 14 Northern New Mexico 10:30 a.m.

Dec. 18 Florida Tech @ Tampa, Florida 12 p.m.

Dec. 19 Tampa @ Tampa, Florida 1 p.m.

Dec. 30 Midwestern State 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 1 Cameron 1 p.m.

Jan. 5 Angelo State @ San Angelo 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 7 UT Permian Basin @ Odessa 1 p.m.

Jan. 12 Western New Mexico 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 14 Eastern New Mexico 1 p.m.

Jan. 19 Texas Woman’s @ Denton 6 p.m.

Jan. 21 UT Tyler @ Tyler 1 p.m.

Jan. 26 Cameron @ Lawton, Oklahoma 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 Midwestern State @ Wichita Falls 1 p.m.

Jan. 31 Lubbock Christian @ Lubbock 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 UT Permian Basin 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 4 Angelo State 1 p.m.

Feb. 9 Eastern New Mexico @ Portales, New Mexico 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 11 Western New Mexico @ Silver City, N.M. 2 p.m.

Feb. 16 St. Mary’s 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 18 St. Edward’s 1 p.m.

Feb. 23 Lubbock Christian 5:30 p.m.

Mar. 2 LSC Quarterfinals TBD

shot blocker with 93. But Prock returns seven players from last year, including four of his top five scorers.

“We have seven back of 16 on our team, so we still have quite a few new kids this year,” said Prock who arrived at West Texas A&M last season after eight years guiding the Eastern New Mexico program. “But what happened last year, I think it’s a benefit twofold. One, having the season we had and having the returners we do, well, who wouldn’t be excited?

“Then if you look back at last year, we only had two kids who played for me at Eastern; basically everyone else was new. So with a year now, I think what it helps us with is the confidence and the belief in the system with what we were able to accomplish. You get to that level of being at the Elite Eight, and I think the confidence in what you are doing as a coach and doing as a program, the trust factor is just there.”

Returning scorers are leaders

The four of five returning scorers are 5-7 senior guard Zamorye Roberts, who was last year’s leading scorer (13.2 points a game), 5-8 sophomore guard Karley Motschenbacher (10.2 ppg and 7.9 rpg), 5-10 senior forward Lauren Taylor (7.7 ppg) and 6-2 sophomore post Jayla Burgess (7.0 ppg and 5.3 rpg).

Combined, the foursome started 126 games last year and averaged a hefty 21.8 to 31.3 minutes of playing time.

Prock sees all four owning valuable leadership qualities and a passion for the game of basketball. He will count on Roberts, whom he coached at ENMU, again to run the show from her point guard duties on the floor. Roberts made a team-high 63 3-pointers last year, was second-team All-LSC and was a WER honorable mention All-American.

“Zam has the leadership we need,” Prock said. “She’s been our leader and will continue to be. She also is a scorer, so that will be a little different for her. She’s always been the point guard, your playmaker, but I think she has embraced this scoring mentality.

Coach Josh Prock, left, and the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs show off their trophy from the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championship tournament after a hard-fought 59-54 win over Lubbock Christian at First United Bank Center in Canyon on March 14, 2022. (Photo courtesy of WTAMU Athletics)

(Continued

She is good at it.”

Roberts will team with Motschenbacher, among others, in the backcourt. Other than having a rare 14-letter last name, 5-8 sophomore Motschenbacher affected games last year with her tenacity, grit, ability to score, and her 7.9 rebounds a game ranked second on the team. She simply improved throughout her freshman season and was named to the All-LSC defense team, was the LSC Championship most outstanding player and was MVP of the South Central Regional Championships.

“Karley is a playmaker,” Prock said. “She just makes plays. It’s hard to put a box around her, because you never want to. She is such a tough kid and earned everything she has gotten. She’s such a good kid.” The Lady Buffs certainly are excellent in guard play, but what fans and opponents may notice first is their height on the wing, at forward and in the post.

WT has nine players 5-10 or taller, and five of those range between 6-0 and 6-4.

It’s Taylor and 6-2 sophomore post Jayla Burgess leading this group as returning starters.

Taylor started 25 games and proved she can score at the basket as well as outside, canning 32 3-pointers.

“From the wing and guard position, Lauren brings so much,” Prock said. “She is a great athlete. The thing I know she has worked on improving is her rebounding, and I think we will see an increase in her rebounding.”

Burgess has the most returning starts of any Lady Buff player at 37 and logged an average of 26.7 minutes of playing time. She will take over the departed Lewis’s role and may be in for a mon-

ster year as she proved last year she can handle the bright lights. “Jayla is going to step in that post role,” Prock said. “Not a bad way at all, but she kind of played next to the bright lights of Alivia. So no, it’s her time, so to speak. The good thing for Jayla is she has a lot of help this year. Kamirah Decker (6-2), Nyalam Thabach (6-4) and Braylyn Dollar (6-0 transfer from Sam Houston State) and the other posts. I feel our posts will be a strength of this team.”

Dollar is a Lubbock Monterey product who played three seasons from 2018 to 2021 for the Lady Buffs, then spent last season at Sam Houston State before returning.

Prock recruited good area players

Prock recruited some serious Amarillo-area talent as well for this season, bringing in freshman guard Hollie Stalder from Hooker, Oklahoma; freshman guard Zoey McBroom of Canyon High; freshman guard Bree Brattan, an all-state performer from Shallowater; and freshman all-state guard Kyla Kane of Wellington. Rounding out the freshman class is 5-11 post Shyleigh James of Lynden, Washington, who earned first-team All-Northwest

Zamorye

Roberts

Jayla Burgess Karley Motschenbacher

Braylyn Dollar

Lauren Taylor Kamirah Decker

(Continued on next page)

Jayla Burgess, a 6-2 post from Tulsa, is introduced before West Texas A&M’s NCAA Division II South Central Regional championship game with Lubbock Christian on March 14, 2022, at First United Bank Center in Canyon. Burgess averaged 7 points and 5.3 rebounds a game in 202122 and returns as a sophomore. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Zamorye Roberts, right, of West Texas A&M drives against Lubbock Christian’s Audrey Robertson in the Lady Buffs’ 59-54 win in the South Central Regional title game March 14, 2022, in Canyon. Roberts scored 11 points in the game and was the team’s leading scorer for the year with a 13.2 average. She is a 5-7 senior from Portales, New Mexico. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Conference honors and was valedictorian of her class.

“I really believe this team is grounded and hungry,” Prock said. “We can score from the inside or outside with a lot of different players, and this team can guard. Honestly, the talking, the enthusiasm, the hunger, their willingness to be better is as good as I’ve ever had at this point of the year. These things are critical. Communicating is such a big thing, and communicating in a positive way. I love what I hear during a practice.”

Prock scheduled his season challenging his team with two exhibition games in late October against Arizona and playing the University of New Mexico in the legendary Pit.

“You can go out and scrimmage a team and beat them by 50, but how much will you learn?” Prock said. “By going out and playing a team like Arizona that is going to be four or five in the Pac-12 and a New Mexico team always top two or three in conference, it’s going to teach us where our weaknesses are and get us better.”

The Lady Buffs will be the hunted this year, defending their LSC title, and Prock knows the challenge ahead as the preseason pick to win it all in the conference.

“The LSC is going to be difficult like it is every year,” Prock said. “I think the LSC is to a point now where it’s even more balanced than it’s ever been top to bottom. Teams have recruited well and gotten better. It will be a fun conference.”

Last year was a whirlwind for Prock and his family, making the move to a new university, a new town and new schools. Prock said everything is in place, and he and his family have found a home in Canyon.

Lady Buffs have history of excellence

And he said last year’s run to the Elite Eight is what Lady Buffs basketball is all about.

“From a recruiting standpoint, kids see that you made it to the Elite Eight,” Prock said. “They know what you have done, and it gets their attention. This whole West Texas region has a lot of kids who already like West Texas A&M. Now you put on what we were able to do, and I think that only enhances

West

Texas A&M Lady Buffs Roster

Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown

Holly Stalder, 5-10, G, Fr., Hooker, Oklahoma

Zoey McBroom, 5-7, G, Fr., Canyon, Texas

Azia Himeur, 5-8, G, Soph., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Bree Brattain, 5-8, G, Fr., Shallowater, Texas

McKauley Gregory, 5-9, G, Jr., Lubbock, Texas

Zamorye Roberts, 5-7, G, Sr., Portales, New Mexico

Sienna Lenz, 5-8, G, Jr., Chilliwack, British Columbia

Kyla Kane, 5-10, G, Fr., Wellington, Texas

Skyleigh James, 5-11, P, Fr., Lynden, Washington

Braylyn Dollar, 6-0, P, Sr., Lubbock, Texas

Karley Motschenbacher, 5-8, G, Soph., Moorhead, Minnesota

Nyalam Thabach, 6-4, P, Jr., Boise, Idaho

Lauren Taylor, 5-10, F, Sr., Collierville, Tennessee

Jayla Burgess, 6-2, P, Soph., Tulsa, Oklahoma

Kamirah Decker, 6-2, P, Sr., Elk Grove, California

Mattie Boyd, 6-0, P, Fr., Canadian, Texas

Coach: Josh Prock

Asst. Coaches: Mikaehla Connor, Will Sherman

2021-2022 record: 26-11, 13-3

your ability to recruit here.

“This is the standard you really want. You want to be held to a high standard of excellence. I think across the spectrum in any profession, I think we would all want to be held to a high standard of excellence.

“When you think of West Texas A&M women’s basketball, I think you think of excellence. You look at Bob Schneider, to Krista Gerlich, to Mark Kellogg to Kristen Mattio. I think excellence can be defined by all their careers here.”

Karley Motschenbacher, a 5-8 guard from Morehead, Minnesota, handles the ball against Lubbock Christian’s Grace Foster from Childress in West Texas A&M’s 59-54 win over LCU in the South Central Regional title game March 14, 2022, in Canyon. Motschenbacher, a 2022-23 sophomore, scored 16 points in the game and averaged 10.2 for the season. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Zoey McBroom

Sienna Lenz

Skyleigh James

Bree Brattain

McKauley Gregory

Mattie Boyd

Kyla Kane

Azia Himeur

Hollie Stalder

Nyalam Thabach

West Texas A&M Lady Buff Jayle Burgess fights for the ball with a Lubbock Christian opponent in WT’s 59-54 victory in the Lady Buffs’ South Central title game March 14 in Canyon.

Zamorye Roberts climbs a ladder to cut a strand of the net after West Texas A&M’s 59-54 win over Lubbock Christian in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional title game March 14, 2022, at First United Bank Center in Canyon. Her climb may be symbolic of the direction the Lady Buffs’ program is headed. (Photos on this page by Mike Haynes)

Lauren Taylor, West Texas A&M’s 5-10 forward, fights for the ball with two Lubbock Christian players, sisters Audrey and Juliana Robertson, in the Lady Buffs’ South Central title game with LCU March 14. Taylor is a senior in 2022-23. Behind the group is WT’s Alivia Lewis, a 2021-22 senior.

Coach Josh Prock signals to his Lady Buffs in West Texas A&M’s South Central Regional championship game March 14 in Canyon. WT defeated Lubbock Christian 59-54 to advance to the Elite Eight.

Zamorye Roberts gets a hug as the Lady Buffs celebrate West Texas A&M’s tough win over Lubbock Christian in the South Central title game March 14 in Canyon.

Lubbock Christian Men Chaps must replace top players

By DAVE WOHLFARTH

If Parker Hicks and Allie Schulte decide to have children, those kids could be quite the basketball players.

Hicks, a two-time all-American, and Schulte, a two-time all-American, were married last summer. Hicks was the best player on LCU’s men’s team; Schulte was the leader on the LCU women’s squad.

They’re both in Levelland now, where Hicks is launching his coaching career with the boys team. Schulte is teaching at the high school.

Hicks’ departure from LCU leaves a big hole for Coach Todd Duncan to fill. Not only was Hicks a two-time National Association of Basketball Coaches all-American, but he also was the back-to-back player of the year in the Lone Star Conference.

The 6-6 forward from Decatur led the Chaps in scoring (19.3 points per game), successful 3-point shots (64), rebounds (8.8 per game) and blocked shots (27). He led the conference with a .557 shooting percentage from the floor.

“He was a great player for us,” Duncan said. “He gave us great leadership on and off the court. He made lots of great impact, had a great career here. He was a winner, a great person, somebody who we’ll definitely miss.”

Hicks isn’t the only Chap who’ll be missed this season. His sidekick, 6-4 guard Lloyd Daniels, is playing professional basketball in England now.

Hicks and Daniels both played an extra year because of the COVID-19 allowances permitting such. Both were named to the

LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN CHAPS SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 11 Regis University @ Denver, Colorado 8 p.m.

Nov. 12 Colorado School of Mines @ Denver, Colorado 5 p.m.

Nov. 19 Southern Nazarene @ Bethany, Oklahoma 3 p.m.

Nov. 21 Arlington Baptist 6 p.m.

Dec. 1 Oklahoma Christian 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 3 University of Arkansas Fort Smith 3 p.m.

Dec. 8 Texas A&M International @ Laredo 7 p.m.

Dec. 10 Texas A&M University @ Kingsville 3 p.m.

Dec. 17 West Liberty @ Las Vegas, Nevada 7:45 p.m.

Dec. 18 Le Moyne College @ Las Vegas, Nevada 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 30 Cameron TBA

Jan. 1 Midwestern State 3 p.m.

Jan. 5 Texas Permian Basin @ Odessa 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 7 Angelo State @ San Angelo 3 p.m.

Jan. 12 Eastern New Mexico

7:30 p.m.

Jan. 14 Western New Mexico 3 p.m.

Jan. 19 @ UT Tyler

7:30 p.m.

Jan. 21 @ Dallas Baptist 2 p.m.

Jan. 26 Midwestern State @ Wichita Falls 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 Cameron @ Lawton, Oklahoma 3 p.m.

Jan. 31 West Texas A&M

Feb. 2 Angelo State

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Feb. 4 Texas Permian Basin 3 p.m.

Feb. 9 Western New Mexico @ Silver City, N.M. 8:30 p.m.

Feb. 11 Eastern New Mexico @ Portales, N.M. 4 p.m.

Feb. 16 St. Edward’s

7:30 p.m.

Feb. 18 St. Mary’s 3 p.m.

Feb. 23 West Texas A&M @ Canyon 7:30 p.m.

Mar. 2 Lone Star Conference Tournament @ Frisco TBA

NABC all-district team plus the LSC all-conference first team, not just once but twice.

Daniels contributed 16.1 ppg and led the Chaps in assists, averaging 4.7 per game last season. Daniels and Hicks started all 31 games for LCU.

27-4 last year was most wins ever

The MIA list doesn’t stop with those two. Aamer Muhammad (15.4 ppg and the team leader in steals with 39) decided to take a crack at the Division I level and transferred to Troy University.

“He was potentially one of the top players in the league returning,” Duncan said. “He was all-conference second team.”

Cameron Copley (2.3 ppg), the former Canadian star who served as the Chaps’ point guard for several seasons, also moved on. He’s now an assistant coach at the new West Plains High School in Amarillo.

Jalen Brattain (7.8 ppg) and Zach Stepp (4.5 ppg) each started 12 games for the Chaps. Brattain transferred to Division II Chaminade in Hawaii. Stepp was in his last year of eligibility.

All those Chaps contributed to LCU’s 27-4 season (the most wins in the program’s history), a second straight LSC regular season championship and a berth in the regional semifinals. In many ways, it surpassed the previous 18-3 campaign in a COVID-restricted season, which Duncan had called his best in his 10 years at LCU.

The Chaps opened last season with 20 straight wins, another best for the program.

“We were No. 1 in the country for three months, back-to-back

Rowan Mackenzie of Lubbock Christian drives against Texas A&MCommerce last season in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional tournament at the Rip Griffin Center on the LCU campus. The Chaps won, 80-63, and Mackenzie scored 21 points. (LCU Athletics photo)

Lone Star Conference champions,” Duncan said. “Frankly, pretty disappointed that we didn’t go further, but we just had a night where we didn’t play our best.”

Colorado Mesa nipped LCU 63-62 in the regional semifinal played in Lubbock.The Chaps missed nine free throws, including one of three attempts that would have sent the game into overtime.

“Just a game, you know, we played with fire and got burned,” Duncan said. “Didn’t have our best, but it doesn’t really take away from the season. The success we were able to enjoy was for a pretty special group.”

The Chaps’ 20-game winning start included a double overtime 85-79 win at Angelo State. The streak ended with a 66-52 loss to Dallas Baptist in a rare home defeat at the Rip Griffin Center. The other defeat was an 89-85 double-overtime loss at Cameron.

The Chaps won the conference with a 12-2 league mark. They averaged 78 points offensively while yielding 62.5 a game. But enough about last year. How’s this season look?

One starter returns for 2022-23

Well, Duncan does have one starter returning. Rowan Mackenzie, a 6-3 junior guard from Perth, Australia, averaged 11.4 points and was named to the all-LSC second team. He started in all 28 games he played last season.

“Rowan Mackenzie is our only returning starter. He’s a great player for us,” Duncan said. “We had a couple of guys who started on and off a few games last year.”

That would be Aaron Gonzales and Karhan “KJ” Jones.

Gonzales, a 6-3 sophomore guard from Spring, near Houston, made two starts and played in 30 games. He averaged 3.5 ppg

and was on the LSC all-freshman team.

Jones, a redshirted 6-1 sophomore guard from Arlington Martin, also started two games.

Mackenzie, Gonzales and Najeeb Muhammad, a 6-1 sophomore guard from Las Vegas who transferred from Arizona Western College, figure to start this season. Najeeb Muhammad is not related to the departed Aamer Muhammad.

The other starting spots are to be determined. Jones could be in the picture.

So could Kurt Wegscheider, a 6-4 junior guard from Bangui, Central African Republic via Utah State Eastern College. He’s new to the Chaps this season.

Alec Zambie, a 6-6 sophomore forward from Fort Worth Christian High School, returns and could crack the starting five. Ty Caswell, a 6-7 junior guard/forward (2 ppg) from Wichita Falls Rider, also returns.

It’s rare that freshmen play a lot, but the Chaps have six frosh who could make some noise. They are:

• C.J. Booker, a 5-9 guard from Arlington Seguin;

• Trey Thompson, a 6-2 guard from San Antonio Reagan;

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Lubbock Christian Chaps Roster

Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown

Rowan Mackenzie, 6-3, G, Jr., Perth, Australia

Najeeb Muhammad, 6-1, G, Soph., Las Vegas, Nevada

CJ Booker, 5-9, G, Fr., Arlington, Texas

Trey Thompson, 6-2, G, Fr., San Antonio, Texas

Aaron Gonzales, 6-3, G, Soph., Spring, Texas

Kendall Dow, 6-2, G, Fr., San Antonio, Texas

Ty Caswell, 6-7, G/F, Jr., Wichita Falls, Texas

Jalen Nettles, 6-5, G/F, Fr., Little Rock, Arkansas

Karhan Jones, 6-1, G, Soph., Mansfield, Texas

Vito Vujovic, 6-6, G/F, Fr., Zagreb, Croatia

Fletcher MacDonald, 6-8, F, Fr., Wollongong, Australia

Kurt Wegsheider, 6-4, G, Jr., Bangui, Central African Republic

Alec Zambie, 6-6, F, Soph., Plano, Texas

Coach: Todd Duncan

Asst. Coaches: Jason Imes, Landon Hughey 2021-2022 record: 27-4, 12-2

Karhan Jones

Coach Todd Duncan

Alec Zambie

Najeeb Muhammad

Rowan Mackenzie

Ty Caswell

Kurt Wegscheider

Aaron Gonzales

Russell Harrison

Because of an injury, Lubbock Christian Chap Ty Caswell played in only nine games last season. He scored 11 points in 29 minutes against Dallas Baptist. The junior averaged 11.2 points two years ago and 7.5 points in 2020-21. (LCU Athletics photo)

• Kendall Dow, a 6-2 guard from San Antonio Johnson;

• Jalen Nettles, a 6-5 guard/forward from Little Rock, Arkansas;

• Vito Vujovic, a 6-6 guard/forward from Zagreb, Croatia;

• Fletcher MacDonald, a 6-8 forward from Wollongong, Australia.

That’s two Aussies, a Croatian, a Central African and seven Texans, if you’re counting.

“We have some new faces that may make the lineup,” Duncan said. “We’ve got some good young players coming in, and we’re excited about them.”

The turnover isn’t ideal, but Duncan has dealt with it before.

Faces change, expectations don’t “Like we say, the faces change, but the expectations don’t,” he said. “Like every team that loses good players, you’ve got to find a way to regroup and get ready for the next year.”

MacDonald, at 6-8, and Caswell, at 6-7, are the tallest Chaps. But MacDonald is a freshman and Caswell a sophomore who played in only nine games a year ago.

“It’s a little bit of concern. We’re a little smaller than maybe we would have been in the past,” Duncan said. “But those teams have had success. It’d be better to have it than not, but at the same time, I think some of our guys that are undersized are pretty skilled and athletic and can make up for that.”

Winning a third straight LSC title may be a stretch, but Duncan says it may depend on how quickly the new guys can mesh.

“You know, it’s us learning them and them learning us,” he said. “But I think we have the talent and the makeup to be a good team. I think it will just be how quickly we can come together.”

The Chaps will begin the season Nov. 11-12 in Denver, playing Regis and the Colorado School of Mines in the RMAC/LSC Challenge.

In December, the venue will be Las Vegas, Nevada, for the Holiday Hoops Classic. West Liberty and Le Moyne College will be the Chaps’ opponents there.

They’ll play 23 LSC games, beginning Nov. 21. They’ll take on each of the 16 conference teams once and the teams in their division twice, home and away. The division foes are West Texas A&M, Eastern New Mexico, Western New Mexico, Angelo State, UT-Permian Basin, Midwestern State and Cameron.

Duncan was named the NABC district coach of the year for the second straight year. In 11 years at LCU, his Chaps have posted a 183-105 record for a .635 winning percentage. His longtime assistant, Jason Imes, has been with him all 11 years.

Before he came to LCU, Duncan coached at Trinity Christian for 15 years. His Lions won more than 400 games and captured the state TAPPS state championship in 1999.

His daughter Ashton and son Ethan both were standouts at Trinity Christian. Ashton wrapped up her Lubbock Christian playing career last spring but still is in the school’s graduate program, working toward her master’s in clinical and mental health counseling.

Ethan, who set the all-time scoring record at Trinity Christian, signed to play at Texas Tech but missed most of his freshman season because of a shoulder injury. Early this fall, he opted to leave Tech and put his name in the transfer portal.

Lubbock Christian Women Lady Chaps starting from scratch

By DAVE WOHLFARTH

The gang is gone. The five starters – all of whom played on two national championship teams – have played their last games as Lady Chaps.

Allie Schulte, Ashton Duncan, Laynee Burr, Juliana Robertson and Channing Cunyus have gone their separate ways.

Schulte is teaching at Levelland High School, where her husband, ex-LCU men’s star Parker Hicks, is the boys basketball coach. Coincidentally, Schulte and Hicks were recognized as Lubbock Christian’s scholar-athlete award winners for the Lone Star Conference.

Duncan and Robertson both remain at LCU, in the graduate program specializing in counseling. Burr is studying occupational therapy at Texas Tech. Cunyus also is at Tech, taking business management graduate courses, and is a graduate assistant on the women’s basketball team.

“Those five were here a long time, and they’ve done a lot. From their junior years on, they were really good,” Coach Steve Gomez said. “They were tremendous. They gave a lot. They made a huge imprint on their teammates and the community.”

Schulte, Duncan and Robertson all played a fifth season after the NCAA granted players an extra year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Burr and Cunyus stepped up as senior starters last season after being super subs as juniors. Fine season despite tough loss

The Lady Chaps actually were seeking a third straight Division II national championship, considering the 2020 season ended –because of the COVID-19 pandemic – just as the Lady Chaps were getting ready for their first South Central Regional game. No national tournament. LCU won national titles in 2019 and 2021.

They didn’t make it last year but still had a fine season. They reached the regional finals but lost a back-and-forth 59-54 decision to West Texas A&M at Canyon. That capped a 28-7 season.

Were the Lady Chaps disappointed not to three-peat?

Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps Roster

Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown

Grace Foster, 6-1, F, Soph., Childress, Texas

Maci Maddox, 5-7, G, Jr., Lubbock, Texas

Audrey Robertson, 5-8, G, Jr., Kerrville, Texas

Rachel Haase, 5-8, G, Soph., Amarillo, Texas

Taylor Thomas, 5-9, G, Fr., Canyon, Texas

Shaylee Stovall, 5-6, G, Jr., Idalou, Texas

Carli Bostwick, 5-10, G/F, Soph., Lubbock, Texas

Martie McCoy, 5-11, F/G, Fr., Muenster, Texas

Audrey Spurgin, 6-2, P, Soph., Fredericksburg, Texas

Tia Johnson, 5-9, F/G, Fr., Brownfield, Texas

Deja Johnson, 5-9, F/G, Fr., Brownfield, Texas

Whitney Cox, 6-1, F, Sr., Flower Mound, Texas

Reese Schumann, 6-1, P, Soph., Houston, Texas

Coach: Steve Gomez

Asst. Coaches: Vic Self, Kaycie Wilson

2021-2022 record: 28-7, 12-4

“No, to do that once is rare. Twice is extremely rare,” Gomez said. “A third is just not what usually happens in sports. To get where they did was remarkable.”

Schulte, a two-time all-American and a starter on both championship teams, was hurting in the Lady Chaps’ last game at WT. In fact, she didn’t even start for the only time in the 32 games she played.

“The game before, she had a knee injury,” Gomez said. “She was fortunate to even play. She was probably about 50 percent.” Nevertheless, she came off the bench to spark a Lady Chap comeback and finished the game with 12 points, playing only 26 minutes.

The Nazareth native led the Lady Chaps in scoring, averaging 11.7. As an example of a balanced attack, she was followed by Duncan at 10.9 ppg, Burr at 9.5 ppg, Robertson at 8.1 ppg and Cunyus at 8.0 ppg.

Schulte was the assist leader at 3.8 per game and also led in steals with 91 for the season. Robertson had the most rebounds (7.7 per game) and second-most blocks (27). Duncan, the daughter of LCU men’s Coach Todd Duncan, nailed 90 3-point shots, shooting .373 from long range. Cunyus had a better 3-point shooting percentage at .410.

Duncan, Robertson, Burr and Cunyus started all 35 games.

“I really enjoyed last year,” Gomez said. “It was a good year and a fun team to be around with a lot of experience. We had a

Lubbock Christian’s Grace Foster, a 6-1 forward from Childress, goes to the basket against Haylei Janssens of West Texas A&M in the South Central Regional championship game on March 14, 2022, at First United Bank Center in Canyon. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

tough preseason, and the conference is always tough.”

The Lady Chaps finished fourth in the LSC with a 12-4 league mark. Overall, LCU averaged 65.9 points on offense while giving up 53.1.

Classroom success with 3.805 average GPA

Another accomplishment by last year’s team was in the classroom. The Lady Chaps registered a 3.805 grade point average, the fourth best GPA in all of NCAA Division II.

“These kids realize there’s more to life than basketball,” Gomez said. “That would be shortsighted. These kids are wellbalanced and learn to be responsible on and off the court. They care about school.”

So now Gomez is facing a situation that’s new to him: no returning starters. He’s beginning his 20th season as the Lady Chaps’ mentor, and he’s always had at least one or two returning starters.

He does have nine players who saw some action, however brief, last season.

Grace Foster, a 6-1 sophomore forward from Childress, played in all 35 games and averaged 7.4 ppg. She also led the team in blocks with 28.

Audrey Robertson, younger sister of Juliana Robertson and the third Robertson to play at LCU, started three games and played in all 35. The 5-8 junior guard from Kerrville contributed 4.3 ppg.

Maci Maddox, a 5-7 guard from Frenship, played in 31 games and averaged 2.2 ppg.

Shaylee Stovall, a 5-6 junior guard from Idalou, started one game and saw action in 27.

Gomez indicated Foster, Maddox, Audrey Robertson and Stovall may play a lot this year.

Carli Bostwick, a 5-10 sophomore guard from the Lubbock Titans home school team; Audrey Spurgin, a 6-1 sophomore post from Fredericksburg; Reese Schumann, a 6-2 sophomore post from Clear Lake; Whitney Cox, a 6-1 senior post from Flower Mound; and Rachel Haase, a 5-8 sophomore guard from Amarillo High; all saw scant action last year.

“There will be a lot of opportunities for a lot of kids,” Gomez said. “We have 13 on the team. It’s more of a question of who’s

not going to play. It’s not clearcut right now, which creates competition, which is good.”

Brylee Winfrey and Savannah Sumrall still are attending LCU but opted not to play this season.

Four freshmen, including twins Tia and Deja Johnson, are on the Lady Chaps roster. The Johnsons, both 5-9 forwards, were instrumental in Brownfield’s 2021 Class 3A state championship.

Taylor Thomas, a 5-8 guard from Canyon, and Martie McCoy, a 5-11 forward from Muenster, are the other two freshmen.

Might those freshmen see some playing time?

“It’s very possible this year, very possible,” Gomez said.

Shaylee Stovall, a 5-6 junior guard from Idalou, brings the ball down court for Lubbock Christian against Texas Woman’s University last season in Lubbock. The Lady Chaps won, 70-62. Stovall played in 27 games for the Lady Chaps in 202122. (LCU Athletics photo)

The Lady Chaps do have some positives.

“We’re deeper than last year in terms of some playing experience,” Gomez said, speaking in terms of the number of players who have some varsity court time.

“On the inside, we’ll have better size. A strength would be the ability to share the basketball. Hopefully, we’ll have good balance. We had that last year. That needs to be a strength.”

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LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN LADY CHAPS SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 5 Missouri Southern @ Kansas City, Missouri 3:30 p.m. Nov. 6 Missouri Western @ Kansas City, Missouri 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11 Colorado Christian 6 p.m. Nov. 12 Colorado State Pueblo 6 p.m. Nov. 21 Southwestern Oklahoma State @ Weatherford 5:30 p.m. Nov. 26 Oklahoma City 1 p.m. Nov. 27 Western Colorado 3 p.m. Dec. 1 Oklahoma Christian 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3 Arkansas Fort Smith 1 p.m. Dec. 8 Texas A&M International @ Laredo 6 p.m. Dec. 10 Texas A&M @ Kingsville 1 p.m. Dec. 16 Georgia Southwestern State @ Las, Vegas, NV 2:15 p.m. Dec. 17 Montana State Billings @ Las Vegas, Nevada 4:30 p.m. Dec. 30 Cameron 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 1 Midwestern State 1 p.m.

Jan. 5 UT Permian Basin @ Odessa 4:15 p.m. Jan. 7 Angelo State @ San Angelo 1 p.m.

Jan. 12 Eastern New Mexico 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 14 Western New Mexico 1 p.m.

Jan. 19 @ UT Tyler 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 21 Texas Womans @ Denton 1 p.m.

Jan. 26 Midwestern State @ Wichita Falls 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 Cameron @ Lawton, Oklahoma 1 p.m.

Jan. 31 West Texas A&M 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 Angelo State 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 4 UT Permian Basin 1 p.m.

Feb. 9 Western New Mexico @ Silver City, N.M. 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 11 Eastern New Mexico @ Portales, New Mexico 2 p.m.

Feb. 16 St. Mary’s 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 18 St. Edward’s 1 p.m.

Feb. 23 West Texas A&M @ Canyon 5:30 p.m.

Mar. 2 Lone Star Conference @ Frisco TBA

Grace Foster

Shaylee Stovall

Audrey Robertson

Whitney Cox

Maci Maddox

Rachel Haase

All 13 hail from Texas

All 13 players on the LCU roster played their high school ball in Texas. That’s a rarity these days.

Cox is the only senior on the team. She is joined by three juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen.

“She’ll need to be a leader,” Gomez said of Cox. “There are some positives to being young.”

Gomez has outlined some goals to bring his young team along quickly.

“We have a rugged routine of working hard and quickly finding an identity,” he said. “We need to see what this group does well. They’ll need to grow in their roles quickly. We can’t wait, because we’ve got a tough schedule.”

That schedule begins Nov. 5-6 when the Lady Chaps will play in the D2CCA Women’s Basketball Tip-Off Classic in Kansas City. They’ll play two Missouri teams: Missouri Southern and Missouri Western.

The Lady Chaps have a home exhibition game scheduled against NAIA Oklahoma City on Nov. 26. LSC play begins Dec. 1.

Gomez guided the Lady Chaps to Division II national championships in 2016, 2019 and 2021. The ’16 and ’21 teams were undefeated.

Before moving to NCAA Division II, his teams dominated the Heartland Conference, winning 118 and losing 17 for an .874 winning percentage.

Gomez is coaching at his college alma mater, where he was a standout guard for the Chaps in the 1980s. He set a school record for free throw percentage at .855.

His 19-year coaching record at LCU is 476-132, a .783 winning percentage.

He’s just a high-percentage guy.

59-54.

Above, Lady Chap fans make their presence known in a close playoff game between Lubbock Christian and West Texas A&M March 14 in Canyon. Below, Audrey Robertson, a 5-8 junior from Kerrville Tivy, approaches WT defenders.

Maci Maddox, a 5-7 junior guard from Frenship, faces the West Texas A&M defense March 14 in the South Central Regional title game in Canyon. Maddox had 6 points in the 59-54 loss that ended the season.

Above, Lubbock Christian assistant coaches Vic Self and Kaycie Wilson and head coach Steve Gomez react to the action in the South Central Regional title game March 14 against West Texas A&M in Canyon. Below, Gomez makes an effort to shake hands with the opposing Lady Buffs, who had just won the game,

(Photos on this page by Mike Haynes)

Wayland Men

Galyean has high hopes for Pioneers

By KEVIN LEWIS

A promising season that has second-year coach Clint Galyean talking championships begins with the Wayland Baptist Pioneers picked to win the Sooner Athletic Conference title – with even more good news hopefully around the corner.

“I believe we have a team that is capable of not only competing for a SAC championship, but a team that can compete for a national championship,” Galyean said. “We are looking forward to the season ahead.”

Galyean enters his second year with a Wayland team that returns most of last season’s key players bolstered by an enviable infusion of transfer talent.

“This offseason, our primary focus was to add more experience and scoring. Based on the guys we signed, I believe we hit the nail on the head in addressing those needs from last year,” he said.

Despite some challenges last season, the Pioneers still produced almost 20 wins and advanced to the SAC Tournament championship where, after knocking off 10th-ranked Science & Arts of Oklahoma in the semifinals, they lost to. No. 24 Southwestern Assemblies of God University by two, 58-56. The Pioneers kept their fingers crossed that they would earn an at-large bid to the NAIA National Championships, but they just missed out.

“Last year was a rough year for us as I got the job really late, so the guys had to try and adjust on the fly. We also dealt with COVID like a lot of our teams in our league,” Galyean said. “We finished the year 19-13 with two COVID forfeits and two other losses with the majority of our varsity players out with COVID. I thought we finished really strong as we finished the year winning 11 out of 14 and making it to the SAC Tournament final.”

Defense was good last year

Wayland relied heavily on defense last year, winding up in the top 10 in the NAIA in points per game (63.2) and defensive field goal percentage (39.4 percent). Those efforts were led by shot-

Wayland Baptist Pioneers Roster

Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown

Tedrick Wolfe, 6-5, G/F, Sr., DeWitt, Arkansas

Reese Spencer, 6-5, G, Soph., Porter, Texas

Parrish Hewitt, 6-3, G, Sr., Memphis, Tennessee

RJ Mason, 6-0, G, Sr., DeSoto, Texas

William Luther, 6-4, G, Fr., Texline, Texas

BJ Simmons, 6-3, G, Jr., Cedar Hill, Texas

Josh Servantez, 6-0, G, Jr., Shallowater, Texas

Kade Cleavinger, 6-8, F, Fr., Nazareth, Texas

Bonny Udoh, 6-5, F, Jr., Amarillo, Texas

William Washington, 6-2, G, Jr., Peachtree City, Georgia

Jaxon Recer, 6-8, F, Soph., Pottsboro, Texas

Dylan McDougal, 6-4, G, Soph., Moore, Oklahoma

Thad Udoh, 6-5, F, Soph., Amarillo, Texas

D’Michael Bellfield, 6-9, P, Jr., Palestine, Texas

Coach: Clint Galyean

Asst. Coaches: Tony Stennett, Jibrael Washington

2021-2022 record: 19-13, 13-9

blocking extraordinaire Jibrael Washington, the SAC Defensive Player of the Year now serving as a graduate assistant coach. Washington finished second in the NAIA with 3.2 blocks per game and became the Pioneers’ all-time leader in blocks with 185.

Washington was one of four Pioneers to earn conference postseason honors, and the other three are back, led by RJ Mason, a 6-0 senior guard from DeSoto by way of Northwestern Oklahoma State who earned second-team All-SAC honors after averaging 14.1 points per game, 5.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Thad Udoh, a 6-5 sophomore forward from Amarillo Palo Duro, was honorable mention All-SAC for his 10.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 59 percent shooting. Dylan McDougal, a 6-3 sophomore guard from Moore, Oklahoma, averaged 7.1 points and made the SAC All-Freshman Team.

Another veteran, although after transferring from Northwestern Oklahoma State, appeared in just six games last season in order to redshirt, is Parrish Hewitt, a 6-3 senior guard from Memphis, Tennessee, who topped WBU in scoring at 17.3 points while also getting 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Other experience returns in 6-8 sophomore forward Jaxon Recer of Pottsboro, who averaged 6.7 points and 7.1 boards, and 6-0 junior guard Josh Servantez from Shallowater, who was good for 8.4 ppg.

Thad Udoh, a Wayland Baptist Pioneer from Amarillo Palo Duro, is a 6-5 sophomore who figures to boost the team this year. He was honorable mention All-SAC last season, averaging 10.7 points and 4.5 rebounds. (Photo by WBU Sports Information)

There’s no shortage of incoming talent for Galyean’s crew, one of whom – Tederick Wolfe – played for the coach at his previous stop at Central Baptist College in Arkansas. A 6-5 senior forward, Wolfe was an honorable mention all-American two years ago at CBC where he shot 56 percent and averaged 14.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals. “Ted is a freak athlete who can score in a variety of ways,” Galyean said.

Two other transfers who can fill it up are BJ Simmons and Reece Spencer. Simmons is a 6-3 junior point guard who comes to Wayland from Division I UT-Rio Grande Valley, where he averaged 7.1 ppg and previously from Clarendon Junior College, where he was good for 17.5 ppg and 4.1 assists. “BJ is electric in the open floor as he can fill it up quickly. He is also a tremendous passer,” Galyean said. Spencer arrived from Houston Baptist and Weatherford College, where the 6-5 sophomore guard averaged 16.3 ppg on 44 percent 3-point shooting. “Reece is the best shooter I have coached. He is our most talented offensive player as he can score it efficiently on all three levels,” Galyean said.

Another Udoh returns

Joining the squad from Weatherford Junior College and Oklahoma Baptist is 6-9 junior forward D’Michael Bellfield. “D’Mike is a skilled big that eats up space and can dominate the paint,” Galyean said of Bellfield, who at Weatherford averaged 14.5 ppg on over 60 percent shooting along with 7.1 rpg.

Others beefing up the Pioneers inside will be junior forwards Manny Crump from Sam Houston State and Bol Tong from the University of New Orleans and Hill College. The 6-8 Crump, who averaged 4.0 ppg on 56.3 percent shooting and

WAYLAND BAPTIST PIONEERS SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Oct. 29 Dallas Christian College 4 p.m.

Nov. 4 University of the Southwest New Mexico 7 p.m.

Nov. 11 Huston-Tillotson University 4 p.m.

Nov. 12 Our Lady of the Lake University 4 p.m.

Nov. 14 West Texas A&M University @ Canyon 7 p.m.

Nov. 17 University of North Texas @ Dallas 8 p.m.

Nov. 19 Southwestern Assemblies of God University @ 4 p.m. Waxahachie

Nov. 22 Randall University 7 p.m.

Dec. 1

Southwestern Christian University 8 p.m.

Dec. 3 Mid-America Christian University Oklahoma 4 p.m.

Dec. 10 Central Christian College @ McPherson, KS 8 p.m.

Dec. 12 @ Langston, Oklahoma 4 p.m.

Dec. 15 Oklahoma Panhandle State University @ 8 p.m. Goodwell, Oklahoma

Dec. 30

University of the Southwest @ Hobbs, N.M. 3 p.m.

Jan. 5 John Brown University Arkansas 8 p.m.

Jan. 7 Oklahoma City University 4 p.m.

Jan. 12 Texas Wesleyan University @ Fort Worth 8 p.m.

Jan. 14 University of Science and Arts @ Chickasha, OK 4 p.m.

Jan. 19

Southwestern Assemblies of God University 8 p.m.

Jan. 21 University of North Texas at Dallas 4 p.m.

Jan. 26

Jan. 28

Mid-America Christian University Oklahoma 8 p.m.

Southwestern Christian University @ Bethany, OK 4 p.m.

Jan. 31 Oklahoma Panhandle State University 8 p.m.

Feb. 2 Central Christian College Kansas 8 p.m.

Feb. 4 Langston 4 p.m.

Feb. 9 @ Oklahoma City University 8 p.m.

Feb. 11 John Brown University @ Siloam Springs, AR 4 p.m.

Feb. 16 University of Science and Arts Oklahoma 8 p.m.

Feb. 18 Texas Wesleyan University 4 p.m.

2.4 rpg, “is a versatile player who can play the 4 or the 5. With his length and athleticism, he should be able to make an immediate impact,” Galyean said. The 6-9 Tong, who at Hill averaged 8.5 ppg and 3.8 rpg and shot 41 percent from distance, “will be a tough matchup with his size and ability to shoot from deep.” Returning to Wayland’s lineup will be Bonny Udoh, a 6-5 junior forward from Amarillo Palo Duro who played for the Pioneers in 2019-20, averaging 6.8 ppg. The older brother of Thad, Bonny went on to Howard College, where he averaged 13.2 ppg on 61.2 percent shooting and 5.8 rpg, plus recorded 43 blocks. “Bonny is an elite athlete who is physical inside,” Galyean said. “He brings a lot of toughness to our team.”

Galyean’s sophomore season gets underway Nov. 4 when the Pioneers host University of the Southwest. Wayland is scheduled to play just three nonconference games plus an exhibition Nov. 14 at West Texas A&M before opening SAC play Nov. 17 at the University of North Texas at Dallas.

RJ Mason

Parrish Hewitt

Thad Udoh

Jaxon Recer

Dylan McDougal

Josh Servantez

Jaxon Recer of Pottsboro, a 6-8 sophomore forward, averaged 6.7 points and 7.1 rebounds for the Wayland Baptist Pioneers in 2021-22.

Coach Clint Galyean

Wayland Women

Queens big, athletic, deep after 33-4 run

By KEVIN LEWIS

Bigger, more athletic and deeper. Those are three key areas where Wayland Baptist women’s basketball coach Jason Cooper thinks his Flying Queens have improved over last season. As a result, Cooper believes the 2022-23 Flying Queens have a chance to be even better than they were last year.

“My vision was to make this year’s team bigger, more athletic and deeper than we were a year ago. I believe we have done that,” Cooper said on the eve of his sophomore season with the Flying Queens.

Cooper’s first campaign as the Queens’ coach went rather well. The team finished 33-4 – the program’s most wins in more than 40 years – won both the Sooner Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships for the third straight year and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament round of 16 sporting a No. 8 national ranking. Wayland is picked to again win the SAC and is ranked 10th in the NAIA Preseason Coaches Top 25 despite graduation last spring claiming a couple of key weapons in point guard Angel Hayden and two-time SAC Player of the Year and four-time NAIA All-American Kaylee Edgemon. They’ll certainly be missed, especially Hayden’s defensive and rebounding prowess (she averaged a team-best 8.0 boards per game) and Edgemon’s team-leading 19.6 points per game.

Team has nine newcomers

But in addition to the Queens returning two-time all-American Jenna Cooper (now Cooper-Jackson after marrying WBU baseballer Ty Jackson), all-conference third-teamer Kaitlyn Edgemon and 30-game starter Ashlyn Shelley, plus emerging players Canton Moreno, Taryn Shultz from Bushland and Emily Sigala from Plainview, the Queens added nine newcomers – a mix of first-year freshmen and transfers.

Wayland Baptist Flying Queens Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown

Taryn Shultz, 5-8, G, Soph., Bushland, Texas

Emily Sigala, 5-2, G, Soph., Plainview, Texas

Canton Moreno, 5-8, G, Jr., Amarillo, Texas

Manuella Donmeza, 5-11. F, Jr., Douala, Cameroon, Africa

Maria Ghaleb, 6-0, F, Soph., Zgharta, Lebanon

Megan Nestor, 6-3, P, Fr., Canaries, St. Lucia

Kaitlyn Edgemon, 5-11, F, Soph., Littlefield, Texas

Maddye Sumners, 5-7, G, Soph., O’Donnell, Texas

Hadlee Gomez, 5-6, G, Fr., Wellington, Texas

Kynnan Sheilds, 6-2, F, Soph., Shamrock, Texas

Cassandra Onwugbufor, 5-7, G, Soph., Maize, Kansas

Ashlyn Shelley, 5-7, G, Jr., Idalou, Texas

Taylor Houston, 6-2, F, Fr., Idalou, Texas

Marchelle Bowden, 5-11, F, Soph., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Jenna Cooper-Jackson, 6-0, F, Sr., Claude, Texas

Coach: Jason Cooper

Asst. Coach: Chelsea Hunter

2021-2022 record: 33-4, 20-2

“The goal through the recruiting process was to add depth and experience to our solid six returning players. We did that with the addition of two very talented high school players as well as some solid JUCO players,” Cooper said. “I am excited about our overall size, with eight girls standing 5-11 to 6-3, and all being mobile and able to fit our style of play. We have added depth at all five spots, but most importantly the 4 and 5 positions.”

The leader of the Queens will be Coach Cooper’s daughter, Jenna, a fourth-year starting forward from Claude who was NAIA second Team All-America a year ago when she led the NAIA in total assists (207) and averaged 18.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

“Jenna has had her best summer of preparation that I have seen. She is driven and focused on her final season of collegiate hoops. I look for her to have a great year,” Coach Cooper said.

Another dominant scoring and rebounding threat is Kaitlyn Edgemon, entering her third year at Wayland and first without sister Kaylee also on the roster. The Littlefield native averaged 16.1 points and 7.7 rebounds last season plus led the SAC in blocks (1.3). Shelley, a guard from Idalou, will be playing her fourth season at Wayland, having started the previous two. Shelley was good for 5.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists an outing last season.

“Kaitlyn and Ashlyn have been instrumental components in the three previous seasons of Flying Queen basketball,” Coach Cooper said. “Those two and Jenna have an incredible depth of experience to bring to our team. All will be at least third-year starters, while this will be Jenna’s fourth as a starter.”

Moreno, a junior from Randall, joined the Queens last season

Two-time All-American Jenna Cooper-Jackson, daughter of Coach Jason Cooper, is starting her fourth year as a Flying Queens starter. The 6-0 forward from Claude was NAIA second-team All-America a year ago, when she led the NAIA in total assists with 207 and averaged 18 points and 6.9 rebounds. (Photo by WBU Sports Information)

and was the team’s sixth player, averaging 4.9 points while shooting 36 percent from 3-point range. “Canton was a huge spark off the bench and can defend as well as shoot the 3,” Cooper said.

From Idalou to Milwaukee to Cameroon

Highlighting the Queens’ nine newcomers are junior Manuella Donmeza, sophomores Marchelle Bowden and Cassandra Onwugbufor and freshman Taylor Houston.

A 5-11 junior from Cameroon, Africa, Donmeza transferred from Frank Phillips College, where she averaged 5 points and 5 rebounds. Cooper called her “a very athletic guard/forward who can really score in transition. She’s a tough perimeter defender and can get to the rack.”

Like Shelley, Houston hails from Idalou, where last season the 6-1 forward/post earned district MVP and all-state honors while leading her team to the state tournament, averaging 15 points and 8 rebounds. “Taylor is an athletic, hard-nosed player with a knack for getting the ball,” Cooper said.

The 5-11 Bowden, a power forward from Milwaukee, arrives from Odessa College and gives the Queens “another athletic player who is tough and strong. She battles hard for rebounds and finishes strong around the basket,” Cooper said.

Onwugbufor figures to step in for Hayden at point guard. A 5-7 transfer from Maize, Kansas, she averaged 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists at Pratt Community College in Kansas. “Cassandra brings a ton of JUCO experience at the point and wing positions. She has

WAYLAND BAPTIST FLYING QUEENS SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Oct. 27 University of the Southwest New Mexico 7 p.m.

Nov. 1 Hardin-Simmons University TBA

Nov. 4 University of Texas @ Austin TBA

Nov. 11 Our Lady of the Lake University 8 p.m.

Nov. 12 Louisiana State University Alexandria 12 p.m.

Nov. 17 University of North Texas @ Dallas 6 p.m.

Nov. 19 Southwestern Assemblies of God University @ 2 p.m. Waxahachie

Nov. 25 Colorado State University @ Pueblo, Colorado TBA

Nov. 26 University of Colorado at Colorado Springs @ TBA Pueblo, Colorado

Dec. 1 Southwestern Christian University 6 p.m.

Dec. 3 Mid-America Christian University 2 p.m.

Dec. 10 Central Christian College @ McPherson, KS 6 p.m.

Dec. 12 @ Langston, Oklahoma 2 p.m.

Dec. 15 Oklahoma Panhandle State University @ 6 p.m. Goodwell, Oklahoma

Jan. 5 John Brown University Arkansas 6 p.m.

Jan. 7 Oklahoma City University 2 p.m.

Jan. 12 Texas Wesleyan University @ Fort Worth 6 p.m.

Jan. 14 University of Science and Arts @ Chickasha, OK 2 p.m.

Jan. 19 Southwestern Assemblies of God University 6 p.m.

Jan. 21 University of North Texas at Dallas 2 p.m.

Jan. 26 Mid-America Christian University @ Oklahoma 6 p.m. City, Oklahoma

Jan. 28

Southwestern Christian University @ Bethany, OK 2 p.m.

Jan. 31 Oklahoma Panhandle State University 6 p.m.

Feb. 2 Central Christian College Kansas 6 p.m.

Feb. 4 Langston 2 p.m.

Feb. 9 @ Oklahoma City University 6 p.m.

Feb. 11 John Brown University @ Siloam Springs, AR 2 p.m.

Feb. 16 University of Science and Arts Oklahoma 6 p.m.

Feb. 18 Texas Wesleyan University 2 p.m.

excellent ball-handling and distributing skills,” Cooper said. Other newcomers for the Queens are sophomores Maria Ghaleb of Lebanon (Western Texas College), Maddye Sumners of O’Donnell (Hardin-Simmons) and Kynnan Shields of Shamrock (Seward County College) and freshmen Megan Nestor of St. Lucia and Hadlee Gomez of Wellington. At 6-3, Nestor is the tallest player on the roster.

WBU opens the season Oct. 27 at home against University of the Southwest. Then, after a road game at Hardin-Simmons, the Queens take on the University of Texas in an exhibition game in Austin on Nov. 4. They’ll once again host the Queens Classic Nov. 11-12, meeting Our Lady of the Lake and LSU-Alexandria, before opening conference play Nov. 17 at the University of North Texas at Dallas.

(Continued on next page)

Jenna Cooper-Jackson

Canton Moreno

Kaitlyn Edgemon

Taryn Shultz

Ashlyn Shelley

Emily Sigala

Kaitlyn Edgemon from Littlefield, a 5-11 sophomore is starting her third year at Wayland. She averaged 16.1 points and 7.7 rebounds last season and led the SAC in blocks, averaging 1.3 a game. (Photo by WBU Sports Information)

Coach Jason Cooper

(Continued

and the NAIA Championship Tournament takes place March 13-18 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

South Plains Men Sowers gets dream job with Texans

By DAVE WOHLFARTH

When Hayden Sowers undertook his first coaching job as a grad assistant for the University of Mississippi men’s basketball team, he soon hatched a personal goal: to become a college head coach.

After several stops – including last year at South Plains – as an assistant basketball coach, Sowers has reached that goal. He is beginning his first year as a head coach.

He replaced longtime Coach Steve Green as the Texans’ boss. Green, who notched his 700th career college coaching victory last season, decided to move to Texas Tech as an assistant to Coach Mark Adams.

“Every young coach has a dream to one day be a head coach, and I’ve been preparing for this moment since I was a graduate assistant at Ole Miss,” Sowers said in a South Plains press release. “It’s a great honor to get an opportunity to be the head coach at one of the top junior colleges in the country.”

Sowers grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi, famous as Elvis Presley’s hometown. Presley lived in Tupelo until he was 13, when his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he launched his singing career.

Sowers played ball at Tupelo High School, but after graduation he moved to Oxford, Mississippi, where he says he was just a “regular student.”

He earned his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and served as a grad assistant for Coach Andy Kennedy at Ole Miss. He later (2020) added a master’s from William Carey University, majoring in interscholastic athletic administration. Sounds like more preparation toward being a head coach.

Sowers was an assistant at Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Virginia, for two seasons, then moved back to Mississippi to be an aide at Pearl River Community College. In his four years at Pearl River, the Wildcats went 90-11 and had earned the top seed with a 28-0 record in the 2020 NJCAA national tournament, but it was canceled because of COVID-19.

Now, at 30, he has landed his dream job. Three starters returning is unusual He has an early advantage. Three players, including two starters,

Ismail Habib is a South Plains College 6-0 freshman guard from Chicago. (SPC Sports Information photo)

That’s a lot for a two-year school. For instance, the Texans had only one returnee last year, and he saw action in only nine games because of injuries.

“Anytime you bring back two or three guys, that’s a huge advantage,” Sowers said. “They understand how hard it is to win. They understand from Day 1 the mental approach you need to take to being a winning player.”

The two returnees who started 19 games or more are Malek Abdelgowad and Jaden Harris.

Abdelgowad, a 6-10 forward from Cairo, Egypt, made 21 starts and averaged 6.9 points and 6.2 rebounds last season. He earned honorable mention on the Western Junior College Athletic Conference all-league team.

Harris, a 6-4 guard from Atlanta, was in the starting lineup 19 times and finished last season with 6.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg.

The third returnee is 6-11 center Kalifa Sakho from Rouen, France. Sakho made 11 starts and contributed 6.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg. He was the team leader in blocks (1.8 per game). In addition to being an all-WJCAC honorable mention, he was named the conference’s defensive player of the year.

Sowers projects those three as starters this season. They may be joined by Ismail Habib, Elijah Tate and/or Christian Coleman.

Coach Hayden Sowers

from last year’s 21-12 Texan team have returned as sophomores.

Habib is a 6-0 freshman guard from Chicago; Tate a 6-4 sophomore guard from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Coleman is another Louisiana product, a 6-9 sophomore from Winnsboro. Coleman already is committed to play for Division I UAB in the future.

“He’s one of the better players in junior college basketball,” Sowers said.

With the 6-9 Coleman, 6-10 Abdelgowad and 6-11 Sakho, the Texans present a formidable inside force.

“We have good size,” Sowers said.

Then there’s Romaric Henderson, a 7-3 freshman center from Togo.

“He’s a good prospect,” Sowers said of the West African. “I look forward to coaching him.”

Even though the Texans have six foreign players on their team, Sowers maintains the communication is fine.

“English is the primary language of the players,” he said.

Size, athleticism, depth are strengths

Sowers lists size, athleticism and good depth as the Texans’ strengths.

“The problems we can create with our (press) defense,” he also said. “We have a bunch of guys who can contribute to winning a lot.”

As is the case with most coaches, he’s concerned about his players staying healthy.

He points to consistency as a key for the Texans’ success this season.

“Just consistency in our approach,” he said. “We need to understand it’s a long season and we can’t skip steps. We have to consistently make the right steps to reach our goals.”

South Plains finished second in the WJCAC last season with an

SOUTH PLAINS TEXANS SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 1 Victoria College 6 p.m.

Nov. 6 Northern Oklahoma College-Enid @ University 4 p.m. of Central Oklahoma

Nov. 7 Murray State College @ University of Central 4 p.m. Oklahoma

Nov. 11 Jacksonville College @ Plano 12 p.m.

Nov. 12 Lamar State College-Port Arthur @ Plano 10 a.m.

Nov. 18 Otero College 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 19 Dallas College North Lake 1 p.m.

Nov. 25 Collin Community College @ Plano 7 p.m.

Nov. 26 Hill College @ Plano 10 a.m.

Dec. 2 Trinidad State College @ Roswell, N.M. TBA

Dec. 3 Prep School @ Roswell, New Mexico TBA

Dec. 27 Fiesta Bowl Junior College Shootout @ Mesa TBA Community College, Arizona

Jan. 9 New Mexico Military Institute @ Roswell, N.M. 8:30 p.m.

Jan. 12 Howard College @ Big Spring 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 Frank Phillips College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 New Mexico Junior College @ Hobbs, N.M. 8:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 Clarendon College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26 Western Texas College @ Snyder 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 Odessa College 3:45 p.m.

Jan. 30 Midland College 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 6 New Mexico Military Institute 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 9 Howard College 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 13 Frank Phillips College @ Borger 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 16 New Mexico Junior College 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 20 @ Clarendon College 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 23 Western Texas College 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 27 @ Odessa College 7:30 p.m.

Mar. 2 @ Midland College 7:30 p.m.

Mar. 8 @ Region V Tournament TBA

South Plains Texans Roster

Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown

Ismail Habib, 6-0, G, Fr., Chicago, Illinois

Jaden Harris, 6-4, G, Soph., Atlanta, Georgia

Nikita Evdokimov, 6-6, F, Soph., Chekhov, Russia

Jalen Scott, 6-3, G, Fr., Surprise, Arizona

Bryson Ogletree, 6-4, G, Fr., Hampton, Georgia

Elijah Tate, 6-4, G, Soph., Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Jalen McDonald, 6-6, F, Fr., Raleigh, North Carolina

Muon Reath, 6-6, F, Soph., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Christian Coleman, 6-9, F, Soph., Winnsboro, Louisiana

Malek Abdelgowad, 6-10, F, Soph., Cario, Egypt

Awer Awer, 6-6, F, Fr., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Chase Henderson, 5-9, G, Fr., Birdville, Texas Isaiah Howell, 6-8, F, Fr., Tampa, Florida

Kalifa Sakho, 6-11, P, Soph., Rouen, France Romaric Henderson, 7-3, P, Fr., Togo, West Africa

Coach: Hayden Sowers

Asst. Coaches: Adam Gulick, Trevor Van Tassel, Jonathan Jefferson

2021-2022 record: 21-12, 11-5

11-5 conference record. Sowers sees Howard, Midland, Odessa, Clarendon and Frank Phillips as league contenders this year.

“Top to bottom, it’s as good as there is in junior college,” he said. “The league has gotten a lot better.”

The Texans won nine of 10 games, including five of their last six conference assignments, last season, before they played in the NJCAA Sweet 16.

Sowers credits that late-season spurt to some offensive adjustments Green made in the offense, changing the use of his guards.

“Last year was a success, considering we had an entire new roster and we got to the Sweet 16,” Sowers said.

The Texans won the Region V championship with an 87-83 victory over Odessa, a WJCAC foe that had just beaten South Plains 85-81 a week earlier.

Then SPC spilled South Georgia Tech 88-80 as Kieves Turner scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the opening round of the NJCAA national tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Kieves was held to 11 points as Kilgore College topped South Plains 56-48 in the Sweet 16 game.

Kieves undoubtedly was the star of last year’s team. Nicknamed “Deuce,” he probably would have been justified answering to “Trey.” He connected on 13 3-pointers and scored a school record 50 points in a 94-62 rout of Midland in the Texans’ final game at the Texan Dome. That broke the record of 46 set by Henry Taylor in a 1975 game.

Earlier, Turner had scored 34, surpassing the 30-point mark for the third straight game, in a 95-63 rout of Western Texas College. He hit 11 of 14 shots from the floor that night.

Turner had begun the season slowly, nagged by injuries and a lack of confidence.

Sowers helped Turner regain his form.

“Just by getting his confidence back,” Sowers said. “He was injured early, and his confidence was down. He’s a good player, one of the best scorers I’ve ever been around.”

Turner, a 6-1 guard from Coatesville, Pennsylvania, led the Texans in scoring at 18.3 ppg as a freshman. He made 74 3-pointers, shooting 38.5 percent from long range. He shot 89.5 percent

at the free throw line. He snared 4.4 rebounds per game and led the team in steals at 1.2 per game.

He was a second-team junior college all-American, the WJCAC newcomer of the year and a first-team all-conference selection.

Turner is one of five of last year’s Texans who have transferred to play at Division I schools. Turner has moved to the University of San Diego.

Malik Zachery (7.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg and the team leader in assists at 5.2 per game) was an all-conference honorable mention. He’s at UTEP.

Savion Gallion (9.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg) transferred to LouisianaMonroe. Eric Coleman (6 ppg, 2.9 rpg), no relation to this year’s Christian Coleman, moved to Alabama State. Ben Bayela is at East Carolina.

Two other Texans took different routes. D.J. Avery (9.8 ppg, 6 rpg) is at Eastern Mississippi Junior College. Zion Richardson, who appeared in only one SPC game, moved to Division II Quincy University in Illinois.

Green called “greatest JC coach in history”

Green, of course, was the major departure from South Plains.

In his 22 years as the Texans’ coach, his teams reached the NJCAA national tournament 12 times and won three championships. He guided South Plains teams to 552 wins and 152 losses,

a .786 winning percentage.

Green is a three-time NJCAA men’s basketball coach of the year and was inducted into the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

He coached at WJCAC schools Howard and Midland before moving to South Plains in 2000.

He posted his 700th career college coaching victory Feb. 14 when SPC whipped Clarendon 90-71 in Levelland. His 28-year career coaching mark is 706-192, a .786 winning percentage.

Sowers spent only one year on Green’s staff but says he learned a lot.

“I learned how hard it is to win and everything about running a program,” Sowers said. “He was the greatest JC coach in history. He did the job, adjusting with the team last year. He did whatever he had to do to win. Overall, what it takes to be a successful college coach.”

Now it’s Sowers’ turn.

The Texans open their season Nov. 1 at home against Victoria College. They’ll have a series of early season games in Oklahoma City and Plano. They’ll play in the Fiesta Bowl Junior College Shootout in Mesa, Arizona, in late December. Conference play begins Jan. 9.

“We’re ready to go,” Sowers said. “Chomping at the bit.”

South Plains Women Lady Texans have staying power

By DAVE WOHLFARTH

Lady Texans Coach Ara Baten must have the magic touch. Not only has he guided his team to 20-win seasons in his first two years, he has persuaded players to stick around at South Plains College.

Players have only two years of eligibility at a junior college, and many of them play one JC year, then vault to a bigger college.

After his first year at South Plains, Baten had five players return for their sophomore seasons. After his second year at South Plains, Baten had five players return for their sophomore seasons.

“That’s not bad,” Baten said in an understatement.

“It really helps with the transition with new players,” he said. “It’s been a lot smoother.”

Baten doesn’t really take credit for all the returnees. Rather, it’s a sign of the times.

“COVID definitely impacted the returning numbers,” Baten said.

The pandemic-caused regulations enabled players to get an extra year of eligibility. Some opted to stay at the place they were.

For example, Martyna Czescik is preparing to play her third year at South Plains. And Jordan Brown, who was injured last year, had been set to play her third season at SPC after playing a couple of years at Grayson Junior College.

Czescik, a 5-11 sophomore forward from Warsaw, Poland, was a part-time starter last year. She started eight games and averaged 5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 28 game appearances.

Celia Sumbane, the Lady Texans’ top scorer at 12 ppg and

rebounder at 6.3 rpg last season, also returns. The 6-1 sophomore forward from Maputo, Mozambique, was a full-time starter last year.

Vitoria Carvalho, a 6-3 sophomore post from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, started seven games and contributed 4.5 ppg and 6.2 rpg. Matilda Soderlund, a 5-6 sophomore guard from Stockholm, Sweden, saw considerable playing time as the first Lady Texan off the bench and finished with 4.8 ppg.

“All four of those players played a lot last year,” Baten said. The fifth returnee — Zuzanna Pacak, a 5-9 sophomore guard

Davielis Sosa is a South Plains College 5-10 freshman forward from the Dominican Republic. (SPC Sports Information photo)

from Zgorzelec, Poland — didn’t play a lot. She saw action in only 11 games and has been slowed by a foot fracture.

Baten designated Czescik, Sumbane, Carvalho and Soderlund as probable starters this season.

The fifth spot likely will go to Daiysha Brown, a 5-9 sophomore guard from Madison, Wisconsin. Brown, no relation to Jordan Brown on last year’s roster, also transferred from Grayson College. Daiysha Brown scored 20 points in Grayson’s 78-71 loss to South Plains early last season.

Jeniffer Silva, a 6-4 freshman post from Camaragibe, Brazil, figures to play a lot. So will Isabella Jaramillo, a 5-5 freshman guard from Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Three or four others are competing for time,” Baten said. “We’ll just have to wait and see. We usually play nine or 10 players.”

One of the freshman candidates is 5-6 guard Dabria Blackwell, who played on Brownfield’s 2021 Class 3A state championship team.

“She looks good,” Baten said. “She’s in competition for being in the rotation.”

Another area product, 5-11 sophomore post McKenzie Lee from Sundown, is on the roster. Lee attended South Plains last year but didn’t play. She tried out for, and made, the team last spring.

Eight freshmen are on the Lady Texans’ roster. Nine of the 15 players are from foreign countries. Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Poland have two representatives apiece.

“That’s been the direction of junior colleges these days,” Baten said. “When COVID hit, the NCAA changed some of its requirements. That created more opportunities for American players to play in those (NCAA) colleges. A lot of junior colleges began recruiting foreign players.”

Baten enjoys what those players bring to the team.

“It’s a blessing,” he said. “I like the culture they bring to the program.”

SOUTH PLAINS LADY TEXANS SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 3 Coastal Bend College 6 p.m.

Nov. 4 Connors State College 6 p.m.

Nov. 5 Dodge City Community College 2 p.m.

Nov. 7 Blinn College 5 p.m.

Nov. 11 @ Grayson College 3 p.m.

Nov. 12 Trinity Valley Community College @ Denison 3 p.m.

Nov. 18 Collin County Community College @ Midland 5 p.m.

Nov. 19 Trinity Valley Community College @ Midland 2 p.m. Nov. 21 University of the Southwest JV @ New Mexico TBA Junior College, Hobbs, New Mexico

Nov. 25 Paris Junior College @ Trinity Valley Community 12 p.m. College @ Athens

Nov. 26 Panola College @ Trinity Community College @ 12 p.m. Athens

Dec. 1 Lamar Community College TBA Dec. 16 Ranger College @ New Mexico Junior College, 5 p.m. Hobbs, New Mexico Dec. 17 Yavapai College @ New Mexico Junior College, 1 p.m. Hobbs, New Mexico

Jan. 7 Blinn College @ Brenham 2 p.m.

Jan. 12 Howard College @ Big Spring 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 16 Frank Phillips College 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 19 New Mexico Junior College @ Hobbs, N.M. 6:45 p.m. Jan. 23 Clarendon College 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 26 Western Texas College @ Snyder 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 28 Odessa College 2 p.m.

Jan. 30 Midland College 5:45 p.m. Feb. 9 Howard College 5:45 p.m.

Feb. 13 Frank Phillips College @ Borger 5:45 p.m. Feb. 16 New Mexico Junior College 5:45 p.m. Feb. 20 @ Clarendon College 5:45 p.m.

Feb. 23 Western Texas College 5:45 p.m. Feb. 27 @ Odessa College 5:45 p.m. Mar. 2 @ Midland College 5:45 p.m.

He also pointed out that his assistant coach, Denise Rosario, is from Brazil. She helps with language problems.

“She’s amazing with recruiting,” Baten said.

Two Brazilians — the 6-4 Silva and 6-3 Carvalho — are the tallest Lady Texans. Add the 6-1 Sumbane to the front-wall mix.

“Those three kids will play a lot,” Baten said. “We’ve got some size in key positions.”

Along with having some experienced players back, Baten listed four other items as his team’s strengths — playing well defensively, taking care of the ball, rebounding and executing offensively.

The concerns are if “any of those four things won’t be what we hope them to be,” he said. “The formula is always the same. If you can do fundamentals right, you’ll have the opportunity to win a lot of games.”

He sees continued growth as a key to success.

“We’ve got to continue to grow. We have to continue to work at practice. We need to get better today and then get better tomorrow,” Baten said.

“We have a talented bunch of kids. We’ll be fine.”

The Lady Texans were fine last season, going 22-9 overall and 11-3 in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.

After two losses in a row in early February, South Plains got hot. The Lady Texans won their last three conference games, then took the Region V title, beating Clarendon 64-54 in the finals.

That qualified the Lady Texans for the NJCAA national tournament, played in nearby Lubbock last spring.

“We got better as the season went along,” Baten said. “We played well in the postseason. Winning the regional, that was big, to give us the opportunity to play for the national championship.”

Coach Ara Baten

Lady Texan Matilda Soderlund, a 5-6 sophomore guard from Stockholm, Sweden, averaged 4.8 points last season. (SPC Sports Information photo)

Seeded 13th, the Lady Texans whipped No. 20 North Dakota State College 65-42 in the nationals’ first round. Sumbane scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.

Next was a Sweet 16 matchup with No. 4 seeded Northwest Florida State. NWFS had eliminated the Lady Texans the previous year enroute to winning the national championship.

South Plains nipped Northwest Florida State 54-50 as Ashala Moseberry made two crucial free throws to ice the win.

At that point, the Lady Texans had won eight straight games. But they were stopped in the Elite Eight game as No. 13 Western Nebraska Community College prevailed 63-51. South Plains led most of the game before WNCC used a late 10-0 spurt to put the game away.

Last year’s South Plains team showed balanced scoring among the five starters. They were Sumbane, 12,9 ppg; Moseberry 11.1 ppg; Raija Todd, 10.6 ppg; Viktoria Ivanova, 10.2 ppg; and Czescik, 5.1 ppg.

Sumbane, Moseberry and Ivanova all were WJCAC allconference selections.

Five Lady Texans from last year’s team did move on to play for Division I teams this season:

• Moseberry: University of North Carolina-Charlotte;

• Ivanova: Tarleton State University;

• Todd: Virginia State University;

• Ewa Kieler (3.7 ppg): Western Carolina University

• Jordan Brown (injured, did not play last year): Tarleton State.

Baten has posted a 42-13 overall record (.764 winning percentage) and 24-5 (.828) conference mark in his two years at South Plains.

A native of Andrews, Baten played collegiately on a junior college team, New Mexico JC, that won the 1991-92 WJCAC title. He transferred to Eastern New Mexico University, where he was a two-year starter. He played on a Greyhound squad that won the Lone Star Conference and qualified for the NCAA Division II Sweet 16.

His first coaching job was at New Mexico JC, where he mentored the Lady Thunderbirds for six years, earning WJCAC Coach of the Year honors in 2002-03.

He spent 13 seasons as the women’s coach at Odessa College and led the Lady Wranglers to 20 or more wins in 11 seasons, including four consecutive trips to the women’s national tournament.

His 2016-17 Odessa team won the WJCAC title, and he was named the conference Coach of the Year.

His overall coaching record is 423-207, a .671 winning percentage.

He has spent more than 20 years coaching WJCAC teams. So he hedged when asked what teams look tough this year.

“It’s a strong year in the league,” he said. “I don’t know if there’s a bad team in the league.”

The Lady Texans won’t begin conference play until Jan. 12. A highlight of their nonconference schedule will be home-andaway games with Blinn College of Brenham. Blinn won Region 14 last year.

South Plains Lady Texans Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown

Celia Sumbane, 6-1, F, Soph., Maputo, Mozambique

Dabria Blackwell, 5-6, G, Fr., Brownfield, Texas

Tarellya Baber, 5-7, G, Fr., Shreveport, Louisiana

Melissa Acosta, 5-8, G, Fr., Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Matilda Soderlund, 5-6, G, Soph., Stockholm, Sweden

Vitoria Carvalho, 6-3, P, Soph., Rio De Janerio, Brazil

Martyna Czescik, 5-11, F, Soph., Warsaw, Poland

Daiysha Brown, 5-9, G, Soph., Madison, Wisconsin

Kimora Daly, 5-10, G, Fr., Brooklyn, New York

McKenzie Lee, 5-11, P, Soph., Sundown, Texas

Jeniffer Silva, 6-4, P, Fr., Camaragibe, Brazil

Zuzanna Pacak, 5-9, G, Soph., Zgorzelec, Poland

Isabella Jaramillo, 5-5, G, Fr., Las Vegas, Nevada

Ekin Taciroglu, 5-10, F, Fr., Istanbul, Turkey

Davielis Sosa, 5-10, F, Fr., Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic

Coach: Ara Baten

Asst. Coaches: Kaylyn Banks, Denise Rosario 2021-2022 record: 22-9, 11-3

Frank Phillips Men Plainsmen, coach all new to school

By LEE PASSMORE

For anybody who followed the Frank Phillips College men last season, there’s absolutely nothing familiar about the Plainsmen this season.

The slate is clean because on July 7, coach Chris Hackett, who had been at the helm of the Plainsmen for 11 years and athletic director for the past year, left Phillips to take over as the athletic director at Florida State Gateway College.

On short notice, the school had to fill the men’s basketball coaching position. Three weeks after Hackett’s departure, Phillips hired Jason Sautter to assume both of Hackett’s positions, giving the men’s program a hit-the-ground-running atmosphere.

In keeping with the transient nature of junior college basketball, there will not only be a new coach, but an entirely new roster for the Plainsmen this season. Not a single player from last season’s 14-16 team returns this season.

Sautter comes to Phillips after sitting out of basketball for a year following a successful tenure coaching the Seward County Community College men for four years in Kansas and also working as an assistant at Division I University of Kansas City-Missouri. He’s in Borger because he realized he still wants to coach.

“When this job came open, my wife told me, ‘Go be happy,’” Sautter said. “I guess she could tell I was happy doing things I loved to do. I’ve been in the league before (at Western Texas and Howard College). I think it’s a really good fit, and the administration that’s here makes it a great fit as well.”

Sautter led Seward to a 28-6 record and the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament in 2019. He also was a head coach at Phillips’ fellow Western Junior College Athletic Association school Western Texas College for three years and served under current Texas Tech coach Mark Adams as an assistant at Howard College, another WJCAC school.

Team starting with defense

But Sautter likely has never been in a situation like he’s in with the Plainsmen, having taken the job with little time to prepare for the season.

With players who’ve never played together, the most logical plan was to set a defensive mentality first. Sautter thinks that will form a foundation upon which the team can build and that other things can grow around it.

“We’re always going to be known as a defensive-minded team,” Sautter said. “In order to do that, you have to be very disciplined on and off the floor. I’m big on servant leadership whether it’s as athletic director or head men’s basketball coach such as put student athletes first.”

Auditions for playing time seem as if they were fairly open. Sautter had 16 players listed on the roster and was anticipating possibly adding some foreign players if they could get clearance.

That has accelerated the learning curve, but Sautter likes the way his squad has adapted.

“I think we have a great group of guys,” Sautter said. “Knock on wood, they’ve bought in. We’ve put them through the fire already and stretched them pretty good already. We want to know what we’ve got, and we don’t want to waste anybody’s time, so if this is not a good fit, we want to make sure they have

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FRANK PHILLIPS PLAINSMEN SCHEDULE

Date

Opponent Time

Nov. 1 Wayland Baptist JV 6 p.m. Nov. 3 Garden City Community College @ Kansas 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 Redlands Community College @ Oklahoma 4 p.m. Nov. 11 Otero College, @ Colorado TBA Nov. 12 Trinidad State College @ Colorado TBA Nov. 16 Lamar Community College 6 p.m.

Nov. 21 @ Wayland Baptist JV 6 p.m.

Nov. 26 Redlands Community College 4 p.m. Nov. 29 Trinidad State College 6 p.m.

Nov. 30 University of the Southwest JV 6 p.m. Dec. 6 Lamar Community College @ Colorado 5 p.m. Dec. 29-31 Pima Classic @Tucson, Arizona TBA

Jan. 7 New Mexico Military Institute 2 p.m.

Jan. 9 @ Midland College

7:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 @ South Plains College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 @ Clarendon College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 Howard College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26 @ Odessa College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 New Mexico Junior College 3:45 p.m.

Jan. 30 Western Texas College

7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 @ New Mexico Military Institute 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 6 Midland College 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 13 South Plains College 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 16 Clarendon College 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 20 @ Howard College 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 23 Odessa College

7:30 p.m.

Feb. 27 @ New Mexico Junior College 8:30 p.m.

Mar. 2 @ Western Texas College 7:30 p.m.

The Frank Phillips College Plainsmen line up before a game on their home court in Borger. (Photo courtesy of Frank Phillips College)

Coach Jason Sautter

plenty of time to find another school right away. What we have character-wise is pretty good.”

The one Sautter is expecting the most from has a top pedigree. Sophomore Jeremiah Gilliam, son of the late Armen Gilliam, who starred at UNLV and in the NBA, is one guy Sautter is counting heavily on this season.

He thinks the apple didn’t fall far from the tree with Jeremiah Gilliam.

“He’s a high-, high-character person,” Sautter said. “He’s pretty mature and a great team leader, so he helps with that culture. He’s 100 percent bought in, and you don’t want to cross him.”

Gilliam will play forward, while Sautter is enthusiastic about a pair of guards from Little Rock – Madison Peaster and Kiyler Hudson. They were recommended to Sautter by some of his former players.

Players from overseas and close by

Sautter says about half the team is from overseas. There’s at least one freshman who should be a familiar name to local fans: guard Kadden Price, who graduated from Palo Duro last year.

There’s not a lot of experience on the roster, as there are only three seniors.

“It’s probably not at the talent level we need it to be with a bunch of freshmen this year, but going forward, this isn’t new to me,” Sautter said. “I’m blessed to be able to compete in this league, which is second to none in the country.”

From his years as an assistant and head coach in the WJCAC, Sautter is well aware of the league’s reputation. He knows how good it will be this year, because he may have contributed to it indirectly.

“Because I was out of coaching last year, I placed a lot of players at places throughout the league,” Sautter said. “There’s a lot of really good younger coaches in this league. From top to bottom, I would say it’s pretty wide open. That doesn’t mean the

Frank Phillips Women

league is down; it means that a lot of people are really, really good.” Sautter considers South Plains and Odessa College as the top contenders.

With the newness of the situation, he doesn’t expect his Plainsmen to immediately set the world on fire. But he does expect some results.

“I told them if you’re great right now, you’ve got no room for improvement,” Sautter said. “How great we’ll be, I don’t know. I’ve coached All-Americans, and we’re not there yet, but that’s OK. Our fans are going to get our best every night, and toward the end of the season, we’ll be much better.

“I didn’t come here to not make it to the national tournament and win championships. Even as good as this league is, we have the support, we have the resources and the administration which has given us everything to get the job done, so there’s no excuses.”

Frank

Phillips Plainsmen Roster

Name, Ht., Pos., Class

Kareem Barnett, 6-2, G, Fr. Madison Peaster, 6-1, G, Fr. Nahum Pastuerin, 6-4, G, Fr. Melquan Collins, 6-6, F, Soph. Kadden Price, 5-10, G, Fr. Kiyler Hudson, 6-5, F, Soph. Will Hynes, 6-2, G, Fr. Jailan Ardoin, 6-4, G, Fr. Falou Sakho, 6-5, F, Fr. Youssef Medini, 6-3, G, Fr. Octaveon Lozer, 6-4, F, Fr. Jeremiah Gilliam, 6-7, F, Soph. Odanis Done, 6-1, G, Fr. Fabio Fias, 6-3, G, Fr. Fliip Mamic, 6-8, F, Fr. Coach: Jason Sautter Asst. Coaches: Brandon Rielly, Mustafa Lawrence 2021-2022 record: 14-16, 5-11

All-freshman team has mix of players

By LEE PASSMORE

It almost feels as if Brett Schneider is being forced to do over his first year as head coach of the Frank Phillips College women.

Not because he’s like a kid who failed a class or two and has to repeat a grade. Schneider and the Lady Plainsmen were getting at least passing grades with nine games left in the regular season during his first year at the helm at Frank Phillips.

Problem was, Schneider’s class was getting smaller and smaller as the year progressed. Finally, it got to the point where class was canceled altogether for the remainder of the season.

With so many students unavailable, so to speak, the Lady Plainsmen opted to forfeit their final seven games of the 202122 season.

“It was difficult, because we started the year with 12 on our roster and essentially had five kids that had season-ending injuries or illnesses,” Schneider said. “Around Christmas we started playing with six and seven. Right at the beginning of January we had COVID, and that kept half our team out for about six or seven

days. We came back and still had some nice wins, but COVID and injuries don’t go hand in hand very well, and playing with four to six kids just wasn’t an option for us.”

Misleading 2021-22 record

That resulted in a highly misleading record for the Lady Plainsmen, who finished the season 12-17 overall and 3-11 in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference, seventh out of the conference’s eight teams. Such bad luck might give Schneider a right to receive a “do-over.”

If that’s the case, though, it’s an entirely new one. Nobody returns from last season’s team, as Schneider heads into this season with 13 brand-new players, all freshmen, on his roster. That means a mix not only of players, but of cultures, which Schneider has been looking for in the first place.

“We’ve got a good mix of local talent and other players in Texas and international players as well,” Schneider said. “Probably for most coaches in the country since COVID, every year’s kind of

been a setback and a restart. Now you’ve got the transfer portal and other opportunities. We have a player on our team from the Bahamas who hasn’t played for two years because her country wouldn’t allow her competition due to COVID.”

More than half of this season’s Phillips roster will be filled by foreign players, with seven coming from outside the United States. The other six are from Texas.

What this year’s Lady Plainsmen do have in common in general is size, as in not a lot of it. Only two players stand at 6-0 or taller, and only two others are as tall as 5-10.

That means they will have to play a style more conducive to smaller teams, something Schneider has been preparing for since last summer.

“Our team chemistry has been really close,” Schneider said. “Definitely the opportunity to get kids on campus has been a plus for us. I can tell that we will be a real good 3-point shooting team. Hopefully, we’ll turn into a great 3-point shooting team.

“We don’t have much size, but I think we have a lot of speed and athleticism. Our guard play’s really going to have to carry us this year.”

For all the talk about foreign players on the roster, Schneider thinks a player from West Texas could help set the tone for the Lady Plainsmen. Xoe Rosalez, a 5-6 guard from Seminole, is praised by Schneider for bringing a work ethic to campus from high school.

“Two days after graduation, she was on our campus,” Schneider said. “She stayed for both summer sessions. She’s a very

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Frank Phillips Lady Plainsmen Roster

Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown

Alana Strong, 5-4, G, Fr., Amarillo (Caprock), Texas

Aurore Eyango, 5-8, G, Fr., Paris, France

Ayuen Akot, 5-10, G, Fr., Melbourne, Australia

Bahar Kalkan, 5-6, G, Fr., Istanbul, Turkey

Genesis Toledano, 6-1, P, Fr., General Alvear Mendoza, Argentina

Gisselle Hernandez, 5-7, G, Fr., Perryton, Texas

Jayden Hayes, 5-4, G, Fr., Houston, Texas

Maria Quesada Ortiz, 5-9, G, Fr., Bogota, Colombia

Sa’Nya Green, 5-6, G, Fr., Midland, Texas

Tania Kerr, 6-1, P, Fr., Nassau, Bahamas

Teresa Mbemba, 5-10, G, Fr., Benguela, Angola

Xoe Rosalez, 5-6, G, Fr., Seminole, Texas

Zaria Simmons, 5-8, G, Fr., Houston, Texas

Coach: Brett Schneider Asst. Coach: Destiny Gonzalez 2021-2022 record: 12-17, 3-11

“I’ve coached at several NCAA schools, including Texas Tech University, the University of Missouri, the University of Memphis and West Texas A&M University.

“I have helped several players garner All American honors and coached a first-round draft pick in the WNBA.

“I can direct individual camps, team camps, individual skill work and offer college prep seminars for parents to educate them about the entire recruiting process.

“We also offer satellite camps and have done camps/skill sessions in Dallas, Clarendon, Turkey, Wellington and several other states.

Xoe Rosalez Ayuen Akot Tania Kerr

Coach Brett Schneider

Frank Phillips College - Women’s Basketball Coach

dependable person and extremely motivated. She shoots up to 2,500 shots a week.”

Schneider also is counting on another new player from much farther away to contribute from outside. Ayuen Akot, a 5-10 guard from Australia, should spread the floor with her 3-point shooting, and Schneider also is counting on her maturity to lead.

What size the Lady Plainsmen have has been imported, as Tania Kerr (the player from the Bahamas) and Genesis Toledano from Argentina both are 6-1.

Freshmen aren’t all rookies

Even with some 3-point shooting, Phillips doesn’t have an abundance of experience regarding players with JUCO playing time. Schneider isn’t concerned about having a team of nothing but freshmen, however.

“I’m not concerned in the fact that even though all of ours are freshmen, because we have kids who have been playing in competition out of high school for a year or two,” he said. “We have rookies, but we have some veteran-type players. I do think we’ve got some good depth.”

That will be extremely important in a conference like the WJCAC. It’s consistently one of the strongest leagues in the nation from top to bottom.

There was a hint the Lady Plainsmen could compete in the conference last season as they started the WJCAC 3-2 before injuries and illness hit. Schneider isn’t making any concrete predictions about what to expect from the rest of the conference this year.

“Because we’re a junior college conference, you don’t know from year to year what the turnover is,” he said. “We have some amazing coaches in this league. Every person in this conference has a lot of experience. South Plains is the main program in our league everyone else looks up to. They have a national reputation.”

Schneider also thinks New Mexico JC looks strong. He still thinks the Lady Plainsmen have a genuine shot at finishing in the top four and making the regional tournament.

“We have to play very smart on defense,” he said. “Obviously when you don’t have a lot of size, you need to defend without fouling. We don’t want to give people the opportunity to score

points when the clock isn’t running. We have to generate some offense from our defense, force turnovers and get some transition points.”

FRANK PHILLIPS LADY PLAINSMEN SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 1 Redlands @ Oklahoma TBA Nov. 4 Trinidad State @ Clarendon College 4 p.m. Nov. 5 Sterling College JV@ Clarendon College 12 p.m. Nov. 8 Lamar College @ Colorado 6 p.m. Nov. 15 Trinidad State TBA Nov. 17 Lamar College 5 p.m. Nov. 25 Arizona Western @ Yuma, Arizona 7:30 pm Nov. 26 Central Arizona College @ Yuma, Arizona 3:30 p.m. Nov. 28 University of Southwest JV @ Hobbs, N.M. 4 p.m. Nov. 29 Wayland Baptist JV @ Plainview 6 p.m. Dec. 9-10 Lady Plainsmen Classic Dec. 9 Lamar vs Western Oklahoma State 5 p.m. Frank Phillips College vs Redlands 7 p.m. Dec. 10 Lamar vs Redlands 1 p.m. Frank Phillips College vs Western Oklahoma State Jan. 3 Cedar Valley College @ Lancaster 3:30 p.m. Jan. 4 RPA Academy @ Arlington TBA Jan. 9 @ Midland College

5:45 p.m. Jan. 16 @ South Plains College 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 19 @ Clarendon College 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 23 Howard College 5:45 p.m. Jan. 26 @ Odessa College 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 28 New Mexico Junior College TBA

Jan. 30 Western Texas College 5:45 p.m.

Feb. 6 Midland College 5:45 p.m.

Feb. 13 South Plains College 5:45 p.m.

Feb. 16 Clarendon College 5:45 p.m.

Feb. 20 Howard College @ Big Springs 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 23 Odessa College

5:45 p.m.

Feb. 27 New Mexico Junior College @ Hobbs, N.M. 5:45 p.m.

Mar. 2 Western Texas College @ Snyder 5:45 p.m.

(Continued from previous page)

Frank Phillips Lady Plainsmen Coach Brett Schneider greets a friend in Lubbock at a game between the Texas Tech and University of Kansas women on Feb. 19, 2022. Schneider’s brother, Brandon Schneider, is the Kansas women’s coach. Also attending were the Schneiders’ parents, Bob and Barbara Schneider. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Genesis Toledano

Bahar Kalkan

Maria Quesada Ortiz

Alana Strong

Giselle Hernandez

Sa’Nya Green

Aurore Eyango

Jayden Hayes

Teresa Mbemba

Clarendon College Men Bulldogs bringing more depth

By LEE PASSMORE

For all intents and purposes, third-year coach Hunter Jenkins and the Clarendon College men are starting over again this season.

That seems appropriate, since there hasn’t been much in the way of carryover for Jenkins since he’s been in Clarendon, where he was hired as head coach at the age of 26 two years ago.

Last season, Jenkins said he felt like he was going into his first full season at the helm of the Bulldogs since his first season, 2020-21, was plagued by COVID. Clarendon and Jenkins never really got to settle in last season due to some key injuries, and the Bulldogs finished 8-21 and 3-13 in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference, last among the league’s nine teams.

Things can only go up this season.

“We had some key injuries early,” Jenkins said. “We started off 4-1 and then lost two starters for a big portion of the season. I think it would have been a whole different season if we’d had those guys all 30 games. We don’t make excuses; we still had some talent to win more.”

Rebuilding isn’t a word coaches like to use, but it looks as if the Bulldogs will be working with a different foundation this season. They have only two players who return from last season after losing their leading scorer, Zariqiue Nutter, to Division I Northern Illinois University.

Jenkins is trying to be optimistic heading into this season, taking another fresh start angle.

Clarendon College Bulldogs Roster

Name, Ht., Pos., Class

Shannon Strickland, 6-5, G, Soph., Monticello, Arkansas

Bol Akot, 6-1, G, Soph., Manchester, New Hampshire

Omar Cooper, 6-0, G, Soph., Atlanta, Georgia

Keano Calderon, 6-7, F. Fr., Orlando, Florida

Nic Black, 6-2, G, Soph., Australia

Aahmod Scarbrough, 6-3, G, Soph., St. Louis, Missouri

Jeriah Coleman, 7-1, P, Soph., Anchorage, Alaska

Lenard Taylor, 6-1, G, Fr., Baltimore, Maryland

Tyler Mitchell, 6-1, G, Fr., Dallas, Texas

Raphael Day, 6-7, F, Fr., Paris, France

Jamal West, 6-6, G, Soph., Baltimore, Maryland

Chris Williams, 6-6, P, Fr. Toronto, California

Donta Coady, 6-5, P, Soph., Arlington, Texas

Josiah Fulcher, 6-4, G, Soph., Lima, Ohio

Matt Brown, 6-2, G, Soph., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Dylan Gory, 7-1, P, Fr., Paris, France

LiWayne Richardson, 6-10, F, Soph., Anguillia

Imari Anderson, 6-3, F, Fr., Silver Springs, Maryland

Yel Deng, 6-8, P, Fr., Amarillo (Caprock), Texas

David Sobkowiak, 6-2, F, Fr., Poland

Shaq Samuels, 6-6, P, Fr., Silver Springs, Maryland

Prince Malonge, 6-8, P, Fr., Amarillo High, Texas

Ashraf Barsham, 6-5, F, Fr., Amarillo (Tascosa), Texas

Coach: Hunter Jenkins

Asst. Coach: Mark Knezovic

2021-2022 record: 8-21, 3-13

“We’ve definitely got more comfortable knowing the layout of the conference,” Jenkins said. “We’re happy with the players we’ve got who’ve been working hard this past month. We’re just real excited to get going.”

Bulldogs solid in backcourt

The good news is that Clarendon has a pretty solid bedrock in an area where most successful teams tend to build, the backcourt. That’s due mainly to sophomore point guard Omar Cooper.

Last season Cooper averaged nine points and three assists a game in running Clarendon’s offense. He’s been seriously looked at by schools in the Western Athletic Conference and the Big 12 as well as Seattle University.

“He’s got a chance to really be a leader for us,” Jenkins said of Cooper. “He’s already got Division I’s on him. We’ve got some guys who played some significant minutes at Division I’s and added some guys from some other Jucos. We definitely have the experience; we’ve just got to get them playing together and used to the way we do things.”

Guard Matt Brown is the other returnee and will start alongside Cooper in the backcourt.

The rest of the team is entirely new but has some promise. Two starters are transfers from Division I schools who figure to instantly improve the Bulldogs.

Jeriah Coleman is the most intriguing. Coleman is a 7-foot-1 post who played last season for St. Francis University in Pennsylvania who’s drawing interest from schools in the Big 12, Big 10 and Pac 12, among others, because of his size.

The other D-I transfer who should start is 6-4 guard Josiah Fulcher, who played at Bowling Green, where he was voted to the Mid-America Conference all-freshman team. Jamal West, a 6-6 transfer from South Alabama, should also see a lot of minutes.

Jenkins thinks his team will be good offensively but locked in more on defense in practice.

“We’re going to hang our hat on being very, very aggressive defensively and playing hard and together,” Jenkins said. “I’ve been happy with where we’re at on both ends of the floor. The talent’s there, the character’s there; we’ve just got to make sure we’re getting better every single day. We’ve definitely got a long

ways to go in all areas to compete in this league.”

WJCAC

has plenty of good teams

Toward that direction, Clarendon has scheduled teams like Hill College and Weatherford College in November to prepare for WJCAC play starting in January. The win-loss record won’t be as important to the Bulldogs as improvement, which they hope to display when they host Western Texas College in the WJCAC opener Jan. 7.

Also, they’ll play their first four games of the season on the road. Dealing with the conference itself will be another matter altogether.

“We’ve got nine teams, and I don’t really see anybody who’s below the pack,” Jenkins said. “I think everybody’s got a really, really good team this year. Obviously, Odessa (College) went 16-0 last year, so they’re kind of the ones to shoot for at the top. There are a lot of new faces in the league coaching-wise. This league is a battle every single night. There’s not an off night or a dip.”

“You could be 5,6,7 in this league and be in some other conferences and have a shot to win it. That’s kind of year-in and year-out in this league.”

The Bulldogs look as if they could be comparable with several of the WJCAC teams talentwise. If they can develop some chemistry before the games really start counting in the new year, they could make an impact.

Clarendon College Women

CLARENDON

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 1 @ Wayland Baptist University 5 p.m.

Nov. 4 Northlake College at Hobbs, New Mexico 3 p.m.

Nov. 6 Murray State College @ Oklahoma 6 p.m. Nov. 7 Redlands Community College @ Oklahoma 6 p.m. Nov. 8 Western Oklahoma State College 7 p.m. Nov. 14 Langston University 5 p.m.

Nov. 18 Hill College @ Snyder 4 p.m.

Nov. 19 Victoria College @ Snyder 1 p.m. Nov. 22 Nationwide Academy 3 p.m.

Nov. 28 Weatherford College 2 p.m.

Dec. 3 RPA College 5 p.m. Dec. 6 @ Western Oklahoma State College 7 p.m. Dec. 10 RPA College 5 p.m.

Jan. 3 Strength in Motion Prep 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 Western Texas College 4 p.m.

Jan. 9 @ Odessa College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 12 New Mexico Military Institute 6 p.m.

Jan. 16 @ Midland College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 Frank Phillips College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 @ South Plains College 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 @ Howard College 4 p.m.

Jan. 30 New Mexico Junior College 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 Odessa College 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 @ New Mexico Military Institute 6 p.m.

Feb. 13 Midland College 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 16 @ Frank Phillips College 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 20 South Plains College 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 Howard College 7:30 p.m. Mar. 2 @ New Mexico Junior College 7:30 p.m.

That, and a little good fortune, could move Clarendon up the conference chain this season.

“I think if we defend at a high level and rebound the basketball like we need to and offensively take good shots and don’t turn it over, we’ll put ourselves in a position every game to at least be in it,” Jenkins said. “We really tried to revamp the roster with some more depth to really be able to allow us to play through injuries this year. Hopefully we don’t have to do that. That was really an issue for us last year.”

Lady Bulldogs like the number ‘3’

By LEE PASSMORE

The bar has been raised for the Clarendon College women this season, and as far as coach Mark James is concerned, that can mean one of two things.

Following the most successful season in school history last year with a trip to the Region V final, the Lady Bulldogs have reason to believe they’re legitimized as a contender in the always rugged Western Junior College Athletic Conference.

It also means that after such a successful season, there will be a bigger target on their backs this season. The Lady Bulldogs no longer can hide in the crowd and surprise anybody.

James thinks both things come with the territory.

“It’s kind of hand-in-hand,” he said. “We’ve got a bit of what I consider unfinished business. We made it to the region championship and let a game get away. We lost to a really good team, but we had a chance to win. We have enough returners who were on

that team that have those same expectations. We want to believe that we can do that every year.”

No one can blame James for having such confidence after a year when his team went 24-9. Six players are coming back from that team, so success is more to be expected this season. The possibility of surpassing last season based on that is what has raised the stakes for Clarendon.

“We exceeded maybe not everybody’s (expectations), but a lot,” James said. “We were picked dead last in the conference. Not one single coach picked us anything but last. We went into the season knowing we were better than that.

“It didn’t bother us. It upset a couple of the girls and put a chip on their shoulder, and they really got after it from day one.” Won’t be sneaking up on anybody

The Lady Bulldogs will have to do the same thing this season

Coach Hunter Jenkins

to have any shot of being that good this season. In order to return to those heights, James has scheduled a tougher nonconference slate as preparation for a run into March.

Clarendon definitely will enter 2022-23 as a known quantity.

“Everybody knows what you’ve done,” James said. “We’re not going to sneak up on anybody, that’s for sure. I don’t know that we snuck up on anybody in the conference. We certainly got everybody’s attention.

“Our talent’s still there. We may be even more talented than we were last year. The big key for our team is we need to embrace the journey, not just rush to try to get back to the championship game. They need to understand let’s enjoy practice and the process of getting better every day.”

There is one proven aspect to the Lady Bulldogs that everybody is aware of, and that’s their backcourt. They have a reputation as one of the best 3-point-shooting teams in the nation after leading the country last year, and James is convinced they’ll live up to that again.

“We shoot it really well,” he said. “I don’t know if we have as many shooters as we’ve had, but we have two of the top shooters in the country back. We’ve got three of the top five in the conference back. When we’re on, we’re on.”

Those two shooters would be Aileen Marquez and Autumn Wadsworth, for starters. Marquez, who led Clarendon with 16.7 points a game, was an All-WJCAC selection and second in the nation in 3-point shooting percentage, hitting 44.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Wadsworth averaged 8.5 points but wasn’t far behind Marquez percentage-wise, hitting 43.8 of her long-range shots. Another guard, Mah Minthe, averaged 11.9 points and hit 42.1 percent of her 3s while being named WJCAC Newcomer of the Year and to the NJCAA All-Region V team.

Combine that with a returning pure point guard, sophomore JoJo Munroe, and the Lady Bulldogs figure to put up a lot of points on their opponents. James admits that last year’s standard his team established beyond the arc will be hard to beat.

“It would be a lot to duplicate that,” James said. “I still think that’s going to be a strength. They’ll try to take that away. We can throw out a lineup with four or five kids who can shoot it. They can’t just key on Aileen Marquez and Autumn Wadsworth.” Team not as deep as last year

The returning offensive talent is enough to make the Lady Bulldogs contenders again. Beyond that, though, there are questions as to how much talent and experience Clarendon will have.

“We’re not overly deep as far as experience,” James said. “We’ve got a lot of starters back, but we also lost a lot. We’re comfortable through about seven or eight. Our depth right now is not where it was last year.

“If we got somebody in foul trouble last year, we’d just throw somebody in and we were good to go. We have a few months of games to get some of those freshmen and newcomers to step up.”

Hopefully, those roles will be defined by the time the Lady Bulldogs open their WJCAC schedule at home against Western Texas College on Jan. 7. It’s a testimony to the overall depth in the conference that Clarendon finished 7-7 last year yet still was standing one win away from the national tournament before losing to WJCAC rival South Plains College 64-54 in the Region V final.

James doesn’t think there was a huge difference between the top and the bottom of the conference.

Clarendon College Lady Bulldogs Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown JoJo Munroe, 5-5, G, Soph., Freeport, Bahamas Deairah Mays, 5-8, G, Soph., Fort Smith, Arkansas Alexis Cruz, 5-2, G, Fr., Amarillo, Texas Malloree Schlessman, 5-10, F, Fr., Beaver, Oklahoma Lauryn Williams, 5-2, G, Fr., Arlington, Texas Bruna Schuster, 5-8, G, Fr., Porto Uniao, Brazil Marisa Alvarado, 5-6, G, Soph., Anton, Texas Mah Minthe, 5-10, F, Soph., Paris, France Taylor Lewis, 6-1, P, Soph., Upper Marlboro, Maryland Aileen Marquez, 5-7, G, Soph., Arden, North Carolina Autumn Wadsworth, 5-7, G, Soph., Reno, Nevada Narissa Blackwell, 5-9, G, Soph., Houston, Texas Lashonda Stiger, 5-6, G, Fr., Amarillo (Palo Duro), Texas Djessira Diawara, 6-3, P, Soph., Bamako, Mali Camila Contreras, 6-4, P, Soph., Socorro, Texas Maleah Garrett, 5-7, G, Fr., Corpus Christi, Texas Valmoana Niumeiatolu, 5-6, G, Fr., Sandy, Utah

Coach: Mark James Asst. Coach: Erika Warren 2021-2022 record: 24-9, 7-7

“There was only one game last year where we didn’t show up and got beat pretty good, but everything else was winnable,” James said. “Our wins were all losable. There were a lot of close games. It’s that way all across the league. One through eight there’s a little bit of a separation, but it’s not as big as in most conferences.”

James thinks New Mexico JC looks like a favorite in the WJCAC. Odessa College is expected to bounce back, and Midland and South Plains are perennial contenders.

“We fully expect to compete with everybody in our league,” he said. “I think if we can defend a little better than we did last year, I think we can take that next step. We score the ball well enough; if we can be just very good, we can take that next step and bring home a bigger trophy than we did last season.”

Coach Mark James

Mah Minthe

Aileen Marquez

Joanna _JoJo_ Munroe

Autumn Wadsworth

Lashonda Stiger

SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 1 Wayland Baptist University JV 6 p.m.

Nov. 4 Sterling College 6 p.m.

Nov. 5 Trinidad State Junior College 2 p.m.

Nov. 8 Western Oklahoma State 6 p.m.

Nov. 10 Cisco College 6 p.m.

Nov. 11 Sterling College @ Kansas 7 p.m.

Nov. 15 Lamar Community College 6 p.m.

Nov. 18 @ College of the Southwest 6 p.m.

Nov. 21 Lamar Community College @ Colorado 5 p.m.

Nov. 26 @ Cisco College 3 p.m.

Nov. 29 Trinidad State Junior College @ Colorado 6 p.m.

Nov. 30 RPA College 5 p.m.

Dec. 2 Palo Alto College @ San Antonio 6 p.m.

Dec. 3 Palo Alto College @ San Antonio 1 p.m.

Dec. 5 Arlington Baptist University 6 p.m.

Dec. 6 @ Western Oklahoma State 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 7 Western Texas College 2 p.m.

Jan. 9 @ Odessa College 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 16 @ Midland College 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 19 Frank Phillips College 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 23 @ South Plains College 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 28 @ Howard College 2 p.m.

Jan. 30 New Mexico Junior College 5:45 p.m.

Feb. 2 @ Western Texas College 5:45 p.m.

Feb. 6 Odessa College 5:45 p.m.

Feb. 13 Midland College 5:45 p.m.

Feb. 16 @ Frank Phillips College 5:45 p.m.

Feb. 20 South Plains College 5:45 p.m.

Feb. 27 Howard College 5:45 p.m.

Mar. 2 @ New Mexico Junior College 5:45 p.m.

District 2-6A Frenship Boys

Tigers make a little history

By winning 30 games last season, the Tigers stepped into the school history book.

Frenship showed promise of good things to come by winning the preseason Gene Messer Classic and the Cedar Hills Lions Club tournaments. The Tigers took second in the Lubbock Caprock tourney.

Those wins paid off in the District 2-6A competition as Frenship won the title with an 11-1 record. That was the second straight championship for the Tigers in the high-powered conference.

Frenship downed El Paso Coronado 72-43 in bidistrict but bowed to Keller Central 77-75 in the area game. That ended the Tigers’ season at 30-4.

“Last season was the most historic season for us at the 6A level,” Coach Paul Page said. “We reached the 30-win season for the first time at this level, won two season tournaments and won our second consecutive district championship.”

“Our postseason run was not as deep as we wanted, but the wire-to-wire success that this group accomplished truly made it magical and special.”

Seven seniors moved on from that team, and two will be sorely missed.

Tracy Godfrey was the district MVP, TABC all-region and all-state and a TABC all-star selection. Godfrey, who now is playing for Cochise, Arizona, Junior College, was the first Frenship player to be a TABC all-stater at the 6A level.

Frenship Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 5 Sudan There X

Nov. 8 Randall Here X

Nov. 12 Palo Duro Here X

Nov. 15 Tascosa There X X

Nov. 17-19 HUB City Tip-Off Classic Here X

Nov. 21 Abilene Wylie Here X

Nov. 22 Lubbock Cooper There X X

Nov. 29 Monterey There X X

Dec. 1-3 Gene Messer Classic Tournament Frenship X

Dec. 2-4 Cowtown Classic Fort Worth X

Dec. 6 Idalou Here X

Dec. 6 Randall Here X

Dec. 8-10 C.W. Jackson Tournament Cedar Hill X

Dec. 9 New Home There X

Dec. 13 Lubbock Estacado Here X

Dec. 16 Portales There X

Dec. 20 Amarillo LCU X

Dec. 20 Trinity Christian LCU Rip X

Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X X

Jan. 3 Midland Christian Here X

Jan. 6 Caprock There X

Jan. 6 San Angelo Central Here X

Jan. 10 Midland High Here X

Jan. 13 Odessa High There X X

Jan. 17 Midland Legacy Here X X

Jan. 20 Odessa Permian There X X

Jan. 24 Midland High There X X

Jan. 27 San Angelo Central There X X

Jan. 31 Odessa High Here X X

Feb. 3 Midland Legacy There X X

Feb. 7 Odessa Permian Here X X

Feb. 13 Midland High Here X

Feb. 14 San Angelo Central Here X

Tajavis Miller, a first-team all-district selection, now is at North Dakota State University.

Page welcomes two honored players and a third returning starter back this fall.

Jalen Braziel, a 6-2 senior “combo,” averaged 14.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists last season. He was a first-team all-district selection.

Tate Beeles, a 6-7 senior forward, also earned first-team AD honors with 11.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg credentials.

Page recommends Braziel and Beeles as all-state candidates.

Patton Pinkins, a 6-4 sophomore guard, also started last season. Dylan Kinsey, a 5-10 senior guard (2.3 ppg), also lettered last year.

The Frenship roster features eight seniors, one junior, two sophomores and one freshman.

Page lists the Tigers’ strengths as size, program depth, guard play and the winning tradition triggered by culture.

He is concerned about replacing the leadership void left by Godfrey and Miller and the lack of varsity experience with only four letter winners.

“This could be another special season for us if this group will collectively commit to our process,” Page said in assessing the keys for success this season.

“We should be able to play hard and fast and use our depth to create the tempo that we like to play. Utilizing our overall team size will also be an important factor in our success. We are excited about the potential for this team.”

Page is beginning his ninth season at Frenship. The Aspermont High School and Angelo State University graduate began his coaching career at Rule, then later went to Olney, Roby and Seminole.

In his eight years at the Wolfforth school, his Tigers have won 167 and lost 95, a .631 winning percentage. For his 26-year boys coaching career, Page stands 423-303 (.583). He’s a member of the Panhandle-Plains Basketball’s 300 Club.

Frenship’s far-flung District 2-6A will have only six teams this season as Abilene High dropped down to Class 5A because of UIL realignment. The Tigers’ district foes are Midland, Midland Legacy, Odessa, Odessa Permian and San Angelo Central.

The season will begin at home either Nov. 11 or Nov. 12 against Palo Duro followed by a Nov. 15 visit to Tascosa. The

Jalen Braziel Tate Beeles Dylan Kinsey

(Continued

Tigers will compete in the Gene Messer Classic at Frenship, the C.W. Jackson Tournament at Cedar Hill and the Ambucs Caprock Tournament in Lubbock.

Frenship Girls Lady Tigers rolling, rolling, rolling

In last year’s pre-district games, Frenship defeated Canyon for the first time in school history and won its Hub City Tip-Off Classic.

The Lady Tigers captured the District 2-6A title for the sixth straight season, sporting an 11-1 conference mark. The 11 wins tied a record for most in school history.

Abby Boyce

In the playoffs — their 20th straight appearance — Frenship downed El Paso Coronado 63-35 in bidistrict before losing to Fort Worth Boswell 57-49 in the area round. That capped a 26-7 season for the Lady Tigers.

“Qualified for the playoffs for the 20th consecutive season,” Coach Trent Hilliard said. “Six-peat district champions (extending the school record). Bidistrict champion for the seventh consecutive year.”

Five seniors — Mikah Chapman, Zaria Fowler, Addison McClure, Sarah Armstrong and Abbi Watson — were major contributors to last season’s success.

Chapman was the district defensive player of the year, firstteam all-district and first-team All-Hub City. She signed to play at St. Edward’s University.

Fowler, second-team all-district, is playing basketball at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. McClure, who was the district sixth player of the year, is playing volleyball at Cisco College.

The Frenship success story is likely to continue this season as Hilliard welcomed four returning starters and two transfers this fall. The returning starters are:

• Abby Boyce, a 5-11 junior post, averaged 7.8 points, 9.4

Andie Caddel

• Andie Caddel, a 5-9 junior guard with 7.6 ppg, also was first-team all-district;

• Abbi Holder, a 5-6 junior guard (9.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.1 apg), was the district newcomer of the year;

• Elena Noyola, a 5-6 senior guard (3.9 ppg,. 2.5 rpg,. 2.4 apg) is a two-year starter but tore her ACL at Christmas last year. She’s expected back for some nondistrict games and may be at full speed by district, according to Hilliard.

The two transfers are:

• Gabby Morales, a 5-9 junior guard who moved in from Idalou, where she lettered two years;

• Kiah Buchanan, a 5-9 sophomore guard who played last year for Trinity Christian in Lubbock.

Hilliard lists Boyce, Caddel and Morales as outstanding players to watch.

Hannah Harmon, a 5-8 senior guard (2.2 ppg), lettered last season. Addyson Bollinger, a 5-9 freshman guard, could be a major contributor, according to Hilliard.

Four seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and one freshman make up the Frenship roster.

“We have lots of scoring options,” Hilliard said. “Abby Boyce will be a huge rebounder for us. Good size at the guards. Two move-ins in the spring (Morales and Buchanan) will help us,

Gabby Morales

Abbi Holder

Kiah Buchanan

Elena Noyola

Hannah Harmon

Year after year, the Lady Tigers just keep piling on to their impressive streaks of playoff qualifications and district championships.

rebounds and 2 assists last season and was first-team all-district;

Frenship Boys

Name

Jalen Braziel

Ht. Pos. Class

6-2 P/F Sr.

Tate Beeles 6-7 F Sr. Patton Pinkins 6-4 G Soph. Dylan Kinsey 5-10 G Sr. Armani Gacinica 6-0 G Jr. Ose Olumese 6-2 G Sr. Daniel Gedeon 6-6 F Soph. Masen Opton 6-2 G Sr Garrett Kacal 6-3 G Sr Eli Judah 6-3 F Sr Chad Williamson 6-5 F Sr Chase Campbell 5-10 G Fr

Coach: Paul Page

Asst. Coaches: Chris Roberts, Sean Allen, Chad Curtis, Jacob Holland

2021-22 record: 30-4, 11-1

School phone: 866-4440

Players to watch: Jalen Braziel, Tate Beeles

Frenship Girls

Name

Blair Collier

Ht. Pos. Class

5-7 G Sr

Hannah Harmon 5-8 G Sr

Elena Noyola 5-6 G Sr

Anay Quintana 5-7 G Sr

Abby Boyce 5-11 P Jr Andie Caddel 5-9 G Jr

Abbi Holder 5-8 G Jr

Gabby Morales 5-9 G Jr

Kiah Buchanan

5-9 G Soph.

5-7 G Soph. Lauren Villegas 5-10 P Soph.

Addyson Middleton

Addisyn Bollinger 5-9 G Fr.

Coach: Trent Hilliard

Asst. Coaches: Sharon James, Amanda Kirkpatrick, Gerardo Arzaga

2021-22 record: 26-7, 11-1

School phone: 705-5213

Players to watch: Abbi Holder, Abby Boyce, Andie Caddel, Gabby Morales, Addisyn Bollinger

bringing varsity experience.”

He’s concerned about depth in the post and defensive rebounding.

“Seven new players to our varsity, so it may take some time to get everybody to jell together,” Hilliard said.

He realizes the Lady Tigers will be under some pressure, particularly in district play.

“We have a target on our backs in district play. Our kids have won six district titles in a row,” Hilliard said in assessing the keys for success.

“Being patient enough on offense to let our screens and cuts work. We are talented enough to get contributions from every position on the court, so nobody has to take it upon themselves to do it all for us.”

Hilliard was the sixth man on Lubbock Monterey’s 1984-85 regional finalist team that went 30-4. He graduated from Texas

Tech University.

He’s beginning his ninth season at Frenship, and his Lady Tigers have won 202 games while losing only 71, a .740 winning percentage. He coached at Wellington and Lubbock Cooper before coming to Frenship.

His 19-year girls coaching career has produced a 435-208 record (.677 winning percentage). The Wolfforth school basketball staff owns 858 total victories as Tigers Coach Paul Page has posted 423 Ws. Both are members of this magazine’s 300 Club.

The Lady Tigers will open their season Nov. 5 at Sudan. The home opener is Nov. 8 against Randall. They’ll play in their Hub City Tip-Off Classic plus the Cowtown Classic in Fort Worth and the Lubbock Caprock Tournament.

Frenship will begin District 2-6A play Jan. 6. Abilene High has moved down to Class 5A, leaving six holdover members in the conference.

A TEAMS AT A GLANCE 5 A 5

5A Boys

Cooper Pillion, Amarillo High, 6-6, Sr.; Braden Hausen, Amarillo High, 6-7, Jr.; Corey Nickerson Jr., Amarillo High, 5-10, Sr.; Lleyton Brown, Caprock, 5-9, Jr.; Victor Juarez, Caprock, 5-9, Soph.; Diego Lewis, Caprock, 6-0, Jr.; Connor Gant, Lubbock Cooper, 6-2, Sr.; Amaree Garmon, Lubbock Cooper, 6-0, Jr.; Dayne Collier, Lubbock Cooper, 5-10, Jr.; Tyler Williams, Lubbock Coronado, 6-6, Sr.; Cameron Manahan, Lubbock Coronado, 6-2, Sr.; Surreal Garrett, Lubbock Coronado, 6-2, Jr.; Zyrin Brantley, Lubbock Monterey, 6-0, Sr.; Kashious Lewis, Lubbock Monterey, 6-4, Jr.; Carter Bovkoon, Lubbock Monterey, 6-1, Jr.; Christian Williams, Lubbock Monterey, 6-2, Jr.; Audi Luckey, Palo Duro, 6-1, Sr.; Walid Abdulrahim, Palo Duro, 6-2, Sr.; Karomo Collins, Plainview, 5-8, Sr.; Maddox Ellis, Plainview, 5-11, Soph.; Will Dickerson, Tascosa, 6-2, Sr.; Khalil Jackson, Tascosa, 6-0, Sr.; Jailyn Sledge, Tascosa, 6-6, Jr.

5A Girls

Jada Graves, Amarillo High, 5-3, Jr.; Taytum Bell, Amarillo High, 5-11, Jr.; Lacey Rice, Amarillo High, 5-5, Sr.; Victoria Barrera, Amarillo High, 5-8, Jr.; McKenzie Smith, Amarillo High, 6-0, Sr.; Vanessa Byrd, Caprock, 5-9, Sr.; Alyssia Johnson, Caprock, 5-11, Jr.; Danielle Perry, Caprock, 5-7, Jr.; Tyra Navarrete, Caprock, 5-9, Jr.; Calyn Dallas, Lubbock Cooper, 6-0, Sr.; Carisa Cortez, Lubbock Cooper, 5-3, Jr.; Majik Esquivel, Lubbock Cooper, 5-6, Jr.; Jazlyn Braithwaite, Lubbock Coronado, 5-6, Sr.; Jannaeleigh Cooper, Lubbock Coronado, 5-10, Sr.; Kya Smith, Lubbock Coronado, 6-1, Sr.; Aaliyah Chavez, Lubbock Monterey, 5-9, Soph.; Ambrosia Cole, Lubbock Monterey, 5-6, Fr.; Charli Garland, Lubbock Monterey, 5-5, Sr.; Kelly Mora, Lubbock Monterey, 6-1, Sr.; Jada Torrence, Palo Duro, 5-10, Sr.; Ty Grady, Palo Duro, 5-5, Sr.; Addisyn Mitchell, Palo Duro, 5-10, Sr.; Alana Davis, Palo Duro, 5-10, Soph.; Aubri McClain, Palo Duro, 5-7, Fr.; Lexie Guerrero, Palo Duro, 5-3, Fr.; Janieya Gonzales, Palo Duro, Janessa Fulton, Plainview, 5-5, Sr.; Taylor Wallace, Plainview, 5-9, Jr.; Spencer Aikens, Plainview, 5-5, Jr.; Mady Williams, Plainview, 5-4, Soph.; Kamila Macedo, Plainview, 5-3, Soph.; Brooke Nails, Plainview, 5-6, Soph.; Zamiyah Dickson, Tascosa, 5-5, Sr.; Daizjia Oages, Tascosa, 5-5, Sr.; Aniyah Brackens, Tascosa, 5-8, Jr.; Avery Carter, Tascosa, 6-1, Jr.

Amarillo High Boys Sandies in a reloading mood District 3-5A

When three four-year starters — including one recognized as the area’s best player — depart and only one starter returns, it’s probable to think that it’s a rebuilding year for that team.

Not so fast. Amarillo Coach Jason Pillion takes an optimistic outlook. His team is reloading.

“This group is arguably one of the most skilled we’ve had,” he said. “Their basketball IQ is high. They pass, dribble and shoot well. They play well together.”

They’ll need to in order to match the success of recent Sandie squads.

In the 2020-21 season, Amarillo High reached the state semifinals before losing in overtime. In 2021-22, the Sandies captured their third straight District 3-5A title with a perfect 10-game loop record.

Earlier, AHS had finished fourth in the prestigious Arby’s National Tournament in Bristol, Tennessee.

The Sandies looked primed for a run to their first boys state championship since 1986.

In the playoffs, Amarillo High squashed Lubbock Cooper 5729 in bidistrict, Canutillo 41-22 in the area round and Randall 58-41 in the regional quarterfinals. Mansfield Summit proved a tougher task in the regional semifinals, but AHS prevailed 72-65. However, Mansfield Timberview stopped the Sandies 68-59 in the regional finals.

That ended Amarillo High’s season at 32-7.

“It was a pleasure to coach some incredible young men who were also incredibly talented,” Pillion said. “They represented our school in a positive light and will always have a special place in our hearts.”

That team featured these three stars who all signed to play collegiately at Division I schools:

• Brendan Hausen became the first Sandie player to score more than 2,000 points. He finished with 2,208. He was the Amarillo Globe-News and Press Pass Sports boys player of the year. A three-time district MVP, he also was TABC all-state as a junior and senior. He accepted a scholarship from Villanova University.

• Damonze Woods was all-district, all-region, and first team on the AGN and Press Pass Sports boys first teams. He’s a UTArlington signee.

• Cade Hornecker was all-district, all-region, first team on Press Pass Sports first team and on the AGN’s Sparks off the Bench team. He’s at Southern Illinois University.

The 7-0 Hornecker, 6-6 Woods and 6-4 Hausen represented a potent scoring and rebounding trio.

Three other seniors, including starter Xa Landry-Britton, also departed.

That leaves Pillion with no returning honored players, one returning starter and four other letter winners.

Corey Nickerson Jr., a 5-10 junior forward, is the returning

starter. He averaged 3 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists last season.

He’s a two-year letter winner, as is 6-6 guard Cooper Pillion, the coach’s son. Cooper Pillion turned in 6 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg statistics a year ago.

The other returning letter winners are Braden Hausen, 5-10 senior guard Jaxon Williams and 6-4 senior post Mason Graham.

Braden Hausen, at 6-7, is three inches taller than his departed brother Brendan Hausen. The son of assistant coach Benji Hausen, Braden averaged 3 points a game coming off the bench as a guard last year.

Nickerson, Cooper Pillion and Braden Hausen are the Sandies to watch, according to Coach Pillion.

The Sandies’ roster is composed of four seniors, seven juniors and two sophomores.

Coach Pillion is concerned about his players’ inexperience in their new roles.

“We have to outexecute people on both ends,” Pillion said in assessing his team’s keys for success. “This team has a chance to put points on the board with their ability to pass, dribble and shoot, so low turnovers will be important. Embracing the defensive

Cooper Pillion

Mason Graham

Nic Williams

Braden Hausen

TJ Brown

Henry Farris

Jaxon Williams

Davis Sluder

Christian Darnell

Corey Nickerson Jr.

Amarillo High Boys Schedule

DATE Opponent Place

Nov. 11-12 Killeen Shoemaker Abilene Wylie

Nov. 15 Canyon There

Nov. 17-19 Coppell Tournament There

Nov. 22 Lake Dallas Here

Nov. 23 Rio Rancho Here

Nov. 29 Randall Here

Dec. 1-3 Abilene Tournament There

Dec. 6 Lubbock Cooper There

Dec. 9 Perryton TBA

Dec. 10 Childress Here

Dec. 16 Monterey Here

Dec. 27-29 Allen Tournament There

Jan. 3 Estacado There

Jan. 6 Midland Legacy Here

Jan. 10 Wichita Falls Hirshi There

Jan. 17 Tascosa Here

Jan. 20 Plainview There

Jan. 24 Caprock There

Jan. 27 Palo Duro Here

Feb. 3 Tascosa There

Feb. 7 Plainview Here

Feb. 10 Caprock Here

Feb. 14 Palo Duro There

Amarillo High Girls Schedule

DATE Opponent Place

Nov. 4 Cedar Hill South Oak Cliff

Nov. 5 Frisco Liberty South Oak Cliff Nov. 8 Coronado Here Nov. 10-12 Mavs Classic Frisco Nov. 15 Canyon There Nov. 21 San Angelo Central Here Nov. 22 Lubbock High There Nov. 29 Randall Here Dec. 1-3 San Antonio Tournament There Dec. 6 Lubbock Cooper There Dec. 9 Monterey There Dec. 16 Idalou Here Dec. 19 Frenship LCU Dec. 20 Odessa High Here Dec. 27-29 Mansfield Tournament There

Jan. 2 Midland Legacy There Jan. 6 Caprock Here Jan. 10 Palo Duro There

Jan. 17 Tascosa Here

Jan. 20 Plainview There Jan. 24 Caprock There Jan. 27 Palo Duro Here Feb. 3 Tascosa There Feb. 7 Plainview Here

end and winning individual battles will be the keys, as well as rebounding the basketball.”

Pillion was an all-stater at Abilene Cooper High School and all-conference at South Plains College and West Texas A&M University. He played on the 1997-98 WT team that reached the Elite Eight.

He’s beginning his 17th season at Amarillo High. After stints as an assistant at WT, Conroe and AHS, he served as a head coach for one year at Vega before moving to Amarillo High.

The UIL realignment didn’t affect AHS too much. Caprock, Palo Duro, Tascosa and Plainview remain as District 3-5A opponents, but Randall drops down to 4-4A.

The Sandies will open their season the weekend of Nov. 1112 with two games at Abilene Wylie, the first against Killeen Shoemaker and the second vs. host Wylie.

Amarillo High will play in the Coppell, Abilene and Allen tournaments. District play begins in mid-January.

Amarillo High Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Cooper Pillion 6-6 G Sr. Braden Hausen 6-7 G Jr. Corey Nickerson Jr. 5-10 F Sr. Jaxon Williams 5-11 G Sr. Mason Graham 6-5 P Sr. Zach Brown 6-2 G Soph. TJ Brown 6-4 G Jr Davis Sluder 6-0 G Jr Nic Williams 5-7 G Jr

Henry Farris 5-11 G Jr Will Williams 5-10 G Soph. Christian Darnell 6-4 F Jr Rylan Leathers 6-1 G Jr

Coach: Jason Pillion Asst. Coaches: Benji Hausen, Jacob Dawson, Dashon Carter-Mayes 2021-22 record: 32-7, 10-0 School phone: 326-2033

Players to watch: Cooper Pillion, Braden Hausen, Corey Nickerson Jr.

Amarillo High Girls Lady Sandies would like a return trip

The Lady Sandies made their third trip to the state tournament in five years last spring.

It wasn’t as rewarding as the two state championships on previous journeys; Amarillo High lost in the state semifinals. Still, it marked the ending of a fine season.

The Lady Sandies won the San Antonio Tournament in predistrict play. Amarillo High rolled to the District 3-5A title with a perfect 10-0 record.

The Lady Sandies stormed through the first five rounds of the playoffs — and the regional championship — without much trouble.

AHS defeated Lubbock Coronado 57-42 in bidistrict, El Paso Andress 64-21 in the area game, Lubbock Cooper 63-50 in the regional quarterfinals, Mansfield Timberview 73-50 in the regional semifinals and Lake Dallas 63-42 in the regional finals.

Frisco Memorial stopped the Lady Sandies 59-48 in the state semis.

“Had a great year with a great group of young ladies. This team was easy to coach and played well together and played for each other. It was easy to see the chemistry of last year’s team,” Coach Jeff Williams said.

“It was awesome to make it back to state even though the final

result was not what we had hoped for or dreamed of accomplishing. With that being said, we have zero regrets as every girl on the team did their part and gave all they had.”

Four seniors have moved on from that team. The most notable was Briley Barnes, who was first-team all-district and TGCA and TABC all-state. Barnes now is playing for the University of Tulsa.

The Lady Sandies appear to have the personnel to make another postseason trip to San Antonio. They have four starters, all honored last year, and four other letter winners back.

The four returning starters:

Rylan Leathers Zach Brown Will Williams

McKenzie Smith

Jada Graves

Lacey Rice

• McKenzie Smith, a 6-0 senior forward, averaged 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds last season in earning district MVP and TABC and TGCA all-state honors.

• Jada Graves, a 5-3 junior guard, contributed 6.8 points, 3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game and was first-team all-district. Jada Graves has an older sister, 5-3 senior guard/ wing Manda Graves, on the team. Their dad was a point guard for AHS in the early 2000s.

• Lacey Rice, a 5-5 senior guard/wing, chipped in with 8.7 ppg, 3 rpg and also was first-team all-district.

• Taytum Bell, a 5-11 junior guard/wing, logged 7.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.6 apg statistics and was second-team all-district.

Those four represent almost 38 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Williams recommends five Lady Sandies as all-state candidates — those four returning starters plus Victoria Barrera, a 5-8 junior guard/wing (4.9 ppg).

Barrera, 5-5 senior wing Payton Daniels (2.5 ppg), 5-5 junior guard/wing Kloe Gliesner (2.7 ppg) and 5-6 senior guard/wing Tatyana Gaspar all lettered last year.

Kirbi Simpson, a 5-7 junior guard/wing, has quite the family tie to Amarillo High. Her older sister, Kaki Simpson, was a standout for the Lady Sandies, and her older brother, Spencer Simpson, also played for the Sandies. Her dad is Sammy Simpson, who played on the 1986 AHS state champs, and her grandad was the late Alan “Bones” Simpson, who coached that ’86 team.

The Lady Sandies’ roster is composed of six seniors, five juniors and one sophomore.

“We get along and really want each other to succeed. I really believe that is the first key to winning. Chemistry with this group will be a strength,” Williams said.

“This is a very athletic group of skilled players. We will try to hang our hat on the defensive end, first and foremost. Their toughness is something that sticks out in my mind. Each and every one is willing to step up and take a charge, dive on the floor and go the extra mile to help our team win.”

He noted that another strength is the experience of having four

Amarillo High Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Jada Graves 5-3 G Jr

Payton Daniels 5-5 F Sr

Taytum Bell 5-11 G/F Jr Kloe Gliesner 5-5 G/F Jr

Lacey Rice 5-5 G/F Sr

Victoria Barrera 5-8 G/F Jr

McKenzie Smith 5-6 F Sr

Tatyana Gaspar 5-6 G/F Sr Ca’Nia Mitchell 5-5 G Soph. Kirbi Simpson 5-7 G/F Jr

Tatum Womble 5-8 F Sr

Manda Graves 5-3 G/F Sr.

Coach: Jeff Williams

Asst. Coaches: Justin Hebert, Mike Mitchell, Lexi Velesquez 2021-22 record: 32-6, 10-0 School phone: 326-2118

Players to watch: McKenzie Smith, Jada Graves, Taytum Bell, Lacey Rice, Victoria Barerra

of the five starters on last year’s team that went to state. His main concern is the loss of Barnes.

“Briley did so many things for us that we now have to collectively absorb to reach our goals,” Williams said. “She was a dominant force on the boards, which is always an area that we try to focus on as a team. Therefore, rebounding at a high level is a concern for us as a group.”

Williams emphasized the keys to success this season as staying hungry and improving every day.

“I believe we have the right group of girls to do just that,” he said. “We have to rebound the basketball better, and we have to shoot the ball better to reach our goals.”

Williams is beginning his 18th season coaching at his high school alma mater. The West Texas A&M University graduate began his 25-year coaching career with a seven-year stint at Dumas.

His last five AHS teams have won 164 and lost 18, a .901 winning percentage. His career girls coaching record is 616-212 (,744 winning percentage). He’s a member of this magazine’s 300 Club.

The Lady Sandies’ District 3-5A will be five teams instead of six this year because Randall moves to 4-4A under UIL realignment.

AHS will open the season Nov. 4-5 against Cedar Hill and Frisco Liberty at South Oak Cliff. The first home game will be Nov. 8 against Lubbock Coronado. The Lady Sandies also will compete in the Mavs Classic in Frisco Nov. 10-12, The San Antonio Tournament Dec. 1-3 and the Mansfield Tournament Dec. 27-29.

District play will begin at the AHS gym Jan. 6 against Caprock.

Victoria Bararra

Tatyana Gaspar

Tatum Womble

Payton Daniels

Manda Graves

Kloe Geisner

Kirbi Simpson

Ca’Nia Mitchell

Taytum Bell

Caprock Boys Longhorns increase win total by two

The Longhorns took a small step forward last season in Michael Jackson’s first year as their coach.

A 9-21 overall record doesn’t look like much, but it was two wins better than the previous year’s 7-13. Unfortunately, Caprock was winless in 10 District 3-5A games for the second straight year and finished last.

But the Longhorns did win Snyder’s Canyon Reef Classic in pre-district play.

“We were very competitive and mature last season with a roster full of (nine) seniors,” Jackson said. “Lleyten Brown is our only returner.”

Two of those seniors — all-district Yel Deeng (Clarendon College) and Tommy Watley (Wayland Baptist) — signed to play college ball.

Alain Nziza, who was all-district as a sophomore, moved away.

So that leaves Jackson with just Brown, who averaged 15 points last season, as Caprock’s only returning starter and letter winner.

Brown earned all-district distinction last season. Jackson sees him as an all-stater this season. He also was Caprock’s quarterback in football.

Brown, 5-9 sophomore guard Victor Juarez and 6-0 junior guard Diego Lewis are the outstanding Longhorns to watch, according to Jackson. Adrian Morales, a 6-1 junior, is the only forward listed on the eight-player roster. The other seven are guards.

The Caprock roster is composed of two seniors, four juniors and two sophomores.

Jackson describes the Longhorns’ strengths as “young and athletic with good skill.”

He’s concerned about the young team’s ability to mature and take advantage of early season experiences.

“Mature fast,” Jackson said in evaluating the keys to success this season. “Keep teams off the boards. Execute on offense and defense. Have to be a physical and competitive team.”

Jackson played on Quanah’s state runner-up football team in 1988. He played football one year at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, then two years at West Texas A&M University.

Before coming to Caprock, he coached at Highland Park and Boys Ranch. He has 13 years of experience as a head basketball coach.

The Longhorns will open their season Nov. 11 at home against Borger. They’ll play in the Gene Messer Classic in Frenship, the Tall City Oilman’s Tournament in Midland and the Canyon Reef Classic in Snyder.

Caprock Boys

Name

Lleyten Brown

Anthony Gonzales

Victor Juarez

Diego Lewis

Sebastian Robledo

Adrian Morales

Matthew Andrade

Roysse Hermosillo

Coach: Michael Jackson

Ht. Pos. Class

5-9 G Jr.

5-10 G Jr.

5-9 G Soph.

6-0 G Jr.

5-9 G Soph.

6-1 F Jr

5-10 G Sr

5-9 G Sr

Asst. Coaches: Jason Brown, Javion Estrada, Jordan Merker

2021-22 record: 9-21, 0-10

School phone: 326-2243

Players to watch: Lleyten Brown, Victor Juarez, Diego Lewis

Diego Lewis

Roysse Hermosillo

Adrian Morales

Anthony Gonzales

Mathew Andrade

Victor Juarez

Lleyten Brown

Caprock Girls

Lady Longhorns come back

Talk about your bounce-back season. The Lady Longhorns rebounded from a 5-17 season in 2020-21 with a fine 19-11 showing last year.

There were some pre-district highlights. Caprock earned a state ranking for the first time in school history. The Lady Longhorns beat Waco Connelly in the Glen Rose Tournament and went 4-0 in the Andrews tourney.

Caprock finished 3-7 in District 3-5A, finishing fifth — an improvement over the 1-9 district showing the previous year.

“It was a great season with our first state ranking and 19 wins, the most in 25 years at Caprock,” Coach David Smiley said. “Unfortunately, a fight with rival Palo Duro essentially kept us out of playoff contention. That combined with not having a normal starting rotation for the first half of the district due to COVID-19 protocols and sickness.”

Alana Strong, first-team all-district and a three-year starter, and Mariah Cordova, second-team all-district and a four-year player, have moved on from that team. Andrea Sustaita, a 5-11 post, was expected back as a junior but will not be able to play. She averaged 6.7 points and 6.2 rebounds last season, earning second-team all-district recognition. She also was academic all-district.

But Smiley lives up to his name when he analyzes this year’s returning Lady Longhorns.

“We do have some great experience coming back off of a good team,” he said of his returning starters and three additional letter winners.

Alyssia Johnson and Vanessa Byrd are the returning starters.

Johnson, a 5-11 junior post/wing, contributed 4 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Byrd, a 5-9 senior guard (3.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.3 apg), was on the Players to Watch in the 806 list.

Smiley rates Johnson as an all-state candidate.

Byrd, 5-7 junior guard Danielle “Coco” Perry (2.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.1 apg) and 5-9 junior post Tyra Navarrete (2.4 rpg) are

other players to watch, according to Smiley.

All four of the above players, plus Jordan Hendrix, a 5-7 junior guard (2.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg), lettered last year.

The Caprock roster is composed of only two seniors, plus five juniors and a sophomore.

Smiley describes his team’s strengths as lots of returning experience and a very determined group. He has several areas of concern.

“A short district schedule and finding games to get us ready for the grueling but great basketball 3-5A has to offer,” Smiley said. “We must play as a team and stay healthy. Last year missing our starting rotation for the first half of district was tough. People need to be ready to step up when called upon.”

What are his keys for success this season?

“Staying healthy, execution on our plays and defense will

(Continued on next page)

Vanessa Byrd

Alexia Velasquez

Danielle Perry Yessenia Espino

Tyra Navarrete Taylor Pike

Alyssia Johnson

either push this team to a new level or doom us to failure,” he said.

Smiley was an all-district and all-region player at River Road High School. As such, he gained recognition by the PanhandlePlains Basketball magazine. His two older sisters did, too.

Smiley earned a bachelor’s degree from West Texas A&M University, a master’s from Concordia In Portland, Oregon, and a doctorate from North Central, California, University.

He’s beginning his ninth season at Caprock. He previously coached at Bible Heritage, River Road, Levelland, Rosebud-Lott, Rockdale, Temple, White Deer and Tascosa.

Smiley referred to a shorter district schedule. That’s because Caprock’s District 3-5A will have only five teams this season instead of six. Randall left 3-5A and moved down to Class 4A because of UIL realignment.

The Lady Horns will begin the season Nov. 5 at Borger. They will follow Nov. 8 with their first-ever game at West Plains. The first home game will be Nov. 12 against Dalhart. Caprock will play in the Glen Rose, Andrews and Gruver tournaments.

District play will start Jan. 6 at Amarillo High.

Caprock Super Boosters

GO Abbigail!—The Barba Family Let’s go Lady Horns! Go Alexia! You Got It Lesie!

Good Luck Lady Horns!—The McColl Family Let’s Go Lady Horns! Go Jocelyn!

Alexia Sanchez

Estrella Prado Reese Dindinger

Caprock Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Vanessa Byrd 5-9 G Sr Alexia Velasquez 5-6 G Sr Yessenia Espino 5-6 G Sr Alyssia Johnson 5-11 P/F Jr

Danielle Perry 5-7 G Jr Tyra Navarrete 5-9 P Jr Taylor Pike 5-5 G Jr Alexia Sanchez 5-6 G Jr Estrella Prado 5-11 P Jr Reese Dindinger 6-1 P Soph.

Coach: David Smiley

Asst. Coaches: Bill Long, Krista Strange, Arian Smith 2021-22 record: 19-11, 3-7 School phone: 326-2200 Players to watch: Alyssia Johnson, Danielle Perry, Vanessa Byrd, Tyra Navarrete addition, the fact that volleyball overlapped with the start of our basketball season hurt us with some of our talent

Make this our best season yet Girls!—Love, Coach Smiley, Kindra, Like, Leah & Liam Good Luck Lady Longhorns on your upcoming season! Go ROCK!

Always remember, you are Braver than you Believe, Stronger than yo Seem, Smarter than you think, and Loved more than you Know. Go Lilli! We love you Tia!

Palo Duro Boys

Caprock Schedule

DATE Opponent

Place B G

Nov. 1 Lubbock High There X Nov. 5 Borger There X Nov. 8 West Plains There X Nov. 11 Borger Here X

Nov. 12 Dalhart Here X Nov. 15 Lubbock High Here X

Nov. 15 Lubbock Coronado Here X Nov. 18 Lubbock Cooper There X Nov. 19 Dumas There X Nov. 21 Estacado There X Nov. 21 Randall Here X Nov. 22 Odessa High There X Nov. 22 San Angelo Central Here X Nov. 29 Canyon Here X X Dec. 1-3 Glen Rose Tournament There X Dec. 1-3 Gene Messer Classic Frenship X Dec. 6 Gruver There X Dec. 6 Hereford Here X Dec. 8-10 Tall City Oilman’s Tournament Midland X Dec. 8-10 Andrews Tournament There X Dec. 16 Odessa High There X Dec. 20 Abernathy There X Dec. 27-29 Gruver Tournament There X Dec. 29-31 Canyon Reef Classic Snyder X Jan. 3 Bushland There X Jan. 6 Amarillo High There X Jan. 6 Frenship Here X Jan. 10 River Road There X Jan. 10 Tascosa Here X Jan. 13 Plainview There X X Jan. 20 Palo Duro There X X Jan. 24 Amarillo High Here X X Jan. 27 Tascosa There X X Jan. 31 Plainview Here X X Feb. 7 Palo Duro There X X Feb. 10 Amarillo High There X Feb. 14 Tascosa Here X

Dons sustain winning ways

Success for the Dons seems to be never-ending. Palo Duro made the playoffs for the 21st straight year and increased its bidistrict record to 20-1 last season.

Coach Jeff Evans’ Dons returned to their customary 20-plus win plateau after a year’s absence in the 2020-21 COVID 19related season of 18-7. That broke a string of six straight 20-plus victories season.

PD was back in gear last year with a 25-7 campaign that included a 7-3 showing in District 3-5A, good for second place.

In the playoffs, the Dons downed Lubbock Monterey 63-61 in the bidistrict and El Paso Parkland 89-57 in the area. Palo Duro’s season ended with a 76-56 loss to El Paso Chapin in the regional quarterfinals.

“Experienced and skilled team that played to their strengths to overcome an extreme lack of size and have a successful season,” Evans said.

Evans will have some rebuilding to do this season as four starters from last year’s team have moved on.

Those four were:

• First-team all-district selection Cutter Camp, who signed to play with Division II Arlington Baptist;

• First-team all-district Paetyn Walker, who signed with

Southern Nazarene;

• Second-team all-district Kadden Price, who signed with Frank Phillips College;

• Second-team AD Michael Udoh.

Nice Nkundimana also departed.

The lone returning starter this fall is Audi Luckey, a 6-1 senior guard who averaged 18 points last season. Luckey was first-team all-district and all-region. He may move up to all-state status this season in Evans’ opinion.

Walid Abdulrahim, a 6-2 senior guard, is another outstanding player to watch, according to Evans.

Audi Luckey Walid Abdulrahim Eli Igeranez

Palo Duro Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 4 Odessa Permian There X

Nov. 5 Stratford Here X

Nov. 8 New Home There X

Nov. 11 Frenship There X

Nov. 15 Texline There X

Nov. 15 Panhandle Here X

Nov. 18 Perryton Here X

Nov. 18 Borger There X

Nov. 21 Rio Rancho Here X

Nov. 22 Lake Dallas Here X

Nov. 22 Wellington Here X

Nov. 25-26 Fantasy of Lights Tournament Wichita Falls X

Nov. 29 Dalhart Here X X

Dec. 1-3 Frenship Tournament There X

Dec. 1-3 Glen Rose Tournament There X

Dec. 9 Atrisco Heritage Albuquerque X

Dec. 9 Gruver There X

Dec. 10 Volcano Vista Albuquerque X Dec. 13 Randall Here X

Dec. 13 Hirschi Here X Dec. 16 Childress There X Dec. 20 Midland Greenwood Post X Dec. 20 Happy There X

Dec. 28-30 Sandra Meadows Classic Dallas X Dec. 29 Euless Trinity There X Dec. 30 Haltom There X

Jan. 3 Texline Here X

Jan. 3 Clarendon There X

Jan. 6 Idalou Here X

Jan. 7 Clovis Here X

Jan. 10 Amarillo High There X

Jan. 13 Tascosa There X X

Jan. 17 Plainview Here X X

Jan. 20 Caprock Here X X

Jan. 27 Amarillo High There X X

Jan. 31 Tascosa Here X X

Feb. 3 Plainview There X X

Feb. 7 Caprock There X X

Feb. 14 Amarillo High Here X

Palo Duro Boys

Name

Audi Luckey

Ht. Pos. Class

6-1 G Sr

Walid Abdulrahim 6-2 G Sr Eli Igaranez 6-2 G Jr Kordae Brown 6-1 G Jr Kentayvious Pierson 6-0 G Sr Zander Nodine 5-10 G Soph. Imran Hussein 5-10 G Jr David Ndacayisaba 5-10 G Sr. Wol Mou 6-3 P Soph.

Coach: Jeff Evans Asst. Coaches: Quincy Nodine, Matt Walker, Dyonne Luke 2021-22 record: 25-7, 7-3 School phone: 282-2846 Players to watch: Audi Luckey, Walid Abdulrahim

Palo

Duro

Girls Name

Ht. Pos. Class Jada Torrence 5-10 F Sr Ty Grady 5-5 G Sr Addisyn Mitchell 5-10 G Sr Deziray Cameron

5-9 F Jr Zh’Khaja Captain 5-6 F Jr. Ashly Gomez Ruelas 5-4 F Sr. Erin Mims 5-6 F Jr. Aubri McClain

5-7 G Fr. Lexie Guerrero

5-3 G Fr. Alondra Aviles 5-4 G Soph. Janieya Gonzales 5-5 G Fr.

Coach: AJ Johnson Asst. Coaches: Regan Welch, Alexis Bowie, Jotosha Thomas 2021-22 record: 7-22, 0-10 School phone: 326-2493

Players to watch: Jada Torrence, Ty Grady, Addie Mitchell, Lexie Guererro, Aubri McClain, Alana Davis, Janieya Gonzales

Joining Luckey and Abdulrahim as returning letter winners are 6-2 junior guard Eli Igaranez and 6-1 junior guard Kordae Brown.

The Dons’ roster contains four seniors, three juniors and two sophomores.

Evans tabs defense as Palo Duro’s strength this season. He is concerned about the Dons’ inexperience.

He pinpointed the keys for success as “gaining valuable game experience in non-district play and continuing to improve skill level to match last year’s team.”

Evans, a graduate of Lubbock Christian High School and Texas Tech University, is beginning his 23rd season at the PD helm and 27th year as a head coach. He previously was an assistant at Lubbock Coronado and head coach at Abilene High.

His overall boys career coaching record is 591-202 for a .745 winning percentage and a berth in this magazine’s 300 Club. His Dons have won 12 district titles and posted a 528-146 (.691 winning percentage) in 22 seasons. They’ve been even better in the last nine years with a 187-46 record for an .803 winning percentage.

Palo Duro’s 3-5A District will have one fewer member (five instead of six) this season as Randall drops to Class 4A because of UIL realignment.

The Dons’ season will begin either Nov. 11 or Nov. 12 at Frenship followed by a visit to Texline, last year’s Class 1A state runnerup. District play will start Jan. 13 at Tascosa.

Palo Duro Girls

Future looks brighter for Lady Dons

It was a tough season for the Lady Dons in 2021-22. However, with four starters returning, Palo Duro hopes to rebound this year.

PD suffered injuries to two key seniors last season and was winless in 10 District 3-5A games. Overall, the Lady Dons finished 7-22.

“We were plagued by injuries,” veteran Coach A.J. Johnson said. “We lost our two best players, Aleea Miller and Victoria Moreno.”

Miller was a first-team all-district honoree the previous season; Moreno was a two-year letter winner.

The gem for this season’s Lady Dons likely is Jada Torrence, a 5-10 senior forward. Torrence, a three-year letter winner, earned all-district distinction last season. Johnson sees her as an all-stater this season.

Joining Torrence as returning starters are 5-5 senior guard Ty Grady, 5-10 senior guard Addisyn Mitchell and 5-9 junior forward Deziray Cameron.

Zh’Khaja Captain, a 5-6 junior forward, also lettered last year.

Johnson picks Grady, Mitchell, 5-10 sophomore forward Alana Davis, 5-7 freshman guard Aubri McClain, 5-3 freshman guard Lexie Guerrero and 5-5 freshman guard Janieya Gonzales as players to watch.

There are four seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen on the Palo Duro roster.

Johnson lists the Lady Dons’ strength as “better guard play.” He is concerned about his team’s depth.

Getting off to a good start will be the key for success this season, he said.

Johnson was an all-city player at Booker T. Washington High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. Then he was an NAIA AllAmerican at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He’s in NWOSU’s Hall of Fame.

He’s beginning his 28th season at Palo Duro. He coached three years at San Antonio Lanier before coming to PD. His career girls coaching record is 554-387 (.589 winning percentage), which

Kordae Brown

Imran Hussein

Kentayvious Pierson

Ahmed Hussein

David Ndacayisaba

Ty’Jeonnah Grady Zh’Khaja Captain Alana Davis

Jada Torrence

qualifies Johnson as a member of this magazine’s 300 Club.

With Randall dropping down to Class 4A, Palo Duro’s District 3-5A will have just five members this season.

The Lady Dons will begin their season Nov. 4 at Odessa Permian before hosting Stratford on Nov. 5. They will compete in the Fantasy of Lights Tournament in Wichita Falls Nov. 25-26, the Glen Rose Tournament Dec. 1-3 and the Sandra Meadows Classic in Dallas Dec. 28-30.

District play will start Jan. 10 at Amarillo High.

Plainview Boys Puente takes over for Bulldogs

Marc Puente, who has six years of head basketball coaching experience, is the Bulldogs’ new coach.

Puente takes over from Drew Thompson, who moves to Abernathy to coach the boys there.

Puente is a graduate of Hale Center High School and Texas Tech. Hale Center was his first coaching assignment, followed by Lockney and Falls City. His 2015 Falls City team reached the regional playoffs.

After 2018, Puente took a few years off coaching to spend time in administration at a Plainview elementary school. He had been hired to take the Floydada boys job last April, but when the Plainview post opened up in July, he took that instead.

He brings an 87-40 boys coaching record (.685 winning percentage) to Plainview.

Thompson coached the Bulldogs for three years. His teams were 40-54 overall and 15-23 in district play.

Thompson’s Bulldogs finished third in the Byron Johnson Christmas Tournament and went 4-8 in District 3-5A action last season. They tied for fourth in the conference but lost a play-in game to Randall 50-36.

That completed a 15-20 season.

Six seniors have moved on from that team. Jaylynn Barrow and Jayvian Lawson were first-team all-district selections; Zaeq’won Riddley was second-team AD.

That leaves Puente with only one returning honored player — 5-11 sophomore guard Maddox Ellis — this season. Ellis was an all-district honorable mention last season.

Puente tabs Ellis and 5-8 senior guard Karomo Collins as outstanding players to watch. Ellis and Collins both started last year.

Three other letter winners — 6-3 senior post Jalen Black, 6-2 junior guard Jacobi Porter and 5-8 senior guard Ethan Mendoza — are back. Black and Porter are brothers.

There are three seniors, one junior and one sophomore on Plainview’s early roster.

The Bulldogs have a “good nucleus of returners with experience,” Puente said in assessing his team’s strengths.

He’s concerned about the team’s depth and youth.

He mentioned several keys to success this season.

“Staying healthy, learning the system fairly quickly and having young and inexperienced players grow up quickly,” he said.

Plainview’s 3-5A District will have one change this year. Randall moves down to District 4-4A because of UIL realignment. The Bulldogs’ remaining conference foes are Amarillo High, Caprock, Palo Duro and Tascosa.

2 p.m. Sunday, June 11, 2023 (Date subject to change.)

Grand Plaza

Amarillo Civic Center

Induction of the New Hall of Fame Honorees

Recognition of Athletes of the Year Coaches of the Year and More Awards

Free admission. Table seating with light food available.

Jacobi Porter

Maddox Ellis

Aubri McClain

Ethan Mendoza

Karomo Collins

Lexie Guerrero

Jalen Black

Ashly Gomez Ruelas

You are invited to the 65th Annual Ceremony of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame

Plainview Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 5 Pampa Here X

Nov. 11 Lubbock Coronado There X

Nov. 11 Midland High Here X

Nov. 12 Dumas Here X

Nov. 15 Monterey There X

Nov. 15 Randall There X

Nov. 17-19 Frenship Tournament There X

Nov. 18 Canyon Here X

Nov. 21 Pampa There X

Nov. 22 West Plains Here X X

Nov. 29 Seminole Here X

Nov. 29 Borger Here X

Dec. 1-3 Raising Cane’s Key City Classic Abilene X Dec. 1-3 Fort Worth Cow Town Tourney Fort Worth X Dec. 6 Estacado There X Dec. 6 Monterey Here X

Dec. 8-10 Union Square Classic Burkburnett X Dec. 9 Canyon There X

Dec. 13 Midland Legacy There X Dec. 13 Hereford There X

Dec. 15 Abilene Wylie Here X

Dec. 16 Midland Legacy There X

Dec. 19 Odessa High Here X

Dec. 20 Seminole Here X

Dec. 28-30 Byron Johnston Classic Midland X Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X

Jan. 3 Levelland Here X

Jan. 6 Lubbock Estacado There X

Jan. 6 Tascosa There X

Jan. 13 Caprock Here X X

Jan. 17 Palo Duro There X X

Jan. 20 Amarillo High Here X X

Jan. 24 Tascosa Here X X

Jan. 31 Caprock There X X

Feb. 3 Palo Duro Here X X

Feb. 7 Amarillo High There X X

Feb. 10 Tascosa There X

Feb. 14 Lubbock Christian Here X

Plainview Boys

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

5-8 G Sr Maddox Ellis 5-11 G Soph. Jalen Black 6-3 P Sr. Jacobi Porter 6-2 G Jr. Ethan Mendoza 5-8 G Sr.

Karomo Collins

Coach: Marc Puente

Asst. Coaches: Karson Hembree, Doug Davis 2021-22 record: 15-20, 4-8 School phone: 296-3355 Players to watch: Karomo Collins, Maddox Ellis

Plainview Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Mackenzie Blackerby 5-6 G Sr Aaliyah Thompson 5-6 G/P Sr Janessa Fulton 5-5 G Sr Cielo Morales 5-4 G Sr Taylor Wallace 5-9 G/P Jr Spencer Aikens 5-5 G/P Jr Karis Lanning 5-4 G Jr. Mady Williams 5-4 G Soph. Kamila Macedo 5-3 G Soph. Jaime Rodriguez 5-3 G Fr. Aubrey Rogers 5-3 G Fr. Ashtyn Rivera 5-5 G Jr. Brooke Nails 5-6 G/P Soph. Riley Curtis 5-6 G/P Fr.

Coach: Adrian Alfaro

Asst. Coaches: Adrian Gutierrez, Teena Bennett, Adrian Cisneros 2021-22 record: 19-13, 7-3 School phone: 296-3356

Players to watch: Janessa Fulton, Taylor Wallace, Spencer Aikens, Mady Williams, Kamila Macedo, Brooke Nails

Plainview Girls Lady Bulldogs in playoffs again

The Lady Bulldogs made the playoffs for the second straight year under Coach Adrian Alfaro. But they didn’t progress as far.

They had the same District 3-5A record — 7-3 — as in Alfaro’s first year at Plainview. The Lady Bulldogs finished third in the district, good for another playoff berth.

However, Lubbock Monterey terminated Plainview’s season with a 79-53 setback in bidistrict. The previous season, Plainview had reached the regional finals. The Lady Bulldogs finished last season with a 19-13 record.

“Challenging year for us all, but very fun and exciting,” Alfaro said.

Graduation took its toll as five seniors — Katy Long, Jayda Brooks, Daniela Guzman, Mikayla Carillo and Cloe DeLeon — have moved on. Long and Brooks were all-district selections.

However, Alfaro has a couple starters, plus six other letter winners, returning.

The returning starters are 5-4 sophomore guard Mady Williams and 5-9 junior guard/post Taylor Wallace. Williams was first-team all-district and Wallace second-team AD last season.

Alfaro ranks Williams and Wallace as all-state candidates along with 5-5 senior guard Janessa Fulton. Other outstanding players to watch are 5-5 junior guard/post Spencer Akins, 5-3 sophomore guard Kamila Macedo and 5-6 sophomore guard/ post Brooke Nails.

Mackenzie Blackerby, a 5-6 senior guard; Aaliyah Thompson, a 5-6 senior guard post; and Karis Lanning, a 5-4 junior guard; round out the letter-winner ranks.

There are four seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen on the Lady Bulldogs roster.

Alfaro describes speed, aggressiveness, defense and shooting as Plainview’s strengths.

He’s concerned about the lack of height and rebounding. Wallace, at 5-9, is the only Lady Bulldog taller than 5-6.

The keys for success are team togetherness, toughness, relentlessness and pressure, according to Alfaro.

Alfaro was a three-time all-district, two-time all-region and all-South Plains player for Lubbock Cooper. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Texas Tech University and a master’s at Lubbock Christian University

He coached at South Plains College, Lubbock Christ the King, Lubbock High and Lockney before coming to Plainview. He succeeded longtime Lady Bulldog Coach Danny Wren two years ago.

His two-year record at Plainview is 40-22 overall and 14-6 in the district. His career girls coaching record is 185-127.

Plainview’s District 3-5A has five members this season instead of six as Randall moves to 4-4A because of UIL realignment.

Tascosa Boys Rebels could contend this year

With four starters and two other letter winners returning, the Rebels may make some noise this season.

Tascosa finished 14-17 overall and 5-5 in District 3-5A, good for third place and a playoff berth last season. The Rebels defeated Abilene Wylie 56-47 in bidistrict but lost to El Paso Chapin 5753 in the area round.

Ashraf Barsham, first-team all-district, and Izaiah Mendoza, second-team all-district, were the key departures from last year’s Rebel squad.

The Rebs have one honored player back this year. Jailyn Sledge, a 6-6 junior forward, earned the district’s newcomer of the year award as a sophomore and a first-team all-district berth.

Sledge is one of Tascosa’s quartet of returning starters. The others are 6-2 senior guard Dezaun Ingram, 6-4 senior forward Devayne Johnson and 6-2 senior forward Will Dickerson, a twoyear letter winner.

Coach Steve Jackson lists Sledge, Dickerson and 6-0 senior forward Khalil Jackson as outstanding players to watch. Khalil Jackson is the coach’s son.

Khalil Jackson and 5-8 junior guard Daion Wilson round out the returning letter winners.

The Tascosa roster is composed of five seniors, two juniors and three sophomores.

Speed and quickness are the Rebels’ strengths, according to Coach Jackson. He’s concerned about size and leadership.

His keys for success this season are “finding leadership among the returning players and meeting expectations,” he said.

Jackson is coaching at his high school alma mater, where he starred on the court. He played on Tascosa teams that made the playoffs all four years. He earned first-team all-district recognition.

Taylor Wallace Kamila Macedo Karis Landing Mady Williams

Tascosa REBELS

Tascosa Boys

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Will Dickerson 6-2 F Sr. Tristan Fields 5-10 G Sr.

Dezaun Ingram 6-2 G Sr.

Khalil Jackson 6-0 F Sr. Devayne Johnson 6-4 F Sr. Jaemon Palacios-Stephens 5-7 G Soph. Jailyn Sledge 6-6 F Jr.

T.J. Tillman 6-0 G Soph. Aushaun Wilson 5-9 G Soph. Daion Wilson 5-8 G Jr

Coach: Steve Jackson

Asst. Coaches: Tyler Mitchem, Jason Underwood, Tae Tillmon

2021-22 record: 14-17, 5-5 School phone: 326-2656

Players to watch: Will Dickerson, Khalil Jackson, Jailyn Sledge

Tascosa Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Zimiyah Dickson 5-5 G Sr. Daizjia Oages 5-5 G Sr. Tryssa Dowd 5-10 P Soph. Aniyah Brackens 5-8 G Jr. Saphina Stanley 5-5 G Soph. Sieyera Emile 5-9 P Sr. Megan Sims 5-9 P Sr. Avery Carter 6-1 P Jr. Elektra Rowlan 5-7 G Sr

Coach: Chris Sumrall

Asst. Coaches: Amanda Taylor, Karen Mendoza, Cree Lespierre

2021-22 record: 10-17, 4-6 School phone: 326-2600

Players to watch: Avery Carter, Daizjia Oages, Aniyah Brackens, Zamiyah Dickson

Tascosa Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 5 Bushland There X Nov. 11 Lubbock Cooper There X Nov. 15 Frenship Here X Nov. 16 Frenship Here X Nov. 17-19 Frenship Tournament There X Nov. 18 Randall There X Nov. 21-22 Lone Star Thanksgiving Classic Frisco X Nov. 22 Panhandle There X Nov. 26 Hobbs There X Nov. 29 Odessa High Lubbock X Nov. 29 West Plains There X Dec. 1-2 Granbury Tournament There X Dec. 2-4 Prosper Shootout There X Dec. 6 Nazareth Here X Dec. 9 Frisco Centennial There X Dec. 10 Plano West There X Dec. 13 Lubbock Monterey Here X Dec. 13 Childress TBA X Dec. 16 Lubbock Estacado Here X Dec. 16 Levelland There X Dec. 19 Gruver Here X Dec. 19 Midland Christian Lubbock X Dec. 20 Coronado There X Dec. 27-29 Byron Nelson Tournament Trophy Club X Dec. 28-29 Canyon Tournament There X Dec. 31 Bovina Here X

Jan. 3 Clovis There X

Jan. 6 Plainview Here X Jan. 6 Odessa Permian Here X

Jan. 10 Caprock There X

Jan. 13 Palo Duro Here X X

Jan. 17 Amarillo High There X X

Jan. 24 Plainview There X X

Jan. 27 Caprock Here X X

Jan. 31 Palo Duro There X X

Feb. 3 Amarillo High Here X X

Feb. 6 Brownwood TBA X

Feb. 10 Plainview Here X

Feb. 14 Caprock There X

(Continued from page 128)

At West Texas A&M University, Jackson played on two Lone Star Conference championship teams. He was the 2006 LSC defensive player of the year and the recipient of the WTAMU President’s Award.

He’s beginning his 12th season at Tascosa after serving as an assistant at Palo Duro for three years. His 11 Rebel teams have posted a 223-103 record for a .664 winning season. Jackson’s 2016 team won its first 31 games before losing in the regional quarterfinals.

The Rebels will open their season Nov. 11 at Lubbock Cooper. The home opener is Nov. 16 vs. Frenship. They’ll play in the Lone Star Thanksgiving Classic in Frisco, the Frisco Centennial at Centennial High School and the Byron Nelson Tournament in Trophy Club.

District 3-5A will have only five holdover members this season as the sixth team last year, Randall, drops down to Class 4A because of UIL realignment. Tascosa will begin conference play Jan. 13.

Tascosa Girls Lady Rebels get veteran coach

The Lady Rebels have a new coach whose teams have won more than 550 games.

Chris Sumrall, who coached the last seven years at Class 2A Wellington, takes over at Tascosa.

Sumrall is a graduate of Lubbock Monterey High School and Hardin-Simmons University. He coached at Garden City, Clyde and Groom before his time at Wellington.

His seven Wellington teams won 179 and lost 53. The Lady Rockets posted a 29-8 record last year, reaching the regional finals before losing to unbeaten and eventual state 2A champion Gruver.

His career girls coaching record is 557-216 for a .721 winning percentage. He is No. 7 on the Panhandle-Plains Basketball magazine’s 300 Club list.

Sumrall succeeds Betsy Baughman, who coached the Lady Rebels for 11 years. Baughman chose to coach the girls at Groom High School, her alma mater.

Baughman led Tascosa to back-to-back 25-plus win seasons in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Last year’s Lady Rebels, under Baughman’s direction, were 1017 overall and 4-6 in District 3-5A. Their fourth-place conference finish earned them a spot in the playoffs, but they lost to Lubbock Cooper 90-59 in bidistrict.

D’Kiera Johnson, a 6-3 post, was the only senior on Tascosa’s roster last year. She was the District 2-6A newcomer of the year as a sophomore and first-team all-District 3-5A as a junior.

Sumrall inherits a nice situation. The Rebels have four returning starters and another who started as a freshman but was injured last year.

The four returning starters from last year are:

• Daizjia Oages, a 5-5 senior guard who averaged 11.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season, earning all-district and honorable mention on the Amarillo Globe-News Girls Super Team;

• Aniyah Brackens, a 5-8 junior guard who contributed 12.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg and was also an all-district honoree;

• Zamiyah Dickson, a 5-5 senior guard, logged 7 ppg, 4.6 rpg statistics;

• Megan Sims, a 5-9 senior post, turned in 3.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg stats.

Those four represent about 35 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Then there’s Avery Carter, a 6-1 junior post, who was the district newcomer of the year and all-district as a freshman. Last year, she played only two games before being sidelined for the rest of the season because of an injury. In those two games, Carter averaged 19 points and 15 rebounds.

Carter is an all-state prospect this year, according to Sumrall. Oages, Brackens and Dickson are other outstanding players to watch.

Jailyn Sledge Khalil Jackson Devayne Johnson

Daion Wilson Will Dickerson

T.J. Tillman

Daizjia Oages

Avery Carter

Za’Miyah Dickson Aniyah Brackens

Tryssa Dowd

The other returning letter winners are 5-10 sophomore post Tryssa Dowd, 5-5 sophomore guard Saphina Stanley, 5-9 senior post Sieyera Emile and 5-7 Elektra Rowlan.

The Tascosa roster is composed of five seniors, two juniors and two sophomores.

“I think we have a good mix of guards with the ability to get to the basket, and post players that can score inside for us,” Sumrall said.

Having a new coach could be a concern for the Lady Rebels.

“Anytime you are coming into a new situation as a coach, you are concerned about how quickly the kids adapt to a new system of play,” Sumrall said.

Those elements — the players buying in and adapting to a new system of play — are his keys for success this season.

The Lady Rebels will open Nov. 5 at Bushland. The home opener

Lubbock Cooper Boys

will be Nov. 15 against Frenship. They’ll play in the Frenship, Granbury and Canyon tournaments.

The District 3-5A opener is set for Jan. 6. With Randall dropping down to Class 4A, the conference consists of the other five holdover members.

District 4-5A

Pirates ride the rollercoaster

The Pirates had an up-and-down season last year.

In nondistrict action, they beat Randall 68-67 on a buzzer-beater by Amaree Garmon. The play made No. 9 on ESPN’s Top 10 Plays. Garmon and Noah Hall, who stole an inbounds pass and dished it to Garmon for his 3-pointer, were mentioned by name on ESPN.

Cooper went 6-4 in District 4-5A to finish tied for second. But the Pirates were awarded fourth place because of points. They drew Amarillo High in the bidistrict playoff and lost 57-29.

That capped a 16-18 season for Cooper.

“We found a way to finish strong,” Coach Will Flemons said.

Hall, who was first-team all-district, and Shelton Hearon, who was second-team all-district, have moved on from that team.

However, Flemons has two honored players back: Garmon and Sam Marcinkowski.

Garmon is a 6-0 junior forward who averaged 12 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists last season as a sophomore and was named the district’s newcomer of the year. Marcinkowski, a 6-1 junior forward, was alldistrict honorable mention in his sophomore season.

Garmon is a returning starter, along with 6-5 senior forward Hayden Bradley (4 ppg, 4 rpg).

Marcinkowski, 6-2 senior guard/forward Connor Gant (3 ppg, 2rpg, 2 apg) and 6-0 senior guard/forward Brayden Tomme (3 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg) also lettered last year.

Flemons picks Garmon, Gant and 5-10 junior guard/forward Dayne Collier as all-state candidates. The same three are players to watch.

Chemistry, shooting ability and defense are the Pirates’ strengths, according to Flemons. He is concerned about a lack of height.

He described the keys to success for this season as “toughness and how we handle hard better.”

Flemons played and graduated from both Paducah High School and Texas Tech University. He later coached at both places.

He played on two state basketball teams at Paducah and a Southwest Conference championship team (1993) at Texas Tech. He was the freshman of the year and then player of the year both his junior

and senior years at Tech.

He began his coaching career as an assistant at Tech from 1994 to 1997. Then he moved to All-Saints Episcopal School in Lubbock (1997-1999), back to Tech as an assistant (1999-2001), Bucknell University (2001-2002), Texas State University (2002-2003), Wayland Baptist (2003-2007), Brazoswood High School (2007-2014) and back to Paducah (2014-2019) before coming to Cooper in 2019. He has 27 years of coaching experience.

He is 22 away from coaching 300 boys victories. His high school boys career record is 278-145, and his girls is 144-119. Combined, that 422-264 for a .615 winning percentage.

The Pirates will open the season Nov. 11, hosting Tascosa at the Lubbock Cooper Middle School. They’ll play in the San Angelo, Lee’s Oilman (Midland) and Lubbock Caprock tournaments.

District 4-5A play begins Dec. 20. The seven-team district has one new member, Abilene High, this year. Cooper’s other five district opponents remain the same.

Saphina Stanley Elektra Rowlan Jeyarah Brown

Hayden Bradley

Dayne Collier

Connor Gant

Bode Marshall

Brayden Tomme

Pierce Miller

Amaree Garmon

Lubbock Cooper Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 4-5 South Oak Cliff Showcase There X

Nov. 8 San Angelo Central Here X

Nov. 10-12 Mavs Fall Classic Tournament Frisco X

Nov. 11 Tascosa Here X

Nov. 15 Pampa There X

Nov. 15 Midland Legacy There X

Nov. 17-19 Canyon Shootout There X

Nov. 18 Caprock Here X

Nov. 22 Frenship Here X X

Nov. 29 Seminole Here X

Nov. 29 Idalou Here X

Dec. 1-3 San Angelo Tournament There X

Dec. 2 Hobbs NM There X

Dec. 6 Amarillo High Here X X

Dec. 8-10 Lee’s Oilman Tournament Midland X Dec. 9 Peaster Abilene X

Dec/ 12 San Angelo Central Here X

Dec. 13 Abilene Cooper Here X

Dec. 16 Monterey Here X

Dec. 20 Lubbock High There X X

Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X X

Jan. 3 Coronado There X X

Jan. 6 Midland Greenwood There X

Jan. 10 Abilene High Away X X

Jan. 13 Abilene Wylie Here X X

Jan. 17 Abilene Cooper There X X

Jan. 20 Monterey There X X

Jan. 24 Lubbock High Here X X

Jan. 27 Coronado Here X X

Feb. 3 Abilene High Here X X

Feb. 7 Abilene Wylie There X X

Feb. 10 Abilene Cooper Here X

Feb. 14 Monterey Here X

Lubbock Cooper Girls Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Calyn Dallas 6-0 F Sr Carisa Cortez 5-3 G Jr. Majik Esquivel 5-6 G Jr. Rylee Robertson 5-4 G Jr.

Coach: Kyle Lovorn

Asst. Coaches: McKenna Miller, Austin Spain, Alyx Henderson 2021-22 record: 28-5, 10-0 School phone: 863-7105 Players to watch: Calyn Dallas, Majik Esquivel, Carisa Cortez

Lubbock Cooper Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Hayden Bradley 6-5 F Sr Connor Gant 6-2 G/F Sr Brayden Tomme 6-0 G/F Sr Amaree Garmon 6-0 G/F Jr Dayne Collier 5-10 G/F Jr. Sam Marcinkowski 6-1 F Jr. Bode Marshall 6-4 F Soph. Maysun McGrew 5-10 G/F Soph. Pierce Miller 5-10 G/F Soph.

Coach: Will Flemons Asst. Coaches: James Rike, Cory Lynch, Dustin Schulte, Matthew Darden 2021-22 record: 16-18, 6-4 School phone: 993-2321 Players to watch: Amaree Garmon, Dayne Collier, Connor Gant

Lubbock Cooper Girls

Lady Pirates notch another 28-win year

The Lady Pirates had a super season last year, winning 28 games for the second straight season.

Lubbock Cooper participated in the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix. That was a nondistrict highlight, along with wins over Idalou, Canyon, Amarillo High and Shallowater.

The Lady Pirates swept through the District 4-5A slate with a perfect 10-0 showing for the second year in a row. In the playoffs, they defeated Tascosa 90-59 in bidistrict and El Paso Burges 63-50 in the area game.

But the Lady Pirates, just like their counterparts, the Pirates, were eliminated by Amarillo High. AHS beat Cooper 63-50 in the regional quarterfinals.

That ended a 28-5 season, which followed a 28-4 and state semifinal appearance the previous year.

“We had a strong senior class of five players,” Coach Kyle Lovorn said. “With the addition of underclassmen, we had the size and depth to compete on the state and national level. Our strengths included our half-court, man-to-man defense, rebounding and decision-making on offense.”

Last year’s seniors are gone.

Adlee Blacklock, who started her high school career at Lubbock’s Trinity Christian before transferring, was TGCA and TABC all-state. She signed to play at Oregon State University.

Catalina Cortez, TGCA all-state and TABC all-region, is at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Bella Sipowicz is at TAMUKingsville. Hannah Zientek and Tiana Boyles also are gone.

But two underclassmen who started are back.

Calyn Dallas and Majik Esquivel both were starters last season.

Dallas, a 6-0 senior forward, was first-team all-district. Esquivel, a 5-5 junior guard, earned first-team all-district and TABC all-region honors.

Carisa Cortez and Rylee Robertson also lettered last year. Carisa Cortez, a 5-3 junior point guard, has been the backup point guard for the last two seasons behind her older sister, the departed Catalina Cortez.

Lovorn considers Dallas, Esquivel and Carisa Cortez as allstate candidates this season.

Robertson is a 5-4 junior guard. Those three juniors and one senior are the only players listed on Cooper’s early roster.

Lovorn pegs speed, aggressive defense and shooting as the Lady Pirates’ strengths. He is concerned about a lack of size. Dallas is the only 6-foot Lady Pirate.

“In order for us to be successful, we will need to limit our opponents’ post-up opportunities as well as turnovers,” Lovorn said. “We will need to do a great job using our speed to our advantage as well as rebounding.”

Lovorn played on the 2004-2005 Canyon High School basketball team that made a regional tournament appearance. He also was a member of the Eagles’ 2004 undefeated football squad.

He’s beginning his seventh season at Cooper. The Texas Tech University graduate previously was an assistant at Panhandle and head coach at Anton, then Merkel. His girls teams have posted a 238-123 won-lost record for a .659 winning percentage.

The Lady Pirates will begin their season by competing in the South Oak Cliff Showcase in Dallas Nov. 4-5. Later they’ll play in the Mavs Fall Classic in Frisco and the Lubbock Caprock tournaments.

District 4-5A action commences Dec. 13 at home against their namesake from Abilene, Abilene Cooper. Abilene High joins District 4-5A this year, giving the conference four schools from Lubbock and three from Abilene.

Majik Esquivel Carisa Cortez Rylee Robertson

Calyn Dallas

Coronado Boys Mustangs want another fast ride

The Mustangs finished the regular season on a strong run a year ago. They hope to ride that into this season.

Coronado won five of six second-round district games but couldn’t quite make the playoffs, finishing District 4-5A with a 4-6 record for fifth place, the exact mark and finish of the previous season.

Overall, the Mustangs wound up 16-16 for the 2021-22 campaign.

“We went 5-1 in the second round of district after going winless the first round,” Coach Ernest Mims said. “Major run late in the season.”

A highlight in that run was a three-overtime victory over rival Monterey.

Kevan Evans, Hunter Stamps and Nigel Braithwaite were the notable departures among the six seniors on last year’s team.

Looking ahead to this season, Mims has designated his five letter winners as starters. They are:

• Tyler Williams, a 6-6 senior forward who averaged 11 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists last season. Williams was a first-team all-district and second-team all-Lubbock selection.

• Ty Green, a 5-10 senior guard, was also first-team all-district with 10 ppg, 2 rpg, 3 apg statistics.

• Cam Manahan, a 6-2 senior guard with 6 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg

stats, was second-team all-district.

• Surreal Garrett, a 6-2 junior guard, posted a 7 ppg, 4 rpg log.

F Sr Cameron Manahan

Tyler Williams

G Sr Surreal Garrett 6-2 G Jr Ty Green 5-10 G Sr. Grant Gillmore 6-0 G Jr. Taylor Stamps 5-11 G Jr. Ny’Zarius Perkins 5-9 G Soph. Abraham Ragland 6-0 G Soph. Dominic Parrish 6-2 F Soph. Russell Davis 6-4 F Sr. Willie Parker 6-1 F Jr.

Coach: Ernest Mims

Asst. Coaches: Chris Flickinger, Blake McCulloch, Allen Ikemba, Jonathan Falcon 2021-22 record: 16-16, 4-6

School phone: 219-1117

Players to watch: Tyler Williams, Cameron Manahan, Surreal Garrett

Tyler Williams

Ny’Zarius PerkinsMcBrewer

Cam Manahan

Russell Davis

Surreal Garrett

Derrick Kembe

(Continued on next page)

• Grant Gillmore, a 6-0 junior guard, turned in 4 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg stats.

Mims nominates Williams as an all-state candidate and Manahan, Garrett, Gilmore and 5-9 sophomore guard Ny’Zarius Perkins-McBrewer as additional players to watch.

There are four seniors, four juniors and three sophomores on the Coronado roster.

Speed, quickness, experience and team chemistry are the Mustangs’ strengths, according to Mims.

He’s concerned about his team’s shooting.

“Leadership, rebounding, playing a fast-paced game, getting stops on defense and transitioning are the keys for success this season,” Mims said.

He also cited shooting 30 percent or better from the 3-point line and not committing more than 16 turnovers per game as keys.

Mims was a two-sport star at Palo Duro High School. He was the district defensive MVP in basketball in 2004. He captained the football team and was first-team all-district as a defensive back.

The Eastern New Mexico University graduate is beginning his fourth season at Coronado with a 38-45 record with the Mustangs. Previously, he coached at Springtown and Winona. His 2018-19 Winona team registered 18 wins and made the playoffs. For that, he was named the District 16-3A coach of the year. His career boys coaching record is 75-92.

The Mustangs’ District 4-5A looks similar to last year except that Abilene High is a new addition, making it a seven-team conference.

Coronado will open the season Nov. 12 at Midland Greenwood and travel to Amarillo Nov. 15 to play Caprock. The Mustangs will compete in the Key City Classic Tournament in Abilene, the Aledo Bearcat Classic and the Fibermax Caprock Tournament in Lubbock.

Lubbock Coronado Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 4 Midland High Here X

Nov. 8 Amarillo High There X Nov. 11 Plainview Here X Nov. 12 Midland Greenwood There X Nov. 15 Caprock There X Nov. 15 Permian There X Nov. 17-19 Frenship Tournament There X Nov. 18 Hereford Here X Nov. 21 Odessa Here X Nov. 22 Monahans Here X Nov. 22 Midland Legacy Here X Nov. 29 Odessa High There X Nov. 29 Midland Legacy There X Dec. 1-3 Key City Classic Tournament Abilene X Dec. 1-3 Hays Tournament There X Dec. 6 Randall There X Dec. 8-10 Aledo Bearcat Classic There X Dec. 9 Estacado There X Dec. 13 Monterey Here X Dec. 13 Big Spring There X Dec. 16 Abernathy There X Dec. 16 Lubbock High There X Dec. 20 Tascosa Here X Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X X Jan. 3 Lubbock Cooper Here X X Jan. 6 Abilene High Here X X Jan. 10 Wylie There X X Jan. 13 Abilene Cooper There X X Jan. 17 Monterey There X X Jan. 20 Lubbock High Here X X Jan. 27 Lubbock Cooper There X X Jan. 31 Abilene High There X X Feb. 3 Wylie Here X X Feb. 7 Abilene Cooper Here X X Feb. 10 Monterey Here X Feb. 14 Lubbock High There X

Coronado Girls Lady Mustangs ready to gallop

The Lady Mustangs have taken small steps in Ashley James’ first two years as coach. Now, with three double-figure scoring starters returning, they may gallop.

Coronado was 10-15 in James’ initial season but improved to 18-15 last year. The Lady Mustangs went 4-6 in District 4-5A, finishing fourth. They lost to Amarillo High 57-41 in the bidistrict playoff game.

“We battled hard in a tough district while continuing to build in Year 2 of a new system,” James said.

Taegan Ashley, second-team all-district, was the only key loss from last year’s team.

The Lady Mustangs look improved this year with the three returning starters. They are:

• Kya Smith, a 6-1 senior forward, who averaged 17.6 points and 10.3 rebounds last season. She was first-team all-district, TGCA all-state and TABC all-region.

• Jannaeleigh Cooper, a 5-10 senior guard, who contributed 11.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg and earned first-team all-district distinction.

• Jazlyn Braithwaite, a 5-6 senior guard, who posted 11.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 3.3 assists per game. She also was a first-team AD pick.

District competition will start Jan. 3 against Lubbock Cooper at Coronado.

Kya Smith Jannae-Leigh Cooper

Trista Arnold

Jazlyn Braithwaite

Alyssa Villalobos

Those three represent about 40 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

James considers Smith and Cooper as all-state candidates and Braithwaite as an outstanding player to watch.

Four other letter winners are back: 5-5 senior guard Trista Arnold (2.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg), 5-6 junior guard Alyssa Villalobos (2.5 ppg), 5-9 sophomore forward Addison Andrews and 5-5 senior guard Celeste Avila.

The Coronado roster is composed of five seniors, two juniors and two sophomores.

James lists athleticism, hunger and experience as the Lady Mustangs’ strengths. She is concerned about the team’s depth. “We will need to be the more disciplined and better-conditioned team on the floor,” she said in assessing the keys to success this season.

James played on a state championship team in 2009 at Robinson High School. She later played at Angelo State University and was a Lone Star Conference academic all-conference honoree in 2011. She’s beginning her third season at Coronado with a 28-30 record, all at that school.

The Lady Mustangs will open their season Nov. 4, entertaining Midland High. They’ll play in the Frenship, Buda Hays and Lubbock Caprock tournaments.

District 4-5A play begins early, Dec. 13. The district has seven teams this season with the addition of Abilene High.

Go Coronado!

Wonder...

...who was on the cover in 2011?

in 1980?

Eventually, you will be able to see every page of the first 50 editions of Panhandle-Plains Basketball as it will be digitized by the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech University and available online. Stay tuned in a few months!

Lubbock Coronado Girls Name

Ht. Pos. Class

5-9 F Soph. Trista Arnold

Addison Andrews

5-5 G Sr Celeste Avila

5-5 G Sr Jazlyn Braithwaite

5-6 G Sr. Jannaeleigh Cooper

5-10 G Sr. Markelle Joyner

5-10 F Jr. Jayla McCutcheon

5-4 G Soph. Kya Smith

5-6 G Jr.

6-1 F Sr. Alyssa Villalobos

Coach: Ashley James Asst. Coaches: Tanner Pylant, Bobbi Chitsey, Mariah Garza 2021-22 record: 18-15, 4-6 School phone: 219-1141

Players to watch: Kya Smith, Jannaeleigh Cooper, Jazlyn Braithwaite

Monterey Boys

Plainsmen look to move forward

It’s Year 2 of the Josh Davis regime as the Plainsman coach, and last year’s experience may lead to this year’s success.

The Plainsmen posted a 17-15 overall season, which included a 6-4 District 4-5A record, good for a second-place tie.

In the playoffs, Monterey was edged 6361 in the bidistrict round.

“We played a very tough nondistrict schedule that put us in a position to play for the district championship on the last night of the season,” Davis said.

“We will be doing that again this year and hope to be in a similar situation in February and beyond and use last year’s experience to our advantage. We will miss our seven seniors and everything they have given to the program and are excited to continue to build on the foundation they set last year.”

Those seven seniors on last year’s team were:

• Aiden Castillo, district offensive MVP and THSCA secondteam academic all-state, now playing at Howard Payne University;

• Neeko Young, district defensive MVP and second-team academic all-state;

• Vyson Miller, second-team all-district and second-team

academic all-state, now playing at William Woods University;

• Steven Runnels, second-team all-district;

• Ryan Frye, second-team academic all-state;

• Blake Porter, THSCA Elite academic all-state; • Joey Espinosa.

The Plainsmen have two returning starters and two other letter winners back.

Zyrin Brantley, a 6-0 senior guard, averaged 12 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists last season in earning first-team all-district honors. Brantley is an all-state candidate this season in Davis’ estimation.

Lubbock Monterey Schedule

DATE Opponent Place

Nov. 5 Midland Lee Here

Nov. 8 Estacado Here

Nov. 15 Permian Here

Nov. 15 Plainview Here

Nov. 17-19 Allen Tournament There

Nov. 18 Estacado There

Nov. 21 Midland Here

Nov. 22 Randall There

Nov. 25-26 Thanksgiving Hoopfest Dallas

Nov. 29 Frenship Here

Dec. 1-3 McDonald’s Classic El Paso

Dec. 1-3 Gene Messer Shootout Frenship

Dec. 6 Plainview There

Dec. 8-10 Tall City Oilman’s Classic Midland

Dec. 9 Amarillo High Here

Dec. 13 Coronado There X

Dec. 13 Tascosa There X Dec. 16 Amarillo High There X Dec. 16 Lubbock Cooper There X Dec. 20 Abilene High Here X X Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X X

Jan. 3 Abilene Wylie Here X X

Jan. 6 Abilene Cooper There X X

Jan. 13 Lubbock High Here X X

Jan. 17 Coronado Here X X

Jan. 20 Lubbock Cooper Here X X Jan. 24 Abilene High There X X

Jan. 27 Abilene Wylie There X X

Jan. 31 Abilene Cooper Here X X

Feb. 7 Lubbock High There X

Feb. 10 Coronado 34th X Feb. 14 Lubbock Cooper Woodrow X

Azijon Luke TK Young Brandon Infante

Zyrin Brantley

Azijon Luke, a 6-2 senior guard, started alongside Brantley last year. Luke contributed 5 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg and was secondteam all-district.

TK Young, a 5-11 senior guard (5 ppg, 3 rpg), and Brandon Infante, a 6-0 senior guard (3 ppg, 2 rpg), also lettered last season. Young was a second-team all-district selection.

Davis tabs 6-4 junior guard/forward Kashious Lewis, 6-1 junior guard Carter Bovkoon and 6-2 junior guard/forward Christian Williams as additional players to watch.

Four seniors and five juniors make up the Monterey roster.

Davis lists using speed, forcing turnovers and getting to the basket and finishing as the Plainsmen’s strengths.

He’s concerned about rebounding, a lack of size and lack of experience.

He outlined several keys to success this season.

“Playing defense within our scheme at a high level and forcing turnovers,” he said. “Running the floor with intention and playing fast. Offsetting our size with pressure.”

Davis is coaching at his high school alma mater, where he lettered four years and was Monterey’s third all-time leading scorer.

He played collegiately at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He was the 19th player to score 1,000 points at Samford and finished in the top 20 of the school’s all-time scorers. He graduated from Texas Tech University.

Davis is the son of Doug Davis, a longtime Lubbock area coach.

The Plainsmen will open Nov. 15 at home against Odessa Permian. They’ll play in Frenship’s Gene Messer Shootout, the

Lubbock Monterey Boys Name

Zyrin Brantley

Ht. Pos. Class

6-0 G Sr

Azijon Luke 6-2 G Sr Brandon Infante 6-0 G Sr TK Young 5-11 G Sr

Kashious Lewis 6-4 G/F Jr

Carter Bovkoon 6-1 G Jr Christian Williams 6-2 G/F Jr Austin Rivas 6-2 G Jr Zander Rodriguez 5-10 G/F Jr

Coach: Josh Davis Asst. Coaches: Richard Jackson, Fred Jordan, Connor Weeks, Michael Young 2021-22 record: 17-15, 6-4 School phone: 219-1929

Players to watch: Kashious Lewis, Carter Bovkoon, Christian Williams, Zyrin Brantley

Tall City Oilman’s Classic in Midland and the Lubbock Caprock Tournament.

Monterey will begin District 4-5A play Dec. 20 at home vs. Abilene, the new member in the seven-team conference. Lubbock Coronado, Lubbock Cooper, Lubbock High, Abilene Wylie and Abilene Cooper are the Plainsmen’s holdover district foes.

Monterey Girls Lady Plainsmen register strong rebound

The Lady Plainsmen reached a pinnacle last season, a first for Coach Jill Rankin Schneider.

Bouncing back from a disastrous 5-19 season in 2020-21 — when everything seemed to go wrong — the Lady Plainsmen won 30 games and reached the regional semifinals last spring.

Monterey finished second in District 4-5A with an 8-2 record.

In the playoffs, the Lady Plainsmen defeated Plainview 74-53 in bidistrict, El Paso Chapin 80-55 in the area game and Randall 74-48 in the regional quarterfinals. Lake Dallas ended1 Monterey’s season at 30-5 with a 65-53 decision in the regional semis.

“Return of Kelly Mora after missing her sophomore season due to a torn ACL coupled with the arrival of freshman point guard Aaliyah Chavez enabled us to make a drastic turnaround from the previous year,” Schneider said. “First appearance in the regional tournament in 26 years.”

Schneider would know. She’s coached the Lady Plainsmen for 24 years.

Four seniors — Tatianna Trotter, Jazlynn Vaquera, Jordan

Aguirre and Taylor Garcia — on last year’s team have departed. Trotter was second-team all-district, and Vaquera was all-district honorable mention.

However, Schneider has her dynamic duo of Mora and Chavez ready to roll this season — plus 5-5 senior guard Charli Garland, who transferred from New Deal.

Mora, a 6-1 senior forward/post, averaged 20.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season. She earned the district’s defensive player of the year award and all-region distinction. Kelly Mora is the younger sister of Sara Mora, a senior on the 2021 team.

Kelly Mora

Charli Garland

Madalynn Campos

Aaliyah Chavez

Chavez, a 5-9 sophomore point guard, recorded some impressive statistics: 25.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. She was the district MVP, all-state, all-region and the UIL 3-point champion and has multiple Division I scholarship offers.

Schneider recommends Kelly Mora and Chavez as all-state candidates.

Garland chipped in 6.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg and was second-team all-district. Those three returning starters represent 52.4 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Kelly Mora, Chavez, Garland and 5-6 freshman guard Ambrosia Cole are outstanding players to watch, according to Schneider.

Mora, Chavez and Garland earned letters last year, and 5-5 senior guard McKenzie Begaye (3.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg), 5-9 junior forward Madalynn Campos (2.8 rpg) and 5-9 junior post Kinzy Johnson saw varsity action last year.

The Monterey roster shows four seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and three freshmen.

Schneider describes her team’s strengths as experience, size, rebounding and multiple offensive and defensive threats.

Individualizing on those strengths, she said, “Outstanding freshman guard in Ambrosia Cole. The return of 2025 ESPN Hoopgurlz No. 3-ranked point guard Aaliyah Chavez, senior forward/post Kelly Mora, senior guard Heaven Limon and senior guard Charli Garland as well as 6-3 freshman Ari Johnson.”

She continued, “Barring injuries, it should be a fun season.”

Schneider says the keys for success this season will be staying healthy, playing hard and staying focused.

As Jill Rankin, she was one of the best female players to come out of the Texas Panhandle. She averaged 40.7 points in her high

school career at Phillips. Her high school team reached the state semifinals in 1975 and won it all in 1976.

Then she played in Final Fours for both Wayland Baptist University (1978) and the University of Tennessee (1980), She was co-captain of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team that didn’t play in the Games because of the U.S. boycott. She is a member of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

She began her coaching career as an assistant at the University of Texas for five years and was on the staff when the Lady Longhorns won the national championship in 1986.

She coached at Borger from 1986 to 1998, then moved to Monterey. She has 36 years of head coaching experience.

The Lady Plainsmen’s season opener is Nov. 5 at home against Midland Lee. They’ll play in the Allen Tournament, the Thanksgiving Hoopfest in Dallas, the McDonald’s Classic in El Paso and the Lubbock Caprock Tournament.

District 4-5A increases to seven teams this season with the addition of Abilene High because of UIL realignment. That means a 12-game district schedule beginning Dec. 13.

Lubbock Monterey Girls Name

Ht. Pos. Class

5-5 G Sr. Madalynn Campos

McKenzie Begaye

5-9 F Jr Aaliyah Chavez

5-9 G Soph. Ambrosia Cole

5-6 G Fr Charli Garland

5-5 G Sr Jazmine Holloway

5-3 G Fr Ari Johnson

6-3 P Fr Kinzy Johnson

5-9 P Jr Heaven Limon

5-7 F Sr Kelly Mora 6-1 F/P Sr

Coach: Jill Rankin Schneider

Asst. Coaches: Landry Kidd, Shayla Torres 2021-22 record: 30-9, 8-2 School phone: 219-2046

Players to watch: Aaliyah Chavez, Kelly Mora, Ambrosia Cole, Charli Garland

A TEAMS AT A GLANCE

PRESEASON PICKS

District 3-4A Boys

Boys

HONOR ROLL

4A Boys

Kemper Jones, Canyon, 6-6, Sr.; Evan Hughes, Canyon, 6-0, Sr.; Chris Bryant, Canyon, 6-7, Sr.; Ian Armstrong, Canyon, 6-3, Jr.; Gage Lunsford, Canyon, 6-1, Jr.; Kelson Jones, Canyon, 6-6, Jr.; Zevan Gonzales, Hereford, 6-3, Sr.; Kenyon Loftis, Hereford, 6-0, Sr.; Jadyn Fletcher, Hereford, 6-7, Sr.; Tyi Castro, Hereford, 5-9, Soph.; Taeshaun Jones, Levelland, 6-7, Sr.; Konner Alexander, Levelland, 6-5, Sr.; Carson Boggs, Levelland, 6-0, Sr.; Neamiah Campos, Levelland, 6-0, Jr.; Eryk Jones, Levelland, 6-3, Soph.; KJ Thomas, Randall, 6-0, Jr.; JJ Buchanan, Randall, 6-0, Jr.; Brody Wilson, Randall, 6-2, Sr.; Cayden Sato, Randall, 6-3, Sr.; Zak Bol, Randall, 6-3, Jr.; Jedd Phillips, West Plains, 6-5, Sr.; Ayden Rodriquez, West Plains, 6-2, Jr.

4A Girls

Abree Winfrey, Canyon, 5-8, Sr.; Ta’Leeyah Glynn, Canyon, 5-4, Sr.; Jaylee Moss, Canyon, 5-10, Soph.; Shaylin Schulte, Canyon, 5-7, Sr.; Kinley Cornelsen, Canyon, 5-7, Sr.; Kinslee Millican, Canyon, 5-10, Sr.; Keylonai Shrubs, Canyon, 6-0, Jr.; Sydnee Winfrey, Canyon, 5-10, Soph.; Kamryn Cox, Dalhart, 5-5, Sr.; Kyndal Blair, Hereford, 5-8, Jr.; Autumn Wilburn, Hereford, 6-1, Sr.; Azalea Alaniz, Hereford, 5-6, Jr.; Laci White, Levelland, 5-8, Sr.; Carly Tienda, Levelland, 5-5, Jr.; Leilani Sanchez, Levelland, 5-8, Soph.; Emery Smith, Levelland, 5-7, Soph.; Marleah Ruiz, Levelland, 5-9, Jr.; Ashley Norman, Randall, 5-6, Sr.; Sadie Sanchez, Randall, 5-5, Soph.; Avri Burk, Randall, 5-9, Sr.; Piper Patterson, West Plains, 5-8, Jr.; Brooklyn Pearson, West Plains, 5-8, Sr.

Canyon Boys Eagles give coach best season District 4-4A

Canyon Coach Travis Schulte really enjoyed last season. Not only did his Eagles achieve the best record in his Canyon years, but he also got a big kick from working with his team. And, to boot, he qualified as a new member of Panhandle-Plains Basketball’s 300 Club.

The Eagles scored nondistrict wins over Plainview, Wichita Falls Hirschi, Lubbock Trinity and Lubbock Monterey. They also won Canyon’s Tatum Tough Tournament, named after his late daughter. Nine-year-old Tatum Schulte died in 2017 after battling cancer.

Canyon captured its third straight district championship last season, winning all 10 4-4A conference encounters. Then the Eagles reached the regional finals, beating Snyder (62-37), Seminole (52-37), Lubbock Estacado (54-52) and Argyle (3835). Wichita Falls Hirschi avenged its earlier defeat, eliminating Canyon 46-39 in the regional finals.

That capped a 29-6 season for the Eagles, their fifth straight winning campaign.

“We had our most successful season to date in my time in Canyon,” said Schulte, who’s entering his eighth season. “It

was enjoyable not only because of the success we had in the win column, but because we had a group of guys that totally bought into our program, culture and system. But more importantly, they are just a group of young men with outstanding character.”

Six seniors, including Parker Cunningham, Brooks Wagner and Kade Cornelsen, have moved on from last year’s squad. Parker was the district co-defensive player of the year. Wagner was first-team all-district and a Golden Spread all-star. Cornelsen

Kemper Jones Chris Bryant Evan Hughes

was honorable mention all-district and a Golden Spread all-star.

Schulte has three recognized players back for this season. Two starters and four other letter winners return.

The honored returners are Kemper Jones, Chris Bryant and Evan Hughes. Jones and Bryant started last year.

Jones, a 6-6 senior forward, averaged 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists last season. He was the district MVP, all-region, all-regional tourney and all-state. His younger brother, 6-6 junior center Kelson Jones (2 ppg, 3 rpg), lettered last year. Their dad, Brandon Jones, is an assistant coach for the Eagles.

Bryant, a 6-7 senior center, contributed 10 ppg, 7 rpg as a starter last season. He was the district defensive co-player of the year and all-region.

Hughes, a 6-0 senior guard, (5 ppg, 2 rpg), earned honorable mention-all-district honors.

Schulte nominates Kemper Jones, Bryant and Hughes as allstate candidates. Kelson Jones, 6-3 junior guard Ian Armstrong (3 ppg) and 6-1 junior guard Gage Lunsford (2 ppg, 2 rpg) are other players to watch. All six players earned letters last season.

Canyon’s roster shows four seniors, five juniors and three sophomores.

Schulte lists “ability to score in multiple ways, defense and rebounding” as the Eagles’ strengths. With the 6-6 Jones brothers and 6-7 Bryant across the front line, Canyon should dominate the boards.

He is concerned about limiting turnovers and shot selection.

“Just like everyone else, we need to keep everyone healthy,” Schulte said in assessing the keys for success. “After that, it’s

important to have guys shine in their specific role that best helps the team.”

Schulte graduated from Nazareth High School and West Texas A&M University. He coached at Hereford, Pampa and Perryton before coming to Canyon.

His seven Canyon teams have won 114 and lost 92 games. Overall, his 20-year boys coaching record is 318-238, a .572 winning percentage. That 300th win, celebrated last year, vaults him into the PPB 300 Club.

Canyon’s District 4-4A has two new members this season and both are neighbors. Canyon ISD member Randall drops down from 3-5A to 4-4A because of UIL realignment. And Canyon ISD’s new school, West Plains, joins 4-4A.

Canyon Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Abree Winfrey 5-8 G Sr

Ta’Leeyah Glynn 5-4 G Sr Jaylee Moss 5-10 G Soph. Shaylin Schulte 5-7 G Sr Kinley Cornelsen 5-7 G Sr Kinslee Millican 5-10 F Sr. Keylonai Shrubs 6-0 F Jr. Sydnee Winfrey 5-10 F Soph. Kyler Burgoon 5-9 F Sr Kylie Burgoon 5-5 G Sr Laci Lightfoot 5-9 F Sr Iliana Hernandez 5-4 G Jr Kale Cameron 5-7 G Jr Gracie Sutton 5-4 G Jr. Brooklyn Kinsey 5-9 G Soph.

Coach: Travis Schulte Asst. Coaches: Brandon Jones, Layton Rabb, Ty Bryant

2021-22 record: 29-6, 10-0

School phone: 677-2740

Players to watch: Kemper Jones, Chris Bryant, Evan Hughes, Kelson Jones, Gage Lunsford, Ian Armstrong

Coach: Tate Lombard

Asst. Coaches: Johnny Hampton, Kerry Moss, Joe Lombard 2021-22 record: 28-6, 10-0

School phone: 677-2740

Players to watch: Abree Winfrey, Ta’Leeyah Glynn, Jaylee Moss, Shaylin Schulte, Kinley Cornelsen, Kinslee Millican, Keylonai Shrubs, Sydnee Winfrey

Kelson Jones

Ian Armstrong Gage Lunsford

Canyon Girls

Lady Eagles’ coach a 300 winner, too

Lady Eagle Coach Tate Lombard has several achievements in common with boys Coach Travis Schulte.

Both entered the Panhandle-Plains Basketball’s 300 Club by notching their Nos. 300 wins last season. And their teams both won district championships with perfect 10-0 records.

Lombard’s Lady Eagles had impressive nondistrict wins against Midlothian Heritage, Panhandle, Tascosa and Idalou before sweeping their District 4-4A foes.

In the playoffs, Canyon defeated Snyder 73-15 in bidistrict, San Elizario 57-19 in the area round and Levelland 44-37 in overtime in the regional quarterfinals. Argyle stopped the Lady Eagles 34-32 in the regional semifinals.

That ended Canyon’s season at 28-6. That came a year after Lombard’s team won the state 4A title in his first year as the Lady Eagles’ head coach.

“Last year’s team was really athletic and very good defensively,” Lombard said. “Small team that had to utilize our quickness.”

Three key seniors — Taylor Thomas, Zoey McBroom and Whitney Willeford — were among the six who departed after last season.

Thomas was the district co-MVP plus TABC and TGCA allstate. She signed to play at Lubbock Christian University.

McBroom earned district co-MVP and TGCA all-state honors. She’ll play at West Texas A&M University, where her dad Michael is the athletic director.

Willeford was recognized as the district defensive MVP.

Lombard has three honored players returning for this season. He has two returning starters and five other letter winners.

Abree Winfrey, a 5-8 senior guard, averaged 4.5 points last

Canyon Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Farwell Here X

Nov. 12 Idalou Randall X

Nov. 15 Amarillo High Here X X

Nov. 17-19 First United Bank Shootout Here X

Nov. 18 Plainview There X

Nov. 22 Nazareth Here X X

Nov. 25-26 Fantasy of Lights Tournament Wichita Falls X

Nov. 29 Caprock There X X

Dec. 1-3 Gene Messer Tournament Frenship X

Dec. 6 Panhandle There X

Dec. 6 Trinity Here X

Dec. 8-10 Abilene Wylie Tournament There X

Dec. 9 Dumas Here X

Dec. 13 Perryton There X

Dec. 16 West Plains There X X

Dec. 20 Borger Here X X

Dec. 28-29 Tatum Tough Tournament Here X X

Jan. 6 Randall There X X

Jan. 10 Pampa Here X X

Jan. 13 Hereford There X X

Jan. 17 Dumas There X X

Jan. 20 Perryton Here X X

Jan. 24 West Plains Here X X

Jan. 27 Borger There X X

Jan. 31 Randall Here X X

Feb. 2 Pampa There X X

Feb 7 Hereford Here X X

Feb. 10 Dumas Here X

Feb. 14 Perryton There X

season and was a first-team all-district selection. She is in a line of Winfreys playing at Canyon. Older sisters Kenadee Winfrey (UNLV) and Brylie Winfrey (Lubbock Christian) are playing collegiately. Younger sister Sydnee Winfrey (3 ppg) is a 5-10 sophomore forward. They’re all daughters of Canyon football Coach Todd Winfrey.

Jaylee Moss, a 5-10 sophomore guard, contributed 8.5 ppg as a freshman and was selected as the district newcomer of the year. Both Abree Winfrey and Moss started last season.

The third honored returnee is 5-4 senior guard Ta’Leeyah Glynn (6.6 ppg), who earned first-team all-district distinction coming off the bench.

Lombard considers Abree Winfrey, Moss and Glynn to be all-state candidates.

Five players — 5-7 senior guard Shaylin Schulte (2.5 ppg), 5-7 senior guard Kinley Cornelsen (2 ppg), 5-10 senior forward Kinslee Millican (3 ppg), 6-0 junior forward Keylonai Shrubs and Sydnee Winfrey — are other outstanding players to watch, according to their coach. All but Shrubs lettered last year.

Shaylin Schulte is Travis Schulte’s daughter. Another sister combination is 5-9 senior guard Kyler Burgoon and 5-5 senior guard Kylie Burgoon.

Eight seniors, four juniors and three sophomores are on Canyon’s 15-player roster.

Lombard sees team chemistry and balance of scoring as the Lady Eagles’ strengths. His chief area of concern is defensive improvement.

What are his keys for success this season?

“Be great at the little things that lead to winning,” he said.

Lombard is beginning his third season at Canyon, and he has coached three state championship teams. He coached two in his

Abree Winfrey

Shaylin Schulte

Jaylee Moss

Kinley Cornelsen

Ta’Leeyah Glynn

Kinslee Millican

eight years at Wall before coming to Canyon, his high school alma mater.

His 12-year coaching career began with one year at Christoval. His overall girls coaching record is 314-66 for a sterling .826 winning percentage. That 300th victory last season elevated the Midwestern State University graduate into the PPB’s 300 Club.

Lombard is the son of the legendary Joe Lombard, who recorded 1,279 boys and girls victories and led girls teams at Nazareth and Canyon to 19 state championships.

Joe Lombard, who still is serving as Tate Lombard’s voluntary assistant coach, is No. 1 in the PPB 300 Club.

Canyon will open the season Nov. 8 at home against Farwell. The Lady Eagles will play in the First United Bank Shootout in Canyon, the Fantasy of Lights Tournament in Wichita Falls and the Tatum Tough Tournament in Canyon.

Because District 4-4A is expanding to eight teams with the addition of Canyon ISD’s Randall and West Plains, the conference will consist of 14 games, a double round robin. The Lady Eagles are scheduled to play four district games in December.

Play unselfish, play together and play hard this year Lady Eagles! Make it a season to Remember!—Andrew & Courtney Burgoon Eagles and Lady Eagles, make each day your Masterpiece!—Joe & Babs Lombard and Lady Eagle Alums

Wishing all the best to the Canyon Eagles and Lady Eagles this season!—The Millican Family

You got it Kale!

Good Luck Tink! We love you.

Have a Great Season Lady Eagles! Keep Working Jaylee!—Love, Mom, Dad & Jayden

Dumas Girls Coach’s debut dandy for Demonettes

Good Luck this year Tia! We love you!—Mom & Dad

The Demonettes prospered in Coach Adam Esses’ first year on the job.

Dumas won the Breckenridge Tournament and was the consolation champ in the Littlefield event in pre-district play.

The Demonettes took third in District 4-4A with a 6-4 record. In the playoffs, they edged Lubbock Estacado 42-41 in bidistrict but bowed to Seminole 88-41 in the area game. That ended Dumas’ season with a 21-13 record.

“First 20-win season since 2000,” Esses said. “First bidistrict championship since 2016.”

Two key players were among the seven graduates who moved on from last year’s team. Sheda Madit was first-team all-district;

Dumas Girls

Name

Kamryn Cox

Halie Coon

Rylee Schacher

Ht. Pos. Class

5-5 G Sr

5-9 G Sr

5-9 F Soph.

Brooklyn Sianez 5-6 G Sr

Michelle Loya 5-9 F Soph. Katie Contreras

Isma Garcia

5-5 G Jr.

5-7 G Jr.

Andrea Parra 5-9 F Sr.

Cassie Olivas 5-8 F Jr.

Camila Parra 5-7 G Jr.

Brisa Adame 5-8 F Soph. Jazmin Hernandez 5-7 G Jr.

Coach: Adam Esses

Asst. Coaches: Jay Fouda, Ashlei Atteberry, Tommy Inthirath

2021-22 record: 21-13, 6-4

School phone: 935-5039

Player to watch: Kamryn Cox

Abree Elsheimer was honorable mention all-district. Esses has three starters returning for this season. But those three are the only letter winners.

The three are:

• Kamryn Cox, a 5-5 senior point guard, averaged 12.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3 assists last season and 2.2 steals, sharing the district defensive player of the year award;

• Rylee Schacher, a 5-9 sophomore forward contributed 5.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg and was first-team all-district as a freshman;

Keylonai Shrubs Sydnee Winfrey Iliana Hernandez

Kamryn Cox

Andrea Parra

Rylee Schacher

Isma Garcia

Halie Coon

Cassie Olivas

• Halie Coon, a 5-9 senior guard, chipped in with 3.5 ppg, 3 rpg.

Those three represent almost 22 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Esses tabs Cox as an outstanding player to watch.

The Dumas roster contains four seniors, five juniors and three sophomores.

“A very fast team with three key varsity returners,” Esses said in assessing his team’s strengths.

The presence of only three letter winners concerns him. “Graduated seven players and have a lack of varsity experience,” he said.

He pinpointed the keys to success this season as “playing sound defense and being very fundamental on offense.”

Esses is a graduate of Heritage High School in Littleton, Colorado, and Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. He has been an assistant coach at the University of Texas-San Antonio, Upper Iowa University and the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

He has been a head coach at Bethel College in Kansas and Kaskaskia College in Illinois.

Last year was his first as a high school coach, so he owns a 21-13 girls coaching record.

The Demonettes will open at home Nov. 5 against McLean. They’ll try to defend their title in the Breckenridge Tournament

Dumas Schedule

DATE Opponent Place G

Nov. 5 McLean Here X

Nov. 8 Dalhart There X

Nov. 12 Plainview There X Nov. 15 Clarendon There X Nov. 19 Caprock Here X Nov. 22 Happy There X Nov. 29 Guymon Here X Dec. 1-3 Breckenridge Tournament There X Dec. 6 Bushland There X Dec. 9 Canyon There X Dec. 13 West Plains Here X Dec. 16 Randall There X Dec. 20 Hereford Here X Dec. 28-30 Gruver Tournament There X Jan. 3 Sunray Here X Jan. 6 Perryton There X Jan. 10 Borger Here X Jan. 13 Pampa There X Jan. 17 Canyon Here X Jan. 20 West Plains There X Jan. 24 Randall Here X Jan. 27 Hereford There X Jan. 31 Perryton Here X Feb. 3 Borger There X Feb. 7 Pampa Here X

and also play in the Gruver tourney.

District 4-4A play begins Dec. 9. The district has eight teams this year with the addition of Randall, dropping down from Class 5A, and West Plains, a new school.

Randall Boys Raiders have high hopes

The Raiders reached the 20-win level for the second year in a row last season. Expectations are high again because Randall returns four starters and drops down a classification.

Following up on a 22-win season the previous season, the Raiders turned in a 20-17 log last year.

Randall was 5-5 in District 3-5A and finished fourth.

In the playoffs, the Raiders nipped Abilene Cooper 46-45 in bidistrict and edged El Paso Andress 44-41 in the area round. The string ran out against Amarillo High as Randall lost 58-41 in the regional quarterfinals.

“We had a very young team,” Coach Leslie Broadhurst said. “We continued to improve throughout the season and had a nice run in the playoffs.”

Isaiah Kirkman, second-team all-district, and Cody Bessent and Caleb Blackwell, both three-year letter winners, have moved on from last year’s team.

However, KJ Thomas leads a quartet of returning starters who hope to propel Randall to success in District 4-4A this season.

Thomas, a 6-0 junior point guard, averaged 21.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists last year, earning first-team all-district and TABC all-region honors. He also was both the Amarillo Globe-News and Press Pass Sports newcomer of the year. The sharpshooter scored 770 points and set a school record with 133 made 3-pointers. Thomas is the brother of former Raider Beau Okechjukwu-Heider, an all-district selection in 2021.

Broadhurst recommends Thomas as an all-state candidate.

Randall’s other returning starters are 6-0 junior guard JJ Buchanan (6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.1 apg), 6-2 senior wing Brody Wilson

(5.4 ppg, 3 rpg) and 6-3 senior post Cayden Sato (5 ppg, 5 rpg).

Buoyed by Thomas’ prolific scoring, those four returning starters represent 38 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Zak Bol, a 6-3 junior post (3 ppg, 3 rpg), is the fifth returning letter winner.

Broadhurst tabs Buchanan, Wilson, Sato and Bol as other

KJ Thomas

Cayden Sato

JJ Buchanan

Zak Bol

Brody Wilson

Sebastian Williams

Supporting the Raiders!

outstanding players to watch.

The Randall roster is composed of three seniors, four juniors and three sophomores.

Broadhurst lists experience, shooting, defense and unity as the Raiders’ strengths.

“We must continue to improve during a very tough nondistrict schedule so that we are prepared when district starts,” he said.

So what are his keys for success this season?

“We have a very solid team with great depth. Each one of our guys has to help us grow as a team,” Broadhurst said. “I really like this group of unselfish players, and I think we have an opportunity to have a special season.”

Broadhurst is beginning his 35th season as the Raiders’ coach. In fact, he is the only Randall boys basketball coach since the school opened its doors in 1988. The Lubbock Monterey High School and Texas Tech University graduate had spent one year as the head coach at Morton before moving to Randall.

He is the winningest active boys coach in the Panhandle-Plains Basketball magazine’s area. His 638-475 career record (.573 winning percentage) ranked him No 5 in the PPB’s 300 Club last year.

Because of a decrease in enrollment tied to the opening of the new Canyon ISD school, West Plains, Randall drops from Class 5A to 4A this season. The Raiders’ seven opponents in District 4-4A are Borger, Canyon, West Plains, Dumas, Hereford, Pampa and Perryton.

The Raiders will open their season at home Nov. 15 against Plainview, a former District 3-5A foe. They’ll play in the Frenship, Burkburnett and Fort Worth Whataburger tournaments.

District 4-4A play begins Dec. 16.

Devin Baccas

Tayesen Combs

Dawson Heider

Jeray Carr

Jaxon Toniolli

Randall Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Frenship There X

Nov. 11 New Home JW Shootout X

Nov. 15 Plainview Here X Nov. 15 Canadian Here X

Nov. 17-19 Frenship Tournament There X Nov. 18 Tascosa Here X

Nov. 21 Caprock There X Nov. 22 Monterey Here X Nov. 22 Spearman Here X Nov. 29 Amarillo High There X X Dec. 1-3 Frenship Tournament There X Dec. 1-3 Granbury Tournament There X Dec. 6 Frenship There X Dec. 6 Coronado Here X Dec. 8-10 Burkburnett Tournament There X Dec. 9 Borger Here X Dec. 13 Pampa There X Dec. 13 Palo Duro There X Dec. 16 Dumas Here X

Dec. 20 West Plains There X X Dec. 28-30 Fort Worth Whataburger Tourn. There X Dec. 28-30 Midland Tournament There X

Jan. 6 Canyon Here X X

Jan. 10 Hereford Here X X

Jan. 13 Perryton There X X Jan. 17 Borger There X X

Jan. 20 Pampa Here X X Jan. 24 Dumas There X X Jan. 27 West Plains Here X X

Jan. 31 Canyon There X X

Feb. 3 Hereford There X X

Feb. 7 Perryton Here X X

Feb. 10 Borger Here X Feb. 14 Pampa There X

Go Raiders!

Randall Boys

Name

KJ Thomas

Ht. Pos. Class

6-0 G Jr

JJ Buchanan 6-0 G Jr

Brody Wilson 6-2 F Sr

Cayden Sato 6-3 P Sr

Zak Bol 6-3 P Jr

Sebastian Williams 6-6 P Sr

Devin Baccas 6-2 F Jr

Dawson Heider 6-7 P Soph.

Jaxon Toniolli 5-11 G Soph. Tayesen Combs 6-2 F Soph.

Coach: Leslie Broadhurst

Asst. Coaches: Trevor Johnson, Kyle Hewitt

2021-22 record: 20-17, 5-5

School phone: 677-2322

Players to watch: KJ Thomas, JJ Buchanan, Brody Wilson, Cayden Sato, Zak Bol

Randall Raiders Basketball

It was a season to remember for the Lady Raiders. They bounced back from a rough 2020-21 season, and it was the last year before the Canyon ISD high schools divided into three.

Rejuvenated Randall rolled to a 23-13 season, including a second-place finish with a 7-3 record in District 3-5A, last year. That turned around 8-17 overall and 1-9 district showings the previous season.

In last spring’s playoffs, the Lady Raiders defeated Abilene Wylie 55-45 in bidistrict and El Paso El Dorado 54-47 in the area game. Lubbock Monterey ended Randall’s season 74-48 in the regional quarterfinals.

“Last year was the last year before Randall split with West Plains,” Coach Brooke Walthall said. “It was a unique year for our school and our basketball team. We had an awesome group of girls that clicked at the right time. It was a fun year for all.”

Three key players have moved on from that team. Ainsley Velasquez was first-team all-district. Kailee Benton was secondteam all-district. And Piper Patterson, also second-team alldistrict, has moved over to West Plains, the new Canyon ISD school that opened this fall.

All three Canyon ISD schools — Randall, West Plains and Canyon — will be members of the eight-team District 4-4A this season. Randall drops down from Class 5A to 4A because of reduced enrollment owing to creation of the new school.

The Lady Raiders have one standout returning in 5-5 sophomore guard Sadie Sanchez. She was a TGCA all-stater and the Amarillo Globe-News Girls Super Team newcomer of the year. She’s an all-state candidate again this year, according to her coach.

Walthall lists 5-6 senior guard Ashley Norman and 5-9 senior forward Avri Burk as other outstanding players to watch.

Four seniors, one junior and four sophomores make up the Randall roster.

“We are excited about this year’s team,” Walthall said. “We have a great group of girls that are talented and have different strengths. They love the game and love each other, which makes it fun to come and work with them every day.”

She designated some keys for success this season.

“We want every player to find what they are good at and bring that night in and night out to our team,” Walthall said. “We also want them to be a close group that enjoys each other and celebrates each other’s successes.”

Walthall played on two state championship teams at Canyon High School. She was a McDonald’s all-American and played four years at Texas Tech University.

She’s beginning her 11th season at Randall after coaching three years at Midlothian. Walthall is the daughter of Betsy Baughman, who recently moved from Tascosa to Groom as the girls coach.

The Lady Raiders open at Frenship Nov. 8. The home opener will be Nov. 15 against Canadian. They’ll play in the Frenship, Granbury and Midland tournaments. District play begins Dec. 9.

Sadie Sanchez

Madelyn Morrison

Brooke Henderson

Ashley Norman

Riley Kemp

Layla Romero

Avri Burk

Promise Sherwood

Havi Valdez

Randall Girls

Name

Brooke Henderson

Ht. Pos. Class

5-7 G Soph.

Layla Romero 5-9 G Soph. Ashley Norman 5-6 G Sr

Sadie Sanchez 5-5 G Soph. Promise Sherwood 5-2 G Jr

Madelyn Morrison 5-7 G Sr

Riley Kemp 5-7 F Sr Havi Valdez 6-1 F Soph. Avri Burk 5-9 F Sr

Coach: Brooke Walthall

Asst. Coaches: Jenna Jesko, Kelsey Lucsik 2021-22 record: 23-13, 7-3 School phone: 677-2325

Players to watch: Sadie Sanchez, Ashley Norman, Avri Burk

Randall Girls Super Boosters

Let’s Go Lady Raiders! We love you Gabby!—Mom, Dad, Sophia & Jaxon Be true to yourself and your team. Play hard. We love you Caitlyn Good job on all your hard work! Keep it up!—Love, Dad, Mom & Tate We love the Lady Raiders!—Kaser Fam

Tenera Gray always has true grit!—The Gray Family

The Beyers family wishes Raegan Beyers a wonderful season!

Dear Miley, I know life is tough and not always the way we like it. Keep your faith in God and when you feel down and want to give up, just remember where you started and how far you have come. Remember hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.—Love, Mom & Dad

You are a very strong and intelligent young lady with big dreams and goals. I’m proud to be your father and I will continue to guide you and support your future. I love you!—Dad Wishing the Lady Raiders a wonderful season!— the Huddleston Family

The Dunlap Family says “Go Jordyn Go! Have a great season! We love you!—Love, Mom & Dad

We can’t wait to see what you do this season Promise! Love—The Sherwood Family Avri, you senior year is here and your best is yet to come! We wish you and the Lady Raiders another successful season!—Love, your #1 Fans

West Plains Boys Everything’s new for Wolves

It’s a new coach for a new team for a new school.

Kendall Cogburn is the new coach for the Wolves at West Plains High School, the newest Canyon ISD school.

The Wolves will compete in District 4-4A with their Canyon ISD counterparts, Randall and Canyon.

Borger, Dumas, Hereford, Pampa and Perryton round out the eight-team conference.

Ayden Rodriguez

Cogburn comes to West Plains from Bushland, where he coached for six years. His Falcons posted an 18-10 overall record last season, going 9-1 in District 1-3A and reaching the regional quarterfinals before losing to Shallowater.

Cogburn played his high school ball at Randall under Coach Leslie Broadhurst. He’ll be coaching against Broadhurst this year.

“Coach Broadhurst was one of those guys that I just loved to play for,” Cogburn told the Amarillo Globe-News.

“What I take from Coach Broadhurst and I try to apply to coaching is how I remember my senior year and I just loved playing the game of basketball. With high school kids especially, there’s got to be a love for the game, and I had that playing for Coach Broadhurst and loved every minute of it.”

Cogburn, a West Texas A&M University graduate, previously coached at Happy (2014-2016) and Bushland (2016-2022). His

Happy teams won two district titles and made a state tournament appearance in 2016. He has a career boys coaching record of 153-79 (.659 winning percentage).

He has assembled a 14-player roster at West Plains and lists depth as his team’s strength.

The Wolves all are new to him, but he lists 6-5 senior forward Jed Phillips and 6-2 junior guard Ayden Rodriquez as outstanding players to watch.

Jed Phillips is the only senior on the roster (with 11 juniors and two freshmen) and has a younger brother, 6-0 junior guard Jensen Phillips, on the squad.

Rodriquez played for Randall as a sophomore.

Cogburn’s main concern is the lack of varsity experience on his team.

He listed his keys to success this season as “staying healthy and buying in early.”

The Wolves will open the season Nov. 12 at Dalhart. The home opener is Nov. 15 against Tulia.

West Plains will play in the Brock, Childress and Snyder tournaments. The Wolves will play their two Canyon ISD rivals in the first two District 4-4A games: Canyon Dec. 16 and Randall Dec. 20. Both games will be at West Plains.

Jedd Phllips

West Plains Boys

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Jedd Phillips 6-5 F Sr

Ayden Rodriquez 6-2 G Jr

Savastion Craine 5-8 G Jr

Jaydan Gibson 5-8 G Jr

Wiley Killham 6-0 G Jr

Aaron McCarty 6-4 F Jr

Brendon Nail 6-0 G Jr

Andrew Williams 5-11 G Jr

Jensen Phillips 6-0 G Jr

Kade Bullard 5-10 G Jr

Cooper Moreno 6-1 G Jr

Mason Gomez 5-10 F Jr

Kaden Hooker 5-10 G Fr. Ayden Larra 5-9 G Fr.

Coach: Kendall Cogburn

Asst. Coaches: Keenan Hooker, Cameron Copley School phone: 510-2100

Players to watch: Ayden Rodriquez, Jedd Phillips

West Plains Super Boosters

West Plains Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Caprock Here X

Nov. 12 Dalhart There X Nov. 12 Shallowater Randall X Nov. 15 Tulia Here X

Nov. 15 Nazareth There X Nov. 18 Tulia Here X Nov. 18 Lubbock Estacado There X Nov. 22 Plainview There X X Nov. 25-26 Fantasy of Lights Tournament Wichita Falls X Nov. 29 Tascosa Here X Nov. 29 Slaton Here X Dec. 1-3 Vega Tournament There X Dec. 1-3 Brock Tournament There X Dec. 6 Bushland Here X Dec. 6 Tascosa There X Dec. 8-10 Childress Tournament There X Dec. 9 Pampa Here X Dec. 13 Dumas There X Dec. 16 Canyon Here X Dec. 16 Smyer Here X Dec. 20 Randall Here X X Dec. 28-29 Snyder Tournament There X Dec. 28-29 Canyon Tournament There X Jan. 3 Clarendon Here X Jan. 6 Hereford There X X Jan. 10 Perryton Here X X Jan. 13 Borger There X X Jan. 17 Pampa There X X Jan. 20 Dumas Here X X Jan. 24 Canyon There X X Jan. 27 Randall There X X Jan. 31 Hereford Here X X Feb. 3 Perryton There X X Feb. 7 Borger Here X X Feb. 10 Pampa Here X Feb. 14 Dumas There X

West Plains Girls

Lady Wolves’ coach has 600 wins

The school may be new, but the Lady Wolves’ coach is coming off his 600th career victory as a girls basketball coach.

Kevin Richardson, a graduate of Canyon High School and West Texas A&M University, has 24 years of coaching experience.

He coached at Abernathy from 1999 to 2001 and at Canadian from 2001 to 2009. His 2017 Canadian team won the Class 3A state championship.

He moved to Wall (2019-2022) and notched win No. 600 in Wall’s final victory last spring. He’s No. 5 in the Panhandle-Plains Basketball’s 300 Club this year.

His career girls won-lost mark is 600-147, an .803 winning percentage.

Richardson has a brother, Kurt, who is the new coach of the Shallowater girls, succeeding Chuck Darden, who retired.

Canyon ISD Athletic Director Toby Tucker told the Amarillo Globe-News,

“Everywhere he’s been, he’s been a winner. He’s a gentleman of the game, and you get excited about bringing guys like that in.”

Richardson considers two of his players — Brooklyn Pearson and Piper Patterson — outstanding players to watch. Both played

for nearby Randall last year.

Pearson is a 5-8 senior guard. Patterson, a 5-8 sophomore guard, was an all-district performer last year.

DJ Agu-White, a 5-4 sophomore guard, and Libby Foote, a 5-8 junior guard, fill out the Lady Wolves’ early roster.

Richardson described his team’s strengths as a “desire to succeed and a willingness to do whatever it takes for our team to be successful. Good overall athletic ability.”

His main concern is getting to know the strengths of his players since everyone is new to the program for the new school.

He hopes to mold them together as a team.

“We have to be able to play great defense early and create some offense from our defense,” Richardson said in assessing the keys to success this season.

“We have to adapt to roles within our team and play to our strengths. We have to overcome a tough early schedule with the right frame of mind and continue to get better throughout the season.”

The Lady Wolves’ opener is Nov. 8 at home against Caprock. They’ll play in the Fantasy of Lights Tournament in Wichita Falls

(Continued on next page)

Brooklyn Pearson

Piper Patterson

West Plains Lady Wolves Juniors

West Plains Girls

Name Ht. Pos. Class

Brooklyn Pearson 5-8 G Sr. Piper Patterson 5-8 G Soph.

Dena’ja White 5-4 G Soph. Libby Foote 5-8 G Jr. Peyton Smith 5-7 G Jr. AJ Norman 5-8 G Soph. Ainsley Hall 5-10 P Soph. Aaniyah Kitchen 5-10 P Fr.

and the Vega and Canyon tourneys. District 4-4A play begins Dec. 9 against Pampa at home. The Lady Wolves will play Canyon ISD rivals Canyon and Randall in late December.

West Plains Lady Wolves Freshmen

Coach: Kevin Richardson Asst. Coaches: David Castellon, Haley Palmore School phone: 510-2100 Players to watch: Brooklyn Pearson, Piper Patterson

Let’s Go Brenyn!

OBJE Waterwell wishes Haven Wheeler a great Basketball Season!

The Smith Family wishes Peyton and the Lady Wolves an amazing inaugural season!

Best Wishes on an amazing season! Go Wolfpack!—Toan & Florence Trinh

West Plains Lady Wolves Sophomores

Good Luck Peyton!

Hereford Boys Whitefaces reach new heights

The Whitefaces reached the postseason regional semifinals last season for the first time in more than 20 years.

Hereford’s playoff run followed a 5-5 showing in District 4-4A, good for a third-place tie. Then the Whitefaces beat Borger in the third-place seeding game.

In the playoffs, Hereford defeated Big Spring 54-43 in bidistrict, Andrews 59-35 in the area game and Dumas 70-41 in the regional quarterfinals. Wichita Falls Hirschi stopped the Whitefaces 48-35 in the regional semifinals.

That ended Hereford’s season with an overall 19-15 mark.

“It took us a while to jell as a team and find our identity,” Coach Marques Loftis said. “We lost nine games by five points or less, but we ended up making it to the regional tournament, which hasn’t been done in Hereford in over 20 years.”

The Whitefaces did make it to the regional quarterfinals the year before, but last season’s regional semifinals marked a further advancement.

Three key seniors have moved on from that team. Aiden Arias was first-team all-district and all-region. Marco Lucas was first-team all-district. Braedyn Mendoza was honorable mention all-district.

That leaves Loftis with one returning starter and five other letter winners for this season.

Returning starter Zevan Gonzales, a 6-3 senior forward, averaged 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds last season, earning an all-district honorable mention.

Zevan Gonzales has a twin brother — 6-3 senior forward Hayden Gonzales — who lettered last season.

Kenyon Loftis, a 6-0 senior guard, is the coach’s son. He lettered, as did 6-7 senior post Jadyn Fletcher, 5-9 sophomore guard Tyi Castro and 6-7 senior post Dayton DeLozier, the son of longtime Hereford football Coach Don DeLozier.

Coach Loftis picks Zevan Gonzales, Kenyon Loftis, Fletcher and Castro as outstanding players to watch this season.

The Hereford roster is composed of five seniors and one sophomore. All six are letter winners.

That experience and leadership represent a Hereford strength, according to Coach Loftis. He is concerned about scoring and

inexperience from the bench.

“Our keys are defense, toughness and the ability to run offense,” he said.

Loftis was a standout on the 1998-99 Palo Duro team that went 32-2. He played collegiately on a Howard Junior College team that was ranked No. 1 in the nation and finished fifth in the NJCCA national tournament. He later graduated from Oklahoma Panhandle State University. His father, Todd Loftis, also was an outstanding player who represented Palo Duro in the 1979-80 edition of this magazine.

Before coming to Hereford, Marques Loftis coached at his alma maters — one year as an assistant at OPSU and nine years as an aide at Palo Duro.

He’s beginning his fourth season at Hereford, and his Whitefaces have posted three winning seasons. He has a 57-36 head

Zevan Gonzales

Jadyn Fletcher

Hayden Gonzales

Tyi Castro

Kenyon Loftis

Dayton Delozier

Hereford Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 11 Dimmitt Here X

Nov. 15 Muleshoe Here X

Nov. 15 Lubbock High Here X

Nov. 18 Lubbock Coronado There X

Nov. 18 Levelland There X

Nov. 21 Nazareth There X

Nov. 25-26 Fantasy of Lights Tournament Wichita Falls X

Nov. 29 Littlefield There X

Nov. 29 Abernathy Here X

Dec. 1-3 Nazareth Tournament There X

Dec. 2 Goddard, NM Roswell, NM X

Dec. 3 Portales, NM There X

Dec. 6 Spearman There X Dec. 6 Caprock There X Dec. 8-10 Graham Tournament There X

Dec, 9 Perryton Here X Dec. 13 Borger There X

Dec. 13 Planview Here X Dec. 16 Pampa Here X X Dec. 20 Dumas There X X

Dec. 28-30 Monahans Holiday Tournament There X X Jan. 6 West Plains Here X X

Jan. 10 Randall There X X

Jan. 13 Canyon Here X X

Jan. 17 Perryton There X X

Jan. 20 Borger Here X X

Jan. 24 Pampa There X X

Jan. 27 Dumas Here X X

Jan. 31 West Plains There X X

Feb. 3 Randall Here X X

Feb. 7 Canyon There X X

Feb. 10 Perryton Here X

Feb. 14 Borger There X

Hereford Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class Zevan Gonzales 6-3 F Sr. Kenyon Loftis 6-0 G Sr. Jadyn Fletcher 6-7 P Sr Tyi Castro 5-9 G Soph. Hayden Gonzales 6-3 F Sr Dayton Delozier 6-7 P Sr

Coach: Marques Loftis Asst. Coaches: Tim Bell, Hunter Garza, Payton Gonzales 2021-22 record: 19-15, 5-5 School phone: 363-7630 Players to watch: Kenyon Loftis, Zevan Gonzales, Jadyn Fletcher, Tyi Castro

Hereford Girls Name

Ht. Pos. Class Kyndal Blair 5-8 G/F Jr. Autumn Wilburn 6-1 P Sr. Azalea Alaniz 5-6 G Jr. Lynzee Carbajal 5-5 G Sr Aubrey Devin 5-4 G Sr Sarahi Sanchez 5-6 G Sr Emrie Zallar

5-5 G Soph. Mitzel Rodriguez 5-7 F Soph. Krystal Hernandez 5-6 F Jr Keena Alonzo 5-4 G Jr

Coach: Lisa Taylor Asst. Coaches: Courtney Kelley, Teresa McKelvy 2021-22 record: 16-16, 8-4 School phone: 363-7630 ext. 1380 Players to watch: Kyndal Blair, Azalea Alaniz, Autumn Wilburn

coaching record, all at Hereford.

The Whitefaces will open their season Nov. 15 at home against Lubbock High. They’ll play in the Graham and Monahans tournaments.

District 4-4A has increased to eight teams this season with the addition of Randall, dropping down from 5A, and West Plains, Canyon ISD’s new school. That means 14 district games. District play begins Dec. 16.

Hereford Girls Lady Whitefaces good until end

Lisa Taylor’s first year as the Lady Whitefaces’ coach went pretty well, although the ending was disappointing.

Hereford got off to a slow start last season because of several players involved in a lengthy volleyball season.

“After gaining our volleyball players after their long run in the volleyball playoffs, the Lady Whitefaces worked very diligently to become cohesive,” Taylor said.

“The tournament season proved to be invaluable to the season. We traveled to Monahans over the Christmas break, and our play became much better. We had a great showing in that tournament and came back to start district play.”

The Lady Whitefaces did well in District 4-4A, finishing second with an 8-4 record.

‘’We started district very slowly and lost a couple of games we did not feel we needed to drop,” Taylor said. “The second half of district, we began to work out the issues faced in the beginning as we entered the playoff season.”

The playoffs ended abruptly for Hereford. Big Spring eliminated the Lady Whitefaces 39-37 in bidistrict.

“We fell short of our goal, which was to get back to the regional tournament,” Taylor said. “Our bidistrict game was not the ending we were searching. We did not play our best ball during that game, and it caused us to drop the first round.”

The Lady Whitefaces ended the season at .500, winning 16 and losing 16.

Five seniors — Miranda Acosta, Kate Soto, Devonee Villarreal, Jasmine Hernandez and Breisada Vargas — ended their high school playing careers last spring.

Acosta was the district offensive player of the year and TGCA all-state. Soto was first-team all-district. Villarreal and Hernandez were all-district honorable mentions.

The Lady Whitefaces have four returning starters and two other letter winners back.

The only honored returnee is 5-8 junior guard/forward Kyndal Blair. Blair averaged 7 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists and earned first-team all-district distinction.

The other returning starters are 5-6 junior guard Azalea Alaniz (5.2 ppg, 6 rpg), 6-1 senior post Autumn Wilburn (5.2 ppg, 6 rpg) and 5-5 senior guard Lynzee Carbajal (3 ppg, 2 rpg, 4 apg).

Taylor recommends Blair and Alaniz as all-state candidates. Wilburn is an outstanding player to watch.

The four returning starters represent 18 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

The two other letter winners are 5-4 senior guard Aubrey Devin (4 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg) and 5-5 sophomore guard Emrie Zallar.

There are four seniors, four juniors and two sophomores on the Hereford roster.

“The Lady Whitefaces have spent a great amount of time working defensively,” Taylor said. “We should be quicker and more aggressive than last year. Hopefully, that will allow us to be more competitive with the stronger offensive-minded teams.”

Her biggest concern is scoring.

“Losing Acosta from last year’s squad is big shoes to fill,” Taylor said. “Her offensive presence made us go, and it will be difficult to find her replacement.”

Kyndal Blair

Lynzee Carbajal

Azalea Alaniz

Aubrey Devin

Autumn Wilburn

Sarahi Sanchez

What are her keys to success this season?

“Using our defense effectively and finding those opportunities to score when presented is key to our success,” Taylor said. “We must take advantage of our openings to put the ball in the basket. Our guards must step up and be aggressive leaders and create those opportunities for themselves and the bigs.”

Taylor was on a Byers High School team that made a state tournament appearance in 1988. The Midwestern State University graduate has 21 years of head basketball coaching experience.

Levelland Boys

She coached at Byers for four years, then at Wichita Falls City View for 16 seasons. She served as an assistant at Hereford before taking over from retiring Bryan Lintner.

The Lady Whitefaces will open their season at home Nov. 11 against Dimmitt. They’ll play in Wichita Falls’ Fantasy of Lights Tournament and the Nazareth and Monahans tourneys.

District 4-4A play begins early, Dec. 9. The district has two new teams — Randall and West Plains — this year because of UIL realignment. It’s now an eight-team conference.

District 5-4A

Former LCU star takes Lobo reins

Parker Hicks, the former Lubbock Christian University star, will make his coaching debut this season with the Lobos.

Hicks averaged 31.3 points and was the district co-MVP in his senior season at Decatur High School. He played two years at Texas Tech and was a member of the Red Raiders’ NCAA national runner-up team in 2019.

He transferred to Lubbock Christian, where he was the Lone Star Conference’s two-time player of the year and Division II AllAmerican. In June 2022, Hicks married the former Allie Schulte, the Nazareth all-state and Lubbock Christian All-American player. A few days later, both were recognized as the LCU winners of the Lone Star Conference Scholar-Athlete Award.

Hicks succeeds Jordan Elam, who has moved to Plains as the boys coach there. Elam coached the Lobos for four years. His first two teams were 20-plus winners. His four-year coaching mark at Levelland was 75-56.

Last year’s Lobos, under Elam, finished 12-22 overall and took third in District 5-4A with a 6-4 record. Levelland lost its bidistrict playoff game to Dumas 69-39.

Four seniors have moved on from last year’s roster.

Hicks has one honored player returning in 6-7 senior forward Taeshaun Jones, who was second-team all-district last year. Jones is one of eight letter winners on the Levelland roster. Jones has a younger brother, 6-3 sophomore guard Eryk Jones, on the squad.

Hicks tabs Taeshaun Jones and 6-0 senior guard Carson Boggs as all-state candidates. Eryk Jones, 6-5 senior forward Konner Alexander and 6-0 junior guard Neamiah Campos are other players to watch. Alexander and Campos lettered last season.

Zameron Lecroy a 6-2 senior guard, is the brother of former Lobo Zaiden Lecroy (2021). Zameron Lecroy, 6-3 senior forward Jerry Haile and 5-11 senior guard Ladarian Jordan also earned letters last spring.

That adds up to plenty of experience on the Levelland roster with nine seniors, one junior and one sophomore.

That experience, plus the defense, rank as Lobo strengths, according to Hicks.

He is concerned about size and ball-handling.

Hicks outlined his keys for success this season as “guarding, being the smartest, toughest team every night.”

The Lobos will open play Nov. 15 at Dimmitt. The home opener is Nov. 18 against Slaton. Levelland will play in the Nazareth, Childress and Canyon tournaments.

Konner

Alexander

Taeshaun

Jones

Jerry Haile

Ladarian Jordan

Eryk Jones

Jacob Garza

Zameron Lecroy

Carson Boggs

Ethan Campos

District 5-4A play begins Jan. 13. The district was untouched by UIL realignment. The same six teams remain in District 5-4A.

Levelland Boys

Name Ht. Pos. Class

Taeshaun Jones 6-7 F Sr

Konner Alexander 6-5 F Sr

Carson Boggs 6-0 G Sr Jerry Haile 6-3 F Sr

Jacob Garza 5-11 G Sr

Erasmo Villegas 6-0 G Sr

Ladarian Jordan 5-11 G Sr

Neamiah Campos 6-0 G Jr Eryk Jones 6-3 G Soph.

Ethan Campos 6-2 F Sr Zameron Lecroy 6-2 G Sr.

Coach: Parker Hicks

Asst. Coach: Silas Crisler

2021-22 record: 12-22, 6-4 School phone: 894-8514

Players to watch: Carson Boggs, Taeshaun Jones, Neamiah Campos, Konner Alexander, Eryk Jones

Levelland Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Adriana Galvan 5-4 G Sr

Laci White 5-8 F Sr Ellie Phillips 5-9 P Sr

Angelica Gonzales 5-4 G Jr Carly Tienda 5-5 G Jr

Madison Stafford 5-4 G Jr

Olivia Velardez 5-5 G Jr

Leilani Sanchez 5-8 G Soph. Emery Smith 5-7 G Soph. Marleah Ruiz 5-9 F Jr.

Coach: Clay Barnett

Asst. Coach: Nathan Riggan, Marc Elbert

2021-22 record: 33-4, 10-0 School phone: 894-8514

Players to watch: Laci White, Carly Tienda, Leilani Sanchez, Marleah Ruiz, Emery Smith

Levelland Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 11 Littlefield There X Nov. 15 Brownfield Here X Nov. 15 Dimmitt There X Nov. 18 Slaton Here X Nov. 18 Hereford Here X Nov. 21 Denver City There X Nov. 21 Lubbock High There X Nov. 22 Greenwood Here X X Nov. 29 Andrews Here X X Dec. 1-3 Denver City Tournament There X Dec. 1-3 Nazareth Tournament There X Dec. 6 Monahans There X X Dec. 8-10 Childress Tournament There X Dec. 8-10 TBA Tournament There X Dec. 13 Brownfield There X Dec. 13 Portales, NM There X Dec. 16 Denver City There X Dec. 19 Odessa High Here X Dec. 20 Littlefield Here X Dec. 28-29 Canyon Tournament There X Jan. 3 Plainview There X Jan. 6 Seminole Here X Jan. 6 Big Spring There X Jan. 10 Snyder Here X Jan. 13 Sweetwater Here X X Jan. 17 Estacado There X X Jan. 20 Lakeview Here X X Jan. 24 Big Spring Here X X Jan. 27 Snyder There X X Jan. 31 Sweetwater There X X Feb. 3 Estacado Here X X Feb. 7 Lakeview There X X Feb. 10 Big Spring There X Feb. 14 Snyder Here X

Levelland Girls

Loboettes 59-5 but have a nemesis

The Loboettes have had two great seasons in a row. If only those pesky Canyon Lady Eagles would get out of the way.

In 2020-21, Levelland was unbeaten during the regular season and rolled through two playoff rounds before losing to Canyon 49-24 in the regional quarterfinals. That ended a 26-1 campaign.

Last season, the Loboettes lassoed their second straight District 5-4A championship with a repeat 10-0 conference log.

In the playoffs, they whipped Pampa 43-26 in bidistrict and Midland Greenwood 45-30 in the area round. Then along came Canyon. The Lady Eagles eliminated Levelland 44-37 in the regional quarterfinals. The Loboettes finished the year at a sparkling 33-4.

That’s 59-5 the past two years for Coach Clay Barnett’s Loboettes. In his nine years at the school, Barnett has directed his teams to a 240-32 record for an .882 winning percentage.

Graduation losses hit Levelland hard. There were eight seniors on the roster last season, and three of them earned special honors.

Emma Kent was the district MVP, TGCA all-state and TABC all-region. Myka Graf was the district defensive MVP, TGCA allstate and TABC all-region. Colbi Barnett, the coach’s daughter, was first-team all-district.

But the talent, some of it in the same families, seems to keep flowing at Levelland.

Laci White, a 5-8 senior forward, earned the district offensive MVP award last season. Coach Barnett sees White as an all-stater this season.

Carly Tienda, a 5-5 junior guard, was first-team all-district last year. She is the sister of Christian Tienda, a senior on last season’s squad.

Carly Tienda is one of four other outstanding players to watch, according to Coach Barnett. The others are 5-8 sophomore guard Leilani Sanchez, 5-7 sophomore guard Emery Smith and 5-9 junior forward Marleah Ruiz. Marleah Ruiz is the sister of McKenna Ruiz, another senior on last year’s team.

Three seniors, five juniors and two sophomores are on the Levelland roster.

Barnett cites overall team defense and team chemistry as his team’s strengths. He lists his concerns as consistent scoring, rebounding and valuing the basketball.

He said the keys for success this season are “to continue to grow and develop on the offensive end of the floor.”

Barnett is a graduate of Van Horn High School and Angelo State University. He is beginning his 21st season as a head coach, having mentored at Merkel, Anson, Baird and Wellington before coming to Levelland.

The Loboettes’ preliminary schedule shows some early season open dates followed by a Nov. 11 date at Littlefield and a Nov. 15 home engagement with Brownfield. They’ll play in the Denver City Tournament and other events to be determined.

District 5-4A — with the same five opponents for the Loboettes — begins Jan. 6.

Laci White

Emery Smith

Carly Tienda

Marleah Ruiz

Leilani Sanchez

A TEAMS AT A GLANCE

3A Boys

HONOR ROLL

Cash Garcia, Abernathy, 6-5, Sr.; Kaleb Harrell, Abernathy, 6-4, Sr.; Ethan Paiz, Abernathy, 5-10, Sr.; Marcus Stone, Abernathy, 6-2, Sr.; Anthony White, Abernathy, 6-2, Sr.; Grant Whaley, Bushland, 6-4, Sr.; Tate Butcher, Bushland, 5-8, Sr.; Baylor King, Bushland, 6-2, Sr.; Cole Purcell, Bushland, 5-10, Sr.; Aiden Sawyer, Bushland, 5-10, Sr.; Breckan Reed, Bushland, 5-10, Sr.; Cameron Cavalier, Canadian, 5-10, Jr.; Conner Miller, Canadian, 6-0, Soph., Preston Miller, Canadian, 5-11, Jr.; Lamont Nickleberry, Childress, 6-0, Sr.; Aiden Allen, Childress, 6-0, Jr.; Billy Moore, Childress, 6-0, Jr.; Scout Smith, 6-0, Jr.; Isaiah Jalomo, Childress, 5-11, Jr.; Devin Rutherford, Dalhart, 6-2, Sr.; Kyler Read, Dalhart, 6-2, Soph.; Angel Herrera, Dalhart, 6-0, Sr.; Conler Willey, Dimmitt, 6-4, Sr.; Ivan Moreno, Dimmitt, 6-3, Sr.; Daunte Perez, Dimmitt, 5-10, Sr.; Emiliano Peralta, Dimmitt, 6-1, Jr.; David Fuentes, Dimmitt, 6-0, Jr.; Chip Green, Littlefield, 5-10, Soph.; Omar Martinez, Littlefield, 6-0, Jr.; Tyrell Norman, Littlefield, 6-2, Sr.; Elijah Salazar, Littlefield, 5-10, Sr.; MJ Randle, Littlefield, 5-7, Jr.; Jeremiah Trevino, Littlefield, 5-10, Jr.; Major McNeese, Littlefield, 5-10, Soph.; Ian Mendez, Littlefield, 5-8, Soph.; Ryan Williams, Littlefield, 5-8, Soph.; J’den Williams, Littlefield, 5-11, Jr.; Braydon Jones, Littlefield, 6-1, Sr.;Josh Grimes, Shallowater, 6-2, Sr.; Trevor Winn, Shallowater, 6-1, Sr.; Cooper Lusk, Shallowater, 6-4, Jr.; Hayden Buckley, Shallowater, 6-1, Jr.; JJ Davis, Shallowater, 5-10, Soph.; Adan Camano, Slaton, 5-9, Sr.; Xzavion Whaley, Slaton, 5-11, Jr.; Shad Whiteley, Spearman, 6-0, Sr.; Cason Mackie, Spearman, 6-0, Sr.; Jeb Garnett, Spearman, 6-2, Sr.; Jack Pipkin, Spearman, 6-5, Sr.

3A Girls

Brianne Franco, Brownfield, 5-9, Sr.; Rhianna Miranda, Brownfield, 5-9, Jr.; Shy’la Blackwell, Brownfield, 5-7, Soph.; Chloe Cochran, Bushland, 5-11, Sr.; Emma Troxell, Bushland, 5-11, Sr.; Brooklyn Boyett, Bushland, 5-7, Jr.; Brooklyn Cochran, Canadian, 5-8, Sr.; Tana Davis, Canadian, 5-6, Jr.; Sam Krehbiel, Canadian, 5-3, Jr.; Reiss Adams, Canadian, 5-8, Soph.; Chloe Teichelman, Childress, 5-6, Sr.; Aspen Lomax, Childress, 5-5, Sr.; Cameran Daniel, Childress, 5-7, Sr.; Adah Henderson, Childress, 5-10, Sr.; Jadyn Trusler, Dalhart, Sr.; Milee Thomas, Dimmitt, 5-9, Soph.; Na’Khiyah Porras, Dimmitt, 5-4, Jr.; Logan Heard, Idalou, 5-10, Sr.; Kira Fox, Idalou, 6-2, Jr.; Lily Moyers, Idalou, 5-7, Jr.; Landrie Gregory, Idalou, 5-10, Jr.; Madison McNeese, Littlefield, 5-9, Sr.; Kennadi Handlin, Littlefield, 5-2, Jr.; Kyndal Edgemon, Littlefield, 5-9, Jr.; Arianna Cruz, Littlefield, 5-4, Jr.; Madilyn Barnes, Shallowater, 5-8, Sr.; Maci Moravcik, Shallowater, 5-7, Sr.; Kinleigh Richardson, Shallowater, 5-5, Sr.; Shelby Roberts, Shallowater, 5-9, Sr.; Avery Terrell, Shallowater, 5-5, Sr.; Makki Hart, Shallowater, 5-8, Jr.; Stephanie Lopez, Spearman, 5-10, Jr.; Braylen Lusby, Spearman, 5-9, Jr.; Lexi Klafka, Spearman, 5-9, Jr.; Ella Wilkerson, Spearman, 5-4, Soph.; Aubrey Beck, Spearman, 5-11, Sr.; Alexis Yarbrough, Tulia, 5-7, Sr.; Karee White, Tulia, 5-9, Sr.; Alizae Balderas, Tulia, 5-5, Jr.

Spearman Boys

Assistant steps up to mentor Lynx

Tate Batton, a longtime Spearman assistant, is the new head coach of the Lynx.

Batton takes over from Dustin Klafka, who moves over to coach the Lynxettes.

This will be the first head coaching assignment for Batton, who starred for Spearman back in his prep days. He averaged 25 points in his senior season and was a first-team all-district honoree. He played two years at Clarendon College and one year at Lubbock Christian University.

The LCU graduate has coached at Spearman for eight years.

The Lynx, under Klafka, won the Vega Tournament in predistrict action. They won eight of 10 District 1-3A games to finish second.

In the playoffs, they lost to Tulia 67-43 in bidistrict. That capped a 19-7 season for the Lynx.

“The Lynx had a successful season last year. Finished second in District 1-3A after not being able to have key players like Brayden Klafka and Cooper Campbell all season due to injuries sustained in football,” Batton said.

“We ran into a buzzsaw in the bidistrict round vs. Tulia, where they played extremely well, shooting an incredible percentage

from the 3-point line led by (Travon) McCaslin’s 37 points.”

Brayden Klafka, son of Coach Klafka, Eduardo Lopez and Cooper Campbell have moved on from last year’s team.

Batton has plenty of experienced players with four returning starters, all honored last year, and six other letter winners back.

The returning starters are:

• Jack Pipkin, a 6-5 senior post, district offensive MVP;

• Cason Mackie, a 6-0 senior guard, district defensive MVP;

• Jeb Garnett, a 6-2 senior guard, all-district;

• Shad Whiteley, 6-0 senior guard, all-district.

Batton ranks Pipkin as an all-state prospect. Mackie, Garnett

(Continued on next page)

Cason Mackie Jeb Garnett Shad Whiteley

Jack Pipkin

and Whiteley are additional players to watch. All four of those Lynx have lettered at least two years.

The Spearman roster shows seven seniors and three juniors, all letter winners.

“The strength of this team is senior leadership. The seniors have grown up together in Spearman and have incredible chemistry together,” Batton said.

“We have multiple players capable of scoring from beyond the arc, as well as Jack Pipkin, who can score inside the paint.”

He said that staying healthy is a concern. The Lynx have some banged-up kids from football who Batton hopes can get healthy in time for the basketball season.

“Keys to success for the Lynx: We must shoot the 3-ball well, play through Pipkin in the post, play fast in transition offense and be able to defend with high intensity,” Batton said.

Anticipating a late run in football, the Lynx won’t open their season until Nov. 22 at home against Gruver. They’ll play in the Vega, Childress and Gruver tournaments.

District 1-3A play begins Jan. 13. The district still has six members, but Tulia replaces Highland Park because of UIL realignment.

Spearman Super Boosters

Spearman Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class

6-0 G Sr Cason Mackie 6-0 G Sr Jeb Garnett 6-2 G Sr

Shad Whiteley

Jack Davis 6-3 P Sr Jack Pipkin

6-5 P Sr. Marcos Varela 6-3 G Sr. Sloan Knowlton 6-0 P Sr. Cade Seaman 6-0 G Jr. Carson Seaman 6-2 P Jr. Kason Vela 6-2 G Jr.

Coach: Tate Batton

Asst. Coaches: Reece Shields, Ferlin Seaman, Kyler Musgrave, Antonio Vaughn 2021-22 record: 19-7, 8-2 School phone: 659-2584

Players to watch: Shad Whiteley, Cason Mackie, Jeb Garnett, Jack Pipkin

Jack Davis

Marcos Varela Sloan Knowlton

Spearman Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Wellington There X

Nov. 12 Vega There X

Nov. 15 Perryton Here X Nov. 17-19 Wall Tournament There X

Nov. 22 Randall There X Nov. 22 Gruver Here X

Nov. 26 Perryton Here X Nov. 29 Claude Here X Dec. 1-3 Vega Tournament There X Dec. 6 Pampa There X Dec. 6 Hereford Here X Dec. 8-10 Childress Tournament There X X Dec. 13 Guymon There X X Dec. 16 Stratford There X X Dec. 20 Nazareth Here X X Dec. 28-30 Gruver Tournament There X X Jan. 3 Dumas Here X Jan. 6 Stratford Here X Jan. 6 Bushland There X Jan. 10 River Road Here X Jan. 13 Dalhart There X X Jan. 17 Canadian Here X X Jan. 20 Tulia There X X Jan. 24 Bushland Here X X Jan. 27 River Road There X X Jan. 31 Dalhart Here X X

Feb. 3 Canadian There X X Feb. 7 Tulia Here X X Feb. 10 Bushland There X Feb. 14 River Road Here X

Craig, Stacie, Payton & Landrie Black Go Lynx and Lynxettes!—Casey, Lexi, Kyson & Brighton McAnally

Cade Seaman

Carson Seaman

Kason Vela

Spearman Girls

Lynx coach adds -ettes

Dustin Klafka shifts from the boys post to the girls this season.

Klafka had coached the Lynx the past two seasons, including last year’s 19-7 team.

Klafka, who has 19 years of coaching experience, is a graduate of Levelland High School and Eastern New Mexico University.

He was an assistant at ENMU, Texas A&M-Kingsville and South Plains College. He moved to Slaton, then Perryton before coming to Spearman. He’s mentored both boys and girls teams. His wife, Missy Klafka, is one of his assistant coaches.

Klafka succeeds Kurt Richardson, who moved to Shallowater to take the girls job there. Richardson coached the Lynxettes for four years and compiled records of 81-46 overall and 34-14 in district.

The Lynxettes, under Richardson, posted a 23-11 overall campaign, including a 6-4 district mark, good for third place last season. Spearman lost to Idalou 59-31 in the bidistrict playoff, marking the fourth straight year the Lynxettes had lost their bidistrict game.

Spearman lost three starters, including Kinleigh Richardson, who accompanied her dad to Shallowater, off last year’s team.

Coach Klafka has two starters — Braylen Lusby and Lexi Klafka — and five other letter winners back.

Lusby, a 5-9 junior guard, was all-district last season after

earning newcomer of the year honors as a freshman. She was a Spark off the Bench on the Amarillo Globe-News Girls Super Team last spring. She also qualified in two events for the state track meet and placed second in the 800-meter run.

Coach Klafka nominates Lusby as an all-state candidate this season.

Lexi Klafka, a 5-9 junior guard, was all-district honorable mention last season. She is the daughter of Coach Klafka.

Lexi Klafka, 5-10 junior forward Stefanie Lopez, 5-11 senior forward Aubrey Beck and 5-4 sophomore guard Ella Wilkerson are other outstanding players to watch, according to their coach.

(Continued on next page)

Lexi Klafka Braylen Lusby Stefanie Lopez

All lettered last year.

Brianna Davila, a 5-11 senior post, and Kerstyn Connelly, a 5-9 senior forward, also lettered last season.

There are three seniors, five juniors and three sophomores on the Spearman roster.

He described the keys to success this season as effort and togetherness.

“We have to play harder than everyone on our schedule,” Klafka said, “and we have to do that together.”

The Lynxettes’ District 1-3A will have one new member, Tulia, this season. Tulia replaces Highland Park, which moved to 2-3A because of UIL realignment. Holdover opponents are Bushland, Canadian, Dalhart and River Road in the six-team conference.

The Spearman girls will start the season at Wellington Nov. 8. They will play in the Wall, Childress and Gruver tournaments. District competition will begin Jan. 6 at Bushland.

Spearman Girls

Name

Stefanie Lopez

Ht. Pos. Class

5-10 F Jr

5-11 P Sr Lanie Witten

Brianna Davila

5-9 G Soph. Braylen Lusby

5-9 G Jr Lexi Klafka 5-9 G Jr Landrie Black

5-10 F Jr.

5-5 G Jr. Ella Wilkerson

Vanelli Delgado

5-4 G Soph. Aubrey Beck

5-11 F Sr. Kerstyn Connelly

5-9 F Sr. Emmy Riggins 5-6 G Soph.

Coach: Dustin Klafka Asst. Coaches: Missy Klafka, Jessi Slover, Jenna Williams, Maia Saenz School phone: 659-2584

Players to watch: Braylen Lusby, Lexi Klafka, Stefanie Lopez, Aubrey Beck, Ella Wilkerson

Aubrey Beck

Vanelli Delgado

Ella Wilkerson

Emmy Riggins

Kerstyn Connelly

Lanie Witten

Tulia Boys Hornets’ new coach returns to area

Adan Carrasco has moved back to the Panhandle, and he’s now the new coach for the Hornets.

Carrasco is a graduate of Hart High School and West Texas A&M University. He began his coaching career as the girls assistant basketball coach at Smyer for a year. Then he moved to Kilgore, where he was the girls assistant for three years.

Not only is he tackling his first head basketball coaching assignment, but it’s also his first working with a boys team. And his roster features an unusual class breakdown.

Carrasco succeeds Cody Rushing, who coached the Hornets for two years.

The Hornets, under Rushing, were quite successful last season. They won 25 games and lost nine overall. In District 2-3A, they posted an 8-4 record and tied for second. They lost a coin flip with Abernathy for playoff seeding.

In the playoffs, Tulia defeated Spearman 67-43 in bidistrict and Tornillo 84-72 in the area game. District foe Abernathy stopped the Hornets 52-34 in the regional quarterfinal.

“We lost four starters to graduating or transferring,” Carrasco said.

Foremost among those departures was Travon McCaslin, who as a sophomore was all-district and TABC all-state. McCaslin transferred to Lorenzo.

Assessing his new team’s strengths, Carrasco said, “We have a big senior class, who will bring experience.”

No doubt about that. All 11 players listed on the Hornets roster are seniors. Center Colby Williams and forward Koein Maeda are the tallest Tulia players at 6-3. Hugo Briones, a 5-7 point guard, is the shortest.

Tulia Boys Name

Damian Cedillo

Koein Maeda

AJ Ramirez

Brayden Robinson

Hugo Briones

Daniel Velasquez

Isaiah Trevino

Colby Williams

Brody Caldwell

Jonathan Flores

Ht. Pos. Class

5-8 F Sr

6-3 F Sr

6-2 F Sr

5-8 F Sr

5-7 G Sr

6-0 G Sr

5-8 G Sr

6-3 P Sr.

6-1 F Sr.

5-8 G Sr.

Noah Barrientez 6-0 G Sr.

Coach: Adan Carrasco

Asst. Coaches: Michael Rhodes, Adam Nix 2021-22 record: 25-9, 8-4 School phone: 995-4591

Carrasco is concerned about losing most of last year’s starters and adds that rebounding will be a major concern.

He described the keys to success this season as “staying disciplined, working on fundamentals and working hard each day to reach our goals.”

The Hornets will open their season Nov. 15 at West Plains. The home opener is Nov. 18 against Floydada. They’ll play in the Nazareth Tournament, their own Tulia Tournament and the Lubbock Caprock Classic.

Tulia moves from last year’s seven-team District 2-3A to six-team District 1-3A this season because of UIL realignment. All five district opponents—River Road, Bushland, Canadian, Dalhart and Spearman—are new conference foes. The Hornets’ district competition begins Jan. 13.

Tulia

Tule Creek Gin

Jaime Subealdea Manager

7361 County Road T Tulia, TX 79088

Office: 806-627-4287 Cell: 806-292-1874 Fax: 806-627-4727

Email: tcgin@midplains.coop

www.windstarinc.com

Tulia Girls Lady Hornets have a new coach again

Jerry Cathey brings seven years of head coaching experience as he takes over as the Lady Hornets mentor.

Cathey replaces Jordan Mahannah, who coached Tulia for one season. She has moved to Pampa as the girls track coach and assistant girls basketball coach. Cathey is the Lady Hornets’ third head coach in as many years.

Cathey is a graduate of Chillicothe High School and West Texas A&M University. He has coached both boys and girls with stops at Adrian (2015-17), Memphis (2017-20), Dumas (202021) and Fort Elliott (2021-22). His Fort Elliott girls recorded a 15-12 season last year.

Cathey’s boys coaching record is 7-37; his girls mark is 52-66.

The Lady Hornets, under Mahannah’s direction, went 14-16 and 3-9 in District 2-3A, finishing sixth last season. They did not make the playoffs.

Cathey inherits three returning starters from last year’s squad.

Karee White, a 5-9 senior forward, was all-district a year ago. Alexis Yarbrough, a 5-7 senior guard, and Alizae Balderas, a 5-5 junior guard, both were all-district honorable mentions.

Cathey tabs White, Yarbrough and Balderas as outstanding players to watch.

Joining those three starters as returning letter winners are 5-6 junior guard J’Lynn Leija, 5-8 senior forward Katlyn Goss, 5-9 senior forward Sadie Nolen and 5-6 senior guard Jaydasia Williams.

There are six seniors and one junior on the early Tulia roster. Cathey must intend to add two more seniors.

“We will be athletic and have some good shooters,” he said. “We have eight seniors, so experience should be a plus for us.”

Cathey is concerned about his players buying into a new

Karee White

Jlynn Leija

Sadie Nolen

Alexis Yarbrough

Katlyn Goss

Abrie Gomez

Alizae Balderas

Jaydasia Williams

Aly Carrasco

He said that leadership and consistency

The Lady Hornets will open their season Nov. 8 at Panhandle. The home opener is Nov. 12 vs. Pampa. They’ll play in the Nazareth, their own Tulia, and Lubbock Caprock tournaments.

Tulia moves from District 2-3A to 1-3A this year because of UIL realignment. District 1-3A looks to be pretty tough with Bushland, Canadian, Dalhart, Spearman and River Road as the Lady Hornets’ new conference opponents. District play begins Jan. 6.

Tulia Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Panhandle There X

Nov. 12 Pampa Here X

Nov. 15 West Plains There X

Nov. 15 Slaton Here X

Nov. 18 West Plains There X

Nov. 18 Floydada Here X

Nov. 22 Abernathy There X

Nov. 22 Dumas There X

Nov. 29 Memphis Here X X

Dec. 1-3 Nazareth Tournament There X X

Dec. 6 Valley Here X X

Dec. 8-10 Tulia Tournament There X X

Dec. 13 Lubbock Roosevelt There X X

Dec. 16 Childress There X

Dec. 16 Dimmitt There X

Dec. 19 Shallowater Here X

Dec. 20 Slaton There X

Dec. 29-31 Caprock Classic Lubbock X X

Jan. 3 Abernathy There X

Jan. 3 Dimmitt There X

Jan. 6 Stratford There X

Jan. 6 Dalhart Here X

Jan. 10 Bushland There X

Jan. 10 Idalou There X

Jan. 13 Canadian Here X X Jan. 17 River Road There X X

Jan. 20 Spearman Here X X

Jan. 24 Dalhart There X X

Jan. 27 Bushland Here X X

Jan. 31 Canadian There X X

Feb. 3 River Road Here X X Feb. 7 Spearman There X X Feb. 10 Dalhart Here X Feb. 14 Bushland There X

Anna Solomon

Jlynn Owens Nayeli Martinez

Tulia Girls

Name

Alexis Yarbrough

Ht. Pos. Class

5-7 G Sr

Karee White 5-9 F Sr

Alizae Balderas 5-5 G Jr

J’Lynn Leija 5-6 G Jr

Katlyn Goss 5-8 F Sr

Sadie Nolen 5-9 F Sr Jaydasia Williams 5-6 G Sr

Coach: Jerry Cathey

Asst. Coaches: Summer Tremulot, Aubrie Carter

2021-22 record: 14-16, 3-9

School phone: 995-4591

Players to watch: Karee White, Alexis Yarbrough, Alizae Balderas

Childress Boys Bobcats seek to

A lot of things went wrong for the Bobcats last year, so they’re looking for a bounce-back this season. And they may have the players to pull it off.

Childress suffered its first losing season under Coach Wayne Parker, going 13-17 overall. The Bobcats played a tough nondistrict schedule, all road games until district started.

Childress did OK in district, winding up 7-5 for fourth place. Then, after three straight years of reaching the regionals in the playoffs, the Bobcats were edged 38-37 by Bushland in the bidistrict round.

“We had a very young team that did not have a lot of varsity experience,” Parker said. “We lost several guys to injuries throughout the year. We ended the year with three freshmen, six sophomores, a junior and a senior. Our young guys battled against several really good teams and were very competitive.”

That lone senior was Avery Jalomo, a first-team all-district selection.

As a result of having only one departure, the Bobcats have a lot of talent returning: four starters and five other letter winners.

The four returning starters are:

District 2-3A

• Lamont Nickleberry, a 6-0 senior guard who averaged 16.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3 assists last season, earning all-region and district defensive MVP honors.

• Aiden Allen, a 6-0 junior guard, contributed 13.6 ppg, 6.1 rpb, 2.5 apg.

• Scout Smith, a 6-0 junior forward (5.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg), was a first-team all-district pick.

• Isaiah Jalomo, a 5-11 junior guard, chipped in wth 3.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.4 apg.

Those four represent almost 40 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Aiden Allen Scout Smith

Isaiah Jalomo

Lamont Nickleberry

Nickleberry and Allen are all-state prospects in Parker’s estimation.

In addition to those four returning starters, two other players merit attention. Billy Moore, a 6-0 junior guard, came off the bench and logged 9 ppg, 2.3 rpg statistics, earning first-team all-district laurels.

Da’Reon Mathis, a 5-9 junior guard (4.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg) was a part-time starter last year.

Smith, Isaiah Jalomo and Moore are other outstanding players to watch, according to Parker.

The Bobcats have a lot of family connections. Isaiah Jalomo is the brother of the departed Avery Jalomo and a cousin to 5-9 junior guard Jesus Jalomo (3.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg), a letter winner.

Billy Moore and 5-10 freshman guard Caleb Moore are brothers. Nickleberry and 5-11 sophomore guard Kobe Sims (2.4 rpg), a letter winner, are cousins.

Kaleb Mayden, a 6-2 sophomore forward (3.8 ppg), is the other returning letter winner.

Nickleberry is the only senior on the Bobcats’ roster. Six juniors, two sophomores and one freshman complete the squad. The Bobcats will be tough in the future, too.

“Varsity experience, speed and quickness, toughness and depth” are the Bobcats’ strengths, Parker said.

He’s concerned about the lack of height. Mayden, at 6-2, is the tallest Bobcat.

What are the keys for success this season?

“Staying healthy, playing hard and fast on both ends of the floor,” he said.

Parker is beginning his fifth season at Childress, and his Bobcat teams have won two-thirds (81-40) of their games. Overall, he has a 136-98 boys coaching record.

Parker is a graduate of Pampa High School and West Texas A&M University. He served as a graduate assistant at WT from 2009-2014, then took his first head coaching job at SanfordFritch from 2014-18.

The Bobcats remain in District 2-3A this season with only one change because of UIL realignment. Tulia leaves 2-3A to move to District 3-1A. The other six 2-3A members remain the same.

The Childress boys will open play at home Nov. 12 against Claude. They will be in the Lipan tournament Dec. 1-3, their own Childress tournament Dec. 8-10 and the Canyon tournament Dec. 28-29.

District competition will start Jan. 13 at home against Abernathy.

Childress

Dec. 6 Brownfield Here X

Dec. 8-10 Childress Tournament Here X X

Dec. 13 Klondike TBA X

Dec. 13 Amarillo High There X Dec. 16 Palo Duro Here X Dec. 16 Tulia Here X Dec. 19 Graham TBA X Dec. 19 Canadian Here X

Dec. 20 Quanah Here X

Dec. 20 Abilene Wylie Here X Dec. 28-29 Canyon Tournament There X Dec. 29 Canadian Here X

Jan. 3 Quanah Here X

Jan. 6 Wellington There X

Jan. 6 Idalou Here X

Jan. 10 Slaton There X

Jan. 10 Clarendon There X Jan. 13 Abernathy Here X X Jan. 17 Shallowater Here X X Jan. 20 Roosevelt There X X Jan. 24 Idalou Here X X

Jan. 27 Slaton Here X X

Jan. 31 Abernathy There X X Feb. 3 Shallowater There X X Feb. 7 Roosevelt Here X X Feb. 10 Idalou There X Feb. 14 Slaton There X

Childress Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 12 Clarendon Here X

Nov. 12 Claude Here X Nov. 15 Borger There X

Nov. 15 Wellington Here X

Nov. 19 Panhandle There X Nov. 21-22 Bowie Tournament There X Nov. 29 Perryton TBA X

Nov. 29 Farwell Tulia X

Dec. 1-3 Lipan Tournament There X X Dec. 6 Vernon Here X

Robby Jones

Owner

(940) 937-3471

childressglass@yahoo.com 401 North Main Childress, TX

Billy Moore

Kobe Sims

Da’Reon Mathis

Caleb Moore

Jesus Jalomo

Kaleb Mayden

Mark Keys

Financial Advisor

mark.keys@edwardjones.com

1202 7th St NW

Childress, TX 79201 Bus. 940-937-3970 TF 888-937-8193 Fax 888-599-1903 Mobile 940-226-1115

Childress Boys

Name

Lamont Nickleberry

Ht. Pos. Class

6-0 G Sr

6-0 G Jr Billy Moore 6-0 G Jr Scout Smith 6-0 F Jr Isaiah Jalomo 5-11 G Jr Da’Reon Mathis 5-9 G Jr Jesus Jalomo 5-9 G Jr Kaleb Mayden 6-2 F Soph. Kobe Sims 5-11 G Soph. Caleb Moore 5-10 G Fr

Aiden Allen

Coach: Wayne Parker

Asst. Coaches: Reid Ware, Caleb Tucker 2021-22 record: 13-17, 7-5 School phone: 940-937-6131

Players to watch: Lamont Nickleberry, Aiden Allen, Billy Moore, Scout Smith, Isaiah Jalomo

Go Bobcats!

Childress Girls Lady Cats ready for Fisher’s Year 2

Shannon Fisher’s first year as the Lady Cats coach went pretty well, considering his players were learning a new system and he inherited only two returning starters.

The Lady Cats went 18-15 and 8-4 in District 2-3A, finishing third. Childress lost its bidistrict playoff game to Bushland 43-31,

“The girls did a great job of learning a new system and philosophy,” Fisher said. “They did an outstanding job of staying hungry and wanting to get better.”

Lily Stephens, an all-district honorable mention, Kenzlee Carroll and Nayeli Miller were the seniors on last year’s team. There are five seniors on this year’s roster. All of them are letter winners and four are returning starters.

That quartet is:

Childress Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

• Chloe Teichelman, a 5-6 guard averaged 10.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in earning first-team all-district distinction;

• Aspen Lomax, a 5-6 guard, contributed 6.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg and also was first-team AD;

Chloe Teichelman

5-6 G Sr. Aspen Lomax 5-5 G Sr.

Cameran Daniel 5-7 F Sr. Adah Henderson 5-10 P Sr. Kate Taylor 5-4 G Sr

Clarissa Gamboa 5-5 G Jr Kar’Leigh Husband 5-5 G Jr Alicia Salinas 5-7 P Jr Sophia Stephens 5-5 G Soph.

Coach: Shannon Fisher

Asst. Coaches: Maggie Collins, Steve Walker 2021-22 record: 18-15, 8-4 School phone: 940-937-2501

Players to watch: Chloe Teichelman, Aspen Lomax, Cameran Daniel, Adah Henderson

• Cameran Daniel, a 5-7 forward with 7.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg statistics last season;

• Adah Henderson, a 5-10 post, with 7.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg stats.

Those four represent 31.5 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Those four also are the outstanding players to watch, according to Fisher.

Kate Taylor, a 5-4 guard, is the fifth letter winner.

Fisher sees experience, maturity and overall team speed as the Lady Cats’ strengths.

Henderson, at 5-10, is the tallest Lady Cat.

“We will not have a lot of size, so team speed will have to help make up the difference,” Fisher said.

He outlined the keys for success this season as “always staying healthy and continuing to be students of the game. Will need to build up our bench to maintain the flow of the game.”

Chloe Teichelman

Aspen Lomax Cameran Daniel

Fisher, a graduate of Sudan High School and Texas Tech University, has 21 years of head coaching experience.

He was at Groom, Dalhart, Snyder, Roby and Gruver before coming to Childress last year. His 2020 Gruver team won the Class 2A state championship.

Fisher’s girls teams have recorded 433 victories against 213 defeats for a .670 winning percentage. He is a member of the Panhandle-Plains Basketball’s 300 Club.

The Lady Cats will open their season at home Nov. 12 vs. Clarendon. They’ll play in the Bowie and Lipan tournaments and their own Childress tournament. District 2-3A play — with only six teams this season — gets underway Jan. 6.

Adah Henderson

Kar’Leigh Husband

Kate Taylor

Alicia Salinas

Clarissa Gamboa

Sophie Stephens

Childress

Snyders in Childress, Texas

Phone: (940) 937-2337

Fax: (940) 937-2379

Snyders in Seymour, Texas

Phone: (940) 888-1830

Fax: (940) 888-3332

Idalou Boys Veteran coach takes over Wildcats

Bryan Blackwell, who has 17 years of coaching experience, is the new mentor for the Wildcats.

Blackwell becomes the third coach in as many years at Idalou. He succeeds Rhyan Daugherty, who moved to Perryton to coach the boys team there.

Blackwell is a graduate of Cheyenne High School in Oklahoma and Lubbock Christian University. He has coached at Wellington, Sanger, Brock, Huckabay and Christoval.

Blackwell’s boys teams have posted a 184-99 record (a .650 winning percentage) in his nine years as a head coach.

The Wildcats struggled last year. They were 4-25 overall. But their four wins did come in District 2-3A competition. Their 4-7 conference record placed them fifth.

Four seniors on that team — Xaveon Cavazos, Arturo Flores, Riley Hall and Rex McGehee — have moved on.

The Wildcats have three returning starters and five other letter winners on hand, giving Blackwell some experience.

The returning starters are 5-10 junior guard Tate Hendley, 6-3 junior guard Houston Stark and 5-10 sophomore Kutter Houchin.

The letter winners are 5-10 senior guard Carter Craig, 5-7 senior guard Corbin Hughes, 6-0 senior guard Cooper Ross, 6-2 senior guard William Wall and 6-2 junior forward Carter Crump. As a sophomore, Wall averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds.

There are five seniors, seven juniors and one sophomore on the Idalou roster.

The Wildcats will open their season Nov. 15 at New Home. The home opener is Nov. 22 against Floydada. They’ll play in the Nazareth, Jayton and Eula tournaments.

District 2-3A play begins Jan. 13. The district has six teams, instead of seven, this year as Tulia moves to District 1-2A.

Idalou Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Carter Craig 5-10 G Sr Brice Dodgin 6-6 P Sr Corbin Hughes 5-7 G Sr Cooper Ross 6-0 G Sr William Wall

6-2 G Sr Derek Cantu 6-3 F Jr Tanner Chism 6-0 G Jr Carter Crump 6-2 F Jr Tate Hendley 5-10 G Jr Logan Mennel

6-1 G Jr Brinson Roye 6-3 G Jr Houston Stark 6-3 G Jr Kutter Houchin 5-10 G Soph.

Coach: Bryan Blackwell Asst. Coaches: Jaren Shipp, Zane Mauney School phone: 892-1900

Idalou Super Boosters

The Barber Shop, Earnest & Diane Fabila, 206 Main, Idalou, TX 79329, Shop: 806.892.2744 Cell: 806.239.7125, Tuesday-Friday 8:30-6:00, Saturday 8:00-2:00. No appointment Needed Have a great year!—Darrell & Joy Fuller

Kutter Houchin

Carter Craig Corbin Hughes

Tate Hendley

Go Wildcats!—Robert Gibson and Family Go Wildcats!—Al Piseno

Go Mean Green! Aryssa!—Love, Dad Go Wildcats!—Handy Man Sam Go Wildcats!—John & Margaret Shipley

Good Luck to the Cats and Lady Cats this season!—Perry & Trisha Rowland

Savage Squaw wishes the Cats and Lady Cats Good Luck This Season!

Go Cats and Lady Cats!—Nick, Joli, Maddox, Nash & Grant Martin

Dale, Marnie, Logan, Maryn & Jensyn Sanders

Go Cats!—Acie & Margo Boyd Brixleigh, the stars are opening up and Nana is shining down!

Go Brixleigh!—Love, Mom, Robert, Brenham, Brekton & Haley

Cooper Ross

William Wall

Carter Crump

Idalou Girls Lady Cats achieve a school first

The Lady Cats made school history last year with their first appearance in the state tournament.

Idalou’s outstanding season featured championships in the Lipan and Anson tournaments. Then the Lady Cats were District 2-3A co-champs with Shallowater with 11-1 conference records.

That marked their fourth district title or co-title in the past five years.

In last spring’s playoffs, the Lady Cats defeated Spearman 59-31 in bidistrict and defending state champion Brownfield 47-42 in the area round. That set the stage for a regional run through Bushland (70-38), Peaster (49-31) and Canadian (52-39).

Idalou lost to Fairfield 54-35 in the state semifinals to finish the season at 31-7. Fairfield went on to win the Class 3A state championship, so that was the third straight season the Lady Cats were eliminated by the eventual state champs — Shallowater and Brownfield were the previous two.

“First state tourney appearance in school history,” Coach Tyler Helms said. “Six regional tourneys in the last eight years.”

Four key players have departed from last year’s Idalou team.

Taylor Houston was all-state, all-region and the district MVP. She signed to play at Wayland Baptist University. Reagan Dennis and Brenlea Wallace both earned all-region and all-district honors. McKenna Nodine was all-district honorable mention. Helms has three starters returning for this season.

Logan Heard, a 5-10 senior guard/forward, averaged 16.9 points and 4.2 rebounds last season, earning TABC and TAGC all-state and all-state tournament team laurels. She is the younger sister of former Idalou standout Bo Heard, a senior on the 2020-21 team.

Kira Fox, a 6-2 junior forward with 5.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg statistics last season, and Lily Moyers, a 5-7 junior guard (4.4 ppg, 3.8

(Continued on next page)

Kira Fox

Lily Moyers Landrie Gregory

Logan Heard

assists per game), were both all-district selections.

Heard, Fox and Moyers are all-state candidates, according to Helms.

A fourth returning letter winner, 5-10 junior guard/forward Landrie Gregory (3.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg), is another player to watch.

Helms cites tradition as the Lady Cats’ strength. Idalou has won or shared four district titles in the past five years while compiling a 118-33 won-lost record.

With only four players returning, experience is a concern, according to Helms.

The keys for Idalou’s success this season are new faces joining the team and the Lady Cats succeeding with a fast learning curve, he said.

Good

Idalou Girls

Name Ht. Pos. Class

Logan Heard 5-10 G/F Sr

Kira Fox 6-2 F Jr Lily Moyers 5-7 G Jr

Landrie Gregory 5-10 G/F Jr

Coach: Tyler Helms

Asst. Coaches: Dana Fox, Greg Bowman

2021-22 record: 31-7, 11-1

School phone: 892-1900

Players to watch: Logan Heard, Kira Fox, Lily Moyers, Landrie Gregory

Helms, a graduate of Floydada High School and Texas Tech University, has spent his 13-year coaching career at Idalou. He was the boys mentor for the first five years, leading the Wildcats to the 2011 Class 2A state championship. His Wildcat teams went 145-32.

He moved over to the girls side for the 2014-15 season. His eight Lady Cat squads have posted a 228-57 record. Combined, that’s an overall coaching record of 373-89 for an .807 winning percentage. Helms is a member of the PPB 300 Club.

Idalou remains a member of the rugged 2-3A district. It’s a six-team conference, instead of seven, this season as Tulia shifts to District 1-3A because of UIL realignment. The other 2-3A members remain the same.

The Lady Cats will begin the season at home Nov. 8 against Trinity Christian of Lubbock before traveling up I-27 to Randall on Nov. 12. They will play in the Frenship, Lipan and Whataburger tournaments.

District play will start at home Jan. 6 against Childress.

Have a great season Wildcats!—Dwight & Sandra Roye Go Wildcats! Let’s Do this Wildcats!—Bubba & Kandra Roye Have a great season Brinson!—Love, Gram & Gramps Wishing you a great season Lady Cats! Let’s Go Wildcats! Good Luck this year!—Heather & Dylan

Go Wildcats!

Idalou Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Lubbock Trinity Here X Nov. 12 Canyon @ Canyon Randall There X Nov. 15 New Home There X X Nov. 17-19 Frenship Tournament There X Nov. 21 Seminole There X Nov. 22 Floydada Here X X Nov. 29 Littlefield Here X Nov. 29 Lubbock Cooper There X Dec. 1-3 Lipan Tournament There X Dec. 1-3 Nazareth Tournament There X Dec. 6 Olton There X Dec. 6 Frenship There X Dec. 9 Lubbock Trinity There X Dec. 13 Farwell Here X X Dec. 15-17 Jayton Tournament There X Dec. 16 Amarillo High There X Dec. 20 Lubbock Estacado Here X Dec. 20 Big Spring There X Dec. 28-30 Eula Tournament There X Dec. 28-30 Whataburger Tournament There X Jan. 3 Dimmitt There X Jan. 6 Palo Duro There X Jan. 6 Childress Here X Jan. j10 Roosevelt Here X Jan. 10 Tulia Here X

Jan. 13 Shallowater There X X

Jan. 17 Slaton There X X Jan. 20 Abernathy Here X X Jan. 24 Childress There X X Jan. 27 Roosevelt There X X Jan. 31 Shallowater Here X X Feb. 3 Slaton Here X X Feb. 7 Abernathy There X X Feb. 10 Childress Here X Feb. 14 Roosevelt Here X

proudly sponsor the IMS cheerleaders

all the Wildcats a safe and successful season!

Go Wildcats and Lady Cats—the Mattocks Family

Good Luck!—Curt, Jennifer & Marcie Phillips Go Cats!—Roger & Lori Husband

Let’s Go Wildcats!—Bobby & Gina Lewis Go Idalou!—Jay, Kinann, Hagen, Ivy & Grey Go Wildcats! Have a great season Cooper Ross and Nick Estrada!—Doc & Mammy Go Cats!—Linda Cave, Kimbra Cave Go Wildcats and Lady Cats!—Russ & Kathy Reagan Go Cats!—Steve, Angie, Brady, Bryce, Terra & Bergan Gunter

Good Luck Wildcats and Lady Cats!—Jerry, Amy, Nick, Mylee & Reese Estrada Have a Great Season!—Justin, Jessica, Jenny, Jaxon & Jayci Sullivan Have a Great Season Wildcats and Lady Cats!— Tanner, Krista, Gage & Gentry Pounds Go Get’Em Wildcats!—Jonathan, Mary & Colton Hurst

thebusybeeidalou@gmail.com (806) 892-3188 806 Frontage Rd. Idalou, TX 79329

Go Cats!

Shallowater Boys Mustangs run to 31 wins between losses

Last season was a strange one for the Mustangs. They lost their first game and their last game. In between, they won 31 straight.

Shallowater lost its season opener to Lubbock Coronado 7960. Three months later, the Mustangs bowed to Brock 61-57 in the regional semifinals.

There were a lot of highlights in between those losses. The Mustangs won the District 2-3A championship with a 12-0 record, elevating Shallowater’s conference record to a perfect 66-0 with five titles in as many years.

It marked the fourth time in five years that the Mustangs had won 30 games or more and their fifth straight 20-win plus season.

It was the 11th straight year — all coached by Jay Lusk — the Mustangs had qualified for the playoffs, and it was the fifth time they had reached the regionals in five seasons.

Shallowater did that by beating Canadian 87-43 in bidistrict, Kermit 82-70 in the area game and Bushland 68-48 in the

regional quarterfinals. But Brock broke the Mustangs for the second straight year.

“We had a great group of kids that played hard and won a lot of games,” Lusk said. “They were a young group that got better throughout the year. We are proud of the success they had.”

Cason Stallings, an all-district honoree, was the key loss from last year’s squad.

Lusk welcomed three returning starters and four other letter winners this fall.

The returning starters are:

• Cooper Lusk, a 6-4 junior guard who averaged 15.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists last season. The coach’s son was the district co-MVP, TABC all-region and TABC all-state.

• Hayden Buckley, a 6-1 junior guard, who contributed 11 ppg,

3 rpg, 2.5 apg and was the district newcomer of the year as a sophomore.

• Trevor Winn, a 6-1 senior guard, who chipped in with 9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3 apg and earned all-district distinction.

Those three represent about 35 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Coach Lusk recommends all three as all-state candidates.

The other letter winners are 6-2 senior forward Josh Grimes (4.3 ppg, 2 rpg), 6-6 junior post Kasen Long (4 ppg, 3.5 rpg), 6-2 junior forward Cannon Reed (5 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and 5-10 sophomore guard J.J. Davis (4.2 ppg, 3 rpg).

Davis is an outstanding player to watch, according to Coach Lusk.

The Shallowater roster shows two seniors, five juniors and two sophomores, indicating the Mustangs’ success story may not end this season.

Lusk describes the Mustangs’ strengths as experience, high basketball IQs, speed and tradition. He is concerned about height and rebounding.

His keys for success this season are working together and staying together.

Lusk is beginning his 12th season coaching at his high school alma mater and has enjoyed tremendous success in the only place he’s coached.

The Texas Tech University graduate has guided the Mustangs to 248 wins and 56 losses, an .816 winning percentage. In the

last five years, Shallowater has posted a 144-19 record for an .884 winning percentage.

The Mustangs will open their season Nov. 29 at Nazareth. Then they’ll play in the Dec. 1-3 Nazareth Tournament before making their home debut Dec. 6 against Andrews. Shallowater also will participate in Fort Worth’s Whataburger Tournament. District 2-3A play begins Jan. 13. The district has six teams, instead of seven, this season because Tulia moves to District 1-3A because of UIL realignment.

Cooper Lusk

Hayden Buckley

Trevor Winn Josh Grimes

Shallowater Super Boosters

Shallowater Boys

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

6-2 F Sr. Trevor Winn 6-1 G Sr. Cooper Lusk 6-4 G Jr. Hayden Buckley 6-1 G Jr Kasen Long 6-6 P Jr Cannon Reed 6-2 F Jr Jon Servantez 5-10 G Jr JJ Davis 5-10 G Soph. Hudson Franklin 6-2 F Soph.

Josh Grimes

Coach: Jay Lusk Asst. Coach: Chase Clanahan 2021-22 record: 31-2, 12-0 School phone: 832-4531

Players to watch: Cooper Lusk, Hayden Buckley, Trevor Winn, Josh Grimes, JJ Davis

Shallowater FFA wishes the Fillies a great season!

Kasen Long

Cannon Reed JJ Davis

Shallowater Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Seminole There X

Nov. 12 West Plains There X

Nov. 15 Andrews Here X

Nov. 17-19 Frenship Tournament There X

Nov. 22 Midland Christian Here X

Nov. 29 Estacado Here X

Nov. 29 Nazareth There X

Dec. 1-3 Nazareth Tournament There X X

Dec. 6 Odessa Permian Here X

Dec. 6 Andrews Here X

Dec. 8-10 Andrews Tournament There X

Dec. 13 Odessa Permian Here X

Dec. 13 Odessa High There X

Dec. 16 Midland Legacy Here X

Dec. 16 Lubbock High There X

Dec. 19 Estacado There X

Dec. 19 Tulia There X

Dec. 20 Valley There X

Dec. 28-30 Whataburger Tournament There X

Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X

Jan. 6 Roosevelt Here X

Jan. 6 Snyder There X

Jan. 10 Abernathy There X

Jan. 13 Idalou Here X X

Jan. 17 Childress There X X

Jan. 20 Slaton Here X X

Jan. 24 Roosevelt There X X

Jan. 27 Abernathy Here X X

Jan. 31 Idalou There X X

Feb. 3 Childress Here X X

Feb. 7 Slaton There X

Feb. 10 Roosevelt Here X

Feb. 14 Abernathy There X

Shallowater Girls

Fillies have a new mentor

For the first time in 42 years, the Fillies will have a new coach.

Kurt Richardson moves from Spearman to replace Chuck Darden, who retired last year. Darden not only was a seemingly permanent fixture at Shallowater but also a very successful coach.

In his 41-year coaching career, all at Shallowater, he led his girls teams to 1,052 victories and 288 losses, a .785 winning percentage. He was No. 2 behind Canyon’s legendary Joe Lombard on the Panhandle-Plains Basketball’s 300 Club list.

Darden coached the Fillies to state championships in 2004 and 2020.

His last team went undefeated in the Andrews Tournament, won the Shallowater Shootout and finished third in the big-school division of the Lubbock Caprock Tournament.

The Fillies tied for first in District 2-3A with an 11-1 record.

In the playoffs, Shallowater defeated Dalhart 74-39 in bidistrict and Muleshoe 73-32 in the area round. Canadian stopped the Fillies 51-45 in the regional quarterfinals, capping a 30-3 season

for Darden’s last go-round. (See page 34 for Dave Wohlfarth’s feature story on Darden’s coaching career.)

Three honored players have departed from that team. Bree Brattain was the district co-MVP, TGCA all-state, a TABC all-star and on the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Super Team. Jenna Willer was honored as the district co-offensive player of the year, TABC all-region and honorable mention on the A-J Super Team. Avery Velasquez earned all-district distinction. But there’s plenty of talent on the present Fillies’ roster, which features 10 returning letter winners.

(Continued on next page)

Madilyn Barnes

Shelby Roberts Kinleigh Richardson Makki Hart

Madilyn Barnes, a 5-8 senior guard, averaged 5.3 points and 3.4 rebounds last season, winning all-district laurels.

Barnes started for the Fillies last season as did 5-9 senior post Shelby Roberts (4.4 ppg, 4 rpg), the district defensive player of the year.

Coach Richardson brought another starter with him: daughter Kinleigh Richardson, a 5-5 senior guard. Kinleigh Richardson contributed 7.5 ppg, 4 rpg for Spearman and was all-District 1-3A last season.

Coach Richardson views Barnes and Kinleigh Richardson as all-state material.

Makki Hart, a 5-8 junior guard (5.3 ppg), was an all-district honoree last year. Avery Terrell, a 5-5 senior guard (5 ppg), and Maci Moravcik, a 5-7 senior forward, were all-district honorable mentions.

Roberts, Hart, Terrell and Moravcik are outstanding players to watch, according to Coach Richardson.

“We have versatile players that can play post and guard,” he said in addressing the Fillies’ strengths. “Could be a pretty good shooting team. Great girls that play hard.”

Richardson’s chief concern is his team adjusting to a coaching change and new roles on the team.

Taking care of the ball and playing tough defense will be the keys for success this season, he said.

Richardson is replacing a Shallowater staple, but he brings some nifty credentials of his own.

A Canyon High School and West Texas A&M University graduate, he’s been a head coach for 16 years and sports a 395-149 career girls coaching record. That’s a .726 winning percentage

and merits a spot in the PPB’s 300 Club.

He has led four teams to state tournament appearances. His four-year records at Spearman were 81-45 overall and 34-14 in district play. Last year, his Lynxettes went 23-10 overall and 6-4 in district, losing to Idalou in the playoffs for the second straight year.

His brother, Kevin Richardson, coached at Canyon and Wall and now is the first girls coach at Canyon’s new West Plains High School.

The Fillies will open their season Nov. 8 at Seminole, then it will be brother-vs-brother in a Nov. 12 date at West Plains. The home opener is Nov. 15 vs. Andrews.

Shallowater will compete in the Frenship, Nazareth and Lubbock Caprock tournaments.

District 2-3A is a six-team conference this season, instead of seven, as Tulia moves to 1-3A because of UIL realignment. Shallowater’s other five district foes remain the same.

District play begins Jan. 6.

Avery Terrell Maci Moravcik Chloe McKinney

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Shallowater Girls

Name

Madilyn Barnes

Ht. Pos. Class

5-8 G Sr

Chloe McKinney

5-7 F Sr

5-4 G Sr Maci Moravcik

Kinleigh Richardson

5-5 G Sr. Shelby Roberts

5-9 P Sr. Avery Terrell

Jasmine Castillo

Makki Hart

5-5 G Sr.

5-5 G Jr.

5-8 G Jr.

5-11 P Jr. Molly Salinas 5-9 G Jr.

Addison Pitts

Coach: Kurt Richardson

Asst. Coaches: Luke Buckner, Callie Noland

2021-22 record: 30-3, 11-1 School phone: 832-4531

Players to watch: Madilyn Barnes, Kinleigh Richardson, Makki Hart, Shelby Roberts, Avery Terrell, Maci Moravcik

Jasmine Castillo

Addison Pitts Molly Salinas

Slaton Boys Tigers to play hard and fast

The Tigers new coach, Colton Stegall, is taking on his first head coaching assignment.

Stegall played for a Hico High School team that reached a regional tournament. The Texas Tech University graduate has served as an assistant at Lubbock Coronado.

Stegall succeeds Stacy Godfrey, who coached the Tigers the past six years but didn’t get his teams into the playoffs.

Last year’s Tigers, under Godfrey, finished 12-18 overall and in sixth place in the seven-team District 2-3A with a 2-10 record.

Four seniors moved on from that team, but perhaps the key departure was Jahlil Brewster, a first-team all-district selection as a sophomore, who transferred to Lubbock Roosevelt, a district opponent.

Slaton has two starters and three other letter winners returning from last year’s squad.

Travarean Samuels, a 6-0 senior guard, and Xzavion Whaley, a 5-11 junior guard, are listed as returning starters.

Adan Camano, a 5-9 senior guard; Zach Ordonez, a 6-1 senior forward; and Izack Nichols, a 5-10 senior guard, lettered last year.

Stegall tabs Whaley and Camano as outstanding players to

watch.

The Slaton roster is composed of six seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and one freshman.

“This year’s team has shown great work ethic,” Stegall said in assessing his team’s strengths. “They will be playing hard and playing fast for the entirety of the game.”

He is concerned about the lack of varsity experience.

“The keys to success will be limiting turnovers and playing consistently disciplined defense,” Stegall said.

The Tigers will open their season Nov. 15 at Kermit. The home opener is Nov. 19 against Farwell. They’ll play in the Lamesa and Lubbock Caprock tournaments.

Xzavion Whaley

Adan Camano Jayden Gwin

Travarean Samuel

Slaton will begin District 2-3A action Jan. 13 at Lubbock Roosevelt. The district membership is reduced from seven to six this season as Tulia moves to District 1-3A because of UIL realignment. There are no other changes in the conference.

Slaton Boys

Name Ht. Pos. Class Adan Camano 5-9 G Sr. Travarean Samuels 6-0 G Sr. Zach Ordonez 6-1 F Sr. Diego Gomez 6-2 F Soph. Xzavion Whaley 5-11 G Jr. Izack Nichols 5-10 G Sr. Jacob Lopez 5-9 G Fr Nate Perez 5-10 F Jr Braden Brown 5-10 G Sr Jayden Gwin 5-11 G Sr

Coach: Colton Stegall

Asst. Coach: Jace Chancellor

2021-22 record: 12-18, 2-10 School phone: 828-5833

Players to watch: Adan Camano, Xzavion Whaley

Slaton Girls

Tigerette coach is a veteran

The Tigerettes’ new coach, Mike McCann, is taking on his sixth head coaching job.

The veteran McCann has 23 years of coaching experience, and his girls teams have won 446 games.

The Levelland High School and Texas Tech University graduate has coached at Floydada, Olton, Lubbock Cooper, Ropes and Whitharral.

His career girls coaching record is 446-224, a .666 winning percentage. He’s a member of this magazine’s 300 Club.

He succeeds Tiffany Potts ,who moved to Aspermont, where she’s the high school principal and girls basketball coach. Potts had coached the Tigerettes for five years.

Last year’s team suffered through a 6-25 season. The Tigerettes were winless in 12 District 2-3A games, finishing last.

Thirteen players are on the Slaton roster: four seniors, three juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen.

The seniors are 5-3 Jaclyn Loera, 5-3 Kat Castillo, 5-2 Ileannah Linares and 5-4 Ciarra Minarez. Junior Ariana Aguilar at 5-8 is the tallest Tigerette; sophomore Adriana Gonzales at 4-10 is the shortest.

“We hope to play with great effort and play together as a team on both ends of the floor,” McCann said of his team’s strengths.

He’s concerned because the Tigerettes will be a young team from a varsity experience standpoint.

Come see us on the square in downtown Slaton for delicious German cuisine, a huge juicy burger, or the best chicken fried steak around.

You can check out our specials and event calendars on Facebook or Instagram.

Live music every Friday and Saturday night. Serving the most refreshing post-game drinks in town. See you on the square.

Cheers to a great year Tigerettes!

Kat Castillo

Ileannah Linares

Kaitlyn Parker

Ariana Aguilar

Kamryn Barrera

(Continued

“The keys will be adjusting to a new coach, new expectations and system of play,” McCann said.

The Tigerettes will debut Nov. 8 at home against Muleshoe. They’ll participate in the Spur, Denver City and Lubbock Caprock tournaments.

Slaton’s first District 2-3A game will be Jan. 6 at Abernathy. The district will have six holdover teams this year with the departure of Tulia because of UIL realignment.

Slaton Girls

Name Ht. Class Jaclyn Loera 5-3 Sr. Ariana Aguilar 5-8 Jr. Presley Alford 5-7 Jr. Kaitlyn Parker 5-7 Soph. Adriana Gonzales 4-10 Soph. Libby Brown 5-2 Jr. Kamryn Barrera 5-2 Soph. Kolbi McCord 5-6 Fr. Alexus Barajas 5-1 Soph. Kat Castillo 5-3 Sr Ileannah Linares 5-2 Sr Ciara Minarez 5-4 Sr Kali Stafford 5-1 Fr

Coach: Mike McCann

Asst. Coaches: Krysa Villegas, Amanda Langston, Mika McCann

2021-22 record: 0-12 School phone: 828-5833

910 Frontage Rd. Idalou, TX 79329 806-892-2011

1303 E. Marshall Howard Blvd. Littlefield, TX 79339 806-385-0364

1420 Woodrow Rd. Slaton, TX 79364 806-828-4200

Slaton Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 5 Snyder There X Nov. 8 Muleshoe Here X Nov. 12 Lamesa Here X Nov. 15 Tulia There X Nov. 15 Kermit There X Nov. 17-19 Spur Tournament There X

Nov. 18 Levelland LCU X Nov. 19 Farwell Here X Nov. 22 Dimmitt Here X Nov. 22 Post Here X Nov. 29 West Plains There X Nov. 29 Hale Center Here X Dec. 1-3 Denver City Tournament There X Dec. 1-3 Lamesa Tournament There X Dec. 6 Denver City There X X Dec. 9 Olton Here X Dec. 13 Littlefield There X X Dec. 16 Tahoka There X X Dec. 20 Tulia Here X Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X X Jan. 3 Jayton There X Jan. 6 Abernathy There X Jan. 6 Colorado City Here X Jan. 10 Childress Here X Jan. 13 Roosevelt There X X Jan. 17 Idalou There X X Jan. 20 Shallowater There X X Jan. 24 Abernathy Here X X Jan. 27 Childress There X X Jan. 31 Roosevelt Here X X Feb. 3 Idalou There X X Feb. 7 Shallowater Here X X Feb. 10 Abernathy There X Feb. 14 Childress Here X

Matt Bennett – Honey Badger Tactical, LLC

Let’s Go Tigerettes! Play like a girl Adri!— Love, the Gonzo Gang

Hard work Brings good results! Get after it Tigerettes!--Coach Harbin

Go Tigerettes!—From Caylene Caddell Go Adri!—From Debra Atkins

Be Relentless!—The Garcia’s Good Luck Kolbi and Tigerettes!—Love, Mom & K.K.

Good Luck this Season Pres! We love you!— Dad, Mom & Jax

Once a Tigerette, Always a Tigerette! Keep the tradition alive!—Lynn Melton We will always be your biggest fans!—Jerry & Lisa Whitten, and Ethan Purcell

Have a great season Presley and Kolbi! We are so proud of you both! Have fun and play hard!—Love, Mike, Kenney & Wee

Go Tigerettes! All the way!—Chris Kennedy Go Kam!—Love, Jennifer & Jacob

Go Tigerettes! Go Kam!—Love, Momo & Bibis Go Kam and Tigerettes!—Aaron & Lacy Corley, Alexa Gaydos

Good Luck Kam and the Tigerettes!—Bobby, Melissa, Derek & Dellin Barrera

Go Tigerettes! Go Kam!—Love, Mimi & Grandpa

Have a good year Kam! Good Luck Kam!—We love you, Emilina, Aubree, Tesla, Thomas Tia & Tio

3305 101st Street, Suite 200 Lubbock, TX 79423 (806) 791-0043 Fax (806) 687-5958

Go Tigerettes and Tigers!

1400 Woodrow Rd. Slaton, TX 79364

Keep working hard Kam! We are proud of you!—Matt, Mindy, Aubree Wiggins and Logan Munoz

Go Ciara! We love you!—The Bentancourt Family

Have a great Senior year! So proud of you!— Mom & Sister’s Dustin and Amanda Brown support the Slaton Tigers and Tigerettes

Go Tigers and Tigerettes! Go Libby!—Mimi & Pops

Go Tigerettes!—Doris Alspaugh

Work Hard, Play Hard!—We Love you Ileannah!

Go Tigerettes!—The Castillo Family Play Hard. Play with Passion. Play to Win!— Coach D Have a great season Tigers & Tigerettes!

Dimmitt Boys Ex-Bobcat star now is the coach

District 3-3A

A former Dimmitt star is the new coach for the Bobcats. Nicholas Gauna was district MVP, all-region, all-state, all-South Plains and the Amarillo Globe-News player of the year at Dimmitt.

The Angelo State University graduate is making his head coaching debut although he has served as a Bobcat assistant since 2018. Before that, he coached at Fort Stockton High School.

He replaces Colby Rives, who returned to his hometown of Stephenville. Rives is teaching and is an assistant on Stephenville’s boys basketball team. Rives coached the Bobcats for three seasons.

The Bobcats, under Rives, had impressive wins over Hereford, Farwell and Springlake-Earth in nondistrict play and New Deal in the Randall Playoff Preview.

Dimmitt won District 3-3A with a 9-3 record. In the playoffs, the Bobcats defeated Presidio 74-63 in bidistrict before bowing to Abernathy 56-30 in the area game. That capped a 20-10 overall season.

“We started the season off with a win against a tough Hereford team, which made the regional tournament. We had a close loss at Dumas, which was undefeated,” Gauna said.

“The Bobcats battled their way to a first-place finish in district before struggling against a tough Abernathy team in the area round.”

Six seniors — Gabriel Ontiveros, Marcelo Lopez, Anthony Rodriguez, Raul Cadena, Jordan Garcia and Luke Settle — played

their final game for Dimmitt last spring.

Gauna has four starters and two other letter winners back. The returning starters are:

• Conler Willey, a 6-4 senior guard who averaged 13 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in earning first-team all-district honors;

• Ivan Moreno, a 6-3 senior guard who contributed 14 ppg, 4 rpg and also was first-team all-district;

• Daunte Perez, a 5-10 senior guard with 4 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg statistics;

• Emiliano Peralta, a 6-1 junior guard with 5 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg stats.

Those four returning starters represent about 35 points per

C.J. Willey

Ivan Moreno Daunte Perez

game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Gauna recommends Willey and Moreno as all-state candidates. Perez, Peralta and 6-0 junior guard David Fuentes are other outstanding players to watch.

Ariel Perez, a 6-2 senior post (2 ppg, 2 rpg), and Will VanZee, a 6-0 senior post, lettered last season.

Six seniors and three juniors are on the Dimmitt roster. Six players are listed as guards.

Gauna lists guard play, speed and quickness as his team’s strengths. He’s concerned about size and depth.

“Keys this year are to utilize our seniors’ experience,” he said. “They understand what it takes to compete in the big games!”

The Bobcats will open Nov. 15 at Levelland. The home opener is Nov. 21 against Dumas. They’ll play in the Vega, their own Dimmitt and Lubbock Caprock tournaments.

District 3-3A play begins Dec. 20. The district has increased by one member this season as Stanton is added because of UIL realignment. Holdover foes Lamesa, Brownfield, Denver City, Muleshoe, Littlefield and Friona will still be in Dimmitt’s conference.

Dimmitt Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class Conler Willey 6-4 G Sr. Ivan Moreno 6-3 G Sr. Daunte Perez 5-10 G Sr. Emiliano Peralta 6-1 G Jr. Ariel Perez 6-2 P Sr Devin Enriquez 5-10 G Sr Mario Lopez 6-0 P Jr Will VanZee 6-0 P Sr David Fuentes 6-0 G Jr

Coach: Nicholas Gauna Asst. Coaches: Dillon Rackler, Rudy Bonilla 2021-22 record: 20-10, 9-3 School phone: 647-3105

Players to watch: Ivan Moreno, Conler Willey, Emiliano Peralta, Daunte Perez, David Fuentes

Good Luck Mario, in this basketball season!—Love, Mom & Dad

David Fuentes Ariel Perez Will VanZee

Dimmitt Girls

Bobbies’ assistant moves up

Jason Ayala, an assistant coach for the Bobbies last year, has stepped up to be the head coach.

Ayala is a graduate of Littlefield High School and Texas Tech University.

He succeeds Tiffany Thomas, who now is Dimmitt’s girls coordinator and assistant principal. Thomas coached the Bobbies for eight years, compiling a 53-186 record.

Last year’s Dimmitt team posted an 8-14 overall record and a 3-9 District 3-3A mark, finishing fifth.

Ayala noted that the Bobbies had increased their victory total last year – 8 – over the previous season’s mark of 5. “Lost a few games within 10 points. So we are there, and we are able to compete,” he said.

Four seniors — Kaylee Lujan, Michelle Ontiveros, Haylee Melendez and Sara Loeza — have moved on from last year’s team.

However, Ayala has a lot of experience returning with five potential starters and two other letter winners.

Mariah Marmolejo, a 5-5 senior post, is the leader of the Bobbies’ pack. She was a first-team all-district selection last year.

“Her leadership on and off the court will be a huge factor to our success,” Ayala said.

The other starters are 5-4 senior guard Caitlyn Olmos, 5-6 junior guard K’mree Nino, 5-9 sophomore post Milee Thomas

Mariah Marmolejo

Milee Thomas

Caitlyn Olmos

Na’Khiyah Porras

K’mree Niño

Kriselle Ramirez

(Continued on next page)

according to Ayala.

Kriselle Ramirez, a 5-7 junior guard, and Alondra Cabrales, a 5-5 senior guard, also lettered last year.

The Bobbies’ roster shows five seniors, four juniors, one sophomore and one freshman.

“We had a lot of underclassmen get lots of playing time last year,” Ayala said in assessing his team’s strengths. “Their experience will be a factor for our success.”

What are his keys to success this season?

“Just being able to compete and playing physical basketball,” he said.

The Bobbies will bob up Nov. 5 at New Deal. The home opener is Nov. 8 vs. Lorenzo. They’ll play in the Vega, Dimmitt and Lubbock Caprock tournaments.

Their district debut is set for Dec. 13. Stanton joins District 3-3A this season, making it an eight-team conference.

Daunte’, You have made all of your family so proud all these years. Your high school years have been more than a blessing to watch. We never took for granted being able to watch you in any sport you chose to play. Keep up the hard work and determination and we promise you’ll reach your biggest dream. We are so proud of you…It’s your senior year kid, so ball hard! Love, Mom, Dad, Popo, Nana and Uncle Santos

Alondra Cabrales

Erika Ontiveros

Victoria Hernandez

Abygail Loeza

Braylynn Chavira

Dimmitt Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Mariah Marmolejo 5-5 P Sr Caitlyn Olmos 5-4 G Sr Erika Ontiveros 5-1 G Sr

Abby Loeza 5-4 P Sr Victoria Hernandez 5-5 P Jr K’mree Nino 5-6 G Jr Milee Thomas 5-9 P Soph. Kriselle Ramirez 5-7 G Jr Na’Khiyah Porras 5-4 G Jr Alondra Cabrales 5-5 G Sr Braylynn Chavira 5-6 G Fr

Coach: Jason Ayala

Asst. Coach: Haley Bonilla 2021-22 record: 8-14, 3-9 School phone: 647-3105

Players to watch: Milee Thomas, Na’Khiyah Porras

DATE Opponent

Dimmitt Schedule

Place B G

Nov. 5 New Deal There X Nov. 8 Lorenzo Here X Nov. 11 Hereford There X Nov. 15 River Road There X Nov. 15 Levelland Here X Nov. 18 River Road There X Nov. 18 Slaton There X Nov. 21 Hale Center Here X Nov. 21 Dumas Here X Nov. 22 Tulia There X Nov. 29 Olton There X X Dec. 1-3 Vega Tournament There X X Dec. 6 Farwell Here X X Dec. 8-10 Dimmitt Tournament Here X X Dec. 13 Bushland There X Dec. 13 Muleshoe There X Dec. 16 Denver City Here X Dec. 16 Tulia Here X Dec. 20 Brownfield There X X Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X X Jan. 3 Idalou Here X

Jan. 6 Friona Here X X Jan. 10 Lamesa There X X Jan. 13 Littlefield Here X X Jan. 17 Muleshoe Here X X

Jan. 20 Denver City There X X

Jan. 24 Brownfield Here X X Jan. 31 Friona There X X Feb. 3 Lamesa Here X X Feb. 7 Littlefield There X X Feb. 10 Muleshoe There X Feb. 14 Denver City Here X

Littlefield Boys Wildcats seeking to bounce back

Coach Rob Ogle experienced a rare losing season last year as the Wildcats wound up 12-17 and finished fifth in District 3-3A with a 6-6 record, missing the playoffs.

Littlefield began last season with only one returning starter, so inexperience was a problem.

Still, Ogle saw some bright spots.

“We had 11 games lost by six points or less,” he said. “And we were seven points away from a district championship because of two overtime losses.”

All-district performers Jordan Trevino and Jaron Cabello were the key departures from last year’s team.

This season Ogle welcomes three returning starters: Chip Green, Omar Martinez and Tyrell Norman.

Green, a 5-10 sophomore guard, averaged 13 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists and was the district newcomer of the year as a freshman.

Martinez, a 6-0 junior guard with 8 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg statistics, was honorable mention all-district. So was Norman, a 6-2 senior forward with 9 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 apg credentials.

Those three returning starters represent 30 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Three other letter winners — 5-10 senior guard Elijah Salazar

(4 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg), 5-7 junior guard MJ Randle (3 ppg, 2 rpg 2 apg) and 5-10 junior forward Jeremiah Trevino (3 ppg, 3 rpg) — are players to watch, according to Ogle.

He also listed 5-10 sophomore forward Major McNeese, 5-8 sophomore guard Ian Mendez, 5-8 sophomore guard Ryan Williams, 5-11 junior guard J’den Williams and 6-1 senior forward Braydon Jones as other players to watch.

The Littlefield roster is composed of three seniors, four juniors and four sophomores.

The Wildcats’ strength is quickness, according to Ogle.

He’s concerned about the team’s lack of height. The Wildcats

(Continued on next page)

Chip Green Omar Martinez Tyrell Norman

three players six feet or taller. Norman is the tallest at 6-2. What are the keys for success this season?

“Developing team chemistry with the addition of several JV players from the previous season,” Ogle said.

Ogle is beginning his sixth season at Littlefield. The veteran coach has 24 years of head coaching experience and 468 victories as a boys mentor. His 468-225 career won-lost coaching record (a .687 winning percentage) earns him membership in the Panhandle-Plains Basketball’s 300 Club.

Ogle is a graduate of Ballinger High School and Angelo State University. He coached at Ballinger, Crowell, Clyde, Brownfield, Breckenridge, Denver City and Pampa before coming to Littlefield.

His Littlefield teams have posted a 94-59 overall and a 43-23 district mark in five years.

The Wildcats will open Nov. 18 at Tahoka. The home opener is Nov. 21 vs. Post. Littlefield will play in the New Home, Farwell and its own Wildcat Classic events.

District 3-3A grows to an eight-team conference this season with the addition of Stanton. All other 3-3A members remain the same after UIL realignment.

The Wildcats will enter district competition on Jan. 3.

Littlefield Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class

5-10 G Soph. Omar Martinez 6-0 G Jr. Tyrell Norman 6-2 F Sr. Elijah Salazar 5-10 G Sr MJ Randle

Chip Green

5-7 G Jr Jeremiah Trevino 5-10 F Jr Major McNeese 5-10 F Soph. Ian Mendez

5-8 G Soph. Ryan Williams

5-8 G Soph. J’den Williams 5-11 G Jr Braydon Jones 6-1 F Sr

Coach: Rob Ogle

Asst. Coaches: Nathan McKinnon, Nik Clarkson 2021-22 record: 12-17, 6-6 School phone: 385-5683

Players to watch: Chip Green, Omar Martinez, Tyrell Norman, Ryan Williams, MJ Randle, Elijah Salazar, Jeremiah Trevino, Major McNeese, Ian Mendez, J’den Williams, Braydon Jones

Elijah Salazar MJ Randle Jeremiah Trevino

Lady Cats hope to build on last year

The Lady Cats were quite successful last season, notching 20 wins and advancing two rounds into the playoffs.

“Last year’s team battled a lot of adversity throughout the season but continued to work hard and get better,” Coach Darchelle Duncan said. “And in return, we finished second in our district and went two rounds in the playoffs before being beaten by a very tough team from Canadian.”

The Lady Cats tied for second in District 3-3A with a 9-3 conference record. They defeated Kermit 68-30 in bidistrict but lost to Canadian 58-31 in the area game. That capped a 20-13 season.

“We overall showed a lot of growth and development as the season went on,” Duncan said, “and it is a season that we feel that we will be building on.”

Brooklyn Gau, first-team all-district, and Emily Champion and Ashtyn Parker, both AD honorable mentions, were the key departures from last year’s squad.

The Lady Cats have four returning starters and three other letter winners on hand this fall. The four returning starters are:

• Madison McNeese, a 5-9 senior, who was first-team all-

district last year;

• Kennadi Handlin, a 5-2 junior, who was the district newcomer of the year as a sophomore;

• Kyndal Edgemon, a 5-9 junior, who is the younger sister of former Lady Cats Kaylee and Kaitlyn Edgemon;

• Arianna Cruz, a 5-4 junior.

Duncan recommends McNeese as an all-state candidate. Handlin, Kyndal Edgemon and Cruz are other players to watch.

Littlefield’s other letter winners are 5-5 junior Amiah Elizondo, 5-4 junior Jasmine Roasales and 5-4 junior Brianna Valdez.

McNeese is the only senior on the Lady Cats roster. She is joined by six juniors and two sophomores.

(Continued on next page)

Kennadi Hanlin Kyndal Edgemon Ari Cruz Madison McNeese

“We are returning some younger players who gained a lot of experience from last year’s season,” Duncan said. “We will have some speed and will try to use that to our advantage on the defensive side.”

She has concerns about her team’s lack of height, which may lead to limited inside play. The tallest two Lady Cats are 5-9.

“We will try to use the foot speed of our guard play to our advantage and make defense be our best offense,” said Duncan in assessing her team’s keys for success. “We hope to have a little more depth this year and be able to keep fresh legs for defensive purposes.”

Duncan — her maiden name was Darchelle “Teddy” Griffin — played on Seagraves’ 2005 Class 1A state and Texas Cup champions. Then she played four years at Texas Tech University.

Her older sister, Darice Griffin, preceded her at Tech. Their mother, Tami Wilson, played on Coach Marsha Sharp’s Lady Raider teams from 1990 to 1992 and later joined Sharp as an assistant.

Duncan began her coaching career at her high school alma mater, Seagraves, for five years as an assistant before moving to Littlefield. She is beginning her sixth season at Littlefield.

The Lady Cats will debut with a home date Nov. 5 against Lubbock Estacado. They’ll participate in the New Home and Farwell tournaments plus their own Wildcat Classic.

District 3-3A play begins Dec. 13. The district expands by one this season with the addition of Stanton.

Littlefield Girls

Name

Ht. Class

5-9 Sr Kennadi Handlin

Madison McNeese

5-2 Jr Kyndal Edgemon 5-9 Jr Arianna Cruz 5-4 Jr Amiah Elizondo 5-5 Jr Jasmine Rosales 5-4 Jr Brianna Valdez 5-4 Jr Cali Saldana 5-2 Soph. Marysa Saenz 5-3 Soph.

Coach: Darchelle Duncan Asst. Coaches: Keith Logan, Emily Castillo, Suzanne Perry 2021-22 record: 20-13, 9-3 School phone: 385-4150

Players to watch: Madison McNeese, Arianna Cruz, Kennadi Hanlin, Kyndal Edgemon

DATE Opponent Place

Nov. 5 Estacado Here

Nov. 8 Hale Center There

Nov. 11 Levelland Here

Nov. 15 Roosevelt There

Nov. 18 Tahoka There

Nov. 21 Post Here

Nov. 21 Sundown Here

Nov. 29 Hereford Here

Nov. 29 Idalou There

Dec. 1-3 New Home Tournament There

Dec. 6 Floydada There

Dec. 8-10 Farwell Tournament There

Dec. 13 Slaton Here

Dec. 13 Friona Here

Dec. 16 Lamesa There

Dec. 16 Clyde Ira

Dec. 20 Levelland There

Dec. 27-29 Wildcat Classic Here

Jan. 3 Muleshoe Here

Jan. 6 Denver City There

Jan. 10 Brownfield Here

Jan. 13 Dimmitt There

Jan. 17 Friona There

Jan. 20 Lamesa Here

Jan. 27 Muleshoe There

Jan. 31 Denver City Here

Feb. 3 Brownfield There

Feb. 7 Dimmitt Here

Feb. 10 Friona Here

Feb. 14 Lamesa There

2433 S. Farwell Ave. Littlefield, TX 79339

Cell: 806-777-8848 Office: 806-385-1693 Fax: 806-227-2429 david@lanceinsurance.com

David McGehee, Agent

Have a great season Kennadi!—Love, Mom, Dad, Kambri & Carson

Have a great basketball season Wildcats and Lady Cats!—The Longoria Family Good Luck Madi and Major! Have a great year!—Kim & Michael Clardy Have a great season!—The Hernandez Family Go Wildcats and Lady Cats!—The Barrio Family Have a great year Wildcats and Lady Cats!—the Ray Family Good Luck Wildcats, have a great year!—The Martins

Let’s Go Littlefield Wildcats!—Randy & Pat Coffman

Good Luck Wildcats!—The Harris Family Have an amazing Senior Year Mykenzie!—Love Mom & Joel Go Wildcats!—The Garza Family Have a great season, go Wildcats!—The Barrera Family “Wildcat Magic” and good luck on a great season!—Primetime Barbershop, 1112 E. Waylon Jennings Enjoy your Senior year Mykenzie!—Love, Dad

HONOR ROLL

2A Boys

Jmaury Davis, Clarendon, 6-3, Jr.; LaMarcus Penigar, Clarendon, 5-9, Sr.; Jordan Herndon, Clarendon, 5-10, Sr.; Cayden D’Costa, Clarendon, 6-2, Sr.; Dustan Sides, Farwell, 6-4, Sr.; Corey Stancell, Farwell, 6-0, Soph.; Adrian Nunez, Farwell, 5-10, Jr.; Alec Actkinson, Farwell, 5-11, Jr.; Walker Williams, Farwell, 5-9, Jr.; Juan Gaxida, Farwell, 5-9, Jr.; Zac Benoit, Farwell, 6-1, Sr.; Jorge Vazquez, Farwell, 6-0, Soph.; Colton Millsap, Gruver, 6-2, Sr.; Edgar Lopez, Gruver, 5-9, Sr.; Cagan Mathews, Gruver, 5-10, Sr.; Anders Been, Gruver, 5-11, Sr.; Mason Gibson, Gruver, 5-10, Jr.; Jefferson Weaver, Gruver, 6-4, Jr.; Austin Rodriguez, Lockney, 5-10, Sr.; Nathan Ceniceros, Lockney, 6-0, Sr.; Jonathan Cienfuegos, Lockney, 6-2, Jr.; Cutter O’Neal, Memphis, 5-8, Sr.; Victor Acevado, Memphis, 5-11, Sr.; Marcos Flores, Memphis, 6-0, Jr.; Edgar Villa, Memphis, 5-7, Sr.; Leric Eaton, New Deal, 6-4, Sr.; Jason Brazell, New Deal, 6-3, Jr.; Jyson Lacy, New Deal, 6-5, Jr.; Kendrick Nelson, New Deal, 6-3, Jr.; Clyde Johnson, New Deal, 6-0, Jr.; Keegan Kirkland, New Deal 6-3, Jr.; Chris Urbina, Olton, 6-3, Sr.; Joe Canchola, Olton, 6-3, Sr.; Alex Santillan, Olton, 5-6, Sr.; Brennon Huguley, Olton, 6-3, Jr.; Jake Soliz, Olton, 5-9, Jr.; Andrew Martinez, Olton, 5-11, Jr.; Nick Mize, Panhandle, 6-0, Sr.; Cuyler Mize, Panhandle, 6-0, Jr.; Landyn Hack, Panhandle, 6-5, Jr.; Justin Moon, Shamrock, 6-0, Sr.; Hunter Stroope, Shamrock, 6-1, Jr.; Sean Wright, Shamrock, 5-11, Sr.; Anastacio Ibarra, Stratford, 6-2, Sr.; Zane Burr, Stratford, 5-10, Jr.; Cody Rinne, Stratford, 6-0, Sr.; Dru Jones, Stratford, 6-1, Jr.; Luke Braden, Stratford, 6-4, Jr.; Michael Limon, Sudan, 5-10, Sr.; Johnny Acevado, Sundown, 5-8, Jr.; Ryan Grawunder, Vega, 5-9, Sr.; Garrett Stribling, Vega, 6-3, Sr.; Slade Fowler, Vega, 6-1, Jr.; Kylan Richardson, Vega, 6-1, Jr.; Creighton Killian, Wellington, 5-11, Sr.; Jordan Nation, Wellington, 6-3, Jr.; Carson Tarver, Wellington, 5-9, Soph.; Braylon Tarver, Wellington, 5-10, Soph.; Bryant Tarver, Wellington, 5-10, Soph.; Nixon Folk, Wellington, 6-2, Soph.

2A Girls

Madison Smith, Clarendon, 5-7, Sr.; MaKenna Shadle, Clarendon, 5-3, Jr.; Finley Cunningham, Clarendon, 5-7, Jr.; Bella Jaime, Farwell, 5-6, Fr.; Charlie May Trimble, Farwell, 6-0, Jr.; Landri Richey, Farwell, 5-10, Fr.; Bailey Maupin, Gruver, 5-10, Sr.; Camryn Armes, Gruver, 5-7, Sr.; Callie Conyers, Gruver, 5-9, Sr.; Kami Whitehead, Gruver, 5-10, Sr.; Brenna Butler, Gruver, 5-6, Jr.; Kimber Whitehead, Gruver, 5-8, Jr.; Kelbi Lindley, Memphis, 5-4, Sr.; Ava Arant, Memphis, 5-8, Jr.; Macaela Graham, Memphis, 5-5, Soph.; Emma Talley, Memphis, 5-6, Soph.; Charli Garland, New Deal, 5-5, Jr.; Andee Whitfield, New Deal, 5-3, Jr.; Ghenevieve Vasquez, New Deal, 5-6, Sr.; Miranda Sosa, New Deal, 5-6, Fr.; Jaclyn Alcala, Olton, 5-2, Soph.; Olivia Cox, Olton, 5-3, Jr.; Kate Keuhler, Panhandle, 5-9, Sr.; Kandin Ford, Panhandle, 5-7, Sr.; Sydney Adee, Panhandle, 5-5, Jr.; Katelyn Haney, Panhandle, 5-10, Jr.; Grace Sims, Panhandle, 5-7, Jr.; Tatum Melton, Ropes, 5-10, Jr.; Ava Grace Falls, Ropes, 5-10, Jr.; Aubrey Bandy, Ropes, 5-8, Soph.; Abby O’Gorman, Shamrock, 5-6, Sr.; Aubrey Dixon, Shamrock, 5-4, Sr.; Kylie Macina, Shamrock, 5-3, Jr.; Riley Sims, Shamrock, 5-7, Jr.; Sydney Coole, Shamrock, 5-4, Jr.; Dezaray Tims, Stratford, 5-7, Jr.; Shay Clements, Stratford, 5-6, Jr.; Annsley Rawlins, Stratford, 5-6, Jr.; Stevi Lockhart, Sudan, 5-11, Jr.; Gracyn Shultz, Sudan, 5-9, Jr.; Liz Sital, Sudan, 5-8, Sr.; Braelyn Pointer, Sudan, 5-6, Jr.; Addison Boehning, Sudan, 5-10, Sr.; Riley Edens, Sudan, 6-1, Jr.; Shea Beadles, Sundown, 5-10, Jr.; Kaydence Loftin, Sundown, 5-3, Jr.; Emma Holdman, Sundown, 5-4, Jr.; Natalie Urias, Sundown, 5-7, Jr.; Aria Hogan, Sundown, 6-0, Soph.; Dakota Walker, Vega, 5-7, Sr.; Maci Hartsell, Vega, 6-0, Sr.; Kamy Harmon, Vega, 5-4, Sr.; Katelyn Ruiz, Vega, 5-11, Sr.; Kyla Kane, Wellington, 5-10, Sr.; Hadlee Gomez, Wellington, 5-6, Sr.; Keylonai Shrubs, Wellington, 6-1, Soph.

Gruver

Lady Hounds have tough act to follow

It’s almost impossible to match a perfect season capped by a state championship. But the Lady Hounds will give it a shot.

Gruver was perfecto in 33 games last season and won the school’s second Class 2A state championship in three years.

The stage was set early with some key nondistrict victories.

“We had several big wins on the road vs. highly regarded programs,” Coach Trent Lankford said. “We were road warriors, traveling over 2,000 miles before the Christmas break.”

Gruver had little trouble rolling through eight District 1-2A games for the school’s fourth straight undefeated district crown.

There was only one close call in the playoffs. Gruver whipped Memphis 89-30 in bidistrict and Olton 78-52 in the area round and avenged a playoff loss to Panhandle a year earlier with a 50-32 conquest of the Pantherettes in the regional quarterfinals.

The Lady Hounds were pressed but got past New Home 47-44 in overtime in the regional semifinals then downed Wellington 44-28 in the regional finals. The state tourney assignments were simple: 69-29 over San Saba in the semifinals and 50-38 over Stamford in the finals.

“Obviously, winning the title was incredible; however, to go undefeated with the strength of schedule we played was beyond imaginable,” Lankford said. “The team bonded together as the season progressed into a tight-knit group, enjoying playing with

(Continued on page 228)

Brenna Butler

Allie Sparks

Kimber Whitehead

Maizie Kelp

Erin Merkel

Jaylee Lane

and for each other.”

See pages 17-19 for a special feature on last season’s state championship.

Gruver Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Nazareth River Road X

Nov. 12 Jim Wilcoxson Showcase There X

Nov. 15 Claude There X X

Nov. 18/19 Happy Here X Nov. 22 Canadian Here X Nov. 22 Spearman There X

Nov. 29 Perryton There X Dec. 1-3 Nazareth Tournament There X X

Dec. 6 Dumas Here X Dec. 6 Caprock Here X Dec. 8-10 Childress Tournament There X Dec. 9 Palo Duro Here X Dec. 13 Borger Here X Dec. 16 Bushland There X X Dec. 19 Tascosa There X Dec. 19 Texline Here X Dec. 20 Dalhart There X Dec. 28-30 Gruver Holiday Classic Here X X

Jan. 3 Vega There X X

Jan. 6 Canadian Here X Jan. 6 West Texas There X

Jan. 10 Booker Here X Jan. 10 Bovina Here X

Jan. 13 Stratford Here X X

Jan. 17 Sunray There X X

Jan. 20 Sanford-Fritch Here X X

Jan. 24 West Texas Here X X

Jan. 27 Booker There X X

Jan. 31 Stratford There X X

Feb. 3 Sunray Here X X

Feb. 7 Sanford-Fritch There X X

Feb. 10 West Texas There X

Feb. 14 Booker Here X

Four seniors played key roles in last year’s season to remember:

• Bailey Maupin, who was all-everything in terms of player of the year, etc., and the state tournament MVP, averaged 22 points a game. She played in 124 winning games in her four-year Gruver career and scored 2,707 points. She’s now playing for Texas Tech University.

• Camryn Armes battled injuries all season but still contributed 12.6 ppg and was a Spark off the Bench on the Amarillo Globe-News Girls Super Team. She also was awarded the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame Dee Henry Award for coming back from surgeries to correct hip dysplasia and compartment syndrome on her calves. She’s playing collegiately at Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City.

• Callie Conyers was a sub on the Gruver’s 2020 state championship team but a key starter on last year’s squad. She’s attending Oklahoma State University on an academic scholarship.

• Kami Whitehead , a two-year starter, underwent double bunion surgery and was slowed all season. She never regained her starting position but was a key performer off the bench.

Lankford has two starters returning from his championship team and another starter who transferred to Gruver. In all, he’s got five players who earned honors last season.

They are:

• Brenna Butler, a 5-8 senior point guard, is what Lankford calls his “glue” player because she can do anything. She started last season at Gruver and was the district defensive MVP, along with TGCA and TABC all-state. Butler averaged 10.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

• Kimber Whitehead, a 5-9 senior guard, took over the

Lady Hounds’ starting position vacated by her sister Kami last season. Kimber Whitehead (3.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2 apg) was first-team all-district.

• Erin Merkel, a 5-10 junior wing/post, scored 14 points a game for Class 4A Perryton and earned first-team all-district honors at the 4A level.

• Allie Sparks, a 5-11 senior post (2.3 rpg), came off the bench for the Lady Hounds last year and still earned alldistrict distinction.

• Maizie Kelp, a 5-7 senior guard, also was a sub (Continued on page 230)

Brooklyn Vasquez

Giselle Miranda

Kinley Callaway

Valerie Quintana

Hannon Lankford

last season and was honorable mention all-district.

Lankford recommends Butler and Kimber Whitehead as all-state candidates. Sparks and Merkel are other outstanding players to watch.

Jaylee Lane, a 5-7 junior guard/post, Brooklyn Vasquez, a 5-10 junior wing/post, and Kinley Callaway, a 5-0 sophomore guard, earned Gruver letters last year.

Hannon Lankford, a 5-8 sophomore guard, tore her ACL in the team’s second scrimmage and missed all of last season. She is the coach’s daughter.

Just like last year, the Gruver roster has four seniors. They’re joined by five juniors and two sophomores.

“For the upcoming season, we believe this team, defensively, will be a very gritty team with the ability to pressure out front and be disruptive,” Lankford said.

“We had a great summer of basketball, outstanding strength and conditioning sessions, as well as lots of shooting. This group has a strong desire to compete, which will be key for us as we move forward. We are very excited about the potential for this team and their desire to get better each practice and game.”

He’s concerned about the players filling specific roles.

“As with most teams year in, year out, figuring out different roles and fulfilling those roles will be important,” Lankford said. “High clarity will churn out high performances.”

In describing his keys for success this season, Lankford borrowed a quote from legendary Coach John Wooden: “Success is a peace of mind, which is a direct result of selfsatisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”

Gruver Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

5-6 G Sr Kimber Whitehead 5-9 G Sr Allie Sparks 5-11 P Sr Maizie Kelp 5-7 G Sr Jaylee Lane 5-7 G/P Jr Brooklyn Vasquez 5-10 F/P Jr Erin Merkel 5-10 F/P Jr Giselle Miranda 5-6 P Jr Alexa Quintana 5-1 G Jr Hannon Lankford 5-8 G Soph. Kinley Callaway 5-0 G Soph.

Brenna Butler

Coach: Trent Lankford Asst. Coaches: Valerie Merkel, Jill Butler, Steven Livingston 2021-22 record: 33-0, 8-0 School phone: 733-2001, ext. 1133 Players to watch: Brenna Butler, Kimber Whitehead, Allie Sparks, Erin Merkel

Lankford added, “Focusing on the process and not the outcome, handling adversity with the right frame of mind and continuing to foster a love for each other are important.”

Lankford, a graduate of Chillicothe High School and West Texas A&M University, made his return to Gruver last season a memorable one. He had coached the Lady Hounds for four seasons, leading them to the state Class 2A finals in 2015.

Then he moved to Amarillo High to be an assistant to Jeff Williams for five years before returning to Gruver last year. His five-year coaching record with the Lady Hounds is 158-67.

(Continued on page 232)

David Suzanne John Bri

Mark Emily

Bryan Amanda

Technically, this will be his sixth season as the Gruver coach. His 25-year coaching career also includes stops at Dumas and Graham.

The Lady Hounds will open their season Nov. 8 playing Nazareth at River Road High School. Later they’ll play in the Nazareth and their own Gruver Holiday Classic.

The Lady Hounds will begin District 1-2A action Jan. 6 against West Texas High in Stinnett. The district grows to six members this season with the addition of Booker.

BOYS

Often overshadowed by the Lady Hounds’ incredible run last year, the Greyhounds turned in quite a season themselves.

They defeated Pampa, Perryton and Bushland in the nondistrict schedule and lost to defending state champion Clarendon 54-53.

The Greyhounds won seven of eight District 1-2A games to tie for the conference championship. In the playoffs, they defeated Shamrock 77-57 in bidistrict and Farwell 61-55 in the area game. They lost to Clarendon 63-36 in the regional quarterfinals. Clarendon went on to repeat as the Class 2A state champion.

“Last year we had a veteran team with very talented scorers in Colton Millsap and Cagan Mathews,” Coach Brittin East said. “We will miss the leadership from guys like Edgar Lopez and Anders Been. Any time you win 25 games in a season, you can consider that a huge success and a great season.”

Millsap was a two-time district MVP, TABC all-region and Press Pass Sports honorable mention. Mathews, Lopez and Been all were first-team all-district. Leo Harper and Bryan Hernandez also were senior contributors.

Despite the senior exodus last year, East has two honored

starters returning and three other letter winners back this season.

Jefferson Weaver, a 6-5 senior post, averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds last season in earning district offensive and TABC all-region honors.

Mason Gibson, a 6-0 senior point guard, contributed 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in a starting role. He was a first-team all-district selection.

East sees Weaver and Gibson as all-state candidates. Letter winner Colt Mathews a 5-11 junior forward (5 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg), (Continued on page 234)

Jefferson Weaver

Ridge Holland

Mason Gibson

Max Harper

Colt Mathews

Pratt McLain

is another player to watch. Colt Mathews is the brother of the departed Cagan Mathews.

Ridge Holland, a 5-9 senior guard, and Max Harper, a 6-0 senior guard, also lettered last year.

A pair of 5-9 junior guards — Pratt McLain and Michael McCloy — are cousins. Both played on Gruver’s JV team last season but could have big roles on the varsity this year, according to East.

Six seniors, four juniors and one sophomore are on the Greyhound roster.

“Our team chemistry should be really high,” East said. “Any time you have a group that loves to be around each other and loves to compete: 1. It’s fun to coach and 2. You have the potential to go further than others might think you should.”

He is concerned about his team’s overall height and experience.

“We have some size, but not as much as recent years. We will really have to scrap and battle to win the boards, and we will have to get our shooting going from outside when other teams are bigger inside,” East said.

“We do have a few guys with a lot of varsity experience that will be able to lead us and get us on the right path, but we have six new bodies that will play roles for us as well. They will have to get adjusted to the speed of the game, and they will be just fine.”

He suggested several keys for success this season.

“We need our veteran players to be ready to take on bigger roles than they’ve had in the past. They have all done great in their roles, but we just graduated about 35 points and 15 rebounds a game,” he said.

“Our newcomers will have to provide energy and effort and be solid for us on the defensive end. We need to be pests on defense

and force a lot of turnovers and just take care of the ball and have a smart selection on the offensive end.”

East is a graduate of Pampa High School and Texas Tech University. He’s beginning his fourth season at Gruver, having previously coached at Pampa and McLean. His career boys coaching record is 120-55. He’s 68-26 overall at Gruver with a sparkling 25-1 conference mark.

The Greyhounds will open Nov. 15 at Claude and entertain Happy the weekend of Nov. 18-19. They’ll play in the Nazareth, Childress and Gruver Holiday tournaments.

District 1-2A play begins Jan. 10. Booker joins the district this season because of UIL realignment.

Michael McCloy

Sutton Ward Wesley Maupin

Gruver Super Boosters

Todd, Carolyn, Gracee & Audrey Adams

Go Hounds and Lady Hounds!—Weston, Kristin, Hudson, Kortlyn, Cambryn & Breckyn Born

Carlos, Cassie, Chloe, Caroline & Collins Borunda

Ben, Jill, Bo, Brenna & Brock Butler

Barbara Cluck

Tish, McCormick, Merritt & McRhea Cudd

Britten, Lauren, Presley & Miles East

Go Hounds!—Rick & Sharolyn Finley

Curt & Trisha Fitzgerald

Lance, Sahala, Gus & Sage Gaillard

Holly, Gus, Joe T., Hattie & Mary Beth Gifford

America, Efrain, Ibarra, Alyana, Eily & Dayana Grado

Go Lady Hounds and Hounds!—Layne & Meagan Greeson

The Chad Grimes Family

Gruver Boys

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

6-5 P Sr Mason Gibson 6-0 G Sr Ridge Holland 5-9 G Sr

Jefferson Weaver

Juan Terrazas

5-7 F Sr Hayden Alves 5-10 F Sr Max Harper 6-0 G Sr Sutton Ward 5-9 G Jr Pratt McLain 5-9 G Jr Michael McCloy 5-9 G Jr Colt Mathews 5-11 F Jr Wesley Maupin 6-3 P Soph.

Coach: Brittin East

Asst. Coaches: Keith Mauldin, Khris Kelp, Jackson Kashwer, Sid Hunter

2021-22 record: 25-9, 7-1 School phone: 733-2001 Players to watch: Jefferson Weaver, Mason Gibson, Colt Mathews

Derrick, Tessa, Gracee, Reese & Jace Grotegut Garrett, Mica, Sam, Gage, Mary & Charlie Gumfory

Lee Bob, Jennifer, Leo, Max & Natalie Harper Good Luck Hounds and Lady Hounds!— Brad & Kelly Hart

GRUVER FORD, INC.

531 Main Street

Gruver, TX 79040 Bus: (806) 733-2431 Fax: (806) 733-2021 gruverford.com

Mark K. Irwin

Owner/Dealer Principal Cell: (806) 736-8588 gruverford@gmail.com

HERNANDEZ n SONS TRUCKING

David Hernandez

P.O. Box 906

Gruver, Tx 79040 hedezdh32@yahoo.com (806) 330-1025

Mobile: (806) 330-0453 Office: (806) 644-5225

McLaughlin Livestock Go Hounds!

Danny and Delinda

Shell, Conner, Hunter Haynes & Raegan Hess

John, Amber, Ridge & Cadance Holland Kyle, Kimberly, Korbin, Jill, Caroline, Karstin & Klaire Irwin

Damien, Marisela, Abbie, Buckwheat & Sophie Juarez

The Lankford’s Back the Hounds and Lady Hounds

Chad & Julie Logsdon

Royce & Betty Mathews

Go Greyhounds!—Coach Mauldin Family

Mickey Maupin

Go Hounds!—Delinda McLaughlin, Creative Memories

Wonder...

...who was on the cover in 2011?

in 1980?

Eventually, you will be able to see every page of the first 50 editions of Panhandle-Plains Basketball as it will be digitized by the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech University and available online. Stay tuned in a few months!

P.O. Box 854 433 Main

Gruver, Texas 79040

Office: (806) 733-2483 Fax: (806) 733-5205

Go Greyhounds!—McLaughlin Livestock Production

Go Hounds!—Garrett, Sam, Lane & Rylee Miner

Mikey, Lisa & Caysie Miner David & Patty Miner

Go Greyhounds!—Ashlynn & Blaine Winder Joe & Kathy Potts

Go Hounds and Lady Hounds!—The Quirk Family

Rex, Roxie, Saxie & Texie Ralston Dan & Pennye Ralston

Leticia, Stephen & Matt Salazar Hunter, Melissa, Pady & Sean Shelley Chris, Eva, Hadlee & Creed Spivey Have a great SENIOR year Payton!—Nana Paul & Barbara Stavlo

Go Greyhounds!—The Tarango Family

Jason, Amber, Abigail, Turner & Tanner TeBeest

Bart & Alexa Thoreson

Go Greyhounds!—Ted & Mary Vela

Go Greyhounds!—David & DJ Villegas

Go Hounds and Lady Hounds!—Andi & Teddie Whitefield

Johnnie & Kristi Williams

Go Hounds and Lady Hounds!—Lance, Maddie, Harper & Heidi Williams

Bennie & Jackie Wilson

Good Luck Greyhounds!—Bill & Ginger Pittman

Go Hounds!—The Brian Johnson Family

Go Hounds!—Melissa Shelley Family

Go Greyhounds!—K & B Ag Jerry & Pat Overby

Sanford-Fritch

Coaching switcheroo for Eagles

Sanford-Fritch has undergone some coaching changes in its basketball programs.

Kolton Jefferis is the new Eagles coach, taking over from Garrett Brewer, who shifts to the Lady Eagles.

Jefferis is a graduate of Pampa High School and West Texas A&M University. He coached at Highland Park last year, when the Hornets went 4-24.

The Eagles, under Brewer’s direction, had a fine season last year. They went 18-5 in nondistrict play, then went 4-3 in District 1-2A to finish second.

They lost their bidistrict playoff to Wellington 57-48 but finished the season with a 22-9 record.

“Coach Brewer was very successful with a very senior-heavy team last year,” Jefferis said. “They set a great example for our younger guys and put us in a great position moving forward.”

Eight seniors, including four starters, graduated from last year’s team.

The lone returning starter is Danner Price, a 6-2 junior forward. Price was right last year, averaging 14.9 points and 7.4 rebounds. He earned first-team all-district distinction.

Price, 6-3 junior guard/forward Cade Athey (3.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and 6-1 senior guard/forward Isaac Silvey are outstanding players to watch, according to Jefferis. Isaac Silvey is the younger brother of Caleb Silvey, a senior on last year’s team.

“Cade Athey and Isaac Silvey are two returning varsity players who will be a big part of our team,” Jefferis said.

Those three are the only returning letter winners.

Jefferis has tabbed Price, Athey, Isaac Silvey, 6-0 senior guard Quentin Cruz and 6-5 forward/center Aaron Hutson as potential starters for this season.

There are three seniors, six juniors and two sophomores on the Sanford-Fritch roster.

“We have good size and athleticism,” Jefferis said.

He is concerned about consistency on the defensive end.

“Finding scorers to surround Danner Price to help us score from every level,” Jefferis said in assessing the keys to success this season. “And being consistent on the defensive end.”

The Eagles open at Fort Elliott Nov. 8. The home opener is Nov. 11 against Hedley. They’ll play in the Valley and Tulia tournaments.

The Eagles will begin District 1-2A play Jan. 10 at home against Booker, the new team in the six-team district. Gruver, West Texas High, Stratford and Sunray are holdover opponents for Sanford-Fritch.

GIRLS

Garrett Brewer, who spent three years as the boys coach, moves to the Lady Eagles this year.

The Childress High School and West Texas A&M University graduate compiled a 61-70 record as a boys coach for five years. He was the head coach at Lefors for two years before coming to Fritch.

He succeeds Jordan Merker. Merker’s Lady Eagles finished 2-18 overall and 1-6 in district play, finishing fifth last year.

Brewer’s comment on the Lady Eagles’ last season: “Learn from it, but leave it in the past.”

Kadance Vaughn was the lone senior on last year’s Lady Eagles squad.

This year’s squad is composed of four seniors and four sophomores.

The seniors are 5-5 guard Taytum Michael, 5-8 center Ashley Bass, 5-7 forward Anzlie Lucero and 5-6 forward Victoria Landeros.

The sophomores are 5-5 guard Kalynn Roberts, 5-7 guard Varah Vaughn, 5-5 forward Saydee Williams and 5-7 point guard

Danner Price

Taytum

Michael

Varah Vaughn

Cade Athey

Ashley Bass

Saydee

Williams

Isaac Silvey

Kalynn Roberts

Kyleigh

McCormack

Sanford-Fritch Booster Club

Sanford-Fritch Boys

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Quentin Cruz 6-0 G Sr.

Isaac Silvey 6-1 G/F Sr. Riley Sams 6-0 F Sr. Cade Athey 6-3 G/F Jr. Aaron Hutson 6-5 F/P Jr

Payton Michael 5-8 G/F Jr

Danner Price 6-2 F Jr Jaron Shackleford 5-9 G Jr Stetson Raper 5-9 G/F Jr Zayden Ford 6-0 G Soph. Briggs Bidwell 5-10 G Soph.

Coach: Kolton Jefferis

Asst. Coach: Zachary Jewett

2021-22 record: 22-8, 4-3 School phone: 397-0622

Players to watch: Danner Price, Cade Athey, Isaac Silvey

Sanford-Fritch Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Taytum Michael 5-5 G Sr. Kalynn Roberts 5-5 G Soph. Ashley Bass 5-8 P Sr Anzlie Lucero 5-7 F Sr Varah Vaughn 5-7 G Soph. Saydee Williams 5-5 F Soph. Kyleigh McCormack 5-7 G Soph. Victoria Landeros 5-6 F Sr

Coach: Garrett Brewer

Asst. Coaches: Gracen Haberthur 2021-22 record: 2-18, 1-6 School phone: 297-0159

Sanford-Fritch Schedule

DATE Opponent

Place B G

Nov. 4 Pringle Morse Here X

Nov. 8 Fort Elliott There X X Nov. 11 Hedley Here X X Nov. 15 Boys Ranch Here X X Nov. 18 Shamrock There X X Nov. 21 Highland Park There X X Nov. 22 Friona There X X

Nov. 29 Wheeler Here X X Dec. 1-3 Valley Tournament There X X Dec. 6 Miami There X X Dec. 8-10 Tulia Tournament There X X Dec. 13 Groom Here X X Dec. 16 River Road Here X X Dec. 27 Texline There X X Dec. 30 Memphis Here X X Jan. 3 Stratford There X

Jan. 3 San Jacinto Here X

Jan. 6 Sunray Here X Jan. 6 Nazareth There X

Jan. 10 Booker Here X X

Jan. 13 West Texas There X X Jan. 17 Gruver Here X X

Jan. 20 Stratford Here X X

Jan. 24 Sunray There X X

Jan. 27 Booker There X X

Jan. 31 West Texas Here X X Feb. 3 Gruver There X Feb. 10 Stratford There X

Kyleigh McCormack.

“This year we are focused on growing and building new strengths,” Brewer said. “This group of girls has a lot of chemistry that could carry them to finding success. We are going to try to make defense our biggest strength.”

Being new to the girls program creates a concern.

“New way of doing things,” he said. “Not being able to break old habits.”

Stratford

Brewer pinpointed putting the focus on defense as a key for success this season.

“Working on creating more turnovers and pushing the floor,” he said. “I’m excited to see what we do with this directional change.”

The Lady Eagles will begin the season at home Nov. 4 against Pringle-Morse. They’ll also play in the Valley and Tulia tourneys.

The Lady Eagles will begin district play Jan. 3. Booker joins District 1-2A this year, giving the conference six teams.

Elks’ new coach looks familiar

The Elks have a new coach, but he’s a familiar face around his high school alma mater.

Tyler Wright, an assistant football coach and science teacher at Stratford, takes over as the boys basketball coach. He was on the football staff for the Elks’ Class 2A Division II state championship last fall. And Wright played offensive tackle and defensive end on the Elks’ 2008 1A Division II state champions.

The West Texas A&M University graduate succeeds Trey Wyatt, who coached the Elks for 11 seasons and notched more than 200 career boys wins. Wyatt decided to leave the education field and is working for Simplot, selling chemicals to area farmers.

The Elks, under Wyatt’s direction, won the Hale Center Holiday Tournament in nondistrict action last season. They were District 1-2A co-champions with a 7-1 conference record.

In the playoffs, Stratford defeated Panhandle 56-47 in bidistrict but lost to New Deal 55-41 in the area game. That capped the Elks’ season at 12-5.

“After a late start due from a deep playoff football run, we had to make the sport transition quickly,” Wright said. “After settling in, we were able to get into a groove during district play. Our run ended sooner than we hoped after meeting New Deal in the area game.”

Some key players have moved on from last year’s team. Cody Rinne was the district co-MVP, TABC all-region and academic all-state. Dru Jones and Anastacio Ibarra both were all-district and academic all-state.

But the brothers Braden are back. So are the Durans.

Luke Braden, a 6-4 senior forward, started last season and

earned district defensive MVP honors. Bryce Braden, a 6-3 sophomore forward, came off the bench and still made the alldistrict team.

There are three Durans on the team. Mauricio Duran, a 5-9 senior guard, started last season. Tony Duran, a 6-0 senior guard, lettered last year. So did Adan Duran, a 5-7 senior guard. The Durans are not related.

Luke Braden

Bryce Braden

Tony Duran

Mauricio Duran

Lane Uttley

Wright nominates Luke Braden and Tony Duran as all-state candidates. Bryce Braden, Mauricio Duran and 6-3 junior forward Lane Uttley are other players to watch.

The Stratford roster is composed of six seniors, four juniors and two sophomores.

The Bradens (6-4 and 6-3) are the tallest Elks. Size and quickness are Stratford’s strengths, according to Wright.

He is concerned about depth and experience. Although the Elks have seven returning letter winners, only two of them started last year.

“We have to be able to play fast and utilize our personnel,” Wright said. “We have some size inside and some guys on the perimeter that will need to be able to step up and make shots when called upon.”

District 1-2A added one new member, Booker, this year because of UIL realignment. It’s now a six-team conference. The other district members remain the same.

The Elks will open their season late again this season, pending football playoff developments. Texline is the scheduled opponent at Stratford for the Nov. 21 opener. The Elks will participate in the Vega and High Plains (Goodwell, Oklahoma) tournaments. District play begins Jan. 6.

GIRLS

The Lady Elks have four starters — all honored players — returning and hope to improve on last year’s showing.

Last year’s showing was pretty decent. Stratford posted a 1611 overall record and finished second in District 1-2A with a 6-2 mark. Clarendon eliminated the Lady Elks 32-26 in bidistrict.

“We overcame early season adversity to jell as a solid team,” veteran Coach Lance Horsford said. “The Lady Elks defended well but struggled offensively at times.”

All-district April Gonzalez and AD honorable mention Sonia Mayorga were the key departures from last year’s squad.

Here’s a look at the four returning starters:

• Addison Bell, a 5-8 sophomore forward, averaged 8.3 points and 3 rebounds last year, earning first-team all-district recognition;

Addison Bell Dezerray Tims

Annsley Rawlins

Shay Clements

Mila Thompson

• Dezzeray Tims, a 5-7 senior forward with 6.2 ppg, 4.11 rpg credentials, was first-team all-district;

• Shay Clements, a 5-6 senior guard (5.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg), also was first-team AD;

• Annsley Rawlins, a 5-7 senior forward (4.4 ppg, 2 rpg) was all-district honorable mention.

Horsford lists that quartet as the Lady Elks to watch this season.

Addi Wells, a 5-7 senior guard, also lettered last year.

The Lady Elks have two sister combinations. Addison Bell and 5-8 sophomore forward Makenzie Bell are twins. Dezzeray Tims and 5-4 sophomore guard Faith Tims are sisters.

There are four seniors, two juniors and four sophomores on the Lady Elks’ roster.

“We have a solid core group of players returning that understand the way we need to play to be successful,” Horsford said in assessing his team’s strengths. “They have had a very productive summer, and I feel we will carry that into pre-season workouts and ultimately into the season.”

He’s concerned about the Lady Elks’ depth.

“We are going to need to develop some depth from players up from last year’s JV,” Horsford said. “It should be interesting to watch that competition and see what players rise to the challenge.”

What are the keys for his team’s success this season?

“Like most schools our size, we must stay healthy and become more consistent offensively,” he said.

Horsford graduated from Abernathy High School and Texas Tech University. He’s beginning his fifth season as the Lady Elks’ coach but his 20th as a basketball coach at Stratford. He mentored the Elks for many years before switching to the girls side.

He previously coached at Meridian and Lubbock Cooper. His boys coaching record is 114-81; his girls 386-189. Combined, that’s a 500-270 career coaching record for a .649 winning percentage.

The Lady Elks’ last victory last spring was No. 500 for Horsford. He was already a member of this magazine’s 300 Club.

The Lady Elks will open their season Nov. 5 at Palo Duro. The home opener is set for Nov. 8 vs. Perryton. Stratford will play in the Vega Tournament and the High Plains Tournament in Goodwell, Oklahoma.

District 1-2A play begins Jan. 6. Booker joins the district this season, giving it six members.

Stratford Girls

Name

Dezzeray Tims

Shay Clements

Annsley Rawlins

Ht. Pos. Class

5-7 F Sr.

5-6 G Sr.

5-7 F Sr.

Stratford Boys

Name

Luke Braden

Ht. Pos. Class

6-4 F Sr

6-0 G Sr Mauricio Duran 5-9 G Sr Adan Duran 5-7 G Sr

Zane Burr

Tony Duran 6-0 G Sr

Freddie Duarte 5-10 G Sr Omar Jacquez 5-11 G Jr Vicente Morillon 5-9 G Jr

Lane Uttley 6-3 F Jr

Izzy Salas 5-7 G Jr

Julio Valdez 6-2 F Soph. Bryce Braden 6-3 F Soph.

Coach: Tyler Wright

Asst. Coaches: Casey Lantelme, Konrad Carroll

2021-22 record: 12-5, 7-1 School phone: 366-3330

Players to watch: Luke Braden, Tony Duran, Lane Uttley, Mauricio Duran, Bryce Braden

Addison Bell

5-8 F Soph. Addi Wells

5-7 G Sr.

5-7 F Jr. Lynley Albert 5-6 G Soph. Faith Tims 5-4 G Soph. Tatum Martin 5-5 G Jr Makenzie Bell 5-8 F Soph.

Mila Thompson

Coach: Lance Horsford

Asst. Coaches: Justin Mungia, Ethan Brotherton

2021-22 record: 16-11, 6-2

School phone: 366-3300

Players to watch: Shay Clements, Addison Bell, Dezzeray Tims, Annsley Rawlins

Stratford Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B

Nov. 5 Palo Duro There

Nov. 8 Perryton Here

Nov. 11 Wheeler Here

Nov. 15 Happy There

Nov. 18 Vega There

Nov. 21 Wildorado Here

Nov. 29 Texline Here

Dec. 1-3 Vega Tournament There

Dec. 6 Bushland There

Dec. 6 Pampa There

Dec. 8-10 High Plains Tournament Goodwell

Dec. 13 River Road Here

Dec. 16 Spearman Here

Jan. 3 Dalhart Here

Jan. 6 Sanford-Fritch There

Jan. 10 West Texas Here

Jan. 10 Vegaq Here

Jan. 13 Gruver There

Jan. 17 Booker Here

Jan. 20 Sunray Here

Jan. 24 Sanford-Fritch Here

Jan. 27 West Texas There

Jan. 31 Gruver Here

Feb. 3 Booker There

Feb. 7 Sunray There

Feb. 10 Sanford-Fritch There

Feb. 14 West Texas Here

Wesley Miller

Cindy Miller Office: 806-396-5588 Fax: 806-396-2375

Go Elks!—The Braden Family

Nate, Keri, Klaire & Kooper Walden

We love our Elks!—Tommy, Keisha, Hudson & Tessa Holland

Go Abe!—Mom, Dad, Gracie & Malachi

The Lujan Family

Matt, Kelsey, Laykin, Jett & Major Lovorn Go Elks and Lady Elks!—Enedit, Luis & Eryck Go Elks!—John & Susan Wheeler

West Texas High Copley makes switch to Lady Comanches

The Lady Comanches have a new coach, and he has a new schtick.

Andy Copley, who has been quite successful on the boys side of basketball, will take his first shot at mentoring girls.

Copley has 27 years of head basketball coaching experience, all with boys teams. He coached Water Valley and Canadian (back-to-back) to state championships.

He also coached boys basketball teams at Dumas, McLean and Follett. For the past four years, he has been the head football coach at Follett and assistant boys basketball coach.

But with his wife, Jaime Copley, taking over as the superintendent for the Plemons-Stinnett-Phillips CISD, Andy Copley moved to West Texas High and will take a crack at coaching girls.

His boys coaching record is 430-260 for a .623 winning percentage. He’s 21st on this magazine’s 300 Club list.

Andy Copley’s two sons, Connor and Cameron, both are coaching in the area. Connor is the new head coach of the Bushland boys, while Cameron, a recent graduate of Lubbock Christian University, is an assistant boys coach at West Plains.

Andy Copley becomes the Lady Comanches’ third coach in as many years. He succeeds Steven Wilson.

Last year’s Lady Comanches struggled through a 3-22 season. In spite of a 1-7 District 1-2A record, they tied for fourth and still qualified for the playoffs.

Their postseason stay was short as they lost to Panhandle 88-20 in bidistrict.

Copley has put together a 15-player roster with an emphasis on youth. Three seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and seven freshmen are on the WT High roster.

He does have eight returning letter winners: 5-7 senior post Gracie Back, 5-6 senior guard McKenna Jennings, 5-5 senior forward Emily Yelton, 5-5 junior forward Makenna Cooper, 5-8 junior forward Sage Lay, 5-5 junior guard Makenna Tharp, 5-4 sophomore guard Emorie McNabb and 5-3 sophomore guard Zoe Smith.

Jennings, Lay, Smith and 5-4 freshman guard Gentry Francis

are the players to watch, according to Copley.

He describes the Lady Comanches’ strengths as work ethic, attitude and willingness to learn.

He’s concerned about the lack of experience, lack of tradition, low numbers and inability to score.

Copley said the keys to success this season will be “improving each week, team chemistry and belief in oneself, teammates, coaches, etc., and constant improvement in skill.”

The Lady Comanches will open their season Nov. 5 at River Road. The home opener is set for Nov. 8 against Lefors. They’ll play in the Miami, their own WT Invitational and the Groom tournaments.

District 1-2A play begins Jan. 6 when the Lady Comanches will play host to Gruver, the defending Class 2A state champion. Booker moves up from Class 1A and is new to the district this season, giving the conference six members.

BOYS

On the boys side, the Comanche program has been quite stable under the guidance of Aron Graves.

Graves is beginning his 18th season coaching at his high school alma mater, where he was a TABC first-team all-stater as a player.

The West Texas A&M University graduate has a boys coaching record of 248-193 (a .563 winning percentage), all at West Texas High.

His Comanches won the 2018 Class 2A state championship.

The Comanches had a down year last season, going 7-14

Gracie Black

Makenna Tharp

McKenna Jennings

Emorie McNabb

Makenna Cooper

Emily Yelton

Zoe Smith

Sage Lay

West Texas High Boys

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Peyton Lay 5-10 G Sr

Andreus Cruz 5-10 G Sr

Kade Hamby 6-1 F Jr Braycen Hammit 6-0 F Sr Sam Cromer 6-2 F Jr Brody Stone 6-2 G/F Soph. Sean Ramos 5-10 G Fr

Coach: Aron Graves

Asst. Coach: Blake Frye

2021-22 record: 7-14, 0-8 School phone: 878-2456

West Texas High Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Gracie Back 5-7 P Sr McKenna Jennings 5-6 G Sr Emily Yelton 5-5 F Sr Mckenna Cooper 5-5 F Jr Sage Lay 5-8 F Jr Makenna Tharp 5-5 G Jr Emorie McNabb 5-4 G Soph. Zoe Smith 5-3 G Soph. Avery Armstrong 5-6 G Fr Scout Burris 5-6 F Fr Britan Connywerdy 5-6 F Fr Gentry Francis 5-4 G Fr. Ashlynn Glasgow 5-7 F Fr. Kynlie Green 5-8 P Fr. Jaci Stafford 5-8 F Fr.

Coach: Andy Copley

Asst. Coaches: Jared Straight, Olivia Garrard

2021-22 record: 3-22, 1-7 School phone: 878-2456

Players to watch: McKenna Jennings, Sage Lay, Zoe Smith, Gentry Francis

DATE

West Texas High Schedule

Opponent Place B G

Nov. 5 River Road There X Nov. 8 Lefors Here X Nov. 15 White Deer Here X Nov. 18 Memphis There X X Nov. 21 Miami There X X Nov. 22 Quanah Clarendon X Nov. 22 Panhandle Here X Nov. 29 Pringle Morse There X X Dec. 1-3 Miami Tournament There X X Dec. 6 Pringle Morse Here X X Dec. 8-10 West Texas Invitational Here X X Dec. 13 Wheeler Here X X

Dec. 16 Highland Park There X X Dec. 17 San Jacinto Here X Dec. 28-30 Groom Tournament There X Dec. 29-30 Claude Tournament There X Jan. 3 San Jacinto There X Jan. 3 White Deer There X Jan. 6 Gruver Here X Jan. 6 Boys Ranch There X

Jan. 10 Stratford There X Jan. 13 Sunray Here X X Jan. 17 Fritch There X X

Jan. 20 Booker Here X X Jan. 24 Gruver There X X

Jan. 27 Stratford Here X X

Jan. 31 Sunray There X X Feb. 3 Fritch Here X X Feb. 7 Booker There X X Feb. 10 Gruver Here X Feb. 14 Stratford There X

overall and winless in eight district games, finishing last in the conference. No playoffs.

“We struggled with a very inexperienced varsity team but found ourselves in some competitive games to move forward to this upcoming season,” he said.

Nick Romero, an all-district selection, was the key departure from last year’s squad.

Graves has two returning starters and one other letter winner back for this season.

The two returning starters are Kade Hamby and Andreus Cruz.

Hamby, a 6-1 junior forward, averaged 6.6 points and 5.9 rebounds last season. Cruz, a 5-10 senior guard, contributed 4.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg.

Peyton Lay, a 5-10 senior guard (2.2 ppg) is the other returning letter winner.

Braycen Hammit, a 6-0 forward, is the other senior on the team.

Clarendon

Sean Ramos, a 5-10 freshman, may be the team’s point guard.

The Comanche roster is composed of three seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and one freshman.

Graves pinpoints defensive knowledge as the Comanches’ strength. He’s concerned about the team being very young and scoring.

What are his keys for success?

“How quickly we can get some young, inexperienced players up to varsity speed,” he said.

The Comanches will begin their season Nov. 18 at Memphis. The home opener is set for Nov. 22 vs. Panhandle. They’ll take part in the Miami, WT Invitational and Claude tourneys.

WT High will begin District 1-2A action Jan. 10. Booker joins the district this season, joining Gruver, Sanford-Fritch, WT High, Stratford and Sunray in the six-team conference.

Three-peat? Don’t count Broncos out

The pickins look a little thin for the Broncos to make it three straight Class 2A state championships this season. But you never want to count Coach Boston Hudson’s team out.

Only two starters — Jmaury Davis and Lyric Smith — return from last year’s 31-2 team.

However, Hudson said, “We’ll be fine. We won’t be as talented, but the thing you don’t want to count out is these guys know how to win. We’ll see what happens.”

The Broncos won the White Deer Tournament and were runners-up in two other pre-district tourneys last year. Their only losses were to Class 3A Shallowater and 4A Canyon. They rolled to their second straight undefeated (10-0) District 2-2A title.

They weren’t really pressed in the playoffs. Clarendon clobbered Sunray 60-34 in bidistrict and Vega 86-65 in the area game. Gruver, a team that had lost a one-point and a two-point decision to the Broncos during the season, wasn’t close this time, falling 63-36 in the regional quarterfinals.

The Broncos beat New Home 64-53 in the regional semifinals and Christoval 60-49 in the finals. At state, Clarendon held off LaRue LaPoynter 69-60 in the semis and previously undefeated Lipon 65-51 in the finals.

See pages 14-15 for a special feature on last season’s state championship.

Three key senior starters have moved on from that team. They were:

• LaMarcus Peniger was the Amarillo Globe-News player of the year and Press Pass first team. He scored 41 players in the state championship game and was honored with the Big Play/ Game award by the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. He signed to play at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas.

• Cayden D’Costa was a second-team selection on both the AGN and Press Pass teams. He’ll attend Texas A&M University but doesn’t plan to play sports.

• Jordan Herndon was honorable mention on both the AGN and Press Pass teams. He’s enrolled in Colorado State University’s dental program.

So that leaves Hudson with Davis and Smith, plus three other letter winners.

Davis is a 6-2 senior forward who averaged 20.1 points and 6.5 rebounds last season as the Broncos’ big man. He was a first-

Kade Hamby

Sean Ramos

Peyton Lay Sam Cromer Braycen Hammit Brodey Stone

Jmaury Davis Lyric Smith

Anthony Ceniceros

team selection on both the AGN and Press Pass Super teams. He has committed to play football at Texas Tech University.

Smith, a 6-3 junior guard, contributed 8.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 2 assists per game last season.

Hudson nominates Davis, Smith and 5-9 senior guard Josiah Hearn as all-state candidates.

Anthony Ceniceros, a 6-0 junior guard (2.2 ppg, 2 rpg); Tyler Harper, a 6-1 senior guard (3.4 ppg, 2 rpg); and Harrison Howard, a 5-10 junior guard; all lettered last season.

Sylvester Ballard, who was the sixth man on Clarendon’s 2021 state championship team, is listed as a 6-0 senior guard. Ballard had transferred to Palo Duro last season.

The Bronco roster is composed of four seniors, four juniors and two sophomores.

Hudson played for his dad, Johnny Hudson, at Canadian High School. The West Texas A&M graduate began his high school coaching career at Wheeler, where his one team went 24-8.

His two Clarendon state championship teams have posted a 58-6 mark. That gives him an 82-14 overall boys coaching record for an .854 winning percentage.

Hudson was the AGN and Press Pass coach of the year. He also was named the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame basketball coach of the year.

The Broncos began their season late last year because of the football team’s involvement in the playoffs. A late start is scheduled again: Dec. 1-3 in the Nazareth Tournament. The home opener is set for Dec. 6 against Vega.

In addition to the Naz tourney, the Broncos will play in the

(Continued on next page)

Clarendon Boys Name

Class

Ht. Pos.

6-2 F Sr Lyric Smith 6-3 G Jr Josiah Hearn 5-9 G Sr Sylvester Ballard 6-0 G Sr

Jmaury Davis

Anthony Ceniceros 6-0 G Jr Tyler Harper 6-1 G Sr. Harrison Howard 5-10 G Jr. Mason Sims 6-3 F Soph. Kaleb Bolin 6-2 G Soph. Levi Gates 6-6 F Jr.

Coach: Boston Hudson Asst. Coaches: Alton Gaines, Tracy Huseman 2021-22 record: 31-2, 10-0 School phone: 874-2181 Players to watch: Jmaury Davis, Lyric Smith, Josiah Hearn

Tyler Harper Harrison Howard Levi Gates

(Continued from previous page)

Childress and Canyon holiday events. District 2-2A action will commence Jan. 13.

The district still is a six-team conference, but Quanah replaces Panhandle, which moves to District 3-2A, this season because of UIL realignment.

GIRLS

The Lady Broncos put together a fine season of their own.

In nondistrict portion, they won the Miami Tournament for the third straight year. In District 2-2A action, they beat Panhandle, which won the conference. They finished 7-3 in district, good for third place.

In the playoffs, Clarendon downed Stratford 32-26 in bidistrict and Bovina 61-55 in overtime in the area round. Wellington ended the Lady Broncos’ season with a 55-23 decision in the regional quarterfinals. That capped a 21-15 campaign for Clarendon.

“The Lady Broncos had an excellent season,” Coach Korey Conkin said. “They dealt with a lot of adversity and grew and learned from it. Great team chemistry.”

(Continued on next page)

Clarendon Girls

Name

Makenna Shadle

Ht. Pos. Class

5-4 G Sr

5-8 F Sr Courtlyn Conkin

Finley Cunningham

5-7 G Jr Baylee Gabel 5-4 G Sr Hayden Elam

5-4 G Soph. Graci Smith

6-1 P Jr.

5-4 G Fr. Tandie Cummins

Kenidee Hayes

5-7 G Soph. Kennadie Cummins

5-7 F Soph. Berkley Moore

5-4 G Fr.

5-4 G Fr. Kashlyn Conkin

Coach: Korey Conkin

Asst. Coach: Kasey Bell 2021-22 record: 21-15, 7-3 School phone: 874-2181

Players to watch: Mckenna Shadle, Finley Cunningham, Courtlyn Conkin

Courtlyn Conkin

Makenna Shadle Baylee Gabel Finley Cunningham Graci Smith

Hayden Elam

Madison Smith, who was all-district three years, was the key departure from last year’s squad. Smith, the team captain, led the Lady Broncos in scoring, steals and charges taken.

Three honored players and two other letter winners should make Conkin’s seventh season at Clarendon lucky.

Makenna Shadle, a 5-4 senior point guard, averaged 8.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists in earning all-district honors last season.

Finley Cunningham, a 5-8 senior forward, contributed 8.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.1 apg and also was all-district.

Hayden Elam, a 5-4 sophomore guard (6.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.2 apg), was the district newcomer of the year as a freshman.

Joining those three in a probable starting unit will be Courtlyn Conkin and Baylee Gabel.

Courtlyn Conkin, a 5-7 junior guard with 6.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.2 credentials, is one of two daughters of Coach Conkin on the team. Kashlyn Conkin, a 5-4 freshman point guard, is the other.

Gabel is a 5-4 senior point guard who transferred from Claude.

The four starters, excluding Gabel, represent about 30 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Coach Conkin tabs Shadle as an all-state candidate and Cunningham and Courtlyn Conkin as other outstanding players to watch.

Graci Smith, a 6-1 junior post (4.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg), also lettered last year.

The Lady Broncos roster is composed of three seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen.

“This team has amazing team chemistry,” Coach Conkin said in assessing her team’s strengths. “Great outside shooting threats, depth and quickness.”

She’s concerned about a lack of height but indicated her Lady Broncos “play big.”

Conkin outlined the keys to success this season as “stay focused, utilize team strengths and work hard at accomplishing goals.”

Conkin is Clarendon through and through. She was all-district three years and all-region two years for Clarendon High School. She played for Clarendon College’s NJCAA champions in 1998. The Texas Tech University grad is married to Clint Conkin, Clarendon’s athletic director and football coach.

The Lady Broncos will open their season Nov. 5 at Valley. The home opener is Nov. 15 vs. Dumas. They’ll play in the Abernathy, Miami and Childress tournaments.

District 2-2A play for the girls is set to begin Jan. 6.

Clarendon Schedule

DATE Opponent

Place B G

Nov. 5 Valley There X Nov. 8 Happy There X Nov. 12 Childress There X Nov. 15 Dumas Here X Nov. 17-19 Abernathy Tournament There X Nov. 22 Claude There X Nov. 29 Groom There X Dec. 1-3 Miami Tournament There X Dec. 1-3 Nazareth Tournament There X Dec. 6 Vega Here X X Dec. 8-10 Childress Tournament There X X Dec. 13 Nazareth Here X Dec. 13 Panhandle Here X Dec. 16 Canadian Here X X Dec. 29-30 Canyon Holiday Tournament There X Dec. 30 McLean Here X Jan. 3 West Plains There X Jan. 3 Palo Duro Here X Jan. 6 Bushland Here X Jan. 6 Wheeler There X Jan. 10 Quanah Here X Jan. 13 Memphis There X X Jan. 17 Shamrock There X X Jan. 20 Wellington Here X X Jan. 24 Wheeler Here X X Jan. 27 Quanah There X X Jan. 31 Memphis Here X X Feb. 3 Shamrock Here X X Feb. 7 Wellington There X X Feb. 10 Wheeler There X Feb. 14 Quanah Here X

Phone: 806.874.3591 Fax: 806.874.3298

Tandie Cummins

Kenidee Hayes

Kennadie Cummins

Berkley Moore

Kashlyn Conkin

Presley Smith

Let’s Go Lady Broncos!—The Ellis Family Troy and Michaela wish the Broncos a great season!

Go Broncos! Threepeat!—The Clark Family We love the Conkin girls and the Lady Broncos! Have a great season!—Love, Pa-T, Nonna, Papa & Nana Let’s Go Broncos!—Mammy & Pa Go Berkley!—the Moore Family Go Broncos!—Mustard

Go Presley! Congratulations Lady Broncos!— Steve & Wanda Smith

Play hard, Play Smart, Play Together Lady Broncos!—The Smiths

Good Luck Lady Broncos and Broncos!—Brad, Adelita, Noab, Preston, Hayden & Carter!

Good Luck Broncos and Lady Broncos!—Tina Lacey Go Broncos!—Neal, Tammie & Morgan Johnston

Good Luck Twins and Lady Broncos!—Shonda & Danny Cummins

Good Luck Kennadie, Tandie and the Lady Broncos!—Gran & Grandan

Memphis It’s a family affair for Cyclones

It’s all relative on the Memphis coaching staff. Kaprisha Casas, the girls coach, is the spouse of Jared Casas, last year’s boys coach. And Kaprisha Casas is the first cousin of Donte Henderson, this year’s boys coach. All three are graduates of Memphis High School.

Got it? Well, relationships are pertinent on the Lady Cyclones team, too.

Nevaeh Henderson, a 5-8 freshman post, is the first cousin of both current head coaches. Macaela Graham, a 5-6 junior guard, and Ana Graham, a 5-8 freshman guard, are sisters. And Eliana Gonzalez, a 5-5 junior guard, is the Grahams’ cousin.

Kaprisha Casas served as an assistant to Kevin Alexander last season. They’ve reversed roles this season; Alexander is her assistant.

Alexander coached both the boys (four years) and girls (two years) at Memphis. One year he coached both teams.

Casas — her maiden name was Kaprisha Henderson — was the district MVP and first-team all-region for the Lady Cyclones in 2008. She also was the state champion in long jump and state runner-up in the triple jump. She later ran track at Wayland Baptist University, where she helped her team win a national indoor championship in 2008.

She graduated from West Texas A&M University and has been coaching in the Memphis ISD since 2017. This will be her first head basketball coaching assignment.

The Lady Cyclones made some progress last year. Winless the year before in 10 district games, Memphis went 4-6 last season to grab fourth place in District 2-2A.

That secured a playoff spot, but the Lady Cyclones drew undefeated Gruver and were zapped 89-30 in bidistrict. Gruver went on to the Class 2A state championship, while Memphis went home with a 12-18 final record.

“Last season, the Lady Cyclones showed a lot of growth,” Casas said. “A lot of people thought we wouldn’t win a district game like the year before, but the Lady Cyclones worked hard and earned a playoff spot.”

Kelbi Lindley, a first-team all-district selection, was the major departure from last year’s team.

Casas has seven letter winners returning, and two of them — Ava Arant and Macaela Graham — earned all-district honorable mentions.

Arant, a 5-10 senior post, averaged 14 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists last season. Macaela Graham contributed 15 ppg,

5 rpg, 3 apg.

Casas nominates both Arant and Macaela Graham as all-state candidates.

“They show the skill and grit that will help make the Lady Cyclones a great basketball team,” Casas said.

She tabs Katelyn Morris and Chloie O’Neal as players to watch. Morris, a 5-10 junior post (4 ppg, 7 rpg), and O’Neal, a 5-4 sophomore guard (10 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg), are projected as starters along with Arant, Macaela Graham and Gonzalez (10 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg).

Those five represent 53 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Kali Murphy, a 5-8 sophomore guard (4 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg), and Jene Smith, a 5-8 junior post (8 ppg, 4 rpg) also lettered last year.

The Lady Cyclones are young. Arant is the only senior on the roster, joined by four juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen.

“We have all returning but one this season and are adding a few good players to our roster,” Casas said. “We will be a good-sized group of girls with various talents and lots of speed.”

She said she had no areas of concern, just areas to improve.

“The keys to our success are trust, hard work, persistence and community support,” Casas said.

The Lady Cyclones will open their season Nov. 15 at Highland Park. The home opener will be Nov. 18 against West Texas High. Their only tournament assignment is their own, the Memphis Tourney Dec. 8-10.

They’ll begin District 2-2A play Jan. 6 at home against Quanah, the new member in the six-team conference. Quanah replaces Panhandle, which moved to District 3-2A because of UIL realignment.

BOYS

Donte Henderson moves up from coaching the Memphis boys

Ava Arant

Chloie O’Neal

Leo Flores

Macaela Graham

Eliana Gonzales

Austin Valle

Katelyn Morris

Kali Murphy

Marcos Flores

Memphis Cyclone Booster Club

Memphis Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 White Deer There X

Nov. 11 Booker Here X X

Nov. 15 Highland Park There X X

Nov. 18 West Texas High Here X X

Nov. 22 Pampa Here X X

Nov. 29 Tulia There X X

Dec. 6 Wildorado Here X X

Dec. 8-10 Memphis Tournament Here X X

Dec. 13 Friona There X

Dec. 16 Hedley There X X

Dec. 27 PCHEA Memphis X X

Dec. 30 Sanford-Fritch There X X

Jan. 3 Paducah Here X X

Jan. 6 Vega There X

Jan. 6 Quanah Here X

Jan. 10 Wellington There X

Jan. 13 Clarendon Here X X

Jan. 17 Wheeler There X X

Jan. 20 Shamrock Here X X

Jan. 24 Quanah There X X

Jan. 27 Wellington Here X X

Jan. 31 Clarendon There X X

Feb. 3 Wheeler Here X X

Feb. 7 Shamrock There X X

Feb. 10 Quanah Here X

Feb. 14 Wellington There X

Memphis Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Adrian Garcia 5-10 G Sr Marcos Flores 5-11 F Sr. Leo Flores 5-10 F Sr

Austin Valle 5-11 P Sr Gabriel Zuniga 5-9 G Jr. Gabriel Castillo 5-8 G Jr Isaiah Martinez 5-7 G Soph. Jonathan Martinez 6-4 P Soph. Ryder Robison 5-9 G Jr Noah Lopez 5-10 P Sr

Coach: Donte Henderson Asst. Coach: Cruz Torres 2021-22 record: 2-29, 0-10 School phone: 259-5900

Players to watch: Marcos Flores, Leo Flores, Adrian Garcia, Austin Valle, Gabriel Zuniga

Memphis Girls Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Macaela Graham 5-6 G Jr. Ava Arant 5-10 P Sr Eliana Gonzalez 5-5 G Jr Chloie O’Neal 5-4 G Soph. Katelyn Morris 5-10 P Jr. Kali Murphy 5-6 G Soph. Jene Smith 5-8 P Jr. Nevaeh Henderson 5-8 P Fr. Ana Graham 5-6 G Fr

Coach: Kaprisha Casas Asst. Coach: Kevin Alexander 2021-22 record: 12-18, 4-6 School phone: 259-5940, ext. 1407

Players to watch: Macaela Graham, Ava Arant, Chloie O’Neal, Katelyn Morris

JV team (a 7-3 record) to take over the varsity. He also was an assistant to Jared Casas last season.

Like his cousin, girls coach Kaprisha Casa, Henderson was a state champion in track as a sprinter in 2006. He also was an allregion point guard on a Cyclone team that reached the regional finals. This will be the first head basketball coaching job for the Clarendon College graduate. He will be the Cyclones’ third coach in as many years.

The Cyclones, under Jared Casas, suffered through a 2-29 season last year. They were winless in 10 district games.

Jared Casas, who had been a Memphis assistant for three years before becoming head coach, will coach the Memphis junior high team this season.

Six seniors on last year’s Memphis roster have moved on.

Henderson has three returning starters, including two who were all-district a year ago. They are:

• Leo Flores, a 5-10 senior forward who averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds;

• Austin Valle, a 5-11 senior post with 6 ppg, 6 rpg.

In addition, Marcos Flores, a 5-11 senior forward (13 ppg, 7 rpg), returns.

Henderson lists those three as players to watch, along with 5-10 senior guard Adrian Garcia (8 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 assists per game) and 5-9 junior guard Gabriel Zuniga (5 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg).

The Cyclones have five seniors, three juniors and two sophomores on their roster. The two sophomores are 5-7 guard Isaiah Martinez and 6-4 post Jonathan Martinez.

Unlike the girls team, the Cyclones have no family ties.

Henderson says the keys to success this season will be “to use our speed and quickness with the press. Up-tempo game style. Do little things right.”

The Cyclones will open at Highland Park on Nov. 15, then entertain West Texas High on Nov. 18. They’ll also play in their Memphis Tourney.

The Cyclones will begin District 2-2A play at home Jan. 13 against Clarendon, which has won the last two 2A state championships. Quanah replaces Panhandle in the six-team district this year.

Wellington Ex-boys coach to lead Lady Rockets

Cade Brown has a tough act to follow. Coaching girls for the first time, Brown succeeds Chris Sumrall.

Sumrall moved to Tascosa to take the girls job there. In his seven years at Wellington, he coached the Lady Rockets to 150 wins and 45 losses, a 56-14 record in district play, two district championships and one co-title. All seven teams made the playoffs. Six of his teams won 20 or more games.

Brown has been a head basketball coach for four years, coaching boys at Meadow and Aspermont. The graduate of Rule High School and Texas Tech University owns an 87-41 career boys coaching record, a .680 winning percentage.

Brown’s Aspermont boys team went 29-8 and reached the regional quarterfinals last spring.

Wellington’s girls, under Sumrall’s direction, also went 29-8 last season. The Lady Rockets won eight of 10 District 2-2A games to finish second.

In the playoffs, Wellington waltzed past Sunray 73-16 in bidistrict, Farwell 58-39 in the area game, Clarendon 55-23 in the regional quarterfinals and Ropes 40-22 in the regional

semifinals. Undefeated Gruver ended the Lady Rockets’ dance with a 44-28 knockout in the regional finals. Gruver went on to a perfect season and the Class 2A state championship.

Two multi-honored players played their last games for the Lady Rockets last spring. Kyla Kane was the district MVP and all-state by both the TABC and TGCA. Hadlee Gomez was the district defensive MVP, TABC all-region and TGCA all-state. Kane now is on the roster at West Texas A&M, while Gomez is playing at Wayland Baptist.

Brown inherits three returning starters for this season.

Asia Shrubs, a 5-5 senior guard, averaged 8 points and 4

Adrian Garcia Gabriel Zuniga

Jonathan Martinez

Gabe Castillo

Noah Lopez

Presley Kane Charley Wilbur Briley Waters

Asia Shrubs

(Continued from previous page)

rebounds last season and earned first-team all-district honors.

Presley Kane, a 5-6 junior guard, contributed 5.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game and also was first-team all-district. Presley Kane is the younger sister of the departed Kyla Kane.

Charley Wilbur, a 5-9 junior forward (9 ppg, 6.2 rpg), is the third returning starter. Those three represent 22 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Brown tabs Shrubs, Presley Kane, Wilbur and 5-10 junior guard

Wellington Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Briley Waters (2.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg) as outstanding players to watch.

Joining those four Lady Rockets as letter winners are 5-10 junior post Kali Brewer (4.2 ppg, 3 rpg), 5-8 junior guard Abby Garcia (2.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and 5-9 junior forward Audrey Jones (2.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg).

Asia Shrubs

5-5 G Sr. Presley Kane 5-6 G Jr Charley Wilbur 5-9 F Jr Kali Brewer 5-10 P Jr Abby Garcia 5-8 G Jr Briley Waters 5-10 G Jr Audrey Jones 5-9 F Jr Kaitlyn Baucom 5-6 G Jr

Coach: Cade Brown

Asst. Coach: Skyler Warrick 2021-22 record: 29-8, 8-2 School phone: 447-3172

Players to watch: Charley Wilbur, Asia Shrubs, Presley Kane, Briley Waters

Shrubs is the only senior on the roster, which features seven juniors.

“Our upperclassmen have been fortunate to experience some big games,” Brown said. “We will look to them to help lead us towards our goals this season.”

He has some concerns.

“We graduated 53 percent of our scoring and 30 percent of our rebounding off last year’s team,” he said. “So filling those voids will be areas of concern.”

What are Brown’s keys to success this season?

“We will need to stay healthy and continue to develop our offensive skill sets,” he said.

The Lady Rockets’ opener is Nov. 8 at home against Spearman. They’ll play in the Frenship, Childress and Brownwood

(Continued on next page)

Carson Tarver Bryant Tarver Braylon Tarver

Left to right: Kaitlin Bawcom, Summer Neufeld, Summer Owens, Presley Kane, Madeleine Kane, Audrey Jones, Kendra Bawcom, Gracie Lampe

Jordan Nation

tournaments.

District 2-2A has six members again this year, but Quannah replaces Panhandle, which moves to 3-2A because of UIL realignment. The Lady Rockets will begin district play Jan. 6.

BOYS

The Skyrockets reached the winning side of the ledger last season. With some talent returning, they could continue that success this season.

Wellington won three of four games at the Jayton Tournament after only a week of practice because of an extended football season last year.

Wellington went 7-3 in District 2-2A for a second-place finish. The Skyrockets beat Sanford-Fritch 57-48 in the bidistrict playoff before losing to Olton 71-54 in the area round. That capped a 17-11 season for the Skyrockets.

“I thought we continually got better each week. I believe we were playing some of our best basketball at the end of the season, which is all a coach can ask for,” Coach Quenton Patterson said.

“Last season we were still young with only one senior and one junior. So each week we just became more confident and comfortable. I was extremely proud of my guys last season.”

Creighton Killian was the lone senior on that team. He was the district co-defensive player of the year.

He’s gone, but four starters return this fall. They are:

• Jordan Nation, a 6-3 senior forward who averaged 11 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in earning all-district honors;

• Carson Tarver, a 5-10 junior guard who chipped in with 8 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg and also was all-district;

• Bryant Tarver, a 6-0 junior guard (7 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg);

Wellington Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class

6-3 F Sr. Carson Tarver 5-10 G Jr. Bryant Tarver 6-0 G Jr. Braylon Tarver 6-0 G Jr. Nixon Folk 6-1 P Jr. Brendon Garcia 6-2 P Soph. Travon Lewis 5-8 G Soph.

Jordan Nation

Coach: Quenton Patterson

Asst. Coach: Creighton Henderson 2021-22 record: 17-11, 7-3 School phone: 447-3172

Players to watch: Jordan Nation, Carson Tarver, Bryant Tarver, Braylon Tarver, Nixon Folk, Brendon Garcia

• Braylon Tarver, a 6-0 junior guard (6 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg). Bryant and Brayton Tarver are twins. Carson Tarver is their cousin. Nation has a younger brother, 5-8 sophomore guard Travon Lewis, on the team. (Continued on next page)

Travon Lewis Nixon Folk Brendon Garcia

Nation and Carson Tarver are all-state candidates, according to Patterson. The Tarver twins, plus 6-1 junior post Nixon Folk (5 ppg, 3 rpg) and 6-2 sophomore post Brendon Garcia (9 ppg, 4 rpg), are other outstanding players to watch.

All seven of the above-mentioned players lettered last year. Just like last year, the Skyrockets have only one senior (Nation) on the roster. Four juniors and two sophomores fill out the squad.

Patterson lists experience and size as the Skyrockets’ strengths.

“All of the guys coming back have varsity experience, and most of them have at least two years,’ he said. “Should have five guys that are all 6-foot plus.”

He is concerned because a late run in the football playoffs will create a late basketball start, tentatively scheduled for Nov. 29. Staying healthy throughout the season is another concern.

Patterson offered several keys to success this season.

“We have to be able to capitalize on the experience that we have gained over the last couple of seasons. We have to be confident in ourselves and just go out and play as hard as we can each night,” he said.

“The four juniors have been here the last two seasons and should make Nation’s job of leading much easier. The great thing about this team is six out of the seven returning led the team in points for at least one game last season. These Skyrockets have the tools. Can they use them in the right way?”

Patterson is beginning his fourth season as coach at his high school alma mater. The Hardin-Simmons University graduate coached at Hico before coming to Wellington.

With the Skyrockets, his three-year record is 36-35. For his

Wellington Schedule

DATE Opponent Place

Nov. 8 Spearman Here X

Nov. 12 Claude @ Randall There X Nov. 15 Childress There X Nov. 17-19 Frenship Tournament There X Nov. 22 Palo Duro There X Nov. 29 Pampa There X Dec. 2 Claude Here X X Dec. 8-10 Childress Tournament There X Dec. 15-17 Jayton Tournament There X Dec. 16 Valley Here X Dec. 20 Happy There X Dec. 20 Lubbock Trinity Christian Here X Dec. 28-30 Brownwood Tournament There X X Jan. 2 Canadian There X Jan. 3 River Road There X Jan. 6 Childress Here X Jan. 6 Shamrock Here X Jan. 10 Memphis Here X

Jan. 10 Holy Cross There X Jan. 13 Wheeler There X X Jan. 17 Quanah Here X X Jan. 20 Clarendon There X X Jan. 24 Shamrock There X X Jan. 27 Memphis There X X Jan. 31 Wheeler Here X X Feb. 3 Quanah There X X Feb. 7 Clarendon Here X X Feb. 10 Shamrock Here X Feb. 14 Memphis Here X

seven-year career, his boys coaching mark is 78-108. The Skyrockets will play in the Jayton and Brownwood tournaments. District play for the boys begins Jan. 13 at Wheeler. The Skyrockets will host Quanah, the district’s newest member, on Jan. 17. Quanah replaces Panhandle in the six-member conference.

Micha, Braylon & Bryant Tarver

Toby, Tiffany, Korbyn & Carson Tarver

Lea Smith

John, Marcy, Reed & Riley Sessions

Carl & Jeanee Taylor

Luke, Amy, Lawson, Ava Kate & Jack Inman

Collingsworth Co. Constable, Ronnie Ward

Gary, Amanda, Dalten & Tobi Davis

Joe & Melanie Baumgardner

Dickie & Holly Johnson

Brad & Ashley Long

Scott & Lucinda Martindale

Juda & Destine Nation, Zach, Kisha, Londyn, Cam & Miles Lechner

Drew, Chandi & Kenzlea Taylor

Jeff, Colby, Jax & Jake Anderson Lucas, Seven & Charley Willbur

Creighton Henderson

Arnie & Janee Ingram Matthew, Shari, Perrie & Quaid Reyna Steve & Teresa Kane

Glen & Irma Thomas

Tanner, Kendra, Hunter & Halle Hedrick Andy & Delta Henard

Armando, Denise, Abby & Tiny Tony & Suzanne Maxwell Wade and Diann Williams Land, Deidre, Kyla, Presley, Taytum & Kaisyn Kane

Keith & Charlette Martin

Quincy, Cindy, Josh, Jake, Alisha, Quade & Barrett Weatherly

Larry, Teresa, Reagan, Kayden & Ashtyn Valles Nell Bawcom

809 West Ave Wellington, TX 79095

Open: Monday – Friday Hours: 7:00am – 6:00pm Daycare: 806-447-1306

Mandy’s Cell: 806-204-0569

Kurt, Karoline & Kamri Ashmore

Klark, Blake & Hayes Ashmore

Paul & Renee Hanna

Gary & Toni Wright

Kenny, Brook, Emma & Will Geronimo, Shelly & Brayson Molina

Larry & Nancy Henard

Rodney & Mary Lou Kane Kent & Mary Riley

Karen Caldwell

Jim & JoRita Henard

Brad, Kelly, Kimber, Kaitlin & Kendra Bawcom

Larry & Lyndy Black, Blaire & Currie Forrester

Jose, Bridget & Marlene Jantes

Austin, Taylor, Jax, Preston & Whitley Souder

April Lindsay & Jordan Nation

Cody, Kim, Barret & Bryn Phillips

Henry, Beatriz, Enrique, Elvis & Elias Jaimes

Gay McAlister

Jake, Alisha, Quade, & Barrett Weatherly Leon Peeler & Myrna Jones

Carson, D’Lyn, Jenna, Adeline & Levi Faulks

Debbie Henard

Sharon Chism & Brooke Patterson

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Henry, Amanda, Trylea, Trevyn & Tylee Wiebe

Lanna & Ellee Reeves

Triple J Cattle Co. Frances & Kent Holland Shay & Shelby Morris

Marty, Kathy, Skyler & Harley Warrick, Zenith Hickey

Henard Farms

Rosa Carter & Family

Kenneth, Carrie, & Cameron Warren

Chad Holland Real Estate, Bev Odom Realtor

Dusty & Kim Holland, Tryston, Mallory & Tyler O’Rear, Dalton & Nicole Holland

Benny, Whitney, Westin & Barrett Wiebe

Jason, Becky, Gracie & Jacy Lampe

Jay, Holly & Kynleigh Statham

Janelle & Shanee Popwell

Durk & Priscilla Green

Logan, Kacy, Kodi, Tinlee & Taylee Cabbell

Mark & Debbie Huntress

Leamon & Nell Bawcom

Donna & Pete Pierce

Linda Powell

Tony, Debbie, Sonny, Destiny, Harper & Copper Cox

Karen & Johnny Holton Heath, Kassie, Bailey, Kaylee, Shaylee Neeley, Scott and Hayley Cooper Rod & Dottie Davis

Carly Carter Kay

Cheryl, Justin, Krystle & Castin Tarver

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Linda Neeley

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BJ, Landey, Madison, Briley & Kane Waters

Roger & Lisa Wilhelm Steve, Lucy & Summer Owens Justin, Tasha, Landry & Kaydence Mixon

3901 Hwy 83 Wellington, TX

Carson, D’Lyn, Jenna, Adeline & Levi Faulks

Nicole Self Photography

Robert, Czrena, Lee & Ashley Watts

Bill & Joline Willson

Gene, Noemi, Arianna, Eliya, Natalya & Seveyah Pena

Richard, Crystal, Summer & Vivyan Valles

Owens Cattle

Larry & Debbie Kane Christy, Con, Cal & Claire Kane Hightower Farms Troy & Kay Thomason C&A Henard Partnership

Katherine Reeves

Brian, Marnie, Emma & Madeleine Kane

Tim & Gina Harris

Wellington Tractor Parts Greenbelt Mini Storage

Owens Salvage

Kayla, Wado, Eryn, Emory, Adalyn & Peyton Torrez Juan, Carrie, Kaycee Martinez, & Gavin Wood

Gray Ag Air LLC Dayron, Nathan, Marlee & Major Brown

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Billy & Jackie Wilkerson

Brent, Janie, Rowdy & Allie Duncan Bernie, Marci, Ava, Ben, David & Noah Peters

P.O. Box 948 Wellington, Texas 79095-0948

Micha, Braylon & Bryant Tarver

Jermaine, Ashly, Noah, Jax, Collier & Callahan Cantu

Jimmy & Odilia Cantu

Pat & Val White

Carter Cattle

Todd & Jessica Thomas

Good Luck Tarver boys and Bawcom girls!—Janice Downs

Craig & DeeDee Needham

Clarence, Andi, Maddox, Jasper & Sherree

Go Rockets!—Gary & Linda Brewer

Forrest & Cindy Lloyd & Family Go Rockets!—Hayes Carter Jonathan Brown

Brock & Breana Williams

Love our Rockets!—Raelea Davila & Jennifer

Chad & Nichole Mock Daniel & Adrian Castor

Kevin & Eva Hamby Tim & Toni Cummings

Ashley & Jacen Lemons

Jeremy & Katie Page Michael & Elvira Garza Kirk & Cynthia Patterson Lee & Tina Souder Redgie & Dian Souder

Glenn & Irma Thomas

Tucker, Jordan & Kellyn Conner Rex, Amy, Rileigh, Anna & Evey Henard Meagan, Jorgia, Maverick & Gia O’Rear George & Kathy Brewer Kent, Karrie, Natalee & Sadie Hudson Joe O’Rear

Ronnie & Diane O’Rear Ethan, Abby, Cody & Bradley Cole T-BAL Fabrications

900 Houston St. Hwy 83 Wellington, TX 79095 Office: 806.447.0303 Ben Peters OWNER 806.346.7520 WELLINGTON, TX WARRICK LAND AND CATTLE

WELLINGTON, TEXAS

Farwell Steers face some challenges

Things may get a little more difficult for the Steers this season. Three honored players departed from last year’s team, and Farwell’s district may be tougher.

All-region Leo Nunez and all-district honorees Grayson Waldrop and Dustan Sides were the three seniors on last season’s 24-8 team.

Farwell tied for second in District 3-2A with a 5-3 conference record. The Steers defeated Floydada 72-59 in the bidistrict playoff but lost to Gruver 61-55 in the area round.

That District 3-2A may be stronger this season with the addition of Highland Park, dropping down from Class 3A, and Panhandle, moving from 2-2A because of UIL realignment. It’s now a sixteam district. However, defending champ Olton moves to 4-2A.

Veteran Coach Shane Perkins has faced many challenges in his 26-year coaching career. And he does have two all-district players back, along with three other letter winners.

Returning starters Corey Stancell and Adrian Nunez both made the all-district tea last year.

Stancell, a 6-0 junior guard, averaged 11 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists last season. Adrian Nunez, a 5-11 senior guard, chipped in with 8 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg. Adrian Nunez is the cousin of the departed Leo Nunez.

Coming off the bench, 6-0 senior guard Alec Actkinson logged 6 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg statistics last season.

Stancell, Adrian Nunez and Actkinson are the outstanding Steers to watch, according to Perkins.

Walker Williams, a 5-10 senior guard, and Jorge Vazquez a 6-0 junior center, are the other Farwell letter winners.

The Steers have five seniors, four juniors and a sophomore on their roster.

“The top strength of this year’s team is their competitiveness,”

Perkins said.

Perkins, a Brownwood High School and Howard Payne University graduate, is beginning his 14th season at Farwell. He previously coached at Kennedale and Brownwood.

Perkins celebrated his 500th career boys victory last season. His career record is 514-298 for a .633 winning percentage. He’s a member of Panhandle-Plains Basketball’s 300 Club.

The Farwell boys will begin the season Nov. 19 at Slaton before hosting Smyer Nov. 21. They will play in the their own Farwell Tournament plus the Texico and Littlefield tourneys.

District competition will start Jan. 6 at Panhandle.

GIRLS

The Lady Blue have a husband-wife duo coaching them this season.

Joshua Jourden is the new head coach; his wife, Teresa Jourden, is one of his assistant coaches. They’ve coached together before, so that’s not new.

Joshua Jourden is a graduate of Smyer and UT-Permian Basin. He previously coached at Timpson, Whitharral and Sterling City. His 2012 Whitharral team won the Class 1A state championship.

His girls teams have won 273 and lost 180 for a .603 winning percentage. He’s 27 wins away from gaining membership in this magazine’s 300 Club.

He succeeds Mikel Tucker, who coached the Lady Blue for four years, at Farwell.

Tucker guided the Lady Blue to a 28-6 overall season last year. Farwell won the District 3-2A championship by going undefeated in eight conference games.

There were no seniors on last year’s roster, so Jourden has a lot of experience — five returning starters and five other letter winners — on hand. In fact, that’s how he described — “a lot of experience” — his team’s strengths.

Charlie May Trimble, a 5-11 senior forward, leads the returning starters. She was a TABC all-region selection last year.

Trimble and Landri Richey, a 5-8 sophomore point guard, are regarded as all-state candidates by Jourden. Landri Richey has

(Continued on page 273)

Bella Jaime

Charlie May Trimble

Chloe Whitten

Landri Richey

Jaelyn Smith

Kennedi Richey

I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.

–Mia Hamm

an older sister, 5-8 junior forward Kennedi Richey, on the team.

Joining Trimble and Landri Richey as returning starters are 5-4 sophomore guard Bella Jaime, 5-9 junior guard Chloe Whitten and 5-4 senior guard Jaelyn Smith.

The other letter winners are 5-3 junior guard Zavayia Benoit, 5-11 senior center Carly Gilbreath, Kennedi Richey, 5-6 junior guard Deavyn Bradley and 5-9 sophomore Makylee Baldwin.

Jourden tabs Whitten, Baldwin and 5-9 senior forward Paige Harris as other players to watch. Harris is the only Lady Blue who hasn’t lettered.

The roster contains five seniors, three juniors and three sophomores.

Jourden’s main concern is the players adjusting to a new system and style of play.

His keys for success this season are “playing within the new style and coming together as a group,” he said.

District 3-2A appears to be more difficult this year on the girls side as Highland Park and Panhandle are new members in the six-team conference. Olton slides over to 4-2A because of UIL realignment.

Farwell Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

5-11 F Sr Landri Richey 5-8 G Soph. Paige Harris 5-9 F Sr.

Charlie May Trimble

Bella Jaime 5-4 G Soph.

Chloe Whitten 5-9 G Jr. Jaelyn Smith

5-4 G Sr. Zavayia Beniot 5-3 G Jr.

Carly Gilbreath 5-11 P Sr. Kennedi Richey 5-8 F Jr. Deavyn Bradley 5-6 G Sr Makylee Baldwin 5-9 F Soph.

Coach: Joshua Jourden

Asst. Coaches: Teresa Jourden, Baylee Baker, Taylor Stancell School phone: 481-3351

Players to watch: Charlie May Trimbell, Landri Richey, Chloe Whitten, Paige Harris, Makylee Baldwin

Zavayia Benoit Carly Gilbreath

Makylee Baldwin

Deavyn Bradley

Paige Harris

Farwell Boys

Name

Corey Stancell

Ht. Pos. Class

6-0 G Jr

Adrian Nunez 5-11 G Sr

Alec Actkinson 6-0 G Sr

Walker Williams 5-10 G Sr Jorge Vazquez 6-0 P Jr.

Ryder McElroy 6-2 F Soph.

Cesar Snyder 6-2 F Jr.

Eloy Juarez 5-9 G Sr.

Abraham Gomez 5-9 G Sr. Alejandro Carrillo 6-0 G Jr.

Coach: Shane Perkins

Asst. Coaches: Remy Stewart, Caleb Wood

2021-22 record: 24-8, 5-3 School phone: 481-3351

Players to watch: Corey Stancell, Adrian Nunez, Alec Actkinson

Friendships born on the court of athletic strife are the real gold of competition; awards become corroded, friends gather no dust.

Farwell Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Canyon There X

Nov. 12 Happy Here X

Nov. 19 Slaton There X

Nov. 19 Brownfield Here X

Nov. 21 Smyer Here X X

Nov. 22 Shallowater There X

Nov. 22 Ropes There X

Nov. 29 Gruver TBA X

Nov. 29 Childress Tulia X

Dec. 3 Hermleigh LCU X

Dec. 6 Dimmitt There X X

Dec. 8-10 Farwell Tournament There X X

Dec. 13 Idalou There X X

Dec. 15-17 Texico Tournament There X X

Dec. 19 Roosevelt There X X

Panhandle

Dec. 21 Abernathy Here X

Dec. 27-29 Littlefield Tournament There X

Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X

Jan. 3 Nazareth There X X

Jan. 6 Panhandle There X Jan. 6 Klondike There X

Jan. 10 Bovina Here X

Jan. 13 Highland Park There X X

Jan. 17 Boys Ranch There X X

Jan. 20 Vega Here X X

Jan. 24 Panhandle Here X X

Jan. 27 Bovina There X X

Jan. 31 Highland Park Here X X

Feb. 3 Boys Ranch Here X X

Feb. 7 Vega There X X

Feb. 10 Panhandle There X

Feb. 14 Bovina Here X

Pantherettes not really that ‘off ’

The Pantherettes had an “off” year last season.

What? They were 27-9 overall and won District 3-2A with a 9-1 record.

Well, they didn’t make the state tournament. For only the third time in seven years, Panhandle wasn’t included in the final four. The Pantherettes’ state success featured a runner-up in 2016, a championship in 2017 and semifinal finishes in 2019 and 2021.

Last year’s team did reach the regional quarterfinals. The Pantherettes whipped West Texas High 88-20 in bidistrict and Lockney 74-31 in the area round.

But Gruver, which went on to an undefeated season and a Class 2A state championship, eliminated Panhandle 50-32. That was a turnabout from the previous year, when the Pantherettes had ended defending state champ Gruver’s season in the regional quarters.

Two seniors – Kate Kuehler, first -team all-district, TABC all-region and TGCA all-state; and Kandin Ford, first-team all-district – have moved on from last year’s Panhandle squad.

Coach Rob Schmucker, who has mentored all those recent state tournament teams, welcomed two honored players back this fall. Three returning starters and four other letter winners highlight the Pantherettes’ arsenal.

Grace Sims, a 5-7 senior forward, is the Panhandle ringleader. Sims averaged 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in earning district offensive MVP, TGCA all-state and TABC all-region and all-state honors. Schmucker considers Sims an all-state candidate.

Sydney Adee, a 5-5 senior guard, contributed 7.4 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.8 apg and was a first-team all-district selection.

Sims, Adee and 5-7 senior guard Leah Sherwood ( 5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.5 apg) started last season. Those three returning starters represent 22 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

The other letter winners are 5-10 senior forward Katelyn Haney (5.7 ppg, 5 rpg), 5-8 sophomore guard Avery Cathey (4.5 ppg), 5-5 junior guard Taylor Brinkley (4.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and 5-8 sophomore forward Ann Garrison (4.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg).

Adee, Sherwood and Haney are outstanding players to watch, according to Schmucker.

He lists the Pantherettes’ strengths as team chemistry and experience. He is concerned about the same two items—team chemistry and experience.

The keys for success this season will be to limit the turnovers

Schmucker is beginning his ninth season at Panhandle and his 20th year as a head basketball coach. He previously coached at O’Donnell, Lockney and Alvord.

Schmucker is a graduate of Nazareth High School and West Texas A&M University. His wife, Sheena Schmucker, is an assistant coach.

Panhandle will move to District 3-2A this season because of UIL realignment. The Pantherettes still will have five conference opponents, but they will all be new — Highland Park, Bovina, Boys Ranch, Farwell and Vega.

The Ettes will open the season at home Nov. 8 against Tulia. They will play in the Nazareth, Tulia and Fort Worth Whataburger tournaments. District competition will begin Jan. 6 at home against Farwell.

BOYS

The Panthers showed some strength in District 3-2A play last (Continued

Grace Sims

Katelyn Haney

Sydney Adee

Avery Cathey

Leah Sherwood

Taylor Brinkley and have success in rebounding, Schmucker said.

season, finishing third with a 7-4 conference mark.

Panhandle lost to Stratford 56-47 in the bidistrict playoff and finished a long season at 12-19 overall.

Nevertheless, Coach Austin Whitt saw some progress in his first year as Panhandle’s mentor.

“It was a great year to get some players more experience,” Whitt said. “District was the building point for a lot of our younger players who stepped up and confirmed a playoff berth.”

Nick Mize, second-team all-district, was the key loss among the six seniors who moved on from last year’s team.

Whitt designated 6-3 senior forward Landyn Hack as a potential all-stater this season. Hack averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds last year. He is also one of the area’s top football quarterbacks.

Hack, Cuyler Mize and Dylan Pohlmeier are players to watch, according to Whitt.

Cuyler Mize, the younger brother of the departed Nick Mize, is a 5-10 senior guard who contributed 7 points and 5 assists per game last year. Pohlmeier is a 5-10 sophomore.

The Panhandle roster is composed of six seniors, one junior, two sophomores and one freshman.

That senior-led experience ranks as a team strength.

“Returning some players with experience, along with our post presence, will go a long way for our team,” Whitt said.

He’s concerned about the younger players and guard play.

“Building younger players to step into roles that can contribute to the team,” Whitt said. “Guard play and development through the year.”

What are the keys to success this season?

“Executing on the defensive side at a higher level,” he said,

Panhandle Girls Name

Ht. Pos. Class

5-6 G Soph. Katelyn Haney

Avery Cathey

5-10 F Sr Sydney Adee 5-5 G Sr Leah Sherwood

5-7 G Sr Taylor Brinkley 5-5 G Jr Brighton Evans

5-6 F Jr Grace Sims 5-7 F Sr Kinley Ford

5-10 P Sr McKinzy Segura

5-7 G Jr Ann Garrison

5-8 F Soph. Savannah Sinclair 5-7 F Sr

Coach: Rob Schmucker

Asst. Coaches: Sheena Schmucker, McKinsie Childers 2021-22 record: 27-9, 9-1 School phone: 537-3851

Players to watch: Grace Sims, Sydney Adee, Katelyn Haney, Leah Sherwood

“and finding consistent scoring threats from multiple guards.” Whitt is coaching at his high school alma mater. The West Texas A&M University graduate spent five years at West Texas High as an assistant, then another year at Panhandle as an aide before taking the head position last year.

The Panthers will open the season Nov. 22 at home against West Texas High, Whitt’s former coaching location. They’ll play in the Vega, West Texas and Lubbock Caprock tournaments. District 3-2A play begins Jan. 13. Panhandle is the only holdover member in the six-team district this season because of UIL realignment. The other five teams are Highland Park, Bovina, Boys Ranch, Farwell and Vega.

Patriotism often is on display at basketball games in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains, especially as the national anthem is played. Panhandle High School fans put their hands on their hearts, and some remove their hats, before a playoff game in 2020 between the Pantherettes and the Clarendon Lady Broncos played at Tascosa High School.

Cuyler Mize

Dylan Pohlmeier Korbin Preston

Landyn Hack

(Photo by Mike Haynes)

Cooper Neil

Landon

Zachary

Panhandle Boys

Name

Ht. Class

Cuyler Mize 5-10 Sr Dylan Pohlmeier 5-10 Soph. Landyn Hack 6-3 Sr Korbin Preston 6-1 Sr Broxton Robinson 5-10 Fr Landon Durst 5-10 Jr Wesley Kuehler 6-3 Soph. Cooper Neil 5-9 Sr Greg Ehrenberg 5-10 Sr Zach Prather 5-10 Sr

Coach: Austin Whitt Asst. Coaches: Brodie Klink, James Whitt, Chris MacKeown 2021-22 record: 12-19, 7-4 School phone: 537-3541

Players to watch: Landyn Hack, Cuyler Mize, Dylan Pohlmeier

Ann Garrison

Kinley Ford

Savannah Sinclair

Panhandle Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Tulia Here X

Nov. 12 Nazareth Randall X

Nov. 15 Palo Duro There X Nov. 19 Childress Here X

Nov. 21 Claude There X Nov. 22 Tascosa Here X

Nov. 22 West Texas Here X Nov. 29 Canadian There X Nov. 29 Wellington There X Dec. 1-3 Nazareth Tournament There X Dec. 1-3 Vega Tournament There X Dec. 6 Canyon Here X Dec. 6 Borger Here X Dec. 8-10 Tulia Tournament There X Dec. 8-10 West Texas Tournament There X Dec. 13 Clarendon There X Dec. 16 Quanah Here X Dec. 16 Lubbock Christian There X Dec. 20 Bushland There X X Dec. 28-30 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X Dec. 28-30 Whataburger Tournament Fort Worth X Jan. 3 Canadian There X Jan. 6 Dalhart There X Jan. 6 Farwell Here X Jan. 10 Boys Ranch There X

Jan. 13 Vega Here X X

Jan. 17 Highland Park Here X X Jan. 20 Bovina There X X Jan. 24 Farwell There X X

Jan. 27 Boys Ranch Here X X Jan. 31 Vega There X X

Feb. 3 Highland Park There X X Feb. 7 Bovina Here X X Feb. 10 Farwell Here X Feb. 14 Boys Ranch There X

Good Luck Panthers and Ettes!—The Shadid Good Luck Panthers and Ettes!—Nick & Nicole Keuhler

Good Luck on your season!—The Bixby’s Good Luck Zach! Go Panthers!—Love, Gramps and Grammy Let’s go Panthers and Ettes!—Candra & Bobby Inman All the best Ettes!—Bobbie Schmucker Play hard, play smart, play together!— First United Methodist Panhandle Go Ettes!—Mary Bednorz Go Panthers and Ettes!—Terry & Anna Lewis

Have a great season Zach! Go Panthers!—Chad & Renea Prather Let’s go Ettes!—The Garrison’s Make it a great year!—Tex & Leisa Phillips Go Panthers and Ettes!—Linc, Meg, Clayton, Zach & Tyler

Vega Lady Longhorn assistant moved up

Shane Woods had been a head basketball coach for 13 years, but he didn’t expect to be one last season.

Woods moved from his assistant’s spot on the Lady Longhorns’ bench to head coach, replacing Kirk Ellis mid-season. Ellis resigned five days before Vega’s first district game because of an unanticipated conflict.

Woods took over after Christmas break and wound up coaching the Lady Longhorns for the rest of the season. He fared pretty well as Vega finished 5-3 in District 3-2A for second place. The Lady Longhorns almost won their bidistrict playoff game, losing to Lockney 58-50 in overtime.

Vega, which won the Tulia Tournament in nondistrict action, posted a 19-14 season overall. Ellis was credited with a 14-9 mark, giving him 336 career boys and girls wins. Ellis was in his first year at Vega, having moved from Groom. He’s now an assistant girls coach at Bushland.

“It was a season of injuries, frustration, adversity and change,” Woods said. “The girls finished well with all the adversity they faced during the season; proud of them.”

Graduation took its toll on the Lady Longhorns. Five key senior

contributors have moved on from last year’s squad. The five:

• Katelyn Ruiz – all-district, TABC all-region and academic all-state;

• Dakota Walker – all-district and academic all-state;

• Maci Hartsell – all-district and academic all-state;

• Kami Harmon – all-district honorable mention and academic all-state;

• Amber Stewart – AD honorable mention and academic all-state.

However, Woods has two returning starters, both honorees last season.

Lucy Richards

Addison Bidegain Jaz Martinez

(Continued on page 295)

Kami Drinnon

Kami Drinnon, a 5-6 senior guard, averaged 7 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists last season and was an all-district selection.

Lucy Richards, a 5-7 junior forward (6 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg), also started last year and made the all-district defensive team.

Woods nominates Drinnon and Richards as all-state candidates.

The Lady Longhorns have three other letter winners: 5-8 sophomore guard Addison Bidegain (3 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg), 5-8 sophomore forward Jaz Martinez and 5-5 senior guard Cami Cox (2 ppg, 2 rpg).

Bidegain and Martinez are players to watch, according to Woods.

The Vega roster is composed of four seniors, two juniors and four sophomores.

Woods lists the Lady Longhorns’ strengths as team chemistry/ unity, desire to compete, speed and quickness. He is concerned about the team’s youth and lack of height.

He said the keys for success this season will be “development of physical and mental toughness, overcome adversity, conditioning and stamina. We have to get out and run the transition game and also play full-court pressure defense.”

He also emphasized rebounding and controlling the boards.

Woods is a graduate of Shattuck, Oklahoma, High School and Oklahoma State University. This will be his first full season as the Lady Longhorns coach, but he has 13 years of head coaching experience in Follett. He mentored the Follett boys for three years and the girls for 10 years. In 2008, he coached both teams.

He owns 51-32 boys and 200-104 girls career coaching victories. Combined, that is 251-136 for a .649 winning percentage.

The Lady Longhorns will open the season at home Nov. 8

against Sudan. They’ll play in their own Vega Tournament, plus the Dimmitt and Lubbock Caprock tourneys.

Vega will open District 3-2A play Jan. 10 against Highland Park, a new district member. Panhandle also is new to the district, making it a six-team conference. Olton exits, moving to District 4-2A because of UIL realignment.

BOYS

The Longhorns lost one of the top scorers in the area from (Continued on next page)

Cami Cox Adilyn Martinez

Raelyn Calhoun

Kashli Gilter

Jayla Ortiz

last year’s team.

Ryan Grawunder, the District 3-2A offensive MVP, all-region and second-team on the Amarillo Globe-News’ Boys Super Team, averaged 19 points for Vega.

In two games against Clarendon, which won its second straight Class 2A state title, Grawunder scored 83 points.

He led the Longhorns to a 14-14 season and a second-place tie with Farwell in the district, both with 5-3 records. Vega defeated Lockney 56-39 in bidistrict but fell to Clarendon 86-65 in the area game. Grawunder netted 41 points in that game.

He’ll be difficult to replace, but Coach Sonny Calhoun has eight returning letter winners.

Joaquin Segovia, a 5-11 junior guard, averaged 5 points and 5 rebounds last season and was an all-district selection.

Calhoun sees newcomer Luke Mason, a 6-2 senior forward, and Slade Fowler, a 6-1 senior forward, as all-state candidate. Fowler (6 ppg, 6 rpg) lettered last season.

Segovia and a pair of letter-winning junior forwards — 6-2 Casen Brorman and 6-1 Diego Martinez — are other outstanding players to watch, according to Calhoun. Brorman has a cousin, 5-10 junior guard Braden Brorman, on the team.

The other returning letter winners are 6-1 senior post Paxton Green, 5-8 senior guard Kylan Richardson, 6-0 senior guard Grady Johnston and 5-8 junior guard Jose Silerio.

There are six seniors and eight juniors on the Longhorns roster.

Calhoun lists the team’s strengths as chemistry, experience and depth. His keys for success this season are defense and rebounding.

Calhoun, a graduate of Happy High School and West Texas A&M University, is beginning his third year as the Longhorns head coach with a 47-32 record at Vega.

He spent four years as an assistant to Vega Coach Todd Schroeder in between head coaching jobs at Hartley (2008-2012) and Wheeler (2016-2019).

His last Wheeler team went 23-6, the same mark his first Vega team posted.

The Longhorns will open their season Nov. 22 at White Deer. They’ll first appear at home in the Dec. 1-3 Vega Tournament. They’ll also play in the Dimmitt and Lubbock Caprock tourneys.

They’ll face new District 3-2A member Panhandle Jan. 13 in their conference opener. Highland Park also is new to the sixteam district as Olton departs.

Luke Mason Slade Fowler

Casen Brorman

Joaquin Segovia

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Vega Boys

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Luke Mason 6-2 F Sr

Paxton Green 6-1 P Sr

Joaquin Segovia 5-11 G Sr

Kylan Richardson 5-8 G Sr

Slade Fowler 6-1 F Sr

Grady Johnston 6-0 G Sr

Casen Brorman 6-2 F Jr

Diego Martinez 6-1 F Jr

Jose Silerio 5-8 G Jr

Braden Brorman 5-10 G Jr

Reese Robins 5-8 G Jr.

Jared Calhoun 5-11 G Jr.

Cole Blasingame 5-11 F Jr.

Logan Mason 6-2 F Jr.

Coach: Sonny Calhoun

Asst. Coach: Grady Arnold 2021-22 record: 5-3

School phone: 267-2123

Players to watch: Luke Mason, Slade Fowler, Joaquin Segovia, Casen Brorman, Diego Martinez

Vega Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Sudan Here X

Nov. 12 Spearman There X Nov. 15 Bushland Here X Nov. 19 Stratford Here X Nov. 22 White Deer There X X

Nov. 29 Happy There X X

Dec. 1-3 Vega Tournament Here X X

Dec. 6 Clarendon There X X

Dec. 8-10 Dimmitt Tournament There X X

Dec. 13 Dalhart Here X X

Dec. 16 Nazareth There X X

Dec. 19 Wildorado There X X

Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X X

Jan. 3 Gruver Here X X

Jan. 6 Boys Ranch Here X

Jan. 6 Memphis Here X

Jan. 10 Highland Park Here X

Jan. 10 Stratford There X

Jan. 13 Panhandle There X X

Jan. 17 Bovina Here X X

Jan. 20 Farwell There X X

Jan. 24 Boys Ranch There X X

Jan. 27 Highland Park There X X

Jan. 31 Panhandle Here X X

Feb. 3 Bovina There X X

Feb. 7 Farwell Here X X

Feb. 10 Boys Ranch Here X

Feb. 14 Highland Park Here X

Vega Super Boosters

The Gilter Family Clay, Lisa, Clay Dason & Creed Gilter Levi Ware

The Dukes Family Janie Craeghs Family Deborah Sue McDonald

The Gilter Family Lucas Spinhirne Cristine, David, Anthony & Blake Shane & Wendy Jackson

The Vogler Family

The Vincent Family Trace & Tiffi Richardson Jana & Elijah Keelan Good Luck Diego and Jaz Martinez—Poppa “T”

3000 Climer Circle Amarillo, TX 79124 (806) 331-2765 rodfathersbodyshop@yahoo.com www.rodfathersrvbodyshop.com

Grady Johnston

Diego Martinez

Jose Silerio Paxton Green Logan Mason Kylan Richardson

Vega Girls Name

Kami Drinnon

Ht. Pos. Class

5-6 G Sr

Cami Cox

5-4 G Sr

5-5 G Sr Adilyn Martinez

Lucy Richards

5-10 P Jr

5-7 F Jr Kashli Gilter

Addison Bidegain

5-6 G Soph. Jaz Martinez

5-8 F Soph. Raelyn Calhoun

5-5 G Soph. Jayla Ortiz 5-6 F Soph.

Coach: Shane Woods

Asst. Coaches: Berklee Norris, Emmy Meek 2021-22 record: 19-14, 5-3 School phone: 267-2123

Players to watch: Kami Drinnon, Lucy Richards, Addison Bidegain, Jaz Martinez

Cody, Sherri, Macy & Dakota Walker

KTB Farms

Town Square Bunk House

The Ruiz Family

Ashleigh & Addie Carlson

Go Longhorns!—The Drinnons

Good Luck Longhorns!—Shirley Drinnon

Go Longhorns!—Beth Heatherly

The Joyce Family

The Link Family

Tom George Richie & Mashawn Garza Family

John & Jean Noggler

Joe Rohrbach

David & Cheryl Deer

Charlie & Nancy Spinhirne

Richard & Jane Meyer

Maverick Malt House

Reece & Kaeli Hales

Brant & Michelle Baca

Joshua & Kinsleigh

The Spiva Family

JW Electric

Cory & Julie Marsh Farms

Brent & Joanna Carlson

Fred & Sharon Fangman

Michael & Julie Carlson

Eric, Micah & Saylor Black

Kahlich Family

Robby, Amy, Calleigh, Carson & Cydney Kirkland

Todd & Kelly Schroeder

Stafford, Tammie & Cruce Cook

Roy & Shirley Carlson Farms

Primestart Feeders

Nawna

Nana

Papa & Gooey Caylor

The Bud Allred Family

The Griffin Family

The Russell Wieck Family

The Lane Mason Family

CELL: 806-678-5394 OFFICE: 806-418-6789 FACEBOOK: @806HBR EMAIL: HBR@HUDSONBROSROOFING.COM

New Deal

Lions post another 20-plus-win season

The Lions rolled to their third straight season with 20 victories or more last year. With only one senior departing from that squad, New Deal should make it four in a row in 2022-23.

Coach Kyler Bean’s team went 26-7 overall and won District 4-2A with a spotless 8-0 record last season.

In the nondistrict portion of their schedule, the Lions suffered only one loss against a team that did not make the playoffs.

In the playoffs, New Deal bounced Boys Ranch 51-38 in bidistrict and Stratford 55-51 in the area round. But Olton nipped the Lions 52-51 in overtime in the regional quarterfinals.

“Finished undefeated district champions and went three rounds deep,” Bean said.

Leric Eaton, the district defensive MVP, was the only senior on last year’s team.

But the Lions suffered another key departure. Longtime New Deal Coach Kyle Bean retired after 38 years mentoring basketball players. He served as his son’s assistant the past four years.

Kyle Bean coached both boys and girls teams at New Deal and posted a 606-302 record (a .667 winning percentage), good

for the No. 6 position in last year’s Panhandle-Plains Basketball’s 300 Club.

Kyler Bean has four returning starters — all honored last year — and five other letter winners in the Lions’ den.

Jason Brazell, a 6-3 senior guard, averaged 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists and earned district co-MVP laurels. He also was all-region and a Spark off the Bench on the Amarillo Globe-News Boys Super Team.

Jyson Lacy shared the district co-MVP honors with Brazell with Lacy’s 12 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 apg statistics. The 6-5 senior post also made the AGN Boys second team. Jyson Lacy is the brother of former Lion standouts Jordan (all-state) and Jaren Lacy.

Brazell and Jyson Lacy are all-state candidates this season, according to their coach.

Kendrick Nelson, a 6-2 senior post, (6 ppg, 4 rpg) was firstteam all-district.

Keegan Kirkland, a 6-5 senior forward, contributed 6 ppg, 4 rpg, and was the district newcomer of the year.

Those four returning starters represent 34 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Kyler Bean counts Nelson and Kirkland, along with 5-10 sophomore guard Gunnar Stanton (3 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg) and 6-0 senior guard Clyde Johnson (4 ppg, 3 apg), as other players to watch. Stanton and Johnson both lettered last year.

New Deal’s roster shows seven seniors, one junior and one sophomore.

Bean lists that experience – the return of those four starters and nine lettered players – as the Lions’ strength.

He is concerned about the Lions staying out of foul trouble so that players stay fresh.

His keys for success are playing fast and applying pressure defense.

Jason Brazell Keegan Kirkland

Jyson Lacy Gunnar Stanton

Kendrick Nelson

Clyde Johnson

Kyle Bean, right, and his son and assistant coach, Kyler Bean, consult with their New Deal players in a practice game before the 2018 playoffs.

Kyle Bean stepped down from the Lions’ head coaching position after that season in favor of his son, who has led the team in the four years since with his father as his assistant. Now Kyle Bean has retired after 38 years in the profession with a 606-302 head coaching record. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

New Deal Boys

Name

Jason Brazell

Ht. Pos. Class

6-3 G Sr.

Jyson Lacy 6-5 P Sr

Keegan Kirkland 6-5 F Sr

Kendrick Nelson 6-2 P Sr Gunnar Stanton 5-10 G Soph. Clyde Johnson 6-0 G Sr Nathan Brown 5-10 G Jr Ethan Brown 5-10 G Sr Damoria Hall 5-10 G Sr

Coach: Kyler Bean

Asst. Coach: Dillon Moats

2021-22 record: 26-7, 8-0 School phone: 746-5203

Players to watch: Jason Brazell, Jyson Lacy, Kendrick Nelson, Keegan Kirkland, Gunnar Stanton, Clyde Johnson

New Deal Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Maddisyn Webb 5-0 G Sr Mari Cantu 5-3 G Sr

Maddy Henderson 5-5 G Fr Sarah Mondragon 5-5 G Jr Andee Whitfield 5-2 G Sr Taylor Aubrey 5-3 G Fr Mia Barnes 5-0 G Fr Miranda Sosa 5-6 G Soph. Macie Burkhead 5-10 P Fr

Coach: Blake Manning

Asst. Coaches: Joseph Cedillo, Stacy Manning

2021-22 record: 18-17, 3-5 School phone: 746-5933

Players to watch: Mari Cantu, Miranda Sosa, Andee Whitfield, Maddisyn Webb

New Deal Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 5 Dimmitt Here X

Nov. 8 Sands There X Nov. 12 Roosevelt Here X

Nov. 15 O’Donnell Here X

Nov. 17-19 Abernathy Tournament There X Nov. 29 Lorenzo Here X X Dec. 1-3 Anton Tournament There X Dec. 1-3 Lamesa Tournament There X Dec. 6 Abernathy Here X X Dec. 8-10 Borden County Tournament There X Dec. 13 Smyer There X Dec. 13 Whitharral There X Dec. 16 Post There X Dec, 16 Lockney Here X Dec. 20 Floydada There X X Dec. 28-30 Eula Tournament There X X Jan. 3 Ralls Here X X Jan. 6 Olton There X X Jan. 10 Hale Center Here X X Jan. 13 Sudan There X X Jan. 17 Smyer Here X X Jan. 20 Lockney There X X Jan. 24 Floydada Here X X Jan. 27 Ralls There X X Jan. 31 Olton Here X X Feb. 3 Hale Center There X X Feb. 7 Sudan Here X X Feb. 10 Smyer There X Feb. 14 Lockney Here X

(Continued from page 302)

Bean was an all-district and all-area performer playing for his dad at New Deal. The Texas Tech University graduate is beginning his fifth season at New Deal with a 90-25 career boys coaching record, all with the Lions.

New Deal will open its season late, hosting Lorenzo on Nov. 29. The Lions will play in the Lamesa, Borden County and Eula tournaments. District 4-2A play begins Dec. 20.

New Deal’s district will have eight teams instead of five this year because of UIL realignment. The new entries are Olton, which ended the Lions’ season last spring, Smyer and Sudan. Might make for a tougher conference.

GIRLS

The Lady Lions couldn’t pull off a fourth straight 20-plus-win season but still finished above .500 at 18-17 last year.

New Deal was 3-5 in District 4-2A, finishing fourth. Farwell defeated the Lady Lions 49-33 in bidistrict.

Four seniors were listed on the New Deal roster last season with Ghenevive Vasquez the most notable departure.

Coach Blake Manning designated three seniors and a sophomore as Lady Lions to watch this season.

Those four are 5-3 senior guard Mari Cantu, 5-0 senior guard Maddisyn Webb, 5-2 senior guard Andee Whitfield and 5-6 sophomore guard Miranda Sosa. Andee Whitfield is the sister of former Lady Lion Charlee Whitfield, an all-district player who graduated in 2021.

Olton Mustangs hard to catch

The Mustangs ran wild last season. Coming off a 23-2 season the previous school year, Olton topped that, going 32-4 in 202122 to keep rewriting the school record book.

The Mustangs showed signs of big things to come with nondistrict wins over Nazareth, Springlake-Earth and Idalou. They scored tournament victories against Brownfield, Panhandle, Spearman and Tulia. They ran up 74 points a game while yielding only 42 ppg in nondistrict action, winning 21 of 23 games.

Olton didn’t let up in District 3-2A, dashing to an unbeaten 8-0 conference championship for the second straight year.

In the playoffs, the Mustangs whipped Hale Center 81-49 in bidistrict and Wellington 71-54 in the area game. New Deal presented a tougher challenge, but Olton prevailed 52-51 in the regional quarterfinals. Christoval finally corralled the Mustangs 59-42 in the regional semifinals.

“We had one of the best seasons in the history of Olton basketball,” Coach Bobby Workman said. “Our guys played and competed against quality opponents throughout the season and found ways to win a few nail-biters and buzzer-beaters when it mattered most.

“We had a special group who played for each other, shared the ball, scored at a very high level and defended for four quarters.”

Graduation losses hit the Mustangs hard. Chris Urbina, Alex Santillan and Joe Canchola departed.

Urbina averaged 22 points a game and was the district MVP, TABC all-region and all-state, a Golden Spread all-star and an 806 all-star. Santillan was first-team all-district; Canchola made the district all-defensive team.

However, three honored Mustangs are back in the stable for this season.

Jake Soliz, a 5-8 senior guard, averaged 10.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5 assists last season and was named the district defensive MVP and TABC all-region.

Brennon Huguley, a 6-4 senior forward, contributed 9.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg and was a first-team all-district selection.

Workman considers Soliz and Huguley as all-state candidates.

Joining Soliz and Huguley as returning starters is 5-9 senior guard Andrew Martinez (11.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg), who also earned

Mari Cantu Miranda Sosa Maddisyn Webb

Sarah Mondragon

Andee Whitfield Macie Burkhead

Jake Soliz

Nathan Urbina

Brennon Huguley

Jimmy Munoz

Andrew Martinez

(Continued from previous page)

first-team all-district distinction.

Those three returning starters represent 31 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Workman tabs Martinez and 6-3 junior forward Nathan Urbina (4.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg) as other outstanding players to watch. Nathan Urbina is the younger brother of the departed Chris Urbina.

Jimmy Munoz, a 5-10 junior guard (2.6 ppg) also lettered last year.

Olton Boys

Name

Jake Soliz

Ht. Pos. Class

5-8 G Sr

Brennon Huguley 6-4 F Sr

Andrew Martinez

5-9 G Sr

Nick Casares 5-7 G Sr Joel Olivas 5-8 G Sr

Paul Lopez 5-11 P Sr

Nathan Urbina 6-3 F Jr

Jimmy Munoz 5-10 G Jr Raymond Ramirez 5-10 G Soph. Sebastian Sparkman 5-6 G Fr.

Coach: Bobby Workman

Asst. Coach: Brandon Castillo

2021-22 record: 32-4, 8-0 School phone: 285-2641

Players to watch: Jake Soliz, Brennon Huguley, Andrew Martinez, Nathan Urbina

Six seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and one freshman are on the Olton roster.

Workman says his team’s strengths are experience, team chemistry and athleticism. He is concerned about depth.

“I think this year we need to understand that we have something to prove day in and day out and not live off of last year’s success,” he said. “New team with a new goal. We will need guys to step up and fill the void of the guys that left last year.”

The Mustangs have made the playoffs all four years under Workman, who is coaching at his high school alma mater. The past two years, his teams have gone 55-6 overall and 16-0 in district.

The Texas Tech University graduate began his coaching career at Hale Center from 2014-18. His eight-year boys career coaching record is 135-72, a .652 winning percentage.

Olton moves from the five-team District 3-2A to the eight-team District 4-2A this season because of UIL realignment. Olton will have all new district foes: Floydada, Hale Center, Lockney, New Deal, Ralls, Snyder and Sudan.

GIRLS

Brittany Huseman’s first year as the Fillies’ coach worked out pretty well. This season could be even brighter.

Although Olton finished with an overall losing record (14-19), the Fillies beat district foe Vega for the first time in school history. “That was a big confidence booster for the girls,” Huseman said. The Fillies snared fourth place in District 3-2A last year with a 4-4 mark and qualified for the playoffs.

Olton squeaked past Floydada 47-44 in bidistrict but was eliminated by Gruver 78-22 in the area round. Gruver went on to complete an undefeated season and take the Class 2A state title.

(Continued on next page)

“This last year was definitely a growing year — getting accustomed to a new coach and new techniques,” Huseman said. “But I feel like, as a whole, we made big strides. The girls are fighters, and we had many close games where we came out on top simply because they refused to give up.”

Shaylee Leathers, a first-team all-district honoree, was the only notable departure from last year’s squad.

As a result, Huseman has four returning starters and four other returning letter winners.

Makenly Smith, Kylee Noack, Oliva Cox and Emma Acker started last year.

Smith, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 9 points and 6 rebounds and was a first-team all-district selection. So was Noack, a 5-4 senior guard with 9 ppg, 4 rpg statistics last season.

Cox, a 5-4 senior point guard, logged 6 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game and was on the all-district defensive team. Acker. a 5-6 junior guard, contributed 3 ppg, 3 rpg.

Those four returning starters represent 27 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Analise Ramage, a 5-8 sophomore guard, was all-district honorable mention last spring.

In addition to those five, 5-6 senior guard Makay Espy (2 ppg, 3 rpg), 5-2 senior guard Jaclyn Alcala and 5-6 junior guard Aspan Struve (2 ppg, 3 rpg) are players to watch, according to Huseman.

All eight Fillies – all listed as guards – lettered last season. The Olton roster is composed of five seniors, two juniors and one sophomore.

That experience represents a strength.

“They have gained a lot of confidence in their own abilities as well as the team,” Huseman said. “We have a great group of senior leadership that I believe will push us to another level.”

She has some areas of concern. One is moving to District 4-2A with seven new opponents because of UIL realignment.

“Being in a new district with eight teams and starting district games before Christmas ,” Huseman said. “Depth overall. We have a solid group of girls that are returning this year for the

(Continued on next page)

Makenly Smith

Emma Acker

Kylee Noack

Analise Ramage

Olivia Cox

program, but being able to have both a JV and varsity team will affect the depth on the bench.”

Outlining the keys for success for the Fillies, she said, “We have to be inside scorers and not rely on the three-point shot. Be more aggressive on defense and be able to transition down the floor better.”

Huseman played on two TAPPS state champions and was an all-state academic athlete at Lubbock’s Trinity Christian High School. The Texas Tech University graduate was the head girls basketball and track coach at Crosbyton before coming to Olton, the first year as an assistant coach.

Her two-year career girls coaching record is 29-33.

Olton Girls

Name

Emma Acker

Ht. Pos. Class

5-6 G Jr

Jaclyn Alcala 5-2 G Sr Olivia Cox

5-4 G Sr Makay Espy

5-6 G Sr Kylee Noack

5-4 G Sr Analise Ramage

5-8 G Soph. Makenly Smith 5-9 G Sr Aspen Struve 5-6 G Jr

Coach: Brittany Huseman

Asst. Coaches: Kayla Mandrell, Misti Tomison 2021-22 record: 14-19, 4-4 School phone: 285-2691

Players to watch: Makay Espy, Emma Acker, Aspen Struve, Jaclyn Alcala, Makenly Smith, Olivia Cox, Kylee Noack, Analise Ramage

Makay Espy Jaclyn Alcala Aspen Struve

Olton Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Whiteface There X

Nov. 11 Abernathy Here X

Nov. 15 Ropes Here X

Nov. 17-19 Abernathy Tournament There X

Nov. 18 Nazareth There X

Nov. 22 Sundown There X X

Nov. 29 Dimmitt Here X X

Dec. 1-3 Nazareth Tournament There X X

Dec. 6 Idalou Here X

Dec. 8-10 Dimmitt Tournament There X

Dec. 9 Slaton There X

Dec. 13 Ralls There X

Dec. 13 Springlake-Earth There X

Dec. 16 Smyer Here X

Dec. 16 Plains Here X

Dec. 20 Hale Center Here X X

Dec. 27-29 Littlefield Tournament There X X

Jan. 3 Sudan There X X

Jan. 6 New Deal Here X X

Jan. 10 Lockney There X X

Jan. 13 Floydada Here X X

Jan. 17 Ralls Here X X

Jan. 20 Smyer There X X

Jan. 24 Hale Center There X X

Jan. 27 Sudan Here X X

Jan. 31 New Deal There X X

Feb. 3 Lockney Here X X

Feb. 7 Floydada There X X

Feb. 10 Ralls There X

Feb. 14 Smyer Here X

Olton Super Boosters

Mrs. Clayton wishes all Fillies and Mustangs the very best of Luck!

Wishing the Mustangs and Fillies a great season!—Josie’s Hula Hut

Go Mustangs and Fillies! Make it a year to remember!—Kyle Noack Family

Go Sebastian!—The Montemayor Family

We love you Analise!—Daddy & Mom

Good luck this season! We love our Mustangs & Fillies!

Go Big Blue!—Fleurish Flowers and Gifts

Go Mustangs and Fillies!—Rejino Barbecue

Go Olton!—Ella & Alivia Rejino

Let’s go Mustangs!—Slayde Harris

We are so proud of you. Way to set the Blue Standard. Go Mustangs and Fillies!—Fitzgerald Family Longhorn Diner in Hart wishes the Fillies a great Season!

Proud of you Jake!—Love, Mom

Sudan Nettes seek to net another good season

Benny Lockhart has faced a lot of challenges in his 24 years as a head coach. And he faces a couple this season.

He’ll have to work some new faces into the lineup. He’s done that before. And his team is moving into a new district. That’s happened before.

The Nettes had a fine season last year, going 25-10 overall and sweeping District 5-2A with a spotless 8-0 record.

In the playoffs, Sudan crunched Smyer 77-26 in bidistrict and Eldorado 89-31 in the area round. But New Home stopped the Nettes 71-56 in the regional quarterfinals.

“It was a fun season with a good group of kids,” Lockhart said. “Region I was tough, as always.”

The Nettes had some key graduation losses. Addison Boehning was TGCA all-state, TABC all-region and the district offensive player of the year. Liz Sital was first-team all-district, and Sydney Cornelius was all-district honorable mention.

So that’s three honored players who departed. But Lockhart has three honored players returning as starters.

Two are close to the coaching staff.

Stevi Lockhart, the coach’s daughter, is a 5-11 senior guard who averaged 18 points last season. She earned TABC all-region and all-state, TAGC all-state and district MVP laurels. She also

was a TGCA all-star.

Gracyn Shultz, a 5-9 senior guard, is the younger sister of assistant coach Kylee Swofford. Shultz (10 ppg last season) was a first-team all-district selection last year.

Coach Lockhart rates Stevi Lockhart and Shultz as all-state candidates.

The third returning starter is 5-6 senior guard Braelyn Pointer (5 ppg). Pointer also was a first-team all-district pick last season.

The Nettes have three other returning letter winners: 5-10 senior post Landree Gonzales (3 ppg), 5-6 senior guard Kambry Tolbert and 5-6 senior guard Elaine Martinez (2 ppg).

Pointer, Gonzales, Tolbert and Martinez are other outstanding

Stevi Lockhart Gracyn Shultz Braelyn Pointer

players to watch, according to Coach Lockhart.

The Nettes’ roster contains seven seniors, two juniors and one sophomore.

That experience is Sudan’s strength, Lockhart said. He is concerned about the team’s size.

The Nettes coach pinpointed the key for success this season as “working the new players into their roles.”

So that’s one challenge. The other is moving from the fourteam District 5-2A into the six-team District 4-2A because of UIL realignment. The Nettes will have five new conference op-

Sudan Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

ponents: Springlake-Earth, Happy, Hart, Kress and Lazbuddie. Lockhart is beginning his 10th season at Sudan and 25th overall as a head coach. He previously mentored teams at Roby and Merkel.

Stevi Lockhart

5-11 G Sr. Gracyn Shultz 5-9 G Sr. Braelyn Pointer 5-6 G Sr. Landree Gonzales 5-10 P Sr. Kambry Tolbert 5-6 G Sr. Elaine Martinez 5-6 G Sr Blessy Montes 5-4 G Jr Melo Rodriguez 5-4 G Jr Edette Herrera 5-6 G Soph. Brianna Sanchez 5-6 G Sr

Coach: Benny Lockhart

Asst. Coaches: Nyle Field, Daniel Gutierrez, Kylee Swofford

2021-22 record: 25-10, 8-0 School phone: 227-2431

Players to watch: Stevi Lockhart, Gracyn Shultz, Braelyn Point, Kambry Tolbert, Elaine Martinez, Landree Gonzales

The Sundown High School and Angelo State University graduate sports a sterling girls coaching record. His teams have won 462 and lost 226 for a .672 winning percentage. That earns him a spot in the PPB 300 Club.

BOYS

It may not look impressive, but the Hornets actually took a few steps forward last season.

In Coach Steven Gray’s first season at Sudan, the Hornets struggled through a 1-22 season and were winless in eight district games.

In Gray’s second season last year, Sudan improved to 6-16 overall and 1-7 in District 5-2A.

“I felt like we grew as a team and a program last year,” Gray said. “I had a good group of seniors who played hard all season and wanted to see the program grow and head in the right direction.”

(Continued on next page)

Landree Gonzales Kambry Tolbert Elaine Martinez

There were five seniors on Sudan’s roster last year. The most notable was Michael Limon, who averaged 17.7 points per game and was a first-team all-district selection.

They’ve moved on, but Gray welcomed two returning starters and three other letter winners this fall.

The returning starters are Trent Wilson and Josh Cervera.

Wilson, a 5-8 junior guard, averaged almost 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists and made the all-district defensive team.

Cervera, a 5-10 senior forward, grabbed 4 rebounds per game.

The other letter winners are 5-7 junior guard Salvador Juarez (6.4 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg), 5-7 junior guard Tony Vargas and 6-4 junior post Kaleb Robinson.

Cervera is the only senior on the early five-player Sudan roster. The other four are juniors.

That makeup is a concern for the coach.

“There will be only one senior on the team,” Gray said. “The juniors do have some varsity experience, but they will have to fill different roles this year. Looking for someone to emerge as a scoring threat.”

Gray describes the Hornets’ strength as players wanting to compete to get better.

“The keys to success are the team’s willingness to keep improving every day and not getting frustrated with the process,” he said. “We need to have someone step up and be a scoring leader and have others accept roles on the team.”

Gray, a graduate of Levelland High School and Texas Tech University, is beginning his third year at Sudan and eighth as a head basketball coach of both boys and girls. He was at Christoval, Tahoka, Eldorado and Meadow before coming to Sudan.

Although the Lady Hornets open Nov. 5 at home against Frenship, the boys aren’t scheduled to play until Nov. 29 against Borden County.

The Lady Hornets will play in the Randall, Frenship and Lamesa events The Hornets will take part in the Plains and Lubbock Caprock tournaments.

With Sudan moving into the six-team District 4-2A with five new opponents, the Lady Hornets’ first district game will be early — Dec. 13. The Hornets will begin district competition Dec. 20.

Trent Wilson

Tony Vargas

Josh Cervera

Kaleb Robinson

Salvador Juarez

Ryan Huddleston

Sudan Schedule

DATE Opponent Place

Nov. 5 Frenship Here

Nov. 8 Vega There

Nov. 12 Randall Tip Off Classic There

Nov. 17-19 Frenship Tournament There

Nov. 22 LCHS There

Nov. 29 Borden County TBA

Dec. 1-3 Lamesa Tournament There

Dec. 1-3 Tahoka There

Dec. 6 Muleshoe Here

Dec. 6 Ropes Here

Dec. 8-10 Plains Tournament There

Dec. 9 Sundown There

Dec. 13 Lockney There

Dec. 13 O’Donnell Here

Dec. 16 Floydada Here

Dec. 20 Ralls There

Dec. 28 Sands There

Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock

Jan. 3 Olton Here

Jan. 6 Hale Center There

Jan. 10 Smyer There

Jan. 13 New Deal Here

Jan. 17 Lockney Here

Jan. 20 Floydada There

Jan. 24 Ralls Here

Jan. 27 Olton There

Jan. 31 Hale Center Here

Feb. 3 Smyer Here

Feb. 7 New Deal There

Feb. 10 Lockney There

Feb. 14 Floydada Here

Have a great senior year! We love you #22!— Madlyn, Zady & Zandy Rees #22 is our Fav! We love you!—Duncan & Ariel Welch Good luck Braelyn Taelor! We love you!—Rebecca Roberson & Stacie Armes (aka Granny)

Sudan Boys Name

Trent Wilson

Ht. Pos. Class

5-8 G Jr

5-7 G Jr Tony Vargas 5-7 G Jr Kaleb Robinson 6-4 P Jr Josh Carvera 5-10 F Sr

Salvador Juarez

Coach: Steven Gray Asst. Coach: Aaron Ledbetter 2021-22 record: 6-16, 1-7 School phone: 227-2431

Go Braelyn! Have a great senior year!—David, Sundi & Aiden Barrera

Go Hornets and Nettes!—Garrett, Lacy, Brinley, Paxton, Huxley & Wyldr Magby

Good luck Nettes! Go Stevi! Enjoy your senior season!—BJ, Payton, Karter & Kreede Johnson Go Nettes and Hornets!—Mr. a& Mrs. Martin

Go Hornets and Nettes!—Ryan, Melanie, Reed Wade & Wes Harper

Good luck Hornets and Nettes!—Go Melodia!— Juan & Karla Sanchez Go Black and Gold!—DJ, Lisa, Dylan, Kyndal & Kinley Provence

Kandis, Chase, Hadley and Emery Lloyd

Landree Gonzales #15

Have a great season Hornets & Nettes!

Deuteronomy 20:4

Kalissa Harris

721 Main Street Amherst, TX 79312

Cell (806) 523-3856 Office (806) 246-3281 pivotparts@windstream.net

PO Box 129, Sudan, TX 79371

Cell: 806-786-5466 Office: 806-227-2466 Fax: 806-227-2429

seth@lanceinsurance.com www.lanceinsurance.com

DRIVE-IN 111 HWY 84 SUDAN, TX 79371

(p) 806-227-2281

Open Daily-Dine-in open till 8:30pm ONLY. Mon.-Fri………10AM-9PM Sat………………11AM-5PM

Sun……………..Closed

Owner: Raul A. Montes c) 806-679-4372

Ruly-Bee’s Drive-In Thank you for the Food we Eat, Thank you for the World so Sweet, Thank you for the Birds that Sing, Thank you GOD for EVERYTHING. Amen

Rhett K. Kerby, M.S.

Principal, Soil Scientist

Office: 806.553.0921 Cell: 806.549.9637

RKerby@KerTecLLC.com

Drill Seeding Hydroseeding Broadcast Seeding Fertilization Decompaction Seed Bed Preparation SWPPP

Cover Crop Seeding

Erosion Control Hay Crimping Shredding/Mowing Chemical Weed Control Mechanical Weed Control KerTec, LLC KerTecLLC.com

Nettes and Hornets!—Shawn & Lauren Wilson

Go Nettes!—Bigham Cattle

Let’s go Nettes!—Jonathan & Amanda Cantu Go Nettes! Go Edette & Erica!—The Herrera Family

Go Nettes and Hornets!—The Halsell Family Cheering on the Nettes and praying for a great season of success! We love our Nette! Go Emry Grace!—Kris, Tara, Zayne & Konner Humphreys We love the Hornets!—Corley & Susan Baker

Good luck and go get’em Kambry #21!—Love, Pops Go Bri, Ari and Lilly!—The Ronneburg Family Let’s go Kambry! Get after it!—Mart & Lori Davison Let’s go Hornets and Nettes!—Dustin, Tara, Masyn, Haden, Jaxon & Lincoln Provence

Good luck Hornets and Nettes!—SHS Broadcast Go #21! We love you and are proud of you Kambry!—Love, Papa & Nina Kambry, we are so proud of you! Have a great season! Go Hornets!—Love, Justin, Kaci, Rider & Ransom Morris Go Edette and Erica!—Tres Bella Let’s Go Sudan!—Epimenio Salinas Go Sudan Hornets and Nettes!

Randy Henderson’s debut as the Lady Eagles coach was a hit.

Taking over after veteran Leland Bearden retired with 753 wins, Henderson, moving from Vega, had some rebuilding to do because Bearden’s last team had six seniors.

Henderson’s redo was quite successful as Ropes finished 29-6 overall and second in District 6-2A with a 6-2 record.

Along the way, the Lady Eagles won the Anton Tournament and won the consolation championship in the Lubbock Caprock event.

In the playoffs, Ropes defeated Plains 44-34 in bidistrict, Coleman 46-34 in the area game and Sundown 37-36 in the regional quarterfinals. Wellington ended the Lady Eagles’ season 40-22 in the regional semifinals.

Only one senior, Caroline Ramos, was on the Ropes roster last season.

So Henderson has six letter winners back and designates all six as starters.

Ava Grace Falls, a 5-10 senior post, averaged 14 points, 9 rebounds and almost 2 assists last season. She earned TGCA all-state and TABC all-region honors.

Allie Wilson, a 5-5 senior guard with 9.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.6 apg credentials, was TGCA all-state.

Tatum Melton, a 5-10 senior forward (8.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.4 apg), received TABC all-region recognition.

Henderson rates those three, along with 5-8 junior forward Aubrey Bandy (8.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2 apg), as all-state candidates.

The other two returning letter winners/starters are 5-5 senior guard Heather McNabb (3.6 ppg) and 5-3 senior guard Kati Rhoads (2.1 ppg, 2.1 apg).

The six letter winners/starters represent 46 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Six seniors and three juniors comprise the Lady Eagles roster.

Allie Wilson Tatum Melton Aubrey Bandy Ava Grace Falls

from page 325)

Henderson views that experience, plus athleticism and size as his team’s strengths. He is concerned about offensive consistency.

“We need to improve our ability to score against the top teams in our region,” he said in assessing the keys for success this season.

Henderson was a Class 2A TABC all-stater at Kerens High School. He earned NAIA All-American honors playing for Incarnate Word College in San Antonio.

His overall coaching record, which includes 15 boys wins, is 539-191 for a .738 winning percentage. That earns him a spot in the PPB 300 Club.

Henderson has 22 years’ experience as a head coach, including stints at Port Aransas, Salado, Plains, Canton and Vega. His Vega girls went 118-15 in his four years there. His 2919-20 Lady Horns went 29-0 and then 32-0 the next year before losing.

Ropes will move from the five-team District 6-2A to the seventeam District 5-2A this year because of UIL realignment. Plains, Seagraves and Sundown will be new district foes for the Lady

Ropes Girls

Name

Allie Wilson

Ht. Pos. Class

5-5 G Sr.

5-10 P Sr. Tatum Melton

Ava Grace Falls

5-10 F Sr. Heather McNabb

5-5 G Sr

5-3 G Sr Alex Crunk

Kati Rhoads

5-3 G Sr Aubrey Bandy

5-8 F Jr Campbell Latta

5-4 G Jr

5-7 F Jr Kandis Rodriguez

Coach: Randy Henderson

Asst. Coach: Nikki Garcia 2021-22 record: 29-6, 6-2 School phone: 562-4031

Players to watch: Ava Grace Falls, Allie Wilson, Tatum Melton, Aubrey Bandy

Eagles this year, although Ropes beat both Plains and Sundown in the playoffs last spring.

(Continued on page 329)

(Continued

Heather McNabb

Campbell Latta

Kati Rhoads Kandis Rodriguez Alex Crunk

Libby Herrera

BOYS

With four starters returning, the Eagles hope to soar in a new district this season.

Of course, last year’s team was no slouch. Ropes rolled to a 17-12 season and took second in District 6-2A with a 6-2 record. But the season ended quickly with a 57-47 loss to Sundown in the bidistrict playoff.

“We have the majority of the starters back from last year’s playoff team,” Coach Lane Jackson said.

The four returning starters are:

• Nate Brooks, a 6-1 senior point guard who averaged 5.2 points and 2 assists last season;

• Tyler Gilliam, a 6-0 senior guard who contributed 7.1 ppg, 5.7 rebounds per game;

• Garrett Gilliam, a 6-0 senior guard who showed 4.1 ppg, 2.2 apg;

• Braxxin Partington, a 6-1 junior forward who posted a 2.2 ppg.

Tyler and Garrett Gilliam are twins.

Jackson names Brooks, the Gilliam twins and 6-2 junior forward Landon Nale (2.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg) as outstanding players to watch. Nale also lettered last year, giving the Eagles five returning letter winners.

“We will need great play from our senior class – Nate, Tyler, and Garrett – to make it to the playoffs in this new tough district,” Jackson said.

The new district, 5-2A, has a seven-team membership of Ropes, New Home, Plains, Post, Seagraves, Sundown and Tahoka.

“New Home will be good again, and after that, it should be a dogfight with the rest of the teams for the last three spots (for the playoffs),” Jackson said. “Hopefully, we can build off of the success these guys (the seniors) had last year.”

Those three seniors and two juniors make up Ropes’ roster.

Jackson is beginning his 27th season coaching at his high school alma mater. The Texas Tech grad coached at Merkel and Savoy before coming home to Ropesville.

He has a career boys coaching record of 470-311 for a .602 winning percentage. That merits him a place in this magazine’s 300 Club.

DATE

Opponent

Ropes Schedule

Place B G

Nov. 5 Trinity Christian Here X Nov. 8 Abernathy There X Nov. 12 Lockney Here X Nov. 15 Olton There X Nov. 18 Bovina Here X X Nov. 21 Whiteface There X Nov. 22 Farwell Here X Nov. 29 Smyer Here X X Dec. 1-3 Breckenridge Tournament There X Dec. 1-3 Anton Tournament There X Dec. 6 Sudan There X Dec. 6 Borden County There X Dec. 8-10 Borden County Tournament There X X Dec. 13 New Home There X Dec. 13 Meadow Here X Dec. 16 Sundown Here X Dec. 16 Petersburg Here X Dec. 20 Seagraves There X X Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X X Jan. 3 Tahoka Here X X Jan. 6 Plains There X X Jan. 10 Lorenzo There X X Jan. 13 Post Here X X Jan. 17 New Home Here X X Jan. 20 Sundown There X X Jan. 24 Seagraves Here X X Jan. 27 Tahoka Three X X Jan. 31 Plains Here X X Feb. 7 Post There X X Feb. 10 New Home There X Feb. 14 Sundown Here X

Nate Brooks Tyler Gilliam

Braxxin Partington

Garrett Gilliam

Landon Nale

Ropes Boys

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Nate Brooks 6-1 G Sr

Garrett Gilliam 6-0 G Sr Tyler Gilliam 6-0 G Sr

Braxxin Partington 6-1 F Jr Landon Nale 6-2 F Jr

Coach: Lane Jackson Asst. Coach: Conner Cowart

2021-22 record: 17-12, 8-2 School phone: 562-4031

Players to watch: Nate Brooks, Garrett Gilliam, Tyler Gilliam, Landon Nale

ROPES FARMERS COOP

The ball that was thrown up to dislodge a stuck basketball seems to be stuck, too, at the NCAA Division II South Central Region women’s championship game between host West Texas A&M and Lubbock Christian on March 14, 2022. The Lady Buffs defeated the Lady Chaps 59-54. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Sundown New coach replaces a legend

Kim Hand-Watson is the new girls basketball coach at Sundown, succeeding a Roughette legend.

Hand-Watson takes over from Brian Legan, who resigned in June. Legan coached 24 Roughette teams to 427 wins and 193 losses. His career girls coaching record was 526-291 (a .644 winning percentage), which was good for the No. 14 spot in last year’s Panhandle-Plains Basketball magazine’s 300 Club.

After his departure from Sundown, Legan moved to Seminole, where he is coaching the girls softball team and teaching high school social studies. His wife, Janice Legan, who served as his assistant coach at Sundown, is teaching junior high English at Seminole. She also has a historic basketball background. Then Janice Farris received honorable mention on this magazine’s Team of the 1980s after graduating at Lubbock Monterey in 1990, and she was a junior on the 1993 Texas Tech Lady Raider team that won the NCAA national championship.

Hand-Watson has four years of head basketball coaching experience. She’s also served as a middle school coordinator for 16 years. Her resume shows stops at Motley County, Lubbock’s Mackenzie Middle School, Abernathy, Lubbock Cooper, Frenship, Plains and Frenship again.

She was an all-district, all-region and all-South Plains player at Motley County High School. She also played at Clarendon College, then graduated from Wayland Baptist University.

Last year’s team, under Legan’s direction, finished second in District 5-2A with a 6-2 record. The Roughettes beat Post 73-25 in bidistrict and Roscoe 43-35 in the area round. However, Ropes nipped the Roughettes 37-36 in the regional quarterfinals. That ended Sundown’s season at 26-10.

Karlie Torez and Kaslyn Garcia were the only seniors on last year’s Roughettes squad so Hand-Watson inherited some experience. Three returning starters and three other letter winners are back. The returning starters are:

• Natalie Urias, a 5-7 senior guard, was the district defensive player of the year and all-region;

• Aria Hogan, a 5-11 junior post, was all-district;

Natalie Urias

Aria Hogan

Shea Beadles

• Shea Beadles, a 5-10 senior guard, was all-district.

Hand-Watson nominates Urias and Hogan as all-state candidates. Beadles, 5-5 senior guard Emma Holdman, 5-8 senior guard Karlee Riley and 5-7 sophomore guard Allie McCormick are other outstanding players to watch.

All of the above-mentioned Roughettes lettered last year. The roster is senior-heavy with six, along with one junior and one sophomore.

Hand-Watson considers work ethic and defense her team’s strengths. Adjusting to new coaches and a new system is a concern.

The keys for success this season are “coming together as a team and senior leadership,” she said.

The Roughettes will open their season Nov. 5 at home against Floydada. They’ll play in the Abernathy, Denver City and Lubbock Caprock tournaments.

District 5-2A play begins Dec. 13. The district will have seven members, instead of five, this season as New Home, Post, Ropes and Tahoka join the conference. Morton moves down to Class 1A because of UIL realignment.

Holdover district opponents are Seagraves, Plains and Sudan.

BOYS

Sundown Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Kaydence Loftin 5-6 G Sr Natalie Urias 5-7 G Sr Shea Beadles 5-10 G Sr Ashlyn Lara G Sr Emma Holdman 5-5 G Sr Karlee Riley 5-8 G Sr. Aria Hogan 5-11 P Jr. Allie McCormick 5-7 G Soph.

Coach: Kim Hand-Watson

Asst. Coaches: April Berry, Dakotah Watson, Megan Gonzales, Sarah Goodman 2021-22 record: 26-10 School phone: 229-3021, ext. 2114

Players to watch: Natalie Urias, Shae Beadles

Sundown Boys Name

Abraham Bocanegra

Ht. Pos. Class

5-9 F Sr.

Johnny Acevado 5-8 G Sr. Noah Peralez 5-11 G Sr. Jaryn Flores 5-9 G Soph. Watson Evans 6-2 F Jr. Jayson Martinez 5-9 G Jr. Branson Sanders 5-9 G Jr Jaxon Rodriguez 6-1 F Jr Adan Escamilla 5-8 G Soph.

Coach: Kyle Igo

Asst. Coach: Tanner Clark 2021-22 record: 5-3 School phone: 229-3021

The Roughnecks had a rough 2021-22 season but still managed to land a playoff berth.

Sundown was 6-16 overall but a 5-3 District 5-2A record merited a tie for second and post-season qualification. In the playoffs, the Roughnecks beat Ropes 57-47 in bidistrict but lost to Christoval 69-36 in the area game.

“We had a very young group last year whom we asked a lot from,” Coach Kyle Igo said. “They grew up so much and gained (Continued on next page)

Brian Legan, second from left, has moved on from his job as coach of the Sundown Roughettes after 24 seasons, 427 wins and 193 losses. Legan’s career basketball coaching record is 526-291, a winning percentage of .644. This year, he is coaching softball and teaching social studies at Seminole. Pictured next to him are his wife, Janice Farris Legan, who was his assistant coach at Sundown and played on Texas Tech’s 1993 national championship team; their daughter, Jenna Legan, who played at South Plains College and West Texas A&M and now teaches at Sundown; and their son, Brice Legan, who has assisted with the Tech Lady Raider program. Jenna and Brice both were outstanding players at Sundown.

Emma Holdman

Johnny Acevado

Karlee Riley

Noah Peralez

Kaydence Loftin

Allie McCormick

Alex Bocanegra

Ashlyn Lara

valuable experience.”

All-district Jeremiah Peralez, the team’s leading rebounder, was the key departure from last year’s squad.

Igo has four starters and four other letter winners returning this fall. The four starters are:

• Johnny Acevado, a 5-8 senior guard, averaged 6 points and 2 assists and was the district defensive player of the year;

• Jaryn Flores, a 5-9 sophomore guard, contributed 10 ppg and 3 apg and earned all-district distinction;

• Abraham Bocanegra, a 5-9 senior forward (7 ppg, 3 rebounds per game), was all-district honorable mention;

• Noah Peralez, a 5-11 senior guard (3 ppg), also was AD honorable mention.

Acevado and Bocanegra are cousins. Those four returning starters represent 26 points based on last year’s scoring statistics.

The other letter winners are 6-2 junior forward Watson Evans (5 ppg, 4 rpg), 5-9 junior guard Jayson Martinez (4 ppg), 5-9 junior guard Branson Sanders (4 ppg) and 5-8 sophomore guard Adan Escamilla (3 ppg).

The Roughnecks have three seniors, four juniors and two sophomores on their roster.

“Eight returning from last year; this group is eager to show what they can do. They will know our standard and how we do things, which is a huge factor,” Igo said in assessing his team’s strengths.

“We will be a team that plays defense at a high level and has good quickness. Three senior leaders will make a huge impact.”

He is concerned about the Roughnecks generating consistent offense and rebounding.

What are Igo’s keys for success this season?

“Having great leadership on a daily basis, learning to embrace the grind, continue to play defense at a high level,” he said, “and having a team of great teammates that play for one another.”

Ito was an all-region basketball player for three years at Whitewater High School, where he also earned the athlete of the year award twice. He played basketball and golf at Wayland Baptist University.

He was an assistant at Levelland for four years before moving to Sundown, where he’s beginning his 13th season as the Roughnecks’ head man.

Sundown’s opener won’t be until Nov. 22 at home against Olton. The Roughnecks will play in the Denver City, Farwell and Lubbock Caprock tourneys.

Their District 5-2A action begins Dec. 20 at home against Post, a new conference opponent. New Home, Ropes and Tahoka also are new district foes as Morton drops down to Class 1A. The conference now has seven teams.

Sundown Schedule

DATE Opponent Place

Nov. 5 Floydada Here X

Nov. 8 Roosevelt There X

Nov. 15 Denver City There X Nov. 17-19 Abernathy Tournament There X Nov. 21 Littlefield There X Nov. 22 Olton Here X X

Nov. 29 Springlake-Earth Here X X Dec. 1-3 Denver City Tournament There X X Dec. 6 Whiteface There X X Dec. 8-10 Farwell Tournament There X Dec. 9 Sudan Here X Dec. 13 Plains Here X Dec. 13 Borden Co. There X Dec. 16 Ropes There X Dec. 16 Smyer Here X Dec. 20 Post Here X X Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X X Jan. 3 New Home There X X Jan. 10 Seagraves Here X X Jan. 13 Tahoka There X X Jan. 17 Plains There X X Jan. 20 Ropes Here X X Jan. 24 Post There X X Jan. 27 New Home Here X X Feb. 3 Seagraves There X X Feb. 7 Tahoka Here X X Feb. 10 Plains Here X Feb. 14 Ropes There X

Sundown

A TEAMS AT A GLANCE 1 A 1

PRESEASON PICKS

District 1-1A Boys 1. Follett 2. Miami

District 1-1A Girls 1. Miami 2. Follett

Boys

District 2-1A Girls 1. Valley 2. Claude 3. Groom 4. Silverton/White Deer 6. Hedley

District 3-1A Boys

Girls

Morse

District 6-1A Boys 1. Lorenzo

District 6-1A Girls 1. Borden County

4-1A Boys

District 4-1A Girls 1. Nazareth 2. Happy 3. Kress/Springlake-Earth 5. Lazbuddie 6. Hart

District 7-1A Boys 1. Whitharral 2. Morton 3. Whiteface 4. Meadow 5. Amherst 6. Cotton Center 7. Anton

HONOR ROLL

District 7-1A Girls 1. Meadow 2. Whiteface 3. Morton 4. Cotton Center 5. Whitharral 6. Anton 7. Amherst

1A Boys

Jayden Watson, Follett, 5-10, Sr.; Jaytin Dickey, Fort Elliott, 6-1, Jr.; Stephen Kuehler, Groom, 5-7, Sr.; Blayne Shuck, Groom, 6-0, Sr.; Ryan Weinheimer, Groom, 6-6, Jr.; Noah Wood, Groom, 6-3, Jr.; Landon Gilles, Kress, 5-11, Jr.; Ja’Quaveien Ellis, Kress, 6-1, Sr.; Devonte Baker, Kress, 6-1, Sr.; Jayvon Salazar, McLean, 6-2, Fr.; Jaxon Hembree, McLean, 6-0, Sr.; Sheppard Reichman, McLean, 6-3, Sr.; Alex Retana, McLean, 5-10, Sr.; Carson Heiman, Nazareth, 5-10, Sr.; Luke Schulte, Nazareth, 6-3, Sr.; Tanner Birkenfeld, Nazareth, 6-1, Sr.; Kayle Rogers, Nazareth, 6-1, Soph.; Isaiah Palacios, Petersburg, 5-6, Sr.; Dillon Bruington, Petersburg, 5-6, Sr.; Lucas Rendon, Petersburg, 5-6, Soph.; Colton Sharples, Petersburg, 5-8, Fr.; Alex Alvarez, SpringlakeEarth, 5-10, Sr.; Micah Sanchez, Springlake-Earth, 5-10, Sr.; JJ Jaramillo, Springlake-Earth, 5-11, Jr.; Angel Herrera, Texline, 5-9, Sr.; Elias Espino, Texline, 5-11, Sr.; Stratton Potter, Texline, 5-10, Sr.; Hayden Alston, Texline, 6-5, Jr.; Hayden Drumm, Texline, 6-3, Jr.; Joe Clay, Texline, 6-2, Soph.; Anthony Martin, White Deer, 5-8, Sr.; Colton Fincher, White Deer, 5-8, Sr.; Bridjer Logue, White Deer, 6-0, Sr.; Hayden Hill, White Deer, 5-10, Sr.; Brodie Weathers, White Deer, 5-9, Jr.; Noah Rector, Whiteface, 5-7, Sr.; Ethan Kauffman, Whiteface, 5-10, Soph.; Jeremiah Rendon, Whiteface, 5-9, Soph.; Brighton Scoggins, Whiteface, 5-11, Sr.; Gavin Baker, Whiteface, 5-7, Sr.

1A Girls

Kambri Braley, Follett, 5-6, Jr.; Reyna Rosales, Follett, 5-6, Jr.; Chloe Smith, Follett, 5-2, Sr.; Summer Meller, Fort Elliott, Sr.; Jace Moffett, Fort Elliott, Soph.; Addison Hefley, Fort Elliott, Soph.; Paisley Archer, Fort Elliott, Fr.; Brylie Hand, Fort Elliott, Fr.; Tatum Pigg, Fort Elliott, Fr.; Rylee Rose, Fort Elliott, Fr.; Aliyah McCarter, Fort Elliott, Fr.; Jaylie Dickey, Fort Elliott, Fr.; Alexis Mahler, Fort Elliott, Fr.; Ali Friemel, Groom, 5-7, Sr., Brianna Ritter, Groom, 5-8, Sr., Brittney Gibson, Happy, 5-10, Sr.; Halee Johnson, Happy, 5-8, Sr.; Abby McCreary, Happy 5-8, Soph.; Mallery Reynolds, McLean, 5-10, Jr.; Anayah Salinas, McLean, 5-0, Jr.; Hailo Moon, McLean, 6-0, Fr.; Kasidy Russell, McLean, 5-7, Soph.; Iris Schilderink, Nazareth, 6-0, Sr.; Caroline Myrick, Nazareth, 5-5, Sr.; Tatum Peterson, Nazareth, 6-1, Jr.; Harley Gerber, Nazareth, 5-7, Jr.; Presley Wheeler, Nazareth, 5-6, Jr.; Elektra Monroe, Petersburg, 5-4, Sr.; Ezariah Nava, Petersburg, 5-5, Fr.; Halee Toscano, Springlake-Earth, 5-8, Sr.; Taytum Goodman, Springlake-Earth, 5-3, Jr.; Sydney Furr, Springlake-Earth, 5-5, Jr.; Emma Samaron, Springlake-Earth, 5-8, Jr.; Jasmine Garcia, Springlake-Earth, 5-3, Jr.; Taysen Swires, White Deer, 5-7, Sr.; Lauren Bichsel, White Deer, 5-5, Sr.; Grade Means, White Deer, 5-6, Sr.; Allison Martha, Whiteface, 5-9, Sr.; Emma Ayers, Whiteface, 5-8, Jr.; Kylie Deavours, Whiteface, 6-1, Jr.; Tymmyah Olenga, Whiteface, 5-9, Soph.; Jaedyn Rector, Whiteface, 5-8, Soph.

Lady Panthers, Panthers have new coaches

The Lady Panthers have a new coach, Casey Timmons, who will be making his head coaching debut.

Timmons replaces Michael Howard, who slides over to the Follett boys.

Timmons is a graduate of Paducah High School and West Texas A&M University.

The Lady Panthers, under Howard’s direction, had a winning season (19-8) last season despite losing three starters and two players with season-ending knee injuries.

Follett won 10 of 12 games in District 1-1A to take second place. The Lady Panthers lost their bidistrict playoff to Silverton 53-39.

Abby Schilling, Megan Howard and Kayden Laubhan were the key departures from last year’s team.

Schilling was the district MVP. Megan Howard, daughter of Coach Michael Howard, was first-team all-district. Laubhan was all-district.

Follett doesn’t have any honored players returning, but it does have two starters and four other letter winners back.

Timmons designates the two returning starters — Reyna Rosales and Chloe Smith — as all-state candidates.

Rosales, a 5-6 junior point guard, is the niece of assistant coach Nadine Barton. Smith is a 5-2 senior point guard.

Kambri Braley, a 5-6 senior wing, is another outstanding player to watch, according to Timmons.

“Kambri Braley has first-team all-district potential on offense and defense,” Timmons said.osales, Smith, Braley, 5-6 junior post Alexia Spence and 5-2 junior wing Kimber Wheatley are potential starters this season. All five earned letters last year.

Sydney Laubhan, a 5-1 senior wing, is the other letter winner. Sydney Laubhan is the younger sister of Kayden Laubhan, a senior standout last season.

The Follett roster is composed of two seniors, five juniors and four sophomores.

Timmons describes the Lady Panthers’ strengths as a great work ethic, smart and willing to learn.

He is concerned about the lack of depth with two players returning from ACL surgery, the lack of skill across the team and the lack of experience.

He pinpointed the keys to success this season as “stay healthy and grow overall skill sets of (the) team.”

The Lady Panthers will open their season Nov. 5 at Wheeler. The home opener is Nov. 12 against Groom. They’ll play in the Miami and White Deer tournaments.

Follett will start District 1-1A play Dec. 13. The district still has seven teams, but Wheeler Kelton replaces Booker, which moved up to Class 2A because of UIL realignment.

BOYS

Michael Howard coached the Lady Panthers for five years and guided them to a 79-58 record.

Now the West Texas A&M University graduate will be in charge of the Follett boys team at his high school alma mater.

Before becoming a Follett coach, Howard spent a year coaching the Booker girls. His career girls coaching record is 85-72.

Follett Girls

Name

Kimber Wheatley

Monica Olguin

Ht. Pos. Class

5-2 F Jr

5-1 F Jr

5-6 F Jr Reyna Rosales

Kambri Braley

5-6 G Jr. Alexia Spence

Chloe Smith

Loclynne Russell

5-6 P Jr.

5-2 G Sr.

5-6 F Soph.

5-7 P Soph. Madison Wilson

Liz Purgason

5-2 F Soph. Ellie Exum

5-3 P Soph. Sydney Laubhan

5-1 F Sr.

Coach: Casey Timmons

Asst. Coach: Nadine Barton

2021-22 record: 19-8, 10-2 School phone: 653-2301

Players to watch: Reyna Rosales, Chloe Smith, Kambri Braley

He succeeds Luke Ogden, who coached the Panthers for three years. Ogden is not coaching this season. Andy Copley, longtime

Reyna Rosales Chloe Smith Kambri Braley

Alexia Spence

Monica Olguin

Kimber Wheatley

Loclynne Russell

Sydney Laubhan

Ellie Exum

Canadian coach who was Follett’s football coach and assistant boys coach the past few years, has moved to Stinnett, where he is coaching the West Texas High girls team.

Last year’s Panthers, coached by Ogden, posted a 15-8 overall record and finished second in District 1-1A with a 9-3 conference mark.

Just like the Lady Panthers, the Panthers lost (59-42) to Silverton in bidistrict.

“It was a positive year,” said Howard, who served as a Panthers’ assistant coach last year. “Started two freshmen that are returning. High expectations for this year.”

Those expectations revolve around the facts that the Panthers lost no key performers via graduation and all five of last year’s starters are back.

The five returning starters are:

• Jayden Watson, a 5-10 senior guard who averaged 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists and was the district defensive player of the year;

• Julian Barton, a 5-11 sophomore guard who contributed 7 ppg, 3 apg and was all-district;

• David Meeks, a 5-9 sophomore guard who turned in 6 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg statistics and was named the district newcomer of the year;

• Shayne Franks, a 5-11 senior (7 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg);

• Justin Humbert, a 6-1 junior post (6 ppg, 5 rpg).

Those four returning starters represent 37 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Watson is an outstanding player to watch, according to his coach.

The Panthers have two sets of brothers on their roster: David Meeks and 5-7 freshman forward Logan Meeks; and 5-9 senior guard Oscar Torres and 5-8 sophomore guard Bryan Torres. Bryan Torres lettered last season.

Three seniors, three juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen make up the early Follett roster.

Howard points to the five returning starters as the Panthers’

strength. He is concerned about the players adapting to a new coach.

The keys for success this season are “new coach, team unity, aggressive style (run ’n’ gun),” he said.

The Panthers won’t open the season until Nov. 21 with a home date with Hartley. They’ll participate in the Miami and White Deer tourneys.

The Panthers’ District 1-1A play begins Dec. 19. Wheeler Kenton replaces Booker in the six-team conference this season.

Justin Humbert

Maddox Miller

Logan Meeks

Bryan Torres

Osiel Ventura

Julian Barton

Jayden Watson

David Meeks

Shayne Franks

Follett Boys

Name Ht. Pos. Class

Shayne Franks 5-11 F Sr

Oscar Torres 5-9 G Sr. Jayden Watson 5-10 G Sr.

Justin Humbert 6-1 P Jr.

Maddox Miller 6-2 F Jr. Osiel Ventura 5-9 F Jr.

Julian Barton 5-11 G Soph. Eugenio Chavez 5-6 G Soph. David Meeks 5-9 G Soph. Bryan Torres 5-8 G Soph. Rodlee Williamson 6-0 F Soph. Logan Meeks 5-7 F Fr Reydn Rosales 5-5 G Fr Aiden Schilling 5-9 G Fr Wyatt Terrell 5-6 G Fr

Coach: Michael Howard 2021-22 record: 15-8, 9-3 School phone: 653-2301 Player to watch: Jayden Watson

Panther Pride!—The Watson Family Wid and Logan, don’t FIGHT on the Court! Go Panthers!—Love, Dad, Mom, Papa & Baze Meeks Chloe, play hard and have fun!—I love you— Mom Light’em up Panthers!—The Williamsom Family

Follett Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 5 Wheeler There X

Nov. 8 Shamrock There X Nov. 12 Groom Here X Nov. 15 Hartley There X Nov. 21 Hartley Here X X Nov. 22 Wildorado There X X Nov. 29 Hedley Here X X Dec. 1-3 Miami Tournament There X X Dec. 6 Booker There X X Dec. 8-10 White Deer Tournament There X X Dec. 13 McLean Here X Dec. 16 Lefors There X Dec. 19 Miami Here X X Jan. 3 Kelton There X X Jan. 10 Fort Elliott Here X X Jan. 13 Darrouzett There X X Jan. 17 McLean There X X Jan. 20 Lefors Here X X Jan. 21 Miami There X X Jan. 27 Kelton Here X X Feb. 3 Fort Elliott There X X Feb. 7 Darrouzett Here X X Feb. 10 McLean There X Feb. 14 Lefors There X

Mindset [mahynd-set]

The driving force in the quest for success and achievement. A mindset that combines discipline, strength, confidence and ambition is a powerful mindset. This can achieve anything it sets its sights on. Go Panthers!

Gene, Terri and Sheyenne Franks

Eugenio Chavez

Aiden Schilling

Rodlee Williamson Reydn Rosales

Wyatt Terrell

Fort Elliott Lady Cougars have new coach, new faces

The Lady Cougars not only will have a new coach but also a bunch of new players on their bench this season.

Ragan Dupont takes over as Fort Elliott’s new mentor, succeeding Jerry Cathey, who moved to take the Tulia girls job.

Dupont is a graduate of Stratford High School and Lubbock Christian University. He coached in the Lubbock and Pampa ISDs before coming to Fort Elliott.

The Lady Cougars, in Cathey’s lone season at the Briscoe school, went 15-12 overall and 7-5 in District 1-1A, finishing second. They lost their bidistrict playoff game to Valley 63-28.

Four senior starters — Brooklyn Buckingham, Savanna Sims, Sydney Hughes and Lindi Rose — have departed from last year’s team.

So Dupont inherits practically a whole new cast, although he does have three letter winners on hand. Senior guard Summer Meller is a three-year letter winner, while sophomore post Jace Moffett and sophomore guard Addison Hefley lettered last year.

New faces? Meller is the only senior on the roster and Moffett and Hefley are the only sophomores. No juniors, but seven freshmen.

Dupont recommends all 10 Lady Cougars as players to watch.

“Team chemistry is excellent,” Dupont said of his team’s strengths. “They have the ability to get to the basket. They combine

some of the best traits when it comes to the game of basketball — passing, driving, shooting, spacing and pressure defense.”

He designated several keys for success this season.

“First and foremost, you have to be able to not only play the

(Continued on next page)

Hitting the court for the Fort Elliott Lady Cougars will be, front row from left, Jaylie Dickey, Paisley Archer and Brylie Hand; and back row from left, Aliyah McCarter, Rylee Rose, Tatum Pigg and Alexis Mahler. Coach Ragan Dupont says they have excellent team chemistry.

game but know and understand the game,” he said. “The Lady Cougars will have to use their physical ability to gain and maintain intensity and aggressiveness.”

Fort Elliott’s District 1-1A still is a seven-team conference, but Wheeler Kelton replaces Booker because of UIL realignment. Booker moves up a class to District 1-2A.

BOYS

The Cougars struggled last season, missing the playoffs for the first time under Coach Ray Turpen.

Fort Elliott went 10-16 overall and 5-7 in District 1-1A for fifth place. That wasn’t good enough to qualify for the playoffs.

Gavin McDowell, Tyrel Mayfield and Roper Pigg were the key departures from last year’s squad.

One honored player returns for this season. Cutter Barr, a 5-9 junior guard, was an all-district selection last year.

Turpen tabs Jaytin Dickey, a 6-1 junior forward, as another outstanding player to watch.

The Cougars roster is composed of three seniors, four juniors and four sophomores.

Turpen lists size as a Cougar strength. Senior post Boone Begert is 6-4 and three other players stand 6-1.

“We have several players who will be able to play the post position,” Turpen said.

He has some concerns about his backcourt players.

“We don’t have many shooting guards and ball handlers,” he said.

He offered three keys for success this season.

“Play tough defense, limit turnovers and out-rebound our opponents,” he said.

Turpen is a graduate of Lefors High School and Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

He’s beginning his fourth season at Fort Elliott. Previously, he coached at Lefors and Channing.

Fort Elliott Boys Name

Boone Begert

Ht. Pos. Class

6-4 P Sr

Marshal Meineger 5-11 G Sr Jacob Forward 6-1 P Sr

Cutter Barr

5-9 G Jr Jaytin Dickey 6-1 F Jr Jose Perez 5-8 G Jr

Wally Wilson 5-11 P Jr Rance Angeley 5-5 G Soph.

Levi Coleman 5-8 G Soph. Trevor Purcell 5-11 G Soph. Alex Reed 6-1 F Soph. Tazlan Brown 5-7 G Fr. Jaxon Meadows 5-5 G Fr.

Valentin Ontiveros 6-1 P Fr. Tucker Walden 5-7 G Fr.

Coach: Ray Turpen

2021-22 record: 10-16, 5-7 School phone: 375-2454 Player to watch: Jaytin Dickey

Both the Cougars and Lady Cougars will open their seasons Nov. 11 at Hartley. The home opener for both is tentatively set for Nov. 22 vs. Hedley.

Both Fort Elliott teams will play in the Miami and Memphis tournaments.

The Lady Cougars will begin District 1-1A play Dec. 13; the Cougars Dec. 19. District 1-1A still has seven teams this season, but Wheeler Kelton has replaced Booker, which moved up to Class 2A.

(Continued from previous page)

Jacob Forward

Cutter Barr

Jose Perez

Jaytin Dickey Wally Wilson Boone Begert

Fort Elliott

Fort Elliott Girls

Name Pos. Class

Summer Meller G Sr. Jace Moffett P Soph. Addison Hefley G Soph. Paisley Archer G Fr Brylie Hand G Fr Tatum Pigg P Fr Rylee Rose G Fr Aliyah McCarter G Fr Jaylie Dickey G Fr Alexis Mahler P Fr

Coach: Ragan Foos Dupont 2021-22 record: 15-11, 6-4 School phone: 375-2454

Players to watch: Summer Meller, Jace Moffett, Addison Hefley, Paisley Archer, Brylie Hand, Tatum Pigg, Rylee Rose, Aliyah McCarter, Jaylie Dickey, Alexis Mahler

Fort Elliott Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 11 Hartley There X X Nov. 15 Wheeler There X X Nov. 22 Hedley Here X X Nov. 29 Holy Cross Here X X Dec. 1-3 Miami Tournament There X X Dec. 6 White Deer Here X X Dec. 8-10 Memphis Tournament There X X Dec. 13 Darrouzett Here X Dec. 16 McLean There X Dec. 19 Lefors Here X X Jan. 3 Miami There X X

Jan. 6 Kelton Here X X Jan. 10 Follett There X X Jan. 17 Darrouzett There X X Jan. 20 McLean Here X X Jan. 24 Lefors There X X Jan. 27 Miami Here X X Jan. 31 Kelton There X X Feb. 3 Follett Here X X Feb. 10 Darrouzett Here X Feb. 14 McLean There X

Tazlan Brown

Rance Angeley

Addison Hefley

Jaxon Meadows

Trevor Purcell

Summer Meller

Tucker Walden

Alex Reed

Jace Moffett

Go Cougars!—Josh, Jenn, Landry & Baker Purcell

Good Luck Cougars!—Shawn & Daphne Zybach Go Fight Win!—The Fergusons Let’s Go Cougars!—Tim & Sallie Adcock Go Cougars!—Allison Snack Shack Together you can do great things!—Ms. A Good Luck Cougars!—Love, Cheryl & Floyd Lane

Go Cougars!-Dixie, You Rock Junior High!— Love, Mom, Dad & Hunter Good Luck Dixie!—Love, Aunt Chris & Uncle John

McLean Two new coaches for Tiger teams

The Tigers will have new coaches for both the girls and boys teams. Sandi Johnson is the new girls coach; Cody Wolfe will direct the boys.

Johnson moves to McLean from Groom, where she coached one year. Her Groom team posted 6-16 overall and 2-8 district records. She’s changing from red and black Tigerettes to black and gold Lady Tigers.

Johnson was an assistant coach at Clarendon before moving to Groom.

As Sandi Stevens, her maiden name, she played on Canyon’s Class 3A state championship team of 1992 under Coach Joe Lombard and was the recipient of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame Big Play award that spring. She was on the cover of the 1992-93 Panhandle-Plains Basketball magazine and an all-stater in 1993.

She played on two NAIA Division I national championship teams for Southern Nazarene University in 1994 and 1995. She graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

a former McLean all-stater, college star and coach, is a member of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame.

Johnson succeeds TJ Fly, who coached the Lady Tigers to a 19-13 record last year. McLean was 8-4 in District 1-1A, finishing third. Claude eliminated the Lady Tigers 54-48 in bidistrict.

Johnson isn’t the only heralded woman player on the McLean bench. Sheri Haynes will serve as her volunteer assistant. Haynes, (Continued

Anayah Salinas

Kasidy Russell Kaitlyn Hutchison

“A strong finish challenging Claude in bidistrict represented strong talent for the Lady Tigers,” Johnson said.

Fly directed McLean to 81-36 overall and 39-10 district records in his four years. He has moved to Class 2A Hamlin to coach the girls team there.

Three honored players have departed from last year’s McLean team.

Ashlie Russell was the district defensive MVP, TSMCA second-team and a TSMCA all-star. Stormi Ketcherside was all-district, and Clare Long was honorable mention all-district.

However, three honored players are back for this season.

Anayah Salinas, a 5-0 junior guard, was all-district last season. Kasidy Russell, a 5-7 sophomore guard, earned the district newcomer of the year award. Kasidy Russell is the sister of the departed Ashlie Russell. Kaitlyn Hutchison, a 5-1 senior guard, was honorable mention all-district.

Johnson tabs Salinas, Kasidy Russell, 5-10 junior Mallery Reynolds and 6-0 freshman Hailo Moon as outstanding players to watch. Moon is the sister of past Lady Tigers Hope Moon and Faith Moon, both of whom received honors for their play.

Senior Sara Haynes, a 5-4 forward/post, is the daughter of Sheri Haynes.

Johnson describes quickness, post play and shooting as the Lady Tigers’ strengths.

She is concerned because McLean is such a young team. Three seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen are on the Lady Tigers’ roster.

Johnson said the keys for success this season will be “adjustment to a new program, building fundamentals and building

team unity.”

District 1-1A still is a seven-team conference. However, Kelton replaces Booker, which moves to Class 2A because of UIL realignment.

BOYS

Cody Wolfe, like Lady Tigers Coach Sandi Johnson, played on a state championship team. Wolfe played on Canadian’s 2015 Class 2A state titlists.

The West Texas A&M University graduate served as an as(Continued on next page)

Jada Jones

Mallery Reynolds

Haile Banks

Hailo Moon

Ashlyn Stone

Sara Haynes

sistant coach at Canyon Junior High and Shamrock High, so this will be his first head coaching assignment.

Wolfe replaces Brad Rainer, who coached the Tigers the past three seasons. Rainer now is the principal of McLean Elementary School. Rainer’s career boys coaching record was 191-139.

Rainer’s Tigers won 12 and lost 17 last year. They were 5-7 in District 1-1A for fourth place. McLean lost to Valley 75-43 in the bidistrict playoff.

“Losing a great senior class, but we have the talent and potential to become district champions,” Wolfe said.

That senior class featured Carson Carter and Garrett McDonald. Carter, who scored 33 points against Highland Park, was first-team all-district and a TSMCA all-star. McDonald was honorable mention all-district.

Wolfe has lots of experience and size on this year’s squad. Ten of the 11 rostered players lettered last year. Four of the Tigers are 6-footers, so Wolfe considers size his team’s strength.

Leading the way will be Alex Retana, a 5-10 senior guard who was a first-team all-district selection last season, and Sheppard Reichman, a 6-3 senior guard.

Wolfe recommends that duo as all-state candidates.

He tabs 6-2 sophomore forward Jayvon Salazar and 6-0 senior forward Jaxon Hembree as other outstanding players to watch.

The McLean roster is composed of four seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and one freshman.

The youth of the team is a concern for Wolfe. So is the loss

of last year’s top scorer, Carter.

Wolfe described the keys for success this season as “embracing the new program and being disciplined on the court.”

Sheppard Reichman Jaxon Hembree Chrystian Larson

Alex Retana

Kaitlyn Hutchison 5-1 G Sr

Jada Jones 5-2 F Sr

Sara Haynes 5-4 F/P Sr

Mallery Reynolds 5-10 F/P Jr

Anayah Salinas 5-0 G Jr

Hailo Moon 6-0 P Fr

Kasidy Russell 5-7 G Soph. Gracee Henderson 5-5 F Fr

Hailli Banks 5-8 P Jr

Emma Jones 5-6 F Soph. Jasmine Hernandez 5-9 P Fr

Ashlyn Stone 5-7 P Jr Addie Bailey 5-6 P Jr. Ashley Thrasher 5-5 P Fr. Gaby Retana 5-5 P Fr.

Coach: Sandi Johnson

Asst. Coaches: Sheri Haynes, Zach Kidd 2021-22 record: 19-13, 8-4

School phone: 779-2571

Players to watch: Kasidy Russell, Mallery Reynolds, Anayah Salinas, Hailo Moon

Addie Bailey

Emma Jones

Jasmine Hernandez

Gracie Henderson

Ashley Thrasher Gaby Retana

McLean Boys

Name Ht.

Tyler Stone 5-8 F Fr

Jayvon Salazar 6-2 F Soph.

Devin Mahorney 5-9 G Soph.

Noah Dickey 5-10 G Soph. Jacob Hess 5-11 F Jr

Wrangler Margerum 5-8 G Jr

Scott Caldwell 6-0 F Jr

Chrystian Larson 5-7 F Sr

Jaxon Hembree 6-0 F Sr

Sheppard Reichman 6-3 G Sr Alex Retana 5-10 G Sr.

Coach: Cody Wolfe

Asst. Coach: Jordan Parsons

2021-22 record: 12-17, 5-7 School phone: 779-2301

Players to watch: Jayvon Salazar, Jaxon Hembree, Sheppard Reichman, Alex Retana

Tina Hagler Heather Crockett

Scott Caldwell

Wrangler Margerum Jacob Hess

McLean Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 5 Dumas There X

Nov. 8 Silverton There X

Nov. 11 Texline TBA X

Nov. 15 Pringle-Morse There X X

Nov. 18 Hartley Here X X

Nov. 22 Groom Here X

Nov. 29 Amarillo Flames Here X

Nov. 29 Lubbock Christian TBA X

Dec. 1-3 Miami Tournament There X X

Dec. 6 Wheeler There X X

Dec. 8-10 Memphis Tournament There X Dec. 8-10 White Deer Tournament There X

Dec. 13 Follett Here X

Dec. 16 Fort Elliott Here X Dec. 19 Darrouzett There X X

Dec. 27 Happy TBA X

Dec. 28-30 Groom Tournament There X

Dec. 30 Clarendon There X

Jan. 3 Adrian Here X X

Jan. 6 Lefors Here X X Jan. 10 Miami There X X

Jan. 13 Kelton Here X X Jan. 17 Follett Here X X

Jan. 20 Fort Elliott There X X

Jan. 24 Darrouzett Here X X Jan. 31 Lefors There X X Feb. 3 Miami Here X X Feb. 7 Kelton There X X Feb. 11 Follett There X X Feb. 15 Fort Elliott Here X X

DJ’s Tires & AuTomoTive

P.O. Box 537 Located South Of The McLean Post Office 308 South Main Street McLean, Texas 79057 Derek Jones Owner www.facebook.com/DJSTires Derek 806-395-0168 Harold 806-228-3010

Groom

District 2-1A

Ex-Tigerette comes home

Betsy Baughman has come home. The veteran mentor with 29 years of coaching experience is now directing the Tigerettes.

Baughman once was a star athlete for Groom High School. She was all-district, all-region and all-state in basketball. Then she played for Coach Bob Schneider at West Texas A&M University.

She actually has 20 years of head coaching duties, having led teams at Happy, Seagraves, Crawford, Mineral Wells and Tascosa. She had a Happy team reach the state tournament, and her Seagraves team won the state and Texas Cup titles.

She coached at Tascosa for 11 years, and her Lady Rebels recorded back-to-back 25-plus win seasons in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Last year, her Tascosa team went 10-17 overall but 4-6 in district and made the Class 5A playoffs.

Baughman is the mother of Brooke Walthall, the Randall girls coach who played at Texas Tech.

She succeeds Sandi Johnson, who moved to McLean to take the girls job there.

Johnson coached the Tigerettes only one year, and her team went 6-16 overall and 2-8 in District 2-1A, finishing fifth and not qualifying for the playoffs.

Peyton Trevino, Saffron Eugea and Samantha Short were the key departures from last year’s squad.

However, Baughman inherits a wealth of experience with four returning starters and six other letter winners on hand.

The four returning starters are:

• Ali Friemel, a 5-7 senior guard who averaged 10.2 points 6.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season, her second as a starter;

• Brianna Ritter, a 5-8 senior post who contributed 8 ppg, 4.6 rpg last year;

• K’Lynn Menz, a 5-7 senior guard who posted 6.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg;

• Molly Babcock, a 5-9 junior guard who chipped in with 5.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg.

Those four returning starters represent about 30 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Baughman tabs Friemel and Ritter as all-state candidates. Brianna

Ritter

Friemel, Brianna Ritter, Menz and 5-7 senior post Kaylynn Bennett all are pursuing their fourth letters as Tigerettes.

The Groom roster is composed of four seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and one freshman.

Baughman describes work ethic, speed, team unity, coachability and leadership as the Tigerettes’ strengths.

“Learning new system and size are concerns, but our athletes are smart and work extremely hard, so we might have a tough preseason,” she said, “but that will help us in our competitive district.”

Ali Friemel

Molly Babcock

Brianna Ritter

Alexis Ritter

K’Lynn Menz

Taylor Ritter

has two sisters on the team: 5-8 junior post Alexis Ritter (3.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and 5-8 freshman guard Taylor Ritter. Alexis Ritter is an outstanding player to watch, according to Baughman.

She pinpoints the keys to success this season as defensive physical play, rebounding and skill development.

The Tigerettes will open their season Nov. 5 at home against Fort Elliott. They’ll play in the Vega, Memphis and their own Groom tournaments.

District 2-1A action commences Jan. 6. The district has no changes this season — a rarity in UIL realignment these days. Groom’s district opponents remain as Claude, Hedley, Silverton, Valley and White Deer.

BOYS

The Tigers have a new coach, too. Allen Grant gets his first head coaching assignment.

He takes over from Tory Peet, who coached the Tigers for three years — with winning results — but was promoted as Groom’s head football coach. Peet remains on the Tiger basketball staff as assistant coach.

Grant is a graduate of Highland Park High School and West Texas A&M University.

Peet’s Tigers went 14-11 overall and 6-4 in District 2-1A, finishing fourth and qualifying for the playoffs last season. They lost their bidistrict game to Booker 58-51. That capped a 41-22 record for Peet’s three years as the Tigers’ coach.

Damon Kuehler, who was the district MVP, and Phineas Eugea were the key departures from last year’s team.

But the Tigers still have a Kuehler, brother Stephen Kuehler, a 5-7 senior who was all-district and all-region last season.

Stephen Kuehler is one of four returning starters and nine letter winners back in the Groom camp.

Blayne Shuck, a 6-0 senior, also was an all-district selection last year. Shuck has a younger brother, 5-10 sophomore Bryson Shuck,

on the squad.

Joining Stephen Kuehler and Blayne Shuck as returning starters are 6-6 junior Ryan Weinheimer and 6-3 junior Noah Wood. Those four are the outstanding players to watch, according to Grant.

Greyson Peet, a 5-9 sophomore and the son of the assistant coach, and Bryson Shuck are among the returning letter winners. Others are 6-1 sophomore Collins Koetting, 5-5 sophomore Kenny Blackwell and 5-7 sophomore Trayson Corley.

Two seniors, two juniors, five sophomores and one freshman are on the Groom roster.

“We have four returning starters from last year’s playoff team,” Grant said in assessing his team’s strengths. “We also have strong senior leadership and team chemistry.”

His chief concern is filling the void left by the graduated Damon Kuehler.

Leadership, communication and teamwork will be the keys to success this season, according to Grant.

Groom often is involved in the football playoffs, so the Tigers’ first appearance on the basketball court is scheduled for Dec. 1-3 in the Vega Tournament. They’ll also play in the Memphis and their own Groom tourneys.

District play for the boys won’t begin until Jan. 10. District 2-1A membership is unchanged this year.

Blayne Shuck Bryson Shuck Ryan Weinheimer

Stephen Kuehler

Groom Super Boosters

We wish for the Tigers and Ettes a great season!— Bohr Enterprises

Good Luck Tigers and Ettes!—Robby, Sheridan, Collins & Teagan

Backing the Tigerettes and Tigers! Go Hope!—Donnie & Marcia Conrad

Good Luck on your senior year K’Lynn! We Love you!—Mom & Dad

Courage is fear holding on a second longer!—Coach and Jacque Riley

Go Tigers and Tigerettes!—The Detten Family

Have a great year! Go Ettes!—Mrs. Carter

Have a Great Season Ritter Sisters!—The Clay & Nicole Ritter Family

Have a good season Tigers and Tigerettes!—7R Farms

Have a great basketball season Tigers and Ettes!— Corkey & Sandie Hickey

Go Tigers and Tigerettes!—Jerry, Pam, Cassie, Nick, Cara, Westen, Blakley, Tami, Jerod, K’Leigh, Maci, Ryan, Paisleigh & Asher

Go Tigerettes!

Go Tigers and Tigerettes!—The Homer Family

Noah Woods

Kenny Blackwell

Greyson Peet

Trayson Corley

Collins Koetting Cooper Treadwell

Groom Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

5-7 G Sr Brianna Ritter 5-8 P Sr K’Lynn Menz 5-7 G Sr

Ali Friemel

Kaylynn Bennett 5-7 P Sr Molly Babcock 5-9 G Jr Alexis Ritter 5-8 P Jr Alexis Saucedo 5-8 P Jr Brandi Tipton 5-7 G Jr Hope Hickey 5-7 G Soph. Eryka Homer 5-9 P Soph. Taylor Ritter 5-8 G Fr Clara Robinson 5-7 G Fr

Coach: Betsy Baughman

Asst. Coaches: Joe Riley School phone: 248-7474

Players to watch: Ali Friemel, Brianna Ritter

Groom Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 5 Fort Elliott Here X

Nov. 8 Hartley There X

Nov. 12 Follett There X

Nov. 15 Borger There X

Nov. 19 Pampa Here X Nov. 29 Clarendon Here X Dec. 1-3 Vega Tournament There X X

Dec. 6 Happy There X X Dec. 8-10 Memphis Tournament There X X Dec. 13 Sanford-Fritch There X X

Dec. 16 Sunray There X X Dec. 20 River Road There X Dec. 28-30 Groom Tournament Here X X

Jan. 6 Silverton

There X

Jan. 6 Amarillo Flames Here X Jan. 10 Claude Here X X

Jan. 13 White Deer There X X

Jan. 17 Hedley There X X

Jan. 20 Valley Here X X

Jan. 24 Silverton Here X X

Jan. 27 Claude There X X

Jan. 31 White Deer Here X X

Feb. 3 Hedley Here X X

Feb. 7 Valley There X X

Feb. 10 Silverton There X

Kaylynn Bennett

Hope Hickey

Alexis Saucedo Brandi Tipton

Clara Robinson

Groom Boys

Name Ht. Class

Stephen Kuehler

5-7 Sr

Blayne Shuck 6-0 Sr

Ryan Weinheimer 6-6 Jr

Noah Wood 6-3 Jr

Bryson Shuck 5-10 Soph. Greyson Peet 5-9 Soph.

Collins Koetting 6-1 Soph. Kenny Blackwell 5-5 Soph. Trayson Corley 5-7 Soph. Cooper Treadwell 5-8 Fr

Coach: Allen Grant

Asst. Coach: Tory Peet

2021-22 record: 14-11, 6-4 School phone: 248-7474

Players to watch: Stephen Kuehler, Blayne Shuck, Ryan Weinheimer, Noah Wood

White Deer Does’ coach has a magic number

Eighteen is the magic number for Coach Rex Beck. His Does won 18 games in the 2020-21 season. They won 18 games last season.

If the Does win 18 games again this season, Beck will own 300 career girls coaching victories and join the Panhandle-Plains Basketball magazine’s 300 Club.

Beck didn’t see many nondistrict highlights from his team but said, “We played a tough schedule and played well against top teams.”

The Does struggled some in District 2-1A competition but managed to finish fourth with a 4-6 record. They lost their bidistrict playoff game to Miami 49-46. That capped an 18-19 campaign for White Deer.

“Last year was a rollercoaster. We would play a good game and then a bad game,” Beck said. “Towards the end of district, we started to play better. We didn’t shoot free throws as a team very well all year, and it cost us a playoff win as we went 4-for11 in the fourth quarter in our bidistrict game and lost by three.”

Shaylin Weathers, who was first-team all-district, TABC all-region and Golden Spread and TSMCA all-star, and Jade Perriman were the two senior departures from last year’s team.

Beck has three starters — Taysen Swires, Lauren Bichsel and Grace Means — returning this season.

Swires, a 5-7 senior guard, was first-team all-district last year. Lauren Bichsel, a 5-5 senior guard, was honorable mention alldistrict. Grace Means is a 5-6 senior guard.

Those three Does are the players to watch, according to Beck.

The Does have two sister combinations. Lauren Bichsel and 5-8 sophomore Avery Bichsel are sisters, and assistant coach Cassidy Bichsel is their sister-in-law. Grace Means and 5-8 sophomore post Ally Means are sisters.

Ally Means, 5-6 junior guard Erin LaRue and 5-7 junior guard Kelsi Vaughn also lettered last season.

The White Deer roster is composed of four seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and one freshman.

(Continued on next page)

Taysen Swires Lauren Bichsel Grace Means

“We have three full-time starters returning and three others that have valuable varsity experience,” Beck said. “I feel like we should be able to do some different things offensively, and I feel we will be able to play great defense.”

In addition to praising Swires, Lauren Bichsel and both Means sisters, Beck mentioned 5-8 freshman Madi Henderson as a presence on the inside.

He said the Does need Vaughn, 5-7 sophomore Jaylyn Wilson, 5-5 senior Jinni Jordan or Avery Bichsel to step up and provide some depth.

“We will need to be more consistent shooting and better from the free throw line,” Beck said.

As for the keys to success this season, he said, “I know we have the ability to be a real good team, but we must have great unity in order to accomplish that. If we can play like we can and have shown before, we will be in the mix.”

Beck is a graduate of Lubbock Roosevelt High School and West Texas A&M University. He’s beginning his 11th season at White Deer, and his last eight teams have gone 261-104, a .715 winning percentage.

He coached at Bangs before coming to White Deer. His career girls coaching record is 282-198, a .586 winning percentage.

The Does will open their schedule Nov. 8 at home against Memphis. They’ll play in the Spur, Meadow and their own White Deer tournaments. District 2-1A play begins Jan. 6. There are no changes in the six-team district this year.

BOYS

The Bucks struggled in Austin Dunham’s first year as coach.

(Continued on next page)

White Deer Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class

5-8 G Sr. Colton Fincher 5-8 G Sr. Bridjer Logue 6-0 F Sr

Anthony Martin

Hayden Hill

5-10 F Sr Bradley Pate 6-2 F Sr Brodie Weathers 5-9 G Jr Koy Johnson 5-7 G Sr Gabe Gagliardo 5-10 F Sr Brandon Strite

6-2 F Sr Issac Nava 5-7 G Sr Brayden Griffith 5-9 F Sr

Coach: Austin Dunham

Asst. Coaches: Jason Marlar, Justin Rucker 2021-22 record: 5-26, 2-8 School phone: 883-2311

Players to watch: Brodie Weathers, Anthony Martin, Colton Fincher, Bridjer Logue, Hayden Hill

Hayden Hill Anthony Martin Colton Fincher

They finished 5-26 overall and 2-8 in District 2-1A, finishing fifth.

“Tough year,” Dunham said, “but some good program-building wins. Very tough and well-coached district.”

Karson Ketchum, first-team all-district, was the key departure from last year’s White Deer team.

Dunham has eight letter winners returning and designates five of them as players to watch and potential starters. The five are:

• Hayden Hill, a 5-10 senior forward who is a two-year starter;

• Anthony Martin, a 5-8 senior guard;

• Colton Fincher, a 5-8 senior guard;

• Bridjer Logue, a 6-0 senior forward;

• Brodie Weathers, a 5-9 junior guard.

The other letter winners are 6-2 senior forward Bradley Pate, 5-7 senior guard Koy Johnson and 5-7 senior guard Isaac Nava.

Dunham lists his team’s strength as being senior-heavy. Yep, the Bucks have 10 seniors and only one junior (Weathers) on the roster.

He’s concerned about a lack of winning experience among the Bucks.

Dunham’s keys to success this season are confidence and building off last year.

Dunham is a graduate of Dalhart High School and West Texas A&M University. He coached six years at Motley County before moving to White Deer last year.

Pending late developments because of an extended football season, the Bucks’ scheduled opener is Nov. 22 at home against Vega. They’ll play in the Meadow and White Deer tournaments.

The White Deer boys’ district opener is Jan. 10. All six members return to District 2-1A this season.

White Deer Girls

Name

Taysen Swires

Ht. Pos. Class

5-7 G Sr

Lauren Bichsel 5-5 G Sr. Grace Means 5-6 G Sr. Jinni Jordan 5-6 G Sr. Erin LaRue 5-6 G Jr. Kelsi Vaughn 5-7 G Jr. Ally Means

5-8 P Soph. Jaylyn Wilson

5-7 G Soph. Madi Henderson 5-8 G Fr. Avery Bichsel 5-5 G Soph.

Coach: Rex Beck

Asst. Coach: Cassidy Bichsel 2021-22 record: 18-19, 4-6 School phone: 383-8311

Players to watch: Taysen Swires, Lauren Bichsel, Grace Means

Ally Means Erin LaRue Madi Henderson

White Deer Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 1 McLean There X

Nov. 8 Memphis Here X

Nov. 12 Shamrock Here X

Nov. 15 West Texas There X

Nov. 17-19 Spur Tournament There X

Nov. 22 Vega Here X X

Nov. 29 Wildorado Here X X

Dec. 1-3 Meadow Tournament There X X

Dec. 6 Fort Elliott There X X

Dec. 8-10 White Deer Tournament Here X X

Dec. 13 Boys Ranch Here X X

Dec. 16 Dalhart Here X

Dec. 16 Miami Here X

Dec. 19 Highland Park There X X

Jan. 3 West Texas Here X

Jan. 3 Happy There X

Jan. 6 Claude Here X

Jan. 6 Wheeler Here X

Jan. 10 Valley There X X

Jan. 13 Groom Here X X

Jan. 17 Silverton There X X

Jan. 20 Hedley Here X X

Jan. 24 Claude There X X

Jan. 27 Valley Here X X

Jan. 31 Groom There X X

Feb. 3 Silverton Here X X

Feb. 7 Hedley There X X

Feb. 10 Claude Here X

White Deer Super Boosters

“Everybody has talent, but ability takes had work” Have a great season Tays!—Dylan, Dunnigan & Regina

To one of the hardest workers I have coached, Good Luck Taysen. Love you, Coach Cathey Have the best senior year Taysen! We love you!—Mema & Papa Let’s go Scoots and Does!—The Browns Go Bucks and Does!—Love, The Germany’s Go Bucks and Does!—Lyn & Jacque Owens #We Bleed Blue 1—Ross & Darla Forney We love you Taysen!—Love, Aunt Gloria & Randy Have a Great senior year, Taysen! Proud of you and love you!—Tjaeden, Taylor, Ryker, Milly, Krockett & Hagen We Are “White Deer”! Go Bucks and Does!— Billy & Amy Hall Go Bucks and Does! Your biggest fans!—The Harpers

Bridjer Logue Brodie Weathers Koy Johnson

“Do you know that in a “race” all runners run, but only one receives the prize, so run that you may obtain it.” 1 Cor. 9:24

Work Hard, Be Humble, Do Your Best!

Love you, Mom, Kirk, Laney, Kash and Kase

Anthony #10 We are so proud of you! Good Luck on your senior season! You bring us such great joy!

We Love You, Mom, Nana, Papa and Charleston

Play every game like it’s your last Colton. Go Bucks!—Blaine & Leslie Bolton

Go Bucks and Does! We love you!—The Rucker Family

Go Bucks & Does!—The Baileys Work hard and you will be rewarded. Good Luck Bucks & Does—the Bichsels Gypsy’s Tramps and Leaves supports the Bucks and Does!

Go Erin and the Does Basketball Team! Have a Great Season!—the LaRue Family

We Love You Brek! Trade Wind Airport wishes the Bucks and Does a win!

Good Luck Bucks and Does!—The Copelin Family Go Big Blue!—Glenda T Have a great season Bucks and Does!—The Kelly Family Lanham family backs the Bucks and Does Wishing Keira the best freshman year in all that she does!—Love always, Nan, Mom & Wyatt

Texline

District 3-1A

Close, but no repeat title

The Tornadoes came oh-so-close to repeating as Class 1A state champions, losing by three points in the finals last spring.

Will Luther, the hero in Texline’s 2021 state championship win, missed a three-pointer with 16 seconds left that would have tied the score.

Nevertheless, Luther scored 25 points in the 42-39 loss to Graford in San Antonio’s Alamodome.

That capped a 34-4 season for the Tornadoes, who won the Lubbock Caprock Tournament and swept District 3-1A with a perfect 12-0 record. Texline was the No. 1 Class 1A ranked team in Texas all season.

In the playoffs, Texline breezed past Hart 101-33 in bidistrict, Hedley 97-42 in the area round, Springlake-Earth 91-77 in the regional quarterfinals, Whitharral 68-39 in the regional senifinals and Jayton 52-34 in the regional finals. In the state semis, the

Tornadoes defeated Irion County 58-42. That set up the loss to Graford in the finals.

“The sting from the championship game will never go away,” Coach Coby Beckner said, “but we had joy in the journey that will last a lifetime of memories. Forever grateful!”

Two stalwarts on that team have moved on. Luther was a twotime Class 1A player of the year, a three-time all-stater, all-region for three years, all-district for four years and a four-year starter. He signed to play at Wayland Baptist University.

Noel Lozano was a two-time all-state, three-time all-region, three-time all-district and a three-year starter.

Beckner has four honored players back, including three returning starters: Elias Espino, Stratton Potter and Angel Herrera.

Espino, a 5-11 senior guard, led the state in three-pointers

GO TEXLINE TORNADOES!

Texline Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 11 McLean Amarillo X

Nov. 11 Lorenzo Amarillo X

Nov. 15 Felt, OK Here X

Nov. 15 Palo Duro Here X

Nov. 18 Boise City Here X X

Nov. 21 Boys Ranch Here X X

Nov. 22 Clayton, NM There X X

Nov. 29 Stratford There X X

Dec. 6 Dalhart Here X X

Dec. 8-10 Orange & Black Classic Clayton, NM X X

Dec. 13 Des Moines, NM There X X

Dec. 15-17 Martin’s Mill Tournament There X Dec. 16 Felt, OK There X Dec. 19 Gruver There X Dec. 19 Sunray There X Dec. 20 Raton, NM There X X Dec. 27 Sanford Fritch Here X X Dec. 30 Silverton Amarillo X X

Jan. 3 Palo Duro There X X

Jan. 6 Adrian There X X

Jan. 10 Channing Here X

Jan. 10 Des Moines Here X

Jan. 13 Pringle-Morse Here X X

Jan. 17 Wildorado There X X

Jan. 20 Hartley There X X

Jan. 24 Adrian Here X X

Jan. 27 Channing There X

Jan. 31 Pringle-Morse There X X

Feb. 3 Wildorado Here X X Feb. 7 Hartley Here X X

Texline Boys

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

5-9 G Sr. Elias Espino 5-11 G Sr Stratton Potter 5-10 G Sr Hayden Alston 6-5 F Jr. Hayden Drumm 6-3 F Jr Joe Clay 6-2 G Soph. Eduard Martinez 5-10 G Sr

Angel Herrera

Coach: Coby Beckner Asst. Coaches: Eric Alston, Dawson Nickelson 2021-22 record: 34-4, 12-0 School phone: 362-4284 Players to watch: Elias Espino, Stratton Potter, Hayden Alston, Joe Clay, Hayden Drumm, Angel Herrera

Texline Girls

Name Class

Gloria Fernandez Jr Julissa Cuartes Sr. Zoria Andrade Jr. Sarely Mendoza Soph. Avery Davidson Soph. Jasmyn Wilson Fr. Prezlee Potter Fr

Coach: Kirk Mann School phone: 362-4284

made. He averaged 13.5 points and 3.1 assists in earning all-district and all-region honors. He was on the all-state tournament team.

Potter, a 5-10 senior guard, contributed 10.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists and was all-district. He also made the allstate tournament team, scoring 20 points in Texline’s state semifinal victory.

Beckner recommends Espino and Potter as all-state candidates this season.

Herrera, a 5-9 senior guard, is the third returning starter. His 8.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.1 credentials earned him all-district honors.

Hayden Drumm, a 6-3 junior forward (6.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg), was honorable mention all-district.

Herrera, Drumm, 6-5 junior forward Hayden Alston (14.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and 6-2 sophomore guard Joe Clay are other players to watch, according to Beckner.

Four seniors, two juniors and one sophomore are on the Texline roster. All seven lettered last year.

Beckner noted that the Tornadoes have experience in big games, having played in 14 postseason games the past two years. An additional strength is their ability to play with tempo.

He is concerned about his players “managing expectations.”

He listed a multitude of keys for success this season.

“Run as one,” he said. “Stay healthy, stay humble, stay hungry. And ... pray for a little luck along the way.”

Beckner is beginning his seventh season at Texline in his second stint with the Tornadoes. He began his 25-year coaching career at Texline in 1987. He made stops in three New Mexico schools — Moriarty, Kirtland Central and Clayton — and Glen Rose and Houston Westfield in Texas.

His career boys coaching record is 455-235 for a .659 winning percentage. Those wins mean he’s a member of the PPB 300 Club.

The Clayton, New Mexico, native (he still lives in nearby

Clayton) played collegiately at Amarillo College and Lubbock Christian University.

Texline remains in District 3-1A this season, but UIL realignment resulted in some reshuffling. Nazareth and Happy have moved to 4-1A, and Pringle-Morse joins 3-1A, giving that conference six members.

The Tornadoes will begin the season against Lorenzo Nov. 11 in Amarillo while the Texline girls will face McLean in Amarillo the same night. The boys’ first home game will be against Class 5A Palo Duro on Nov. 15.

They will compete in the Orange and Black Classic Dec. 8-10 in Clayton, New Mexico, and the Martin’s Mill Tournament Dec. 15-17. District play will start Jan. 6 at Adrian.

Happy Cowgirls have a repeat coach

The Cowgirls finally have a coach who stuck around. After six girls head coaches in as many years, Happy now has Charles Byrd for a second straight season.

Byrd stayed at Happy, but some key players from last season left.

The Cowgirls won 18 and lost 11 last season. They were 10-2 in District 3-1A to finish second. In the playoffs, Happy beat Hart 64-25 in bidistrict but lost to Valley 40-35 in the area game.

Six seniors — all honored — played their final games for the Cowgirls last spring.

The three first-team all-district players were Aimee McCarley, Sydni Middleton and Ashlyn White.

The three honorable mention all-district Cowgirls were Bailey Baggerman, Emily Berry and Hannah Drake.

That leaves just three letter winners for this season: 5-10 senior forward Brittney Gibson, 5-8 senior guard Halee Johnson and 5-7 junior post Breelee Dempsey.

Byrd tabs Gibson, Johnson and 5-8 sophomore guard Abby McCreary as outstanding players to watch.

The Cowgirls have two seniors, two juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen on their roster.

Byrd is a member of two college halls of fame for his basketball prowess. The Clovis, New Mexico, High School graduate first attended York College in Nebraska, then West Texas A&M University. He’s been inducted into both the York (2019) and WT (1999) halls of fame.

He played at York from 1984 to 1986 and averaged 16 points his freshman year and 23.7 his sophomore season. He moved on to WT, where he was a two-year starter. He still holds the WT records for free throw percentage (88 percent) and 3-point percentage (57 percent). After he graduated from WT, Byrd played professionally for 10 years in Central America, South America and Europe.

Stratton Potter

Joe Clay

Hayden Drumm

Will Clay

Hayden Alston

Eddie Martinez

Elias Espino

Happy moves to a new district, 4-1A, this season because of UIL realignment. There are six teams in 4-1A, and the only familiar foe (from 3-1A) is Nazareth. Springlake-Earth, Hart, Kress and Lazbuddie are the new conference opponents for the Cowgirls.

Happy Girls

Name

Brittney Gibson

Halee Johnson

Ht. Pos. Class

5-10 F Sr

5-8 G Sr

Breelee Dempsey

5-5 G Jr.

5-7 P Jr Harli Kasko

Abby McCreary

5-8 G Soph. Kambreigh Bender

5-3 G Soph.

5-5 G Soph. Jane Berry

Avery Alaniz

5-4 G Soph. Angel Reyes 5-5 G Fr. Celia Middleton 5-8 F Fr.

Coach: Charles Byrd

Asst. Coach: Karis Carstensen 2021-22 record: 18-11, 10-2 School phone: 558-5331

Players to watch: Brittney Gibson, Halee Johnson, Abby McCreary

Brittney Gibson

Abby McCreary

Halee Johnson

Avery Alaniz Breelee Dempsey Kamreigh Bender

Happy Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 5 Perryton There X

Nov. 8 Clarendon Here X

Nov. 12 Farwell There X

Nov. 15 Stratford Here X

Nov. 21 Accelerate Academy Here X Nov. 22 Dumas Here X

Nov. 29 Vega Here X X Dec. 1-3 Vega Tournament There X X Dec. 6 Groom Here X Dec. 8-10 White Deer Tournament There X X Dec. 13 San Jacinto Here X X Dec. 16 Dalhart Here X Dec. 20 Palo Duro Here X Dec. 20 Wellington Here X Dec. 28 McLean There X Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X Jan. 3 White Deer Here X Jan. 3 Silverton There X Jan. 6 Lazbuddie There X Jan. 6 Bovina There X Jan. 10 Hart There X X Jan. 13 Springlake-Earth Here X X Jan. 17 Kress There X X Jan. 20 Nazareth Here X X Jan. 27 Hart Here X X

Jan. 31 Springlake-Earth There X X Feb. 3 Kress Here X X Feb. 7 Nazareth There X X Feb. 10 Lazbuddie There X Feb. 14 Hart There X

Go Cowboys and Cowgirls!—David, Lindy & Hadley Wetzel

Go Landon!—Nick & Danielle Compton

Good Luck Landon!—Nicholas, Bianca, Madeleine, Caroline & Shepard Holbrook

Go HHS!—The Jimmy Reyes Family

Good Luck Happy Cowboysl and Cowgirls!—Craig & Dayna McMillan

Go Cowboys ad Cowgirls!—The Cory McCarley Family

Go Cowboys and Cowgirls!

Kress Lady Roos still searching for gold

The Lady Roos still are looking for that first gold ball, but they made the playoffs for the third time in school history last season.

Kress compiled a 17-9 season and took second in District 4-1A with a 10-2 record. That was their second straight conference runner-up finish.

In the bidistrict playoff, Hartley downed Kress 42-35.

“The Lady Roos played extremely well throughout the season, but when it was time for playoffs and they had an opportunity to go win the first gold ball in school history, they couldn’t quite finish,” Coach Cailin Neudorf said. “This season is looking promising, and we are hoping for good things.”

Brook Goss, the only senior on last year’s team, has moved on.

“She has been a key component to the Lady Roos and has started for me throughout all her four years of high school at KHS,” Neudorf said. “She has been an all-district first-team player, was selected to play in a couple all-star games and will be extremely missed!”

Goss may be missed, but the Lady Roos have a lot of experience coming back.

Five Kress returners earned honors last season. Four of them earned first-team all-district distinction. They are:

• Natacia Saldana, a 5-1 senior guard who averaged 11 points, 7 assists and 8 steals last season;

• Page Bechtold, a 5-10 senior forward who scored 15 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and swiped 4 steals a game;

• Bentlee Hebert, a 5-11 senior post;

• Jaikylie Baker, a 5-11 sophomore post.

The fifth honored Lady Koo was Rylee Webb, a 5-3 sophomore point guard who scored 21 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out 8 assists and swiped 4 steals a game as a freshman. She was the district newcomer of the year.

The Kress roster contains five seniors and three sophomores.

“Returning a team of veteran varsity players; the experience

Natacia SaldanaPaige Bechtold Bentlee Hebert

is there,” Neudorf said in assessing his team’s strengths. “The Lady Roos are very versatile on defense and work as a team well when playing defense. Height and speed: we have a few 5-10 girls and lots of extremely quick guards.”

He’s concerned about shooting confidence.

“The Lady Roos can shoot the ball, but I don’t have anyone on the team with the mindset to take shots,” Neudorf said.

What are his keys for success this season?

“Establish clearly defined team goals,” he said. “Work together with commitment and determination. Teamwork!”

Neudorf is a graduate of Hart High School and Texas Tech University. He’s beginning his fifth year at Kress with a 58-46 career girls coaching record, all with the Lady Roos.

The Lady Roos will open Nov. 8 at home against Morton. They’ll play in the Tulia and Lubbock Caprock tournaments.

District 4-1A play begins Jan. 6. The district will be more difficult this year with the addition of Nazareth and Happy, replacing Cotton Center, Anton and Amherst because of UIL realignment. The conference will have six teams this season instead of seven.

BOYS

The Kangaroos were pretty good last year. They went 16-10 overall and took second in District 4-1A with a 7-3 record.

They lost their bidistrict playoff game to Wildorado 55-43. Wildorado had eliminated Kress in the previous year’s bidistrict, too.

“Kress did very well for my first year. Picked up well on offense and defense,” Coach Roldan Trevino said. “Hope to build on that this season.”

Four players—Julian Pinero, Broderick Wallace, Chris Morales and James Walker — were the key departures from last year’s team. Three returning starters and two other letter winners trigger optimism for this season.

The returning starters are:

• Ja’Quaveien Ellis, a 6-1 senior post, averaged 12.9 points and 7.5 rebounds last season. He was named the district’s Sixth Player of the year but is regarded as a returning starter.

(Continued on next page)

Jaikylie Baker Rylee Webb

Elida Garcia

Audry Nobile

Senaida Valdez

• Landon Gilles, a 5-11 junior guard, contributed 9.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 3 assists per game. He was a first-team all-district selection.

• Devonte Baker, a 6-1 senior forward, logged 9.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2 apg and was also a first-team AD pick.

All three are outstanding players to watch, according to Trevino.

Landry Young, a 5-9 senior guard, and Dillon Morphis, a 5-10 junior guard, also lettered last year.

The Kangaroos roster is composed of three seniors, six juniors and two sophomores.

“We have some size. Inside game should be better this year,” Trevino said. “The young men are athletic and play good defense.”

He’s concerned about depth.

“We won’t have experienced depth,” he said. “Our younger boys are athletic but not very experienced.”

He listed two keys to success this season.

“Staying healthy throughout the season,” he said. “Our younger players developing quickly for depth.”

Trevino, a graduate of Estelline High School and West Texas A&M University, is beginning his sixth season as a high school head basketball coach.

He coached in the Hereford ISD, in the Amarillo ISD and at Tulia before coming to Kress.

The Kangaroos will hop to it on Nov. 15 with a home date against Lockney They’ll participate in the Tulia and Lubbock Caprock tourneys.

The Kangaroos will begin District 4-1A action Jan. 13 at Nazareth, one of the two new teams in the conference. Happy is the other. Anton, Amherst and Cotton Center have moved to other districts.

Kress Boys Name

Landon Gilles

Ja’Quaveien Ellis

Devonte Baker

Ht. Pos. Class

5-11 G Jr

6-1 P Sr

6-1 F Sr

Landry Young 5-9 G Sr

Dillon Morphis

5-10 G Jr

6-3 P Jr Davian Amador G Jr

Jalleel Baker

Calen Teeple

5-11 F Jr

Adrian Saldana 5-8 G Jr

Cole Todd

6-1 F Soph. Malachi Guzman 5-10 F Soph.

Coach: Roldan Trevino

Asst. Coaches: Ricardo Carillo 2021-22 record: 16-10, 7-3 School phone: 684-2651

Players to watch: Landon Gilles, Devonte Baker, Ja’Quaveien Ellis

Ja’Quaveien Ellis

Landon Gilles

Kress Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Audry Nobile 5-2 G Sr Rylee Webb 5-3 G Soph. Natacia Saldana 5-1 G Sr Jaikylie Baker 5-11 P Soph. Bentlee Hebert 5-11 P Sr Senaida Valdez 5-5 G Soph. Elida Garcia 5-4 G Sr Paige Bechtold 5-10 F Sr

Coach: Cailin Neudorf

Asst. Coaches: Lorena Munoz, McKayla Carrillo 2021-22 record: 17-9, 10-2 School phone: 684-2652 Kress Schedule DATE Opponent

Nov. 8 Morton

Nov. 11 Floydada

Nov. 15 Lockney

Nov. 18 Muleshoe

Nov. 29 Whiteface

Dec. 6 Dimmitt

Dec. 8-10 Tulia Tournament

Dec. 13 Valley

Dec. 16 Wildorado There

Dec. 20 All Saints

Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock

Jan. 3 Lubbock Estacado

Jan. 6 Springlake-Earth

Jan. 10 Lazbuddie

Nazareth Swiftettes in championship drought

It must seem awfully dry in Nazareth. The Swiftettes haven’t won a state championship in the past two seasons.

Of course, they had won four in a row and 24 titles in school history before losing in the 2020-21 state finals.

Naz didn’t make it to state last season, ending Coach Eric Schilling’s streak of eight straight appearances at the state tournament.

But all is not doom in the Panhandle’s title town. The Swiftettes had another fine season, going 23-12 overall, taking their ninth straight undefeated district title and reaching the regional semifinals before bowing to the eventual state champs last year.

That 8-0 District 3-1A record was followed by a 74-8 area breeze over Anton and a 63-26 walk past Springlake-Earth in the regional quarterfinals. Sands stopped Naz 46-28 in the regional semifinals and went on to take the Class 1A state crown.

“Last year’s team struggled through a tough pre-district schedule, but they grew from it,” Schilling said. “Thought we were playing really well through the playoffs but unfortunately had to face the best team in the state in the regional semis. Played a tough first half against Sands but didn’t have enough in the end to give ourselves a shot.”

Three honored Swiftettes have moved on from last year’s team. They are:

• Makenzy Corrales — District MVP, TSMCA all-region

and first-team all-state, TABC all-region, all-state and academic all-state, TGCA all-state, Press Pass honorable mention, TABC all-star selection, Golden Spread all-star, academic all-district;

• Addie Dyer — District offensive MVP, TSMCA first-team all-region and first-team all-state, TABC all-region and academic all-state, TGCA all-state, Golden Spread all-star, academic alldistrict;

• Bliss Betzen — Honorable mention all-district, academic all-district, TABC academic all-state.

However, Schilling has some talent returning with three starters and three other letter winners back. The returning starters area:

(Continued on next page)

Iris Schilderink Tatum Peterson Harley Gerber

• Iris Schilderink, a 6-0 senior post, averaged 7 points and 6 rebounds and earned all-district, TSMCA second-team all-region and academic all-district honors.

• Tatum Peterson, a 6-1 junior post, contributed 8 ppg, 5 rpg and 2 assists per game. She was all-district and academic all-district.

• Harley Gerber, a 5-7 junior guard with 8 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg statistics, was the district defensive MVP, TSMCA first-team all-region, TABC all-region and academic all-district.

Those three returning starters represent 23 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Schilling nominates Schilderink, Peterson and Gerber and Presley Wheeler as all-state candidates. Wheeler, a 5-6 junior guard, lettered last year with 8 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg stats but missed a large part of the season because of an injury.

Two other letter winners — Brooklyn Dyer and Caroline Myrick — earned recognition.

Brooklyn Dyer, a 5-8 junior guard (3 ppg), was the district newcomer of the year and academic all-district. Brooklyn Dyer is the sister of the departed Addie Dyer. Myrick, a 5-5 senior guard (2 ppg, 2 apg), was honorable mention all-district and academic all-district. Myrick is an additional outstanding player to watch, according to Schilling.

The Naz roster shows two seniors, five juniors and one sophomore.

“Looking forward to have a good core of girls coming back to build off of last season,” Schilling said.

He lists the Swiftettes’ strengths as balance and experience. He is concerned about scoring consistency.

“In order for this team to be successful, we will have to stay

healthy and play as a unit,” Schilling said. “We have the opportunity to be a very balanced group, so we are going to have to be able to play off of each other and play inside/out. We are also going to have to improve on the defensive end of the floor.” Schilling is coaching at his high school alma mater, where he played on the 2002 and 2003 championship teams. The West Texas A&M University graduate is beginning his 12th season at

(Continued on next page)

Presley Wheeler Brooklyn Dyer

Riley Ramaekers

Caroline Myrick Brooklyn Birkenfeld

(Continued

Nazareth, where his Swiftettes have won 332 games and lost only 68 for an .830 winning percentage. He became a member of the Panhandle-Plains Basketball magazine’s 300 Club last year. Six Schilling teams have won state championships, and two others have been state runners-up.

The Swiftettes will open their season Nov. 8 against Gruver, the defending Class 2A state champion, at a neutral site, River Road High. Gruver was a perfect 33-0 last season. Naz will play in the Abernathy Tournament, their own Nazareth event and the Whataburger Tournament in Fort Worth.

Nazareth is moving from District 3-1A to District 4-1A this season because of UIL realignment. Happy also makes that same move, but the rest of the 4-1A members — Springlake-Earth, Hart, Kress and Lazbuddie — will be new conference foes for the Swiftettes. District games begin Jan. 6.

BOYS

The Swifts matched the Swiftettes in wins with 23 last season.

Nazareth wrapped up a 23-11 season, which featured a secondplace finish in District 3-1A with a 10-2 record.

The Swifts defeated Amherst 75-33 in the bidistrict playoff and Valley 57-49 in the area round. But they lost a squeaker, 46-45, to Wildorado in the regional quarterfinals.

“It was a year where we experienced a lot of growth. Early on, we had a really tough schedule, and we took it on the chin a few times due to youth and inexperience. However, that is really what made us better throughout the year,” Coach Taylor Schulte said.

“We just kept improving and played good basketball at the end of the year. It was a disappointing and unfortunate way to end the year, but I was proud of the way the boys stayed with it all year.”

Trent Gerber, the only senior on last year’s roster, was a key loss. He was all-district, academic all-district and TSMCA second-team all-state and all-region.

Four returning starters and three other letter winners should make this season a banner season for the Swifts.

The quartet of returning starters:

• Carson Heiman, a 5-10 senior point guard, averaged 9.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in earning all-district and TABC all-state honors.

(Continued on next page)

Carson Heiman Luke Schulte

Kayle Rogers

Tanner Birkenfeld

Sterl Welps

• Luke Schulte, a 6-3 senior forward, chipped in with 7.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 apg and was the district defensive MVP and academic all-district. Luke Schulte is a distant cousin of Coach Taylor Schulte.

• Tanner Birkenfeld, a 6-1 senior guard (6.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg), was all-district and academic all-district.

• Kayle Rogers, a 6-1 sophomore forward (11.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg), was the district newcomer of the year and TABC all-region as a freshman.

Those four returning starters represent about 35 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Coach Schulte recommends Heiman, Luke Schulte and Rogers as all-state candidates. Birkenfeld is another outstanding player to watch.

The other three returning letter winners are 6-0 senior forward Sterl Welps (4 ppg, 2.9 rpg), 6-5 senior post Brett Heitschmidt (4.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and 5-11 junior guard Creed Hochstein (2.5 ppg). All three were all-district honorable mentions.

Six seniors, two juniors and two sophomores are on the Naz roster.

Coach Schulte sees that experience, along with depth and defense, as the Swifts’ strengths. Consistent shooting is his chief concern.

He said the keys to success this season are “taking care of the basketball and making shots.”

Schulte, like Swiftettes Coach Schilling, played on two Nazareth state championship teams (2006 and 2007). He was the state tournament MVP in 2007.

The Texas Tech University graduate served as an assistant for

one year at Dimmitt before coming home to Nazareth. His five Swift teams have won 126 and lost 47, a .728 winning percentage. All his teams have qualified for the playoffs, and two of them have won 25 games or more.

The Swifts will open Nov. 15 at home against Silverton. They’ll play in their own Nazareth Tournament plus Canyon’s Tatum Tough Tournament.

Moving from District 3-1A to 4-1A, the Swifts will begin conference competition Jan. 10 against Springlake-Earth.

Brett Heitschmidt

Creed Hochstein

Bryson Brockman

Simon Snead

Reid Backus

Nazareth Boys

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Carson Heiman 5-10 G Sr Luke Schulte 6-3 F Sr Tanner Birkenfeld 6-1 G Sr Sterl Welps 6-0 F Sr Brett Heitschmidt 6-5 P Sr Kayle Rogers 6-1 F Soph. Creed Hochstein 5-11 G Jr Bryson Brockman 5-11 G Jr Reid Backus 5-11 G Soph. Simon Snead 6-1 G Sr

Coach: Taylor Schulte

Asst. Coaches: Trae Hannon, Tyler Goodwin 2021-22 record: 23-11, 10-2 School phone: 945-2231

Players to watch: Carson Heiman, Luke Schulte, Kayle Rogers, Tanner Birkenfeld

Nazareth Super Boosters

Go Mary and Miles!—Brady & Ann Nelson

Good Luck Swifts and Swiftettes!—Jordy, Maegan, Ace, Harper & Tag Rowland

Go Naz!—Kirk & Sandy Farris

Go Swifts and Swiftettes!—Dee, Kelsi, Allie & Leighton Pittillo

Go Swifts and Swiftettes!—Stanley & Cindy Gerber

Good Luck Naz!—Hubert & Joan Backus

First United Bank is proud to support the parents, teachers and student athletes of Nazareth High School.

Nazareth Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Iris Schilderink 6-0 P Sr Caroline Myrick 5-5 G Sr Tatum Peterson 6-1 P Jr Harley Gerber 5-7 G Jr Presley Wheeler 5-6 G Jr Brooklyn Dyer 5-8 G Jr Riley Ramaekers 5-9 G Jr Brooklyn Birkenfeld 5-10 P Soph.

Coach: Eric Schilling Asst. Coach: Whitney Bryan 2021-22 record: 23-12, 8-0 School phone: 945-2231

Players to watch: Iris Schilderink, Harley Gerber, Tatum Peterson, Presley Wheeler, Caroline Myrick

Cheering for the Swifts and Swiftettes!—John, Lynsey, Kamre, Charly & Braeli Fuller

Have a great season Swifts and Swiftettes!— Brandon & Katie McCamish & Kelsie Gunter

The Schultes say “Go Swifts and Swiftettes”—Heath & Nicole Schulte

Good Luck Swifts and Swiftettes!—Marcus, Celina, Bryson, Ethan, Emery & Hadley Brockman

Bryan and Mary Jo Huseman wish the Swifts and Swiftettes a great season!

Let’s Go Nazareth!—Daryl, Marsha, Llincoln, Cameron, & Gemma Pohlmeier

Go Swifts and Swiftettes!—Randy & Monette Schilling

Nazareth Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Gruver River Road X

Nov. 12 Panhandle Randall X Nov. 15 West Plains Here X Nov. 15 Silverton Here X Nov. 17-19 Abernathy Tournament There X Nov. 18 Olton There X Nov. 21 Hereford Here X Nov. 22 Canyon There X X Nov. 29 Shallowater Here X Dec. 1-3 Nazareth Tournament There X X Dec. 6 Tascosa There X Dec. 6 New Home There X Dec. 13 Clarendon There X Dec. 13 Floydada Here X Dec. 16 Vega Here X Dec. 20 Spearman TBD X X Dec. 28-30 Whataburger Tournament Fort Worth X Dec. 28-30 Tatum Tough Tournament Canyon X Jan. 3 Farwell Here X X

Jan. 6 Hart Here X Jan. 6 Sanford-Fritch Here X Jan. 10 Springlake-Earth There X X Jan. 13 Kress Here X X

Jan. 17 Lazbuddie Here X X

Jan. 20 Happy There X X Jan. 24 Hart There X X

Jan. 27 Springlake-Earth Here X X Jan. 31 Kress There X X Feb. 3 Lazbuddie There X X Feb. 7 Happy Here X X Feb. 10 Hart Here X

All the way, Naz!

Crazy C Cattle

Go Swifts and Swiftettes!—Tom & Rita Hoelting

Go Naz!—Kim & Kathy Rundell

The Yellow Rose Inn wishes the Swifts and Swiftettes a great season!

Good Luck Swifts and Swiftettes!—Brian Hill Family

Go Swifts and Swiftettes!—Mitchell, Lindsey, Madison, Kate, Barrett, Drewz & Owen Brockman

Go Naz!—Marty & Tisha Gerber

Go Swiftettes!—Toby Gerber

Go Swiftettes!—The Bryan Family

We Love the Swiftettes!—Eric, Mandy, Brynli, Jaxton, Kaylie & Konli Schilling

Firecracker Firecracker! BOOM BOOM BOOM!— Mark, Heather, Jett, Kambyl, Crew & Boston McLarty

Good Luck Swifts and Swiftettes!—Gabby, Izzy & Austin Heck

Go Naz!—Cameron & Emily Betzen

Go Swifts and Swiftettes!—Garrett, Allison, Blakely, Brooklyn, Claire & Kye Kleman

Good Luck Swifts and Swiftettes!—We are rooting For you!—Holy Family Youth Group

Go Carson! Good Luck Swifts and Swiftettes!—Darrin & Jennifer Heiman

Go Naz!—Jan & Pat Betzen

Go Naz!—Danny Rice

Go Swifts and Swiftettes!—Keith & Karleen Hoelting

Go Naz!—Ralph Brockman

Go Tatum!—Runnin’ TP Livestock

Best of Luck Swifts and Swiftettes!—Trevor & Tracie Peterson

Go Swifts and Swiftettes!—Monty, Kristin , Aidan, Emerson & McKinley Moore

Go Swifts and Swiftettes!—Mark & Missy Kleman Go Harley and the Swiftettes! We Love You!—Troy & Amber Gerber

Go Swifts and Swiftettes!—The Backus Family

Good Luck to the Swifts and Swiftettes!—Norman & Stacy Gerber

Good Luck Swifts and Swiftettes!—Joe & Dana Kleman

Good Luck Swifts and Swiftettes!—Rodney & Mona Schulte

Go Swifts and Swiftettes!—The Schulte Family

Good Luck Carson and all the Swifts and Swiftettes in the coming year!—Denny & Dolores Heiman

Best of Luck!—Micky, Meredith, Chance, Creed, Callen & Cash Hochstein

Good Luck Harley and the Swiftettes on the Upcoming season!—Gregg & Cynthia Gerber

Proud supporters of the Swifts and Swiftettes!— Marvin & Gwen Schmucker

Go Get’em Swifts and Swiftettes!—Brian, Peggy, Jett, Riley & Lexi Ramaekers

Springlake-Earth

Lady Wolverines change playoff routine

The Lady Wolverines had made it to the playoffs three straight years but hadn’t won a postseason game in those three seasons. They changed that last season.

Springlake-Earth reached the regional semifinals to cap an outstanding year that included Coach Jeri Been Goodman’s 600th career victory and a second straight undefeated district championship.

The Lady Wolverines won the Whiteface and Whitharral tournaments in nondistrict play, indications of good things to come. They captured the District 4-1A title with a perfect 12-0 record for the second season in a row.

In the playoffs, S-E defeated Wildorado 49-29 in the area game and Silverton 61-44 in the regional quarterfinals. The always tough Nazareth Swiftettes stopped the Lady Wolverines 63-26 in the regional semifinals. That capped a 23-8 season for Springlake-Earth.

Sayler Beerwinkle, the district MVP, was the major departure from last year’s S-E squad. Beerwinkle now is playing for Hardin-Simmons University.

The Lady Wolverines have three returning starters and two other letter winners back for this season. All five earned district honors last year.

Halee Toscano, Taytum Goodman and Sydney Furr are the

returning starters.

Toscano, a 5-8 senior forward and three-year letter winner,

Halee Toscano Taytum Goodman

Emma Samaron

Sydney Furr

Jasmine Garcia (Continued on page 390)

(Continued

averaged 12.9 points last season and earned the district’s offensive MVP laurels.

Taytum Goodman, a 5-3 junior guard, scored 9.6 points per game and was the district defensive MVP and second-team on the 6-Man Coaches Association all-state team. She is the daughter of Coach Goodman.

Toscano and Taytum Goodman are all-state candidates this season, according to their coach.

Sydney Furr, a 5-5 junior forward (4.5 ppg), was all-district. She has a younger sister, 5-8 sophomore post Rylie Furr, on the team. Those three returning starters represent 27 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Letter winners Emma Samaron and Jasmine Garcia also garnered district distinction.

Samaron, a 5-8 junior post with a 6.2 ppg, was all-district. Garcia, a 5-3 junior guard (2.0 ppg), was AD honorable mention.

Sydney Furr, Samaron and Garcia are outstanding players to watch, according to Coach Goodman.

Toscano is the only senior on the Springlake-Earth roster. She is joined by six juniors and two sophomores.

“We only lost one player from last year,” Goodman said. “That year of playoff experience is priceless. They played so good the first two rounds of the playoffs.”

She also added defense and shooting as her team’s strengths. With only nine players on the roster, depth is a concern.

“At a small school, it is always bench strength. We don’t have the numbers we have had in the past,” Goodman said. “Replacing Sayler (Beerwinkle) in the post is a concern.”

Springlake-Earth Girls

Name

Halee Toscano

Ht. Pos. Class

5-8 F Sr

Taytum Goodman 5-3 G Jr Sydney Furr 5-5 F Jr

Emma Samaron 5-8 P Jr

Jasmine Garcia 5-3 G Jr Adamarie Hernandez 5-8 F Jr Rylie Furr

5-8 P Soph. Aryca Ibarra 5-6 F Soph. Isabella Gonzales 5-8 P Jr

Coach: Jeri Been Goodman

Asst. Coach: Lea Ortiz 2021-22 record: 23-8, 12-0 School phone: 257-3310

Players to watch: Halee Toscano, Taytum Goodman, Jasmine Garcia, Sydney Furr, Emma Samaron

She designated three keys for success this season.

“Playing together, picking up where we left off on defensive and taking it up a step,” she said.

Goodman celebrated her 600th career girls coaching victory last season. Her 307-218 record (a .581 winning percentage) boosts her into this magazine’s 300 Club. She’s the first woman coach to be recognized in that exclusive club.

Goodman is coaching at her high school alma mater. The Texas Tech University graduate coached 10 years at Hale Center (three as head coach) then came back to Earth. She guided the Lady Wolverines to the Class 1A Division 2 state finals in (Continued on next page)

(Continued

2006. She coached S-E for nine seasons, then stepped down and just taught at the school. She resumed coaching in the 2017-18 season, so this will be her 15th—and sixth current—as the Lady Wolverines’ mentor.

S-E will open the season Nov. 8 at Lockney. The home opener is set for Nov. 18 against Wildorado. The Lady Wolverines will play in the Whiteface, Whitharral and Littlefield tournaments.

District 4-1A play will begin Jan. 6. The six-team district figures to be much tougher this season with the addition of Happy and Nazareth. Those two teams replace Amherst, Anton and Cotton Center because of UIL realignment.

BOYS

If the Wolverines never see Texline again, that’d be just fine and dandy.

Texline has ended Springlake-Earth’s seasons the past two years. And just to add more salt in the wound, the Tornadoes beat them in an early season matchup last year.

But, putting Texline aside, the Wolverines had another fine season.

Coach C.J. Castillo describes the nondistrict season this way: “We played a tough nonconference to gear us up for a highly anticipated game with Texline. We lost tough battles to Olton, Clarendon and Gruver, who were all ranked. We were able to beat Sundown, Dalhart and Lubbock All-Saints.”

The Wolverines lost that early season bout with Texline 92-70.

Nevertheless, that nondistrict schedule prepared the Wolverines for District 4-1A competition. Springlake-Earth had no trouble in the district, winning all 12 games. That marked the fourth straight

Springlake-Earth Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class

5-10 G Sr Micah Sanchez 5-10 G Sr Derek Rosales 6-3 P Sr

Alex Alvarez

JJ Jaramillo 5-11 G Jr Isaiah Tovar 5-10 G Jr

Alejandro Gonzalez 5-10 G Jr Gavin Gonzalez 5-10 G Jr Matthew Garza 5-10 G Jr

Froylan Agundiz 5-9 G Fr Kaleb Castillo 5-9 G Fr Luis Fuentes 5-9 G Fr

Coach: CJ Castillo 2021-22 record: 23-8, 12-0 School phone: 257-3310

Players to watch: Alex Alvarez, Micah Sanchez, JJ Jaramillo

year that S-E had gone unbeaten in conference play. In the playoffs, the Wolverines beat Happy 58-36 in bidistrict and Silverton 62-38 in the area round. Next up was Texline, and the Tornadoes eliminated S-E 91-77. And that was the same round with the same outcome (with a different score) as the year before. Springlake-Earth finished the season with a 23-8 record. “Last season was a special year,” Castillo said. “We had guys out there that could play the game. This group was in a great position to continue making history before losing a tough battle to Texline. This group has surely paved the expectations of our

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program in the future, and we hope to build on what they started at a young age.”

There were five seniors on the Wolverines’ roster last year. The most notable departures were Evan DeLeon and Kaden Castillo. DeLeon was the district MVP, all-region and TABC all-state. Kaden Castillo, the coach’s son, was TABC all-region and second team all-state in the Texas Six-Man Association.

So those departures leave some big holes to fill.

Coach Castillo has only one returning starter: 5-11 junior guard J.J. Jaramillo. “He brings a lot of upside to the team,” the coach said.

Alex Alvarez, a 5-10 senior guard, and Micah Sanchez, another 5-10 senior guard, are other outstanding players to watch. Both figure to be factors this season, according to Castillo.

There are three seniors, five juniors and three freshmen on the S-E roster. Two of the juniors—Alejandro Gonzalez and Gavin Gonzalez, both 5-10 forwards, are not related. One of the freshmen, 5-9 point guard Kaleb Castillo, is the coach’s son.

“This year’s team will have experience but will be young,” Coach Castillo said. “We have plenty of kids who have been part of the program and know what it takes to be successful. I believe with the kids stepping in this year, this will help keep things rolling this year.”

Things have been rolling in Castillo’s four years as the Wolverine coach. His teams have won 89 and lost 27, a .767 winning percentage.

Castillo is concerned about his younger players joining the team. “They will have to adapt fast and learn fast,” he said.

What are his keys to success this season?

“It will be how hard we are willing to work and understanding your role as a player. This team brings a lot of upside but will have to take it one game at a time,” he said.

“We have new faces to the starting lineup, and it will be their job to keep and take leadership of the team and keep the team together to be successful.”

Castillo played football, basketball and ran track at Sudan High School. The Eastern New Mexico University graduate has four years of head coaching experience, all at Springlake-Earth.

The Wolverines will open their season Nov. 15 at Smyer. Their home opener is Nov. 18 vs. Wildorado. They’ll play in the Whiteface, Whitharral and Littlefield tournaments.

District 4-1A action begins when Nazareth visits on Jan. 10. Springlake-Earth’s dominance of the district will be more difficult this year as Nazareth and Happy enter the conference, while Anton, Amherst and Cotton Center all shift to District 7-1A because of UIL realignment. District 4-1A now has six teams.

We love watching you play!

Good Luck Bub! Have a great season! Mom, Dad, Marissa, Eric, Kamryn & Hannah

(Continued from previous page)

J.J. Jaramillo Alex Alvarez Derek Rosales

DATE Opponent Place

Nov. 8 Lockney There X

Nov. 11 Muleshoe There X

Nov. 15 Smyer There X X Nov. 18 Wildorado Here X X Nov. 21 Plains Here X X

Nov. 29 Sundown There X X Dec. 1-3 Whiteface Tournament There X X Dec. 6 Meadow Here X X Dec. 8-10 Whitharral Tournament There X X Dec. 13 Channing Here X Dec. 13 Olton Here X Dec. 19 Amherst There X X

TBA Littlefield Tournament TBA X X

Jan. 6 Kress There X

Jan. 10 Nazareth Here X X

Jan. 13 Happy There X X

Jan. 17 Hart Here X X

Jan. 20 Lazbuddie There X X Jan. 24 Kress Here X X

Jan. 27 Nazareth There X X

Jan. 31 Happy Here X X Feb. 3 Hart There X X Feb. 7 Lazbuddie Here X X Feb. 10 Kress There X

Petersburg Lady Buffaloes hope to build on Year 1

Eric Velasquez’ first year as the Lady Buffaloes coach was a success. Petersburg posted a winning season and qualified for the playoffs last season.

The Lady Buffaloes went 17-14 overall and took second place in District 6-1A with an 8-3 record. The season ended on a down note with a 43-41 loss to Guthrie in the bidistrict playoff.

“The team really bonded and worked well together as the season progressed. This team was not picked to make the playoffs due to the inconsistency of coaching staff in years past,” Velasquez said.

“The girls worked hard all season and made a name for our program and what they represent. They are looking to build on that foundation and hope to make a run in the playoffs this year.”

Alejandra Colunga, first-team all-district, and Brooke McWilliams, all-district honorable mention, were the key departures from last year’s team.

Three starters from last season and one from two years ago, plus two other returning letter winners, provide Petersburg with experience this season.

Bailey Norris, a 5-7 junior forward, was the district newcomer of the year. She led the Lady Buffaloes in scoring with 262 points and in rebounds with 188 grabs over the course of the season. She was also second in assists with 36.

The Ortiz twins — Kianna and Brianna — caused Lady Buffaloes’ opponents to see double. Both were first-team all-district selections last spring.

Kianna Ortiz, a 5-6 junior point guard, was the team’s second-

leading scorer with 253 points , second in rebounds (113) and led in assists with 43.

Brianna Ortiz, a 5-6 junior guard, was third in scoring (181), rebounds (82) and assists (33).

Those three started last year.

Elektra Monroe, a 5-4 senior guard, started as a sophomore.

“She was out last season due to personal reasons, and we are excited to have her back in the rotation this year,” Velasquez said. “She will make a huge impact on both ends of the floor.”

Ezariah Nava, a 5-5 freshman point guard, is another player to watch.

“She’s an underclassman that can handle the ball and will make our team more diverse on the offensive side of the floor,” Velasquez said.

Aubrey Vasquez, a 5-6 junior guard, was an all-district honorable mention last year. Gabriella Montez, a 5-5 senior guard, also lettered last year.

The Lady Buffaloes are young with two seniors, five juniors

(Continued from previous page) and one freshman on the roster.

Velasquez cites consistency as his team’s strength.

“Having ran our system for a year and little to no change to the coaching staff will help build on those core values and standards that we have set in place,” he said. “Our ability to adapt to whatever comes our way and willingness to play team ball will help us down the stretch.”

He’s concerned about depth because of a limited number of bench players. Off-season conditioning may help that.

He described the keys for success this season as “staying true to what our program does and focusing on what we can control in all areas of the game.”

Velasquez is a graduate of Lubbock Cooper High School and Texas Tech University.

Before coming to Petersburg last year, he coached for three years at Hale Center. His five-year career girls coaching record is 47-71.

District 6-1A stayed the same except for the addition of Borden County, making it a seven-team conference. The Lady Buffs will open the season Nov. 4 at home against Guthrie. They’ll play in the Spur, Whitharral and another tournament to be determined.

The Lady Buffs will begin District 6-1A play Dec. 13.

BOYS

The Buffaloes made the playoffs for the second straight year under Coach Max Hefner, but again the postseason stay was short.

Petersburg won four of 10 District 6-1A games last season but still nabbed fourth place and a playoff berth. Jayton thumped the Buffaloes 70-40 in the bidistrict playoff. Petersburg had lost to Spur in the 2021 bidistrict.

That capped a 12-13 campaign for Petersburg last season.

Petersburg Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Petersburg Boys

Name

Isaiah Palacios

Ht. Pos. Class

5-6 G Sr

Dillon Bruington 5-6 G Sr

Jude Thompson 6-1 F Jr

Joe Gicante

6-1 F Jr. Daylin Parraz 5-6 G Soph.

Lucas Rendon 5-6 G Soph.

Saul Ruiz

5-8 F Soph.

Caden Reyes 5-8 F Soph. Colton Sharples 5-8 G Fr.

Coach: Max Hefner

Asst. Coaches: Tanner Bruington

2021-22 record: 12-13, 4-6

School phone: 667-3585

Players to watch: Lucas Rendon, Dillon Bruington, Isaiah Palacios, Colton Sharples

Elektra Monroe

5-4 G Sr. Bailey Norris 5-7 F Jr. Kianna Ortiz 5-6 G Jr. Brianna Ortiz 5-6 G Jr. Aubrey Vasquez 5-6 G Jr. Dreama Garza 5-8 P Jr Ezariah Nava 5-5 G Fr Gabriella Montez 5-5 G Sr

Coach: Eric Velasquez

Asst. Coaches: Marcos Rendon, Victoria Reyes 2021-22 record: 17-14, 8-3 School phone: 667-3585 Players to watch: Elektra Monroe, Ezariah Nava

“A roller-coaster year, between injuries and not executing at pivotal moments,” Hefner said.

Three key players have moved on from last year’s squad. Kaden Parraz was the district MVP. Nick Sanchez and Gage Horn both were first-team all-district.

However, Hefner has two returning starters and two other letter winners back. Dayln Parraz and Jude Thompson started last season.

(Continued on next page)

Petersburg Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G Nov. 1 Ira/Stamford There X Nov. 4 Guthrie Here X Nov. 5 Motley County There X Nov. 8 Hart There X Nov. 11 Post Here X Nov. 15 Cotton Center There X Nov. 17-19 Spur Tournament There X Nov. 22 Valley Here X Nov. 29 Patton Springs There X X Dec. 1-3 Anton Tournament There X X Dec. 6 Wellman Here X X Dec. 8-10 Whitharral Tournament There X X Dec. 13 All Saints Here X Dec. 13 Lorenzo Here X Dec. 16 O’Donnell There X Dec. 16 Ropes There X Dec. 29-30 Claude Tournament There X Jan. 3 Wilson Here X X Jan. 6 Crosbyton There X X Jan. 10 Borden City Here X X Jan. 13 Southland There X X Jan. 17 Lorenzo There X X Jan. 20 O’Donnell Here X X Jan. 27 Wilson There X X Jan. 31 Crosbyton Here X X Feb. 3 Borden County There X X Feb. 7 Southland Here X X

Feb. 10 Lorenzo Here X Feb. 14 O’Donnell There X

Ezariah Nava

Dayln Parraz

Aubrey Vasquez

Jude Thompson

Dreama Garza

Dillon Bruington

Petersburg Super Boosters

Let’s go Buffaloes! Let’s go Lady Buffs!—Nathan and Shayna Lopez

Go Buffaloes and Lady Buffs!—The Rendon Family

Go Lady Buffs and Buffalos

Wishing Brianna, Lucas, Emma and Coach Rendon a wonderful Season!—Jose Manuel Reyes Go Buffs and Lady Buffs!—Ms. Griggs Wishing the Lady Buffs and Buffaloes a great season! We love our #21 and #22 Lady Buffs!—Juan & Noemi Ortiz

We love you Brianna and Kianna!—The Colunga Family

Have an awesome season Lady Buffs and Buffaloes!—Kyle & Darlenea Robertson

Go Lady Buffs and Buffaloes!—Marylou & Kystal Garza

Sienna, Nova and Journii give the Buffs there best wishes! Go Buffs!

Go Lady Buffs and Buffaloes!—Corina Reyes

The Orozco Family stands behind our Buffaloes!

Good Luck Buffs and Lady Buffs!—The Cantu Family

Have a great season Lady Buffs and Buffaloes!—Jesus Garcia

The Sidho Family wishes Brianna and Kianna an awesome basketball season!

Dayln Parraz, a 5-6 sophomore guard, averaged 6.1 points and was a first-team all-district selection. Dayln Parraz is the brother of the departed Kaden Parraz.

Thompson, a 6-1 junior forward, contributed 5.2 points and 6.2 rebounds and also made the first-team all-district team.

The other two letter winners are Dillon Bruington, a 5-6 senior guard (3.6 ppg), and Isaiah Palacios, another 5-6 senior guard (4.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.8 assists per game).

Hefner tabs Bruington, Palacios and 5-6 sophomore guard Lucas Rendon as other outstanding players to watch.

There are two seniors, two juniors, four sophomores and one freshman on the Petersburg roster.

Hefner lists speed and athleticism as the Buffaloes’ strengths. He’s concerned about the team’s youth and inexperience.

He outlined several keys to success this season.

“We are going to have to use our speed to make up for our lack of size,” he said. “We will focus on outworking our opponents and making them earn every little thing.”

Hefner is a graduate of West Texas High School and West Texas A&M University. He coached at Fort Stockton, Rotan, Plains and Perrin-Whitt before coming to Petersburg.

His two Buffalo teams have posted 30-19 overall and 12-8 conference records.

District 6-1A grows to seven teams this season with the addition of Borden County.

Good Luck Lady Buffs & Buffaloes!—Ramsey Farms Have a great year Lady Buffs and Buffaloes!— Joe & Delia Cedillo

Let’s Go Buffalo Nation!—The Newberry Family Pre-K loves the Lady Buffs! Brianna and Kianna, you will do awesome! Have a great basketball year!—Kevin & Patti Smith Go Tristan! Have a great season!—Good Luck Buffs & Lady Buffs!

Congratulations to our nieces Brianna and Kianna!—Love, The Cardonas Hoping our senior Dillion has the best season yet!—Love, Mom & Dad Wishing the Lady Buffs and Buffs a great season!—Bentura, Marcie, Joe & Kynlee

Proud Supporter of the Buffs and Lady Buffs!— Step by Step Conseling, Bonnie Cantu, M.A., LPC-S Go Buffs!—Jerry & Rhona Bright Go Coda!—TK & Dianne Taylor David, Julie & Coda George & Sharon Willis Go Buffs!—The Hiracheta’s Benito, Carmen, Omar, Brianna & Adriana Ramirez Go Buffs!

The Sanchez Family supports the Buffaloes! The Isais Family says Go Buffaloes

Congratulations to Seniors (our nephews) Alejandro Colunga and Eli S. Roden! We Love Y’all!—Leandro & Melina Ramirez

Travis and Lisa Vaughn wishes you a great season!

Go Lady Buffs & Buffaloes! Go Petersburg Buffaloes!—The Ramirez Family

Isaiah Palacios Lucas Rendon

Saul Ruiz

Joe Gicante

Colton Sharples

Whiteface Antelopes have lots of experience

The Antelopes look to be strong this season. With all five starters and four other letter winners back, Whiteface has a lot of experience.

The Antelopes were strong last season, playing a rugged schedule. In nondistrict, they took on a bunch of Class 2A and 3A teams and went 4-2 against them.

In District 7-1A, Whiteface finished 8-2 for second place. The season ended with a 67-62 defeat to Klondike in bidistrict, but the Antelopes still finished 21-9 overall.

“It was a great turnaround for the program, and we were a very young team,” Coach Todd Sessums said.

Young indeed. There were no seniors on last year’s squad.

All five returning starters this fall earned honors last year. They are:

• Brighton Scoggins, a 5-11 senior post, was all-district and second-team all-region;

• Jeremiah Rendon, a 5-9 sophomore guard, was all-district and second-team all-region;

• Jeremias Chavez, a 6-3 junior forward, was all-district;

• Ethan Kauffman, a 5-10 sophomore guard, was all-district;

• Noah Rector, a 5-7 senior guard, was honorable mention all-district.

Sessums ranks Scoggins and Rendon as all-state material.

Kauffman, Rector and 5-7 senior guard Gavin Baker are other outstanding players to watch.

Ten players — five seniors, three juniors and two sophomores — on the Whiteface roster are letter winners. Senior Baker is the only non-letter winner.

“This is a more mature team and has a better understanding of work ethic,” Sessums said.

He’s concerned about the Antelopes’ schedule.

“Our schedule has been upgraded, and it will be very challenging,” Sessums said.

The Antelopes will open at Tahoka Nov. 11, then host Crosbyton Nov. 15. They’ll play in their own tournament and the Borden

Whiteface Lady Lopes 2022-2023

(Continued on page 399)

Brighton Scoggins Jeremiah Rendon Jeremias Chavez

(Continued from

County and Clyde-Eula events.

They’ll start District 7-1A competition on Dec. 20. That district has been expanded to seven teams with the addition of Amherst. Anton, Cotton Center and Morton, replacing Loop, Wellman and Dawson because of UIL realignment.

Sessums is a graduate of Lubbock Cooper High School and Wayland Baptist University. He is beginning his fifth year at Whiteface, having previously coached at Jayton, Plains and Seagraves.

GIRLS

The Lady Lopes look ready to run this season. Four starters and three other letter winners return from last year’s team.

After a rough start in non-conference games, the Lady Lopes came on strong. They won District 7-1A with a perfect 10-0 record for the second straight year.

“Last year’s non-conference was a complete learning process as injuries completely decimated us, and we had to play several freshmen early,” Coach Gary Simmons said. “We went through several high and lows, but in the end, we benefitted from the experience we gained.”

In the end, the Lady Lopes won two playoff games, beating Grady 33-27 in bidistrict and Guthrie 54-34 in the area round. They bowed to eventual state champion Sands 56-27 in the regional quarterfinals. That ended Whiteface’s season at 15-13.

“We were very young and inexperienced. Injuries forced us to adapt to new styles of play and really made us learn on the run,” Simmons said.

“I thought the younger kids handled it great. The older kids really stepped up and played some positions that were new. The sacrifice they made allowed us to have the success we had. I was really proud of the way our team responded and felt like we really grew as a team.”

Joey Alvarez, the district co-MVP, and Kortney Whitehead, a team leader, were the only seniors on last year’s squad.

Simmons welcomed five honored returning players this fall. They are:

• Allison Martha, a 5-9 senior guard/post, averaged 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists last season. She was the district co-MVP.

• Emma Ayers, a 5-8 junior guard, contributed 13 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg, earning all-district distinction. She is the sister of former Lady Lopes star Audrey Ayers, a district defensive MVP.

• Tymmyah Olenga, a 5-9 sophomore post (11 ppg, 6 rpg), was all-district.

• Jaedyn Rector, a 5-8 sophomore guard (10 ppg, 3 rpg, 3

Whiteface Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class

5-7 G Sr. Ethan Kauffman

Noah Rector

5-10 G Soph. Josh Whitehead 5-8 G Jr. Jeremiah Chavez 6-3 F Jr Joel Fortner 5-8 G Sr Jeremiah Rendon 5-9 G Soph. Jaime Flores 5-9 G Jr Brighton Scoggins 5-11 P Sr Jeremiah Soliz 6-2 P Sr Beau Brewer 6-2 P Sr Gavin Baker 5-7 G Sr

Coach: Todd Sessums Asst. Coaches: Joe Carter, Josh Watson 2021-22 record: 21-9, 8-2 School phone: 287-1104 Players to watch: Brighton Scoggins, Jeremiah Rendon, Ethan Kauffman, Noah Rector, Gavin Baker

apg), also was all-district.

• Kylie Deavours, a 6-1 junior post (6 ppg, 5 rpg), was alldistrict honorable mention.

Martha, Emma Ayers, Olenga and Rector all started last (Continued on next page)

Ethan Kauffman

Noah Rector

Jeremy Soliz

Joel Fortner

Beau Brewer

season. They represent 50 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Simmons nominates Martha and Emma Ayers as all-state prospects. Olenga, Rector and Deavours are other outstanding players to watch.

The Lady Lopes should be contenders for years. Martha is the only senior on the Whiteface roster. She is joined by three juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen.

“The strength of the team is we have a lot of girls who have played a lot of basketball,” Simmons said. “Experience should be a key.”

He is concerned about the team’s depth.

“We will have a very young and inexperienced bench,” Simmons said.

Staying healthy will be the key for success this season, he said.

Simmons graduated from Jal, New Mexico, High School and Eastern New Mexico University. He is beginning his sixth season at Whiteface and 38th year as a coach, including multiple football and golf assignments.

Whiteface Girls

Name

Allison Martha

Ht. Pos. Class

5-9 G/P Sr

Emma Ayers 5-8 G Jr

Kylie Deavours 6-1 P Jr Sarai Lucero 5-2 G Jr

Tymmyah Olenga

Morgan Waggoner

Bailey Timmons

Anais Soliz

Ariana Soliz

Coach: Gary Simmons

2021-22 record: 24-10, 10-0 School phone: 287-1154

5-8 G Soph.

5-9 P Soph. Jaedyn Rector

5-3 G Soph.

5-4 P Soph.

5-8 G Fr

5-8 G Fr

Players to watch: Allison Martha, Emma Ayers, Tymmyah Olenga, Jaedyn Rector, Kylie Deavours

He coached at Portales, New Mexico, Big Spring, Frenship, Midland Lee and Lubbock Cooper before coming to Whiteface.

(Continued on next page)

(Continued from previous page)

Jaedyn Rector

Allison Martha

Kylie Deavours

Emma Ayers

Sarai Lucero

Tymmyah Olenga

The Lady Lopes will open the season at home Nov. 8 against Olton. They’ll play in their own Whiteface Tournament plus the Borden County and Eula events.

Whiteface’s District 7-1A has quite a new look this season because of UIL realignment. It’s now a seven-team conference with new members Amherst, Anton, Cotton Center and Morton replacing Loop, Wellman and Dawson from the old six-team league. Meadow and Whitharral are the only holdover opponents for the Lady Lopes.

District play begins early with a Dec. 13 start.

Jeremiah 29:11

Morgan Waggoner

Andrea Guardiola

Anais Soliz

Ximena Lucero

Ariana Soliz

Abbi Soliz

Good Luck Allison & the Lady Lopes

We love you Morgan!

Love, Daddy, Momma, Emmalin & Brooklyn

Whiteface Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 4 Lorenzo Here X

Nov. 8 Olton Here X

Nov. 11 Tahoka There X X

Nov. 15 Crosbyton Here X X

Nov. 18 Plains There X X Nov. 29 Kress Here X X

Dec. 1-3 Whiteface Tournament Here X X

Dec. 6 Sundown Here X X

Dec. 8-10 Borden Co. Tournament There X X Dec. 13 Klondike There X Dec. 13 Meadow Here X Dec. 16 Springlake-Earth Here X Dec. 16 Morton There X Dec. 20 Cotton Center Here X X Dec. 28-30 Clyde-Eula Tournament There X X Jan. 3 Anton There X X

Jan. 10 Whitharral Here X X Jan. 13 Amherst There X X

Jan. 17 Meadow There X X

Jan. 20 Morton Here X X

Jan. 24 Cotton Center There X X Jan. 27 Anton Here X X

Feb. 3 Whitharral There X X Feb. 7 Amherst Here X X Feb. 10 Meadow Here X Feb. 14 Morton There X

“Be humble, Be hungry, Always be the hardest worker in the room.”

PRIVATE SCHOOLS AT A GLANCE

PRESEASON PICKS

District 1-4A TAPPS Boys

District 1-3A TAPPS Boys

District 1-3A TAPPS Girls

Private School Boys

HONOR ROLL

Shane Villagomez, San Jacinto Christian, 5-9, Sr.; Cade Mills, San JJoseph Fernihough, Lubbock Christian, 6-0, Jr.; Asher Fleming, Lubbock Christian, 6-6, Sr.; Trew Farris, Lubbock Christian, 5-10, Jr.; Cade Larson, Lubbock Christian, 6-6, Jr.; Riley Schroeder, Lubbock Christian, 6-2, Sr.; Carson Farnsley, Lubbock Christian, 6-2, Jr.; Josh Rogers, Lubbock Christian, 6-0, Jr.; Cade Mills, San Jacinto Christian, 6-2, Sr.; Marshall Mincher, San Jacinto Christian, 5-7, Soph.; Jase Love, San Jacinto Christian, 5-9, Sr.; Marcus Ramon Edwards, Trinity Christian; Kieron Elliott, Trinity Christian, 6-7, Sr.; Jack Robinson, Trinity Christian, 6-0, Jr.; Dax Trout, Trinity Christian, 6-1, Jr.; Brady Watson, Trinity Christian, 6-2, Jr.

Private School Girls

Callie Roberts, Lubbock Christian, 5-9, Sr.; Linley Bruington, Lubbock Christian, 6-0, Sr.; Reese Bruington, Lubbock Christian, 6-0, Jr.; Raegan Lee, Lubbock Christian, 5-9, Soph.; Whitlee Blacklock, Lubbock Christian, 5-3, Fr.; Katy Evans, Lubbock Christian, 5-5, Fr.; Ashlyn Dixon, San Jacinto Christian, 5-10, Jr.; Mikee McReynolds, San Jacinto Christian, 5-6, Soph.; Harlie Brabham, San Jacinto Christian, 5-8, Soph.; Sophie Dawson, San Jacinto Christian, 5-3, Soph.

Lubbock Christian Lady Eagles missing some points

When the Lady Eagles were driving back from Waco after winning the TAPPS Class 4A state tournament last spring, one of Coach Brad Crow’s assistants said to Crow, “Hey, you only have to replace 1,650 out of 1,900 points.”

That’s what Crow is looking at this season. Nine seniors, including six starters, have moved on from last year’s 26-5 squad that won the school’s second straight title.

The Lady Eagles defeated Gunter, Panhandle, Edgewood and Seminole in nondistrict action last year. They won their third straight outright district title with a 6-0 record.

The Lady Eagles weren’t pressed in the playoffs. They drew a bye in bidistrict, then defeated Arlington Grace Prep 70-18 in the area game, Fort Worth Lake County Christian 71-26 in the regional, Lubbock Trinity Christian 58-32 in the state semifinals and Magnolia Legacy Prep Christian 74-49 in the state finals.

“After getting a late start with our volleyball team making the state tournament, I thought we started a little slow, but having a veteran team, by a couple of weeks into the season, we started playing some real good basketball,” Crow said. “Of our five losses, two were to state champions and another to Brownfield,

TAPPS District 1-3A

a defending state champion.”

See pages 20-21 for a special feature on last season’s state championship.

Nine seniors played on Christian’s team last year. The six who started on a rotating basis were:

• Abbie Crow, the coach’s daughter who now is playing for Angelo State University. She was the TABC Mid-Size Private School player of the year, district MVP, TAPPS first-team allstate and TABC all-state.

• Brooke Hooten was the district offensive player of the year, TAPPS first-team all-state and TABC all-state.

• Paige Parker was the district defensive player of the year,

Callie Roberts

Whitlee Blacklock

Katy Evans

Raegan Lee

Lubbock Christian Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 15 Titans Here X

Nov. 21 Brownfield There X X

Nov. 22 Sudan Here X

Nov. 22 Southcrest Here X

Nov. 29 Midland Classical There X X

Dec. 1-3 New Home Tournament There X

Dec. 6 Midland Christian There X X

Dec. 8-10 Glen Rose Tournament There X Dec. 8-10 Springtown Tournament There X

Dec. 16 Panhandle Here X X

Dec. 20 Portales There X X

Dec. 29-31 Caprock Tournament Lubbock X X

Jan. 3 Seminole There X

Jan. 3 Andrews Here X

Jan. 6 Denton Calvary There X X

Jan. 7 Fort Worth Temple There X X

Jan. 10 Midland Trinity Here X X

Jan. 13 Kennedale Fellowship Here X X

Jan. 14 FW Covenant Classical Here X X

Jan. 17 Amarillo San Jacinto There X X

Jan. 20 FW Covenant Classical There X X

Jan. 21 Kennedale Fellowship There X X

Jan. 24 Weatherford Christian Here X X

Jan. 27 Fort Worth Temple Here X X

Jan. 28 Denton Calvary Here X X

Jan. 31 Amarillo San Jacinto Here X X

Feb. 3 Weatherford Christian There X X

Feb. 7 Midland Trinity There X X

Feb. 14 Plainview There X

Lubbock Christian Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Joseph Fernihough 6-0 G Jr Luke Lee 5-10 G Jr Asher Fleming 6-6 G Sr Trew Farris 5-10 G Jr Hays Hubik 5-7 G Fr Cade Larson 6-6 P Jr Riley Schroeder 6-2 G Sr. Cooper Carthel 6-1 G Fr. Welker Horn 6-0 G Soph. Carson Farnsley 6-2 G Jr. Josh Rogers 6-0 G Jr. Will Hawley 5-10 P Sr.

Coach: Curt Softley Asst. Coaches: Chad Landrum, Toby Rogers, Cade Landrum 2021-22 record: 22-11, 6-4 School phone: 769-8700

Players to watch: Asher Fleming, Trew Farris, Riley Schroeder, Joseph Fernihough, Josh Rogers, Carson Farnsley, Cade Larson

Lubbock Christian Girls Name

Ht. Pos. Class Callie Roberts 5-9 F Sr Linley Bruington 6-0 F Sr Reese Bruington 6-0 F Jr Gracee Bridges 5-8 F Jr. Ava Campbell 5-5 G Jr. Olivia Phillips 5-9 F Jr. Zaley Rivera 5-4 G Jr. Addyson Rogers 5-4 G Jr. Raegan Lee 5-9 G Soph. Kat Dulin 5-9 G Soph. Emily Galbraith 5-6 F Soph. Whitlee Blacklock

5-3 G Fr Quinn Bruington 5-10 F Fr Katy Evans 5-5 G Fr

Coach: Brad Crow Asst. Coaches: Brad Rogers, Craig Mitchell, Jacob Ketcherside 2021-22 record: 26-5, 6-0 School phone: 796-8700

Players to watch: Callie Roberts, Raegan Lee, Katy Evans, Linley Bruington, Reese Bruington, Whitlee Blacklock

TAPPS first-team all-state and TABC all-state.

• Skylar Simmons, now at Hardin-Simmons University, was first-team all-district, TAPPS first-team all-state and TABC all-state.

• Lexi Caddell was first-team all-district, TAPPS second-team all-state and TABC all-state.

• Hagan Bennett was also first-team AD and TAPPS honorable mention all-state.

A seventh senior, Madison Morin, was a second-team alldistrict selection. Halle Galbraith and Briley Pellam rounded out the departing Lady Eagles.

That leaves Crow with no returning starters and only three players who saw much varsity action last year.

Raegan Lee, a 5-9 sophomore guard, averaged 6 points and 4.5 rebounds last season as a freshman. The second-team alldistrict honoree is looking forward to this season, despite the mass exodus of players.

“I’m excited for this year because it’s going to be a lot different,” she said, “but it’s going to be fun to see how we do. Last year our team was pretty much seniors, so it’s a whole different team.”

Callie Roberts, a 5-9 senior forward (3 ppg, 3.8 rpg), also was second-team all-district.

Lee and Roberts played a lot last year in reserve roles as did 6-0 senior forward Linley Bruington. A younger sister, 6-0 junior forward Reese Bruington, also lettered. And a third Bruington, 5-10 freshman forward Quinn Bruington, may see some action this year.

Crow considers Lee, Roberts and 5-5 freshman guard Katy Evans as all-state candidates. Linley Bruington, Reese Bruington and 5-3 freshman guard Whitlee Blacklock are other outstanding players to watch.

The Lady Eagle roster is composed of two seniors, six juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen.

The youth of the squad and the lack of varsity experience are Crow’s main concerns. He describes his team’s strengths as unity and toughness.

“We will need to grow up quickly,” he said. “We have two seniors and only three returning players that have much varsity experience. We will need to have girls step up to balance out our scoring attack.”

Can the Lady Eagles three-peat? “Raegan and Callie have played extensively growing up. And we have a freshman guard, Katy Evans, that has played a lot growing up,” he answered. “But we have some other athletes, girls that are tall, and things to build around. So we feel like, if the girls coming back buy in, that we can be right back in the mix.”

Crow is a graduate of Loop High School and Lubbock Christian University. He began his coaching career at Ralls, then moved to Lubbock Christian, where he coached the boys teams for 19 years. His Eagles posted a 379-215 record.

He switched to the girls team four years ago and was able to coach his daughters, Macey and Abbie. His Lady Eagle teams have gone 110-33 (a .769 winning percentage) and reached the state semifinals twice as well as winning state twice.

Overall, he has a high school coaching record of 489-248 for a .664 winning percentage. He’s in this magazine’s 300 Club.

The Lady Eagles will open their season Nov. 21 at Brownfield. The home opener will be the next day against Sudan. They’ll play in the Springtown and Lubbock Caprock tournaments.

Lubbock Christian is in TAPPS District 1-3A this season. The Lady Eagles will play the first of 10 district games on Jan. 10.

BOYS

Growing up in Nebraska, Curt Softley was a football player. Now he’s a basketball coach, entering his fifth year as the Eagles’ coach.

Softley was an all-state quarterback playing for Perkins County High School in Grant, Nebraska. Then he played football at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln.

He coached basketball at two Nebraska schools: North Platte and Columbus Lakeview high schools. So he’s no stranger to the court sport.

Softley’s Eagles took second in the Lubbock Caprock Tournament last season and went 6-4 in district competition, finishing third. In the playoffs, they defeated Arlington Pantego Christian 59-52 but bowed to Lubbock’s Trinity Christian 72-45.

Three seniors on last year’s Lubbock Christian team have moved on. Two — Kelby Castleman and Connor Lack — were second-team all-district.

However, the Eagles have three returning starters — Asher

Linley Bruington

Asher Fleming

Addyson Rogers

Joseph Fernihough

Reese Bruington

Trew Farris

Katherine Dulin

Cade Larson

Gracee Bridges

Riley Schroeder

Emily Galbraith

Carson Farnsley

Fleming, Trew Farris and Riley Schroeder — and all three earned honors last season. Three other letter winners also are on hand.

Fleming, a 6-6 senior guard, averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists and was the district newcomer of the year.

Farris, a 5-10 junior guard, contributed 12 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg and was first-team all-district.

Schroeder, a 6-2 senior guard, chipped in with 11 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg and also was first-team AD.

Those three represent 38 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Softley nominates the trio as all-state candidates.

He recommends 6-0 junior guard Joseph Fernihough, 6-6 junior post Cade Larson, 6-2 junior guard Carson Farnsley (7 ppg, 4 rpg) and 6-0 junior guard Josh Rogers as additional players to watch.

Farnsley, Larson and 5-10 junior guard Luke Lee lettered last year.

There are three seniors, six juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen on the Christian roster.

Softley sees discipline, size and athleticism as the Eagles’ strengths.

“I look for Trew (Farris) and Asher (Fleming) to be leaders on and off the court,” he said. “We will look to get out and run and play disciplined team defense.”

As a former football star, Softley is concerned about his players being too soft.

“Toughness,” he said. “We love our boys to play as many sports as possible. However, many of these boys will be non-football players. We look for them to grow in toughness in the weight room and on the court.”

He outlined several factors as keys for success this season.

“Keys for success will be our team culture. Max out ... maximizing our God-given abilities ... We must be a team filled with selfless leaders. Boys that are willing to be sacrificial and put others and the team first,” he said.

“Next, we will need to be the most disciplined team on the floor each night. We need to be sound defensively with relentless effort on and off the floor. Finally, we need to attack once we get the ball, taking our shots and limiting turnovers.”

The Eagles will open at home Nov. 15 against the home-schooled Lubbock Titans. They’ll play in the New Home, Glen Rose and Lubbock Caprock tournaments. District 1-3A play begins Jan. 10.

San Jacinto Christian First winning season in five years

The Brabham-Whitney Show was quite a hit in its first year. It should continue to be a success.

Coach Kiki Brabham and assistant coach Sandy Whitney piloted the Lady Patriots for the first time a year ago, and Brabham pointed out some some highlights:

“Competing well and beating several ranked TAPPS teams in the Denton Calvary Tournament in November. We lost only one game all year by double digits. Most of our losses were slight, 1-3 points.”

The Lady Patriots took second in TAPPS District 1-3A with a 6-2 record. They dominated Heritage Christian 55-11 in the bidistrict playoff but lost to eventual state runner-up North Dallas Adventist 50-41. San Jacinto led that game for 3½ quarters.

That completed a 21-9 season for the Lady Patriots.

“The team adjusted quick and well to a new coaching staff and new program. The team was young and relied heavily on underclassmen,” Brabham said.

“We had the first winning season in five years and won 21 games. Beat powerhouse Midland Classical twice in district — we had never done this. Lost close playoff game to state finalist. The team grew in many ways.”

Audrey Lane, two-time district MVP and two-time first-team all-stater, was the key departure from last year’s team. Lane

will be jumping and running track this year at West Texas A&M University.

Brabham, whose maiden name was Kiki Carthel, was a district MVP in basketball and a standout in track and tennis at Gruver High School. She also played those sports at McMurry University in Abilene.

She and Whitney both have daughters playing for San Jacinto, so that makes the Brabham-Whitney Show a family production.

Coach Brabham’s daughter, Harlie Brabham, is a 5-8 sophomore forward who averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds and 3.8 steals last season as a freshman. She was first-team all-district, the

Josh Rogers

Harlie Brabham

Will Hawley

Ashlyn Dixon

Welker Horn

Luke Lee

Mikee McReynolds

Hays Hubik

San Jacinto Christian Girls

Name

Ht. Pos. Class

Alana Signor

Blayne Robison

5-4 G Soph.

5-2 G Fr

Kristi Gage

5-2 G Jr. Ashlyn Dixon 5-10 P Jr. Mikee McReynolds

5-6 G Soph. Harlie Brabham

5-8 F Soph. Devin Whitney

5-5 G Sr. Sophie Dawson

5-3 G Soph. Mia Whitney 5-3 G Soph. Mackenzie Clayton 5-8 F Jr

(Continued from page 406)

co-newcomer of the year and honorable mention on both the all-state and Amarillo Globe-News Girls Super teams.

Ashlyn Dixon, a 5-10 junior post, contributed 4.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg and was first-team all-district last season.

Mikee McReynolds, a 5-6 sophomore forward, chipped in with 6 ppg, 4 rpg and 2 steals per game, earning second-team all-district honors.

Sophie Dawson, a 5-3 sophomore guard (4.5 ppg, 2 steals per

Coach: Kiki Brabham Asst. Coach: Sandy Whitney 2021-22 record: 21-9, 6-2 School phone: 372-2285

Players to watch: Harlie Brabham, Mikee McReynolds, Ashlyn Dixon, Kristi Gage, Sophie Dawson

game), also was a second-team all-district selection.

Harlie Brabham, Dixon, McReynolds and Dawson all started last year.

Those four returning starters represent 27 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Harlie Brabham and McReynolds are all-state candidates, according to Coach Brabham.

The Lady Patriots have five other returning letter winners,

Sophie Dawson Devin Whitney Kristi Gage

Mia Whitney

Alana Signor Mackenzie Clayton

SJCA Girls Basketball Team

including 5-2 junior guard Kristi Gage (5 ppg, 3.1 steals per game), who was first-team all-district.

Dixon, Gage and Dawson are other outstanding players to watch, according to their coach.

Alana Signor, a 5-4 sophomore guard, was honorable mention all-district. Devin Whitney, a 5-5 senior guard, is a three-year letter winner and the only senior on the team. She’s the daughter of Sandy Whitney. Another Whitney daughter, 5-3 sophomore guard Mia Whitney, also lettered last year.

Mackenzie Clayton, a 5-8 junior forward, is the other returning letter winner.

The San Jacinto roster is made up of one senior, three juniors, five sophomores and three freshmen. Coach Brabham rates team quickness and speed as the Lady Patriots’ strengths. She is concerned about the size and youth of the team.

She offered three keys for success this season: playing better as a team, shooting the ball better and utilizing the team’s athleticism.

The Lady Patriots will open Nov. 8 at home against Bovina. They’ll participate in the Adrian, Memphis and Groom tourneys. District play gets under way Jan. 6.

BOYS

Andrew Sanders is the new coach of the Patriots, and this will be his first job as a high school head basketball mentor.

Sanders is a graduate of Del City High School in Oklahoma and West Texas A&M University. In high school, he was a twoyear starter in football and a three-time state qualifier in track and field. At Iowa Western Community College, he was a four-time national qualifier in track and field.

He succeeds Kellee Massie, who coached the Patriots for

just one year.

Massie’s one year went OK after a slow start following his hiring, one month before the season started.

“Steady improvement from beginning of season to end,” Sanders said. “Defeated Hartley, Fort Elliott, Darrouzett and Groom. We had a few close games that didn’t go in our favor but could’ve gone either way against Shamrock (64-61), Kress (69-63) and Claude (62-56).” (Continued on page

Cade Mills

Andy May

Jase Love

Nathan Estes

NIck Prieto

Josh Miskimen

The Patriots regrouped to take third in TAPPS District 1-3A and defeated Dallas Lutheran in the bidistrict playoff before bowing to Dallas Yavneh Academy 76-27 in the area game. That capped a 7-13 season for San Jacinto.

“Last year the team improved in many ways,” Sanders said. “They had several close games in district. They really started clicking and found a way to finish strong in third place.”

Shane Villagomez, first-team all-district, and Avery McGregor and Graham Hollis, both honorable mention all-district, were the key departures from last year’s squad.

Sanders has two honored players returning, however. Cade Mills, a 6-2 senior guard, was first-team all-district last year and a potential all-stater this year. Cade Mills is the brother of Zeke Mills, a senior on last year’s team.

Jase Love, a 5-9 senior guard, was second-team all-district last year.

The Patriots have four seniors, one junior and four sophomores on their roster.

Sanders offered several keys to success this season.

“There is a quick transition from football season to basketball season, so getting the kids in basketball shape as soon as possible is essential,” he said.

“Adjusting to a new coaching staff and different playing styles will also play a vital role in the upcoming season. Playing smart defense, especially in the paint, with the lack of size, will help the team transition easier.”

The Patriots will open their season Nov. 8 against All Saints. They’ll play in the Adrian, Memphis and Claude tournaments. District play begins Jan. 6.

San Jacinto Christian Boys Name

Ht. Pos. Class

5-7 G Soph. Benton Meyers 6-3 P Soph. Nick Prieto 5-11 F/P Sr

Josh Miskimen

Andy May 5-8 G Sr

Nathan Estes

5-7 G Jr Nolan Clayton 5-9 G Soph. Cade Mills 6-2 G/F Sr. Marshall Mincher 5-7 G Soph. Jase Love 5-9 G Sr.

Coach: Andrew Sanders 2021-22 record: 7-13 School phone: 372-2285

Players to watch: Cade Mills, Marshall Mincher, Jase Love

San Jacinto Super Boosters

Have a great season Lady Patriots!—Reid Family

Benton Meyers Nolan Clayton Marshall Mincher

San Jacinto Christian Schedule

DATE Opponent Place B G

Nov. 8 Bovina Here X

Nov. 8 All Saints Here X

Nov. 12 Boys Ranch Here X

Nov. 15 Adrian There X X

Nov. 21 River Road Here X

Nov. 29 Hartley There X X

Dec. 2-3 Adrian Tournament There X X

Dec. 6 Kingdom Prep. Academy Lubbock X X

Dec. 8-10 Memphis Tournament There X X

Dec. 13 Happy Here X X

Dec. 16 Claude Here X

Dec. 20 Wheeler Here X X

Dec. 28-30 Groom Tournament There X

Dec. 29-30 Claude Tournament There X

Jan. 3 West Texas Here X

Jan. 3 Sanford-Fritch There X

Jan. 6 FW Temple Fort Worth X X

Jan. 7 Denton Calvary There X X

Jan. 10 Weatherford Christian Here X X

Jan. 13 FW Covenant Here X X

Jan. 14 Fellowship Academy Here X X

Jan. 17 Lubbock Christian Here X X

Jan. 20 Fellowship Academy Kennedale X X

Jan. 21 FW Covenant Fort Worth X X

Jan. 24 Midland Trinity Here X X

Jan. 27 Denton Calvary Here X X

Jan. 28 FW Temple Here X X

Jan. 31 Lubbock Christian There X X

Feb. 3 Midland Trinity There X X

Feb. 7 Weatherford Christian There X X

Harlie Brabham, a 5-8 San Jacinto sophomore, shoots a jumper last season. Brabham, daughter of Coach Kiki Brabham, averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds and 3.8 steals as a freshman and earned several postseason honors.

Jase Love, a 5-9 senior guard, goes high for the ball at home last season. He was second-team all-district last year for San Jacinto.

Ashlyn Dixon, a 5-10 junior post for the Lady Patriots, shoots a layup in the San Jacinto gym. Dixon averaged 4.5 points and 5.5 rebounds and was first-team all-district last year.

In the top photo, San Jacinto senior Devin Whitney shoots a free throw last season. Whitney, a 5-5 guard and daughter of assistant coach Sandy Whitney, has lettered all three previous seasons. In the lower photo, Patriot senior Cade Mills also shoots from the foul line. The 6-2 guard was first-team all-district last year. (All photos courtesy of San Jacinto Christian Academy)

Sophie Dawson, No. 3 in the top photo, is a 5-3 sophomore guard for the Lady Patriots. She averaged 4.5 points and 2 steals a game last year and was second-team all-district. In the other photo, 5-6 sophomore forward Mikee McReynolds shoots a free throw. McReynolds averaged 6 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals last season and also was second-team all-district.

Heller’s Helping Hands

Kristi Gage, a 5-2 junior guard, directs the offense last season. She was first-team all-district for the Lady Patriots, averaging 5 points and 3.1 steals a game.

A special thanks to members of the San Jacinto Academy girls basketball team, Harlie, Blayne and Skyla, for volunteering at our launch event.

Go Carrington and the Lady Patriots!

Go Alana!—The Signors

Good luck Lady Patriots! We wish you a great season!—Ashley & Zoe Have a great year Benton! We are so proud of you!—Mom & Dad Good luck Harlie and Lady Patriots!—Don & Cindy Carthel Let’s Go Mikee! Have a great season Lady Patriots!—Janet Go Patriots! Wishing you the best season!— Sternenberg Blayne Ann, I gifted you my ability to play basketball so now Go Get Them!—Grampa Have a Great Season SanJac Basketball!— Guerrero Family Sister, we are your Biggest Fans! Go Blayne Ann!—Mom & Dad Have a great season on the court Blayne Ann!—Shawn, Susan, Caroline & Georgia Riley Blayne, we love your Game Face-Whoop— Austin, Cade & Nolan Let’s go Patriots!—The Prieto Family Go Lady Patriots!—The Daniel Family

Wishing the Lady Patriots a great season!—Tim, Meredith & Jordan Thornhill Go Rachel!—Bonnie & James Holland Go Rachies! Have a great season!—Love, Daddy Bob & Granny Have a great season Rachel!—Love, Nana & Poppy Biggest of blessings to the Patriots and Lady Patriots this season!—The Lane Family

Let’s Go Patriots and Lady Patriots!—The Halls Go Kristi!—Aunt Summer Go Carrington and the Lady Patriots!— Love, Nana & Papa Go Patriots!—Debbie Warren

Play to Glorify God

--The Moore Family

Go Kristi!—Love, Gigi Go Get’em Kristi!—Uncle Tommy Blayne’s Amma and Poppa wish the Lady Patriots the very best this season!—Clint & Pam Deeds Have a Great Season Kristi!—Uncle Jay Go Kristi!—PaPa & Lillian Go Patriots and Lady Patriots!—Phillip, Hillary, Channing- Cal Starr Good Luck Harlie Boo and Coach Kiki!— Kade, Courtney, Capp & Collyns Have a great season Patriots!--The Mincher Family Stay sweet, stay fierce and stay you! Have a great senior year Anna! We love you!— Andrea, Mom & Dad

Go Patriots!

-Have a great season! Go Josh! -Miskimen Family

Trinity Christian Runnin’ Lions a fixture at state

The Runnin’ Lions have made the TAPPS state tournament in both of Spencer Sutton’s first two years as their coach.

Trinity Christian reached the state finals in Sutton’s first season. Last year the Lions made it to the state semifinals.

The Lions posted a 30-7 season and won TAPPS District 1-4A with a perfect 10-0 showing.

In the playoffs, the Lions defeated Dallas Covenant 90-43 in the area game and Lubbock Christian 72-45 in the regional. They lost to Arlington Grace Prep 58-55 in the state semifinals.

“Last season’s team built a strong foundation in laying the culture and success of this program,” Sutton said. “We will forever be grateful for our seniors last year. We are beyond excited to continue to grow this program and culture this upcoming season.

Last year’s seniors included Tate Truby, Parker Sutton and Bryce Wimbish.

Truby, first-team all-district and second-team all-state, committed to Hardin-Simmons University. Parker Sutton, the coach’s son, was second-team all-district. Wimbish, a Blackburn College commit, was AD honorable mention.

But with three starters and five other letter winners back, the Runnin’ Lions figure to be in contention again this season. The returning starters are:

TAPPS District 1-4A

• Kieran Elliott, a 6-7 senior forward who averaged 31 points, 15 rebounds and 3 assists last season. He was the district MVP, first-team all-district, first-team all-state and on the all-state tournament team.

• Marcus Roman-Edwards, a 6-4 senior forward with 10 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg statistics last season. He was first-team all-district, second-team all-state and on the all-state tournament team.

• Jack Robinson, a 6-0 junior guard (6 ppg, 6 rpg, 9 apg), was second-team all-district.

Those three represent 47 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics.

Coach Sutton nominates all three as all-state candidates along with newcomer Brady Watson, a 6-2 junior guard who averaged 12 ppg, 3 rpg, 4 apg at his previous school.

Watson is projected as a starter this year along with another newcomer, 5-11 sophomore guard Sawyer Delgado.

Letter winner Dax Trout, a 6-1 junior guard (8 ppg), was honorable mention all-district last year. He’s another outstanding player to watch, according to Sutton.

Other returning letter winners are 6-2 junior guard Mason Roberson, 6-6 junior forward Keller Partain, 5-11 junior guard Ben Bruce (3 ppg) and 5-11 junior guard Eli Reeves (3 rpg).

Trinity Christian Boys

Name Ht. Pos. Class

Kieran Elliott 6-7 F Sr

Marcus Ramon-Edwards 6-4 F Sr Jack Robinson 6-0 G Jr.

Dax Trout 6-1 G Jr. Brady Watson 6-2 G Jr. Mason Roberson 6-2 G Jr. Keller Partain 6-6 F Jr. Ben Bruce 5-11 G Jr. Sawyer Delgado 5-11 G Soph. Jake Nicholson 6-2 G Jr. Eli Reeves 5-11 G Jr

Coach: Spencer Sutton

Asst. Coaches: Chad Elliott, TJ Cooks, Noah Parker

2021-22 record: 30-7, 10-0 School phone: 806-791-8000

Players to watch: Kieran Elliott, Jack Robinson, Dax Trout, Marcus Ramon-Edwards, Brady Watson

Trinity Christian Boys Schedule

DATE Opponent Place

Nov. 5 Elite 14 Wichita Falls

Nov. 8 Midland Christian Here

Nov. 21-22 TBD

Fort Worth Christian Tournament

Nov. 29 Permian There

Dec. 1-3 TBD

Grace Prep Tournament

Dec. 6 Canyon There

Dec. 8-10 TBD Edmond Tournament

Dec. 13 Midland Christian There

Dec. 16 Grace Prep Here

Dec. 17 Willow Park Here

Dec. 20 Frenship LCU

Dec. 29-31 TBD Caprock

Jan. 3 San Angelo Central There

Jan. 5 Lake Country There

Jan. 6 Pantego There

Jan. 14 Colleyville Here

Jan. 20 Grace Prep There

Jan. 21 Willow Park There

Jan. 24 Midland Classical Here

Jan. 27 Pantego Here

Jan. 28 Lake Country Here

Jan. 31 Midland Classical There Feb. 3 Colleyville There Feb. 6-10 Tie Breakers TBD

Sutton describes the Lions’ strengths as shooting the ball, defense, speed, IQ, toughness and togetherness.

“We will not be as big as we have been in the past, so size and rebounding are concerns,” he said.

Sutton listed several keys for success this season.

“Fast pace, staying together, gang rebounding, defense, hitting open shots and playing to our strengths,” he said.

Sutton was a two-time all-stater at Holland Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Then he played at Oral Roberts University.

He has a 55-14 boys career coaching record, all at Trinity Christian.

Good luck, Lions!

Claude standout kept her talents at home

Dianne Campbell Ollinger, one of Claude’s outstanding basketball players of the early 1970s, died Nov. 10, 2022, at age 68.

Funeral Services were conducted on Nov. 13, 2022, at First Baptist Church of Claude with Dr. Frank Campbell presiding.

Dianne was born on April 21, 1954, to LeRoy and Jan Campbell. She was raised in Claude and graduated from Claude High School in 1972. As a child, she was fortunate enough to grow up on a ranch along the Mulberry Creek with her four brothers and sisters. There she learned to saddle and ride, gather cattle and search for arrowheads left from the Indians.

Dianne started dribbling a basketball at a young age and fell in love with the sport. As a Mustangette, she along with her team brought home two state championships to Claude HS. The 5-6 forward was named to the all-tournament team at the Class 1A state tournament as a junior in 1971 and as a senior in 1972. She scored 16 points in the 46-33 1971 state title win over Glen Rose and 17 points in the 57-55 state championship win over Southlake Carroll in 1972.

In 1977, she met and married a Groom Tiger, Mike Ollinger, and became a mother to three girls. They chose to make their home three miles from where she grew up. Dianne taught English at Claude Junior High School for 27 years, teaching about 1,000 students. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Claude most of her life. Her love for Jesus and His Word was evident in her daily life whether she was teaching, coaching or volunteering in the Claude community.

Dianne is preceded in death by her parents, LeRoy and Jan Campbell. She is survived by her husband, Mike Ollinger; daughters Cenee’ Graham and husband Mark of Amarillo; Mishon Wright and husband Keith of Canyon; and Desiree Manning and husband Jason of Amarillo. She leaves behind her four siblings, Edwin Campbell, Debra Vincent, Leslie Skelton and Wayne Campbell. Her still growing family includes seven grandchildren, Brice Graham and wife Kelsey; Briss VanKranenburg and husband Tom; Tripp, Tai and Trak Wright; as well as Cooper and Berkley Manning.

The family suggests donations in memory of Dianne to the Armstrong County Museum, 120 Trice St Claude, TX 79019.

Kieran Elliott Marcus Ramon Edwards

Brady Watson

Jack Robinson

Dax Trout

Dianne Campbell Ollinger

PANHANDLE-PLAINS BASKETBALL INDEX

-A-

Abernathy 68

Amarillo College 64 Amarillo ISD

Amarillo High 12, 13, 54, 57, 70, 79, 116 Caprock 120 Palo Duro.............................................................12, 123 Tascosa 12, 13, 128

-BBooker ..................................................................................... 44 -CCanyon ISD Canyon .................... 12, 29, 32, 43, 64, 65, 79, 105, 140 Randall .......................................................... 12, 13, 145

West Plains 53, 154

Childress 12, 175

Clarendon 12, 14, 68, 253

Clarendon College Men 108 Clarendon College Women 109

Claude 434

Class 6A schools 111

Class 5A schools 115

Class 4A schools 140

Class 3A schools 165 Class 2A schools 225 Class 1A schools 337 Class 4A TAPPS 432 Class 3A TAPPS 403 -DDimmitt 212 Dumas 143 -FFarwell ................................................................................... 269 Follett ................................................................................... 338 Fort Elliott ................................................................................. 341

Frank Phillips College Men ...................................................... 104 Frank Phillips College Women ................................................. 105 Frenship 12, 112

-GGroom 350 Gruver 13, 17, 226, 402 -HHappy 68, 365 Hereford 159 -IIdalou 13, 181 -KKress 374 -LLevelland 40, 162 Littlefield 218 Lubbock ISD ................................................................................... Coronado ....................................................... 13, 59, 134

Monterey

12, 13, 137 Lubbock Christian High 20, 403 Lubbock Christian University Men 57, 88 Lubbock Christian University Women 16, 57, 91 Lubbock Cooper 13, 131

-MMcLean ............................................................................. 29, 344 Memphis ................................................................................... 258 -NNazareth ....................................................................... 43, 68, 380 New Deal...................................................................................302

-OOlton 304 -PPampa 52 Panhandle 276 Perryton 63 Petersburg 394 Plainview 68, 71, 126 -RRopes 325 -SSanford-Fritch 244 San Jacinto Christian 402, 406 Shallowater 12, 34, 66, 192 Slaton 203 South Plains College Men ........................................................... 98 South Plains College Women .................................................... 101 Spearman............................................................................. 40, 166 Springlake-Earth ................................................................. 61, 388 Stratford ................................................................................... 246 Sudan ............................................................................. 61, 313 Sundown ............................................................................. 61, 333

-T-

Texas Tech Men 56, 59, 60, 73 Texas Tech Women 16, 56, 57, 67, 76, 79 Texline 363 Trinity Christian 432 Tulia 172

-VVega 293 -W-

Wayland Baptist Men 62, 69, 71, 94 Wayland Baptist Women 40, 54, 58, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 96

Wellington 260

West Texas A&M Golf 72

West Texas A&M Men 55, 66, 80

West Texas A&M Women 16, 29, 37, 55, 57, 58, 84

West Texas High........................................................................251 White Deer ................................................................................ 356 Whiteface .................................................................................. 397