Month: February 2022

by Daniel Youngblood

GAME RECAP: Wylie girls, boys pick up big wins at Lubbock High

Photos courtesy of Katie Perkins, HubCityPreps.com

LUBBOCK — The Wylie girls basketball team went on the road and picked up a huge win Monday, outlasting Lubbock High 38-35 to clinch a playoff berth in District 4-5A. 

The game, which was postponed from Friday due to the snow storm that hit Texas last week, came down to the final minutes. But a layup by sophomore post Indiah Maroney with 1:15 to play broke a 35-all tie and proved to be the game-winning shot as the Lady Bulldogs improved to 14-17 overall and 4-5 in league play.

The victory secured a season sweep of Lubbock High, which came into the game tied with Wylie and Lubbock Coronado for third in the district standings. Monday’s outcome, when combined with Coronado’s 57-42 win over Cooper, puts the Lady Bulldogs in a two-way tie for third heading into their regular season finale against crosstown rival Cooper.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

CAPITAL FARM CREDIT/BCP PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cross Plains sophomore takes this week’s award

When Cross Plains’ Cadence Wedeking has the range zeroed in, the scorer’s table may want to have a spare pencil handy just in case. 

Our Capital Farm Credit/BCP Player of the Week had one of “those nights” last week in a 69-20 win over Moran, connecting with five 3-pointers and finishing with 33 points. It was the third time this season the sophomore guard had connected from beyond the arc five times in one game.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

DANIEL YOUNGBLOOD: This week in Big Country girls basketball (Feb. 7-13)

We’ve reached the final week of the girls basketball regular season, and just one more district game remains for a lot of teams. But there’s still much to be decided in a number of area districts.

We’ve still got games that will help decide district championships and others that will determine who will be participating and who will be watching from home when the playoffs begin next week. 

If you like high stakes basketball, buckle up, because you’ll get plenty this week. Without further ado, let’s take a look what’s in store.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

EVAN REN: This week in Big Country boys basketball (Feb. 7-13)

A midweek snowstorm created a mess that still hasn’t been cleaned up. Several teams played on Saturday due to icy road conditions and several more will be playing Monday night. 

So with just two weeks left in the regular season, things are going to be a hectic in the Big Country, with many area teams looking at three games over the next five days.

Nonetheless, sorting it all out is going to be fun. So let’s take a quick look at the area hoops scene on the boys side and some of the top matchups that are on tap.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

FEATURE: Marked improvement has young Wylie girls in position to reach playoffs

Entering the year with just one senior on her roster and almost twice as many newcomers as lettermen, Wylie girls basketball coach Amy Powell knew this season would be a process.

The fourth-year Lady Bulldogs mentor knew there would be growing pains. She was just hoping her squad would make enough progress by district time to challenge for a playoff spot in a tough District 4-5A race.

After an 0-3 start to league play, things were looking bleak for the Lady Bulldogs. But with a 3-2 record since, including competitive losses to top-20 teams from Lubbock Monterey and Lubbock Cooper, WHS enters the final week of the regular season in control of its own postseason destiny and playing its best basketball of the year.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

FCA ALL-STAR FESTIVAL: Players excited to see assistant coaches get their chance to shine

With the Big Country Chevy Dealers Fellowship of Christian Athletes All-Star Festival entering its 23rd year, event organizers are faced with the unique dilemma of needing new coaches.

The FCA staffs in Abilene, Brownwood and San Angelo have found a creative solution for this year’s festival, which is scheduled for June 2-11: to give area assistant coaches their moment in the spotlight.

This provides a neat opportunity for both the coaches and their players, who are excited to see their assistant coaches have a chance to lead a squad.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

FCA ALL-STAR FESTIVAL: Rosters announced for this year’s event

As the winter sports start to hit the playoffs, it means another thing: it’s time to start finding out who the Fellowship of Christian Athletes all-stars are.

The 23rd annual Big Country Chevy Dealers FCA All-Star Festival will take place with eight events over nine days in four different cities from June 2-11.

Here’s a look at this year’s participants.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Jim Ned girls, boys sweep Merkel in Saturday afternoon doubleheader

TUSCOLA — In a weather-delayed doubleheader that was equally important for both sides, Merkel paid Jim Ned a visit on Saturday with playoff seeding in the balance. 

Jim Ned was not a generous host, handing their guests back-to-back lopsided losses — 77-23 in the girls game and 54-37 in the boys contest. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Honeybees’ mastery of defense leading to memorable season

STEPHENVILLE — Every high school basketball player loves scoring points. And most spend a large amount of time honing their ability to do exactly that. The challenge for coaches, is to get the teenagers to realize it is defense that determines the degree of team success they will experience.

That message has been received in Stephenville, where its girls basketball team is creating enough defensive stops to compete for its second straight district championship and third in four years.  

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Roscoe girls enjoying banner season

There’s something special brewing in Roscoe, and girls basketball coach Shella Arnwine is the first to admit that.  

The Plowgirls are now 23-6 after knocking off Forsan Tuesday night and sealing the program’s first district championship in more than a decade.  

However, these impressive accomplishments only tell part of Roscoe’s story.  

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

Big Country Girls Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Feb. 3)

Each Thursday night, Big Country Preps will publish area boys and girls basketball statistical leaders.

This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.

Teams that do not submit their statistics in a given week will not be listed when our stats are posted, but will be added to the lists below as they are received in the coming days. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

Big Country Boys Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Feb. 3)

Each Thursday night, Big Country Preps will publish area boys and girls basketball statistical leaders.

This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.

Teams that do not submit their statistics in a given week will not be listed when our stats are posted, but will be added to the lists below as they are received in the coming days. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

UIL REALIGNMENT: Going virtual amid winter storm adds stress for area coaches

When the University Interscholastic League held its biennial realignment in February 2020, the world had yet to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That would come just over a month later.

While many thought things would be back to normal in time for Thursday’s release, on Wednesday another winter storm from Mother Nature led to an unprecedented challenge: a virtual realignment.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

UIL REALIGNMENT: Abilene schools avoid surprises, welcome new challenges

While many coaches across the area and state were scrambling Thursday after being thrown a curveball by the University Interscholastic League, the leaders of Abilene’s three largest programs enjoyed a relatively peaceful realignment day, free of any major surprises.

Having learned in December that Abilene High would be dropping to Class 5A Division I and Cooper would be moving to 5A DII,  all AHS coach Mike Fullen and his Cooper counterpart, Aaron Roan, were waiting on was to find out their district. And both landed in leagues they expected.

Abilene High was sent to District  2-5A DI with Amarillo High, Amarillo Caprock, Amarillo Tascosa, Lubbock Cooper, Lubbock Coronado and Lubbock Monterey, while Cooper joins Wylie in District 2-5A DII, along with Amarillo Palo Duro, Lubbock High, Plainview and Wichita Falls Rider.

Fullen, Roan and Wylie’s Clay Martin all ended the day happy with their placement and relieved that their weather-impacted realignment went about smoothly as it could have.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

UIL REALIGNMENT: Big Country football landscape will change dramatically

While icy road conditions may have changed the UIL’s method of delivering the news, the results of its biennial realignment still offered the usual mix of surprises on Thursday. 

Held via live feed over the internet, area coaches learned their fate on the web. 

Topping the list of stunners for area teams would be the shift of Brownwood from its centralized home in District 5-4A DI to the far west in District 2.  There, the Lions will join Big Spring, Lubbock Estacado, San Angelo Lake View and Andrews — the last of which will produce a 480-mile round trip.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

SIGNING DAY: Eakin, Jones among several high-profile area signees

What appeared to be a slow year for the Big Country on the signing front quickly blossomed into something memorable in 2022. 

With National Signing Day taking place on Wednesday, the Big Country Preps coverage area finished with multiple Division I signees, including several on the gridiron. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

SIGNING DAY: Eight Wylie athletes make college decisions official

One table wasn’t nearly enough for all of Wylie’s signees at the school’s signing day ceremony Wednesday at the Wylie Performing Arts Center. Athletic director Clay Martin needed three to seat the eight athletes who made their college decisions official on National Signing Day.

Five football players, a baseball player, a volleyball player and a track and field athlete all got to sign their letters of intent and be recognized by friends and family, with seven of the eight electing to stay in town and compete for Abilene universities.

Four of the football players — offensive lineman Jaxon Lunsford, tight end Jaxon Rutledge, linebacker Jaxon Camacho and kicker/punter Grayson Bearden — all committed to Hardin-Simmons University, while their teammate X’Zavier Collins, a defensive lineman, signed with Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth.

Wylie’s other three signees — volleyball setter Lexi Miller, baseball catcher Nick Sobolewski and discus and shotput thrower Hannah Hutchinson — are all headed to McMurry University.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

SIGNING DAY: Trio of Cooper players choose Hardin-Simmons

Cooper linebacker Jacob Deax joined offensive linemen Elie Casarez and Hagen Davilla at a signing day ceremony Wednesday at Cougar Gym to announce their commitment to Hardin-Simmons University.

The trio, who helped the Cougars to a 6-5 record and their 15th consecutive playoff berth this fall, all made their college decisions official on National Signing Day, continuing a pipeline from Cooper to the North Abilene university.

CHS coach Aaron Roan, who watched all three of those players contribute to his program for multiple seasons, was beaming with pride after seeing them get to realize a dream of continuing their careers collegiately.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

SIGNING DAY: Abilene High brothers decide to stay home

Brothers Abel and Anthony Ramirez had options of where they could continue their career, but ultimately the duo decided to stay close to home so their family could continue to attend their games as they both signed to play at Hardin-Simmons University on Wednesday afternoon.

Abel, a quarterback, led Abilene High to the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, and his strong relationship with his wide receiver brother helped the Eagles in the fall.

The two now get to continue their careers at HSU, which has developed quite a pipeline to Abilene High.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME REPORT: Cooper boys pull into tie for district lead with blowout win over LHS

The Cooper boys got back on track Tuesday, snapping a mini two-game losing streak with a 58-35 home win over Lubbock High.

The Cougars led the Westerners 14-7 after a quarter, before outscoring LHS 31-16 over the middle two periods to all but put the game away.

The victory, when combined with Wylie’s 53-51 loss to Lubbock Cooper and Lubbock Monterey’s 73-72 triple-overtime loss to Lubbock Coronado, pulled coach Bryan Conover’s squad (17-9 overall, 4-2 in district) into a four-way tie for first place in District 4-5A with Wylie, Monterey and Lubbock Cooper.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Bronchos run away from Abilene High boys for 70-59 win

Trailing Odessa High 27-10 less than four minutes into the second quarter, the Abilene High boys basketball team rallied to pull within three late in the third Tuesday at Eagle Gym. But the Bronchos answered with seven quick points to go back up double digits and the Eagles never threatened again in a 70-59 loss.

Extended runs were the name of the game for OHS, which built its big early lead by scoring 23 of 26 points over the first and second quarters after falling behind 7-4 to open the game. 

Then after Abilene High narrowed the gap in the third, the Bronchos used a 23-10 run to go back up 16 with about five minutes remaining in the contest.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: No. 8 Lubbock Cooper pulls away late to top Wylie girls, Bulldogs drop heartbreaker

For more than 26 minutes Tuesday, the Wylie girls basketball team played right with No. 8 Lubbock Cooper. But the Lady Pirates outscored the Lady Bulldogs 11-2 over the final 5:51 to pull away for 45-34 win at Bulldog Gym.

Wylie, which came in having won three of its last four games, bottled up a potent Cooper offense for most of the night. But six-point efforts in the first and fourth quarters kept coach Amy Powell’s squad from being able to pull off upset.

Instead, the Lady Bulldogs fell to 13-17 overall and 3-5 in District 4-5A play, setting up a big game at Lubbock High on Friday, weather permitting.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Wall, Jim Ned split important doubleheader

WALL — The combination of 11 Wall 3-pointers and a raucous home crowd were too much for Jim Ned to overcome in an important District 6-3A road game on Tuesday.

Everson Armstrong scored 26 points and buried six shots from beyond the arc to lead Wall (18-10, 9-1) to a 50-42 win in the nightcap of a varsity doubleheader at WHS.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Haskell’s Hanson closing memorable high school career

Haskell’s Delaney Hanson admits sports have only been a portion of her high school career.  

But what a four years it has been on the hardwood for the Maidens’ 6-foot post who plays like a guard.  

While college lingers on the horizon, Hanson is squarely focused on leading Haskell to a playoff berth in a rugged District 10-2A race. Hanson enters Friday’s critical home game against Cisco averaging 16.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and two blocks.  

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us