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Continue reading “PHOTO GALLERY: Brock vs. Levelland Games 1, 2 and 3 (60 images)”
Author: Evan Ren
GAME STORY: Brock rallies in Game 3 to eliminate Levelland in bi-district round (box scores included)
ABILENE — If it were possible for two high schools separated by 308 miles to become rivals, Brock and Levelland may have just achieved it.
A year removed from a pair of one-run bi-district wins over the Loboettes, Brock eliminated Levelland yet again on Saturday, taking a 4A DII bi-district series with a come-from-behind 5-2 win in Game 3 at McMurry University’s Edwards Field.
After falling to Levelland in a 5-4 Game 2 thriller on Saturday, the Lady Eagles regrouped behind backup pitcher Delanee Parsons and a mind-blowing performance from shortstop Kayden Blue to take Game 3 and advance to the area round. There, they will meet Fort Worth Eagle Mountain in a best-of-three series beginning next week.
Parsons delivered four solid innings to earn the win with a save from ace pitcher Alison Coleman. Blue, in the meantime, capped a 10-for-10 batting tally for the series with a 2-for-2 effort in Game 3 with two runs scored to help Brock improve to 26-10 with the win.
GAME STORY: Brock stops Levelland, 5-1 in Region I-4A bi-district opener
ABILENE — In a rematch of last year’s thrilling Class 4A DII bi-district series, the Brock Lady Eagles posted a workmanlike 5-1 win over Levelland on Friday at McMurry University’s Edwards Field.
It scarcely resembled what occurred a year ago, when Brock escaped with a pair of one-run victories — 2-1 in Game 1 and 7-6 in 13 innings in Game 2. This time around, the Lady Eagles (25-9) took control of Game 1 early and never relinquished it behind the pitching of Alison Coleman.
Kayden Blue was 4-for-4 with four singles and one run scored and Sloan Booth was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs to lead Brock, which coasted behind a one-hitter from Coleman. The Lady Eagles can end the series with a win in Game 2 on Saturday at noon at McMurry.
Game 3 (if needed) will follow 30 minutes after Game 2.
“I thought our girls came out and (played) hard with a lot of first-game jitters,” Brock coach Gregory Connors said. “We have six freshman starting and it was their first time in a playoff atmosphere. But we started off in that first inning with our bats the way we needed to and it carried us throughout the game.”
Area Baseball Stat Leaders (through April 23)
Here are the area’s baseball statistical leaders through April 23.
Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions.
If your favorite team is missing, please give your head coach a friendly reminder to check his email for our weekly stat request or send Evan Ren a note at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com.
FINAL Area Softball Stat Leaders for 2026
Here are the area’s softball statistical leaders through April 23. With the regular season now concluded, this will be our final softball stat report for 2026.
Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions.
If your favorite team is missing, please give your head coach a friendly reminder to check his or her email for our weekly stat request or send Evan Ren a note at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com.
PHOTO GALLERY: Jim Ned at Wall Softball (30 images)
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Continue reading “PHOTO GALLERY: Jim Ned at Wall Softball (30 images)”
PHOTO GALLERY: Anson vs. Stamford baseball (25 images)
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Continue reading “PHOTO GALLERY: Anson vs. Stamford baseball (25 images)”
PHOTO GALLERY: Hawley at Stamford baseball, 35 images
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Continue reading “PHOTO GALLERY: Hawley at Stamford baseball, 35 images”
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ferguson’s heartbreak sufficient for this week’s award
There are varying degrees of “no-hitter” in both high school baseball and softball. This is especially true when the mercy rule is concerned, with pitchers holding the opposition hitless through five innings (in a 10-run rule game) and in the case of the 15-run rule, through only three frames.
Whether those should be called actual no-hitters, depends on who you speak to.
There was, however, nothing arguable about the potential no-no delivered by Abilene junior pitcher George Ferguson in last week’s 2-0 win over Wichita Falls Memorial. To begin with, Ferguson held Memorial hitless through 8.2 innings before finally giving up an infield single in the ninth. In the process, he walked only one batter and fanned 17.
It was nothing short of a brilliant performance against a Memorial team that had won eight straight games. If ever one deserved credit for a no-hitter without actually throwing one, it’s Ferguson.
“George did a great job on the mound from start to finish and that included a 45-minute weather delay,” coach Brad Harman said.
GAME STORY: Jim Ned girls run the District 6-3A table, capped by 3-2 nailbiter at Wall (box score included)
WALL — It was the polar opposite of a 13-10 Jim Ned win in the District 6-3A opener with Wall way back on March 6. Friday’s rematch at WHS saw the Lady Indians top Wall yet again. But this time, the product was a well-pitched, cleanly played, 3-2 defensive struggle.
Halle Nielson was 4-for-4 with the game-winning RBI and Hadley Sanders was 2-for-4 with a run scored to lead 13th-ranked Jim Ned (25-4, 12-0) which concluded a perfect run through district play with the win. Seventh-ranked Wall dropped to 24-5 overall and 9-3.
Trailing 2-1 heading into the final inning, Jim Ned rallied with two runs in the top of the seventh then held Wall scoreless in the bottom of the frame to seal the win.
“Our philosophy all year has been if you have a chip and a chair, you’re in the game,” said Jim Ned coach Erica Jones, using poker terminology to describe the Lady Indians’ comeback win. “I never doubted. I knew we were going to (come back). … We just had to be a little more disciplined and find some gaps.”
EVAN REN: What’s that blip on the radar? Perhaps one of the best Jim Ned softball teams ever
TUSCOLA — While it may be a bit early to start talking about the best Jim Ned softball teams of all time, one thing can be backed up with facts: the Lady Indians have clinched their first district title in nearly two decades and coach Erica Jones believes it’s about time The Tribe received a little recognition.
And, after having endured a 22-minute butt chewing from Jones (I timed it) on Wednesday, I certainly wouldn’t disagree.
Entering today’s matchup with seventh-ranked Wall, the Lady Indians are 24-4 overall (despite a very difficult schedule) and 11-0 in District 3-3A. They are ranked 13th in the state and are coming off an impressive 7-3 win over 15th-ranked Clyde on Tuesday night — a victory that locked up the district title and one I missed to cover an area baseball game.
That didn’t go over too well, which is understandable.
The Lady Indians, regardless of the outcome against Wall today, will have the district’s top seed heading into the playoffs — something we haven’t seen from Jim Ned softball since the George W. Bush Administration. That’s a long time ago. So long ago, that it predates the birth dates of any current Jim Ned player.
Area Baseball Stat Leaders (through April 16)
Here are the area’s baseball statistical leaders through April 16.
Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions.
If your favorite team is missing, please give your head coach a friendly reminder to check his email for our weekly stat request or send Evan Ren a note at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com.
Area Softball Stat Leaders (through April 16)
Here are the area’s softball statistical leaders through April 16.
Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions.
If your favorite team is missing, please give your head coach a friendly reminder to check his or her email for our weekly stat request or send Evan Ren a note at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com.
GAME STORY: Stamford takes advantage of eight Anson miscues to score mercy rule win
ANSON — For Stamford it was a game that solidified its position in the District 8-2A standings. For Anson, it became one of those games that a team would just as soon forget about.
For the record, Stamford took Tuesday’s contest at AHS, 13-3 via the mercy rule in five innings. What relegated it to Anson’s spam file, however, was the fact that the Bulldogs achieved this with only six hits. The gaps between those hits were filled with multiple Tiger miscues (eight in all), along with five walks and two hit batsmen.
It made the job of Stamford southpaw knuckleballer Carlos Vega much easier than one may have expected. Vega worked all five innings to get the win, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts. He also helped himself at the plate with a 2-for-4 effort that included a three-run homer.
Stamford improved to 14-6 overall and 6-3 in district play. Anson fell to 8-8 and 4-5.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Stephenville senior takes our weekly award
In a week that featured at least a half dozen athletes who could have taken our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, we finally settled on a Stephenville senior for our weekly award.
Willis Jackson, one of the premiere speedsters in the Big Country, took four district titles in the District 6-4A meet last week
This included individual gold medals in the 100 meters (10.66), long jump (22-8.5) and Triple jump (43-8.5). He also collected gold with the 800 relay team (1:28.53), along with a silver with the 400 relay (42.45).
“Willis is headed to the area track meet in five events,” coach Kolt Kittley said. “He comes to workouts every day with a big smile and a great attitude.
“He was huge in helping us win the district track meet this year.”
Evan Ren’s 2026 Gym Rat Team: The hardest-working players in the Big Country!
Scoring and rebounding is only part of the story when it comes to basketball. Behind the scenes and beyond the view of the public, is where character is often measured. And it is with our Big Country Preps Gym Rat Team that we salute the individuals who exude the most of it.
This team isn’t about who the best players are, though some of the area’s top players are on this list.
The Gym Rat team is about effort, discipline, toughness, coachability and selflessness — traits that coaches love above all else and that championship foundations are built upon.
It is for that reason that our Gym Rat team is selected entirely by area coaches, described in their own words. And Big Country Preps is absolutely honored to present these individuals to you — the best “team players” (boys and girls) that the area had to offer during the 2025-26 season.
Players are listed in no particular order.
Enjoy.
2026 All-BCP Boys Basketball Superlatives: Gaylor, Toof, Ruffin, Britting, Bleiker take the top spots
Here are our superlative award winners for the 2025 All-Big Country Preps boys basketball team. For the rest of this year’s girls and boys basketball selections, click the links below.
- Girls First Team
- Girls Second Team
- Girls Third Team (w/ honorable mention)
- Girls Rising Stars Team (area’s top underclassmen)
- Girls Superlative Award Winners
- Boys Superlative Award Winners
- Boys First Team
- Boys Second Team
- Boys Third Team (w/ honorable mention)
- Boys Rising Stars Team (area’s top underclassmen)
- Gym Rat Team: The toughest, hardest-working teammates in the Big Country!
2026 All-Big Country Preps Boys Rising Stars Team: Future standouts to keep an eye on!
Here is our 2026 All-Big Country Preps Boys’ Basketball Rising Stars team, comprised of the top freshmen and sophomores in the area. For the rest of this year’s boys and girls basketball selections, click the links below.
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- Girls First Team
- Girls Second Team
- Girls Third Team (w/ honorable mention)
- Girls Rising Stars Team (area’s top underclassmen)
- Girls Superlative Award Winners
- Boys Superlative Award Winners
- Boys First Team
- Boys Second Team
- Boys Third Team (w/ honorable mention)
- Boys Rising Stars Team (area’s top underclassmen)
- Gym Rat Team: The toughest, hardest-working teammates in the Big Country!
2026 All-BCP Girls Basketball Superlatives: Hearne, Hudson, Enduki, Le Borgne, Crisler are the honorees
Here are our superlative award winners for the 2026 All-Big Country Preps girls basketball team. For the rest of this year’s girls and boys basketball selections, click the links below.
- Girls First Team
- Girls Second Team
- Girls Third Team (w/ honorable mention)
- Girls Rising Stars Team (area’s top underclassmen)
- Girls Superlative Award Winners
- Boys Superlative Award Winners
- Boys First Team
- Boys Second Team
- Boys Third Team (w/ honorable mention)
- Boys Rising Stars Team (area’s top underclassmen)
- Gym Rat Team: The toughest, hardest-working teammates in the Big Country!
2026 All-Big Country Preps Girls Rising Stars Team: Top area standouts of the future
Here is our 2026 All-Big Country Preps Girl’s Basketball Rising Stars team, comprised of the top freshmen and sophomores in the area. For the rest of this year’s boys and girls basketball selections, click the links below.
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- Girls First Team
- Girls Second Team
- Girls Third Team (w/ honorable mention)
- Girls Rising Stars Team (area’s top underclassmen)
- Girls Superlative Award Winners
- Boys Superlative Award Winners
- Boys First Team
- Boys Second Team
- Boys Third Team (w/ honorable mention)
- Boys Rising Stars Team (area’s top underclassmen)
- Gym Rat Team: The toughest, hardest-working teammates in the Big Country!
Area Softball Stat Leaders (through April 9)
Here are the area’s softball statistical leaders through April 9.
Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions.
If your favorite team is missing, please give your head coach a friendly reminder to check his or her email for our weekly stat request or send Evan Ren a note at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com.
Area Baseball Stat Leaders (through April 9)
Here are the area’s baseball statistical leaders through April 9.
Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions.
If your favorite team is missing, please give your head coach a friendly reminder to check his email for our weekly stat request or send Evan Ren a note at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com.
GAME STORY: Clutch hitting, dramatic pitching lift Hawley to huge district win at Stamford
STAMFORD — In a game that saw them outhit 9-7, there was one big plus for the Hawley Bearcats in Tuesday’s 7-2 win at Stamford: performance in the clutch.
Aside from several timely hits, Hawley also got a big-time pitching effort from starter Jesse Nieto, who escaped multiple jams and stranded 12 Stamford baserunners to help the Bearcats break a first-place tie in District 8-2A.
Jake Bristow was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI while Nieto delivered 6.1 innings on the bump to lift Hawley (14-7-1, 6-1) which took sole possession of first place with the win. Stamford slipped into second at 13-5 and 5-2.
“This is big for us because we’re a young team, just like Stamford,” Hawley coach Jamie Seago said. “This is always a tough place to play so it was a big-game environment for us.
“Hopefully, as we move along this will help us (develop) some confidence.”
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brock southpaw takes our top spot
In a week that features three entries from Brock, the top spot goes to one of the Eagles and with good reason.
Senior southpaw Evan O’Conner takes Big Country Preps Player of the Week Award after throwing a six-inning no hitter against Glen Rose last week.
The Arizona State-bound hurler was nearly perfect, throwing only 80 pitches, walking just one and fanning 13 Tigers. He is consistently pegging the radar gun in the mid 90s.
Area Baseball Stat Leaders (through April 2)
Here are the area’s baseball statistical leaders through April 2.
Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions.
If your favorite team is missing, please give your head coach a friendly reminder to check his email for our weekly stat request or send Evan Ren a note at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com.
Area Softball Stat Leaders (through April 2)
Here are the area’s softball statistical leaders through April 2.
Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions.
If your favorite team is missing, please give your head coach a friendly reminder to check his or her email for our weekly stat request or send Evan Ren a note at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Wall senior claims this week’s award
As one would expect, the Jim Ned Relays had a quality field of competition last week, opening the door for one of its athletes to snag Big Country Preps Player of the Week honors.
So it’s not surprising that its top performer sits atop of our weekly list of highlighted competitors from around the area.
Wall senior Bryson McFarden takes our weekly accolade after medaling five times in Tuscola with four golds and a silver.
GAME STORY: Haskell makes short work of Hawley in District 8-2A showdown
HASKELL — The first time Haskell and Hawley met on the softball diamond this season, the Maidens edged the Lady Cats 7-6 in a thrilling eight-inning road win on March 9.
Flash forward to Friday in Haskell, with both teams expecting another nail-biter and the results didn’t match what was anticipated. Haskell simply overwhelmed Hawley in the rematch, ending the contest via the 15-run rule with a 19-4 win in four innings.
Paige Scheets was 4-for-4 with a double, a homer and six RBIs and Rebekah Cunningham was 3-for-3 with a two-run homer to lead Haskell (10-6, 5-1 District 8-2A), which remains a game behind first-place Anson in the league race.
Hawley fell to 15-8 and 3-3, missing its chance to force a second-place tie with the Maidens. The Lady Cats were led by Lily Bailey, who was 2-for-2 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.
Area Softball Stat Leaders (through March 26)
Here are the area’s softball statistical leaders through March 26:
Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions.
If your favorite team is missing, please give your head coach a friendly reminder to check his or her email for our weekly stat request or send Evan Ren a note at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com.
Area Baseball Stat Leaders (through March 26)
Here are the area’s baseball statistical leaders through March 26.
Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions.
If your favorite team is missing, please give your head coach a friendly reminder to check his email for our weekly stat request or send Evan Ren a note at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Clyde’s Reynolds is the hands-down winner
In the pitcher’s circle, there are varying degrees of perfection. And in the case of our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, that statement was fully illustrated on Friday in a 6-0 Clyde win over Merkel.
Yes, CHS freshman Brynli Reynolds threw a perfect game. But this wasn’t your standard, every day, run-of-the-mill, garden variety perfecto.
In fact, it may have been the most dominating performance by a baseball or softball pitcher the Big Country has seen in the last two decades.
Aside from retiring 21 straight hitters from a very good Merkel team (19-2), Reynolds fanned the first 17 batters she faced and finished with 20 strikeouts. She also helped herself at the plate, going 1-for-2 with an RBI.
It was the second time this season that the Clyde freshman has taken our weekly accolade.
GAME STORY: Clyde freshman delivers astonishing pitching performance in 6-0 win over Merkel
CLYDE — You know you’re witnessing a masterful pitching performance when fans of the opposition have been reduced to cheering foul balls. And in Friday’s 6-0 Clyde win over Merkel, CHS hurler Brynli Reynolds delivered exactly that — a game so dominating that any contact made by the opposition was greeted with encouragement.
To begin with, Reynolds tossed a perfect game against a Merkel team that entered the contest with a 19-1 overall record. There were no hits, no walks and no Clyde errors while 21 straight Merkel hitters were retired.
But that doesn’t fully illustrate what occurred at Clyde’s Hanner Sports Complex. In fact, it undersells it.
Reynolds, you see, is only a freshman. And in seven innings of work against a legitimate district title contender, she struck out 20 batters. Not only that, but she fanned the first 17 hitters she faced, with the only ball put into play being a routine groundball out to second base by McKinley Crouch with two outs in the sixth inning.
Lost in all this was an effective pitching performance by Crouch, who allowed four earned runs on eight hits against a 19-0 Clyde team with 11 strikeouts of her own.
The Lady Badgers fell to 19-2 overall and 3-1 in District 6-3A. Clyde is now 6-0 in district.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF WEEK: Jayton’s Stanaland takes this week’s spotlight
Our Big Country Preps Player of the Week earned the accolade on the state’s biggest stage.
Jayton senior guard Sean Stanaland was a big contributor in several areas for the Jaybirds in a surprisingly easy 78-45 win over Kennard in the Class 1A Division II state title game. This began with the 28 points he scored to help JHS to its third straight championship.
He also pulled down 15 rebounds to go with five assists and three steals as Jayton capped its season with a victory in San Antonio’s Alamodome.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: And yet another Gaylor takes our weekly accolade
A week after Lipan’s Court Gaylor took our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award, yet another Lipan player has done the same thing.
And by sheer coincidence, her last name is Gaylor as well.
This time around it is freshman guard Sydni Gaylor, Court’s Younger sister, who has taken the accolade after leading the LHS girls to a Class 2A Division II state title in San Antonio on Thursday.
Helping the Lady Indians to a 42-35 over perennial power Martin’s Mill, Sydni finished with 23 points and was voted by attending media as the game’s MVP.
And the good news (at least for Lipan) is, this kid is only a freshman.
CLASS 3A DII GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Wall shuts down Nacogdoches Central Heights to win state title (box score included)
SAN ANTONIO — Under state championship pressure in front of a large crowd at the Alamodome, the Wall Lady Hawks called on an old friend to help them defeat Nacogdoches Central Heights 49-34 for the Class 3A Division II title on Friday.
Their buddy: half-court defense — the same defense that limited 20 of their last 25 opponents to 40 points or less. It was again the key to a Wall win, holding Central Heights to a dismal 11-of-51 tally (21.6 percent) from the floor. That’s the same Central Heights team that defeated newly crowned 3A DI state champion Hitchcock (51-50) earlier this year.
Jewels Johnson had nine points and 10 rebounds and McKenzie Lopez had 11 points and four boards to lead Wall (37-3), which never trailed from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Johnson earned game MVP honors, adding three assists and three steals to her stat line.
Central Heights finished at 32-6, led by Peaches Gallien with 15 points.
“We preached (defense) all year,” Wall coach Silas Crisler said. “We preach it, preach and preach it. Because we know that offense won’t travel with you every single time.
“We want to be the toughest team in Texas and we showed that today.”
CLASS 2A DII GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Freshman leads Lipan past Martin’s Mill for state title (box score included)
SAN ANTONIO — The combination of great team defense, a dominating effort on the glass and an eye-popping performance from a ninth-grader lifted the Lipan Lady Indians to the Class 2A Division II state title on Thursday.
Freshman Sydni Gaylor scored a game-high 23 points while Kynzi Callaway and Skylar Harrison added seven points apiece to lead Lipan (35-5), which handed perennial power Martin’s Mill a 42-35 defeat at the Alamodome. It was the fourth state championship for Lipan in 12 state tournament appearances.
Martin’s Mill (30-6) was led by Kara Nixon with 17 points, Teeley Salazar with seven and McKenna Wise with six.
“Win or lose, I was not ready for this season to be over,” Lipan coach Amber Branson said. “These girls are the most joyful kids I’ve ever been around.
“And all glory goes to God, because they love each other, they love their friends, but they love Jesus even more and it shows every day..”
CLASS 1A DI GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Eula falls to Broaddus in rematch of last year’s title game (box score included)
SAN ANTONIO — Entering Thursday’s Class 1A Division I girls basketball state championship game with Broaddus, Eula coach Josh Fostel was concerned with two key areas — turnovers and rebounding.
As it turned out, the Lady Pirates performed reasonably well in both areas (minus-2 in turnovers and minus-5 in rebounding). Unfortunately for Eula, an unforeseen disparity at the foul line proved fatal, as the Lady Pirates were just 4 of 11 at the stripe in a 52-42 loss in the Alamodome. Broaddus, by comparison, was 15 of 29 while winning its second straight state title, both of which have come against Eula.
Kaylynn Quinney scored a game-high 22 points and Jaila Mitchell added 12 more to lead Broaddus (36-5), which overcame an early 10-4 deficit to get the win. Eula (36-3) got 18 points from Emma Damron and nine from Kamryn Franklin.
GAME STORY: Lady Hawks edge Paradise in state semifinal thriller (box score included)
COMANCHE — Throughout the playoffs and much of the season, the Wall Lady Hawks have been able to put the opposition away with big runs, spurred on by its defense. And in Tuesday’s Class 3A DII state semifinal against Paradise, that seemed to be the case when Wall built a 12-point lead by the 6:31 mark of the fourth quarter.
There was just one problem: Paradise didn’t get the memo. And by the 3:11 mark had cut the gap to 1 in what eventually became a nail-biting 54-51 Wall win at the Comanche ISD Special Event Center.
Jewels Johnson scored a game-high 23 points and Kennedi Graves tossed in 15 more to lead Wall (36-3), which now advances to face Nacogdoches Central Heights (32-5) in the state championship game at 1 p.m. on Friday in the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Paradise (33-5) was led by sisters Jayci and Hartley Barnes with 14 points apiece.
“I told the girls that I’m speechless,” Wall coach Silas Crisler said. “Paradise is a great basketball team and (PHS coach Mike) Barnes does an excellent job.
“They really fought. We had them down by 12 and then we had then down by seven with two minutes to go, but they kept fighting and throwing punches.”
GAME STORY: Nazareth holds off furious Gordon rally to advance to state championship game (box score included)
SNYDER — With Nazareth leading Gordon 16-5 after one quarter and seeing that lead expand to 28-13 late in the second, it wasn’t difficult to think that the Swiftettes were on the verge of dominating Monday’s Class 1A DII girls state semifinal.
Nazareth coach Eric Schilling, however, knew better. He fully expected the top-ranked, unbeaten Lady Longhorns to make a run and that’s exactly what happened as the Swiftettes escaped the Western Texas College Coliseum with a 48-46 win.
Kambri Cleavinger scored 20 points and Lexi Ramaekers added 14 more to lead Nazareth (32-6), which advances to the state championship game where it will meet either Saltillo or Nueces Canyon on Thursday at 1 p.m. in San Antonio’s Alamodome.
Gordon finished its campaign at 34-1, led by Faith Garnett with a game-high 23 points. Marley Jackson and Stoney Bauer added nine and eight points respectively.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Lipan PG Gaylor nabs honor with pair of strong playoff performances
Entering the week at 35-1 and ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, the Lipan Indians have won 33 straight games since suffering their only loss of the year to Class 4A Dallas Roosevelt in mid-November.
At the heart of that success has been standout point guard Court Gaylor, who performed at a high enough level in LHS’ first two playoff games to claim our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award.