Zach Lewis is ready to leave everything on the court these next couple weeks.
The Brock senior point guard’s competitive basketball days are numbered as he’ll be attending business school at Texas A&M next fall.
After playing a crucial role on the Eagles’ state-qualifying team two years ago and nearly leading Brock back to San Antonio last year, Lewis is well-versed in high-stakes postseason games.
Adam Hill was a key member of Albany’s state championship football team last fall.
The junior lined up at running back, played tight end in certain sets and even was occasionally a fullback. Hill was also a defensive end for the Lions after playing strong safety the previous year.
Hill’s versatility can also be seen on the basketball court. He’s a bigger guy who can handle the ball well. Hill pounds the glass with his 6-foot-2 frame and has worked hard to improve his outside shooting.
Everson Armstrong’s junior season was both trying and ironic.
The Wall basketball player ran into a wall early in his first scrimmage. The result was that Armstrong snapped part of his arm, missing the first couple months.
That injury combined with a broken thumb once he returned kept the Wall guard from becoming a dominant force during the 2021-22 season.
Photos courtesy of Santos Gomez
As Richard Pringle walked off the floor a couple months ago after telling his Comanche boys basketball team he would be retiring after the season, senior Miguel Martinez jogged up and put his arm around him.
“Looks like we’re going out together,” the point guard told Pringle.
That timing isn’t by coincidence. Pringle had thought about calling it quits at the end of the 2021-22 season, but he admitted Martinez was one of the main reasons he hung around this season.
Braxton Smith spent the fall as a dynamic receiver and defensive back for Coleman’s football team.
But from a young age, Smith’s favorite sport has been basketball.
“Basketball has always been my happy place,” Smith said. “The success we had in football has made me want to keep pushing and striving to become better and better because settling for less is not an option.”
Photos courtesy of Kevin Wright
Taylor Allen has accomplished many impressive feats during her four years playing basketball at Highland.
The 5-foot-8 standout has earned all-state honors during her first three seasons. By averaging 17.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists this year, a fourth all-state nod seems like a lock.
Allen has led the Lady Hornets to the regional tournament and has already signed to play basketball at Division II powerhouse Lubbock Christian.
GOLDTHWAITE — The Goldthwaite girls basketball program’s motto this year is “US.”
It stands for “Unified Squad,” and that unselfish approach is one main reason why the Lady Eagles enter the week with a 23-3 record and are No. 21 in the Class 2A rankings.
While coach Angie Hermesmeyer wants this season to be about the team more than any individual, it’s worth noting the growth of a certain individual she shares a residence with.
Graduation hit Stamford’s girls basketball team pretty hard after a historical run to the Class 2A state championship game.
But coach Joe Crabb knew that with point guard Laylonna Applin still suiting up, the Lady Bulldogs would always have a chance.
Applin has continued being the heart and soul of Stamford’s team her senior season, averaging 19.7 points, four assists and 6.2 steals per game.
Photos courtesy of Michael Leal
Grant Gooch foresaw the possibilities right away during his first Throckmorton basketball practice more than two years ago.
Gooch noticed a talented forward named Lily Cunningham and right away challenged the freshman to diversify her offensive game.
“It was during the first half of our first workout, and I said I wanted her to work on her 3-point shooting then,” Gooch recalled. “She was a little shocked, but she has bought in 100 percent. She’s been able to focus on growing her game from the post to getting to the rim to being a deadly 3-point shooter.”
Justice Fox enjoys letting it rip from 3-point range.
But the Cisco senior’s favorite part of the sport doesn’t have anything to do with shooting the basketball.
The 5-foot-8 shooting guard takes a lot of pride in her defense for the Lady Loboes, who are ranked No. 19 in the latest TABC rankings.
“I love offense, but I honestly would have to say defense is what I like better,” Fox said. “I just love getting to help my team with the defensive side of the game. I usually guard some really good athletes, and when I guard them well, it just makes me feel confident on how I defend.”
Main photo courtesy of Naomi Skinner
Grayson Rigdon makes playing six-man football look about as easy as anyone can.
While defenders labor to chase him, the Benjamin sophomore glides around the field. Rigdon even occasionally slows down before hitting the turbo button and zooming past helpless pursuers.
After leading Strawn to a state title as a freshman, Rigdon’s on track to do the same thing at Benjamin as the Mustangs are in the state semifinals for the first time in 45 years. They’ll play Whitharral at 3 p.m. Saturday with a chance to make history.
SPRINGTOWN — As Benjamin kept scoring on one-play drives Friday night, it became only a matter of time the Mustangs were going to mercy-rule Throckmorton.
But the top-ranked team in Class A Division II wanted to end things by halftime in its state quarterfinal matchup at Porcupine Stadium.
That’s why the Mustangs called timeouts on Throckmorton’s final second-quarter possession. It proved to be a savvy move as Grayson Rigdon’s 44-yard touchdown catch with five seconds left put the finishing touches on a 48-0 victory.
GRAHAM – Albany was challenged for the first time in a couple months Thursday night.
The sixth-ranked Lions needed a touchdown in the last minute of the first half against Muenster to take a lead into the locker room in a Region II-2A Division II area round matchup.
But once Albany regained the lead against the Hornets, there were no plans to relinquish it. The Lions scored six second-half touchdowns to pull away for a convincing 56-10 victory at Newton Field.
Albany (10-2) advances to face No. 4 Wink (12-0), which eliminated Santo 35-19, at a time and place to be determined, while Muenster ends its season at 6-6.
IOWA PARK — Jim Ned hasn’t backed down from the adversity it has faced throughout this season.
So it was no surprise the Indians rose to the occasion once more against Iowa Park on Thursday night with the District 3-3A Division I title on the line.
After falling behind midway through the third quarter, the Indians scored the game’s final three touchdowns to claim a 31-13 victory at Hawk Stadium.
If you watched Jim Ned’s Avery Vinson play volleyball for the first time, you’d notice a few things about the junior.
She never comes off the court. The six-rotation standout helps the Lady Indians as an outside hitter while sharing setting duties with Kate Bryant.
She has really good hands, which is one reason she leads Jim Ned with 478 assists. She’s also a lefty, which adds another dimension to the Lady Indians’ attack.
Perhaps you’d notice the passion Vinson has for the game and how she’s become more of a leader this year.
Tate Maruska is well on his way to rewriting Stephenville’s rushing records.
With 16 touchdowns in six games, the junior is on pace to break the Yellow Jackets’ mark of 29 scores set by Kason Phillips in 2020.
Coach Sterling Doty wasn’t sure what Stephenville’s single-season rushing record was off the top of his head, but with Maruska already having 1,290 yards, it’s not a stretch to say that total is in danger of falling too.
Photos courtesy of The Dublin Citizen
Madilyn Loper isn’t ready for her time as a Dublin volleyball player to end.
Loper has been on varsity since the early stages of her freshman season. Now she’s a senior standout who knows her playing days at Dublin are numbered.
“Volleyball is going to be incredibly hard to say goodbye to,” Loper said. “It’s been so much fun, and I have made some of the best memories I could possibly imagine. I have put all my time and effort into this sport, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Loper has been a stalwart in Arin Knight’s first year as Dublin’s head coach. She leads the Lady Lions with 2.2 kills per set and 23 aces while also ranking second in digs.
Jim Ned is still Jim Ned.
That’s the message coach Matt Fanning is confident his Indians will convey as District 3-3A Division I kicks off this week.
After an injury-riddled start to their season that included three consecutive losses, Jim Ned (2-3) closed out non-district with a pair of victories. The Indians look to keep that momentum going into Friday night’s 3-3A debut at Bowie.
“Our kids understood at the time – they’re savvy football players,” Fanning said. “We’re still Jim Ned. We weathered the storm and got some younger guys lots of reps.”
Photo courtesy of Jacob Brenem, Brenem Productions
Gracie Dearing feels like the rewards for playing volleyball at Trent are constant.
The senior captain hadn’t ever competed in the sport before it was brought back last year after a hiatus dating back to the 1950s.
But Dearing became interested when she saw a video of a men’s volleyball match. Getting an opportunity to represent her school and help start a program from scratch was too good of a chance to pass up.
“It’s been very rewarding, not only as an individual but as a team,” Dearing said. “This team has worked really hard to keep this program going. It’s been hard with how little players we have.”
Marquise Johnson hadn’t played the position in about four years.
But when Mitch McLemore was looking for someone to take over as Haskell’s starting quarterback this season, he turned to last year’s slot receiver.
“He’s had a little bit of a learning curve, but he brought the most to the table as far as athleticism, throwing, running and smarts,” McLemore said. “He’s done a great job learning a lot of stuff in a short period of time.”
The Indians are taking a 2-3 record into this week’s important District 7-2A Division II game at Petrolia, where McLemore spent two years (2019-20) as head coach.
Photos by Meredith Goodwin
Is versatile Jim Ned senior Kate Bryant better as an outside hitter or as a setter?
It’s a question that leaves Lady Indians volleyball coach Miranda Garcia stumped upon reflection.
“Ooohh that’s a tough one. She has always been a great setter, always had great hands, even in middle school,” Garcia said. “Her hitting has really come along since her sophomore year. She wanted to be an outside hitter since middle school, so she’s really been working on hitting.”
Photos by Rachel Laughlin and Tony Brockway
Clyde’s Chloe Ukle works best under pressure.
The senior libero thrives when opposing teams send volleyballs hurling her way, sprawling all over the court for digs.
“What I love about being a libero is the control that I have of the back row,” Ukle said. “Knowing that I am in control of what goes on in the back row pushes me harder.”
Ukle’s defensive efforts are a key reason the Lady Bulldogs are 20-12 heading into Tuesday’s non-district finale against Glen Rose. Despite facing difficult competition, Ukle leads the Big Country with 5.4 digs per set and has tallied 457 digs for the year.
Breckenridge has surprised a few folks around the Big Country, racing off to a 3-0 start that includes wins over perennial powers Childress and Cisco.
But senior quarterback Chase Lehr isn’t one of them.
“I know all of the hard work we have put in,” Lehr said. “This is what we have been working up to for the past couple of years, and now it’s finally starting to show.”
Kamryn Williams is more than just a six-rotation standout for Wall’s volleyball program.
While she once again leads the No. 8 Lady Hawks in kills (3.7 per set), it’s Williams’ senior leadership and determination that have been just as impressive.
“For the first time, she’s not necessarily our only go-to player because now anytime, we can go to anyone,” Wall coach Robynn Jones said. “That says a lot about Kamryn.
“She’s helped other players come into their own and gain the confidence they need so we can have a great team, not a good team.”
By Zach Duncan, special to Big Country Preps
WICHITA FALLS — Two heavyweights repeatedly traded punches Thursday night at Memorial Stadium.
Brock’s Billy Mathis watched his squad force overtime with 31 seconds remaining against a Hirschi team ranked No. 3 in 4A Division II.
Already having battled back from multiple second-half deficits, the Eagles were ready to answer once again in the extra session after the Huskies’ A’Marion Peterson scored from 17 yards out.
SWEETWATER — Noel Mekogue’s confidence has done nothing but grow in the past year.
A stellar junior season as Sweetwater’s nose guard is one reason for that. Another is the two new sports Mekogue succeeded in last year.
Now that Mekogue is one of just a few Mustangs with starting experience, even greater things are expected of him in 2022. It’s a challenge he has prepped for.
SWEETWATER — It’s staggering how much Sweetwater lost to graduation after coach Russell Lucas’ first year.
Twenty-seven seniors walked across the stage last May, leaving the Mustangs with only three returning starters from an 8-4 squad that won a district title and advanced to the second round.
Lucas is aware of his team’s youth, but he doesn’t want that to define his 2022 squad, either.
Carsyn and Cutter Campbell have been competing against each other their whole lives.
It doesn’t matter if it’s on the football field or at their house, Goldthwaite’s senior twins are always seeing who the “big dog” is.
“Whether it’s the first one who gets to the truck or who can eat the most food, we’re fighting for it,” Carsyn said. “Everything is a competition. We’ll end up tying or one of us will win, then the other will win the next time. We don’t have a legit answer on who’s the better twin.”
GOLDTHWAITE — Andy Howard is more than comfortable being back on Goldthwaite’s sidelines.
It’s the hometown of his wife, where his four kids still go to school and where he spent from 2015-18 coaching the Eagles’ defense under Greg Proffitt.
After being at Brownwood the past three-plus years, Howard returns to lead a football program that has four state titles on its resume but also hasn’t enjoyed a winning season since 2016.
The Big Country will be heavily represented at this week’s UIL state softball tournament as Coahoma, Stamford and Hermleigh will vie for championships.
The action begins Tuesday as the Lady Cardinals take on Chireno at 10 a.m. in the Class 1A semifinals. Stamford will take the next step in defending its Class 2A championship by facing Lovelady at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the semis.
Making its first state appearance since 2008, Coahoma will meet Franklin at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Class 3A semifinals. All games will be played at the University of Texas’ Red and Charline McCombs Field.
Here’s a look at what each team is facing in Austin:
The text came across Tyler Goodwin’s phone once Ira got off to a great start against Westbrook and after Nazareth had already locked up its berth in the Region I-A finals.
“I think I’m going to puke,” it read.
Don’t blame Kristi Goodwin for feeling this way. Either her husband, who has spent the past 24 years coaching at Ira, will lead the Bulldogs to their first state tournament in program history.
Or her oldest son will return the Swifts to Dell Diamond in his first season as their head baseball coach.
Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps
Niomi Wines isn’t surprised she qualified for the UIL Class 4A state track meet.
The Big Spring freshman will compete in the high jump at 9 a.m. Thursday and then turn around and run the 200 later that night.
“I thought it was a realistic goal, I just had to work a little bit to achieve it,” Wines said. “It was very realistic from the start.”
Continue reading “FEATURE: Big Spring freshman the lone representative at state for the Lady Steers”
By Zach Duncan, special to Big Country Preps
Chloe Whitmire isn’t afraid to challenge opposing batters.
The Breckenridge sophomore has always had the heat to back up that aggressive mindset. Now Whitmire also has tweaked her off-speed repertoire, making her one of the Big County’s toughest pitchers to hit.
“With my catcher in front of me and a solid defense behind me, it gives me the opportunity to really try some of the big bats,” Whitmire said. “Sometimes it gets us in trouble, but that’s just how we play.”
Dylan Faulks admits to having a love-hate relationship with the 300 hurdles.
The Stamford senior owns one of the best times at the Class 2A level and is hoping to return to state next month. As a junior, Faulks finished seventh last year in Austin, but he’s already running a faster time heading into regionals.
“The thing I like most about track is that it is a gut sport,” Faulks said. “Especially the 300s, not everybody can do it, so it makes it special.”
Haskell’s girls relay teams truly believe they can beat anybody at the Class 2A level.
That confidence was instilled last year when they captured three relay medals at state. It’s only grown under new coach Mindy Myers, who’s no stranger to success on the sport’s biggest stage.
Last week’s area track meet was the next step of progression for the Lady Indians, who ran their fastest times of the year in the 4×100 (50.01), 4×200 (1:45.27) and 4×400 (4:06.42).
When Winters senior Saleen Jalomo steps into the batter’s box, everyone holds their breath.
One dugout prepares for Jalomo to either rip the ball into the gap or over the fence, while the other dugout braces for potential damage.
Lady Blizzards coach Kendra Bryant knows something special could happen on the next pitch. Meanwhile, Jalomo simply focuses on waiting for a good pitch.
Photos courtesy of Cassie Gang Photography
Coleman’s Devinar Roberson has an explosiveness that can’t be taught.
He’s motivated by a play-to-win mentality. And he doesn’t mind putting on a show, either.
Those qualities make Roberson not only a state title contender in multiple field events, but also a must-watch competitor every time the senior jumps.
Payton Phillips knows where she wants to visit next month.
The Clyde junior enjoyed her first experience at the UIL state track meet last spring, competing in the 3A long jump and 100 hurdles. It left Phillips wanting more.
“My experience at state was eye-opening because I got to see competition like I haven’t seen before,” Phillips said. “Seeing so many great athletes pushed me to run and jump to my fullest potential.”
When the UIL boys basketball playoffs start this week, Jayton will enter as one of several highly ranked favorites to capture Region I-A.
A third trip to state in four years would be quite an accomplishment for Ryan Bleiker’s program. However, that’s not on the mind of the longtime Jaybirds coach right now.
“We really do just try to enjoy the process, enjoy each win,” Bleiker said. “What I never want to happen is that we take things for granted, that winning a bi-district game doesn’t mean as much. I really want us to try and enjoy each moment while also having goals, but those goals will come if we enjoy the process.”
Photos courtesy of Lyndel Moody/Coahoma ISD
Raheem Ashford loves basketball.
If the senior isn’t playing the sport for Coahoma, he’s probably watching a game on television. If he’s not doing that, he’s likely playing NBA 2K.
“Basketball is what I do in my free time,” Ashford said. “I’m just strictly a basketball guy. I ran track last year and I’ve tried baseball, but I feel like basketball is the only sport for me.”
Claire Graham is focused on enjoying the moment.
As Jim Ned’s lone senior, she knows more than most about the challenges that lay ahead in a difficult Region I-3A.
But Graham also is aware of the keys to district and postseason success. The Lady Indians’ leadership is a main reason why they’ll head to the playoffs with a 30-1 record and No. 5 state ranking.
Photos by Jose Jimenez/Snyder News.
There’s no denying that Snyder’s Eber Murillo is one of the Big Country’s most dangerous offensive weapons.
But labeling Murillo, who averages 21.2 points a game, as purely a scorer doesn’t do the senior justice.
Tigers coach Lee Scott depends on the 6-foot-4 Murillo to defend the opponent’s best player, whether it be a guard or forward. He leads Snyder in both rebounds and blocks.
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.
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.
The last few weeks have been tough on Brock’s Nathan Jones.
A competitive person at heart, Jones wants to be out on the court helping the Eagles. But the University of Minnesota football signee also knows the importance of letting his foot injury heal.
The plan is for the All-Big Country Preps standout to return during the second half of district, which means fans will soon be seeing Brock’s 6-foot-6 post who averaged 19 points last season.
Alyssa O’Malley’s happy place is inside a basketball gym.
That’s where the Merkel senior spends most of her free time, honing her shot and working on her craft.
“A special coach once told me that there is always someone out there working harder than you,” O’Malley said. “There is a lot of pride taken into my work ethic as I know that the preparation side of the game is vital to the way I perform.”
Joe Crabb knew he was inheriting a talented girls basketball team when he became Stamford’s coach over the summer.
But Crabb had no idea the profound impact the Lady Bulldogs would have on him in such a short amount of time.
“It’s a special, special group to me. I’ve liked all my kids I’ve ever coached, but I feel like we’re a really close group,” Crabb said. “It’s been a blast. They’ve given me a new lease on life, rejuvenated me for sure.”
GRAHAM — As quarterback Cole Chapman continued backpedaling to take one last knee Friday night, Albany’s celebration could finally commence.
The fourth-ranked Lions had waited a long time to get the better of defending champion Windthorst. Thanks to another quick start and a relentless defense, Albany avenged last year’s disappointment with a 28-14 victory at Newton Field.
GRAHAM — When Santo’s option offense gets rolling, it puts opponents on edge and drains precious minutes off the clock.
But the Wildcats couldn’t gain any traction Friday afternoon against No. 3 Windthorst’s dominant front.
That translated into a lot of Santo punts and short fields for the Trojans, who kept their title defense hopes alive with a 40-7 victory at Newton Field.
Windthorst (12-1) advances to play Albany next week for the Region II-2A Division II title, while Santo ends one of its best seasons in school history at 11-2.
Stephenville’s prolific offense garners much regional and statewide attention.
While the headlines are deserved, another crucial reason why the No. 2 Yellow Jackets are one game away from a perfect regular season has to do with the guys on the other side of the ball.
Linebacker Reese Young and his defensive brethren have made a stark improvement from a year ago.