Being honored as the lone senior on the Wylie volleyball team, Avery LaCroix made her final home match a memorable one Tuesday evening, putting on a Senior Night show in a 25-13, 25-10, 25-13 win over crosstown rival Abilene High.
The versatile hitter put up a team-high 11 kills with a remarkable .688 hitting percentage while contributing a team high-tying three blocks (1 solo, 2 assists) to fuel a dominant effort for the Lady Bulldogs, who stayed unbeaten in District 4-5A play heading into a huge match at Wichita Falls Memorial on Friday.
The victory, which improved WHS to 31-7 overall and 7-0 in league action, was the 11th in a row for coach Shay Cox’s team, which has a chance to secure its second consecutive district title with one more win.
Forsan senior Hayden Bowlin had a career night last Friday and picked up our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award in the process.
Abilene High 73, Lubbock High 0 — The Eagles outgained the Westerners 445-32 and got three non-offensive touchdowns, including a pair of fumble return scores for nose guard Jayden Starks in a blowout win on homecoming.
Slowly but surely, the Cooper Cougars have emerged as one of the most explosive teams in the Big Country. And in its latest exploit, CHS rolled up 517 yards in total offense in a 66-16 win over Lubbock Cooper.
The season’s midpoint usually offers little in the way of big-time performances, with most of the area teams taking a bye week prior to the opening of district play.
As it turned out, the best game in the Big Country last week was Clyde’s dramatic 54-49 win over Muleshoe in the top shootout the area has seen thus far in 2025.
Wylie junior Haddie Mock was at her very best against difficult competition last week, helping the Lady Bulldogs to wins over seventh-ranked 3A Bushland (25-8) and 21st-ranked 4A Stephenville last week.
Our Big Country Preps Player of the Week is seldom an easy choice and this week was no exception. But Big Spring senior quarterback Marcus Rios had the numbers to snag the top spot in a brilliant performance against Lubbock High on Friday.
Milestones catch our eye when selecting our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, as do great weekly performances. But when both occur at the same time, you can rest assured that player will be in the running for the top spot.
Over the years, it has not been uncommon for the Abilene High defensive staff to turn undersized players with big hearts and high motors into outstanding linebackers or safeties.