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Category: Anson Tigers
GAME STORY: Anson sees season end in Region I-2A semis with 13-12 loss to New Home
It took three months, but the Anson baseball team finally met its match, falling in three games to New Home to end a noteworthy season in the Region I-2A semifinals.
Coming off an 11-6 defeat in Friday’s series opener — the Tigers’ first loss since March 12 and just their second of the season to that point — AHS bounced back with a 4-2 win in Game 2 to force a deciding third game. But coach Scotty Nichols team couldn’t quite complete a doubleheader sweep Saturday at Abilene Christian University’s Crutcher Scott Field, dropping a 13-12 decision in the rubber match to close its campaign at 26-3-1.
The Tigers, who rallied from a 7-0 deficit after 1½ innings to pull within a run in the sixth, had ample opportunities in the clincher, but they left 12 runners stranded, including nine in scoring position. Anson got the tying run to second in the bottom of the seventh, but New Home reliever Owen Morris got Stryker Dillard to fly out to shallow right field and Dylyn Pyle to foul out to catcher Ryan Bundy to end the Tigers’ playoff run.
FEATURE: Deep, dominant pitching staff fueling Anson baseball’s run
At the Class 2A level, pitching quality and depth is a luxury not all coaches can boast. So the fact that Anson baseball coach Scotty Nichols has four pitchers he feels confident throwing in any situation and three others who can give him innings when he needs them makes him unique among his peers.
That blessing has not been lost on Nichols, whose staff has posted a 1.61 team ERA and 1.033 WHIP heading into its Region I-2A semifinals series against New Home.
Behind that staff, Anson has gone 25-1-1 this season. And thanks in large part to what its members provide on a game-to-game basis, the Tigers, who missed state by a single game last year, have their sights set on earning their first state tournament appearance 2014.
CAPITAL FARM CREDIT/BCP PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Stephenville pole vaulter Kirbo wins final award of 21-22 school year
As one of the defensive leaders for Stephenville’s state championship football team, Ben Kirbo was ensured a memorable senior year regardless of what happened at the Class 4A state track meet.
But the SHS standout and future TCU pole vaulter wanted a little icing on his cake … and got it.
Kirbo vaulted 16 feet in Austin last week to win the Class 4A pole vault competition by a full foot over Pleasanton’s Preston Pilgrim and Argyle’s Mitchell Thompson. And in doing so, he earned our final Capital Farm Credit/BCP Player of the Week award for the 2021-22 school year.
PHOTO GALLERY: Anson-Christoval baseball playoff (34 images)
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Continue reading “PHOTO GALLERY: Anson-Christoval baseball playoff (34 images)”
GAME STORY: Anson scores pair of run-rule wins over Christoval, punches ticket to I-2A quarterfinals
The Anson Tigers became the first area baseball team to punch their ticket to the third round of the playoffs on Thursday, earning a pair of run-rule wins over Christoval to sweep their Region I-2A area-round series with the Cougars.
Fueled by a pair of outstanding pitching efforts, coach Scotty Nichols team followed a 13-0 win in Game 1 with a 10-0 victory in Game 2 to make quick work of Christoval at Abilene High’s Blackburn Field.
The Tigers (24-1-1) will now await the result of this weekend’s series between Hamilton (20-7) and Colorado City (8-11) to see who they will play in the Region I-2A quarterfinals next week.
PHOTO GALLERY: Anson-Miles baseball playoff (60 images)
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GAME STORY: Anson rides fast start to 8-1 win over Miles, advances to area round
Coming off a hard-fought 5-3 win over Miles in Game 1 of their Region I-2A bi-district series against the Bulldogs, the Anson Tigers eliminated the drama early in Game 2 on Saturday, scoring four first-inning runs on their way to an 8-1 series-clinching win at Abilene Cooper.
Coach Scotty Nichols’ squad led 7-0 by the end of the third inning and 8-0 before Miles finally scored in the sixth to avoid the shutout.
The victory, which improved the Tigers to 22-1-1, earned AHS an area-round date with Christoval next week.
Continue reading “GAME STORY: Anson rides fast start to 8-1 win over Miles, advances to area round”
Back-to-back shutouts. 
CAPITAL FARM CREDIT/BCP PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jim Ned duo shares this week’s spotlight
Even in high school baseball, perfect games are rare. Two perfect games in one week in the same league are extremely uncommon.
Two perfect games in one week, thrown by a pair of teammates are about as elusive as a Lochness Monster sighting.
And coincidentally, that’s about how often Big Country Preps names two players for the Capital Farm Credit/BCP Player of the Week.
Big Country boys basketball playoff pairings, results (March 5)
Here are the updated Big Country boys basketball playoff pairings, results through March 5:
Continue reading “Big Country boys basketball playoff pairings, results (March 5)”
PHOTO GALLERY: Seymour-Anson girls basketball playoff (28 images)
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Continue reading “PHOTO GALLERY: Seymour-Anson girls basketball playoff (28 images)”
BREAKING: Anson’s Hagler stepping down as football coach, athletic director
Anson football coach and athletic director Chris Hagler announced on Tuesday morning that he would be resigning from his post at the end of the school year.
Hagler, who has led the Tigers since the 2014-15 school year, confirmed his departure in a phone call Tuesday afternoon with Big Country Preps.
He compiled a record of 50-42 in eight years leading the Anson program, which was his first career head coaching job. Continue reading “BREAKING: Anson’s Hagler stepping down as football coach, athletic director”
GAME STORY: Anson defense stymies Seymour as Lady Tigers advance
ANSON — With the performance of their defense, the Anson girls had plenty of time to settle in offensively in Monday’s 2A bi-district matchup with Seymour.
But as it turned out, the Lady Tigers got enough production to walk away with a lopsided 55-29 win at Graham High School.
Mattie Dollar scored a game-high 22 points and Gracie Feagan added 14 more to lead Anson (23-7), which now advances to face Lipan on Thursday in Eastland.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CAPITAL FARM CREDIT WEDNESDAY NIGHT PODCAST: Area coaches talk about realignment day
CAPITAL FARM CREDIT WEDNESDAY NIGHT PODCAST: Area coaches join the show to talk realignment.
Big Country Boys Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Jan. 20)
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.
Big Country Girls Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Jan. 20)
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.
CAPITAL FARM CREDIT WEDNESDAY NIGHT PODCAST: Evan and Dan discuss All-BCP Team
Evan and Dan go over the 2021 All-Big Country Preps Football Team, plus Player of the Year, Offensive and Defensive MVPs, Coach of the Year and more!
EVAN REN’S 2021 TRUE GRIT TEAM: The toughest, hardest-working players in the Big Country!
Most high school football teams have that one player acknowledged by the coaching staff as the prime example of what a teammate should be.
He’s the guy who seldom misses any practice time and is a regular in the weight room. He’s early to arrive. He’s late to leave, takes pride in being coachable but seldom needs direction.
He always sets the right example for younger players. He doesn’t gripe and, above all else, he’s tough enough to make all the aforementioned traits possible.
Know someone like that? Here is where they are honored.
Welcome to Big Country Preps’ “True Grit” team — a collection of area players nominated by their head coaches, who exemplify the character traits football mentors want throughout their roster.
Not all of them are great players. In fact, many of them will never play a down of college football. But every single one of them is making the most of their high school football experience and has helped those around them do the same.
We are absolutely honored to present these young men to you — the toughest, hardest-working football players the Big Country had to offer in 2021.
All-Big Country Preps Football Team: Third-Team Roster (w/ honorable mention)
Here are our selections for the 2021 All-Big Country Preps Football Team (Third-Team roster). For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.
TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: Anson boys, girls win pools; Roscoe girls rebound in Holiday Tourney
ANSON — Pool play concluded in the annual Anson Holiday Tournament on Monday, and nobody is in better shape than the hosts.
The Anson Tigers and Lady Tigers both swept through pool play with two straight wins — the boys beating Seymour 39-38 and Roscoe (69-29), while Anson’s girls dropped Roscoe 43-30 and Seymour 55-38. Both teams will play in their respective “Gold” brackets today with a chance to win the Tournament championship.
The Anson girls will face Farwell, the winner of Pool C at 8:30 a.m today. A victory would advance them to the tournament championship to face either Idalou or Iowa Park at 6 p.m. The Anson boys will take on Gunter at 1:30 p.m. If they win, they will face either Sweetwater or Farwell for the tournament championship at 7:30 p.m.
The Roscoe girls, despite their 0-1 start, recovered with a 63-38 win in the evening to secure a spot in the silver bracket where they will take on Lorena.
CAPITAL FARM CREDIT/BCP PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Stamford’s Applin wins this week’s award
While scoring a lot of points is always an attention-getter, the Capital Farm Credit/BCP Player of the Week column puts a great deal of value in players who can contribute in a variety of ways. And today’s winner is a prime of example of that.
Stamford junior guard Laylonna Applin takes our accolade after helping the Lady Bulldogs to a 5-0 record on the week, with wins over Burkburnett, Christoval, Class 4A No. 13 Sanger, the San Angelo Central JV and Veribest. The last for victories came in the Ballinger tournament, at which Applin was named MVP.
Yes, she did plenty of scoring, dropping in an eye-popping 134 points through five games. But Applin did a lot more than just put the ball in the hoop.
CAPITAL FARM CREDIT/BCP PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Hico sophomore Booth earns the spotlight
Big numbers will generally get one strong consideration for our Capital Farm Credit/Big Country Preps Player of the Week award. But when those numbers come against a team from a much larger classification, it quickly makes us take notice.
Class 2A Hico’s Grace Booth did exactly that last week in a 61-57 win over Class 4A Mineral Wells, dominating both ends of the floor to lead the Lady Tigers in their season opener.
Aside from the 40 points she poured in, Booth snagged 10 rebounds to chart a double-double. She also forced multiple turnovers (viewable on the video above), including three steals.
PHOTO GALLERY: Anson-Coleman football (95 images)
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Continue reading “PHOTO GALLERY: Anson-Coleman football (95 images)”
Class 2A bi-district report: Hawley cruises past San Saba, into area round
DIVISION I
Hawley 56, San Saba 9 — Austin Cumpton rushed for 111 yards and five touchdowns while the Bearcat defense limited San Saba to just 98 total yards in a lopsided victory for Hawley.
The Bearcats (11-0), who also got 97 yards and one TD rushing from Lawson Bailey, led 42-0 by halftime and added another touchdown in the third quarter before the Armadillos finally got on the board.
San Saba, which closed its season at 2-9, was led by Wesley Lackey with 99 yards and one rushing touchdown on 10 carries.
GAME STORY: No. 9 Coleman blasts Anson 62-12 in triumphant playoff return
Playing their first playoff game since 2017 after having the postseason trip they earned last year wiped out by COVID, the Coleman Bluecats weren’t about to let Thursday’s bi-district matchup with Anson go by without savoring the experience.
And by the time they left the field at Wylie’s Hugh Sandifer Stadium with the gold ball they had earned with Thursday’s 62-12 win, coach John Elder and company had given themselves — and the many blue-clad fans in attendance — a memorable experience to enjoy.
The ninth-ranked Bluecats rushed for 425 yards while limiting the Tigers to just 237 yards of total offense to run away from the Tigers and earn an area-round matchup next week with the winner of Farwell and Post at a time, date and location to be determined.
BCP Boys Basketball Position Rankings: Posts
After highlighting the Big Country’s top guards and forwards the past two nights, we now take a look at the area’s best big men.
For the final installment in our three-part boys basketball position rankings series, we rank the Big Country’s top 10 post players.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading through our rankings, and make sure to check back for all our boys and girls basketball coverage this season.
BCP Boys Basketball Position Rankings: Guards
With boys basketball season beginning this week, it’s time to shine a spotlight on some of the players you’ll be reading about throughout the 2021-22 season.
For the first installment in a three-part series that will cover all positions on the area boys basketball scene, we’ll be taking a look at the Big Country’s top guards, ranking our top 10 with a list of others to watch this winter.
We hope you enjoy reading through our list.
CAPITAL FARM CREDIT/BCP PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Roscoe’s Watts claims this week’s award
Nobody ever truly obtains perfection on the football field. And even if you believe you’ve achieved it, any competent coach can quickly scan the game film and point out when and where you could have been better along the way.
Roscoe sophomore Jax Watts, however, came about as close as one can come to that lofty goal in Friday’s 61-0 win over Hamlin.
To begin with, our Capital Farm Credit/Big Country Preps Player of the Week hit 17 of 18 passes for 436 yards and six touchdowns as the Plowboys (9-1) closed the season with a nine-game winning streak and district title.
District 3-2A Div. I Week 11 Report: Haskell locks up third seed with win over Stamford
Haskell 37, Stamford 20 —Haskell overcame four turnovers to chalk up its second straight win and secure the No. 3 seed in district.
The Indians rushed for 219 yards as a team while limiting Stamford to 195 yards in total offense.