Here are the girls area track bests through April 21 (top 15 in each event):
Category: Brady Bulldogs
PHOTO GALLERY: Region I-3A track meet Day 1 (54 images)
Digital photos, prints and keepsakes may be purchased by clicking the link below. The “BigCountryPreps.com” watermark will be removed from all purchased photos.
Continue reading “PHOTO GALLERY: Region I-3A track meet Day 1 (54 images)”
Big Country Baseball Statistical leaders (through April 18)
Here are the area’s baseball statistical leaders through April 18.
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.
FINAL Big Country Regular Season Softball Statistical leaders for 2024 (through April 18)
Here are the area’s softball statistical leaders through April 18.
With the end of the regular season, this will be our FINAL softball leaders posting for 2024.
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.
Big Country Softball Statistical Leaders (through April 11)
Here are the area’s softball statistical leaders through April 11.
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.
Big Country Baseball Statistical Leaders (Through April 4)
Here are the area’s baseball statistical leaders through April 4.
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.
Big Country Softball Statistical Leaders (Through April 4)
Here are the area’s softball statistical leaders through April 4.
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.
Big Country Baseball Statistical Leaders (Through March 28)
Here are the area’s baseball statistical leaders through March 28.
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.
Big Country Softball Statistical Leaders (Through March 28)
Here are the area’s softball statistical leaders through March 28.
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.
Evan Ren’s 2024 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 upon which championship foundations are built.
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 2023-24 season.
Players are listed in no particular order.
Enjoy.
2024 All-Big Country Preps Boys Basketball Rising Stars Team: The top freshmen and sophomores in the area!
Here is our 2024 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.
- Girls Superlative Award Winners
- Girls First Team
- Girls Second Team
- Girls Third Team (w/ honorable mention)
- Boys Superlative Award Winners
- Boys First Team
- Boys Second Team
- Boys Third Team (w/ honorable mention)
- Gym Rat Team: The toughest, hardest-working teammates in the Big Country! (Sunday)
2024 All-Big Country Preps Girls Basketball Rising Stars Team: The top freshmen and sophomores in the area!
Here is our 2024 All-Big Country Preps girls 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.
- Girls Superlative Award Winners
- Girls First Team
- Girls Second Team
- Girls Third Team (w/ honorable mention)
- 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! (Sunday)
PHOTO GALLERY: Brady-Merkel girls basketball bi-district playoff (76 images)
Digital photos, prints and keepsakes may be purchased by clicking the link below. The “BigCountryPreps.com” watermark will be removed from all purchased photos.
Continue reading “PHOTO GALLERY: Brady-Merkel girls basketball bi-district playoff (76 images)”
GAME STORY: Stifling defense, extended runs fuel Merkel to bi-district win over Brady
WINTERS — During Brady’s 10-0 run through District 5-3A play, the Lady Bulldogs made a habit of dictating tempo, frequently overwhelming their opponents on the defensive end.
On Monday at the Winters High School gym, it was Merkel that did those things to BHS, limiting the Lady Bulldogs to just 12 total field goals in a 54-31 bi-district win.
Taking advantage of a strong start, the Lady Badgers raced out to a 15-6 lead after a quarter and never trailed from there, using an 11-0 run out of halftime to build a 20-point cushion they would have little trouble protecting the rest of the way.
Big Country Boys Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Jan. 25): Scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, FT Pct., pass deflections and blocks
Below are the current season statistical leaders for Big Country boys basketball through Jan. 25.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the regular season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
Big Country Girls Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Jan. 25): Scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, FT Pct., pass deflections and blocks
Below are the current season statistical leaders for Big Country girls basketball through Jan. 25.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the regular season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
Evan Ren’s 2023 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 and takes pride in being coachable, though he seldom needs direction.
He always sets the right example for younger players. He doesn’t complain and above all else, he’s tough enough to make all the aforementioned traits consistently 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 and Big Country Preps staff, who exemplify the character traits football mentors want throughout their roster.
Big Country Boys Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Jan. 11): Scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, FT Pct., pass deflections and blocks
Below are the current season statistical leaders for Big Country boys basketball through Jan. 11.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the regular season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
Big Country Girls Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Jan. 11): Scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, FT Pct., pass deflections and blocks
Below are the current season statistical leaders for Big Country girls basketball through Jan. 11.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the regular season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Hico’s Powell takes this week’s accolade
Big numbers are always great to have when we decide the winner of our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award. Solid numbers across multiple tasks are even better.
That was the case with this week’s spotlight player, Buck Powell, of Hico, who helped the Tigers to a 47-14 rout of Maud in the Class 2A DII bi-district round on Friday.
2023 BIG COUNTRY PREPS BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW: The area’s top teams in each class throughout the BCP coverage area
With a new season of boys high school basketball poised to begin, it’s time to take a look at what the Big Country will produce on the court.
Below you will find our top teams in each classification in the Big Country Preps coverage area, from Big Spring in the West, to Brock in the east and from Brady in the south to Munday in the north.
Our rankings of the top teams in each class are given, along with a season outlook, cataloguing our expectations for each club.
Here’s our preview. We’ll see you on the road.
DISTRICT 2-3A DIV. II WEEK 11 REPORT: Wall completes district sweep with win over Brady; Early takes second seed
Wall 68, Brady 0 — The Hawks (8-2, 5-0) piled up 302 yards on the ground to finish an unbeaten district title.
Nathan Pepper topped the stat sheet with 129 yards rushing and two scores. Wall will host Tornillo on Friday in the bi-district round at 6 p.m. in Wall.
Brady dropped to 3-7 and 0-3. The Bulldogs will face Alpine at 7 p.m. on Friday at Reagan County.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Wylie, Cooper clash in burgeoning rivalry game
LAST WEEK: 47-5, .903
SEASON TOTAL: 438-91, .827
With the column hitting at more than 90 percent accuracy last week, we now close the regular season on the upswing and with something uncommon: A local Big Country Preps Game of the Week.
While our weekly picks column generally highlights the top area game outside of the Abilene city limits, this week seems to call for us to stay at home with rivals Wylie (6-3, 3-1) and Cooper (4-5, 3-1) fighting for sole possession of the No. 2 seed in District 2-5A Division II.
Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders (as submitted by area coaches through Oct. 31)
NOTE: This will be our final installment of Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders for the 2023 season
Big Country Preps is publishing area volleyball statistical leaders each Tuesday at 7 p.m. roughout the regular season.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
DISTRICT 2-3A DIV. II WEEK 10 REPORT: Hawks clinch district title; Grape Creek upsets Brady; TLCA tops Ballinger
Wall 50, Early 6 — The Hawks locked up the district title behind 429 yards rushing as a team.
The Hawks used seven different ball carriers on the night, four of whom found the end zone. Garrett Guy, topped the stat sheet with 98 yards and one TD.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Bulldogs, Bearcats meet with district title in the balance
LAST WEEK: 44-7, .862
SEASON TOTAL: 391-86, .820
It really didn’t take long for people to start talking about the Hawley – Stamford matchup in 2023. In fact, this one was on our calendar as a possible Game of the Week before the season even started.
Who will win? That depends on who you speak with. Our Twitter poll is split virtually down the middle and even the computers see this one as a near tossup.
Stamford (7-0, 4-0 District 4-2A DII) enters this game scarcely challenged, rolling over the opposition by an average tally of 45-8. Hawley (6-2, 4-0), on the other hand, comes in with some battle scars after a brutal schedule featuring Jim Ned, Lubbock Roosevelt and Albany.
Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders (as submitted by area coaches through Oct. 24)
Big Country Preps is publishing area volleyball statistical leaders each Tuesday at 7 p.m. roughout the regular season.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
DISTRICT 2-3A DIV. II Week 9 Report: Wall, Early retain district lead; Brady edges Ballinger
Wall 69, San Angelo TLCA 12 — Gunner Dillard threw for 194 yards and three scores and rushed for 51 yards and three more TDs to lead the Hawks in a rout of TLCA.
Wall (6-2, 3-0) raced out to a 55-0 halftime lead before putting things into cruise control.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Stephenville hosts China Spring (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks)
LAST WEEK: 40-8, .833
SEASON TOTAL: 347-79, .814
As Week 9 of the 2023Texas High School football season gets underway, there are multiple high-profile games that would qualify as our Big Country Preps Game of the Week.
But we’re settling for a rare Thursday night matchup at Tarleton State University where seventh-ranked 4A DI Stephenville (5-2, 1-0) will play host to fourth-ranked China Spring (6-2, 2-0) in a game will give the victor sole possession of first place in District 5.
Picking who wins it may come down to throwing darts, but I do believe China Spring has one key advantage.
DISTRICT 2-3A DIV. II WEEK 8 REPORT: Wall, Early both improve to 2-0 in league play; TLCA routs Grape Creek
Wall 61, Ballinger 6 — The Hawks used 10 different ball carriers to produce 392 rushing yards in a win over their area rival.
Luke Kemp topped the stat chart with 104 yards rushing and two scores on only three carries for Wall, which improved to 5-2 and 2-0.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Hico hosts Dawson with high playoff seeds in the balance (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks)
LAST WEEK: 41-7, .854
SEASON TOTAL: 307-71, .812
Big Country Preps makes a point of sharing the love and we look for opportunities to take our Game of the Week to as many different places that make sense each year.
Yet since our inaugural season in 2018, a rebuilding Hico football team missed our spotlight game for five straight seasons.
That drought ends this week when BCP visits Hico for the first time as the Tigers (5-2, 2-1 District 10-2A DII) host Dawson (5-1, 2-0) in a crucial matchup with high seed implications.
DISTRICT 2-3A DIV. II Week 7 Report: Wall, Brady and Early open district play victorious
Wall 67, San Angelo Grape Creek 0 — The Hawks (4-2, 1-0) pounded out 375 yards rushing to open district play with a win.
Wall used nine different ball carriers, with Nathan Pepper topping the stat sheet with 91 yards and three scores on seven carries.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Clyde heads to Vernon for district-opening battle of unbeatens
LAST WEEK: 37-3, .925
SEASON TOTAL: 266-64, .806
Contrast in styles games make for excellent entertainment and are usually high on our list of potential Big Country Preps Games of the Week.
Friday we have such a matchup when Clyde (5-0) travels to Vernon (5-0) in the District 3-3A DI opener for both clubs. Clyde and its power spread offense capable of running or throwing the ball well, against a run-based multiple attack used by Vernon that seems almost out of the 1950s.
Both clubs are good at what they do. Both are physical and both are fully aware of how important this league opener is. In fact, this may end up ranking as one of the more physical Games of the Week we’ll see in 2023.
DISTRICT 2-3A DIV. II WEEK 6 REPORT: Hawks fall to Mason with the rest of the district taking a bye week
Mason 14, Wall 7 — An anticipated trench war materialized at the Puncher Dome with Mason holding off Wall by a score.
The Hawks (3-2) were limited to an uncharacteristic 251 yards in total offense by Mason, which improved to 6-0 on the year.
Gunner Dillard led Wall with 136 yards passing, 40 yards rushing and the team’s lone TD.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Yellow Jackets head to Brownwood to face archrival
LAST WEEK: 46-12, .793
SEASON TOTAL: 229-61, .789
More often than not, Big Country Preps makes an appearance at the annual Stephenville-Brownwood matchup. Because more often than not, it produces a game worthy of one of Texas’ top rivalries.
This year is no exception as Stephenville travels to famous Gordon Wood Stadium for the Big Country Preps Game of the Week.
DISTRICT 2-3A DIV. II Week 5 report: TLCA blanks Stanton, but the remainder of the district falls in Week 5
San Angelo TLCA 41, Stanton 0 — The Eagles were the lone team in District 2-3A DII to notch a victory in Week 5.
Limiting Stanton to only 260 yards in total offense, TLCA forced four SHS turnovers and controlled from beginning to end.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Sweetwater plays host to Clyde in battle of unbeatens
LAST WEEK: 44-11, .800
SEASON TOTAL: 183-49, .788
Some weeks are just loaded with competitive area games and Week 5 of the 2023 season falls squarely into that category.
This week’s menu features six or seven games that under normal circumstances, would qualify for our Big Country Preps Game of the Week. This forces us to push some great matchups aside to select our spotlight game.
This week, we go with a battle of unbeatens — Class 3A Division I Clyde (4-0) at Class 4A Div. II Sweetwater (4-0) — at the famed Mustang Bowl at SHS.
DISTRICT 2-3A DIV. II WEEK 4 REPORT: Wall, Brady collect wins in an otherwise tough night for the district
Wall 42, Peaster 0 — The Hawks (3-1) pounded out 221 rushing yards among nine different ball carriers in a dominating win over Peaster (1-3).
It was the first shutout of the year for the Hawks, who to date, have allowed only 37 points through four games
DISTRICT 2-3A DIV. II WEEK 3 REPORT: Bangs notches first win; Comanche dominates Early
Bangs 42, Grape Creek 6 — Kenny Cole threw for 201 yards and three scores and Ethan Ethridge accounted for 243 yards rushing/receiving and two TDs to lift the Dragons.
Bangs (1-2) notched the first win of the Jason Cole era with the victory.
DISTRICT 2-3A DIV. II WEEK 2 REPORT: Wall outmuscles Cisco, 27-10
Wall 27, Cisco 10 — The Hawks used a workmanlike effort on the ground, pounding out 312 yards rushing with nine different ball carriers to hand Cisco (0-2) its second straight loss.
Nathan Pepper rushed for a game-high 91 yards on 13 carries with one TD and Hagyn Barbee chipped in 49 yards rushing and two TDs on only two carries to lead Wall (2-0), which limited Cisco to 177 total yards.
DISTRICT 2-3A DIV. II WEEK 1 REPORT: QB Dillard leads Wall past Eastland
Wall 35, Eastland 10 — Gunner Dillard threw for 119 yards and two scores and rushed 20 times for 95 yards and two more scores to lead Wall to a win over Eastland on Friday.
The Hawks (1-0), who led 21-10 at the break, finished with 319 yards in total offense. They will face Cisco (0-1) on the road in Week 2.
BRADY FEATURE: First-time head coach Roberts excited to take over Bulldogs program
Jaron Roberts’ philosophy as a head coach is a pretty simple one. And it’s not unlike that of a lot of other successful mentors.
Roberts, who will be taking over at Brady this season, wants the Bulldogs to be the toughest, most physical and most aggressive team on the field each and every time they step on it.
Those adjectives could be used to describe all of the most successful teams he helped lead as an assistant at Wellington, Falls City, Merkel and Stamford, and as a head coach for the first time in his career, he wants them to be defining attributes of his program now.
2023 BRADY FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Young Brady squad hopes to extend playoff streak in Roberts’ first year
The Brady football team will have a new coach and a total of 13 first-year starters when it opens its season against Comanche on Aug. 25. But don’t expect that to change expectations for the Bulldogs, who have reached the playoffs each of the past four seasons.
Jaron Roberts, who was hired to replace Shay Easterwood in June, will inherit a roster that returns just 12 of 28 lettermen from last year’s 5-6 squad. But the first-time head coach, who previously served as an assistant at Wellington, Falls City, Merkel and Stamford, feels this group will be ready and able to compete in District 2-3A Division II.
Scenes from Big Country Preps Photo Tour Days 6
Day 6 of Big Country Preps’ 2023 Photo Tour is now in the books, with one more day of shooting yet to come from practice fields throughout the area.
Here are but a few of the images collected Friday and Saturday:
Continue reading “Scenes from Big Country Preps Photo Tour Days 6”
COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: The Brady Bulldogs … 20 days to two-a-days
Football is just around the corner, and we at BigCountryPreps.com are committed to bringing you the information you need to prepare for your favorite team’s season.
We’ll be releasing our Big Country Preps Preseason Football Preview, the most comprehensive look at the upcoming Big Country football season anywhere, on Wednesday, Aug. 16. But you won’t have to wait until then to sate your gridiron appetite.
Leading up to the first day of fall football practice on July 31, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2023 as part of our annual “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.
We continue in Class 3A Division II with the Brady Bulldogs. On Wednesday we will take a look at the Early Longhorns, followed by the Wall Hawks on Thursday.
Continue reading “COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: The Brady Bulldogs … 20 days to two-a-days”
PHOTO GALLERY: Wall-Brady baseball bi-district playoff (95 images)
Digital photos, prints and keepsakes may be purchased by clicking the link below. The “BigCountryPreps.com” watermark will be removed from all purchased photos.
Continue reading “PHOTO GALLERY: Wall-Brady baseball bi-district playoff (95 images)”