Category: Brock Eagles

by Daniel Youngblood

REGION I-3A TRACK MEET: Brock boys claim fourth straight team title; area athletes show well

ABILENE — The Brock boys track team claimed its fourth consecutive region title Monday, headlining a strong showing by area athletes at the rain-altered Region I-3A meet at Abilene Christian University’s Elmer Gray Stadium. 

Led by Dylan Foster, who claimed gold medals in both hurdle events, earned bronze in the long jump and ran a leg on Brock’s gold medal-winning sprint relay team, the Eagles finished with 99 points, edging runner-up Holliday by 13 points and topping third-place Wall by 44 points.

The Brock boys scored in 10 events and claimed nine medals on their way to the team championship, capping a meet that saw athletes from the Big Country Preps coverage area combined to earn 32 medals and claim 23 automatic berths to the Class 3A state meet May 2 in Austin.

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by Evan Ren

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. 

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Wall’s Jones takes five district titles and our Player of the Week

While we normally try to share the love in our Big Country Preps Player of the Week column, five district titles in one week isn’t easy to sidestep. 

And while Wall’s Briggs Jones has already pulled down our award once this year, he earned a second with his showing at the District 6-3A meet in Clyde last week by sweeping the long jump (23-2), the triple jump (44-10.75), the 200 meters (21.92), the 100 meters (10.72) and assisting the 800 relay team to gold with a 1:29.68 split. 

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by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Tutter, Brock seniors hitting their stride 

Brett Tutter is conflicted when it comes to these last few weeks of track season.

The Brock senior is excited about the possibility of getting back to state for the third time.

But he readily admits to being bummed that his days competing as an Eagle with his buddies are almost over.

Tutter and the Eagles are coming off a strong showing at last week’s District 8-3A Meet in Dublin. Not only did Tutter win the 100 with a season-best time of 10.71 seconds, but he also anchored both sprint relays to gold.

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by Evan Ren

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.

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by Evan Ren

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.

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by Evan Ren

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.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Wall junior has huge day in San Angelo to capture our award

Wall junior Briggs Jones may be on the verge of a major breakout season in area track and field. 

Our Big Country Player of the Week not only won five medals at the coveted Angelo State Spring Break meet, but he broke two solo school records and helped break a third. It seldom gets much better than that. 

Aside from setting school marks in the long jump at 23-9.5 (for gold) and the triple jump at 45-2 (for gold), Jones was part of the 800 relay team’s silver medal performance of 1:28.49 — another Wall school mark. 

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by Brandon McAuliffe

ABILENE ISD INVITATIONAL: Wall, Brock earn wins over larger classification opponents

As weather wreaked havoc with the first two days of the Abilene ISD Invitational baseball tournament, first-year Wall coach Jeremy Gordon was just happy to get two games in on Saturday.

The fact that he got two solid pitching performances with clutch at-bats in both only made him happier.

Wall shut out Class 6A Copperas Cove 8-0 before downing Class 4A Snyder 7-1 at Cougar Diamond to finish 3-1 in the tournament.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Colorado City freshman takes this week’s award

As if the Big Country’s collection of softball catchers wasn’t already “scary-good,” the area can count a worrisome new addition to its ranks: Colorado City freshman Bryanna Munoz, our Big Country Preps Player of the Week for the week ending March 2.

How’s this for frightening? 

Munoz, who was in junior high only a year ago, was an absolute wrecking ball in last week’s Brownfield Tournament, hitting a combined .818 in the event with an 18 of 22 tally at the plate. But that’s not the half of it. 

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Anson freshman takes the spotlight

It may be a little too early to label Anson freshman softball pitcher Kayme Elrod as a star in the making. But our Big Country Preps Player of the Week is off to a pretty good start.

Last week her performance was nothing short of startling, both offensively and defensively.

In the circle, Elrod finished with a 5-0 record with a five-inning no hitter, a 0.77 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 27 innings of work.

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by Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Shallowater uses late run to eliminate Lady Eagles

WOLFFORTH — It was a tale of two halves in the first of two Region I-3A semifinal games on Friday at Frenship High School, with Shallowater turning the tables on Brock in a 49-36 win. 

Maggie Grimes had 14 points and Linley Wright tossed in eight more to lead Shallowater (25-12), which overcame a 21-11 deficit at the end of the first quarter by limiting a cold-shooting Lady Eagle team to only 15 points for the rest of the evening. 

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by Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Jim Ned rallies to defeat Brock in 3A area-round classic

COMANCHE — Through three ties, 11 lead changes, a host of clutch plays and 32 physical minutes, the Jim Ned Indians finally emerged as a 54-49 victor in Thursday’s 3A area round game with Brock at Comanche High School. 

Carter Wood scored a game-high 15 points and Carter Lange added nine more to lead Jim Ned (27-8), which rallied from a 11-point third-quarter deficit to advance to the Region I-3A quarterfinals. 

Brock closed its season at 28-8, led by Colt Matlock with 14 points and Jacoby Boxell with 12.

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Brock girls advance to region tournament with thrilling win over Wall

ABILENE — Led by Keira Mathews, who scored a game-high 24 points, the Brock girls basketball team outlasted Wall for a thrilling 49-45 win Tuesday in a Region I-3A quarterfinal matchup at Abilene Christian University’s Moody Coliseum.

In a game that was tight throughout, the Lady Eagles used a 9-5 run over the final 4:28 to break a 40-all tie and punch their ticket to the Region I-3A tournament, where they’ll face off with Shallowater in the semifinals on Friday.

The hard-fought win improved Brock to 27-9 on the year, while Wall closed its season at 23-8.

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by Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: Riddle’s monster night leads Brock to big win over Coahoma

EULA — Brock girls basketball coach Alex Stephenson knows that Jacee Riddle has a lethal shot from behind the 3-point arc and has pretty much given her a green light to unleash it whenever she sees an open opportunity.

Against Coahoma in a Region I-3A area round game on Friday night at Mary Mosley Gymnasium, Riddle threw down dagger after dagger in a 58-36 win for the Lady Eagles.

The freshman knocked down eight 3-pointers on her way to a 30-point night, helping Brock earn a region quarterfinals matchup with Wall at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Abilene Christian University’s Moody Coliseum.

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by Daniel Youngblood

THIS WEEK IN BOYS BASKETBALL: There’s still plenty to be decided as we approach end of regular season

We’re down to the final scheduled date of the boys basketball regular season, but there’s still plenty to be decided on the Big Country hoops scene.

Included on Tuesday’s slate are a number of matchups with district title implications and several others that will either decide or help decide playoff berths.

Here’s a peek at some of the biggest games on tap this week, as well as a look back at some of last week’s most influential results:

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by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Lavender, Eagles adjusting well to new roles

By Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

Austin Lavender has grown up around the game he loves.

The Brock junior is the prototypical coach’s kid. He remembers all the trips taken to gyms across the state. He recalls walking down the stairs while his mom was coaching at SMU and watching Hall of Famer Larry Brown lead a practice.

“Whether it was going to games, going to practices, riding on the bus, or flying on the plane with the team, I was always around the game I loved,” Lavender said. “I was fortunate to be able to be around and watch players at the collegiate level and see what it takes to get there.”

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Rigdon has another huge week

Benjamin LogoBenjamin’s Grayson Rigdon has been posting such overwhelming numbers for so long, that people scarcely blink when upon hearing of his latest exploits. 

So here we go again: Rigdon is our Big Country Preps Player of the Week after posting monstrous numbers in wins over Munday (81-60) and Electra (99-74).

In the Munday win, the junior guard tallied 41 points, nine assists and eight steals. Three nights later, he charted 51 points, six assists and 10 steals to help the Mustangs improve to 15-0 overall and 10-0 in district. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

THIS WEEK IN BOYS BASKETBALL: Several district leads on the line in loaded area slate

As a fan of high school basketball, I generally have no trouble finding area matchups I find interesting. Browsing this week’s slate, I had more trouble finding games that weren’t.

As we continue to barrel toward the boys basketball playoffs, we’ll see a number of Big Country district races take shape this week as league leads will be on the line in a number of marquee matchups.

If, like me, you enjoy hoops action, there should be plenty to pique your interest on both Tuesday and Friday. Here’s a look at the week to come:

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by Evan Ren

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.

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by Evan Ren

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.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Comanche’s Glasgow claims this week’s accolade

She’s third in the Big Country in scoring (17.9 points per game). She’s tied for 10th in the area with more than 40 made 3s. She hits 74 percent of her foul shots (12th in the Big Country). She’s second in the area in steals at 5.8 per game and she’s second the Big Country in pass deflections at 6.0. 

So is anyone really surprised that Comanche junior Kinsey Glasgow has put forward another effort worthy of our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award? 

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by Evan Ren

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. 

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by Evan Ren

All Big Country Preps Superlatives: Player of the year, Offensive, Defensive and special teams MVPs, top newcomers and Coach of the Year

Here are our superlative award winners for the 2023 All-Big Country Preps football team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS RISING STARS TEAM: The top football under classmen in the Big Country for 2023

Here are our selections for the 2023 All-Big Country Preps Rising Stars Team — an honor reserved for the area’s top freshman and sophomore football players. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.

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by Evan Ren

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.

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by Evan Ren

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.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Benjamin’s Ridgon claims first award of 2024

Benjamin LogoWhile our Big Country Preps Player of the Week returns from its annual holiday break, there is nothing new about our first winner of the 2024 calendar year. 

Benjamin junior Grayson Rigdon, generally considered one of the top six-man level athletes in Texas high school history, has claimed our accolade with back-to- back monster performances. 

For starters, the Mustangs opened the week with an 82-47 rout of Crowell, during which Rigdon tallied 43 points, 13 boards, seven steals and four assists. 

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by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Brock’s Mathews showing the versatility her coach had hoped for

A Swiss Army knife. 

That’s what Brock girls coach Alex Stephenson wanted junior Keira Mathews to become this season.  

Already a proven commodity with her scoring and rebounding abilities, Mathews accepted her coach’s challenge, and it has paid off for the No. 13 Lady Eagles.  

In addition to averaging 12 points and 11 boards, Mathews is chipping in five assists and four steals a game for a young Brock team that is currently undefeated in district.  

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by Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Perennial power Brock slows red-hot Comanche with 47-32 defeat

COMANCHE — The road to winning a district championship in girls basketball often runs through Brock. And after an impressive 47-32 win by the Lady Eagles at Comanche on Tuesday, it does again.

Unranked by the Texas Girls Coaches Association (13th by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches) and suiting only seven players, Brock used lockdown defense and broke Comanche’s full-court press to rally for the win at the Comanche ISD Special Events Center. 

Jacee Riddle scored a game-high 19 points, including six 3-pointers and Keira Mathews added 12 points to lead Brock (15-8, 4-0), which overcame a 17-13 first-quarter deficit by limiting Comanche to only 15 total points over the last three quarters. 

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Albany’s Hill, Waggoner share BCP’s final award for 2023

NOTE: This will be the final BCP Player of the Week for 2023.  It will return on Monday, Jan. 8. 

Very seldom will we go with co-players of the week here at Big Country Preps, but every now and then, the situation warrants it. 

So, our final BCP Player of the Week award for 2023 will be split between Albany teammates Adam Hill and Zane Waggoner, who were both instrumental in AHS winning its second straight Class 2A DII state football title last week in a 28-10 win over Mart in Arlington. 

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