Category: Cooper Cougars

by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Silva, Lady Eagles too much for Cooper in 9-0 crosstown win

Coming off a difficult 3-2 loss to Wylie in its District 4-5A opener with a full week to think about that result, the Abilene High softball team bounced back with an impressive showing Tuesday afternoon against rival Cooper.

Led by senior Diana Silva, who pitched four dominant innings while going 2 for 2 at the plate, the Lady Eagles cruised to a 9-0 home win over the Lady Cougars, evening their league record to 1-1 in the process.

After managing just three hits in the loss to Wylie, AHS (12-9-1 overall) pounded out 12 singles against Cooper freshman Payton Ellis while adding four walks and a hit batsman to put constant pressure on the Lady Coogs defense. Leading 7-0 after three innings, the Lady Eagles were never able to put the run-rule into effect, but they maintained firm control throughout the contest.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jayton’s Gentry takes this week’s award

Big moments attract big-time players and our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, certainly made the most of his opportunity over the weekend. 

After scoring nine points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing four assists in a state semifinal win over Fayetteville last Thursday, Jayton sophomore Colt Gentry, saved his best for last in a 60-53 win over Benjamin in the 1A boys state title game on Saturday.

Gentry charted a team-high 19 points to go with six boards, four assists, a steal and a block to help the Jaybirds to the state title and earn state tourney MVP honors in the process. 

It was his second straight week of huge performances under pressure, the first of which helped the Jaybirds win the regional tournament.

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Senior ace Bennett pitches, hits Abilene High to walk-off win over rival Cooper

A whirlwind of a week ended on a thrilling note for the Abilene High baseball team on Saturday, as the Eagles scored a 2-1 walk-off win over archrival Cooper in a District 4-5A matchup at Blackburn Field.

Closing out the rain-soaked Abilene ISD Invitational, AHS followed up a weather-suspended matchup with Wylie on Friday night with a gritty, emotional win over another crosstown opponent less than 20 hours later to improve to 8-5-1 overall and 2-0 in district play.

Senior ace Brady Bennett was the hero on the mound and at the plate, allowing one unearned run over a three-hit complete game while coming through with the game-winning sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh.

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Gay’s gem, late offense fuel Wylie to 7-1 win over crosstown rival Cooper

A strong pitching performance by junior Brady Gay and a couple of big innings were enough to fuel the Wylie baseball team past rival Cooper in a 7-1 win Thursday at Abilene Christian University’s Crutcher Scott Field.

The game, which capped a rain-filled opening day of the Abilene ISD Invitational, saw a venue change and a slight delay due to the storms that blew through Abilene on Thursday. But the clouds and wet weather cleared in time for Gay to toss a six-inning gem that was rewarded with a win when his teammates put up seven runs over the fifth and sixth innings.

The victory improved Wylie (12-0 overall) to 2-0 in District 4-5A play, while Cooper fell to 5-6 on the year and 1-1 in league action.

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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: Merkel senior closes the curtain in a big way.

Merkel senior Kooper Darby picked the right time to post the best all-around game of his high school career. 

Playing in his final basketball game as a Merkel Badger, our Big Country Preps Player of the Week tallied a career-high 44 points to go with 16 rebounds, five assists, five steals in a 79-42 win over San Angelo Grape Creek. 

With the Badgers (17-16) missing the playoffs, Darby had a final opportunity to make an impact as a high schooler and he did — like a meteor. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Carrillo’s late floater lifts Wylie to one-point over Cooper, into playoffs

After 12 district games and two thrilling head-to-head matchups yielded identical records, the Cooper and Wylie boys basketball teams needed a rubber match Friday to decide which of the two would represent District 4-5A as its fourth and final playoff team.

It was only fitting that the third meeting — like each of the two before it — would come down to the final seconds.

After scoring 19 points in a two-point Wylie win on Jan. 23, Isaiah Carrillo broke the Cougars’ heart a second time Friday at Abilene Christian University’s Moody Coliseum, hitting a contested floater with 1.7 seconds left to lift the Bulldogs to a 44-43 victory and into the Region I-5A playoff bracket.

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Cooper boys knock off AHS to keep playoff hopes alive, deny Eagles share of district title

Hosting Cooper with a chance to clinch a share of the District 4-5A title, the Abilene High boys basketball team had plenty to play for Tuesday at Eagle Gym.

The stakes were even higher for the Cougars, who were playing their fourth straight must-win game after opening league play with a 2-6 record.

In the end, desperation won out, as Cooper kept its playoff hopes alive once again, knocking off its chief rival 57-49 in the regular season finale for both teams to force a play-in game against Wylie on Friday for the district’s fourth and final playoff spot.

The victory marked the fourth in as many games for the Cougars, who have beaten two of the top three teams in 4-5A during their improbable district-closing run.

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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 Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: Cougars rally past Lubbock Cooper for thrilling win, keep playoff hopes alive

For the Cooper boys basketball team to have any shot at the postseason, the Cougars entered Friday night knowing they needed to beat District 4-5A leader Lubbock Cooper while getting an Abilene High win over Wylie at the same time.

With games at Cougar Gym running behind due to the Pirates suffering a bus breakdown in Snyder, the Cougars were in prime position to know if their game on Senior Night meant that they’d be playing for their playoff lives in the second half.

Abilene High did its part, edging Wylie 65-64 at Bulldog Gym, and Jordan Willis capped a monumental comeback with an off-balance 3-pointer with 27 seconds to help the Cougars complete a wild rally in the final six minutes of the game and earn a thrilling 42-39 win at Cougar Gym.

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by Daniel Youngblood

SIGNING DAY 2024: Abilene schools combine for more than 20 signees across five sports

With athletes across the country putting pen to paper to make their college choices official Wednesday, Abilene’s local high schools were as active as they’ve ever been on National Signing Day.

Wylie had a school-record 10 athletes across four sports take part in a single ceremony Wednesday afternoon, while Abilene High had nine athletes from three sports sign their letters of intent over the course of the day and Cooper had four football players represented at its Signing Day ceremony.

In all, more than 20 local athletes made pledges to 13 schools, spanning all level of collegiate athletics.

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by Daniel Youngblood

UIL REALIGNMENT: Local football teams spared surprises on ‘uneventful’ realignment day

While the University Interscholastic League’s biennial realignment offered surprises for many coaches across the state, Abilene’s local football mentors were spared any real suspense when they opened their packets containing new districts for the next two school years.

When the news became official at 9 a.m. Thursday, Abilene High’s Mike Fullen, Cooper’s Aaron Roan and Wylie’s Clay Martin found their schools where they expected to in the Region I landscape.

Fullen’s Eagles will once again be in District 2-5A Division I, sharing a league with familiar opponents Amarillo High, Amarillo Caprock, Amarillo Tascosa, Lubbock Coronado and Lubbock Monterey, while adding a lone newcomer in Lubbock High. Cooper and Wylie, meanwhile, will be in District 2-5A DII with Amarillo Palo Duro, Lubbock Cooper, Plainview and new Wichita Falls ISD schools Legacy and Memorial.

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by Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: Monterey sweeps Cooper, jeopardizing Coogs’ playoff hopes; girls eliminated

The Cooper boys basketball team entered Tuesday night’s game against Lubbock Monterey at Cougar Gym knowing that it had its back against the wall in the hunt for one of the four playoff berths out of District 4-5A.

After a 50-40 loss, the Cougars’ playoff hopes are now in dire straits as CHS will need to win its final four games to have a shot at the postseason.

First-year coach Michael Bacon knows how tough the challenge is ahead of his squad.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Eula’s Clayton Gray claims this week’s top spot

The 15th-ranked Eula Pirates (22-3) needed sweep of Baird and Cross Plains to finish the first half of district play at 5-0 and they did just that with the help of our Big Country Preps Player of the Week. 

Senior forward Clayton Gray posted big numbers in both contests, beginning with a double-double of 32 points and 14 boards in the Baird win. 

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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 Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Carrillo scores 19 as Wylie boys rally past Cooper for key district win

There’s not a lot separating the Wylie and Cooper boys basketball teams. That much is clear is after two meetings between the squads.

But thanks to WHS’ 51-49 home victory over the Cougars on Tuesday, which avenged a 56-52 overtime loss to CHS on Dec. 19, the Bulldogs now hold a two-game edge on their crosstown rival for one of District 4-5A’s final two playoff spots.

Paced by junior point guard Isaiah Carrillo, who scored a game-high 19 points, Wylie rallied from a 43-39 fourth-quarter deficit to snap a mini two-game losing streak and hand the Cougars their second consecutive one-possession loss.

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Sloan’s 36-point night fuels Cooper to needed upset win at Wylie

With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread following a lopsided 79-46 home loss to archrival Abilene High on Friday, the Cooper Lady Cougars entered Friday’s Southtown Showdown at Wylie needing a spark in the worst possible way.

Trailing 24-16 in the second quarter, they got it from do-it-all power forward J’Lee Sloan. 

The talented senior scored 15 of her game-high 36 points in that second period to keep her team within striking distance at halftime, before sparking a 24-8 run through the third quarter to propel Cooper to a 66-60 upset of Wylie at Bulldog Gym.

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by Daniel Youngblood

THIS WEEK IN BOYS BASKETBALL: Key games dot schedule as most district races reach midpoint

We’ve reached the midway point of the district schedule in most area boys basketball leagues, and district championship and playoff races are heating up.

As one might expect with February approaching, the Big Country slate is full of meaningful games. 

With that in mind, it’s time to renew our winter custom of taking a look at the most important games on the horizon and a peak back at last week’s most important results.

We hope you enjoy.

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Abilene High boys edge Cooper in back-and-forth thriller; Lady Eagles cruise to win

Following his team’s 68-58 win over Wylie on Tuesday, Abilene High boys basketball coach Justin Reese said he was expecting a tough road test from crosstown rival Cooper on Friday. 

As it turned out, he and his Eagles got that and then some from the Cougars.

But at the end of a hotly contested game that featured eight ties and 11 lead changes — seven of those in the final quarter — AHS maintained its unbeaten status in District 4-5A play with a gutsy 45-44 win in front of a capacity crowd at Cougar Gym.

The victory, which capped a perfect 6-0 run through the first half of league play for the Eagles, secured a doubleheader sweep for Abilene High, which saw its girls team rout the Lady Cougars 79-46 in Friday’s early game.

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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

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 PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cooper’s Sloan takes this week’s top spot

Nobody needed a pair of district wins more than the Cooper Lady Cougars last week, and with the help of our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, J’Lee Sloan, they did just that. 

After starting their district slate at 0-4, the Lady Coogs had to have a win over Lubbock, which they achieved, 60-53, behind 27 points and 17 boards from Sloan. 

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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 Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Fast start propels Cooper boys to blowout win over LHS; Lady Coogs score first district win

The Cooper boys basketball team bounced back from its first district loss with a dominant wire-to-wire effort against Lubbock High on Tuesday, using a game-opening 11-0 run to set the tone for a 53-30 romp at Cougar Gym.

The Cougars, who were coming off a 60-50 road loss at Lubbock Monterey on Friday, were challenged only briefly by the Westerners, who pulled within 13-10 with back-to-back 3-pointers by Ray’ovion Mackey late in the first quarter. But coach Michael Bacon’s squad closed the opening period on an 8-3 run before shutting Lubbock High out in the second quarter to take a 30-13 lead into halftime that it would only increase after the break.

The victory, which improved the Coogs to 9-13 overall and 2-1 in District 4-5A play, capped a doubleheader sweep for Cooper after the Lady Cougars took down the Lady Westerners 60-53 for their first district win of the season in Tuesday’s early game.

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Cooper boys outlast rival Wylie in overtime classic to open District 4-5A play

The Cooper-Wylie boys basketball rivalry is alive and well.

That much was clear Tuesday night, when the Cougars and Bulldogs added an all-time classic to the series in the District 4-5A opener for both teams at Cougar Gym.

In a game that featured wild momentum swings, clutch buckets, physical defense and, at times, an overflow of emotion, Cooper outlasted Wylie in overtime for a dramatic and thrilling 56-52 win. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Wylie girls overcome slow start to notch double-digit win over rival Cooper

The Wylie girls basketball team rebounded from a disastrous start Tuesday to rally past crosstown rival Cooper, outscoring the Lady Cougars 36-17 over the final three quarters of a 52-38 win at Cougar Gym.

The Lady Bulldogs found themselves down 13-0 less than two minutes into the game and were held scoreless for the first three minutes of the contest. But coach Duane Hopper’s team was able to narrow the deficit to 21-16 by the end of the first quarter, before using a 17-1 run through the second to take a double-digit lead into halftime that it would protect the rest of the way.

Joyah Maroney led Wylie with 18 points, while Kyla Kelley added 11 and Londyn Franklin pitched in eight to help the Lady Bulldogs improve to 12-6 on the year and 2-0 in District 4-5A play.

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Abilene High girls hold off Cooper rally, score big district win over crosstown rival

Entering Friday’s Crosstown Showdown girls basketball matchup at Eagle Gym, both Abilene High and Cooper needed a win to avoid falling into an early 0-2 hole in the District 4-5A race. And for 32 minutes, both teams played with the urgency one might expect in such a situation.

But in the end, it was the homestanding Lady Eagles who came out on top, holding off a fourth-quarter rally by the Lady Cougars to pull out a gritty 43-34 victory over their rivals.

The win improved AHS to 11-7 overall while evening the Lady Eagles district record at 1-1 — a key development with No. 8 Lubbock Monterey set to visit on Tuesday.

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by Brandon McAuliffe

TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: AHS earns third-place finish at Cane’s Key City Classic; North Crowley claims title

Both Abilene High and Wylie left the Raising Cane’s Key City Classic with some hardware Saturday, as the Eagles defeated Canutillo 48-40 in the championship bracket third-place game and Wylie routed El Paso Coronado 65-33 for the consolation title.

That completed 3-1 runs through the tournament for both teams, while Cooper saw its tournament end at 1-3 with a 53-46 loss to Aledo in the consolation third-place game.

North Crowley took the championship, defeating Midland Christian 64-36 to complete a perfect run through the Classic.

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by Daniel Youngblood

TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: Abilene High rolls on opening day of Key City Classic; Cooper, Wylie fall

Abilene High was the lone local team to survive the first day of the Raising Cane’s Key City Classic unscathed Thursday, opening the annual tournament with a dominant 76-17 victory over El Paso Austin.

Around the Eagles’ win, which earned coach Justin Reese’s squad a 1:30 p.m. Friday matchup against Richardson Pearce, Wylie fell 72-48 to Lewisville The Colony and Cooper saw a furious second-half rally come up just short in a 51-48 loss to Canutillo.

Play in the 16-team tournament will continue through Saturday, culminating with the championship game at 1:30 p.m. at Abilene High and the consolation final at 1:30 p.m. at Cooper. See full first-day results and the complete tournament schedule here.

Continue reading “TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: Abilene High rolls on opening day of Key City Classic; Cooper, Wylie fall” →

by Daniel Youngblood

GAME REPORT: Cooper can’t keep up with Colleyville Heritage in area-round loss

MANSFIELD — The Cooper football team couldn’t keep pace with Colleyville Heritage in its Region I-5A Division II area-round matchup Friday, falling behind early and never recovering in a 55-21 loss at Newsom Field.

The Panthers raced out to 14-0 lead less than eight minutes into the game and increased their advantage to 35-7 by halftime, putting the game out of reach before the start of the third quarter.

Trailing 52-7 early in the fourth quarter, the Cougars added a pair of late touchdowns before seeing their season end at 5-7.

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by Brandon McAuliffe

TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: Big Country teams notch five wins on opening day of Pug Parris Classic

The 2023 edition of the Pug Parris Classic kicked off with a full slate of games on Thursday at McMurry University’s Kimbrell Arena and featured Big Country teams from Class 2A to Class 5A nearly all day long.

In addition to the six teams from the Big Country, this year’s three-day tournament features teams from as far away as Clint and El Paso.

Area teams posted a total of five wins as the Jim Ned Lady Indians swept their pool with a pair of wins, while Wylie, Cooper and Cisco added to the total.

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