Category: Eastland Mavericks

by Evan Ren

COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: The Eastland Mavericks … 16 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. 21. 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 Aug. 5, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2024 as part of our annual “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.

Today, we take a look at the Eastland Mavericks.

Continue reading “COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: The Eastland Mavericks … 16 days to two-a-days” →

by Evan Ren

Evan Ren’s 2024 Big Country Preps All-Hustle Team (the hardest-working baseball and softball players in the area)

OTHER 2024 ALL-BIG COUNTRY PREPS TEAMS

Our All-Big Country Preps Softball and Baseball Teams, released Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, are in place to honor those who achieved the most on-field success in 2024. It is off the field, however, where character, grit, and work ethic are often measured. And it is with our Big Country Preps All-Hustle Team that we wish to honor those players, male and female, who were (simply put) the hardest-working, best teammates in the area this spring. 

This team isn’t about who the best baseball and softball players were.

The All-Hustle team honors effort, discipline, toughness, coachability and selflessness — traits that coaches wish they had in every player and upon which championships are built.

It is for that reason that this team is largely selected by area coaches and described in their own words.

Big Country Preps is now honored to present these individuals to you — the best team players (boys and girls) that the the Big Country had to offer during the 2024 season.

The players below are listed in no particular order. 

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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 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 Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Jim Ned slows Big Country’s top gun, eliminates Eastland 65-33

ABILENE — Defensive stops have long been a key element in the success of the Jim Ned girls basketball team and heading into Friday’s 3A area round clash with Eastland, the Lady Indians had a key member of EHS to apply that tradition to. 

Eastland’s Mya Wesley, who entered the game as the top scorer in the Big Country at more than 24 points per game, was limited to only eight points in a 65-33 win by Jim Ned, which advances the Lady Indians to the Region I-3A quarterfinals where they will meet Comanche at a site and time to be determined. Immediately following Jim Ned’s win, Comanche advanced with a 73-41 win over Merkel in the nightcap of an area round doubleheader at Hardin-Simmons University. 

Lexi Wishert and Riley Grohman both scored a game-high 17 points, with Wishert connecting on five 3-pointers to lead Jim Ned (33-2), which took control of the game with a 19-5 first quarter and never looked back. 

Jayci Majors led Eastland (25-8) with 11 points, but Ned’s ability to slow Wesley proved important, resulting in a 16-point drop in production. 

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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 Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Comanche forces second-place tie in District 8-3A with win over Eastland

COMANCHE — With high-flying, high-scoring Eastland coming to town on Tuesday, the 12th-ranked Comanche Maidens never even considered slowing tempo or limiting possessions. 

They simply did what they always do — keeping their foot on the gas pedal to hand the Lady Mavs a 79-62 loss at the Comanche ISD Special Events Center. 

J’Lee Salinas scored 22 points and Kinsey Glasgow added 21 more to pace the Maidens (27-3, 10-2 District 8-3A) who have forced a second-place tie with Eastland in the league race.  

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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

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 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 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 Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Eastland’s Wesley lighting up opposition, leading Lady Maverick resurgence

By Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps  

Eastland is the biggest girls basketball surprise in the Big Country this year.  

And if you’re searching for how the Lady Mavericks made such a turnaround in a short stretch, look no further than Mya Wesley.  

The 5-foot-6 combo guard is making up for lost time. After playing JV last season because of her transfer from Stephenville, Wesley is averaging 23.2 points and shooting 44 percent from the field as a senior.  

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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

TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: Comanche, San Saba girls advance to Eula Holiday Classic title game; Jim Ned boys fall in semis

EULA — The Comanche and San Saba girls basketball teams, ranked No. 5 and 16 in Class 3A and 2A respectively, completed perfect runs through the Eula Holiday Classic semifinals on Friday to claim spots in the event’s championship game Saturday evening.

Comanche, which cruised through Roscoe (72-43) and Hermleigh (73-44) on the tournament’s opening day Thursday, survived a test from Class 1A No. 10 Whiteface on Friday, outlasting the Lady Lopes for a 45-38 victory in the semifinals. And San Saba followed Thursday’s 63-37 win over Ballinger with hard-fought victories over Canadian (59-45) and tournament host Eula (59-55) to earn its spot in the title game.

The Maidens and Lady Dillos will match up for the tournament championship at 5:20 p.m. on Saturday, while Eula will take on Whiteface for third place at 1:20. The Jim Ned boys will also compete for third place, taking on Tolar at noon after dropping a tough 50-48 game to Holiday in the semifinals Friday.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: With Windthorst vanquished, Ivan “The Terrible” hath seized thy weekly accolade

It’s always nice to see numbers that match a nickname. And in the case of our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, there’s no worries in that department. 

Roscoe junior running back Ivan “The Terrible” McCann takes the accolade for the week ending Nov. 18 after helping the Plowboys to a stunning 50-22 win over Windthorst in the 2A DI area round.  

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Buck Powell
by Evan Ren

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. 

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by Evan Ren

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.

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by Daniel Youngblood

DISTRICT 5-3A DIV. II WEEK 11 REPORT: Comanche routs Eastland; Merkel closes with upset win over Millsap

Comanche 46, Eastland 7 — The Indians ran for 295 yards, getting 100-yard games from Colt Schwertner and Sawyer Wilkerson to pull away from the Mavericks for a lopsided win.

Comanche (6-4, 3-2), which got 125 yards and two touchdowns from Schwertner and 109 yards from Wilkerson, led 25-0 by halftime and was never threatened after the break. Layden Welch also had a productive day for the Indians, passing for 89 yards and two TDs while rushing for 39 yards an another score.

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by Evan Ren

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. 

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by Evan Ren

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.

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