Category: Girls basketball
FEATURE: Highland’s Taylor Allen closing high school career on a high note
Photos courtesy of Kevin Wright
Taylor Allen has accomplished many impressive feats during her four years playing basketball at Highland.
The 5-foot-8 standout has earned all-state honors during her first three seasons. By averaging 17.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists this year, a fourth all-state nod seems like a lock.
Allen has led the Lady Hornets to the regional tournament and has already signed to play basketball at Division II powerhouse Lubbock Christian.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Benjamin’s Rigdon on an unbelievable scoring pace
He entered last week as the leading scorer in the entire Big Country, putting up more than 37 points per game. So few will be surprised to hear that Benamin’s Grayson Ridgon has put up yet another performance worthy of our Big Country Preps Player of the Week Award.
Yet last week’s numbers were big, even by his standards.
Helping the Mustangs to consecutive routs of Harrold (100-36) and Crowell (93-53), the sophomore guard poured in 50 and 51 points respectively and even found time to snag a head-turning 20 rebounds in the Crowell win.
THIS WEEK IN GIRLS BASKETBALL: Despite uncooperative weather, this week is promising
Several crucial matchups are on this week’s slate for both boys and girls and wouldn’t you know it? Mother Nature isn’t cooperating.
As of right now, several area games originally scheduled for Tuesday night have been bumped to Monday in order to beat a cold, wintery storm expected to arrive on Jan. 31. We have an updated list of those games here.
In the meantime, let’s have a look at the top area girls games for this week.
FEATURE: Hermesmeyers spearheading all-around team effort in Goldthwaite
GOLDTHWAITE — The Goldthwaite girls basketball program’s motto this year is “US.”
It stands for “Unified Squad,” and that unselfish approach is one main reason why the Lady Eagles enter the week with a 23-3 record and are No. 21 in the Class 2A rankings.
While coach Angie Hermesmeyer wants this season to be about the team more than any individual, it’s worth noting the growth of a certain individual she shares a residence with.
BASKETBALL SCHEDULE CHANGES DUE TO WEATHER: As reported by area coaches
With a winter storm expected to hit the Big Country area on Tuesday, multiple schedule changes have been reported to us.
We will continue to update this list as notifications are reported to Big Country Preps.
Here is what we’ve collected thus far (free post, no paywall):
Continue reading “BASKETBALL SCHEDULE CHANGES DUE TO WEATHER: As reported by area coaches”
PHOTO GALLERY: Eastland-Breckenridge basketball doubleheader (83 images)
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PHOTO GALLERY: Lubbock Monterey-Wylie basketball doubleheader (131 images)
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PHOTO GALLERY: Coleman-Colorado City basketball doubleheader (178 images)
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GAME STORY: Coleman boys ride big third quarter to key road win over Colorado City
COLORADO CITY — Leading Colorado City just 22-20 at halftime Friday, the Coleman boys basketball team opened the third quarter with a 6-0 run and protected that cushion the rest of the way for a 49-41 win to close the first half of District 8-2A play with a perfect 5-0 record.
That surge out of halftime was part of a 15-6 third-quarter run for the Bluecats that turned a tie game in the final minute of the second quarter into an 11-point lead by the start of the fourth.
The Wolves never got closer than seven points in the the final eight minutes, seeing their district record fall to 3-2 with the loss.
GAME STORY: Breckenridge sweeps Eastland in varsity doubleheader at BHS
BRECKENRIDGE — The Breckenridge girls and boys basketball teams had different reasons for needing wins over Eastland in Friday’s varsity doubleheader in Breckenridge.
But by night’s end, both had achieved their mission in a convincing two-game sweep at Breckenridge High School.
The BHS girls opened the twin bill with a come-from-behind 48-32 win to secure their hold on a playoff seed. The Breckenridge boys completed the sweep in the nightcap to keep their fading playoff hopes alive with a 48-31 win.
GAME STORY: Wylie boys lose thriller as Lubbock Monterey sweeps doubleheader
Martin Marshall had the look that Wylie wanted as the clock was ticking down.
The junior guard caught a pass from Hunter Hood with two seconds left and unleashed a 3-pointer from the wing in an attempt to send the Bulldogs’ District 4-5A showdown with Lubbock Monterey into overtime.
But Marshall’s shot bounced off the rim and out, allowing the Plainsmen to escape Bulldog Gym with a 56-53 win in which neither team was ever able to take complete control.
FEATURE: Suprising, youthful Stephenville girls on the verge of school victory record
Photos courtesy of Moises Espinosa
STEPHENVILLE — Coming off a 25-win season with 60 percent of its roster having graduated, this year’s Stephenville girls basketball team was expected to be a good, but not great Class 4A team by those paying attention in the Big Country.
No miracles were projected by the media and even fourth-year coach Jason Hodges was guardedly optimistic about his club due to a roster that included six sophomores and two freshmen.
Flash forward to today: The Honeybees are 27-3 overall, 4-1 in District 6-4A, ranked 13th in the state and (if Hodges’ ongoing research is correct), on the verge of tying a school record for wins in a season, set in 2012. Add the fact that the ‘Bees are fielding only two seniors and two juniors against a deliberately difficult schedule, and you have a story which is catching the eye of the entire area.
FEATURE: Abilene basketball officials work hard to ensure games go smoothly
From coaches and players to clock operators and official scorekeepers, it takes a lot of people to ensure that basketball games are run smoothly across the United States.
But none of the games could happen if not for two or three others on the court that hope you don’t notice them — the referees.
For Tuesday’s Southtown Showdown between Cooper and Wylie, the Abilene Basketball Chapter of the Texas High School Basketball Officials Association gave BigCountryPreps.com an all-access, behind-the-scenes look at what all goes into a game for them.
Big Country Girls Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Jan. 26): Scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, FT Pct., pass deflections and blocks
Below are the current season statistical leaders for Big Country girls basketball through Jan. 26.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the regular season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
PHOTO GALLERY: Lubbock Monterey-Abilene High basketball doubleheader (100 images)
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GAME STORY: Lubbock Monterey cruises past Abilene High for doubleheader sweep
A slow start doomed the Abilene High boys basketball team Wednesday against District 4-5A leader Lubbock Monterey, which scored the first 12 points and 18 of the first 20 in a 64-39 win at Eagle Gym.
The Eagles, who fell to 10-14 overall and 2-5 in league play with the loss, didn’t get on the board until the final seconds of the first quarter, when Sawyer Moss’ layup cut the Plainsmen’s lead to 12-2. But that was as close as AHS would get the rest of the way as Monterey opened the second quarter on an 8-2 run and pushed its lead to 35-11 by the opening minute of the second half.
The lopsided affair closed a forgettable doubleheader for Abilene High, which saw its girls defeated 79-25 by the top-ranked Lady Plainsmen in the evening’s early game.
PHOTO GALLERY: Wylie-Cooper basketball doubleheader (124 images)
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GAME STORY: Wylie boys win wild one at Cooper; fast start fuels Lady Cougars past Lady Bulldogs
About a second passed between the time Kam Gray’s game-tying 3-point attempt first banged off the rim and when it finally came back down to the basket. But it felt like much longer for those in attendance — and especially those on each bench.
With his team trailing crosstown rival Wylie by three points and just over seven seconds remaining, the Cooper guard raced down the court and launched a shot from just in front of the CHS coaching staff. The high-arcing heave, which was on target but a little long, bounced high off the rim and came down over the cylinder, but after clanging off both sides of the rim it fell harmlessly to the floor, preserving a 62-59 win for the visiting Bulldogs.
The closing sequence was fitting end for a wild game that almost saw Cooper erase an eight-point deficit in the final 48.6 seconds.
GAME STORY: Merkel, Clyde split varsity doubleheader with back-to-back convincing wins
CLYDE — With an icy rain falling outside, the Merkel and Clyde varsity basketball teams met for an early doubleheader on Tuesday in an effort to stay ahead of the weather and stay and ahead of each other in the District 6-3A standings.
The twin bill produced a split result, with the Merkel girls opening the afternoon with a 51-36 win over their host to remain in contention for a high playoff seed. The Clyde boys returned the favor in Game 2, handing the Badgers a 63-26 loss to cripple MHS’ playoff chances.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cisco’s Landenberger catches fire, takes this week’s award
If you haven’t heard of Cisco’s Gavin Landenberger yet, that’s understandable. He and his talented brother, Aiden, were move-ins from Mississippi late last year and weren’t eligible to play varsity ball at CHS.
Now freely able to play, the siblings are making up for lost time and Gavin is currently making enough noise to draw attention from the entire area.
Named as our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, the senior guard absolutely went off last week, beginning with a 28-point night in a win over Albany. He followed that three days later with 32 points in a come-from-behind win at Stamford. The latter saw him hit four straight-3-pointers in an 18-point third quarter.
THIS WEEK IN GIRLS BASKETBALL: Ballinger in two of this week’s top matchups; Gorman-Gordon game will be a big one
With all districts now entrenched in the second-half of their league slates, we take a look at the top matchups from last week and this week.
Weather permitting, Big Country Preps will, as always, be present for the best area games of the week.
Let’s have a look at what’s on tap:
FEATURE: Stamford’s Applin finishing her high school career on a strong note
Graduation hit Stamford’s girls basketball team pretty hard after a historical run to the Class 2A state championship game.
But coach Joe Crabb knew that with point guard Laylonna Applin still suiting up, the Lady Bulldogs would always have a chance.
Applin has continued being the heart and soul of Stamford’s team her senior season, averaging 19.7 points, four assists and 6.2 steals per game.
FEATURE: Throckmorton’s Cunningham living up to expectations
Photos courtesy of Michael Leal
Grant Gooch foresaw the possibilities right away during his first Throckmorton basketball practice more than two years ago.
Gooch noticed a talented forward named Lily Cunningham and right away challenged the freshman to diversify her offensive game.
“It was during the first half of our first workout, and I said I wanted her to work on her 3-point shooting then,” Gooch recalled. “She was a little shocked, but she has bought in 100 percent. She’s been able to focus on growing her game from the post to getting to the rim to being a deadly 3-point shooter.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Cooper-Abilene High basketball doubleheader (126 photos)
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GAME STORY: Cooper boys stay hot with win at Abilene High; Lady Eagles rally for first district victory
Riding a three-game winning streak into its first matchup with rival Abilene High, the Cooper boys basketball team stayed hot Friday night, closing out the first half of District 4-5A play with a 50-41 win in front of a packed house at Eagle Gym.
The victory, which improved the Cougars to 14-8 overall and 5-1 in league play, kept CHS just a game back of district leader Lubbock Monterey (18-8, 6-0) and completed an exciting night of basketball that saw Abilene High edge the Lady Coogs 51-50 in the first game of Friday’s doubleheader.
Leading just 32-31 at the end of three quarters, coach Bryan Conover’s squad pulled away in the fourth, outscoring the Eagles 18-10 over the final eight minutes to close out the win and set up a big home matchup with Wylie on Tuesday.
GAME STORY: Stamford girls force first-place tie with win over Cisco, Landenberger shoots the lights out for CHS in the nightcap
STAMFORD — A pair of area rivals clashed twice on Friday as the Cisco girls and boys basketball teams paid a visit to Stamford for an important varsity doubleheader in District 10-2A.
The Stamford girls rallied to take the opener, 33-29 to force a first-place tie in the league race. The Cisco boys returned the favor, rallying from a 25-18 halftime deficit behind a brilliant performance from Gavin Landenberger to beat the Bulldogs 59-51 and remain in the district title hunt.
The Loboes remained within a game of first place behind league-leading Hawley with the win.
Big Country Girls Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Jan. 19): Scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, FT Pct., pass deflections and blocks
Below are the current season statistical leaders for Big Country girls basketball through Jan. 19.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the regular season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
PHOTO GALLERY: Abilene High-Wylie basketball doubleheader (61 photos)
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GAME STORY: Wylie records sweep of Abilene High in crosstown hoops
The Wylie boys basketball team knew that it needed the student body to be rowdy in Tuesday’s District 4-5A showdown against crosstown rival Abilene High.
After a relatively quiet first quarter, the students got loud and then made a world of difference in the second half as the Bulldogs took a 54-45 win at Bulldog Gym to close out their first half of district play.
Wylie coach Gregg Ruffin was effusive in his praise of the student body and the difference it made in the game.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cisco’s Landenberger captures this week’s award
A limited number of minutes, if the numbers compute correctly, can figure strongly in our selection of Player of the Week.
That is the case with this week’s winner, Gavin Landenberger of Cisco, who opened the week with 29 points, five boards, three assists, and five steals in a win over Haskell last Tuesday.
However, what sealed the deal for the senior guard, was a 20-point, four-rebound, five-assist and five-steal game he charted in a win over Hamlin — numbers he posted in only 18 minutes of playing time.
THIS WEEK IN GIRLS BASKETBALL: Wall, Jim Ned to headline big Tuesday night; Cisco, Stamford to collide on Friday
We’ve hit mid-January and already, district races are heating up with several teams fighting for their playoff lives.
This week Big Country Preps will again be hitting the road with an eye on key matchups. Here’s a look at what’s on tap Tuesday and Friday.
FEATURE: Cisco’s Fox a top threat from beyond the arc, but is an underrated defender
Justice Fox enjoys letting it rip from 3-point range.
But the Cisco senior’s favorite part of the sport doesn’t have anything to do with shooting the basketball.
The 5-foot-8 shooting guard takes a lot of pride in her defense for the Lady Loboes, who are ranked No. 19 in the latest TABC rankings.
“I love offense, but I honestly would have to say defense is what I like better,” Fox said. “I just love getting to help my team with the defensive side of the game. I usually guard some really good athletes, and when I guard them well, it just makes me feel confident on how I defend.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Albany-Anson basketball doubleheader (84 images)
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PHOTO GALLERY: Lubbock Coronado-Cooper basketball doubleheader (112 images)
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GAME STORY: Cooper boys outlast Lubbock Coronado for big district victory
Last week, while hosting Lubbock Monterey in a big District 4-5A matchup, the Cooper boys basketball team couldn’t execute well enough down the stretch to escape a tough home loss. Facing similar circumstances seven days later against Lubbock Coronado, the Cougars found a way.
Coach Bryan Conover’s squad rallied from a 42-39 fourth-quarter deficit Friday at Cougar Gym, going on a 4-0 run over the final 43 seconds to hand the Mustangs a 49-46 loss.
The thrilling victory pulled Cooper even with Coronado in the district standings at 3-1 — a half-game behind district leader Monterey, which was idle Friday.
GAME STORY: Anson girls, Albany boys take key District 10-2A wins
ANSON — Locked in a tight battle after the first quarter, the Anson girls exploded in the second and rode the momentum all the way to a 55-35 win over Albany as the two squads closed out the first half of District 10-2A play on Friday night.
Meagan McWhirter had a big night for the Lady Tigers, scoring a game-high 18 points, as Anson improved to 15-8 overall but, more importantly, 3-3 in league play.
Anson is tied for third place in the district after the first round of games, which is critical with the Lady Tigers having just three more home games the rest of the year.
GAME STORY: Cisco routs youthful Hamlin twice to sweep varsity doubleheader and remain in district title contention
CISCO — With very young, inexperienced Hamlin basketball teams coming to town on Friday, the Cisco girls and boys took advantage of the opportunity to strengthen their positions in District 10-2A with a pair of lopsided wins.
The Lady Loboes opened the evening with a 67-20 win over HHS, after which the Cisco boys handed the young Pied Pipers a 90-25 blowout in Game 2 of a varsity doubleheader.
Big Country Girls Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Jan. 12): Scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, FT Pct., pass deflections and blocks
Below are the current season statistical leaders for Big Country girls basketball through Jan. 12.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the regular season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
PHOTO GALLERY: Jim Ned-Merkel basketball doubleheader (128 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: Jim Ned-Merkel basketball doubleheader (128 images)”