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: Hamlin-Bangs softball area-round playoff (64 images)”
Category: Hamlin Pied Pipers
GAME STORY: Lady Dragons sweep Hamlin to advance to regional quarterfinals
SAN ANGELO — The Bangs Lady Dragons demonstrated two distinct ways to win in Friday’s area round series with Hamlin — a come-from-behind 3-1 victory in Game 1, followed by a harrowing 10-9 escape in Game 2.
By night’s end, Bangs had clinched a spot in the Region I-2A quarterfinals where it will face Hawley next week at a site and time to be determined.
Abby Wolf earned two complete game wins in the circle and was a combined 3 for 8 with three RBIs to lead Bangs (26-4), which is now enjoying one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brock sophomore takes this week’s accolade with mercy rule no-hitter
A no-hitter alone is often enough to secure the Big Country Preps Player of the Week award. But when it’s backed by a solid offensive performance, it’s very difficult to get knocked off of the perch.
Brock sophomore Jesse Rusinek takes this week’s accolade after holding Eastland hitless in a 15-0 mercy rule win that saw him miss a perfect game by one walk. He fanned 12 in the process.
“He was dealin’ out there,” Brock coach Kobe Page said of the stuff Rusinek had in the Eastland game. “When he’s on, he’s pretty tough … just showing up, battling and moving the ball around the strike zone. He was ‘on.'”
PHOTO GALLERY Hawley-Hamlin softball (59 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 Hawley-Hamlin softball (59 images)”
GAME STORY: Hamlin snags No. 2 seed with important win over Hawley
HAMLIN — With Stamford clinching the league title on Friday, the only drama remaining in District 7-2A occurred in Hamlin, where the Lady Pipers and Hawley had a second-seed issue to settle in a winner-take-all matchup at Hamlin High.
The Lady Pipers (21-6, 6-2) claimed the No. 2 spot with a 6-3 win behind a solid pitching effort from Zoe Moore, an error-free defense and an 11-hit barrage that saw no fewer than five doubles.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Albany’s Chapmans share this week’s award
It’s not often that a Big Country baseball team charts two no-hitters in the same week. But when two pitchers with the same last name are charting the no-nos it’s about as common as the planets aligning.
That was the case last week with the Albany Lions, who in sweeping Haskell (15-0) and Stamford (11-1) saw Cole and Tyler Chapman (non-siblings) post back-to-back no-hitters.
Cole, a senior, blanked Haskell in four innings of work in a mercy rule win, fanning six. Three days later, Tyler got into the act in a five-inning run-rule win with 12 Ks.
They now share our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award — another rarity.
“We were very proud of our pitchers last week,” Albany coach David Fairchild said. “Both pitchers were in control and in command of their pitches.”
BREAKING: Hamlin promotes Botos to head football coach, athletic director
When Chris Evans announced that he was stepping down as the head football coach and athletic director at Hamlin on Feb. 28, softball coach Jason Botos was given the job on an interim basis.
Monday afternoon, the interim title was lifted and Botos was promoted to the dual roles permanently.
It was a simple decision for Hamlin superintendent Dr. Randy Burks and the school board, led by Kendon Gruben.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Sweetwater senior captures five medals and our award
“Damarrius Walker is a very talented young man,” Sweetwater coach Brian Hodnett said. “There isn’t much in track and field that he can’t do!
“We as a staff are excited to see how far he can go this year.”
So is the rest of the area as our Big Country Preps Player of the Week collects the award after scoring 44 points individually at the Hamlin Pied Piper Relays last week.
PHOTO GALLERY: Haskell-Hamlin softball (27 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: Haskell-Hamlin softball (27 images)”
GAME STORY: Hamlin holds off Haskell with homers, big defensive plays
HAMLIN — In the aftermath of Hamlin’s 10-6 win over area rival Haskell in Friday’s District 7-2A softball opener, dissecting what had just taken place was an exercise in answering a key question.
Yes, the Lady Pipers won, propelled by an eight-run second inning, a solid pitching effort from Zoe Moore and home runs by Samantha Gonzalez and Roxanne Rivera. But what if Haskell (11-8-1, 0-1) doesn’t hit into four inning-killing double plays?
The answer is that Friday’s matchup could have taken a much different turn at several key points, but Hamlin (14-4, 1-0) was the club that executed at every one of them.
“It’s frustrating, but I think they realize where we can improve and the things we need to work on in order to win a game like this,” Haskell coach Emily Dyes said. “We’ve got some good hitters, but we’ve got to get better defensively and minimize our errors every game.”
FEATURE: Duniven-Moore combo returns to fuel Hamlin softball
HAMLIN — In 2022, the Hamlin softball team enjoyed what was arguably its best season ever, finishing the year with a 24-7 mark and a loss to Stamford in the Region I-2A championship game.
The Lady Pipers finished one win away from the first state tournament trip in program history. Understandably, that is a focal point in 2023, and nowhere is that more evident in than in the battery combo of pitcher Zoe Moore and catcher Emily Duniven — a pair of college-bound seniors facing their final opportunity to leave their mark on a burgeoning program.
BREAKING: Hamlin’s Evans stepping down from post
Hamlin football coach and athletic director Chris Evans announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down from his post after a two-year stint in which a rebuild of the Pied Pipers program began.
Evans went 5-5 in 2022 after a winless campaign in his first season. He is 38-31 in six years as a head coach between Hamlin and Wheeler.
“I’ve enjoyed my time here and wish nothing but the best for them,” Evans said.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Big Spring senior chalks up four victories and our weekly award
It’s always a good sign early in the season when you’re getting good pitching against quality competition. And in the case of the Big Spring Lady Steers, the numbers in the circle thus far are downright encouraging.
Courtesy of senior Alexcia Munoz, the Lady Steers are off to a 5-1 start, including a 4-0 mark from Munoz in last week’s Abilene Icebreaker tournament.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Hawley’s O’Shields takes this week’s award
While Hawley’s Kason O’Shields is better known for his prowess on a football field, the HHS senior is actually a remarkable all-around athlete who is capable of having an impact in a variety of different sports.
This week is a prime example of that, as O’Shields takes our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award for the week ending February 18.
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 Preps Boys Basketball Position Rankings: Posts
After highlighting the Big Country’s top guards and forwards the past two nights, we now take a look at the area’s best big men.
For the final installment in our three-part boys basketball position rankings series, we rank the Big Country’s top 10 post players.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading through our rankings, and make sure to check back for all our boys and girls basketball coverage this season.
Big Country Preps Boys Basketball Position Rankings: Forwards
After kicking off our boys basketball position rankings series on Tuesday with the guards, we now shift our attention to the forwards.
For the second installment in our three-part series, we rank the area’s top-10 players at that position for 2022-23.
We hope you enjoy our list.
Big Country Preps Boys Basketball Position Rankings: Guards
With boys basketball season beginning this week, it’s time to shine a spotlight on some of the players you’ll be reading about throughout the 2022-23 season.
For the first installment in a three-part series that will cover all positions on the area boys basketball scene, we’ll be taking a look at the Big Country’s top guards, ranking our top 10 with a list of others to watch this winter.
We hope you enjoy reading through our list.
DISTRICT 6-2A DIV. II WEEK 11 REPORT: Roscoe, Albany close with wins; Cross Plains, TLCA fall
Roscoe 16, Hamlin 14 — Jax Watts threw for 109 yards and one score and Parker Gleaton scored a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter to push Roscoe into the playoffs and Hamlin out.
The Plowboys managed only 201 yards in total offense but held Hamlin to 171.
Big Country Preps Girls Basketball Position Rankings: Posts
After focusing on the top guards and forwards the Big Country has to offer the past two nights, it’s time to shift our attention to the paint.
For the final installment in our three-part position rankings series, we list our top-10 post players for the 2022-23 season.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading through these rankings, and make sure to come back next week when we’ll feature the top boys basketball players in the Big Country.
Big Country Preps Girls Basketball Position Rankings: Forwards
After kicking off our girls basketball position rankings series with the guards on Tuesday, we now turn our attention to the forwards.
For the second installment in our three-part series, we rank the area’s top 10 players at that position with some others to watch for in 2022-23.
We hope you enjoy our list.
Big Country Preps Girls Basketball Position Rankings: Guards
With the girls basketball season upon us, it’s time to take a look at the local and area players who will be making the biggest impact for their teams during the 2022-23 season.
For the first installment in a three-part series that will cover all positions, we’ll be focusing on the Big Country’s top guards, ranking our top 10 with a list of others to watch this season.
As with any such list, these rankings are subjective. We hope you enjoy reading through our selections.
DISTRICT 6-2A DIV. II WEEK 10 REPORT: Albany, Cross Plains, Miles secure Week 10 victories
Albany 55, Hamlin 6 — Coy Lefevre rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns and Adam Hill rushed for 95 yards and three scores to lead Albany past area rival Hamlin.
The Lions quickly built a 41-0 halftime lead before putting things into cruise control. It was the fourth straight win for the Lions since an injury-plagued 3-2 start and clinched the district title.
DISTRICT 6-2A DIV. II WEEK 9 REPORT: Albany, Cross Plains and Miles all notch district wins
17
Albany 55, Roscoe 0 — After a lengthy injury Cole Chapman returned to the Albany lineup at quarterback and had an immediate impact, hitting 5 of 11 throws for 105 yards and three scores.
The Lions (6-2, 3-0) also ran the football effectively, charting 131 yards as a team, including 94 yards rushing and two scores from Coy Lefevre.
