Category: Roscoe Plowboys

by Evan Ren

2018-19 IN REVIEW: Softball (w/ two photo galleries)

Prior to the release of our All-Big Country Preps softball and baseball teams on Friday and Saturday, Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood will review the 2018-19 school year throughout this week and the top athletic stories produced by the area in football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball.

I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for fastpitch softball — I admit it. 

A long time ago, it was common for men to play the game. My dad played it. I played it. So I still thoroughly enjoy getting to as many girls softball games as possible — just to see some fastpitch again.

So, it is with pleasure that I review the the 2019 season — the top teams, the top games, the top surprises and the clubs that are about to make a splash in 2020.

 That said, it’s time to dive in.

Continue reading “2018-19 IN REVIEW: Softball (w/ two photo galleries)” →

by Evan Ren

2018-19 IN REVIEW: Girls basketball (w/ two photo galleries)

Prior to the release of our All-Big Country Preps softball and baseball teams on Friday and Saturday, Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood will review the 2018-19 school year throughout this week and the top athletic stories produced by the area in football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball.

Our review of the 2018-19 athletic school year continues today with girls basketball, which, while it didn’t produce a state title for the Big Country, was never boring. 

It is a long-standing Big Country hoops tradition to be very strong in both Class 1A and Class 3A girls basketball, and last season was no exception. 

The area sent two representatives (Wall and Hermleigh) to the state tournament in San Antonio, continuing the area’s stronghold in both classes.

That said, let’s not waste time. Let’s dive in and take a look at the season’s highlights, shall we?

Continue reading “2018-19 IN REVIEW: Girls basketball (w/ two photo galleries)” →

by Daniel Youngblood

BCP Podcast No. 38: Evan, Daniel discuss All-Big Country Preps basketball teams

In this week’s Capital Farm Credit Wednesday Night Podcast, Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood discuss the inaugural All-Big Country Preps boys and girls basketball teams, giving insight into the selection process and sharing their opinions the superlative award winners and first-tema selections.

To read more on this year’s selections, click the links below:

by Evan Ren

Evan Ren’s 2019 Big Country Gym Rat Team: The hardest workers in the area!

Following a basketball program on the surface can only provide one with so much insight. Behind the scenes, however, is where character is often measured. And it is with our Gym Rat Team that we wish to tip our caps to those individuals who exuded the most of it. 

This team isn’t about who the best players are, though some of the area’s top players did make this list. 

The Gym Rat team is about effort, discipline, toughness, coachability and selflessness — traits that coaches love above all else and that championship foundations are built upon.

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 2018-19 season.

Players are listed in no particular order. 

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by Evan Ren

All-Big Country Preps Girls Basketball Team: First-Team Roster

Here are our third-team selections for the inaugural All-Big Country Preps girls basketball team. For the rest of this year’s boys and girls basketball selections, click the links below.

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by Evan Ren

All-Big Country Preps Girls Basketball Team: Second-Team Roster

Here are our third-team selections for the inaugural All-Big Country Preps girls basketball team. For the rest of this year’s boys and girls basketball selections, click the links below.

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by Daniel Youngblood

All-Big Country Preps Boys Basketball Team: Third-Team Roster (w/ honorable mention)

Here are our third-team selections for the inaugural All-Big Country Preps boys basketball team. For the rest of this year’s boys and girls basketball selections, click the links below.

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by Evan Ren

All-Big Country Preps Girls Basketball Team: Third-Team Roster (w/ honorable mention)

Here are our third-team selections for the inaugural All-Big Country Preps girls basketball team. For the rest of this year’s boys and girls basketball selections, click the links below.

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by Daniel Youngblood

DANIEL YOUNGBLOOD: This week in Big Country boys basketball (Feb. 10-16)

With just one more game re—maining on the regular-season boys basketball schedule, most district championships have already been decided and many teams have already locked up their playoff spots and seeding.

But as is always the case this time of year, a few league title and district playoff races have come down to the final week, which means Tuesday’s slate of games will have an enormous importance for those teams.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest matchups this final week has to offer and review some of the developments last week that put us in this position, shall we?

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by Evan Ren

EVAN REN: This week in Big Country girls basketball (Feb. 3-9)

Tuesday night will mark the end of the regular season on the girls side, with the exception of a few district tie-breakers that we’ll likely see over the weekend. 

And as one may expect, the intensity level is beginning to reach playoff level. I attended two doubleheaders last week — Cisco at Eastland and Brownwood at Stephenville â€” that were nothing short of electric.

The real fun is about to begin. 

Here’s a quick rundown of last week’s highlights and some key games to keep an eye on this week.  

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by Daniel Youngblood

BCP Podcast No. 31: Evan, Daniel talk Wylie girls hoops with Amy Powell

After a successful six-year run at Hallettsville, Amy Powell took over the Wylie girls basketball program this school year and has the Lady Bulldogs at 20-10 in their first season as a Class 5A program.

This week, Powell took a few minutes to talk with Big Country Preps’ Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood about what drew her to the Wylie job, her first season on campus and her philosophies and personality as a coach on the Capital Farm Credit Wednesday Night Podcast.

Also in this episode, Evan and Daniel talk about some of the most significant developments and biggest upcoming matchups on the Big Country boys and girls basketball scene.

 

 

by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Hard-luck Hawley ready for homestretch after difficult first half

Dylan Frazier

HAWLEY — On paper, their 7-13 overall record and 0-5 mark in District 8-2A have the looks of a team patiently waiting for the baseball season to get started. 

From the perspective of the Hawley boys basketball team, however, they are literally 24 combined points away from being 5-0 in league play and 33 points from being 14-6 on the year.

Put another way, Hawley opens the second half of the District 8-2A race Tuesday night against Cross Plains on a brutal seven-game losing streak that has seen the Bearcats lose by six points or less six times and only once by as many as eight. 

Call them snake-bit. Call them unlucky. But don’t say they’re not competitive.

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by Evan Ren

Big Country Preps Player of the Week: Forsan’s Richardson takes the top spot

Kobe Richardson

He has spent much of this season hidden by West Texas obscurity.

But with the way Forsan’s Kobe Richardson has been playing, he’s becoming noticeable, even while playing in an isolated corner of Howard County.

Last week, the senior guard was magnificent, beginning with a 40-point, eight-rebound night in a tough 60-56 win at Miles that saw him chart nine steals, four blocks and an 18-of-18 tally at the free-throw line.

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by Daniel Youngblood

BCP Podcast No. 30: Haskell’s Blake Eddleman talks Maiden basketball with Evan, Daniel

During his time at Haskell, Blake Eddleman has been one of the most successful girls basketball coaches in the Big Country. And with this year’s team sitting at 25-1 and ranked No. 4 in Class 2A, he may have his best Maiden team to date.

This week, Eddleman took some time to chat with Big Country Preps’ Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood about the 2018-19 Haskell squad, His unique sagging man defense and the future of his program for the Capital Farm Credit Wednesday Night Podcast.

Also in this episode, Evan and Daniel talk about the biggest developments and upcoming matchups on the Big Country boys and girls basketball scene.

by Evan Ren

Big Country Preps Player of the Week: Cisco senior Bird takes award

Sometimes it’s not the numbers you produce, but the number of minutes you played in which to produce them. 

That was the case in choosing our Big Country Preps Player of the Week for the week ending Jan. 19 â€” a seven-day stretch that was littered with top-flight performances from all over the area. 

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by Evan Ren

EVAN REN: This week in girls basketball (Dec. 30-Jan. 5)

With New Year’s Day still approaching, area hoops schedules will remain spotty for a few more days. But there’s ample hoops action approaching for us to take our weekly look at what’s ahead â€” and what we’ve just left behind. 

Top Upcoming Matchups: Friday will see the Big Country dive headlong into district play, and with that, some old rivalries will quickly come to the forefront. 

Topping that list, will be matchups between 11th-ranked Cisco (19-2) and a solid team from Eastland (15-7) on Friday. The Lady Mavericks will bring some momentum into this game with their archrival, having won their last two games in the Eula tournament, including a 54-41 victory over a good Merkel team.   

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by Evan Ren

Anson Lions Club Tournament roundup

In an otherwise difficult tournament for Big Country area teams, it was the Roscoe Plowgirls who emerged with a chance at taking home a championship at the Anson Lions Club Tournament on Friday. 

Unfortunately, they had one rather large roadblock: The fifth-ranked undefeated Vega Lady Longhorns (24-0), who handed Roscoe a 58-22 loss in the title round. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

This week in boys basketball (Dec. 23-29)

Top Upcoming Matchups: With teams enjoying a mandatory five-day break for the holidays, we’ve got a back-loaded schedule this week. But that’s not to say it’s an uninteresting one.

In fact, with holiday tournaments scheduled throughout the state, including a few right here in the Big Country, it is anything but.

Headlining that list are the Eula Holiday Classic, Brownwood’s Texas Bank Holiday Classic and the Anson Lions Club Holiday Tournament, which combined will feature more than 20 Big Country boys basketball teams. 

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by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Roscoe Plowgirls enjoying hoops again

ROSCOE â€” After a two-year stretch plagued with injuries and inexperience that saw them post a combined record of 12-42, the Roscoe Plowgirls have rediscovered the game of basketball. 

And in the process, the Big Country is rediscovering the Roscoe Plowgirls, who at 9-7, are on pace to win more games this season than the two previous years combined. This, with two key players injured who are both set to return to the lineup after Christmas.

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by Daniel Youngblood

BCP Podcast No. 27: Evan, Daniel talk hoops, tackle all-state football snubs

In their final Capital Farm Credit Wednesday Night Podcast of 2018, Big Country Preps’ Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood look back at Albany and Brock’s state semifinal losses, take a look at the area players who did â€” and didn’t â€” make the Associated Press all-state teams and talk about some of the top boys and girls basketball story lines of the early season. 

by Evan Ren

This week in girls basketball (Dec. 16-22)

Top Upcoming Matchups: The Wylie Lady Bulldogs (12-4) will take on the Stephenville Honey Bees (14-2) on the road on Tuesday in what should be a highly entertaining matchup in an electric atmosphere.

Haskell travels to face Roby on the road on Tuesday night, which could be highly entertaining if the Lady Lions can compensate for some key injuries. 

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by Evan Ren

Highly touted Forsan fights off stubborn Roscoe (box score and photo gallery included)

ROSCOE â€” If the Forsan Lady Buffaloes went into Friday’s game at Roscoe as a heavy favorite, someone forgot to give the Plowgirls the memo. 

At the very least, Roscoe gave a team expected by many to do some postseason damage a major test, falling 44-39 in a seesaw game that saw the momentum turn on a dime several times. 

Macey Evans scored 17 points and Emily Garcia added 13 more to lead Forsan (13-5), which saw separate leads of eight and 13 points nearly evaporate in the face of two second-half runs by the Plowgirls. 

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by Maverick16

Plowgirls hold off Highland to kick off doubleheader sweep

ROSCOE â€” A fast start in the first quarter was the difference in the game Tuesday as the Roscoe Plowgirls fended off the Highland Lady Hornets for a 41-30 victory.

The Plowgirls started the game hot, outscoring Highland 19-3 in the first quarter. Senior Bonnie Wilkinson led the early charge, scoring seven points during the first quarter.

Wilkinson suffered a lower leg injury late in the period, however, which would halt Roscoe’s momentum. Highland outscored Roscoe 12-4 in the second quarter to trim the Plowgirls’ lead to 23-15 at halftime.

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by Evan Ren

Big Country Preps Player of the Week: Cooper RB Noah Garcia makes dramatic return

When Cooper sophomore Noah Garcia was last seen at Shotwell Stadium, he was leaving the Cougars’ regular-season finale against Amarillo High on a stretcher.

Noah Garcia

The 5-foot-7, 160-pound running back had just taken a hard hit near the line of scrimmage and spent several minutes face down on the turf awaiting and receiving medical care.

But the thumbs up he gave the crowd as he was wheeled away from worried coaches, teammates and family members seemed to offer assurance that he would be back at some point to help the team he’d been so good for to that point. Little did anyone know that would occur just one week later.

Not only was Garcia back for the Coogs’ playoff opener at El Paso Eastwood, he was good enough in their 49-41 bi-district victory to earn Big Country Preps Player of the Week honors for the first time this season.

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by Daniel Youngblood

BCP Podcast No. 22: Evan, Daniel look ahead to football playoffs

The Regular season is over, and the high school football playoffs are here. In this week’s Capital Farm Credit Wednesday Night Podcast, Big Country Preps’ Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood take a look back at the most important games of Week 11 and ahead to the postseason, focusing on the Big Country’s biggest threats.

by Evan Ren

District 7-2A Division II: Week 11 Report

Cutter Edgar

Albany 34, Hamlin 27 â€” Ben West threw for 248 yards and four scores and Cutter Edgar rushed for 112 yards to lift Albany (5-5, 5-0) to a stunning win over previously unbeaten Hamlin. 

Albany, which limited Hamlin to an astounding 207 total yards, overcame three turnovers to win its 11th straight district championship. 

It was the fifth consecutive win or the Lions, who had begun the season at 0-5 against a brutal nondistrict schedule.

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by Evan Ren

Evan Ren’s 2018-19 Big Country Boys Hoops Preview

While several of the area’s best athletes are still tied up playing football, the boys basketball season technically gets underway Friday night.

Of course, as the football playoffs get rolling and more and more teams are eliminated, the basketball talent pool will grow on a weekly basis, and by mid December, we’ll be in full hoops mode. 

Regardless, boys basketball season is officially here, so it’s time to take a peek at what this season will offer with our area teams, Class 1A through 4A. 

Who has the best shot at getting to state? Who are the legitimate contenders and what are the teams that we should be careful not to ignore?

Let’s find out. 

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by Evan Ren

BCP GAME OF THE WEEK: Jim Ned clashes with Eastland (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks, Thursday Night Drive-Time Podcast)

LAST WEEK: 28-3, .903

SEASON TOTAL: 351-79, .816

Our possible choices for Big Country Preps Game of the Week made our final selection difficult this time around, with two high-profile winner-take-all district title games on the menu.  

Our final pick: Jim Ned (7-2, 3-1) at Eastland (7-2, 3-1) â€” a matchup with a bit less at stake (the No. 2 seed in District 3-3A Division I), but one we feel will be the area’s most competitive of our top six games. 

Continue reading “BCP GAME OF THE WEEK: Jim Ned clashes with Eastland (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks, Thursday Night Drive-Time Podcast)” →

by Daniel Youngblood

BCP Podcast No. 21: Evan, Daniel talk Hamlin football with Russell Lucas

Hamlin football coach Russell Lucas has built a consistent winner in his 11 years at the school. And sitting at 9-0 heading into a winner-take-all district championship game against Albany, this year’s team may be the best he’s ever had.

Lucas recently took some time to talk to Big Country Preps’ Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood about this year’s team, the qualities that make it special and the importance he places on character and community involvement for this week’s Capital Farm Credit Wednesday Night Podcast.

Also in this episode, Evan and Daniel discuss the biggest football games of Week 10 and what they mean for the Big Country’s various district championship and playoff races.

by Evan Ren

District 7-2A Division II: Week 10 Report

Albany 20, Haskell 19 â€” Albany (4-5, 4-0) jumped out to a 20-6 lead and held off a fourth-quarter Haskell rally remain in a first-place tie with Hamlin. 

Cutter Edgar rushed 26 times for 243 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Lions, who finished with 381 yards in total offense. 

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by Evan Ren

Evan Ren’s 2018-19 Big Country Girls Hoops Preview

The quickest way to get basketball season to begin is to tee up a football. 

It might as well set off a time warp. 

If you don’t believe me, consider this while you’re watching a Week 10 football game around the area this evening: High school girls basketball officially begins tonight and the boys will tip off next week. 

Excuse me, but weren’t two-a-days over like …. just last week? Unbelievable.

Regardless, the girls start Friday night and that means it’s time to take a look around the Big Country for some of the top teams the area will have to offer in 2018-19. 

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by Evan Ren

BCP Game of the Week: Dublin heads to Comanche (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks, Drive-Time Podcast)

LAST WEEK: 38-5, .833

SEASON TOTAL: 323-76, .810

Dublin (7-1, 2-1) at Comanche (5-3, 3-0) â€” This game has been circled on the calendar for weeks and had been viewed as a possible winner-take-all matchup in District 6-3A Division II. 

That is, until Jacksboro threw everything into question with a 42-29 win at Dublin last week. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

BCP Podcast No. 20: Evan, Daniel chat with Comanche’s Stephen Hermesmeyer

Comanche football coach Stephen Hermesmeyer has turned a struggling Indian program into a perennial playoff contender during his seven seasons at the school. And though he experienced significant graduation losses from last year’s 12-2 squad, his Indians can clinch their second straight district title with a win over Dublin on Friday.

Hermesmeyer recently took some time to chat with Big Country Preps’ Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood about this year’s team, his wing-T offensive scheme and the status of his program for this week’s Capital Farm Credit Wednesday Night Podcast.

Also in this episode, Evan and Daniel discuss the area’s top games from Week 9 and how those outcomes are shaping the Big Country district races.

by Evan Ren

District 7-2A Division II: Week 9 Report

Haskell 48, Roscoe 28 â€” The Indians kept their playoff hopes alive with a three-score win on the road. 

Cutter Medford hit 10 of 23 passes for 170 yards and four scores and rushed for 58 yards and another TD to lead the Indians (2-5, 1-2). 

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by Evan Ren

BCP Game of the Week: Stephenville heads to Brownwood (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks, Drive-Time Podcast)

LAST WEEK: 33-7, .825

SEASON TOTAL: 285-71, .801

In a week that features four or perhaps five games that could easily qualify for our Big Country Preps Game of the Week, there is alas, a safe choice. 

When in doubt, one can seldom go wrong with the annual Stephenville-Brownwood clash — a storied feud now in its 80th chapter dating back to 1937.

This year, the Lions (4-2, 1-0) play host to the Yellow Jackets (4-3, 1-1) in a game that will likely decide the No. 2 seed in District 5-4A Division I â€” perhaps the best overall 4A league in Texas.

Continue reading “BCP Game of the Week: Stephenville heads to Brownwood (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks, Drive-Time Podcast)” →

by Evan Ren

BCP Game of the Week: C-City hosts Idalou (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country picks, Drive-Time Podcast)

Evan Ren

LAST WEEK: 37-5, .860

SEASON TOTAL: 252-64, .797 

Before the season, many viewed Colorado City (6-0, 1-0) as the odds-on favorite to take District 2-3A Division II, and I agreed with them. 

But as each new season evolves, surprises typically emerge and that’s certainly the case in this league where Idalou (5-1, 1-0) and Abernathy (5-1, 1-0) have shown themselves as too good to simply label as No. 2 or 3 seeds. 

Continue reading “BCP Game of the Week: C-City hosts Idalou (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country picks, Drive-Time Podcast)” →

by Evan Ren

District 7 2A Division II: Week 7 Report

Albany 48, Baird 12 â€” Albany QB Ben West had his best performance as a Lion, hitting 13 of 15 throws for 193 yards and three scores as AHS improved to 1-5 and 1-0. 

Ryan Hill (three catches, 49 yards) was on the receiving end of two West TD strikes while Dillon Hindman (2-20) caught the third.  

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