While scoring and rebounding garner much of the attention in basketball, there are other elements, crucial to success, that seldom grab headlines.
Behind the scenes is where character, effort and sacrifice set the foundation for teams to reach their full potential. And it is with our Big Country Preps Gym Rat Team that we salute the individuals who bring these elements to the table.
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 outworking, outhustling and outgiving everyone around you, both on the floor and off. Hard-working, honest, selfless, tough, coachable kids are what we seek for this roster.
A Gym Rat Team member can be your best player or the last player off the bench. But the one thing all of them bring is an uncompromisingly good attitude.
It is for that reason that our Gym Rat Team is selected entirely by area coaches. And Big Country Preps is truly honored to present these individuals to you — the best “team players” (boys and girls) that the area had to offer during the 2020-21 season.
Players are listed in no particular order.
Enjoy.
WINTERS — Prior to Tuesday’s win over Forsan, which clinched a tie for the district title, the Winters boys basketball team had not achieved this feat since 2012. And in the intervening years, the Blizzards and basketball weren’t a great mix.
WINTERS — A year ago, the Winters Blizzards surged from a 5-6 record in 2017 to a 8-4 mark, fueled largely by the expansion of capabilities in its flexbone offense. 
On a typical Friday evening in the fall, the Winters football team may throw the ball five times — 10 if desperate measures are required.
Picture a high school baseball team that has 10 players who are either freshmen or sophomores. 
