Sports

BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI In a playoff-like atmosphere on senior night at Bales Gym, the Hays Rebels boys basketball put together a complete performance in a 61-54 victory over the Anderson Trojans.

High-energy defense and big-time plays from their senior class accentuated the team’s third straight win a row.

“It was a great win, our team played really well coming out the gate,” Hays head coach Matthew Sandoval said. “We found a way to win, and we’ve had some really good competitive practices lately. In all honesty, we are actually just keeping it really simple. Getting after each other and pushing each other, and it’s really paid off.”

FINAL 25-6A BOYS BASKETBALL STANDINGS *Clinched playoff berth Westlake 16-0* Anderson 11-5* Bowie 11-5* Hays 10-6* Austin 7-9 Del Valle 6-10 Lake Travis 5-11 Akins 3-13 Lehman 3-13

Luke Watson (15) speeds past an Anderson defender. Watson scored five free throws in additon to 15 points during the game. PHOTO BY JAMES NIÑO

Hays got a handful of strong performances from their senior group against Anderson, including tenacious play from point guard Caden Doyle who scored 21 points and had three steals.

“It meant a lot, coming into this week we had a lot to prepare for,” Doyle said. "We knew it was going to be a difficult matchup, but I mean just to get the victory that’s all that really matters.”

Seniors Carlos Rocha and Luke Watson also had key performances in the win for the Rebels. Rocha finished with nine points, seven rebounds and five blocks, while Watson made 15 points and five clutch free throws in the final minute of the game.

“It felt great to be able to close the game out there,” said Watson. “The game was close, it was getting a little tight, but hitting those free throws was good.” Caden Doyle (23) attempts to snag the ball away from an Anderson player. Doyle scored 21 points for the night. PHOTO BY JAMES NIÑO

The Rebels brought the energy early on jumping out to a 20-7 lead over Anderson in the first quarter, thanks to great passing on offense which led to all five of Hays starters scoring in the first eight minutes of the game. On defense, Hays came out in a halfcourt trap, which caught the Trojans off guard in the first half.

“We just wanted to show them something different out the gate, and play with a little more energy,” said Sandoval. “I thought it made a lot of a difference to start the game because it felt like they(Anderson) weren’t really prepared for it.”

Over the next three quarters, Anderson crept back into the game and eventually trimmed Hays lead to 56-52 with 1:08 left in the final frame. However, Hays sunk 10 of 16 free throws in the final minute to seal the senior night victory.

For Anderson, senior guard Max Smith led all scorers with 31 points. Senior shooting guard Blake Spiller also contributed 13 points for the Trojans.

With the regular season coming to a close, Hays now readies for its bi-district playoff tilt against Converse Judson.

“We play Judson, but that doesn’t put any fear in our heart,” Sandoval said. “We are going to go out there and play as hard as we need to play to win the basketball game. The chips will fall where they fall.”

Hays plays Judson Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at Seguin High.

Playoff plan begins early for Lady Lobo softball

BY MOSES LEOS III

Building upon last season’s historic playoff run didn’t start on the diamond this offseason for the Lehman Lobos softball team.

Instead, Lobo head coach Robert Young understood gains had to be made in the weight room if Lehman seeks similar success they had in 2019. It’s all part of a plan to prepare his Lobo squad for a 2020 campaign where Lehman won’t be seen as the underdog any longer. While there are questions to be answered, Young hopes returning experience can allow Lehman to “hold the line” and make a return to the postseason.

For Young, that mentality is predicated on a simple question – “Why not us?”

“With the girls we have coming back and experience they have and what we learned from last year, hopefully it rolls over and they understand where they need to be,” said Young.

A critical cog for the Lobos will be returning senior pitcher Lexi Bechtel whose experience in the circle could give Lehman a leg up in district play, Young said. He added Bechtel has also continued to grow as a team leader.

“The people we’ve played in scrimmages have noticed the leadership role that’s she’s now learning to put on her shoulders,” Young said. “She’s doing stuff that’s been tough for her to do last year.”

Equally returning to the fold will be Ariana Ybarra, Isabell Harrington and Aliyah Tanguma.

“The girls rally to them when the going gets tough,” Young said. “That’s what we’re looking for in our players.

However, Lehman must also fill several sizable gaps, primarily in the outfield. That includes bridging the absence of America Cienega who will miss the season due to a recent back surgery. Freshman Ariana Rodriguez, who Young said is “heck on wheels,” is expected to pick up the slack while junior Alyssa Ysla will fill the void left by all district catcher Audrey Dienhart.

“I’m going to put the best athlete we have at catcher,” said Young. “She’s (Ysla) working up to that role as best as she can and she’s going to do the best she can.”

Amid his team’s relative inexperience at certain positions, Young felt the field is mostly wide open in 25-6A this season. Last year’s frontrunners Hays and Austin High are finding new pitchers while Lake Travis and Westlake continue to rebound and rebuild. In between are Bowie, which also returns most of its roster, as well as Akins and Anderson who both struggled.

At the same time, Young told his team Lehman will not be an afterthought following last season’s success. “When you put it all out there, everyone is equal

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(in 25-6A),” Young said. “The only thing holding us back will be us. They’ve taken it upon themselves to fight every possible inning they can.”

Lehman opens the season Monday when they host Austin High at 6 p.m. at Lobo Field.

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Lobo boys soccer falls short in 3-2 loss to Austin High

BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI A thrilling back-andforth match last Friday night at Lobo Stadium between Lehman boys soccer and Austin High ended in disappointing fashion for the Lobos as the Maroons stole the 3-2 road win on a late goal in the final six minutes of the game.

“Just wasn’t good enough to get a win,” Lehman head coach Rene Medina said after the game of the Lobos’ performance. Coming out of halftime trailing 2-1 to Austin, the Lobos equalized with a quick score in the first five minutes of the second half on a strike by sophomore Emilio Bartolo. With a crowded box, Bartolo controlled the ball off his chest and then nailed it into the right corner of the net.

“Good technical skill from him, settling the ball on a first touch that I believe was with his chest,” Medina said of Bartolo. “He kind of settled it and then slammed it in with his left, that’s his strong foot.”

After Bartolo’s goal, Lehman and Austin amped up their efforts in the final 35 minutes, but a goal on a counter attack

Lexi Bechtel