cornerstone crusaders | glen rose tigers | granbury pirates MAY 2013 | 2nd Issue FREE TAKE ONE
Glen Rose Jared Thames
Emily Britt
All-State Player, State Champion Coach!
Cornerstone Christian Academy
Bobby Johnson, teaching real life.
Lipan Lady Indians
Amber Tate or Amber Branson... Lipan LEGEND either way you spell it!
District defensive MVP for football and back to back powerlifting state champion.
North Central Texas Academy This is a sports program that wins and wins State. Athletic Director, Kirby Rascoe
www.HometownSportsTexas.com
lipan indians | NCTA Happy Hill Pioneers | tolar rattlers
2 | May 2013 | Hood & Somervell County Hometown Sports
May 2013»
HometownSportsTexas.com Editor’s Letter
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Emily Britt - Big Red
6
Cornerstone Christian Academy
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I hope you enjoy the magazine, and don’t forget to let us know if you have an article you think we need to write about!
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All-State Player, State Champion Coach. The first year as coach, the Lady Pioneers win a State Championship!
Bobby Johnson, his approach to young athletes is honest and straight forward. Teaching real life!
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Tolar is on TRACK!
Whatever the challenge, it seems that Tolar knows how to compete on the fields and in the classroom.
Glen Rose Tigers
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Granbury Pirates Soccer
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Lipan Lady Indians
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North Central Texas Academy at Happy Hill Farm
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Tolar Rattlers
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Jared Thames, district defensive MVP for football and back to back powerlifting state champion.
Doug Kissinger back home, and coaching the team he starred for. Granbury Pirates just won their 5th consecutive District Championship.
Amber Tate or Amber Branson...Lipan legend either way you spell it!
Kirby Rascoe is Athletic Director and Boys coach at NTCA. This is a sports program that wins and wins State.
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Doc, I got another injury. Tell me it’s not Landon! That was the response Mike Franklin got when he called Crosstimbers Orthopedic office ...
3 | May 2013 | Hood & Somervell County Hometown Sports
Youk’s NOTES
I
am having the time of my life, talking to so many awesome people and being able to share it with you! I can’t thank you enough for the overwhelming reception to our first issue. Now, here’s one thing we need from you. If you love what we are doing and have a business, contact us about advertising in our magazine. This allows us to make each issue available to the public for free. There is not a better way to advertise your business than here. And if you have an interesting story to share, please feel free to contact me and we can visit. This issue has eight, count them, eight articles. We take our first look at Cornerstone Christian Academy and North Central Texas Academy at Happy Hill Farm. They will also be covered each month here in the magazine. Heros -- this issue is full of them. Amber Tate Branson, the legend from Lipan, is one of our feature stories. Amber was a scoring machine as a player for Lipan. But now she has come home to coach her hometown team, while having her family, one between the regional quarterfinal and the regional semifinal. This got National coverage. So you’ll get to meet
her in this issue Doug Kissinger, who was player soccer captain of the 1999 State Champion team, now head coach of Pirate Soccer! How fitting Doug is back in the saddle leading the Pirates as they now have won five consecutive District Championships and went the farthest they have been since 2003 in the playoffs. Emily Britt, Lady Pirate basketball star is now State Champion coach with North Central Texas Academy. A brilliant high school career, and getting to play basketball at OU (I was so jealous), to coming full circle back to our community & coaching the ladies to Championships. “Big Red” is doing great. Landon Harris is a one of a kind athlete. The senior at Tolar has one of the most amazing stories to tell. I thought I had a lot of surgeries, but this young man out did me while continuing to play football, basketball, baseball & running track for four years at Tolar. WOW! You gotta meet this kid.
at State, and this year will be no exception. We had the opportunity to catch up with Bobby Johnson, AD at Cornerstone and Kirby Rascoe, AD at NTCA at Happy Hill Farm. Next month I will take you to Johnny Perkins Field and begin the process of following the turf being installed. We will meet basketball sisters, Lacey Neu and Lilly Vanderzee. Also we will take a look at the upcoming Johnny Perkins football camp that will feature several former NFL players. Again, I can never run out of material. There is so much past, present and future to share with you. I really hope you enjoy the magazine, and don’t forget to let us know how we can help you and who I can talk to. That’s never been one of my problems. See you in June. David Youker
Youk
We also take a look at Tolar track, which is a very successful program in Tolar. For nine of the last twelve years, Tolar has had kids performing
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around getting the ball inside to “Big Red.” You hear Leta call the offense “Emily”. Well guess what, she is the namesake of that offense. We have had some amazing posts over the years and I will be focusing on two of them next month, but Emily took no prisoners inside. Her senior year she averaged 25 pts./game, grabbed 12 rebounds per/game and almost 7 steals per game. As a junior, on what some consider as Granbury’s best team, Emily and Jia Perkins led the Ladies to the regional championship by beating #1 undefeated Canyon. Many feel that was the best game ever played by the Lady Pirates.
EMILY BRITT
Big Red
By: David Youker
All-State Player,
State Champion Coach!
I
remember vividly the first time I ever met Emily Britt. I walked into Pirate gym to watch Lady Pirate basketball practice. It was the first practice of the year for the 1995-96 school year. There was a lot of anticipation about the “Twin Towers,” Emily Britt & Sara McBroom, both 6 foot freshman. I asked Leta, “Where are they,” she said, “they are right down there,” pointing them out as they got ready for day one of Lady Pirate basketball history. Fast forward 2012, Emily Britt takes to the court for the first time as a coach. North Central Texas at Happy Hill Farm has hired Emily as their girls’ coach. The first year as coach, the Lady Pioneers won a State Championship. So, again Emily was ready for day one of Lady
6 | May 2013 | Hood & Somervell County Hometown Sports
Pioneer history. Emily has put in her time to get to this point. Twice as a player at Granbury High School, the Lady Pirates went to the regional tournament. Twice as a player at Oklahoma University, the Lady Sooners went to the sweet 16. Now in her first year as a head coach, she has won a State Championship. At every level Emily knows what it is like to win. And, at every level Emily knows what it takes to win. During her career at Granbury, Emily Britt was the most dominate post I have seen since I’ve been covering Lady Pirate basketball. But for four years, the offense was centered
The basketball Britt’s, as I deemed the family, was the basketball family of the 90’s. Older brother Jason started the tradition, and the dude was good. He was dominate on the floor, mean as could be, and one of the best players of the 90’s on the guys’ side. Rachel came next. She was a junior when I started calling Lady Pirate basketball, and she was an All-District performer as was Jason. Then came Emily. She made first team All-State twice. She won a National Championship on her AAU team and played in the Junior Olympics between her junior & senior year. All of her hard work paid off as Emily got a full ride to OU. Emily played two years for the Lady Sooners, as I said earlier, sweet 16 both years. But home was a little far away, and Emily transferred to UNT. She sat out one year and played her senior year. Upon graduation with a degree in Business Marketing, Emily moved to Waco and worked four years in Marketing. Then she spent three years working for her brother Jason. But, there’s something about basketball. Misti Cook, the head coach at Tolar, and Emily’s former teammate at GHS along with Mike Franklin, who ironically was Emily’s track coach at GHS, brought Emily to Tolar as an assistant coach. Two years there and the NCTA position opened up and Emily fit the bill. NTCA had won backto-back State Championships, but had only one returning starter from those teams. But, as we have learned, Emily likes to
win. That translated to the girls, and the three peats were complete. Emily is the girls’ coach for NTCA, coaching volleyball, basketball and track. She is able to have both her kids with her at the school. Murphy is in kindergarten at NTCA and her daughter, Charlie is 2 ½. By the way, she is named after Emily’s dad, Charlie, who passed away. A big thanks to Charlie & Donna Britt for raising their kids here in Granbury, so that we got to enjoy them. That includes Laiken Britt, All-District volleyball player for GHS. That is Jason’s daughter. Emily Britt had a high school and college career that most people only dream of. But, Emily said, “I did my thing and now it’s time for the kids to do theirs.” I also asked her about winning a State Championship as a first year coach. Emily said, “To win a State Championship as a first year coach is surreal.” Well “Big Red”, its real and we look for many more to come. We’re just all glad you’re bringing that game so close to home! Go “Big Red”!! Or, as Mom always said, “Let’s go Em!” 7 | May 2013 | Hood & Somervell County Hometown Sports
Cornerstone Christian Academy Point Academy and Watauga Harvest. Cornerstone will honor John Allison by naming the field after him for all of the work and dedication he has put into Cornerstone Christian Academy. Bobby told me, “I had the privilege of working with Biff Peterson, former Granbury Pirate football coach here with the football program, and I learned a lot from a great coach.” Bobby also said, “Working with Dwight Butler at Granbury has been a real pleasure, and he is so easy to work with.”
Teaching Real Life! Marcy Martinez, Administrator
Bobby Johnson, Athletic director
I
met Bobby Johnson, Athletic Director of Cornerstone Christian Academy, for the first time a couple of weeks ago. His approach to young athletes is honest and straight forward. Bobby had a coach take him under his wing as a kid, and that has stuck with him ever since. Bobby teaches real life. Don’t be pouting around Coach Johnson, there is no room for that. And that’s not just in sports, but in everyday life. He also teaches the kids about success, living in the real world, and looking ahead and past the game. It’s kind of like reality, what a concept. Everyone is on the same page here. Bobby said, “Half the athletes have jobs here, which helps the staff get these kids ready for life and about living debt free.” Bobby went to Burleson High School and has lived in Crowley for 24 years. He has had coaching and AD stops at Calvary Christian, Stepping Stone and Southwest Christian. He told me, “I learned from a group of coaches while at Southwest that were and are all legends. They all
came together at Southwest to make the program great, and I got to take advantage of all that knowledge.” Bobby is now in his 4th year at Cornerstone and has seen incredible growth. “We have 160 students in pre-K to 12. We have 55 students alone in high school, and are growing about 25% per year,” Bobby said, “we are about the size of Sydney or Lingleville.” Cornerstone has just completed its second year of 6-man football. They made it to the second round of the playoffs both seasons. Bobby is excited about next year, as he will have six juniors and six sophomores back. They had their first basketball team and made it to the final four, only to lose at the buzzer in the semi-finals. The school has varsity volleyball, baseball and golf. Cornerstone competes in the Texas Christian Athletic Fellowship against teams from: Azle, Weatherford, Rockwall, Wylie, High
8 | May 2013 | Hood & Somervell County Hometown Sports
By: David Youker
Marcy Martinez is the administrator at Cornerstone. Bobby told me, “She is committed to making this school a big success and very competitive.” With so many first year programs at Cornerstone, Bobby is going to be really busy. Next year will bring more students, more athletes and more competition. Bobby Johnson, with an assist from his son Tyler, is ready for the growth and the successes that will follow.
TOLAR RATTLERS
TOLAR is on TRACK By: David Youker
The
Tolar boy’s track team has won District! OK, you were thinking, and? Well, check this out! Tolar, with school enrollment of 207, scored 214 points to win the crown. 2nd place Whitney, enrollment of 430, had 150 points and Godley, enrollment of 453 had 106 points. Last month I told you about Tolar in 2A was no problem, well here’s the proof. Not only did Tolar compete with schools twice the size, but bested them at so many turns. At the area meet, Tolar scored 130 points, Boyd was next with 94 and Paradise added 75. So, on the weekend of April 26 & 27, Tolar competed at Tarleton in regionals, and two boys will continue on to State, May 10-11 in Austin. The Lady Rattlers finished 2nd in District and were well represented at the regional meet. I spoke to “Bucky” Woods, Tolar High School principal, and he told me, “We are also sending 30+ kids to the regional UIL meet. So you can see how well things are going in Tolar, which brings us to where Tolar will be in 2014. Bucky and I talked about being in 2A. Bucky said, “We are graduating 57 kids, and that’s a big class. We will turn in our realignment numbers next October. As it stands right now we are on target to turn in around 196. We turned in 209 last time, and the cutoff was 200. So, things could change again for Tolar.” But, Tolar will compete at any level.
Tolar football coach. Mike, as you remember, was Tolar track coach for seven years. He said, “I am so proud of how our kids continue to compete at such high levels. I am looking forward to many of our kids going to State.” After all, Tolar has had representation at State 9 of the last 12 years. Tolar baseball and softball failed to make the playoffs this year. Corbin Wood qualified for the regional golf tournament. There is one change personnel wise at Tolar. Junior High principal Brad Morgan is now athletic director for Tolar ISD. Brad will maintain his principal duties while also becoming the new AD. Mike Franklin will still be Tolar football coach. And according to Mike, “We have a chance to be really good next year. You might be seeing a 2,000 yard rusher in Tolar next year.” I told Mike, “ The last time that happened in Hood County was in 1966, as James Hodges rushed for over 2,000 yards for Granbury, so that would be huge.” Whatever the challenge, it seems that Tolar knows how to compete on the fields and in the classroom. Also in this issue we will take a look at a very special young man at Tolar, Landon Morris. He has redefined the word determination during his high school career. Tolar IS on track, regardless of classification or size of school they face. Well, you know what a Rattler does!
I revisited with Mike Franklin, 9 | May 2013 | Hood & Somervell County Hometown Sports
glen rose district defensive mvp for football and
Jared Thames By: David Youker
T
he first time I met Jared Thames, I thought, “Is this kid a coach?” Not just because of his size, but his demeanor. Jared presents himself as someone beyond being a high school senior. Considering that Jared is a two time State Champion Powerlifter & a two time defensive MVP in District football for the Glen Rose Tigers, there is an air of confidence & maturity that surrounds this young man. But, when you have accomplished what Jared has, it comes naturally. Jared Thames has been in Glen Rose since he was two. His mom went to Glen Rose High School, so it’s in his blood. And, anyone familiar with Glen Rose football knows the pride that comes with wearing the red and white. Playoffs are expected! And, most of the time playoffs are realized. Jared was a three year starter for the Tigers. He started playing football in the 5th grade, but really started getting
his football on in the 7th grade. Because of his size, Jared played offensive line and defensive line through his sophomore year. But his junior and senior year he played fullback and defensive line. He told me, “It was fun delivering hits as a fullback.” At 6 foot and 265 pounds, Jared is not your normal fullback. But, Jared’s forte is defense. He was twice selected defensive lineman of the year, and as he told me, “I was double teamed all of the time.” That didn’t stop Jared. His senior season he had 7.5 sacks giving him 11.5 for his career. He also had 14 tackles for loss his senior year, giving him a total of 26 for his career. His reward for his career at Glen Rose is a full ride to Tarleton State. Jared told me it came down to Air Force and Tarleton. The climate and the military commitment that comes with playing at Air Force helped make the decision easier going to Tarleton. But, Jared
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really enjoyed his senior season. Glen Rose was 10-2, its two losses came to Graham, who lost in the State semi-finals and Stephenville who won State in 3A. The Tigers came very close to beating Stephenville in Stephenville, in the District opener. They lost 28-24. Jared will get right back on that field next year by wearing the purple and white of the Texans. The next part of our story sets Jared apart from any athlete in Glen Rose history. Jared Thames is the first Powerlifter to win back-to-back State Championships for the Tigers. As a junior, Jared
and back to back powerlifting state champion! Upper left Kiel Miller-RB Coach, Tommy DunnAD & Head Coach, Todd Swearengin-DC top right. Mrs. Thames, Jared & Fred Cordova-DL, R-L.
won State by 5 lbs. He won it on the last lift. His totals were: deadlift, 600 lbs. squat, 630 lbs. and bench, 4 70 lbs. This represented a 390 lb. increase for Jared from his sophomore year. Jared finished his junior campaign undefeated and State Champion. He said, “It was very exciting that it came down to the last
lift, everyone was yelling and getting into it.” The senior campaign for Jared’s expectations were high. But, he had confidence going in that he would win again. And he did! At the Regional meet he set a record with a 635 lb. deadlift. That just set up what was to come. At State, Jared’s three lift total
was 1,760 lbs. Second place was 1710, leaving no doubts who the Champ is. Jared was also undefeated his senior season and his three lifts at State were: deadlift, 620 lbs. squat, 700 lbs. and bench 440 lbs. The legacy of Jared Thames will live on in Glen Rose. His name is etched in the record books in both sports. Not just because of sports, but because of who he is. Jared told me,
“Glen Rose is a great place to grow up. The community really supports us. We have awesome facilities and there is great pride that comes with all of that.” His mom is a teacher at the junior high and his dad is a security guard at the nuclear plant. Jared will major in physical therapy and maybe coaching. He will be joined at Tarleton by high school teammate, running back and safety Cody Burcher.
Jared Thames is a special young man, with an incredible high school career. Kids dream of these successes, and somewhere in Glen Rose is the kid that is saying, “I’m gonna be the next Jared Thames.” Well, dream on all you Tigers, cause these are some big shoes to fill. But remember, Jared at one time dreamt that he would have the career he did. Tiger Pride is alive and very well in Glen Rose thanks to kids like Jared Thames!
11 | May 2013 | Hood & Somervell County Hometown Sports
pirate
spri
ing
sports
Photo credit: Jeff Meador/Granbury ISD
TOLAR RATTLERS
granbury pirates
captain & coach Athletic Director: Doug Kissinger
By: David Youker
Youker, “The ball high into the air. Doug giving chase to it, he’ll send the header and he’s gonna try to get to it again!”
“Oh
what a play,” Perkins, “Ohhhhhhhhh! Ohh, what a play.” Youker, “Here comes Michael Floyd, Michael on the run, we got a go, we got a break, MICHAEL, Gooooooooaallll.” Perkins, “Yea, Woooooo!” Youker, “2-0 over Wichita Falls Rider. What a play, Kissinger set it up with the header, the chase, the determination to stay after it, went high into the air, Michael Floyd the break, one-on-one against the goalie.” Perkins, “David, we saw it coming all the way. What a beautiful view from up here.” And, that folks is as it happened! In my opinion, the greatest single play I have ever called in my 21 years of broadcasting Pirate sports. Doug Kissinger, one of the Captains and Mid-fielder of the 1999 Granbury Pirate State Champion soccer team.
If you have seen it, you remember it! I mean how do you pass the ball to yourself in soccer? And, know exactly where to kick the ball to a wide open Michael Floyd, who scored what was to be the winning goal against Rider that sent Granbury onto Georgetown and the State Championship. And now that same Doug Kissinger is the head coach of Granbury Pirate soccer. The leader of the 1999 team, now back to lead Pirate soccer! There’s just not a better hometown story.
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granbury pirates losing to that same Wichita Falls Rider team. But, when Doug graduated from Granbury High School, he never envisioned he would be back here in Granbury, much less coaching his high school team.
Doug, now in his 3rd year as Granbury Pirate soccer head coach, took his team farther than a team has gone since 2003. It went four rounds into the playoffs before
/
And, consider that Ryan Ellis, one of the final four defensemen on that same team, is one of Doug’s assistants. Folks, I think we’ve got the makings of some more magic from Granbury Pirate soccer.
Doug went to Texas A&M upon graduation from GHS to study meteorology. After two years at A&M, Doug decided it was time for a change. Not only did he change the scenery but also his major. Doug changed his major to kinesiology and graduated from Tarleton in 2006. He was an assistant for two years to Coach Winkleman for Lady Pirate soccer, before being named head coach for Pirate soccer three years ago. Besides coaching the Pirates, Doug teaches PE classes and beginning next year, he will teach an outdoor adventure class focusing on hunting, fishing and archery. Doug is married to GHS graduate Shelly Wood. They have two
15 | May 2013 | Hood & Somervell County Hometown Sports
granbury pirates
Player #16 Ryan Ellis, GHS Soccer assistant.
Granbury High School | Boys Soccer | 1999 State Champions
children, Jaiden and Easton with Paxton on the way. Was this the plan? No, but we are the better for it that it worked out this way. Granbury High School has won one team State
Championship. It was in 1999 as a special group of young men coached by the legendary Larry Mayo, who actually started the Pirate soccer program. I asked Doug why this team was different. He said, “We had
16 | May 2013 | Hood & Somervell County Hometown Sports
Player #11 Doug Kissinger, head coach
Doug Kissinger is where he belongs. He is back home in Granbury, coaching the team he starred for. The Pirates just won their 5th consecutive District Championship. Doug has won District each year. The success of this season sets the stage for more successes for Pirate soccer. And, Doug Kissinger, whether Captain or Coach, will have a part in the next State Championship that Pirate soccer brings home to Granbury.
WELCOME TO THE GRANBURY SQUARE PLAZA
played together for years. We knew what each other was thinking and we knew each other’s moves and where each of us were on the field.” Doug went on, “We were focused all year, and there was no screwing around, it was serious business, because we knew what we had.” Granbury lost the second game of the year to El Paso Del Valle, a 5A school who also made it to State. But after that they never lost again. They finished 21-1. Doug said, “As the season went on a confidence began to grow. After we beat Northwest in the regional semi’s we knew we could do this. The crowds were huge, having Johnny Perkins announcing was so cool, and he got to be a part of the Championship.” Granbury went on to beat Wichita Falls Rider 2-1 in the regional finals. Then, Belton was 3-0 in the State semi-finals before beating Nederland 2-1 in the Championship game. I remember so well Doug and the DeBusk twins hoisting the Championship trophy at mid field, a site that all of us that were there will always remember.
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lipan
Amber Tate or Amber Branson...
Lipan legend either way you spell it!
By: David Youker
W
hether its scoring 50 points in a game in 1995, or coaching the Lipan girls after delivering her third child, her name will be a legacy that will not be forgotten. With the exception of Debbie Lou Howard, who scored 4,760 points between 1973-1976 for Lipan, no one has stood out on the floor more than Amber. Now, Debbie Lou played back in the day of 6 on 6 and she is the alltime leading scorer here in Texas, and owns most of those records. As a player, Amber Tate scored a career total of 3,005 points. In 1995 alone, she scored 1,023 points,
averaged 27.6 for the ‘95 season and during that season scored 50 points in one game. That year, the Lipan Ladies lost in the State semifinals. I asked Amber if she played any games in Granbury and she said, “We played in a couple of the tournaments at the James Wann.” I knew it! I remember calling at least one of her games for the old Channel 99. When we had a chance to do some of the area teams we did them, and that I remember. That was all the talk, I mean here’s a girl from Lipan, a 1A school, going to Texas Tech on a full
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ride. Amber went to Texas Tech and played for two years before transferring to ACU and finishing her playing career there. There is a little irony here. Amber, during the
transfer process was made aware of Wayne Williams, the coach at Midwestern in Wichita Falls. Amber’s faith was in line with Mr. Williams. But ACU was where she was
lipan going. Once things were set in motion, the ACU coach took another job and the coach hired to take his place was Wayne Williams. God’s plan does amazing things for the faithful.
had an opening for an assistant, so Amber took it. Well, one year later the coach left and the rest they say is history. Amber has been the girls’ coach for the last five years.
After graduation from ACU in ‘99, Amber stayed on as a grad assistant for one year. She then went to Eula as an assistant for a couple of years. Then, Amber came home to Lipan to raise a family with husband Les. They have three children ages 9, 8 and 2. Les, by the way, played on the 90’s State Championship team. Now I have to interject again. When the boys won State, I went over and interviewed the coach and players, so yes, I interviewed Les. But, God has a way of working in people’s lives. The head coach of the girls’ team
But, it’s not enough for a hometown hero returning home to coach. What happened two years ago with the birth of Les and Amber’s third child gained national attention. Amber was nine months pregnant as the Lipan girls were about to play in the regional tournament in Abilene. The girls won the semi-final game, and while the girls went to Jim Ned High School to watch the boys play in the regionals, Amber went to her hotel to rest. It became apparent Amber was ready to deliver, so Nancy Holsford called a doctor
at an Abilene hospital and Leslie was born that night. The Ladies were scheduled to play Newcastle for the Regional championship at 2 pm Saturday. Amber said, “The hardest thing I had to do was leave my daughter to coach the game.” Lipan prevailed 45-41 to advance to Austin for the State championships. The girls lost in Austin, but the media frenzy surrounding this story went into overdrive. Channel 8, Fox News, ESPN, Good Morning America all came calling. If you ever meet Amber you will see a very humble God fearing Lady who doesn’t care for all the hoopla. But, she gave the interviews and all is well. Basketball is life in Lipan. Amber Tate Branson is
a legend in Lipan. But you would never know it. We did our interview while watching 2nd & 3rd graders play dodge ball in the old Lipan gym. Actually Amber likes the old gym, after all that’s where her and her sisters before her as well as husband Les played their basketball in Lipan. But, as I reported last month, the new Lipan gym is open and operational. No one, let me repeat no one, deserves it more than the community of Lipan. Amber is home, doing what she does best, worshipping God, raising her family with Les where they grew up, and coaching basketball. Amber has an answer to her life and explains it this way, “Life works out as its supposed too, God has a plan.”
FOR SALE IN LIPAN!
150 Sugartree Circle Call 817-219-5382 for more information.
19 | May 2013 | Hood & Somervell County Hometown Sports
North Central Texas Academy at Happy Hill Farm By: David Youker
K
irby Rascoe is Athletic Director and boys’ coach at NTCA. This is a sports program that wins and wins State. I’ll tell you how many State Championships they have won in a little bit. The track team is regional champions headed to State, with a good possibility of another State Championship. NTCA has already won one State Championship this year in girls’ basketball, coached by Emily Britt. More about that in another article in this issue.
Ed and Gloria Shipman had and continue to have a vision for Happy Hill Farm. It appears State Championships were and are part of that vision. Beginning in 1992, NCTA has been bringing back the gold athletically. The track program leads the way with 11 Championships, with a good possibility of bringing home the crown this year. The track team won in 1992, 1993, 1997, 1999-2004 (5 straight), 2006 & 2011. Girls’ basketball has won three straight championships,
2011, 2012 & 2013. Pioneer football won in 2002 & 2003. This is a total of 16 State Championships. Winning is tradition at NTCA at Happy Hill Farms. Kirby, is the son of a coach. He graduated from San Angelo State. Now being the son of a coach usually means there will be coaching along the way. Upon graduation, Kirby worked for TYC for five years. He then went into the construction business for a number of years. But, then, the son of a coach was approached by Brownwood Christian School. In two years Kirby took the football program to a 19-5 record, also got the first playoff win in basketball, and 20 | May 2013 | Hood & Somervell County Hometown Sports
he had the track program at regionals. His school was in the same district as NTCA so the transition has been easy coming to NTCA. Kirby’s son is a sophomore and made All-State in football and just loves it. Boys’ basketball started slow but took second in District & made the playoffs. Girls’ basketball won State. Track will be running at State this weekend. Football is now playing public schools such as Blum and Zephyr. Both golf and tennis are also at State. Things are good at NTCA and as Kirby said, “I just live & breathe this stuff.” There is nothing like loving your job.
tolar rattlers do want one.” Well folks, he got more than that. His first came in the 7th grade when he broke his ankle. During his 8th grade year, Landon got pneumonia. While on a band field trip, he was playing football with some of the kids. He ran out for a pass, and about that time someone was driving a cart and Landon ran into it breaking his leg. In August, while playing summer baseball, he broke his elbow. But, he was ready for his first football game of his freshman year. In December, while playing basketball for Tolar, he broke his ankle. But, he was ready by baseball and track seasons.
Doc,
I got another injury. By: David Youker
Tell me it’s not Landon! hat was the response Mike Franklin got when he called Crosstimbers Orthopedic office to report yet another injury to Tolar senior, Landon Morris. This was to report that Landon had rolled his ankle during one of Tolar’s basketball games. Turned out he had torn ligaments. He missed the rest of the season, but was back in time to start District play in RF for the Rattler’s baseball team. Monday night, April 22, was his final game for Tolar, to end one of the most courageous, determined careers in Tolar history. This is a story of lore! Landon Morris knew in the 4th grade he wanted to play sports. During his career, he played football, basketball, baseball & ran track. Early on Landon played quarterback for the Granbury Pirates and played in the Super Bowl
against Aledo. He teamed with Bendewald, Beadle, Cronin, all who went on to play at GHS. Landon told me, “When I was younger I said I never had a cast, but I sure
His junior year was not a good year. In the second game of the year, Landon broke his wrist, but really didn’t know it as he continued to work out. Then the 3rd game of the year, Landon tore his ACL against Clifton. So while rehabbing his knee, he kept complaining about his wrist hurting. Well, that is because it was broken. So in December he had surgery on his wrist. During spring break he had another surgery on his wrist and had a cast on until August. Are you believing this?
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Landon’s sophomore year started great and he made it through the entire football season without a hitch. In December, again, he broke his right hand. This was out of frustration as he tried to take on the pad on the wall. He lost! He was not able to play baseball because of his elbow problems. But, he ran track winning District JV in the long jump.
21 | May 2013 | Hood & Somervell County Hometown Sports
Senior Year! Landon starts the season, “as good as could be,” with a knee brace, two ankle braces and a wrist brace. Scrimmage one, he sprained MCL, another knee brace. But he was ready for the 1st game. Coach Franklin said, “He was always ready for the regular season!” The season was great. Tolar went 10-2, and made the playoffs. Landon started every play at free safety, but also played receiver, fullback & punt & kick returner. For his efforts, Landon was chosen utility player of the year for the District. Then comes basketball, and things went great. They made the playoffs, but during the 1st playoff game he rolled his ankle and tore ligaments, which is where we began our story. Landon will attend Tarleton in the fall, where he will 22 | May 2013 | Hood & Somervell County Hometown Sports
study physical therapy and already has a job lined up. Ironically, it is with Crosstimbers Orthopedic in Stephenville. As Landon told them, “After all I helped pay for this place.” Landon told me, “From my sophomore and junior years, I was under anesthesia five times.” That includes a hernia surgery we didn’t talk about. I thought I had a lot of surgeries, but Landon Morris takes the cake. This is an amazing young man. I did ask him, “Would you change anything?” He said “Not a thing.” Bucky Wood, Tolar principal, called Landon “the epitomy of an athlete.” What a story, right? What a kid, right? There is a lesson for us all in facing challenges in life. Landon Morris is way ahead of the curve in that department.