8 minute read
Sports
PROLIFIC PARTNERS MESSER, WALKER GIVE DEFENDERS NIGHTMARES
HP’s top-scoring duo has been playing together since elementary school
Advertisement
By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
The sting of last season’s playoff exit had barely worn off, but Coleson Messer and Dylan Walker knew the situation and the commitment it would require.
Highland Park was transitioning to Class 6A in basketball, and much of the team’s firepower was graduating. The spotlight was now on them, and they decided to tackle it like they always had — together.
Messer and Walker are the leading scorers for a Scots team contending for a title in a challenging District 7-6A and hoping for another deep postseason run against stiffer competition.
Highland Park’s Dylan Walker (4) will play college basketball at Lubbock Christian, while Coleson Messer (15) is exploring opportunities. CHRIS MCGATHEY
Their chemistry dates to fifth grade when they first played alongside one another and developed their complementary skillsets.
“That helps a lot,” Walker said. “That’s a reason we’ve been successful.”
Still, the development from their junior to senior years has been noteworthy — not just because they play more significant roles or more minutes for the Scots, but because of that commitment during the offseason.
“We knew it was going to be a lot more difficult, especially in our district,” Walker said. “You don’t get any easy games. It keeps us focused.”
Moving to a nationally prominent summer program came with some sacrifices. Messer and Walker skipped a spring break trip to Florida to attend preseason workouts. They missed prom to play in a tournament in Indiana.
Walker has always been a lanky guard and Messer a bulkier forward, but with both standing at 6-foot-4, they have become more interchangeable in an era defined less by positions and more by roles. Messer is adept at shooting from the perimeter, while Walker can grab rebounds and defend in the paint.
“It helps with mismatches, too,” Messer said. “Our teammates help to create so many shots.”
In addition to their shooting prowess, the Scots have always been known for crisp ball movement and opportunistic transition baskets, something that wouldn’t be possible without contributions from fellow seniors such as Jackson Heis, Drew McElroy, and Jordan Stribling.
Before the season, Messer and Walker casually spoke of an ambitious goal to combine for 35 points every game — not as a way of focusing on their statistics, but because they knew HP’s success could depend on it.
“We’ve been putting the work in,” Messer said. “For us, it’s whatever needs to happen for us to win.”
Lady Scots Feel Prepared for Jump to 6A in Softball
HP hopes to end postseason drought with improved depth and new district alignment
By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
Highland Park lost two-thirds of its regular starting lineup to graduation and is transitioning to the 6A classification in softball for the first time since 2015.
So why are Lady Scots players and coaches so optimistic as they seek to end a four-year playoff drought? In their case, moving up in class might actually be a relief.
Nothing against the playoff contenders from Irving and Richardson — particularly Irving Nimitz and Richardson — that HP will face in District 7-6A, but it might be a relief compared to the 5A state powers from Forney and Royse City that have been on the slate in recent seasons.
“There’s not a team in this district that will intimidate us because of the teams we’ve faced the last four years,” said HP head coach Michael Pullen. “We won’t be scared, and we won’t back away.” Pullen is entering his seventh season, making him the longest-tenured head coach in program history. He was an assistant during the previous two years at the 6A level, both of which saw HP make the playoffs. After opening the season on Feb. 14 against Duncanville, the schedule includes early-season tournaments
The program in Mesquite, Tyler, and is trending in the Denton. Disright direction. trict play begins on Feb. 28 Michael Pullen at Richardson Pearce. There will be holes to fill in the lineup, most notably with the loss of stalwart pitcher Lilli Reenan. But a few starters return, including catcher Audrey Schedler, outfielder Reese Singleton, and infielder Campbell Sharpe, who have multiple years of varsity experience. Also back are key role players such as Faith Horner, Skylar Hammel, Kathryn Joiner, and Emily Bailey. “Our lineup is very deep and
Campbell Sharpe is among the top returnees for Highland Park as it moves into District 7-6A.
CHRIS MCGATHEY
has played a lot of softball,” Pullen said. “The girls are confident. They are looking forward to it.”
In the pitching circle, the Lady Scots will have three options, all right-handed, with varied styles and specialties. Maggie Jordan and Rebecca Arnold each saw limited action a year ago, while freshman Cecilia Knutson is a promising newcomer.
“It’s kind of like a three-headed monster in the circle,” Pullen said. “They all bring something different.”
Plus, a strong class of incoming
SCHEDULE
February 14 Duncanville 7 p.m. 16-18 Forney tournament^ TBA 21 DeSoto 7 p.m. 23-25 Tyler Legacy tourn. TBA 28 at Richardson Pearce* 7 p.m. March 2-4 Denton tournament TBA 7 Lake Highlands* 7 p.m. 10 at Irving MacArthur* 7 p.m. 14 Irving Nimitz* 7 p.m. 21 at Richardson Berkner* 7 p.m. 24 Irving* 7 p.m. 28 Richardson* 7 p.m. 31 Richardson Pearce* 7 p.m. April 4 at Lake Highlands* 7 p.m. 6 Irving MacArthur* 7 p.m. 11 at Irving Nimitz* 7 p.m. 14 Richardson Berkner* 7 p.m. 18 at Irving* 7 p.m. 21 at Richardson* 7 p.m.
* — District 7-6A game ^ — at Mesquite
freshmen has given HP about 37 players at the varsity and subvarsity levels, which is an all-time high. “The depth I feel really good about,” Pullen said. “The program is trending in the right direction.”
parkcitiespeople.com | February 2023 41 Holding Court: Dallas Open Looks for Continued Growth in Second Year Venus Williams, Taylor Fritz, John Isner among top players coming to SMU
By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
When it comes to gauging the success of the inaugural Dallas Open tennis tournament, Peter Lebedevs defers to the fans.
The tournament director uses those same voices to shape the future of an ATP Tour event he hopes can continue growing in its second installment and beyond.
For starters, he points to a promising field of top men’s players who will take the court at SMU’s Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex on Feb. 5-12.
“We’re very happy with the move to Dallas. We had an intimate venue and a supportive fan base,” Lebedevs said. “The people in Dallas really want to see this level of tennis.”
The tournament, formerly known as the New York Open before relocating last year, is the
Top-ranked American Taylor Fritz will be among the returning players for the second-annual Dallas Open. CHRIS MCGATHEY
only indoor annual ATP Tour event in the United States. It also has the smallest seating capacity, with room for fewer than 2,000 on the featured court, which is by design.
“We like the idea of an intimate atmosphere,” Lebedevs said. “We have guaranteed that feeling of a packed stadium. That’s better for the fans and the players.”
Committed players for 2023 include defending champion Reilly Opelka, local favorite John Isner — who lives in the Park Cities and acts as a tournament ambassador — fellow American stars Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, plus international standouts Miomir Kecmanovic (Serbia) and Adrian Mannarino (France).
This year’s tournament will again feature men’s singles and doubles brackets throughout the week, preceded by a women’s exhibition match between Venus Williams and Danielle Collins on Feb. 4.
“I think it’s going to be a fantastic kickoff to our event,”
DALLAS OPEN
When: Feb. 4-12 Where: SMU Tennis Complex Singles top seed: Taylor Fritz (USA) Tickets: Dallasopen.com
Lebedevs said. “We tried to take what the fans told us to make the experience a little better.”
Other changes this year include a new spectator entry, a revamped hospitality village, more box seats, and the introduction of live electronic line-calling technology.
Meanwhile, winners going forward will receive the Lamar Hunt Trophy, customized and named to honor Hunt’s founding of World Championship Tennis in Dallas during the 1960s and the sport’s legacy in the city.
Ticket sales have been brisk, including box-seat VIP tickets, which sold out in October, giving Lebedevs further validation that the event is set up for longterm success.
“We want to embrace our history of tennis in Dallas,” he said. “If we keep producing what the fans want, it helps us develop those roots. We plan to be here for a long time.”
Putting our heart into taking care of yours
From diagnosing symptoms to managing and treating existing conditions, Methodist Dallas Medical Center can help you develop a personalized care plan and navigate complex heart issues. Here, you’ll also find skilled specialists, innovative technologies, and minimally invasive options. Providing the advanced heart care our friends and neighbors depend on. That’s community and why so many people Trust Methodist.
Take our free heart health risk assessment today at
MethodistHealthSystem.org/HeartCareDallas
or call (469) 772-6466
