16 January 2022 | parkcitiespeople.com
Sports
NEW COACH MAKES IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON LADY SCOTS
McGough looks to return HP to state tournament with new approach By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
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efore she’s even coached her first soccer game at Highland Park, Aaron McGough already has put her stamp on the program. McGough has emphasized fitness and accountability during offseason workouts that she anticipates will pay dividends during her first season in charge of the most decorated program in the state.
The girls want to do well and want to work hard to honor the players who came before them. Aaron McGough “We are focusing on a little bit more structure, holding the girls accountable in a lot more areas than just on the field,” McGough said. “They were anxious at first with it being new. They rose to the occasion and blew the fitness tests out of the water. We’re not cutting corners.” The foundation is in place.
Kylie Bell is among the returning starters who will be key for Highland Park this season. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY) HP holds state records with seven state championships and 13 state tournament appearances. The most recent title for the Lady Scots came in 2019. McGough, who spent the past six years at perennial power Austin Anderson before taking the HP job this summer, just has a little different approach toward continuing that run of success. Team captains Kylie Bell, Parker Hart, Elise Needleman, and Hattie Patterson have embraced the
change, she said. “They’ve understood that it’s a different style of coaching than they’ve had in the past,” McGough said. “They have welcomed that and passed it on to their teammates.” McGough is a Beaumont native and former college standout at the University of Texas. She replaced Jackie Hlavaty, who led HP to the regional finals last spring in her only season as head coach. Hlavaty was a longtime assistant
GIRLS SCHEDULE
B OYS S C H E D U L E
January 4 at Lake Highlands 7:30 p.m. 6 Plano East 11:40 a.m. 9:50 a.m. 7 Cedar Park 8 Mansfield Lake Ridge 11:40 a.m. 13 The Woodlands^ 4:20 p.m. 14 at Georgetown 6:10 p.m. 15 Hutto^ 2:30 p.m. 18 Richardson Pearce 7:30 p.m. 21 Ursuline 7:30 p.m. 25 at Forney* 7:15 p.m. 28 Greenville* 7:15 p.m. February 7:15 p.m. 1 at Royse City* 4 North Forney* 7:15 p.m. 8 Crandall* 7:15 p.m. 11 at Mesquite Poteet* 7:15 p.m. 7:15 p.m. 15 West Mesquite* 7:15 p.m. 18 Forney* 22 at Greenville* 7:15 p.m. 25 Royse City* 7:15 p.m. March 1 at North Forney* 7:15 p.m. 7:15 p.m. 4 at Crandall* 8 Mesquite Poteet* 7:15 p.m. 11 at West Mesquite* 7:15 p.m. 22 Rockwall 6 p.m.
January 4 Newman Smith 7:30 p.m. 6 Conrad 7 p.m. 7 Adamson 5:10 p.m. 8 Carr. R.L. Turner 3:20 p.m. 11 Waco 7 p.m. 13 Cleburne^ 7 p.m. 14 Mount Pleasant^ 1 p.m. 15 Prosper Rock Hill^ 11 a.m. 18 at Sulphur Springs 7:30 p.m. 25 Forney* 7:15 p.m. 28 at Greenville* 7:15 p.m. February 7:15 p.m. 1 Royse City* 4 at North Forney* 7:15 p.m. 8 at Crandall* 7:15 p.m. 11 Mesquite Poteet* 7:15 p.m. 15 at West Mesquite* 7:15 p.m. 7:15 p.m. 18 at Forney* 22 Greenville* 7:15 p.m. 25 at Royse City* 7:15 p.m. March 7:15 p.m. 1 North Forney* 7:15 p.m. 4 Crandall* 8 at Mesquite Poteet* 7:15 p.m. 11 West Mesquite* 7:15 p.m. * — District 13-5A game ^ — at Wichita Falls
* — District 13-5A game ^ — at Georgetown
with the program before that. McGough said the Lady Scots would value possession, emphasize lateral movement of the ball, and rely on playmaking ability to finish scoring chances. The nondistrict portion of the schedule, which begins on Jan. 4, will be critical to solidifying the lineup and preparing for another deep playoff run that the Lady
Scots hope will take them back to the state tournament in April. “The program has an outstanding reputation. It’s an honor to be coaching here. There’s a lot of things that already set us up for success,” McGough said. “The girls want to do well and want to work hard to honor the players who came before them. There’s a standard to uphold.”
Skill Set: HP Senior Thrives in the Spotlight
Hardenburg brings leadership and experience as Scots seek more playoff success By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Luke Hardenburg has always had a versatile array of weapons in his on-court arsenal. As a senior, he’s finally able to use all of them. As the Scots’ only returning starter this season, Hardenburg has transitioned from a role player into a clutch player on both ends of the floor. “His contributions are very multifaceted for our team,” said HP head coach David Piehler. “He’s not as hesitant to shoot when he’s open. He’s also a defender and a rebounder. He won’t wow you with great athleticism, but he deceptively fills the stat sheet.” The 6-foot-6 forward is playing his third season at the varsity level and has been eager to take over the responsibilities of teammates such as Jack Pease, Worthey Wiles, and Mitchell Carew — who led HP to the
Class 5A Region II semifinals a year ago, That means in addition to rebounding and defending in the paint, he’s being asked to shoot from the perimeter and even handle the ball. “They’re putting the ball in my hands more. Plays are being run my way,” said Hardenburg, who has drawn interest from several college programs with elite academic and athletic reputations. “I want to show people that I can play every position and play it well.” Hardenburg extended his shooting range during tournaments in the offseason while also emphasizing defensive agility against quicker guards. He narrowly missed a triple-double in a November victory over Lewisville when he tallied 16 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Two weeks later, Hardenburg punctuated a win over Jesuit with a steal and emphatic dunk in the final minutes. As HP looks to defend its District 13-
He’s put in his time, and now he’s ready to be the leader. David Piehler
Versastile forward Luke Hardenburg is the only returning starter for Highland Park this season. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY)
5A title throughout January and February, Hardenburg has emerged as a steady presence, both with his emotions and his play, on a squad that has balance and depth. The senior said he has tried to mentor his younger teammates about playing critical
roles — just like he did — while waiting for their time to shine. “He is the elder statesman on our team in terms of experience,” Piehler said. “He’s matured a lot. He’s put in his time, and now he’s ready to be the leader.”
