11 minute read
Sports
NEW COACH MAKES IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON LADY SCOTS
McGough looks to return HP to state tournament with new approach
Advertisement
By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
Before 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.
“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
January 4 at Lake Highlands 7:30 p.m. 6 Plano East 11:40 a.m. 7 Cedar Park 9:50 a.m. 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 1 at Royse City* 7:15 p.m. 4 North Forney* 7:15 p.m. 8 Crandall* 7:15 p.m. 11 at Mesquite Poteet* 7:15 p.m. 15 West Mesquite* 7:15 p.m. 18 Forney* 7:15 p.m. 22 at Greenville* 7:15 p.m. 25 Royse City* 7:15 p.m. March 1 at North Forney* 7:15 p.m. 4 at Crandall* 7:15 p.m. 8 Mesquite Poteet* 7:15 p.m. 11 at West Mesquite* 7:15 p.m. 22 Rockwall 6 p.m. * — 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 BOYS SCHEDULE
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 1 Royse City* 7:15 p.m. 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. 18 at Forney* 7:15 p.m. 22 Greenville* 7:15 p.m. 25 at Royse City* 7:15 p.m. March 1 North Forney* 7:15 p.m. 4 Crandall* 7:15 p.m. 8 at Mesquite Poteet* 7:15 p.m. 11 West Mesquite* 7:15 p.m.
* — District 13-5A game ^ — at Wichita Falls
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
He’s put in his want to show people that I can play every position and time, and now play it well.” he’s ready to be Hardenburg extended his shooting range during the leader. tournaments in the offseaDavid Piehler son 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-
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.”
Introspective drama examines the physical and psychological toll of athletics
By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
It began with a flyer in Lauren Hadaway’s mailbox during her freshman year at SMU: “Join novice rowing. No experience required.”
Hadaway’s subsequent lovehate relationship with the sport triggered four years of mental and physical anguish — much of it self-inflicted — and culminated more than a decade later in The Novice, her semiautobiographical feature filmmaking debut.
“It almost destroyed me, but that resiliency that I built really helped when I moved to L.A.,” said Hadaway, a Red Oak native who arrived on campus in 2007 looking for a new activity that would fulfill her hyper-competitive drive.
“I didn’t even know what rowing was,” she said. “It sounded harder than an intramural, and I always like a challenge.”
She willingly endured a regimen that included waking up at 5 a.m. six days a week, often practicing twice a day, double-majoring in cinema and business, holding an internship or part-time job every semester, and participating in on-campus clubs and honors programs.
“I was extremely overextended, but it felt normal to me,” Hadaway said. “I thought everyone was going through the same thing I was experiencing, but in hindsight, I don’t think everyone was.”
For the film, Hadaway condensed her experience at SMU into a single year in the life of Alex (Isabelle Fuhrman), a hardcharging freshman. Her decision turns into an all-encompassing quest for perfection, even if it means jeopardizing her social life, academics, and physical and mental health.
“My entire body is probably messed up for life,” Hadaway said. “You’re doing the same motion, over and over, staring at the back of someone’s ponytail for hours on end.”
After college, she moved to Los Angeles and built a successful career working in the sound department of major films, including Whiplash and The Hateful Eight.
Hadaway wrote the first draft of her screenplay in 2017 while in London serving as a sound editor on Justice League. She called her former teammates to ask what they remember about those years: “Everyone thought [I was] psychotic.”
Isabelle Fuhrman stars in Lauren Hadaway’s The Novice, which is now playing in theaters and on digital platforms.
(PHOTO: COURTESY IFC FILMS)
The deeply personal project attracted the attention of producer Ryan Hawkins, an ex-SMU classmate. Cameras rolled near Toronto in late 2019, with Hadaway editing much of the film in her kitchen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fuhrman (Orphan) went through six weeks of intense training before filming, often waking up before dawn for a cold drive to the marina.
“I had never done rowing, so I got blisters so quickly. I fell into the same pattern that Alex does, but I got to fall in love with the sport at the same time,” Furhman said. “I found the exhaustion to be incredibly energizing.”
Hadaway’s film isn’t meant to denigrate rowing or her alma mater but rather to offer a raw and intimate perspective on the college experience, both in and out of the boat.
“I loved rowing, and I tried to capture the beauty of it,” she said. “On the water, I saw more sunrises in four years than most people see in a lifetime.”
0; F F ; ; !
F ; = =0; ; = 0 0 = 0; 7 0 !
Venture X Dallas – Brani� Centre provides an inspiring and �exible coworking o�ce with a selection of semi-private dedicated and shared desks, fully furnished private o�ces, and move-in-ready space for teams with the creative Loft and the light-�lled, glass-walled Penthouse
Unwind and collaborate in the sun-drenched café and lounge and host your next in-person or virtual meeting in the fully equipped, hi-tech conference rooms.
Call to arrange your free private o�ce for a day! 7701 Lemmon Avenue
Comfortable Conversation
3616 Haynie Avenue
$3,795,000 5 Bed / 6,163 Sq.Ft. / Pool
Susan Bradley
214.674.5518 susan.bradley@alliebeth.com
Marc Ching’s Market Insight
Park Cities and Preston Hollow markets are prime for anyone looking to sell. Low interest rates, elevated values from increased demand & low supply are a few factors allowing home owner’s to prosper in this market. Call me for any real estate needs.
Marc Ching
214.728.4069 marc.ching@alliebeth.com
A Classic Beauty
5138 Deloache Avenue
$12,000,000 6 Bed / 7.2 Bath / 11,185 Sq.Ft.
Alex Perry
214.926.0158 alex.perry@alliebeth.com
Recently Sold
Devonshire Home — PRIVATE SALE
Offered at $3,269,000
Clarke Landry
214.316.7416 clarke.landry@alliebeth.com
Sold in Preston Hollow
4219 Park Lane
$3,095,000 5 Bed / 5.1 Bath / 5,868 Sq.Ft.
Juli Harrison
214.207.1001 juli.harrison@alliebeth.com
6507 Missy Drive — SOLD
$540,000 4 Bed / 2.1 Bath / 2,533 Sq.Ft.
4609 Mockingbird Lane — SOLD
Private Sale 4 Beds / 3 Bath / 2,870 Sq.Ft.
