Park Cities People Sports March 2015

1B MARCH 2015 | PARKCITIESPEOPLE.COM

SPORTS Scots Hope Experience Will Lead to Lofty Goals

ALL THINGS SCOTS: Subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter at parkcitiespeople.com/ plaidreport.

FINAL FOUR FANATICS

By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers The key to Highland Park’s lacrosse fortunes this season could be in the knees.

Let’s flash back to 2011, when the Scots lost seven players to season-ending knee injuries, forcing them to rely on young and inexperienced players, and struggled to an early exit in the playoffs.

The next year, HP won the Texas High School Lacrosse League state title.

Could a repeat be in the Scots’ future following a 2014 season in which a series of injuries to key seniors led to some growing pains and an eventual loss in the state semifinals? Coaches and players hope so, and they have reason for their optimism.

“I really think that will pay off this year. A lot of our guys got experience because of some injuries we had,” said HP head coach Derek Thomson. “I think we have as much talent as probably anybody in the state, but there’s a lot of other things that factor into winning a championship.”

Thomson said the makeup of this year’s team — which opens the season on Feb. 28 in the Patriot Cup at SMU — resembles some of HP’s past championship squads.

He likes the mix of youth and experience on the roster, which includes 16 seniors along with five freshmen or

CONTINUED ON 7B

DON JOHNSON

Highland Park has been ousted in the state semifinals in the last two years.

DON JOHNSON

University Park resident Tom Bowen, center, has traveled to NCAA tournament games with friends John Ries, left, and Jim Wikman for more than 25 years. The trio attends games on each weekend of the tournament, including the Final Four.

Basketball junkies always hit the road for March Madness

By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers Every March, millions of basketball fans watch NCAA tournament games on television. Thousands go to the games in person at arenas throughout the country.

Then there are the Basketball Mavens, who have taken the fanaticism surrounding March Madness to a new level.

University Park resident Tom Bowen and his friends Jim Wikman and John Ries, who live in Coppell, have traveled to tournament games together for 25 years. Individually or in pairs, their attendance dates back further than that, as their mounds of colorful ticket stubs attest.

The streak isn’t built on just one game or one venue per year, either. Bowen and his friends insist on seeing games during every weekend of the tournament, and in multiple cities during the same weekend whenever possible to fill the off days.

That means that during the typical year, they see 18 of the tournament’s 65 games live across three weekends, including 12 games in

two cities during a four-day stretch.

“We have personalities that mesh well together,” Wikman said of their ability to coexist through a hectic series of flights, rental-car trips, and hotel stays in an effort to catch as many games as possible.

Their interests obviously mesh, as well. A love of basketball is what helped to form the friendship between the three co-workers at a GTE office in Indianapolis during the 1980s.

By 1991, all three had moved to the Dallas area for their jobs.

“It very quickly evolved into doing a full weekend every weekend, when it’s logistically possible,” Bowen said. “We choose cities based on logistics and cost. Plus, cities that we’ve been to, we tend to go back there if we’ve enjoyed it.”

All of the reservations are made far in advance, so if they happen to catch their alma mater playing — Bowen went to Indiana, Wikman to Michigan State, and Ries to Missouri — that’s considered a bonus.

During the past quarter century, they’ve been to 36 cities and 44 arenas, watching almost 400 games featuring 162 different teams. And that doesn’t count the repeats.

Some schools they’ve seen almost 20 times.

The trio has been to Indianapolis on 16 different occasions.

Last year, they went to games in San Diego and Spokane, Wash., for the first time. This

CONTINUED ON 7B

BOWEN’S BEST Tom Bowen of University Park names some highlights from traveling to hundreds of NCAA tournament games since 1991: BEST GAME Indiana 74, Duke 73 (March 21, 2002) The Hoosiers rallied from a 17-point deficit to upset topranked Duke in the regional semifinals in Lexington, Ky. BEST UPSET Princeton 43, UCLA 41 (March 14, 1996) The Tigers used patience and precision to stun the defending national champions in a firstround game in Indianapolis.

BEST VENUE CSU Convocation Center (Cleveland, Ohio) The intimacy of the 13,000-seat venue allowed them a good view of the games, and the location is convenient.

2B MARCH 2015 | PARKCITIESPEOPLE.COM

S P O RTS

Scots Have Long Shortstop Legacy

SHORTSTOP ALUMNI Joey Hainsfurther HP: 2008 College: Baylor Notable: After being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2008, he was a fouryear starter for Baylor.

Infielders win fans at HP, college

Alex Flink HP: 2009 College: Princeton Notable: He started for four years for the Tigers, mostly at third base, and hit one home run in 2010.

By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers For some youngsters growing up in the Park Cities, meeting the varsity shortstop at Highland Park High School is like shaking hands with a superhero.

You aspire to be like him, and to one day fill his shoes.

And players fortunate enough to one day gain that coveted spot in the lineup have a responsibility to mentor those behind them.

It’s part of a tradition for the Scots that has seen a string of shortstops move on to Division I college baseball during the past decade or more.

“We grow up and we see the guys in front of us, watching those guys and trying to be like them,” said Jon Skidmore, who will begin his third season as the HP starting shortstop this spring. “The expectations are high for everyone.”

Skidmore already has signed to play at Baylor next year. His predecessor, Matt Milburn, is a pitcher at Wofford College in South Carolina. Before him was Ford Stainback, now at Rice. Prior standouts such as J.B. Gadd (Richmond), Alex Flink (Princeton), and Joey Hainsfurther (Baylor) also excelled at the next level. Even

C H R I S M C G AT H E Y

Baylor signee Jon Skidmore will start at shortstop for Highland Park for the third straight season.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford played shortstop during his HP days.

“It’s just tradition. I was just happy that I got an opportunity to play there,” said Milburn, who was the shortstop for the Scots in 2012. “Everybody wants to be that guy. I realize now how truly blessed I was to be in that situation.”

Just as Skidmore learned the ropes from Milburn, he is trying to pass the torch to underclassmen in the HP program who might take his place in 2016.

“I learned stuff from the guys before me. They were al-

ways looking out for me and trying to help me,” said Stainback, who was HP’s shortstop in 2011 before switching to second base as a four-year starter at Rice. “There’s definitely more pressure. You definitely want to uphold that tradition.”

HP head coach Travis Yoder was an assistant when Hainsfurther started for the Scots from 2006 to 2008. He recalls how the shortstop was perceived as a hothead by some observers who didn’t see him take extra ground balls before and after practice almost every day.

“People see the talent, but

they don’t always see how hard these kids work to get better,” Yoder said. “The expectation in the community for being the next guy is high. People watch our shortstops at Highland Park and that’s what they want to be.”

Skidmore has always been a shortstop growing up, and said that experience has helped him handle the expectations both in the field and at the plate.

“Other than pitcher and catcher, you’re involved in more plays than anybody else,” Skidmore said. “You’re kind of the leader of the infield. I like having that pressure.”

J.B. Gadd HP: 2010 College: Richmond Notable: He was a part-time infielder and catcher for the Spiders whose best season came in 2011.

Ford Stainback HP: 2011 College: Rice Notable: So far, he has played in 173 games and hit .280 in three seasons for Rice, mostly at second base.

Matthew Milburn HP: 2012 College: Wofford Notable: He has transitioned to a full-time pitcher in college and is projected as Wofford’s top starter this spring.

SCHEDULE / SEASON PREVIEW February 26-28 Round Rock ISD tourn.

TBA

March

27

x-Lake Highlands

7 p.m.

31

x-at Mesquite

4 p.m.

April

5

TC Byron Nelson*

2:40 p.m.

2

x-at Richardson Berkner

7 p.m.

5

Fayetteville (Ark.)*

5 p.m.

7

x-Richardson

7 p.m.

6

at McKinney Boyd

10 a.m.

10

x-North Mesquite

7 p.m.

6

Frisco*

12:20 p.m.

14

x-at Richardson Pearce

7 p.m.

7

at McKinney

10 a.m.

17

x-Mesquite Horn

7 p.m.

7

Denison**

12:30 p.m.

21

x-at Lake Highlands

7 p.m.

12

Grapevine

11 a.m.

24

x-Mesquite

7 p.m.

12

Sachse

1:30 p.m.

28

x-Richardson Berkner

7 p.m.

13

Belton

13

Midland

14

Jesuit***

11 a.m.

x-at Richardson

7 p.m.

17

x-at North Mesquite

7 p.m.

20

x-Richardson Pearce

7 p.m.

24

x-at Mesquite Horn

7 p.m.

11 a.m.

1:30 p.m.

May 1

x — District 10-6A game * — at McKinney Boyd ** — at McKinney *** — at Rangers Ballpark, Arlington

With a roster containing plenty of talent and experience, it’s not a bad year for Highland Park to make the jump to Class 6A. The Scots suffered a devastating loss to Prosper in the third round of the 4A playoffs a year ago, but return several key contributors from that squad, including shortstop Jon Skidmore and pitcher Layne Looney, who already have signed with Baylor and Richmond, respectively.

Head coach Travis Yoder hopes that a roster heavy on seniors can help HP counter the improved depth of their opponents at the 6A level and allow the Scots to improve their postseason outlook.

“We’ve got a lot of team leadership,”

Yoder said. “They all seem to pick each other up and they’ve all been playing baseball since they were in elementary school.”

Looney was undefeated on the mound last season and was among the Dallas-area leaders in strikeouts and earned-run average. He also pitched multiple no-hitters during district play.

The lineup will feature several returning starters, including Matthew White and Cooper Chaltas.

“We can learn from last year.

They’ve been where they want to be, but they still want to go further,” Yoder said. “Once they figure out their roles, this is going to be a good team.”

— Todd Jorgenson

PARKCITIESPEOPLE.COM | MARCH 2015 3B

S P ORTS

Taekwondo Champ is Tough Beyond Her Years

By Paige Kerley

“ S HE ’ S S HY A N D SW E ET N OW BU T S HE ’ S A LL BU S I N E S S W I T H HE R PA D S ON . ”

People Newspapers Sophie Robertson was 5 years old when a simple play date paved the way to her favorite pastime. After trying taekwondo with a family friend’s son, she fell in love with the sport and began her journey of becoming a martial arts champion.

Robertson, now 12, is a second-degree black belt. The sixth-grader attends McCulloch Intermediate School but trains almost every afternoon. She splits her training between Professional Black Belt Academy in Snider Plaza and Impact America Martial Arts in Plano.

In July, Robertson will represent the United States in the World Taekwondo Championship in Italy. She is one of four girls on the team competing in the 12-14 age division. Fellow MIS student Zach Law will compete in the boys division.

Robertson said tournaments are her favorite aspect of taekwondo. “And board breaking,” she added.

Taekwondo, meaning “the way of the fist and foot,” has its roots in Korean heritage. The ancient martial art was

C O U R T E SY P H O T O

Sixth-grader Sophie Robertson is working toward her thirddegree black belt in taekwondo. formally developed in the 1950s as a way to train the Korean military.

One of Scott Robertson’s favorite stories about his daughter’s success was her first test to advance to the next belt color. To advance, the students perform routines for their instructors and parents. Five-year-old Sophie was the only student from the white-belt class to perform that day and her father said the

S C OT T RO B E RTS O N

other parents were enamored with her.

“They kept saying, ‘Oh she’s so cute.

Look at her,’” he said.

Once she was told to start, she turned up the intensity and showed off her skills.

“She had this steely look on her face of pure determination,” he said. “She ended with this mean, powerful stance and made quite the impression.”

The impressions she leaves haven’t changed much since that day. Her parents said that often there aren’t any other female competitors for Sophie, so they group her in with the boys. This is no problem for her.

“One time a boy was making fun of having to fight girls,” said her mother, Rueyling Lin. “The teacher decided to call Sophie up and she beat him.”

Sophie’s younger sister Ava, 9, is following in her footsteps and also training in taekwondo. The two girls play piano and tennis outside of their martial arts practice.

Robertson and Lin said they are very proud of everything their daughters have accomplished, but the losses often teach them more than their victories.

“I am prouder when she has a hard time and deals with it,” Robertson said.

“It teaches life lessons like working hard, not giving up, courage, and fairness.”

Sophie is working toward her third-degree black belt, a process that will take about two years.

“She’s shy and sweet now but she’s all business with her pads on,” her father said.

Check us out ;)

parkcitiespeople.com has been rebuilt from the ground-up to ensure you get the best content, no matter what device you are using.

Along with our new site design, here’s some other new features:

Improved Commenting

Social Sharing

Comments are now powered by Disqus.

Don’t worry, you can still post as a guest.

Share or Like any post without navigating away from the page.

Online Edition Didn’t get a chance to read our latest issue?

Every issue we print is also online, anytime.

Visit the new parkcitiespeople.com website today.

HOCKEY & SKATING ACADEMIES NOW AVAILABLE IN RICHARDSON D R P E P P E R S TA R C E N T E R . C O M 522 CENTENNIAL BLVD. RICHARDSON, TX 75081

4B MARCH 2015 | PARKCITIESPEOPLE.COM

S P O RTS

Read Excels On and Off Court at Powerful NYU

By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers The past two years at New York University have put Kaitlyn Read almost in a different world from the Park Cities — geographically, culturally, and meteorologically.

Yet the one constant for Read is that she continues to shine on the basketball court, helping lead NYU to a top-10 national ranking and a likely berth in the NCAA Division III tournament in March.

Read has started every game this season for the Violets and ranks second on the team in points per game, rebounds, and assists.

Perhaps most impressively, the former Highland Park High School standout has continued to excel on the court while adjusting to the cold Manhattan winters and working toward a double major in Spanish and politics.

“The team has just been so open and nice. The girls have really helped me adjust,” Read said. “It’s awesome. I really enjoy all my professors. I have a lot of great opportunities.”

Read, a sophomore guard, is part of a youthful nucleus on a roster that has NYU challenging for University Athletic Association conference title heading into the regular-season finale on Feb. 28 against Brandeis.

“On the floor and off the floor, she has tenacity. She’s assertive and has confidence,” said NYU head coach Lauren Hall-Gregory. “All of those intangibles make her a strong young woman but also an excellent basketball player.”

Hall-Gregory has been especially impressed with Read’s consistency early in her college career, as well as her leadership ability. She recalls when Read spoke up to inspire her team in a huddle during a timeout late in the second game of her fresh-

C O U R T E SY N Y U S P O R T S I N F O R M AT I O N

Kaitlyn Read is among the team leaders in several statistical categories for NYU, which is aiming for a berth in the NCAA Division III tournament in March. man season, when the Violets trailed by a few points.

“She certainly impacts the game in a variety of ways,” Hall-Gregory said. “It’s just her nature.”

Read set numerous milestones during her four years on

varsity for the Lady Scots, including games played (123) and points scored (1,615). Her younger sister Mikaela was a sophomore for HP this season.

She said that among her improvements since arriving at NYU has been her three-point

shooting, something that she wasn’t known for with the Lady Scots.

“My role is a little bit different,” Read said. “I think I’ve been able to balance what I do on offense. I just try to do whatever they need me to do.”

Lauren Echols Senior, soccer

Stefon Jauregui Junior, basketball

Echols, a defender, scored twice as Highland Park topped North Mesquite in its District 10-6A debut, and added a goal in victories over Lake Highlands and Richardson Berkner.

Jauregui, a guard, has been a valuable contributor during 106A play, scoring a game-high 22 points during a win over Lake Highlands and eight points against Richardson Berkner.

PARKCITIESPEOPLE.COM | MARCH 2015 5B

S P ORTS

HPHS Freshman Hopes to Turn Heads on Track Work ethic, toughness drive runner

By Jacie Scott

Special Contributor Highland Park High School freshman Jordyn Kaplan eats a protein bar on the day of a track meet.

She listens to Aloe Blacc’s “The Man” before her event.

When she presses play, it’s go time.

“You can’t coach the type of mental toughness that she has,” said Dawn Grunnagle, Kaplan’s coach and founder of SpeedKIDZ Elite.

That grit is what Kaplan hopes to bring to the table. The 14-year-old spent last summer with SpeedKIDZ Elite at the USA Track & Field National Junior Olympics, competing against the country’s best run-

C O U R T E SY P H O T O

Jordyn Kaplan ran in the National Junior Olympics last summer, finishing 21st in the 1,500 meters in her age group. ners in her age division.

Kaplan participated in the 4x800-meter relay and ran her leg in 2 minutes, 32 seconds.

The team came in 10th place.

She also ran in the 1,500 meters, clocking in at 5:11.52 and placing 21st in the nation out of 41 girls in her age group.

“I wasn’t really sure how to run it because there were a lot more people,” Kaplan said.

“But once I realized and put it all in perspective, I was really happy about it.”

In the spring of 2013, she joined SpeedKIDZ Elite, a club that’s geared towards training,

Caroline Van Kirk Junior, basketball

Felix VanCauwelaert Freshman, swimming

Van Kirk, a forward, scored in double figures in the last three regular-season games, including team highs of 14 points against Richardson Berkner and 19 points against Richardson.

VanCauwelaert advanced to the 6A state meet in the 200yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle with top-three finishes at regionals, and also qualified as part of HP’s 400 freestyle relay.

leadership development, and community outreach. Grunnagle founded the club on the premise of nurturing young girls to become strong women and quality athletes.

“The real vision behind the team is developing the allaround female athlete through academics, leadership, commitment to goals, commitment to team, and commitment to others,” Grunnagle said.

She brought together her core girls, Kaplan included, to compete against some of the best in the southwest region.

“This is kind of the mini- Olympics for youth,” Grunnagle said. “They are competing against all the best girls in their age group.”

Kaplan ran the closing leg in the 4x800 relay at the regional meet. She ran a 2:35 split in that race and qualified for nationals. Her 1,500-meter qualifier race was even more impressive. Kaplan earned her nationals spot with a 5:04.7 time, a personal best.

Her goal is to be back this summer to improve upon that.

This is one of the qualities that Grunnagle appreciates in Kaplan. The freshman juggles school, track training and meets, and soccer.

“She puts her best in everything she does, and that’s what makes the best student athletes,” Grunnagle said. “One of the biggest goals I have for the girls I coach is to keep loving it and doing it for yourself and the right reasons.”

Kaplan’s short-term goals are to compete well in her races and eventually qualify for state in the 1600m.

Long term? She’s looking at colleges, such as Texas or TCU. As she continues to go forward in her career, she keeps in mind an important lesson.

“I’ve learned to learn from your failures,” Kaplan said.

“You won’t always have a good race, and you won’t always be the best. You have to work to get the results you want.”

6B MARCH 2015 | PARKCITIESPEOPLE.COM

S P O RTS

HP Athletes Make College Choices

By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers

C H R I S M C G AT H E Y

HPHS athletes recognized at a Feb. 4 ceremony include, from left: Michael Linehan (football, Idaho), Boomer Bakich (football, Army), Emily O’Neal (soccer, Nebraska), Austin Webb (football, Hawaii), Kate Summers (soccer, Texas Tech), Rees LeMay (football, Yale), Mac McCullough (tennis, Sewanee), Mitchell Kaufman (football, SMU), and Nick Waterman (football, Air Force). said it was more than family ties that drew him to the Vandals.

“They really wanted me there,” he said of head coach Paul Petrino and his staff. “The coaches have done a good job bringing that program up.”

Webb was originally committed to Montana State before he visited the Hawaii campus in Honolulu in late January.

Perhaps not surprisingly considering the geography, he chose to play for the Rainbow Warriors instead of the Bobcats.

Still, he claims the decision also had to do with “ohana,” a Hawaiian word meaning a sense of family.

“I had a great time and decided I wanted to go to college there,” said Webb, who was the largest player on the HP roster last year at 6-foot-6 and 290

P 2011

Meredyth Petree

TCNP #4970 mpetree67@sbcglobal.net Office: 214.942.5111 Cell: 214.534.8052 ptreegardenconcepts.com

Consultation Landscape Installation Landscape Design Full-Service Maintenance

pounds. “The people are very welcoming. It doesn’t feel like you’re that far from home, even though you are.”

By attending the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Waterman will follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who flew B-52 bombers in Vietnam.

“He’s really been an inspiration for me,” Waterman said. “I’ve wanted to go to the Air Force for a long time. Getting this football offer was just the icing on the cake.”

Bakich also has family ties to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., since his uncle was a colonel who taught there.

“I figured they would push me harder than anyone else would,” said Bakich, who started 38 games for the Scots

during the past three seasons, including eight playoff games.

Also signing in February were two HP girls soccer players who were members of the Lady Scots’ state championship team in 2012. Emily O’Neal signed with Nebraska, while Kate Summers will attend Texas Tech.

“It fit me and gave me a good vibe. The girls were really nice,” Summers said of the Red Raiders. “I’m going to work really hard so I can get on the field.”

O’Neal said her father attended Nebraska, and the Cornhuskers became an attractive option after she visited a summer camp there.

“I’ve got family up there. I think everyone’s pretty excited,” O’Neal said. “It seemed like the perfect fit.”

SPECIAL ADVERTISING CONTENT

OICE RUNN E CH

RU

PEOPLE’S

Since Mitchell Kaufman gave his verbal commitment to play football at SMU, the Mustangs suffered through a 1-11 season and changed coaches.

Yet Kaufman’s enthusiasm was higher than ever as he signed in February to play for the Mustangs and new head coach Chad Morris, who was hired in December.

“I’m really excited about what they bring to the table,” said Kaufman, whose parents are each SMU grads. “They did a great job with keeping me in the loop.”

Kaufman is a two-sport standout for the Scots who scored three defensive touchdowns as a linebacker last season, when HP finished 10-2 and reached the area round of the Class 6A playoffs.

Several of Kaufman’s teammates also signed or committed to play college football on National Signing Day, including fellow linebacker Michael Linehan (Idaho), offensive linemen Austin Webb (Hawaii) and Rees LeMay (Yale), defensive lineman Nick Waterman (Air Force), and defensive back Boomer Bakich (Army).

Linehan will continue a family legacy at Idaho that dates back three generations. His grandfather and father each played for the Vandals, as did two uncles.

His older brother, Matt, is the starting quarterback.

“It wasn’t a foregone conclusion, but once his brother committed there, I think they wanted to play together again,” said Michael’s father, Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who played quarterback and also met his wife in college.

Michael and Matt played together for a season while they were growing up in Florida, and again for one season in high school in suburban Detroit, where the family lived before moving to the Park Cities last year. But Michael — who led the Scots with 99 tackles, including 42 solo tackles, as a linebacker last year —

BRIGGS FREEMAN SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

Joining Made My Business Soar When you want your business to grow, you position it so that it has the biggest and best advantage.

“I joined Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty and my business grew by 15 percent in the first year and 25 percent in the second. The marketing support is just out of this world.”—A top producing agent.

“For me, making the move was about gaining access to the most powerful marketing in our industry. In this business effective marketing is critical, and I wanted to be part of a team that offers my clients cutting edge print, digital, social and video vehicles. My clients are seeing results, and so am I.”—An agent who recently expanded into the estate market.

In the business of real estate, one firm continually ranks at the top of the industry with talented and experienced agents, cutting edge marketing, global reach and a 53-year history of developing outstanding relationships with clients seeking professionalism, integrity and expert guidance in their real estate transactions.

Agents see their business grow with strategic and powerful marketing at Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty.

PARKCITIESPEOPLE.COM | MARCH 2015 7B

S P ORTS

Lady Scots Primed For Playoffs

By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers Earning the 600th win in program history is nice — so is defeating perennial TAPPS powerhouse Ursuline and closing in on a District 10-6A title in its first season in the state’s top classification.

But the real focus for the Highland Park girls soccer team is on the postseason, and trying to add to its collection of four state titles with a roster that is as deep and talented as any in recent memory for the Lady Scots.

Several seniors on this year’s HP squad were part of a group that won a 4A crown in 2012, and they want to return for another shot. Last year, the Lady Scots were ousted in the regional finals by Wylie East.

“That’s been a big focus for them, getting the opportunity to play in that championship game,” said HP head coach Stewart Brown. “Peaking at the right time is critical for us.”

The Lady Scots were unbeaten with two ties during a typically rigid nondistrict slate that Brown hopes will have his team prepared for the postseason.

“It’s a very deep team,”

C O U R T E SY P H O T O

Highland Park earned the 600th win in program history with a 4-0 shutout of Lake Highlands on Feb. 6.

Brown said. “We can shuffle people around and the level of our play doesn’t change, which is very unusual. It’s a very unselfish group and they’re playing for each other.”

Among the highlights this season were a 1-0 road victory over Ursuline on Jan. 22 that avenged a defeat last season, along with a 4-0 shutout of Lake Highlands on Feb. 6 to reach the 600-win milestone, something no other program in Texas can boast.

The 6A playoffs could be a minefield of sorts, with Region II including such potential foes as Round Rock Westwood,

Sachse, and Lake Travis. And that doesn’t even include the powerhouses in Region I such as Hebron, Coppell, and Keller that could battle for a spot at the state tournament in April.

Still, their early-season success Lady Scots has the Lady Scots ranked in the top 10 nationally by Topdrawersoccer. com.

“We want to improve in the right areas, and with that the results will take care of themselves,” Brown said. “Ultimately, the girls are just working hard and playing really well.”

Email todd.jorgenson@ peoplenewspapers.com

CONTINUED FROM LACROSSE ON 1B sophomores who already have verbally committed to college programs.

“We have a lot of balance and a lot of depth,” Thomson said.

After winning six state titles during a nine-year span beginning in 2004, the Scots have lost in the state semifinals in consecutive seasons, including an 8-5 defeat last spring to eventual champion ESD. Just two players on the current squad were on the 2012 title team. That serves as motivation for the returnees looking to end that championship drought.

CONTINUED FROM BASKETBALL ON 1B year, the itinerary includes car trips between Seattle and Portland, Ore., during the weekend of the second and third rounds.

The following weekend, they’ll be in Houston for three more games. Then it’s on to Indianapolis for the Final Four.

There’s not much time for sightseeing outside of the arena and the car, but the group enjoys interacting with fans, or even chatting up sportscasters and coaches they recognize.

“It’s become almost a sec-

K E Y D AT E S Feb. 28 — Season opener against Austin Anderson in the Patriot Cup at SMU March 12-14 — Road trip against three powerhouse teams from California April 2 — Rematch against defending state champ ESD at Highlander Stadium

Said senior midfielder Kevin Ken: “With two state semifinals in a row, we just want to get over that hump and win a state title.”

ondary sport for us to find the most interesting people,” Wikman said. “These people we’ve met are almost equal to the games we’ve watched in terms of significance. That adds to the fun.”

Still, they’ve witnessed plenty of seminal moments in college basketball history together, including some memorable upsets and individual performances. And their passion remains as high as ever.

“It’s kind of this month that we look forward to all year,” Wikman said. “It’s a lot more than the games.”

SPECIAL ADVERTISING CONTENT BRIGGS FREEMAN SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

Top 3 Reasons to Hire a Professional

According to the National Association of REALTORS, “the typical For Sale

By Owner home sold for $208,000 compared to $235,000 among agentassisted home sales.”

For most people, a home is their biggest asset. Keeping Current Matters offers three compelling reasons to work with an expert advisor when considering the sale or purchase of your biggest investment.

1. What is the home you’re buying/selling really worth?

It is important for your home to be priced correctly from the start to attract the right buyers and shorten the time that it’s on the market. According to the National Association of REALTORS, “the typical For Sale By Owner home sold for $208,000 compared to $235,000 among agent-assisted home sales.”

2. What do you do with all this paperwork?

Each state has different regulations

regarding the contracts required for a successful sale, and these regulations are constantly changing. A true Real Estate Professional is an expert in their market and can guide you through the stacks of paperwork

Saturday, May 2, 2015: Reverchon Park, Dallas Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis is the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s national walk, dedicated to finding cures for digestive diseases. Walk with us and help raise funds for cures! Learn more: Call 972-386-0607, extension 5, or email ajames@ccfa.org.

necessary to make your dream a reality.

3. Are you a good negotiator?

After looking at the list of parties you need to be prepared to negotiate with, you’ll realize the

Register Today! www.cctakesteps.org

value in selecting a Real Estate Professional.

Thanks to our sponsors:

From the buyer (who wants the best deal possible), to the home inspection companies, to the appraiser, there are at least 11 different people you will have to be knowledgeable with and answer to, during the process. aljamestsad.indd 1

2/6/2015 2:46:49 PM

extraordinary lives | extraordinary homes Gardening’s New Leaf The Dallas Rose Society A classic garden club, The Dallas Rose Society was founded in 1952. As one of 400 local chapters associated with American Rose Society, the club enjoys a boundless supply of resources. The club focuses on hybridization, growing, exhibiting, designing rose arrangements, research and photography of roses. dallasrosesociety.com

Members of the Dallas Rose Society focus growing, exhibiting, designing rose arrangements, research and photography of roses.

The Greater North Texas Orchid Society (GNTOS) The Greater North Texas Orchid Society gathers gardeners with a love for orchids. Not an orchid expert? Not to worry. The society offers an Orchids 101 discussion for beginners, as well as a plant show and monthly meetings. gntos.org Koi and Water Garden Club of North Texas Gardeners looking for something more exotic might try the Koi and Water Garden Club of North Texas.

Plants and ponds bring koi enthusiasts together over food and drink to discuss their gardens. The club aims to attract anyone interested in creating, maintaining and enjoying the art of water gardening and the keeping of ornamental fish. kwgcnt.org

Gardening isn’t just for your grandmothers anymore. As a new wave of interest in organics and outdoor living sweeps younger generations, gardening clubs are turning over a new leaf, revealing exciting new trends, social media endeavors and membership influxes.

The Junior Group of the Dallas Garden Club This invite-only club is passionate about encouraging young women in the art of gardening. Members meet to discuss gardening and host events, including an annual Cocktail Party, Children’s Party, Christmas Coffee, and the Annual Flower Show and High Tea each spring.

6621 Joyce Way | $699,000 MEREDITH FERRELL | 214.868.1177 mferrell@briggsfreeman.com

4504 Arcady Avenue | $1,495,000 ANDY SLOWE | 214.215.4107 aslowe@briggsfreeman.com

By Molly Price

Greater Dallas Organic Garden Club The Greater Dallas Organic Garden Club has been a leader in promoting organic gardening methods in North Texas since 1993. With a monthly meeting at hip outfitter REI and an active Facebook account, this club is making big strides in the broadcast of their natural garden message. gdogc.org

For More InForMatIon updatedallas.com President and CEO Robbie Briggs independently owns and operates Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty.

5330 Drane Drive | $3,150,000 GRETCHEN BRASCH | 214.460.9488 gbrasch@briggsfreeman.com

5019 Shadywood | $4,499,000 This four bedroom Tuscan Estate with 7,722 sq. ft., offers multiple entertaining rooms highlighting the one acre rolling terrain including a salt-water, lagoonstyle pool, two guesthouses, covered patios, and organic gardens.This home also boasts many green and energy efficient features including solar panels, tankless water heaters, and programmable thermostats.

JONATHAN ROSEN 214.927.1313

3575 Lone Star Circle, #706 $525,000 DON PETERSON | 214.202.1452 dpeterson@briggsfreeman.com

jrosen@briggsfreeman.com

3446 Binkley Avenue | $829,000 LUCINDA BUFORD | 214.728.4289 lbuford@briggsfreeman.com

3424 Wentwood Drive | $1,998,000 Sited on a large corner lot at Wentwood Drive and Turtle Creek Boulevard, 3424 has a grand presence, softened by tall shade trees and a lush mature landscape. The house was built by Gage Homes in 1998 in the builder’s time honored tradition of the finest materials, craftsmanship and architectural integrity. Five bedrooms, five full baths and 2 powder rooms provide room to host or grow with ease.

ALEX TRUSLER 214.755.8180

atrusler@briggsfreeman.com

An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Briggs Freeman Real Estate Brokerage, Inc. is independently owned and operated.

briggsfreeman.com