Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine 2020-21 by ppb.haynes

What is FCA?

Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has challenged athletes and coaches to impact the world

staggering 50 million kids between 8 and 18 play competitive sports. That’s why, as the largest Christian sports ministry in the world, we believe FCA is needed more than ever. We need more athletes and coaches who play with

PANHANDLE-PLAINS BASKETBALL

MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH CAMPUS MINISTRY!

Vol. 48

PANHANDLE FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES

INSIDE: Remembering Noel Johnson

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Our Vision:

2020-2021 Amarillo photo 1

“To see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through

Who We Are:

FRONT ROW: Mia Pipkin, Spearman • Gracie Bentley, Amarillo High Zeryhia Aokuso, Amarillo High • Rachel Haase, Amarillo High Briley Barnes, Amarillo High • Curstin Haiduk, White Deer

FRONT ROW: Adlee Blacklock, Trinity Christian Sayler Beerwinkle, Springlake-Earth • Tanner Seeley, New Deal Ghenevieve Vasquez, New Deal • Stevi Lockhart, Sudan

FRONT ROW: Aubrey Ritter, Groom • Aleea Miller, Palo Duro Lashonda Stiger, Palo Duro • Emma Troxell, Bushland Mariah Williams, Randall

BACK ROW: Owen Boyett, Amarillo High • Damonze Woods, Amarillo High Cade Hornecker, Amarillo High • Brendan Hausen, Amarillo High Chris Dees, Amarillo High

BACK ROW: Genaro Luna, Memphis • Aidan Castillo, Monterey Devin White, Monterey • Kelly Mora, Monterey • Mia Trevino, Monterey Ethan Duncan, Trinity Christian

BACK ROW: Gunner Lamb, Groom • Jelani Mohamed, Palo Duro Kadden Price, Palo Duro • Kainan Thomas, Randall Aaron Ovalle, Randall

FRONT ROW:: Kyla Kane, Wellington • Sicily Sumrall, Wellington Mary Jo Parker, Slaton • Maggie Anderson, Ropes • Kylie Bennett, Plainview

FRONT ROW: Kyla Cobb, Canyon • Taylor Thomas, Canyon Kenadee Winfrey, Canyon • Chloe Callahan, Canyon Jade Benson, Clarendon

FRONT ROW: Gabi Fields, Brownfield • Dabria Blackwell, Brownfield Emma Kleman, Nazareth • Makenzy Corrales, Nazareth Addy Dyer, Nazareth

BACK ROW: Mason Jones, Panhandle • Wes Jones, Panhandle Zion Mercer, Panhandle • Landyn Hack, Panhandle Donovan Thompson, Clarendon • Jmaury Davis, Clarendon

BACK ROW: Jeb Smallwood, Frenship • Devin Hartfield, Frenship Airron Gaydon, Frenship • Merry Gerber, Nazareth Aidan Moore, Nazareth • Kaden Cleavinger, Nazareth

FRONT ROW: Holli Scoggins, Whiteface • Kenli Johnson, Happy Tynli Harris, Shallowater • Jenna Willer, Shallowater Logan Heard, Idalou

FRONT ROW: Kynnan Shields, Shamrock • Jessalyn Gonzales, Tascosa Kaeona Marquez, Dalhart • Alana Strong, Caprock

The Panhandle FCA has been impacting the lives of student athletes since 1980. Today, 55 schools, including West Texas A&M, represent over 3,500 student athletes, coaches, and friends who are being presented with an alternative to the peer pressure of drugs, alcohol, suicide, violence, gangs, and much more on a weekly basis through campus Huddle meetings across the Texas Panhandle. FCA works through athletes and coaches from

How You Can Help:

BACK ROW: Devron Sims, Childress • Michaela Watkins, Levelland Isaiah Salazar, Levelland • Zaiden Lecroy, Levelland Adolfo Martinez, Plainview

✓ Make sure there is an FCA Huddle on your campus. We need spirit-filled, youth ministry minded, Christian coaches, teachers and/or parents to accept the responsibility of Adult Sponsors. There are several Panhandle schools that do not have any form of FCA on their campus. ✓ Encourage as many student athletes between the ages of 12-18 to join their campus Huddle and get involved in reaching their school for Christ. ✓ Organize an Adult Huddle within your school/community to help support the campus Huddle by praying for them; helping with the meetings; We invite you today to get involved in making a difference in the lives of coaches and athletes! For more information on starting a Huddle at your school, contact Gary Barton, Panhandle Director, at 806-212-0776 or visit us at www.panhandlefca.org Underwritten by

FRONT ROW: Nayeli Acosta, Hereford • Camryn Armes, Gruver Andrea Salgado, Gruver • Mattie Boyd, Canadian BACK ROW: Blake Walker, Hereford • Kaleb Larra, Hereford Taytum Stow, Hereford • Bailey Maupin, Gruver • William Luther, Texline Colton Luther, Texline (Not shown: Noel Lozano, Texline Trever Bell, Stratford)

BACK ROW: Jack Allcorn, Olton • Bryson Ramage, Olton Bree Brattain, Shallowater • Taylor Moravcik, Shallowater Taylor Houston, Idalou • Jackson Stanton, Idalou

BACK ROW: Sean Wright, Shamrock • B.T. Daniel, Tascosa D’Kiera Johnson, Tascosa • Ryan Grawunder, Vega (Not shown: Shae Jernigan, Shamrock • Darrius Flemons, Deftlon Flemons, Mark Flemons, Isaac Garibaldi, all Paducah)

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PANHANDLE FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES

MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH CAMPUS MINISTRY!

What is FCA?

Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has challenged athletes and coaches to impact the world

Our Vision:

“To see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through

Who We Are:

How You Can Help:

Photo by Charles Bryce/San Angelo Standard-Times

Sophomore Jenna Willer of Shallowater, above, drives past Brynlee Hollas of Schulenburg in the Fillies’ 2020 state semifinal win at San Antonio’s Alamodome on the way to the UIL Class 3A state championship. At right Addy Dyer of Nazareth, also a sophomore, passes a Lipan player in the Swiftettes’ successful UIL Class 1A state title game.

Photo by Cindy Huseman

State Champs on the Court Photo by Maddie Q’s Photography

Sophomore Adlee Blacklock of Trinity Christian attacks the basket in the photo at left as the Lady Lions rolled to a 2020 TAPPS Class 4A state title in Waco. Below, the Gruver Lady Hounds celebrate their Class 2A UIL state championship at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Photo by Kimberly Irwin

2020 State Champions

The Shallowater Fillies in Class 3A, the Gruver Lady Hounds in Class 2A, the Nazareth Swiftettes in Class 1A and the Trinity Christian Lady Lions in TAPPS Class 4A all won state championships in spring 2020.

Gruver Lady Hounds

Photo by Kimberly Irwin

Nazareth Swiftettes

Photo by Cindy Huseman

In the 2020 state championship games, Shallowater (392) defeated Woodville, 61-43; Gruver (38-2) defeated Muenster, 42-39; Nazareth (31-8) defeated Lipan, 4431; and Trinity Christian (17-20) defeated Texas School for the Deaf, 50-25.

Shallowater Fillies

Photo courtesy Shallowater Fillies

Trinity Christian Lady Lions

Photo courtesy Trinity Christian Lady Lions

Lookin’ back...

1980-81 All Panhandle-Plains Super Team Boys 1st Team Scotty Cook, Vega Joey Garcia, Abernathy Mike Nelson, Pampa Dwight Phillips, Levelland Ray Young, Miami Girls 1st Team Kriss Ethridge, Monterey Gay Hemphill, Plainview Ramona Irlbeck, Abernathy Vickie Teal, New Deal Lisa Wright, Panhandle Boys 2nd Team Gregg Belton, Borger Greg Ewing, Caprock Ian Hyslop, Monterey Randy Karlin, Gruver Gary Rinker, Perryton Girls 2nd Team

orty years ago, the 1980-81 cover of Panhandle-Plains Basketball featured two players each from Abernathy and Miami plus one each from New Deal, Pampa, Plainview and Vega. New Miami coach Roy Young had his son, Ray Young, and Ron Francis in one of the circles. The younger Young, a 6-7 senior, had been all-state in Colorado’s Class AA the previous year at Meeker, averaging 15.4 rebounds a game. Coach Young was a Bovina native who played at Wayland Baptist. His son played as a freshman at Van. Francis was a 6-3 senior who had scored 22.5 points a game as a Miami junior. Francis’ father, Coach Ed Francis, had been killed in a car accident the previous season. Abernathy boys coach Carl Irlbeck had a player and a daughter in a circle. His Antelopes had won the 1980 state title, led

by 6-5 then-junior Joey Garcia, who had averaged 20 points. Garcia was a returning all-stater as a senior. Irlbeck’s all-state daughter, 5-5 senior Ramona Irlbeck, also graced the cover as new coach Larry Steele took over the girls team. She was described as “quick, handles the ball well, can shoot from outside or drive inside, pass, but mainly, she possesses exceptional competitiveness.” She also already had won state in tennis twice, was on a state championship cross country team and had been a state qualifier in the mile run twice. Gay Hemphill of Plainview was in her second year on the cover. As a 6-0 senior, she already was Plainview’s alltime leading scorer with 2,028 points. Coach Melynn Hunt’s star was called “perhaps the state’s best post player” and had been the Amarillo Globe-News Player of the Year and on the AGN Super Team

Becky Andrews, Dimmitt Kim Black, Hale Center Kamie Ethridge, Monterey Sharon Gerber, Nazareth Teri Mayfield, Canyon

and Lubbock Avalanche-Journal AllSouth Plains team. Mike Nelson of Pampa was only a sophomore for Coach Garland Nichols after being District 3-AAAAA Newcomer of the Year as a freshman. The 6-2 Nelson led Pampa to the state tournament in 1982 and played four years at Texas Tech. Vickie Teal, a 6-1 senior at New Deal, had averaged 25 points as a junior coming into 1980-81 under Coach Jan Averitt. Teal was called “one of the area’s finest-ever post players in the five-player girls’ game.” Scotty Cook, a 6-0 Vega senior, had scored 18.6 points a game while leading the Longhorns to the regional finals for Coach Wayne Potter. PPB wrote, “He can shoot, rebound and ably runs the team with solid ball handling and court savvy.”

Yearbook Two endings – one sad, one glad..............................2 Cover Boys and Girls................................................3 Cover Photos Up Close.............................................4 Joe Lombard passes the baton...................................7 Danny Andrews on Joe Lombard............................10 Shallowater girls’ 2nd state title..............................12 Gruver girls’ 1st state title.......................................14 Naz girls’ 24th state title.........................................16 Trinity Christian girls’ 10th title.............................19 Higgins goes out with a howl..................................21 Hoop 10 gives training, experience.........................24 Golden Spread tourney’s 50 years..........................26 Dean Weese created legacy.....................................29 WT Buffs go 32-1, then COVID.............................32 The 300 Club...........................................................37 Area State Championship Teams............................38 Basketball News......................................................39 Basketball Briefs.....................................................51 Texas Tech Men......................................................54 Texas Tech Women.................................................57 Krista Gerlich comes home.....................................60 West Texas A&M Men............................................63 West Texas A&M Women.......................................67 Lubbock Christian Men..........................................70 Lubbock Christian Women.....................................73 Wayland Men..........................................................76 Wayland Women.....................................................77

2020-2021 VOL. 48

Wife-husband coaches............................................79 South Plains Men....................................................80 South Plains Women...............................................82 Clarendon College Men..........................................86 Clarendon College Women.....................................87 2019-2020 Postseason Results................................89 Panhandle-Plains Super Teams...............................90 Class 6A at a Glance Preseason Picks/Honor Roll....................................92 Class 5A at a Glance Preseason Picks/Honor Roll....................................96 Class 4A at a Glance Preseason Picks/Honor Roll..................................129 Class 3A at a Glance Preseason Picks/Honor Roll..................................142 Class 2A at a Glance Preseason Picks/Honor Roll..................................190 Class 1A at a Glance Preseason Picks/Honor Roll..................................289 Private Schools at a Glance Preseason Picks/Honor Roll..................................350 Parting Shots.........................................................356 Index of Schools...................................................360

NOTICE: School basketball schedules published in the magazine can change due to COVID-19. Check with your school for current information.

Panhandle-Plains Basketball Staff

PUBLISHERS: Sheri Haynes, 806-662-2312; Mike Haynes, 806-670-9017 PRODUCTION: Hartsfield Design, 806-748-5403 EDITORIAL OFFICE: 6210 Cornell St., Amarillo, Texas 79109 ADVERTISING OFFICE: Box 232, McLean, Texas 79057

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

FOUNDERS: Danny Andrews, Garet von Netzer PRINTING AND BINDING: Cenveo Printing, Amarillo, Texas; Texoma Web Offset Printing, Gainesville, Texas; C&R Bindery, Dallas, Texas ADDITIONAL COPIES: Extra copies of the magazine may be obtained by sending $12 to Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine, 6210 Cornell St., Amarillo, TX 79109.

Special Features

Two endings – one sad, one glad

A PAIR OF TEXAS BASKETBALL DEVELOPMENTS IN 2020 that were at polar opposites emotionally occurred in San Antonio and in Canyon. On March 12, the UIL announced that, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the boys state basketball tournament was suspended. That suspension became permanent. The Class 3A and Class 1A semifinals already had been played at the Alamodome, with two Panhandle-South Plains 1A teams having lost — the Nazareth Swifts 63-53 to LaPoynor and the Jayton Jaybirds 45-28 to Slidell. But the Gruver Greyhounds were sched- The Gruver Greyhounds won their five 2020 playoff games by an average of 25 points and uled to play Shelbyville in the 2A semifi- posed for this photo after stopping Sundown 66-42 for the regional title. Gruver advanced nals, with the winner facing the Martin’s to the state semifinals and was defeated not by Shelbyville but by COVID-19. The state Mill-San Saba winner in the state cham- tournament was canceled with the teams already in San Antonio waiting to play, and Coach pionship game. The Hounds, led by Okla- Brittin East’s Hounds finished with a 30-5 record instead of a possible 32-5. homa Sooner football recruit Jalin Conyers This 48th edition of Panhandle-Plains Basketball honors the and a strong supporting cast, never got to tip four high school girls teams that won state championships in 2020, off in the Alamodome. fortuitously before the virus started shutting down competition. Based on their five playoff games, it seems likely that Gruver The Shallowater Fillies in Class 3A, the Gruver Lady Hounds would have won state in 2020, joining the Gruver girls, who had in Class 2A, the Nazareth Swiftettes in Class 1A and the Trinity accomplished that feat the week before. Conyers was on track to Christian Lady Lions in TAPPS Class 4A all reached the top in spring receive his second state title medal after winning his first playing for 2020, and we showcase those runs to titles with feature stories and West Texas High in 2018. team and action photos in our color section. Whether it would have happened or not, the UIL jumped the gun Colleges also shortchanged by stopping the tournament. Some games already had been played, The chance for college postseason championships also was the teams already were in San Antonio ready to take the court, and snuffed out by COVID-19, and several schools in the region had as we’ve seen since, the contests could have proceeded with social great potential for success. Look at these records for seasons that distancing or with no fans present. ended too soon: It was a regrettable outcome, but the teams that made it to state • Texas Tech men: 18-13; Texas Tech women: 18-11; still can be proud. • West Texas A&M men: 32-1; West Texas A&M women: 27-6; Joe steps down • Lubbock Christian men: 19-10; Lubbock Christian women: 28-3; Then, on April 7, another announcement • Wayland Baptist men: 20-11; Wayland Baptist women: 31-2; could have been seen as disappointing but ul• South Plains College men: 22-9; South Plains College women: 32-1; timately was satisfying. Canyon’s legendary • Clarendon College men: 29-3; Clarendon College women: 13-17. girls basketball coach Joe Lombard, speaking Loss of Noel Johnson on the court with his name on it, said he was See the Basketball News section for a tribute to Noel Johnson, who retiring after 42 years at Nazareth and Candied June 9 at age 47. Area fans know her as a state champion player at yon. Nazareth, a national champion player at Texas Tech and an outstanding Lombard’s numbers speak for themselves: college coach at Midwestern, Texas State and North Texas. 19 state championships (six at Nazareth and 13 And read our features on two organizations that are basketball staat Canyon), 1,379 wins against 133 losses for ples in the area: the Golden Spread All-Star Tournament, celebrating a 91.2% victory percentage and more that you Joe Lombard 50 years, and Hoop 10, surpassing 20 years. Plus stories on basketball can see in Dave Wohlfarth’s feature on him in guru Dean Weese, the poignant last season at Higgins and more. this magazine. As soon as Lombard retired, the Thank you Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame committee voted unanimously to inThanks to coaches, advertising coordinators, booster clubs, famiduct him into the PSHOF in 2021 to join several other halls of which lies, fans, businesses, college athletic departments and others who he already is a member. The ceremony has been rescheduled for June make this magazine possible and also to Danny Andrews, Russ Antho13 due to COVID-19. ny, Charles Bryce, C&R Bindery, Cenveo Printing, Timothy Davis, But those who know him – including Danny Andrews, who also First Baptist Church of Plainview, Tony Freeman, Hartsfield Design, writes about him in this issue – will tell you that even more imporGinger Haynes, Kathy Haynes, Sam Haynes, Cindy Huseman, Kimtant are Lombard’s nurturing of young athletes, his close-knit famberly Irwin, Lance Lahnert, Maddie Q’s Photography, Cathy Martinily (don’t forget Babs Lombard, his wife, team “mother” and state dale, Tricia Odom, Steve Satterwhite, Vickie Shepherd, Willis Smith, champion coach herself), his faith in God and his friendly nature. Texoma Offset Printing, Garet von Netzer and Dave Wohlfarth. Lombard is one of those people who, although an icon worthy of a Mike Haynes and Sheri Haynes new book about his career, gives the person standing in front of him Co-Publishers his full attention – and you know it’s his sincere attention.

22012-2013 Special Features Basketball Panhandle-Plains

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball1 Change Section

2020-2021 Cover Boys and Girls The players on the cover of Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine represent the best from Texas Panhandle and South Plains high schools. The cover tradition is in its 48th year. Below is a list of the outstanding girls and boys who were selected for the 2020-2021 cover: Boys

Amarillo High Amarillo High Amarillo High Amarillo High Amarillo High Childress Clarendon Clarendon Frenship Frenship Hereford Hereford Groom Idalou Levelland Levelland Memphis Monterey Monterey Nazareth Nazareth New Deal Olton Olton Paducah Paducah Paducah Paducah Palo Duro Palo Duro Panhandle Panhandle Panhandle Plainview Randall Randall Shamrock Shamrock Stratford Tascosa Texline Texline Texline Trinity Christian Vega

Owen Boyett Chris Dees Brendan Hausen Cade Hornecker Damonze Woods Devron Sims Jmaury Davis Donovan Thompson Devin Hartfield Jeb Smallwood Kaleb Larra Blake Walker Gunner Lamb Jackson Stanton Zaiden Lecroy Isaiah Salazar Genaro Luna Aidan Castillo Devin White Kaden Cleavinger Aidan Moore Tanner Seeley Jack Allcorn Bryson Ramage Darrius Flemons Deftlon Flemons Mark Flemons Isaac Garibaldi Jelani Mohamed Kadden Price Wes Jones Landyn Hack Zion Mercer Adolfo Martinez Aaron Ovalle Kainan Thomas Shae Jernigan Sean Wright Trever Bell B.T. Daniel Noel Lozano Colton Luther William Luther Ethan Duncan Ryan Grawunder Girls

Amarillo High Amarillo High Amarillo High Amarillo High Brownfield Brownfield Bushland Canadian Canyon Canyon Canyon Canyon Caprock Clarendon Dalhart 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Zeryhia Aokuso Briley Barnes Gracie Bentley Rachel Haase Dabria Blackwell Gabi Fields Emma Troxell Mattie Boyd Chloe Callahan Kyla Cobb Taylor Thomas Kenadee Winfrey Alana Strong Jade Benson Kaeona Marquez

Frenship Groom Gruver Gruver Gruver Happy Hereford Hereford Idalou Idalou Levelland Monterey Monterey Nazareth Nazareth Nazareth Nazareth New Deal Palo Duro Palo Duro Panhandle Plainview Randall Ropes Shallowater Shallowater Shallowater Shallowater Shamrock Slaton Spearman Springlake-Earth Sudan Tascosa Tascosa Trinity Christian Wellington Wellington White Deer Whiteface

Airron Gaydon Aubrey Ritter Camryn Armes Bailey Maupin Andi Salgado Kenli Johnson Taytum Stow Nayeli Acosta Logan Heard Taylor Houston Michaela Watkins Kelly Mora Mia Trevino Makenzy Corrales Addy Dyer Merry Gerber Emma Kleman Ghenevieve Vasquez Aleea Miller Lashonda Stiger Mason Jones Kylie Bennett Mariah Williams Maggie Anderson Bree Brattain Tynli Harris Taylor Moravcik Jenna Willer Kynnan Shields Mary Jo Parker Mia Pipkin Sayler Beerwinkle Stevi Lockhart Jessalyn Gonzales Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Kiera Johnson Adlee Blacklock Kyla Kane Sicily Sumrall Rebecca Tracy Holli Scoggins

Special Features

2020-2021 Cover Photos

Front row: Adlee Blacklock, Trinity Christian • Sayler Beerwinkle, Springlake-Earth • Tanner Seeley, New Deal • Ghenevieve Vasquez, New Deal • Stevi Lockhart, Sudan Back row: Genaro Luna, Memphis • Aidan Castillo, Monterey • Devin White, Monterey • Kelly Mora, Monterey • Mia Trevino, Monterey • Ethan Duncan, Trinity Christian

Front row: Kyla Kane, Wellington • Sicily Sumrall, Wellington • Mary Jo Parker, Slaton • Maggie Anderson, Ropes • Kylie Bennett, Plainview Back row: Devron Sims, Childress • Michaela Watkins, Levelland • Isaiah Salazar, Levelland • Zaiden Lecroy, Levelland • Adolfo Martinez, Plainview

Front row: Gabi Fields, Brownfield • Dabria Blackwell, Brownfield • Emma Kleman, Nazareth • Makenzy Corrales, Nazareth • Addy Dyer, Nazareth Back row: Jeb Smallwood, Frenship • Devin Hartfield, Frenship • Airron Gaydon, Frenship • Merry Gerber, Nazareth • Aidan Moore, Nazareth • Kaden Cleavinger, Nazareth

Front row: Holli Scoggins, Whiteface • Kenli Johnson, Happy • Tynli Harris, Shallowater • Jenna Willer, Shallowater • Logan Heard, Idalou Back row: Jack Allcorn, Olton • Bryson Ramage, Olton • Bree Brattain, Shallowater • Taylor Moravcik, Shallowater • Taylor Houston, Idalou • Jackson Stanton, Idalou

Special Features

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

2020-2021 Cover Photos

Front row: Mia Pipkin, Spearman • Gracie Bentley, Amarillo High • Zeryhia Aokuso, Amarillo High • Rachel Haase, Amarillo High • Briley Barnes, Amarillo High • Curstin Haiduk, White Deer Back row: Owen Boyett, Amarillo High • Damonze Woods, Amarillo High • Cade Hornecker, Amarillo High • Brendan Hausen, Amarillo High • Chris Dees, Amarillo High

Front row: Aubrey Ritter, Groom • Aleea Miller, Palo Duro • Lashonda Stiger, Palo Duro • Emma Troxell, Bushland • Mariah Williams, Randall Back row: Gunner Lamb, Groom • Jelani Mohamed, Palo Duro • Kadden Price, Palo Duro • Kainan Thomas, Randall • Aaron Ovalle, Randall

Front row: Kyla Cobb, Canyon • Taylor Thomas, Canyon • Kenadee Winfrey, Canyon • Chloe Callahan, Canyon • Jade Benson, Clarendon Back row: Mason Jones, Panhandle • Wes Jones, Panhandle • Zion Mercer, Panhandle • Landyn Hack, Panhandle • Donovan Thompson, Clarendon • Jmaury Davis, Clarendon

Front row: Nayeli Acosta, Hereford • Camryn Armes, Gruver • Andrea Salgado, Gruver • Mattie Boyd, Canadian Back row: Blake Walker, Hereford • Kaleb Larra, Hereford • Taytum Stow, Hereford • Bailey Maupin, Gruver • William Luther, Texline • Colton Luther, Texline (Not shown: Noel Lozano, Texline • Trever Bell, Stratford)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Special Features

2020-2021 Cover Photos

Front row: Kynnan Shields, Shamrock • Jessalyn Gonzales, Tascosa • Kaeona Marquez, Dalhart • Alana Strong, Caprock Back row: Sean Wright, Shamrock • B.T. Daniel, Tascosa • D’Kiera Johnson, Tascosa • Ryan Grawunder, Vega • (Not shown: Shae Jernigan, Shamrock • Darrius Flemons, Deftlon Flemons, Mark Flemons, Isaac Garibaldi, all Paducah)

Jaxton Schilling, son of Nazareth girls coach Eric Schilling, hugs the Swiftettes’ area championship trophy after their playoff win over McLean on Feb. 20, 2020, as his dad, right, talks to announcer Phil Woodall at Caprock High School in Amarillo. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Special Features

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Coach still loves the game

Lombard hands over dynasty to son By DAVE WOHLFARTH Try this multiple-choice test regarding Joe Lombard’s retirement last spring as the Canyon Lady Eagles’ head coach. Given his free time, Lombard plans to: • (A) Take the trip he’s always dreamed about; • (B) Play golf every day; • (C) Stay home, rest and watch a lot of television; • (D) Start a garden; • (E) None of the above. The answer, of course, is E, although B would merit at least some consideration if Lombard weren’t nursing a sore right wrist. Nope. Joe Lombard will keep an active hand in the sport he’s been married to for 42 years — basketball, specifically high school girls basketball. He’s helping his son, Tate, coach the Canyon girls on a volunteer basis. “I’m getting paid zero for this,” Joe Lombard said. “I’m doing it just because I love it, and I’m doing it because it’s my son.” The dad will help the son on game plans. Joe plans to be at every varsity practice, not to mention often dropping in on the freshman, eighth-grade and seventh-grade workouts. So the man who has guided girls teams to 19 state championships and owns an incredible 1,379-133 coaching record for a mindboggling .912 winning percentage no longer is the head guy. Roles reversed The Lombards have reversed roles. Tate served as Joe’s assistant last season after a successful stint – including two state championship teams of his own – at Wall. They’d been wanting to be on the same bench for some time. A year ago, Joe considered going down to Wall to be Tate’s assistant. But then the freshman job at Canyon opened up. Joe recalled the conversation: “He said, ‘Dad, that’s perfect. I’d love to come up and work for you, coach under you so I can learn as much as I can. So when the time comes, whenever if and when you decide to retire, I’ll feel like I’m ready.’ “ A year later, Joe was ready to turn the reins over to Tate. Of course, the Canyon Independent School District board needed to make the obvious official. “Tate didn’t want to be where he feels like he’s pushing me out; he just wanted it to be my decision,” Joe said. “And it was totally my decision.” He thought he might go out on the heels of his 20th state title team, but the Lady Eagles (31-2) lost to defending state champion Argyle 41-38 in the regional semifinals.

Joe Lombard cuts the net at the Alamodome in San Antonio after the Canyon Lady Eagles defeated Frisco Liberty in the 2016 state finals. It was the next-to-last time the elder Lombard led Canyon to the championship as they stopped Mansfield Timberview for the 2017 title. (Photo by Tim Ritter/The Canyon News)

“I had pretty much made up my mind before the season even started that this would be my last year. I just took for granted that we’d win it all ’cause so much of my career has been storybook anyway,” Joe said. “So at the end, we didn’t win. That was disappointing, but I didn’t really waiver on my original thought.” The 67-year-old legendary coach said his health played a minor part in his decision to retire. He went to Austin and had two heart ablations to prevent abnormal electrical signals from entering the heart. The last trip was right before the season began. The ablations held. “But also in the back of my mind, I’m thinking, ‘Forty-two years of coaching with a little bit of stress, there’s probably some wear and tear on my heart,’” Joe said. “And I’ve got some joint problems. You know, six hours a day for 42 years, the knees are (Continued on next page)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Special Features

The Canyon Lady Eagles celebrate on the court of San Antonio’s Alamodome after winning the 2017 state championship, Coach Lombard’s last of 19 titles at Canyon and Nazareth. (Photo by Tim Ritter/The Canyon News) (Continued from previous page)

not doing great ... nor the hips. But health wasn’t that big a factor.” With apologies to Babs Lombard, Joe’s wife of 45 years, his heart has equally centered on basketball. He still has a passion for the game. He spent the time during the COVID-19 pandemic watching about 100 lectures and checking in on online clinics featuring the game he loves. “My mind is sharp, and I still love learning the game,” Joe said. “I always want to learn new things about the game; I want to be current. While some things never change, there are some things that do change. I want to stay current with those things that change.” And Joe is adding his own expertise to being up to date. Book in the works One of his retirement projects is writing a book, centered on basketball, of course. The book is co-authored with Jon Mark Beilue, the former Amarillo Globe-News columnist and sports editor, and is due out by Christmas. “It’s going to be a book for coaches, especially young coaches, and all coaches,” Joe said. “There’s going to be tidbits of wisdom. Like I just finished a section on dealing with parents. And I’ve got another section for beginning in coaching.” His insight on when to take a timeout will be covered. His

Joe Lombard signals to his team in a December 2017 home game against Amarillo High. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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former players will be mentioned in the book, and he promises a spiritual side will be included via a scripture in every chapter. Joe is doing a few speaking assignments but has them spread out so they won’t cause him to miss the Lady Eagles’ workouts or games. He and Babs are planning a new house in Canyon after living in the same residence for 35 years. And yes, he’d love to play golf once that wrist is fixed. When he was 64, he shot his best round, 70. His goal is to shoot 67, his age. Joe plans to spend some time with his three grandsons, all living in Canyon. Owen, 3, and Miles, 2, are daughter Lindy’s boys. Jones, 2, is Tate’s son. But, as always, his sight is set on basketball. After the book and the house are completed, “maybe we can just focus on basketball in the second half of the season – the district and the playoffs,” he said. When Joe announced his retirement in a Zoom conference April 7, the laudatory comments from former players and rival coaches poured in. He appreciated them all, but one coach’s observation on the dominance of Lombard’s teams really rang home. When Joe was growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he rooted against dynastic teams such as the UCLA basketball juggernaut, baseball’s New York Yankees and football’s Green Bay Packers. Success breeds contempt. “But this coach said, ‘Even though that’s what we’re supposed to do, Joe, it’s hard to root against your team,’” Joe said. “And so that felt pretty good.” Leland Bearden, Ropes’ girls coach who won a couple of state girls championships at Smyer, made the comment. Planned to coach boys Joe’s success began when he accepted the girls coaching job at Nazareth in 1978. The Wayland Baptist University business graduate was in the sporting goods business in Plainview, but Babs was coaching the Hale Center girls team. He, too, felt the urge to coach, although he thought it would be for a boys team. “I’d never seen a girls game ’til I came to Wayland,” Joe said. “When I decided to go into coaching, it was going to be boys. I interviewed for a couple of jobs . . . but when Nazareth called me, I knew that’s what I was looking for.” Joe’s Naz girls and Babs’ Hale Center team both won state championships in 1979. That was his first year and her last year as a coach. She retired and became Joe’s scorekeeper and scrapbooker. (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

A 2017 game just before Christmas between two of the top teams in Texas - Canyon and Amarillo High - packed Joe Lombard Gymnasium. Canyon had won the 2017 state championship, while Amarillo High went on to win it in 2018. (Photo by Mike Haynes) (Continued from previous page)

The rest is history: six state championships in seven years at Nazareth and 13 in 35 years at Canyon. Along the way, Joe piled up some statistics: • In his last two years (1984 and 1985) in Nazareth, his girls won two state titles and were undefeated, winning 68 in a row. He also coached the Naz boys those two years, and they twice reached the state finals; • His 1992 Canyon Lady Eagles were 8-6 at Christmas break but won 19 straight and the state crown; • His daughter, Lindy, played on the 1996 state championship team that was undefeated; • He called his 2000 state champs his most dominant team up front; • His 2003 team not only won the Texas title but the mythical national championship; • In 2011, the Lady Eagles won the prestigious Mansfield Tournament for the only time in 16 times en route to another state crown; • The 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 teams won four straight state championships, the first one in Class 4A and the next three

in Class 5A. And throw in seven more trophies for winning cross country state championships, two in Naz and five in Canyon. What made Joe so successful? “His love for the game, his love for his players and his attention to detail,” Tate Lombard said. “And his drive. He approached all seasons in the same way. Each team and each season was a new challenge.” Lots of wins. Very few losses. “When you get old like me, there’s more important things than wins and losses,” Joe said. “In the big picture of things, are

Joe Lombard Gymnasium hosted this Canyon-Amarillo High game in 2017. After its namesake coach won 13 state titles at Canyon (to go with six at Nazareth), building on previous success by Coach Bob Schneider, the facility could be called “the House that Joe Built.” (Photo by Mike Haynes) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Joe Lombard and son Tate attended the Feb. 12, 2017, ceremony of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame at the Amarillo Civic Center’s Grand Plaza. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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we giving these kids what they need? Are we planting a seed for them to be successful when they get out of school?” Joe maintains that it’s a journey. His players have to work hard and deal with adversity. “And they learn to be a great teammate, no matter what they

do,” he said. “Whether it’s a marriage, whether it’s a job, family, career, whatever – they’re going to be part of a team, and they’ve got to be a great teammate.” Joe Lombard wanted to go out on top, on his terms. And he wanted to help his son. Mission accomplished.

My memories of Joe Lombard By DANNY ANDREWS Magazine Co-Founder Having known Joe Lombard for almost 50 years, I have many fond memories. Joe started at Wayland Baptist College in the fall of 1971 when I was a senior. I covered his games the next four years for the Plainview Daily Herald, where I had been named sports editor in 1970. I often have kidded Joe about the fact that his senior year, the Pioneers were 4-27 and won the four games by just 14 points. No doubt a “character builder” for future years. In fact, the Pioneers were just 35-87 in his four seasons. Danny Andrews I continued to see Joe as he worked at Cleveland Athletics after graduating. Kenny Redin, son of legendary Wayland Flying Queens coach Harley Redin, says he and I refereed Joe’s very first game at Nazareth in 1978-79. I know we called quite a few games there during Joe’s seven seasons. I remember that you could stand on the other side of the court and hear him talking in the huddle due to the vaulted ceiling in the Nazareth gym. I got to call several games for Joe when he moved to Canyon, including a road game against archrival Levelland in the mid1980s. I wrote several features on Joe and the Canyon Lady Eagles for Panhandle-Plains Basketball magazine that my good friend Garet von Netzer of the Amarillo Globe-News and I started as young sportswriters in the early 1970s to give more publicity to a sport that always has been in the shadow of King Football in Texas. I had to help sell tickets at Hutcherson Center in Plainview one night when Canyon and Levelland met in bidistrict because so many people showed up, some missing the first quarter of a game that wound up 22-21 in Levelland’s favor. During Canyon’s run of four straight state titles, I called or contacted the newspaper in Fort Wayne, Indiana, several times to let them know about Joe winning another state championship. Oddly, they never seemed too interested. Probably thought nobody could win that many championships – just an early example of “fake news.” I enjoyed writing a feature on Joe’s folks coming to Wayland for several years to watch Canyon in the Plainview Queens Classic. 10

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My favorite memory is hosting as Wayland alumni director a luncheon in Joe’s honor when he was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 2016. His family, several fans and friends from Canyon and a few Wayland exes were on hand. Joe was nice enough to acknowledge me and my wife Carolyn during his acceptance speech the following evening. That speech was printed in this basketball magazine the next year. I continue to find it fascinating that Wayland coach Bob Clindaniel and his son, Rocky, would have driven to Fort Wayne and played Joe and his brother on the Lombards’ driveway and recruit him to come to Wayland, where Joe knew no one and had no connections. That Joe would go on to become one of the most successful coaches in the history of basketball at any level with a record of 1,379-133 (winning 1,000 games before he lost 100) and 19 state championships (not to mention seven state cross country titles) is a storybook tale if ever there was one. Of course, Joe way over-married himself when he found future Miss Wayland, Babs Tatum of Winters, Texas, as a great bonus for coming to Plainview. That they share the distinction of being two of three state champion coaches in the family with son Tate and boast a pretty fair former coach herself in daughter Lindy is special as well. But as with many folks, what I appreciate most about Joe Lombard is that he’s the same friendly, humble guy I met almost a half century ago. He has done things the right way – caring for his players personally and coaching with integrity and exemplary sportsmanship as a Christian gentleman. I’ve been blessed to meet several sports legends, including Tom Landry, Terry Bradshaw, Tony Dorsett, Mary Lou Retton, Nolan Ryan, Bob Lilly, Jerry West, Geno Auriemma, Marsha Sharp, Jody Conradt, Muffet McGraw and Gary Blair. But a greater honor is to call Joe Lombard a close friend. I have phoned him numerous times through the years – he usually answers with an elongated “Danny … Andrews,” as if vaguely recalling someone from the distant past – and we always enjoy laughing and reminiscing about good times. God bless you, Joe – a coaching legend and a true American success story.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

At left, Joe and Babs Lombard enter the Tennessee Theatre in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, in 2016 to music and applause as Joe was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Below, Lindy Lombard Slagle, the Lombards’ daughter, leads the Grapevine Mustangs before she left coaching to raise a family in the Amarillo-Canyon area. (Left photo courtesy the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame; photo below by Jim Cowsert for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

You are invited to the 63rd Annual Ceremony of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame

Rescheduled for

2 p.m. Sunday, June 13, 2021

To be inducted in 2021: Joe Lombard

Steve Garmon

Sharon Moultrie Bruner

Noel Johnson

Rayford Young

Grand Plaza • Amarillo Civic Center 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Date and location still subject to change depending on COVID-19 developments.)

(Ceremony is 1½ to 2 hours with light food buffet.) • Induction

of the New Hall of Fame Honorees • Recognition of Athletes of the Year Special Features

Shallowater goes 39-2

Fillies played the right way to title By DAVE WOHLFARTH As Coach Chuck Darden prepared his team for its regional finals game against Idalou, he had two starters hobbling around in walking boots. Junior forward Taylor Moravcik suffered a severe ankle sprain in the Fillies’ 71-22 area win over Sonora. Junior guard Tynli Harris sustained a bad case of turf toe in Shallowater’s 47-40 victory against Jim Ned in the regional semifinals. Darden didn’t expect either girl to play against Idalou, although Moravcik had limped through two games after her injury. After the Sonora game, Darden wasn’t optimistic about Moravcik’s ankle. “I’ll be honest with you,” he said. “Taking a look at it when we got home, I thought she’s probably done for the year. “Tynli Harris, she got a terrible turf toe, worst I’ve ever seen. That next morning – and of course, we’ve got Idalou that night – she could barely walk.” Both girls played as the Fillies edged Idalou, 45-42, in the regional finals. Under those circumstances, Harris said she wasn’t at the top of her game. Moravcik, on the other hand, felt that was her best game. “I was playing with a sprained ankle and I told myself, ‘This is the only thing in front of you right now. You have to get over all the pain you’re feeling and do all this for the team,’” she said. Moravcik pulled down 13 rebounds that night. “That’s my role on this team – to play defense and get as many boards as I can,” she said, “and that’s what I did for myself and I had to do for us to win the game.” Moravcik and Harris showed the grit this team demonstrated all year. Of course, both played the next weekend in San Antonio when the Fillies cruised to the Class 3A state championship. It also was what Darden called playing the game the right way. “I think that team was great in that they played for each other. It was a developing process. They didn’t care who did it as long as we did it,” he said. “I think that’s playing the game the right way. I think our kids showed sportsmanship. They played hard, they played physical, but they’re the type kids who always respected their opponents and the officials. And I think we had fun. That’s part of it, too.” Won first 27 games The young Fillies – one senior, two juniors and two sophomores making up the starting lineup – won their first 27 games. They won the Shallowater Shootout and the Lubbock Caprock tournaments, edging Class 5A Lubbock Monterey 48-47 in the latter event’s finals. “That gave us a shot in the arm as far as confidence in what we can do if we really put things together,” Darden said. But they lost two District 2-3A games – to Idalou and Brownfield – by a total of seven points within a 14-day span. Both were road game defeats to strong teams. In fact, Idalou wound up tying Shallowater for the district championship, both with 12-2 records. After the 47-45 loss to Brownfield, Darden had a little talk 12

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The Shallowater Fillies celebrate on the court of the Alamodome in San Antonio March 7 after defeating Woodville 61-43 for the Class 3A state championship. (Photo by Charles Bryce/San Angelo Standard-Times)

with his team. “We’re either gonna go one or two directions from this time on,” he said he told his players. “So you need to get to work and really be focused for every game, be ready to play, or we’re not going to play much longer.” The Fillies didn’t lose again. But it wasn’t easy. En route to their title, the eighth-ranked Fillies knocked off the Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 teams in the state. The toughest tests came in at regional. Shallowater nipped Bushland 45-43 in the regional quarterfinals on a Tuesday. “Bushland had the last shot and shot a 3 to win it,” Darden recalled. “We were lucky it didn’t go.” On Friday, the Fillies got past Jim Ned 47-40, a game that was closer than the final score indicated. Then on Saturday, playing in an overstuffed Hutcherson Center at Wayland Baptist University, Shallowater notched its three-point victory over district rival Idalou. “I think there were between 4,200 and 4,500 people there. It was just a phenomenal atmosphere for two great teams,” Darden said. “I’ve been told by a lot of people that was the best high school basketball game they’ve ever seen.” He likened winning those three regional games to running through a gauntlet. “But that’s just how Region I is,” Darden said. “I mean, you’re not going to get a bunch of easy games, I promise you that.” (Continued on next page)

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Regional tougher than state Speaking of easy games, the Fillies frolicked in San Antonio. They whipped Schulenburg 61-26 in the semifinals as Bree Brattain scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Brattain, a 5-8 sophomore guard, was even better in the finals, scoring 29 points and hauling in six rebounds as Shallowater spanked Woodville 61-43. She was named the state tournament MVP. “Yeah, everything was going good for us. We were making our layups and jump shots,” Brattain said. “It was a really good game.” Brattain led the Fillies in scoring at 16.9 points a game and rebounds with 6.5 a game. “She can just be a scoring machine,” Darden said. He praised Harris (10.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Moravcik (6.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg) as overall outstanding players who have been on his varsity since they were freshmen. Jenna Willer, a 5-4 sophomore guard last season, chipped in with 6.3 ppg and 2.0 rpg. The lone senior on the starting five was 5-4 forward Jordyn Aragon. In addition to 4.1 ppg and 2.8 rpg credentials, she broke Shallowater’s single season and career charges record. She took 23 charges last season and 47 for her career. “She was a great defensive player,” Darden said. “Just a tough kid inside. Wasn’t that big, just played bigger than she was,” Two more seniors – Madison Batten and Tiffany Davis – came off the bench. “Talk about two great kids; they didn’t start, never complained,” Darden said. “They just worked every day, and you hear that all the time, but those two kids were so instrumental in our season by coming off the bench and giving us big minutes by playing great basketball.” Subs Kami Wood, Summer Williams, Paige Parker, Avery Velasquez and Madilyn Barnes also contributed. Darden said his team played great in the state tournament. “I told people there was a lot of pressure on this team all year. It was a good kind of pressure, you know. The kind you want. Expectations were high,” he said. “But I think after the regional tournament, I could just feel that our kids took a deep breath and said, ‘Hey, let’s go to San Antonio and let’s go play ball.’ I couldn’t be prouder of them. Their performance in San Antonio was just fantastic.” Fifth berth in finals This was the seventh time Darden has guided a Shallowater team to the state tournament and the Fillies’ fifth appearance in the finals. His 2004 team won it all with a 36-2 record. Last year’s Fillies finished 39-2, setting a school record for wins. “The ’04 team had a couple of 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Tiffany Davis, No. 22 for Shallowater, chases Brynlee Hollas of Schulenberg in the Class 3A state semifinals March 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The Fillies won, 61-26. (Photo by Charles Bryce/San Angelo Standard-Times)

six-footers, 5-11s. So that was just a bigger, physical team,” Darden said. “This team was faster and quicker. I think the 2020 team was a great perimeter-shooting team.” In 2004, Shallowater’s boys also won a Class 2A state title, a rarity for a Texas high school to have boys and girls champions in the same season. Last year’s Mustangs lost in the regional finals. The Fillies were listening to the boys game at lunch on their way home from San Antonio. When they got back to Shallowater (population 2,984), the whole town came out to honor them, according to Darden. Darden says he’s been coaching at Shallowater forever. Actually, he’s beginning his 43rd year coaching at the school and 40th season as the Fillies coach. He spent his first three years on the boys side. He’s very close to coaching 1,000 wins (995-284 for a .778 winning percentage) as the Fillies’ mentor. Coincidentally, assistant coach T’Linda Taylor has been at his side for 32 of those years. “She las a lot to do with the success of this program,” Darden said. He contemplated retirement on the heels of the school’s second state championship last spring. He could go out on top. “But I love it. And the kids that we’ve got back ... and not just talent-wise, but I love these kids,” he said. “And I’ll be honest with you, I talked to my wife, Carolyn, and I just told her, ‘I just can’t let anybody else coach that team.’” So Darden, who is 67, tells everybody T’Linda Taylor, left, and Chuck Darden display a banner marking the Shallowater girls’ 2020 state basketball his retirement is kinda on a one-year-at-achampionship. Taylor has been Darden’s assistant coach for 32 time deal. years and is beginning her 33rd. Darden has been the Fillies’ coach for 39 seasons and is starting his 40th. He has been at Shallowater for 42 years. He and Taylor also led the Fillies to the 2004 state title.

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Lady Hounds’ 1st title

Gruver goes the distance By DAVE WOHLFARTH Bailey Maupin was the Lady Hounds’ top scorer and rebounder last season as a sophomore, but she maintains that Gruver’s successful march to the Class 2A state championship was because of a great familiarity among her teammates. The Lady Hounds relied on crisp passing and a balanced scoring attack as they captured the first girls state title in the school’s history. “About the third or fourth game of the season, all of us really started clicking, playing really well together,” Maupin said. “We would be able to pass before the person would even get there, just be able to know where each other would be on the court, or just from playing together, having lots of team chemistry.” Teammate Andi Salgado agreed on the team’s success. “I think it’s because we played together for so long,” she said. “We started playing together when we were little. It was like in fifth or sixth grade.” Coach Shannon Fisher said his Lady The Gruver Lady Hounds celebrate immediately after the final buzzer sealed their 42-39 win over Hounds passed so well because they saw the Muenster in the Class 2A state championship game March 7 at San Antonio’s Alamodome. (Photo by floor extremely well. Plus, repetition results Kimberly Irwin) in perfection. “The kids have played so much basketball on their own, even outside of high school, the than anything.” constant reps and the constant time they’ve spent in the gym The Lady Hounds lost only one more game – to Class 6A has allowed their minds to slow the game down out there, and Tascosa 73-66 on Jan. 3 – and they rolled through their district they see what’s going on,” he said. “We trusted in each other, undefeated in 10 games. we repped it enough that we knew where somebody was going They won their first two playoff games easily, then took on to end up being.” Wellington, the team that had eliminated them the previous Maupin was in the right spot on Feb. 7 when Gruver whipped year, in the regional quarterfinals. Wellington was fresh from district rival Stratford 65-37. She scored 36 points. knocking off No.1 ranked Vega 71-38 in the area game, but “That was our big rival game, and the whole town came out Gruver gunned down the Lady Rockets 49-40. Maupin scored a to support us,” she said. “My teammates were just getting me the game-high 23 points. ball when I was open. I was just having a really good night, and A 56-45 regional semifinal victory over Stamford set the stage they just seemed to fall in every time I threw it up.” for a rematch with Panhandle in the regional finals – No. 3 Gruver That victory, which clinched the District 1-2A title for the vs. No. 10 Panhandle – in the Texan Dome in Levelland. In a Lady Hounds, triggered the team’s road to state, in her opinion. defensive struggle, The Lady Hounds prevailed, 34-27. Panhandle was pivotal Gruver won its first nine games before bowing to Panhandle 61-57 in overtime in the Nazareth Tournament finals. That became a pivotal loss for the Lady Hounds. “I believe that’s when I saw a different gear, saw a different group step out on the floor,” Fisher said. “When we lost that game, I honestly believe that was a turning point for our season.” “We’ve been told we’re good ... maybe we are. And maybe this is where we need to be, and maybe we can go the distance. I think we always had that in the back of our mind, but we always had a little bit of doubt. I think that loss probably helped us more 14

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“We knew this game was going to come down to possessions, and we could not allow ourselves to go down there and waste possessions,” Fisher said, “’cause Panhandle is a team if you turn the ball over, nine times out of 10 they’re going to capitalize on the turnover.” That vaulted the Lady Hounds into the state tourney in San Antonio, where they ran past Grapeland 59-49 in the semifinals. Salgado (19 points) and Maupin (15) paced Gruver. But those two were virtually silenced the next day when Gruver played Muenster in the Class 2A championship game. (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Salgado was saddled with foul trouble, and Muenster’s defense put tight clamps on Maupin. Each scored only four points. Fellow starters Madilyn McCloy and Brenna Butler contributed 2 and 4, respectively. But that game illustrated the Lady Hounds’ balance. Players off the bench scored 12 points. Camryn Armes, a starter, scored 16 points, including hitting a 3-pointer that put Gruver ahead by one point with 2:04 left in the game. Two crucial free throws Later, with the score tied, 5-7 sophomore forward Kami Whitehead stole the ball and was fouled. Whitehead was in the game because Salgado had fouled out. Whitehead was looking at a one-and-one opportunity with only six seconds left. She had missed two free throws earlier and was shooting about .500 from the line for the season. Coach Fisher played it cool during the timeout preceding Whitehead’s free throw attempts. “You know, I was not going to play that any different. I did not want to say, ‘Hey, this is going to be the biggest free throws in your entire life,’ “ he said. “I just rolled on and acted like it was just a regular game. I tried to make sure that I tried real hard that I didn’t have anything on my face that would show concern.” Whitehead made both free throws to give Gruver a two-point lead. After a Muenster turnover and foul, Armes added a later foul shot to provide the final 42-39 margin. “I felt a lot of pressure up there,” Whitehead told the Amarillo Globe-News after the game. “I knew I just had to relax and shoot. It was just another free throw just like we shoot a thousand times in practice.” Maupin heaped praise on her teammate. “When Andi fouled out, Kami came in and just started tearing it up on the inside, getting rebounds, making incredible passes, finishing layups, getting to the rim so she’d be able to get to the free throw line,” Maupin said, “and eventually hitting two free throws at the end to win it for us.”

Whitehead scored 6 points. So did fellow reserve Kearstin Babbs. For the season, Maupin averaged 17.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists as a sophomore. The 5-10 forward, who can play all positions, was the district’s MVP, among other honors. She’s already received offers from Division I college coaches, and Fisher says that’s fitting. “ S h e ’s a l r e a d y a real prospect,” he said. “Without a doubt, she can play the game. I think what she’s able to do on the floor is awesome to watch.” Gruver’s other starters were 5-9 senior forward McCloy (10.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.2 apg), 5-5 sophomore guard Armes (9.4 ppg, 2.8 apg), 5-8 junior Salgado (8.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and 5-6 freshman guard Butler (7.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.3 apg). So a senior, a junior, two sophomores and a freshman comprised the Camryn Armes of Gruver, then a starting five. The top subs were senior sophomore, was the 2020 Class 2A state tournament MVP. Marlie Kelp, junior Babbs and sophomores Whitehead and Callie Conyers. Virus stole boys’ chance Gruver’s boys were in position to make it a rare double basketball championship for the school, but the Greyhounds never took the floor for their state semifinal game in San Antonio’s Alamodome a week after the girls state tournament. The boys tournament was canceled after the first day because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “My heart went out to them. I felt very sorry for them,” Fisher said. “I don’t know if the word ‘unfortunate’ describes the misfortune of how that ended up playing out. I can only imagine what the kids, what the coaching staff felt, because it’s just not every day that you get to go down there and have a legitimate shot to win the whole thing.” The Gruver girls had reached the state finals twice, in 2003 and 2015, but hadn’t won the whole thing until last spring. The Lady Hounds set a school record with their 38-2 mark, a season to remember. “It was one of those special years that I don’t know if you’ll ever forget. It will never be forgotten,” Fisher said. “The first one’s always special, and it was a year that I couldn’t be more proud of a group of girls who bought in. The camaraderie was great, the work ethic, the attitude was great. It was great for the kids.”

The Gruver Lady Hounds pose for pictures after having a chance to change clothes following their victory in the 2020 Class 2A state championship game. (Photo by Kimberly Irwin) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Title Town: Naz

Bringing home gold never gets old By LANCE LAHNERT Walking into a high school gym in the state of Texas means walking into a place with a wall of banners honoring past teams. Most schools proudly display a banner touting one, or maybe two, Texas high school state basketball championships . Not in Nazareth. A large gym wall can barely contain the banners telling the story of the prowess of the Nazareth Swiftettes’ success, so impressive and eye-opening it’s known statewide and nationally. The 2019-20 season for the Nazareth Swiftettes girls basketball team added another chapter to the “Texas Title Town” that is tiny Nazareth, a community of 300 located an hour drive south of Amarillo. Celebrating the Swiftettes’ 24th state championship March 7 at San Antonio’s Alamodome are Addie Dyer, left, April In making the schools’ 29th Schmucker, Merry Gerber, Makenzy Corrales, Emma Kleman, assistant coach Kelsi Pittillo, Cambrie Heiman and state tournament appearance head coach Eric Schmucker. (Photo by Cindy Huseman) and winning an astonishing Alarmed? Worried? What’s wrong with Naz? Not at all. Texas state record 24 th state The opening loss was to two-time defending Class 5A state championship, things from the outside may look like yet another champion Amarillo High. Then Vega in overtime by three points, cookie-cutter Swiftette season. along with a 16-point loss to Lubbock Home School. But in reality, each Nazareth season is different with its own “Not really alarmed,” Schilling said. “We knew with the challenges, and 2019-20 fit that mold. schedule we had, that could happen. It’s tough to win those games, Nazareth girls head basketball coach/athletic director Eric and the girls realize that. The Vega game was tough because we Schilling knows all about the tradition. had a lot of turnovers and shot terrible from the free throw line, He’s lived it pretty much his whole life. and whenever you go overtime, those are things you can look at Schilling is a Naz native, graduating from Nazareth High School and that could have easily made it go the other way.” in 2003, and 2020-2021 will be his 10th as head girls coach. The Amarillo High loss was by 72-38. That’s 34 points, but Schilling knew entering last season his team had the usual it’s a tradition Schilling never wants to see end. He wants to play target on its back and a tad of added pressure trying to pull off one of the best 5A programs in Texas – and a school with almost a four-peat of Class 1A state championships. 2,000 more students – as long as AHS girls basketball coach Jeff Surprisingly, the topic of winning state is an obvious goal, Williams is on board. but never chatted up much. “We do try to schedule tough games early,” Schilling said. “But “We really don’t talk about state championships,” Schilling we step on the floor expecting to win. And the girls always rise said. “Basketball is a game. Games can go either way. We try to up to it. They aren’t scared of it. They understand the big picture focus on ourselves individually and as a team to put ourselves in benefit of it, too. I always tell Jeff I want to keep playing this that situation of things you can control. That’s our focus. game. As long as you think you are getting something out of it.” “What we do talk about is being the best player, being the best Williams said that in his 17 years at AHS, he has scheduled teammate you can be and seeing where that puts us.” Nazareth every year and never wants the game to end. His teams Traditional tough schedule are talented, and last year was no different as the Sandies reached Led by four-year starter and all-state returning guard/forward the 5A regional finals in the bid for a state three-peat. Williams 6-0 Cambrie Heiman, along with a defensive-minded mentality, said the Naz game is special to him and his players because Naz promptly started its season by losing three of its first four of the personal tie he has to Nazareth, the Naz tradition and the games. competition his team is guaranteed to see. (Continued on next page)

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

“We know for sure what we are going to get when we play Naz,” said Williams, whose mom grew up in Nazareth, resulting in his experiencing many a day in and around the town. “They are going to play hard. They are going to guard you as good as any team will all year. We have to pressure and press them, because if they get you in their half-court offense, they are going to dissect you up. They are so disciplined and know all the multiple options they have off screens. Really, it’s impressive. Eric does such a great job with those girls and always has them ready. “I’m tellin’ ya, we get a lot out of that game. I know it’s 1A vs. 5A. But I also know the story. I have relatives who live there, and they are passionate about that team. It’s an amazing feat what they have accomplished. Even the shooting tops they wear are cool where they have a star on them for how many state championships won. Right now they are short-sleeve tops, but I think they may have to go long-sleeve here shortly.” They grow up with it Schilling said the Naz tradition is real and that the community support is so good, it’s almost unreal. While Schilling doesn’t talk winning state championships often with his players, he does talk tradition. “I think it definitely helps that as little kids in Nazareth, they are definitely involved with our program,” Schilling said. “We even talk now as current players how you are setting the stage for those little ones up in the stands. So what kind of legacy do you want to leave? I tell our girls, even when you leave this program you are going to be a part of it. So what mark do you want to leave? Hopefully, it’s in a positive way.” Positively, those on the outside may have said, “What’s up with Naz?” 14 games in as the Swiftettes’ record stood at 7-7. But the other four Naz losses were to 2A power Panhandle, legendary 4A Canyon and former Naz coach Joe Lombard, eventual 2A state champion Gruver and Class 6A Tascosa. Schilling and his players loved the competition. What Schilling saw was a team that could play defense, and he knew that would bode well down the line against a hungry group of playoff teams wanting to deny Naz a four-peat. “Defense, obviously, is something we always rely on,” Schilling said. “That’s where it starts for us. That was definitely the starting point for us. When you have April Schmucker and Emma Kleman out on the perimeter, Nazareth girls coach Eric Schilling monitors the action in the Swiftettes’ they can pressure anybody and are smart about it. When you state title victory over Lipan March 7 at the Alamodome. Joining him on have that in the front court, the bench was assistant coach Kelsi that puts pressure on any team Pittillo. (Photo by Cindy Huseman)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Nazareth’s Addie Dyer drives against Lipan in the Class 1A state championship game March 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Dyer and the Swiftettes won, 44-31. (Photo by Cindy Huseman)

just to get in their offense. Amy Schilderink didn’t get a lot of credit at the post. She didn’t score a lot but was somebody who was tough to ever take off the floor, because she would match up against our opponent’s best inside player. She was quick, aggressive and has a great sense defensively. “You have those three, then Cambrie Heiman out there with great defensive instincts and Merry Gerber is somebody that’s improved on defense as well. That was just the starters. We had others off the bench that came in and provided that spark. That was something we definitely could play, and that was defense. “Then offensively, we were balanced as we have ever been inside and out. We had players that could score multiple ways and really spread it out. That was a big part of what we did.” Naz would win 22 of its next 23 games after the Tascosa loss put its record at 7-7. But during the remarkable 22-1 run Naz had to prove its heart, its will to win, because bumps arrived in the form of an injury and close games. The Swiftettes went undefeated through District 3-1A. It marked Naz’s seventh straight district title and stretched its district winning streak to 78 in a row On the Ropes again Those numbers alone are worth a story, but when state championships can be counted in dozens, the Naz remarkable district record takes a back seat. Naz reached the Region 1A girls tournament in Levelland with playoff wins over McLean (55-31) and Higgins (44-25). The fact that Naz was playing Ropes from Ropesville was no surprise. It was the third year a row the two had met at regionals. (Continued on next page)

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Ropes was sick of losing to Naz, and the game played out that way. The two were tied at the half, 19-19, and after three quarters Naz led, 35-34. With Cambrie Heiman scoring a game-high 21 points and Schilderink chipping in 10, Naz handed Ropes just its third loss of the season, 46-44. Schilling was thrilled with this one, for many reasons. “Ropes was the team in the back our minds that we felt like we would get to see,” Schilling said. “To play them three years in a row, that’s not easy to do. As good a program as they have, and that was pretty much the same team three years in a row. “We were fortunate to come out on top. I think the year before, we beat them by 35 points, but we weren’t 35 points better except on that day. We knew they were coming for us. I’ve gone back and watched that game several times, because it’s such a fun game to watch. “We had a game plan to leave some girls open outside, and that may have driven some people crazy, but we had to defend the post because they were so good. The game plan worked, and the girls followed it to the T. And then it came down to that last possession. We were able to get a rebound and turnover and run the clock out. That was a huge statement game for us, because a lot of people thought it was going to be Ropes.” Ankle sprain for leading scorer Up next was New Home, and while Naz won 37-30, advancing to its 29th state tournament since 1976, the game was like no other for the Swiftettes. Early in the contest, Heiman suffered a bad ankle sprain. Naz’s leading scorer for the regional semifinals and for the year was gone. Of course, Schilling was concerned, but he knows his players, and he knew what was about to happen. “The way the girls approach the game is they don’t get rattled, they don’t get caught up in everything; they just do what they are asked to do,” Schilling said. “The composure they show is unreal. That helps me so much and helps everybody. But they have been there, and they had bigger things they wanted to accomplish. “For sure I was concerned about the finals after an emotional game like that. But it was more about how New Home was rolling. They had beaten a bunch of good teams to get there and knocked off Claude at the buzzer. So they had a bunch of momentum, too.

Merry Gerber of Nazareth heads to the Swiftettes’ offensive end of the court in Naz’s state semifinal win over Veribest March 5 at the Alamodome. (Photo by Cindy Huseman)

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Swiftette Emma Kleman maneuvers against a Lipan defender in Nazareth’s state championship game March 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (Photo by Cindy Huseman)

“Three minutes in, we are up 10-2 and Cambrie suffers the bad ankle sprain. New Home was the hottest team in the state. It wasn’t a fun night, but we battled and made big play after big play.” It was on to state for Naz, going for a four-peat in the spacious Alamodome in San Antonio. The Swiftettes’ seminal opponent was Veribest, a team making its first-ever state appearance. Despite no Heiman in the lineup, Nazareth pounced quickly, its defense stealing the show as the catalyst for a 16-2 lead at the end of the first quarter, and it was pretty much game, set, match by halftime with Naz up 28-8. Naz won 43-23, holding Veribest to 8-of-27 (29.6 percentage) shooting from the floor and never allowing more than eight points in a quarter. “Hats off to Coach Eric Schilling and Naz for what they have done,” said Veribest coach Chris Schlicke. “They’ve accomplished that as a really good defensive team.” Naz also did it by dominating the boards 31-14, led by Schilderink with 7 and five players between 4 and 7 rebounds. Addie Dyer was the leading scorer with 13, Merry Gerber chipped in 8, and Schilderink added 7. “We felt like we could try it without Cambrie, and the game plan was to defend, defend and defend,” Schilling said. “It worked. Veribest is a good team. They are young and will continue to be good. “We wanted Cambrie out there. This was her last go. But she tried and was hobbling around out there. She really showed what kind of teammate she was, turning into the biggest cheerleader. Younger girls had to step up, and she was right there in their ear, helping them out. That’s things people don’t realize.” Defense finishes Lipan Lipan loomed in the state final. Earlier in the year, the two had met with Nazareth winning, 50-42. Lipan came out determined, and the slow first half ended with Nazareth ahead 6-4. But the Swiftettes weren’t to be denied state title No. 24 and a fourpeat, going on a 16-0 run that netted a 25-14 lead. Nazareth eventually won 44-31 with Emma Kleman leading the scoring with 11 followed by Makenzy Corrales with 8 and Addie Dyer adding 7.

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

10th state championship

Lady Lions regroup, win title By DAVE WOHLFARTH Imagine being thrust into a coaching job halfway through the season. The team you’re suddenly directing was expected to repeat as a state champion. But it has just lost its head coach and one of its two best players. And the team has just dropped five games in a row. That’s where Paige Buchanan found herself. She had been a first-year assistant to Trinity Christian Coach Nick Catherman. When Catherman resigned from the Lubbock private school, Buchanan was asked to take over right before the Lady Lions were scheduled to play in Lubbock’s Caprock Tournament in late December 2019. “She was put in a situation that she wasn’t necessarily expecting or prepared for,” said Trinity Christian Athletic Director Josh Bailey. Bailey declined to give the reason for Catherman’s resignation. “It was a resignation; he resigned,” Bailey said. Likewise, Buchanan said, “I don’t know that I can discuss that. It was sudden and unexpected.” Regardless of the reason, Coach Catherman’s exit had another ramification. His daughter, Lauren Catherman, transferred to Lubbock Monterey. As a senior point guard, Lauren Catherman was a team leader. She had averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 5 steals the previous season as the Lady Lions captured the TAPPS Class 4A state championship. She since has signed to play at St. Edward’s University in Austin. “We lost our coach and one of our better players,” Bailey said. That put Buchanan in a tough spot. “Yes, it was,” she said. “It was hard.”

Then-sophomore Adlee Blacklock moves around an opponent during the 2019-20 season. Blacklock averaged 21.3 points and 6.7 rebounds for Trinity Christian. (Photo by Maddie Q’s Photography) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Coach Paige Buchanan encourages the Trinity Christian Lady Lions, who wound up the 2020 playoffs as TAPPS Class 4A state champions. Buchanan moved from assistant coach to head coach in the middle of the season and brought success out of uncertainty. (Photo courtesy Trinity Christian School)

The first thing she did was conduct a sit-down meeting with the team. “I talked to the seniors, and we decided that everybody was committed to stepping up and doing what they had to do and change their roles a little bit on the team,” Buchanan said. “Every player had to do that in order for us to adjust to one of our main players leaving, and we had to figure out which direction we were going.” She changed the offense to make it more team-centered rather than star-centered. “We went to more of a motion offense to try to get different players open, not just a couple,” she said. She also installed 5-5 sophomore Bonne Busby in the starting lineup as point guard, Lauren Catherman’s old spot. The Lady Lions won their first game with Buchanan as their interim coach but then continued to sputter. Their district had been reduced to two teams because the third school, Midland Trinity, pulled out right before the season began. Under Buchanan’s watch, the Lady Lions lost both games to district rival Lubbock Christian to finish 0-2. Neither loss was that close. By the time the playoffs rolled around, Trinity Christian stood 13-19, losers of six of their past seven games, and appeared to be going nowhere. The playoffs were different Suddenly, the Lady Lions turned it around. They blasted Kennedale Fellowship Academy 81-40 in the first playoff round. “We found our momentum in the first playoff game, and we were able to carry that all the way to the end,” Buchanan said. “We had a great game, and all of our players played really well. That fueled the momentum.” (Continued on next page)

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The Lady Lions rode that momentum in the person of Adlee Blacklock through the second playoff game, a 99-27 shellacking of Dallas Shelton. Back when the 2019-20 season began, the Lady Lions had a potent one-two punch in senior Catherman and 6-0 sophomore guard Blacklock, who had averaged 17.5 points the year before. Catherman left, but Blacklock stayed during the mid-season coaching upheaval. Blacklock had a big game against Shelton, hitting 18 field goals and 14 of 16 free throws for 50 points as Trinity Christian earned a return ticket to the TAPPS state tournament. As the Lady Lions prepared for their trip to Waco for state, they received an unexpected boost from the boys basketball staff. “After our boys team lost their second playoff game, they offered any kind of help that I might have needed,” Buchanan said. So head boys Coach Brandon Gilbert and assistants Spencer Sutton and Aaron Gaskins all helped with the girls’ practices that week. “They also went to the state tournament with us,” Buchanan said. “They sat on the bench, and that was a motivator and encourager for the girls.” Even with the added expertise, the Lady Lions faced long odds in their state semifinals. Trinity Christian, 15-20 at that point, was matched against district champ Lubbock Christian (22-7). What’s more, Lubbock Christian had won the two regular season meetings by a total of 18 points. But after the Lady Lions’ romp over Dallas Shelton, Buchanan said, “We felt pretty good going into the Lubbock Christian game.” Third time’s the charm Indeed. Trinity Christian pulled ahead, maintained a tight lead and held on for a 54-49 win over Lubbock Christian. “We were finally able to execute our game plan, and the girls stayed focused the whole game instead of losing their focus at halftime,” Buchanan said. “They stayed locked in on the game plan, and they never wavered.” Blacklock scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win. The finals were anticlimactic. The Lady Lions crushed Austin’s Texas School for the Deaf 50-25 to take their second straight TAPPS Class 4A state championship. It was the school’s 10th state title. But this one came with a losing record. The Lady Lions finished the season 17-20. Buchanan agreed that winning a state championship with a sub-.500 record was unusual. Bailey said that no matter what the record, and without Lauren Catherman in the rotation, Buchanan did a great job of bringing the girls together and getting them to believe in themselves. “The talent was there to win the whole thing,” he said, “and the girls did that.” The talent consisted of two seniors and three sophomores. Buchanan’s starters were 5-8 senior posts Payton Dove and Harleigh Brewer and sophomores Blacklock, Busby and Claire Simpson, a 5-6 guard. Blacklock finished the season with fantastic statistics. She averaged 21.3 points and 6.7 rebounds. She also had 86 assists, 44 steals and 43 blocked shots. Obviously a Division I college prospect, she holds offers from many schools. She has committed verbally to Oregon State. 20

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The Trinity Christian Lady Lions relax before leaving Lubbock for the TAPPS Class 4A state basketball tournament in Waco, which they won for the school’s 10th girls state championship. (Photo courtesy Trinity Christian School)

Participating in a summer basketball camp in July, however, Blacklock tore her ACL and was expected to miss her entire junior season. Busby wound up as the Lady Lions’ second leading scorer and “did a great job” of running the offense, according to Buchanan. Riley Cox, Jasmine Wadsworth, Gracin Bonner, Audrey Gaskins and Zaiah Buchanan (the interim coach’s daughter) provided some depth off the bench. Basketball background Paige Buchanan grew up playing basketball. She played at Frenship High School and one year at Lubbock Christian University. She transferred to Texas Tech, then graduated from Hardin-Simmons University. She coached her kids in a couple of basketball leagues, then came to Trinity Christian three years ago and coached the junior high and seventh-grade girls teams. She teaches health and history in the middle school. Despite her success in guiding the Lady Lions, Buchanan has no ambition to be the team’s head coach. She was offered that position last spring but declined. Instead, Bailey will be the Lady Lions’ coach this season and continue as TC’s athletic director. “When we approached her about taking the head coaching job, she said it was a little bit out of her comfort zone,” Bailey said. “She’s totally happy to be an assistant coach.” Buchanan agreed. “I don’t believe that’s my calling,” she said. “I just filled a role during that time, and we needed that role filled. I’m much more comfortable being the assistant.” Buchanan deflected any personal credit for the Lady Lions’ success. Instead, she said she was proud of the girls. “They bought in, and they went all in. They worked hard and demonstrated grit the whole season,” she said. “They supported each other and learned how to be good teammates. And sometimes, that’s not always easy. I don’t think we would have been as successful as we were if they had not decided to be good teammates to one another.” 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Higgins school closes

Coyotes go out with a howl By DAVE WOHLFARTH When James Robertson drives by the Higgins School, he can’t help but notice that there’s not a car in the parking lot. “That had a bigger impact on me than I thought it would,” said the former Lipscomb County sheriff. Robertson and other longtime Higgins residents are missing an old friend. The parking lot is empty because the school is closed. The numbers in the K-through-12 school fell below the state-mandated 90 students minimum. Voters in a May election officially approved consolidating Higgins into the Canadian ISD. The closing brought back a plethora of memories for Robertson, retired County Judge Willis Smith and retired farmer/rancher Clifford Schwab, who all played for the Coyotes basketball team back in the day. And that’s pronounced kai-oats, not kai-oh-teez. But before recalling those reminiscences, there’s a sweeter, more recent memory in Higgins basketball lore, thanks to a dedicated basketball mom, Carla Watson. Watson had two twin daughters playing on the Higgins girls team and a son on the boys squad. She was an assistant under J.K. Hester, who was coaching both Higgins teams last fall. Watson also was the cheerleading coach and a cafeteria worker. Plus, she’s the mother of six. After the Coyotes’ first game against Hedley, Hester abruptly resigned. No one would say why. So Watson was thrust into coaching both the girls and boys teams. She had never coached before, but she was a good enough player for Higgins (1992-1996) to earn a college scholarship, which she turned down. Watson’s twins – seniors Cora and Cara – were the leaders for the Lady Coyotes. Cora, a 5-3 senior guard, averaged 21 points, 3 steals and 7 rebounds. Cara, older by seven minutes and an inch taller, contributed 11 points and 9 rebounds from her forward position. Obviously, they worked well together. “Where one was, the other one knew,” their coach/mom said. District title in last year The Lady Coyotes were a perfect 10-0 in District 1-1A, winning a rare championship for the school. The Watson twins plus seniors Averi Durham and Dakota Suit had made the playoffs every year since they were freshmen, but they never had finished first in the district. There were 10 girls on the team when the season began, but one tore her ACL in the first game and was lost for the season. Depth was a problem. “We didn’t press a lot,” Coach Watson said. “We played a 2-3, and I had my two tall girls (the 5-10 Durham and 5-6 junior 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

In the 2020 area game, the Higgins girls defeated Wildorado 63-57 to put a positive stamp on the school’s last basketball season after the Coyote boys had won their last game, 37-31 over Follett. The boys’ victory was the last game in the Higgins gym as the school closed later in the year. Pictured at Pampa after the area win are, front row: Taylor O’Neil, Alyssa O’Neil, Cara Watson, Cora Watson, Marisa Vallejo and Coach Carla Watson; back row: Macy Denney, Averi Durham, Mattaley King, Dakota Suit and Janessa Barbee. (Gringo Loco Photography)

forward Matty King) just man up. And we ran ’em stupid most of the time. We would just run, run, run.” Because of their district title, the Lady Coyotes earned a first-round bye in the playoffs. In the area game, they knocked off Wildorado 63-57 behind Cora Watson’s 15 points and King’s 14. That marked the first time the Higgins girls had won a playoff game in 32 years. They had been in the playoffs numerous times but never had won one in all that time. The big win set the scene for a match against powerful Nazareth in the regional quarterfinals in Panhandle. Naz entered the game with the No.1 Class 1A ranking in the state and was the holder of three straight state championships and 23 in its storied history. The Lady Coyotes stayed with the Swiftettes for a half, trailing just 19-16 at intermission. But the Swiftettes pulled away in the second half for a 44-25 decision. Naz, of course, added another state crown 11 days later. Low attendance resulted in the Higgins school district consolidating into the Canadian district after the “Up until the middle of the third quarter, 2019-20 school year, leaving an empty school – and gym. (Photo by Willis Smith)

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we gave ’em a run for their money. They were nervous,” Coach Watson said. “I just didn’t have the depth they had on the bench.” That capped a 22-4 season for the Lady Coyotes. Not bad for the basketball mom. “I don’t know how I did it,” she said. “I just did it.” Clifford Schwab called it the “best season we ever had.” Last game in Higgins gym Things weren’t so bright on the boys side. But they had a great home finale. The 2019-20 Coyotes didn’t win many games. They lost a bunch, including a couple of forfeits. But Coach Watson had only five boys, including a couple of freshmen who never had played basketball before, on the team. Her son, Jayden, a 5-7 freshman guard, had played some. When one or two Coyotes fouled out, Higgins had to finish the game short of players. Such was the case on Feb. 7, the same night the girls were awarded their gold ball for winning district. It was the last game played in the Higgins gym, and it was against Follett, the Coyotes’ county rival 25 miles up Texas Highway 1454. Sure enough, two players fouled out and Higgins had to play a large part of the fourth quarter with three Coyotes on the court and two on the bench. Follett kept pressing and kept five players in the game until backing off to four players at the end. Somehow, Higgins hung on for a 37-31 victory before a packed house. It was a happy ending to a sad school closing. Coach Watson called the game “the neatest.” Watson, who now works in a Shattuck, Oklahoma, hospital, 18 miles from Higgins, was asked about her thoughts when the school’s closing became common knowledge. “It wasn’t easy,” she said. “All my kids, except one, attended

Clifford Schwab, left, James Robertson and Willis Smith all played basketball for the Higgins Coyotes and still live in the Lipscomb County community. (Photo by Dave Wohlfarth)

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Twins Cora (11), left, and Cara Watson (33), daughters of Coach Carla Watson, helped the Lady Coyotes to the 2020 Class 1A area championship in a win over Wildorado at the Pampa gym. It was Higgins’ first playoff victory in 32 years. (Photos by Thomas D. Carver/Gringo Loco Photography)

school here. Three graduated. My husband and I both graduated here. And half my family.” Families have deep roots The Higgins roots run deep with Smith, Schwab and Robertson, too. Smith played for the Coyotes from 1959 to 1963. After graduating from Texas Tech with a degree in marketing, he served in the Army for two years, worked for Motorola in Dallas, then was transferred to Los Angeles but eventually moved back to Higgins to help operate the family ranch. He ran for county judge in 1986, was elected and began serving in January of 1987. That term lasted 32 years. As a senior in high school, he played on Higgins’ district championship team. But back then, all the conference teams had to play in a round-robin tournament at the end of the season to determine which one team would earn a berth in the playoffs. On the last play of the tourney finals win over Darrouzett, the Coyotes’ point guard was shoved inadvertently into the wall and broke his wrist. The wall was about six inches from the out-ofbounds line in the small gym. The Higgins point guard missed the bidistrict loss to Miami. Schwab, who played for the Coyotes from 1953 to 1957, told another story from the district’s round-robin tourney at the end of the season. Higgins, located just a mile from the Oklahoma border, picked up four players from an Oklahoma school that consolidated into Higgins in Schwab’s senior year. That team won the district but was in deep doo-doo when it trailed host Follett by 18 points at halftime in the district tourney. That’s when the Coyote coach walked into the tiny Higgins dressing quarters. Schwab recalls the coach’s ultimatum: “He said, ‘All right, you guys, if we lose this game, we’re going to have to play Darrouzett, and I’ll forfeit before we play at their gym, because we beat them three times this year, and I don’t want to play them again, because I’m afraid they’d beat us.’ He turned around and walked out.” The stunned Coyotes vowed to make up the lost ground. That they did, cutting the deficit to nine points entering the final quarter. Finally, Higgins prevailed on a basket by Schwab as the (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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final buzzer sounded. Was it a layup or a long shot? “It was a fluke,” Schwab answered. “Our two main centers had fouled out. Our third-string center was in, and he was kinda nervous at the time. I told him to throw it to me, and he hesitated and finally threw it in the air, and I had to jump. And I just jumped and slapped it, and it went in. Anyway, it was pretty exciting.” Schwab, who spent most of his life farming and ranching near Higgins, played his home games at the old school before the current Higgins school was built in the mid-1960s. The gym in the old school was so small – not regulation in length – that a line about a third of the way down the court served as the half-court line. Robertson, on the other hand, played his home basketball games in the newer building. His Coyote teams won district “a time or two,” and he remembered some spirited rivalries with nearby Oklahoma schools Arnett and Shattuck. He participated in baseball, too. He recalled having to wear itchy, wool uniforms – hand-me-downs from the American Legion team. “The town got blown away in 1947 by a tornado. They had to rebuild and everything,” Robertson said. “Superintendent back then said it was too costly to build a football field and everything. So we had to settle for basketball and baseball.” Town has lost population Robertson later spent 23 years as head of the five-person sheriff’s department that was responsible for the four towns in Lipscomb County. He’s seen the town lose population – from 900 back in the 1960s to fewer than 400 today – as the oil and gas prospects decreased. “Then you lose your school, and the rest of the people leave because there’s a lot of people don’t want their kids to ride a bus

The Lady Coyotes celebrate their district championship on Feb. 7, 2020, on the last night of basketball in the Higgins gym. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

With the school closing, the Higgins gym hosted its last game on Feb. 7, 2020. It was a 37-31 victory for the Coyotes in the boys game against rival Follett. (Photo by Willis Smith)

for 25 or 50 miles a day,” Robertson said. “And there’s no jobs around here, so ... but it’s just the way it is; small communities just fade away.” Smith said there’s still lots of oil around Higgins, but no one is drilling any new wells. Agriculture and ranching also have taken a hit because it takes a big operation to be successful. “Used to be every ranch would have a family on it,” he said. “Now one guy can get 15 sections plowed and feed all the cows.” Smith estimated that four or five years ago, there were 150 to 160 students in the Higgins school. Last year the school population plunged below the mandated 90. Recently, he walked down the school’s empty hallway. “It echoed through those little classrooms, all those school books and those reading books for those little kids,” Smith said, “and all those class pictures.” Schwab called the school closing an emotional blow to the people who have grown up and lived in and near Higgins. “The school is kinda the backbone of the community,” he said. “There was no television or anything back then, so that was a great chance for people to get out. They enjoyed it and supported the team very well. The gym was packed.” “It was a fun time, even though we were as poor as we were back then.” The fun times may be over in Higgins, but the memories will last. Special Features

Director pays it forward

Hoop 10 offers training, experience By MIKE HAYNES Johnna Pointer loves being on a basketball court as much as she did when she represented Shallowater on the UIL state all-tournament team in 1988 or when she averaged 12.8 points a game as a senior guard for the Texas Longhorns. Since her high school and college playing days, she has been a professional in Germany, an assistant coach at UT-Austin and the University of Colorado and a winning head coach at Wayland Baptist University and Frank Phillips College. And for the past two decades, Pointer has passed on her knowledge and experience to young girls and boys through Hoop 10, a training and competition program based in Amarillo that attracts participants from all over the Texas Panhandle and South Plains and even Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado. “My favorite thing still is being on the court, working with kids,” she said. “To me there’s nothing better than having a group of kids and helping them develop their skills and improve as players and hopefully build their confidence.” Pointer, director of Hoop 10, has years of administrative experience, organizing leagues and tournaments and running a business. “There’s a lot of things we have to do outside of the gym,” she said. “But inside the gym, when all the balls are bouncing, that’s still my passion.” Hoop 10’s home gym is Amarillo Netplex, a basketball/ volleyball facility at 4101 Hillside Road in Amarillo that features two large buildings with space for several games or practices at one time for both sports. “We’re able to do so much more having a facility like this. We feel so thankful to get to call Netplex our home,” Pointer said. “First and foremost, people just know where to find us. If you don’t have a home, you’re kind of scattered all over just scrambling for gyms. To call this our home is huge. This is where we do all of our trainings, all of our camps, all of our clinics.” She said Amarillo, in the middle of the Panhandle on I-40, is a good location for young people from the area and surrounding

The courts of the Amarillo Netplex can be set up for basketball, volleyball or other activities. The facility is located at 4101 Hillside Road in Amarillo.

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The two buildings of the Amarillo Netplex Sports Facility and Event Center contain five basketball courts and 10 volleyball courts and are home to Hoop 10, which provides basketball instruction, teams and leagues for thousands of girls and boys each year.

states. “We draw a lot of teams from here in town, but we constantly have out-of-state teams coming in, because they know great basketball is here,” she said. “They know they’re going to come get good competition, play against quality teams. They like traveling here. We always know we’re going to get a good response from our New Mexico and Colorado and Oklahoma teams.” Johnna Pointer Pointer said the interest and commitment are impressive. “It’s amazing – the dedication of not only the kids but of the parents to make the effort to get them here,” she said. “I’ll always have a high level of respect for those people that are making that commitment to travel here.” Players learn, gain playing experience Hoop 10 offers a variety of activities: small-group training, camps, clinics, teams, leagues and tournaments. “It is definitely year-round,” Pointer said. “I have a T-shirt that says, ‘Basketball never stops,’ and that’s pretty true, because the kids in this area love the game and want to play any chance they can get. We’ve always got something going on.” The program draws more girls than boys, but plenty of boys participate. The Netplex hosted an October league with 800 boys playing. For boys and girls, Pointer’s staff of experienced coaches do training and skill development while offering the chance to (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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play on Hoop 10 teams and in tournaments. “With 30 teams, we have quite a staff,” she said. “That’s one of the things that sets Hoop 10 apart and one of the things I’m most proud of. We’re fortunate that most of our coaches have college playing experience. Most of our coaches, that’s their profession. They coach in school, and in the summer they come and coach for us as another way to give back and be involved in the game.” Players, especially on the girls side, also have opportunities to be noticed by recruiters. “We’ll have area college coaches that come even to our local tournaments,” Pointer said. “But when we travel to NCAA events, showcases, big national tournaments, we will have our teams on a stage, or on a platform, to definitely play in front of college coaches. “We go to a big event in Frisco called Super 64, and there probably are 500 teams there. So you’re at an event with 500 teams, and every college coach you can think of is there.” She believes the local training and games, with proper safety measures, are especially valuable as COVID-19 disrupts normal social activities. “Especially during this crazy time, it’s almost become bigger than basketball,” she said. “We’ve always known that you can use basketball to teach a lot of life skills and lessons. We feel like we’re in a situation now that kids and families really need the opportunity to get in a gym and be with their friends and play the game that they love in a safe environment and just feel normal for the two hours that they’re here, for the day that they’re here. “We’re taking that to heart and doing everything we can to keep the doors open and provide for kids, whether it’s a league, whether it’s a camp, or it’s a tournament, whatever it might be.”

Top: Hoop 10 Director Johnna Pointer poses with a group of young girls at the Amarillo Netplex. Bottom: Hoop 10 Boys Director Jason Cooper joins a group of high school girls after they had tournament success.

Putting in work pays off Many high school coaches see the benefit of the extra court time their players get at Hoop 10. Top: The Hoop 10 program includes hundreds “It’s really changed even in the 20 years of boys as well as girls. Bottom: High school girls gain skills and experience at Hoop 10 in since I’ve been doing it,” Pointer said. “There’s addition to what they learn on their school many more kids playing, and on a positive note, teams. it seems like sports is kind of the cool thing to do. A lot of girls will be up here doing both, balancing basketball season and volleyball season and wanting to try to have a career in both. “They’re starting young, and they’re putting the work in. I think that’s why we have so many good teams out here. All these teams from the area that you see doing well year-in and year-out, they have the kids that are putting the work in. “Obviously those are good programs, but I see kids spending a lot of time in the gym and it paying off when they do get to middle school and high school and then being able to contribute 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

to their high school programs.” Pointer the player excelled wherever she put on her basketball shoes. She scored 2,362 points at Shallowater, twice was All-Southwest Conference at Texas and played at Olympic Sports Festivals and for Athletes in Action. Her head coaching record at Wayland Baptist was 155-48, and she was 43-17 at Frank Phillips. She is putting that knowhow to work at Hoop 10. “Basketball just opened so many doors for me with the opportunity to play in college and overseas and to even get to coach at the college level,” she said. “Every day, I just look at this as an opportunity to give back to the game that has given me so much. “It truly started as a vision. We thought there needed to be resources for young basketball players to get extra training, extra playing experience. I think the first year I had five teams under the Hoop 10 name, and now we’re up to about 30 teams a year from girls and boys from the third grade to high school seniors. “We just love the opportunity to work with kids and have an impact on them through basketball. We’ve helped a number of kids get to play basketball at the next level. That’s a big thing that we do, especially for kids in this area, get them to exposure events where they have a chance to play in front of college coaches and hopefully have the awesome opportunity to play at that next level.” As Pointer walked out of the Netplex facility one mid-afternoon in October, she observed, “It’s so quiet up here in the day, but about 4 o’clock…” Someone speculated that she would be hearing basketballs bouncing and shoes squeaking on the shiny courts. Her reply? “Best sound ever.” +++ For more information or to contact Hoop 10, go to hoop10.com.

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Turning the Big 5-0

Golden Spread All-Star games reach golden age By LANCE LAHNERT The music was much different. So was the length of the basketball shorts. And only girls were allowed. When the Golden Spread Basketball All-Star games made their debut in 1970, the idea was hatched to be a part of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament hosted by the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. Who knew at that time the all-star games featuring senior high school girls would become a Texas Panhandle tradition, survive the departure of the WNIT, add boys all-stars and reach the age of the Big Five O? Oh, yeah, and survive a pandemic. Sometime next spring the 50th Annual Golden Spread All-Star basketball games are scheduled to play out in a gym somewhere in Amarillo or Canyon. That is, if things are back to normal at that time from COVID, says Alton McCormick, the 31-year president of the Golden Spread All-Star games whose leadership has been a key reason for the continued Golden Spread success. “Hopefully, we can get it done this year if we can find a facility,” said McCormick, who recently retired from officiating basketball after 40 years of service. “Of course, right now it will be limited on fans.” Actually the Golden Spread All-Star games have been around 51 years, but next spring will be the 50th game because of the cancellation of the 2020 event last April when COVID shut down the United States. “We couldn’t get any facilities because of COVID,” McCormick said. “Of course, everything shut down, so we understood. The sad part is the kids from last year didn’t get to participate. Those seniors didn’t get the chance to play. But there is nothing you can do; you have to go with the flow. Life doesn’t always give you what you want.” What McCormick and his staff wanted, and hopefully will accomplish next spring, is a celebration of the 50th Golden Spread event. Started as girls only Over the 50 years, thousands of high school seniors have participated in the games, which started out in conjunction with the WNIT and have been played in the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum and the First United Bank Center in Canyon. The WNIT was the women’s version of the NCAA men’s college National Invitation Tournament, and teams not making the NCAA tournament were invited to Amarillo. When the WNIT moved on in the 1980s, the Golden Spread expanded the tournament to include boys and remains 26

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High school girls from various points across the Panhandle chase a rebound in the 2017 Golden Spread All-Star tournament at the First United Bank Center on the West Texas A&M campus. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

with the same format of four 10-player girls teams and four 10-player boys teams. Each team plays two games, with the semifinal winners advancing to the finals, while the two teams losing in the semis play a consolation game. In 1995, McCormick and his committee added a Golden Spread All-Star volleyball event which normally plays out in December. “I can’t imagine counting up the number of players who have played in the Golden Spread,” McCormick said. “If I go somewhere and I’m out and about in a town around here, they will come up to you and talk about playing in the games. They just don’t forget. “Now we get kids whose parent played in it. That happens a lot. Like a few years ago, Jake Gerber from Nazareth played in this, and his mom had played in it. That’s so cool to see.” College coaches are invited to attend the all-star games as a chance to sign the players to a scholarship or as an invited walk-on. McCormick said that’s the main passion for the committee to keep the Golden Spread games going. “What it’s done is allowed those players around who might not have been seen by college coaches – they can now be seen,” McCormick said. “Of course, it’s changed with AAU and all, where you get seen. Look at Suni Jo Petty; she is Suni Jo Soliz Officials of the Golden Spread All-Star tournament keep now. She got a full ride at WT from Coach tabs on a game at the First United Bank Center on the West Texas A&M campus. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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At left, Angel Hayden of Canyon pursues Callie Crockett of McLean in one of the 2017 Golden Spread All-Star games at the First United Bank Center at West Texas A&M. At right, John Haynes of McLean is guarded closely as he shoots in a Golden Spread All-Star game in 2007 in the same gym. (Photos by Mike Haynes) (Continued from previous page)

Bob Schneider after playing in the games. When you see kids like that who get impacted that way and get seen and then go off and play somewhere, it’s just pretty awesome.” Games have relaxed rules

Remember these are all-star games – which tend be an offensive highlight show and high scoring – so rules are adjusted. For instance, each player can accumulate six fouls rather than the normal five fouls. The game officials, many who volunteer their time, avoid calling ticky-tack fouls and let the players enjoy the experience. “On Thursday night, both girls games are now played so the coaches can see all the teams on one night rather than split them up like we used to,” McCormick said. “We try to work around things for the college coaches. We don’t allow anyone to play zone. We want them to play man-to-man so the coaches can see how a player reacts. We have some things we require our coaches to do to promote the kids.” The players are selected by the volunteer coaches with help from committee members. The Texas Panhandle area from which players are allowed to be selected are Abernathy (near Lubbock) north to the state line as well as three counties in New Mexico. McCormick has witnessed over and over the feelings of the players who have worn the Golden Spread all-star jersey. “You can’t imagine the appreciation we get from the kids and their parents who play in these games,” McCormick said. “Every one of those kids is appreciative.” Many of the players in the all-star games know this is it; this is their last competitive basketball game. McCormick says that’s a special part of the all-star games. “For some who aren’t going to play in college, it’s kind of their last hurrah,” McCormick said. “They won’t play in another all-star game that year, so it’s a chance to play in front of their family, friends and kids they never get to play with one last time. They might know them, or know who they are; now they get the chance to play with them.” Texas Panhandle camaraderie McCormick said he enjoys each year of helping put the allstars together and sees so much positive coming out of the event. (Continued on next page)

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With college coaches as well as their high school coaches, family and friends watching, the action was intense in a 2017 game of the Golden Spread All-Star tournament at First United Bank Center on the West Texas A&M campus. The annual games, which started in 1970 at the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum, feature senior boys and girls from around the region. (Photos by Mike Haynes)

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“What I’m most proud of is the camaraderie we have between all this talent in the Panhandle,” McCormick said. “To see the love they have for basketball makes you smile. “These all-star games will continue on as we get younger board members. I would hate for it not to keep going another 50 years, and I believe it will. Our plan is to continue to promote these games and promote the kids in the Texas Panhandle.” No doubt, when the 50th Golden Spread All-Star games finally are played, McCormick and his staff want the event to have a special feel around the three days of basketball. “We may come up with a patch for the uniforms, but everything at the facility will have the 50-year on it,” McCormick said. “The

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staff will wear 50 shorts, the tables will all have 50-year signs, everything will be 50 years. “Our original game plan included a banquet. We wanted to invite anybody who has played in the games, coached in the games or had anything to do with games, would be invited and get in free. We were going to make it a big deal.” No exact date has been planned for the 50th Golden Spread, but it will be played eventually, promises McCormick. “It depends when the UIL state championships are,” he said. “If we can do it in April, like we have before, we will. But if we have to push it to later, we will. Hey, it’s 50 years. We have to do it at some point.”

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

With Queens in between

Weese won in Panhandle, on South Plains By DANNY ANDREWS The man who sandwiched two great coaching stints in high school around a stellar six years at Wayland Baptist College used both to cement his place in American basketball history and enshrinement in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Dean Weese was anointed heir to the head coaching job of the famed Hutcherson Flying Queens at the small school in Plainview by his predecessor Harley Redin and the team’s longtime sponsor, Claude Hutcherson. Weese had spoken at Wayland basketball clinics and, bolstered by state championships in 1966, 1971 and 1972 at Spearman in the Texas Panhandle, was a logical choice when Redin decided to retire. Redin’s record of 437-68, six national Amateur Athletic Union championships and six second-place finishes in 18 years would be a tough act to follow. “I really didn’t interview for the job. I guess Harley and Claude just liked what they saw,” chuckled Weese, who turned 85 in September 2020. “Claude flew me and Harley to the Iowa state girls basketball tournament, but we never talked about Harley getting ready to retire. But when he decided to retire (after the 1972-73 season), I think he and Claude knew what they wanted and I felt like it was time for me to go, though I hadn’t been looking for another job at all.” A native of Higgins, about 60 miles southeast of Perryton near the Oklahoma border, he coached one season in his hometown after graduating from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. It happened that his sister, Kay, was a member of the Higgins team.

This photo of the 1977-78 Wayland Flying Queens includes, from left, (front row) Kathy Booth, Kathy Harston, Tina Slinker, Sheri Haynes, (middle row) Jerianne John, Leanne Waddell, Trina Bryant, Breena Caldwell, (back row) Coach Dean Weese, team statistician Jo Ann Weese, Marie Kocurek, Jill Rankin, Elaine Schulte, Valerie Goodwin, assistant coach Shena Cooper and team sponsor Wilda Hutcherson. (Photo courtesy WBU Athletics) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Dean and Jo Ann Weese met friends at Dean’s surprise 84th birthday party in Granbury in September 2019. Friends, family and former players attended the event in Granbury. (Photo courtesy of Danny Andrews)

Success at Spearman Although he got his draft summons for the Army and resigned, he was playing in a semipro baseball game in Shattuck, Oklahoma, when he was offered the girls basketball job at Spearman by the superintendent with the option to coach boys if that job came open. “The superintendent had a friend on the draft board in Perryton and said he could pull some strings to get me a deferment. Anyway, that’s how I got into coaching girls,” Weese recalled. A sought-after catcher by several area teams, Weese had been playing with and against grown men since the eighth grade. “That’s how I got started chewing tobacco,” he laughed, saying he gave up the habit a long time ago. Weese spent 15 years at Spearman High School, coaching the Lynxettes to a record of 444-76 with 13 straight district titles. Before he came to Wayland, he was asked by Redin to be his assistant for the Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia, in 1971. A mix of seven Flying Queens and several AAU players from around the country assembled in Plainview for about a week of workouts before heading to Cali for a week of games. America and Brazil finished with 5-1 records, but Brazil claimed the gold medal by virtue of its 64-60 win over the U.S. in the first game. Weese said the adjustment to coaching the five-player game in Cali and later at the college level wasn’t difficult because his Spearman teams worked equally hard on defense as well as shooting. “I figured if you can’t play 2-on-2 or 3-on-3, you can’t play 5-on-5 or 6-on-6,” said Weese, whose mantra was “Can’t (Continued on next page)

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pass, can’t shoot, can’t play.” “I thought the six-player (divided court) game was a super game. Some folks in Oklahoma threatened to sue to keep the six-player game after most other states except Iowa had adopted the five-player, full-court game. They wanted me to take their side for the six-player game, but all the colleges were going to the five-player game,” Weese said. Before taking the Wayland job, Weese and his wife Jo Ann had been to Plainview to see one of his former players, Marcia Shieldknight. Her sister, Leanne, played a total of eight years for Weese in Spearman and Wayland. Another former Lynxette, Sheila Patterson, also played for him in college. Weese didn’t recall talking about a contract to coach at Wayland, and he wasn’t paid a lot more than he was making at Spearman but looked forward to the new challenge. Jo Ann remembers being included in an interview with President Dr. Roy C. McClung. “He knew we weren’t Baptists, but he was kind of laying out how we were supposed to act,” she said. “He thought we were Methodists, but when I told him we were First Christian, he said, ‘Well, they’re about as liberal as Methodists.’ “I knew girls weren’t allowed to wear pants at Wayland. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to wear lipstick,” she related with a laugh. Jo Ann said finding a house in Plainview after Weese took the Wayland job in 1973 was difficult because they moved a couple of months after a tornado did considerable damage to homes in the west part of town. DeAnn was about to start the seventh grade, and Todd was going to be a fourth grader. Jeremy wouldn’t come along until 1976, shortly after the Flying Queens played in the semifinals of the fifth national tournament of the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women in State College, Pennsylvania. While Todd was able to play Little Dribblers, Plainview didn’t start basketball for girls until 1977-78. DeAnn played on the team that advanced to the state semifinals in Plainview’s first year of University Interscholastic League play the following season. Weese was able to supplement his Wayland salary by hosting summer camps, attracting “140 kids per session with a waiting list,” bringing in area coaches to assist as well as using members of the Flying Queens. Camps ran from Sunday to the next Saturday noon for three weeks. 190-30 record with Flying Queens Weese compiled a record of 190-30 in six years at Wayland with five appearances in the national AIAW tournament (Manhattan, Kansas; Harrisonburg, Virginia; State College, Pennsylvania; Los Angeles, California and Stanford, California.), two AAU titles and four National Women’s Invitational championships in Amarillo. Even today, Weese is convinced the deck was stacked against a man winning the AIAW title. “They had a lot of older ladies coaching and in leadership, women officials and bookkeepers. Of course, the people we played were tough,” he admitted. On the subject of tough, Dean personified it with a no-nonsense approach in practice and games. Leanne Waddell, a member of the Queens team that advanced to the Final Four in Los Angeles in 1978, quipped that she thought her first name was “Dadgummit” because Weese frequently barked at her, “Dadgummit, Waddell!” when she made a mistake. 30

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Dean Weese began his career coaching both boys and girls at his hometown of Higgins. He finished with a 42-year record of 1,207 wins and 197 losses on the high school, college, professional and international levels for an 85.9 winning percentage.

Weese’s comeback to a college official who ran halfway down the court to apologize because “I’m sorry, I missed that call,” is the stuff of legend. “Hell,” Dean retorted, “you been missin’ ’em all night. I don’t know why you’d come down here and brag on that one!” At Wayland, Weese coached six players in the top 20 of all-time Flying Queen scorers, five Kodak All-Americans and six AAU All-Americans as well as consistent achievers in the classroom and campus activities. Jo Ann fondly recalled an AAU-sponsored trip to the Soviet Union that included six Wayland players. The team played in four cities, and each time a different Russian squad included 7-foot Uljana Semjonova, a future Hall of Famer and member of the Russian contingent that played at Wayland in the mid-1970s. Wayland also sponsored the Queens on a “Hong Kong for Christ” trip that included games and testimonies by the players. “We got to spend a few days in Hawaii on the way back,” she said. Although he turned down an opportunity to coach high school in Iowa, “I think I talked to Stephen F. Austin (in Nacogdoches) one time when I was in Spearman. Sue Gunter later was the coach there, and she was one of my favorite people. She probably saved my life by helping me with the rules of Title IX (passed into law in 1973 to foster equity in women’s athletics) such as recruiting.” Speaking of recruiting, Weese said most of his was done by telephone, via the Texas-Oklahoma High School All-Star Game that rotated between Plainview and Lindsey, Oklahoma, each summer and by assistant Shena Cooper, who knew a lot of players in Oklahoma. “Of course, the fact that we flew to our away games helped in recruiting, though I think some of the players thought we were flying on big airplanes” (rather than four-passenger Beechcraft Bonanzas provided by Claude Hutcherson). Jo Ann said she knew things were going to get tougher on the recruiting trail when NCAA schools launched women’s basketball in the late 1970s and “Debra Rankin (sister of Flying Queens star Jill Rankin of Phillips, near Borger) signed with the University of Texas.” Jo Ann fondly recalls the respect new recruits had for veteran (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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players such as Carolyn Bush and Brenda Moeller and the bonding experiences players had during freshman orientation and basketball initiation. “The veteran players would take the newcomers way out from Plainview and make them walk back to town and then take them to breakfast,” she remembered with a laugh. Diamonds were rough After the 1978-79 season that saw the Queens advance to the AIAW quarterfinals, All-American center Jill Rankin made the Olympic Trials and Weese was being wooed by Jud Phillips, owner of the Dallas Diamonds of the fledgling Women’s Basketball League. “Phillips read a story about Dean in Texas Monthly and we flew to Dallas and got the royal treatment,” Jo Ann said. It didn’t hurt that Weese’s salary jumped from $18,000 to $23,000 with the Diamonds, whose lineup included former Queens Jerrianne John, Valerie Goodwin, Shena Cooper as player-assistant coach and Carolyn Bush, who had graduated in 1975. “Jill and I had a deal. She said, ‘If you stay, I’ll stay. If you go, I’m going to Tennessee’ (to play for eventual Hall of Fame coach Pat Head Summitt),” Weese recalled. But things weren’t so rosy as the team got off to a miserable start, playing its home games with few fans in the Dallas Convention Center. “I think the team and games were promoted well, but I guess people just weren’t ready (for women’s pro basketball, which had been tried unsuccessfully a time or two before),” Jo Ann surmised. “Also, Jud Phillips had declared bankruptcy and wanted a fresh start, so he fired Dean at midseason.”

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A side note: Eric Nadel, who would go on to become the Hall of Fame voice of the Texas Rangers baseball team, was the play-by-play voice of the Diamonds, traveling with the team. He recalled that experience on a Rangers’ broadcast in 2010. “Eric was a real nice guy,” Jo Ann said. “I got to go to a couple of games in California before they decided they didn’t have enough money for me to fly.” As it turned out, Weese got two more paychecks from the Diamonds and, with suburban Plano booming, found a job delivering supplies for a construction company. “I was afraid he’d get lost in Dallas since he got lost driving in our neighborhood,” Jo Ann laughed. “But they realized he was a coach and was used to being in charge, so they made him foreman, and he got a raise.” Landing at Levelland Weese soon got a call from former Plainview High School principal Bob Henry, who was in a similar role in Carlsbad, New Mexico, as well as Bill Vardeman, the superintendent in Levelland, as both were seeking a new girls coach. While DeAnn Weese graduated from Plano High School, where she played basketball, Todd Weese was about to be a junior but would have to miss a varsity season under existing UIL transfer rules. However – providentially, it would seem – the UIL changed the rule, and Dean Weese accepted the Levelland job. Over the next 19 years, Weese would add to his sterling resume with a record of 551-85, seven more state championships (including four in a row from 1985 to 1989) and 17 district titles. In 2000, with a 42-year record of 1,207-197, Weese was inducted as part of the second class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee, as well as into the Wayland Athletics Hall of Honor. The same year, he also was selected as National Girls’ Sports Coach of theYear by the National Federation of Coaches Association and was named one of the 100 Sports Legends of the Texas Panhandle by the Amarillo Globe-News. In 2001, he was inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in Amarillo. He also is a member of the Texas High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. Jo Ann kept the scorebooks for her husband during his high school coaching days and proudly says she got something he didn’t: a 20-year pin as a teacher’s aide in Levelland. The Weeses have lived in Granbury since 2002. Weese, who still plays a good game of golf, said his biggest satisfaction in coaching came from that fact that “we had good players and good support, and people liked the job we did.”

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The COVID-19 season

Buffs’ national title bid: ‘That’s 2020’ By LANCE LAHNERT Long before the phrase, “That’s 2020,” became a common theme for things going wacky or wrong in the world as we know it today, the West Texas A&M men’s basketball team felt the frustration and pain. “Nobody knew at that time,” West Texas A&M men’s basketball coach Tom Brown said of COVID-19 turning into a global pandemic. “When I first heard, I thought this was maybe going to last a week or two weeks and they will just delay it and we will be able to play. I had a buddy over in Shanghai who was telling me to get ready for this. I just didn’t believe him.” And who could blame Brown? West Texas A&M had been on a season-long roll, and now it was reaching mid-March and time to put the icing on a season which many believed could be a history-maker with WT winning the university’s first-ever national basketball championship. The Buffs were 32-1 and days away from hosting the Division II 2020 South Central Regional Championships for the third consecutive year. The No. 3-ranked Buffs had just rolled through the Lone Star Conference Tournament in Frisco, handing No. 9-ranked St. Edward’s an 81-65 loss in the championship game with sophomore guard JoJo Murray scoring a game-high 21 points. The win marked the third consecutive LSC title for the Buffs,

Buff sophomore Joel Murray makes a move in WT’s 87-77 semifinal win over Angelo State in the Lone Star Conference Tournament in Frisco in March 2020. (Photo by Trevor Fleeman for WTAMU)

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West Texas A&M sophomore Qua Grant lets loose a no-look pass against St. Edward’s in the Lone Star Conference Tournament in Frisco last spring. The Buffs defeated St. Edward’s 81-65 in the championship game, but COVID-19 stopped them from advancing further. (Photo by Trevor Fleeman for WTAMU)

only the second time in LSC men’s hoops history the feat had been accomplished – the first since 1987. The Buffs were led by their do-it-all sophomore guard duo of Murray and Qua Grant, both of whom later would be named All-Americans. “To have one All-American is pretty rare,” Brown said. “To have two is something that just doesn’t happen very often. And then to have them as sophomores.” WT had won 23 games and was unbeatable at home at 14-0 heading into the South Central Regionals. So the dream for winning it all wasn’t some far-off miracle of a hope. The dream to be national champs was real with these Buffs. “We were very hard to stop,” Brown said. “Teams could play physical with us and they could get after us for a couple of possessions, but we had so much firepower, we were coming after you.” Little did Brown and his Buffs know that the LSC championship game in Frisco on March 8 would be the end of the 2019-2020 season. Brown’s friend far away in Shanghai was correct. COVID-19 would become a global pandemic, shutting down the United States like it never has felt before. The Buffs were near the end of a practice in the First United Bank Center in Canyon on March 12 when the news hit social media: The NCAA had canceled the South Central Regional Championships. Brown gathered his players around and told them he thought “This too shall pass.” “I’m telling you, I thought we’d be playing a week later, so I was like, ‘Guys, it’s canceled right now, but I’m sure it’s just temporary,’” he said. “You know you hear where if you think (Continued on page 34) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Congratulations from Jimmy Fincher Body Shop to

West Texas A&M

for outstanding 2019-20 records:

Buffs: 30-1 • Lady Buffs: 27-6

5827 Canyon Drive • Amarillo, TX 79110 Phone: 806-353-3491 • Fax: 806-353-3591 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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about it enough, it’s going to come true? I was like that. But I think I was in denial.” Buff assistant coach Chris Gove had a little different view. After seeing the Big 12 tournament shut down and Texas Tech and Texas players being told to leave the court as they were warming up for their game, Gove thought for sure things didn’t look good. “We practiced that day at 1:00 or 1:30,” Gove said. “The day before all the big conference tournaments began to get postponed. Texas and Texas Tech were pulled off the court before noon. When they got pulled off, I knew it was over. Our guys were poststretching, and it came over social media that it was canceled.” Gove believed it was going to be a special ending to a special year. “Absolutely, we had a chance to win it all,” Gove said. Brown said that, of course, lessons were learned from seeing the season halted in an instant. “Now looking back on it, hopefully we never see something like this again,” Brown said. “I think I’ve been saying it a lot. But I do tell the guys, appreciate what you have. You never know if you are going to have a sprained thumb, or maybe your girlfriend breaks up with you and you are down and out for two weeks, or maybe a family member passes away, or this or that. You better appreciate everything you have every day, because you never know.” Certainly, nobody knew last March 1 just how much our world would change. And one of the first groups feeling the pain of 2020 was the Buffs seeing their remarkable season gone in the time it takes to dribble a basketball. An instant. “One thing I told the guys is this could be the best team you ever play on,” Brown said. “We have been saying that the last three or four years, but we have been getting better every year. You don’t want to sound like the old man in the room, but you have to enjoy every day, because it goes by very fast.”

Jon’il Fugett hangs in the air against Dallas Baptist in West Texas A&M’s 98-82 win over the Patriots in February at First United Bank Center in Canyon. (Photo by Trevor Fleeman for WTAMU)

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Derrick Geddis lets a shot fly for WT against Dallas Baptist in the Buffs’ victory in February at First United Bank Center in Canyon. (Photo by Trevor Fleeman for WTAMU)

West Texas A&M Coach Tom Brown gives guidance to the Buffs during a February Lone Star Conference game at Lubbock Christian. WT won the road game 72-67. (Photo by Trevor Fleeman for WTAMU) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Becky Smith Pinson, left, poses with her college basketball coach, Allene Stovall, on Jan. 18, 2020, in front of the WT Hall of Champions Wall in the First United Bank Center in Canyon. They were celebrating the recognition of Stovall’s parents, Arthur and Lela Mae Stovall, as 2019 Legacy Award recipients. Allene Stovall, the driving force behind the WT women’s athletic program, was inducted into the hall in 1997. She coached the Lady Buff basketball team in addition to the volleyball and rifle teams in the 1960s and 1970s. Pinson played basketball from 1971 to 1973 in addition to competing in softball and on the rifle team. (Information from Tom Musser; photo by Mike Haynes)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Laura Lou, a member of the West Texas A&M golf team, posed with the tee box sign sponsored by Panhandle-Plains Basketball for the 2020 West Texas Buffalo Club Golf Classic in Canyon. Lou is a freshman and a 2020 graduate of Sagemont High School in Miramar, Florida. She led her team to a regional championship appearance, shooting a 2-under 70 at the district championships. She has won multiple Junior Tour Championship events, including the Jack Nicklaus Championship and Honda Classic Junior Par 3 Challenge. (Photo courtesy of Meredith Jameson, WTAMU women’s golf coach)

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

The 300 Club The top nine names stayed the same in The 300 Club, a compilation of the active basketball coaches in the PanhandlePlains Basketball area who have reached that magic number of wins. But some shifting in job titles and assignments took place, and two of the mentors on last year’s list retired; however, two new faces moved into the club. So the membership remains at 26. Joe Lombard of Canyon also retired as head coach of the Lady Eagles but is staying active as a volunteer coach for his son, Tate Lombard, Canyon’s new coach. Several years ago, it was decided that a former head coach who still is active in a school’s basketball program deserves to keep his or her place in the club. Hence, Lombard still is No. 1 with his incredible combined (girls and boys) record of 1,379133 for a .912 winning percentage. The same rule applies to No. 5 Kyle Bean (now a boys assistant coach to his son, Kyler, at New Deal), No. 17 Mike McCann (still active in the Ropes boys program) and No. 18 Andy Copley (assistant boys coach at Follett). Chuck Darden, who led the Shallowater girls to a Class 3A state championship last spring, holds onto the No. 2 spot behind Lombard. Darden needs only five wins to reach 1,000. Danny Wrenn, longtime Plainview girls coach, initially decided

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

to retire but then “unretired” to take the Lubbock Kingdom Prep girls job. Wrenn is No. 3 with 772 victories. Ropes Coach Leland Bearden, No. 4 in the club at 733 wins, makes it a clean sweep for the top four primarily coaching girls teams. Kyle Bean, fifth at 606, coached both boys and girls teams at New Deal. Randall’s Leslie Broadhurst, No. 6 at 596, is tops in exclusively coaching boys teams. Jeff Williams (Amarillo High girls), Jeff Evans (Palo Duro boys) and A.J. Johnson (Palo Duro girls) held on to their Nos. 7, 8 and 9 spots, respectively. Chris Sumrall, the Wellington girls coach, moved up one spot to 10th on the basis of a 29-win season. Two of last year’s members have left. Steve Rhodes of Brownfield and Todd Bass of Crosbyton, who both coached more than 300 boys victories in their careers, have retired from coaching. Taking their places are new members: No. 25 Tyler Helms, Idalou girls, with 318 wins and No. 26 Kirk Ellis, Groom girls, with 311. Only high school wins, not college victories, count for club membership. Information is based primarily on records coaches submitted on their PPB questionnaires. There probably are other coaches who did not submit their records or don’t have an accurate account of their wins and losses. The list is arranged in order of total combined wins. (Story and chart by Dave Wohlfarth and Cathy Martindale)

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Area State Championship Boys Teams Abernathy: 1980, 1991 (2A) Amarillo High: 1986 (5A) Brownfield: 2016 (3A) Canadian: 2015 (2A), 2016 (2A) Canyon: 1950 (1A); 1964 (2A) Carey: 1937 (all schools) Dimmitt: 1952 (1A); 1952 (Division II); 1975 (2A); 1982, 1983 (3A) Dunbar (Lubbock): 1953, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1965 (PVIL 3A) Dumas: 1962, 1971 (3A) Estacado: 2010 (3A) Gruver: 1950 (B); 1966 (1A) Idalou: 2011 (2A) Lamesa: 1960, 1967, 1975 (3A) Lubbock High: 1951 (2A) McAdoo: 1960, 1963, 1964 (B) Memphis: 1949 (1A) Morton: 1972, 1977, 1983, 1986, 1987 (2A); 2005 (1A-I); 2005 (Texas Cup) Nazareth: 1986 (1A); 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2010 (1A-II); 2003 (Texas Cup) Paducah: 1987, 1988 (1A); 2011 (1A-II) Palo Duro: 1956 (3A) Pampa: 1953, 1954, 1958, 1959 (4A), 1996 (4A) Plainview: 1994 (4A) Seminole: 1955, 1979 (2A) Shallowater: 2004 (2A) Stratford: 1946 (B) Sudan: 1995 (1A) Texline: 2015 (1A) Vega: 1979 (1A) West Texas High: 2018 (2A) White Deer: 1962 (1A)

Area State Championship Girls Teams Abernathy: 1958, 1959, 1986, 1991 (2A); 1981, 1984 (3A) Amarillo High: 1993, 1994 (5A), 2018 (5A), 2019 (5A) Brownfield: 1988 (3A) Canadian: 2017 (3A) Canyon High: 1969, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1992, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 (3A); 1981, 1996, 2000, 2011, 2014 (4A), 2015, 2016, 2017 (5A) Claude: 1951, 1952, 1953, 1962 (B); 1971 (1A), 1972 (1A) Dimmitt: 1954, 1955 (1A); 1993 (3A) Dumas: 1980 (3A) Farwell: 2000 (2A) Follett: 1969 (B); 2008 (1A-II) Friona: 1964 (2A) Gruver: 2020 (2A) Hale Center: 1979 (1A) 38

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Klondike: 1969 (B) Levelland: 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1997 (4A) Monterey: 1981 (5A) Morton: 1987 (2A) Nazareth: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 (B); 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985,1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996. 2000 (1A); 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2014 (1A-II), 2015, 2017 (1A), 2018 (1A), 2019 (1A), 2020 (1A) New Deal: 1953 (1A) Panhandle: 1992, 2017 (2A) Phillips: 1976 (2A) Plains: 2014 (1A-I) Plainview: 1987 (5A); 2001, 2002, 2003 (4A) Randall: 1992, 1998 (4A) Roosevelt: 1957 (B); 1965 (1A) Ropesville: 1957 (1A) Seagraves: 2005 (1A-I); 2005 (Texas Cup) Shallowater: 2004 (2A), 2020 (3A) Slaton: 1974, 1978, 1979, 1980 (2A), 1987 (3A) Smyer: 2010, 2011 (1A-I) Spearman: 1966, 1971, 1972, 1977 (2A) Springlake-Earth: 1967, 1968 (1A) Stratford: 1969, 1976 (1A) Sudan: 1983, 1987, 1994, 1995 (1A); 2009 (1A-I); 2012 (1A-I) Sundown: 1961, 1962, 1963 (1A) Tascosa: 1991 (5A) Tulia: 1966, 1967, 1991 (3A) Vega: 1999 (1A) Whiteface: 1997 (1A) Whitharral: 2012 (1A-II) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Basketball News Area grieves loss of Noel Johnson Noel Johnson, a two-time state champion at Nazareth, national champion at Texas Tech and the winningest coach in Midwestern State’s history, died June 9 at the age of 47 after a battle with ovarian cancer. “I am heartbroken today,” said Hall of Fame coach Marsha Sharp, who led Tech to its 1993 national title with Johnson a key element on that Lady Raider team. “Noel Johnson was one of the most decorated and beloved players in the history of Lady Raider basketball. Her teammates and coaches respected and loved her greatly. We all send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to her family, her friends and her Midwestern State family. Rest in peace, Noey! We will miss you every day.” “We’ve lost a great member of our Texas Tech family,” said Tech Athletics Director Kirby Hocutt. “Noel’s affinity for the school and the Lady Raiders was genuine. She was a great player Noel Johnson celebrates one of the many high points in her career as head coach at Midwestern State in Wichita Falls. Her 159 wins in 12 seasons but an even better person. She brought the same fight she had on as the Mustangs’ coach are the most in program history. (Photo courtesy the court to her battle with cancer. She will be missed, and our Midwestern State University) thoughts and prayers go out to her family.” Johnson was Tech’s starting point guard for the Lady Raiders’ courage on the athletic field and a never-ending commitment 1993 run to the NCAA championship and was instrumental in to excellence. During her junior season, Johnson also made the the program winning four consecutive Southwest Conference SWC All-Tournament Team. titles and reaching four NCAA Sweet 16s during her career in In fall 2019, Johnson was inducted into the Southwest Lubbock. She played at Tech from 1991 to 1995. Conference Hall of Fame, which followed enshrinements in the A three-time All-SWC selection and a member of the All-Time Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Lady Raider SWC team, Johnson was one of the most prolific Texas Tech Hall of Honor in 2005. three-point shooters in program history, with her name still in the She will be inducted posthumously into the Panhandle Sports Texas Tech record books 25 years after her final game in scarlet Hall of Fame in Amarillo in February 2021. and black. Johnson shot 51.1 percent from long range during Johnson spent the past 12 years as head coach at Midwestern the 1994-95 season, which still stands as the top single-season State, where in 2017, she became the winningest coach in the average ever by a Lady Raider. program’s history. She led the Mustangs to a Lone Star Conference She shot 41.1 percent from three-point range for her career, regular season title and an LSC Tournament championship. She which ranks sixth in school history, and her 256 career threeguided the Mustangs to three postseason appearances. pointers rank second in the She had said the statistic she program record book. Johnson was most proud of was holding ranks 17th in program history one of the highest graduation with 1,210 career points, rates in MSU athletics. while her 410 career assists is In 2013, Johnson was named seventh all-time among Lady the Small College Coach of the Raiders. Year by the Texas Association When Johnson was a junior of Basketball Coaches. She during the 1994 season, Sharp was named the Lone Star named her the team MVP. Conference Coach of the Year That season, she also was in 2012. honored as the Texas Tech Johnson began her coaching Jeannine McHaney Athlete of career as an assistant at Texas the Year, which goes annually State, where she served from to an athlete who displays 1998 to 2007 and helped the Noel Johnson enjoys a special moment on her home court at Texas Tech with her excellence in the classroom, parents, Dean and Agatha Johnson. (Photo courtesy Texas Tech University) Bobcats capture a Southland 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Basketball News WBU’s Harley Redin gone at age 100

Texas Tech guard Noel Johnson drives against Southwest Conference opponent SMU. Johnson died of cancer June 9 at age 47. (Photo courtesy Texas Tech Athletics)

Conference title in 2003. She also served as an assistant coach at North Texas from 2007 to 2008. She graduated from Tech in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science with a minor in English. She earned her master’s degree in education at Texas State in 2002. Johnson spent much of her youth on the courts of West Texas with her brother and sister. She honed her craft in the Kelton and Nazareth gyms before helping lead Nazareth’s Swiftettes to two Texas Class A state championships in 1990 and 1991 to end her high school career. She was named to the all-state tournament team both years. At Tech, she helped lead the Lady Raiders to four straight Southwest Conference championship titles, four NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearances and two Elite 8 appearances. Tech went 119-16 during her four years there. In the 84-82 win over Ohio State in the 1993 NCAA game in Atlanta, she made four crucial free throws down the stretch to help secure the win. • • • Noel Johnson was born on Dec. 1, 1972, in Shamrock to Agatha and Norris Dean Johnson. She is survived by her parents of Tulia; her sister, Leslie Johnson Henderson and husband Paul of Plainview; her brother, Nick Johnson and wife Lisa of Canyon; her nieces and nephews: Camarie Henderson and fiance Samuel Fleming, Dalton Henderson, Mikayla Henderson Murphy and husband Jonathan, Miller Johnson and Leah Noel Johnson; Reagan Foster, with whom she shared her life and was her caregiver; and many friends. A memorial service took place June 20 in D.L. Ligon Coliseum on the campus of Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls with Dr. Mark Bender, senior pastor of First Christian Church, and Dr. David Hartman officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Lunn’s Colonial Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the Noel Johnson Athletic Scholarship Fund at Midwestern State University or to Hospice of Wichita Falls. Story courtesy of Texas Tech Athletics Communications and Lunn’s Colonial Funeral Home in Wichita Falls. 40

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Harley J. Redin, one of the most influential individuals in the history of women’s basketball, died in Plainview on Aug. 1, 2020. He would have celebrated his 101st birthday on Aug. 29. A graveside service was conducted at the Silverton Cemetery with longtime friend Danny Andrews officiating. The family was planning a memorial service at a future date. Redin was born in Silverton to Alvin and Winnie Redin and graduated from high school there and from Tarleton Junior College before receiving two degrees from North Texas State University. As a Marine pilot, he flew 38 bombing missions in the South Pacific during World War II. Hired as athletic director and men’s basketball coach to revive the sport at Wayland Baptist College in Plainview, he coached the Pioneers for eight years with a record of 151-88 and three appearances in the national NAIA Tournament in Kansas City. Redin later coached the Wayland Flying Queens to 76 of their national-record 131 consecutive wins. From 1955 to 1973, the Queens were 437-68 with six national AAU titles and six second places. He coached the U.S. women’s team in the 1959 and 1971 Pan American Games, directed the U.S. team in the 1964 World Championships and coached all-star teams against Russian competition. Some of his most significant contributions to the women’s game came while he served on several Olympic and AAU rules committees that promoted the five-player game, the 30-second clock and unlimited dribbling. (In the early days, players could dribble only three times before having to pass or shoot.) After retirement in 1973 and a career at City National Bank, Redin coached for two seasons at Hale Center High School in the early 1980s. (Continued on next page)

Harley Redin 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Continued from previous page)

His most prestigious honor was the John Bunn Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 for meritorious service to the game and enshrinement in the Hall of Fame in 2019 as one of the coaches of the Flying Queen teams from 1948 to 1982. A member of the inaugural class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the Wayland Athletics Hall of Honor, Redin was named him one of the 100 Sports Legends of the Texas Panhandle 19 years after his induction into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in Amarillo. The Harley Redin Coaching Award is given periodically to outstanding Wayland alums in the coaching profession. A former president of the Chamber of Commerce, Redin also helped start the Lions Club summer baseball program shortly after moving to Plainview. He is a Distinguished Alumnus of Tarleton, and he and his wife, Wilda Hutcherson Redin, were named Distinguished Benefactors of Wayland. They are members of the Walk of Fame in front of the Fair Theater in Plainview. Redin joined First Baptist Church in Plainview in 1946 and was the oldest member of the church. He was a member of the Pastor’s Class for several years. Redin enjoyed the NBC Evening News with Lester Holt, watching sports on TV, Big Band music and keeping up with his former players and fellow servicemen. He is survived by his wife, Wilda; sons Van Redin of Austin and Kenny Redin and wife Cathy of Pflugerville; stepson Mike Hutcherson and his wife Suzi of Lubbock; sister Pat Barnhill of San Diego, California; brother-in-law John Talley and wife Diane of Longview; brother-in-law Ernest Huitt of Redding, California; grandchildren Heather and Mike Peery of Bedford, Jacqueline Redin of Austin and Ryan Redin of Pflugerville; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. His first wife, Nonie, died in 1984. Memorial donations may be made to the Hutcherson Flying Queens Foundation at www.flyingqueensbasketball.com or by check in care of Cherri Rapp, 2913-B. Lovell Drive, Austin, TX 78723.

TABC college awards Area colleges were well-represented in Texas Association of Basketball Coaches 2020 awards. Tom Brown of West Texas A&M was named the men’s small college Coach of the Year, and Isaac Fontenot-Amedee of Clarendon College was the men’s junior college Coach of the Year. Cayla Petree of South Plains College was the women’s junior college Coach of the Year, and Alyssa Goodwin of South Plains College was the women’s junior college Student Assistant of the Year. Qua Grant of West Texas A&M was named the men’s small college Player of the Year, and Russell Harrison of Clarendon College was the men’s junior college Player of the Year. Maddi Chitsey of Lubbock Christian was the women’s small college Player of the Year, and Caroline Germond of South Plains College was the women’s junior college Player of the Year.

Wrenn retires, starts new chapter at KPA Danny Wrenn wasn’t ready to retire after all. His entire coaching career – 33 years – had been spent at Plainview High School, and it had been successful. Three state championships and a 772-262 record with the Lady Bulldogs had to be satisfying, and in April 2020, he announced his retirement. “I’ve been here for 33 years in one spot. Not many can do that,” Wrenn told the Plainview Daily Herald. “Sometimes you just know when it’s time to give it up and look at other Danny Wrenn avenues for your life.” That other avenue came along in June, when he accepted the head girls basketball coaching position at Kingdom Prep in Lubbock. A more flexible coaching schedule was hard to turn down. Plus, the Lady Warriors made it to a TAPPS state championship game last year, and the school’s Christian focus is a fit for Wrenn. “I was truly blessed for many years at Plainview, and a second blessing now at Kingdom Prep Academy,” he said. Wrenn replaced Dee Scott, another successful coach, after Scott retired from Kingdom Prep. Scott led the Lady Warriors for six years. KPA Athletic Director Jeff Klein said Wrenn will be the assistant athletic director and possibly also coach tennis. Wrenn, 60, is a native of Seminole and played basketball at Wayland Baptist. He earned a master’s degree at Southwestern Oklahoma State. Replacing Wrenn at Plainview is Adrian Alfaro, who has been head coach at Lockney and Christ the King and an assistant at South Plains College and Lubbock High. Alfaro is a Lubbock Cooper graduate with degrees from Texas Tech and Lubbock Christian universities. (Continued on next page)

Danny Wrenn, right, does some active coaching during his Plainview Lady Bulldogs’ game against the Randall Lady Raiders at Randall in 2014. (Photo by Mike Haynes) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Basketball News (Continued from previous page)

Alesha Ellis, coach of the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens, a starter at Texas Tech and a standout on Wrenn’s three state title teams, told the Plainview Daily Herald, “He’s a very unique and special coach, and not every player gets to be under a coach like him. If it weren’t for him, I never would’ve been the player I was. You can say that, but he honestly cared about your life and where you were going with it. “He was very involved with my career at Texas Tech. He was always encouraging me, just lifting me up when I needed it and just cheering for me constantly. He’s still giving me advice and helping me coach.” Following are excerpts from Wrenn’s retirement letter: “Dear Plainview, “I wanted to express my gratitude to the Plainview community for the outstanding support that has been shown to me, my family, and the Lady Bulldog Basketball program for the past thirty-three years. “I have been very blessed to have been in charge of this outstanding program for so many years and have had the awesome opportunity to coach and work with so many outstanding young ladies. … “We have had much success in the Lady Bulldog Basketball program highlighted by many outstanding players that lead us to many victories and three straight State Championships in 20012002-2003 and a State runner-up in 2004 and many other district titles, area championships and regional tourney appearances. God truly put his hand of blessing upon our program. What great memories we have shared through the years. “I have been blessed and extremely thankful for the outstanding job our sub-varsity coaches do every day and appreciate their time and effort in preparing our future Lady Bulldogs. … At home or on the road, the Lady Bulldogs are often recognized for their character and integrity as well as what they do on and off the court. Much thanks goes out to Shelly Faught, Allison Hodges and Kevin Faught as well as the many previous assistants that have worked with me for their dedication to our program. I am so thankful for our Jr. High Coordinators Della Riggins, Noelle Garza, and Teena Bennett for their many years of service in Jr High. “The last thirty-three years have been rewarding, and I have had the privilege to develop such awesome relationships that will be cherished forever. I have also had the wonderful opportunity to be the girls Athletic Director and to work and coach with some of the other programs. In my time, I was involved in the development of the Volleyball and Softball programs, and I have enjoyed watching their growth since their inception. I was blessed to have coached football under Greg Sherwood and Steve Parr, and coached tennis, track and cross –country during my time. I will always be grateful to Steve Parr for giving me this opportunity. The past years of working with Coach Rhoades have been a real joy. … “To those many Lady Bulldog fans, good days and success of this girls basketball program will continue. … 42

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“Lastly, God opened this door thirty-three years ago when I joined Plainview ISD on an emergency certificate. Opportunities for advancement opened up each year, and I was blessed by this school district for many years. I wish PISD and the Plainview community nothing but the best and may God bless you as God has blessed me these many years. “Sincerely, “Danny Wrenn, Lady Bulldog Basketball Head Coach, Girls Athletic Director”

Steve Rhodes retires Steve Rhodes, a coaching veteran of 32 years who headed the Brownfield boys basketball program the past four seasons, retired in June 2020. Rhodes compiled a 344-247 winloss record in 20 years as a head coach at Brownfield (2016-2020), Bushland (2005-2016) and Amarillo Highland Park (2000-2005). His son Tate Rhodes was an assistant at Brownfield and has moved on to Tyler. Steve Rhodes was replaced as the Steve Rhodes Cubs’ coach by Zayne McPherson, a 1990 Brownfield graduate who was an assistant at Lubbock Coronado. Rhodes told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Alexis Cubit the timing of his retirement was good because his wife had secured a job in Amarillo. He said he’s optimistic about the direction of the Brownfield program. “Hometown boy, it’ll be awesome,” Rhodes told the A-J. “I think that Brownfield is set up for the next three, four years. We’ve got a great junior high program coming up. We’ve got five seniors coming back out, I believe, from last year’s team who’ve got nothing but experience and who will be better.” Rhodes is a graduate of Rockwall High School and Texas Tech University.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Gerlich, Nelson go back a long way Two days after Krista Gerlich was hired as Texas Tech’s women’s basketball coach on Aug. 18, Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson posted these words on Facebook: “Congratulations to Krista Gerlich, my college roommate, maid of honor and life-long friend. This former WT Buffs coach and Lady Raider is coming home and we can’t wait to cheer even harder for all the West Texas girls who play Lady Raider Basketball. “Krista has spent her life empowering young women. She cares about winning but she cares even more about the people she coaches. “Kevin and I are so proud, Krista. Welcome home to West Texas.” The two women were roommates at Tech while Gerlich, then Kirkland, played for the Lady Raider team that won the 1993 NCAA national championship her senior year. But that isn’t all. They also were teammates on the Spearman Lynxettes after Krista had moved from Sudan, where her dad, Jim Kirkland, had led the Nettes to the 1987 state basketball title. The headline of the Spearman section of the 1987-88 edition of Panhandle-Plains Basketball said, “Kirklands Boost Lynxettes’ Chances.” Sudan had just won that state championship, and Krista had been allstate, so with Jim Kirkland coaching Spearman now and Krista a junior, the Lynxettes’ outlook was good. Spearman also had 5-6 junior Heather Murrell, then a two-time state champion in the 400-meter dash and an outstanding guard. And the Lynxettes’ post was 5-8 Ginger Pearson, a returning letter winner. Pearson’s future husband, Kevin Nelson, was a 6-4 senior standout on the boys team. The Lynxettes fell one shot short of the state tournament as they dropped a 44-43 overtime game to Shallowater in the area round. The 1988-89 PPB described it:

The 1988-89 edition of Panhandle-Plains Basketball showed Heather Murrell, now Houston, Krista Kirkland, now Gerlich, and Londee Bradley, their Spearman Lynxette teammate. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

At left is Spearman Lynxette Ginger Pearson in the 1988-89 edition of Panhandle-Plains Basketball. At right is a recent photo of Krista Kirkland Gerlich and Ginger Pearson Nelson, who were on that Spearman team and then were roommates at Texas Tech. Gerlich now is head coach of Tech’s Lady Raiders, and Nelson is mayor of Amarillo.

“In that game, many will have varying opinions of the last few seconds in regulation play, but with Spearman leading by 2, a jump-ball ruling opened the door for Shallowater to reach the state tournament. “With one second left, and both teams scrambling wildly for possession, Spearman’s Krista Kirkland found herself with the ball, surrounded by reaching Shallowater players. A jump ball was called instead of a foul, with one second. “After a timeout, Shallowater all-stater Johnna Pointer used a double pick to get open, received the ball and hit a 2-pointer just inside the 3-point line. That tied the score and Shallowater went on to win, 44-43, in overtime as Spearman went cold from the line. “Shallowater advanced to the state tournament, and Spearman’s season ended.” Shallowater lost a 53-52 game to Godley in the state semifinals, but Pointer went on to star at the University of Texas, become a coach and now is director of the Hoop 10 youth sports program in Amarillo. The PPB preview of the 1988-89 season recorded that Krista Kirkland had been all-state again and averaged 21 points and 9 rebounds as a junior. Heather Murrell had been all-region, averaged 9 points and 3 rebounds and had won the state 400 again. And Ginger Pearson had averaged 4 points and 7 rebounds. The 1989-90 Spearman team again lost a one-point game in the area round to end its season, a 35-34 setback to Abernathy. Krista Kirkland signed to play basketball at Tech, Heather Murrell signed to run track at SMU and Ginger Pearson attended Tech, eventually earning a law degree. The Lynxettes went 27-3 in 1987-88 and 26-6 in 1988-89. Murrell, now Heather Houston, had a successful track career at SMU and was inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Krista Kirkland married Bryan Gerlich, a 1992 Tech graduate who played football for the Red Raiders, and began a successful coaching career with stops at Lockney, San Antonio Taft, UT-San Antonio, San Antonio Reagan, West Texas A&M and UT-Arlington before returning to Lubbock and the Lady Raiders this year. And Ginger Pearson Nelson was elected mayor of Amarillo in 2016, an office she still holds.

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Basketball News Ray Franks left sports media legacy Raymond “Ray” Franks, 91, of Amarillo died Oct. 1, 2020. Franks was well-known in sports circles and was a writer, editor, publisher, teacher and entrepreneur. Franks arrived in Amarillo April 15, 1951, courtesy of the Air Force. “You don’t leave the Promised Land once you’ve found it,” he often said. He was especially enamored of Amarillo’s friendly, salt-of-the-earth people, big skies, flirtatious weather and genuine Old West culture. Franks was born Jan. 1929, in North Platte, Nebraska, where his father was a telegrapher for Union Pacific Railroad. From the time he was a toddler, he was reared by his maternal grandparents on a share-cropper farm in southern Illinois. He finished Crossville High School at age 15 and the University of Evansville at 19. In college, he worked full-time as a sportswriter for the Evansville Press and edited the school paper. When the Korean War started in 1950, he joined the Air Force. After short stints at Lackland and Sheppard Air Bases, he was sent to Amarillo Air Force Base. One of the 50 airmen to help reactivate the Panhandle installation, Franks worked in the public information office. Editing the base paper, the Jet Journal, was his major assignment until his retirement in 1954. In 1953, he married an Amarillo girl, Floy Webb, and they were together until her death in 2008. After his discharge from the Air Force, Franks spent 8½ years as sports publicity director and journalism instructor at West Texas State University. He built an office building in Southwest Amarillo and entered the publishing business full-time in 1963. While in the military, he used his spare time to start an area football magazine, Panhandle Pigskin Preview. Working late-night hours, he produced the magazine with a portable typewriter and folding card table. Later, he produced a statewide sports directory, Texas Sports Guide, and ultimately the National Directory of College Athletics. The latter was the “bible” of college sports, listing pertinent information on every two-year and four-year college in the United States and Canada. He sold the venture in 1992 before his second open-heart surgery. He also edited and published many other products. What’s In a Nickname? revealed the history of college nicknames and mascots and was reviewed by Sports Illustrated. Three Ol’Coach Jokebooks featured cartoons and tales centered around a character he created along with artist friend Glen Zulauf. The projects that he said afforded him the most satisfaction were the two volumes of Amarillo, Texas, A Picture Post-Card History. The best-selling coffee table books were produced during the year of the city’s 100-year anniversary. Franks edited, researched and published the books with postcards supplied by 44

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Ray Franks, right, meets Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the former UCLA and Los Angeles Lakers star, at a sports event.

Jay Ketelle. After his publishing career, he authored 107 stories as a freelance writer for Accent West magazine. His many contributions in the field of publishing earned him a spot in the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame, West Texas State University’s Hall of Champions and the PSHOF’s Dick Risenhoover Award. A charter member of Paramount Baptist Church, Franks was a deacon and active with his wife in its youth and special education departments. In later years, he worked with the church’s Grief Share program. He also volunteered with Gideons International. An avid traveler, Franks toured most of the world on writing assignments, short-term mission trips and vacations. He is survived by daughter Debbie, and husband Tim Sharp of Albuquerque, New Mexico; son Randy Franks of Round Rock; and son David and wife Sandy Franks of Oak Point; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brother-in-law Clifford Webb of Amarillo and brother-in-law Dan and wife Mandy Webb of Fayetteville, Arkansas. A memorial service took place Oct. 5, 2020, at Paramount Baptist Church. Arrangements were by Schooler Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials to the Floy Franks Scholarship Fund at Paramount Baptist Church, 3801 S. Western St, Amarillo, Texas 79109 or to Gideons International, Box 2304, Amarillo, Texas 79105. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Brewer achieves Dream as 17th WNBA draft pick Brittany Brewer was the first Texas Tech Lady Raider drafted into the WNBA in 14 years when she was the 17th overall choice in April, taken by the Atlanta Dream. She was the highest Tech draft pick since Plenette Pierson in 2003. Brewer, a 6-5 forward, was a first-team All-Big 12 selection and an honorable mention All-American in 2019-20. She was one of the Final Five contestants for the Lisa Leslie Award for the nation’s top center. She was the only Division 1 player to average at least 15 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in 2019-20. Brewer also was a semifinalist for the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year and was on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team after ranking No. 2 in the nation in blocks with 127, a Tech record. She was the first Lady Raider to record a triple-double in 22 years, scoring 12 points with 14 rebounds and an NCAA-recordtying 16 blocks against Louisiana-Monroe on Dec. 22, 2019. Brewer broke two Big 12 records during the conference tournament in 2019: (1) a Big 12 tournament record for points in the first round with a career high of 40 points and 15 rebounds; 21 of her 40 points came in the first quarter; and (2) a record for most field goals in a first-round game at the Big 12 tournament with 16 baskets, tying her career high. She posted a 3.66 GPA in graduate school after earning a 4.0 as undergraduate, majoring in community, family and addiction sciences. She was CoSIDA Academic All-America Team Member of the Year.

Brittany Brewer of Abilene Wylie and Texas Tech spent the 2020 abbreviated WNBA season with the Atlanta Dream after she was the 17th overall draft choice in April. (Photo courtesy Texas Tech Athletics)

Brewer was a silver medalist with USA Basketball in the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, the first Lady Raider to earn a medal for the USA in the Pan Am Games. She averaged 4 points and 3.7 rebounds to help the USA to a 4-1 record. Brewer played in high school at Abilene Wylie and was the No. 97 prospect nationally in the 2016 class, according to ESPNU Hoopgurlz. She was named District 6-4A MVP in 201314 after averaging 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks as a sophomore and repeated the feat in 2014-15, a year in which she also earned all-state honors and improved her numbers, averaging 16.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks as a junior to go along with shooting 61 percent from the floor. In the regional championship game, she scored 27 points with 7 rebounds, then had 18 points, 8 rebounds and 6 blocks Wylie’s state semifinal win. She took MVP honors at three tournaments, including the Region I tournament. Brewer’s uncle, Mike Smith, played linebacker for the Tech football team. Because of COVID-19, Brewer’s rookie WNBA season consisted of just 22 games played this summer in a bubble at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. She played in five games, averaging 6.6 minutes, 0.8 points, 1 rebound and 0.8 blocks. • • • A fellow rookie on the Atlanta team was Chennedy Carter (pronounced Kennedy), a Texas A&M All-American who was chosen fourth in the draft and was named to the WNBA AllRookie Team. Carter was on the Mansfield Timberview team that the Canyon Lady Eagles defeated 47-45 in the 2017 Class 5A state finals, Coach Joe Lombard’s last state title before he retired in 2020.

Lady Raider Brittany Brewer was first-team All Big 12 in 2019-20 and was the only Division 1 player to average at least 15 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in her senior season. (Photo by Elise Bressler/Texas Tech Athletics) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Basketball News

Basketball News Petree is Coach of Year Leading the South Plains College Lady Texans to a 32-1 record and their first outright conference title since 2013, Cayla Petree was named the 2019-2020 NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year in April. Petree led the Lady Texans to a No. 2 overall seed at the women’s basketball national tournament as they proved to be one of the top teams on both ends of the floor throughout the season. South Plains ripped off a 26-game win streak to begin the year, earning the program a No. 1 national ranking for just the second time in program history, both coming under Petree’s guidance. Already named the WBCA TwoCayla Petree Year College National Coach of the Year as well as the WJCAC Coach of the Year and WhoopDirt.com Coach of the Year, Petree led the Lady Texans to first place nationally with a 50.6 percent shooting clip for the season and gave up just 49.5 points a game, the top mark in the NJCAA. Petree, who left for Gulf Coast State for the 2020-21 season, amassed an overall record of 127-36 during her five-year stint in Levelland, leading the Lady Texans to back-to-back conference crowns and three national tournament appearances. South Plains reached the Elite Eight of the national tournament during the 2018-2019 season and undoubtedly was a national title contender again in 2019-20. Petree, a native of Cisco, played at Texas Tech in the early 2000s under Hall of Fame Coach Marsha Sharp. Five players on Petree’s squad earned all-conference honors, with six members from the 2019-20 team inking four-year college scholarships. Sophomore sharpshooter Sarah Shematsi signed with LSU on Nov. 13, 2019, while Caroline Germond and Channel Noah inked with TCU. The Lady Texans also sent 6-5 center Ruth Koang to the Southeastern Conference next year after Koang committed to the University of Alabama on March 20. Then 6-1 forward Ka’Lia Smith, a Tascosa graduate, announced she was moving on to play for the University of Texas at Arlington, and sophomore Oceane Robin announced her commitment to California Baptist. Story courtesy of South Plains College sports information.

Cutting the ribbon for a Dream Court in Lubbock are Mayor Dan Pope, left, basketball star Nancy Lieberman, Texas Tech and Minnesota Timberwolves player Jarrett Culver, Lubbock resident Regina Oliver and Tech men’s basketball coach Chris Beard. (Photo courtesy of Texas Tech Athletics)

Lubbock gets new court A dedication ceremony took place Oct. 23 in Lubbock as Nancy Lieberman Charities teamed up with Texas Tech University and the Culver Foundation to give the city of Lubbock a new Dream Court in memory of former Tech basketball great Andre Emmett, who died last September. Located at Duran Park in Lubbock, the court will serve as a safe play space for youth in the community to interact with friends, family and local law enforcement. The Dream Court is 50-by-84 feet with two basketball goals and features a high-performance court in Texas Tech red and black colors. Its centerpiece is the Dream Courts logo, flanked by the brands of supporting organizations. Lieberman is a former college and professional basketball star and hall of famer, and Culver plays for the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves after a sterling career at Tech. “I am so excited for the Red Raiders, Jarrett Culver and the city of Lubbock to partner with Nancy Lieberman Charities to honor our beloved Andre Emmett,” Lieberman said. “We all deeply miss him and want his legacy to live on forever in the lives of people who were touched by his genuine kindness.” Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope said, “A big thank-you to Nancy Lieberman Charities for partnering with the Culver Foundation, Texas Tech basketball, and the city of Lubbock to build the Dream Court in memory of Andre Emmett, a Tech basketball player, college All-American and former NBA player. This court will be a safe place for our youth to play basketball, develop friendships, and stay active.” “I am so honored that our first project at the Culver Foundation is to celebrate Andre with this court,” Culver said. “To be a part of this is special as my brothers and I love basketball and grew (Continued on next page)

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up playing on courts just like this one. “For us to create another safe and fun place for the Lubbock community to come together means the world to my family and myself, as Lubbock is our home,” said Regina Oliver, Emmett’s mother. “My heart is forever grateful to see yet another Dream Court built in honor of my son.” Red Raider Coach Chris Beard said, “I had the privilege to coach Andre for three years at Texas Tech. I also had the privilege of having a friendship with him for close to 20 years. I know how much he cared about kids and how much he loved the game of basketball. “Texas Tech and the community of Lubbock were very important to him. I know Andre would be proud that this Dream Court will impact kids’ lives through the game of basketball, which he was so passionate about.” More than 4 million young people play on Dream Courts each year in the United States. A total of 97 Dream Courts have been built across the nation, with each court serving approximately 120 youth per day. Story courtesy of Texas Tech Athletics

Wayland Baptist Pioneer J.J. Culver celebrates with his team after he scored 100 points in Wayland’s 124-60 win over Southwest Adventist on Dec. 10, 2019, at Hutcherson Center in Plainview. (Photo courtesy of WBU Sports Information)

J.J. Culver hits 100 J.J. Culver, playing in his senior season at Wayland Baptist, scored 100 points Dec. 10, 2019, in a 124-60 win over Southwest Adventist at Plainview. He is the second NAIA player in history to score 100 points or more and the fourth collegiate player overall to achieve the feat. Culver made 34 of 62 shots, including 12 of 33 outside the 3-point arc, and was 20 of 27 free throws. He scored the Pioneers’ first 42 points and had 51 at the half, which broke Wayland’s scoring record and tied the Sooner Athletic Conference mark for points in a game. Afterward, he tweeted, “First I have to thank God. Second I couldn’t have done this without my coaches and teammates. Definitely a dream come true. I put in a lot of work for this. I love playing basketball and thanks everyone for the support.” Pioneer Coach Ty Harrelson said Culver started the game by hitting several shots, so it made sense to let him go with the hot hand. The 100-point game didn’t hurt Culver’s pro prospects, but he has more accolades and skills to put him on the list of the top 10 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

small college NBA prospects at draftdirectory.com. With the NBA draft scheduled for this Nov. 18, the site comments on the 6-5 Culver, which lists him as a shooting guard/small forward: “Culver moves extremely well without the ball to set up scoring changes, both in coming off of screens and cutting to the basket. He is a sneaky defender that generates many steals with his active J.J. Culver hands and catching the offense napping.” In 2019-20, Culver averaged 23.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.7 steals, .5 blocks with a 46.2% field goal average, 34.3% 3-point average and 76.8% free throw average. He is a Lubbock Coronado graduate, as is his younger brother, Jarrett Culver, who starred for Texas Tech and now plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves. After the 100-point game, J.J. Culver’s his big brother tweeted, “WAIT … my brother @jj10culver just scored 100 points in a game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Somebody tell me I’m not dreaming.” J.J. Culver had scored 41 points against McMurry and 40 against Bellevue before his biggest game. Wayland’s previous school record was 50 points in a game by Roy Young in the 1955-56 season. Jack Taylor of Grinnell College holds the NCAA scoring record of 138 points, set in 2012. Clarence “Bevo” Francis of Rio Grande College in Ohio set the NAIA record of 113 points in 1954. In 2019-20, J.J. Culver was an NAIA second-team AllAmerican, first-team All-SAC and won the Roscoe Snyder Award as Wayland’s top student-athlete. The religion major also was academic All-SAC. As a junior in 2018-19, he was a first-team NAIA All-American, SAC Player of the Year and first-team All-SAC.

’80 Olympians honored The 1980 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team will be honored on June 12, 2021, as Trailblazers of the Game by the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee, for its contributions to women’s basketball. A member of that team, which didn’t get to compete in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, was Jill Rankin Schneider, a standout player at Phillips, Wayland Baptist and Tennessee and the current girls coach at Lubbock Monterey. The United States boycotted the Moscow Olympics for political reasons, so the U.S. athletes stayed home. Ironically, the 1980 Olympic team was set to be honored at the WBHOF ceremony in June 2020, but it was postponed a year as a result of COVID-19. Rankin Schneider also was inducted into the WBHOF individually in 2008. 2020 WBHOF individual inductees were Debbie Brock of Delta State; Carol Callan of USA Basketball; Swin Cash of Connecticut and the WNBA; Tamika Catchings of Tennessee and the WNBA; Sue Donohoe of the NCAA; Lauren Jackson of Australia and the WNBA; and Carol Stiff of ESPN. Basketball News 47

Basketball News Booker. Sidney Tinner spent the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons at Seward County College in Kansas, starting 32 of 42 games before a season-ending injury early last season. She shot .375 from the threepoint line with 27 makes in 35 games as a freshman. She also averaged 1.3 steals a game as the Saints went 31-4 in 201718. She averaged 7.9 points and 2.7 rebounds a game in seven games before being injured as a sophomore. Sidney Tinner had a season high 15 points against South Plains College as a sophomore. She recorded career highs of 16 points against Cowley CC and 10 rebounds against Colby as a freshman. She was the district MVP for Amarillo High as a senior and earned all-state honors. She led the Lady Sandies to the 2017 regional finals, where they lost to eventual state champion Canyon, 46-42.

Amarillo High graduate Zayla Tinner is a freshman on the Women of Troy basketball team at the University of Southern California. (Photo courtesy of USC Sports Information)

Zayla Tinner at USC Amarillo High graduate Zayla Tinner is on the women’s basketball roster of the University of Southern California. Tinner, a 5-10 guard, is a two-time Texas Class 5A state champion and two-time 5A Player of theYear. In her senior season, she averaged 21 points and 6 rebounds a game while going on to finish her prep career as a three-time TABC All-State and TGCA All-State honoree as well as a three-time District 3-5A MVP. “Zayla is an extremely hard worker who will do whatever it takes to win,” USC head coach Mark Trakh said. “She’s won back-to-back Texas state championships and has led her team in all statistical categories. “Zayla will use her athleticism and determination to make her mark at USC. We are extremely looking forward to having a great person and athlete in Zayla join us.” The Lady Sandies won back-to-back state titles in Tinner’s sophomore and junior years, then fell two points short of making it back to the state tournament her senior season. AHS lost to Mansfield Timberview 51-49 in the regional final but finished with a 36-3 record. Sidney Tinner in Kansas Tinner’s older sister, Sidney Tinner, is a redshirt sophomore at Emporia State in Kansas, coached by Toby Wynn, a native of 48

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You are invited to the 63rd Annua Ceremony of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame

Cooper in WT hall

To be indu

Rick Cooper, former West Texas A&M men’s basketball coach, was inducted into the 2019 WTAMU Athletic Hall of Champions class in a campus ceremony on Jan. 17, 2020, along with five other honorees. The WT Athletic Hall of Champions, established in 1987, Steve recognizes outstanding student-athletes, coaches and administraGarmon tion members for their achievements and support of WT athletics. Cooper currently is the athletic director at Wayland Baptist in Plainview. The Class of 2019 also includes DustinSharon Vaughan (football, Moultrie 2010-13), Alyssa Lemos (softball, 2011-14), Dylan James Bruner (baseball, 2013-14), Holly Troth (athletic administration, (19852013) and Randy Matthews (athletic training, 1974-77). The year’s recipients of the Legacy Award were Arthur and Lela Mae Stovall. Cooper spent 20 years as the head coach of Buff basketball, winning a program-record 391 games from 1993 to 2013. During his tenure, he won four Lone Star Conference Tournament Championships, had 10 NCAA postseason appearances and was named the conference’s Coach of the Year six times. He led the Buffs to their first Elite Eight performance in program history in 1997-98, when he was named the South Central Region Coach of the Year. In 2011, he was named a finalist for the Clarence Gaines National Division II Coach of the Year.

Grand Plaza • A

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Maurice Cheeks

Cheeks in MVC hall Former West Texas State basketball player Maurice Cheeks will be inducted into the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame, the conference announced in September. Cheeks is one of eight Hall of Fame inductees selected as part of the 2021 class. Cheeks, who was inducted into the WT Hall of Champions in 1988, was a four-year starter for the Buffs from 1974 to 1978. He earned All-MVC honors three times, finishing in the Top 10 all-time in program history in points, field goals made, shooting percentage, free throws, free throw attempts and games played. He averaged 16.8 points a game as a senior in 1976-77, shooting 56.8 percent from the floor while dishing out the fourth-most assists in program history, 212. Cheeks was selected with the 36th overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He earned an NBA title with the 76ers and was a four-time NBA All-Star. He was also a four-time NBA All-Defensive First Team Selection and earned second team recognition in 1987. His No. 10 has been retired by the 76ers, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018. He has been head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons. Through the abbreviated 2019-20 NBA season, he was an assistant coach for the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder. On Nov. 2, it was reported by ESPN, The Athletic, Stadium and NBC Sports that Cheeks would join the staff of Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls. Cheeks’ hometown is Chicago.

Betsy Baughman and Brooke Walthall

Kids Inc. boosted family Tascosa girls coach Betsy Baughman and her daughter, Randall girls coach Brooke Walthall, have been featured in promotions for the 75th anniversary of Kids, Inc., the Amarillo-based youth sports program that offers basketball among many other activities. In one advertisement Walthall, who played at Canyon and Texas Tech, says, “I started playing basketball for Kids, Inc. when I was 5 years old and my mom was my coach. The people I met during my time with Kids, Inc. gave me the opportunity to grow and get better, and I had the opportunity to play all the way to the collegiate level before becoming a coach.” Baughman, who played at Groom and West Texas A&M, says, “It really taught me how to become a better coach over the years. At the same time, we formed a lot of great relationships through Kids, Inc. “Today, my very best friends and my relationships through the coaching world have all come and started through Kids, Inc., and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.”

Sweet Sixteen hoopsters The photo at right was posted on Facebook in May by the Childress County Heritage Museum. The text reads: When the S.S.B.B.C. was organized, the mothers of Childress said, “What’s this younger generation coming to?” They saw to it, however, that the skirts were plenty long and that the suits had full bloomers. The skirts stayed on during the game, too. Evidently, proper coiffure on the court was the pompadour; or was it just the “Gibson Girl” fad? Reclining in front are the two captains, Carrie Underwood Hardin, leader of the Blue Team, and Juliet Hardin Gully, leader of the Red Team. Second row left to right, Bertha Broyles Crews, Annie Jefferies Hankins, Edna Goen Wade, and Gertie Haskett. Last row left to right, Winnie Haskett Watts, Louise Oliver Thacker, Mitt Fields Preston, Dolly Jaycox Warner, and Mary Fields Wright. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Basketball News

Basketball News 3 basketball figures headed to PSHOF The 2021 class of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame will include three basketball standouts – one of them a legendary coach, one known as a player and coach and one who gained fame primarily for scoring points. Joe Lombard, the late Noel Johnson and Rayford Young were scheduled to be inducted into the PSHOF on Valentine’s Joe Lombard Day 2021 along with a football player and a track and field star, but because of COVID-19, the ceremony has been rescheduled for June 13, 2021, still subject to change depending on the pandemic. Lombard, who retired after the 2019-20 basketball season, coached Nazareth and Canyon girls teams to 19 state championships in 42 years – six titles for the Swiftettes and 13 for the Lady Eagles. His 1,379-133 record gave him a .912 winning percentage. His teams won 1,000 games before losing 100. In addition, Lombard’s cross country teams won two state championships at Nazareth and five at Canyon. And his wife, Babs, even won a state title as basketball coach at Hale Center. Noel Johnson won two state championships in 1990 and 1991 as a player at Nazareth, a national championship as Texas Tech’s starting point guard in Noel Johnson 1993 and won more games in 12 years as Midwestern State’s head coach than any other in the school’s history. Johnson died this June at age 47. Rayford Young was a star at Pampa and Texas Tech. He led the Harvesters to the state title in 1996 and averaged 14.1 points a game for the Red Raiders from 1996 to 2000, including a 17.8-point average as a senior. His son, Trae Young, was a prolific scorer for Oklahoma and now plays for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. Also slated for 2021 PSHOF induction are Steve Garmon, an outstanding football player at Groom and TCU, and Sharon Moultrie Bruner of Pampa, the first Texas Tech woman to earn All-American honors during her track career from 1979 to 1982 and the first AfricanAmerican woman to be selected as Tech’s homecoming queen. Scheduled to be honored in Rayford Young 50

Basketball News

2021 as basketball player of the year for 2019-20 is Qua Grant of West Texas A&M, who helped WT’s men to a 30-1 record. Basketball coach of the year for 2019-20 is Shannon Fisher of Gruver, whose team won the Class 2A state title with a 38-2 mark. Because of the ceremony date change, other honorees could be added. Last year’s PSHOF inductees included Gene Arrington, who played basketball on the Palo Duro High School team that won the 1956 state championship in Palo Duro’s first year of existence. Arrington started for three years at Texas Tech from 1957 to 1960, averaging 12.8 points and 6.7 rebounds as a senior. Others inducted in February 2020 were track star Wardell Gilbreath, bowler Mike Scroggins and volleyball coach JaNeen Eudy.

Lubbock Monterey Coach Jill Schneider poses with her team in December 2019 and holds a basketball marking her 600th win as a head coach. About two-thirds of those victories came at Monterey, and the rest were at Borger. (Photo courtesy of Lubbock ISD)

The 2019-20 Nazareth Swifts show off their medals and trophy at the Alamodome in San Antonio after falling, 63-53, to LaPoyner in the Class 1A state semifinals. Nazareth defeated Booker, O’Donnell and New Home to advance to the state tournament, which was called off because of COVID-19 after their semifinal game. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Brown was inspiration

Bingham a champion

Shannon Brown, 46, of Wellington died April 11, 2020, in Amarillo. She was born on March 5, 1974, in Memphis, to Rodney and Marie McGill White. She married Dayron Brown on July 16, 1994, in Wellington. Brown graduated in 1992 from Wellington High School, where she was a star basketball player garnering many awards. She played basketball at West Texas A&M University under legendary coach Bob Schneider. After receiving a bachelor’s degree kinesiology in 1996, she landed her dream job, coaching and teaching in her hometown. She was in her 26th year in the Wellington school district. Brown loved a good challenge. She was an inspiration to all with her fight against cancer. She never quit. Her students and athletes meant the world to her. She left a lasting impression on everyone. She was an active member of First Christian Church in Wellington. Brown was preceded in death by her dad, Rod, and her grandparents, Glin and Lorene McGill and P.J. White. Survivors include her husband, Dayron; two sons, Nathan and Major; and her daughter, Marlee; all of Wellington; her mother, Marie White of Wellington; sister Leslee Wood and her husband Jody of Abilene; her grandmother, Rosa White of Wellington; nieces and nephews and numerous close cousins. Arrangements were by Adams Funeral Home of Wellington. The family requests that memorials be made to H.U.G.S. in care of the funeral home at 1300 East Avenue, Wellington, TX 79095.

Connie Jo Bingham died at her home March 19, 2020. She is survived by her son, Clay Bingham, daughter-in-law Julie Bingham, grandchildren Kaitlyn Bingham, Grayson and Megan Bingham, Braden Bingham, Logan Compton, and Graham Compton and many other spiritual children who knew her as a second mother and faithful mentor. She was born Dec. 22, 1937, to Connie Jo Bingham Arnold and Lorine Haskin of Goree, and she attended Goree High School. She was an excellent basketball player, leading her Wildcats to the district championship her senior year. Her claim to fame was scoring 51 points in a single game as a point guard. She married Alan Bingham and moved to Amarillo, where she supported the family farm and cattle operations. She also worked at Mr. G’s Clothiers, beginning as a model and then selling clothes there for 28 years. She was a member and Bible class teacher at Paramount Baptist Church for more than 60 years. She traveled around the world doing world missions with International Evangelism Association. In 1991, she started a business called Texas Plum Line. Using her grandmother’s recipes, she made wild plum jam and then expanded the product line with many variations using the Texas wild plum as her base. She pursued that business until she was 81 years old. She hunted and fished into her late seventies. She was a Proverbs 31 woman. Her passion and her mission in life was to bless people with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to encourage those who were hurting and those who had suffered loss. A memorial service at the Bingham Farm was under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Burial was in Friendship Cemetery in Goree.

Area TABC awards Three area high school players were named Players of the Year in 2020 by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. Bree Brattain of Shallowater was the girls Class 3A Player of the Year, Bailey Maupin of Gruver was the Class 2A Player of the Year and Cambrie Heiman of Nazareth was the Class 1A Player of the Year. All three girls’ teams won state 2020 championships, and their coaches – Chuck Darden of Shallowater, Shannon Fisher of Gruver and Eric Schilling of Nazareth – received TABC Coach of the Year awards in their classificaitons. Receiving the David Milson Memorial Scholarship was Bryce Legan of Sundown. Stacy Manning of New Home won the Dean Weese Outstanding Coach Award for Class 1A, and Rob Schmucker of Panhandle was a finalist for the Class 2A Weese Award. Finalists for the Don Coleman Outstanding Coach Award included Jordan Elam of Levelland for Class 4A, Kyle Igo of Sundown for Class 2A and Rocky Feliciano of O’Donnell for Class 1A. Tyler Harper of Vega was a TABC Assistant Coach of the Year, and finalists for that honor included Sarah Allen of Tascosa, C.J. Villegas of Frenship and Dillon Moats of New Deal. TABC Middle School Coaches of the Year included Dara Chandler of Valley, Dante Hibbert of Childress and Megan Terry of Farwell.

Basketball Briefs The 2020 West Texas A&M Distinguished Alumni group of four includes a definite basketball flavor. Scott Doores, a 1974 WT graduate, was inducted into the WT Hall of Fame in 2006. He played basketball for the Buffs from 1970 to 1973 under Coach Dennis Walling. He also played football at WT in 1972 and 1973 under Coach Gene Mayfield. As a 6-5, 190-pound freshman, Doores averaged 10.5 points and 5.6 rebounds a game. During his three years on the varsity, he averaged 3.4 points and two rebounds, but as teammate Dr. Kyle Sunderman said, he “was always called on to defend the opponent’s best player; he was tenacious and the consummate team player.” Following his graduation from WT, he played professional basketball in France and Germany and helped other Buffalo basketball players find teams to play for in Europe. “As usual, he was always looking out for teammates,” Sunderman said. (Continued on next page)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Basketball News (Continued from previous page)

Doores, a native of Farnsworth, graduated from Perryton High School. In 1993, he helped found AudioTel Corp., based in Addison, which specializes in software for financial institutions. Dr. Rickey Harman, who earned WT degrees in 1968 and 1971, is a longtime educator and businessman. He has been a school administrator, created ebank and wrote the memoir, Happy Days in Happy, Texas. His new book, Where Girls’ Basketball Rules, gives a history of Texas Panhandle and South Plains basketball from 1930 to 2020. He spotlights many of the great coaches, teams and players who have made the Panhandle and South Plains region dominant in Texas, including four universities: Texas Tech, West Texas A&M, Wayland Baptist and Lubbock Christian. The book is due out this fall. David Shaeffer, a 1979 WT graduate, is a financial advisor and CPA who has helped develop communities across Texas through housing developments and dairy farms. He has been a strong supporter of scholarship opportunities and programs at West Texas A&M University, including the basketball programs and other sports. In 1975, Dr. Sally Carmen was one of the first WT nursing graduates. She is a sought-after instructor in higher education and was named one of the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s Great 100 Nurses. • • • Holly Ridings, the first female chief spaceflight director for NASA, attended the Olsen and Crockett schools in Amarillo before graduating from Tascosa High School and Texas A&M. She has been a NASA flight director since 2005. Ridings leads the group directing human spaceflight missions from Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. She also was a member of Tascosa’s state championship basketball team in 1991 and was named to the all-state tournament team as a 5-10 junior forward for the Lady Rebels. Joining Ridings on the all-tournament team were teammates Christina Uzzolina, a 5-7 senior guard, and Anie Wilson, a 6-1 sophomore forward. • • • Chuck Darden of Shallowater was named the Texas Girls

Basketball News

Coaches Association Classes 1A-2A-3A-4A Coach of theYear for 2019-20. Darden’s Fillies went 39-2 and took the Class 3A state championship by defeating Woodville, 61-43, in the title game in San Antonio. Darden’s 2004 team took the state championship with a 36-2 record, and the 2018-19 Filles set a school record with 39 wins against two losses. The TGCA 2019-20 Athlete of the Year for Classes 5A-6A was senior Zayla Tinner of Amarillo High, coached by Jeff Williams. Tinner is a freshman on the women’s basketball team at the University of Southern California. • • • Musa Mohamed, a 2017 Palo Duro graduate who has played basketball at Colorado’s Lamar College the past two seasons, won the college’s Rising Star Award for outstanding achievement for contributions to campus and community, according to the Amarillo Globe-News. Mohamed, who played for Lamar’s men’s team for two seasons, was the male winner of the award, which is given to an outstanding male and female student each year. The award recognizes excellent character, academics and goodwill. He graduated from Lamar with a 3.75 GPA. • • • Matthew Felderhoff, a 2020 Gruver graduate, received the Fisher Woodchick Memorial Scholarship from the Texas High School Coaches Association. The award goes to a graduating senior who is a child of an active member of THSCA. Felderhoff’s father is former Gruver football coach Terry Felderhoff, who left Gruver in April to take the head coaching job at Era. Matthew Felderhoff played basketball and football for the Greyhounds. He is the fist winner of the Woodchick award, which includes a check for $2,005. Twelve Texas athletes received THSCA scholarships. • • • The Big 12 Conference fined West Virginia Coach Bob Huggins $10,000 for referring to an officiating crew as “three blind mice” after a 60-53 loss at Kansas on Jan. 4, according to the Associated Press.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

You are invited to the 63rd Annual Ceremony of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame

Rescheduled for

2 p.m. Sunday, June 13, 2021

To be inducted in 2021: Joe Lombard

Steve Garmon

Sharon Moultrie Bruner

Noel Johnson

Rayford Young

Grand Plaza • Amarillo Civic Center 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Date and location still subject to change depending on COVID-19 developments.)

(Ceremony is 1½ to 2 hours with light food buffet.) • Induction

of the New Hall of Fame Honorees • Recognition of Athletes of the Year Basketball News

Texas Tech Men

Red Raiders blend fresh, veteran talent By MIKE HAYNES Co-Publisher Chris Beard is both a builder and a rebuilder. The Texas Tech men’s coach, starting his fifth year leading the Red Raiders, has his finger not only on high school recruiting but on the college transfer market. After Tech’s historic run to the national championship game in March 2019, he reloaded to replace Jarrett Culver, who headed to the NBA, Matt Mooney, Tariq Owens, Brandone Francis, Norense Odiase and Deshawn Corprew. Then last year, after bringing a new team together and struggling to an 18-13 record, Beard lost one-and-done Jahmi’us Ramsey, the Duncanville product who was expected to be taken high in this November’s NBA draft, plus TJ Holyfield, Chris Clarke and Davide Moretti, who left to play in his native Italy. But the Raiders have more holdovers this year, and another impressive class of Terrence Shannon Jr. newcomers has predictions high among experts – Tech will start the season No. 13 in the USA Today poll and No. 14 in the Associated Press poll – and hopes even higher among fans. The preseason coaches’ poll predicts a fifth-place Big 12 finish for Tech with Baylor, Kansas, West Virginia and Texas ahead of the Red Raiders and Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, TCU and Kansas State behind them, in that order. The 2019-20 edition was a good team that hit some bumps, but then, most of the players were adjusting to the new – winning – culture at Tech, and they were playing in the talented Big 12. Tech’s conference record wound up 9-9, but the red and black still had potential to go far in the NCAA tournament. Beard’s squad Texas Tech Red Raiders Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown Mac McClung, 6-2. G, Jr., Gate City, Virginia/Georgetown Terrence Shannon Jr., 6-6, G, Soph., Chicago, Illinois Jamarius Burton, 6-4, G, Jr., Charlotte, North Carolina/Wichita St. Clarence Nadolny, 6-3, G, Soph., Montreuil, France Micah Peavy, 6-7, G, Fr., Cibolo, Texas Tyreek Smith, 6-7, F, Fr., Baton Rouge, Louisiana Kyler Edwards, 6-4, G, Jr., Arlington, Texas Marcus Santos-Silva, 6-7, F, Sr., Taunton, Massachusetts/VCU Kevin McCullar, 6-6, G, Soph., San Antonio, Texas Avery Benson, 6-4, G, Jr., Springdale, Arkansas Chibuzo Agbo, 6-7, G, Fr., San Diego, California Joel Ntambwe, 6-8, F, Soph., Kinshasa, Congo/UNLV Nimari Burnett, 6-4, G, Fr., Chicago, Illinois Vladislav Goldin, 7-1, F, Fr., Nalchick, Russia Coach: Chris Beard Asst. Coaches: Mark Adams, Ulric Maligi, Casey Perrin, Sean Sutton, Bob Donewald 2019-2020 record: 18-13, 9-9 54 College

The Texas Tech coaching staff, including head coach Chris Beard, second from right, has shown excellence not only in coaching as against West Virginia here, but in recruiting. (Photo by Elise Bressler/Texas Tech Athletics)

had beaten No. 1 Louisville at Madison Square Garden, 70-57, and narrowly lost to No. 1 Kansas, 66-62 at home, to then-No. 3 Kansas, 78-75, at Allen Fieldhouse and to No. 15 Kentucky in overtime, 76-74. Then COVID-19 hit, and the quality of that team was moot. Returning sophomore Terrence Shannon was asked at a Nov. 4 news conference how this team is different from last year’s. “I would say everyone is more bought-in right now,” he said. “Last year it took people a little longer to buy in, but I feel like we all bought in a bit early. We’ve been listening to coach and what he had to tell us and just following in his footsteps. I feel like we’re going to be really good this year.” Beard and his staff haven’t been hibernating at home during the pandemic. They brought in one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, and the 2020-21 squad of 14 is split evenly between newcomers and returners. The new faces are: • Marcus Santos-Silva, the only senior in the new group, is the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year. Santos-Silver, a 6-7 forward, transferred from Virginia Commonwealth, where he graduated after three seasons. Santos-Silva had 120 doubledoubles as a junior in 2019-20 and led VCU in scoring with 12.8 points a game. He also led the Rams with 8.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks a game. As a sophomore, he led VCU in scoring in 20 games. “He’s new here, and he accepted the role to be the leader on the team,” Shannon said. “He’s never been in a bad mood; he’s always positive.” • Mac McClung, a 6-2 junior guard, played in 50 games for Georgetown before transferring to Tech. McClung, known on YouTube for his dunk videos, averaged 14.2 points, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.8 rebounds at Georgetown. Last season, he averaged 15.7 points. He was Big East Player of the Week twice (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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as a sophomore. McClung is the all-time scoring leader in Virginia High School League history with 2,801 points. He scored 38 points for Georgetown against Arkansas-Little Rock as a freshman and 33 last year against Oklahoma State. He hit 39.4 percent of his 3-pointers last season for the Hoyas. “He’s here to be one of the best players in college basketball,” Beard said. “He accomplished a lot at Georgetown. I think the next step for Mac is to take that next step, not only with his game individually but also being able to impact the team’s winning.” • Jamarius Burton, a 6-4 junior guard, transferred from Wichita State, where he averaged 10.3 points and 3.4 assists as a sophomore. Burton started 52 games in his WSU career after playing at Independence High School, which he helped lead to the North Carolina Class 4A state championship and a 31-1 record as a senior. He had a career-high 11 assists in a game against Oklahoma State along with seven points. • Micah Peavy is a 6-7 freshman guard from Duncanville, where he was Ramsey’s teammate. Peavy was the TABC Class 6A Player of the Year, averaging 19 points and 7.5 rebounds as a senior. As a junior, he was the state tournament MVP as he helped lead Duncanville to the 2019 Class 6A state championship. The Panthers were back in the state tournament in 2020 before it was canceled because of the COVID-19 threat. Peavy was the No. 32-ranked player in the nation according to ESPN. • Nimari Burnett, a 6-4 freshman guard from Chicago, is the highest rated recruit to sign with Tech in its history. He is the first McDonald’s All-American in program history. ESPN ranked him No. 19 nationally in the 2020 signing class. He helped lead the USA to its first gold medal last summer in the 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Mongolia. Burnett attended Prolific Prep in California his final years in high school and helped the program earn a national rank in the USA TODAY Super 25. As a junior, he averaged 23.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists a game. • Vladislav Goldin is a 7-1 freshman forward from Nalchick, TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Nov. 25 Northwestern State Nov. 27 Sam Houston State Nov. 29 Houston @ Fort Worth Dec. 3 St. John’s Dec. 6 Grambling State Dec. 9 Abilene Christian Dec. 12 Texas A&M – Corpus Christi @ Frisco Dec. 17 Kansas Dec. 22 Oklahoma @ Norman, Oklahoma Dec. 29 Incarnate Word Jan. 2 Oklahoma State Jan. 5 Kansas State Jan. 9 Iowa State @ Ames, Iowa Jan. 13 Texas @ Austin Jan. 16 Baylor Jan. 20 TCU @ Fort Worth Jan. 23 Iowa State Jan. 25 West Virginia @ Morgantown, West Virginia Jan. 30 Louisiana State @ Baton, Rouge, Louisiana Feb. 1 Oklahoma Feb. 6 Kansas State @ Manhattan, Kansas Feb. 9 West Virginia Feb. 13 Baylor @ Waco Feb. 17 TCU Feb. 20 Kansas @ Lawrence, Kansas Feb. 23 Oklahoma State @ Stillwater, Oklahoma Feb. 27 Texas 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Mac McClung

Marcus Santos-Silva

Kyler Edwards

Kevin McCullar

Avery Benson

Nimari Burnett

Russia. He has international experience playing for the Russian U18 and U19 national teams along with a year of prep basketball in the United States Goldin played at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut for coach Tom Espinosa. He competed for the CSKA Moscow Junior Team for three seasons and played in 13 games at the U18 Euro Championship and U19 World Cup in 2019. • Chibuzo Agbo, a 6-7 freshman guard, comes from Saint Augustine High School in San Diego, where he averaged 22 points as a senior. He was the 2019-20 San Diego Preseason Player of the Year after averaging 20 points and 9 rebounds and making 42 percent of his 3-points as a junior. He also played for the Compton Magic. The difference between last year’s 18-13 mark and a higher national profile this season could be the return of the seven veterans to mix with the talented newcomers. Coming back are: • Kyler Edwards is a 6-4 junior guard who is honorable mention Preseason All-Big 12. He started all 31 games last year, averaging 11.4 points, 4 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He had a career-high 24 points at Kansas State. He has played in all 69 games through his first two seasons at Tech and scored 12 points in the NCAA national final against Virginia season before last. Last year, he led the Red Raiders in scoring in four games. Edwards hit 48 3-pointers in 2019-20. He was Big 12 Player of the Week Jan. 20 after his play against Kansas State and Iowa State. In high school, he played at Arlington Bowie and Findlay Prep in Nevada. • Terrence Shannon, a 6-6 sophomore guard from Chicago, was on the 2020 Big 12 All-Freshman Team. He played at IMG Academy in Florida. As a Tech freshman, he averaged 9.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1 assist. He started 21 of the 29 games he played in. Shannon scored a career-high 24 points at DePaul and 23 against West Virginia. Against Kansas, he had eight points and 11 rebounds, a career high. Shannon is on the national watch list for the Julius Erving Small Forward Award. • Kevin McCullar is a 6-6 redshirt sophomore guard from Converse Wagner in San Antonio. In 2019-20, he started the final six games of the season for Tech. He averaged 6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals. He led the Red Raiders in scoring (Continued on next page)

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three times and in rebounding six times. He had career highs of 15 points at Oklahoma State and 11 rebounds at Iowa State. • Joel Ntambwe, a 6-8 redshirt sophomore forward from Kinshasa, Congo, played at Aspire Academy in Louisville, Kentucky, before spending his college freshman season at UNLV. He started all 31 games for the Runnin’ Rebels, averaging 11.8 points and 5.5 rebounds. Against Wyoming, he had 31 points and 10 rebounds. The 2020-21 season will be Ntambwe’s first to be eligible for Tech games as the NCAA did not approve his eligibility after his transfer from UNLV last year. • Avery Benson, a 6-4 redshirt junior guard, was energetic coming off the bench the past two years. Benson, from Southwest Christian Academy in Springdale, Arkansas, played in all 31 games, averaging 9.6 minutes a game, 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds. He recorded a career-high 10 points with four rebounds in the win over No. 1 Louisville in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. Benson has hit 39.1 percent of his 3-pointers and 46.3 from the field. In two years, he has played in 51 games. • Clarence Nadolny, a 6-3 sophomore guard from Montreuil, France, attended high school at Our Savior New American and played at the Scotland Performance Institute in Pennsylvania. As a Red Raider freshman, he averaged 6.1 minutes playing in 24 games. He scored a career-high nine points against Houston Baptist. • Tyreek Smith is a 6-7 redshirt freshman forward whose high school career was at Cedar Hill Trinity Christian, where he averaged 17.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3 blocks as a senior. He was the TAPPS Class 5A Player of the Year as a junior and first-team TAPPS all-state as a senior. His hometown is Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Smith was classified as a medical redshirt at Tech in 2019-20. The Red Raiders already have a good start on the next recruiting class. For example, on Nov. 11, Tech announced that Jaylon Tyson, a 6-7 guard/forward from Allen, had signed a letter of intent for 2021-22. Tyson is a senior at John Paul II High School, where as a junior, he helped his team to its first TAPPS state title.

During the national anthem before the 2020 Texas game in Lubbock, Texas Tech players wear warmups in honor of Andre Emmett, Tech’s alltime leading scorer during his 2001-2004 Red Raider career. Emmett was shot to death in Dallas on Sept. 23, 2019. (Photo by Elise Bressler/Texas Tech Athletics)

College

Kyler Edwards, left, Jahmi’us Ramsey and Avery Benson wear warmup shirts honoring the late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant before playing West Virginia in 2020. (Photo by Elise Bressler/Texas Tech Athletics)

ESPN lists Tyson as the seventh-best recruit in Texas, and Rivals lists him as the No. 34 player nationally. Tech is ranked high nationally to start the season, but in the Big 12, that doesn’t mean you’re at the top. Baylor (No. 2 AP, No. 1 USA Today) and Kansas (No. 6 AP, No. 5 USAT) are ahead of the Raiders, and West Virginia (No. 15 AP, No. 15 USAT) and Texas (No. 19 AP, No. 22 USAT) follow close behind. Of course Baylor, No. 1 in the USAT poll, gets the most attention as the Big 12 favorite. Tech’s schedule, adjusted for COVID-19, includes the Big EastBig 12 Battle Dec. 3 in Lubbock against St. John’s and the Big 12-SEC Challenge Jan. 30 at LSU. Other nonconference games are geared toward minimizing travel because of the pandemic. One high-profile game will be in Fort Worth Nov. 29 against Houston, and a matchup of special interest to West Texans will be a home game Dec. 9 against Abilene Christian. Beard said Nov. 4 that each year, the objective of the nonconference schedule is to prepare for the Big 12 and the NCAA tournament. “This year, kind of throw that all out the window,” he said. “This year, it was to try to get reliable games geographically, where teams are going to be able to bus here and not rely on airplanes, where we’re going to have time to regroup. The idea of being flexible is the most important thing in this year’s schedule. “So with that in mind, we picked coaches that we have a relationship with, things that geographically can get here.” He said the Big East and SEC games are exceptions. The Big 12 run will begin early with the opener Dec. 17 at home against Kansas followed by a Dec. 22 visit to Oklahoma. “This season will be unlike any college basketball season ever,” Beard said. “We have a worldwide epidemic going on, we’ve got uncertainties. Expect the unexpected. This is just one of many things; the idea of playing two Big 12 games before Christmas. Absolutely it changes things. Our strategy is going to continue to be daily-driven: the process of getting better each day, not looking too far ahead and definitely not looking behind. It’ll definitely change things.” 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Texas Tech Women

Gerlich in Lubbock ‘for these girls’ By MIKE HAYNES At the Aug. 19 news conference introducing her as Texas Tech’s eighth head women’s basketball coach, Krista Gerlich was asked whether she would try to persuade Chrislyn Carr and Lexi Gordon to stay on the team after they had just entered the transfer portal a few days before. Gerlich didn’t hesitate. “Well, of course I will,” she said. “They’re trying to decide where they need to be. All I ask them to do is to give me a fair shot.” If she achieves her other goals as fast as she did that one, Lady Raider fans have much to look forward to. Gerlich was able to return to her alma mater this year because former coach Marlene Stollings had been fired Aug. 6 after just two seasons on the job. Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt had let Stollings go a day after USA Today published allegations of a “culture of abuse” in the program, including threatening and demeaning comments and alleged sexually suggestive behavior from a strength coach who had resigned. Stollings filed a lawsuit against Tech and Hocutt on Oct. 20 claiming fraudulent inducement, fraud, breach of contract, defamation and sex discrimination. The Ohio native had led the Lady Raiders for two seasons, going 14-17 and 18-11. The 2019-20 mark was the first winning record for the Tech women since 2011-12. But under Stollings, 12 of 21 players had left the program, including seven she and her staff had recruited, according to USA Today. One departure was Sydney Goodson, an Argyle Liberty Christian graduate who averaged 7.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists for Tech last year and started all but three 2019-20 games. Goodson had played her freshman year at Arizona State, sat out a season and played two years for the Lady Raiders. She missed her last five games with an injury, which prompted the Texas Tech Lady Raiders Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown Chrislyn Carr, 5-5, G, Jr., Davenport, Iowa Emma Clarke, 6-1, G, Jr., Perth, Western Australia/Colorado Maka Jackson, 5-8, G, Sr., Ewa Beach, Hawaii/S. Georgia Tech Jo’Nah Johnson, 5-9, G, Sr., Edmond, Oklahoma/NE Okla. A&M Naje Murray, 5-6, G, Sr., Stockton, California/San Diego State Jada Walton, 5-11, G, Jr., Lithonia, Georgia/Texas A&M Andrayah Adams, 5-10, G, Sr., Minneapolis, Minnesota/St. John’s Bryn Gerlich, 6-0, F, Jr., Colleyville, Texas/Oklahoma State Khadija Faye, 6-4, P, Fr., Dakar, Senegal Daija Powell, 6-1, F, Fr., Atlanta, Georgia Khyla Wade-Warren, 6-2, F, Fr., Selmer, Tennessee Lexi Gordon, 5-11, G, Soph., Hawthorne, California/UConn Alexis Tucker, 5-11, G, Soph., Hawthorne, California Vivian Gray, 6-1, G, Sr., Argyle, Texas/Oklahoma State Coach: Krista Gerlich Asst. Coaches: JC Carter, Ashley Crawford, Eric Ely Chief of Staff: Jared Boyd Director of Operations: Jordan Vessels 2019-2020 record: 18-11, 7-11 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Lady Raider Lexi Gordon eyes the basket against Baylor’s Lauren Cox in last season’s matchup at United Supermarkets Arena. Gordon had entered the transfer portal but decided to stay at Tech after Krista Gerlich was hired as head coach. (Photo by Elise Bressler/Texas Tech Athletics)

team to wear “Grinding for Goodson” warmup shirts. After Stollings was fired, Carr and Gordon had planned to leave amid the uncertainty. With the arrival of Gerlich, everything has changed. “I’m proof that good things can happen in the year 2020,” she joked at the news conference. Gerlich’s resume includes seven years as head coach at West Texas A&M and another seven at UT-Arlington, both with success. She returns to Tech, where as a player she helped lead the Lady Raiders to the NCAA national championship under Coach Marsha Sharp in 1993. “This is the great day of my professional career,” she said Aug. 19. Turning to her new players, she added, “But this is not even close to being the greatest day of our careers. It’s only the beginning.” First, Carr and Gordon quickly decided to stay. Then Gerlich’s daughter, 6-0 junior forward Bryn Gerlich, transferred to Tech from Oklahoma State, and Coach Gerlich got a commitment for the 2021-22 season from Chantae Embry of Norman, Oklahoma, a 6-1 forward who at one point had committed to OSU. Then in October, OSU All-American Vivian Gray, a 6-1 guard, joined the Lady Raiders as a graduate transfer. Gray is on the Preseason All-Big 12 team, and Carr is on the All-Big 12 honorable mention list. In addition to Embry, Gerlich also has signed Saga Ukkonen of Helsinki, Finland, a 5-9 point guard, and Lana Wenger of Hersberg, Switzerland, a 6-4 forward, for the 2021-22 class. The Lady Raiders have been picked sixth in the coaches’ Big 12 preseason poll, their highest projection since 2011-12. (Continued on next page)

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Leading the pack is Baylor, followed by Texas, Iowa State, Kansas State, West Virginia, Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU and Kansas. Baylor is ranked No. 4 and Iowa State No. 15 in the national AP poll, and Texas sits just outside the Top 25. Gerlich’s first team will include five seniors, five juniors, a sophomore and three freshmen. They are: • Maka Jackson is a 5-8 senior guard from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, who played at Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, Virginia. She completed two years at South Georgia Tech and was ranked the 15th-best JUCO player in the nation. She played in 23 of Tech’s 29 games last year, averaging 3.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1 assist. She scored 12 points against Sam Houston State in her first game and 16 points against Louisiana-Monroe. • Jo’nah Johnson is a 5-9 senior guard from Santa Fe High School in Edmond, Oklahoma. She played at Central Oklahoma as a freshman and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M as a sophomore. As a junior, she played in 27 of Tech’s games, averaging 6.8 points, 3.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals. Johnson hit for 23 points against Sam Houston State along with 6 assists and 4 rebounds. She scored 20 points against TCU and had 8 points and 11 assists against Kansas State. • Vivian Gray is a 6-1 senior guard from Argyle who transferred from Oklahoma State. Gray was honorable mention All-American as a sophomore and junior and was unanimous first-team All-Big 12 both of those years. She was one of 10 finalists for the national Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award last year. She averaged 20 points as a sophomore and 19.3 points as a junior. Last season, she averaged 3.7 assists, 1.6 steals and .8 blocked shots. Gray played her freshman season at Fort Lewis College, where she averaged 18.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks on the way to first-team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and RMAC Freshman of the Year honors. At Argyle, Gray scored 2,893 points, led the Lady Eagles to three state titles and was Class 4A Player of the Year twice. In 2017, she was the ESPN No. 45 recruit in the country. • Andrayah Adams is a 5-10 senior guard from Como Park TEXAS TECH LADY RAIDERS SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Nov. 25 UTRGV Nov. 28 Florida A&M Dec. 2 Vanderbilt @ Nashville, TN Dec. 10 Missouri Dec. 14 Baylor @ Waco Dec. 19 TCU Dec. 21 Southern Dec. 23 Morgan State Dec. 29 Incarnate Word Jan. 2 Oklahoma State @ Stillwater, OK Jan. 6 Oklahoma Jan. 10 Iowa State Jan. 13 West Virginia @ Morgantown, WV TBA Jan. 17 Texas Jan. 20 Kansas @ Lawrence, KS Jan. 23 TCU @ Fort Worth Jan. 27 West Virginia Jan. 30 Texas @ Austin Feb. 3 Kansas State Feb. 6 Iowa @ Ames, IA Feb. 10 Baylor Feb. 13 Oklahoma State Feb. 17 Oklahoma @ Norman, OK Feb. 20 Kansas Feb. 24 Kansas State @ Manhattan, KS

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Time 1 p.m. 2 p.m. TBA 12 p.m. TBA 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 12 p.m. 1 p.m. TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Chrislyn Carr

Lexi Gordon

Vivian Gray

Andrayah Adams

Maka Jackson

Jo’Nah Johnson

Bryn Gerlich

Jada Walton

Alexis Tucker

High School in Minneapolis. She spent two seasons at St. John’s, where she played in 65 of 68 games. She sat out 2018-19 due to NCAA rules after transferring to Tech. Adams played in all 29 games in her first season at Tech last year. Adams averaged 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists for the Lady Raiders but in the last 13 games, she averaged 14.9 points a game. She hit four 3-pointers to help Tech past San Diego. Adams had two 29-point games, both against Oklahoma, and scored 20 against TCU, 19 against Kansas and 15 against West Virginia. Against OSU, she hit eight 3-pointers in a rout of Oklahoma State, finishing with 24 points to help the Lady Raiders set a Big 12 record with 20 treys as a team. • Lexi Gordon is a 6-0 senior guard from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst. She is the all-time leading scorer for L.D. Bell with more than 2,000 points and averaged 24.7 points and 9.5 rebounds as a senior. She was the 29th-ranked player in the country before signing with UConn. After transferring to Tech at mid-season, she sat out the 2018-19 season and the first six games of 2019-20 before playing in the remaining 23 for the Lady Raiders, starting 20 times. Gordon averaged 13 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2 assists as a junior. She was Big 12 Player of the Week after notching 31 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists against UTSA. She had 30 points and 11 rebounds against TCU, a school where both of her parents played basketball. She finished the season with 22 points and 9 rebounds against Oklahoma. • Chrislyn Carr is a 5-5 junior guard who played at West High School in Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island High School in Rock (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

two college seasons at Oklahoma State. As a sophomore, she played in 28 games, averaging Island, Illinois. She was the Big 12 Freshman 2 points. She played in 23 games as a freshof the Year in 2018-19 and honorable mention man. She is the daughter of Tech head coach All-Big 12 her first two years at Tech. Krista Gerlich and Bryan Gerlich, who played As a sophomore, Carr averaged 13.9 points, football at Tech. 4 rebounds and 5 assists. She hit at least one • Alexis Tucker is a 5-11 sophomore guard 3-pointer in each of her last 14 games last seawho played at Junipero Serra High School in son. She had three 20-point games and scored Gardena, California. As a senior, she helped in double figures in 22 of her 29 appearances. her team to the CIF Division I California State Carr had 24 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in Championship. an overtime win over Oklahoma and 14 points, At Tech last year, she played in all 29 games 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals against Iowa and was Big 12 Freshman of the Week twice. State in her home state. She started 10 games, averaging 10.7 points • Emma Clarke is a 6-1 junior guard from and 5.5 rebounds, and led the team with a 53.8 Perth, Western Australia. She is a 2017 graduate field goal percentage. Tucker had 17 games in of Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence double figures and three games of 20 or more at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. points. She led Tech in scoring five times and She was the top scorer at the U-18 Australian in steals six times. Junior Championships, averaging 21.9 points • Khadija Faye is a 6-4 freshman center and 8.7 rebounds. from Dakar, Senegal. She played her 2019-20 Clarke started 29 of 30 games as a sophosenior season at Father Lopez Catholic High more at Colorado, averaging 10 points and 5 School in Daytona, Florida. She had to sit out rebounds in 2019-20. She scored 21 points Chrislyn Carr of Texas Tech rises to the her junior season after transferring from Florida basket against Baylor in February 2020. against Denver. Carr had applied for the transfer portal but Prep. As a senior, Faye helped the Green Wave • Naje’ Murray is a 5-6 redshirts junior guard opted to remain with the Lady Raiders after to a 26-3 overall record and a spot in the Class from St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, Cali- Krista Kirkland was hired as head coach in 3A state quarterfinals. A member of Essence fornia. She was a standout at San Diego State as August. (Photo by Elise Bressler/Texas Tech AAU basketball club, she ranked as the No. a freshman and sophomore. Last year, she started Athletics) 13 center in the ESPN 2020 class. 31 of 32 games for the Aztecs, averaging 13.7 • Daija Powell is a 6-1 freshman forward points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals. Murray had six who played at Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Georgia. 20-point games last season. In 2017-18, she was on the Mountain She averaged 14.3 points and 10.1 rebounds as a senior and was West All-Freshman Team. honorable mention Atlanta All-Metro. She helped the Patriots • Jada Walton is a 5-11 redshirt junior guard from Southwest to an 18-11 season and a spot in the state quarterfinals. ESPN Dekalb High School in Lithonia, Georgia. She played in 58 ranked Powell the No. 13 power forward in this year’s class. games for two seasons at Texas A&M, where she was one of Both of her parents played basketball at North Carolina A&T, the top scorers on the team. She sat out 2019-20 due to NCAA and her sister, Dariah, plays volleyball at Valdosta State. transfer rules. Walton led her high school team to a 79-17 record • Khyla Wade-Warren is a 6-2 freshman forward from McNairy and the 2016 Georgia 5A state title. She was named Dekalb Central High School in Selmer, Tennessee. She averaged 23.9 County 2016-17 Player of the points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks as a senior, was all-state Year by the Atlanta Journaland was a finalist for Class AA Miss Basketball in the state of Constitution. Tennessee. • Bryn Gerlich is a 6-0 juThe Lady Raiders will start the season Nov. 25, hosting UTnior forward from Colleyville Rio Grande Valley. They will play Vanderbilt Dec. 2 at the Big Heritage High School, where 12-SEC Challenge in Nashville. Big 12 competition will start she scored more than 2,000 Dec. 14 at Baylor. points. She averaged 14.4 In August, Gerlich said she would be asking the players to points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals list reasons why they chose Texas Tech in the first place. She and 1.5 assists as a senior. said whatever gaps they had between their expectations and their She averaged 19.5 points experience so far, “We want to mend those gaps. It’s all about as a junior, 21.5 points as a building relationships.” sophomore and 18.4 points as She was asked why this year is the time for her to return to Tech. a freshman. Gerlich was the “I believe wholeheartedly in God’s timing and that he prepares 2017 Texas Christian Athlete me,” she replied. “It’s not my path; it’s him ordering my steps.” of the Year and named all-state Krista Kirkland looks to the rafters She said when the job came open other times, she had been by the TABC and TGCA. She in United Supermarkets Arena, disappointed. also competed in volleyball, where her No. 21 jersey is retired, “But man, I was supposed to be at West Texas A&M for those on Aug. 19 after she was hired as track and cross country at girls. And there was a time when I was supposed to be at UTA Texas Tech’s eighth women’s head Colleyville Heritage. basketball coach. (Photo by Elise for those girls. And now I think I’m supposed to be at Texas Gerlich played her first Bressler/Texas Tech Athletics) Tech for these girls.” (Continued from previous page)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

College

A Lady Raider again

Krista Gerlich comes home By Texas Tech Athletic Communications A national champion and Texas Tech legend during her time as a student-athlete, head coach Krista Gerlich returns to West Texas for her first season at the helm of the Lady Raider program in 2020-21. Having experienced success at each stop of her coaching career thus far, Gerlich has spent the past seven seasons at UTArlington. She stands as the program’s all-time winningest coach at UTA, accumulating 121 of her 289 career wins as a collegiate head coach at the helm of the Lady Mav program. “I can’t put into words how excited I am to be entrusted with rebuilding the Lady Raider basketball program, which is near and dear to my heart,” Gerlich said after she was hired on Aug. 18. “I can’t wait to get to work on taking this program back to where it’s supposed to be, where it has been and where everyone in the Texas Tech community expects it to be. I’m looking forward to meeting the current Lady Raiders, embracing them and their journey, and helping them write a better ending to their careers at Texas Tech, because they deserve it. “I believe that Texas Tech is a pot of gold for every sport, and that’s illustrated by how well each program succeeds on a national level year in and year out. There is no reason that Lady Raider basketball can’t do that too, because we’ve already seen it done. We know we have the support, and I am looking forward to bringing that positive excitement and authentic love for the program back to my alma mater.” Coached seven seasons at WT, seven at UTA During her 14-year head coaching career, which also includes seven seasons at West Texas A&M, Gerlich has racked up two TABC Coach of the Year awards, three conference coach of the year honors, three conference titles, five NCAA Tournament wins and eight 20-win seasons. She has overseen seven WBCA AllAmericans, six conference players of the year, 10 All-Sun Belt selections and 17 Lone Star Conference All-Conference selections. Gerlich led the Lady Mavs to three 20-win seasons, including a 21-11 overall record with a 14-4 mark in Sun Belt games last season, leading to a third-place finish in the Sun Belt conference race. In the nonconference season, Gerlich’s Lady Mavs tallied the program’s first victory over a Power 5 school since 2006 with a 57-53 road win over Tech’s Big 12 foe Kansas State. In the regular season finale at Louisiana-Monroe, the Lady Mavs defeated the Warhawks, 74-67, to give This poster celebrates Texas Tech’s 1993 women’s basketball national Gerlich her 120th victory as championship. Krista Gerlich, then UTA head coach and make her Kirkland, can be seen at center left the all-time winningest coach and in the group at the bottom. 60 College

Krista Gerlich was hired in August to lead the Texas Tech Lady Raiders. She was a member of Marsha Sharp’s 1993 Lady Raider team that won the NCAA national championship. (Photo courtesy Texas Tech Athletics)

in program history. Gerlich was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2019 following a successful campaign in which her Lady Mavs tied the program record for single-season wins, and she picked up the program’s first postseason win as well as UTA’s first Sun Belt women’s basketball regular season title. The team earned an automatic bid to the WNIT, which was the sixth postseason tournament appearance and fourth postseason WNIT appearance in program history. In 2016-17, Gerlich guided UTA to a 22-9 overall record, a second-place finish in the Sun Belt and a berth to the postseason as UTA went to the WNIT and participated in the postseason for the first time since 2009. From her first season into the second, the Lady Mavs increased their win total by 13 from four wins to 17 wins, the second largest turnaround in Division I between the 2013-14 and 201415 seasons. Among the many standouts that Gerlich coached at UTA was four-time All-Sun Belt selection Cierra Johnson, who was named Sun Belt Co-Player of the Year in 2019 and was a two-time Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year pick (2017, 2019). She also coached 2015 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Rebekah VanDijk of Nazareth and 2020 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year Marie Benson. Gerlich’s success in the head coaching ranks hasn’t been exclusive to her time in Arlington. She led West Texas A&M to a stellar 168-53 overall record, four consecutive South Division Lone Star Conference titles and three consecutive Lone Star Conference championships in seven seasons leading the Lady Buffs. Led Lady Buffs to Elite Eight The quickest coach in WTAMU history to reach each of the (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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100-, 125- and 150-win benchmarks, Gerlich led the Lady Buffs to NCAA tournament appearances in five of her seven years leading the program, including the team’s first Elite Eight appearance in 11 years in 2009. She was named the Lone Star Conference South Division Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2010. Before taking her first head coaching position, Gerlich spent three years in Lubbock as an assistant coach under Hall of Fame coach Marsha Sharp at her alma mater. She helped guide the Lady Raiders to two NCAA tournament appearances, including a 24-8 overall record, a 12-4 Big 12 mark and a spot in the Sweet 16 during the 2004-05 campaign. Krista Gerlich, center, spent three years as a Texas Tech assistant under head coach Marsha Gerlich was heavily involved in almost every aspect Sharp, right. At left is assistant coach Linden Weese. ((Photo courtesy Texas Tech Athletics) of the program as she instructed preseason individual workouts, coached the perimeter players, reviewed film and handled game day preparations for the Lady Raiders. Throughout Lady Raider fans are more than familiar with Gerlich’s long the school year she also assisted in the academic progress of the resume as a player at Texas Tech. Aside from helping guide Lady Raider student-athletes. Tech to the 1993 NCAA title, she racked up three All-Southwest Before returning to coaching with Texas Tech during the Conference accolades and was named to the 1993 SWC All2003-2004 season, Gerlich took some time off to start a family; Tournament team, the 1993 West Regional All-Tournament team she spent the 2002-2003 year teaching math at Hereford High and the 1993 Final Four All-Tournament team. School, where her husband, Bryan, was the athletic director and Named to the All-Time SWC team and as one of the Panhandle’s head football coach. Top 100 Athletes of the Century, Gerlich was named an honorable After graduating from Texas Tech in 1993 with a degree in mention All-American in 1993. She ranks third in school history exercise and sports science, Gerlich got her first coaching job at in career assists (553), third in career three-point field goals (220), Lockney High School as the head girls’ basketball coach. fourth in three-point field goal percentage (.417) and 13th in From 1994-1997, she was the head girls’ coach at Taft High career scoring (1,324). Her No. 21 was retired by the Lady Raider School in San Antonio. Gerlich entered the college ranks as an program on Dec. 5, 1993, making her one of only three former assistant at UT-San Antonio from 1997 to 1999. Gerlich followed Lady Raiders to have their numbers retired along with Carolyn her position at UTSA by accepting the head coaching job at San Thompson and her teammate Sheryl Swoopes. Antonio Reagan High School from 1999 to 2000. In her inaugural season at Reagan, the team posted a 20-5 mark. (Continued on next page)

Krista Kirkland, now Gerlich, left, joined her Spearman teammate Heather Murrell, now Houston, Lance Perry of Amarillo High and David Sapper of Tascosa on the 1987-88 cover of Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine. Kirkland and Murrell were juniors. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Krista Kirkland, now Gerlich, center, joined two Spearman teammates – Heather Murrell, now Houston, left, and Londee Bradley, right – and Derron Smith of Olton on the 1988-89 cover of Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine. The Lynxette girls were seniors.

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Born in Spearman, Gerlich was a three-time all-state selection in basketball while attending Sudan and Spearman high schools. She was a member of the 1987 state championship basketball team at Sudan, where her father, Jim Kirkland, was her high school basketball coach. In 1988, she helped Spearman claim the cross country state championship and was a four-time all-state selection in cross country. She placed third at the 1989 state track meet in the 1600 meters. Gerlich is married to Bryan Gerlich, who also is a Texas Tech graduate and a former linebacker on the Red Raider football team (1987-1992). The couple has a daughter, Bryn, and a son, Brayden. Bryn has transferred from the Oklahoma State basketball team to join the Lady Raiders.

Others are saying… By Texas Tech Athletic Communications Emily (Brister) Cooper – Former WTAMU, Amarillo High player “This is a well-deserved position for Coach Gerlich. Krista is not only a phenomenal coach and motivator, but she is an amazing role model for the young women that she coaches. She is very passionate and competitive while still being relatable and understanding toward her athletes. I’m overjoyed to see her back coaching in the Texas Panhandle, and I can’t wait to see how she grows the Lady Raider program!” Rebekah VanDijk – Former UTA, Nazareth player “I am so excited for Coach Gerlich and the opportunity to coach at her alma mater. She is such a great addition to Texas Tech. Coach Gerlich is not only an amazing basketball coach, she is an amazing woman. You’re not going to find someone more passionate about the game of basketball and helping her players become great women. She has made a name for herself as both a player and a coach. I was so blessed to have her as my coach at UTA and am so excited to see her do amazing things at Texas Tech.” Chris Ogden – Head Men’s Basketball Coach, UT-Arlington “Coach Gerlich is built for Texas Tech. She loves West Texas

After being introduced as the new Texas Tech women’s basketball coach in August, Krista Gerlich, left, hugged her mother, Phyllis Kirkland, with her dad, Jim Kirkland, watching. (Photo by Elise Bressler/Texas Tech Athletics)

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The family of Krista Gerlich consists of husband Bryan Gerlich, left, daughter Bryn Gerlich, Krista and son Brayden Gerlich. Bryn is a junior who transferred from the Oklahoma State basketball team to play for the Lady Raiders. (Photo courtesy Texas Tech Athletics)

and the people that make it so great. Both her coaching style and ability to build strong relationships within her locker room as well as the community will bode well for her. We are going to miss having her around but know she will do great things.” Jeff Walz – Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Louisville “Krista is a great hire for Texas Tech women’s basketball. Not only does she do a great job teaching the game and getting the most out of her players, she has a personal stake in Lady Raider basketball. She is a proven winner as a player and has proven herself as a coach. I’m excited to see where she takes Texas Tech women’s basketball.” Brian Agler – Head Coach, Dallas Wings “Krista is a great coach and person. She is part of the Marsha Sharp legacy and their 1993 championship team. Krista did an exceptional job at UTA and will carry all her positive traits back to Lubbock.” Zenarae Antoine – Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Texas State “Krista Gerlich is an outstanding hire for Texas Tech, and it goes well beyond her impressive paper resume. She coaches with passion, integrity and pride in the programs that she has built. I have appreciated our “on-court battles” in the Sunbelt Conference, and I look forward to her continued success in the Big 12.” Devin Griffin – Former UTA player “Coach Gerlich is a phenomenal coach and an even better person. She has been a mentor, a friend and family to me. She is exactly what Lady Raider basketball needs and what young women can look up to for the future. I have so much respect for her and am extremely proud of her and what this means for Lubbock. I can’t wait to bring my team out to support Coach Gerlich and Lady Raider Nation!”

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

West Texas A&M Men

Buffs even hungrier for 2020-21 By LANCE LAHNERT We learn often in sports that tough acts to follow are tougher than a small guard stopping LeBron one-on-one in the paint. Since the triplets – Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin - departed the Dallas Cowboys, the NFL franchise has never been the same. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker say bye to the San Antonio Spurs and nothing has been the same since. How about those Chicago Bulls? Have the Bulls been relevant since Michael Jordan left those many years ago? Well, no doubt when the 2020-21 West Texas A&M Buffs take the court in the First United Bank Center, repeating the impressive act of the 2019-20 Buffs will be one of those tough acts to follow. Good thing for WT – and, bad news for opponents – is that many of the same players return from last year’s squad that rolled up a 32-1 record, went 16-0 in the friendly home confines of The FUB, owned the best winning percentage (97.0) in all of college basketball and never got a chance to see if they could put a national championship banner up after COVID canceled their season in mid-March. “What I like is we have 10 guys back, and nine of those 10 guys played a lot,” said head coach Tom Brown, who enters his seventh season at WT with a 162-40 overall record and has guided the Buffs to three straight LSC championships and two straight Elite Eight appearance. “I think our guys are hungry. They knew we had a chance to win it last year. They know how quickly it was taken away. I think they will appreciate the opportunity to play this year. Hopefully, we will get going by December.” While 10 days into November the Buffs schedule wasn’t in concrete, what is rock solid is their chance to repeat the gaudy numbers put up last year and make a bid for a DII national title. Already, Division II preseason polls have the fast-paced Buffs – their scoring average last year was 91.1 points while giving up 71.3 – ranked as has high as No.2 in the nation. While Brown isn’t a rankings guy, unless it’s the NCAA D-II regional rankings which determine playoff seeds and a chance to host the step before the Elite Eight, this early respect from the pools is legit. Four of five starters return West Texas uniquely started the same five in the lineup all 33 games last year, and four of those starters return in sophomores Qua Grant and JoJo Murray along with junior guards Jon’ll Fugett and Derrick Gaddis. Gone from the starters is Eric Mosley, who averaged 21 minutes, 5.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and seemed to play and lead his best in the most intense moments. Add sophomore sharp-shooter Zach Toussaint returning, and the top five leading scorers for the Buffs are back. Not one of them is a senior. “Obviously, have a lot returning,” Brown said. “We will miss Mose and leadership, and Jordan Collins came off the bench as a senior, and not one complained, and hit some big shots for us.

Derrick Geddis of West Texas A&M attempts to put up a shot against Parker Hicks, left, and Rashaan Proctor of Lubbock Christian in a Lone Star Conference game Jan. 18, 2020, at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. The Buffs won, 92-68. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

But what we have back is a lot of guys who have experience. You can’t teach that.” When talking about the Buffs, their lineup starts with the backcourt duo of Grant and Murray. Pull out whatever adjective you will to describe this talented duo, but even “dynamic” barely taps the surface of the remarkable two-year run Grant and Murray already have under their belts. Start with winning: The Buffs are 66-5 the past two years with Grant and Murray in the lineup and never have lost at home. WT’s home winning streak sits at 42 straight. Grant and Murray were so respected last year across the country that each earned multiple All-America honors, a rare feat for players on the same team. Grant is a muscular 6-1 junior who started all 38 games his freshman year and had 33 starts out of 33 games last year. His quickness off the dribble, knack to get to the basket in traffic, 3-point shooting ability and defense out top make for a tough matchup, and he has the numbers prove it. Last year Grant averaged 20.7 points and 7.5 rebounds. He was named Lone Star Conference player of the week four times and was selected as the regional player of the year and the LSC player of the year. Murray stands 6-0, and the junior has quickness and basketball (Continued on next page)

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passing skills rarely seen on the court along with being tenacious out front on defense. Murray averaged 19.9 points a game, hitting for double figures in 31 of the Buffs 33 games. He led the Buffs with 66 3-pointers, produced a team-high 4.5 assists a game and made 66 steals. One of his many accolades was most valuable player of the LSC Tournament. Pair got even better this summer Brown obviously appreciates and praises the play of his backcourt duo, but his eyes really get wide when talking about their future. “As good as they are, I think they got better this summer,” Brown said. “Just the work they put in from the training table to the weight room to the work on their game. “JoJo is shooting the ball better right now this year than he did last year. Quay looks faster and more explosive. Quay and JoJo were both All-Americans. You don’t get an All-American that often. We have had a few with David Chavlovich and Ryan Quaid, then Quay and JoJo. But to have them as sophomores? Well, that’s unique.” WT associate head coach Chris Gove, also in his seventh year, said what he loves about Grant and Murray is their ability to play both ends of the court. “Look, they are really good,” Gove said. “You can put them anywhere. We had lineups last year with four guys 6-1 or shorter. And with that lineup, nobody really outrebounded us. A lot of that is Qua and JoJo. And they are great guys.” Never has a basketball coach started two players against five, so in order for Brown to see his Buffs make the playoff run he is hoping for, it will take his entire lineup to complement Grant and Murray’s greatness. That contribution starts with 6-4 junior guard Derrick Geddis and 6-0 junior guard Jon’il Fugett. Geddis and Fugett each started the 33 games last year alongside Grant and Murray, returning as the No. 3 and No. 4 leading scorers. Fugett averaged 25 minutes’ playing time a game, scored 10 points an outing, grabbed 3.4 rebounds a game and dished out 100 assists. Geddis put in 21.6 minutes a game. His 8.9 points a game

Christian in a Lone Star Conference game Jan. 18 at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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West Texas A&M Buff Joel Murray makes a layup against Lubbock Christian’s Ty Caswell in WT’s Lone Star Conference win over the Chaps Jan. 18 at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. (Photo by Trevor Fleeman for WTAMU)

were fourth on the team, and his 5.1 rebounds were second for the Buffs. The fifth leading scorer for the Buffs last year was 5-10 guard Zach Toussaint, who averaged 17.8 minutes in 31 games of action and averaged 7.7 points. Toussaint has deep range outside, and 62 of 78 made field goals were from beyond the 3-point arc. Also returning for the Buffs with playing time from a year ago are: 6-11 senior John Brown (30 games played in, 12.5 minutes, 5 ppg, 4.2 rpg); 6-6 sophomore Hayden Blankley (25 games played in, 6.9 minutes, 3.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg); 6-3 sophomore JT Warren (32 games played in, 8.1 minutes, 3.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg); and 6-6 sophomore Kavon Booker (23 games played in, 4.6 minutes, 1.6 ppg, 1.2 rbg). Five new faces New faces also will be on the Buffs’ roster, with Coach Brown adding three freshman and two transfers. Brown preaches chemistry, so the new fivesome coming in are a “guys who I believe will compete as well as get along in the locker room. The three freshmen listed on the Buffs roster are Torian Harris, 6-6, from Rowlett; Parker Nielson, 6-3, from Prescott, Wisconsin; and Cameron Bell, a 5-10 guard Edmond, Oklahoma. The two transfers are Ugo Obineke, a 6-6 junior from Kennesaw State; and Calvin Fugett, a 6-2 senior from Texas A&M International. Fugett is a native of Denver and the brother of Jon’il. He will be one of two seniors on the team, joining John Brown. “Ugo can guard 1 to 5 for us and likes competition,” Coach (Continued on page 66) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Congratulations from Jimmy Fincher Body Shop to

West Texas A&M

for outstanding 2019-20 records:

Buffs: 30-1 • Lady Buffs: 27-6

5827 Canyon Drive • Amarillo, TX 79110 Phone: 806-353-3491 • Fax: 806-353-3591 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Brown said. “Calvin, even though it’s his first year in the program, will be a leader for us and also is competitive.” Despite the 32-1 record of a year ago, days before getting set to host the South Central Regional Championships in mid-March and make a bid for a third straight Elite Eight appearance, COVID canceled the season. So yes, last year will be a tough act to follow. However, anybody watching Tom Brown and his players going through a practice prepping for the 2020-21 season will learn quickly that the hunger still is there. “If we play together and do the right the things, we have a chance to win it all,” he said. “If there’s issues with grades or injuries or someone decides, ‘Hey, I want to get up my shots,’ that can blow up a team. There are so many variables. And it’s always hard when you are expected to win every game. I think our guys want that challenge, and they know one game won’t define them. I like that about them.”

West Texas A&M Buffs Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown John Brown, 6-11, F, Sr., Magnolia, Texas, Texas A&M Derrick Geddis, 6-4, G, Jr., Houston, Texas Qua Grant, 6-1, G, Jr., Waxahachie, Texas JT Warren, 6-0, G, Soph., Waxahachie, Texas Jon’il Fugett, 6-0, G, Jr., Denver, Colorado, Butler CC Torian Harris, 6-6, G, Fr., Rowlett, Texas Parker Nielsen, 6-3, G, Fr., Prescott, Wisconsin Kavon Booker, 6-5, G, Soph., Schertz, Texas Joel Murray, 6-0, G, Jr., Rowlett, Texas Zach Toussaint, 5-10, G, Soph., Johnsburg, Illinois Ugo Obineke, 6-6, G, Jr., Rowlett, Texas, Kennesaw St. Calvin Fugett, 6-2, G, Sr., Denver, Colorado, Texas A&M Intl. Hayden Blankley, 6-6, G, Soph., Sydney, Australia Cameron Bell, 5-10, G, Fr., Edmond, Oklahoma

West Texas A&M’s John Brown, right, reaches for the ball as Parker Hicks of Lubbock Christian watches in a Jan. 18, 2020, game in Canyon. Brown, then a junior, is a transfer from Texas A&M. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Coach: Tom Brown Asst. Coaches: Chris Gove, Quincy Henderson 2019-2020 record: 32-1, 21-1

Buff Jon’il Fugett drives against Ty Caswell of Lubbock Christian in WT’s 92-68 Lone Star Conference win Jan. 18, 2020, in Canyon. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

West Texas A&M head coach Tom Brown lobbies an official and shows some emotion during his team’s win over Lubbock Christian Jan. 18, 2020, at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. (Photos by Mike Haynes)

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

West Texas A&M Women

Lady Buffs have experience – and Lexy By LANCE LAHNERT If you run into Kristen Mattio on the West Texas A&M campus and see a big ol’ smile on the Lady Buffs’ coach, the joy is real. It’s called starters back galore – and the return of Lexy. Although COVID already stole the early icing from the Lady Buffs’ 2020-2021 season by forcing the cancellation of a scrimmage with national power Baylor, high hopes for a magical season run deep with Mattio and her team. And why shouldn’t they? Three full-time starters, a fourth player who played in all 33 games last year and 2019 All-American guard Lexy Hightower, who missed last year with an injury, return from last year’s 27-6 team. The Lady Buffs’ season was stopped cold by COVID in midMarch, days before they were to head to Lubbock for the South Central Regional Championships. “Last year was a unique year, losing Lexy, and then it seemed like our wave of talent was sitting there in that sophomore class, along with Abby Spurgin,” Mattio said. “We needed to grow up a little bit, and we did. “So this season I’m really excited because we have all those starters back who started and played so many minutes. Even in our practices you see more poise, and they know what they’re doing in our practices.” Game experience coming back Mattio isn’t joking when she says “all those starters,” as four players return with 20 or more starts, led by Delaney Nix, who started all 33 games, and leading scorer Spurgin, who started 27 games. Spurgin is a dominant force inside at 6-2 and scored a teamhigh 13.8 points a game while grabbing a solid 6.1 rebounds per outing. Nix was second in scoring at 9.9 points a game and easily led the Lady Buffs in 3-pointers made at 83. Although mainly coming off the bench but starting eight games, Braylyn Dollar returns, ranking third last year in scoring and rebounding at 9.5 ppg and 5.8 rpg. While that nucleus of returners would make any coach smile, adding Hightower to the mix Lexy Hightower listens in on a courtside huddle during WT’s 64-56 win over would make any coach Lubbock Christian Jan. 18 in Canyon. giddy. The Amarillo High graduate missed last Hightower, a 5-8 senior season with a serious ankle injury but is guard from Amarillo rejoining the Lady Buffs as a senior for 2020-21. (Photo by Mike Haynes) High, suffered a nasty 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Abby Spurgin, a 6-2 post from Fredericksburg, shoots for West Texas A&M over Lubbock Christian’s Maddi Chitsey, a 6-2 forward from Wall, last season. Spurgin will be a senior this year; Chitsey was a senior last year. (Photo by Trevor Fleeman for WTAMU)

ankle injury during the 2019-20 preseason and was redshirted, playing zero minutes. It was a crushing blow at the time as Hightower had established herself among the Division II elite as a junior, averaging 16.2 points, being named Lone Star Conference player of the year, garnering her second straight WBCA All-American honor and ranking 15th on WT’s all-time scoring list at 1,278 points. “I mean, this is my opinion, but I think we have the best guard and best post in the conference with Lexy and Abby,” Mattio said. “Along with players like Delaney, who has expanded her game beyond being a 3-pointer shooter, and then you have Sienna Lenz, who is one of the hardest workers we have. I’m talking about inthe-gym-at-6 a.m. type of kid. Dollar gave us good minutes. Right there you are talking about five people who should not only give us great minutes, but be impactful. By impactful I mean make a major impact every night they step out on the court.” Hightower already has proven to be that impact player nightin and night-out and is completely recovered from the injury, Mattio said. “Lexy is back and better than ever,” Mattio said. “The cool thing with Lexy, she has had sustainable success throughout her whole career. It’s rooted in how she does stuff every day through her work ethic. Her competitiveness has been there since the first day she stepped on campus. She has always been so motivated and ambitious to leave a legacy here. Leave her imprint. I feel every year she has improved and got better, and she is just fun to watch play. (Continued on next page)

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“Any time you have those setbacks where you are forced to sit on the bench and watch and learn from a different perspective, it usually turns out positive. Lexy was in our huddles during games. This is definitely her team, and Lord willing, I hope she is able to get out there and show people.” WT also brings some depth to the bench and a couple of freshmen who Mattio would not be surprised to see earning playing time. Junior Asha Scott, a 5-8 guard who is a Washington, D.C., native and transferred last year from St. John’s College in Vermont, played in 25 games last year. Scott averaged 1.4 points. Sophomore 5-9 guard McKauley Gregory from Lubbock Cooper saw action in 15 games. The two freshmen on the roster are 6-2 Jayla Burgess from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and 5-10 guard Jillian Sowell from Southlake Carroll. Burgess’ height and size mean matchup problems for teams at the four spot. Sowell led the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 3-pointers made her junior year. “These two I have been impressed with, and I think we will see them on the court this year,” Mattio said. Departing players from last year who will be missed are Megan Gamble of Omaha, Nebraska, who had the second most minutes played at 27, averaging 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds a game, Nathalie Linden of Stockholm, Sweden, and Tiana Parker of Chehalis, Washington. Home court advantage Speaking of the Lady Buffs’ home court, the First United

Lexy Hightower

Abby Spurgin

At left, Lady Buff Braylyn Dollar of Lubbock Monterey shoots a free throw in a Jan. 18 win over Lubbock Christian in front of Lady Chap Caitlyn Cunyus of Canyon. At right, WT&#39;s Delaney Nix of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, looks to pass in the Lady Buffs&#39; March 7 Lone Star Tournament loss to LCU. (Left photo by Mike Haynes; right photo by Trevor Fleeman for WTAMU)

Bank Center was home, sweet, home for WT last year, where they finished 14-1. “I think you want to be stingy at home,” Mattio said. “There is a leverage to your fan base that is created when you win. We all know every player wants to play in front of fans. And we have those fans. We tell every recruit there is no place like home. Not only do you get that backing, but our fans will coach them up. Our fan base is what makes home so sweet and special. We have a mentality that you don’t lose at home. Other teams should hate having to come to Canyon, Texas.” Mattio said dealing with COVID certainly will be a daily experience during 2020-2021. But COVID can’t destroy the Lady Buffs’ attitudes, she said.

Asha Scott

McKauley Gregory

Delaney Nix

Sienna Lenz

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Braylyn Dollar

Madison Kast

Aminata Dosso

Lauren Taylor

Jayla Burgess

Jillian Sowell

West Texas A&M Lady Buffs Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown Asha Scott, 5-8, G, Jr., Washington, D.C. Jayla Burgess, 6-2, F, Fr., Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Lexy Hightower, 5-8, G, Sr., Amarillo High McKauley Gregory, 5-9, G, Soph., Lubbock Cooper Delaney Nix, 5-8, G, Jr., Tahlequah, Oklahoma Sienna Lenz, 5-8, G, Jr., Chilliwack, British Columbia Aminata Dosso, 5-9, G, Jr., Paris, France Braylyn Dollar, 6-0, F, Jr., Lubbock Monterey Jillian Sowell, 5-10, G, Fr., Southlake, Texas Madison Kast, 6-1, P, Jr., Visalia, California Lauren Taylor, 5-10, G, Jr., Collierville, Tennessee Abby Spurgin, 6-2, P, Sr., Fredericksburg, Texas Coach: Kristen Mattio Asst. Coaches: Camille Perkins, Kristian Branson 2019-2020 record: 27-6, 19-3 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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“Our whole thought process is forward progress,” she said. “With everything going on, we know we are going to take COVID with us. But we aren’t going to let it be a distraction. It might disrupt us a little.” Mattio said the lesson learned from last year, when COVID put an instant halt to the season, will ride with the Lady Buffs in a good way all season. “One of the big things when we got pulled from the NCAA tournament last year is that I learned to coach in the moment,” Mattio said. “Things can change pretty quickly. You really have to stay in the moment. “My biggest thing is I hope the NCAA lets us play this year and we have everything in place to protect our kids.” And those “kids” can flat out play. They proved it last year.

Abby Spurgin of West Texas A&M moves toward the basket against Lubbock Christian in February at the Rip Griffin Center at LCU. Spurgin is a Fredericksburg graduate. (Photo by Trevor Fleeman for WTAMU)

WT’s Sienna Lenz, a 5-8 guard from British Columbia, drives against Emma Middleton of Lubbock Christian at the Lone Star Conference Tournament in March. (Photo by Trevor Fleeman for WTAMU)

Lady Buff Coach Kristen Mattio instructs her team during WT’s victory over Lubbock Christian Jan. 18 at First United Bank Center in Canyon. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Lady Buff Delaney Nix uses her arm to keep Madelyn Turner of Lubbock Christian out of her way in WT’s home win over LCU Jan. 18. Nix is from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and Turner is an Abernathy graduate. (Photo by Mike Haynes) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Lubbock Christian Men

Duncans have busy basketball agenda By DAVE WOHLFARTH For Chaparral Coach Todd Duncan, family matters. And the more he gets to see his kids play, the happier he is. When Lubbock Christian and other former Heartland Conference members moved into the Lone Star Conference before last season, the LSC schedule called for men’s and women’s games to be on the same night at the same place. That meant Duncan could watch his daughter, Ashton, play for the Lady Chaps. Ashton Duncan, now a senior, is a returning starter for the LCU women. So expect more of the same this season as the conference is expected to follow the same setup for the men and women. That schedule, with an early December start, had not been finalized as of the print deadline for this magazine. And where might Coach Duncan be on Tuesday or Friday nights, assuming his Chaps aren’t on the road? Probably catching a Lubbock Trinity Christian High School game. Son Ethan is a senior standout for the Runnin’ Lions. In fact, Ethan Duncan is a two-time district player of the year and one of five on the first team of the Panhandle-Plains Basketball Super Team. Could be, the coach is scouting a future Chap recruit. “I love to watch my kids play,” the coach said. “Since they’re both seniors this year, this is our last little chance.” Our also refers to his wife, Holly, whom he calls a “basketball mom.” Ashton and Ethan are the Duncans’ only kids, so if Holly isn’t at the LCU games, she’s bound to be at a Trinity Christian

Lubbock Christian’s Lloyd Daniels moves the ball at Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock last season. Daniels was the Chaps’ leading scorer in 2019-20. (LCU Athletics photo)

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encounter. “She tries to support us all,” Todd said. But, of course, Coach Duncan’s main focus will be on his team, which has a good chance to improve on the Chaps’ introduction into the LSC last season. Not that it was a bad intro. The Chaps won 15 of 22 conference games, finishing fourth, and wound up 19-10 overall. Their season ended in the quarterfinals of the LSC postseason tournament, but they almost made an amazing comeback to keep playing. Coach Todd Duncan Against No. 4 seed Angelo State in Frisco, the Chaps trailed by 25 points with 9½ minutes left in the game. They still trailed by a bundle with 6½ left. Sparked by Parker Hicks’ four straight 3-point connections, the Chaps went on a 38-15 run and tied the game, forcing overtime. The Chaps almost won in the first overtime, but ASU’s Collin Turner banked in a 3- pointer with three seconds left to force a second OT. Turner finished the game with an LSC tournament and school record 47 points. The Rams outscored LCU 14-9 in the second extra five minutes to win 97-92. Hicks finished the game with 27 points and 12 rebounds. LCU’s Rashan Proctor had 23 points and 10 rebounds. Chap Lloyd Daniels scored 18 points. Those are names to remember. “It was a disappointing finish, yes,” Duncan said. “But when I evaluated the season in full, I saw a lot good things that happened to get us there. We were one win away from an at-large (South Central Region) tournament berth.” The 6-5 Proctor, the lone senior on last year’s Chaps team, has moved on after averaging 10.9 points and 4.9 rebounds as a starter. “It’s pretty unusual to just have one senior on the team,” Duncan said. Another player, 6-3 sophomore guard Silas Crisler (4.7 ppg) opted to transfer to Quincy University in Illinois, a Division II team. Crisler played in all 29 games, starting one, and averaged 15 minutes of playing time per game. “We talked at the end of the year, and he thought it was better for him to transfer,” Duncan told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. “I know he wants to play and maybe play more.” Over the summer, Crisler married Maddi Chitsey, who was a senior star for the Lady Chaps last season. So Proctor and Crisler are gone, but four starters — Daniels, Hicks, Ty Caswell and Cameron Copley — plus three subs and one redshirt are back, adding to the Chaps’ optimism in their second Lone Star season.

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Daniels was LCU’s top scorer last season at 16.2 points a game. The New Jersey native, a 6-4 senior guard/forward, was a first-team all-conference selection last season. Daniels started all 29 games and played more minutes than any other Chap. He had transferred to LCU from Murray State JC in Oklahoma. Hicks’ 3-pointers in the Chaps’ last game were commonplace for him. The 6-6 senior from Decatur, who started his college career at Texas Tech, drilled 80 of 176 long-range attempts, shooting 45.5 percent. He also was the team’s second-leading scorer at 14 a game, leading rebounder at 6.9 per game and blocked 20 shots. Hicks made the all-conference second team. Hicks may have been LCU’s most frequent 3-point bomber, but he wasn’t the best, percentagewise. Ty Caswell, a 6-6 sophomore guard/forward from Wichita Falls, connected on 48.8 percent (63 for 129) of his 3-pointers. He also contributed 11.2 ppg and 5.9 rpg. He started 28 games as a freshman and was named the LSC Freshman of the Year. Copley, a 5-9 redshirt junior point guard, is the distributor for the Chaps. He played on five state basketball and football championship teams at Water Valley and Canadian high schools. His father, Andy Copley, coached at both schools before moving to Follett as athletic director and football coach. Copley started all 29 games and averaged 9.5 points and 4 rebounds per game. His big things were assists (5.3 per game) and steals (35 for the season). He also connected on 41 3-pointers. Copley was a third-team All-LSC selection and was one of 21 student-athletes honored on the inaugural LSC Athletic Performance Team based on their athletic training regimen.

Chaparral Parker Hicks contemplates a pass while being guarded by Qua Grant of West Texas A&M on Jan. 18 in Canyon. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

The Chaps’ No. 1 sub also returns. Aamer Muhammad, a 6-0 sophomore guard from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, didn’t start any games but came off the bench to play 621 minutes, sixth most on the team. His 7 ppg earned him a spot, along with teammate Caswell, on the LSC All-Freshman team. Two other players — 6-5 redshirt senior Zach Stepp from Lubbock Coronado and 6-11 redshirt sophomore Cade McDowell from Nashville, Tennessee — saw brief action last season. McDowell will be closely watched by the college president, who just happens to be his dad. Dr. Scott McDowell was named (Continued on next page)

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LCU’s president in February. He previously had served as vice president of student life at Abilene Christian University. Prior to Abilene, Dr. McDowell spent two-plus decades with Lipscomb University in Nashville. Coach Duncan said he doesn’t feel any extra pressure to get his tallest player into games because Dr. Scott will be watching. “No, it’s a good situation,” Duncan said. “His dad is a great supporter of the team, and Cade is a great kid.” K.J. Jones, a 6-2 guard from Mansfield, redshirted last year, so he’ll be back in the mix as a freshman. Duncan said freshmen Gonzalo Corbalan and Camden Grant “have a chance to be impact players.” Corbalan is a 6-4 guard from Chaco, Argentina, by way of Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was that state’s player of the year from Class 5A state champion Las Cruces, which went 29-3. Grant, a 6-1 guard from Lubbock Monterey, was an all-district performer the past two seasons for the Plainsmen. Another newcomer to watch is Ben Janssan, a 6-3 junior guard originally from Adelaide, Australia. Janssan moved to the states as an exchange student and played for Centralia High School in Washington state. Then he played two seasons at South Puget Sound Community College. He was the second-leading scorer at 17.3 ppg for 22-6 SPSCC last season. Another Australian, 6-3 sophomore guard Rowan Mackenzie, is a transfer from Aquinas College in Perth. Two freshmen from the Texas Panhandle are 6-5 guard Zach Barsalou from Dalhart and 6-8 forward Jalen Brattain from Shallowater. Todd Duncan played at Lubbock Coronado, then at Midland College, where he played alongside future NBA star Mookie Blaylock. He set single-season records for 3-point

shooting (.584) and free throw shooting (.869) at Midland. He transferred to Texas Tech and established more marks in making 132 3-pointers and a career accuracy record (46 percent) in knocking down 3s. Duncan is beginning his 10th season at LCU. His Chaps have posted a 156-101 record for a .607 winning percentage. Previously, he coached at Trinity Christian for 15 years. His Lions won more than 400 games and captured the state TAPPS championship in 1999. Daughter Ashley starred for Trinity Christian just as son Ethan does now. The tie to TC is strong. For Duncan, it’s all in the family. Aamer Muhammad of Lubbock Christian goes high at the basket in front of Jordan Collins of West Texas A&M on Jan. 18 in Canyon. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Zach Stepp

Lubbock Christian Chaps Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown Rowan Mackenzie, 6-3, G, Soph., Perth, Australia Zach Barsalou, 6-5, G, Fr., Dalhart, Texas Parker Hicks, 6-6, F, Sr., Decatur, Texas/Texas Tech Cameron Copley, 5-9, G, Jr., Canadian, Texas Jalen Brattain, 6-8, F, Fr., Shallowater, Texas Ben Janssan, 6-3, G, Jr., Adelaide, Australia Gonzalo Corbalan, 6-4, G, Fr., Chaco, Argentina Ty Caswell, 6-6, G/F, Soph., Wichita Falls, Texas Camden Grant, 6-1, G, Fr., Lubbock, Texas Cade McDowell, 6-11, F, Soph., Nashville, Tennessee Zach Stepp, 6-5, F, Sr., Lubbock, Texas K.J. Jones, 6-2, G, Fr., Mansfield, Texas Aamer Muhammad, 6-0, G, Soph., Rio Rancho, New Mexico Lloyd Daniels, 6-4, G, Sr., Colts Neck, New Jersey Coach: Todd Duncan Asst. Coaches: Jason Imes, J.P. Alvarez 2019-2020 record: 19-10, 15-7 72

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Chap Ty Caswell drives against Joel Murray of WT in a Lone Star Conference game in Canyon on Jan. 18. Caswell was the LSC Freshman of the Year. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Cameron Copley of Lubbock Christian is guarded by Jordan Collins of West Texas A&M in their Lone Star Conference game Jan. 18 in Canyon. Copley is a Canadian graduate. (Photo by Mike Haynes) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Lubbock Christian Women

Red carpet pulled from under Lady Chaps By DAVE WOHLFARTH The Lady Chaparrals were right on the track toward their third NCAA Division II national championship in five years last spring. They’d won 12 straight and were playing very well. They’d taken the Lone Star Conference Tournament title with ease, winning their three games by 26, 13 and 13 points. They were top-seeded for the South Central Region Tournament, which would be played in their own Rip Griffin Center. Their first-round opponent would be Angelo State, a team LCU had just thrashed 91-65 in the LSC tourney. If all went as expected in the regional, the Elite Eight in Birmingham, Alabama, was the next stop. Everything was set up. Then everything was derailed. Not by an opponent, however. The day before the South Central Region competition was scheduled to begin, the Lady Chaps found out the tournament was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was frustrating for everybody,” LCU Coach Steve Gomez said, “but that’s how it ended.” It ended the Lady Chaps’ season at 28-3, and it ended the LCU careers of standouts Maddi Chitsey and Caitlyn Cunyus. “Both will be hard to replace,” Gomez said. Chitsey, a 6-2 forward from Wall, led the Lady Chaps in scoring (13.5 points a game) and rebounds (6.4 a game). She also blocked 58 shots last year. She reaped in a plethora of honors: LSC Female Athlete of the Year, LSC Academic Athlete of the Year (with her 3.94 GPA), LSC and South Central Player of the Year and WBCA and D2CCA All-American. She also was one of 30 finalists for the 2020 NCAA Woman of the Year Award, which was scheduled to be decided in November. Gomez had plenty of praise for Chitsey’s senior-year performance, both on and off the court. “She was not exactly flashy but a real steady influence on

Ashton Duncan, a Lady Chap guard, matches up with Shae Routt of the University ot Texas in last year’s 83-73 exhibition loss to the Longhorns in Austin to open the season. Duncan, a Lubbock Trinity Christian graduate, is the daughter of LCU men’s coach Todd Duncan. (LCU Athletics photo) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Lubbock Christian’s Allie Schulte of Nazareth is determined to reach the basket with West Texas A&M Tiana Parker in the way and WT’s Nathalie Linden watching in the Lady Buffs’ 64-56 win Jan. 18 in Canyon. The Lady Chaps went on to win the other two 2019-20 meetings. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

and off the court. She was a great teammate,” Gomez said. “She defended well around the basket. She could score with either hand. She did a lot of solid work for us. She was very efficient in whatever she did.” Chitsey is now Chitsey-Crisler. Last summer she married Silas Crisler, who played for the Chaparrals last year. Cunyus may have played in Chitsey’s shadow, but she was just as integral to the Lady Chaps’ success, according to Gomez. “She didn’t win all the awards or have all the statistical stuff, but she was just as important as Maddi,” he said. “She knew what had to be done. She was a great contributor on the court.” Cunyus’ contributions showed up in assists, leading the team with 3.2 a game. The former Canyon star, a 5-6 guard, scored 8 points and pulled down 4.5 rebounds per game. She was one of the Lady Chaps’ best long-range shooters, hitting 49 percent of her 3-point attempts. In the three LSC tournament games, Cunyus led the team in scoring with 11.7 ppg and hit 7 of 9 3-pointers, That and her all-around contributions in assists, steals and leadership earned her the tourney’s MVP award. She also was on the LSC allconference second team. LCU had lost three LSC road games in the regular season — back-to-back defeats at Eastern New Mexico and West Texas A&M in mid-January — and at Texas A&M-Commerce 59-54 (Continued on next page)

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Lubbock Christian’s Emma Middleton, who home-schooled in Lubbock, challenges West Texas A&M’s Abby Spurgin of Fredericksburg in a Lone Star Conference game Jan. 18 in Canyon. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Juliana Robertson of Kerrville drives for the Lady Chaps against Makyra Tramble of Southwestern Oklahoma State last season at the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock. (LCU Athletics photo)

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Lady Chaps who saw action last year return this season. “We have a good number back. We have seven of our top nine back from last year,” Gomez said. “We expect to be pretty decent.” Two full-time starters — Allie Schulte and Ashton Duncan — and three part-time starters return for the Lady Chaps. Schulte, a 5-10 senior guard from Nazareth, started all 31 games and was the team’s second-leading scorer at 12.3 ppg and assistgiver at 3.0 apg. She was a second-team all-conference selection. Duncan, the daughter of LCU men’s coach Todd Duncan, is the Lady Chaps’ primary long-distance threat. The 5-9 senior guard from Lubbock Trinity Christian nailed 79 3-pointers last season, shooting 43 percent from that range. Ashton Duncan made 27 starts and averaged 9.6 points. She was a third-team all-LSC pick. Three other Lady Chaps made some starts last season. Juliana Robertson, a 5-10 senior forward from Kerrville, started 16 games and contributed 3.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg. Emma Middleton, a 6-1 senior from Lubbock (home school Titans) had 15 starts with 8.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg. Madelyn Turner, a 5-8 senior guard from

on Jan. 30. They never lost in February or March. After easing past Angelo State in the LSC Tournament in Frisco, LCU whipped WT 59-46 in the semifinals. Matched up against No. 1 seed and regular-season conference champion A&M-Commerce in the finals, the Lady Chaps prevailed 57-44. “Last year was a great year for us, being it was our first year in the conference,” Gomez said. LCU previously was in the Heartland Conference, which merged into the Lone Star, creating an 18-team conference. This year, the LSC will have 17 teams as Tarleton State is in the process of stepping up to NCAA Division I. The Lady Chaps figure to be right in the mix again this year. Given their success last season, they’ll be targeted as the team to beat. But Gomez contends the Lady Chaps are used to that. “Well, last year we were the defending national champions. This year, we’re one of two defending conference champions,” he said. “We just have to play at a high level and see what happens.” Despite the departure of Chitsey and Cunyus, LCU should have the talent to continue to play at a high level. All told, 11

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Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown Ashton Duncan, 5-9, G, Sr., Lubbock, Texas Maci Maddox, 5-7, G, Fr., Lubbock, Texas Audrey Robertson, 5-8, G, Fr., Kerrville, Texas Emma Middleton, 6-1, F, Sr., Lubbock, Texas Laynee Burr, 5-9, G, Jr., Stratford, Texas Savannah Sumrall, 5-9, G, Soph., Wellington, Texas Madelyn Turner, 5-8, G, Sr., Abernathy, Texas Channing Cunyus, 5-9, F, Jr., Canyon, Texas Shaylee Stovall, 5-6, G, Fr., Idalou, Texas Cambrie Heiman, 5-10, F, Fr., Nazareth, Texas Allie Schulte, 5-10, G, Sr., Nazareth, Texas Juliana Robertson, 5-10, F, Sr., Kerrville, Texas Brylee Winfrey, 5-9, G, Soph., Canyon, Texas Lara Mason, 5-11, F, Fr., Vega, Texas Courtney Andersen, 6-0, F, Jr., Spanish Fork, Utah Whitney Cox, 6-1, F, Soph., Flower Mound, Texas Lady Chap Madelyn Turner of Abernathy prepares to shoot against West Texas A&M Jan. 18 with Delaney Nix and Abby Spurgin defending. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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Coach: Steve Gomez Asst. Coaches: Vic Self, Kaycie Wilson 2019-2020 record: 28-3, 19-3 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Abernathy, started the first four games of the season before being sidelined by an injury. When she returned, she came off the bench and finished with 5.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg stats. Laynee Burr, a 5-9 junior from Stratford, played in 30 games and logged 4.7 ppg. Channing Cunyus, a 5-9 junior from Canyon, played in all 31 games with 3.9 ppg, 2 rpg. She is the departed Caitlyn Cunyus’ sister. Sophomores Savannah Sumrall (Wellington) Brylee Winfrey (Canyon) and Whitney Cox (Flower Mound) and junior Courtney Anderson from Spanish Fork, Utah, saw limited action last year. Gomez also has five freshmen on his roster. Four of them — Maci Maddox (Frenship), Shaylee Stovall (Idalou), Cambrie Heiman (Nazareth) and Lara Mason (Vega) — hail from the Texas Panhandle. The fifth, Audrey Robertson from Kerrville, is the third Robertson to play for Gomez. Gomez always has encouraged sisters to follow sisters into his basketball program. Just in recent years, the Chitseys (Bobbi, a 2019 graduate, and Maddi), the Cunyuses (Caitlyn and Channing) and the Robertsons (Olivia, 2019, Juliana and Audrey) have played for LCU. Gomez is beginning his 18th season at LCU and owns a 425125 college coaching record for a .773 winning percentage. His record in the now-defunct Heartland Conference (118-17 for .874) is even more impressive. Before LCU switched its affiliation to the NCAA, he led the Lady Chaps to 10 consecutive appearances in the NAIA Division I Women’s national championship tournament. In the school’s first year of NCAA eligibility, his Lady Chaps went 35-0 and captured the 2015-16 Division II crown. They won it again in the 2018-19 season, that time with a 32-5 record. Gomez is coaching at his college alma mater. He was a standout guard for the Chaps in the late 1980s and set a school record for career free throw percentage at .855. Because of COVID-19 concerns, the Lady Chaps’ 2020-21 schedule was not set as of this magazine’s print deadline. Gomez expected play to begin in early December. “We’ll play 21 conference games,” Gomez said. “We’ll play every team once and five teams twice, similar to last year.” Whenever the season begins, the Lady Chaps hope for a better ending.

Laynee Burr of Stratford handles the ball for Lubbock Christian against West Texas A&M in a Lone Star Conference game Jan. 18 in Canyon. (Photo by Mike Haynes) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

The shot of LCU’s Allie Schulte falls toward the basket as the Nazareth graduate appears suspended in the air in the last minute of the Lady Chaps’ 64-56 loss to West Texas A&M in Canyon on Jan. 18. LCU won the teams’ two other meetings last season. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

LCU Coach Steve Gomez reacts to action on the court during the Lady Chap-Lady Buff game Jan. 18 at West Texas A&M. Behind Gomez are Lady Chaps Channing Cunyus of Canyon and Madelyn Turner of Abernathy. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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Wayland Men

Pioneers plan for another solid season By KEVIN LEWIS It goes without saying that 2020 hasn’t been easy for anyone, including the Wayland Baptist Pioneer basketball team. However, head coach Ty Harrelson believes that better – if not necessarily easier – days are ahead for his program. The Pioneers put another solid season in the books in 2019-20, finishing with a 20-11 mark, including 12-8 in the highly competitive Sooner Athletic Conference Coach Ty Harrelson for fifth place. The Pioneers were ranked th the equivalent of 30 in the NAIA – one of five SAC teams ranked or receiving Top 25 votes – and received a bid to the NAIA National Championships in Kansas City right before the season was shut down by COVID-19. “We had another great season. We won 20 games and qualified for the national tournament for the sixth time in the last seven years,” Harrelson said of his fifth season at the helm of his alma mater, where he was an NAIA All-American in the early 2000s. “I thought we played our best basketball at the end of last year. I wish for our seniors they would have had an opportunity to play (at nationals).” The difficult COVID-19 circumstances then made recruiting a different animal this past off-season for the Pioneers. “We had no spring practices, and recruiting became very difficult,” said Harrelson, explaining that coaches weren’t allowed to travel to visit recruits and recruits, for a time, weren’t allowed on-campus visits. But Harrelson said his coaches persisted, and he’s happy with how things look going into the 2020-21 season. “Our coaching staff did a good job finding the players that fit for this year’s team,” Harrelson said. “We’re excited to have Jack Nobles (who played the past two seasons at Wayland) as a graduate assistant. Jack is somebody who knows our program and was very successful in it.” Besides Nobles, an AllSAC ThirdTeam selection last season, three others graduated out of Pioneer uniforms in Matthew Mulloy, C.J. Obinwa and J.J. Culver, the two-time NA I A A l l American who was SAC Jordan Brannon 76

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Player of the Year as a junior. Culver led the Pioneers in almost every major statistical category last season, including points (23.1), rebounds (6.4), assists (3.2) and steals (2.7), so he’ll certainly be missed. Seven players return off last season’s roster, including five seniors. Leading those veterans is Tre Fillmore, a 6-2 guard from Amarillo Palo Duro who was Wayland’s third-leading scorer a year ago at 9.6 ppg to go with 2.0 rebounds. “Tre has been in the program for four years. He looks great right now,” Harrelson said. “He’s always had the ability to stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting ability.” Of Wayland’s top six scorers in 2019-20, Fillmore is the lone returner, so the Tre Fillmore other veterans and a host of newcomers will be counted on to take up the scoring slack. Among the most promising prospects is Jibrael Washington, a 6-8 senior center from Waco by way of Temple College. Washington is a premier shot blocker, ranking eighth in the entire NAIA last season in that category with 1.8 swats a game. He also averaged 2.3 point and almost four rebounds a contest. Other veterans back are Jordan Brannon and Deng Bol Yol. Brannon is a 6-3 sophomore guard from Lubbock Trinity Christian who averaged 3.3 points as a freshman. “Jordan started some games last year,” Harrelson said. “Like Tre, he can also stretch the floor with his shooting ability.” At 6-11, Bol Yol gives the Pioneers an imposing presence in the middle. The native of Uganda averaged 2.1 points and 3.2 boards in his first season at Wayland. Rounding out the veterans are senior Mattia Cafisi, a 6-3 senior point guard from Switzerland who played previously at Frank Phillips College, 6-7 senior Hunter Henderson of Kellyville, Oklahoma, and 6-1 sophomore guard Gage Hulse of Huffman. Among the team’s newcomers are two players with ties to former Pioneers. Thaddeus Udoh, a 6-5 guard/forward and a graduate of Amarillo Palo Duro, is a younger brother to Bonny Udoh, who played last season. Javorian Miller is a 6-2 guard who transferred from Abilene Christian, where he played football for a couple of years. Miller played previously for former Pioneer Tim Thomas at Odessa Permian High School. Another promising newcomer is Chinedu Okonkwo, a 6-7 (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Tre Fillmore

Jibrael Washington

Jordan Brannon

power forward from Nigeria who transferred from the University of West Florida. “He plays hard and is very physical,” Harrelson said. UPDATE: The Pioneers opened their season Oct. 30 with a 96-52 win over Arlington Baptist, but since then the team’s schedule has been interrupted by COVID-19 concerns, both at opposing schools and within the Pioneer team. As a result, the rest of the fall schedule has been canceled. The Pioneers are scheduled to resume their schedule Jan. 2 with the first of 15 regular-season games. Check wbuathletics. com for current schedule information.

Deng Bol Yol

Mattia Cafisi

Hunter Henderson

Wayland Baptist Pioneers Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown Tre Fillmore, 6-2, G, Sr., Amarillo Palo Duro Jordan Brannon, 6-3, G, Soph., Lubbock/SW Assemblies of God Mattia Cafisi, 6-3, G, Sr., Porza, Switzerland/Frank Phillips College Gage Hulse, 6-1, G, Soph., Huffman Hargrave High Hunter Henderson, 6-7, F, Sr., Kellyville, Okla. Deng Bol Yol, 6-11, P, Sr., Kampala, Uganda/Monroe College, N.Y. Jibrael Washington, 6-8, P, Sr., Waco/Temple College Devin Avent, 6-0, G, Fr., Fort Worth Brewer Thomas Miles, 6-2, G, Jr., Portland, Ore./Midland College Javorian Miller, 6-2, G, Soph., Odessa/Abilene Christian William Bruffey, 6-2, G, Fr., Lubbock Titans Ryan Jackson, 6-4, G, Fr., Plainview High Josh Servantez, 6-0, G, Soph., Shallowater/McPherson College Jaxon Recer, 6-7, G/F, Fr., Pottsboro Thad Udoh, 6-5, G/F, Fr., Amarillo Palo Duro Chinedu Okonkwo, 6-7, F/P, Sr., Samaru, Nigeria/West Florida Coach: Ty Harrelson Asst. Coaches: Landon Hughey, Jack Nobles 2019-2020 record: 20-11, 12-8

Wayland Women

Queens plan to repeat last year’s success By KEVIN LEWIS Nothing can ever bring back the amazing opportunity the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens had last season to win an NAIA national championship. At the same time, there’s seemingly nothing keeping the Flying Queens from putting themselves back in that same enviable position this coming season. “Yeah, we can go do it again. We have all the pieces to do that,” head coach Alesha Ellis said. “With our core group returning, they know what it takes to win championships.” While Wayland no doubt will miss its three graduated seniors from a year ago, chief among them all-American and the program’s all-time assists leader Morgan Bennett, Ellis welcomes back two other all-Americans, a handful of other proven veterans and a host of promising new talent. “That was one of the best teams I’ve ever had,” Ellis said of her 2019-20 squad that forged a 31-2 record, captured a Sooner Athletic Conference regular season co-championship and SAC Tournament title and notched 10 wins over ranked opponents or teams receiving votes, including three victories over the No. 1 team in the nation. The Queens, who averaged a second-in-theNAIA 88 points a game, were riding a 28-game win streak and were the No. 2 overall seed in the national tournament when play

Kaylee Edgemon

Jenna Cooper

Payton Brown

was halted by COVID-19. Ellis described last season’s roster as “top-notch, on and off the court. “Their team chemistry is what put them at the top,” she said. “We had a lot of talent, and they were unselfish players all the way around. Two of our best players (Kambrey Blakey and Kaylee Edgemon) came off the bench. We started our best defensive team, then threw in our best offensive players. I felt like we were playing at our best at the end of the season. “The girls have a lot to be proud of. We overcame personal and team battles, which I think they will carry a lot further in (Continued on next page)

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College

Payton Brown of Lubbock Roosevelt, left, Kaylee Edgemon of Littlefield and Jenna Cooper of Claude are Flying Queen veterans coming back for 2020-21. (Photos by Claudia Lusk/WBU Sports Information) (Continued from previous page)

their lives than even a national championship. Although it ended on a bad note, I was really proud of them. It will haunt all of us for the rest of our lives not knowing what could have happened, but it is what it is.” Ellis is pumped up about what will be her eighth season at the helm of the Flying Queens, making her the second-longest tenured coach in program history after only the 18 years of legendary Harley Redin, who died this past summer at age 100. “Every year, every team is different, but we’re returning a good core back to the team,” said the coach, who has won almost 78 percent of her games (176-51) at Wayland. “We lost some key pieces last year in our point guard (Bennett) and a starting post (Kelea Pool). Size is something we’ll have to focus on this season. We’re not as big this year.” But the Flying Queens are versatile, and they can shoot. “We’ll be a little different than last year,” said Ellis, who will be assisted for the first time by her husband, Andy. “This team can really shoot the ball. We have more guards, and they’re big guards. “This is the most versatile team I’ve had at Wayland. We’ll run everybody at different positions. It will be fun.” Wayland Baptist Flying Queens Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown Blakely Gerber, 6-1, F. Soph., Nazareth Jolie Donaldson, 5-11, G, Jr., Whitewright Sonia Sato, 5-11, F, Fr., El Paso Bel Air Kaylee Rendon, 5-6, G, Fr., Frenship Payton Brown, 5-7, G, Jr., Lubbock Roosevelt Kaitlyn Edgemon, 5-11, F, Fr., Littlefield Jessica Medcalf, 5-9, G, Soph., Franklin Katheryn McClanahan, 5-6, G, Fr., Austin Bowie Taelor Sadler, 5-7, G, Fr., Slaton Southcrest Christian Ashlyn Shelley, 5-10, G, Soph., Idalou Kylie Ellsworth, 5-7, G, Fr., Georgetown Avery Mitchell, 5-10, F, Rs, Lubbock Christian High Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant, 6-2, F/P, Soph., Amarillo Tascosa Jenna Cooper, 6-0, F, Jr., Claude Kaylee Edgemon, 5-11, F, Sr., Littlefield/Eastern New Mexico Coach: Alesha Ellis Asst. Coach: Andy Ellis 2019-2020 record: 31-2, 19-1 78

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Leading the Queens will be the aforementioned honorable mention all-Americans, Edgemon and Jenna Cooper. The 5-foot11 Edgemon, a two-time honorable mention All-American from Littlefield, led the team in scoring last season, averaging 13.6 points to go with 5.4 rebounds. Edgemon is the lone senior on the 15-player roster. Wayland also returns its third-leading scorer and top rebounder in Cooper, a 6-foot junior from Claude. Cooper averaged 12.4 points and 8.6 rebounds a year ago when she hit 51 3-pointers, second on the team to Bennett’s 77. Also back is junior Payton Brown, who shared point-guard duties with Bennett and averaged 10.5 points along with a teamhigh 52 steals and 99 assists, second only to Bennett’s 172 helpers. “We look for Payton to be a leader this year,” Ellis said of the Lubbock Roosevelt product. “She’s doing a great job of that.” Other veterans are redshirt junior Jolie Donaldson of Whiteright and four sophomores in Blakely Gerber of Nazareth, Jessie Medcalf of Franklin, Ashlyn Shelley of Idalou and 6-2 Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant of Amarillo Palo Duro. They’re joined by six incoming freshmen: Sonia Sato of El Paso, Kaylee Rendon of Frenship, Kaitlyn Edgemon of Littlefield, Katheryn McClanahan of Austin, Taelor Sadler of Lubbock’s Southcrest Christian and Kylie Ellsworth of Georgetown. A seventh freshman, Avery Mitchell of Lubbock Christian High School, will redshirt. Ellis is counting on some of those younger players to help out underneath. “We brought in a lot of 5-11, 6-foot players who can play those positions, too, as freshmen,” Ellis said. “Our freshmen can’t play like freshmen if we’re going to win as much as we want to.” Two of the newcomers are relatives of current of former Queens. Kaylee and Kaitlyn Edgemon are sisters, while Sato’s sister, Nina, played from 2014 to 2018 and holds the team record for most blocks in a game with 10. “Sonia is not as tall as Nina, but she’s very, very strong and knows how to score,” Ellis said. “We need to develop her knowledge of the game, but she’s very versatile.” The coach said Edgemon, who finished No. 1 in her graduating class at Littlefield after transferring from Lubbock Cooper, is “tearing it up right now. She is super-versatile and can post up or play on the outside. She knows how to score, so she’s a lot like (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

her sister in that way. She’s very strong with a quick first step. We’re really, really excited to have her.” Ellis also had high praise for backup point guards Shelley and Rendon. The coach called Shelley “a smart player who sees the floor really well.” Ellis can hardly wait to get back at it. “I’m really excited about this team,” she said. UPDATE:

The Flying Queens will not play again this fall after the three remaining games on their schedule were canceled. The second-ranked Queens defeated Mid-America Christian 84-72 on Nov. 5 and University of Science and Arts 81-73 on Nov. 7, both in Oklahoma. They were scheduled to host No. 25 Our Lady of the Lake University for their 2020-21 home debut on Nov. 19. But that game, as well as the two games as part of the tournament hosted by Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio on Nov. 24-25, has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.

Ashlyn Shelley

Tayjanna McGheePleasant

Jolie Donaldson

The Flying Queens are set to resume play Jan. 9 in Fort Worth against Texas Wesleyan for the start of Sooner Athletic Conference competition. The team is scheduled to make its home debut Jan. 14 against Southwestern Christian. The Queens have 14 games scheduled this fall, not counting conference and national tournaments. Because of COVID-19 uncertainty, check wbuathletics.com for current schedule information.

Husband joins wife on Queens’ staff By KEVIN LEWIS As a basketball player at Texas Tech, Alesha Ellis got an up-close look at what a wife-andAndy said he has big shoes to fill, even though husband coaching staff looks like. This coming he’s 6-foot, 11-inches tall. season with the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens, “She’s had two unbelievable assistant coaches, she’s going to be part of just such a staff herself. as good as you can hope for,” he said. But Andy Alesha and husband Andy will be coaching added that he’ll be able to provide an additional the Flying Queens side-by-side after Andy was element that only a husband could. hired this summer to serve as assistant coach. “Being her husband and assistant, I can “We’re super excited,” said Alesha, who’s give her a different kind of encouragement and been the Flying Queens’ head coach since 2013. reassurance. I think that could be big for her,” Since last October, Andy has been on he said. Wayland’s coaching staff in charge of the In addition to both being “super competitive” women’s golf program. Now, in addition to people (they no longer play video games against coaching golf in the fall and spring, he’ll coach each other, because it led to arguments), Alesha basketball in the winter alongside his wife. and Andy both were standout basketball players “I think it will be a great experience,” Andy The coaching Ellis family consists of mom at Texas Tech. said. “We’ve both played for Hall of Fame coaches Alesha, dad Andy and children Kingston Coaching together has been on the couple’s and Laiken. (Photo courtesy WBU Sports (she for Marsha Sharp and he for Bob Knight). minds ever since they married the summer after Information) I’ve been around some great coaches, and I think Alesha was named the Queens’ head coach. Alesha is one of them. She’s very critical of “We’ve thought about it ever since we got married, and now herself, but I think she’s unbelievable at what she does,” Andy said. the right opportunity came up at the right time,” Alesha said. As for Andy’s attributes, Alesha said off the court he’s very “Other people have put that in our head, that we should do that. good with paperwork and organizational aspects of running a This is not something that came out of nowhere. It’s definitely basketball program, while on the court he’s “really, really good something we’ve talked about.” at X’s and O’s. Alesha said head and assistant coaches should complement “He sees the big picture and sees things as a whole, whereas I each other, much like a husband and wife. have a tendency to look way harder than I have to for solutions,” “When you hire people to be on your staff, it almost needs to Alesha said. “The things he points out, a lot of times they are simple be like a husband/wife relationship,” she said. “You need someone solutions. I would be like, ‘Well, duh, why didn’t I see that?’” that makes you whole, which I already know that about Andy. Again, Andy -- who last season served as color analyst on The former assistants (Melynn Hunt and Josh Bailey) I’ve been streaming broadcasts of WBU basketball – said Alesha sells blessed with did a really nice job of filling in my weaknesses, herself short. and Andy does that really well, too.” (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball College 79

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“She’s already proven she’s a great coach,” he said. “There’s nothing I’m going to change about that. Heck, they were the best team in the country last year.” Instead of one coaching offense and the other coaching defense, Alesha said she and Andy may take a different approach. “We’ll probably tag-team and try to figure out what’s best,” she said. A big plus about Andy joining the Flying Queens program is that not only does he already know the head coach well, he also is familiar with the players, all but three of whom return from last season’s squad that forged a 31-2 record and was ranked No. 2 in the NAIA when the season was nixed just before the national tournament due to COVID-19. “Andy knows me and what’s important to me, and he knows our system,” Alesha said. “He’s been around. I go home and talk about our team constantly, and they (players) all come over to the house. “It will be a really easy transition.” Ever since they married, Andy has contributed his knowledge to the success of the program. Before it was turned into a bedroom for one of their two children, he said, the couple had a room with a “chalk wall” in their home. “The whole thing was covered in plays,” he said. “We also watch films together, I help her scout teams, I help at practices… We’ve worked together; it just hasn’t been called that.” In fact, Andy doesn’t think the couple will notice much of a change this coming season from how they’ve been operating. “I don’t see a big difference,” he said.

The couple doesn’t have any question they’ll be able to work well together – officially – for the first time. “I understand the role of an assistant,” Andy said. “I know when to say something, and I know when to shut my mouth and we can talk about it later.” Alesha got to witness a wife/husband staff up close during her senior season at Texas Tech under head coach Kristy Curry, whose husband, Kelly, has served as her assistant for several seasons, first at Purdue, then at Tech and now at the University of Alabama. “They worked well together – from what I know,” Alesha said. “We called him Coach Kelly and her Coach Curry.” Andy isn’t hung up on what the Flying Queens will call him, maybe Coach Andy, but figures players will continue calling Alesha “Coach Rob,” a holdover from her maiden name, Robertson. “That kind of stuck. It’s been passed down,” Andy said of his wife’s moniker. About the only drawback the couple sees in coaching together will be handling child care for their kids, 3-year-old Kingston and 5-month-old Laiken. (Alesha said they always thought they wanted four children, “but we changed our minds after two.”) Short of taking Kingston and Laiken with them to out-of-town games, which they’ll likely sometimes do, “We’ll have to have nannies when we go on road trips, someone staying at the house with them,” Alesha said, adding that grandparents also will help in that area. “Neither one of us can be there with our kids, which hurts me. My least favorite thing is that. “But that,” she added, “is the only negative I can see – unless we get in a big brawl” on the bench.

South Plains Men

Texan returners a rare treat By DAVE WOHLFARTH Texan Coach Steve Green must feel like a kid opening presents at Christmas. He actually has his top two scorers coming back this season. That’s a rarity in junior college basketball, where players take flight like the birds heading south in the winter. It’s a two-year world of incoming/outgoing. For example, last season Green didn’t have a single player returning from the previous year. Beginning the 2018-19 season, he had one. In addition to the two sophomore starters back this season, Green has three other sophomores who saw significant playing time for the 22-9 Texans last season – and, for extra measure, a freshman who redshirted last season. SPC finished its Western Junior College Athletic Conference slate with a 12-4 record and reached the NJCAA Region V finals, losing to league rival Clarendon College 86-80 last spring. Despite that loss, the Texans received one of eight at-large bids to the NJCAA national championships in Hutchinson, Kansas. As the No. 18 seed, South Plains was scheduled to play No. 15 seed Coffeyville, Kansas, Community College in the first round on March 16. But the COVID-19 pandemic forced the tournament to be canceled. 80

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Coach Steve Green

Rivaldo Soares

Benjamin Bayela

As a result, all the Texans could do was look forward to this season, which also will have some COVID-related restrictions. Regular season games won’t begin until Jan. 22, and teams will be restricted to a maximum of 22 games. The NJCCA championships will be pushed back to mid-April. Rivaldo Soares and Benjamin Ngondo Bayela are the Texans’ two returning starters. Yuot Gai, Jevonnie Scott and Philmon Gebrewhit were part-time starters and full-time participants last season. Stephen Hunt is the redshirt freshman. All except Hunt are sophomores. Here’s a look at them: • Soares, a 6-6 guard from Boston, started 22 games and led the Texans in scoring last season, averaging 15.4 points. He made (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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55 3-pointers and shot 42 percent on all his floor shots. He also collected 4.3 rebounds per game. He was named the WJCAC freshman of the year and made the all-conference team, as well as the All-Region V team. • Bayela, a 6-6 guard from France, made 29 starts and contributed 12.2 ppg and 3.7 rpg. He shot 38.3 percent from 3-point range and led the team by making 77 long-range bombs. He was an all-conference honorable mention. • Gai, a 6-11 forward/center from Melbourne, Australia, started 16 games and appeared in all but one game. He chipped in with 4.3 ppg and 4.8 rpg. • Scott, a 6-7 forward from Toronto, Canada, made nine starts and compiled an 8.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg log. He topped the team in 3-point accuracy by connecting on 40.7 percent of his shots beyond the arc. • Gebrewhit, a 6-7 guard from Boston, made 8 starts with 7.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg stats. • Hunt, a 6-1 guard, redshirted last year after earning first-team all-district honors in his senior season at Lubbock Southcrest, a TAPPS Class 2A school. Those veterans will try to hold off one sophomore transfer and seven freshman newcomers for playing time this fall. Myron Gardner, a 6-6 guard, is the sophomore transfer from Division I Georgetown, where he played sparingly last season. He was a four-star recruit out of high school. The freshman contingent includes four foreign players: 6-3 guard Ladera Obang from Kitchener, Canada; 6-1 guard Dalph Panopio from Rome, Italy; 6-4 guard Samuel Taulapiu from Sandringham, Australia; and 6-10 center Jimmy Sorunke from Nigeria by way of Rockville, Maryland. Chase Landers, a 6-2 guard, hails from Pampa. Three of last year’s Texans have found new homes at Division I schools. Fredelin De La Cruz, a 6-7 forward from the Dominican Republic, signed to play with UT-Arlington. De La Cruz was the team’s leading rebounder as a sophomore at 6.8 rpg and also

Benjamin Bayela, honorable mention All-Western Junior College Athletic Conference last year for South Plains, returns this season as a sophomore. (SPC Sports Information photo)

added 7.5 ppg. He was the Texans’ top scorer (20 points) and rebounds (13) in the Region V title game loss to Clarendon. He started nine games but played in all 31. De La Cruz was a firstteam all-conference selection. Junior Farquhar, a 6-2 guard from Toronto, Canada, led the Texans in assists with 3.9 per game last season as a sophomore. He started 28 games and added 8.3 ppg. He’s going to play for Eastern Illinois University. The third Texan to go D-I was only a freshman last year. Bernard Kouma, a 6-10 center from Chad, Africa, started seven games and played in 29, contributing 4.1 ppg and 3.8 rpg. He signed with Oklahoma State. Green’s teams like to run, but last year’s average points per game of 72 was down from the previous season’s 83. The defense was a little stingier, limiting opponents to 62 points a game, down from 68 in 2018-19. Green’s Texans won NJCAA national championships in 2008, (Continued on next page)

South Plains Texans Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class Ladera Obang, 6-3, G, Fr., Kitchener, Calif. Philmon Gebrewhit, 6-7, G, Soph., Boston, Mass. Dalph Panopio, 6-1, G, Fr., Rome, Italy Chase Landers, 6-2, G, Fr., Pampa Benjamin Nyondo Bayela, 6-6, G, Soph., France Jevonnie Scott, 6-7, F. Soph., Toronto, Canada Rivaldo Soares, 6-6, G, Soph., Boston, Mass. Antonio Batis, 6-11, P, Fr., La Romana, Dominican Rep. Myron Gardner, 6-6, G, Soph., Detroit, Mich. Samuel Taulapiu, 6-4, G, Fr., Australia Stephen Hunt, 6-1, G, Fr., Lubbock Southcrest Valentin Catt, 6-10, P, Fr., Yaounde, Cameroon Yuot Gai, 6-11, F/P, Soph., Australia Jimmy Sorunke, 6-10, P, Fr., Rockville, Md. Rivaldo Soares averaged 15.4 points last season and was named Western Junior College Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year. (SPC Sports Information photo) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Coach: Steve Green Asst. Coaches: Matt Williams, Tyler Notch 2019-2020 record: 22-9, 12-4 College

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2012 and 2018. His Texans have won seven conference championships. He’s won numerous coach of the year awards and was inducted into the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. The Miami, Oklahoma, native earned degrees from Oklahoma Christian College and Sul Ross State University. After a couple of assistant jobs, he began his head coaching career at Howard College (1998-91), then Midland College (1991-94). After five years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at San Diego State and another year as an assistant at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, he moved to South Plains in 2000. Green celebrated his 500th victory at SPC Dec. 29 when the Texans defeated Salt Lake Community College 72-65 in the finals of the Fiesta Bowl Junior College Shootout in Mesa, Arizona. His Texans have won 512 and lost 137 for a .789 winning

percentage. That’s a tad better than his career (666-180 record) percentage of .787. He’s seen a lot of players come and go in his 20 years at the Levelland campus, but he’s turned the turnovers into desserts for South Plains.

SOUTH PLAINS TEXANS SCHEDULE Date Opponent Jan. 24 Murray State College @ Univ. of Central OK Jan. 31 Collin County Community College @ Arlington Feb. 11 Western Texas College @ Snyder Feb. 20 New Mexico Junior College @ Hobbs, NM Mar. 1 Frank Phillips College Mar. 4 Odessa College Mar. 18 New Mexico Junior College Mar. 29 Frank Phillips College @ Borger Apr. 1 @ Odessa College

Time 5 p.m. 3 p.m. 7:30 p.m. TBA 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. TBA 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.

South Plains Women

New coach takes up interrupted quest By DAVE WOHLFARTH Ira Baten is up for the challenge. All he has to do is replace a coach who seemingly won every available award and take over a team that was on its way to the NJCAA national tournament last spring. Baten was named the Lady Texan coach in May, a month after Cayla Petree announced she was taking her coaching talents to Florida, specifically Gulf Coast State College in Panama City. In five seasons at South Plains, Petree’s teams won 127 and lost 36. That’s a .779 winning percentage “Coach Petree did a great job with this program,” Baten told the college’s website, spctexans.com, “and we’re going to try and continue with the tradition of excellence South Plains College is known for, and our ultimate goal is to come in here and compete The South Plains College Lady Texans pose with their championship hardware after defeating Collin for a national title.” Competing for a national title is exactly Community College 74-64 in the finals of the Region V Tournament at Abilene’s Moody Coliseum in March 2020. It was Caylee Petree’s last game as coach before she left for Gulf Coast State in Florida. where Petree’s Lady Texans were last spring. (SPC Sports Information photo) They entered the national tourney as the No. 2 seed, brandishing a 32-1 record. They had a great shot to win it all, considering the NJCAA finale was season. She also was the whoopdirt.com Junior College Coach of scheduled for Lubbock’s Rip Griffin Center, just 28 miles from the Year and the United States Marine Corps/WBCA Two-Year their home base in Levelland. National Coach of the Year. They had won six straight since their only loss of the season, There’s a twist to to Petree taking the Gulf Coast State College a five-point defeat at New Mexico Junior College. They had job. Gulf Coast was the team that eliminated Petree’s 2018-19 team, breezed through the Region V tourney, winning their three games 68-66, in the NJCAA Elite Eight. The Lady Texans finished 30-5 by margins of 43, 23 and 10 points. that year. Both of her last two teams held the No.1 ranking in the But it was not to be. The NJCAA nationals never were played, NJCAA Division I national poll for stretches during the seasons. canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So Baten has a difficult job description if he plans to live up to The Lady Texans did have an outright Western Junior College his predecessor’s success. But he possesses the resume to do it. Athletic Conference championship to take from the 2019-20 He brings 19 years of coaching experience in the WJCAC to season, thanks to a sparkling 13-1 conference record. Petree was South Plains. His past 13 years were spent at Odessa College, named the WJCAC Coach of the Year for the second straight (Continued on page 84) 82

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where his Lady Wranglers won 20 or more games 11 times. His Odessa teams qualified for the Region V Tournament 12 times and made four consecutive trips to the NJCCA nationals. Baten’s Lady Wranglers won the WJCAC crown in the 2016-17 season, and he was named the conference coach of the year. His Odessa teams won 274 and lost 123, a .748 winning percentage. He coached three All-Americans at Odessa in Morgan Holly (2014), Mariah McCully (2017) and Okako Adika (2020). “Odessa is a great place, and this was an extremely tough decision, but when a job like South Plains opens up, you definitely have to consider it, and I couldn’t be any more excited to come to Levelland,” Baten told the spctexans.com website. “I’ve been coaching in this league for quite a while, and South Plains has great facilities, great people, and I’m extremely excited and grateful to come to South Plains College.” Baten’s first head coaching job was at New Mexico Junior College, where he played for Coach Ron Black’s WJCAC champions in the 1991-92 season. Baten coached the Lady Thunderbirds for six seasons, compiling a 107-71 record, and was named the conference’s Coach of the Year in 2002-03. His career coaching record is 381-194, a .662 winning percentage. Baten’s college play didn’t stop at New Mexico JC. The Andrews native transferred to Eastern New Mexico University and was a two-year starter, leading the Greyhounds to a Lone Star Conference championship and a trip to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen. Baten has three players – two of them part-time starters – returning from last year’s Lady Texans. That’s actually a reasonable number in junior college basketball, where player turnover is the norm. Ka’Lia Smith, a 6-1 sophomore forward from Amarillo Tascosa, started 22 games last season and was the team’s fourth leading scorer with 9.8 points a game and second-leading rebounder with 5.6 grabs a game. At Tascosa, Smith was a two-time district MVP and a member of the Amarillo Globe-News Girls Super Team as a senior, when she averaged 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Lady Rebels. She also was on the Panhandle-Plains Basketball Super Team first team in the 2017-18 edition of this magazine. Smith had indicated she would transfer to UT-Arlington for this season but decided to stay at South Plains, Shayla Moseberry, a 5-9 guard from Madison, Wisconsin, had South Plains Lady Texans Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown Martyna Czescik, 5-11, F, Fr., Warsow, Poland Tiarah Starks, 5-5, G, Fr., Aubrey, Texas Sydney Bowen, 5-4, G, Fr., Houston, Texas Grace Hunter, 5-10, G, Soph., Wellington, New Zealand Dyana Offutt, 5-10, F. Soph., San Antonio, Texas Viktoria Ivanova, 5-10, F, Soph., Stara Zagoro, Bulgaria Debora Reis, 6-0, F, Fr., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Julia Stenberg, 5-9, G, Fr., Stockholm, Sweden Ewa Kielar, 6-1, P, Fr., Pabianice, Poland Jordan Brown, 5-9, G, Soph., Plainsboro, New Jersey Shayla Moseberry, 5-9, G, Soph., Madison Wisconsin Jemilynn Mahoney, 6-2, P, Soph., Burley, Idaho Serena Waters, 5-7, G, Fr., Adelaide, Australia Ka’Lia Smith, 6-1, F, Soph., Amarillo, Texas Coach: Ara Baten 2019-2020 record: 32-1, 13-1 84 College

At left, Ka’Lia Smith of Amarillo Tascosa and South Plains College shoots against Howard College at the Texan Dome in Levelland last season. Lady Texan Caroline Germond of France follows the play. South Plains’ Grace Hunter of New Zealand moves the ball in the photo at right. (SPC Sports Information photos)

12 starts and accumulated 7.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg statistics. Grace Hunter, a 5-10 sophomore guard from Wellington, New Zealand, started four games and contributed 5.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 2.5 assists per game. Petree recruited heavily from foreign countries; there were seven foreign players on last year’s squad. Baten apparently is of the same ilk, as Hunter is one of seven foreign players on this season’s Lady Texans. The foreign delegation includes 5-11 freshman forward Martyna Czescik from Warsaw, Poland; 5-10 sophomore Viktoria Ivanova from Stara Zagoro, Bulgaria; 6-0 freshman forward Debora Reis from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 5-9 freshman guard Julia Stenberg from Stockholm, Sweden; 6-1 freshman post Ewa Kielar from Pabianice, Poland; and 5-7 freshman guard Serena Waters from Adelaide, Australia. Smith is one of four Texans on the roster. Tiarah Starks is a 5-5 freshman guard from Aubrey, and Sidney Bowen is a 5-4 freshman guard from Houston. Smith and Dyana Offutt, a 5-10 (Continued on next page)

SOUTH PLAINS LADY TEXANS SCHEDULE Date Opponent Jan. 22 Northeast Oklahoma A&M @ Miami, Okla. Jan. 23 Connors State @ Warner, Oklahoma Jan. 27 Trinity Valley Community College @ Athens Jan. 28 @ Kilgore College Feb. 1 Midland College Feb. 4 Frank Phillips College @ Borger Feb. 8 Howard College Feb. 11 Western Texas College @ Snyder Feb. 15 Clarendon College Feb. 20 New Mexico Junior College @ Hobbs, NM Feb. 25 @ Midland College Feb. 27 New Mexico Junior College @ Hobbs, NM Mar. 1 Frank Phillips College Mar. 8 Howard College @ Big Spring Mar. 11 Western Texas College Mar. 13 @ Clarendon College Mar. 18 New Mexico Junior College Mar. 20 Clarendon College Mar. 22 Western Texas College Mar. 25 Midland College Mar. 27 Howard College @ Big Spring Mar. 29 Frank Phillips College @ Borger

Time TBA TBA TBA TBA 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:45 p.m.

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forward from San Antonio, are sophomores. Rounding out the 14-player roster are Wisconsin’s Moseberry, 5-9 sophomore guard Jordan Brown from Plainsboro, New Jersey, and Jemilynn Mahoney from Burley, Idaho. There’s an even mix of seven sophomores and seven freshmen on the 2020-21 roster. Last season Petree had five players, including two starters, returning from the previous season, and that sophomore leadership paid off in a memorable season. The Lady Texans won their first 27 games, scoring in triple figures three times. They won a 71-70 squeaker over the College of Southern Idaho in the CSI Classic in Twin Falls, Idaho. The other close games came in the Phoenix Classic when SPC edged Bismarck (North Dakota) State College 68-63 and Mesa (Arizona) Community College 52-49 on back-to-back days in late December. The Lady Texans were forced into overtime to beat WJCAC rival New Mexico JC, winning 65-58 in Levelland. They survived another scare when they visited Baten’s Lady Wranglers in Odessa and came away with a 59-57 decision. On Feb. 13, they suffered their only loss, 67-62, at New Mexico JC in Hobbs. South Plains exceeded the 100-point mark two more times as it rebounded with six straight wins, including a 103-60 thrashing of Weatherford College in the opening round of the Region V Tournament in Abilene’s Moody Coliseum. The Lady Texans downed conference rival Midland 64-41 in the Region V semifinals and Collin Community College 74-64 in the finals. Then all the action stopped. But not the accolades. Five Lady Texans earned all-conference honors, and four of them signed to play two more years with Division I teams. The WJCAC honorees were: • Sarah Shematsi was the Lady Texans’ leading scorer at 12 ppg and also contributed 5.3 rpg and 2.2 apg. The 6-2 sophomore guard/forward from Angers, France, shot 37 percent from the 3-point line. She scored in double figures 18 times with a high

The South Plains College Lady Texans celebrate their Region V championship in March at Moody Coliseum in Abilene. They qualified for the national NJCAA tournament with a 31-2 record in 2019-20, but COVID-19 canceled the tourney. (SPC Sports Information photo) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Coach Ara Baten

Coach Cayla Petree

Ka’Lia Smith

of 26 in the Southern Idaho win. She signed to play with LSU. • Caroline Garmond, another member of SPC’s French Connection, scored her high of 24 against Collin Community College in the Region V finals. Not only did the 5-6 sophomore guard score 10.6 points and corral 2.8 rebounds a game but she had a team high 5.7 apg. She led all NJCAA teams in the country in assists (187) and steals (99). She signed with TCU. • Ruth Koang, a 6-5 sophomore center from Rochester, New York, also scored 10.6 ppg to tie Garmond as the team’s second leading scorer. She led the Lady Texans in rebounds at 7.2 rpg. She scored in double figures in 20 games with a season-high of 21. She ranked third in the NJCCA with 53 blocked shots and seventh with 238 total rebounds. She’s bound for the University of Alabama. • Johanna Teder, a 5-8 freshman guard from Tartu, Estonia, started 14 games and averaged 7.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 4.4 apg. She scored in double figures in seven of SPC’s last nine games, most notably 26 points in the Region V opener against Weatherford College. She shot 37.5 percent from 3-point range. She signed with Washington State. • Asia McCoy chipped in with 8.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg last season, starting 19 games. The 5-10 sophomore from Lawrenceville, Georgia, was the WJCAC newcomer of the year. She shot 60.4 percent from the floor and scored a single game high of 22 points. She has moved on to Missouri Western, a Division II school. Two other Lady Texans signed to play with Division I teams. Channel Noah, a 6-5 sophomore center (2.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg) joins her SPC teammate and fellow French player Germond at TCU. And still another French import – Oceane Robin, a 6-0 sophomore forward with 8.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg credentials – signed with California Baptist at Riverside, a Division I school. With the NJCAA moving all close-contact sports to the spring semester, Baten won’t make his SPC coaching debut until January. The Lady Texans will open their 2021 schedule at Northeast Oklahoma A&M (Miami, Oklahoma) Jan. 22. Then they’ll travel to Connors State, Trinity Valley Community College and Kilgore College. Those four games will complete the Lady Texans’ nonconference schedule. Because of lingering COVID-19 concerns, NJCCA teams are restricted to a 22-game schedule, so there are no tournaments on the slate. South Plains will return home for its conference opener against Midland College on Feb.1. In a move to reduce travel, WJCAC teams will play league foes three times instead of the usual two. The Lady Texans will play 18 conference games, but they won’t face Odessa’s Lady Wranglers, Baten’s former team. Odessa College chose to furlough its women’s basketball program until the 2021-22 season. College

Clarendon College Men

New coach, roster, hopefully same result By LANCE LAHNERT If Clarendon College’s dream season from a year ago is repeated in 2020-21, it will be by an entirely new group of players and coaches. No, seriously. Entirely. Clarendon’s Cinderella season last year saw the Bulldogs go 29-3 overall, win the Western Junior College Athletic Conference Coach Hunter championship at 14-2, win the Region 5 Jenkins championship and grab the No. 3 seed nationally. Then COVID ended the national tournament before it started. Last year’s Clarendon coach, Isaac Fontenot-Amadee, was named the WJCAC, Region 5 and TABC coach of the year before moving on to become an assistant at Division I Louisiana-Monroe. Enter 26-year-old Hunter Jenkins, who was named Clarendon’s coach in May. Although one of the youngest men’s college coaches in the country, Jenkins has experience, having spent last year at DI Buffalo as an assistant and previously as an assistant at Odessa College, Trinity College, Louisiana Tech and Texas Tech, where he was a student assistant under Chris Beard. Jenkins’ 14-player roster of seven freshmen and seven sophomores is entirely new as many of last year’s players moved on to DI and DII schools. Jenkins said although the cupboard is bare of players from last year, the successful season benefits his program. “Isaac left us in pretty good shape as far the state of the program in terms of winning and things like that in inheriting a conference championship team,” Jenkins said. “Now we have no players left on the team. But what it shows recruits is you can win big here and move on to the Division I level.”

Clarendon College Bulldogs Roster Name, Ht., Pos., Class, Hometown Johnathan Wright, 6-2, G, Soph., Mount Enterprise, Texas Noble Robinson, 6-4, G, Fr., Frenship, Lubbock, Texas Jared Johnson, 6-1, G, Fr., Tyler, Texas Issad Solano, 6-4, G, Soph., Puerto Rico Jakobe Dill, 6-3, G, Soph., Beaumont, Texas Taveion White, 6-8, F, Soph., Dallas, Texas BJ Simmons, 6-3, G, Soph., Dallas, Texas Jeremiah Gilliam, 6-7, F, Fr., Dallas, Texas Kaleb Parks, 6-8, F, Soph., Center, Texas Zack Thomas, 6-0, G, Fr., Dallas, Texas Ibn Loyal, 6-6, F, Fr., Newark, New Jersey Nigel John, 6-11, P, Fr., Dallas, Texas Jaqualin Franks, 6-2, G, Soph., Tenaha, Texas Jeron Johnson, 6-5, G, Fr., Miami, Florida Coach: Hunter Jenkins Asst. Coach: Jay Bradley 2019-2020 record: 29-3, 14-2 86

College

BJ Simmons

Jakobe Dill

Issad Solano

Taveion White

Nigel John

Noble Robinson

Happy with player mix Recruiting an entire new roster during COVID was a whole new ball game for Jenkins as the in-college visits were out and watching video and phone calls were in. “It definitely helped last year. I was at a Division I, so I was kind of able to fly around the country and see kids, so I had a good list of names. And then kids I had already recruited in the past and had relationships with, that definitely helped. Not being able to go see kids work out or play definitely hurts. But I’m happy what we ended up with player-wise. We have a good mix of good character and good talent.” With all new players on the roster, roles on the team still are being figured out. But some of Jenkins’ transfers have proven themselves at different programs. The guards will be led by 6-3 BJ Simmons, a redshirt sophomore who played at the University of Idaho last year, averaging 11 points. Simmons has several DI school looking at him. Also with DI playing experience is outstanding shooter Jakobe Dill , 6-3 guard who two years ago played at the UT-El Paso and spent last season at Navarrao Junior College. Arriving from Daytona State is 6-4 sophomore guard Issad Solano, a native of Puerto Rico. “Those are three sophomores who have experience, they have size, they have the skill level, and being a little older have gone through a college season and will really help us,” Jenkins said. “I think Jakobe Dill is one of the best shooters in all of junior college.” Inside, the Bulldogs should be led by 6-8 forward Taveion White, a DI transfer from Indiana University-Purdue UniversityIndianapolis. Plus, 6-11, 260-pound freshman center Nigel John should impact games, as he originally signed at Washington State (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

CLARENDON COLLEGE BULLDOGS SCHEDULE

(Continued from previous page)

and Utah State. An area player for the Bulldogs is Noble Robinson, a 6-4 freshman guard from Frenship. Jenkins said the style of play he coaches arrives from taking bits and pieces from all the coaches he has been under, including Beard at Tech, considered one of the great coaching minds in the United States right now. “I have had the chances to work with a lot of great coaches,” Jenkins said. Coach Beard obviously is a guy I call and like to steal a lot of his stuff, because he’s a really, really good coach. Offensively, I’d like to think we are a lot like Tech and his philosophies. Take care of the basketball. Don’t turn it over. Play high percentage shots. And about half the time, out-of-ball screens. And I do believe in defense with kind of an attacking style.” First game not until Jan. 22 Bonding together an entirely new roster will be one key to success for the Bulldogs. But if that process can take place during practice and five scheduled scrimmages, Clarendon will have plenty of it because of the “COVID schedule.” Clarendon’s first game isn’t until Jan. 22, and the WJCAC opener doesn’t arrive until Feb. 8, when the Bulldogs host New Mexico Military Institute. “We have been able to get a lot of practice in this fall and will continue to in December, so that’s helped get our offensive and defensive philosophies in,” Jenkins said. “It’s definitely a learning curve having a whole new team, but by the time January gets here I really think we will be on the same page.”

Date Opponent Jan. 22 RPA College Jan. 23 Lubbock Lobos Jan. 28 Strength in Motion Prep Jan. 30 Garden City CC @ Garden City, KS Feb. 1 Nationwide Prep Feb. 4 Tyson Prep WJCAC SEASON Feb. 8 NMMI Feb. 11 Howard @ Big Spring Feb. 15 South Plains @ Levelland Feb. 20 Frank Phillips @ Borger Feb. 22 NMJC Feb. 25 @ Odessa Mar. 1 Midland Mar. 8 NMMI @ Roswell, NM Mar. 11 Howard Mar. 13 South Plains Mar. 18 Frank Phillips Mar. 22 NMJC @ Hobbs, NM Mar. 25 Odessa Mar. 29 @ Midland Apr. 1 Western Texas @ Snyder REGION 5 TOURNAMENT Apr. 7-10 in Lubbock NATIONAL TOURNAMENT Apr. 19-24 in Hutchinson, Kansas

Time 8 p.m. 2 p.m. 6 p.m. TBA 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Jenkins said dealing with everything related to COVID, including tests, is a unique way to start his head coaching career. But he believes his players can handle it all this year. “What I like most is the character of these guys,” he said. “They get along with each other, and I think that will go a long ways in them jelling.”

Clarendon College Women CLARENDON COLLEGE LADY BULLDOGS SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Jan. 22 Trinidad State Junior College Jan. 23 Western Oklahoma State College Jan. 29 Western Oklahoma State College @ Altus, OK Feb. 1 Western Texas College Feb. 8 Midland College Feb. 11 Howard College @ Big Spring Feb. 13 Trinidad State Junior College @ Trinidad, CO Feb. 15 South Plains College @ Levelland Feb. 20 Frank Phillips College @ Borger Feb. 22 New Mexico Junior College Mar. 1 Midland College Mar. 4 Western Texas College Mar. 6 New Mexico Junior College @ Hobbs, NM Mar. 8 Frank Phillips College @ Borger Mar. 11 Howard College Mar. 13 South Plains College Mar. 18 Frank Phillips College Mar. 20 South Plains College @ Levelland Mar. 22 New Mexico Junior College @ Hobbs, NM Mar. 25 Howard College Mar. 29 Midland College @ Midland Apr. 1 Western Texas College @ Snyder

Time 6 p.m. 2 p.m. 5 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 6 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m.

Jaclynn Black

Taylor Sparks

Olivia Shannon

Jayla Johnson

Clarendon College Lady Bulldogs Roster Name, Ht., Class, Hometown Jaclynn Black, 5-10, Soph., Plainview, Texas Olivia Shannon, 5-6, Soph., Plainview, Texas Taylor Sparks, 5-7, Soph., Martin’s Mill, Texas Jayla Johnson, 5-10, Soph, Cleburne, Texas Coach: Mark James Asst. Coach: Aleiyah Brantley 2019-2020 record: 13-17, 0-14

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

College

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

2019-2020 Postseason Results Boys Region 1 Tournaments Class 6A Quarterfinals: Arlington Bowie 65, Frenship 55; Duncanville 66, Grand Prairie 65; Odessa Permian 44, Arlington Martin 43; Richardson 79, Waxahachie 58 Semifinals: Duncanville 59, Arlington Bowie 44; Odessa Permian 70, Richardson 57 Finals: Duncanville 59, Odessa Permian 43 Class 5A Quarterfinals: Wichita Falls Rider 53, Amarillo High 42; Mansfield Timberview 41, Mansfield Legacy 40; El Paso Eastwood 51, El Paso Andress 41; Burleson Centennial 75, Arlington Seguin 67 Semifinals: Mansfield Timberview 50, Wichita Falls Rider 41; Burleson Centennial 65, El Paso Eastwood 47 Finals: Mansfield Timberview 64, Burleson Centennial 62 Class 4A Quarterfinals: Pampa 66, Andrews 40; Clint 60, Levelland 47; Wichita Falls Hirschi 40, Decatur 36; Argyle 45, Krum 35 Semifinals: Pampa 45, Wichita Falls Hirschi 41; Argyle 36, Clint 31 Finals: Argyle 45, Pampa 29 Class 3A Quarterfinals: Abernathy 72, Littlefield 42; Peaster 73, Childress 37; Shallowater 72, Canadian 54; Brock 56, Wichita Falls City View 51 Semifinals: Peaster 56, Abernathy 40; Shallowater 53, Brock 45 Finals: Peaster 52, Shallowater 46 Class 2A Quarterfinals: Vega 81, Floydada 63; Sundown 57, Christoval 41; Gruver 64, Clarendon 46; Wink 55, Tahoka 51 Semifinals: Sundown 69, Vega 58; Gruver 74, Wink 50 Finals: Gruver 66, Sundown 42 Class 1A Quarterfinals: Texline 54, Valley 50; New Home 42, Borden County 27; Nazareth 46, Booker 28; O’Donnell 69, Klondike 50 Semifinals: New Home 44, Texline 42; Nazareth 49, O’Donnell 43 Finals: Nazareth 54, New Home 39

Girls Region 1 Tournaments Class 6A Quarterfinals: Frenship 74, Pebble Hills 44; Arlington Martin 48, L.D. Bell 47; Duncanville 47, DeSoto 43; Cedar Hill 41, South Grand Prairie 33 Semifinals: Cedar Hill 53, Frenship 49; Duncanville 66, Arlington Martin 49 Finals: Duncanville 56, Cedar Hill 54 Class 5A Quarterfinals: Amarillo High 39, Palo Duro 33; Wichita Falls Rider 42, Lubbock Monterey 41; Lake Dallas 50, Boswell 43; Mansfield Timberview 64, The Colony 50 Semifinals: Amarillo High 52, Lake Dallas 34; Mansfield Timberview 53, Wichita Falls Rider 49 Finals: Mansfield Timberview 51, Amarillo High 49 Class 4A Quarterfinals: Canyon 55, Dalhart 24; Hereford 54, Levelland 38; Argyle 39, Glen Rose 34; Bridgeport 44, Decatur 24 Semifinals: Argyle 41, Canyon 38; Bridgeport 43, Hereford 37 Finals: Argyle 42, Bridgeport 38 Class 3A Quarterfinals: Idalou 68, Brownfield 37; Shallowater 45, Bushland 43; Brock 62, Nocona 50; Jim Ned 46, Bowie 39 Semifinals: Idalou 44, Brock 28; Shallowater 47, Jim Ned 40 Finals: Shallowater 45, Idalou 42 Class 2A Quarterfinals: Panhandle 56, Clarendon 32; Gruver 49, Wellington 40; Haskell 60, Christoval 46; Stamford 49, Albany 37 Semifinals: Panhandle 47, Haskell 24; Gruver 56, Stamford 45 Finals: Gruver 34, Panhandle 27 Class 1A Quarterfinals: Nazareth 44, Higgins 25; Claude 55, White Deer 45; New Home 27, Sands 24; Ropes 53, Whiteface 41 Semifinals: Nazareth 46, Ropes 44; New Home 48, Claude 46 Finals: Nazareth 37, New Home 30

Boys State Tournaments Class 6A Semifinals: Brandeis vs. Duncanville, canceled; Dickinson vs. Wylie, canceled Finals: canceled

Girls State Tournaments Class 6A Semifinals: Cypress Creek 54, McKinney 51; Duncanville 45, Converse Judson 36 Finals: Duncanville 63, Cypress Creek 47 Class 5A Semifinals: Frisco Liberty 44, College Station 41 (OT); San Antonio Veterans Memorial 45, Mansfield Timberview 44 Finals: Frisco Liberty 35, San Antonio Veterans Memorial 26 Class 4A Semifinals: Argyle 49, Fredericksburg 38; Fairfield 76, Dallas Lincoln 51 Finals: Fairfield 40, Argyle 39 (OT) Class 3A Semifinals: Shallowater 61, Schulenburg 26; Woodville 62, Winnsboro 43 Finals: Shallowater 61, Woodville 43 Class 2A Semifinals: Gruver 59, Grapeland 49; Muenster 43, Mason 34 Finals: Gruver 42, Muenster 39 Class 1A Semifinals: Nazareth 43, Veribest 23; Lipan 33, Chireno 24

Class 5A Semifinals: San Antonio Wagner vs. Mansfield Timberview, canceled; Lancaster vs. Fort Bend Hightower, canceled Finals: canceled Class 4A Semifinals: Argyle vs. Stafford, canceled; Houston Yates vs. Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy, canceled Finals: canceled Class 3A Semifinals: San Antonio Cole 58, Peaster 44; Dallas Madison 90, Coldspring-Oakhurst 73 Finals: San Antonio Cole vs. Dallas Madison, canceled Class 2A Semifinals: Gruver vs. Shelbyville, canceled; Martin’s Mill vs. San Saba, canceled Finals: canceled Class 1A Semifinals: LaPoynor 63, Nazareth 53; Slidell 45, Jayton 28 Finals: canceled 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Finals: Nazareth 44, Lipan 31

High School

Panhandle-Plains

ST TEAM

Brendan Hausen 6-4 Amarillo High Jr.

Ethan Duncan 6-1 Trinity Christian Sr.

Mark Flemons 6-3 Paducah Sr.

Jelani Mohamed 6-1 Palo Duro Sr.

Blake Walker 5-10 Hereford Sr.

William Luther 6-4 Texline Jr.

Adolfo Martinez 6-0 Plainview Sr.

Jeb Smallwood 6-0 Frenship Sr. Super Teams

Kainan Thomas 6-2 Randall Sr.

ND TEAM

Devin White 5-11 Monterey Sr. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Basketball Super Teams

Bree Brattain 5-8 Shallowater Jr.

Bailey Maupin 5-10 Gruver Jr.

ND TEAM

Chloe Callahan 5-9 Canyon Sr. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Merry Gerber 6-1 Nazareth Sr.

ST TEAM

Mia Trevino 5-9 Monterey Sr.

Kenadee Winfrey 5-11 Canyon Sr.

Maggie Anderson 5-10 Ropes Sr.

Briley Barnes 6-0 Amarillo High Jr.

Mason Jones 5-10 Panhandle Sr.

Taytum Stow 6-3 Hereford Jr. Super Teams

TEAMS AT A GLANCE PRESEASON PICKS

District 2-6A Boys 1. Odessa Permian 2. Frenship 3. Abilene High 4. Odessa High 5. Midland High 6. San Angelo Central 7. Midland Lee

District 2-6A Girls 1. Midland Lee 2. Frenship 3. Odessa High 4. San Angelo Central 5. Odessa Permian 6. Midland High 7. Abilene High

HONOR ROLL 6A Boys Jeb Smallwood, Frenship, 6-0, Sr.; Devin Hartfield, Frenship, 5-10, Sr.; Tracy Godfrey, Frenship, 6-6, Jr.; Lincon Parrott, Frenship, 6-1, Jr.; Tate Beeles, Frenship, 6-7, Soph.

6A Girls Airron Gaydon, Frenship, 5-10, Sr.; Mikah Chapman, Frenship, 5-11, Jr.; Zaria Fowler, Frenship, 5-11, Jr.; Elena Noyola, Frenship, 5-5, Soph.; Abbi Holder, Frenship, 5-8, Fr.

District 2-6A Quick-starting Tigers win 27 games

Frenship Boys

The Tigers got out of the gate quickly last season. In fact, their 10-0 start, which included winning their own Gene Messer Classic, was the best record at the Class 6A level. Frenship didn’t maintain that pace but still wound up with a fine season. The Tigers finished third in rugged District 2-6A with a 6-4 record. In the playoffs, they defeated El Paso Coronado 47-43 in bidistrict and Haltom 60-53 in the area game. They bowed to Arlington Bowie 65-55 in the regional quarterfinals. That capped a 27-9 campaign for the Tigers. “It was a historical season for us at the 6A level. We had a very talented and hard-working group that played hard every night,” Coach Paul Page said. “We will miss our seniors, but we are excited about the group we have coming that will fill the gaps left by this successful group.” There were seven seniors on last year’s Frenship roster. Three — all-district newcomer of the year Donovan Smith, first-team all-district Noble Robinson and AD honorable mention Jordan Palmer — earned honors. Robinson is on the Clarendon College roster this year. Two starters — Jeb Smallwood and Devin Hartfield — and three other letter winners return for the Tigers this season. Smallwood, a 6-0 senior guard, averaged 7.1 points and 2.8 rebounds last season in earning first-team all-district distinction. Hartfield, a 5-10 senior point guard, contributed 6.5 points and 2 assists per game. He was second-team all-district. The other returning letter winners are 6-6 junior forward Tracy Godfrey (4.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 6-1 junior guard Lincon Parrott and 6-2 senior guard Klein Coker. Page designates Godfrey, Parrott and 6-7 sophomore forward Tate Beeles as other outstanding players to watch. 92

Jeb Smallwood

Devin Hartfield

Lincon Parrott

Tracy Godfrey

Tate Beeles

This year’s Frenship roster shows six seniors, six juniors and two sophomores. “We will have a great balance of size and speed that will allow us to continue to play fast and maintain the tempo that we like to play,” Page said. “We will also have experience at the guard positions as Smallwood, Hartfield and Parrott all played a lot of minutes last season.” The keys to success this season will be staying healthy, playing fast and using the Tigers’ team depth, according to Page. (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Continued from previous page)

However, he has some concerns, too. “We will need to create some early depth due to missing some key players to the extended football season,” he said, “and also not having tournament games to help bring younger players on board as quickly as we’ve been able to in the past.” Page is a graduate of Aspermont High School and Angelo State University. He’s beginning his seventh season at Frenship and 23rd as a head basketball coach. Before coming to the Wolfforth school, he coached at Rule, Olney, Roby and Seminole. Page has a career boys coaching record of 370-294 for a .557 winning percentage. His Frenship teams have won 57 percent of their games with a 114-86 mark. The Tigers’ 2-6A District has become even more far-flung this season because of UIL realignment. Abilene High and San Angelo will join holdover 2-6A members Midland High, Midland Lee, Odessa High and Odessa Permian as Frenship foes this season. Former conference member Tascosa drops down to Class 5A. District play begins Dec. 22.

DATE Nov. 6 Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Nov. 23

Frenship Schedule

Opponent Randall Canyon Lubbock Christian Lubbock High Amarillo High Randall Coronado WF Rider

Place B G There X There X Here X Here X There X X Here X Here X Haskell X

Nov. 24 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 18 Dec. 22 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Jan. 1 Jan. 1 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 26 Feb. 2 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Midland Christian Lubbock Cooper Palo Duro Nazareth Monterey Seminole Idalou Tascosa Plainview Trinity Christian Lubbock Estacado San Angelo Central Odessa Permian Lubbock Cooper Midland Lee Midland Lee Monterey Trinity Christian Abilene High Abilene High Odessa High Odessa High Midland High Midland High San Angelo Central San Angelo Central Odessa Permian Odessa Permian Midland Lee Midland Lee Abilene High Abilene High Odessa High Odessa High Midland High Midland High San Angelo Central Odessa Permian

Here X There There X There Here X There X Here Here X Here Here X Here X Here There There X Here There X There There X There Here X Here There X There Here X There Here X Here There X There Here X Here There X There Here X Here There X Here X There X

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Frenship Girls

A record-setting year indeed! As good as the Frenship boys were, the girls were even better. Coach Trent Hilliard’s Tigers won 30 games and lost only six. That was the third 30-win season in a row. They set a single-game school record for points with a 95-46 victory at Abilene Cooper. They became the first Frenship girls team to go undefeated (10-0) in winning the district championship. And that was the fourth straight year the Tigers either won or tied for the district crown. Frenship qualified for the playoffs for the 18th consecutive season and made the regional tournament for the second time in three years. The Tigers’ postseason run looked like this: Defeated El Paso Americas 64-42 in bidistrict, North Crowley 71-59 in the area round and El Paso Pebble Hills 74-44 in the regional quarterfinals; lost to Cedar Hill 53-49 in the regional semifinals. “We had a great, record-setting year,” said Hilliard, citing the accomplishments in the conference and the playoffs. Graduation took its toll on the Tigers. Gone are: • Maci Maddox, district MVP, TGCA all-state, started 141 consecutive games and leaves as the school record-holder in games played and assists in a game, season and career. Signed to play at Lubbock Christian University. • Ashlyn Caddel, first-team all-district, made a school-record 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Airron Gaydon

Zaria Fowler

Riley Roberts

Addison McClure

Hannah Page

77 3-pointers for 45 percent. Invited as a walk-on at Texas Tech University. (Continued on page 95) 6A

Name Hannah Page Riley Roberts Airron Gaydon Desiree Jefferson Abbi Watson Avery Siler Mikah Chapman Addison McClure Zaria Fowler Elena Noyola Abby Boyce Abbi Holder

Frenship Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-5 G Sr. 5-9 G Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 5-7 G Sr. 5-10 G Jr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-11 P Jr. 5-10 P Jr. 5-11 P Jr. 5-5 G Soph. 5-11 P Fr. 5-8 G Fr.

Coach: Trent Hilliard Asst. Coaches: Sharon James, Caleb Loper, Gerardo Arzaga 2019-2020 record: 30-6, 10-0 School phone: 866-4440 Players to watch: Airron Gaydon, Mikah Chapman, Zaria Fowler, Elena Noyola, Abbi Holder

Name Jeb Smallwood Devin Hartfield Tracy Godfrey Lincon Parrott Tate Beeles Klein Coker Myles Johnson Logan Barkowsky Corbin Gandy Chad Pharies Jake Armstrong AB Melvin Devin Hines Jalen Braziel

Frenship Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-0 G Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 6-6 F Jr. 6-1 F Jr. 6-7 F Soph. 6-2 G Sr. 6-5 F Sr. 6-2 F Sr. 6-7 F Jr. 6-1 G Jr. 6-1 F Jr. 6-3 F Sr. 6-0 F Jr. 6-0 G Soph.

Coach: Paul Page Asst. Coaches: Chris Roberts, Sean Allen 2019-2020 record: 27-9, 6-4 School phone: 866-4440 Players to watch: Jeb Smallwood, Devin Hartfield, Tracy Godfrey, Lincon Parrott, Tate Beeles 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Continued from page 93)

• Kaylee Rendon, district offensive player of the year, first-team all-district. Signed with Wayland Baptist University. • Avery Walker-Henry, second-team all-district. Signed with Southwestern Oklahoma State University. That leaves Hilliard with two returning starters and three other letter winners. Returning starters Zaria Fowler and Addison McClure both are junior posts. The 5-11 Fowler averaged 4.7 points and 5.5 rebounds and was first-team all-district. The 5-10 McClure (3.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg) was second-team AD. Letter winner Airron Gaydon, a 5-10 senior guard, didn’t start but was the district’s Sixth Man of the Year honoree and first-team all-district on the basis of 7.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.4 assists per game statistics. Riley Roberts, a 5-9 senior guard (4.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg), and Hannah Page, a 5-5 senior guard, also lettered last year. Roberts, who set a school record by drawing 34 charges last year, was a second-team all-district pick. Hilliard tabbed 5-11 junior post Mikah Chapman, 5-5 sophomore guard Elena Noyola and 5-8 freshman guard Abbi Holder as additional players to watch. The Tigers’ roster is composed of four seniors, five juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen.

“We will have an inside presence more than we have the last few years,” Hilliard said. “We will still look to run and shoot the 3, but we will have physical players inside as well.” With only five returnees, the inexperience of the team concerns him. Also, McClure and Page won’t play until after Thanksgiving because they’ll be involved in volleyball. Plus, Roberts is recovering from ACL surgery. Hilliard outlined several keys for the Tigers’ success this season. “Staying healthy and gaining a lot of experience with all our young kids. Without tournaments and with district play starting in mid-December, this will be a major challenge to get everybody ready for district play,” he said. “We have to shoot the ball well from the outside and do a great job of rebounding on the defensive end.” That District 2-6A play will feature two new opponents — Abilene High and San Angelo Central — with the UIL reshuffling. Tascosa bows out of 2-6A and drops down to 3-5A. Hilliard was the sixth man on Lubbock Monterey’s regional finalist team that went 30-4 in 1984-85. The Texas Tech grad coached at Wellington and Lubbock Cooper before moving to Frenship, where he’s beginning his seventh season. His 17-year career girls coaching record is 388-195, a .666 winning percentage.

This yearbook photo from the Frenship High School website shows the 1940-41 boys basketball team, coached by Bauman Roper. The caption lists the players as: front row, Wilford Bufe, J.A. McWhorter, R.M. Groves and Harold Smith Farrar; second row, Wayne Bennett, Junior Fraley, Melvin Simmons, Wesley Scheffel and J.L. Gamble. Photos of Tiger teams through the years are available for viewing on the website. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

District 3-5A Boys 1. Amarillo High 2. Palo Duro 3. Tascosa 4. Randall 5. Plainview 6. Caprock

TEAMS AT A GLANCE District 3-5A Girls 1. Amarillo High 2. Palo Duro 3. Tascosa 4. Randall 5. Plainview 6. Caprock

District 4-5A Boys 1. Lubbock Monterey/ Lubbock Coronado 3. Abilene Wylie 4. Lubbock Cooper 5. Abilene Cooper 6. Lubbock High

District 4-5A Girls 1. Lubbock Cooper 2. Lubbock Monterey 3. Abilene Cooper/Lubbock Coronado/Abilene Wylie 6. Lubbock High

HONOR ROLL 5A Boys Brendan Hausen, Amarillo High, 6-4, Jr.; Chris Dees, Amarillo High, 6-0, Sr.; Owen Boyett, Amarillo High, 6-2, Sr.; Damonze Woods, Amarillo High, 6-6, Jr.; Cade Hornecker, Amarillo High, 6-11, Jr.; Thour Puot, Caprock, 6-1, Sr.; Alain Nziza, Caprock, 6-3, Fr.; Kevon Evans, Lubbock Coronado, 5-10, Jr.; Deshawn Hill, Lubbock Coronado, 5-11, Soph.; T’Andre Scott, Lubbock Coronado, 6-3, Jr.; Nigel Braithwaite, Lubbock Coronado, 6-0, Jr.; Jessie Martinez, Monterey, 6-3, Sr.; Vyson Miller, Monterey, 6-3, Jr.; Jelani Mohamed, Palo Duro, 6-1, Sr.; Kadden Price, Palo Duro, 5-10, Jr.; Cutter Camp, Palo Duro, 5-10, Jr.; Paetyn Walker, Palo Duro, 6-3, Jr.; Austin Hauk, Plainview, 5-10, Sr.; Caleb Lusk, Plainview, 6-7, Sr.; Adolfo Martinez, Plainview, 6-0, Sr.; Kainan Thomas, Randall, 6-2, Sr.; Aaron Ovalle, Randall, 6-1, Sr.; Beau Okechukwu-Heider, Randall, 6-4, Sr.; Cody Bessent, Randall, 6-3, Jr.; Tony Collins, Tascosa, 6-6, Sr.; B.T. Daniel, Tascosa, 6-0, Jr.; Pat Edwards, Tascosa, 5-7, Sr.; Dezmond Moore, Tascosa, 5-9, Sr.; Javonte Perry-Gilbreath, Tascosa, 5-8, Sr.; Jayden Toniolli, Tascosa, 6-0, Sr.

5A Girls Rachel Haase, Amarillo High, 5-8, Sr.; Gracie Bentley, Amarillo High, 5-10, Sr.; Zerhyia Aokuso, Amarillo High, 5-10, Soph.; Briley Barnes, Amarillo High. 6-1, Jr.; Alana Strong, Caprock, 5-8, Jr.; D’Koda Martin, Caprock, 5-4, Jr.; Moriah Pearson, Caprock, 6-2, Jr.; J.J. Echols, Caprock, 5-10, Fr.; Avrie Douglas, Lubbock Cooper, 5-9, Sr.; Autumn Moore, Lubbock Cooper, 5-8, Sr.; Catalina Cortez, Lubbock Cooper, 5-2, Jr.; Hannah Zientek, Lubbock Cooper, 5-11, Jr.; Bella Sipowicz, Lubbock Cooper, 6-2, Jr.; Calyn Dallas, Lubbock Cooper, 6-0, Soph.; Jannaeleigh Cooper, Lubbock Coronado, 5-9, Soph.,; Kya Smith, Lubbock Coronado, 6-1, Soph.; Mia Alvarado, Lubbock Monterey, Soph.; Kelly Mora, Lubbock Monterey, Soph.; Mia Trevino, Lubbock Monterey, Sr.; Leyla Wright, Palo Duro; Victoria Moreno, Palo Duro; LaShonda Stiger, Palo Duro; Halima Stiger, Palo Duro; Aleea Miller, Palo Duro; Kylie Bennett, Plainview, 5-10, Sr.; Katy Long, Plainview, 5-8, Jr.; Janessa Pauda, Plainview, 5-6, Soph.; Emily Sigala, Plainview, 5-4, Sr.; Daniela Guzman, Plainview, 5-6, Jr.; Mariah Williams, Randall, 5-7, Sr.; Ainsley Velasquez, Randall, 5-10, Jr.; Kailee Benton, Randall, 5-5, Jr.; Jessalyn Gonzales, Tascosa, Sr.; D’Kierra Johnson, Tascosa, Jr.; Daizjia Oages, Tascosa, Soph.; Zaymiyah Dickson, Tascosa, 5-6, Soph.; Avery Carter, Tascosa, 6-1, Fr.; Aniyah Brackens, Tascosa, 5-8, Fr.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

District 3-5A Sandies’ youth maturing

Amarillo High Boys

The Sandies’ youth movement that began a few years ago paid big dividends last season. Look for even bigger success this year as Amarillo High returns all five starters. Coach Jason Pillion started two freshmen in the 2018-19 season, and the Sandies struggled to a 14-21 campaign, uncharacteristically missing the playoffs. Those freshmen of yesteryear — 6-4 Brendan Hausen and 6-6 Damonze Woods — now are two-year starters returning as juniors. They were instrumental in the Sandies’ 28-9 season a year ago. AHS was a perfect 16-0 in sailing to the District 3-5A championship. And the Sandies won a couple of playoff games, whipping Abilene Wylie 44-25 in bidistrict and El Paso Eastlake 62-46 in the area round. An experienced Wichita Falls Rider team stopped AHS 53-42 in the regional quarterfinals. “We won district with a 16-0 season and had great chemistry,” Pillion said. Keldon Barbour, Keaton Parker and Daymien Arellano, the only seniors on last year’s roster, have moved on. But Pillion has seven returning letter winners, six of whom have lettered twice. Guard Hausen led the Sandies in scoring last season with 15.2 points a game. He also grabbed 3.1 rebounds and dished out 3.5 assists per game. He’s the son of AHS assistant coach Benji Hausen and is a potential all-stater, according to Pillion. He was the district MVP and all-region last season and is on the Panhandle-Plains Basketball Super Team’s first team. Woods, a wing, led the Sandies in rebounds at 4.3 a game and contributed 7 points a game. He was a second-team all-district selection. Cade Hornecker, a 6-11 junior post (6 ppg, 4 rpg), was honorable mention all-district. Those three juniors are joined by two standout seniors as returning starters. Chris Dees, a 6-0 guard (10.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.1 apg) was first-team all-district. So was Owen Boyett, a 6-2

Owen Boyett

Chris Dees

Slade Simpson

Brendan Hausen

Cade Hornecker

Xa Landry-Britton

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Brendan Hausen of the Golden Sandstorm moves downcourt against Coronado last season. Hausen, son of Amarillo High assistant coach Benji Hausen, led the team in scoring with 15.2 points a game. (Photo by Steve Satterwhite)

guard (8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.4 apg). The two other returning letter winners are 5-10 senior guard Slade Simpson (3.5 ppg) and 5-10 junior guard Xa Landry (2.2 ppg). Simpson is the son of former Sandie Lance Simpson and grandson of the late Allen Simpson, who coached AHS to the 1986 state championship and is a member of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. Pillion lists experience, size and chemistry as the Sandies’ strengths. He’s concerned about filling a few holes. “We lost three great role players, so we need the team to absorb that loss with everyone carrying on the little things they brought to the table,” he said. Pillion said the keys for success this season will be taking care of the ball, defense and rebounding. Pillion was an all-stater at Abilene Cooper High School and an all-conference performer at South Plains College and West Texas A&M University. He played on the 1997-98 WT squad that reached the Elite Eight. The Sandies remain in District 3-5A, but the conference makeup has changed. Caprock, Palo Duro, Randall and Plainview remain in 3-5A, but all the Lubbock schools Damonze Woods

(Continued on next page)

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have moved to 4-5A in the UIL realignment. The newbie in 3-5A is Tascosa, which dropped from 6-A, making it a six-team district instead of the previous nine-team arrangement. (Editor’s note: Thanks to the Amarillo High School Basketball Booster Club for providing space for boys and girls action photos.)

Name Brendan Hausen Chris Dees Owen Boyett Damonze Woods Cade Hornecker Slade Simpson Xa Landry

Amarillo High Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-4 G Jr. 6-0 G Sr. 6-2 G Sr. 6-6 F Jr. 6-11 P Jr. 5-10 G Sr. 5-10 G Jr.

Coach: Jason Pillion Asst. Coaches: Benji Hausen, Jacob Dawson, Nate Skelton 2019-2020 record: 28-9, 16-0 School phone: 326-2033 Player to watch: Brendan Hausen

Amarillo High’s Chris Dees moves toward the basket in a home game last season, when he averaged 10.7 points a game. Dees is a senior this year. (Photo by Steve Satterwhite)

Amarillo High Boys Schedule

Sandie Owen Boyett takes a defensive stance against Lubbock Coronado last season. Boyett, a senior this year, averaged 8 points a game in 201920. (Photo by Steve Satterwhite)

DATE Opponent Nov. 14 Wichita Sunrise Christian Nov. 17 Frenship Nov. 20 Estacado Nov. 23 Midland Nov. 24 Abilene Wylie Dec. 3 Garland Lakeview Centennial Dec. 4 Mansfield Lake Ridge Dec. 5 Denton Ryan Dec. 8 Lubbock Cooper Dec. 11 Lubbock Monterey Dec. 12 Waco Midway Dec. 18 Waxahachie Dec. 19 St. Mark’s Dec. 28 Rockwall Heath Dec. 29 Birdville Dec. 30 Lancaster Jan. 5 Canyon Jan. 8 Plainview Jan. 12 Randall Jan. 15 Caprock Jan. 22 Palo Duro Jan. 26 Tascosa Jan. 29 Plainview Feb. 2 Randall Feb. 5 Caprock Feb. 9 Palo Duro Feb. 12 Tascosa

Place There Here There Here Here There There There Here Here Abilene There There There There There There There Here There There There Here There Here Here Here

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Cade Hornecker of Amarillo High plays in a zone defense against Lubbock Coronado last season. Hornecker, a junior this year, averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds a game in 2019-20. (Photo by Steve Satterwhite)

Sandie Damonze Woods goes high with two Coronado Mustangs hanging on him in a District 3-5A game last season. Woods averaged 7 points and 4.3 rebounds a game last year as a sophomore. (Photo by Steve Satterwhite)

Amarillo High Girls

Three-peat chance barely missed The third time was not a charm for the Lady Sandies, but they came oh, so close. Seeking their third straight Class 5A state championship, Amarillo High came up a basket short of getting back to San Antonio. Instead, it ended in the regional finals in Snyder when Mansfield Timberview’s Stephanie Mosely scored in the final seconds to hand AHS a crushing 51-49 defeat. The Lady Sandies were ranked No. 1 in the state at the time. In nonconference play, they had defeated four ranked teams to win the Frisco Tournament, then took the title in San Antonio’s NEISD Tournament. They beat San Antonio Veterans Memorial, which later was the 5A state runnerup, 45-41 in the finals. Amarillo High was a perfect 16-0 in winning District 3-5A. The Lady Sandies stretched their district winning streak to 44 games. In the playoffs, AHS defeated Abilene Wylie 73-39 in bidistrict, El Paso Eastlake 62-29 in the area round, Palo Duro 39-33 in the regional quarterfinals and Corinth Lake Dallas 52-34 in the regional semifinals. The Lady Sandies finished the season 36-3. “We had a great year. Unfortunately we fell a little short of getting back to the state tournament,” Coach Jeff Williams said. “We won a district championship in a very difficult district, which is always our first goal. Our kids competed to the very end, and 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Rachel Haase

Briley Barnes

Gracie Bentley

for that I could not be more proud of them.” The Lady Sandies suffered two major losses via graduation. Zayla Tinner was the TGCA player of the year, the TABC player of the year and the district MVP. Tinner, who averaged 21 points a game last season, is on the roster at the University of Southern California. The other key departure was Ansleigh Westlake, a first-team all-district selection. However, three starters and seven other letter winners return for Amarillo High this season. (Continued on next page)

Sandie Briley Barnes, a junior in 2020-21, shoots a 3-pointer against Coronado in a district home game last year. Barnes averaged 7.7 points and 6.3 rebounds. (Photo by Steve Satterwhite)

Rachel Haase of Amarillo High shoots a jumper against Lubbock Coronado in a District 3-5A game last season. Haase, a senior this year, averaged 8.9 points a game in 2019-20 and was all-region. (Photo by Steve Satterwhite)

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Rachel Haase, a 5-8 senior wing, averaged 8.9 points and 3 rebounds in earning first-team all-district and TABC all- region honors. The other two returning starters are 6-1 junior wing/forward Briley Barnes (7.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and 5-10 senior guard/wing Gracie Bentley (3.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.1 assists per game). Both were second-team AD honorees last season. Gracie Bentley is the sister of Lauren Bentley, who played on the AHS 2018-19 state champions. Haase, Barnes, Gracie Bentley and 5-10 sophomore guard/ wing Zerhyia Aokuso (6.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg) are outstanding players to watch, according to Williams. Letter winners Aubrie Rankin, a 5-9 senior forward (3.1 ppg), and Amaia Chiles, a 5-8 senior wing (2.9), saw considerable action last year. Seven seniors, three juniors and four sophomores are on this year’s AHS roster. “We will have a lot of kids that can score,” Williams said. “I think we will be balanced in the scoring department, which will hopefully make us harder to defend. We have good length and will be a much-improved team on the boards.” “Defensively, we have the type of young ladies that will go hard and try to do things the right way. Our depth will also be a strength as we want to play quick and play baseline to baseline.” Williams is concerned about the team’s depth meeting the expectations set for them. Another concern is replacing the six

Zeryhia Aokuso

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Aubrie Rankin

Amaia Chiles

seniors who were instrumental in taking the Lady Sandies to two state championships. What are his keys for success this season? “I feel like it will be how hard we go daily against one another,” he said. “Our internal competition has to be at an all-time high for us to reach our full potential as we will have lots of kids that do not have varsity experience that need to be contributors.” Williams is beginning his 17th season at Amarillo High, his high school alma mater. The West Texas A&M University graduate began his coaching career at Dumas (1997-2004). In 23 years, his girls teams have won 565 and lost 293 for a .740 winning percentage. His last three AHS teams not only have won two state titles (Continued on next page)

Amarillo High Girls Name Ht. Pos. Class Rachel Haase 5-8 F Sr. Gracie Bentley 5-10 G/F Sr. Ellie Frye 5-6 G/F Jr. Amaia Chiles 5-8 F Sr. Zerhyia Aokuso 5-10 G/F Soph. Briley Barnes 6-1 F Jr. Aubrie Rankin 5-9 F Sr. McKenzie Smith 6-0 F Soph. Eliza Duck 5-8 F Jr. Lacey Rice 5-9 G/F Soph. Marley McCampbell 5-7 F Sr. Shalea Watts 5-9 F Sr. Tatyana Gaspar 5-7 F/G Soph. Bekah Logsdon 5-6 G/F Sr. Coach: Jeff Williams Asst. Coaches: Trent Lankford, Justin Hebert, Kristi Thompson 2019-2020 record: 36-3, 16-0 School phone: 326-2118 Players to watch: Rachel Haase, Gracie Bentley, Zerhyia Aokuso, Briley Barnes 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Zerhyia Aokuso lets one fly for the Lady Sandies last season. She averaged 6.4 points and 3.2 rebounds as a freshman on a team that finished with a 36-3 record. (Photo by Steve Satterwhite)

Amarillo Highâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gracie Bentley moves the ball downcourt during the 2019-20 season. Bentley, a senior this year, contributed 3.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists a game as a junior. (Photo by Steve Satterwhite)

(Continued from previous page)

but also have achieved a .926 winning percentage by winning 113 games while losing only nine. District 3-5A will have a new look this year because of UIL realignment. The four Lubbock teams were shifted to District 4-5A, reducing a nine-team conference to six. The district newbie is Tascosa, which dropped down from Class 6A. (Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: Thanks to the Amarillo High School Basketball Booster Club for providing space for boys and girls action photos.)

Marley McCampbell

Shalea Watts

Bekah Logsdon

Ellie Frye

Eliza Duck

McKenzie Smith

Amarillo High Girls Schedule

DATE Opponent Nov. 10 Nazareth Nov. 17 Frenship Nov. 23 Idalou Nov. 24 Abilene Wylie Nov. 30 San Angelo Central Dec. 4 Canyon Dec. 8 Lubbock Cooper Dev. 11 Monterey Dec. 12 Brownfield Dec. 19 Wichita Falls Rider Dec. 22 Estacado Dec. 28 Permian Dec. 31 Palo Duro Jan. 2 Lubbock Cooper Jan. 5 Tascosa Jan. 8 Plainview Jan. 12 Randall Jan. 15 Caprock Jan. 22 Palo Duro Jan. 26 Tascosa Jan. 29 Plainview Feb. 2 Randall Feb. 5 Caprock

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Place There Here Here Here LCU There Here There Here There There LCU Here There Here There Here There There There Here There Here

Lacey Rice

Jada Graves

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Caprock Boys

Longhorns still young but have experience The Longhorns were young last year, and it showed. With an inexperienced team of two seniors, four juniors, seven sophomores and one freshman, Caprock struggled in the 2019-20 season. The Longhorns finished 4-26 overall and in eighth place in District 3-5A with a 2-16 mark. That downer followed a season in which the Longhorns had gone 28-6 overall and 13-3 in district. And in Coach Reggie Gibbs’ first three seasons at Caprock, the Longhorns had gone 74-28. His fourth brought the total to 78-54. The two seniors on last year’s roster – Cameron Martin and Sengi Anderson – have departed, and the ’Horns will be young again. This season’s roster shows three seniors, eight juniors, one sophomore and one freshman. But this year, Caprock has eight returning letter winners. The youngest of those eight, 6-0 sophomore guard Jaden

Chavez, was a second-team all-district selection last season. Joe Elizardo, a 6-1 senior guard, is a two-year letter winner. Chavez, 5-10 junior guard Niyo Edimo, 6-4 junior forward Yel Deeng, 6-1 junior guard Marcos Barrientes, 6-2 junior forward Chaston Barnes, 6-4 junior forward Kobi Hill and 6-0 junior guard Octavio Guzman also lettered last year. Newcomers Alain Nziza, a 6-3 freshman guard, and Thour Puot, a 6-1 senior guard, are other Longhorns to watch, according to Gibbs. Gibbs describes his team’s strengths as “team speed and a year of varsity experience under their belts.” He is concerned about overall size, maturity and leadership. Addressing the keys for success this season, he said, “How quickly we can put last season behind us and develop chemistry and confidence.” Gibbs starred at Lubbock Estacado High School, where he twice led the Lubbock area in scoring with 23.5 and 28.5 points per game. He was the district sophomore of the year in 1983. He began his college career at South Plains College, where he was an all-conference and all-tournament selection. He moved on to Houston Baptist University and set back-to-back single-game scoring records of 43 points. He finished his collegiate career at (Continued on next page)

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Louisiana Tech University, earning newcomer of the year honors. He’s beginning his fifth season and 21st overall as a head basketball coach. He coached at Lubbock High School, Slaton, Morton, Olton, Sul Ross State University, Brookshire-Royal, Belton and Tahoka before coming to Caprock. Caprock’s District 3-5A will have quite a different look this season because of UIL realignment. Tascosa drops down from 6A to join holdovers Amarillo High, Caprock, Palo Duro, Randall and Plainview in 3-5A. The Lubbock schools – Cooper, Coronado, Monterey and Lubbock High – have moved to District 4-5A. DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 21 Nov. 23 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Dec. 31 Jan. 2

Caprock Schedule

Opponent Borger Odessa High Dalhart Lubbock High Odessa High River Road Lubbock Cooper Abilene Wylie Idalou Dalhart Borger Perryton Lubbock Coronado Dumas Perryton Midland High Canyon Lubbock Cooper Gruver River Road Lubbock Monterey Plainview Pampa

Place B G There X There X Here X Here X X There X Here X There X Here X Here X There X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X Here X X Here X There X Here X There X There X There X X

Caprock Boys Name Ht. Pos. Class Joe Elizardo 6-1 G Sr. Damien Espinoza 5-10 G Sr. Thour Puot 6-1 G Sr. Niyo Edimo 5-10 G Jr. Juvanale Ndayishimiye 6-0 G Jr. Adonis Delgado 5-10 G Jr. Yel Deeng 6-4 F Jr. Marcos Barrientes 6-1 G Jr. Chaston Barnes 6-2 F Jr. Kobi Hill 6-4 F Jr. Octavio Guzman 6-0 G Jr. Jaden Chavez 6-0 G Soph. Alain Nziza 6-3 G Fr. Coach: Reggie Gibbs Asst. Coaches: Jason Brown, Robert Soleyjacks, Ty Stout 2019-2020 record: 4-26, 2-16 School phone: 326-2243 Players to watch: Alain Nziza, Thour Puot

Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Bushland Randall Tascosa Palo Duro Amarillo High Plainview Randall Tascosa Palo Duro Amarillo High Plainview Randall

Here X Here There X There X Here X Here X There X Here X Here X There X There X Here X

X X X X X X X X X

Caprock Girls

Lady Longhorns a junior team The Lady Longhorns were young overall last year. This season, they have learned a lot. Caprock had only two seniors on its roster a year ago. This year there are none, but there is more experience. “We were extremely young with several sophomores getting varsity playing time,” Coach David Smiley said of his 2019-20 squad that finished 10-22 overall and 3-13 in District 3-5A for seventh place. The Lady Longhorns did snare the consolation crown in the Glen Rose Tournament. “We had a trial by fire last year with a young team,” Smiley said. While this year’s team has no seniors, it does have eight juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen. Three of those juniors have starting experience. Alana Strong, a 5-8 wing/guard, averaged 9.8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in earning second-team all-district honors. Nevaeh Cummins, a 5-4 guard, contributed 4.2 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg, and Moriah Pearson, a 6-2 post, logged 4.2 ppg, 4 rpg stats. Strong, Pearson, 5-4 junior guard D’Koda Martin (3.3 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg) and 5-10 freshman guard/wing J.J. Echols are players to watch, according to Smiley. Martin and 5-9 sophomore guard/wing Vanessa Byrd both 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Alana Strong

Nevaeh Cummins

Moriah Pearson

lettered last year. “We have some juniors that had plenty of varsity experience and some incoming freshmen that will contribute,” Smiley said. “We will not have to be ready to start district by Thanksgiving this year. We will have time to mature as a team.” Because the former nine-team District 3-5A has been reduced to six members through UIL realignment, the Lady Longhorns won’t begin conference competition until Dec. 31 this season. Caprock’s season opener will be Nov. 7 at Borger. Smiley has two concerns: young players coming over from (Continued on next page)

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volleyball given the overlap of those two sports’ seasons and the possible cancellations because of COVID-19. “Leadership and team chemistry will be key to our success in a smaller district this year,” he said. “Developing our younger players will help push us to a possible playoff spot.” Smiley was an all-district and all-region player at River Road High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree at West Texas A&M University and a master’s at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. He is working on a doctorate in education at North Central University in Minneapolis. He’s beginning his seventh season as the Lady Longhorns’ coach and 11th overall. He previously coached at River Road, Levelland, Rosebud-Lott, Rockdale, Temple, White Deer and Tascosa. Name Alana Strong D’Koda Martin Moriah Pearson Mariah Cordova Nevaeh Cummins LaTavia Preciado Vanessa Byrd J.J. Echols Nina Dominguez CoCo Perry Cassandra Botello

Caprock Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-8 F/G Jr. 5-4 G Jr. 6-2 P Jr. 5-2 G Jr. 5-4 G Jr. 5-5 F/G Jr. 5-9 G/F Soph. 5-10 G/F Fr. 5-3 G Jr. 5-6 G Fr. 5-3 G Jr.

Coach: David Smiley Asst. Coaches: Bradley Jenkins, Krista Strange, Ellen Reid 2019-2020 record: 10-22, 3-13 School phone: 326-2200 Players to watch: Alana Strong, D’Koda Martin, Moriah Pearson, J.J. Echols

J.J. Echols

Vanessa Byrd

Mariah Cordova

LaTavia Preciado

Nina Dominguez

Alyssia Johnson

Andrea Sustaita

Cassandra Botello

Caprock Super Boosters Have a great season Girls! Let’s Go Caprock!— Brooke Kelley Have a great basketball season Jeslyn Cabell!— Nanny Cabello Good Luck this Season ALANA!—Love, Mom Good Luck Lady Horns!—D’Koda Martin Go ALEXA!—The Velasquez Family Good Luck Lady Horns, have a great season!— Suzette Rivera We wish the Caprock Lady Horns the BEST!— The Burton Family Let’s Go Lady Horns!—Cassandra Botello Have a great season Mya! #BLM Go Lady Horns!—The Pike Family Good Luck Caprock Longhorns! Hope you have great season!—Kadyance Juarez Go LADY LONGHORNS!—Elizabeth Byrd Good Luck Yessenia!—Love, Mom & Dad Let’s go SWAG!—Craig Family Excited for this years Season! Good Luck Valerie! Go Caprock Longhorns and Lady Horns, have an amazing Season!—Coach Smiley Go Longhorns!—Maria Keever Have a great season Lady Horns!—Espinoza Renovations (806) 233-8561

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Have a great season Mimi! We Love You! Go Lady Horns!—Mariah Cordova Go Lady Horns! Go Lesie, have a great year!— Allyssia Johnson We support the Lady Longhorns!—Blast Away LLC (806) 989-3078 Be Humble-Be Hungry-Always give 100%. We love you son!—Love Always, The Lueras Keep improving your game on and off the floor ABDI! Build your true character. Go Damien Espinoza!—A Big Shout out from Raymundo Photography Ant, we’re so proud of the young man you’ve become on and off the court!—Love, Mom, Dad, and Jordan, your #1 Fans! Good Luck this season!—The Morales Family 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Palo Duro Boys

Dons do it again The beat goes on for the Dons. Palo Duro continued two impressive streaks last season: winning 20 games for the sixth straight year and making the playoffs for the 19th season in a row. The Dons won 20 and lost seven in 201920, finishing as the runner-up in District 3-5A with a 13-3 conference mark. In the playoffs, PD defeated Abilene Cooper 65Jelani Mohamed 50 in bidistrict before bowing to El Paso Eastwood 49-45 in the area round. Coincidentally, the Dons played those same two teams in the previous year’s opening playoff rounds. Kaje Lee and Thaddeus Udoh, both all-district first-teamers last season, have departed, along with Gerrius Franklin. However, as Coach Jeff Evans begins his 21st season at Palo Duro, he welcomes three returning starters and five other letter winners. Jelani Mohamed, a 6-1 senior guard, averaged 17.8 points and 3.2 rebounds and was a first-team all-district selection last season. He is the younger brother of former Don Musa Mohamed. Kadden Price, a 5-10 junior guard, contributed 10.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game last year. The secondteam all-district pick is the brother of Michael Norman, another former Don. Evans views Jelani Mohamed and Price as all-state material. The third returning starter is 5-10 junior guard Cutter Camp. Camp and 6-3 junior guard Paetyn Walker are other outstanding players to watch, according to Evans. Walker lettered last year. So did 5-9 junior guard Nice Nkundimana, 6-1 junior guard Michael Udoh, 5-10 sophomore guard Audi Luckey, and 6-6 senior guards Matson and Greyson Camp, who are twins. Michael Udoh is the younger brother of former Don stars Bonaventure and Thaddeus Udoh. Matson and Greyson Camp are the brothers of former Don Ethan Camp and cousins to present Don Cutter Camp. Another current Don, 6-1 junior guard Kayden Tinnon, is the younger sibling of the departed Kaje Lee.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Kadden Price

Cutter Camp

Michael Udoh

Audi Luckey

Matson Camp

Greyson Camp

Evans touts quickness, the experience, shooting and skill level as Palo Duro’s strengths. Interestingly, all 10 players on the PD roster are listed as guards for the Dons’ high-octane offense. Size is Evans’ chief concern. Evans, a graduate of Lubbock Christian High School and Texas Tech University, was an assistant coach at Lubbock Coronado and head coach at Abilene High before coming to Palo Duro in 2000. His Dons have won 12 district championships, and his last seven teams have gone 144-32. Overall, Evans has a boys coaching recored of 548-188 for a .745 winning percentage. Because of the UIL realignment, PD will have one new opponent, Tascosa, in the six-team District 3-5A as all the Lubbock teams, formerly in 3-5A, have shifted to 4-4A.

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DATE Nov. 6 Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 13 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Dec. 30 Dec. 31 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

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Palo Duro Schedule

Opponent Bushland Claude Lubbock Trinity Stratford Hereford Panhandle Estacado Abilene Wylie Midland High Frenship Dalhart Texline Wellington Dumas Perryton Highland Park Texline Wichita Falls Hirschi Seminole Borger Coronado Colleyville Heritage Stephenville Borger Grand Prairie Amarillo High Lubbock Cooper Plainview Randall Caprock Tascosa Amarillo High Plainview Randall Caprock Tascosa Amarillo High Plainview

Place B G There X Here X Here X There X Here X Here X There X Here X Here X Here X There X There X There X Here X Here X There X Here X There X Here X Here X Here X X Dallas X There X There X Dallas X There X Here X Here X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X Here X

Palo Duro Girls Name Ht. Pos. Class Leyla Wright 5-7 F Sr. Victoria Moreno F LaShonda Stiger 5-5 G Sr. Halima Salat 5-5 G Sr. Aleea Miller 5-4 G Jr. Labree Henley G Jada Torrence P Coach: AJ Johnson Asst. Coaches: Callie Sims, Regan Welch, Vanessa Ramirez 2019-2020 record: 19-18, 9-7 School phone: 326-2493 Players to watch: LaShonda Stiger, Aleea Miller, Halima Salat, Leyla Wright, Victoria Moreno Name Jelani Mohamed Kadden Price Cutter Camp Nice Nkundimana Michael Udoh Audi Luckey Matson Camp Greyson Camp Paetyn Walker Kayden Tinnon

Palo Duro Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-1 G Sr. 5-10 G Jr. 5-10 G Jr. 5-9 G Jr. 6-1 G Jr. 5-10 G Soph. 6-6 G Sr. 6-6 G Sr. 6-3 G Jr. 6-1 G Jr.

Coach: Jeff Evans Asst. Coaches: Quincy Nodine, Braden Hammond, Dyonne Luke, Matt Walker 2019-2020 record: 20-7, 13-3 School phone: 282-2846 Players to watch: Jelani Mohamed, Kadden Price, Cutter Camp, Paetyn Walker

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Palo Duro Girls

Lady Dons had close calls Talk about your squeakers. The Lady Dons won three crucial games by a total of five points to stay alive in their stretch run last season. Here’s what happened: • The Lady Dons trailed most of the game but rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Plainview 40-38 in the playoff game to decide the fourth postseason spot from District 3-5A; • Palo Duro nipped Aledo 40-39 in its bidistrict game when Leyla Wright hit a jump shot with 24 seconds left, and the Lady Dons hung tough on defense; • In the area game, PD edged El Paso Burges 51-49 on a Sh’Heniece Matthews’ basket with only three seconds showing on the clock. The Lady Dons almost did it again in the regional quarterfinals. They led defending state champion Amarillo High by a point early in the third quarter before the Sandies pulled out a 39-33 decision in a defensive struggle. That capped a 19-18 season that included a second-place finish in the Wichita Falls Fantasy of Lights Tournament and a 9-7 district log. Kiara Green, a first-team all-district selection, has moved on to Howard College on a basketball scholarship. Matthews also departed from last year’s PD squad.

LaShonda Stiger

Aleea Miller

Halima Salat

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Leyla Wright

Veteran Coach A.J. Johnson has two honored players among his five returning letter winners. LaShonda Stiger, a 5-5 senior guard, was first-team all-district, and Aleea Miller, a 5-4 junior guard, was second-team all-district last season. The other returning letter winners are 5-7 senior forward Wright, 5-5 senior guard Halima Salat and forward Victoria Moreno. Wright, Salat and Moreno are players to watch, according to Johnson. He views the guards as the Lady Dons’ strengths but is concerned about the team’s depth. “Adding depth at every position” is the key for success this season, Johnson said. Johnson is beginning his 26th season as the Lady Dons’ coach and 29th overall. He coached at San Antonio Lanier before coming to Palo Duro. He owns a 530-357 girls coaching record for a .598 winning percentage. He’s a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was an NAIA all-American in 1983 at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He’s a member of that school’s sports hall of fame.

Victoria Moreno

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Plainview Boys

Bulldogs continue building Drew Thompson, beginning his second season as Plainview’s head coach, views his team’s improvement as a building process. “The players did a great job of adjusting to a new system,” he said, reflecting on last year’s 13-18 season and sixth-place district finish with a 6-10 conference record. “We look to build on last year’s progress.” The progress came after the previous season’s 4-26 mark when Thompson was an assistant to Leon Hagerman, Plainview’s longtime coach. Thompson, a graduate of Clyde High School and Texas Tech University, served as Hagerman’s aide for 11 years. The Bulldogs will have to build this season without Ryan Jackson, Peyton McNutt, Donny Phillips and Damarius White, all seniors last year. Jackson, a first-team all-district selection, signed to play collegiately at Wayland Baptist. Thompson has three returning starters and two other letter winners — all seniors — to continue the building process. Adolfo Martinez, a 6-0 senior guard, averaged 13.2 points last season and was a second-team all-district selection. Thompson tabs Martinez as an all-stater this season. The Bulldogs’ coach sees his other two returning starters as other players to watch. Austin Hauk, a 5-10 senior guard, contributed 8.6 points and 4.8 rebounds last year. Caleb Lusk, a 6-7 senior post, scored 6.5 points and grabbed 9.4 rebounds a year ago. Both Hauk and Lusk were all-district honorable mentions. Those three returning starters represent 28.3 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. The other two returning letter winners are 6-1 senior post Zabrin Duncan (2.4 ppg, 3 rpg) and 6-1 senior guard Chuy Quiroga. Thompson lists the Bulldogs’ strengths as work ethic, shooting and defense. “Plainview will have to defend well, control the tempo and take care of the ball to have success,” he said. The Bulldogs will open their season with a Nov. 13 home date against Midland. They’ll open District 3-5A competition Jan. 15 against defending champion Amarillo High, also at Plainview. Because of UIL realignment, District 3-5A has been reduced from nine teams to six. Tascosa, dropping down from Class 6A, is new to 3-5A, while the four Lubbock teams shift to District 4-5A.

Name Zabrin Duncan Austin Hauk Caleb Lusk Adolfo Martinez Chuy Quiroga

Plainview Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-1 P Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 6-7 P Sr. 6-0 G Sr. 6-1 G Sr.

Coach: Drew Thompson Asst. Coaches: Kevin Faught, Karson Hembree, Doug Davis 2019-2020 record: 13-18, 6-10 School phone: 296-3355 Players to watch: Adolfo Martinez, Caleb Lusk, Austin Hauk 108

Adolfo Martinez

Austin Hauk

Zabrin Duncan

Caleb Lusk

Chuy Quiroga

You are invited to the 63rd Annual Ceremony of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame Rescheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday,

June 13, 2021

Grand Plaza Amarillo Civic Center Induction of the New Hall of Fame Honorees Recognition of Athletes of the Year Coaches of the Year and More Awards (Date and location still subject to change depending on COVID-19 developments.) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE Nov. 6 Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 13 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Nov. 21 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Dec. 31 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 13 Feb. 16

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Plainview Schedule

Opponent Odessa High Lubbock Coronado Lubbock High Midland Midland High Lubbock Cooper Canadian Canyon Idalou Pampa Monterey Monterey Seminole Odessa High Trinity Christian Estacado Frenship Hereford Hereford Trinity Abilene Wylie Midland Lee Caprock Palo Duro Levelland Amarillo High Snyder Tascosa Randall Amarillo High Tascosa Randall Caprock Caprock Palo Duro Amarillo High Palo Duro Amarillo High Tascosa Randall Tascosa Randall Caprock Palo Duro

Place B G Here X Here X Here X Here X There X Here X X Here X Here X There X Here X Here X X There X Here X There X There X There X There X There X Here X Here X There X There X Here X There X Here X Here X There X Here X There X Here X Here X There X There X There X Here X There X Here X There X There X Here X There X Here X Here X There X

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Plainview Girls

Longtime Lady Bulldog coach moves on After 30 years, there’s a changing of the guard for the Lady Bulldogs. A new coach is in charge. Adrian Alfaro, who coached the Lockney girls the past four years, succeeds longtime Plainview Coach Danny Wrenn. Wrenn had been associated with the school for 33 years and coached the Lady Bulldogs the past 30 seasons. His teams won 772 and lost 262 for a .785 winning Kylie Bennett percentage. He ranks third behind Canyon’s Joe Lombard and Shallowater’s Chuck Darden among active Panhandle-Plains Basketball coaches in career wins. His Plainview teams won consecutive state Class 4A state championships in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Wrenn announced his retirement in April and even served on the committee that selected his successor. But two months later, Wrenn unretired and agreed to coach the girls team at Lubbock Kingdom Prep. Alfaro was a three-time all-district and two-time all-region and all-South Plains player for Lubbock Cooper. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Texas Tech University and a master’s at Lubbock Christian University. He began his coaching career as an assistant on the South Plains College women’s team in 2009-2010. His first head coaching job was at Lubbock Christ the King High School (2011-2015). After a year as an assistant at Lubbock High, he moved to Lockney (2016-2020). His last Lockney team went 18-15, tied for second in its district and lost in the bidistrict round. He brings a nine-year career girls coaching record of 139-104 to Plainview. Wrenn’s last Plainview team went 22-11 overall and 9-7 in District 3-5A. The Lady Bulldogs missed making the playoffs

Name Kylie Bennett Katy Long Janessa Pauda Zay Santos Emily Sigala Daniela Guzman Majik Esquivel Jayda Brooks Dalazia White Alexia Macedo Ashtyn Rivera

Plainview Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-10 P/G Sr. 5-8 G/F Jr. 5-6 G/F Soph. 5-5 G/F Fr. 5-4 G/F Sr. 5-6 F Jr. 5-6 G/F Fr. 5-6 G/F Jr. 5-5 F Jr. 5-8 P Sr. 5-5 G/F Fr.

Coach: Adrian Alfaro Asst. Coaches: Adrian Gutierrez, Shelly Fought, Allison Hodges 2019-2020 record: 22-11, 9-7 School phone: 296-3356 Players to watch: Kylie Bennett, Emily Sigila, Katy Long, Janessa Pauda, Daniela Guzman 110 5A

Emily Sigala

Katy Long

Janessa Pauda

Daniela Guzman

Jayda Brooks

Azaylee Santos

for the first time in 25 years after playing Lubbock Cooper and Palo Duro for the third and fourth playoff spots. So technically, they finished fifth. Osen Ellis, first-team all-district, was one of four seniors on last year’s team. Aspin Miller, Aaliyiah Rogers and Hannah Rodriguez also departed. Alfaro inherits two returning starters – Kylie Bennett and Emily Sigala – and four other letter winners. Bennett, a 5-10 senior point guard, was a first-team all-district selection last season. Sigala is a 5-4 senior guard/wing. Bennett and Sigala are all-state candidates, according to Alfaro. He tabs 5-8 junior guard/wing Katy Long, 5-6 sophomore guard/wing Janessa Pauda and 5-6 junior wing Daniela Guzman as other outstanding players to watch. All three are letter winners. Jayda Brooks, a 5-6 junior guard/wing, also lettered last year. Three seniors, four juniors, one sophomore and three freshmen make up the Plainview roster. Alfaro describes his team’s strengths as being quick and relentless. He is concerned about size and keeping healthy. “Playing together and adapting to the COVID-19 protocols,” he said in assessing the keys for success this season. “Being able to play a full game at a high level with intensity, energy and support.” The Lady Bulldogs’ District 3-5A didn’t get any easier with the departure of the four Lubbock schools. Tascosa drops down from Class 6A into 3-5A because of UIL realignment. And Amarillo High, which won two state championships in the last three years, is still in 3-5A, which also includes Palo Duro, Randall and Caprock. Plainview will open its season at home Nov. 6 against Odessa High. The Lady Bulldogs will face former district foes Lubbock Coronado, Lubbock High, Lubbock Cooper and Lubbock Monterey early in the season. District play begins Dec. 31. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Randall Boys

Raiders aim to return to playoffs The Raiders missed the playoffs for the second year in a row — and only the third time in the past 12 years — last season. However, with six experienced players back and a revamped district field, Randall has a good shot at postseason play this season. Veteran Coach Leslie Broadhurst, the only head boys basketball coach in the school’s history, says he’s excited about his team’s possibilities. “I think we have an opportunity to have a very nice team,” Broadhurst said. “We have four returning starters and two other lettermen, and then we will have a good number of young guys that will provide good depth.” Last year the Raiders won the Midland Tournament but finished 15-17 overall and 7-9 in District 3-5A for fifth place. Still, that was a big improvement over the previous season’s 6-25 overall and 1-15 district showing. “We gained a lot of experience,” Broadhurst said of last season. “It was a great group of seniors.” Those seniors were letter winners Dylan Gutz, Chol Bol, Jacob Sternenberg, Alex Kragh and Sam Strong. Gutz, a starter, was all-district honorable mention. Broadhurst has two honored players among his four returning starters. Kainan Thomas, a 6-2 senior guard, averaged 15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists in the earning first-team all-district distinction. Aaron Ovalle, a 6-1 senior guard, contributed 14 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg and was second-team all-district. The other two returning starters are 6-4 senior wing Beau Okechukwu-Heider (7.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and 6-3 junior wing Cody Bessent (3.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg). Those two are other players to watch, according to Broadhurst. The four returning starters represent about 40 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Jason Omeire, a 5-10 senior guard (2 ppg), and Caleb Blackwell, a 6-2 junior wing, are the other returning letter winners. Broadhurst lists four team strengths for the Raiders: experience, shooting, ball handling/passing and depth. He is concerned about size and rebounding. Randall Boys Name Ht. Pos. Class Kainan Thomas 6-2 G Sr. Aaron Ovalle 6-1 G Sr. Beau Okechukwu-Heider 6-4 F Sr. Cody Bessent 6-3 F Jr. Jason Omeire 5-10 G Sr. Caleb Blackwell 6-2 F Jr. Tony Bol 6-3 F Jr. Caden Wright 6-2 F Jr. Isaiah Kirkman 5-10 G Jr. Devin Baccas 6-2 F Fr. K J Thomas 5-9 G Fr.

Kainan Thomas

Aaron Ovalle

Beau Okechukwu Heider

Cody Bessent

Jason Omeire

Caleb Blackwell

Tony Bol

Caden Wright

Isaiah Kirkman

Broadhurst should notch victory No. 600 early this season. The Lubbock Monterey High School and Texas Tech University graduate has more boys coaching wins than any other active coach in the Panhandle-Plains Basketball circulation area with 596 victories and 454 losses for a .568 winning percentage. He’s entering his 34th season as a boys head coach. He coached one year at Morton before moving to Randall when the school opened its doors in 1988. Randall’s District 3-5A will have a whole new look this season. It was a nine-team conference that included four Lubbock schools last season. The Lubbock foursome has moved to District 4-5A in the UIL realignment. The new member in 3-5A is Tascosa, dropping down from 6A. So now it’s a six-team league.

Coach: Leslie Broadhurst Asst. Coaches: Trevor Johnson, Kyle Hewitt 2019-2020 record: 15-17, 7-9 School phone: 677-2322 Players to watch: Beau Okechukwu-Heider, Cody Bessent 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE Nov. 6 Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 21 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Dec. 31 Jan. 5

Randall Schedule

Opponent Frenship Panhandle Monterey Gruver Canyon Frenship Dalhart Sudan Hereford Lubbock Trinity Midland High Estacado Claude Canadian Levelland Spearman Burkburnett Monterey Bushland Coronado Lubbock High Lubbock Cooper Perryton Brownfield Tascosa Borger

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Place B G Here X There X Here X There X There X X There X Here X There X There X Here X Lubbock High X There X Here X Here X Here X Here X Here X There X There X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X There X There X

Devin Baccas

KJ Thomas

Hagen Shedd Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Caprock Palo Duro Amarillo High Plainview Tascosa Caprock Palo Duro Amarillo High Plainview Tascosa Caprock

Brody Wilson

JJ Buchanan There Here X There X Here X Here X Here X There X Here X There X There X There X

X X X X X X X X X

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Randall Boys Super Boosters The Kirkman Family wishes the Raiders a great season! Cooper-GO KILL IT THIS YEAR!—Dad, Mom & Canton Best of Luck to the Randall Raiders this Season!—The Gibson Family Play Hard Jaydan! Go Randall!—Jimmy Henry Go Blake!—The James Family Wishing JJ and the Raiders a great year!— Mom Go Raiders! Have a great Junior year Cody!— Love, Mom, Dad & Cali Go Caden! Have a great season Raiders!— Love, Dad, Mom & Kylee Go Randall Raiders!—The Blackwell Family Go Raiders!—Joe & Mary Ann Larra

Randall Girls

Lady Raiders return three starters The Lady Raiders missed the playoffs as the boys did, finishing sixth in District 3-5A with a 7-8 record. Randall was 16-5 overall. “We had a great group of girls and had some wonderful moments as a team,” Coach Brooke Walthall said. “We need to work on being more consistent throughout and peaking at the right time of the year.” All-district Cassidy Beck, Macayla Warren and Claire Headings were seniors on last year’s team. Walthall welcomed three returning starters and two other letter winners this fall. Mariah Williams, a 5-7 senior guard, averaged 9.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in earning all-district honors last season. The other two returning starters are 5-10 junior forward Ainsley Velasquez (6.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and 5-6 junior guard Kailee Benton (7.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg). Those three represent 23 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. They’re also the Lady Raiders to watch, according to Walthall. Leah Sherwood, a 5-5 sophomore guard (3.1 ppg), and Leah Garcia, a 5-7 junior forward (4.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg), also lettered last year. “We have a talented group of girls returning,” Walthall said. “They love practice, have fun and are competitive. We are excited 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Mariah Williams

Ainsley Velasquez

Kailee Benton

to see them grow as a team and individuals. We have high hopes for them and their potential.” Although the Lady Raiders have some experience, Walthall is concerned because she’ll need some younger players to step up and provide quality minutes. “We need to focus on getting better every day, enjoy the moments and the grind to get better,” she said. “We will all have to grow on and off the court to be the best we can. Our coaching staff believes in this group and is very excited about this year.” Walthall was a McDonald’s All-American at Canyon High (Continued on next page)

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(Continued from previous page)

School. She played on 2000 and 2003 Lady Eagle state championship teams. Then she played four years at Texas Tech University. She’s beginning her ninth season at Randall after short stints at Midlothian and The Colony. Her overall girls coaching record is 155-160, but her mark at Randall is 131-110. An interesting feature of Tascosa’s entry into District 3-5A this season is that it will pair mother (Tascosa Coach Betsy Baughman) against daughter (Randall’s Walthall) twice. Their first meeting will be Dec. 31 at Tascosa; the second Jan. 22 at Randall. Daughter Walthall won last season’s lone meeting, 66-61. Randall will open its season Nov. 6 at home against Frenship.

Randall Girls Super Boosters Have an amazing season!—Love, Mom, Papa & Jon Kailee #10 “Excellence is not an act but a habit” we are all in!—Love you, Dad, Mom & Kaison Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31—Love, Mom & Dad Good Luck Lady Raiders! Have a great season Zoe!—Love, Mom, Dad & Tucker Play Strong Wilma!—Love, Mom & Dad Good Luck McKenna!—Love, Mom & Mac Have an amazing season Ains and all our Lady Raiders!— Love, Mom, Dad, Brad & Bailey Good Luck Avri! Have a great bball season!— Love, The Burk Family We are excited for another awesome basketball season Car-

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Leah Sherwood

Name Mariah Williams Ainsley Velasquez Kailee Benton Leah Sherwood Leah Garcia

Leah Garcia

Zoe Francis

Randall Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-7 G Sr. 5-10 F Jr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-5 G Soph. 5-7 F Jr.

Coach: Brooke Walthall Asst. Coaches: Jenna Jekso, Kalee Carey 2019-2020 record: 16-15, 7-8 School phone: 677-2301 Players to watch: Mariah Williams, Kailee Benton, Ainsley Velasquez ley! We think you’re amazing!—Love ya, Mom, Dad, Bailey & Allie Go Ella! Have a great season!—Love, Greg & Joann Go Ella, have a great year!—Love you, Gramdma & Grandpa Zepeda We love our Lady Raiders! Go Ella!—Love, Salas Family

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Good Luck to our favorite Lady Raider Ella! From your biggest fans!—Love, Mom & Dad Good Luck Lady Raiders! Go find your greatness Ashley! Love, Mom, Dad, Addison & Alexis Have a great year Ainsley!—Love, Mom, Mimi & Dad I love you Sister!—Love, Aiden & Andrew Good Luck this season Brooklyn! We are so proud of you!— Love, Mom, Dad, Jayton, Grandma Becky & Grandma Toni Kali, Have a great season! Play Hard!—Love, Mom, Dad, jeramyl & Kellen We are so proud of you Leah! Keep achieving your dreams and working hard!—Love, Mom, Dad & the entire gang Have a great Freshman season Karyme! We love you!—Mom & Dad Center City shakes and bakes! www.centercityshakes.com Good Luck Lady Raiders! Garrett Brockman: Health Coach, call or text if you are looking to lose weight or gain muscle. 806-341-7839 Go Lady Raiders! Have a great season Kim!—Mom, Dad & Aiden “Praise be to the Lord my rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle” Psalms 144:1—Love, Mom & Dad Good Luck this season Emorie!—Love, Mom & Dad Have a great season as a Lady Raider!—Love, Mom & Dad Let’s Go Lady Raiders! Have a great season!— Love, Mom, Dad, Savannah, Skylar, Reggie & Jennifer Make all your swishes come true!-Love, your biggest competitors Phoenix & Paxton

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Tascosa Boys

Rebels in new classification Just when Tascosa drops down to a Class 5A classification, the Rebels may find it difficult to capitalize because of a lack of experience. For the first time in 30 years, the four Amarillo ISD schools are together in the same class. Tascosa’s student population dropped below 2,200, the cutoff for 6A. So UIL realignment moved Tascosa into District 3-5A, along with Amarillo High, Caprock and Palo Duro. Randall and Plainview round out the conference. Last season, competing in District 2-6A, the Rebels had a fine season that ended on a sour note. The Rebels won the Dallas Jesuit Tournament and were consolation champs of the Keller ISD and Byron Nelson tourneys. Tascosa split district meetings with Odessa Permian, and the two wound up as District 2-6A co-champions, both with 9-1 league marks. In the bidistrict playoff, El Paso Franklin spilled the Rebels 50-49 in overtime when Franklin scored a basket with 11 seconds left in OT. That ended a 24-7 season—the seventh straight 20win campaign—for Tascosa. Graduation hit the Rebels hard. Six key players from last year’s squad have departed. They are: • Isaiah Johnson, district defensive player of the year and first-team all-district; • Donnie Sutton, district offensive player of the year and first-team all-district; • Dekendrick Alexander, first-team AD; • L.B. Moore, first-team AD; • Elijah Rodriguez, first-team AD; • Roy Renner, second-team AD. That leaves Coach Steve Jackson with little in the way of experience. B.T. Daniel, a 6-0 junior forward, did earn secondteam all-district distinction last season. Daniel is the only junior, accompanied by five seniors, on the Rebels’ roster.

DATE Nov. 6 Nov. 7 Nov. 12 Nov. 13 Nov. 14 Nov. 14 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Nov. 24 Nov. 28 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15

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Tascosa Schedule

Opponent Grapevine Hirschi Trinity Christian Flower Mound Marcus Monterey Byron Nelson Lubbock Estacado Gruver Brownfield Lubbock High San Angelo Central Odessa Permian Abilene Childress Frenship Lubbock Coronado Lubbock Monterey Nazareth Canyon Frenship Burkburnett Midland Christian

Place B G There X Here X Here X There X Here X There X There X There X Here X There X Sands HS X Monterey HS X Lubbock X There X Here X There X Here X Here X Here X There X Here X LCU X

BT Daniel

Tony Collins

Dezmond Moore

Pat Edwards

Javonte PerryGilbreath

And all six are players to watch, according to Jackson. The five seniors are 6-6 forward Tony Collins, 5-7 guard Pat Edwards, 5-9 guard Dezmond Moore, 5-8 guard Javonte PerryGilbreath and 6-0 forward Jayden Toniolli. Jackson views speed and quickness as the Rebels’ strengths. He is concerned about the team’s youth, size and leadership – plus, how to replace those graduates. He said the keys for success this season will be “finding leadership among the returning players and meeting expectations.” Jackson is coaching at his alma mater, where he played on four (Continued on next page)

Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Dec. 19 Dec. 21 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Panhandle Lubbock Estacado Bushland Coronado Hereford Borger Wellington Odessa Midland Lee Midland High Hereford Randall Seminole Amarillo High Caprock Plainview Palo Duro Randall Amarillo High Caprock Plainview Palo Duro Randall Amarillo High

There Here X There There There X Here X There There X There There Here X Here Here X There Here X There X Here X There X Here X There X Here X There X There X There X

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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playoff teams. He was an all-district player for the Rebels. At West Texas A&M University, he was the 2006 Lone Star Conference defensive player of the year and the WTAMU President’s Award winner. He’s beginning his 10th season at Tascosa after serving as an assistant at Palo Duro for three years. He notched his 200th boys coaching victory last season and now owns a 202-67 record for a .751 winning percentage. In those seven 20-win seasons, Jackson’s Rebels have posted a 169-45 mark, a .790 winning percentage. The Rebels will open their season Nov. 13 at Flower Mound Marcus. District 3-5A play begins Jan. 8.

Name Tony Collins B.T. Daniel Pat Edwards Dezmond Moore Javonte Perry-Gilbreath Jayden Toniolli

Tascosa Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-6 F Sr. 6-0 F Jr. 5-7 G Sr. 5-9 G Sr. 5-8 G Sr. 6-0 F Sr.

Coach: Steve Jackson Asst. Coaches: Keenan Hooker, Jason Underwood, Dannie Snider 2019-2020 record: 24-7, 9-1 School phone: 326-2656 Players to watch: Tony Collins, B.T. Daniel, Pat Edwards, Dezmond Moore, Javonte Perry-Gilbreath, Jayden Toniolli

Tascosa Girls

Lady Rebels will have young look The Lady Rebels won 25 games for the second straight year last season. With some young, talented players returning, they’ll try to make it three in a row. Tascosa was the champion of the Weatherford tournament and the runner-up in the Granbury event. The Lady Rebels finished 8-2 in District 2-6A, claiming second place for the second straight season. They slammed El Paso Franklin 63-27 in Jessalyn Gonzales bidistrict but fell to Hurst Bell 79-60 in the area game. That capped a 25-12 season on the heels of a 29-8 showing in 2019-20. Coach Betsy Baughman called last year a rebuilding season and said, “We did very well at developing our younger players.” Jada Miller, the district MVP and an all-stater, and Aubry John-

Name Jessalyn Gonzales D’Kiera Johnson Sienna Perales Ty’Asia Collins Daizjia Oages Zaymiyah Dickson Elianna Stallings Ty’Jeonnah Grady Avery Carter Aniyah Brackens Megan Sims Ariana Jones

Tascosa Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-6 G Sr. 6-2 P Jr. 5-7 G Jr. 5-10 P Jr. 5-6 G Soph. 5-6 G Soph. 5-8 P Soph. 5-8 G Soph. 6-1 G Fr. 5-8 G Fr. 5-10 G Fr. 5-7 G Fr.

Coach: Betsy Baughman Asst. Coaches: Sarah Allen, Karen Mendoza, Kyle Gamble 2019-2020 record: 25-12, 8-2 School phone: 326-2600 Players to watch: Jessalyn Gonzales, D’Kiera Johnson, Daizjia Oages, Avery Carter, Aniyah Brackens, Zaymiyah Dickson 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

D’Kierra Johnson

Daizjia Oages

Zaymiyah Dickson

son, first-team all-district, have moved on from last year’s squad. Baughman has three first-team players back as she begins her ninth season at Tascosa. They are 5-6 senior guard Jessalyn Gonzales, 6-2 junior post D’Kiera Johnson and 5-6 sophomore guard Daizjia Oages. Johnson also was the district’s newcomer of the year, and Oages was the district’s sixth man of the year honoree. All three are all-state candidates this season, according to Baughman. She tabbed 5-6 sophomore guard Zaymiyah Dickson, 6-1 freshman guard Avery Carter and 5-8 freshman guard Aniyah Brackens as additional players to watch. The Lady Rebels will be young again this season with one senior, three juniors, seven sophomores and three freshmen listed on the roster. “We have several talented young kids. They have the ability to be a great team this year with teamwork and communication skills improving,” Baughman said. “Also, they have the ability to run the floor well. Their speed will be a great asset.” She is concerned about her players staying focused on the end goal when experiencing adversity. However, she says she already sees big improvements in mental toughness. What are the keys for her team’s success this season? “To stay focused for four quarters on the little things and work together as a team,” she said. “The Lady Rebels have improved a (Continued on next page)

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lot in the past few years, and I take great pride in that. The girls are working hard in the system we have provided and are always improving. I look forward to a great year.” At Groom High School, Baughman was on basketball and track teams that were regional qualifiers all four years. She was all-state, all-region, all-district and a Golden Spread all-star in basketball. She played for Coach Bob Schneider at West Texas A&M University. Her girls teams have won more than 300 games in her 15-year coaching career. She guided Seagraves to state and Texas Cup championships and also coached at Dimmitt, Merkel, Crawford and Mineral Wells before coming to Tascosa. With Tascosa dropping down from Class 6A to the 5A level and joining Amarillo teams plus Randall and Plainview in District 3-5A, it means mother and daughter teams will meet at least twice this season. Baughman’s daughter, Brooke Walthall, coaches the Randall girls. They’ll meet Jan. 2 in the district opener at Tascosa and Jan. 22 at Randall. Last season, daughter Walthall’s team prevailed 66-61 in a nonconference tilt. Two defending state champions – Class 2A Gruver and Class 1A Nazareth – are on the Lady Rebels’ nondistrict schedule.

Tascosa Super Boosters It’s great to be a Lady Rebel! Good Luck Amariyah! We love you!—Mom & Dad Fight Rebels Fight!—Marc Baltes Go Lady Rebels!—Trasia Sims Make those baskets MyKayla!—Granny Go Lady Rebels! Go Peyton!—Marcey Bearss Good Luck to the JV girls basketball!—The Escobedo Family Have faith in God and anything is possible! Good Luck Miyah!—The Dickson Family Let’s Go Lady Rebels! Here’s to a great season girls!—Shannon & Erin McConnell Go Lady Rebels!—Avery’s Mom Have a great season Lady Rebels!—Grandma Go Rebs!—Tina marie Medina Go, Fight, Win Lady Rebels!—Vanity Vallego Have a great year, ball out!—Dad Kiera, have a great season!—Deandre Johnson We are Super Duper Proud of you Sieyera! God will continue to Bless you! Love you much!—Mom, Reese, Ariyana & Aiyani Go Aniza and the Lady Rebs!—Win district!— Mom & Dad Have a good season! Go Briaijah and the Lady Rebs! 122

Avery Carter

Sienna Perales

Ty Collins

We support the Lady Rebels basketball team!— Devlon Jones Have a great season! We love you Eliannna! Take it to the limit!— Francisco & Aimee We Love you Arianna! You got this!—Francisco & Aimee Go Lady Rebels!—Colin & Christina McMurray Let’s go Daizjia and the Lady Rebels!—Myesha Carter Go Rebels!—Syaney Powers We love you, go to State!—Jesse Bilson Ty’Jee, I am so looking forward to you having an awesome year!—Love Nana Go Tascosa!—Eillaf Barsham Good Luck Emma! Wishing you and the Lady R Rebels an awesome season!— Love, Mom & Dad

GO Lady Rebels!

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

District 4-5A Mustang mentor eyes improvement

Coronado Boys

Ernest Mims’ debut as the Mustangs coach last year was a bit rough. But Mims promises better results this season. Coronado beat Fort Worth Arlington Heights in overtime in the Decatur Tournament for a non-conference highlight. But the Mustangs wound up 12-18 overall and 6-10 in District 3-5A, tied for sixth. That broke a string of 18 straight years that Coronado Kevon Evans had qualified for the playoffs. “Last year was a good rebuild year for us,” Mims said. “We will be much better this year.” Two first-team all-district players — D’Aequan Tillman and Aidan Alvarez — were among the seven seniors on last season’s roster. Three starters — 5-10 junior guard Kevon Evans, 6-1 senior guard Tre Griffin and 6-3 junior power forward T’Andre Scott — return this season. Two letter winners — 6-2 senior forward Izaiah Kelley and 6-0 junior guard Nigel Braithwaite — also are on hand. Mims tabs Evans, Scott, Braithwaite and 5-11 sophomore guard Deshawn Hill as outstanding players to watch.

Deshawn Hill

Hunter Stamps

Ty’Quavaen Green

The Mustangs have seven seniors, five juniors and three sophomores on their 15-player roster. Mims describes Coronado’s strengths as speed, athleticism and depth. His main concern centers on his team being able to score in the half court. He lists three keys for success this season: 1. Playing fast; 2. Not turning the ball over; and 3. Pressing. Mims was all-district and played on three district championship teams at Palo Duro High School. The Eastern New Mexico University graduate was the head coach at Springtown from 2016 to 2018, then moved to Winona for the 2018-19 season. (Continued on next page)

Lubbock Coronado Boys Name Ht. Pos. Class Kevon Evans 5-10 G Jr. Tre Griffin 6-1 G Sr. Kaleel Campbell 6-2 P Jr. Ty Green 5-11 G Soph. Deshawn Hill 5-11 G Soph. Hunter Stamps 5-5 P/F Jr. Cam Devroe 5-9 G Sr. Corey Rivers 6-2 G Sr. T’Andre Scott 6-3 P/F Jr. Isaiah Whitfield 6-7 P Sr. Jayden Kirby 6-3 P/F Sr. Donovon Yacub 5-10 G Sr. Tyler Williams 6-3 F Soph. Izaiah Kelley 6-2 F Sr. Nigel Braithwaite 6-0 G Jr.

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Coach: Ernest Mims Asst. Coaches: Jonathan Gomez, Colton Stegall, Logan Brown, Anthony Carson 2019-2020 record: 12-18, 6-10 School phone: 209-1117 Players to watch: Kevon Evans, Deshawn Hill, T’Andre Scott, Nigel Braithwaite

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He guided Winona to 18 wins and a playoff appearance, gaining recognition as the District 16-3A coach of the year. His career boys coaching record is 59-67. Coronado, along with three other Lubbock teams, moves from the nine-team District 3-5A last year to the six-team District 4-5A this season. The UIL realignment gives Coronado two new conference foes — Abilene Cooper and Abilene Wylie — plus reuniting with Lubbock High, Cooper and Monterey. Lubbock Coronado Schedule

DATE Nov. 3 Nov. 6 Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Nov. 28

Opponent Randall Midland High Plainview Abilene High Hereford Permian Andrews San Angelo Central Frenship Midland Lee Odessa High Shallowater Snyder

Place B G Here X Here X There X TBD X Here X There X Here X There X There X Here X Here X There X There X

Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Dec. 31 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Midland Lee Snyder Seminole Brownfield Shallowater Caprock Plainview Estacado Big Spring Randall Abernathy Tascosa Palo Duro Levelland Snyder Tascosa Lubbock High Abilene Wylie Seminole Monterey Abilene Cooper Lubbock Cooper Lubbock High Abilene Wylie Monterey Abilene Cooper Lubbock Cooper Lubbock High Abilene Wylie

Here X Here There There X Here X There X Here X Here There X There X There X Here There X There X There Here X Here There There X Here X Here X There X There X Here X There X There X Here X Here X There X

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Coronado Girls

Ex-Monterey aide leads Lady Mustangs Ashley James is the Lady Mustangs new coach. This will be the first head coaching assignment for James, who spent the past five years as an assistant at Monterey. James played on the 2009 state championship team at Robinson High School and made the all-state tournament team. She earned a scholarship to Angelo State University and was a Lone Star Conference academic allconference selection in 2011. She began her Kya Smith coaching career as an assistant at Palo Duro in the 2014-15 season. James replaces longtime Coronado Coach Kriss Ethridge. Ethridge coached the Lady Mustangs for 12 years and guided them to a 169-155 record. She remains on the Coronado staff as an English teacher, girls athletic coordinator and girls golf coach. Last season’s Lady Mustangs, under Ethridge, finished 14-19 overall and 5-11 in District 3-5A, good for seventh place in the nine-team conference. Four seniors, including starters Taylor Tadlock and Carolina Cognasi, have moved on from that team. Three starters and four other letter winners return for the Lady Mustangs this season. The returning starters are 6-1 sophomore post Kya Smith (second-team all-district last season), 5-9 junior forward Chantal Pervis and 5-2 junior point guard Taegan Ramos. The other letter winners are 5-9 sophomore guard Jannaeleigh Cooper, 5-6 sophomore point guard Jazlyn Braithwaite, 5-3 senior guard Savannah Holstein and 5-8 junior forward Ali Martinez. Smith and Cooper are players to watch, according to James. 124

Chantal Pervis

Taegan Ramos

Jannaeleigh Cooper

Jazlyn Braithwaite

Savannah Holstein

Ali Martinez

“We are young, athletic and hungry,” James said. “We want to use our speed and length on defense and in turn push tempo for 32 minutes.” Indeed, the Lady Mustangs are young with two seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and one freshman on the roster. That youth and inexperience are concerns for James. (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Ethridge steps down

the Class 5A state championship her senior year in 1981 and an appearance in the state championship game in 1980. She received all-district honors each year and was an all-state and Converse All-American Kriss Ethridge, who has a standout career as an selection in 1981. educator, coach, and student athlete in the Lubbock She earned a full basketball scholarship to the Unischool district, announced in March 2020 that she versity of Texas and starred on the Lady Longhorns was stepping down as head coach of the girls varsity 1986 National Championship team. basketball program at Coronado High School. In announcing her retirement from coaching basEthridge was named head coach in 2011, leading ketball, Ethridge said, “I love to compete and have the Lady Mustangs to a 149-147 record. During the been blessed to coach the Coronado girls basketball 2012-13 season, the Lady Mustangs won 36 straight team against the best competition the state has to offer. games before losing in the Class 5A regional finals. After spending time reflecting on the past few seasons, Ethridge also has taught English at Coronado for Kriss Ethridge about the desired next steps in my career, I decided now more than 20 years. She was named the Quadrant I might be a good time to step away from basketball. Teacher of the Year in 2010 and the Texas Tech/ING “I’ll continue to serve as the assistant campus coordinator and Teacher of the Year in 2005. have the opportunity to coach players in my second love, golf. I Ethridge played varsity girls basketball from 1978 to 1981 want to thank all the coaches, players, parents, and administraat Monterey High School, helping lead the Lady Plainsmen to tors I have worked with over the past 10 years. Each of you have blessed my life beyond words.” (Continued from previous page) Mike Meeks, Lubbock ISD athletic director, said Ethridge “We will need to use our speed and athleticism to our advantage has dedicated her career to making a difference for students in this year through our pressure defense and our ability to full court the classroom and in athletic competition. press,” she said in assessing the keys for her team’s success this “Coach Ethridge is a remarkable teacher and coach who epitoseason. “This will help us to push tempo for an entire game and mizes the Lubbock ISD mission statement: nurturing, developing put pressure on opponents for all 32 minutes.” and inspiring every child, every day,” he said. James will make her debut Nov. 6 when the Lady Mustangs –Lubbock ISD news release entertain Midland High. Her introduction into District 4-5A will come Jan. 5. Four Lubbock teams and two Abilene schools make up the revamped district this season.

Lubbock Coronado Girls Name Ht. Pos. Class Jazlyn Braithwaite 5-6 G Soph. Jannaeleigh Cooper 5-9 G Soph. Shaneedra Domingo 5-8 F Sr. Jordan Garrett 5-8 F Jr. Savannah Holstein 5-3 G Sr. Ali Martinez 5-8 F Jr. Chantal Pervis 5-9 F Jr. Taegan Ramos 5-2 G Jr. Kya Smith 6-1 P Soph. Alyssa Villalobos 5-6 G Fr. Coach: Ashley James Asst. Coaches: Kandice Williams, Kelsey Hoppel, Tanner Pylant, Colby Sharp 2019-2020 record: 14-19, 5-11 School phone: 219-1122 Players to watch: Kya Smith, Jannaeleigh Cooper

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Area mourns loss of Coach Matt Embry Matt Embry, who had been the Lubbock High School head boys basketball coach since 2016, died Nov. 9 in San Antonio after being airlifted to San Antonio. He was 37. Embry had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and developed liver and kidney failure, according to an online post by his wife, Allyson. He had resigned as the Lubbock High coach, according to Lubbock AvaMatt Embry lanche-Journal writer Don Williams. “Coach Embry was deeply respected and loved by his colleagues, students, athletes, and families he served,” Lubbock ISD Superintendent Kathy Rollo wrote in an email to school district families. We send our deepest condolences and prayers to his family.” Following is Coach Embry’s obituary, courtesy of LaGrone Blackburn Shaw Funeral Home: Matthew Lucas Embry, 37, of Wolfforth passed away Nov. 9, 2020, in San Antonio. He was born March 24, 1983 in Amarillo

to Keith and Nancy Embry. Matt was a graduate of Randall High School in 2001 and West Texas A&M University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in general studies. He started his coaching career at Westover Park Junior High as a basketball, football, and track coach. He moved to Pampa to be an assistant basketball and volleyball coach at Pampa High School and then became head basketball coach at Pampa High School for five years. He left Pampa to become head basketball coach at Lubbock High School the past four years. Matt and his family attended Church on the Rock in Lubbock. Matt enjoyed family time and traveling with friends and family. He enjoyed attending sporting events and coaching the many players through the years that he loved so much. He is preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Nancy Embry, and his uncle, Richard Day. He is survived by his wife, Allyson Embry; daughters, Maycee and Avery; brother, Brian and wife Paige; nephews, Peyton, Cooper, Owen; stepnieces, Rory and Quinn McCurdy; aunt, Karen Day; cousin, Tim and wife Amanda Day and children Tabor and Abigail; cousin, Michael and wife Peggy and children Chandler and Jaycie; father- and mother-in-law, Ken and Shelly Carriere; sister-in-law, Nicole Bagby; and nieces, Blake and Jessie. A memorial service took place Nov. 21 at Hillside Christian Church’s West Campus in Amarillo. The family requested a contribution to a favorite charity.

Monterey Boys

Plainsmen exceed 20 wins again The Plainsmen posted their second straight 20-plus win season in 2019-20, going 22-14 overall. That followed a 29-9 mark the previous year. Monterey finished third in District 3-5A with a 12-4 record. The Plainsmen beat Aledo 57-38 in bidistrict but lost to El Paso Andress 48-46 in the area round. “Good overall season,” Coach Jeremy McFerrin said. “Had more injuries and illDevin White ness to deal with than previous years. Fought hard in a tough district and came up one possession short in our area playoff game.” Five of last year’s seniors — first-team all-district Camden Grant, second-team all-district Dewayne Johnson, Tyrie Tipton, Donavaughn Hill and Albert Valderas — have departed. McFerrin will have some rebuilding to do this season as only one starter and two other letter winners return. Devin White, a 5-10 senior guard who averaged 9 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists and earned second-team all-district honors, is the returning starter. The other returning letter winners are 5-10 senior guard Vance Vasquez (6 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg) and 6-2 junior guard Aidan Castillo 126 5A

Vance Vasquez

Aiden Castillo

Jessie Martinez

(5 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg). Castillo was the district newcomer of the year. McFerrin tabbed 6-3 senior forward Jessie Martinez and 6-3 junior guard Vyson Miller as additional players to watch. Neeko Young, a 6-3 junior forward, and Takeo Young, a 5-8 sophomore guard, are brothers. The Plainsman roster consists of four seniors, five juniors and two sophomores. McFerrin lists shooting and speed as his team’s strengths. He is concerned about size and experience. He specified three keys for success this season: • Playing great defense and limiting teams offensively; • Playing fast and getting quality shots; (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Continued from previous page)

• Continuing to build team chemistry/ fighting through adversity this year. McFerrin is beginning his fourth season at Monterey, and his Plainsmen have won 63 and lost 43. The Cotton Center High School and Texas Tech University graduate began his coaching career as an assistant at South Plains College. He moved to Lubbock Trinity Vyson Miller Christian and mentored the Runnin’ Lions for six years. His 2017 team won the TAPPS Class 4A state championship. McFerrin’s career boys coaching record is 242-98 for a .712 winning percentage. The Plainsmen and three other Lubbock schools — Cooper, Coronado and Lubbock High — move from District 3-5A to 4-5A this season because of UIL realignment. They’ll compete with Abilene Cooper and Abilene Wylie in District 4-5A. The Plainsmen will open their season Nov. 13 at home against Abilene High. District play begins Jan. 12.

Neeko Young

Name Devin White Vance Vasquez Jessie Martinez Jacob Nino Aidan Castillo Vyson Miller Neeko Young Shelton Hearon Takeo Young Steven Runels Zyrin Brantley

Takeo Young

Jacob Nino

Lubbock Monterey Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-10 G Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 6-3 F Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 6-2 G Jr. 6-3 G Jr. 6-3 F Jr. 6-0 G Jr. 5-8 G Soph. 6-3 F Jr. 5-10 G Soph.

Coach: Jeremy McFerrin Asst. Coaches: Josh Davis, Matthew Alford 2019-2020 record: 22-14, 12-4 School phone: 219-1929 Players to watch: Jessie Martinez, Vyson Miller

DATE Nov. 6 Nov. 7 Nov. 9 Nov. 13 Nov. 13 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Nov. 24 Nov. 24 Nov. 28 Dec. 1 Dec. 5 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 18

Lubbock Monterey Schedule

Opponent Midland Lee Midland High Estacado Abilene High Randall Tascosa Abilene High Midland High Permian San Angelo Central Plainview Plainview Idalou Odessa Permian Levelland Frenship Tascosa Brownfield Amarillo High Amarillo High Randall Midland High

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Place B G There X There X Here X Here X There X There X Here X There X Here X There X Here X There X Here X Here X There X There X There X Here X Here X There X There X Here X

Dec. 19 Dec. 19 Dec. 22 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Dec. 31 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 25 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 1 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 8 Feb. 12

Decatur Seminole Canyon Shallowater Frenship Caprock Seminole Wichita Falls Rider Estacado Abilene Wylie Abilene Cooper Coronado Lubbock Cooper Lubbock High Abilene Wylie Abilene Cooper Abilene Cooper Coronado Lubbock Cooper Lubbock Cooper Lubbock High Abilene Wylie Abilene Cooper

Haskell X There There X Here X Here Here X There X There X There X Here There There X Here X There X There X There X Here Here X Woodrow X There Here X Here X Here X

X X X

X X X X X X X X X X

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Monterey Girls

Lady Plainsmen a point away from advancing Just like the Plainsmen, the Lady Plainsmen suffered a close playoff loss that terminated their 2019-20 season. But it was a fine season. Monterey finished 32-5 overall and 14-2 in District 3-5A, good for second place. Their two conference losses were to defending state champion Amarillo High. In the playoffs, the Lady Plainsmen deKelly Mora feated Abilene Cooper 77-38 in bidistrict and El Paso Chapin 78-49 in the area game. Wichita Falls Rider eliminated Monterey 42-41 in the regional quarterfinals. “A seasoned team full of seniors with some high-impact freshmen,” Coach Jill Schneider said. “We had all the pieces of the puzzle to make a deep run.” Those pieces are shooting baskets on college courts now. They are: • Trayci Jackson signed with Clarendon College; • Taysha Rushton, first-team all-district, signed with Concordia University in Nebraska (Rushton had transferred to Monterey from Midland High before last season began); • Madeline Stephens, first-team all-district, signed with Angelo

Mia Trevino

Domonique Bunton

Mia Alvarado

State University; • Lauren Catherman signed with St. Edwards University in Austin (Catherman transferred to Monterey from Lubbock Trinity Christian in late December). This year’s cupboard isn’t bare, but it’s missing all the above pieces. Two starters — Kelly Mora and Mia Trevino — return. Mora, a 6-1 sophomore forward/post, averaged 11.1 points and 8.2 rebounds last season. She was the district newcomer of the year, first-team all-district and the Lone Star Varsity Female Athlete of the Year. Kelly has an older sister, senior post Sara Mora, on the team. (Continued on next page)

Lubbock Monterey Girls Name Ht. Pos. Class Mia Alvarado 5-9 G Soph. Madeline Campos F Fr. Domonique Bunton 5-7 F Sr. Morgan Espinosa G Sr. Kamryn Lucio G Sr. Kelly Mora 6-1 F/P Soph. Sara Mora P Sr. Mia Trevino 5-9 F Sr. Tatiana Trotter F Jr. Jazlyn Vaquera G Jr. Coach: Jill Schneider Asst. Coaches: Carol Foster, Delaney Alford, Shayla Torres, Brian Cronk 2019-2020 record: 32-5, 14-2 School phone: 219-2046 Players to watch: Kelly Mora, Mia Trevino, Mia Alvarado

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Monterey Boys

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Trevino, a 5-9 senior forward, contributed 10.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg and earned first-team district honors. Kelly Mora and Trevino are all-state material, according to Schneider. Those two represent the team’s strengths. “Experienced and proven players in Kelly Mora and Mia Trevino,” Schneider said. “They provide both great scoring and rebounding potential.” Domonique Bunton, a 5-7 senior forward, also lettered last season. Schneider tabs 5-9 sophomore guard Mia Alvarado as an additional outstanding player to watch. Schneider cites the lack of experience and lack of depth as her chief concerns. She says the keys for success this season will be “staying healthy and younger, inexperienced players developing into their roles quickly.” Schneider is one of the best female players to come out of the Texas Panhandle. She averaged 40.7 points in her high school career at Phillips. Her high school team reached the state semifinals in 1975 and won it all in 1976. Then she played in Final Fours for both Wayland Baptist University (1978) and the University of Tennessee (1980). She was co-captain of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team that didn’t play because of the U.S. boycott. She is a member of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame.

Shelton Hearon

Sean Copeland

She is beginning her 23rd season at Monterey and 35th year as a head coach. She was an assistant coach at the University of Texas (1981-86) and head coach at Borger High (1986-98) before coming to Monterey. The Lady Plainsmen will open the season with back-toback road games against Midland Lee on Nov. 6 and Midland High Nov. 7. The home opener will be Nov. 9 versus Lubbock Estacado. Monterey moves to District 4-5A this season, and conference play begins Jan. 5 against Abilene Wylie at home. Abilene Cooper also is in the revamped district along with three Lubbock opponents: Cooper, Coronado and Lubbock High.

TEAMS AT A GLANCE

District 3-4A Boys 1. Levelland 2. Lubbock Estacado 3. Big Spring 4. Snyder 5. Sweetwater 6. San Angelo Lake View

PRESEASON PICKS District 3-4A Girls 1. Levelland 2. Lubbock Estacado 3. Snyder 4. Sweetwater 5. Big Spring 6. San Angelo Lake View

Zyrin Brantley

District 4-4A Boys 1. Canyon 2. Hereford 3. Pampa 4. Dumas/Perryton 6. Borger

District 4-4A Girls 1. Canyon 2. Hereford 3. Pampa/Perryton 5. Dumas 6. Borger

HONOR ROLL 4A Boys Joe Shaw, Canyon, 5-10, Sr.; Brock Corman, Canyon, 6-2, Sr.; Reid Rousser, Canyon, 5-10, Sr.; Kemper Jones, Canyon, 6-6, Soph.; Chris Ball, Hereford, 5-9, Sr.; Braedyn Mendoza, Hereford, 6-2, Jr.; Zaiden Lecroy, Levelland, 5-10, Sr.; Kaleb Penner, Levelland, 5-11, Sr.; Bryant White, Levelland, 6-3, Sr.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

4A Girls Bella Hayden, Canyon, 5-7, Sr.; Kenadee Winfrey, Canyon, 5-11, Sr.; Neely Wood, Canyon, 5-9, Sr.; Kyla Cobb, Canyon, 5-6, Sr.; Chloe Callahan, Canyon, 5-9, Sr.; Taylor Thomas, Canyon, 5-7, Jr.; Brenley Rodriguez, Dumas, Jr.; McKenzie Johnson, Dumas, Jr.; Abree Elsheimer, Dumas, Jr.; Sheda Madit, Dumas, Jr.; Nayeli Acosta, Hereford, 5-9, Sr.; Taytum Stow, Hereford, 6-3, Jr.; Miranda Acosta, Hereford, 5-9, Jr.; Nickilah Whatley, Hereford, 5-10, Soph.; Lillie Skiles, Hereford, 5-8, Soph.; Mahalie Stafford, Levelland, 5-7, Sr.; Myka Graf, Levelland, 5-6, Jr.; Mallary Blocker, Levelland, 5-2, Sr.; Colbi Barnett, Levelland, 5-9, Jr.; Laci White, Levelland, 5-7, Soph.; Laci White, Levelland, 5-7, Soph. 4A

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District 3-4A Lobos will be on the move

Levelland Boys

The Lobos will face quite a far-flung group of district opponents this season as District 3-4A moves from a five-team makeup to seven because of UIL realignment. The Lobos no longer have to play Canyon, Hereford and Lamesa in district. Instead they’ll take on Big Spring, San Angelo Lake View, Snyder and Sweetwater. Lubbock Estacado is the lone district holdover foe from last year. Zaiden Lecroy “The district will again be very competitive, albeit a ‘new-looking’ district,” Coach Jordan Elam said. “Travel will certainly be a lot more taxing this year, but we are looking forward to the new challenge.” That district play will begin Jan. 12. The Lobos’ season opener is Nov. 17 against Shallowater. The Lobos fared quite well in last year’s District 3-4A configuration. They tied for first with Canyon at 6-2, splitting two regular season meetings with the Eagles. Earlier, Levelland won the Denver City and Brownwood tournaments and finished second in the Greenwood invite. The Lobos lost a playoff seeding game to Canyon but then won a couple of close postseason games. They nipped Dumas 40-37 in bidistrict and Seminole 44-42 in the area round. Clint stopped Levelland 60-47 in the regional quarterfinals. That capped a 26-10 season for the Lobos on the heels of a 21-13 showing in Elam’s first year on the job. He had succeeded Jeff Bontrager, whose boys won 405 games, before the 2018-19 season. “This marked the fifth time in six years making it at least to the regional quarterfinal round,” said Elam, who served as Bontrager’s assistant for four years before stepping up to the head position. “We also claimed a district co-championship for the first time in over a decade, which was very special to us.” Elam was particularly pleased with the Lobos overcoming a height deficiency. “We played the majority of the season with only one player over 6 feet tall, something that’s not really common at many levels, especially the 4A level,” he said. “We made no excuses, overcoming a number of injuries due to football, as we fought and clawed for every ounce of success that we ended up having. That group will always serve as an example for future teams in our program, not only by having some playoff success but also representing Levelland basketball in the right way.” Five players — all-district Jacob Ramirez, all-district Kaleb Reyna, Kolby Head, Justus Durham and Tyler Nevarez — are gone from that group. Ramirez and Reyna were three-year starters. But Elam has three starters and four other letter winners back. Zaiden Lecroy, a 5-10 senior guard, averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season. He was selected on the all-district, Lonestar Varsity Super and TABC all-region teams. Isaiah Salazar, another 5-10 senior guard, contributed 6.1 ppg 130

Isaiah Salazar

Caleb Salazar

Bryant White

Kaleb Penner

Dylan Bordayo

Hunter Read

and 3.2 rpg and had to overcome a serious knee injury, making it back right before district play. The all-district pick has a younger brother — 5-8 junior guard Caleb Salazar (2.9 ppg) — on the team. Elam considers Lecroy and Isaiah Salazar all-state material. The third returning starter is 6-3 senior forward Bryant White (5.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg). White and 5-11 senior guard Kaleb Penner (7.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.4 apg) are additional outstanding players to watch, according to Elam. Dylan Bordayo, a 5-11 senior guard (3.9 ppg), and Hunter Read, a 5-10 senior guard, also lettered last year. There are six seniors on Levelland’s roster. Elam lists the Lobos’ strengths as quickness, shooting and the ability to defend. He is concerned about size and rebounding. “We must utilize our quickness and ability to get the ball to the basket. We must learn to constantly stay in attack mode and push the ball up the court relentlessly,” Elam said. “We are still developing our defensive mentality, but last year was a huge step in the right direction for us. This year, we must build on that foundation.” Elam, a graduate of Denver City High School and Texas Tech University, owns a 47-23 boys coaching record as he heads into his third season with the Lobos.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Name Zaiden Lecroy Kaleb Penner Isaiah Salazar Bryant White Dylan Bordayo Hunter Read Caleb Salazar Konner Alexander Taeshaun Jones

Levelland Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-10 G Sr. 5-11 G Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 6-3 F Sr. 5-11 G Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 5-8 G Jr. 6-3 F Soph. 6-4 F Soph.

Coach: Jordan Elam Asst. Coaches: Kyle Cavitt, Justin Ochoa 2019-2020 record: 26-10, 6-2 School phone: 894-8515 Players to watch: Zaiden Lecroy, Kaleb Penner, Bryant White

Name Michaela Watkins Allie Latham Emma Kent Mahalie Stafford Myka Graf Mallary Blocker Colbi Barnett Laci White Kyara Childers Raegan Labadie

Levelland Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-9 F Sr. 5-5 G Sr. 5-4 G Jr. 5-7 F Sr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-2 G Sr. 5-9 P Jr. 5-7 F/P Soph. 5-2 G Sr. 5-8 F Jr.

DATE Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Nov. 28 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 12 Dec. 14 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 18 Dec. 21 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Jan. 1 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Levelland Schedule

Opponent Sundown Denver City Shallowater Slaton Permian Lubbock High Greenwood Odessa High Andrews Monahans Slaton Monterey Canyon Randall Abernathy Littlefield Wall Lubbock Titans Midland Christian Burkburnett Dimmitt Colorado City Lubbock Coronado Dalhart New Deal Lamesa Plainview Snyder Sweetwater Lubbock Cooper San Angelo Lakeview Big Spring Estacado Snyder Sweetwater San Angelo Lakeview Big Spring Estacado Snyder Sweetwater

Place B G Here X There X TBD X Here X Here X There X Here X X Here X Here X X There X There X Here X There X Here X X There X Here X Here X Here X There X There X There X X Here X X Hereford X Here X Here X There X Here X There X Here X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X Here X There X

Coach: Clay Barnett Asst. Coaches: Mia Ochoa, Nathan Riggan 2019-2020 record: 20-15, 5-3 School phone: 894-8515 Players to watch: Mahalie Stafford, Myka Graf, Mallary Blocker, Colbi Barnett, Laci White

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Levelland Girls

Loboettes looking to roll again Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding one for the Loboettes. With only one starter and two other letter winners back after two consecutive 30-plus win seasons, Levelland looked a little shorthanded. Not so. The Loboettes beat Abilene Wylie and San Angelo Central early in the season, then tied for second in District 3-4A with a 5-3 record. They won two playoff games, defeating Pampa 53-50 in bidistrict and Seminole 55-49 in the area game. District 3-4A co-runner-up Hereford ended the Loboettes’ season with a 54-38 decision in the regional quarterfinals. Levelland wound up 20-15 overall. “Inexperienced team lost a lot of close games early,” Coach Clay Barnett said. “Kids did a good job of staying focused and worked hard to get a couple of good playoff wins to end the year.” Annie Dewbre, a first-team all-district selection, and Jennifer Prado have departed from that team. Barnett begins his eighth season at Levelland with more experienced players than the previous year. Three starters and three other letter winners return for the Loboettes. All three returning starters earned honors last season. Michaela Watkins, a 5-9 senior wing, averaged 11 points, 7 rebounds and 2.2 assists. She was the district co-defensive player of the year and all-South Plains. Allie Latham, a 5-5 senior guard, contributed 9.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg and was named first-team all-district. So was 5-4 junior guard Emma Kent (7.1 ppg, 3 rpg). Those three returning starters represent 27 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. The other returning letter winners are 5-7 senior wing Mahalie Stafford (5 ppg, 2.8 rpg), 5-6 junior guard Myka Graf (3.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and 5-2 senior guard Mallary Blocker. Stafford, Graf, Blocker, 5-9 junior post Colbi Barnett and 5-7 sophomore wing/post Laci White are other outstanding players to watch, according to Barnett. “Having three starters and six returning varsity players gives us a little more experience coming into the season,” Barnett said. “Should have more depth coming off the bench.” Team size is his chief concern. He said the keys for success this season will be to “take care

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Michaela Watkins

Allie Latham

Emma Kent

Mahalie Stafford

Myka Graf

Mallary Blocker

of the ball and rebound on both ends of the floor.” Barnett is a graduate of Van Horn High School and Angelo State University. His 19-year coaching career includes stops at Merkel, Anson, Baird and Wellington. His seven teams at Levelland have won 181 and lost 27 for a .874 winning percentage. The Loboettes, like the Lobos, will do some traveling this year in the new District 3-4A alignment. That district competition begins Jan. 5.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

District 4-4A Eagles go for 3rd straight winning season

Canyon Boys

The Eagles posted their second consecutive winning season and in the process, they notched a district championship. Actually, Canyon tied Levelland for the District 3-4A title but beat the Lobos 43-27 in a seeding game for the playoffs. The Eagles lost to Perryton 31-28 in bidistrict. That capped a 20-12 campaign for Canyon. The Eagles had wins over Plainview, Randall, Odessa High and Lubbock Trinity Christian in the nonconference portion of their schedule. “Last season was a huge step in the right direction for our program,” Coach Travis Schulte said. “We got a huge win at Estacado and secured a district championship with a tie-break win versus Levelland. Unfortunately, we had some key injuries late in the season that were detrimental to our success. Overall though, it was a very rewarding season that we are all proud of.” Stephen Ferguson, the district MVP, and all-district Mikes Huffhines have departed from that team. So have Jarrad Gomez, Reese Seideman and Jack Skalsky. However, Schulte has plenty of ammunition for this season with three starters and four other letter winners returning. Brock Corman, a 6-2 senior guard, averaged 6 points and 3 rebounds last season and earned all-district honors. Joe Shaw, a 5-10 senior point guard, contributed 5 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game and was all-district honorable mention. The third returning starter is 6-6 sophomore forward Kemper

Name Joe Shaw Brock Corman Reid Rousser Rafe Butcher Jett Meek Grayson Hack Gage Saunders Kade Cornelsen Parker Cunningham Tanner Thomas Kemper Jones

Canyon Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-10 G Sr. 6-2 G Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 6-0 F Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 5-11 G Sr. 6-2 F Sr. 5-10 G Jr. 5-10 G Jr. 5-10 G Jr. 6-6 F Soph.

Coach: Travis Schulte Asst. Coaches: Brandon Jones, Layton Rabb 2019-2020 record: 20-12, 6-2 School phone: 677-2740 Players to watch: Brock Corman, Kemper Jones, Joe Shaw, Reid Rousser

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Brock Corman

Joe Shaw

Reid Rousser

Jones. As a freshman, Jones showed 12 ppg, 5 rpg statistics and was named the district’s newcomer of the year. Those three represent 23 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. They also are all-state candidates, according to Schulte. Reid Rousser, a 5-10 senior guard, is a fourth all-state nominee by the coach. Schulte also tabbed three players — 6-0 senior forward Rafe Butcher, 5-10 senior guard Jett Meek (3 ppg) and 5-11 senior guard Grayson Hack (4 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg) — as additional players to watch. Schulte describes the Eagles’ strengths as leadership, defense, athleticism and scoring ability. He is concerned about rebound(Continued on next page)

Name Bella Hayden Kenadee Winfrey Neely Wood Ryleigh Taylor Whitney Willeford Kyla Cobb Chloe Callahan Karlie Venhaus Kenadee Bennett Zoe McBroom Kross Hiatt Taylor Thomas Logan Trujillo

Canyon Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-7 G Sr. 5-11 G/F Sr. 5-9 F Sr. 5-11 F Sr. 5-7 G Jr. 5-6 G Sr. 5-9 G Sr. 5-7 G Sr. 5-10 F Sr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-10 F Sr. 5-7 G Jr. 5-7 G Sr.

Coach: Tate Lombard Asst. Coaches: Johnny Hampton, Kerry Moss 2019-2020 record: 31-2, 8-0 School phone: 677-2740 Players to watch: Bella Hayden, Kenadee Winfrey, Neely Wood, Kyla Cobb, Chloe Callahan, Taylor Thomas

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(Continued from previous page)

ing and turnovers. “Team chemistry and players buying in to their role that best helps the team” are the keys to a successful season, he said. Schulte is a graduate of Nazareth High School and West Texas A&M University. He is beginning his sixth season at Canyon after previous stints at Hereford, Sunray, Pampa and Perryton. His overall boys coaching record is 259-207 (.556 winning percentage). His five Canyon teams have won 67 and lost 79. Canyon moves from District 3-4A to 4-4A this season because of UIL realignment. Hereford is the only familiar district opponent. Borger, Dumas, Pampa and Perryton are new conference foes. The Eagles will open their season against CISD rival Randall Nov. 16 at Canyon. District play begins Jan. 12.

Rafe Butcher

Jett Meek

Grayson Hack

Canyon Super Boosters Good Luck Eagles and Lady Eagles on your 2020-2021 season!—Canyon Physical Therapy, 907-23rd St., 806655-OUCH(6824) Good Luck Bree!—Love, Mom, Dad, Brook & Taylor Best of luck this season Eagles and Lady Eagles!— Tate, Paige & Jones Lombard Go Zoey!—The McBroom Family Good Luck Lady Eagles!—”So one person Sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17 Play hard Kar! We love you!—Mom & Dad Good Luck Lady Eagles! “If you dream it, you can do it! God will lift you up”Isaiah 40:31 We are beyond proud of you!—The Lances

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Gage Saunders

Donavon Wilson

Huvepharma—Chad Hiatt, Strategic Account ManagerCell-806-676-4402, Customer s service-877-994-4883, Chad.hiatt@huvepharma.us www.huvepharma.com Go Logan! Good Luck Bennett! We are proud of you. Have a great Sr. year!—Love, Mom & Dad Good Luck Ryleigh Taylor and the Lady Eagles!—The Hartmans Good Luck Whitney!—Love, Dad

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Canyon Girls

The son follows the father Like father, like son? Best Picture Godfather 1 followed by Best Picture Godfather 2? We’ll see, but Tate Lombard has enormous shoes to fill as he replaces his dad, the legendary Joe Lombard, as the Lady Eagles’ head coach. Joe Lombard’s Canyon teams won 13 state championships. However, Tate Lombard brings his own impressive resume to the job. He was the Kenadee Winfrey Amarillo Globe-News 2002 player of the year at Canyon High School, then played four years, including two seasons as the team captain, at Midwestern State University. He began his coaching career at Crawford as an assistant, then moved to Christoval (one year as head coach), Stephenville (assistant) and Wall (head coach). In his eight years at Wall, his Lady Hawks won two state titles: Class 2A in 2014 and Class 3A in 2016. He owns a 255-59 record for a nifty .812 winning percentage in his nine years as a girls head coach. Last year Tate Lombard returned to Canyon as his dad’s assistant coach. The Lombards led the Lady Eagles to an outstanding 31-2 overall season and the District 3-4A championship with a perfect 8-0 mark. Canyon’s only regular season loss was to Denton

Chloe Callahan

Kyla Cobb

Bella Hayden

Guyer 56-51 in the Burleson Tournament finals. In the playoffs, the Lady Eagles annihilated Perryton 62-20 in bidistrict, Fort Stockton 92-13 in the area round and Dalhart 55-24 in the regional quarterfinals. But they were stopped — for the second straight year — by Argyle 41-39 in the regional semifinals and thwarted in another bid for a state crown. “It was a great year that ended short of our goal,” Tate Lombard said. That also ended Joe Lombard’s illustrious coaching career with 1,379 wins and only 133 losses for a remarkable .912 winning percentage. He announced his retirement in April, ending 35 years as the Lady Eagles’ coach and a 42-year coaching career. He plans to continue as a volunteer coach for his son. Joe Lombard didn’t leave the cupboard bare for his protege. Carter Cluck, the district co-defensive MVP, TABC all-region (Continued on next page) DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Nov. 21 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 14 Dec. 18 Dec. 22 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Dec. 31 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Canyon Schedule

Opponent Frenship Randall Lubbock Cooper Plainview Lubbock Titans Nazareth Idalou Amarillo High Childress Panhandle Tascosa Shallowater Lubbock Trinity Caprock Monterey Dalhart Bushland Clarendon Gruver Hereford Amarillo High Perryton Dumas Borger Pampa Hereford Perryton Dumas Borger Pampa Hereford Perryton

Place B G Here X Here X X There X There X Here X Here X X There X Here X Here X There X X There X There X Here X X There X X Here X X There X Here X Here X Here X There X Here X Here X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X There X Here X

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Taylor Thomas

Neely Wood

Ryleigh Taylor

Karlie Venhaus

Kenadee Bennett

Kross Hiatt

Logan Trujillo

Whitney Willeford

Zoey McBroom

Tate and Joe Lombard (Continued from previous page)

and TGCA all-state, was the lone senior on last year’s squad. Tate Lombard has a wealth of experience — four returning starters and nine other letter winners — on hand. Five Lady Eagles — Kenadee Winfrey, Chloe Callahan, Kyla Cobb, Bella Hayden and Taylor Thomas — earned honors last season, and Tate Lombard expects all five to be all-state candidates this season. Here’s the breakdown: • Winfrey, a 5-11 senior guard/forward, averaged 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds and was the district co-MVP, TABC and TGCA all-state. She is the younger sister of former Lady Eagle Brylee Winfrey, who now plays for Lubbock Christian University. • Callahan, a 5-9 senior guard with 10.7 ppg credentials, also was the district co-MVP and TABC and TGCA all-state. • Cobb, a 5-6 senior guard, contributed 2.4 assists per game and was first-team all-district. • Hayden, a 5-7 senior guard with 7.6 ppg, 2.3 apg statistics, also was first-team all-district. She is the sister of another former Canyon star, Angel Hayden, who played two years for Texas Tech and a year at Angelo State. • Thomas, a 5-7 junior guard (6 ppg last season) didn’t start last season but still earned first-team all-district distinction.

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In addition to those five, another outstanding player to watch is 5-9 senior forward Neely Wood, a three-year letter winner, according to her coach. Ten seniors dominate this year’s Lady Eagle roster. Tate Lombard labels depth and quickness as Canyon’s strengths. “We have a team full of experienced players,” he said. He said the Lady Eagles need to improve on their consistency on both ends of the floor. The key for success this season will be to get better every day in practice, according to Tate Lombard, Canyon moves from last year’s five-team District 3-4A to the six-team District 4-4A because of UIL realignment. Hereford makes the same move. So the Lady Eagles’ new district opponents are Borger, Dumas, Pampa and Perryton.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Dumas Girls

Demonettes get new coach The Demonettes have a new coach. Jerry Cathey was appointed to the position after Austin Spain resigned in July. Cathey is a graduate of Chillicothe High School and West Texas A&M University. He has five years of head coaching experience at Adrian and Memphis. He guided Class 2A Memphis to a 17-14 record with a fourth-place district finish at 4-6. His Lady Sheda Madit Cyclones were eliminated by Gruver 89-27 in the bidistrict. Gruver went on to win the 2A state championship. Cathey brings 7-37 boys and 27-34 girls coaching records to Dumas. Spain coached three years at his high school alma mater. His Demonettes finished 15-17 overall and 6-3 for second place in District 4-4A last season. They lost their bidistrict playoff game to Hereford 57-35. Two key players have moved on from last year’s team. Macie Medrano was the district offensive MVP and signed to play for Clarendon College. Daniella Duran was first-team all-district. Cathey has three starters and five other letter winners returning. Juniors Sheda Medit, who was the district defensive co-MVP last season, Brenley Rodriguez and McKenzie Johnson are the returning starters. Those three, plus junior Abree Elsheimer, are players to watch, according to their coach. The Demonettes will be young, with only one senior (letter winner Candy Contraras) on the roster to go along with six juniors and three sophomores. Nevertheless, Cathey sees some positives. “The work ethic for this team is off the charts,” he said. “New system brings new attitude and excitement.” He’s concerned because the Demonettes will need to learn a new system under a new coach. Another concern might be the addition of two tough girls teams to District 4-4A this season because of UIL realignment. Hereford, which ended the Demonettes’ season last year, and perennial power Canyon are now members of the six-team district. What are Cathey’s keys for success this season? “How we handle the ball at the point guard position and if we can stay confident and believe in each other when things don’t go our way,” he said.

See Dumas Girls Basketball Booster Club ad on next page 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Brenley Rodriguez

McKenzie Johnson

Abree Elsheimer

Candelaria Contreras

Makenzie Garcia

Vanessa Martinez

Kamryn Cox

Halie Coon

Brooklyn Sianez

Dumas Girls Name Class Kamryn Cox Soph. Brenley Rodriguez Jr. Halie Coon Soph. McKenzie Johnson Jr. MaKenzie Garcia Jr. Vanessa Martinez-Robles Jr. Brooklyn Sianez Soph. Abree Elsheimer Jr. Sheda Madit Jr. Candy Contreras Sr. Coach: Jerry Cathey Asst. Coaches: Ashlei Atteberry, Christian Bilbrey, Lynn Scott 2019-2020 record: 15-17, 6-2 School phone: 935- 2523 Players to watch: Brenley Rodriguez, Sheda Madit, Abree Elsheimer, McKenzie Johnson 4A

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Hereford Boys

Whitefaces have lots of experience The Whitefaces have a wealth of experience as Coach Marques Loftis begins his second season at Hereford. Loftis greeted four returning starters and six other letter winners when practices began. “Experience and depth are our greatest strengths coming into this year,” Loftis said. “We are a year older with 10 returning lettermen.” Blake Walker The Whitefaces went 17-16 and 3-5 in District 3-4A in Loftis’ debut season. But their fourth-place finish in the conference qualified them for postseason play. Hereford lost to Pampa 56-42 in bidistrict. Tye Davis, all-district honorable mention, was the major departure from last year’s team. The four returning starters are Blake Walker, Kaleb Larra, Chris Ball and Parker Collins. Walker, a 5-10 senior guard, averaged 18 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists last season. He was first-team all-district and the district offensive player of the year. Larra, a 5-11 senior guard, showed 15 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg credentials in earning first-team all-district honors. Ball, a 5-9 senior guard (9 ppg, 4 rpg, 5 apg), and Collins, a 6-2 senior forward, round out the returning starters. Braedyn Mendoza, a 6-2 junior forward, made some starts last season. Loftis tabs Ball and Mendoza as additional outstanding players to watch. Six seniors and four juniors are listed on the Hereford roster. “Putting the ball in the basket is my major concern,” Loftis said. “We have to immediately establish consistent scoring.” Playing fast on offense and using the team’s depth to be aggressive on defense are the keys to success this season, according to the Whitefaces coach. Loftis was a standout on the 1998-99 Palo Duro team that went 32-2. He played collegiately on a Howard Junior College team that was ranked No. 1 in the nation and placed fifth in the NJCCA national tournament. He later graduated from Oklahoma Panhandle State University. His father, Todd Loftis, also was an outstanding player who represented Palo Duro on the 1979-80 edition of this magazine. He spent a year at his college (OPSU) alma mater as an assistant, then a year at his high school alma mater as an aide. Hereford, along with Canyon, moves from District 3-4A to 4-4A in the UIL realignment this season. Borger, Dumas, Pampa and Perryton are Hereford’s new conference foes. The Whitefaces will open their season Nov. 14 at Lubbock Coronado, followed by a Nov. 17 date at Loftis’ old school, Palo Duro. The home opener will be Nov. 23 against the Amarillo Flames. District 4-4A play begins Jan. 12.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Kaleb Larra

Chris Ball

Parker Collins

Braedyn Mendoza

Kid Flickinger

Jacob Martinez

Aiden Arias

Noah Brown

Marco Lucas

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DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 22 Dec. 22 Dec. 28 Dec. 30 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Hereford Schedule

Opponent Dimmitt Lubbock Coronado River Road Muleshoe Palo Duro Dimmitt Amarillo Flames Dalhart Randall Lubbock High Littlefield Panhandle Andrews Wellington Bushland Lubbock Titans Big Spring Muleshoe Lubbock High Plainview Spearman Gruver Lamesa Bushland Tascosa Bushland Dalhart Canyon Dumas Borger Pampa Perryton Canyon Dumas Borger Pampa Perryton Canyon Dumas

Place B G Here X There X Here X Here X There X There X Here X There X Here X There X There X There X Here X Here X Here X Here X There X Here X There X Here X X There X X There X There X There X There X Here X There X Here X There X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X There X

Name Blake Walker Kaleb Larra Chris Ball Parker Collins Kid Flickinger Jacob Martinez Braedyn Mendoza Aiden Arias Noah Brown Marco Lucas

Hereford Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-10 G Sr. 5-11 G Sr. 5-9 G Sr. 6-2 F Sr. 6-1 F Sr. 6-2 F Sr. 6-2 F Jr. 6-2 P Jr. 5-9 G Jr. 6-1 G Jr.

Coach: Marques Loftis Asst. Coaches: Tim Bell, Nik Brown, Tracy Huseman 2019-2020 record: 17-16, 3-5 School phone: 363-7630 Players to watch: Chris Ball, Braedyn Mendoza

Name Nayeli Acosta Taytum Stow Miranda Acosta Nickilah Whatley Lillie Skiles Anahi Flores Katelin Soto Breezy Vargas Lacey Davis Dev Villareal Cinthia Rodriguez Lyndzee Carbajal

Hereford Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-9 G Sr. 6-3 P Jr. 5-9 F Jr. 5-10 P Soph. 5-8 G Soph. 5-4 F Sr. 5-4 F Jr. 6-2 P Jr. 5-10 P Sr. 5-7 F Jr. 5-7 F Sr. 5-7 G Soph.

Coach: Bryan Lintner Asst. Coaches: Lisa Taylor, Kelsie Hill 2019-2020 record: 24-10, 5-3 School phone: 363-7630 Players to watch: Nayeli Acosta, Taytum Stow, Miranda Acosta, Nickilah Whatley, Lillie Skiles

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Hereford Girls

Lady Whitefaces return five starters Bryan Lintner’s third year as the Lady Whitefaces’ coach could be charming indeed. Actually, his second season was pretty darned good. Hereford went 24-10 overall and 5-3 in District 3-4A, tying for second. The Lady Whitefaces turned in a strong postseason run, beating Dumas 57-35 in bidistrict, San Elizario 52-49 in the area game and Levelland 54-38 in the regional quarterfinals. Bridgeport finally stopped Hereford 43-37 in the regional semifinals. “Watching the team come together after a late start due to the volleyball team playing for a state championship was a highlight for my career,” Lintner said. “Starting slowly, by the end of the year I felt like we were one of the top 10 4A teams in the state. Lots of fun to coach!” Only two players – post Darcy Dodd and guard Candace Gonce – were notable departures from last year’s squad, so Lintner has all five starters returning. Those five are: • Taytum Stow, a 6-3 junior post who was TGCA all-state, TABC all-region and district offensive MVP; • Nayeli Acosta, a 5-9 senior guard who was TGCA all-state, TABC all-region and first-team all-district; • Miranda Acosta (Nayeli’s cousin), a 5-9 junior guard who was first-team all-district; • Nickilah Whatley, a 5-10 sophomore post who was the district newcomer of the year as a freshman; • Lillie Skiles, a 5-8 sophomore guard who “can do it all,” according to Lintner. Lintner rates all five as all-state candidates. In addition to that quintet, three other letter winners – 5-4 senior wing Anahi Flores, 5-4 junior wing Katelin Soto and 5-10 senior post Lacey Davis – are back. So eight of the top 10 Lady Whitefaces return this year. Lintner sees that as a strength, plus the players’ familiarity in the system, their size, their speed, their shooting and the team’s depth. Hereford will see four new district foes – Borger, Dumas, Pampa and Perryton – as it moves from District 3-4A to 4-4A because of UIL’s realignment. The only holdover conference opponent is always-tough Canyon.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Taytum Stow

Nayeli Acosta

Miranda Acosta

Nickilah Whatley

Lillie Skiles

Anahi Flores

Katelin Soto

Lacey Davis

Lyndzee Carbajal

“We need to be ready to step up in a much tougher district,” Lintner said. The Lady Whitefaces have all the pieces in place for a great season from a talent perspective, according to their coach. “The key to a great season is our chemistry, and that will be no issue as the girls genuinely love each other,” Lintner said. “Off-season preparation has been fantastic.” Lintner, a graduate of Amarillo High School and Texas State University, began his coaching career at Wheeler. Then he served as an assistant to the legendary Joe Lombard at Canyon for 17 years. He moved to Bushland, where his girls teams went 61-29 and won three district championships with a perfect 24-0 league record. His two Hereford teams have gone 41-27 overall with thirdplace and second-place district finishes. The Lady Whitefaces will open their season Nov. 10 at home against Dimmitt. The district opener is Jan. 5 against Canyon, also at home. 4A

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TEAMS AT A GLANCE

District 1-3A Boys 1. Bushland 2. Canadian 3. Spearman 4. Dalhnart 5. River Road/Highland Park

PRESEASON PICKS District 1-3A Girls 1. Spearman 2. Canadian 3. Bushland 4. Dalhart 5. River Road 6. Highland Park District 3-3A Boys 1. Brownfield 2. Denver City 3. Lamesa 4. Dimmitt 5. Denver City 6. Muleshoe 7. Friona

District 2-3A Boys 1. Shallowater 2. Childress 3. Abernathy 4. Slaton 5. Roosevelt 6. Idalou 7. Tulia

District 2-3A Girls 1. Shallowater 2. Idalou 3. Childress 4. Slaton/Abernathy 6. Roosevelt 7. Tulia

District 3-3A Girls 1. Brownfield 2. Littlefield 3. Denver City 4. Muleshoe 5. Lamesa 6. Friona 7. Dimmitt

HONOR ROLL 3A Boys Seth Bender, Abernathy, 5-11, Sr.; Konnor Hoerman, Abernathy, 6-4, Sr.; Luke Houston, Abernathy, 6-4, Jr.; Malachi Reyes, Abernathy, 5-6, Jr.; Sean Rodriguez, Abernathy, 5-10, Jr.; Anthony White, Abernathy, 6-0, Jr.; Nathan Welch, Bushland, 6-0, Sr.; Brody Sutterfield, Bushland, 6-0, Sr.; Jaylin Marshall, Bushland, 6-4, Sr.; Clayton Seales, Bushland, 6-4, Sr.; Kash Bradley, Bushland, 6-0, Sr.; Tanner Troxell, Bushland, 6-2, Sr.; Taycen Gerber, Bushland, 5-10, Sr.; Scotty Hendricks, Bushland, 6-1, Sr.; Aaron Welch, Bushland, 5-10, Sr.; Josh Tucker, Childress, 5-10, Sr.; Devron Sims, Childress, 5-11, Sr.; Lamont Nickelberry, Childress, 5-10, Soph.; Lane Foster, Childress, 5-11, Sr.; Jackson Stanton, Idalou, 6-1, Sr.; Cooper Hill, Idalou, 6-3, Sr.; Xaveon Cavazos, Idalou, 5-9, Jr.; Juan Rios, Littlefield, 5-9, Sr.; Jeremiah Salazar, Littlefield, 5-6, Sr.; Jordan Trevino, Littlefield, 5-10, Jr.; Chris Brown, Littlefield, 6-4, Sr.; Tyree Jones, Littlefield, 6-6, Sr.; Caden Gillespie, Shallowater, 5-8, Sr.; Mason Eaker, Shallowater, 6-3, Sr.; Kieran Elliott, Shallowater, 6-6, Soph.; Breaden Gibbs, Slaton, Sr.; Treven Baker, Slaton, Jr.; Alizae Mendez, Slaton, Sr.; Tonny Varela, Spearman, 6-5, Sr.; Jack Wilkerson, Spearman, 6-0, Sr., Cason Mackie, Spearman, 5-10, Soph.; Jack Campbell, Spearman, 6-5, Sr.; Brayden Klafka, Spearman, 6-1, Jr.

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3A Girls Chanie Chambers, Abernathy, 5-6, Sr.; Khaki Dubose, Abernathy, 5-9, Sr.; Mayra Martinez, Abernathy, 5-9, Sr.; Emma Troxell, Bushland, 5-10, Soph.; Kayleigh Homfeld, Bushland, 6-1, Sr.; Taryn Shultz, Bushland, 5-5, Sr.; Mattie Boyd, Canadian, 6-0, Jr.; Jasmyn Moreno, Canadian, 5-3, Sr.; Briley Merket, Canadian, 5-9, Jr.; Bethany Berngen, Dalhart, 6-0, Sr.; Cristal Davila, Dalhart, 5-8, Sr.; Caryce Guerrero, Dalhart, 5-5, Sr.; Kaeona Marquez, Dalhart, 5-8, Sr.; Jadyn Trussler, Dalhart, 5-9, Soph.; Taylor Houston, Idalou, 6-0, Jr.; Logan Heard, Idalou, 5-10, Soph.; Emmy Craig, Idalou, 5-8, Sr.; Reagan Dennis, Idalou, 5-7, Jr.; Tynli Harris, Shallowater, 5-8, Sr.; Taylor Moravcik, Shallowater, 5-9, Sr.; Bree Brattain, Shallowater, 5-8, Jr.; Jenna Willer, Shallowater, 5-4, Jr.; Mary Jo Parker, Slaton, 5-9, Sr.; Andrea Moreno, Slaton, 5-11, Sr.; Payton Potts, Slaton, 5-5, Jr.; Yasmin Anguiano, Spearman, 5-2, Sr.; Maggie Davis, Spearman, 5-11, Sr.; Candice Mackie, Spearman, 5-7, Sr.; Mia Pipkin, Spearman, 5-11, Sr.; Jaemi Saenz, Spearman, 5-1, Sr.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

District 1-3A Falcons literally have seniority

Bushland Boys

The Falcons are emphasizing seniority this season. All nine players listed on the roster are seniors. They all lettered last year as Bushland put together an 18-10 overall season. The Falcons finished second in District 1-3A with a 10-2 record, but their playoff jinx continued. For the third straight year, Bushland lost in bidistrict, this time to Littlefield 50-39. Three members of the all-district academic basketball team — Skyler Jaco, Cole Moseley and Bridge Andrews — have moved on from last year’s team. So has Jake Orcutt, who also played football. Coach Kendall Cogburn has an experienced group this season, however. He designated five of them as returning starters, although one of the seniors — 6-4 center Clayton Seales — was injured last year. The other starting seniors: • Nathan Welch, a 6-0 guard, averaged 13 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists last season and was the district’s offensive player of the year; • Brody Sutterfield, a 6-0 guard, was all-district with 10 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg credentials; • Jaylin Marshall, a 6-4 forward, also an all-district selection, contributed 9 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 apg; • Kash Bradley, a 6-0 guard, 4 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Clayton Seales

Nathan Welch

Brody Sutterfield

Those four represent 36 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Cogburn rates Welch, Sutterfield and Marshall as all-state candidates. He suggests that all nine seniors are players to watch. Cogburn describes the Falcons’ strengths as many-faceted. “The tradition that has been established over the years,” he said. “Under the leadership of our seniors, I feel that we can mold a successful team. I’m also excited about our size combined with tough guard play.” He’s concerned about avoiding injuries and COVID-19. (Continued on next page)

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The keys to success this season will be “staying healthy and learning how to win big games in the fourth quarter,” he said. Cogburn played at Randall High School, then at Wayland Baptist University for one year and West Texas A&M University for two. He coached at Claude, Wylie and Happy before coming to Bushland. He is beginning his fifth season with the Falcons with a 115-64 career boys coaching record. Bushland remains in District 1-3A this season, but the conference has been reduced from eight teams to six because of UIL realignment. Highland Park and Dalhart are the new members, replacing Tulia, Dimmitt, Muleshoe and Friona. Bushland’s holdover district foes are River Road, Canadian and Spearman. The Falcons, often involved in football playoffs, are scheduled to open their basketball campaign Nov. 24 at Dumas. The home opener is set for Dec. 5 against Vega. District play begins Jan. 12. Name Nathan Welch Brody Sutterfield Jaylin Marshall Clayton Seales

Bushland Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-0 G Sr. 6-0 G Sr. 6-4 F Sr. 6-4 P Sr.

Jaylin Marshall

Kash Bradley Tanner Troxell Taycen Gerber Scotty Hendricks Aaron Welch

Tanner Troxell

6-0 6-2 5-10 6-1 5-10

Taycen Gerber

G G G G F

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

Coach: Kendall Cogburn Asst. Coaches: Derek Mauldin, David Sutterfield 2019-2020 record: 18-10, 10-2 School phone: 359-5418 Players to watch: Nathan Welch, Brody Sutterfield, Jaylin Marshall, Clayton Seales, Kash Bradley, Tanner Troxell, Taycen Gerber, Scotty Hendricks, Aaron Welch

Bushland Girls

New Lady Falcons coach is familiar Ty Mayfield, a longtime coach at Bushland, will take over the Lady Falcons this season. Mayfield has directed the girls track team and has been the football defensive coordinator in his 15 years at the school. In the past, he has been the head football coach, athletic director and boys basketball coach at Springlake-Earth and football coach at Lake Dallas. He has a six-year boys coaching record of 70-86. He is a graduate of Panhandle High School and West Texas State University. Mayfield took the girls job when Chris Marks moved to Channing as the athletic director and boys basketball coach. Marks had a remarkable two-year stint as the Lady Falcons Name Emma Troxell Kayleigh Homfeld Taryn Shultz Haylee Sessions Jillian Howell Timberly Boydston Jada Permenter Jaiden Hinojosa Chloe Cochran Brooklyn Boyett

Bushland Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-10 G/F Soph. 6-1 P Sr. 5-5 G Sr. 5-5 G Sr. 5-9 P Jr. 5-5 G Jr. 5-5 G Jr. 5-6 G Sr. 5-11 P Soph. 5-7 G Fr.

Coach: Ty Mayfield Asst. Coaches: Scott Sims, Keley Albracht 2019-2020 record: 22-10, 13-1 School phone: 359-5418 Players to watch: Emma Troxell, Taryn Shultz, Kayleigh Homfeld 144 3A

Emma Troxell

Taryn Shultz

coach. His first team won a school record 27 games (27-7) and was the district co-champion at 13-1. Last year, his girls went 22-10 and repeated the 13-1 district showing, taking the title outright. “We played a lot of tough teams while trying to get our team together,” Mayfield said. “Volleyball went to state; therefore our team was not together until late November. Team got better and better in nonconference.” In the bidistrict playoff, Bushland played Littlefield, the same school that eliminated the Bushland boys a week later. The Lady Falcons prevailed 58-55. They beat Ballinger 60-37 in the area game but lost to Shallowater 45-43 in the regional quarterfinals. “We lost to the eventual state champions (Shallowater) by two, and we missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer,” Mayfield said. Two all-district performers — Makenna Morgan and Ansley Sims — have moved on from last year’s team. Three starters and five other letter winners return for Mayfield’s girls coaching debut. (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Continued from previous page)

Emma Troxell, a 5-10 sophomore guard/forward, averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists. She made the all-Region 1 tournament team. Taryn Shultz, a 5-5 senior point guard, contributed 10 ppg, 2 rpg, 3 apg. Troxell and Shultz are all-state candidates, according to their coach. Mayfield tabs the third returning starter — 6-1 senior post Kayleigh Homfield (6 ppg, 10 rpg) — as another outstanding player to watch. Those three returning starters, who combined for an average of 28 points per game last season, are the Lady Falcons’ strength, according to Mayfield.

DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 17 Nov. 21 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 18

Bushland Schedule

Opponent Palo Duro Vega Stratford Miami Borger Dumas Wellington Pampa Nazareth Vega Pampa Hereford Wellington Lubbock High Randall Dimmitt Claude Idalou

Place B G Here X There X Here X Here X There X There X There X There X There X Here X There X There X Here X There X Here X There X There X Here X

The other letter winners are 5-5 senior guard Haylee Sessions (2 ppg), 5-9 junior post Jillian Howell (3 ppg, 2 rpg), 5-5 junior guard Timberly Boydston (2 ppg), 5-5 junior guard Jada Permenter and 5-6 senior guard Jaiden Hinojosa. Four seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and a freshman make up the Bushland roster. Mayfield’s concerns center on depth, balanced scoring and rebounding. He specifies rebounding and playing great defense as the keys to success this season. Highland Park and Dalhart will join holdovers River Road, Canadian, Spearman and Bushland in the six-team District 1-3A this season. UIL realignment sent former district members Tulia, Dimmitt, Muleshoe and Friona into different districts. Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Dec. 29 Dec. 21 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Dec. 31 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Tascosa Gruver Canyon Panhandle Hereford Clarendon Plainview Hereford Caprock Spearman Dalhart Canadian Highland Park River Road Spearman Dalhart Canadian Highland Park River Road Spearman Dalhart

Here Here X There X Here Here There There X There X There X Here There Here X Here X There X There X Here X There X There X Here X Here X There X

X X X X

X X X X X X X X X X

Canadian Girls

Lady Cats had success under new coach Aaron Marks’ first year as the Lady Cats coach hit the right mark, indeed. Expect more marksmanship this season as all five starters return. Canadian clicked off a 25-9 season in 2019-20, tying for second in District 1-3A with an 11-3 mark. Idalou eliminated the Lady Cats 69-39 in the bidistrict playoff. “A young team battled through injuries,” Marks said. Graduation losses were minimal, so Marks welcomed five starters and two other letter winners back this fall. Three of those starters won honors last season. Mattie Boyd, a 6-0 junior center, averaged 17.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season in earning district offensive MVP, TGCA all-state and TABC all-region honors. Marks rates her as an all-state candidate this season. Jasmyn Moreno, a 5-3 senior guard, contributed 10.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 6.8 apg and was first-team all-district. Briley Merket, a 5-9 junior guard, posted 10.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.1 apg credentials as a sophomore and was named the district newcomer of the year. Moreno and Merket are outstanding players to watch, according to Marks. The other two returning starters are 5-9 junior forward Kennedi Cook and 5-6 senior guard Parker Lee. The other letter winners 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Mattie Boyd

Jasmyn Moreno

Briley Merket

are 5-5 junior guard Tinley Pennington and 5-7 senior forward Maddie Spence. Brooklyn Cochran, a 5-8 sophomore forward, is a newcomer to the roster, which contains three seniors, four juniors and one sophomore. Experience, hunger and balance are the Lady Cats’ strengths, according to Marks. His key for success this season is the health of his players. Marks is a graduate of Aspermont High School, where he was an all-state player, and Tarleton State University. He’s beginning his 13th season as a head basketball coach, having directed Sterling City, Whitharral and Farwell teams before coming to (Continued on page 147)

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Name Mattie Boyd Briley Merket Jasmyn Moreno Maddie Spence Kennedi Cook Tinley Pennington Parker Lee Brooklyn Cochran

Canadian Girls Ht. Pos. Class 6-0 P Jr. 5-9 G Jr. 5-3 G Sr. 5-7 F Sr. 5-9 F Jr. 5-5 G Jr. 5-6 G Sr. 5-8 F Soph.

Coach: Aaron Marks Asst. Coaches: Doug Boyd, Josh Mayhew 2019-2020 record: 30-4, 13-1 School phone: 323-5373 Players to watch: Mattie Boyd, Briley Merket, Jasmyn Moreno

Canadian Schedule DATE Opponent Place Nov. 7 Claude Here Nov. 10 Gruver Here Nov. 13 Happy There Nov. 14 Wheeler Here Nov. 17 Miami There Nov. 20 Plainview There Nov. 21 WF Rider Clarendon Nov. 24 Panhandle Here Dec. 1 Panhandle There Dec. 5 Pampa Here Dec. 8 Randall There Dec. 12 Sudan Vega Dec. 15 Shamrock There Dec. 18 Clarendon There Dec. 19 West Texas Here Dec. 29 Vega Here Dec. 31 Pampa There Jan. 5 Dalhart Here Jan. 8 Highland Park Here Jan. 12 Bushland There Jan. 15 River Road Here Jan. 19 Spearman There Jan. 22 Dalhart There Jan. 26 Highland Park There Jan. 29 Bushland Here Feb. 2 River Road There Feb. 5 Spearman Here

G X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

For action pictures of the Lady Cats, see page 355.

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Kennedi Cook

Parker Lee

Tinley Pennington

(Continued from page 145)

Canadian last year. He succeeded longtime Canadian Coach Kevin Richardson, who moved to Wall. Marks’ career girls coaching record is 230-94 for a .710 winning percentage. He has led his teams into the playoffs for 10

Maddie Spence

Brooklyn Cochran

Susie Flores

straight seasons. Highland Park and Dalhart will be new District 1-3A opponents for the Lady Cats this season because of UIL realignment. In fact, Dalhart will be Canadian’s first district opponent Jan. 5. The Lady Cats will open their season at home Nov. 7 against Claude.

Dalhart Girls

Lady Wolves gain experience, wins The Lady Wolves came of age last season. After two losing seasons in a row, Dalhart, fueled by a talented group of juniors, posted a 26-10 campaign. Now those juniors are seniors. And with Dalhart dropping down a class this season, prospects are ripe for even more success. Last season the Lady Wolves tied Dumas for first in District 4-4A , both with 6-2 records, but Dalhart defeated Dumas 55-31 in Kaeona Marquez the seeding game. The Lady Wolves qualified for the playoffs for the seventh straight season. In the playoffs, the Lady Wolves beat Lubbock Estacado 55-21 in bidistrict and Mountain View 55-48 in the area game. Powerful Canyon eliminated Dalhart 55-24 in the regional quarterfinals. “We had several kids on varsity last year that had been on varsity since their freshman or sophomore year,” Coach Anthony Catherall said. “They finally started to see some success that they’ve worked so hard towards. It was really fun watching these girls start (to) grow into what they can be as a team.” Natalie Olvera, an all-district selection, was the key departure from last year’s team. All five starters return for the Lady Wolves this season. And all five were district honorees last season. They are; • Kaeona Marquez, a 5-8 senior guard who was the District 4-4A MVP and TGCA all-state; • Caryce Guerrero, a 5-5 senior guard who was the district defensive player of the year; • Cristal Davila, a 5-8 senior forward, all-district; • Bethany Berngen, a 6-0 senior post, all-district; • Jadyn Trusler, a 5-9 sophomore guard, all-district. Catherall rates Marquez as an all-state candidate. Responding to a question on other outstanding players to watch, he responded, “We return all five starters, and we’re expecting big things from all our returners.” Two other Lady Wolves — 5-6 senior guard Mattie Leaton and 6-3 junior post Kennedy Green — also lettered last year. There are 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Caryce Guerrero

Cristal Davila

Bethany Berngen

Jadyn Trusler

Mattie Leaton

Kennedy Green

six seniors, one junior and three sophomores on Dalhart’s roster. All that experience, particularly the five returning starters, ranks as a team strength. “This will be the third or fourth year on varsity for four of our starters. Our fifth starter was a freshman last year,” Catherall said. “We are excited about the experience and confidence gained from last season.” He’s also looking forward to the challenge of moving into a new district (1-3A) as Dalhart drops down from Class 4A to 3A because of UIL realignment. “Moving to 3A doesn’t make anything easier for us,” Catherall said, “but our girls are excited about this year.” He said that carrying over the confidence and experience gained last season will be a key for success this season. “Realizing that we need to continue to build upon what we (Continued on page 149)

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Name Bethany Berngen Cristal Davila Chesnee Day Caryce Guerrero Mattie Leaton Kaeona Marquez Kennedy Green Addison Bowers Katelyn Lenz Jadyn Trusler

Dalhart Girls Ht. Pos. Class 6-0 P Sr. 5-8 F Sr. 5-7 G Sr. 5-5 G Sr. 5-6 G Sr. 5-8 G Sr. 6-3 P Jr. 5-5 G Soph. 5-4 G Soph. 5-9 G Soph.

Coach: Anthony Catherall Asst. Coaches: Lida Trusler, Abbie Banks 2019-2020 record: 26-10, 6-2 School phone: 244-7300 Players to watch: Bethany Berngen, Cristal Davila, Caryce Guererro, Kaeona Marquez, Jadyn Trusler Dalhart Schedule DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 21 Nov. 23 Nov. 23 Nov. 28 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18

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Opponent Boys Ranch Dumas Caprock Dumas Sunray Pampa Randall Hereford Midland High Caprock Palo Duro Vega Shamrock Borger Perryton Fritch Pampa Clarendon

Place B G There X Here X There X Here X Here X There X X There X Here X Plainview HS X X Here X Here X There X X There X There X X There X X Here X X Here X X Amarillo X

Dec. 18 Dec. 21 Dec. 28 Dec. 31 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

White Deer Gruver Canyon Stratford Texline Canadian Hereford Bushland Estacado River Road Spearman Highland Park Canadian Bushland River Road Spearman Highland Park Canadian Bushland

There Here X Here Here X Here X There Here X Here There X There X Here X There X Here X There X Here X There X Here X THer X Here X

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Continued from page 147)

did last year and getting better,” he explained. Catherall, a Dumas High School and Texas Tech University graduate, is beginning his eighth season at Dalhart and 11th as a head basketball coach. He coached at Tahoka for two years and Anton for one before coming to Dalhart. His career girls coaching record is 160-152. The Lady Wolves will open their season Nov. 7 at Boys Ranch. The home opener will be Nov. 10 against Dumas, a former 4A district opponent. Dalhart will begin District 1-3A action Jan. 5.

Chesnee Day

Addison Bowers

Katelyn Lenz

Spearman Boys

Lynx have new coach, new player Dustin Klafka, who moves from Perryton, is the new coach for the Lynx. Klafka succeeds Craig Black, who now is the Spearman Junior High principal. Klafka is a graduate of Levelland High School and Eastern New Mexico University. His coaching career began at ENMU with later stops at Texas A&M-Kingsville and South Plains College. He coached both boys Jack Wilkerson and girls at Dalhart, then girls at Slaton. He spent the past four years as the athletic director and boys basketball coach at Class 4A Perryton. Klafka’s Perryton team went 15-12 last year. His Rangers beat Canyon 31-28 in bidistrict but lost to Andrews 56-45 in the area round. Black coached the Lynx for seven seasons. Two years ago, he guided Spearman to a 32-3 season and into the regional semifinals, the furthest advance for a Lynx team in 41 years. Only one starter returned from that 2018-19 team and Black’s Lynx fell off to 18-14 last season. They were 8-6 in District 1-3A, finishing fourth. Spearman lost to Shallowater 69-51 in the bidistrict playoff game. Two all-district players--Peyton Black, the son of Craig Black, and Levi Garnett--along with Charles Pearson and Jackson Riggins, have departed from last year’s squad. However, Klafka inherits two returning starters and two other

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Cason Mackie

Brayden Klafka

Jack Campbell

letter winners from last season’s Lynx team plus a key transfer from Perryton. Jack Wilkerson, a 6-0 senior guard who was all-district last season, and Tonny Varela, a 6-5 senior post, are the returning starters. A pair of sophomore letter winners – 5-10 guard Cason Mackie and 6-0 post Cooper Campbell – saw varsity action as freshmen last year. The transfer is 6-1 junior guard Brayden Klafka, the new coach’s son. Coach Klafka recommends Wilkerson, 6-5 senior forward Jack Campbell and Brayden Klafka as all-state candidates and Varela and Mackie as players to watch. The Lynx have six sophomores on the roster along with four (Continued on next page)

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seniors and a junior. Coach Klafka didn’t get to see the Lynx play together during the summer because of the COVID-19 precautions, but his concerns center on the players adapting to a new coach and a new system. He said the keys to success this season will be “effort, buy into new system and learn quickly.” Highland Park and Dalhart are new District 1-3A opponents for Spearman. Tulia, Dimmitt, Muleshoe and Friona move to different districts because of UIL realignment. River Road, Bushland and Canadian are holdover opponents for the Lynx. Spearman’s boys will open the season Nov. 24 at Stratford and will begin district play Jan. 12, a week after the Spearman girls’ district opener.

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Name Brody Coates Tonny Varela Jack Wilkerson Cason Mackie Cooper Campbell Jack Campbell Brayden Klafka Jack Davis Jeb Garrett Jack Pipkin Shad Whiteley

Spearman Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-0 G Sr. 6-5 P Sr. 6-0 G Sr. 5-10 G Soph. 6-1 P Soph. 6-5 F Sr. 6-1 G Jr. 6-0 G Soph. 6-0 G Soph. 6-4 P Soph. 5-10 G Soph.

Coach: Dustin Klafka Asst. Coaches: Tate Batton, Kyler Musgrave 2019-2020 record: 18-14, 8-6 School phone: 659-2563 Players to watch: Jack Wilkerson, Brayden Klafka, Jack Campbell, Cason Mackie, Tonny Varela

Go Lynx!

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Spearman Girls

Lynxettes improving every year The Lynxettes have shown marked improvement in Coach Kurt Richardson’s first two seasons. Look for even better results in Year 3. Spearman went 20-13 overall and 10-4 in the district, finishing third, in Richardson’s first year. In his second season, the Lynxettes improved to 23-12 overall and 11-3 in District 1-3A, climbing up to a tie for second. In both years, Spearman lost its bidistrict playoff game. Brownfield ended the Lynxettes’ 2019-20 season 61-42 in bidistrict, but Richardson was encouraged by Spearman’s play down the stretch. “Our girls continued to improve throughout the season,” he said. “We played well the second half of district and into the playoffs. Ran into a very good Brownfield team to end our season.” The Lynxettes’ lone key departure from that team was four-year letter winner Shaylyn Whiteley, the team captain, who captured all-district laurels. But Richardson has four starters and four other letter winners back. Those four starters represent 32.2 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Mia Pipkin, a 5-11 senior post, is the leader of the pack. She averaged 18.5 points and 8.8 rebounds last season and was the district defensive MVP plus a TGCA all-stater. Richardson expects

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Mia Pipkin

Candice Mackie

Maggie Davis

her to repeat as an all-stater this season. Candice Mackie, Maggie Davis and Jaemi Saenz are the other three returning starters. Mackie, a 5-7 senior forward, contributed 6.6 ppg, and 4.1 rpg. Davis, a 5-11 senior forward, chipped in with 4.9 ppg and 3.7 rpg. Both were all-district selections. Saenz, a 5-1 senior guard, showed 2.2 ppg, 2 rpg stats. Yasmin Anguiano, a 5-2 senior guard with 6.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg credentials, didn’t start but was impressive enough to merit alldistrict distinction. Mackie, Davis, Saenz and Anguiano are players to watch, according to their coach. (Continued on next page)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Addison Whitefield, a 5-7 junior post (3.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg), Aubrey Beck, a 5-6 sophomore guard (2 ppg, 2 rpg), and Kinleigh Richardson, a 5-5 sophomore guard (3 ppg, 2 rpg) also lettered last year. Kinleigh Richardson is the coach’s daughter. “With eight returning lettermen, we have good experience and depth,” Coach Richardson said. “Our inside game will be strong again.” He’s concerned about turnovers and rebounding. “They are always important, and we will have to continue to improve on those this season,” he said. Improvement on turnovers is one of his keys for success this season. Another is having some girls step up as consistent shooters. Richardson is a graduate of Canyon High School and West Texas A&M University. He’s the brother of Kevin Richardson, the former Canadian coach who is now mentoring girls at Wall. Kurt Richardson coached at Panhandle and Abilene Wylie before coming to Spearman, where his Lynxettes have won 43 and lost 25. His career girls career coaching record is 357-128 for a .736 winning percentages The Lynxettes will have two new district foes (Highland Park and Dalhart) in 1-3A this season because of the UIL reshuffling. And it’s now a six-team league instead of eight. Muleshoe, Tulia, Friona and Dimmitt moved to different districts.

Jaemi Saenz

Yasmin Anguiano

Aubrey Beck

Addison Whitefield

Kinleigh Richardson

Spearman Super Boosters Adobe Walls Gin Coach Todd, Krista, Tanner & Trenton Baird Brian, Alexis, Aubrey, Elyse & Brady Beck Crescent Star Ag

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Name Yasmin Anguiano Ashley Baca Aubrey Beck Maggie Davis Braylen Lusby Candice Mackie Samantha Mendoza Mia Pipkin Kinleigh Richardson Jaemi Saenz Addison Whitefield

Spearman Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-2 G Sr. 5-4 F Sr. 5-6 G Soph. 5-11 F Sr. 5-6 G Fr. 5-7 F Sr. 5-4 F Sr. 5-11 P Sr. 5-5 G Soph. 5-1 G Sr. 5-7 P Jr.

Coach: Kurt Richardson Asst. Coaches: Starla Whiteley, Steve Walker, Maidie Reining 2019-2020 record: 23-12, 11-3 School phone: 659-2563 Players to watch: Yasmin Anguiano, Maggie Davis, Candice Mackie, Mia Pipkin, Jaemi Saenz

Good Luck Maggie and Jack!â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Irvin & Betty Jean Davis Hansford County Veterinary Hospital, Inc. Keith, Jodie & Tyann Hight Jason, Macy, Conner & Tessa Holton Butch & Mary Ann Lasater Wm. Clay & Dr. Kimberly Montgomery

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John & Hazel Scott Joel & Haley Shields Richey & Karen Thompson Clancy, Chelsea, Carter & Cannyn Vanderburg Anthony & Linda Wilkerson Chad, Sam, Ella, Jack & Calli Wilkerson Travis & Kandi Wolf Western Equipment

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 21 Nov. 24 Nov. 28 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 21 Dec. 21 Dec. 29 Dec. 31 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Spearman Schedule

Opponent Wellington McLean Perryton White Deer Stratford Panhandle Borger Nazareth Clarendon West Texas Randall Hooker Hereford Pampa Panhandle Claude Dumas Gruver Bushland River Road Highland Park Dalhart Canadian Bushland River Road Highland Park Dalhart Canadian Bushland River Road

Place B G There X Here X Here X Here X There X X There X Here X There X There X There X X There X There X X Here X X Here X There X Here X Here X X There X There X Here X There X X There X X Here X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X X There X X There X Here X

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This lynx watches visitors on a snowy day at Polar Park near Narvik, Norway, last year. An adult lynx can weigh 22 to 44 pounds. Spearmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynx is the only such mascot in the Panhandle-Plains region. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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District 2-3A Antelopes reach region semis after 13 years

Abernathy Boys

The Antelopes reached the regional semifinals last season for the first time since 2007, capping a 25-5 campaign in Nathan Branum’s second season as coach. Abernathy won the Dimmitt and Lubbock Caprock tournaments, then went 12-2 in District 2-3A, finishing second. In the playoffs, the Antelopes defeated Dimmitt 59-35 in bidistrict, Crane 62-40 in the area game and Littlefield 72-42 in the regional quarterfinals. Peaster stopped the Antelopes 56-40 in the regional semifinals. “We had a great group of senior leaders, along with some younger players, who stepped up to help take our program to the regional tournament (site) for the first time in 13 years,” Branum said. The Antelopes did reach the regional quarterfinals in Branum’s first year at Abernathy, but last year they made it to the actual weekend regional site. Five key Antelopes — Bryson Daily, Miles Keith, Sagen Gonzalez, Nick DeAnda and Jake Ayers — played their last games in that regional. Daily was the district offensive MVP and TABC all-region and all-state. Keith was the district defensive MVP and TABC all-region. Gonzalez was all-district. DeAnda and Ayers were all-district honorable mentions. That’s a lot of talent that departed, leaving Branum with only one returning starter. Malachi Reyes, a 5-6 junior guard, averaged 7.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season and was an all-district honorable mention. Reyes, 6-4 junior guard Luke Houston (3.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg last season) and 6-0 junior guard Anthony White, a varsity newcomer, are all-state candidates, according to Branum. Reyes and Houston lettered last year. So did 5-10 junior guard Sean Rodriguez (2.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg), 5-11 senior guard Seth Bender, 6-1 senior guard Bradyn Daniel and 6-4 senior forward Konnor Hoerman. Branum tabs Rodriguez, Bender and Hoerman as players to watch. There are five seniors and six juniors on the Abernathy roster. One of those seniors, 6-1 post Matthew DeAnda, is the cousin of the departed Nick DeAnda. Branum pinpoints athleticism and depth as his team’s strengths. He is concerned about the Antelopes’ lack of experience. “We need to learn how to trust each other along with finding guys willing to step up in big moments,” Branum said in describing the keys for success. “We also cannot rely on our talent alone; we must work like we don’t have much ability in order to beat the teams in the upper tier of 3A.” Branum is a graduate of Shallowater High School and Texas Tech University. He coached at Nazareth and Clyde before coming to Abernathy. His boys career coaching record is 180-71 for a .717 winning percentage. He’s 43-19 in his two years with the Antelopes. Childress and Tulia will be new opponents for Abernathy in District 2-3A this season, replacing Brownfield, Littlefield and Denver City, because of UIL realignment. That district play will 158

Malachi Reyes

Luke Houston

Anthony White

Sean Rodriguez

Seth Bender

Bradyn Daniel

Konnor Hoerman

Matthew DeAnda

Brendon Brown

get under way Jan. 5.

Name Seth Bender Brendon Brown Bradyn Daniel Matthew DeAnda Konnor Hoerman Luke Houston Malachi Reyes Sean Rodriguez Jakob Sanchez Cole Vandygriff Anthony White

Abernathy Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-11 G Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 6-1 G Sr. 6-1 P Sr. 6-4 F Sr. 6-4 G Jr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-10 G Jr. 5-7 G Jr. 6-4 P Jr. 6-0 G Jr.

Coach: Nathan Branum Asst. Coaches: Lee Bender, Corey White, Bryan Loera 2019-2020 record: 25-5, 12-2 School phone: 298-2563 Players to watch: Luke Houston, Anthony White, Malachi Reyes, Konnor Hoerman, Sean Rodriguez, Seth Bender 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Abernathy Schedule

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE

Opponent

Place

B G

Nov. 10

Farwell

Here

Nov. 14

Ropes

Here

Nov. 17

Sudan

There

Nov. 20

Lubbock Titans

Here

Nov. 21

Hale Center

There

Nov. 23

Lubbock Cooper

Here

Nov. 24

Sundown

Here

X X

Dec. 1

Dimmitt

Here

X X

Dec. 4

Littlefield

There

X X

Dec. 5

New Home

Here

X X

Dec. 8

New Deal

LCU “RIP”

X X

Dec. 11

Levelland

There

X X

Dec. 12

Estacado

There

X X

Dec. 15

Shallowater

There

Dec. 15

Odessa Permian

Here

Dec. 18

Idalou

Here

Dec. 18

Coronado

Here

Dec. 22

Slaton

There

X X

Dec. 29

Pampa

There

Dec. 29

Nazareth

There

Jan. 5

Roosevelt

Here

X X

Jan. 8

Tulia

There

X X

Jan. 12

Childress

Here

X X

Jan. 15

Shallowater

Here

X X

Jan. 19

Idalou

There

X X

Jan. 22

Slaton

Here

X X

Jan. 29

Roosevelt

There

X X

Feb. 2

Tulia

Here

X X

Feb. 5

Childress

There

X X

Feb. 9

Shallowater

There

Feb. 12

Idalou

Here

X X

159

Jakob Sanchez

James Haddox

Cole Vandygriff

Abernathy Girls

Tough year in a tough district The Lady Lopes struggled last season, winding up 16-20 overall. After a third-place finish in the Lubbock Caprock Tournament, Abernathy tailed off in District 2-3A competition, finishing tied for sixth with a 3-11 record. “We were plagued with injuries, and that can’t happen in the toughest district in the state,” Coach Justin Barton said. The record bears out Barton’s assertion. District co-champion Shallowater won the girls Class 3A state championship but had suffered earlier district defeats to co-champ Idalou and third-place Brownfield. Brownfield lost in the regional quarterfinals to Idalou. Idalou reached the regional finals before losing to Shallowater. Even though Brownfield, along with Littlefield and Denver City, is leaving the conference this season, the addition of Childress and Tulia promises to again make District 2-3A one of the toughest girls districts in the state. The key departure from last year’s Abernathy squad was Samantha Pierson, an all-district selection. Three starters and one other letter winner return for the Lady Lopes this season. The returning starters are Chanie Chambers, Mayra Martinez and Khaki Dubose, all outstanding players to watch in Barton’s estimation. Chambers, a 5-6 senior guard, averaged. 6.1 points, 4.2. rebounds and 2 assists last season and was an all-district honorable mention. She has a younger sister, 5-7 junior guard Charlee Chambers, on the team. Martinez, a 5-9 senior guard, contributed 6.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and Dubose, a 5-9 senior forward, logged 3.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg statistics. The other returning letter winner is 5-6 junior guard Leah Villareal (3.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg). The Abernathy roster is composed of five seniors, four juniors and one freshman. Barton rates athleticism and attitudes as the Lady Lopes’ strengths. He is concerned about the team’s size. “The keys for us this year will be to stay healthy, and for the new players on varsity to adjust to this level of play,” he said. Barton is beginning his fifth year as the Lady Lopes coach at his high school alma mater. The Texas Tech University graduate coached at Shallowater, Olton and Littlefield before moving to Abernathy. In four years, his Lady Lopes have won 79 and lost 55. 160

Chanie Chambers

Mayra Martinez

Maribel Hernandez

Name Chanie Chambers Charlee Chambers Khaki Dubose Avery Harris Maribel Hernandez Mayra Martinez Jada Reyes Carlye Sandoval Leah Villareal Mikayla Williams

Khaki Dubose

Mikayla Williams

Abernathy Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-6 G Sr. 5-7 G Jr. 5-9 F Sr. 5-5 G Jr. 5-4 G Sr. 5-9 G Sr. 5-8 F Fr. 5-4 G Jr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-6 G Sr.

Coach: Justin Barton Asst. Coaches: Haley Havens, Keith Bloskas 2019-2020 record: 16-20, 3-11 School phone: 298-4911 Players to watch: Chanie Chambers, Khaki Dubose, Mayra Martinez 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Childress Boys

Schedule pays off for Bobcats The Bobcats played a difficult schedule last season, and it paid off. Childress suffered early season losses to Pampa and Paducah, both of whom later reached regional finals, and Martin’s Mill, a state tournament qualifier. But the Bobcats won the West Texas Tournament and raced to the District 8-3A championship with a perfect 10-0 slate. In the Randall Playoff Preview before the playoffs, Childress beat a Gruver team that later qualified for the state tournament. In the playoffs, Childress beat Tolar 63-49 in bidistrict and Eastland 50-42 in the area round. State-bound Peaster sidelined the Bobcats 73-37 in the regional quarterfinals. Childress had ended Peaster’s season the previous year in bidistrict. “We played a tough non-district schedule to get us ready for the playoffs,” Coach Wayne Parker said, “eventually falling to a tough Peaster team.” Matthew Cochran, the district co-MVP and all-region, and Trent Mayden, first-team all-district, have moved on from last year’s 27-6 Childress team. However, the Bobcats have three starters and four other letter winners returning this fall. Devron Sims, a 5-11 senior guard, averaged 14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season. He was the co-MVP in District 8-3A. Josh Tucker, a 5-10 senior guard, contributed 7.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.2 apg and was second-team all-district. Sims and Tucker are all-state candidates this season in Parker’s estimation. The third returning starter is 5-11 senior guard Lane Foster (4.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg), who was an all-district honorable mention. Those three returning starters represent 27 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Foster and 5-10 sophomore guard Lamont Nickelberry (6.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg) are additional players to watch, according to Parker. Nickelberry, who is Sims’ cousin, was the district newcomer of the year as a freshman. The other letter winners are 5-11 junior guard Avery Jalomo (2.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg), 5-11 senior guard Camden Read (2.5 ppg) and 6-3 junior forward Stone Smith. (Continued on next page)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Devron Sims of Childress shoots as Gruver’s Matthew Felderhoff defends during the Bobcats’ win over the Greyhounds Feb. 21 in the Randall Playoff Preview. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Name Josh Tucker Devron Sims Lamont Nickelberry Lane Foster Avery Jalomo Camden Read Stone Smith Ben Ellerbrook Collin Bishop Ladry Teran Issac Freeman Kason Timmons

Childress Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-10 G Sr. 5-11 G Sr. 5-10 G Soph. 5-11 G Sr. 5-11 G Jr. 5-11 G Sr. 6-3 F Jr. 5-10 G Sr. 5-11 G Jr. 5-10 G Sr. 6-2 F Sr. 5-10 G Sr.

Coach: Wayne Parker Asst. Coaches: Rody Crim, Brady Blake 2019-2020 record: 27-6, 10-0 School phone: 940-937-2501 Players to watch: Josh Tucker, Devron Sims, Lamont Nickelberry, Lane Foster

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(Continued from previous page)

The Bobcats’ roster shows eight seniors, three juniors and one sophomore. “We have seven returners who played a lot of varsity minutes last year,” Parker said. “We will rely heavily on our team’s speed, quickness and senior leadership.” He is concerned about the Bobcats’ size. “We are not a very tall team, so we will have to focus on boxing out every possession to give us a chance in the rebound battle,” he said. Parker outlined several keys for success this season. “We are going to have to play fast on offense and defense,” he said. “Pushing the tempo on offense and picking up with fullcourt pressure on defense.” Parker, a graduate of Pampa High School and West Texas A&M University, is beginning his third season at Childress. The first two have been quite successful with 25-10 and 27-6 records and two regional appearances. Parker coached at Sanford-Fritch for four years before moving to Childress. His boys teams have won 106 games and lost 74. The Bobcats are moving from District 8-3A to District 2-3A this season because of UIL realignment. In 2-3A, they’ll face six new conference opponents. Childress will open its season Nov. 13 at Lubbock High. That’s the first of six straight road games before the home opener Dec. 5 against Clarendon.

Childress Super Boosters

It’s a GREAT day to be a BOBCAT! Good Luck Landry!—The Terans

Devron Sims

Josh Tucker

Lamont Nickelberry

Camden Read

Childress Schedule

DATE Opponent Nov. 13 Lubbock High Nov. 17 City View Nov. 20-21 Wichita Falls High Nov. 23 Nocona Nov. 24 Gruver Dec. 1 Pampa Dec. 4 Canyon Dec. 5 Clarendon Dec. 8 Paucah Dec. 11 Holliday Dec. 12 Lipan Dec. 15 Kennedale Dec. 18 Palo Duro Dec. 28-29 Jim Ned Jan. 1 Shallowater Jan. 5 Idalou Jan. 8 Slaton Jan. 12 Abernathy Jan. 15 Roosevelt Jan. 19 Tulia Jan. 26 Shallowater Jan. 29 Idalou Feb. 2 Slaton Feb. 5 Abernathy Feb. 9 Roosevelt Feb. 12 Tulia

Lane Foster

Place There There There City View TBA There There Here Here There There Henrietta There TBA Here There Here There Here There There Here There Here There Here

B X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

(Continued on page 144)

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Josh Tucker of Childress plays defense against Creed Callaway of Gruver in the Bobcats’ win over the Greyhounds Feb. 21 in the Randall Playoff Preview. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Bobcat Lamont Nickleberry moves past Carter Armes of Gruver during the Bobcats’ win over the Greyhounds Feb. 21 in the Randall Playoff Preview. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Stone Smith

Ben Ellerbrook

Collin Bishop

Childress Coach Wayne Parker gives instructions to his team during the Bobcats’ game against Gruver Feb. 21 in the Randall Playoff Preview. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Lane Foster of Childress shoots a jumper against Tito Hernandez of Gruver in the Bobcats’ game with Gruver Feb. 21 in the Randall Playoff Preview. (Photo by Mike Haynes) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

163

Idalou Boys

Wildcats seek health, success For the second straight season, the Wildcats’ hopes were dashed by injuries. Consequently, Idalou suffered another losing campaign. The Wildcats wound up 11-21 overall and 2-12 in District 2-3A, finishing seventh. No playoffs. “Due to some injuries early in the year, we had a very young team that grew a ton throughout the course of the year,” Coach Dustin Schulte said. “A lot of guys gained a great opportunity to get some varsity-level experience that we hope will benefit us for the next few years.” Tucker Kidd, who was honorable mention all-district, was the notable departure from last year’s team, but Schulte has five starters and four other letter winners returning this season. This could be the year the Wildcats break through. Jackson Stanton, a 6-1 senior guard, averaged 15 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists last season. Cooper Hill, a 6-3 senior forward, contributed 8 ppg and 8 rpg, and Xaveon Cavazos, a 5-9 junior guard, showed 8 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg statistics. Hill and Cavazos both were honorable mention all-district. Stanton, Hill and Cavazos are the Wildcats to watch, according to Schulte. The other two returning starters are 5-9 senior guard Ryan Lozano (5 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg) and 6-0 senior guard Jared Jack

164

Jackson Stanton

Cooper Hill

Xaveon Cavazos

(5 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg). Those five starters represent 41 points per game, based on last year’s scoring statistics. Schulte sees overall varsity experience, speed and quickness as his team’s strengths. He is concerned about the overall size of his team. The varsity experience is the key for success this season. “We really look forward to having nine guys coming back from last year’s team,” Schulte said. “Hopefully, we can pick things up quickly and just get better each and every day. If we can do that, we feel we have a solid group that could have a special year.” (Continued on next page)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Continued from previous page)

Schulte was the Class 1A player of the year and helped lead Nazareth to two 1A state championships. The Texas Tech University grad is beginning his seventh season at Idalou. Childress and Tulia will be new District 2-3A opponents for the Wildcats this season because of UIL realignment. The district will have seven teams instead of eight this year. Ryan Lozano

Name Jackson Stanton Cooper Hill Ryan Lozano Jared Jack Xaveon Cavazos Riley Hall Arturo Flores Landin Fulcher William Wall Hagen Sage Steven Mills

Idalou Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-1 G Sr. 6-3 F Sr. 5-9 G Sr. 6-0 G Sr. 5-9 G Jr. 6-2 F Jr. 5-8 G Jr. 5-10 G Jr. 6-1 G Soph. 6-1 G Sr. 6-0 F Sr.

Coach: Dustin Schulte Asst. Coaches: Luke Buckner, Jarek Black 2019-2020 record: 11-21, 2-12 School phone: 892-1900 Players to watch: Jackson Stanton, Cooper Hill, Xaveon Cavazos

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Jared Jack

William Wall

Idalou Super Boosters Go Cats and Lady Cats!—The Helms Family Go Cats!—Craig & Janet Merritt Amanda Head Go Wildcats! Go William!—Love, JuJu & TD Go Wildcats!—Love, Grandy & Pops Go Cats!—Mike Patschke Go Wildcats!—Woody & Kay Follis Hustle Hard William! Good Luck Wildcats and Lady Cats!—Zack, Catie, Preslie & Madelynn Wall Go Idalou!—Pam Reed Jace & Camie Rowland, Layken, Kamdon, Karsyn & Kole Lutrick Go Cats!—Garry & Terry Rowland

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Idalou Schedule

DATE Opponent Nov. 10 Lubbock Cooper Nov. 14 Sudan Nov. 17 New Home Nov. 23 Amarillo High Nov. 23 Greenwood Nov. 24 Caprock Nov. 24 Floydada Nov. 28 Monterey Dec. 1 Canyon Dec. 1 Littlefield Dec. 4 Titans Dec. 5 Big Spring Dec. 8 Frenship Dec. 8 Crane Dec. 11 Denver City Dec. 15 Slaton Dec. 15 Muleshoe Dec. 18 Abernathy Dec. 18 Bushland Dec. 21 Roosevelt Dec. 22 Sudan Dec. 28 Lubbock Trinity Dec. 29 Panhandle Dec. 31 Tulia Jan. 5 Childress Jan. 8 Shallowater Jan. 15 Slaton Jan. 19 Abernathy Jan. 22 Roosevelt Jan. 26 Tulia Jan. 29 Childress Feb. 2 Shallowater Feb. 5 New Deal Feb. 9 Slaton Feb. 12 Abernathy

166

Place B G There X Here X There X X There X There X There X There X There X Here X Here X Here X X Here X X There X Here X Here X X Here X There X There X There X Here X X There X Here X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X Here X There X

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Idalou Girls

Lady Cats: Third straight 30-win season The Lady Cats had another superb season last year. They set a school record with 32 victories, won 30 games for the third straight year and reached regional for the fifth time in six years. They also rewarded their coach with a milestone win. Idalou’s 32-8 season included a District 2-3A co-championship with Shallowater. Idalou and Shallowater split regular-season meetings and finished with 12-2 conference records. In the playoffs, the Lady Cats downed Canadian 69-37 in bidistrict, then hit the century mark in a 100-29 area wipeout of Crane. They avenged a regular season defeat with a 68-37 conquest of district foe Brownfield in the regional quarterfinals and eliminated Brock 44-28 in the regional semifinals. That set up a rubber match against Shallowater in the regional finals, played before a packed house in Wayland Baptist’s Hutcherson Center. Shallowater prevailed 45-42 and went on to win the Class 3A girls state championship. “Very unselfish, great chemistry and lots of fun,” Coach Tyler Helms said of last season. Helms notched his 300th career coaching victory in the Lady Cats’ pre-conference portion of their schedule. Shaylee Stovall, who was TABC all-region and all-state, TGCA all-state and the district MVP, has moved on from last year’s team. So has first-team all-district Madelyn Merrell. Stovall is

Name Taylor Houston Logan Heard Emmy Craig Reagan Dennis Bo Heard Jaycie Spann Jaelee Kerr Brenlea Wallace Kira Fox Gabby Morales

Logan Heard

Taylor Houston

Emmy Craig

a freshman playing for the Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaps this season. Helms welcomed three returning starters but only one other letter winner this fall. The three returning starters — Logan Heard, Taylor Houston and Emmy Craig — represent about 30 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Heard, a 5-10 sophomore guard/forward, averaged 15.8 points last season as a freshman. She was named the district newcomer of the year. Houston, a 6-0 junior forward, averaged 11.2 points and 8.8 rebounds and was a first-team all-district selection. Craig, a 5-8 senior guard seeking her fourth letter, contributed (Continued on next page)

Idalou Girls Ht. Pos. Class 6-0 F Jr. 5-10 G/F Soph. 5-8 G Sr. 5-7 G Jr. 5-8 G Sr. 5-3 G Sr. 5-9 P Sr. 5-9 P Jr. 6-1 P Fr. 5-8 G Fr.

Coach: Tyler Helms Asst. Coach: Dana Fox, Bridgette Wall 2019-2020 record: 32-8, 12-2 School phone: 892-1900 Players to watch: Taylor Houston, Logan Heard, Emmy Craig, Reagan Dennis

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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(Continued from previous page)

5.2 points and 2.5 assists per game. She also was a first-team all-district pick. The other letter winner is 5-7 junior guard Reagan Dennis (6.5 ppg). Helms tabs Houston and Heard as all-state candidates and Craig and Dennis as other outstanding players to watch. The Lady Cats have four seniors, three juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen on their roster. Helms calls tradition, work ethic and size his team’s strengths. The key for success this season will be peaking at the right time, he said. A graduate of Floydada High School and Texas Tech University, Helms has led the Lady Cats to a 63-21 record and three district titles or co-titles the past three years. He began his coaching career at Idalou as the boys coach, and his 2011 Wildcats won the Class 2A state championship. He’s beginning his seventh season as Idalou’s girls coach and 12th overall at the school. His boys teams won 145 and lost 32; his girls have posted a 173-45 mark. Combined, that has moved him into The 300 Club with a 318-77 record for an .805 winning percentage. Childress and Tulia will be new District 2-3A opponents for the Lady Cats, replacing Brownfield, Littlefield and Denver City. UIL realignment changes the district from eight to seven teams. The Lady Cats’ opener will be Nov. 10 at Lubbock Cooper. The home opener is set for four days later against Sudan. District play begins Dec. 31.

168

Reagan Dennis

Bo Heard

Jacie Spann

Good Luck this season! Go Cats!—DKM Vinyl Creations Go Cats!—Mark, Anna, Riley & Megan Hall Go Cats!—Judy Sanderson Good Luck to the Lady Cats and Wildcats!— The Lofton Family Supporting the green and gold!—Whittle Family Go Cats and Lady Cats!—Jim & Jencie Stephens Thank you Lord for Jaelee Kerr! She is an inspiration to so many.—Love, Mom, Dad,& Bubba Go Mean Green!—Lyndi, RN, Tucker, Alice & Carson Go Cats!—The Shipley’s

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Emmy Craig of Idalou guards a Canadian player in the green and gold Lady Cats’ bidistrict win over the black and gold Lady Cats on Feb. 17 at Amarillo High. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Go Wildcats and Lady Cats!—Russ & Kathy Reagan Go Cats!—The Pounds Go Wildcats!—Jay , Kinann, Hagen, Ivy & Grey Sage Go Cats!—Steve, Angie, Brady, Bryce, Terra & Bergan Gunter Go Cats!—Lance & Tondya Bownds Have a great season!—The Haralson’s Go Cats!—The Ables Family

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

The Idalou Lady Cats pose with their bidistrict trophy after defeating Canadian 69-37 Feb. 17 on the Amarillo High court. They made it to the regional finals, where they lost 45-42 to eventual state champion Shallowater. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

We love our Wildcats and Lady Cats!—Nick, Joli, Maddox, Nash & Grant Martin Have a great season!—Lee & Sandy Everitt We’re behind you all the way!—Dale, Marnie, Logan, Maryn & Jensyn Sanders Good Luck Wildcats!—On Pointe Dance Studio Tom and Shannon Gregory and Family Go Idalou!—Lubbock Electric, Brad Holmes

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The Idalou bench celebrates during the Lady Catsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bidistrict win over Canadian Feb. 17 at Amarillo High. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

170

Coach Tyler Helms

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Idalou’s Bo Heard is guarded by Canadian’s Kennedi Cook as she takes the ball down the court in the teams’ bidistrict game Feb. 17. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Reagan Dennis of Idalou leaps toward the basket Feb. 17 in the Lady Cats’ bidistrict win over Canadian. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

171

Idalou Lady Cats Brenlea Wallace (11), Jaycie Spann (1) and Bo Heard (10) surround the basket in search of a rebound in their bidistrict victory over Canadian Feb. 17 at Amarillo High. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

172

Logan Heard of Idalou shoots a 3-pointer in the Lady Cats’ bidistrict win over Canadian Feb. 17 at Amarillo High. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Madelyn Merrell, an Idalou senior last season, races past Kennedi Cook of Canadian in Idalou’s bidistrict win Feb. 17 at Amarillo High. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Two Idalou Lady Cats and a Canadian Lady Cat wrestle for the ball in Idalou’s bidistrict win Feb. 17 at Amarillo High. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

173

Shaylee Stovall, an Idalou senior in 2019-20, gets ready to shoot against Canadian in the teams’ bidistrict game Feb. 17. Stovall is a freshman on the Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps’ roster this season. ((Photo by Mike Haynes)

A Lady Cat raises Idalou’s bidistrict championship trophy after Idalou’s 69-37 victory over Canadian Feb. 17. The Lady Cats advanced to the regional finals, where they lost by 3 points to eventual state champion Shallowater. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Taylor Houston of Idalou guards a Canadian player in Idalou’s bidistrict win Feb. 17 at Amarillo High. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Shallowater Boys

Mustangs merely magnificent The Mustangs have a three-year record most any team would like to have. Check this out: • 2017-18: 33-3 overall, 14-0 in district, reached regional semifinals; • 2018-19: 25-5 overall, 14-0 in district, reached regional quarterfinals; • 2019-20: 32-5 overall, 14-0 in district, reached regional finals. That means the Mustangs have won 90 games and lost only 13 for an .874 winning percentage. They’ve chalked up three straight undefeated district championships and reached the regional tournament every year. Of course, Shallowater has qualified for the playoffs all eight years Coach Jay Lusk has been in charge. So that’s become expected. In last season’s playoffs, the Mustangs defeated Spearman 69-51 in bidistrict, Tornillo 82-49 in the area round, Canadian 72-54 in the regional quarterfinals and Brock 53-45 in the regional semifinals. They lost to Peaster 52-46 in the regional finals. That ended their chances of matching the Shallowater girls’ state championship, achieved earlier that day. Of course, the boys state tournament later was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Caden Gillespie

Kieran Elliott

Cason Stallings

Mason Eaker

Brantley Potter.jpg

“We had a great run but came up a little short of where we wanted to be,” Lusk said. “The kids played hard all year, and we (Continued on page 177)

175

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Continued from page 175)

are very proud of what they accomplished.” The Mustangs had eight seniors on last year’s roster, and three of them earned honors on their way out. Jalen Brattain was an all-stater; Tyler McCall and Hunter Gossett were all-district. So, with only one starter returning, Lusk may have to do some rebuilding this season. Caden Gillespie, a 5-8 senior guard, is the returning starter. He averaged 8 points and 4 assists and was named to the alldistrict team last year. Two other letter winners earned honors. Kieran Elliott, a 6-6 sophomore forward, contributed 11 points and 6 rebounds per game and was the district newcomer of the year. Mason Eaker, a 6-3 senior guard, logged 5 ppg, 5 rpg statistics and was alldistrict honorable mention. Elliott and Gillespie are all-state candidates, and those two plus Eaker are the Mustangs to watch, according to Lusk. Cason Stallings, a 5-9 junior guard, also lettered last year. Lusk describes his team’s strengths as tradition, great attitudes and “the kids just really want to be good.” He is concerned about the lack of experience. He says the keys for success are “working together as a team and stepping up in critical moments.” Lusk is coaching at his high school alma mater. The Texas Tech University graduate has compiled a 194-50 record (for a .795 winning percentage), all at Shallowater. Shallowater’s District 2-3A will have a new look this season because of UIL realignment. Littlefield, Brownfield and Denver City leave what was an eight-team district; Childress and Tulia

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

join the new seven-team conference. Abernathy, Idalou, Lubbock Roosevelt and Slaton are holdover opponents for the Mustangs. Shallowater will open its season Nov. 17 at home against Levelland. District play begins Dec. 21.

Name Caden Gillespie Mason Eaker Brantley Potter Breken Ramos Cason Stallings Garrett Foerster Brady Reed Kieran Elliott Trevor Winn

Shallowater Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-8 G Sr. 6-3 G Sr. 6-5 F Sr. 6-3 F Sr. 5-9 G Jr. 6-0 G Jr. 6-3 F Jr. 6-6 F Soph. 5-11 F Soph.

Coach: Jay Lusk 2019-2020 record: 32-5, 14-0 School phone: 832-4531 Players to watch: Caden Gillespie, Mason Eaker, Kieran Elliott

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Shallowater Girls

Fillies’ coach near 1,000 wins Veteran Fillies Coach Chuck Darden doesn’t like to bring attention to himself. “It’s all about the girls,” he’ll say. But willing or not, Darden will be in the spotlight early this season when he records his 1,000th girls coaching victory. He heads into the season with a 995-284 record for a .778 winning percentage. Darden trails only Joe Lombard of Canyon as the Panhandle’s winningest active coach. Lombard, who has notched 1,379 wins, has retired as the Lady Eagles’ head coach but will continue to mentor the team as a volunteer assistant. Amazingly, Darden has achieved all his wins at Shallowater, where he’s beginning his 40th season as the Fillies’ coach. The Lubbock Coronado High School and Texas Tech University graduate actually has spent 42 years coaching at Shallowater, having spent his first three years on the boys side. But enough about Darden. It’s all about the girls, right? All they did last season was win the Class 3A state championship, the second in the school’s (and Darden’s) history. Shallowater won the Class 2A title in 2004. Last year the Fillies won their first 27 games, including two tournaments. They lost a couple of district road games to Idalou and Brownfield but still tied Idalou for the conference crown with a 12-2 record.

Bree Brattain

Tynli Harris

Taylor Moravcik

Jenna Willer

Kami Wood

Summer Williams

Shallowater got through a tough regional, winning the final three games by a total of 10 points. The Fillies had a much easier time in San Antonio, squashing Schulenburg 61-26 in the state semifinals and Woodville 61-43 in the championship game. “Absolutely, a great, great year,” Darden said. “Not only did we win a state championship, but we won it playing the game the right way. Our players played together and for each other.” Starter Jordyn Aragon, an all-district selection, graduated, along with subs Madison Batten and Tiffany Davis, both honorable mention all-district. But Darden has four returning starters and five other letter winners ready for a run at a repeat championship. Last season, those four returning starters averaged 40 points a game as a unit. Those four are: • Bree Brattain, a 5-8 junior guard, averaged 16.9 points and 6.5 rebounds last season. She was the district co-offensive player (Continued on page 180)

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of the year, all-region, all-state, state tournament MVP and the Class 3A player if the year. She is the sister of Jalen Brattain, who was an all-stater as a senior on the boys team last year. • Tynli Harris, a 5-8 senior guard, contributed 10.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg last season and was the district co-defensive player of the year, all-region and all-state. • Taylor Moravcik, a 5-9 senior forward (6.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg), was all-district, all-region and all-state. • Jenna Willer, a 5-4 junior guard (6.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 3.2 assists per game), was all-district, region and all-state. The five other letter winners are 5-9 senior forward Kami Wood (2.6 ppg), 5-9 senior forward Summer Williams (2.4 ppg), 5-5 junior guard Paige Parker (3.6 ppg), 5-4 junior guard Avery Velasquez (2.0 ppg) and 5-8 sophomore guard Madilyn Barnes. “We have some great experience coming back,” Darden said. “We should have a good perimeter-shooting team. Our pressure defense has a chance to be solid. But it all starts with a team that plays for each other.” He is concerned about his team’s lack of size, indicating the Fillies will be one of the smallest teams in Class 3A. “We must build on our strengths and improve our weaknesses,” he said in assessing the keys for success this season. “Keep our feet grounded and realize what happened last year will not determine what happens this year. And, if you don’t defend and rebound, you don’t play!” The reshuffling of District 2-3A will create a new formidable conference opponent in Childress, according to Darden. And he expects Idalou to be great again. District play for the Fillies begins Dec.15.

Shallowater’s Tynli Harris guards Schulenberg’s Emily Rodriguez in the 2020 Class 3A state semifinal game at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Shallowater went on to defeat Woodville for the state title. (Photo by Charles Bryce/San Angelo Standard-Times)

Hope you have a fantastic Senior year Kami!—Mom & Dad Proverbs 31:25 Go Shallowater Fillies! Win State #4!—Mom Go Tynli!—Ben, Branoi, Brenden, Branson & Boston

Shallowater Booster Ads Good Luck Fillies!—The Wilkins Family

Sophomore Jenna Willer of Shallowater drives past Brynlee Hollas of Schulenburg in the Fillies’ 2020 state semifinal win at San Antonio’s Alamodome on the way to the UIL Class 3A state championship. (Photo by Charles Bryce/San Angelo Standard-Times)

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Paige Parker

Name Tynli Harris Taylor Moravcik Bree Brattain Jenna Willer Kami Wood Summer Williams Paige Parker Avery Velasquez Madilyn Barnes

Avery Velasquez

Madilyn Barnes

Shallowater Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-8 G Sr. 5-9 F Sr. 5-8 G Jr. 5-4 G Jr. 5-8 F Sr. 5-9 F Sr. 5-5 G Jr. 5-4 G Jr. 5-8 G Soph.

Coach: Chuck Darden Asst. Coaches: Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Linda Taylor, Jay Parker, Callie Noland, Amy Mangum, Sue Fuentes, Shawna Monreal 2019-2020 record: 39-2, 12-2 School phone: 832-4535 Players to watch: Tynli Harris, Taylor Moravcik, Bree Brattain, Jenna Willer

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 21 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Nov. 24 Nov. 28 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 18 Dec. 21 Dec. 28 Dec. 28 Dec. 31 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Shallowater Schedule

Opponent Andrews Levelland Lubbock High Snyder Big Spring Coronado Trinity Christian Estacado Estacado Sudan Pampa Andrews Coronado Andrews Odessa Permian Midland Greenwood Canyon Nazareth Lubbock Christian Abernathy Roosevelt Seminole Tulia Monterey Midland Christian Childress Idalou Slaton Abernathy Roosevelt Tulia Childress Idalou Slaton Abernathy Roosevelt

Place B G There X Here X Here X Here X There X Here X There X Here X There X Here X Here X Here X There X There X Here X Here X Here X There X TBA X Here X There X There X Here X X There X Here X There X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X There X

181

Slaton Boys

Veteran Tigers seek winning ways With some experience coming back, the Tigers hope to get on the winning side of the ledger this season. Slaton finished 12-14 overall last season and 6-9 in District 2-3A – fifth in the conference. As a result, the Tigers missed qualifying for the playoffs for the fourth year in a row under Coach Stacy Godfrey. “Our district was very tough and competitive from week to week. Lost several close games that I thought we played well in,” Godfrey said. “We were a small team and really didn’t have a big man. We had to make some adjustments to our style of play, and I think we improved as the season came along.” Quevon McDaniel, all-district, and Kevondrick Gober, AD honorable mention, have moved on from last year’s team. One honored player returns this season. Hudson Sackett, a senior guard, made the all-district team last year. Godfrey tabs senior guard Alizae Mendez and junior guards Braeden Gibbs and Treven Baker as other outstanding players to watch. The Tigers have four seniors and six juniors on their roster. Godfrey described the Tigers’ strengths as “six returners from last year with varsity and four were starters at some point throughout the season last year.” He is concerned about the lack of size.

Hudson Sackett

Alizae Mendez

Treven Baker

Braeden Gibbs

Camryn Nalley

“Our guards and forwards are gonna have to play smart and be disciplined,” Godfrey said in assessing the keys for his team’s (Continued on next page)

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success this season. “I believe our quickness and speed on both ends of the court will make up for being undersized.” Godfrey is a graduate of Frenship High School and Texas Tech University. He coached at two Lubbock middle schools before moving to Lubbock Estacado from 2006 to 2013. Slaton’s District 2-3A will have two new members this season in Childress and Tulia. Brownfield, Littlefield and Denver City moved to other districts because of UIL realignment. The Tigers will open their season Nov. 17 at Seagraves. The home opener will be Nov. 23 versus Valley. District play will begin Jan. 2.

Slaton Super Boosters Slaton Pharmacy-We support the Tigers and Tigerettes!—Hardeep Singh, RPh Have a great season!—Jace, Kaylee, Loudin, Charlee and the girls from Pretty Please Salon Go Tigerettes!—Rosie Bentancourt Good Luck Madi-Lynne! The England Family We wish the Tigerettes an awesome season!— The Langston Family Good Luck Dre! Finish your Senior Year strong and don’t let anyone ruin it!—Love, Denny, JDog, & Gigi Go Tigers and Tigerettes!—Martha & Freddie Turney

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Slaton Boys Name Pos. Class Hudson Sackett G Sr. Breaden Gibbs G Jr. Treven Baker G Jr. Alizae Mendez G Sr. Camryn Nalley F Sr. Ayden Ramirez F Jr. D’Marcus Trotty F Jr. Elijah Williams G Sr. Tayton Miller F Jr. Evan Lopez F

Jr.

Coach: Stacy Godfrey Asst. Coaches: Pat Potts, Jace Chancellor 2019-2020 record: 12-14, 6-9 School phone: 828-2123 Players to watch: Breaden Gibbs, Treven Baker, Alizae Mendez

Let’s go Tigerettes! Set your goals and achieve hem! We got your back!—The Creagers Go Tigerettes! Have a great senior year Chloe and Mary Jo!—Robby & Judie Eakin “Go Libby” Go Tigerettes!—The Brown & Simmons Family Lil Tigers Playhouse, We offer the great service in Childcare in the Slaton area! Check out our ad on Facebook

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Slaton Girls

Tigerettes roaring from the start Thanks to a fast start, the Tigerettes posted their best overall season under Coach Tiffany Potts in 2019-20. Slaton finished 24-10 for the year but struggled in District 2-3A, winding up fifth with a 6-8 record. Still, the Tigerettes topped the 21 victories posted by Potts’ first team in 2017-18. “We started off the season on an 11-0 run, Mary Jo Parker defeating the previous 3A state champion Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill to make it to the finals of the Fantasy of Lights Tournament before falling to three-time defending 2A state champion Martin’s Mill,” Potts said. “After a season filled with injuries in 2018-19, we brought back an experienced group of competitive athletes that worked hard every game and found a way to win.” But the wins became more difficult when the Tigerettes waded into District 2-3A competition. “Our district was arguably the toughest in Texas with five out of eight teams being ranked in the top 10 in the state during the

Name Mary Jo Parker Andrea Moreno Payton Potts Justyne Zapata Natali Soto Samantha Gatica Ti’Alice Young Emalisa Muniz Layni Claborn

Slaton Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-9 G Sr. 5-11 F Sr. 5-5 G Jr. 5-5 G Sr. 5-5 G Sr. 5-5 G Jr. 5-8 F Sr. 5-4 G Sr. 5-10 P Sr.

Coach: Tiffany Potts Asst. Coaches: Krysa Villegas, Amanda Langston, Chase Thompson, Marla Harbin 2019-2020 record: 24-10, 6-8 School phone: 828-5833 Players to watch: Mary Jo Parker, Andrea Moreno, Payton Potts

184

Andrea Moreno

Payton Potts

Justyne Zapata

season,” Potts said. TK Robinson and Kamryn Gibbs, both all-district, and AD honorable mention Jazmyn Jackson have departed from that team, along with Xazari Naylor, Kaylee Franklin, Kayli McCord and Zanady Coronado. “This senior class had an amazing athletic career at Slaton cut short by COVID to prevent their fourth consecutive appearance at the state track meet,” Potts said. “Robinson and Naylor both received scholarships to run track at the collegiate level, and Gibbs received a softball scholarship to Lubbock Christian University.” This year’s team is heavy on seniors (seven), too, including the two returning starters — Mary Jo Parker and Andrea Moreno. Parker, a 5-9 point guard, averaged 9.7 points and 4 rebounds last season, earning first-team all-district honors. She’s an all-state candidate this season, according to Potts. Moreno, a 5-11 forward, chipped in with 6.1 ppg, 6.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg and was AD honorable mention. Moreno and Payton Potts, a 5-5 junior point guard (2 ppg, 2.3 rpg), are other players to watch, according to their coach. Payton Potts, a letter winner, is the coach’s daughter. Justyne Zapata, a 5-5 senior guard, is the other returning letter winner. Coach Potts cited several strengths for the Tigerettes: • Returning core has a high basketball IQ; • Upcoming players are feisty and play with energy; • Good perimeter shooting; (Continued on next page)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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• Good rebounders She’s concerned about the lack of experience and depth. “We will have to learn to take care of the basketball and make good decisions on the offensive end of the floor,” Potts said. “The team will have to grow together and be able to play off of each other and have confidence in each other.” Potts is beginning her fourth season at Slaton, where she was the district MVP and all-region as a senior on the Tigerettes’ state runner-up team in 1996. Her maiden name was Tiffany Turney. She went on to be an all-American and played in four consecutive Division III Sweet 16s for Hardin-Simmons University. She coached at Rankin from 2008 to 2017 before returning to her alma mater. She owns a career girls coaching record of 241139 for a .650 winning percentage. At Slaton, her three teams have won 62 and lost 36.

McLane Company, Hiring Class Q drivers now! Starting at 60K Go Tigerettes!—The Linarez Family We are proud of you Felicity! We love you! Go Tigerettes!—Elva Flores Good Luck this Season!—The Castillo Family Let’s go Tigers and Tigerettes!—Kelli McGowen We wish the Tigers and Tigerettes a great season!—The Hersom Family Go Tigerettes!—The Johnson Family

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 21 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 14 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Feb. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9

Slaton Schedule

Opponent Snyder New Home Lockney Seagraves Levelland Spur Valley Post New Deal Lubbock High Levelland Estacado Trinity Christian Denver City Sundown Childress Idalou Littlefield TLCA Midland Abernathy Lubbock Christian Littlefield Roosevelt Tulia Childress Shallowater Idalou Abernathy Roosevelt Tulia Childress Shallowater Idalou

Place B G Here X Here X Here X There X X There X There X Here X X Here X There X X There X Here X Here X There X There X X Here X X There X There X Here X Here X Here X X There X There X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X There X

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Kick butt and take names!—Love, Kim Turney All the way Tigers and Tigerettes!—Love, The Jeffcoats Go Tigerettes! We are proud of you!—Beverly Slay Jaclyn, we love you! Play your heart out!— Mom, Dad, & Nana Destiny, stay safe and stay 6 feet apart! Go Tigerettes!—Love, your Aunt Half Circle E Inc.—The Alford Family Go Ray Ray Rodgers!—Louise Smith We wish the Tigerettes a great year!—CK Welding

District 3-3A Lady Cubs still young but talented

Brownfield Girls

Watch out for the Lady Cubs this season. With all five starters back from a 28-win team, Brownfield promises to be in the hunt. And the Lady Cubs will be playing in a new district. Coach Michelle Wyatt has turned Brownfield’s program around in her three years as head coach. The Lady Cubs were winless (0-22) in her first year and progressed to 12-16 in her second. Last year Brownfield finished 28-6 overall. The Lady Cubs went undefeated in the Lamesa and Andrews tournaments and reached the small school finals in the Lubbock Caprock event. Brownfield finished third with an 11-3 record in District 2-3A but split meetings with district co-champions Shallowater and Idalou. Shallowater later won the Class 3A girls state title. In the playoffs, Brownfield defeated Spearman 61-42 in bidistrict and Wall 57-49 in the area game. Idalou ended the Lady Cubs’ season with a 68-37 decision in the regional quarterfinals. “We had a great season,” Wyatt said. “Played in the finals of the Caprock Tournament. Our district was very tough, and we went 11-3. We split with Idalou and Shallowater, which was quite an accomplishment. We won our bidistrict and area playoff games.” Morgan Silva, honorable mention all-district, was the major departure from last year’s team as Wyatt employed a very young team. The Lady Cubs still are young with no seniors, five juniors, two sophomores and one freshman listed on the roster. Those five juniors – super sophomores a year ago – are the returning starters. Their cumulative scoring average per game last season was 47.5 points per game. Those five are: • Gabrielle Fields, a 5-7 guard, averaged 14.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists last season. She was the district offensive MVP, TABC all-region and TGCA all-state. • Dabria Blackwell, a 5-6 guard, contributed 11.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.1 apg en route to being named the district defensive MVP and TGCA all-state. • Lindsey Herrera, a 5-2 guard with 5.3 ppg, 3.9 apg statistics, was first-team all-district. • Tia Johnson, a 5-10 post (8.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg), was first-team AD. • Deja Johnson, a 5-10 post (7.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg) was also firstteam AD. The Johnson sisters are twins. 186

Gabi Fields

Dabria Blackwell

Lindsey Herrera

Tia Johnson

Deja Johnson

Ralee Garza

Wyatt recommends all five of her talented juniors as all-state candidates. The Lady Cubs have one other returning letter winner – 5-10 sophomore post Raelee Garza – who is a player to watch, according to Wyatt. “We are returning all five starters,” Wyatt said in assessing her team’s strengths. “Our players play a lot in the summer and have high basketball IQ.” She is concerned about the Lady Cubs’ depth and likelihood to stay healthy. “We have a tough nondistrict schedule, which should prepare us for district,” Wyatt said in relating keys for success this season. “Our kids work extremely hard and we need to continue to find ways to improve.” The Lady Cubs won’t have Shallowater or Idalou to contend with in their district this season as they’re moving to District (Continued on page 188) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE Nov. 13 Nov. 21 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 21 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Dec. 31 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Brownfield Schedule

Opponent Fort Stockton Lubbock Christian Tascosa Estacado New Home Odessa High Trinity Christian Monterey Andrews Amarillo High Dimmitt Friona Muleshoe Snyder Randall Midland Greenwood Forsan Denver City Littlefield Lamesa Friona Muleshoe Denver City Dimmitt Lamesa Littlefield

Place G Here X Here X There X There X Here X Here X Here X There X There X There X Here X Here X There X Here X There X Here X Here X Here X Here X There X There X Here X There X There X Here X There X

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3-3A because of UIL realignment. Denver City and Littlefield are the only familiar district opponents for the Lady Cubs. Dimmitt, Friona, Lamesa and Muleshoe will be new conference foes. Wyatt was an all-state player at Spur High School and later played for the 1992 national championship runner-up Wayland Baptist Flying Queens. She spent 16 years at South Plains College, the last 10 as the women’s head coach. Her Lady Texans compiled a 205-95 record and had only two losing seasons. In 2015, Wyatt became an assistant to 800-game winner Clay Stout at Brownfield. When Stout stepped down, she took over for the 2017-18 season. After that rough start, she has guided the Lady Cubs to a 40-44 record. The Lady Cubs will open their season at home Nov. 13 against Ft. Stockton. District 3-3A play begins Dec. 15.

Name Lindsey Herrera Gabrielle Fields Dabria Blackwell Tia Johnson Deja Johnson Raelee Garza Brianne Franco Jaelyn Molina

Brownfield Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-2 G Jr. 5-7 G Jr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-10 P Jr. 5-10 P Jr. 5-10 P Soph. 5-9 P Soph. 5-6 G Fr.

Coach: Michelle Wyatt Asst. Coaches: Shea Myatt, Kylee Valenzuela, Jacei Barrera 2019-2020 record: 28-6, 11-3 School phone: 637-4523 Players to watch: Lindsey Herrera, Gabrielle Fields, Dabria Blackwell, Tia Johnson, Deja Johnson, Raelee Garza

Littlefield Boys

Wildcats wary of Antelopes The Wildcats had a pleasant trip last year, but they kept running into Antelopes. Littlefield registered a 29-6 overall record last season, but three of those losses, including a season-ending one, were inflicted by the Abernathy Antelopes, a District 3-3A rival. With all five starters and five other letter winners returning from the previous season, the 2019-20 Wildcats won the Farwell and Tyree Jones their own tournaments. Then they captured third place in the district with a 10-4 record. In the playoffs, Littlefield defeated Bushland 50-39 in bidistrict and Anthony 75-62 in the area round. But they lost to those pesky Antelopes 72-42 in the regional quarterfinals. “It was a great season, and I’m really proud of our kids,” veteran Littlefield Coach Rob Ogle said. “Our six losses coming from Levelland by one in overtime and twice to Shallowater and three times to Abernathy.” Jayden Longoria, who was all-district, TABC all-region and all-state, was the key departure from last year’s team. But two all-district honorable mentions — Daniel Stinson and Andrew Valdez — plus Tyler Jones and Joseph Trevino, also moved on. Despite losing seven seniors all together, Ogle’s cupboard isn’t bare. He has three returning starters who accumulated a total of 25 points a game last season. They are: • Tyree Jones, a 6-6 senior center, who averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists last season. He was an all-district selection last season; Ogle sees him as an all-stater this season. • Juan Rios, a 5-9 senior guard, contributed 6 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg last season. • Jeremiah Salazar, a 5-6 senior guard, posted 5 ppg, 2 rpg, 5 apg statistics. Ryan West, a 6-0 junior forward (2 ppg), is a fourth returning letter winner. 188

Ogle tabs Rios, Salazar, 5-10 junior guard Jordan Trevino and 6-4 senior forward Chris Brown (2 ppg) as other Wildcats to watch. “We have had a couple of years of success in reaching the playoffs. Three starters returning and each has experienced the playoffs the past three seasons,” Ogle said in assessing his team’s strengths. “Our JV team won 22 games last season, Jeremiah Salazar and will need to step up and play at a higher level in the 2020-21 season.” He is concerned about the inexperience at the varsity level and team chemistry. Developing that chemistry, especially after losing several key players and despite not having a summer to play in leagues, is his key to success this season. Ogle is beginning his fourth season at Littlefield. His three Wildcats teams have gone 66-32 overall, 29-13 in district play and made the playoffs each year. In his 27-year coaching career, Ogle’s boys teams have won 435 and lost 208 for a .677 winning percentage. The Angelo State University graduate began his coaching career as an assistant at his high school alma mater, Ballinger High. His coaching journey has taken him to Crowell, Clyde, Brownfield, Breckenridge, Denver City and Pampa prior to Littlefield. The Wildcats won’t have to worry about Abernathy as a district opponent this season. The Antelopes, along with Shallowater, Slaton, Idalou and Lubbock Roosevelt, all have moved to District 2-3A because of UIL realignment. That leaves only Brownfield and Denver City as holdover foes for Littlefield in District 3-3A. Conference newbies are Dimmitt, Friona, Lamesa and Muleshoe. The Wildcats will play host to Tahoka on Nov. 20. District 3-3A play begins Dec. 18.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Name

Littlefield Boys Ht. Pos. Class

Juan Rios

5-9

Sr.

Joseph Salinas

5-5

Sr.

Jeremiah Salazar

5-6

Sr.

Jordan Trevino

5-10

Jr.

Jaron Cabello

5-10

Jr.

Caden Longoria

5-11

G/F

Sr.

Ethan Garcia

6-0

G/F

Jr.

Ryan West

6-0

Jr.

Tyjae Chambers

5-9

Jr.

Chris Brown

6-4

Sr.

Tyree Jones

6-6

Sr.

Cade Doty

5-10

Coach: Rob Ogle Asst. Coaches: Nathan McKinnon, Nik Clarkson 2019-2020 record: 29-6, 10-4 School phone: 385-5683 Players to watch: Juan Rios, Jeremiah Salazar, Jordan Trevino, Chris Brown, Tyree Jones

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 21 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 21 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Littlefield Schedule

Opponent Estacado Ropes New Home Hale Center Tahoka Sundown Andrews Monahans Idalou Hereford Abernathy Dumas Floydada Springlake-Earth Muleshoe New Home Levelland Denver City Slaton Lamesa Farwell Slaton Sundown Dimmitt Brownfield Friona Lamesa Muleshoe Dimmitt Denver City Friona Brownfield Muleshoe Denver City

Place B G Here X There X There X Here X Here X Here X Here X X There X X There X Here X Here X X There X X There X X Here X There X There X Here X Here X There X Here X X There X Here X Here X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X There X Here X

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TEAMS AT A GLANCE PRESEASON PICKS

District 1-2A Boys 1. Gruver/Stratford 3. West Texas High 4. Sunray 5. Sanford Fritch

District 1-2A Girls 1. Gruver 2. Stratford 3. West Texas High 4. Sunray 5. Sanford Fritch

District 2-2A Boys 1. Clarendon 2. Panhandle 3. Shamrock 4. Wellington/ Wheeler 6. Memphis

District 2-2A Girls 1. Panhandle/ Wellington 3. Clarendon 4. Wheeler 5. Shamrock 6. Memphis

District 4-2A Boys 1. New Deal 2. Floydada/ Lockney 4. Hale Center 5. Ralls

District 4-2A Girls 1. New Deal 2. Ralls 3. Lockney 4. Hale Center/ Floydada

District 5-2A Boys 1. Sundown 2. Plains 3. Morton 4. Sudan/Seagraves

District 5-2A Girls 1. Sudan 2. Plains 3. Morton 4. Sudan/Seagraves

District 3-2A Boys 1. Farwell 2. Olton 3. Vega 4. Bovina 5. Boys Ranch District 6-2A Boys 1. Post 2. New Home 3. Smyer 4. Ropes 5. Tahoka

District 3-2A Girls 1. Vega 2. Farwell 3. Olton 4. Boys Ranch/ Bovina District 6-2A Girls 1. New Home 2. Ropes 3. Post 4. Smyer 5. Tahoka

HONOR ROLL 2A Boys Jacoby Douglas, Boys Ranch, 5-10, Sr.; Caleb Thompson, Boys Ranch, 6-0, Sr.; Casey Hawkins, Boys Ranch, 6-5, Jr.; Steven Callison, Boys Ranch, Sr.; Donovan Thompson, Clarendon, 6-3, Sr.; LaMarcus Penigar, Clarendon, 5-8, Jr.; Sylvester Ballard, Clarendon, 6-0, Soph.; Jmaury Davis, Clarendon, 6-3, Soph.; Cayden Dcosta, Clarendon, 6-2, Jr.: Jordan Herndon, Clarendon, 5-11, Jr.; Keegan Callaway, Gruver, 5-9, Sr.; Colton Millsap, Gruver, 6-3, Jr.; Gus Gifford, Gruver, 6-2, Jr.; Jefferson Weaver, Gruver, 6-4, Soph.; Mason Gibson, Gruver, 5-9, Soph.; Anders Been, Gruver, 5-11, Jr.; Sebastian Perez, Lockney, 6-0, Sr.; Anson Rendon, Lockney, 5-9, Sr.; Josh Barretero, Lockney, 5-8, Jr.; Genaro Luna, Memphis, 6-2, Sr.; Alfonso Garcia, Memphis, 5-10, Sr.; Marcos Flores, Memphis, 5-10, Soph.; Tanner Seeley, New Deal, 5-10, Sr.; Kyler Reed, New Deal, 6-1, Sr.; Leric Eaton, New Deal, 6-3, Jr.; Jyson Lacy, New Deal, 6-4, Soph.; Jason Brazell, New Deal, 6-0, Soph.; Jack Allcorn, Olton, 6-1, Sr.; Bryson Ramage, Olton, 6-2, Sr.; Israel Santillan, Olton, 5-10, Sr.; Aldo Vasquez, Olton, 5-9, Sr.; Chris Urbina, Olton, 6-3, Sr.; Jake Soliz, Olton, 5-7, Soph.; Wes Jones, Panhandle, 6-2, Sr.; Zion Mercer, Panhandle, 5-10, Sr.; Maddox Reynolds, Panhandle, 6-0, Sr.; Dylan Segura, Panhandle, 6-0, Sr.; Landyn Hack, Panhandle, 6-3, Soph.; Colter Lynch, Panhandle, 6-3, Soph.; Hunter Stroope, Shamrock, 6-0, Soph.; Cristian Mercado, Shamrock, 6-3, Sr.; Caden Peevey, Shamrock, 5-7, Soph,; Ethan Ramirez, Smyer, 6-3, Sr.; Ethaniel Villegas, Smyer, 6-0, Sr.; EJ Buchanan, Smyer, 6-2, Sr.; Caleb Northcutt, Smyer, 6-1, Jr.; Trever Bell, Stratford, 6-4, Sr.; Anastacio Ibarra, Stratford, 6-2, Sr.; Tyler Stone, Stratford, 5-6, Sr.; Cody Rinne, Stratford, 6-0, Jr.; Ryan Grawunder, Vega, 5-9, Jr.; Conner Brorman, Vega, 6-1, Sr.; Garrett Stribling, Vega, 6-3, Jr.; Creighton Killian, Wellington, 5-10, Jr.; Jordan Nation, Wellington, 6-2, Soph.; Jayden Castillo, Wellington, 5-10, Sr.; Gavin Wood, Wellington, 6-2, Sr.; Mason Folk, Wellington, 5-10, Sr.; Kayden Vallez, Wellington, 5-8, Jr.; Diego Pichardo, Wheeler; Kyle Dawson, Wheeler; O.J. Olivas, Wheeler; Marcos Herrera, Wheeler; David Rascon, Wheeler; Daniel Rascon, Wheeler 190

2A Girls Jade Benson, Clarendon, 5-6, Sr.; Ashlynn Crawford, Clarendon, 5-3, Sr.; Andi Salgado, Gruver, 5-8, Sr.; Bailey Maupin, Gruver, 5-10, Jr.; Camryn Armes, Gruver, 5-5, Jr.; Brenna Butler, Gruver, 5-6, Soph.; RyAnn Castillo, Lockney, 5-4, Sr.; Kelbi Lindley, Memphis, 5-6, Jr.; Allyson Chavera, Memphis, 5-7, Sr.; Audrey Chavera, Memphis, 5-7, Soph.; Doty Arant, Memphis, 5-9, Soph.; Charlee Whitfield, New Deal, 5-6, Sr.; Taylor Gonzales, New Deal, 5-5, Sr.; Ghenevieve Vasquez, New Deal, 5-6, Jr.; Charli Garland, New Deal, 5-5, Soph.; Karla Arriola, Olton, 5-9, Jr.; Olivia Cox, Olton, 5-3, Soph.; Shaylee Leathers, Olton, 5-4, Jr.; Kylee Noack, Olton. 5-4, Soph.; Celestte Ramirez, Olton, 5-5, Jr.; Makenly Smith, Olton, 5-9, Soph.; Bailey Walterscheid, Panhandle, 5-9, Sr.; Mason Jones, Panhandle, 5-10, Sr.; Mackie Land, Panhandle, 5-9, Jr.; Emmery Sides, Panhandle, 5-8, Sr.; Annison Thomas, Panhandle, 5-3, Sr.; Maggie Anderson, Ropes, 5-9, Sr.; Kynnan Shields, Shamrock, 6-1, Sr.; Abby Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Gorman, Shamrock, 5-8, Jr.; Riley Sims, Shamrock, 5-8, Soph.; Stevi Lockhart, Sudan, 5-10, Soph.; Gracyn Shultz, Sudan, 5-8, Soph.; Liz Sital, Sudan, 5-8, Jr.; Braelyn Pointer, Sudan, 5-6, Soph.; Addison Boehning, Sudan, 5-9, Jr.; Riley Edens, Sudan, 6-0, Soph.; Mckenzie Lee, Sundown, 5-11, Sr.; Lexie Lee, Sundown, 5-10, Sr.; Emily Rodriguez, Sundown, 5-8, Sr.; Shea Beadles, Sundown, 5-9, Soph.; Kaydence Loftin, Sundown, 5-4, Soph.; Natalie Urias, Sundown, 5-6, Soph.; Daelee Hayes, Vega, 5-7, Sr.; Kate Link, Vega, 5-6, Sr.; Madalyn Richards, Vega, 5-6, Sr.; Sicily Sumrall, Wellington, 5-7, Sr.; Kyla Kane, Wellington, 5-9, Jr.; Hadlee Gomez, Wellington, 5-6, Jr.; Wendy Lopez, Wheeler; Perla Almanza, Wheeler; Holden Holwick, Wheeler

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Gruver

District 1-2A Greyhounds didn’t get chance for a title

The Gruver Greyhounds were eating lunch on San Antonio’s Riverwalk on March 12 when they got the word that the boys state tournament was being canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They had been scheduled to meet Shelbyville the next morning in the Class 2A state semifinals at the Alamodome. Revenge was on their minds because Shelbyville had beaten them 67-48 in the Class 2A state championship game the previous year. Gruver’s Lady Hounds had won their own state title the week before, so the Greyhounds had a chance to achieve a Texas rarity: girls and boys championships by teams from the same school in the same year. They never got that chance. “Nine deserving seniors never got the opportunity to bring home a state title,” said Greyhound Coach Brittin East, who was in his first year at Gruver. So Gruver’s season ended with a 30-5 record but with an incomplete on the final test. The Greyhounds had knocked off Clarendon, Vega, Spearman, Dalhart, Wheeler and Perryton in the pre-district portion of their schedule. They had raced to the District 1-2A championship, winning all 10 games. They hadn’t been really pressed in the playoffs. Gruver had whipped Highland Park 74-52 in bidistrict, New Deal 99-52 in the area round, Clarendon 66-46 in the regional quarterfinals,

Keegan Callaway

Colton Millsap

Anders Been

Wink 74-50 in the regional semifinals and Sundown 66-42 in the regional finals. “Last season was an incredible run. We were playing at our highest level at just the right time, winning our five playoff games by an average of 25 points,” East said. “Jalin Conyers averaged 26 points and 15 rebounds a game during that stretch. Three other starters — Bo Butler, Hunter Haynes and Carter Armes — averaged over 11 points per game during that stretch. Point guard Armes also averaged 7 assists per game in the playoffs.” All those guys are gone. Conyers, who was the district MVP, TABC all-region, TABC (Continued on next page)

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all-state and the Press Pass Sports player of the year, has committed to play football at the University of Oklahoma. Armes was first-team all-district and TABC all-region. Butler and Haynes were first-team all-district. Matthew Felderhoff and Orlando Hernandez were honorable mention all-district. Creed Callaway, Justin Millsap and Ricky Gavirio also departed. Nine of last year’s 11 varsity players graduated, so that leaves only 5-9 senior point guard Keegan Callaway and 6-3 junior guard Colton Millsap as returnees. Each averaged 2 points per game in limited action last season. Colton Millsap is the younger brother of the departed Justin Millsap. East recommends Colton Millsap and 5-11 junior guard Anders Been as all-state candidates. He tabs Callaway, 6-2 junior post Gus Gaillard, 6-2 junior forward Gus Gifford, 6-4 sophomore post Jefferson Weaver and 5-9 sophomore guard Mason Gibson as additional players to watch. East lists size and shooting as the Greyhounds’ strengths. “We will be much taller as a whole than last year’s group,” he said. He’s concerned about the lack of varsity experience and the youth on the team. “Developing ball handlers is going to be the key. We have good shooters and good posts coming up in the system, but we have to be able to take care of the ball when pressured. People may overlook us because of our lack of experience, but I believe we will still be pretty tough,” East said. “Our biggest key to success is adjusting to the speed and physicality of varsity basketball during the preseason and getting

Jalin Conyers, a Gruver senior last season, grabs a rebound against Childress in the Randall Playoff Preview Feb. 21. Following is Keegan Calloway, then a junior. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

(Continued on page 195)

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Name Keegan Callaway Colton Millsap Gus Gaillard Gus Gifford Jefferson Weaver Mason Gibson Edgar Lopez Ridge Holland Bryan Hernandez Cagan Mathews Anders Been Leo Harper

Gruver Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-9 G Sr. 6-3 G Jr. 6-2 P Jr. 6-2 F Jr. 6-4 P Soph. 5-9 G Soph. 5-10 G Jr. 5-8 G Soph. 5-10 F Jr. 5-10 G Jr. 5-11 G Jr. 5-9 G Jr.

Coach: Brittin East Asst. Coaches: Keith Mauldin, Chris Bird, James Whitt 2019-2020 record: 30-5, 10-0 School phone: 733-2001 Players to watch: Colton Millsap, Anders Been, Keegan Callaway, Gus Gifford, Gus Gaillard, Jefferson Weaver, Mason Gibson

Gruver Coach Brittin East gestures to the Greyhounds in the Randall Playoff Preview against Childress Feb. 21. Gruver followed with a run through the playoffs to the state tournament before the UIL canceled it. (Photo by Mike Haynes)Â

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ourselves ready to roll when it matters most. Our district lost a lot of players to graduation, so a district championship and deep playoff run isn’t out of the question.” That district looks about the same as last year with one exception. Boys Ranch moves from District 1-2A to 3-2A because of UIL realignment. That leaves 1-2A with five teams. East was an all-district performer in football and basketball at Pampa High School. He was a two-time preseason Super Team selection in football. The Texas Tech University graduate began his coaching career as an assistant at his high school alma mater, then took the head job at McLean from 2016 to 2019. His Tigers posted a 52-29 record and qualified for the playoffs all three years. Last year’s successful debut at Gruver brought his career boys coaching record to 82-34, a .707 winning percentage. The Greyhounds will open their season Nov. 13 at Claude. District 1-2A play gets under way Jan. 12. GIRLS How do you top winning a state championship? Well, repeating would be a good way. The Lady Hounds, with four starters back from their Class 2A state title team, have ambitions, and possibly the ammunition, to do just that. Unfortunately, it looks as if one of that quartet may have to sit out most of this season. The only starter lost from last year’s squad was Maddie McCloy, who was the District 1-2A defensive MVP and TABC and TGCA all-state. The Lady Hounds captured the school’s first girls state crown.

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Gus Gifford

Gus Gaillard

Edgar Lopez

Jefferson Weaver

Cagan Mathews

The boys have won two, in 1950 and 1966, and were on their way to a possible third last spring when the state tournament was canceled. The girls won their last 17 games en route to a 38-2 season. Along the way, they rolled to a District 1-2A title with a 10-0 record. “The girls set their goals early and believed in the system and each other and ultimately had an unforgettable year,” Coach Shannon Fisher said. “I was extremely proud of these girls and (Continued on next page)

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The Gruver Lady Hounds are joyous after their 42-39 win over Muenster in the Class 2A state championship game March 7 at San Antonio’s Alamodome. (Photo by Kimberly Irwin)

their work ethic throughout the year. Enjoyed watching them grow with each other and the game and bringing home the first-ever girls state basketball championship.” Gruver accomplished that by beating Grapevine 59-49 in the state semifinals and Muenster 42-39 in the finals. The four returning starters — Bailey Maupin, Camryn Armes, Andi Salgado and Brenna Butler — represent 43 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Maupin, a 5-10 junior forward, averaged 17.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in earning district MVP, all-state tournament team, TABC 2A player of the year and TABC and TGCA all-state honors. Armes, a 5-5 junior guard, contributed 9.4 ppg, 2.8 apg last season. She was the district offensive player of the year, the state tournament MVP, TABC all-region and TGCA all-state. Camryn Armes is the sister of the graduated Carter Arms on last year’s boys team. However, Camryn Armes suffered a hip injury and probably will miss most of this season, according to Fisher. Salgado, a 5-8 senior forward, registered 8.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg statistics last season and was first-team all-district and a member of the all-state tournament team. Butler, a 5-6 sophomore guard, turned in a 7.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.3 apg season as a freshman. Fisher regards Maupin, Camryn Armes and Salgado as all-state material. He tabs Butler, 5-9 senior forward Kearstin Babbs (5.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and 5-9 junior post Kami Whitehead as players to watch. Babbs, with some crucial 3s, and Whitehead, with two winning free throws with six seconds left, came off the bench to (Continued on next page)

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help the Lady Hounds nip Muenster in the state finals last spring. Callie Conyers, a 5-7 junior guard (3.4 ppg), was another contributing sub last season. Kami Whitehead has a younger sister, 5-7 sophomore guard Kimber Whitehead, on the roster, which shows plenty of experiBailey Maupin ence with seven seniors, four juniors and two sophomores and features eight returning letter winners. That experience and the drive to return to San Antonio are strengths, according to Fisher. “Their knowledge of the game has really grown over the past few years,” he said. He is concerned about the loss of McCloy (10.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.2 apg) off last year’s team because of what she brought on both sides of the ball. “We will have some different kids playing several spots and will need to learn quickly,” he said. Fisher said his players staying healthy is always the biggest key to a successful season. “We will have a really tough preseason schedule that we need to learn from and use to hopefully allow us to be the best possible team we can be,” he said. That preseason schedule begins with road games at Canadian (Nov. 10) and Claude (Nov. 13). District 1-2A play begins Jan. 5 for the girls. Fisher is a graduate of Sudan High School and Texas Tech University. He is beginning his fifth season at Gruver but has

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Camryn Armes

Andrea Salgado

Brenna Butler

Kearstin Babbs

Kami Whitehead

Callie Conyers

had 19 years of coaching experience with stops at Roby, Snyder, Dalhart and Tulia. He’ll be looking for his 400th coaching victory early as he enters this season with a 392-195 record for a .668 winning percentage. His four-year record at Gruver is even more impressive with a 115-27 won-lost record (.810 winning percentage), four playoff teams and one state championship.

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Name Andi Salgado Kearstin Babbs Bailey Glass Maegan Grayson Abigail Salgado Ariana Trejo Laura Borunda Bailey Maupin Camryn Armes Kami Whitehead Callie Conyers Brenna Butler Kimber Whitehead The Gruver Lady Hounds celebrate their 2020 Class 2A UIL state championship after defeating Muenster 42-39 in the finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (Photo by Kimberly Irwin)

Gruver Super Boosters A & I Lawn and Landscaping Guymon, OK 806- 339-5134 Barbara Cluck Bart and Dean Shapley Ben, Jill, Bo, Brenna & Brock Butler Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Go Hounds and Lady Hounds! Good Luck Brenna!

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Gruver Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-8 F Sr. 5-9 F Sr. 5-5 G Sr. 5-5 G Sr. 5-8 P Sr. 5-4 G Sr. 5-4 G Sr. 5-10 F Jr. 5-5 G Jr. 5-9 P Jr. 5-7 G Jr. 5-6 G Soph. 5-7 G Soph.

Coach: Shannon Fisher Asst. Coaches: Terry Davis, Jill Butler, Steven Livingston 2019-2020 record: 38-2, 10-0 School phone: 681-9327 Players to watch: Andi Salgado, Bailey Maupin, Camryn Armes, Brenna Butler

Benny & Jackie Wilson Bob & Carol Tolleson Brad, Kelly & Mary Hart Brant, Stacie, Carter, Camryn & Caden Armes

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Good Luck Hounds!—Bray, Neely, Breely and Drake Armes Brian, Leslie, Brice, Rilee & Rance McLaughlin Britten Laure, Presley & Miles East Buster, Holly, Pratt, Hallie & Miles McLain Carlos, Cassie, Chloe & Caroline Borunda Chad & Christin Clift Family Chad, Julie, Zach, Alex & Cole Logsdon Chris, Eva, Hadlee & Creed Spivey Clancy, Chelsea, Carter & Cannyn Vanderburg Clint & Jodi Irwin Go Hounds!—Clint & Sulvia Sims Curt & Trisha Fitzgerald Damien, Marisela, Abbie, Buckwheat & Sophie Juarez Dan & Pennye Ralston Danny & Mary Henson

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Kimber Whitehead

Bailey Glass

Maegan Grayson

Ariana Trejo

Laura Borunda

Abigail Salgado

Darrell & Lori Messer David & Ginny Grotegut David, Patty, Garrett, Chandler & Ashlynn Miner Go Hounds!—Delinda McLaughlin Creative Memories

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DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 14 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Dec. 21 Dec. 22 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Dec. 31 Jan. 2 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 18 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9

Gruver Schedule

Opponent Canadian Claude Randall Tascosa Amarillo High Childress (at Pampa/Panhandle) Perryton Panhandle Borger Wellington Dumas Haskell New Home Pampa Miami Borger Vega Bushland Dalhart Texline Hereford Caprock Wellington Canyon Spearman Palo Duro Clarendon West Texas Stratford Sunray Panhandle Sanford-Fritch West Texas Liberal Stratford Sunray Sanford-Fritch West Texas

Place B G There X There X X Here X Here X There X TBA X X There X Here X Here X There X Here X Childress X TBA X Here X X Here X Here X There X X There X There X X Here X Here X Here X Here X There X Here X There X Here X There X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X Here X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X There X

Derrick, Tessa, Gracee, Reese & Jace Grotegut Dwayne, Shawn, Justin & Seth Thompson Golden Spread Carpet Cleaning, 202 N. Bernice St. Spearman, TX 79081 (806) 659-3068 (806) 330-0170 Elite Physical Therapy (580)338-4676, Eric Johnson RPT, MBA, ATC Guymond, OK

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Eric, Tisha, McCormick, Merritt & McRhea Cudd Garrett, Mica, Sam, Gage, Mary & Charlie Gumfory Garrett, Samantha, Lane & Rylee Miner Have a great Senior Year Bailey! And Sophomore year Payton!â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Gyene Spivey Holly, Gus, Joe T., Hattie & Mary Beth Gifford

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Jason, Amber, Abigail, Turner & Tanner TeBeest Jason, Missy, Justin & Kaysha Bass Jerry & Pat Overbey Jim & Mindy Davis Go, Fight, Win!—Joe T., Linda Venneman Joe & Cathy Potts John, Amber, Ridge & Cadance Holland Johnnie, Kristi, Selby & Madison Williams

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Go Lady Hounds and Hounds!—JW & Rhonda Ward Kristi Hold Kyle, Audra, Addie, Brynley & Chloe McLaughlin Kyle, Kimberly, Korbin, Karsten & Klaire Irwin Lance, Lori, Rhett & Allie Sparks Lance, Sahala, Gus & Sage Gaillard Layne & Meagan Greason Leticia, Stephen & Matt Salazar Luis & Lola Jimenez Main Street Barber Mark & Pat Irwin Marti & Kara London Marty, Molly, KD, Maddie & Michael McCloy Matt, Kayla, Macy & Katy McLennan Matt & Sherry Johnson Matt Kayla & Katy McLennan McLaughlin Livestock Production

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Mickey Maupin Mike & Amy Babbs Mike & Diane McLain Mikey, Lisa & Caysie Miner Millie Strawn Pat & Georgia Holt Paul & Barbara Stavlo Raquel, Kailey, Kari, Kami & Kimber Whitehead Rex, Roxie, Saxie & Texie Ralston Rod, Mica & Anders Been Royce & Betty Mathews Sam,Cris & Ariana Sanchez Scott, Erika, Lane & Sloan Stedge Shell, Raegan, Conner & Hunter Haynes Steve & Tracy Bevill Go Greyhounds!—Tammy’s Creations Go Hounds & Lady Hounds!—Ted & Mary Vela The Bailey Reid Family

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Go Lady Hounds and Hounds!—The Fisher Family The Jason Ward Family Good Luck Hounds!—The Martinez Family Go Hounds and Lady Hounds!—The Schibler Family Go Greyhounds!—The Tarango Family Todd, Carolyn, Gracee & Audrey Adams Tony & LaNetta Shapley Go Lady Hounds and Houndball!—Travis Quirk Gruver FFA Believes in YOU! Wade, Brooke, Case, Ella & Bree Stewart Wayne & Lou Garrett Wylie, Julie, Bailey, Wesley, Walker & Marlee Maupin

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Greyhound Coach Brittin East instructs his Gruver team in a practice game against Childress Feb. 21 in the Randall Playoff Preview. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Stratford

Elks back on winning side The Elks bounced back from a rare losing season as they made the 2919-20 season a winning one. After getting their usual late start because of football, the basketball Elks posted an 8-2 District 1-2A record to finish second to a strong Gruver team that later qualified for the state tournament. Stratford had close games in the playoffs. The Elks nipped Panhandle 58-56 in bidistrict but were edged by Floydada 64-63 in the area game. That loss capped Stratford’s season at 11-6. That followed an 8-9 season, the only losing one in Coach Trey Wyatt’s eight-year tenure at Stratford. “We had several seniors on last year’s team that played very well together,” Wyatt said. “We lost a tough game to Floydada in the area round.” That senior class included twins Ty McBryde (all-region) and Walker McBryde (all-district), Iuden Romero (district defensive MVP) and Abraham Villegas (all-district honorable mention). Still, Wyatt has three starters and one other letter winner returning this season. Trever Bell, a 6-4 senior forward, averaged 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season and was an all-district honorable mention. Wyatt nominates Bell as an all-state candidate.

Name Trever Bell Anastacio Ibarra Arturo Vallejo Tyler Stone Slate Anderton Cody Rinne Dru Jones Freddie Duarte Anthony Gonzales Tyler Smith Mauricio Duran Luke Braden

Stratford Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-4 F Sr. 6-2 F Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 5-6 G Sr. 6-0 G Sr. 6-0 G Jr. 6-1 G Jr. 5-9 G Jr. 5-10 F Jr. 6-2 F Jr. 5-9 G Soph. 6-2 F Soph.

Coach: Trey Wyatt Asst. Coach: Casey Lantelme 2019-2020 record: 11-6, 8-2 School phone: 366-3300 Players to watch: Trever Bell, Anastacio Ibarra, Tyler Stone, Cody Rinne

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The other two returning starters are 6-2 senior forward Anastacio Ibarra (5.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and 6-0 junior guard Cody Rinne (7.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.1 apg). Those three returning starters represent 25 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics. The Elks’ other letter winner is 5-6 senior guard Tyler Stone (2.3 ppg). Ibarra, Rinne and Stone are outstanding players to watch, according to Wyatt. Stratford’s roster shows five seniors, five juniors and two sophomores. “We have several players that had good minutes for us last year coming back,” Wyatt said of his team’s strengths. He is concerned about the Elks’ lack of height. “We need to improve every game and hit the floor running when basketball starts,” Wyatt said. “These young men work very hard, and I’m excited to see what happens this year.” One thing that likely will happen early in the season will be Wyatt notching his 200th career boys coaching victory. The Silverton High School and West Texas A&M University graduate enters this season with a 196-103 record for a .656 winning percentage. He’s beginning his ninth season at Stratford, and his Elks have posted 126-46 overall and 64-17 district won-lost records. He coached at Wellington, Cross Plains, Sunray, Dimmitt and Rule before coming to Stratford. He’s been a head coach for 14 years. Stratford’s District 1-2A will be a five-team conference this season instead of six as Boys Ranch moves to 3-2A because of UIL realignment. Gruver, Sanford-Fritch, West Texas High and Sunray are the Elks’ holdover opponents.

Stratford Schedule

DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 17 Nov. 21 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Dec. 21 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Dec. 31 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

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Opponent Perryton Palo Duro Happy Bushland Wildorado Spearman Miami Texline Bovina Pampa Nazareth Borger Texline River Road Dumas Nazareth Claude Wildorado Pampa Dalhart Sanford-Fritch Vega West Texas Gruver Amarillo Flames Sunray Sanford-Fritch West Texas Gruver Sunray Sanford-Fritch West Texas

The Stratford Elks warm up before a game with Jayton at the 22nd Annual Randall Playoff Preview on Feb. 21. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

The Elks are scheduled to open their season Nov. 24 at home against Spearman. They’ll begin district competition Jan. 12 at defending district champion Gruver.

Place B G Here X Here X There X There X There X Here X X Here X Here X Here X X There X TBA X There X There X Here X X Here X X Wildorado X There X X Here X X Here X There X X There X Here X Here X There X X Here X X Here X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X There X Here X

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Lashala Anderton of Stratford gets ready to pass to Ashton Lavake in the Lady Elks’ bidistrict game against Clarendon Feb. 17 at Amarillo High as Lady Bronco Madison Smith defends and Clint Brakebill of KAMR-TV records the action.

Stratford’s Reaghan Audrain, Janeht Bravo, Rese Schoonover, Cody Paige Audrain and Ashton Lavake return to action with Lashala Anderton and Sonia Mayorga resting in the Lady Elks’ bidistrict game with Clarendon.

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Lady Elk Ashton Lavake shoots a free throw during Stratford’s bidistrict game with Clarendon on Feb. 17 at Amarillo High. (Photos by Mike Haynes)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Clarendon

District 2-2A Broncos have a new coach

Boston Hudson, fresh from a year at district Thompson and LaMarcus Penigar – represent rival Wheeler, is the new Broncos head coach. 31 points a game based on last season’s scoring The former Canadian star succeeds Clint statistics. Conkin, who coached the Broncos to a 43-21 Davis, a 6-3 sophomore forward, averaged record in his two years. Conkin stays on as Clar14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists last season endon’s athletic director and head football coach. as a freshman. Thompson, a 6-3 senior guard, Hudson was an all-state football and basketball contributed 9 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg and was first-team player at Canadian, where he played basketball all-district. Penigar, a 5-8 junior guard, also was under the direction of his dad, Johnny Hudson. first-team AD with 8 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg credentials. As a junior, he was the district player of the year Hudson regards Davis, Penigar, 6-0 sophoand the Golden Spread Class 2A-3A basketball more guard Sylvester Ballard (7 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 player of the year. He appeared on the cover of the apg) and 6-2 junior guard Cayden D’Costa as 2013-14 Panhandle-Plains Basketball magazine all-state candidates. as well as being a member of that year’s PPB Thompson and 5-11 junior forward Jordan Super Team. Herndon (4 ppg, 2 rpg) are other outstanding He played collegiately at Wayland Baptist players to watch, according to their coach. University before graduating from West Texas In addition to the returning starters, Ballard, A&M University. Herndon and 5-11 senior guard Ethan Babcock Boston Hudson began his coaching career as Jmaury Davis of Clarendon sizes up a lettered last year. an assistant at Oklahoma City University, then free throw in a practice game against In describing his team’s strengths, Hudson took his first head coaching job at Wheeler for New Home Feb. 22 at the Randall Playsaid, “Very talented players that know how to the 2019-20 season. He guided the Mustangs to off Preview. (Photo by Mike Haynes) play, really able to get up and down the floor.” a 24-9 record, splitting regular-season meetings He’s concerned because his team is very against Clarendon, and into the area round of the playoffs. young, sophomore heavy. Last year’s Clarendon team, under Conkin, finished 25-8 and The Broncos’ roster consists of three seniors, three juniors, won the District 2-2A championship with a 10-2 district record. three sophomores and one freshman. In the playoffs, Conkin’s Broncos defeated Sanford-Fritch “We will have to grow up some and just be more disciplined,” 74-65 in bidistrict and Farwell 69-48 in the area game. They Boston said in assessing the keys for success this season. were eliminated by Gruver 64-46 in the regional quarterfinals. The only change in Clarendon’s District 2-2A is the addition The Broncos led that game 29-25 at the half before Gruver of Shamrock, replacing Highland Park, which moved up to Class pulled away in the second half. Gruver went on to qualify for 3A because of UIL realignment. the Class 2A boys state tournament, which was canceled because The Broncos, usually involved in late football action, aren’t of COVID-19. scheduled to open their season until Dec. 1 against Borger. District The Butlers did it last year for the Broncos. Jamal Butler was play for the boys begins Jan. 8. the district MVP; Collin Butler was first-team all-district. Both GIRLS have departed. Coach Korey Conkin was quite pleased with her team’s perHudson inherits three returning starters and three other letter formance last season. The Lady Broncos went 21-13 overall and winners. The three returning starters – Jmaury Davis, Donovan (Continued on next page)

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6-4 in District 2-2A for third place. In the pre-district portion of their schedule, the Lady Broncos won the Miami Tournament and beat Class 4A Pampa. In the postseason, Clarendon beat Stratford 44-36 in bidistrict and edged New Deal 41-40 in the area game. Panhandle stopped the Lady Broncos 56-32 in the regional quarterfinals. “The Lady Broncos had the best postseason since 2014. First playoff win for me as a coach,” Conkin said. “Had a very exciting best second playoff win vs. New Deal. Love the buzzer beaters,” Mattee Johnson, a three-year starter, two-year captain and two-time all-district selection, has departed from that team. So have Kira Weatherton (a two-year starter and co-captain last year), MaKayla Brown and Madi Gay. The Lady Broncos return three starters and two other letter winners this season. The three returning starters – Jade Benson, Ashlyn Crawford and Madison Smith – represent 20 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Benson, a 5-6 senior forward, averaged 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists last season and earned all-district recognition. Crawford, a 5-3 senior point guard, contributed 6 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg. Smith, a 5-7 junior guard, was the district newcomer of the year with 4 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg stats. Conkin rates Benson as an all-state candidate and Smith as another outstanding player to watch. The other two letter winners are 5-5 senior guard Kailee Osburn and 5-3 senior guard Kaylin Hicks. The Lady Bronco roster consists of four seniors, five juniors and two sophomores. “We have three starters returning and have a very disciplined team, defensively,” Conkin said in assessing her team’s strengths. “Postseason experience is a key factor.” She has some concerns. “We are not very big and need to develop an outside shooting threat,” she said. What are Conkin’s keys for success this season? “We need our younger players to step up and give us some good minutes,” she said. “We have to block out and challenge people in our full-court defense to be successful.” Conkin’s husband is Clarendon AD and football Coach Clint Conkin. She is coaching at her high school alma mater. She was a four-year starter for the Lady Broncos and was all-district three years and all-region two years. Then she was a two-year starter at Clarendon College and played on CC’s 1998 NJCAA champions. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Texas Tech University. She is beginning her fifth year at Clarendon with an 82-48 girls coaching record. She previously served as an assistant coach at Farwell and Littlefield. The Lady Broncos will open their season Nov. 7 at Perryton. The home opener is set for Nov. 10 against White Deer. The District 2-2A opener for the girls is Jan. 1.

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Lady Bronco Jade Benson drives against Panhandle in a Class 2A regional quarterfinal game Feb. 24 at Tascosa High School. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Jmaury Davis

Donavan Thompson

LaMarcus Penigar

Donovan Thompson

Sylvester Ballard

Jordan Herndon

Cayden D’Costa

Lyric Smith

Clarendon Boys Name Ht. Pos. Class Donovan Thompson 6-3 G Sr. LaMarcus Penigar 5-8 G Jr. Sylvester Ballard 6-0 G Soph. Jmaury Davis 6-3 F Soph. Cayden D’Costa 6-2 G Jr. Jordan Herndon 5-11 F Jr. Josiah-Amadi Hearn 5-7 G Soph. Aaron Roys 5-10 G Sr. Ethan Babcock 5-11 G Sr. Lyric Smith 5-11 G Fr. Coach: Boston Hudson Asst. Coaches: Alton Gaines, Yancy Malloy 2019-2020 record: 24-9, 10-2 School phone: 874-2181 Players to watch: Donovan Thompson, LaMarcus Penigar, Sylvester Ballard, Jmaury Davis, Cayden D’Costa, Jordan Herndon

Clarendon Super Boosters Go Lady Broncos!—Zack, Jennifer, Emeri & Kreed Robinson Go Lady Broncos!—Kirby & Melissa Hatley Good Luck Jayde! Go Lady Broncos!—Love, Mom & Braxton 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

LaMarcus Penigar

Clarendon Coach Clint Conkin talks to his team during a practice game against New Home Feb. 22 at the Randall Playoff Preview. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Steve & Wanda Smith Cheering on Madison Smith and the rest of the Lady Broncos! Wishing the Broncos and Lady Broncos a great season!—Wes, Amanda & Pres Go Broncos! Go Madison!—Lynn & Gina McKinney Bailey’s Auto is cheering the Lady Broncos and Broncos on this season!—Glen & Susan Bailey Have a great season Lady Broncos and Broncos! Go Graci!—Bobbie & Missy Kidd Go Broncos & Lady Broncos! 2A

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Jade Benson

Ashlynn Crawford

Graci Kidd DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 21 Nov. 21 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 18 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Dec. 30 Jan. 1 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22

Madison Smith

Jentrye Bellar

Clarendon Schedule

Opponent Perryton White Deer Childress McLean Groom Canadian vs WF Rider Claude Pampa Borger Perryton Spearman Childress Vega Quanah Pampa Dumas White Deer Canadian Dalhart Bushland Canadian Wildorado Canyon Panhandle Wheeler Gruver Wellington Shamrock Memphis Panhandle Wheeler

Kailee Osburn

Emeri Robinson

Place B G There X Here X There X Here X There X Here X There X There X There X Here X Here X There X Here X X Here X There X There X There X Here X Here X Here X Here X There X There X There X Here X There X There X X There X X Here X X Here X X There X X

Kaylin Hicks

Finley Cunningham

Name Jade Benson Ashlynn Crawford Madison Smith Kailee Osburn Kaylin Hicks MaKenna Shadle Finley Cunningham Kaitlyn Davis Graci Kidd Jentrye Bellar Emeri Robinson

Kaitlyn Davis

MaKenna Shadle

Clarendon Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-6 F Sr. 5-3 G Sr. 5-7 G Jr. 5-5 G Sr. 5-3 G Sr. 5-3 G Soph. 5-6 F Soph. 5-3 G Jr. 5-4 F Jr. 5-7 P Jr. 5-3 G Jr.

Coach: Korey Conkin Asst. Coaches: Kasey Bell, Carrie Hicks 2019-2020 record: 21-13, 6-4 School phone: 874-2181 Players to watch: Jade Benson, Ashlynn Crawford Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9

Wellington Shamrock Memphis Panhandle Wheeler

Here Here There There Here

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Clarendon senior Makayla Brown’s teammates help her off the court after a fall during the Lady Broncos’ regional quarterfinal game against Panhandle Feb. 24 at Tascosa High School. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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At left, Clarendon Coach Korey Conkin surveys the action during the Lady Broncos’ regional quarterfinal game against Panhandle Feb. 24 at Tascosa High School. At right, Lady Bronco Kailee Osburn shoots a free throw in a Nov. 19, 2019, game at McLean. (Photos by Mike Haynes)

Madison Smith gets ready to pass in an early 2019-20 season game at McLean. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

The Clarendon Lady Broncos pose with their bidistrict championship trophy after they defeated Stratford 44-36 at Amarillo High Feb. 17 to advance to the area round of the playoffs. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Ashlynn Newsome of Clarendon maneuvers against a Panhandle defender in the Class 2A regional quarterfinals Feb. 24 at Tascosa High School. (Photo by Mike Haynes) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Ethan Babcock of Clarendon (24), alters a shot during the Broncos’ practice game against New Home Feb. 22 at the Randall Playoff Preview. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Bronco Sylvester Ballard shoots a jump shot during the Broncos’ practice game against New Home Feb. 22 at the Randall Playoff Preview. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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Memphis

Cyclone coach doing double duty The Cyclones got back on the winning track last season with a 15-13 overall mark, although their 2-8 District 2-2A showing relegated them to sixth place. Three players — all-district Tavion Yarbrough and honorable mention all-district Jalen Drew and Tim Anderson — have moved on from last year’s team. The Cyclones have one honored player Genaro Luna back this season. Genaro Luna, a 6-2 senior post, scored 11 points and snared 10 rebounds per game in gaining all-district distinction. Luna is an all-state candidate this season in the opinion of Coach Kevin Alexander. Two other players to watch are 5-10 senior guard Alfonso Garcia and 5-10 sophomore guard Marcos Flores, according to Alexander. The 2020-21 Memphis roster includes six seniors. The Cyclones’ coach lists size as his team’s strength. Indeed, in addition to the 6-2 Luna in the post, Memphis has 6-7 senior Casen Morris and 6-2 senior Javan Valle playing that position. “We need to utilize our post game and be positive with each other through the season,” Alexander said.

Alfonso Garcia

Marcos Flores

Casen Morris

He is concerned about the Cyclones’ depth. Alexander is beginning his fourth season at his high school alma mater. He played football at Wayland Baptist University. Before returning to Memphis, Alexander coached at Hartley for two years. His first Memphis team was a rousing success, going 29-5, winning the district and reaching the regional quarterfinals. His three-year coaching mark with the Cyclones is 56-35. Memphis will face one new opponent in District 2-2A as Shamrock replaces Highland Park, which was elevated to Class 3A in the UIL reshuffling. (Continued on next page)

DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 29 Jan. 1 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9

Memphis Schedule

Opponent Tulia Fort Elliott Booker Paducah Miami Quanah Hedley Valley Happy Highland Park Highland Park Guthrie Patton Springs West Texas Shamrock Sanford-Fritch Vega Wellington Panhandle Wheeler Clarendon Shamrock Wellington Panhandle Wheeler Clarendon Shamrock Wellington

Place B G Here X Here X Here X X There X X There X X There X X There X X Here X X Here X Here X Here X There X X There X X Here X X Here X There X There X Here X There X Here X X There X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X Here X

Memphis Super Boosters

Josh, Janet, Braylee & Tucker Brooks Pate Horseshoeing Service, Tyson Pate, CF 806-204-1758 Patehorseshoeing@gmail.com 216

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GIRLS Kevin Alexander is doing double duty at Memphis as he’s also coaching the girls team. Alexander replaced Jerry Cathey as the Lady Cyclones’ coach after Cathey moved to Dumas to direct the girls team there. Cathey spent one year in the Memphis boys program and the past two as the girls coach. Kelbi Lindley The Lady Cyclones went 27-34 overall and 6-14 in district play in Cathey’s two seasons. Last year, Memphis, under Cathey’s guidance, went 17-13 overall and 4-6 in District 2-2A. Their fourth-place district finish qualified the Lady Cyclones for the playoffs, where they were eliminated 8927 by state-champion-to-be Gruver in bidistrict. Two all-district selections—Janessa Cervantes and Yazmeen Henderson—on last year’s squad have departed. Alexander inherits a roster of two seniors, two juniors, two sophomores and one freshman. Kelbi Lindley, a 5-6 junior guard, is an all-state candidate in her coach’s viewpoint. Alexander tabs 5-7 senior forward Allyson Chavera, 5-7 sophomore forward Audrey Chavera and 5-9 sophomore Doty Arant as other outstanding players to watch. The Chaveras are sisters. Quickness and discipline are the Lady Cyclones’ strengths, according to Alexander. He is concerned about team depth. “We lost some key players from last year’s team, but we have some hard-working kids returning this year,” he said. “We are going to have to trust each other and play smart basketball. If we go hard every play, these girls will surprise some people this year.” The Lady Cyclones will open their season Nov. 7 at home against Tulia. They’ll begin District 2-2A play Jan. 1 by entertaining Shamrock, the new team in the conference. The boys team will travel to Panhandle eight days later in its district debut.

Go, Cyclones!

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Allyson Chavera

Audrey Chavera

Doty Arant

Danielle Middleton

Zoe Castillo

Macaela Graham

Name Kelbi Lindley Danielle Middleton Allyson Chavera Macaela Graham Audrey Chavera Zoe Castillo Doty Arant

Memphis Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-6 G Jr. 5-7 G Sr. 5-7 F Sr. 5-3 G Fr. 5-7 F Soph. 5-6 G Jr. 5-9 F Soph.

Coach: Kevin Alexander Asst. Coaches: Jeana Yarbrough, Kaprisha Casas 2019-2020 record: 17-13, 4-6 School phone: 259-5900 Players to watch: Kelbi Lindley, Allyson Chavera, Audrey Chavera, Doty Arant

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Kishan Bhakta

Matthew Zamora

Victor Acevedo

Name Genaro Luna Casen Morris Javan Valle Alfonso Garcia Kishan Bhakta Matthew Zamora Victor Acevado Edgar Ville Cutter O’Neal Marcos Flores

Memphis Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-2 P Sr. 6-7 P Sr. 6-2 P Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 5-10 P Sr. 5-8 P Sr. 5-10 G Jr. 5-8 G Jr. 5-8 G Jr. 5-10 G Soph.

Coach: Kevin Alexander Asst. Coach: Jared Casas 2019-2020 record: 15-13, 2-8 School phone: 259-5900 Players to watch: Genaro Luna, Alfonso Garcia, Marcos Flores Edgar Ville

Cutter O’Neal

Christian Lockhart

Panhandle

Pantherettes almost made it again The Pantherettes almost made their fourth trip to the state tournament in five years last season but fell one game short. Panhandle lost a 34-27 defensive struggle to Gruver in the regional finals. The Lady Hounds went on to win the Class 2A state championship. That was the prize the Pantherettes won in 2017, the year after they were the state runner-up. They lost in the state semifinals in 2019. Last season Panhandle won the Nazareth Tournament, beating Gruver 61-57 in overtime in the finals. The ‘Ettes took second at 8-2 in District 2-2A behind undefeated Wellington. In the playoffs, Panhandle pummeled Sunray 61-21, then registered one of the most impressive victories in the postseason. The ‘Ettes whipped Vega 71-38 in the area game. Vega had entered the game undefeated in 33 games and holding the No. 2 ranking in the state. It was the second straight year Panhandle had ended Vega’s season in the area round. In 2019, it was 62-39. Last season Panhandle went on to defeat Clarendon 56-32 in the regional quarterfinals and Haskell 47-24 in the regional 218 2A

Mason Jones

Bailey Walterscheid

Annison Thomas

semifinals before losing the rematch against Gruver. That loss capped a 31-6 season for the ‘Ettes. Amazingly, that was the fifth straight 30-win season for Panhandle under Coach Rob Schmucker. Schmucker’s first season at Panhandle produced 28 victories. Two distinguished seniors have moved on from last year’s teams. Kinley Graham was first-team all-district and TABC all-region and all-state. Ella Satterwhite was honorable mention (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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all-district. Both girls also earned academic honors. Three starters and four other letter winners return this season for Panhandle. Returning starters Mason Jones, Bailey Walterscheid and Annison Thomas totaled 25 points as a unit last season. Jones, a 5-10 senior guard, is the ringleader. She averaged 13.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season and was named the district co-offensive MVP, TGCA all-state and TABC all-region and all-state. Schmucker nominates Jones as an all-state repeater this season. Walterscheid, a 5-9 senior forward, contributed 6.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.4 apg. Thomas, a 5-3 senior guard (4.5 ppg, 2.3 apg), was a first-team all-district selection. Walterscheid, Thomas, 5-9 junior forward Mackie Land (5.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and 5-8 senior guard Emmery Sides (3.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg) are other outstanding players to watch, according to Schmucker. The ‘Ettes have a sister combination — 5-6 senior guard Halle Ford and 5-6 junior guard Kandin Ford — on the roster, which consists of five seniors, three juniors and two sophomores. That senior leadership and experience are the team’s strengths, according to Schmucker. He is concerned about “replacing what we lost from last year’s team.” The keys for success this season will be creating movement on offense and chemistry on defense. Schmucker is a graduate of Nazareth High School and West Texas A&M University. He’s coached both girls and boys teams with stops at Alvord, Lockney and O’Donnell before Panhandle. He’s beginning his seventh season at Panhandle and 18th year as a head basketball coach.

Panhandle’s Mason Jones charges toward the basket, guarded by Clarendon’s Makayla Brown, in the Class 2A regional quarterfinals Feb. 24 at Tascosa High School. The ‘Ettes won, 56-32. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Panhandle’s District 2-2A shows one change because of UIL realignment. Shamrock replaces Highland Park, which moves up to Class 3A. The Pantherettes will open their season at home Nov. 10 against Randall. They’ll bring in the new year by beginning district play Jan. 1. (Continued on next page)

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BOYS With all five starters returning, the Panthers are eager to shake off two straight sub-.500 seasons. Panhandle did qualify for the playoffs both of those years. Last year the Panthers finished 16-18 overall but tied for third in District 2-2A with a 4-6 conference mark. Zion Mercer Stratford edged Panhandle 58-56 in the bidistrict game. “Last season we had a very inexperienced team,” Coach Cory Lynch said. “We fought through several key injuries, and young players had to grow up in a hurry.” Last year’s seniors — Christian Debose and Luke McCoy — are gone, and those young players are back as experienced varsity teammates. The five returning starters are Zion Mercer, Wes Jones, Landyn Hack, Colter Lynch and Maddox Reynolds. Mercer, a 5-10 senior guard, averaged 9 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in earning all-district honors last season. Jones, a 6-2 senior forward/post, contributed 10 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg last season. Hack, a 6-3 sophomore guard/post with 12.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.1 apg credentials, was the district newcomer as a freshman. Coach Lynch regards Mercer, Jones and Hack as all-state candidates this season. Colter Lynch, a 6-3 post, logged 4.3 ppg, 4 rpg statistics and made the all-district team. Colter Lynch is the coach’s son.

Wesley Jones

Name Wes Jones Zion Mercer Maddox Reynolds Dylan Segura Tyler Whitt Nick Mize Landyn Hack Colter Lynch Cuyler Mize

Landyn Hack

Colter Lynch

Panhandle Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-2 F/P Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 6-0 G Sr. 6-0 G Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 5-10 G Jr. 6-3 G/P Soph. 6-3 P Soph. 5-10 G Soph.

Coach: Cory Lynch Asst. Coaches: Austin Whitt, Forrest Harding, Chris Mackeown 2019-2020 record: 16-18, 4-6 School phone: 537-3851 Players to watch: Wes Jones, Zion Mercer, Maddox Reynolds, Dylan Segura, Landyn Hack, Colter Lynch

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Reynolds, a 6-0 senior guard, posted 3 ppg, 3 rpg stats last season. Those five starters represent 38.5 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Colter Lynch, Reynolds and 6-9 senior guard Dylan Segura (3.2 ppg) are outstanding players to watch, according to their coach. Segura and 5-10 senior guard Tyler Whitt lettered last year. The Panthers have a set of brothers on their team in 5-10 junior guard Nick Mize and 5-10 sophomore guard Cuyler Mize. “We return seven lettermen, so experience should be a plus,” Coach Lynch said. “I feel our athleticism and overall team size will be strengths.” He’s concerned about the Panthers’ shooting from the outside. “Our inside game should be solid,” he said, “so we are going to

Maddox Reynolds

Dylan Segura

Tyler Whitt

have to be more consistent shooting the ball from the perimeter.” Lynch listed two keys for success this season: staying healthy and surviving the competitiveness of District 2-2A. District play for the boys will begin Jan. 8. The Panthers aren’t scheduled to open their season until Dec. 1 when they play the Amarillo Flames at home. Lynch is a graduate of West Texas High School and Lubbock Christian University. His 16-year head coaching resume includes jobs at Archer City, Dimmitt and Wheeler. He’s beginning his 13th season at the Panthers’ helm. His career coaching record is 263-167 for a .612 winning percentage.

Panhandle Super Boosters Supporting the Panthers and Pantherettes on the road to STATE!—Mike & Carin Vance Go Panhandle! Panther Pride!—Steve & LaZane Austin Go Ettes!—Stephen, Emily, Trae, Makennah & Ellie Austin

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Macklynn Land

Name Bailey Walterscheid Mason Jones Mackie Land Halle Ford Emmery Sides Annison Thomas Maccie Northcutt Katie Keuhler Kandin Ford Sydney Adee

Emmery Sides

Halle Ford

Panhandle Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-9 F Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 5-9 F Jr. 5-6 G Sr. 5-8 G Sr. 5-3 G Sr. 5-6 G Soph. 5-9 P Jr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-5 G Soph.

Coach: Rob Schmucker Asst. Coaches: Sheena Schmucker, McKinsie Childers 2019-2020 record: 312-6, 8-2 School phone: 537-3851 Players to watch: Mason Jones, Annison Thomas, Bailey Walterscheid, Emmery Sides, Mackie Land

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Kandin Ford

Katherine Kuehler

Sydney Adee

Backing the Panthers and Pantherettes all the way!—Dan & Barbara Duncan All the best Ettes!—Bobbie Schmucker We wish the Panthers and Ettes a great season!—First United Methodist Church, Panhandle We love you Maccie!—Love, The Overtons Praise be to the Lord “My Rock”! Maccie play hard, be confident in yourself. We love you!— Brian, Sandra & Shayla Gandy Let’s go Panthers & Ettes!—Tom, Jill, Mason, Maddox & Makenna Reynolds Mom and Dad are so proud of you! Shine bright Grace! Have a great year Panthers & Ettes!—Dana, Paige & Thane Adams Good Luck Panthers & Ettes!—Blaine, Patti & Carson

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 21 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Nov. 28 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 21 Dec. 21 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Jan. 1 Jan. 2 Jan. 4 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Panhandle Schedule

Opponent Randall Lubbock Titans Palo Duro Childress Borger Canadian Spearman Canadian Amarillo Flames Hereford Gruver River Road Canyon Borger Accelerate Christian Tascosa Pampa Bushland Spearman Dumas Idalou Clarendon Vega Farwell Shamrock Memphis Wellington Wheeler Clarendon Shamrock Memphis Wellington Wheeler Clarendon Shamrock

Place B G Here X Nazareth X There X Here X There X There X Here X Here X Here X Here X There X There X Here X X There X Here X Here X Here X X There X Here X There X TBA X X Here X There X Here X There X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X Here X There X

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Bailey Walterscheid of Panhandle handles the ball against Clarendon’s Madison Smith and Jade Benson in the Class 2A regional quarterfinals Feb. 24 at Tascosa High School.

The Panhandle Pantherettes enjoy their win 56-32 win over Clarendon in the regional quarterfinals Feb. 24 played at Tascosa High School. (Photos by Mike Haynes)

Good Luck and work hard Panthers & Ettes!— Jason, Kandis, Landon & Maebry Jeffers Good Luck to the best sisters, Halle and Kandin!—Love, Noah Good Luck Halle and Kandin!—Love, Grumpy, Nana, Poppy, Hank & Palmer Go Panthers and Pantherettes!—Mark & Debora Arnold

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Good Luck!—The Moores Supporting our Panhandle Pantherettes and Panthers all the way!—Bill & Sue Muir Nothin’ but net! Go Panthers & Ettes!—Kayla Hammer Supporting the Panthers and Ettes to the “Road of Gold”—The Choate Family Go Panhandle Panthers and Ettes!—Steve & Vicky Barnard Good Luck Panthers and Pantherettes!—Evans Family

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

We support the Panthers and Pantherettes!— Smokey & Margaret Barnett Go Panthers and Ettes!—Love, Shane, Keri, Kade, Mackenzie, Kollier & Kirby Go Panhandle!—4K Livestock Take no prisoners…Go Ettes! Go Panthers!— Gary Cates Family Go Panthers and Ettes!—Matt, Alexis & Bradlee Cordova Go Panthers and Ettes!—Lyle & Tina Fussell Go Panthers and Ettes!—Shawn, Jill, Payton & Dylan Pohlmeier Panthers Rock!—Love, Cliff, Leland & Lana Gabel Go Panthers and Ettes!—James & Linda Meaker Wishing the Panthers and Pantherettes a great season!—Tye, Kelly & Katelyn Haney Good Luck Panthers and Pantherettes!—The Phillips Let’s go Panthers!—Benson Family Go Ettes!—The Williams We stand behind the Panthers & Ettes! Go finish what you have started this season and Good Luck!—Chris & Joey Good Luck Panthers and Ettes!—Kevin & Christie Brown Best of Luck Panthers and Ettes on a great year!—Coach Mac & Melissa Mackeown

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Five Panhandle players return to the court after a break during the Class 2A regional quarterfinals Feb. 24 at Tascosa High School. They are Kinley Graham, left, Annison Thomas, Ella Satterwhite, Mason Jones and Emmery Sides. The ‘Ettes defeated Clarendon 56-32. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Go Panhandle Basketball!—The Shagg, 301 E Euclid Go Ettes!—Tex & Leisa Good Luck!—The Vaughs Good Luck Ettes!—The Bonner Family Go Panthers and Pantherettes!—The Downers Go Ettes! Hebrew 6:19—The Brames

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Panhandle’s Annison Thomas tries to break through the Clarendon defense (Kaylin Hicks, left, and Mattee Johnson) in the Class 2A regional quarterfinals Feb. 24 at Tascosa High School. (Photos by Mike Haynes)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Emmery Sides of Panhandle stretches out to cover Clarendon’s Makayla Brown as ‘Ette Ella Satterwhite and Lady Bronco Madison Smith watch during the Class 2A regional quarterfinals Feb. 24 at Tascosa High School.

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Go Panthers and Ettes!—Cory, Kyla, Kaden & Colter Lynch Good Luck Panthers and Ettes!—Linc, Meg, Clayton, Zach & Tyler Go Annison! Sic em’!—The Pace Family Go Z and Annison!—Pat & Sommer Good Luck Panthers and Pantherettes!—Rick, Jodi, Koldyn, Dylan, Mckinzy & Riley Segura Bruce, Carolyn & Cody Beddingfield Play Hard!—Betty & John Robertson Good Luck Ettes!—Corby, Joy & Wil Go Panthers and Ettes!—Travis & Jacy Hammer Good Luck Panthers and Ettes!—The Prathers Good Luck Ettes!—Mitch, Donna, Keslea & Kinlea Ford Go Cats!—The Throckmortons Good Luck!—Jody, Eadie & Jett Bradford Go Kinlea!—Love, Mamaw & Timmy Best wishes Panthers and Ettes!—The Kirklands Backing you all the way!—Dan & Patricia Looten Go Panthers!—Todd, Kristi, Clay & Brice Wagner Good Luck Panthers and Ettes!—The Mitchell Family Go Ettes!—Barry & Rhonda Hicks Good Luck Panthers and Ettes!—The Brookshire Family Prairie Dust Irrigation Good Luck Panthers!—Luke, Tori, Braden, Landon & Alexia Durst Go Panthers and Ettes!—Scott & Becky James Go Panthers and Ettes!—Love, Mrs. Rachel Go Ettes!—Ms Katie Good Luck!—Pat Brinkley Go Ettes!—Danny & Marva Go Panthers and Ettes!—Brynn & Nathaniel Mitchell Gooooo Panthers!—The Robinson Family Good Luck Panthers and Pantherettes!—Kevin, Amber, Taylor & Cooper Brinkley

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Panhandle’s Mackie Land (14) shoots over Clarendon’s Ashlynn Newsome as Lady Bronco Jade Benson follows in the Class 2A regional quarterfinals Feb. 24 at Tascosa High School. The ‘Ettes won, 56-32. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Go Panthers and Pantherettes!—Terry & Anna Lewis Let’s Go Tyler!—The Baumgardner & Whitt Family Go Ettes and Ers!—The Shadid Family Good Luck Panthers and Pantherettes!—The Kennedy’s “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” Michael Jordan—Michael Scott & David Roulston

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Panhandle â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ette Mason Jones pushes toward the basket against the close defense of Clarendon Lady Bronco Jade Benson during the Class 2A regional quarterfinals Feb. 24 at Tascosa High School. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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231

Shamrock boys

Irish coach a busy guy Jarrett Vickers has his work cut out for him. Not only is he the school’s athletic director, football coach and boys basketball coach, he also faces the challenge of his school moving up a classification this year. The Post High School and Abilene Christian University graduate takes over from Jeff DuBose, who spent just one season as the Fighting Irish’s coach. So Vickers becomes the basketball team’s third coach in as many years. The Irish, under DuBose, went 22-14 last season and finished second in District 2-1A with a 10-2 league record. Shamrock spanked Kelton 84-38 in bidistrict before bowing to Nazareth 58-31 in the area game. All-district Riley Owens was the major departure from that team. However, Vickers inherits 10 returning letter winners, includ232

ing two all-district performers, Shea Jernigan and Sean Wright. Jernigan, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Wright, a 5-11 junior guard, contributed 14 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg. Cristian Mercado, a 6-3 senior forward (6 ppg, 6 rpg) and Marcus Norman, a 6-3 junior forward (5 ppg, 5 rpg) figure to be prominent players, along with 6-0 sophomore forward Hunter Stroope and 6-0 junior forward Justin Moon. Vickers lists athleticism and experience as the Irish’s strengths. He’s concerned about moving from Class 1A to Class 2A because of UIL realignment. Shamrock will participate in the six-team District 2-2A. Clarendon, Memphis, Panhandle, Wellington and Wheeler round out the conference. Vickers said the keys for a successful season are “controlling (Continued on page 234) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Name Hunter Stroope Kit Macina Shea Jernigan Sean Wright Cristian Mercado Dalton Wright Hayden Stroope Caden Peevey Justin Moon Marcus Norman

Shamrock Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-0 F Soph. 5-7 G Soph. 5-9 G Sr. 5-11 G Jr. 6-3 F Sr. 5-8 G Sr. 6-0 F Sr. 5-7 G Soph. 6-0 F Jr. 6-3 F Jr.

Coach: Jarrett Vickers Asst. Coach: Clayton Garcia 2019-2020 record: 22-14, 10-2 School phone: 256-3492 Players to watch: Hunter Stroope, Cristian Mercado, Caden Peevey Name Kynnan Shields Ashlyn Poole Abby O’Gorman Aubrey Dixon Riley Sims Kylie Macina Sydney Coole Heather Wood Billie Holmes Addi Breitschopf Sierra Tidalgo Diamond Page Grace Baggett

Shamrock Girls Ht. Pos. Class 6-1 P Sr. 5-10 P Sr. 5-8 F Jr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-8 F Soph. 5-4 G Soph. 5-6 G Soph. 5-9 P Soph. 5-9 P Soph. 5-9 F Fr. 5-5 G Fr. 5-5 G Fr. 5-6 F Fr.

Coach: Todd Nichols Asst. Coach: Thomas Hays 2019-2020 record: 12-14, 4-8 School phone: 2256-3628 Players to watch: Kynnan Shields, Abby O”Gorman, Riley Sims

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Shamrock Schedule

DATE

Opponent

Place

B G

Nov. 7

Highland Park

Here

Nov. 10

Follett

Here

X X

Nov. 14

Silverton

There

Nov. 17

Claude

There

X X X X

Nov. 20

Sanford-Fritch

Here

Nov. 21

Miami

There

Nov. 24

Booker

There

X X

Dec. 1

Paducah

There

X X

Dec. 4

White Deer

There

X X

Dec. 5

Dalhart/Chillicothe

Here

X X

Dec. 8

Quanah

Here

X X

Dec. 11

Miami

There

X X

Dec. 15

Canadian

Here

X X

Dec. 18

Sunray

There

X X

Dec. 19

Groom

Here

X X

Dec. 29

Fort Elliott

There

X X X

Jan. 5

Hedley

Here

Jan. 8

Memphis

There

Jan. 12

Panhandle

Here

Jan. 15

Wheeler

There

X X

Jan. 19

Clarendon

Here

X X

Jan. 22

Wellington

There

X X

Jan. 26

Memphis

Here

X X

Jan. 29

Panhandle

There

X X

Feb. 2

Wheeler

Here

X X

Feb. 5

Clarendon

There

X X

Feb. 9

Wellington

Here

X X

Feb. 12

Memphis

There

Feb. 16

Panhandle

Here

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our emotions and worrying about what we can control.” The Irish will open their season Nov. 17 at Claude. The home opener is Nov. 20 against Sanford-Fritch. District 2-2A play begins Jan. 15. GIRLS With four starters and four other letter winners returning, the Lady Irish appear prepared for their step up to Class 2A. Last year, playing in District 2-1A, Shamrock went 12-14 overall and finished fifth in the conference with a 4-8 record. That duplicated their district mark and place from the year before. At left, Shamrock’s Shea Jernigan drives against Sheppard Reichman of McLean Feb. 7 in a road game “We improved a lot from the previous between towns that are 20 miles apart. At right, Sean Wright of the Irish gets past McLean’s Ben Crockett. year (12-16 record in 2018-19) and played (Photos by Mike Haynes) much stronger competition,” Coach Todd Four other letter winners — 5-10 senior center Ashlyn Poole, Nichols said. “We had a talented group of 5-4 sophomore guard Kylie Macina, 5-6 sophomore guard Sydney girls that came up just short of several big games.” Coole and 5-9 sophomore center Heather Wood — are back. Point guard Jocelyn Sanders was the only senior on last year’s Nichols is concerned about the team’s size and depth. team, which was quite young. So is this year’s with two seniors, What are his keys for success this season? two juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen. “Our returners will need to make a jump to the next level and The leader of the pack is senior Kynnan Shields. The 6-1 use the experience they gained last year. We return seven of nine center posted an amazing double last season in points and revarsity players,” he said. “Our team chemistry will make up for bounds and earned all-district distinction. Nichols sees her as an size and depth deficits.” all-stater this season. That next level is Shamrock’s jump up to Class 2A because “Our biggest strength this year is our inside game,” Nichols of UIL realignment. In District 2-2A the Lady Irish will have to said. “Kynnan Shields averaged 19.5 points and 19.3 rebounds contend with traditional girls powers Panhandle and Wellington. a game last year, so it forced teams to focus on her and give our Panhandle was 31-6 last season, and Wellington went 29-6. Both guards an opportunity to make plays.” lost to Gruver, the eventual Class 2A state champion, in the The other returning starters are 5-8 junior forward Abby regional tournament. O’Gorman (5.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.4 assists per game), 5-8 sophoNichols is a graduate of Lazbuddie High School and West Texas more forward Riley Sims (2.7 rpg) and 5-6 junior guard Aubrey A&M University. He is beginning his third season at Shamrock, Dixon (2 ppg, 2.2 rpg). O’Gorman was an all-district honorable having previously coached at his high school alma mater. mention last year. The Lady Irish will open their season Nov. 7 at home against O’Gorman and Sims are outstanding players to watch, acHighland Park. District play for the girls will begin Jan. 8. cording to Nichols.

Kynnan Shields

Shamrock Coach Todd Nichols exhorts his players during a Feb. 7 game at McLean. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

234

Aubrey Dixon

Abby O’Gorman

Riley Sims

Ashlyn Poole 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

The Shamrock Lady Irish line up for the national anthem at their Feb. 7 game at McLean.

Shea Jernigan

Kylie Macina

Sean Wright

Marcus Norman

Sydney Coole

Kynnan Shields of Shamrock gets ready to pass the ball at McLean on Feb. 7. (Photos by Mike Haynes)

Addi Breitschopf

Sierra Tidalgo

Grace Baggett

Justin Moon

Dalton Wright

Good Luck to the Irish!

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

235

Wellington

Lady Rockets’ coach notches No. 500 Wellington Coach Chris Sumrall celebrated his 500th career victory last season in what turned out to be a banner year for the Lady Rockets. Wellington won 29 games for the second straight season, following up a 29-7 campaign in 2018-19 with a 29-6 log last year. The Lady Rockets won District 2-2A with a perfect 10-0 showing. In the playoffs, Wellington whipped West Texas High 7239 in bidistrict and Sudan 53-24 in the area round. But state champion-to-be Gruver stopped Wellington 49-40 in the regional quarterfinals. The previous year the Lady Rockets had eliminated Gruver in the same playoff round. Wellington and Gruver have met in the playoffs nine times in the past 13 years. A late-season highlight occurred when the Lady Rockets won 34-33 at district rival Panhandle on Feb. 4, giving Sumrall win No. 500 in his girls coaching career. He finished the season with 505 victories. “We had such a good group to work with last season,” Sumrall said. “The six seniors we had were good players and great kids that we are really going to miss.” Those six seniors were Kaylee Jo Neeley, Marlee Brown, Tobi Davis, Jasmin Cruz, Jayla Kilgore and Kimber Bawcom. Neeley was the district MVP, TABC all-region and TGCA all-state. Brown was honored as the district defensive MVP and

236

Kyla Kane

Sicily Sumrall

Hadlee Gomez

TGCA all-state. Sumrall has two starters and one other letter winner returning. Kyla Kane, a 5-9 junior guard, averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists last season. She was the district offensive MVP and TGCA all-state. She’s an all-state candidate again this season, according to Sumrall. Sicily Sumrall, the coach’s daughter, is the other returning starter. The 5-7 senior guard (5.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg) was an all-district selection last year. Hadlee Gomez, a 5-6 junior guard (4.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2 apg) is the other returning letter winner. Gomez and Sicily Sumrall are other outstanding players to watch, according to their coach.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Continued from previous page)

Presley Kane, a 5-6 freshman guard, is the younger sister of Kyla Kane. Presley Kane is one of three freshmen on the Lady Rockets’ roster. “Obviously, we are going to have a young team. I look at that as a positive. The young kids we have are enthusiastic and eager to get better,” Coach Sumrall said. “I think when you combine that with the experienced kids we have coming back, the potential for improvement is really there.” Health is his No. 1 concern. “But for us this year, it’s really all about how quickly our young kids acclimate themselves to the varsity level,” Sumrall said. The blend of experience and youth is the key to success this season. “Our older kids have to be great leaders. They have to show the way for our younger kids,” Sumrall said. “If we get really good leadership from those kids, I think we will have a good team.” Sumrall is a graduate of Lubbock Monterey High School and Hardin-Simmons University. He coached at Garden City and Clyde before coming to Wellington, where he is beginning his sixth season. He’s coached girls teams for 23 years and has compiled a 505-292 won-lost record for a .714 winning percentage. Shamrock will replace Highland Park in the only UIL realignment change in District 2-2A this season. The girls will open their season at home Nov. 10 against Spearman. District play also will begin at home against Wheeler on New Year’s Day. BOYS Coach Quenton Patterson’s return to his high school alma mater could have gone better. Plagued by some key injuries, the Skyrockets were one game under .500 at 12-13. They finished in fifth place in District 2-2A with a 3-7 record. However, there was one bright spot. Wellington defeated San Saba 43-35 in the Albany Tournament. San Saba later qualified for the state 2A Tournament, which was canceled because of COVID-19. “We lost two starters to injuries: one who didn’t play a game and another who played one district game,” Patterson said. “Add that with adapting to a new coach and a new system, we just never quite hit our stride. We played great defense all year long, just struggled getting the ball in the basket at times.” Seven seniors were listed on last year’s Wellington roster. The two most notable departures were Jaden Combs and John Holcomb, both first-team all-district selections. Patterson greeted three returning starters and three other letter

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Dani Ponder

Presley Kane

Kalli Brewer

Name Sicily Sumrall Kyla Kane Hadlee Gomez Dani Ponder Katie Green Kali Brewer Presley Kane Charley Wilbur

Katie Green

Charley Wilbur

Wellington Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-7 G Sr. 5-9 G Jr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-6 P Sr. 5-5 G Sr. 5-9 P Fr. 5-6 G Fr. 5-8 P Fr.

Coach: Chris Sumrall Asst. Coaches: Shelby Jameson, Blue Franklin 2019-2020 record: 29-6, 10-0 School phone: 447-3147 Players to watch: Sicily Sumrall, Kyla Kane, Hadlee Gomez winners this fall. The returning starters are: • Creighton Killian, a 5-10 junior guard, averaged 5 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in earning all-district honorable mention recognition last season; • Jordan Nation, a 6-2 sophomore guard, contributed 6 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 apg as a freshman; • Jayden Castillo, a 5-10 senior guard, chipped in with 6 ppg, (Continued on next page)

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(Continued from previous page)

3 rpg, 2 apg statistics. Killian and Nation are all-state candidates, according to their coach. Patterson tabs Castillo, 6-2 senior post Gavin Wood (2 ppg, 4 rpg), 5-10 senior post Mason Folk (3 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg) and 5-8 junior guard Kayden Vallez (3 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg) as players to watch. All of them lettered last year. “Even though we lost a few seniors, we still return quite a few guys that got a lot of minutes,” Patterson said. “We are still going to be quick and play really tough defense. My three returning starters are all good shooters and will just need to become confident with that fact.” His No. 1 concern is depth. “We are going to need some underclassmen to step up and become good role players for us,” he said. “Maybe even a freshman or two.” Patterson listed several keys for the Skyrockets’ success this season. “We are going to have to get confident shooting the ball and take advantage of having open looks,” he said. “We are going to be good enough defensively to be in position to win games, just have to match that with putting points on the board. I fully expect my three returning starters to really take pride and get us to where we need to be.” Patterson, a Wellington product and Hardin-Simmons University graduate, is beginning his second season with the Skyrockets. He previously coached at Jim Ned (assistant) and Hico (head coach). His five-year boys career coaching record is 54-86. Wellington is scheduled to open its season Nov. 23 at home against Patton Springs. District play begins Jan. 8.

Wellington Super Boosters Jonathan, Sandie, Creighton, Ceighley and Cix Killian Steve and Teresa Kane Arnie and Janee Ingram Lance, Deidre, Kyla, Presley, Taytum and Kaesyn Kane

238

Creighton Killian

Jordan Nation

Jayden Costillo

Gavin Wood

Mason Folk

Kayden Valles

Name Creighton Killian Jordan Nation Jayden Castillo Gavin Wood Mason Folk Kayden Vallez Blake Strickland Gael Rodriguez

Wellington Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-10 G Jr. 6-2 G Soph. 5-10 G Sr. 6-2 P Sr. 5-10 P Sr. 5-8 G Jr. 5-9 P Soph. 5-11 P Soph.

Coach: Quenton Patterson Asst. Coach: Creighton Henderson 2019-2020 record: 12-13, 3-7 School phone: 447-3147 Players to watch: Creighton Killian, Jordan Nation, Jayden Castillo, Gavin Wood, Mason Folk, Kayden Vallez

Jon, Marcy, Reed and Riley Sessions Jeff, Colby, Jax and Jake Anderson Jose, Brieget, Beatriz, Claudia, Miguel and Marlene Jantes Brad and Ashley Long

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Jan. 1 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9

Wellington Schedule

Opponent Spearman Childress Patton Springs Pampa Bushland Palo Duro Dimmitt Gruver Happy Highland Park Bushland Claude Highland Park Dumas White Deer Quanah Amarillo Flames Borger Seymour Gruver Wheeler Silverton Claude Memphis Clarendon Panhandle Shamrock Wheeler Memphis Clarendon Panhandle Shamrock Wheeler Memphis

Place B G Here X There X Here X X There X Here X Here X There X Here X Here X There X There X Here X There X There X Here X There X Here X Here X X There X There X Here X Here X There X There X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X There X

Lary, Teresa, Reagan, Kayden and Ashton Valles Baron, Lana, Trey, Travis and Maggie Tillman Meagan, Jorgia, Maverick and Gia Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rear Kirk Patterson Joe, Bonnie, Jacey and Josey Clark Mark and Ranee Fourmentin Micha, Bryant and Braylon Tarver

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Wade and Diann Williams Luke, Amy, Lawson, Ava Kate and Jack Inman Toby, Tiffany, Korbyn and Carson Tarver Matthew, Shari, Perrie and Quaid Reyna Martha Cantu The Camps Brian, Marnie, Emma and Madeleine Kane Henry, Maria, Lindsay and Summer Neufeld Christy, Con, Cal and Claire Kane Don and Katherine Reeves Mark, Alicia, Brando, Shay, Braden, Brady, Brook and Dallen Luke, Amanda, Carson and Hartley Kane Dell and Cristin Davis Scott and Sandra Cooper, Brandon, Martin, Jasmine, Samuel and Caroline Benson and Betty Long Norma Spillman The Hightowers Julian and Rebecca Castillo Oscar, Cynthia, Alex and Adrian Sanchez

239

Jack and Pat Barnett Redgie and Dian Souder Hugo, Miriam, Jasmin, Valerie and Ivan Cruz John and Debbie Scott Rod and Dottie Davis Erin, Sawyer, Sutton and MaKenzie Smith Troy and Kay Thomason John, Denise, Kasha, Dakota, and Logan Marshall Drew and Lesa Thornberry Matt, Brittany and Avery Bell BJ, Landey, Madison, Briley and Kane Waters Larry and Mary Waters Jeremy, Katie, Bailey and Jacob Page Victor Garza Veronica and Danny Gray Tanner, Kendra, Hunter and Halle Hedrick Mary Lou and Rodney Kane Brad, Kelly, Kimber, Kaitlin and Kendra Bawcom Brandon, Linda, Jaci, Clay, Lexi, and Jayden Chance, Courtney and Cole Castillo Colby, Carol, Calleigh, Cora and Charliegh Henard

240

Wellington Country Club Cross Road Peanut Gene, Noemi, Ariana, Eliyah, Natalya and Seveyah Pena Glen and Irma Thomas Eddie and Donna Maxwell Jermaine, Ashly, Noah, Jax, Collier and Callahan Cantu Abigail, Angel Sr., Juliana, Sebrina and Angel Michael, Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Nae and Ashley Souder Pat, Christi, Hadlee and Harlee Gomez David and Kathy Marak Mike Chandler Gary and Linda Brewer Jason, Jill, Brice and Dixon Dugan Jimmy and Odilia Cantu Daryon, Nathan, Marlee and Major Brown Juda and Destine Nation, Zach, Kisha, Londyn and Camden Lechner Carl and Jeanne Taylor Drew and Lesa Thornberry Gary and Toni Wright Henry, Beatriz, Enrique, Elvis and Elias Jaimes George and Kathy Brewer Triple J Cattle Sydney Brickel Photography

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Jeff Fire and Heidi Lewis Jerry and Della Lewis Abel, Amanda, Victoria, Angel, Bentley, Jeweliana and Evelyn Sanchez Carol, Tammy, Chris and Courtney Crytser Jackie Johnson Stephanie and Elijah Cartwright Eva Moreno Justin, Latasha, Kali and Maci Brewer Amanda, Alyssa, DeMarcus, Angela and Kobee Dawn Fires Jayleigh and Blas Rodriguez and Juliet Solis Eithan Fires Janice Downs Margret Wood Dennis and Valeria Matthews, Mickey and Madi Armstrong Saydee, Caleb, Carter and Cole Castor Brenda and Don Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rear Kerry and Melissa Barlow Neal and Bev Odom Cliff and Gigi Waller Steve, Lucy and Summer Owens

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Robert and Kitty Owens Owens Cattle Andy and Delta Henard Heath, Kassie, Shaylee, Kaylee Jo, Bailey and Haley Neeley Larry, Melinda, Willy, Angela and Christen Molina Bill and Jolene Wilson Sandra Motsenbocker Mort and Sandy Sain Brando Montgomery Mary SalmeronÂ Brent, Janie, Rowdy and Allie Duncan Dickie and Holly Johnson Quenton, Brooke, Addalyn and Easton Patterson Kurt, Karoline and Kamri Ashmore Johnny and Joy Duncan Gary and Willie Proffitt Greg, Heather, Brynlee and Garrison Proffitt Chris, Rachelle, Savannah and Sicily Sumrall Tony and Pat Ham Art Sumrall Rusty, Alison, Blake, Caleb and Rachel Strickland Henry, Amanda, Treylea, Trevyn and Tylee Wiebe

241

Jason, Megan, Carvin, Easton and Holden Wishkaemper Paul and Renee Hanna Tim, Gina and Royce Harris First Christian Church Mikey, Elvira, Miranda, Ingrid and Leo Austin Souder Brooke Carter Danny and Judy Wishkaemper Chad, Carrie, Dylan, Kenady and Aison Skelton Kelly and Lori Horton Lyman, Sondra, and Lee Cassie and Ryan Colson, Rylyn and Caleb Benny, Whitney, Westin, and Barrett Wiebe Firewater Shooting Sports Armando, Denise, Abby and Tiny Rafael, Maria, Felicia and Lorena Kevin and Eva Hamby Kenneth, Carrie and Cameron Warren Durk and Priscilla Green

242

Janelle and Shanee Popwell Carson, Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;lyn, Jenna and Adeline Faulks Holly Ridley Jason, Becky, Gracie and Jacy Lampe, Presley and Allie Ridley Harry and Doris Stallings Erica Ballinger Jerry and Becky Haralson Jayden Ballinger Maria, Celeste, and Christell Drew, Chandi and Kenzlea Taylor Nandy, Jake and Libby Chandler Joe and Melanie Baumgardner Terri and Dannie Morris Shay Morris Robert, Czrena, Lee and Ashley Watts Rosa Carter Sambo and Melanie McLain Brandon, Carly, Berkeley and Blair Ward Gene, Noemi Pena and Girls Katy and Charlie Taylor

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Felicia Hernandez Richard and Christie O’Rear Lance and Denise Stephens Lukas, Monica, Seven and Charley Wilbur Kent and Mary Riley

Wellington

Jason, Kristi, Mason, Nixon and Oakley Folk Dusty and Kim Holland, Tryston, Mallory, Tyler, Dalton and Nicole Irma Martinez Juan and Carrie Martinez, Gavin and Kaycee Nancy and Jerry Adair

Wheeler

New coaches for both teams The Mustangs and Lady Mustangs both have new head coaches this season. Brandon Curtis moves from Oklahoma to take the boys job; Sarah Pool steps up from the assistant’s position to lead the girls. Curtis is a graduate of Laverne, Oklahoma, High School and Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He has three years of head coaching experience, all in the Sooner state, at Woodward and Fargo-Gage. Curtis replaces Boston Hudson, who moved to district rival Clarendon to take the boys job there. Hudson’s only season in Wheeler was quite successful. The Mustangs finished second in District 2-2A with an 8-2 record last year. In the playoffs, Wheeler defeated West Texas High 38-28 in bidistrict before bowing to Vega 47-40 in the area game. That ended a 24-10 season. The stars of that Mustang team have moved on. Brady Bailey, the district MVP, and Gustavo Andrade, the district defensive MVP, each averaged 18 points. Alex Davis, first-team all-district, also departed. But Curtis is not starting from scratch. Five seniors — 6-1 forward Diego Pichardo, 5-9 guard Kyle Dawson, 5-6 guard Marcos Herrera, 5-9 forward David Rascon and 5-9 forward 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Diego Pichardo

Kyle Dawson

Marcos Herrera

Daniel Rascon — return from last year’s team. Curtis tabs those five returnees, plus newcomer D.J. Olivas, as players to watch. The Mustangs’ strengths are speed, athleticism and defense, according to the new coach. Mid-range scoring and turning the ball over are his concerns. Curtis said the keys to success this season will be a “swarming defense and keeping turnovers to a minimum.” There is one change in Wheeler’s District 2-2A composition this season. Shamrock moves up from Class 1A to replace Highland Park, which was elevated up to Class 3A because of UIL realign(Continued on next page)

243

(Continued from previous page)

ment. Clarendon, Memphis, Panhandle and Wellington are Wheeler’s holdover opponents in the six-team conference. The Mustangs’ 2020-21 debut will be Nov. 20 at home against Booker. Wheeler’s boys will begin District 2-2A play Jan. 8 at home against district newbie Shamrock. Wendy Lopez GIRLS Sarah Pool spent the past three seasons as an aide to Camden Dorris. Pool has six years of head coaching experience, all at her high school alma mater, Fort Elliott, from 2011 to 2016. The New Mexico Highlands University graduate has a 50-47 girls coaching record. She played on Fort Elliott’s 2004 state runner-up team and made the all-state and all-region teams that year. Dorris coached the Lady Mustangs for four years and compiled 43-55 overall and 3-47 district records. Last year’s Wheeler team, under Dorris, struggled again in District 2-2A play, going 1-9 and tying for fifth place. But the Lady Mustangs did manage to break even at 14-14 overall. Guard Julia Andrade and point guard Valeria Tintori were the key departures from last year’s squad. Wendy Lopez, a 5-8 senior post, earned first-team all-district honors last season. Lopez, 5-8 senior point guard Perla Almanza and freshman point guard Holden Holwick are Lady Mustangs to watch, according to Pool.

244

Perla Almanza

Hope Adkins

Katya Baylon

She describes her team’s strengths as quick guards coupled with three returning senior posts. In addition to Lopez, 5-8 Hope Adkins and 5-10 Katya Baylon are back. (Continued on next page)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 29 Jan. 1 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9

Wheeler Schedule

Opponent Follett Borger Canadian Fort Elliott Booker Sunray Fritch Miami Claude McLean Groom West Texas White Deer Wellington Fort Elliott Clarendon TBA Shamrock Memphis Panhandle Wellington Clarendon Shamrock Memphis Panhandle Wellington Clarendon

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Continued from previous page) Place B G Here X There X There X Here X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X There X There X There X TBA X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X X There X There X

Pool has several concerns for this season. “Young players that are having to step into huge roles, and mostly that the team is having to adapt to a new coaching style and pace of play,” she said. “Also, the strange year of COVID and the possibility of losing players to quarantine rules.” She designated three keys to success this season as “turnover control, understanding my expectations and adapting to me as a coach.” Shamrock replaces Highland Park in Wheeler’s District 2-2A this season. Otherwise, UIL realignment didn’t affect the district. The Lady Mustangs will open their season at home Nov. 7 vs. Follett. District play for the girls begins at Wellington on New Year’s Day.

Wheeler Super Boosters Have a great year KaMonte, Julius, Arron & Abel!—From all of us here at the Rusty Barb Go Mustangs! Go Lady Mustangs!—Hefley Hardware and Feed Good Luck Mustangs and Lady Mustangs!— Justin & Sandy Rose Go Mustangs!—Luke & Stacey Horton

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Best of Luck this season!—Coach D., Rachel, Hazen, Bauer & London Dorris Go Mustangs!—Will, Erin, Wes & Kate Shaw Go Mustangs!—The Ashurst Family Go Mustangs and Lady Mustangs!—Tintori’s Lube and Tires, 1100 S. Alan L. Bean Blvd.

Go, Wheeler! 246

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

District 3-2A One small step for Roughriders

Boys Ranch

The Roughriders took another small step toward respectability last season. They inched forward with a 7-16 campaign (after 3-21 and 6-19 seasons) but more important, they won two district games after two winless conference years. Boys Ranch’s 2-8 record placed it fifth in District 1-2A, not quite high enough for the playoffs. “We were on the bubble last season, two wins away from qualifying,” Coach Michael Jackson said. “We gave up two very close games. We were competitive and more consistent with our execution.” The key departure from last year’s team was K.P. Caruthers, who averaged 17 points and was an all-district and all-region. The Roughriders have a trio of three-year letter winners — seniors Steve Callison, 5-10 guard Jacoby Douglas and 6-0 forward Caleb Thompson — returning this season. “They have been on varsity since their freshman year and have a lot of experience,” Jackson said. “Those young men who have experience will have to lead us.” Those three, plus junior Casey Hawkins, honorable mention all-district last season, are outstanding players to watch, according to Jackson. Seniors J.R. Hernandez and Alijah Gonzales and sophomore Isaiah Brown also saw varsity action last season. New additions to the team are Jayden Slater, sophomore David Thomas and junior Pablo Easlick. The Roughriders have six seniors, two juniors and two sophomores on their roster. Jackson rates size and the returners’ experience as strengths. Conversely, the inexperience in some areas is his main concern. He stresses team defense as the key for a successful season. “We have to stop our opponents and keep possession of the ball,” Jackson said. “We will have to find a defensive identity quick and early. We are going into a new district, and I believe that will be good for our program.” Boys Ranch moves from the six-team District 1-2A to the five-team District 3-2A this season because of UIL realignment. The Roughriders’ new conference opponents will be Bovina, Farwell, Olton and Vega. Jackson is best-known for his prowess as a football player. He played on Quanah High School’s state football finalist team in 1988, then played collegiately at Oklahoma Panhandle State University and West Texas A&M University. He spent a year as a basketball assistant at Palo Duro, then served as Highland Park’s head coach from 2010 to 2017. He’s beginning his fourth season at Boys Ranch. The Roughriders will open their season Nov. 13 at home against Wildorado. District 3-2A play begins Jan.12. The Boys Ranch girls will begin their season at home Nov. 7 against Dalhart, and their district competition starts Jan. 5 at Vega. The Lady Riders have a new coach, Jack Arneson, after Kerry Moss left to be a Canyon assistant to Tate Lombard. (See Boys Ranch boys and girls schedule on next page.) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Steve Callison

Jacoby Douglas

Caleb Thompson

Casey Hawkins

J.R. Hernandez

Isiah Brown

Jayden Slater

David Thomas

Pablo Easlick

Boys Ranch Boys Name Ht. Pos. Class JR Hernandez 6-2 P Sr. Pablo Easlick Jr. Austin Thomas Sr. David Thomas Soph. Jacoby Douglas 5-10 G Sr. Caleb Thompson 6-0 F Sr. Casey Hawkins 6-5 F Jr. Isaiah Brown 5-9 G Soph. Alijiah Gonzales Sr. Steven Callison Sr. Coach: Michael Jackson Asst. Coaches: Keenan Albracht, George Doak 2019-2020 record: 7-16, 2-8 School phone: 534-2221 Players to watch: Jacoby Douglas, Caleb Thompson, Casey Hawkins, Steven Callison

Go, Roughriders! 2A

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DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 13 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 11

Boys Ranch Schedule

Opponent Dalhart Wildorado Friona Highland Park Dumas Texline Sunray West Texas River Road West Texas

Place B G Here X Here X X There X X Here X There X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X

Dec. 15 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9

Accelerate Christian River Road Vega White Deer Farwell Bovina Olton Vega Farwell Bovina Olton Vega

Here X Here X There There X Here X There X Here X Here X There X Here X There X There X

X X X X X X X X

Olton

Mustangs have the weapons to win With four starters and three other letter winners returning, the Mustangs look to be a contender in District 3-2A again this season. Coach Bobby Workman views that depth and experience as his team’s strong points as he prepares for his third season at Olton. The Mustangs have posted two winning seasons and made the playoffs twice in Workman’s first two years. In 2019-20 Olton got hot after the Christmas break, winning five straight games to carry some momentum into district play. But the Mustangs lost leads in district games and wound up 5-3, tied for second. Then Olton lost a heartbreaker in bidistrict, bowing to New Deal 48-47 in overtime. “Last season was a year that left us with a bad taste in our mouth. We put ourselves in a great position going into the last couple of games only to give up late fourth-quarter leads in our final four games of our season/playoffs,” Workman said. “We did some really good things throughout the year and had a couple of big wins in the process.” Brian Capen (first-team all-district), Drew Garza and Kailan Muse have moved on from last year’s team. However, this fall Workman welcomed back five players who earned honors last season. The four returning senior starters highlight that group. Jack Allcorn, a 6-1 guard, was district defensive MVP last year. On offense, Allcorn averaged 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists. Bryson Ramage, a 6-2 forward, was first-team all-district with 9.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg credentials. Workman nominates Allcorn and Ramage as all-state candidates this season. The two other returning senior starters are 5-10 guard Israel Santillan and 6-3 guard/forward Chris Urbina. Santillan (8.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg) was the district newcomer of the year; Urbina (6.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg) was all-district honorable mention.

Jack Allcorn

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Bryson Ramage

Israel Santillan

Shaylee Leathers

That quartet represents 37.2 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. A fifth honored player, 5-9 senior guard Aldo Vasquez (2.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg), was named to the district all-defensive team. Santillan, Urbina, Vasquez and 5-7 sophomore point guard Jake Soliz (4.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg) are other players to watch, according to their coach. Workman’s concerns center on the toughness and physicality of his Mustangs. “Our key will be to play unselfish basketball in all situations. With a lot of varsity returners, we need to figure out ways to win down the stretch of games,” he said. “It will also be important to get the guys who are coming from our JV up to speed and ready to be key contributors.” Workman is coaching at his high school alma mater. The Texas Tech University grad coached at Hale Center before returning home. His career boys coaching record is 81-66. Olton’s five-team District 3-2A has only one change this (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Continued from previous page)

season. Boys Ranch replaces Sudan in the district, thanks to UIL realignment. GIRLS The Fillies took some small steps forward in Kyle Johnson’s second year on the job. Olton followed a 3-26 (0-8 in district) season with an 8-25 (1-7 in district) campaign last year. The Fillies finished fourth in the five-team District 3-2A but qualified for the playoffs. They lost to New Deal 43-19 in bidistrict. Two all-district honorable mentions — Breely Huguley and Alexis Lively — departed from last year’s team. So did Savannah Valdez, Kailey Acker and Carolynne Sullivan. Six letter winners, including three honored players, return for the Fillies this season. Shaylee Leathers, a 5-4 junior guard, averaged 10 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists last season in earning all-district distinction. Karla Arriola, a 5-9 junior post, contributed 8 ppg, 5 rpg and was AD honorable mention. Celestte Ramirez, a 5-5 junior guard (6 ppg, 3 rpg), made the all-district defensive team. Three other letter winners appear on the Fillies’ 13-player roster. They are 5-3 senior guard Jasmine Reyna, 5-3 sophomore guard Olivia Cox (2 ppg, 4 apg) and 5-9 sophomore guard Makenly Smith (5 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg). Cox, Smith and 5-4 sophomore guard Kylee Noack are players to watch, according to Coach Johnson. He calls teamwork the Fillies’ strength. “We need to improve our ability to score more efficiently and

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Chris Urbina

Aldo Vasquez

Jake Soliz

must be more aggressive on defense,” Johnson said. He echoed that comment as a key for success this season. Johnson, a graduate of Jenks High School and Oklahoma Baptist University, has 11 years of head coaching experience. He coached at the Hawaii Baptist Academy in Honolulu, Amarillo’s Ascension Academy and Amarillo’s Arbor Christian Academy before coming to Olton.

Olton Super Boosters Proud to support the Mustangs and Fillies!— Mrs. McGill Coach Ammons supports the Fillies not only now but for the rest of your lives! E2 Nutrition wishes the Fillies and Mustangs a Great Season! Go Fillies! Have a great season!—Dale, Jess, Zayden & Lyla

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DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Nov. 21 Nov. 21 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 29 Dec. 31 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Olton Schedule

Opponent Lamesa Whiteface Floydada Tahoka Highland Park Nazareth Dimmitt Lubbock Titans Lockney Hale Center New Home San Jacinto Christian Springlake-Earth Post Loop Sundown Plains Tulia Muleshoe Ralls Farwell Bovina Morton Sudan Vega Boys Ranch Farwell Bovina Vega Boys Ranch Farwell Bovina

Place B G There X There X Here X X There X X Here X Here X Here X Here X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X X Here X There X Here X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X There X

Work for it, earn it, deserve it! Go Mustangs and Fillies!—Colby, Brittany, Britlynn & Blakely Huseman

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Celestte Ramirez

Go Fillies!—Kelley Adams Have a great season Mustangs!—Snider Farms (806) 685-0639 We cheer the Mustangs and Fillies!—AD&C Trucking

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Karla Arriola

Go Fillies & Mustangs! Have a great year Abi!— Love, Mom, Dad, Amanda , Kylie & G Good Luck Jake!—We love you, Mom & Dad Go Mustangs and Fillies!—Michael, Stacie, Bryson & Analise We wish the Fillies a great season!—Diamond C Meat Go Get’em Mustangs and Fillies!—The Martin Family

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Abi Garcia

Jasmine Reyna

Marisa Rodriguez

Name Abi Garcia Dayanara Lara Jasmine Reyna Marisa Rodriguez Mercedes Rivera Karla Arriola Marissa Diaz Shaylee Leathers Araceli Pedroza Celestte Ramirez Olivia Cox Kylee Noack Makenly Smith

Dayanara Lara

Mercedes Rivera

Olton Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-4 P Sr. 5-5 P Sr. 5-3 G Sr. 5-6 P Sr. 5-4 G Sr. 5-9 P Jr. 5-3 G Jr. 5-4 G Jr. 5-2 G Jr. 5-5 G Jr. 5-3 G Soph. 5-4 G Soph. 5-9 G Soph.

Coach: Kyle Johnson Asst. Coaches: Brittany Huseman, Lea Ortiz 2019-2020 record: 8-25, 1-7 School phone: 285-2641 Players to watch: Shaylee Leather, Celestte Ramirez, Karla Arriola, Olivia Cox, Kylee Noack, Makenly Smith

We got you covered Fillies!—The Olton Enterprise Join us on facebook: facebook.com/oltonarealibrary Read more books!—Olton Area Library

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Name Jack Allcorn Bryson Ramage Israel Santillan Aldo Vasquez Ty Struve Chris Urbina Joe Canchola Alex Santillan Jake Soliz Brennon Huguley Andrew Martinez

Olton Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-1 G Sr. 6-2 F Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 5-9 G Sr. 5-7 G Sr. 6-3 G/F Sr. 6-3 F Jr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-7 G Soph. 6-2 F Soph. 5-9 G Soph.

Coach: Bobby Workman Asst. Coach: Reyes Garza, Myles James 2019-2020 record: 17-14, 5-3 School phone: 285-2641 Players to watch: Jack Allcorn, Bryson Ramage, Israel Santillan, Aldo Vasquez, Chris Urbina, Jake Soliz

Good Luck!—Jeff & Lisa Neinast We wish the Mustangs and Fillies a successful season!—Go Nicole!

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Olivia Cox

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Jasmine Reyna

Makenly Smith

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Olton Mustangs and Fillies Vega

District 4-2A Lady Longhorn coach nears No. 500

Lady Longhorn Coach Randy Henderson should reach two important milestones this season. If Vega’s recent history is an indicator, both will happen quickly. Henderson is seeking his 500th career high school coaching victory. He enters the season with a 491-177 record for a .735 winning percentage. Notably, 476 of those wins have been with girls teams and only 15 with boys. Madalyn Richards The second milestone will be Henderson’s 100th victory at Vega. In only three years, his Lady Longhorns have won 99 games and lost only seven. That’s a Lombardesque winning percentage of .934. Henderson was a first-team Class 2A TABC all-stater at Kerens High School and an NAIA all-American at Incarnate Word College. His 17-year career includes stops at Port Aransas, Salado, Plains and Canton. What about the quick starts for the Lady Longhorns? Two years ago, they were 29-0 and ranked fifth in the state among Class 2A teams before they lost a game. Last season was even better. Vegas was rated No. 2 in the state on the basis of a perfect 32-0 record entering postseason play. The Lady Longhorns had won the Vega, Poolville and Lubbock

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Kate Link

Daelee Hayes

TaraLee McKarns

Caprock tournaments and had claimed the District 3-2A crown with a 10-0 mark. In the playoffs, they whipped Hale Center 81-21 for their 33rd win. But Vega ran into a buzzsaw in the area round, losing to Panhandle 71-38. That marked the second straight year that Panhandle had ended the Lady Longhorns’ season. Neither loss was close. Despite last season’s ending, Henderson praised his team. “An amazing season with an incredible group of players,” he said. “Our seniors were outstanding all year.” Those seniors were Anita Knoll (TABC all-region, TGCA (Continued on page 262)

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all-state), Lara Mason (TABC and TGCA all-state), Emily Jackson (all-district), Marie Knoll and Kieli Luster. The Knolls are twin sisters. Vega has two starters — Madalyn Richards and Kate Link — and three other letter winners returning. Richards, a 5-6 senior guard, averaged 7.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in gaining all-district recognition. Link, a 5-6 senior guard, contributed 5.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.2 apg. She was the district defensive MVP. Daelee Hayes, a 5-7 senior guard, didn’t start, but her 4.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg credentials earned her a spot on the all-district team. The other two letter winners are 5-6 senior guard TaraLee McKarns and 5-10 junior forward Katelyn Ruiz (2.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg), both additional players to watch. Henderson depicts the Lady Longhorns’ strengths as height from the junior class, experience and speed from the senior class. He’s concerned about replacing the scoring from the 2020 seniors, who represented 63 percent of Vegas’s scoring last season. Likewise, this year’s seniors are part of the keys for Vega’s success. “Being able to combine the experience and athleticism of our seniors with the size and shooting ability of last year’s JV, who will be moving up to the varsity level,” Henderson said. Vega remains in the five-team District 3-2A. Boys Ranch replaces Sudan in the district because of UIL realignment. District play begins Jan. 5. The Lady Longhorns will open the season Nov. 7 against New Home in Sudan.

Ryan Grawunder

Conner Brorman

Garrett Stribling

BOYS The Longhorns actually advanced further in the playoffs than their female counterparts, capping a successful first season for Coach Sonny Calhoun. The Longhorns started last season fast by winning their own tournament. Later they raced through District 3-2A unbeaten (8-0) for the championship. Vega won its first three rounds of the playoffs. The Longhorns defeated Lockney 66-54 in bidistrict, Wheeler 47-40 in the area game and Floydada 81-68 in the regional quarterfinals. Sundown stopped Vega 69-58 in the regional semifinals. “It was a great experience making the regional tournament,” Calhoun said. That capped a 28-6 season for the Longhorns. Coincidentally, the previous season, Calhoun’s boys team at Wheeler had finished with that exact same record, 28-6. But last year’s Longhorns were practically an all-senior team, so graduation took a heavy toll at Vega. Gone are: (Continued on next page)

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Clay Gilter

Brock Schroeder

Brody Black

Joaquin Segovia

Slade Fowler

Creed Gilter

(Continued from previous page)

• Carson Kirkland, all-state, all-region and district offensive MVP and the nephew of longtime former Vega Coach Todd Schroeder; • Austin Calhoun, all-region and the district MVP who is the current coach’s son; • Bryson Schroeder, all-district and son of Todd Schroeder, a 300-game-winning coach; • Cameron Tanck, all-district; • Slade Brorman, all-district defensive team; • Berrian Lopez, Cole Robbins and Ryan Arnold. Whew! That leaves Coach Calhoun with only one returning starter, who also is the Longhorns’ lone letter winner. That lack of varsity experience is his chief concern. Ryan Grawunder, a 5-9 junior guard, was all-district as a sophomore when he averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. He’s the younger brother of former Longhorn Carson Grawunder, who was all-district in the 2018-19 season. Ryan Grawunder is an all-state candidate this season, according to his coach. Calhoun tabs 6-1 senior guard Conner Brorman and 6-3 junior post Garrett Stribling as other players to watch. Conner Brorman is the only senior on this year’s roster. “We have the ability to become a very strong defensive group,” Calhoun said in assessing his team’s strengths. Along that same line, he said becoming a great defensive team will be the key for success this season. This is Calhoun’s second stint at Vega. The Happy High School and West Texas A&M University graduate began his head coaching career at Hartley (2009-12). Then he spent four years as a Vega assistant under Todd Schroeder (2012-16) before moving to Wheeler (2016-19). The Longhorns will open at home Nov. 28 against Miami. Their District 3-2A opener is Jan. 12.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Name Ryan Grawunder Clay Gilter Conner Brorman Joaquin Segovia Creed Gilter Garrett Stribling Brock Schroeder Brody Black Carson McCall

Vega Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-9 G Jr. 5-8 G Jr. 6-1 G Sr. 5-10 G Soph. 5-6 G Soph. 6-3 P Jr. 5-9 G Jr. 5-8 G Jr. 6-0 P Jr.

Coach: Sonny Calhoun Asst. Coach: Tyler Harper 2019-2020 record: 28-6, 8-0 School phone: 267-2123 Players to watch: Ryan Grawunder, Conner Brorman, Garrett Stribling

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Name Cora Campbell Daelee Hayes Kate Link TaraLee McKarns Madalyn Richards Katelyn Ruiz Kamy Harmon Maci Hartsell Amber Stewart Rylee Stone Dakota Walker

Vega Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-4 G Sr. 5-7 G Sr. 5-6 G Sr. 5-6 G Sr. 5-6 G Sr. 5-10 F Jr. 5-3 G Jr. 6-0 P Jr. 6-1 P Jr. 5-10 F Jr. 5-5 G Jr.

Coach: Randy Henderson Asst. Coaches: Tiffi West, Ashton Sansing 2019-2020 record: 33-1, 8-0 School phone: 267-2123 Players to watch: Daelee Hayes, Kate Link, Madalyn Richards

Vega Super Boosters

Clara and Rick kinsey Ashleigh & Addison Carlson KTB Farms Cody, Sherri, Maci & Dakota Walker Kade, Courtney and Capp Carthel Cervando, Kassidy & Izabella Rosas Mark & Desiree Ruiz The Ortiz Family

Eddie & Teri Morton

The Joyce Family

Beau & Britni Harmon

The Dukes Family

Eric and Micah Black

Bryant & Kati Ortiz

The Jeffery Carlson Family

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The Drinnon Family

Lavern Ortiz

The Richard McKarns Family

DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 13 or 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 21 Nov. 24 Nov. 28 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 29 Dec. 31 Jan. 2 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 6 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Asley, Amy, Gunner & Maci Hartsell

Slayde Harmon

Vega Schedule

Opponent New Home Seminole Nazareth Bushland Wildorado Lenorah Grady White Deer Miami Happy Dalhart Eastland Bushland Clarendon Pampa Dimmitt River Road Miami Gruver Canadian Sunray Panhandle West Texas High Boys Ranch Memphis Stratford Farwell Bovina Olton Sundown Boys Ranch Farwell Bovina Olton Dodd City Boys Ranch Farwell

Place B G Sudan X LCU-The Rip X Here X Here X There X Plains HS X There X Here X X There X X Here X X There X There X There X X There X Here X There X There X Here X X There X Here X Here X Here X Here X Here X There X There X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X TBA X Here X Here X

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Richard & Jane Meyer John & Jean Noggler Bob & Jan Ayres Jerry & Mindy Harmon Don & Linda Cumpton Ryan Morton Clint, Jawayne & Amber Stewart Rex, Valerie, Paxton, Gatlin & Mia Green Paul, Anna, Gage & Sienna Griffin Evelyn Richardson

Vega Coach Sonny Calhoun draws up a play for the Longhorns during their Feb. 21 game with Nazareth at the 22nd Annual Randall Playoff Preview in Amarillo. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Lester & Francis Kirkland

Pam, Luke & Zeke Coneway

Stafford, Tammie & Cruce Cook

Robby, Amy, Calleigh, Carson & Cydney Kirkland

The Campbell Family

David & Vicki Brorman

The Fangman Family

Paetzold Harvesting

Jody & Lisa Johnson

Kathie & David Bryant Landon & Briana Friemel

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Randy, Johnette, Garrett & Tayler Stribling

Meiwes Harvesting

The Doug & Keila Bain Family

Mike Meiwes

Pioneer Lodge, Red River,NM

The Schaap Family

Lyla, Wade & Beau Overgaauw

Link Feed Ingredients

ValKyrie Tree Service Inc.

The Drinnon Family

John & Melody Link Jon, Kasey, Kenah, Tanton & Kalora Fuller David & Sandy Tiemann & Boys

Lockney

District 4-2A Lady Horns have a new coach

The Lady Horns have a new coach, Craig Williams. It’s the first head coaching assignment for Williams, a graduate of Anton High School and Wayland Baptist University. He served as an assistant at Tahoka from 2016 to 2019 and at Poolville last year. He succeeds Adrian Alfaro, who directed the Lady Horns the past four seasons. Alfaro Jada Rosales moved to Plainview to take the girls job there, following in the footsteps of Danny Wrenn. Wrenn, whose teams won 772 games in his 30 years at Plainview, is now coaching at Lubbock Kingdom Prep. Lockney, under Alfaro, scored an early season victory over Seagraves last season and later tied for second in District 4-2A with a 6-4 conference record. The Lady Horns lost their bidistrict playoff game to Farwell 52-29 to finish 18-15 for the season. Graduation cost the Lady Horns the services of Madai Chavira, the district MVP, and Jessica Hernandez, who was on the district all-defensive team. Speaking of district defensive honorees, Williams inherits 266

Vega

three players – 5-4 senior guard RyAnn Castillo, 5-6 senior guard Jayda Rosales and 5-3 sophomore point guard Adriana Villarreal – who were on the district defensive team last season. Williams nominates Castillo as an allstate candidate. Another returning letter winner, 5-7 senior forward Yaniellie Bernal, was an Mariah Asencio honorable mention all-district last year. She has a younger sister, 5-8 sophomore forward Senayda Bernal, on the team. All told, seven of the eight rostered Lady Horns lettered last season. Three seniors, two juniors and three sophomores make up that roster. Williams describes the Lady Horns’ strengths as senior leadership, overall team chemistry and a very hard-working group. He is concerned about the lack of overall height, the loss of returning starters because of the pandemic and the players having to learn a new offensive system. Williams listed the keys to success this season as “staying (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Continued from previous page)

healthy, learning to read the defense and shot selection.” Lockney’s District 4-2A will be a five-team conference this year instead of the six last year. Post moves to District 6-2A because of UIL realignment. Floydada, Hale Center, New Deal and Ralls remain as Lockney’s district opponents. The Lady Horns will open their season Nov. 7 at home against Dimmitt. District play begins Jan. 5. BOYS Experience counts. The Longhorns have four starters and five other letter winners returning this season as Coach Trey Bale begins his second season at Lockney. The Longhorns were 14-18 overall in Bale’s debut. They posted wins over 18th-ranked Springlake-Earth, No. 12 Post and No. 9 2A TAPPS Lubbock All Saints. Lockney’s players created 104 offensive fouls by taking charges. The Longhorns split 10 District 4-2A games and finished fourth. They lost their bidistrict playoff assignment to Vega 66-54. Bale said his team showed great improvement last season. Noel Ceniceros, first-team all-district, was the key departure from last year’s team. Ceniceros led the Longhorns in scoring (14 points) and rebounding (13) and took 68 of those charges. Two all-district picks – Josh Barretero and Anson Rendon – lead the quartet of returning starters. Barretero, a 5-8 junior guard, averaged 10 ppg, 2 rpg and 3 assists last year. Rendon, a 5-9 senior guard, contributed 6 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg. The other two returning starters are 5-10 junior guard Austin Rodriguez (8 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg) and 6-2 senior forward Cristian

Name RyAnn Castillo Jayda Rosales Yanellie Bernal Gabriella Cervantes Miranda Sarinana Mariah Ascencio Senayda Bernal Adriana Villarreal

Lockney Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-4 G Sr. 5-6 G Sr. 5-7 F Sr. 5-7 F Jr. 5-2 G Jr. 5-7 F Soph. 5-8 F Soph. 5-3 G Soph.

Coach: Craig Williams Asst. Coaches: Devin Bale, Abby Sanders, Tanae Guerrero 2019-2020 record: 18-15, 6-4 School phone: 652-2104 Player to watch: RyAnn Castillo Gonzalez (4 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg). Those four starters represent 28 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Bale tabs Barretero, Rendon and 6-0 senior guard Sebastian Perez, a letter winner with 8 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg stats last season, as players to watch. Nathan Ceniceros, a 6-0 junior forward, is the younger brother of the departed Noel Ceniceros. Another Longhorn brother act is 6-0 senior guard Josh Cienfuegos and 6-2 sophomore forward Johnathan Cienfuegos. Lockney’s roster consists of six seniors, three juniors and one sophomore. Nine of those 10 lettered last year. (Continued on next page)

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Bale described his team’s strengths in detail. “Solid guard play with good outside shooters. Can play uptempo,” he said. “Very competitive group that could all easily be starters on this team. Several players have multiple years of varsity experience, and all but one played on our team last year.” He is worried about the impact of COVID-19 on the season. But his chief concern is how to replace the departed Noel Ceniceros’ points, rebounds and charges. Not an easy job, Bale pointed out. What are his keys for success this season? “Growing and understanding our stuff better,” he said. “Playing more cohesive, growing as a team and learning how to take that next step together. I am excited about the possibilities for my team for the upcoming season.” Bale graduated from Kermit High School, and that’s where his first coaching job was, with the Kermit girls in the 2017-18 season. A graduate of Lubbock Christian University, he played on the Chaps’ NAIA national qualifying team in 2014. He has a boys coaching record of 14-18 and girls of 9-17. The Longhorns’ opener is Nov. 17 vs. Crosbyton. The boys’ district action get under way Jan. 15.

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DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 29 Dec. 31 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26

Lockney Schedule

Opponent Dimmitt Springlake-Earth Slaton Crosbyton Lorenzo Seagraves Olton Muleshoe Morton Wellman Sudan Petersburg Plains Farwell Post Spur Anton Highland Park Ralls All Saints Floydada Bovina Smyer New Deal Hale Center Ralls Floydada

Place B G Here X Here X There X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X There X Here X Here X There X Here X There X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X

Name Sebastian Perez Cristian Gonzalez Anson Rendon Josh Cienfuegos Ashton Urrutia Payton Butler Josh Barretero Austin Rodriguez Nathan Ceniceros Johnathan Cienfuegos

Lockney Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-0 G Sr. 6-2 F Sr. 5-9 G Sr. 6-0 G Sr. 5-9 G Sr. 5-10 G Sr. 5-8 G Jr. 5-10 G Jr. 6-0 F Jr. 6-2 F Soph.

Coach: Trey Bale Asst. Coaches: Payton Rhodes, Adrian Rosales, Stephen Young 2019-2020 record: 14-18, 5-5 School phone: 652-2104 Players to watch: Sebastian Perez, Anson Rendon, Josh Barretero Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

New Deal Hale Center Ralls Floydada

There Here Here There

X X X X X X

Lockney Super Boosters We wish the Lady Horns the best of luck this season!—Deborah & Casey Williams Best of luck this season!—Tammy & Macie Williams Good Luck to the Lady Horns this season!— Gay & Julie Williams

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New Deal

Lady Lions still on the prowl Blake Manning’s first two years as the Lady Lions’ coach have been quite successful — two district championships, two bidistrict titles and a 48-22 overall record. With four starters returning this season, New Deal looks to keep rolling. The Lady Lions went 22-13 overall and repeated as District 4-2A champs with a 9-1 conference record. New Deal defeated Olton 43-17 in bidistrict but was nipped by Clarendon 41-40 in the area round. “We battled injuries all throughout the season but had kids step up to fill in roles they were not used to,” Manning said. “This helped us continue to grow and have success at the end of the year.” Jasmine Valdez, first-team all-district, was one of six seniors who departed from that team. The others were Rhett Hill, Kim Randolph, Hannah Fenske, Araceli Torres and Linzi Loafman. Despite that mass exodus, the Lady Lions have a lot of experience. Ghenevieve Vasquez, a 5-6 junior guard, leads the quartet of returning starters. She averaged 7.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists and was the district MVP last season. She was a 39 percent shooter from 3-point range. The other returning starters are 5-5 senior guard Taylor Gonzales (8.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg), 5-6 senior guard Charlee Whitfield (5.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.1 apg) and 5-8 senior forward Jaiden Rodriguez (6.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg). Gonzales and Whitfield were first-team all-district selections;

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Ghenevieve Vasquez

Taylor Gonzales

Jaiden Rodriguez

Charlee Whitfield

Charli Garland

Rodriguez was on the all-district defensive team. Those four represent 28.6 points per game based on last season’s scoring statistics. (Continued on next page)

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If you add a fifth returning letter winner — 5-5 sophomore guard Charli Garland (6.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg) — that aggregate scoring group totals 34.8 a game. Garland, in fact, merits Manning’s recommendation as an allstate candidate. So does Vasquez. Gonzales and Whitfield are other outstanding players to watch, according to their coach. Charlee Whitfield has a younger sister, 5-2 sophomore guard Andee Whitfield, on the team. They’re the daughters of Rex Whitfield, a New Deal boys assistant coach. “The Lady Lions this season should have some overall speed that should help us generate some turnovers on the defensive side and then push ahead to get some easier opportunities to score,” Manning said. “This is the third year in our system, and I believe our players will be more comfortable and able to play with more instincts this year and less thinking, which should help us play at a faster pace.” Manning thinks there is a lot of value in having those four starters back and adds another element. “We lost six players from last season,” he said, “but our JV was district champions and went 19-8, so we feel we have some good players to replace the ones we lost.” Manning’s main concern is rebounding. “It is a mentality, more than a skill, and our kids will be put to work every day on this aspect until their mindset is shifted to seeking out boards,” he said. Manning listed several keys for his team’s success this season. “We must get up a little more volume of shots than we have in the past. That being said, we have to rebound better if we shoot more,” he said.

Tanner Seeley

Kyler Reed

Leric Eaton

“Our program is built on defense, and we will continue to play defense with 100 percent effort and communication. We want to generate turnovers, which we hope to turn into points on our end.” Manning is a graduate of Baird High School and the University of Texas-Arlington. He coached at Merkel for seven years — the final two as head coach — before coming to New Deal. His overall girls coaching record is 86-48 for a .642 winning percentage. District 4-2A becomes a five-team conference as Post moves to District 6-2A because of UIL realignment. So New Deal’s holdover district foes will be Floydada, Hale Center, Lockney and Ralls. BOYS The Lions, just like the Lady Lions, have four starters returning from a strong season. New Deal beat three teams that reached regionals in either Class 2A or 1A last season. The Lions were runners-up in District 4-2A with an 8-2 record. New Deal nipped Olton 48-47 in bidistrict but was blasted 99-52 by Gruver in the area game. Gruver went on to qualify for the boys state tournament, which was canceled because of the (Continued on next page)

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COVID-19 pandemic. So New Deal finished 24-10 overall. “Last year we played really good defense and beat several ranked teams,” Coach Kyler Bean said. Haden Caudill, all-district, was the key departure from last year’s squad. Tanner Seeley, a 5-10 senior point guard, leads the quartet of returning starters. Seeley averaged 20 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists last season in earning district offensive MVP and all-region honors. He has a twin brother, 5-10 senior guard Tyler Seeley (2 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg), a letter winner, on the team. The other returning starters are Kyler Reed, Leric Eaton and Arric Mares. Reed, a 6-1 senior guard, contributed 8 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg and was an all-district pick. He is the brother of former Lion Layton Reed, an all-region player. Eaton, a 6-3 junior forward (8 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg), also was an all-district selection last year. Mares, a 5-9 senior guard (4 ppg, 2, 4 apg), was an all-district honorable mention. Those four returning starters represent 40 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Bean recommends Tanner Seeley as an all-state candidate. He tabs Reed, Eaton, 6-4 sophomore post Jyson Lacy (10 ppg, 10 rpg) and 6-0 sophomore guard Jason Brazell (6 ppg, 2 rpg, 3 apg) as additional outstanding players to watch. Lacy made the district’s all-defensive team as a freshman. He’s the brother of former Lions Jaron (all-region) and Jordan Lacy (all-state) New Deal has five seniors, one junior and two sophomores on

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Arric Mares

Name Tanner Seeley Kyler Reed Leric Eaton Arric Mares Jyson Lacy Jason Brazell Tyler Seeley Derric De La Cruz

Jyson Lacy

Jason Brazell

New Deal Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-10 G Sr. 6-1 G Sr. 6-3 F Jr. 5-9 G Sr. 6-4 P Soph. 6-0 G Soph. 5-10 G Sr. 5-9 G Sr.

Coach: Kyler Bean Asst. Coaches: Dillon Moats, Kyle Bean 2019-2020 record: 24-10, 8-2 School phone: 746-5203 Players to watch: Tanner Seeley, Kyler Reed, Leric Eaton, Jyson Lacy, Jason Brazell its roster. All eight are letter winners. Bean describes the Lions’ strengths as size and length, plus defense. (Continued on page 274)

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New Deal Girls Name Ht. Pos. Class Charlee Whitfield 5-6 G Sr. Jaiden Rodriguez 5-8 F Sr. Taylor Gonzales 5-5 G Sr. Camryn Stanton 5-7 G Jr. Ghenevieve Vasquez 5-6 G Jr. Gloralee Martinez 5-8 P Jr. McKenna Booth 5-4 G Jr. Shelby Burkhead 5-10 P Jr. Andee Whitfield 5-2 G Soph. Charli Garland 5-5 G Soph. Mari Cantu 5-3 G Soph. Coach: Blake Manning Asst. Coaches: Joseph Cedillo, Matthew Ford 2019-2020 record: 22-13, 9-1 School phone: 746-5933 Players to watch: Charlee Whitfield, Taylor Gonzales, Ghenevieve Vasquez, Charli Garland DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18

New Deal Schedule

Opponent Meadow Sands Morton Dimmitt Lorenzo Lubbock Trinity Slaton Smyer Sudan Tulia Abernathy Roosevelt Ropes Post LCHS

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Dec. 18 Dec. 21 Dec. 28 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Jan. 1 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Colorado City Tahoka Mason Dimmitt Crosbyton Sundown Levelland Hale Center Lorenzo Plains Ralls Floydada Lockney Anton Hale Center Ralls Floydada Lockney Sundown Idalou Hale Center Ralls

Here Here X Anson Here X Here X Here X There Here There X There X There Here X There X Here X There X Here X There X Here X Here Here X Here X There X

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Place B G Here X There X Here X There X Here X There X Here X X There X X Here X Here X LCU X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X

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The keys to success this season are “playing fast while also playing under control and maintain a good defense,” he said. Coach Bean has a capable assistant at his side as he begins his third season as the Lions head coach. His dad, Kyle Bean, coached both New Deal boys and girls teams for 32 years. Combined, Kyle Bean’s teams won 606 and lost 302 for a .667 winning percentage. Kyler Bean served as Kyle Bean’s assistant for two years before the pair switched roles two years ago. Kyler Bean was an all-district and all-area player for his dad at New Deal. The Texas Tech University graduate has posted 41-13 overall and 17-3 district records in his two seasons as the Lions mentor. The Lions’ opener will be Dec. 1 at home against Slaton. District 4-2A play gets under way Jan. 12 for the boys.

New Deal Super Boosters

Good Luck this year! Go Lions and Lady Lions!— Charlie Madgwick Good Luck to all of the middle school kids in all that they do!—Mr. Arenas Go Lions and Lady Lions!—the Malone Family We support the Lions and Lady Lions!—Jeff, Tonya, Pacer & Maile Quisenberry Go Lions and Lady Lions! We Love You!—Coach Hill & Julie Coach Bean, Lori, Coach KB, Sarah-Brooke, Brecklynn & Spencer-Kay

Sudan

District 5-2A Nettes back to normal

Order has been restored in tradition-rich Sudan — the Nettes netted another 20-plus-win season. After five straight 20-plus campaigns, the Nettes won “only” 15 in the 2018-19 season. But they bounced back with a 24-9 season last year. Along the way, Coach Benny Lockhart picked up his 400th career girls victory, and Sudan captured the Anton and Whitharral tournament titles. The Nettes finished second in District 3-2A with a 5-3 conference mark. Sudan downed Floydada 52-37 in bidistrict before bowing to Wellington 53-24 in the area playoff. “It was a good start for our young group; they grew up as the season progressed,” Lockhart said. The Nettes were young last year. They’ll be young again this year with the departure of Payton Tolbert (a member of the district all-defensive team), Kamryn Goen, Callan Netherland and Mildred Medrano from last season’s squad. There is only one senior on this year’s Sudan roster to go along with four juniors and six sophomores. The best talent is in the sophomore class, and it starts right close to two coaches’ homes. Coach Lockhart’s daughter, 5-10 guard Stevi Lockhart, aver274

Stevi Lockhart

Gracyn Shultz

Addison Boehning

aged 17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists as a freshman. She was the district MVP, TABC all-region and all-state and TGCA all-state. Gracyn Shultz, a 5-8 guard, is another sophomore star. Shultz contributed 9 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg as a frosh to earn the district newcomer of the year award. She is the sister of Sudan assistant coach Kylee Swofford. Stevi Lockhart, Shultz and 5-9 junior guard Addison Boehning merit all-state recognition this season, according to Coach Lockhart. The Nettes may be young, but they’re experienced, with four returning starters and two other letter winners. (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

(Continued from previous page)

Another sophomore, 5-6 guard Braelyn Pointer (7 ppg, 4 rpg), started along with Stevi Lockhart and Shultz. The fourth returning starter is 5-8 junior post Liz Sital (6 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg). Both Pointer and Sital were all-district picks last year. Those four returning starters represent 39 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Pointer, Sital and 6-0 sophomore post Riley Edens are Coach Lockhart’s additional players to watch. Zoey Cantu, a 5-4 senior guard (2.8 ppg), and Heidi Pinon, a 5-8 junior guard, also lettered last year. Lockhart lists athleticism, speed, chemistry and depth as Sudan’s strengths. He is concerned because his players missed some training time in the spring and summer because of COVID19. Lockhart describes the keys for success this season as “determination and attitude toward the work that it takes in Region 1 girls basketball.” Lockhart, a graduate of Sundown High School and Angelo State University, coached girls at Merkel and Roby before coming to Sudan, where he’s beginning his eighth season. The 24-year coaching veteran garnered win No. 400 last season and ran his career mark to 418-204 for a .672 winning percentage. Sudan moves from District 3-2A to 5-2A this season because of UIL realignment. So the Nettes will be in a five-team district with four new foes: Morton, Plains, Seagraves and Sundown, Lockhart’s alma mater. BOYS New Hornets Coach Steven Gray has his work cut out for him. As successful as the Sudan girls have been, the boys have

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Braelyn Pointer

Liz Sital

Riley Edens

struggled recently. Gray, a graduate of Levelland High School and Texas Tech University, has coached at Christoval, Tahoka, Eldorado and Meadow, working in both boys and girls programs. He has six years of head coaching experience. He succeeds Rocky Winn, who has moved to Crosbyton to take over that boys program since longtime Coach Todd Bass retired. Winn coached the Hornets for three years and had little success. His teams went 21-63 overall and 3-23 in district play. The only bright spots were that the Hornets managed to qualify for the playoffs the past two years. Last year, under Winn, the Hornets went 10-19 overall and won only one of eight District 5-2A games. Nevertheless, their fourth-place finish gave them a shot at the playoffs, and they beat Bovina 53-41 in a play-in game. Sudan lost its bidistrict game to Floydada 75-41. The five Sudan seniors – Parker Battin, Alex Conley, Josh (Continued on next page)

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Leal, Bob Mendoza and Christian Montes – have departed from last year’s team. Gray does have three returning letter winners to begin the rebuilding process. And he has some youth as his roster contains only one senior to go along with four juniors and one sophomore. The returning letter winners are 5-8 junior guard Michael Limon, 6-4 junior post Jordie Bellar and 6-0 senior guard Lane Wilson. “The key to success this year is how quickly the players respond to a new system,” Gray said. “The team will be light on experience but hungry for success and to prove they can play and compete on the varsity level.” The Hornets won’t open their season until Nov. 24 at Lubbock Christian High School and will wait until Jan. 15 to begin District 5-2A competition. The Sudan girls will begin district play Jan. 5.

Sudan Super Boosters Go Nettes!—Matt & Terri Hanna Have a great season Hornets and Nettes!— Ryan & Jenny Netherland We support Braelyn and the Nettes!—Brad & Shayla Good Luck Braelyn!—David, Sundi & Aiden Barrera Wawa says Go Braelyn!—Christi Pointer We love our #22!—Kevin, Kelli & Kennadi Wheeless

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MIchael Limon

Jordie Bellar

Anthony Rodriguez

Lane Wilson

Abram Rodriguez

Go Braelyn! Have a great season!—The Welch Family Go Get’em Braelyn!—The Roberson Family Go Nettes! #22—Mike & Tonya Ritchie Play hard Nettes and Hornets! We love you Stevi!—Love, Mom, Dad & Drew Have a great season Nettes! Love you Stevi!— Payton, BJ & Karter Go Nettes!—The Cornelius Family

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DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 14 Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Dec. 21 Dec. 22 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Sudan Schedule

Opponent Smyer Hale Center Idalou Abernathy Nazareth Randall LCHS Borden County Shallowater New Deal Lockney Ropes Canadian Floydada Bovina Springlake-Earth Seminole Idalou Muleshoe Farwell Whitharral Hale Center Seagraves Highland Park Plains Olton Sundown Morton Seagraves Plains Sundown Morton Seagraves Plains

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Place B G Here X There X There X Here X Here X Here X There X X RIP Griffin X X There X There X Here X X Here X X Vega X Here X X There X X Here X There X Here X There X Here X X There X There X Here X Here X There X There X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X There X

Zoey Cantu

Sydney Cornelius

Kambry Tolbert

Landree Gonzales

Elaine Martinez

We love the Nettes!—Chase, Kadis, Hadley & Emery Lloyd Go Hornets and Nettes!—Tim, Sharla & Emma Rich Go Black and Gold!—DJ, Lisa, Dhylan, Kyndal & Kinley Provence Good Luck Girls!—Belle Kelley & Belle’s Barber Shop Go Hornets and Nettes!—Ross & Shannon Black and Family

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Name Michael Limon Jordie Bellar Anthony Rodriquez Lane Wilson Josh Cevera Abram Rodriguez

Sudan Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-8 G Jr. 6-4 P Jr. 6-1 P Jr. 6-0 G Sr. 5-8 G Soph. 5-9 P Jr.

Coach: Steven Gray Asst. Coaches: Aaron Ledbetter, Ray Parmer 2019-2020 record: 10-19, 1-7 School phone: 227-2431

Good Luck Hornets and Nettes!—Al & Glyna Harrison Go Josh #11! Go Yahaira!—The Martinez Family Good Luck out there Yahaira & Josh!—Marytza We love our Nettes and Hornets!—Mr. & Mrs Martin Go Sudan!—Jeff, Jennifer, Kaegan, Kyndal & K Kooper Edwards Way to go Hornets and Nettes!—Terry & DeAnn Wilson Go Hornets and Nettes!—Todd, Breanne, Cal & Nick Carter Go Nettes and Hornets!—Legacy of Love Hospice (806) 370-2100 Go Nettes!—Rich, Cindy, Bethani, Bentli, Berklei & Braeli Magby

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Name Stevi Lockhart Gracyn Shultz Liz Sital Braelyn Pointer Addison Boehning Zoey Cantu Riley Edens Sydney Cornelius Landree Gonzales Kambry Tolbert Heidi Pinon

Sudan Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-10 G Soph. 5-8 G Soph. 5-8 P Jr. 5-6 G Soph. 5-9 G Jr. 5-4 G Sr. 6-0 P Soph. 5-6 G Jr. 5-9 P Soph. 5-5 G Soph. 5-8 G Jr.

Coach: Benny Lockhart Asst. Coaches: Nyle Field, Daniel Gutierrez, Kylee Swofford 2019-2020 record: 24-9, 5-3 School phone: 227-3421 Players to watch: Stevi Lockhart, Addison Boehning, Gracyn Shultz, Liz Sital, Braelyn Pointer, Riley Edens

Go Hornets and Nettes!—Sudan RV Park, Mart & Lori Davison SHS Broadcast Go Sudan!—Sam Merryman Let’s Go Kambry! Have a great Season Nettes!—Torrey, Kyla, Payton & Trayce Tolbert Go Hornettes and Hornets! Go Sudan!—Darren & Tracey Provence Go Sudan!—Dustin, Tara, Masyn, Haden, Jaxon & Lincoln Provence

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Sundown

The beat goes on for Roughnecks The Roughnecks continued their five-year roll last season as they won 22 games for the second straight year and reached the regional finals. In the past five years, Coach Kyle Igo’s Roughnecks have won 70 percent of their games, posting a 103-44 record. Sundown was the co-champion in District 5-2A with a 7-1 record last season. The Roughnecks lost a seeding game to Tahoka 44-42, but that didn’t deter their playoff effort. They defeated Fort Hancock 66-52 in bidistrict, Stamford 73-70 in the area round, Christoval 57-41 in the regional quarterfinals and Vega 69-58 in the regional semifinals. For the second year in a row, Sundown was eliminated by Gruver. The Roughnecks had lost to the Greyhounds in the regional semis in the 2018-19 season. Last spring, Gruver downed Sundown 66-42 in the regional finals. That qualified Gruver for the boys state tournament the next week, but it was canceled because of COVID-19. Sundown finished the 2019-20 season with a 22-10 record. “These guys had an outstanding season and postseason run, advancing all the way to the regional finals,” Igo said. “This group carried on our culture and expectations of winning championships. Great senior leaders who really helped us maximize our potential last year. They believed in our process and showed a never-out-of-the-fight mentality.” That senior foursome – Brice Legan, Gus Davis, Michael Ojeda and Omar Lopez – earned a lot of honors. Legan, who was an all-stater, has basketball in his genes. His dad, Brian Legan, is Sundown’s girls coach. His mother, Janice Farris Legan, played on Texas Tech’s 1993 national championship team. His sister, Jenna, is a former Roughette standout who played at West Texas A&M. Davis and Ojeda were both all-district picks last year. Lopez was on the district’s all-defensive team. Those graduation departures thinned the ranks for this season as only one starter and two other letter winners return for the Roughriders Returning starter Carson Holson, a 6-2 senior post, averaged 6 284

Carson Holson

Carson Boggs

Brandon Kenley

points and 5 rebounds last season in earning all-district distinction. Letter winner Carson Boggs, a 5-9 sophomore guard, was alldistrict honorable mention. The other letter winner is 6-1 senior forward Brandon Kenley. Three seniors, one junior and four sophomores make up the Sundown roster. Igo lists great work ethic, extremely coachable and defensive minded as the Roughnecks’ strengths. He is concerned about consistent scoring and rebounding. He outlined several keys for success this season: • Having new leadership emerge; • Trusting the process; • Learning how to really compete by some of the younger players stepping up into new roles. Igo was a two-time athlete of the year plus all-district and all-region in basketball at Whiteface High School. He played collegiately at Wayland Baptist University. After coaching at Levelland as an assistant for four years, he took his first head coaching job at Sundown 11 years ago. Sundown’s District 5-2A is still a five-team conference, but Morton and Sudan have replaced Tahoka and Smyer. The latter two moved to District 6-2A in the UIL realignment. Plains and Seagraves are still in 5-2A. The Roughnecks will open their season Nov. 24 at home (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 21 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Dec. 30 Dec. 31 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Sundown Schedule

Opponent Roosevelt Levelland Farwell Tulia Littlefield LCHS Abernathy Abernathy Floydada Denver City Andrews Crosbyton Slaton Sands Olton Klondike Lubbock Titans Littlefield Big Spring New Deal Ralls Morton TBA Whitharral Seagraves Plains Sudan Vega Morton Seagraves Plains Sudan New Deal Morton Seagraves

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Place B G There X Here X Here X Here X There X Here X Here X X Here X X Here X X There X X There X Here X There X X There X X Here X X Here X X Here X There X There X There X There X X Here X TBA X There X There X Here X X There X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X Here X There X

Name Carson Holson Brandon Kenley Carson Boggs Cody Gaona Johnny Acevado Alex Bocanegra Noah Peralez Jerimiah Peralez

Sundown Boys Ht. Pos. Class 6-2 P Sr. 6-1 F Sr. 5-9 G Soph. 5-8 G Sr. 5-8 G Soph. 5-9 F Soph. 5-11 G Soph. 6-1 P Jr.

Coach: Kyle Igo Asst. Coach: Jeff Lyles 2019-2020 record: 22-10, 7-1 School phone: 229-3021

Name Mckenzie Lee Lexie Lee Emily Rodriguez Alex De La Cerda Sammie Rodriguez Jonna Pool Karli Torrez Shea Beadles Kaydence Loftin Natalie Urias

Sundown Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-11 P Sr. 5-10 F Sr. 5-8 F Sr. 5-8 F Sr. 5-6 G Sr. 5-7 F Jr. 5-4 G Jr. 5-9 F Soph. 5-4 G Soph. 5-6 G Soph.

Coach: Brian Legan Asst. Coaches: Janice Legan, Dakotah Watson, Meagan Gonzales 2019-2020 record: 19-16, 8-0 School phone: 229-3021, ext. 224 Players to watch: Mckenzie Lee, Lexie Lee, Emily Rodriguez, Shea Beadles, Kaydence Loftin, Natalie Urias

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against Abernathy. District play for the boys begins Jan. 12. GIRLS Standards are high in Sundown. The Roughettes just missed winning 20 games for the fifth straight season and came up a Mckenzie Lee little short in the playoffs last season. Still, a district championship with a perfect 8-0 record is a point of pride. In the playoffs, Sundown defeated Iraan 81-22 in bidistrict but lost to Stamford 49-40 in the area game. The Roughettes had reached the regional quarterfinals or better the four previous years. Overall, Sundown finished 19-16 last season. “We played a very tough schedule and had chances to win some big games vs. quality opponents but just couldn’t make enough plays to get over the hump, including the playoff loss,” veteran Coach Brian Legan said. “We’ve got to get better at finishing those games off. We lost a starter (Alex De La Cerda) to injury, and that hurt us from a scoring and leadership position.” The three seniors on last year’s squad – Geneva Cortez, Grace McAdams and Alyzah McGlasson – have moved on. Cortez was the district defensive MVP. However, Legan welcomes four returning starters, led by the Lee twins, and three other letter winners this fall. Mckenzie Lee, a 5-11 senior post, averaged 8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season, earning all-district and all-region honors. Twin sister Lexie Lee, a 5-10 senior forward, contributed 6.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg and was all-district. The other two returning starters are 5-8 senior forward Emily Rodriguez (5.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and 5-4 sophomore guard Kaydence Loftin (2.3 ppg). Those four returning starters represent 22 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Coming off the bench, Natalie Urias, now a 5-6 sophomore guard, supplied 5.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg stats last season. She was the

Lexie Lee

Emily Rodriguez

Kaydence Loftin

Natalie Urias

Alex De La Cerda

Shea Beadles

district newcomer of the year as a freshman. Legan rates Mckenzie Lee as an all-state candidate. He tabs Lexie Lee, Loftin, Urias and 5-9 sophomore forward Shea Beadles (4.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg) as other outstanding players to watch. De La Cerda, a 5-8 senior forward who was a starter in her sophomore season but injured last year, returns. The Roughettes’ roster is composed of five seniors, two juniors and three sophomores. “We will once again have good size and athleticism at most every position. We have a great amount of varsity experience,” Legan said. “We get Alex De La Cerda back, and that will help tremendously.” He is concerned about finishing games, scoring better and developing depth. “If we can find some depth at the guard and post positions, we could have a really good year,” Legan said in assessing the keys for his team’s success this season. “We’ve got to be better at finishing close games.” Legan could notch his 500th girls coaching victory this season. The Seagraves High School and Texas Tech University graduate enters the season with a 476-273 career record (a .636 winning percentage). He coached at Seagraves, Abernathy and Spur before coming to Sundown. He’s beginning his 27th season as a head basketball coach. The last 17 of the those have come at Sundown, where he’s set the standard high. His Roughettes have won 68 percent of their games, going 376-177. Sundown, which has won three state girls championships, will face another tradition-rich team with the introduction of Sudan into District 5-2A. Sudan has six such titles. The Roughettes will open their season Nov. 10 at Lubbock Roosevelt. The home opener is Nov. 14 vs. Levelland. District play for the girls gets under way Jan. 5.

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District 6-2A Lady Eagles feel Naz jazz but go 31-3

Ropes

The Lady Eagles almost hurdled nemesis Nazareth last spring, losing to the eventual Class 1A state champion in the regional semifinals. That 46-44 defeat marked the third straight year that Naz had ended the Lady Eagles’ season. It was a tight battle in Levelland’s Texan Dome. The teams were tied at 19 at halftime, and the Swiftettes held a one-point edge heading into the fourth quarter. “It was a great season,” Ropes Coach Leland Bearden said. “We played Nazareth closer than anyone in the playoffs.” True. But probably little solace in an otherwise brilliant 31-3 season in Bearden’s first year at Ropes. The Lady Eagles breezed to the District 7-1A title with an 8-0 record. Ropes received a firstround bye in the playoffs, then whipped Lorenzo 64-32 in the area game and Whiteface 53-41 in the regional quarterfinals. But they couldn’t keep Nazareth from heading toward its fourth straight state championship. Three key players — TABC all-state Chloe Trull, TGCA all-state Megan Moore and Texas 6-Man all-state Daley Moore — have moved on from last year’s Lady Eagle squad. But Bearden has a gem in returning 5-8 senior guard Maggie Anderson, a three-year letter winner. Anderson averaged 19 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4 assists last season. She was the district MVP, TGCA, TABC and Texas 6-Man all-state and TABC and Texas 6-Man all-region as a junior. She had won similar honors as a sophomore, when she averaged 13 points. Bearden considers Anderson as all-state material again this season. Three other part-time starters return for the Lady Eagles. Bethani Bearden, a 5-6 senior guard who is the coach’s daughter, contributed 2.2 ppg. Brooklyn Belyeu, a 5-6 senior guard, had 3.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.3 apg statistics. Rylan Garcia, a 5-3 senior guard, logged 2.3 ppg. Korie Lehnen, a 5-5 senior forward (3 ppg, 2.5 rpg), also lettered last year. The Ropes roster is senior-heavy with six 12th-graders, no juniors, four sophomores and one freshman. That experience is the team’s strength, according to Coach Bearden. He is concerned about the Lady Eagles’ size. The keys to success will be to “handle the ball and rebound,”

Ropes Super Boosters We love our Ropes Lady Eagles! Good Luck Brooklyn!— The Lowe’s Good Luck in your Senior season Rylan! We love you and are so proud of you!—Love, Mom, Dad & Kamdyn Have a great Season Maggie! Go Lady Eagles!— Love, Mom & Dad We are so proud of Allie Blue!—Love, Mom & Dad Make this the best ever! We are so proud of you Bethani!—Love, Mom, Dad & Brennan Best of Luck Bethani! We love you!—Grannie & Papa Go Lady Eagle! Good Luck Korie!—Love, The Lehnen’s 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Maggie Anderson

Bethani Bearden

Rylan Garcia

Brooklyn Belyeu

Korie Lehnen

he said. Bearden is beginning his 31st season — and second at Ropes — as a head basketball coach. His coaching career began at Sands, his high school alma mater, from 1990 to 1998, then Smyer (19982013) and Seminole (2013-19). His 2010 and 2011 Smyer teams captured state championships. The Texas Tech University graduate has a career girls coaching record of 733-218, a .771 winning percentage. Those 773 wins place him fourth among the Panhandle-Plains Basketball area’s winningest active coaches. The Lady Eagles face a challenge this season as they step up a classification to 2A thanks to UIL realignment. Ropes’ opponents in District 6-2A will be New Home, Post, Smyer and Tahoka. The Lady Eagles will open their season Nov. 7 at Muleshoe. The home opener in Ropesville will be Nov. 10 against Littlefield. District play begins against Smyer, Bearden’s former team, Jan. 8 at home. (See next page for the Ropes 2020-21 girls and boys schedule.) Ropes Girls Name Ht. Pos. Class Maggie Anderson 5-6 F Sr. Brooklyn Belyeu 5-7 G Sr. Bethani Bearden 5-7 G Sr. Rylan Garcia 5-3 G Sr. Korie Lehnen 5-5 F Sr. Aubrey O’Neil 5-3 G Sr. Tatum Moore 5-10 F Soph. Heather McNabb 5-6 G Soph. Allie Wilson 5-9 G Soph. Kati Rhoads 5-4 G Soph. Aubrey Bandy 5-8 F Fr. Coach: Leland Bearden Asst. Coach: Nikki Garcia 2019-2020 record: 31-3, 8-0 School phone: 562-4031 Player to watch: Maggie Anderson 2A 287

Ropes Schedule

DATE

Opponent

Place

B G

Dec. 19

Lubbock Southcrest

Here

Nov. 7

Muleshoe

There

Dec. 29

Lubbock Trinity

There

Nov. 10

Littlefield

Here

Jan. 2

Munday

There

Nov. 14

Abernathy

There

Jan. 5

Floydada

Here

Nov. 17

New Way Christian Academy

Here

X X

Jan. 5

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell

Here

Nov. 20

Bovina

Here

X X

Jan. 8

Smyer

Here

Nov. 24

Farwell

Here

X X

Jan. 12

Post

There

X X

Dec. 1

Whiteface

Here

X X

Jan. 15

New Home

Here

X X

Dec. 4

Crosbyton

There

X X

Jan. 19

Tahoka

There

X X

Dec. 5

Sterling City

Here

X X

Dec. 8

Plains

There

Dec. 11

Sudan

There

X X

Feb. 2

Dec. 12

New Deal

Here

X X

Feb. 5

Dec. 18

Lubbock Titans

Here

X X

Feb. 12

Smyer

288

Jan. 26

Smyer

There

X X

Jan. 29

Post

Here

X X

New Home

There

X X

Tahoka

Here

X X

Here

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

TEAMS AT A GLANCE PRESEASON PICKS

District 1-1A Boys 1. Booker 2. Fort Elliott 3. Miami 4. McLean 5. Darrouzett/Follett 7. Lefors

District 1-1A Girls 1. McLean/Miami 3. Follett 4. Booker 5. Fort Elliott 6. Lefors 7. Darrouzett

District 2-1A Boys 1. White Deer/Valley 3. Groom 4. Hedley 5. Silverton 6. Claude

District 2-1A Girls 1. White Deer 2. Claude/Groom/Valley 5. Hedley 6. Silverton

District 3-1A Boys 1. Nazareth 2. Texline 3. Happy 4. Hartley 5. Wildorado 6. Adrian 7. Channing

District 3-1A Girls 1. Nazareth 2. Happy 3. Wildorado 4. Channing/Hartley 6. Texline 7. Adrian

District 4-1A Boys 1. Springlake-Earth 2. Anton/Hart 4. Amherst 5. Lazbuddie/Hart 7. Cotton Center

District 4-1A Girls 1. Springlake-Earth 2. Hart 3. Anton 4. Kress 5. Cotton Center 6. Amherst 7. Lazbuddie

District 5-1A Boys 1. Paducah 2. Jayton 3. Guthrie 4. Spur 5. Patton Springs 6. Motley Co.

District 7-1A Boys 1. Wellman-Union 2. Meadow 3. Whitharral 4. Whiteface 5. Dawson 6. Loop

District 7-1A Girls 1. Whitharral 2. Whiteface 3. Wellman-Union 4. Meadow 5. Dawson 6. Loop

HONOR ROLL

1A Boys John Doe, Adrian, 5-7, Jr.; Quinton Sherrod, Anton, 5-9, Sr.; Joseph Sevantes, Anton, 5-8, Sr.; Sergio Champion, Anton, 6-0, Jr.; Adrian Baca, Channing, Jr.; Gavin Boydston, Fort Elliott, 5-11, Sr.; Gavin McDowell, Fort Elliott, 5-7, Jr.; Roper Pigg, Fort Elliott, 5-8, Jr.; Gunner Lamb, Groom, 6-2, Sr.; Damon Kuehler, Groom, 5-6, Jr.; Cael Ruthardt, Groom, 5-5, Jr.; Stephen Kuehler, Groom, 5-8, Soph.; Arik Coile, Happy, 6-1, Sr.; Jordan Wilhite, Happy, 6-2, Sr.; Pace Bressler, Happy, 5-11, Jr.; Camden Sperry, Happy, 5-8, Soph.; Kyton Johnson, Happy, 6-0, Soph.; Jimmy Reyes, Happy, 6-1, Soph.; Carson Carter, McLean, 5-10, Jr.; Devin Holmes, McLean, 5-7, Sr.; Garrett McDonald, McLean, 5-8, Jr.; Luke Betzen, Nazareth, 5-10, Sr.; Aidan Moore, Nazareth, 6-3, Sr.; Kaden Cleavinger, Nazareth, 6-5, Sr.; Trent Gerber, Nazareth, 6-0, Jr.; Isaac Garabaldi, Paducah, 6-3, Sr.; Mark Flemons, Paducah, 6-3, Sr.; Darrius Flemons, Paducah, 6-3, Sr.; Deftlon Flemons, Paducah, 6-4, Jr.; Chris Martinez, Paducah, 5-8, Sr.; Dylan Adams, Paducah, 6-7, Sr.; Johnathan Henderson, Paducah, 5-8, Sr.; Tate Hutchinson, Paducah, 6-3, Sr.; McLayton Monroe, Paducah, 5-9, Jr.; Cord Piper, Paducah, 6-1, Sr.; Evan DeLeon, Springlake-Earth, 5-8, Jr.; Kaden Castillo, Springlake-Earth, 6-0, Jr.; Trace Goodman, Springlake-Earth, 6-0, Jr.; Keshan Holmes, Springlake-Earth, 6-1, Jr.; Colton Luther, Texline, 5-8, Sr.; William Luther, Texline, 6-4, Jr.; Stratton Potter, Texline, 5-9, Soph.; Elias Espino, Texline, 5-8, Soph.; Angel Herrera, Texline, 5-8, Soph.; Hunter Warminski, White Deer, 5-11, Sr.; Graysen Freeman, White Deer, 5-11, Sr.; Karson Ketchum, White Deer, 5-10, Jr.; Brighton Scoggins, Whiteface, 5-9, Soph.; Noah Rector, Whiteface, 5-7, Soph.; Jeremiah Soliz, Whiteface, 5-9, Soph. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

1A Girls Marisa Alvarado, Anton, 5-6, Sr.; Takyra Goree, Anton, 5-8, Soph.; Chesna Harbert, Channing, Sr.; Molly Jones, Follett, 5-2, Sr.; Megan Howard, Follett, 5-5, Jr.; Abby Schilling, Follett, 5-7, Jr.; Kayden Laubhan, Follett, 5-4, Jr.; Sydney Hughes, Fort Elliott, 5-8, Jr.; Summer Meller, Fort Elliott, 5-6, Soph.; Yesenia Perez, Fort Elliott, 5-8, Jr.; Aubrey Ritter, Groom, 5-10, Sr.; Gracie Treadwell, Groom, 5-7, Sr.; Ali Friemel, Groom, 5-5, Soph.; Kenli Johnson, Happy, 5-7, Sr.; Aimee McCarley, Happy, 5-5, Jr.; Sydni Middleton, Happy, 5-9, Jr.; Ashlyn White, Happy, 5-9, Jr.; Faith Moon, McLean, 5-7, Sr.; Lily Reichman, McLean, 5-11, Sr.; Stormi Ketcherside, McLean, 5-8, Jr.; Clare Long, McLean, 5-6, Jr.; Ashlie Russell, McLean, 5-4, Jr.; Emma Kleman, Nazareth, 5-7, Sr.; Merry Gerber, Nazareth, 6-1, Sr.; Makenzy Corrales, Nazareth, 5-5, Jr.; Addie Dyer, Nazareth, 5-7, Jr.; Carsann Baker, Springlake-Earth, 5-7, Sr.; Sayler Beerwinkle, Springlake-Earth, 5-8, Jr.; Mahalia Delgado, Springlake-Earth, 5-7, Jr.; Micaela Fuentes, Springlake-Earth, 5-6, Jr.; Kani Homes, Springlake-Earth, 5-5, Soph.; Curstin Haiduk, White Deer, 5-6, Sr.; Rebecca Tracy, White Deer, 6-0, Sr.; Teagan Forney, White Deer, 5-7, Sr.; Shaylin Weathers, White Deer, 5-6, Sr.; Allison Martha, Whiteface, 5-9, Soph.; Joey Alvarez, Whiteface, 5-7, Jr.; Holli Scoggins, Whiteface, 5-6, Sr.

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Follett

District 1-1A Lady Panthers in seesaw season

The Lady Panthers had an interesting season last year—lots of ups and downs. Follett had a downer of an overall record at 15-17 but an upper in District 1-1A with a 7-4 mark. Follett finished in a three-way tie with Booker and Miami for second place in the district. Booker won the coin flip for second place, and Follett beat Miami in a seeding game for third place. That was another upper. But then a final downer, a 56-39 loss to McLean in the bidistrict playoff. “We started two sophomores and a junior,” Coach Michael Howard said. “We had a lot of games that were close, but we fell short.” Kennedy Laubhan, the district offensive MVP, was the key departure from that team. But Howard has three starters back, and two of them — Molly Jones and Abby Schilling — were first-team all-district selections last season. Jones, a 5-2 senior point guard, averaged 5 points and 4 assists. Schilling, a 5-7 junior forward, checked in with 6 ppg, 2 apg. The coach’s daughter, 5-5 junior forward Megan Howard (3 ppg), also started last season. Coach Howard tabs Jones, Schilling, Megan Howard and 5-4 junior point guard Kayden Laubhan as players to watch. Kayden Laubhan has a sister, 5-1 sophomore guard Sydney Laubhan, on the squad. Jones and 5-7 senior post Taylor Shanley are the only seniors on the youthful roster, which also has three juniors, four sophomores and four freshmen. Speed and experience are the Lady Panthers’ strengths, according to Howard, who adds that two of his players are threeyear starters. He is concerned about his team’s size. “Overall height is low, but quick,” he said. “No bigs.” Howard’s key for success this season is to dominate on perimeter defense. Howard has had some success in turning the girls program around at his high school alma mater. In his three years, the Lady

290

Molly Jones

Abbyleigh Schilling

Megan Howard

Kayden Laubhan

Sydney Laubhan

Taylor Shanley

Panthers have posted a 43-47 overall record but have been even better in district play at 21-10. The West Texas A&M University graduate coached two years at Booker before moving to Follett. His five-year overall girls coaching record is 50-70. Follett’s District 1-1A still is a seven-team conference, but McLean and Lefors have replaced Kelton and Higgins. The Higgins girls won the district last season, but the school now is closed. (See Higgins story on page 21.) The Lady Panthers will open the season at Wheeler Nov. 7. Highland Park will be the visitor for Follett’s home opener on Nov. 14. District play begins Dec. 8. BOYS The Panthers struggled in Luke Ogden’s first year as their coach, but by staying for a second season, he brings a positive to the program. Previously, the Panthers had three different coaches in (Continued on page 292)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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as many years. Turnovers, of any kind, aren’t good in basketball. Last season Follett was 4-19 overall and 1-11 in District 1-1A play, finishing last. But Ogden sees better days ahead. “We battled injuries all year long. We also struggled fundamentally,” he said. “However, we have improved over the summer with our strength and conditioning as well as our fundamentals and basketball IQ.” Levi Lusk was the only senior on last year’s Follett squad. “We lost one senior off last year’s team,” Ogden said, “but we have gained three freshmen and a sophomore that will help tremendously.”

Name Chance Braley Alex Bussard Jonathan Camacho Shayne Franks Ethan Gregory Marshall Howard Oscar Torres Brayan Aguilar Justin Humbert Osiel Ventura

Follett Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-11 G Jr. 6-0 P Sr. 5-7 G Sr. 5-11 G Soph. 6-0 G/F Jr. 6-1 F Sr. 5-10 G Soph. 5-8 G Fr. 6-1 G Fr. 5-9 G Fr.

Coach: Luke Ogden Asst. Coaches: Michael Howard, Andy Copley 2019-2020 record: 4-19, 1-11 School phone: 653-2301

The sophomore newcomer is 5-11 guard Frank Shane. The freshmen are 5-8 guard Brayan Aguilar, 6-1 guard/forward Justin Humbert and 5-9 guard Osiel Ventura. Six players return from last year’s team. They are seniors Alex Bussard (6-1 post), Jonathan Camacho (5-7 guard) and Howard Marshall (6-1 forward); juniors Chance Braley (5-11 guard) and Ethan Gregory (6-0 guard/forward); and sophomore Oscar Torres (5-10 guard). The Panthers’ roster shows three seniors, two juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen. Follett’s future may be bright. “I believe we have a great freshman class coming up as well as a move-in that will help improve our quickness and outside shooting,” Ogden said. He is concerned about turnovers. “I think that’s a concern with every coach, though,” he said. The Panthers’ keys to success this season will be “keep buying into the system,” he said. “Other teams may out-skill us, but they won’t outwork us.” Ogden is a graduate of Perryton High School and Oklahoma Panhandle State University. A former walk-on at OPSU, he became a three-year captain and starter, averaging 9.6 points and 4.9 rebounds. He began his coaching career at Channing for three years before moving to Follett. Ogden again will be assisted by Andy Copley, who coached Water Valley and Canadian (twice) to state championships. Copley, who has a 421-295 career coaching record, is the Panthers’ head football coach and athletic director. Because of possible football complications, the Panthers aren’t scheduled to open their basketball season until Nov. 20 at home against Hedley. Their district opener will be Dec. 8 at home against McLean, one of the two newcomers to District 1-1A. Lefors is the other new team in the conference.

Kaitlin Born

Jayd Barbee

Ruth Jones

Chloe Smith

Monica Olguin

Go, Lady Panthers! 292

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Alexia Dorris

Name Molly Jones Taylor Shanley Megan Howard Abby Schilling Kayden Laubhan Kaitlin Born Ruth Jones Sydney Laubhan Chloe Smith Jayd Barbee Monica Olguin Alexia Dorris Kambri Braley

Kambri Braley

Janessa Barbee

Follett Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-2 G Sr. 5-7 P Sr. 5-5 F Jr. 5-7 F Jr. 5-4 G Jr. 5-9 P Soph. 5-4 G Soph. 5-1 G Soph. 5-3 G Soph. 5-3 F Fr. 5-3 G Fr. 5-6 P Fr. 5-7 F Fr.

Coach: Michael Howard 2019-2020 record: 15-17, 7-4 School phone: 653-2301 Players to watch: Abby Schilling, Megan Howard, Kayden Laubhan, Molly Jones

DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Follett Schedule

Opponent Wheeler Shamrock Highland Park Groom Hedley Wildorado Groom Adrian McLean Lefors Booker Fort Elliott Darrouzett Miami Lefors Booker McLean Fort Elliott Darrouzett Miami Lefors Booker

Place B G There X There X Here X Here X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X Here X X Here X There X X There X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X There X

Follett Super Boosters Ellis County Animal Hospital, Shattuck, Oklahoma Best Wishes to all Follett Athletics!— Ed’s Café, 1325 S. Main, Shattuck, Oklahoma Straight Shot Gunsmithing, General Gunsmithing, repairs and special orders, Clay Wells, 806-643-0333, Cell 806-275-0439

Fort Elliott

Cougars successful in district Ray Turpen’s first year at Fort Elliott was successful. The Cougars finished 15-14 overall and 10-2 in District 1-1A. In the bidistrict playoff, Groom eliminated Fort Elliott 64-42. Five players have moved on from last year’s team, but Turpen has four returning players, including one starter, back for this season. Turpen designated three Cougars as players to watch: 5-11 senior guard Gavin Boydston, 5-7 junior point guard Gavin McDowell and 5-8 junior guard Roper Pigg. Boydston, McDowell and Pigg are the only upperclassmen on the Fort Elliott roster. The Cougars are young with one senior, two juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen on the team. Turpen describes the Cougars’ strengths as good speed and quickness. He is concerned about height. Boone Begert, a 6-2 sophomore post, is the only player who’s 6 feet or taller. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Turpen said the keys for success this season will be “being able to play tough defense and staying disciplined on offense and working hard together as a team.” A graduate of Lefors High School, Turpen first coached at his high school alma mater, then at Channing before coming to Fort Elliott. He has 12 years of head coaching experience. Turpen is a graduate of Frank Phillips College and Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Fort Elliott and four other District 1-1A opponents — Booker, Darrouzett, Follett and Miami — remain in the seven-team conference. Two newcomers, McLean and Lefors, replace Higgins and Kelton in 1-1A because of UIL realignment. The Cougars will open their season Nov. 10 at Memphis. They’ll begin district play Dec. 18. (Continued on next page)

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(Continued from previous page)

GIRLS The Lady Cougars were young, and it showed last year. They wound up 10-20 overall and 2-8 in District 1-1A. So no playoffs. “We worked hard last year rebuilding the team,” Coach Lana Swafford said. “We did not have any seniors last year, so we are returning all our players. The girls worked very hard last year to learn the game and get better fundamentally, so we are hopeful we will have a little bit more success this year.” The future does looks brighter for the Lady Cougars. Six starters return, and two of them won all-district laurels last year. Kaylee Bass, a 5-7 senior guard/forward, and Savanna Sims, a 5-7 junior post/forward, were the honorees. The other returning starters are 5-8 junior post/ forward Brooklyn Buckingham, 5-6 junior post/ forward Lindi Rose, 5-8 junior forward forward/guard Sydney Hughes and 5-8 junior post/forward Yesenia Perez. Swafford tabs Hughes, Perez and 5-6 sophomore forward Summer Meller as other outstanding players to watch. The Lady Cougars will be rather young again with two seniors, five juniors, one sophomore and one freshman on the roster. “Our strength this year, as opposed to last year, will be our returning leadership,” Swafford said. “We have the experience we need to win ball games.” She is concerned about the low numbers, staying free of illness and injury and the lack of height. What are Swafford’s keys for success this season? “Being disciplined on offense and working hard on defense. Learning the game and making better decisions,” she said. “Giving every practice and game everything you’ve got.

DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 18

294

Fort Elliott Schedule

Opponent Memphis Amarillo Flames Wheeler Channing Hedley Claude Hartley Holy Cross White Deer Booker McLean Texline Follett

Place B G There X X Here X X There X X There X X There X X There X X There X X Here X X Here X X Here X There X TBA X Here X X

Kaylee Bass

Savanna Sims

Brooklyn Buckingham

Lindi Rose

Sydney Hughes

Yesenia Perez

Playing with confidence. Getting more stops defensively and finishing offensively.” Swafford played four years of basketball at Floydada High School and two more at Clarendon College. The Texas Tech University graduate is beginning her fourth season at Fort Elliott and 15th as a head coach. She previously coached at Garden County Schools in Oshkosh, Nebraska. The Lady Cougars will open Nov. 10 at Memphis. Their home opener will be Nov. 13 vs. the Amarillo Flames. The girls’ District 1-1A gets under way Dec. 11.

Dec. 29 Jan. 2 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Shamrock Canadian Wheeler Darrouzett Miami Lefors Booker McLean Follett Darrouzett Miami Lefors Booker McLean

Here X Here Here X There X Here X There X There X Here X There X Here X There X Here X Here X There X

X X X X X X X X X X X

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Gavin Boydston

Boone Begert

Gavin McDowell

Roper Pigg

Shane Waldrop

Fort Elliott Super Boosters Go, Cougars!—Allison Snack Shack Brian, Shelly, Rayden & Tucker Walden Rise and Shout, the Cougars are out! Good Luck!—Kade, Calah, Hunt, Wynter & Roman Zybach Best of Luck, Cougars and Lady Cougars!— Shawn, Daphne, Alexis, Zane & Shyana Zybach

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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Marshal Meininger

Wally Wilson

Cutter Barr

Jaytin Dickey

Jose Perez

Go, Cougars!—Greg & Gwen Gibson Good Luck, Cougars and Lady Cougars!— Wheeler Flower Shop, 418 S. Main St. Good Luck, Cougars!—Gregg & Sherry Clark Go, Cougars!—Have a Great Year!— Justin & Susan Hughes Good Luck, Gavin Mac!—Gay Purcell Ranch Go, Cougars and Lady Cougars!— Josh, Jenn, Landry & Baker Purcell

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Good Luck, Gavin!—Love, Tori, Paden, Gunner & Cayson Let’s Go, Cougars!—Tim & Sallie Adcock Have a great season, Cougars and Lady Cougars!—Alton & Ariel Lohberger Good Luck, Cougars!—Jr. & Traci Coleman Good luck this season!—Dennis & Brenda Hefley Good Luck, Cougars and Lady Cougars! We are proud!—Tommy, Amanda & Tatum Meek Wishing the Cougars and Lady Cougars a great season!—Kevin & Jona Meek Good Luck Cougars and Lady Cougars!— Ben, Tonia & Jaxon Meadows Play hard and play smart Cougars, and know we are cheering for you!—Abbi Aderholt Let’s go Gavin #4!—Love, Mom & Dad Go, Cougars!—Ronny & DeAnna Vandever, Justin, Raysha, Ian, Emi & Adi Walker, Ryan, Reba & Ryan Vandever Go, Cougars!—Brett, Tara, Brock & Brooklyn Buckingham Go, Shane! Good Luck Cougars!—Jim & Mindy Davis Have a great season!—April Goad, Ruby Ribbon, stylist Good Luck, Cougars & Lady Cougars!— Shane, April, Shaley & Gatlin Goad

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Summer Meller

Marilyn Lopez

Shelby Bowman

Fort Elliott Girls Name Ht. Pos. Class Savanna Sims 5-7 G/F Jr. Brooklyn Buckingham 5-8 G Jr. Lindi Rose 5-6 G Jr. Sydney Hughes 5-8 F Jr. Marilyn Lopez de Lara 5-7 F/P Sr. Summer Meller 5-6 F/G Soph. Shelby Bowman 5-8 F/P Fr. Yesenia Perez 5-8 F/G Jr. Kaylee Bass 5-7 F Sr. Coach: Lana Swafford 2019-2020 record: 10-20, 2-8 School phone: 375-2454 Players to watch: Sydney Hughes, Summer Meller, Yesenia Perez

297

Name Gavin Boydston Gavin McDowell Roper Pigg Shane Waldrop Boone Begert Marshall Meininger Cutter Barr Jaytin Dickey Wally Wilson Jose Perez

Fort Elliott Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-11 G Sr. 5-7 G Jr. 5-8 G Jr. 5-10 G Soph. 6-2 P Soph. 5-10 P Soph. 5-7 G Fr. 6-1 P Fr. 5-10 P Fr. 5-7 P Fr.

Coach: Ray Turpen 2019-2020 record: 15-14, 10-2 School phone: 375-2454 Players to watch: Gavin Boydston, Gavin McDowell, Roper Pigg

Good Luck, Roper and Tatum!—Jeremy, Mandy, Brooke, Jeren & Tandy Good Luck, Cougars and Lady Cougars!—Clay, Amy, Rylee & Rex Zybach Proud to have Cougar Pride!—Ben, Casey, Roper & Tatum Pigg Good Luck, Fort Elliott Cougars and Lady Cougars!—Wayne & Kathy Zybach We support the Cougars!—Clayton & Donna Pigg Xyngular—Alicia Hefley

298

Go, Cougars!—Kim’s Barber Shop, Tues-Fri. 8-1, Sat. 8-12, Wheeler, TX Good Luck, Cougars and Lady Cougars!— Earnest, Brenda & Larami Lancaster Go, Cougars and Lady Cougars!— Ronda, Audra & Emma Go, Cougars!—The Marshall’s Good Luck, Cougars and Lady Cougars!— Randy & Tera Finsterwald, Madison & Tristan Good Luck, Cougars and Lady Cougars! We are proud of you!—Monty, Sealey, Brylie, Brettly, Beau & Blayke Hand Good Luck, Cougars! Go Summer!—Robert & Jerry Meller Wishing Ali and the FE Cougars Good Luck!— The Bowman’s Go, Cougars!—Mel’s Diner, 706 W. Oklahoma Ave. Wheeler, TX, 806-826-3756

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

McLean

Lady Tigers hope to keep Fly-ing Folks in McLean can be pardoned if they’re growing a bit tired of Nazareth’s success in girls basketball. The Naz Swiftettes, en route to their fourth straight Class 1A state championship, ended the Lady Tigers’ season with a 55-31 knockout in the area round last spring. That marked the sixth year in a row that the Swiftettes have sent the Lady Tigers packing in the playoffs, with some of those games ending with closer scores than last year’s. Other than that defeat to their yearly nemesis, Coach TJ Fly’s crew had a fine season. The Lady Tigers finished second in the Memphis Tournament and were the consolation champs in West Texas High’s event. They took second in District 2-1A with a 10-2 record. McLean knocked off Follett 56-39 in bidistrict before taking on Naz. The Lady Tigers wound up 21-9 overall, their second straight 20-plus-win season under Fly. “We were led by a group of seniors that played a lot of minutes and won a lot of games in their careers,” Fly said. “I feel like we were hitting our stride at the right part of the season going into the playoffs.” That group of seniors included Caden Carter, the district offensive MVP and TABC all-region, and Dee Vasquez, all-district. Kinzie Cooper and Shiana Hutchison also departed. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Lily Reichman

Ashlie Russell

Stormi Ketcherside

Faith Moon

Clare Long

But Fly welcomes back three returning starters and two other letter winners this fall. (Continued on next page)

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Lily Reichman, a 5-11 senior post, averaged 9.9 points and 8.5 rebounds last season in earning all-district honors. She’s an all-state candidate this season in Fly’s estimation. The other two returning starters are 5-4 junior guard Ashlie Russell and 5-7 senior guard Faith Moon. Russell (4.2 ppg, 3.1 assists per game) was an all-district selection last season. Moon (4.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg) was honorable mention all-district. Moon is the younger sister of former Lady Tiger Hope Moon, the district MVP in the 2018-19 season. Those three returning starters represent 18.7 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics. The two other returning letter winners are 5-8 junior post Stormi Ketcherside (2.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and 5-6 junior guard Clare Long. Russell, Faith Moon, Ketcherside and Long are other outstanding players to watch, according to Fly. Sophomore 5-4 guard Kaitlyn Hutchison is the sister of the departed Shiana Hutchison, and 5-4 sophomore forward Sara Haynes is the cousin of assistant coach Sheri Copenhaver, who played on McLean’s 2010 state runner-up team, and the daughter of McLean all-stater and longtime coach Sheri Haynes. Others expected to contribute are sophomores Madison Sloan and Jada Jones and freshmen Ashlyn Stone, Mallery Reynolds, Malanee Allen, Lillie Sloan, Anayah Salinas and Hailli Banks. The Sloans are sisters. Fly rates speed, quickness and versatility as the Lady Tigers’ strong points. He is concerned about the lack of depth, especially at the post position, and the team’s youth. “The keys will be to develop our younger players and get

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McLean’s Ashlie Russell drives past Nazareth’s Cambrie Heiman in a Class 1A area playoff game Feb. 20 at Caprock High School in Amarillo. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

them up to speed,” Fly said. “Our returners will be a big part of bringing them along to help develop some depth.” “We will also need players to step up and play different roles than they have in the past in order for us to be successful.” Fly is a graduate of Lubbock Coronado High School and Wayland Baptist University. He was an assistant at Floydada before moving to McLean, where he’s been quite successful.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

As he begins his third season, he sports a 49-15 won-lost record with the Lady Tigers. McLean moves from District 2-1A to 1-1A this year because of UIL realignment. Consequently, the Lady Tigers will face five new district opponents. Lefors is the only holdover league foe, having also moved to 1-1A. The Lady Tigers should gain valuable experience early as their season is scheduled to begin Nov. 10 at Ralls followed by road games Nov. 14 at Spearman and Nov. 17 at Clarendon. Their first home game will be Nov. 20 against Valley. BOYS The Tigers avoided a possible playoff loss to Nazareth for a third straight year – because they didn’t make the playoffs. McLean had lost to Naz in the regional quarterfinals and regional finals the previous two years but returned only two starters last fall for Coach Brad Rainer’s first year on the job. Getting their usual late start because of the football team’s second-straight advancement to the state championship game, the Tigers struggled to a 6-10 season. Their 3-9 record in District 2-1A left them in fifth place with no playoff berth. The key departure from last year’s team was all-district Ben Crockett. Crockett is best-known for his football prowess, rushing for 2,965 yards and 63 touchdowns in his senior year. He was the Offensive MVP in McLean’s win over Milford in the 2018 Six-Man Class 1-A Division 1 state championship game and the Defensive MVP in the Tigers’ narrow loss to Blum in the 2019 state title game. Jackson Rainer (the coach’s son), Eric Bartley and Kade Reichman also were seniors on last year’s Tiger team.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Carson Carter

Devin Holmes

Cade Muniz

Garrett McDonald

Sheppard Reichman

That leaves Coach Rainer with eight returning letter winners but only one returning starter: 5-10 junior guard Carson Carter, who averaged 9 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists last season. Carter, 5-7 senior guard Devin Holmes and 5-8 junior guard Garrett McDonald are the Tigers to watch, according to their coach. The other letter winners are 5-8 senior post Cade Muniz, 6-1 sophomore post Sheppard Reichman, 5-6 sophomore post Chrystian Larson, 5-6 sophomore guard Alex Retana and 5-8 sophomore post Jaxon Hembree. (Continued on next page)

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The Tigers will be young, with two seniors, two juniors and four sophomores on the roster. Rainer tabs quickness and depth as his team’s strengths. He’s concerned about the lack of experience and the lack of size. He said the keys for success this season will be to “develop a lot of new faces and play a faster game and use our quickness.” Rainier, a graduate of Floydada High School and Angelo State University, coached at Groom, Meadow and Follett before coming to McLean, where he served as an assistant for the Tigers’ 2018 Class 1A state champion football team and the 2019 state runner-up squad. He has a 181-122 record (.584 winning percentage) as a boys head basketball coach. The Tigers are scheduled to open the season Nov. 17 at home against the Gruver JV followed by a Nov. 20 home date with the Valley varsity. The Tigers and Lady Tigers will make their debuts in District 1-1A with road games at Follett on Dec. 8. Carson Carter of McLean maneuvers against Shamrock’s Justin Moon at the Tigers’ gym on Feb. 7. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

McLean Super Boosters Good Luck, Stormi!—Ellis Family Go, Stormi! Let’s Go Lady Tigers!— Jacie, BJ & J Jason Ketcherside Go, Tigers & Lady Tigers!—The Sparling Family

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Hope you have a great year Sara!— Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you”—Lindy Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and selfdiscipline”—Laurie

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Chrystian Larson

Name Devin Holmes Cade Muniz Carson Carter Garrett McDonald Sheppard Reichman Chrystian Larson Alex Retana Jaxon Hembree

Alex Retana

Jaxon Hembree

McLean Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-7 G Sr. 5-8 P Sr. 5-10 G Jr. 5-8 G Jr. 6-1 P Soph. 5-6 P Soph. 5-6 G Soph. 5-8 P Soph.

Coach: Brad Rainer Asst. Coach: Zach Kidd 2019-2020 record: 6-10, 3-9 School phone: 779-2301 Players to watch: Carson Carter, Devin Holmes, Garrett McDonald

That good old Tiger Line, that good old Tiger Line, We’ll march together through the years, as long as stars shall shine. We’ll fling our black and gold afar, to light the ways of time, And guide us as we onward go, That Good Old Tiger Line!—McLean-Alanreed Area Museum Go, Lady Tigers!—Linda Haynes We wish the Lady Tigers a great season!— Younigueb & LeighAnn Isbell

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

McLean Tigers Kade Reichman, in white at left, Ben Crockett and Sheppard Reichman contest a rebound against Shamrock in district game Feb. 7 at McLean. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Go, Anayah & The Lady Tigers!—The Rodriguez Family So proud of you, Sara! Have a great season!

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Name Faith Moon Lily Reichman Stormi Ketcherside Clare Long Ashlie Russell Kaitlyn Hutchison Madison Sloan Sara Haynes Jada Jones Anayah Salinas Ashlyn Stone Mallery Reynolds Malanee Allen Lillie Sloan Hailli Banks

Lily Reichman of McLean prepares to shoot a free throw as Dee Vasquez stands guard in the Lady Tigers’ area playoff game against Nazareth Feb. 20 at Caprock High School. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

McLean Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-7 G Sr. 5-11 P Sr. 5-8 P Jr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-4 G Jr. 5-4 G Soph. 5-5 G Soph. 5-3 F Soph. 5-5 G Soph. 5-2 G Fr. 5-3 F Fr. 5-5 F Fr. 5-4 P Fr. 5-4 F Fr. 5-5 P Fr.

Coach: TJ Fly Asst. Coach: Sheri Copenhaver 2019-2020 record: 21-9, 10-2 School phone: 997-2571 Players to watch: Faith Moon, Lily Reichman, Stormi Ketcherside, Clare Long, Ashlie Russell

McLean Coach TJ Fly instructs the Lady Tigers as the team and assistant coach Sheri Copenhaver listen during the Lady Tigers’ area playoff game against Nazareth Feb. 20 at Caprock High School. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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Faith Moon of McLean is guarded by Shamrock’s Kynnan Shields in a district game Feb. 7 at McLean. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 29 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 12

McLean Schedule

Opponent Ralls Spearman Clarendon Gruver JV Valley Groom Adrian Sunray Follett Wheeler Hedley Fort Elliott Darouzette Groom Miami Lefors Booker Fort Elliott Follett Darouzette Miami Lefors Booker Fort Elliott

Place B G There X There X There X Here X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X Here X Here X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X

District 2-1A Veteran coach takes Tigerette post

Groom

Kirk Ellis, a veteran coach with more than 300 coaching victories to his name, is the Tigerettes’ new coach. Ellis, a graduate of Dumas High School and West Texas State University, has coached both boys and girls teams in his 20-year career as a head basketball coach. He’s mentored teams at Hereford, Highland Park and Pampa. Aubrey Ritter His boys teams have won 63 and lost 57. His girls teams stand 248-222. Combined, that’s a 311-279 record (.527 winning percentage) as a high school coach. He replaces Nicole Black, who left Groom to take the girls job at Class 2A Rio Vista. Black coached the Tigerettes for four years, and two of her teams qualified for the playoffs. Last year’s team just missed, finishing fourth in District 2-1A with a 6-6 record. Groom wound up 16-13 overall. Kaylee Ritter and Ginna Miller were the only two seniors listed on last year’s roster, so they’re gone, but Ellis inherits two all-district returners. They are Aubrey Ritter, a 5-10 senior post, and Graci Treadwell, a 5-7 senior guard. Ellis views Aubrey Ritter as an all-state candidate and a player to watch. In addition, he tabs Treadwell and 5-5 sophomore guard Ali Friemel as players to watch. There are three Ritters on the Groom roster. Aubrey Ritter is a cousin to 5-6 sophomore guard Briana Ritter and 5-7 freshman post/guard Lexi Ritter. The latter two are sisters. All four classes have equal representation on the Tigerette roster with three seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen.

Graci Treadwell

Kirsten Rice

Payton Trevino

Ellis describes his team’s strengths as having “solid returners, some shooting and defense.” One concern is rebounding. Others are finding roles for the newcomers and adjusting to a new way of doing things. “We must find a way to always play great defense, rebound, and find ways to play to our offensive strengths,” he said in assessing the keys for success this season. Groom’s District 2-1A will have a new six-team look this season because of UIL realignment. Silverton and Valley are the new foes in the district, replacing Shamrock (moved up to Class 2A), McLean (shifted to 1-1A) and Lefors (1-1A). Claude, Hedley and White Deer are holdover district opponents. The Tigerettes will open their season Nov. 10 at Hartley. Their home opener is Nov. 21 against Clarendon. The girls will begin district play Jan. 5. BOYS The Tigers’ revolving coaching door is shut. Tory Peet is staying for a second season at Groom. That breaks a string of five different coaches in five years for the Tigers. One (Continued on page 307

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of those coaches, Tony Dodson, who is the school’s assistant principal, is Peet’s assistant. Peet’s debut went very well last season. The Tigers roared to a 17-4 overall record and finished third in District 2-1A with a 9-3 conference mark. In the playoffs, Groom defeated Fort Elliott 64-42 in bidistrict but lost to Valley 37-28 in the area game. “We had a nice season,” Peet said. “With another year’s growth, we have high expectations.” Two key members of last year’s team have moved on. Cade Linquist was all-district and all-region. Whitt Ward was all-district honorable mention. With four starters and another letter winner returning, Peet seeks a repeat of last season, or even better. The top gun is Gunner Lamb, a 6-2 senior who averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in earning all-district and allregion laurels. He also was a standout football player on Groom’s six-man team. Lamb is the son of Groom Superintendent Jay Lamb, a former Groom coach. Peet recommends Gunner Lamb and 5-8 sophomore Stephen Kuehler (7 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg) as all-state candidates. Kuehler started last year, as did his brother, 5-6 junior Damon Kuehler (5 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg). The fourth returning starter is 5-9 senior Braedon Williams (3 ppg, 2 rpg). Those four returning starters represent 30 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Peet regards those four players who started last year as the Tigers’ strong point.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Gunner Lamb

Braedon Williams

Tyler Boyd

Damon Kuehler and 5-5 junior Cael Ruthardt are players to watch, according to Peet. Blayne Shuck, a 5-10 sophomore, is the fifth returning letter winner. The Groom roster is composed of four seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and one freshman. Peet is concerned about his team’s size and depth. Staying healthy is the key for success this season. Peet, a graduate of Pampa High School and West Texas A&M University, has coached both boys and girls teams in his 13-year coaching career. He mentored girls at Lefors (2008-12) and boys at Miami (2012-19). Silverton and Valley are newcomers to District 2-1A this season, replacing Shamrock, McLean and Lefors. The Tigers’ season opener was set tentatively for Dec. 4 at home against the Amarillo Flames, but it was likely that the football playoffs would delay the first basketball game. The boys will begin District 2-1A competition Jan.12.

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Name Tyler Boyd Gunner Lamb Tanis Terbush Braedon Williams Damon Kuehler Colby Linquist Cael Ruthardt Stephen Kuehler Blayne Shuck Ryan Weinheimer

Groom Boys Ht. Class 5-11 Sr. 6-2 Sr. 6-3 Sr. 5-9 Sr. 5-6 Jr. 6-1 Jr. 5-5 Jr. 5-8 Soph. 5-10 Soph. 6-2 Fr.

Coach: Tory Peet Asst. Coach: Tony Dodson 2019-2020 record: 17-4, 9-3 School phone: 248-7474 Players to watch: Gunner Lamb, Damon Kuehler, Stephen Kuehler, Cael Ruthardt

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Name Aubrey Ritter Graci Treadwell Kirsten Rice Payton Trevino Samantha Short Saffron Eugea Briana Ritter Ali Friemel Kaylynn Bennett Lexi Ritter Molly Babcock Brandi Tipton

Groom Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-10 P Sr. 5-7 G Sr. 5-6 G Sr. 5-5 P/G Jr. 5-3 G Jr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-6 G Soph. 5-5 G Soph. 5-5 G Soph. 5-7 P/G Fr. 5-6 G Fr. 5-6 G Fr.

Coach: Kirk Ellis Asst. Coach: Ashley Richburg 2019-2020 record: 6-6 School phone: 248-7474 Players to watch: Aubrey Ritter, Graci Treadwell, Ali Friemel

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 17 Nov. 21 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Dec. 29 Dec. 31 Jan. 5 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Groom Schedule

Opponent Hartley Hart Follett Clarendon McLean Follett Amarillo Flames Miami Channing Sunray Wheeler Fritch River Road Shamrock McLean Channing Silverton Fritch Claude Wildorado Valley Hedley White Deer Silverton Claude Valley Hedley White Deer Silverton Claude

Place B G There X There X There X Here X Here X Here X X Here X X There X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X Here X There X There X Here X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X Here X There X

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Groom Super Boosters

Go, Tigers and Tigerettes!—Nathan, Sherri, Maddie and Kyle Go ,Tigers & Tigerettes!—Dale & Carolyn Go, Tigers and Ettes!—Wieners Family Jerry, Pam & Cassie Ashford, Nick, Cara, Westen & Blakely, Ashford & Tami, Jerod,K K’Leigh, Paisleigh, Maci & Ryan Keesee Go, Tigers and Tigerettes!—David & Shelley Britten Go, Get’Em Tigers!—The Groom News Memories….Kirsten Rice….—Love, Mom & Dad We love you Kirsten Rice!—Love, the Williams & Pogue’s—In memory of Mike Williams Go, Kirsten Rice!—Love, Amanda & Ray Play hard, Colby! We love you!—Mom, Dad, Cade, Baylei & Caydence Gunner, have a great Senior Season! We Love You!—Tacy, Jay, Chelsey, Rion & Mackenzie

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White Deer

Bucks, Does both show success Tell Rutledge’s first year at White Deer was a Tell-ing success. After a slow start, the Bucks broke a long drought in district competition by winning 2-1A with an 11-1 record. White Deer wound up 18-15 overall after losing to Texline 61-50 in the area playoff round. “We struggled early through a very tough nondistrict schedule, but it benefitted us in Karson Ketchum district by winning the first boys district championship in 11 years,” Rutledge said. Graduation took a heavy toll, however, as six seniors, including four honored players, from that club have departed. Drake Damron was the district MVP and TABC all-region; Braden Logue the district defensive MVP; John Perriman firstteam all-district; and Jasper Chaney AD honorable mention. Austin Gollihugh and Preston Sons also moved on. That exodus leaves two returning starters and two other letter winners for Rutledge to direct this season. Karson Ketchum, a 5-10 junior guard, averaged 6 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in earning first-team all-district honors last season. The other returning starter is 5-11 senior guard Hunter Warminski (7 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg), an all-district honorable mention.

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Hunter Warminski

Graysen Freeman

William Sirmans

Letter winner Graysen Freeman, a 5-11 senior guard (4 ppg, 3 rpg), also was honorable mention all-district. Graysen Freeman is the younger brother of former Buck Gage Freeman, the district defensive MVP in 2018-19. William Sirmans, a 6-1 senior post (2 ppg), is the other returning letter winner. Rutledge rates size and athleticism as the Bucks’ strengths. “We should be better defensively,” he also said. He’s concerned about depth and experience, noting that White Deer’s role players will be young. As for the keys to success this season, Rutledge said, “We need to find easy points with our defense and athleticism.” (Continued on page 315

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(Continued from page 312)

Rutledge is a graduate of Whitharral High School and Lubbock Christian University. He coached at Zephyr and Leakey before taking the White Deer job. He has a 40-34 boys coaching record. The Bucks will open their season Nov. 23 at home against Happy. Silverton and Valley will be new members of the six-team District 2-1A because of UIL alignment. McLean, Shamrock and Lefors have departed. GIRLS Despite a losing (17-18) overall record, the Does had a successful season. They finished third in District 2-1A with an 8-4 mark and advanced into the third round of the playoffs. Returning to postseason play after a one-year absence, White Deer defeated Booker 58-35 in bidistrict and Valley 57-38 in the area game. Claude stopped the Does 55-45 in the regional quarterfinals. Coach Rex Beck said the Does gained experience by playing tough competition in the Shallowater Tournament early in the season. They lost to Class 4A Hereford and Class 3A statechampion-to-be Shallowater in that event. “We played a lot of good teams before district, which helped us in the district. Played well toward the end of the year,” Beck said. “The two playoff wins should help motivate us going into this season. Thought we played a good game in the area round, beating district champion Valley. We lost Shaylin (Weathers) in that game to a knee injury, which did not help when we played Claude. I was very happy with the effort we played with against Claude. We just keep fighting.” Emily Bradley, all-district and all-region, was the major departure from last year’s team.

Curstin Haiduk

Rebecca Tracy

Shaylin Weathers

Teagan Forney

Makenzie Crook

Beck has four full-time returning starters and four other letter winners on hand as he begins his ninth season at White Deer. The four returning starters are: • Rebecca Tracy, a 6-0 senior post, was all-district; • Curstin Haiduk, a 5-6 senior guard, was honorable mention all-district; • Teagan Forney, a 5-7 senior guard, also was honorable mention all-district; • Shaylin Weathers, a 5-6 junior guard, is coming back from knee surgery. (Continued on next page)

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(Continued from previous page)

Beck considers Haiduk an all-state candidate and tabs Tracy, Forney and Weathers as other players to watch. The other retuning letter winners are 5-6 senior guard/post Makenzie Crook, 5-7 senior post Sydnee Hendrick, 5-7 junior guard/post Jade Perriman and 5-7 sophomore guard Taysen Swires. “We return six players that started at one time last season. Two playoff wins will help us to keep motivated. Six seniors will and have provided good leadership,” Beck said. “I think our team chemistry will be much improved, and we had a good summer even though participating in team camps was limited.” He’s concerned about someone stepping up to be a consistent scorer, better rebounding this season and limiting turnovers. “The main key for us is to maintain team chemistry and play great defense,” Beck said. “We need to create more transition points. We also need to limit our turnovers. If we can play good defense and finish shots, we will have a successful season.” Beck, a Lubbock Roosevelt High School and West Texas A&M University graduate, coached at Bangs before arriving in White Deer. He has a 246-169 won-lost ledger for his 15 years of coaching girls teams. In the past six years, Beck has guided the Does to a 125-75 record. The Does will begin their season with a road game at Clarendon Nov. 10. They’ll have later matches against West Texas High, Spearman and Vega. “We always play a tough nondistrict schedule, which helps when district rolls around,” Beck said. The Does will begin district play Jan. 5.

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Sydney Hendrick

Taysen Swires

Rylee Hill

White Deer Super Boosters

Go, Shay, Go! Your biggest fans!—Love Mom, Dad, Brodie, Rush & Cross Doe Strong & Buck Pride! Have a Great Season!—Andrew & Coach Bichsel We support the Does and Bucks! Be Uncommon!—Coach Beck and Aimee Have a Great Year, Rylee Hill! We Love You! Go Does!—Mimi & Papa Have a Great Year, #23 Jade Perrian and Dakota Thomas, we are proud of you!— Grandma & Grandpa Thomas Go, Does!—Love Coach Kelsi Go, Does!—Love, the Swires Go, Taysen!—Love Mama & Papa Go Big or Go Home! Love you, Taysen. Have a great season!—Love Tjaeden, Taylor, Ryker, Milly & Krockett

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Name Hunter Warminski Graysen Freeman Karson Ketchum Yahir Rodriguez William Sirmans Dakota Thomas Hayden Hill Colton Fincher Bradley Pate

White Deer Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-11 G Sr. 5-11 G Sr. 5-10 G Jr. 5-8 G Sr. 6-1 P Sr. 6-2 P Jr. 5-10 G Soph. 5-8 G Soph. 6-3 P Soph.

Coach: Tell Rutledge Asst. Coach: Jonathan Hughes 2019-2020 record: 18-15, 11-1 School phone: 883-2311 Players to watch: Hunter Warminski, Graysen Freeman, Karson Ketchum DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 21 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 19

White Deer Schedule

Opponent Clarendon West Texas High Spearman Happy Vega McLean Shamrock Sunray Fort Elliott Hartley Wellington Clarendon Dalhart River Road

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Place B G There X Here X There X Here X Here X X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X There X There X Here X Here X

Name Curstin Haiduk Rebecca Tracy Teagan Forney Makenzie Crook Sydnee Hendrick Rylee Hill Shaylin Weathers Jade Perriman Taysen Swires

White Deer Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-6 G Sr. 6-0 P Sr. 5-7 G Sr. 5-6 G/P Sr. 5-7 P Sr. 5-5 G Sr. 5-6 G Jr. 5-7 G/P Jr. 5-7 G Soph.

Coach: Rex Beck Asst. Coach: Cassidy Bichsel 2019-2020 record: 17-18, 8-4 School phone: 878-2858 Players to watch: Custin Haiduk, Rebecca Tracy, Teagan Forney, Shaylin Weathers Dec. 29 Wheeler Dec. 31 Wildorado Jan. 5 Hedley Jan. 5 Sunray Jan. 8 Silverton Jan. 8 West Texas High Jan. 12 Claude Jan. 15 Valley Jan. 19 Groom Jan. 22 Hedley Jan. 26 Silverton Jan. 29 Claude Feb. 2 Valley Feb. 5 Groom Feb. 9 Hedley Feb. 12 Silverton

Here X Here X There Here X There Here X Here X There X Here X Here X Here X There X Here X There X There X There X

X X X X X X X X X X X X

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Happy

District 3-1A Two new coaches find Happy jobs

Happy has a pair of new basketball coaches. Josh Strickland is the boys coach; Brady Clark takes over the girls. It’s a yearly occurrence to have a new girls coach at Happy, but the change in the boys program is more startling. That’s because Travis Dawson, the previous Cowboys coach, had been so successful. He twice led Happy teams into the Class 1A state tournament in his four years there. His Cowboys won two district championships and finished second and third the other years. His teams, qualifying for the playoffs all four years, won 76 and lost 46, a .623 winning percentage. Dawson has moved to Class 3A Wall to replace six-year Coach Brian Blackman as the boys mentor. Strickland brings five years of head coaching experience to Happy. The Sanford-Fritch High School and West Texas A&M University graduate has coached at his high school alma mater plus Panhandle, Sterling City, Canyon and Adrian. He has a 3891 career boys coaching record. Last year’s Cowboys had their only losing season under Dawson, finishing 15-18 overall. However, Happy snared third place in District 3-1A with an 8-4 conference mark. In the playoffs, the Cowboys defeated Anton 45-35 in bidistrict before bowing to Booker 43-39 in the area round.

Arik Coile

Camden Sperry

Jordan Wilhite

Chance Stockett and Connor Sperry were the seniors on that Cowboy club, so they’ve moved on. Strickland inherits two all-district players in 6-1 senior post Arik Coile and 5-8 sophomore guard Camden Sperry. Strickland nominates Coile as an all-state candidate. He tabs Camden Sperry, 6-2 senior post Jordan Wilhite, 5-11 junior guard Pace Bressler, 6-0 sophomore forward/post Kyton Johnson and 6-1 sophomore guard Jimmy Reyes as additional players to watch. Those six players represent his entire roster of two seniors, one junior and three sophomores. (Continued on page 321)

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Name Arik Coile Jordan Wilhite Pace Bressler Camden Sperry Kyton Johnson Jimmy Reyes

Happy Boys Ht. Pos. 6-1 P 6-2 P 5-11 G 5-8 G 6-0 F/P 6-1 G

Class Sr. Sr. Jr. Soph. Soph. Soph.

Coach: Josh Strickland Asst. Coaches: Jimmy Moore, Stacy Perryman 2019-2020 record: 15-18, 8-4 School phone: 558-5331 Players to watch: Arik Coile, Jordan Wilhite, Pace Bressler, Camden Sperry, Kyton Johnson, Jimmy Reyes Happy Girls Name Ht. Pos. Kenli Johnson 5-7 G Aimee McCarley 5-5 G Hannah Drake 5-8 G Sydni Middleton 5-9 P Ashlyn White 5-9 P Emily Berry 5-5 G Bailee Bagerman 5-6 G Halee Johnson 5-8 G

Class Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Soph.

Coach: Brady Clark Asst. Coach: Charles Byrd 2019-2020 record: 10-2 School phone: 558-5331 Players to watch: Kenli Johnson, Aimee McCarley, Ashlyn White, Sydni Middleton

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Happy Schedule

DATE

Opponent

Place

Nov. 7

Springlake-Earth

Here

B G X

Nov. 10

Valley

There

Nov. 13

Canadian

Here

Nov. 14

Farwell

There

Nov. 17

Stratford

Here

Nov. 23

White Deer

There

Nov. 24

Amarillo Flames

Here

Dec. 1

Vega

Here

Dec. 4

Hale Center

There

Dec. 5

West Texas High

Here

Dec. 8

Wellington

There

Dec. 8

Memphis

There

Dec. 15

Nazareth

There

Dec. 18

Texline

Here

Dec. 22

Wildorado

Here

Dec. 29

Highland Park

Here

Dec. 30

River Road

Here

Jan. 5

Channing

There

Jan. 8

Hartley

There

Jan. 12

Adrian

There

Jan. 15

Nazareth

Here

Jan. 22

Texline

There

Jan. 26

Wildorado

There

Jan. 29

Channing

Here

Feb. 2

Adrian

Here

Feb. 5

Hartley

Here

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(Continued from page 319)

They also represent the Cowboys’ strengths — lots of returning experience, defense and athleticism — according to Strickland. He is concerned about finding proven scoring and leadership. Strickland described the keys to success this season as “continue to lean on our team defense and improve in all areas of offense.” Happy’s District 1-3A is one of the few conferences not affected by UIL realignment. The same seven teams as the past two years make up the district. The Cowboys will have a late start to the season, opening Nov. 23 at White Deer. The home opener will be the next night against the Amarillo Flames. They’ll open district play Dec. 15 at defending champion Nazareth. GIRLS Talk about turnover — Brady Clark becomes the Cowgirls’ fifth coach in as many years. This will be Clark’s first head coaching job, although he served as an assistant at Christoval for two years. He is a graduate of Wall High School and Angelo State University. Clark succeeds Rhyan Daugherty, who moved to Class 4A Perryton to take its boys coaching position. In Daugherty’s only season at Happy, the Cowgirls showed remarkable success considering Daugherty began the year with only three returning letter winners. Happy went 19-16 overall and finished second in the district with a 10-2 record. The Cowgirls clobbered Kress 68-22 in the bidistrict playoff before falling to Claude 51-27 in the area game. There was only one senior, Kinley Gibson, on last year’s team, and she earned first-team all-district laurels. She has graduated.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Pace Bressler

Kyton Johnson

Jimmy Reyes

The Cowgirls again have only one senior on their roster to go along with six juniors and one sophomore. Senior Kenli Johnson, a 5-7 senior guard, was first-team alldistrict last season. She is an all-state candidate this season in Clark’s estimation. Aimee McCarley, a 5-5 junior guard, was an all-district honorable mention last season. McCarley, 5-9 junior post Sydni Middleton and 5-9 junior post Ashlyn White are additional players to watch, according to their coach. Also expected to contribute are juniors Hannah Drake, Emily Berry and Bailee Bagerman and sophomore Halee Johnson. Clark rates speed and depth as the Cowgirls’ strengths. He is concerned about the players learning a new system. Of course, they’ve had to do that for five years in a row. The Cowgirls’ opener is Nov. 7 against Springlake-Earth. Their District 3-1A debut will be Dec. 15 at Nazareth, which has won four straight Class 1A state championships. There are no membership changes in District 3-1A this season.

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Kenli Johnson

Aimee McCarley

Ashlyn White

Sydni Middleton

Hannah Drake

Go, Cowgirls!

Nazareth

Swiftettes keep rewriting their own success The Swiftettes’ dominance of Class 1A girls basketball in Texas kept rolling last season. Nazareth captured its fourth straight state championship, its sixth in the past seven years and its 24th in school history. That climaxed a 31-8 campaign that included an impressive 12-0 District 3-1A title run. In the postseason, the Swiftettes had only a couple of close calls. They raced away from McLean 55-31 after leading only 28-25 in the third quarter of the area game, beat Higgins 44-25 in the regional quarterfinals, edged Ropes 46-44 in the regional semifinals and topped New Home 37-30 in the regional finals. Naz cruised at state, whipping Veribest 43-23 in the semifinals and Lipan 44-31 in the finals. That capped a strong finish for a team that lost four of its first seven games and stood 6-6 at one point in the season. Of course, all those losses were to higher-classification powerhouses. The Swiftettes always play a tough schedule. “This group was faced with more adversity, on and off the floor, than any team I’ve ever coached. I believe that the way they handled those obstacles along with a tough schedule is what built them into a state championship team,” Coach Eric Schilling said. “This was a close-knit team that always picked up each other up, and that unity was a huge factor in making them a great team. 322 1A

Merry Gerber

Emma Kleman

Makenzy Corrales

It’s always good to see everything come together the right way at the end of the season, and these girls deserve all the credit for stepping up and getting the job done to win another gold medal.” Three key performers have moved on from that team: • Cambrie Heiman was the district MVP, TSMCA first-team all-region and player of the year, TGCA all-state and TABC allregion, all-state and 1A player of the year; • April Schmucker was the district defensive MVP, TSMCA first-team all-region and first-team all-state, TGCA all-state and TABC all-region and all-state; • Amy Schilderink was all-district, TGCA all-state and TABC (Continued on next page) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Addie Dyer

Jaden Pigg

Maggie Nelson

(Continued from previous page)

all-region. Despite those departures, don’t think the Swiftettes are destined for rough times. Schilling has two returning starters and five other letter winners to bank on. They are: • Returning starter Merry Gerber, a 6-1 senior forward, averaged 10 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in the earning district offensive MVP TSMCA first-team all-region and second-team all-state, TGCA all-state and TABC all-region and all-state honors; • Emma Kleman, a 5-7 senior guard, contributed 8 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg and was all-district, TSMCA second-team all-region, TGCA all-state, TABC all-region and the state tournament MVP; • Letter winner Makenzy Corrales, a 5-5 junior guard (6 ppg, 3rpg, 3 apg), was all-district and made the all-state tournament team; • Letter winner Addie Dyer, a 5-7 junior guard (5 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg), was honorable mention all-district and on the all-state tournament team; • Letter winner Jaden Pigg, a 5-8 senior forward (4 ppg, 2

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Kyanne Dunn

Bliss Betzen

Iris Schilderink

rpg) was honorable mention all-district. Gerber, Kleman, Corrales and Dyer all are all-state candidates this season, according to Schilling. They also are the players to watch. The other letter winners are 5-6 senior guard Maggie Nelson (2 ppg) and 5-7 senior guard Kyanne Dunn (2 ppg). That experience, along with size and balance, are the Swiftettes’ strengths, according to Schilling. He is concerned about players stepping into new roles. “In order for this team to be successful, they will need to be ready to step into roles that may be different than last year’s. While we have a lot of experienced players back, we still have some new faces that we have to figure out where they fit best,” Schilling said. “We have to be ready to take on a tough pre-district schedule and improve from it so that we can be at our best at the right time of the season.” The Swiftettes have been perfect in their district for seven (Continued on next page)

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Kaden Cleavinger

Aidan Moore

Luke Betzen

(Continued from previous page)

straight seasons. District 3-1A is one of the few districts unaffected by UIL realignment this season. They will continue the tough schedule tradition with games against Class 6A Frenship, Class 5A Amarillo High and Tascosa, Class 4A power Canyon and Class 2A defending state champion Shallowater. Schilling is beginning his 10th season at his high school alma mater, where he played on the Swifts’ 2002 and 2003 state championship teams. The West Texas A&M University graduate has guided the Swiftettes to the state tournament for seven straight years. He’ll probably notch his 300th career coaching victory — all at Nazareth — this season. He currently stands at 283-51 for a sparkling .847 winning percentage. BOYS The third time wasn’t a charm for the Swifts. Making their third straight trip to the state tournament, Nazareth came up short again, losing to LaPoyner 63-53 in the semifinals in San Antonio. The next day the boys state tournament was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trent Gerber

Derek Dyer

Jayden High

Naz lost in the state finals three years ago and in the state semis the past two seasons. The Swifts finished 27-10 overall last season, which included a perfect 10-0 District 3-1A championship. In the playoffs, Naz defeated Shamrock 58-31 in the area game, Booker 46-28 in the regional quarterfinals, O’Donnell 49-43 in the regional semifinals and New Home 54-39 in the regional finals. “We had a good year. We played well at the right time to make a run to the state tournament,” Coach Taylor Schulte said. “We grew a lot as a team throughout the year. The Martin’s Mill Tournament was a big turning point for our team.” After losing to Franklin 64-48, the Swifts bounced back to edge Canton 51-49 in that event. Two key players have departed from that team. Nathaneal VanDijk was the district MVP, the TSMCA co-player of the year, all-state and all-region and TABC all-state and all-region. (Continued on next page)

Nazareth Boys Name Luke Betzen Aidan Moore Kaden Cleavinger Derek Dyer Jayden High Trent Gerber Chance Hochstein Carson Heiman Luke Schulte

Ht. Pos. Class 5-10 G Sr. 6-3 P Sr. 6-5 F Sr. 6-2 P Sr. 6-0 G Sr. 6-0 G Jr. 6-0 G Sr. 5-10 G Soph. 6-0 G Soph.

Coach: Taylor Schulte Asst. Coaches: Steven Moore, Scout Teal 2019-2020 record: 27-10, 10-0 School phone: 945-2231 Players to watch: Kaden Cleavinger, Aidan Moore, Luke Betzen, Trent Gerber

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(Continued from previous page)

VanDijk’s older sisters were standouts for past Swiftette teams. Brayden Dyer was the district defensive MVP. This fall, Schulte welcomes back three returning starters, whose cumulative per-game scoring totals last season equaled 28. Those returning starters are: • Kaden Cleavinger, a 6-5 senior forward, averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists last season and was selected for the alldistrict, TSMCA all-state and all-region and TABC all-region teams; • Aidan Moore, a 6-3 senior post, contributed 8 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg and was all-district and TSMCA all-state and all-region; • Luke Betzen, a 5-10 senior guard, made the all-district team on the basis of 6 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg statistics. Schulte nominates Cleavinger and Moore as all-state candidates. Betzen and 6-0 junior guard Trent Gerber (4 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg) are additional players to watch. Letter winner Gerber was an all-district honorable mention pick last year. Two other letter winners — 6-2 senior post Derek Dyer (3 ppg, 4 rpg) and 6-0 senior guard Jayden High (2 ppg, 2 rpg) — were honorable mention all-district. The Swifts’ roster shows six seniors, one junior and two sophomores. That experience and the Swifts’ size — they have three players 6-2 or taller — are the team’s strengths, according to Schulte. Like his girls coaching counterpart, Schulte is a former Naz star. He was a state tournament MVP and played on state champion Swift teams in 2006 and 2007. The Texas Tech University graduate has posted an 83-26 won-lost record (.761 winning percentage) in his three years at Nazareth.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Chance Hochstein

Carson Heiman

Luke Schulte

Nazareth Super Boosters Go, Swiftettes!—Stanley & Cindy Gerber Good Luck!—Stan & Rhonda Dyer Go, Swifts and Swiftettes!—Gabby, Izzy & Austin Heck Go, Get’em Derek and Owen!—Love, Mom, Dad, Hydie & Nate Go, Swiftettes!—Randy & Monette Schilling Go, Naz!—Kirk & Sandy Farris Go, Swifts and Swiftettes!—Marcus, Celina, Bryson, Emery, Ethan & Hadley Brockman Go, Swifts and Swiftettes!—Jordy, Maegan, Aubree, Ace, Harper & Tag Rowland Proudly cheering for the Swifts and Swiftettes!—John, Lynsey, Kamre, Charly & Braeli Fuller

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Nazareth’s Emma Kleman gets ready to pass the ball to the top of the key in the Swiftettes’ Class 2A area victory over McLean Feb. Feb. 20 at Caprock High School in Amarillo. (Photos by Mike Haynes)

Swiftette Merry Gerber shoots a free throw against McLean in Nazareth’s area game win Feb. 20 at Caprock High School in Amarillo. Naz advanced with a 55-31 win.

Good Luck, Swifts and Swiftettes! Go Emma!— Mark, Missy, Cole & Hallie Kleman Go, Swifts and Swiftettes! Go Aiden!—Monty, Kristin, Emerson & McKinley Moore Go, Emma!—Mitchell, Lindsey, Madison, Kate, Barrett, Drew & Owen Brockman

Go, Swifts and Swiftettes!—Tyson, Kim, Trace, Morgan & Brock Schulte Go, Swifts and Swiftettes!—Hubert & Joan Backus Boom Shaka Laka! Droppin dimes and poppin 3’s!—Mark, Heather Dawn, Jett, Kambyl, Crew & Boston McLarty Holy Family Youth Group wishes the Swifts and Swiftettes a great season! Go, Swiftettes!—Trevor Peterson Family Good Luck ,Swifts and Swiftettes!—Ethel Schmucker Best of Luck, Swifts and Swifettes!—Tom & Rita Hoelting Looking forward to another great season for the Swifts and Swiftettes!—Eric, Mandy, B Brynli, Jaxton, Kaylie & Konli Schilling Wishing you luck on a great season!—Gregg & Cynthia Gerber Go, Swifts!—Norman & Stacy Gerber

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DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Nov. 24 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Dec. 21 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Dec. 31 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 30 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 16

Nazareth Schedule

Opponent Amarillo High Vega Sudan Olton Dimmitt Canyon Frenship Tulia Spearman Bushland Tascosa Stratford Wildorado Wall Shallowater Happy Hartley Stratford Adrian Abernathy Smyer New Home Farwell Lubbock Christian Texline Channing Happy Wildorado Hartley Adrian Lipan Channing Texline Wildorado Lubbock Titans

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Place B G Here X There X There X There X There X There X X Here X There X TBA X Here X There X TBA X There X Here X Here X Here X X Here X X Wildorado X There X X Here X Here X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X Hermleigh X X Here X X Here X X There X There X

At left, Kaden Cleavinger (14) of Nazareth looks to pass after hauling down a rebound against Vega in the 22nd Annual Randall Playoff Preview in Amarillo while Nathaneal VanDijk (2) tussles with a Longhorn. At right, Luke Betzen (3) and VanDijk (2) contest a shot by the Vega’s Austin Calhoun. (Photos by Mike Haynes)

Go, Naz!—Bobbie Schmucker Good Luck, Swifts and Swiftettes!—Rodney & Mona Schulte Go, Swifts! Go, Kaden!—Codi, Cassie, Kinzi & Kambri Cleavinger Go, Swifts and Swiftettes!—Brian, Peggy, Jett, Riley & Lexi Ramaekers Go, Naz!—Brian & Felicia Hill

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The Nazareth Swiftettes perform one of their pregame routines Feb. 20 before their area playoff game with McLean at Caprock High School. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Name Emma Kleman Merry Gerber Jaden Pigg Maggie Nelson Kyanne Dunn Makenzy Corrales Addie Dyer Bliss Betzen

Nazareth Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-7 G Sr. 6-1 F Sr. 5-8 F Sr. 5-6 G Sr. 5-7 G Sr. 5-5 G Jr. 5-7 G Jr. 5-7 G Jr.

The McLean Lady Tigers gave these flowers to the Nazareth Swiftettes after their area basketball game Feb. 20. The flowers were in memory of Jayton Moroney, 14, a Nazareth student and athlete who had died Feb. 16 in an ATV accident. The girls are seniors Caden Carter of McLean, left, and Cambrie Heiman of Nazareth, right. No. 15 is Kyanne Dunn. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Coach: Eric Schilling Asst. Coach: Whitney Bryan 2019-2020 record: 31-8, 12-0 School phone: 945-2231 Players to watch: Emma Kleman, Merry Gerber, Makenzy Corrales, Addie Dyer

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The Swiftettes are lined up for the national anthem before their area playoff game with McLean Feb. 20 at Caprock High School. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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Nazareth’s Cambrie Heiman, left, and Merry Gerber, right, carry an injured April Schmucker to center court at Caprock High School Feb. 20 so she can be in the group photo after the Swiftettes’ win over McLean in the area round of the Class 1A playoffs. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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Good Luck Swifts and Swiftettes!—Joe & Dana Kleman Go, Fight Win!—Taylor, Caitlin, Ellie Beckham Schulte Go, Swiftettes!—Ware, Chrystal, Blaire & Blaine Brown Go, Naz!—Kim & Kathy Rundell Go, Swifts and Swiftettes!—Marvin & Gwen Schmucker Good Luck, Swifts and Swiftettes! Go Jaden #35!—Jon, Julie, Jaycee & Joli Pigg Go, Naz!—Daryl, Marsha, Lincoln,Cameron & Gemma Pohlmeier Go, Swifts and Swiftettes!—Cameron & Emily Betzen Go, Swifts and Swiftettes!—Jan & Pat Betzen Good Luck, Swifts and Swiftettes!— Lakeview Gin Go, Naz!—Micky, Meredith, Callen & Cash Hochstein Good Luck, Swiftettes and to Carson and the Swifts for a successful season!—Denny & Dolores Heiman Go, Maggie and the Swiftettes!—Brady, Ann, Mary Grace & Miles Nelson Go, Naz!—Heath & Nicole Schulte Good Luck to all the Swifts and Swiftettes! Go Carson!—Darrin, Jennifer, Carlie & Cambrie Heiman Go, Swifts and Swiftettes!—Bryan & Mary Jo Huseman Go, Swifts and Swiftettes!—Seth, Whitney, Reece & Weston Bryan Go, Swifts and Swiftettes!—Toby Gerber Go, Naz!—Danny Rice Have a great season Swifts and Swiftettes!— Marty, Tisha & Blakely Gerber Good Luck Swifts and Swiftettes!—Keith & Karleen Hoelting

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Makenzy Corrales starts up toward the basket against Lipan in her Swiftettes’ state title win March 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (Photo by Cindy Huseman) (Continued from page 18)

Heiman played 15 minutes and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, while April Schmucker was strong with 6 rebounds. Lipan finished with an impressive 34-4 record but struggled against Naz’s D, making eight field goals and shooting 18.2 percent from the floor. “It was our defense,” Schilling said. “Our defense just played so well. That was another game I’ve watched a few times. Our defense made it hard for Lipan to score. Lipan has excellent guards and a post who was a tough matchup. But that 16-0 run was the difference. That settled us down. With Cambrie playing big minutes that game, it also calmed everybody down.” Schilling said that with a 24-14 lead at halftime, Naz beat Lipan by beating the clock. “With a double-digit lead, we know your defense has to be solid, you have to take care of the ball and be extremely patient,” Schilling said. “And with no shot clock, we are going to work the clock and get a good shot.” State title No. 24 for Naz means the Swiftettes continue to put up numbers that make you just shake your head. The 24 state championships are the most in Texas high school basketball history and are believed to be a national public school record. With the win, it means that since 1976, more than 200 girls attending Nazareth High School have won gold medals signifying a state basketball championship. Heiman became the seventh player in Naz school history to personally four-peat. And, oh yeah, don’t forget those 78 straight district wins. “It doesn’t just happen” As for Schilling, this was his sixth state title in seven years, a remarkable coaching record. But he knows why Nazareth rolls on and is known nationally for girls basketball. The girls put up the shots, lift the weights, work on their skills and just plain don’t run from hard work and a challenge. “The people of Naz that really follow us, and that’s pretty 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

much everybody, they are alumni and understand it’s not easy,” Schilling said. “It doesn’t just happen. It’s definitely not unnoticed. They understand there is a lot that goes into trying to win a state championship. “This is definitely a neat deal for me to be a part of. I definitely don’t take it for granted. Especially not last year. What if state had happened a week earlier? We would have missed out, because COVID canceled the boys tournament. We would have missed out on winning four in a row. Cambrie would have missed out on being the player who played on four state championship teams. That would have been devastating for those girls.” Schilling said he won’t soon forget the 2019-20 Swiftettes for many reasons. In fact, he never will. “They were hungry last year,” Schilling said. “Three of the last four teams we beat, including Lipan in the state championship game, this was their last go in 1A. (Realignment moved them to 2A.) So that was added motivation. As if there wasn’t enough on the line. “All the state championships are special. Even though you may have the same players, the teams are all different. This one is going to stick with me for a long time. Really, because the way they did it. You lose your best player, especially in 1A, it usually changes your team. That’s a big chunk of your team. The girls understood, but they also understood we have to be the type of team that if you remove any player from us for whatever reason, we are still going be good. You are going to step up and do your job even better, and that’s what they did. “Fortunately, we had things go our way and we ended up with a higher score and another state championship.” Indeed, the Nazareth Swiftettes machine rolls on. Ask Schilling how the 2020-21 season looks, and his words quicken, his voice oozes enthusiasm, and 10 minutes later, without an ounce of braggadocio, you know what’s on his mind. One for the thumb – a five-peat.

Nazareth’s Jaden Pigg makes an aggressive move in the Swiftettes’ state semifinal win over Veribest March 5 at the Alamodome. (Photo by Cindy Huseman)

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Texline

Tornadoes deliver on coach’s promise The Tornadoes took it one step further last season, reaching the regional semifinals. Texline had been eliminated in the regional quarterfinals in the 2018-19 season, and the Tornadoes had three returning starters from that team coming back last fall. Texline won 10 of 12 District 3-1A games last season, losing only to conference champion and state qualifier Nazareth twice. The Tornadoes finished as the district runner-up. In the playoffs, Texline defeated Hart 86-35 in bidistrict, White Deer 61-50 in the area round and Valley 54-50 in the regional quarterfinals. The Tornadoes’ season ended with a 44-42 defeat to New Home in the regional quarterfinals. That capped a 26-7 season for Texline. “Closer to our vision,” veteran Coach Coby Beckner summarized the 2019-20 season. After the previous 24-10 season, he had promised, “We can do better.” Cash Poole was the key departure from last year’s team. Poole, a two-time all-district selection, was a defensive stopper and team leader, according to Beckner. Beckner welcomes a wealth of experience back this fall. He has five players who made some starts last year and three other returning letter winners. The two big guns are 6-4 junior forward William Luther and

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William Luther

Colton Luther

Noel Lozano

6-3 junior forward Noel Lozano. Luther averaged 18.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season in earning district offensive MVP, TABC all-state and all-region honors. Lozano contributed 18.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.6 apg and was first-team alldistrict and all-region. Running the offense will be 5-8 senior point guard Colton Luther, William Luther’s older brother. Colton Luther (10.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.2 apg) was a first-team all-district selection last year. “The Luther brothers enjoy playing together,” Beckner said. He considers both Luthers and Lozano as all-state candidates this season.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Another returning starter, 5-9 sophomore guard Stratton Potter, was the district newcomer of the year based on his 8.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.4 apg credentials. The fifth designated starter is 5-11 senior forward Samuel Montes (2.6 ppg). Those five starters represent a whopping 58 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. The talent doesn’t stop there. Subs Elias Espino, a 5-8 sophomore guard (7.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg), and Angel Herrera, likewise a 5-8 sophomore guard (7.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg), were all-district honorable mentions last year. Potter, Espino and Herrera are other players to watch, according to Beckner. Edward Martinez, a 5-9 sophomore guard, rounds out the returning letter winners and is a member of a strong sophomore class of five players to go along with two seniors, two juniors and two freshmen on a young Texline team. That youth is one item that concerns Beckner. His other concerns are the commitment to the team, being a great teammate, maturity and playing in a super-tough region. Beckner outlined the Tornadoes’ strengths as depth, winning history, talent and a competitive group. “The top six had lots of playing time/experience last year,” he said. His keys for success this season are doing the hard things well and showing maturity and emotional stability. Beckner played on the 1980 state championship team from Clayton, New Mexico. He was a member of a top-five Amarillo College team in 1983. He graduated from Lubbock Christian University in 1986. He began his 22-year-coaching career in Texline in 1987. He coached at three New Mexico schools — Moriarty, Kirtland and Clayton — and three other Texas schools — Glen Rose, Houston Westfield and Spring — before returning to Texline. His Texline teams have posted a 93-37 record in Beckner’s four years. His career boys coaching record is 360-211 for a .630 winning percentage. Texline’s seven-team District 3-1A was not affected by UIL realignment this season. The Tornadoes will begin their season Nov. 13 at Amarillo San Jacinto. The home opener will be Nov. 20 against Boise City, Oklahoma. Texline’s boys and girls teams will begin district play Jan. 5.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Elias Espino

Stratton Potter

Name Colton Luther William Luther Noel Lozano Stratton Potter Elias Espino Angel Herrera Samuel Montes Edward Martinez Landon Sneller Hayden Drumm Luke Spieldman

Angel Herrera

Texline Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-8 G Sr. 6-4 F Jr. 6-3 F Jr. 5-9 G Soph. 5-8 G Soph. 5-8 G Soph. 5-11 F Sr. 5-9 G Soph. 6-2 F Fr. 6-1 F Fr. 6-0 F Soph.

Coach: Cody Beckner Asst. Coaches: Mike Prescott, Travis Stump 2019-2020 record: 26-7, 10-2 School phone: 362-4284 Players to watch: Colton Luther, William Luther, Stratton Potter, Angel Herrera, Elias Espino

Texline, All the Way! DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 21 Dec. 22 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 18 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9

Texline Schedule

Opponent Booker San Jacinto Felt Boise City Boys Ranch Stratford Palo Duro Palo Duro Channing Palo Duro Hartley Happy Hartley Gruver Palo Duro Sanford-Fritch Dalhart Adrian Nazareth Wildorado Hartley Boise City Channing Happy Felt Adrian Wildorado Nazareth Channing

Place B G Here X There X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X Here X Here X Here X There X Here X X There X X There X X There X There X There X X There X Here X X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X There X X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X There X X Here X

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Anton

District 4-1A Bulldogs banking on experience

The Bulldogs appear ready to growl this season. After back-to-back 8-2 runner-up finishes in District 4-1A the last two years, Anton aims to step up a notch on the shoulders of four returning starters and three other letter winners. The Bulldogs made the playoffs for the second straight year under the guidance of Coach Jason Josselet last season. They lost to Happy 45-35 in bidistrict. That ended Anton’s season at 14-9. “We were not very experienced at the varsity level,” Josselet said. “We learned as we went and made great strides throughout the year.” Kevin Whillock, the district offensive MVP and TSMCA allregion, was the only departure from that team. Josselet welcomed the four returning starters — Sergio Champion, Joseph Servantes, Quinton Sherrod and Ashton Martinez — who totaled 35 points per game as a group last season. Champion, a 6-0 junior guard, averaged 11 points and 5.7 rebounds in garnering all-district distinction. Josselet recommends Champion as an all-state candidate this season. Servantes, a 5-8 senior guard/forward, also earned all-district honors on the basis of 9.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg credentials. Sherrod, a 5-9 senior guard/forward, was the district’s defensive MVP last season. But he could score (10.4 ppg) and rebound (4.8 rpg) as well as defend. Servantes and Sherrod are other outstanding players to watch, according to their coach. Martinez, a 5-8 junior guard, contributed 4.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg and 2.1 assists per game. He was an AD honorable mention. And the district honors didn’t stop there. Gage Garcia, a 5-7 sophomore guard (4.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg), was the district’s sixth-manof-the-year award winner. Rayden Cooper, a 5-10 junior guard (2.3 ppg), and Lane Vellinga, a 6-1 junior forward, also lettered last season. “We return seven varsity players off last year’s team,” Josselet said. “We will lean on our experience this year.” The bulk of that experience resides in the junior class as the Bulldogs have five juniors, two seniors and one sophomore on their roster. Josselet does have some concerns.

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Sergio Champion

Joseph Servantes

Ashton Martinez

Quinton Sherrod

Gage Garcia

“We have to be more disciplined in what we do,” he said. “We just need to be more consistent, day in and day out.” That ties directly to his keys to success this season. “We have to focus on playing our style and focusing on us,” Josselet said. “We have lots of experience returning. We need to focus on playing Bulldog basketball. We need to be committed to doing that every day.” Josselet played on two playoff teams at Munday High School. The Texas Tech University graduate, with 11 years coaching experience, coached at Rule, Knox City, Sudan, Tahoka and Roby before coming to Anton. He’s beginning his third season at Anton. The Bulldogs’ District 4-1A will have a new look this season with the addition of Amherst, Springlake-Earth and Lazbuddie into the district, now a seven-team league. They replace Valley and Silverton, which moved into District 2-1A because of UIL realignment. Cotton Center, Hart and Kress are holdover opponents for Anton. The Bulldogs will begin play Nov. 13 at home against Southland. District 4-1A play begins Dec. 15.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

GIRLS The Lady Bulldogs qualified for the playoffs for the first time in six years last season. Anton earned that spot by finishing second in District 4-1A with an 8-2 record. The Lady Bulldogs lost to Wildorado 54-44 in bidistrict. “We grew a lot as a team,” Coach Brittany Huddleston said. “The year before we won only three games largely due to the fact we lost three starters to season-ending injuries at the beginning of the year. We made the playoffs for the first time since 2014.” Kiarra Green and Emerie Monteal, both all-district honorees, and Kodi Harvey have moved on from that team. Two starters — Marisa Alvarado and Andie Alonzo — and two other letter winners — Takyra Goree and Bridget Thomas — return this season for the Lady Bulldogs. Alvarado, a 5-6 senior guard, made the all-district team last year. Alonzo is a 5-2 sophomore guard. Goree, a 5-8 sophomore post, is the sister of the departed Kiarra Green. Thomas, a 5-2 sophomore guard, is the sister of Shay Thomas. Alvarado and Goree are the players to watch, according to Huddleston. “We are becoming more fundamentally sound, which will be key for us to have success,” Huddleston said. “We have also hit the weight room hard, so I expect us to be a more physical team.” She also pointed out some needed improvements for a successful season. “We must continue to become better scorers and improve fundamentally as well,” she said. “We only have four returners back this year, so maturing as a team will be key to our success as well.” Huddleston was district newcomer of the year, all-district for four years, district MVP and part of Slaton’s 17 straight district championships. She played two seasons at New Mexico Junior College, where she led the nation in free-throw shooting percentage in 2001-02. She finished her career at Lubbock Christian University and was on an LCU team that made it to the national tournament. She is beginning her fourth year at Anton. Previously, she was an assistant coach at Amarillo High and Lubbock Coronado. The Lady Bulldogs’ new opponents in District 4-1A are Amherst, Springlake-Earth and Lazbuddie because of UIL realignment. Like the boys, the girls will begin district play Dec. 15. The Lady Bulldogs will open their season Nov. 10 at home against Wellman-Union.

Marisa Alvarado

Andie Alonzo

Bridget Thomas

Name Andie Alonzo Marisa Alvarado Takyra Goree Bridget Thomas Shaylyn Thomas

Takyra Goree

Shaylyn Thomas

Anton Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-2 G Soph. 5-6 G Sr. 5-8 P Soph. 5-2 G Soph. 5-0 G Jr.

Coach: Brittany Huddleston Asst. Coach: Reed Myers 2019-2020 record: 8-2 School phone: 997-5211 Players to watch: Marisa Alvarado, Takyra Goree

Name Quinton Sherrod Joseph Servantes Sergio Champion Ashton Martinez Gage Garcia Rayden Cooper Lane Vellinga Edmundo Avalos

Anton Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-9 G/F Sr. 5-8 G/F Sr. 6-0 G Jr. 5-8 G Jr. 5-7 G Soph. 5-10 G Jr. 6-1 F Jr. 6-3 F Jr.

Coach: Jason Josselet Asst. Coach: Josh Hinojosa 2019-2020 record: 14-9, 8-2 School phone: 997-2521 Players to watch: Sergio Champion, Quinton Sherrod, Joseph Servantes

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DATE Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 28 Dec. 31 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9

Anton Schedule

Opponent Wellman-Union Southland Loop Floydada Whitharral Petersburg Southcrest Hart Smyer Kress Amherst Aspermont Lockney Springlake-Earth Cotton Center Lazbuddie Hart New Deal Kress Amherst Springlake-Earth Cotton Center Lazbuddie Hart

Place B G Here X Here X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X There X X TBA X X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X X There X X There X Here X X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X

Anton Super Boosters

Let’s go, Lady Dawgs #30! We’re rooting for you!—The Herrera Family Good Luck to the Lady Dawgs this year! #30— Love, Rachel & Victor Alonzo Good Luck, Jackie & Lane! Go, Bulldogs!— The Haston’s

Go, Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs! Have a Great Season!—Robert & Bilinda Prater Have a great season, Bulldogs!—Shasuna Thomas & Mariah Miller Go, Bulldogs!—Laurie, Ashton, Gavin & Zian Let’s Go, Bulldogs!—Jesse & Olga Perez Good Luck, Jackie and Lane!—Bryan & Linda Reed We wish for the Bulldogs to have a Great Season!—King of Kings Lawncare, 604 Vernon Avenue Good luck this year, Jackie and Lane! Go, Noah! Best of Luck! We love you!— Dad, Mom, Ri & Abel Salsman Let’s Go, Bulldogs!—Shayne, Becky, Tristan, Slade & Tripp Hodges Good Luck, Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs!— Judy Davis & Family Go, Bulldogs!

Springlake-Earth

Wolverines’ winning ways working The Wolverines posted their second 20-plus-win season and perfect district record in a row last season. Don’t be surprised if they continue the streak this year. Springlake-Earth followed up a 24-7 season in Coach CJ Castillo’s first season with a 25-7 campaign last season. And once again, they rolled to 10-0 in repeating as District 5-1A champions. That earned the Wolverines a first-round bye in the playoffs. The only real downer was a heartbreaking 68-67 loss to Klondike in the area playoff round. “We were solid at guard position and had guys step up at post play,” Castillo said. “Our ability to play together and jell was a positive note for us.” A negative note was the departure of Diego Sanchez, the district MVP and all-region, and Cole Royal, second-team all-district, from last year’s team. However, Castillo has four returning starters, and all four earned district honors last year. All four are juniors. And, of course, all four are his choices as players to watch this season. The quartet: • Evan DeLeon, a 5-8 point guard, was first-team all-district. He is the son of S-E Athletic Director Israel DeLeon. • Kaden Castillo, a 6-0 guard, was first-team all-district. He is the coach’s son. 336 1A

Evan DeLeon

Kaden Castillo

Keshan Holmes

• Keshan Holmes, a 6-1 center, was first-team all-district. He is Evan DeLeon’s cousin. • Trace Goodman, a 6-0 forward, was the district’s defensive MVP. Coach Castillo calls those four experienced returners the Wolverines’ strength. “I believe experience is going to be a key factor for those four,” he said. “They have great chemistry and (we’re) really excited about them having two years of varsity experience.” The Wolverines’ roster shows only one senior to go with six juniors and four sophomores. (Continued on page 338) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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(Continued from page 336)

“We are going to have to have guys step up and have a bench ready to roll,” Castillo said. He echoed those thoughts for the keys to success for this season. “We definitely have guys with experience and that have been on the court this year,” he said. “We are excited about the younger class-men moving up to varsity this year and looking forward to them stepping up.” Castillo is a graduate of Sudan High School and Eastern New Mexico University. He has excelled in his first coaching assignment, guiding the Wolverines to a 49-14 record and the two district titles in two years. He was the District 5-1A coach of the year last season. Springlake-Earth moves out of that district this year, shifting to District 4-1A because of UIL realignment. Amherst, Anton, Cotton Center, Hart, Kress and Lazbuddie will join S-E in the seven-team conference. Only Amherst and Lazbuddie, both in 5-1A last year, will be familiar district foes. The Wolverines will open their season Nov. 13 at home against Petersburg. Their district action begins Dec. 15.

At left, Trace Goodman of Springlake-Earth goes high to defend against Jonah Villanueva of West Texas High at the 22nd Annual Randall Playoff Preview Feb. 22 in Amarillo. At right, Wolverine Keshan Holmes makes a layup in front of Villanueva. (Photos by Mike Haynes)

GIRLS The Lady Wolverines were headed toward a big season when a key injury slowed them down. Still, they finished 19-15 overall and 7-3 in District 5-1A, good for third place. In bidistrict, Springlake-Earth fell to Lorenzo 54-45. “We were rolling great, won two district games, when we found out Sayler Beerwinkle, my sophomore post and leading scorer, had been playing (for 10 games) with a stress fracture in her lower leg. She was done for the season,” Coach Jeri Been

Goodman said. “But the rest of them, six girls, dug deep to finish the season and hold on to that playoff spot.” The only senior on last year’s S-E roster, Lyndsi Mendoza, was an honorable mention all-district. “Lyndsi got the job done,” Goodman said. “She persevered through a lot and did anything I asked of her. She will be missed.” Goodman, however, has a wealth of returning talent plus a new-

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Sayler Beerwinkle

Halee Toscano

Kani Holmes

comer this season. Because Beerwinkle was a starter before her injury, Goodman counts her as a returning starter, giving her a total of six. Beerwinkle, a 5-8 junior post, averaged 15.7 points and 7.4 rebounds and was first-team all-district last season. She is the daughter of assistant coach Sarah Weldon. Halee Toscano, a 5-6 sophomore forward, was selected as the district’s offensive player of the year based on her 13.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.3 assists per game credentials. Kani Holmes, a 5-5 sophomore forward (11.2 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg), was first-team all-district. So were 5-7 junior forward Mahalia Delgado (3.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and 5-6 junior forward Micaela Fuentes (2.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg). Those five Springlake-Earth starters, all district honorees, represent 46 points per game based on last year’s scoring statistics. The sixth starter added to the mix is transfer Carsann Baker, a 5-7 senior post. Baker started last season for Baird, where she posted 9.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 3.7 apg stats. “We are super excited to have her,” Goodman said. Baker is the only senior on the team, which also features

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Mahalia Delgado

Micaela Fuentes

Carsann Baker

three juniors, two sophomores, five or more freshmen and numerous family ties. Mahalia Delgado and 5-3 freshman forward DeDe Delgado are sisters. Taytum Goodman, a 5-2 freshman point guard, is the coach’s daughter. Speaking of her team’s strengths, Coach Goodman said, “Last year’s freshmen and sophomores got a lot of experience this past year. They were put in situations that young girls usually don’t handle well. They not only handled those situations, they matured and grew like champions.” She also expects the Lady Wolverines to be a lot quicker and better ball handlers this season. Goodman is concerned about her team’s youth, low numbers and bench strength. As for the keys to success this season, she said, “Staying away from drama, sticking together as a team and keeping COVID-19 away.” Goodman is on her second go-round as the Lady Wolverines (Continued on next page)

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(Continued from previous page)

coach. Previously, she coached them for nine years and guided S-E to the Class 1A Division 2 state finals in 2006. She continued to teach at the school but didn’t resume coaching until the 201718 season. So this will be her 13th season — and fourth current — as a coach at Springlake-Earth, her high school alma mater. The Texas Tech University graduate also has coached at Bovina and Hale Center and owns a career girls coaching record of 268-204, a .568 winning percentage. The Lady Wolverines move into District 4-1A this season because of the UIL redistricting. Amherst and Lazbuddie make that same move. District play for the girls begins Dec. 11. The Lady Wolverines will open their season Nov. 7 at Happy. Their home opener will be Nov. 13 vs. Petersburg.

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Springlake-Earth Coach CJ Castillo gives advice to his son, Kaden Castillo, during the 22nd Annual Randall Playoff Preview Feb. 22 in Amarillo. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Josh Samaron

Trace Goodman

Derek Rosales

Springlake-Earth Super Boosters Go, Trace #23 and Taytum #5!—Love, Papa & Nana We support the Lady Wolverines and Wolverines!—HORSE FEATHERS Good Luck, Trace and Taytum!—Love ya, Hoot, C-Dawn & HaHa Del & Rosie Davis say Green & Gold All The Way! Good Luck, SE!—April Garcia Go, Wolverines and Lady Wolverines!— Randy & Joyce Bills Good Luck this Season!—Fred & Sheila Johnson DATE Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 23 Dec. 1 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Dec. 30 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 12

Alex Alvarez

Roel Fuentes

Daryl Castillo

Proud Supporters of SE!—Jim & Jeanne Furr Have a great season Wolverines & Lady W Wolverines! Go Cuyler!—Denver, Elisa, Callie, Caleb & Cuyler Crum

Springlake-Earth Schedule

Opponent Happy Lockney Petersburg Smyer Crosbyton Plains Sundown Muleshoe Olton Cotton Center Lazbuddie Hart Sudan O’Donnell Anton Kress Amherst Cotton Center Lazbuddie Hart Anton Kress Amherst Cotton Center

Place B G There X There X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X There X X There X Here X X There X There X X There X X There X There X X Here X X Here X X Here X X Here Here X X Here X X There X X There X X There X X There X

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Name Evan DeLeon Kaden Castillo Trace Goodman Keshan Holmes Josh Samarron Timothy Tanaro Derek Rosales Alex Alvarez Braxton Etheridge Roel Fuentes Daryl Castillo

Springlake-Earth Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-8 G Jr. 6-0 G Jr. 6-0 F Jr. 6-1 P Jr. 5-11 G Jr. 5-10 G Jr. 6-2 P Soph. 5-10 G Soph. 6-1 F Soph. 5-7 G Soph. 5-5 G Sr.

Coach: CJ Castillo Asst. Coaches: Scott Royal, Harley Etheridge 2019-2020 record: 25-7, 10-0 School phone: 257-3310 Players to watch: Evan DeLeon, Kaden Castillo, Trace Goodman, Keshan Holmes

Evan DeLeon eyes the basket from a few feet up as Trace Goodman follows in a game with West Texas High at the 22nd Annual Randall Playoff Preview Feb. 22 in Amarillo. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Go, Lady Wolverines and Wolverines!—Jace & Cassi Furr Go, Springlake-Earth!—Mark & Gwen Parish Go, Lady Wolverines and Wolverines!—Linda Thompson, your favorite Librarian Go, Wolverines and Lady Wolverines! We Love You Sayler #23 and Slade!—Donald & Susan Templeton Go, Team!—Love, Your favorite Science teacher, Mrs. Daughtery & Family Good Luck Wolverines and Lady Wolverines!— Bill & Debby Weldon Go, Wolverines!—The Mosqueda Family Have a Great Season Lady Wolverines!—Steve & Connie Edwards Go, Wolverines!—Olton Welding & Machine, 1115 1st St. in Olton, Tx Wilma’s Kitchen is Rooting for you! Fleurish is behind you! Go Fight Win! Rejino BBQ wishes you a Great year! The Rejino Family is Cheering you on! Go, Lady Wolverines!—Shane, Kelly, Berkly, Sydney & Rylie Furr Good Luck, Lady Wolverines!—Papa Furr Go, Syd! Good Luck Lady Wolverines!—Gramz We support the Wolverines!—First Baptist Earth #GoWolverines!—The Bryants We hope you guys have a great season!—The Deberry’s We support the Green and Gold!—James, Tami & Braylee Herriage 342

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Springlake-Earth Girls Name Ht. Pos. Class Carsann Baker 5-7 P Sr. Sayler Beerwinkle 5-8 P Jr. Mahalia Delgado 5-7 F Jr. Micaela Fuentes 5-6 F Jr. Halee Toscano 5-6 F Soph. Kani Holmes 5-5 F Soph. Taytum Goodman 5-2 G Fr. Emma Samaron 5-7 P DeDe Delgado 5-3 F Sydney Furr 5-5 P Jasmine Garcia 5-4 F Adamarie Hernandez 5-6 Fr. Isabella Gonzales 5-7 Fr. Anaveah Delao 5-4 Fr. Grace McIver 5-9 Fr. Coach: Jeri Been Goodman Asst. Coach: Sarah Weldon 2019-2020 record: 19-15, 7-3 School phone: 257-3310 Players to watch: Carsann Baker, Sayler Beerwinkle, Mahalia Delgado, Micaela Fuentes, Kani Holmes

Wolverine Kaden Castillo brings the ball downcourt against West Texas High at the 22nd Annual Randall Playoff Preview Feb. 22 in Amarillo. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

Micah Sanchez of Springlake-Earth is sandwiched between West Texas High defenders as teammate Keshan Holmes watches at the 22nd Annual Randall Playoff Preview Feb. 22 in Amarillo. (Photo by Mike Haynes)

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District 5-1A Dragons’ Flemons brothers breathing fire

Paducah

When you say the name Flemons around Paducah, folks know you’re talkin’ basketball. First, there was Will Flemons, who led Paducah to Class 1A state titles in 1987 and 1988. He later starred for Texas Tech in the early 1990s. He launched his coaching career as an assistant at Tech, then coached the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens for four years. After a stint at Clute Brazoswood, he reIsaac Garibaldi turned to Paducah in 2014, where he served as the school’s principal while coaching the boys team for two years and the girls team for one. In 2019, he moved to Lubbock Cooper as the boys coach. Now there are three Flemons brothers, nephews of Will Flemons, performing — and performing well — for the Dragons. In fact, Mark, Deftlon and Darius Flemons all were first-team all-district selections last season. The Brothers Flemons helped the Dragons win the Munday and Aspermont tournaments and earn a district co-championship with a 9-1 record. Paducah made a nice run in the playoffs. The Dragons defeated Crowell 68-46 in bidistrict, Hamlin 75-59 in the area round, Hermleigh 85-39 in the regional quarterfinals and Sterling City 63-52 in the regional semis. Jayton stopped the Dragons 49-36 in the regional finals. That capped a 28-5 season for the Dragons. “We had a great season last year. We went through a lot of growing pains, but we came together, got on the same page and started playing our best ball late in the season,” Coach Trevor Guy said. “It took a while for them to learn to put the emphasis on the defensive end and on the boards. Most kids today are more caught up in the offensive end. Once they figured out that that’s not what is going to get it done and bought into the system, we really took off.” Keyvondra Richardson, who averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds to earn first-team all-district and all-region honors, has moved on from that team. So have Isaha Patterson, Tristan Story and Kadyn Mackey. However, Guy has a ton of talent returning. He designated six players as returning starters along with three other letter winners. The first six are: • Isaac Garabaldi, a 6-3 senior forward with 13.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.4 assists per game, was first-team all-district and all-region; • Mark Flemons, a 6-3 senior guard; 17.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg; first-team all-district, all region; • Darrius Flemons, a 6-3 senior guard; 11.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.4 apg; first-team all-district; • Deftlon Flemons, a 6-4 junior point guard; 11.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.3 apg; first-team all-district; • Chris Martinez, a 5-8 senior guard, 6.3 ppg, 2.7 apg; • Dylan Adams, a 6-7 senior forward/center; 5.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.7 apg. The top five scorers of that group represent 60 points per game, based on last year’s scoring statistics. 344

Mark Flemons

Darrius Flemons

Chris Martinez

Dylan Adams

Jonathan Henderson

Tate Hutchinson

Guy rates Garabaldi and all three Flemons brothers as all-state candidates. He tabs Martinez, Adams, 5-8 senior guard Jonathan Henderson (3.7 ppg, 3.3 apg), 6-3 senior forward/center Tate Hutchinson (3.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.2 apg) and 5-9 junior point guard McLayton Monroe (2.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.5 apg) as additional players to watch. That pretty well covers the whole team, which features eight seniors and two juniors. Seniors Garabaldi and Henderson are first cousins. Size, speed, depth and experience are the Dragons’ strengths, according to Guy. He said his concerns are “not getting complacent, practicing and playing with that ‘X’ on your back and staying hungry.” Guy followed that theme in describing the keys to success this season. “Forgetting about the success of last year,” he said. “Everyone we play is going to come at us and give us their best game. We can’t afford to have an off day in practice, much less an off game.” Guy was an all-stater all three years at Memphis High School. He played Division I basketball at Stephen F. Austin, then finished his college career at Southwestern Oklahoma State University when SWOSU was a member of the Lone Star Conference. He was first-team all-conference on the basis of 18 ppg and 8.4 rpg. He began his coaching career at his high school alma mater. From Memphis, he moved to Hartley, then Springlake-Earth before coming to Paducah. He’s beginning his third year with the Dragons. His 10-year career record shows a 157-81 boys mark and a 28-21 girls log for a combined 185-102 record. Paducah is in a new district (5-1A) this season because of UIL realignment. Its five conference opponents are Patton Springs, Guthrie, Jayton, Matador Motley County and Spur. The Dragons will open their season Nov. 17 at home against Guy’s old team, Memphis. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Paducah Boys Name Ht. Pos. Class Isaac Garabaldi 6-3 F Sr. Mark Flemons 6-3 G Sr. Darrius Flemons 6-3 G Sr. Deftlon Flemons 6-4 G Jr. Chris Martinez 5-8 G Sr. Dylan Adams 6-7 F/P Sr. Jonathan Henderson 5-8 G Sr. Tate Hutchinson 6-3 F/P Sr. McLayton Monroe 5-9 G Jr. Cord Piper 6-1 G Sr. Coach: Trevor Guy Asst. Coach: Caleb Barkowski 2019-2020 record: 28-5, 9-1 School phone: Players to watch: Isaac Garabaldi, Darius Flemons, Deftlon Flemons, Mark Flemons, Chris Martinez, Dylan Adams, Johnathan Henderson, McLayton Monroe, Tate Hutchinson, Cord Piper

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

DATE Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Dec. 1 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 28 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 1 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12 Feb. 16

Paducah Schedule

Opponent Robert Lee Memphis Crowell Westbrook Childress Hamlin Silverton Shamrock Hawley Munday Westbrook Quanah Guthrie Patton Springs Wheeler Motley County Spur Jayton Guthrie Patton Springs Motley County Spur Jayton Guthrie Patton Springs

Place B G Here X Here X X There X X Gail X There X X Here X Here X X Here X X There X Here X X Here X Here X X There X There X There X Here X X There X X Here X X Here X X Here X X Here X X Here X X There X X There X There X

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District 7-1A Lady Lopes loping right along

Whiteface

The Lady Lopes turned in another stellar season in 2019-20 as they bettered 25 wins for the second straight year. They also successfully defended their District 5-1A title, going 9-1 in the conference. That earned them a first-round bye in the playoffs. Whiteface defeated Klondike 55-48 in the area game but lost to Ropes 53-41 in Holli Scoggins the regional quarterfinals. That capped a 27-7 season for the Lady Lopes, following a 29-3 campaign the previous year. “We beat some really good teams,” Coach Gary Simmons said of last season. “We had a great year, just fell short to a really good Ropes team. I felt like we were one of the top teams in the state; we just happen to play in Region 1.” Five seniors, including all-district honorees Nayeli Herrera and Dayley Mosley, from last year’s team have moved on. “We lost some very important players that we will have a hard time replacing,” Simmons said. He has a couple gems returning this season, however. Holli Scoggins, a 5-6 senior guard, averaged 20.1 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists last season in earning district MVP, allregion and all-state recognition. Allison Martha, a 5-9 sophomore guard/post, contributed 11.1 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg as a freshman and was all-district as the newcomer of the year. Simmons recommends Scoggins and Martha as all-staters this year. Joey Alvarez, a 5-7 junior post (4.5 ppg, 7 rpg), is a third returning starter. Alvarez is another player to watch, according to her coach. Those three returning starters represent 36 points a game based on last year’s scoring statistics. Kaylah Deavours, a 5-5 senior post/guard, also lettered last year. “We have a good group returning that has played a lot of games,” Simmons said. “They just need to grow up in some spots before we get to district play.” The Lady Lopes’ seven-player roster is composed of two

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Allison Martha

Joey Alvarez

Kaylah Deavours

Kortney Whitehead

Emma Ayers

Kylie Deavours

seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen. “My biggest concern is our depth,” Simmons said. “We lost five seniors and have only four girls coming into high school as freshmen and only two that play athletics, so it will be a challenging year of keeping everyone healthy.” As for the keys for success this season, he answered, “We will be who we are. We will pressure you from different areas of the floor. We must become a better half-court defense to reach our goals.” Simmons is a graduate of Jal, New Mexico, High School and Eastern New Mexico University. Most of his 35-year coaching career has been centered on football and golf with stints at Portales, New Mexico, and Big Spring, Frenship, Midland Lee and Lubbock Cooper. He is beginning his fourth season as the Lady Lopes coach. Whiteface will be in a different district, 7-1A, instead of the previous 5-1A because of UIL realignment. Whitharral also makes the same move from 5-1A to 7-1A. The other 7-1A members are Loop, Meadows, Welch Dawson and Wellman-Union. (Continued on page 349)

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DATE Nov. 6 Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 15 Dec. 18 Dec. 29 Jan. 1 Jan. 5 Jan. 8 Jan. 8 Jan. 12 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 12

Whiteface Schedule

Opponent Amherst Olton Lazbuddie Klondike Cotton Center Plains Ropes Spur Valley Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell Farwell Smyer Morton Motley Co. Whitharral Southland Wellman Dawson Meadow Loop Whitharral Wellman Dawson Meadow Loop Whitharral Wellman

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Place B G Here X Here X There X X There X X Here X X Here X X There X X There X X Here X X Here X X Here X There X X There X X There X X Here X Here X There X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X X There X X Here X There X

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Clayton Timmons

Jose Borunda

Rylee Davidson

Brighton Scoggins

Noah Rector

Jeremias Chavez

Whiteface Super Boosters

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination” (Lasorda) Let’s have a great year!— ‑Coach Simmons & Lisa

Go, Antelopes & Lady Lopes!

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(Continued from page 346)

The Lady Lopes will debut Nov. 6 at home against Amherst. The district opener against familiar foe Whitharral will be at home Jan. 5. BOYS The Antelopes suffered massive graduation losses as eight seniors from last year’s team have departed. Whiteface went 9-20 overall and 2-8 in District 5-1A, finishing fifth and missing the playoffs. Last year’s senior exodus leaves Coach Todd Sessums with only one returning starter and two other letter winners. Clayton Timmons, a 5-9 senior guard who started last season, was a second-team all-district selection. The other returning letter winners are 5-6 senior guard Jose Borunda and 6-3 junior post Rylee Davidson. Sessions picked three sophomores — 5-9 forward Brighton Scoggins, 5-7 guard Noah Rector and 5-9 forward Jeremias Chavez — as players to watch. Sessions is beginning his third year in charge of the boys program, and he lists that as a strength. “Team chemistry is good with these kids,” he explained. The team’s youth is a concern. “We are going to be very young – two seniors, one junior, six sophomores and two freshmen,” Sessions said. He said the keys to success this season will be to “grow up very quickly and play hard.” Sessions is a graduate of Lubbock Cooper High School and Wayland Baptist University. He has coached boys and girls teams in his 10-year coaching career. His boys teams have a 40-76 record, his girls 108-74. Combined, that’s 148-150. Moving to District 7-1A this season, the Antelopes will be in a six-team conference with Loop, Meadows, Welch Dawson, Wellman-Union and Whitharral. Whiteface will open the season Nov. 13 at Lazbuddie before trying to strike gold at Klondike Nov. 14. The home opener is set for Nov. 17 vs. Cotton Center. District play for the Antelopes gets under way Jan. 12.

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Beau Brewer

Jeremiah Soliz

Xander Baker

Name Clayton Timmons Jose Borunda Rylee Davidson Brighton Scoggins Beau Brewer Noah Rector Jeremiah Soliz Joel Fortner Xander Baker Josh Whitehead Jeremias Chavez

Joel Fortner

Josh Whitehead

Whiteface Boys Ht. Pos. Class 5-9 G Sr. 5-6 G Sr. 6-3 P Jr. 5-9 F Soph. 5-10 P Soph. 5-7 G Soph. 5-9 F Soph. 5-8 G Soph. 5-9 G Soph. 5-7 G Fr.

Coach: Todd Sessums Asst. Coaches: Jason Fortner, Adam Cline 2019-2020 record: 9-20, 2-8 School phone: 287-1154 Players to watch: Brighton Scoggins, Noah Rector, Jeremiah Soliz

349

Name Kaylah Deavours Emma Ayers Kylie Deavours Allison Martha Joey Alvarez Kortney Whitehead Holli Scoggins

Whiteface Girls Ht. Pos. Class 5-5 P/G Sr. 5-6 G Fr. 5-9 P Fr. 5-9 G/P Soph. 5-7 P Jr. 5-5 P Jr. 5-6 G/P Sr.

Coach: Gary Simmons Asst. Coach: Cami Dacus 2019-2020 record: 27-7, 9-1 School phone: 287-1154 Players to watch: Allsion Martha, Joey Alvarez, Holli Scoggins

PRIVATE SCHOOLS AT A GLANCE PRESEASON PICKS

HONOR ROLL Private School Boys Ethan Duncan, Trinity Christian, 6-1, Sr.; Tate Truby, Trinity Christian, 6-2, Jr.; Parker Sutton, Trinity Christian, 6-4, Jr.; Marcus Edwards, Trinity Christian, 6-4, Soph.; Tucker Smotherman, Trinity Christian, 6-5, Sr.

District 1-4A TAPPS Boys 1. Lubbock Christian 2. Trinity Christian Lubbock 3. Lake Country Christian 4. Trinity Christian Willow Park 5. Midland Christian 6. Covenant Christian Colleyville 350

Private School Girls Adlee Blacklock, Trinity Christian, 6-0, Jr.; Bonnee Busby, Trinity Christian, 5-5, Jr.; Claire Simpson, Trinity Christian, 5-8, Jr.; Rylee Cox, Trinity Christian, 5-8, Jr.; Gracin Bonner, Trinity Christian, 5-8, Jr.; Menyia Ewing, Trinity Christian, 5-5, Jr.

District 1-4A TAPPS Girls 1. Trinity Christian Lubbock 2. Covenant Christian Colleyville 3. Lubbock Christian 4. Midland Christian 5. Lake Country Christian 6. Trinity Christian Willow Park 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

TAPPS District 1-4A Both new coaches have ties to school

Trinity Christian

Both the Lady Lions and Lions have new head coaches this season. But, in both cases, the new coach is a familiar face around school. Josh Bailey, who has served as the school’s part-time athletic director for the past three years, takes over the girls program. Spencer Sutton, an assistant boys coach last year, steps up to the Lions head job. Bailey is no stranger to basketball. He was a member of Houston Westbury Christian’s 1994 TAPPS 2A state champions. He played for Lubbock Christian University in the late 1990s. He coached some Michigan schools, then returned to his high school alma mater. Eventually, he became Westbury Christian’s girls coach for six years. The past three years he’s been an assistant coach for the Wayland Baptist University women’s team, splitting his time between Wayland and Trinity Christian. He plans to continue as TC’s athletic director this year. He has 16 years of experience as a head basketball coach. He sports a 260-63 career record as a girls high school coach. That’s an .805 winning percentage. Bailey wasn’t the person who guided the Lady Lions to their second straight TAPPS 4A state championship last season, although he was involved in the decision-making. When Coach Nick Catherman unexpectedly resigned mid-season, Bailey asked assistant coach Paige Buchanan to take over as interim coach. Buchanan guided the Lady Lions to the state title even though they wound up with a losing record (17-20). They edged district rival Lubbock Christian 51-49 in the state semifinals, then coasted past Texas School of Deaf 50-25 in the finals. Buchanan was offered the head coaching job this season but was more comfortable staying on as an assistant, according to both Bailey and Buchanan. At the time of the late December coaching change, the Lady Lions also lost one of their top players when Lauren Catherman, the ex-coach’s daughter, transferred to Lubbock Monterey. At the end of the school year, they lost seniors Payton Dove, Harleigh Brewer and Jasmine Wadsworth via graduation. Dove and Brewer were starters; Wadsworth came off the bench. Looking at the upcoming season, the Lady Lions were supposed to have three all-state starters returning from that championship team. But Adlee Blacklock, a 6-0 junior guard who scored 50 points in Trinity Christian’s second playoff win (99-27 over Dallas Shelton), tore her ACL and is expected to miss most of this season. That’s a big loss; Blacklock averaged 21.3 points last season.

Bonnee Busby

Claire Simpson

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Rylee Cox

The Trinity Christian Lady Lions pose at the state tournament in Waco after defeating Lubbock Christian High 54-49 in the semifinals. LCHS had defeated Trinity twice in district play earlier in the season. The Lady Lions went on to win the state title. (Photo courtesy of Trinity Christian School)

Bonnee Busby, a 5-5 junior point guard, and Claire Simpson, a 5-8 junior guard/forward, both started last season. Bailey nominated six Lady Lions as all-state candidates this season. In addition to Blacklock, Busby and Simpson, he tabbed 5-8 junior guard/forward Rylee Cox, 5-8 junior forward Gracin Bonner and 5-5 junior guard Menyia Ewing. The Lady Lions will be young this year as the roster shows only two seniors, seven juniors and one sophomore. The sophomore is 6-1 forward Zaiah Buchanan, daughter of assistant coach Paige Buchanan. Bailey describes experience and the winning culture as the Lady Lions’ strengths. He is concerned about depth and injuries, particularly the one that sidelined his leading scorer, Blacklock. His key for success this season, as the Lady Lions seek a state championship three-peat, is “trust the process.” The Lady Lions will begin the process Nov. 12 at Tascosa. The home opener will be Nov. 21 against Midland Christian. They’ll play in the Private School Tournament Dec. 10-12. TAPPS playoffs begin Feb. 20. BOYS Spencer Sutton will embark on his first head coaching assignment after serving as Brandon Gilbert’s assistant last year. Gilbert, who coached the Runnin’ Lions the past three seasons after spending 10 years as an assistant, stepped down in May to take a position at Lubbock’s Redeemer Church. Sutton played at Holland Hall Prep in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Then he competed at Oral Roberts University, a Division I program. Gilbert’s Lions were 24-15 overall and won their district at 4-0 last season. In the playoffs, they defeated Arlington Pantego Christian 86-42 but lost to Colleyville Covenant Christian 54-52. Adlee Blacklock

(Continued on page 353)

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(Continued from page 351)

“We lost to a solid Covenant Christian team, which is now in our district, in the Elite Eight,” Sutton said. “We return three of our starters off last year’s team.” The Lions also lost three starters off last year’s team. They were: • Tru Buchanan, who is assistant girls coach Paige Buchanan’s nephew, was first-team all-district and the district defensive player of the year; • Caleb McDonald, all-district; • Bryce Hiner, all-district and first-team all-defense. Sutton is particularly familiar with one of the Lions’ three returning starters, who are Ethan Duncan, Parker Sutton and Marcus Ramon-Edwards. Duncan, a 6-1 senior point guard, was the district player of the year and an all-state selection. He is the son of Lubbock Christian University men’s coach Todd Duncan. His sister, Ashton Duncan, is a senior on the LCU women’s team. Parker Sutton, a 6-4 junior forward, is the younger brother of the coach. Parker Sutton was all-district last season. So was Ramon-Edwards, a 6-4 sophomore forward. Coach Sutton recommends Ethan Duncan and 6-2 junior guard Tate Truby as all-state candidates. He tabs Parker Sutton, Ramon-Edwards and 6-5 senior forward Tucker Smotherman as additional outstanding players to watch. The Lions’ roster is senior-laden with seven 12th-graders listed. And it shows experience with 10 letter winners. “We are quicker or more athletic than we have been in the past and very skilled offensively. We have added height from last year that will play a huge factor in our offensive and defensive scheme,” Coach Sutton said. “Most importantly, we have developed strong team unity and adopted and bought into the family atmosphere.” What are his keys for success this season? “Focusing on the defensive end and rebounding,” he said. “If we do those things, we will be set up for success, because we are offensively given.” The Lions’ season opener will be at home Nov. 13 vs. Palo Duro.

Claire Simpson, a 5-8 junior for Trinity Christian in 2020-21, makes a pass last season. (Maddie Q’s Photography) 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Ethan Duncan

Tate Truby

Parker Sutton

Trinity Christian Boys Name Ht. Pos. Class Ethan Duncan 6-1 G Sr. Tate Truby 6-2 G Jr. Parker Sutton 6-4 F Jr. Marcus Edwards 6-4 F Soph. Tucker Smotherman 6-5 F Sr. Drew Ashworth 6-1 G Sr. Pierce Stell 6-2 G Sr. Breck Thomas 6-3 F Sr. Davis Reeves 6-3 F Sr. Michael Green 6-3 F Sr. Dax Trout 6-1 G Fr. Coach: Spencer Sutton Asst. Coaches: Aaron Gaskins, Stan Newman 2019-2020 record: 24-15, 4-0 School phone: 792-3363 Players to watch: Ethan Duncan, Tate Truby, Parker Sutton, Marcus Edwards, Tucker Smotherman DATE Nov. 12 Nov. 13 Nov. 17 Nov. 21 Nov. 24 Nov. 24 Nov. 28 Dec. 1 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 10-12 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 14 Dec. 18 Dec. 18 Dec. 28 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Jan. 5 Jan. 9 Jan. 12 Jan. 14 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 23 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 4 Feb. 9 Feb. 13 Feb. 13

Trinity Christian Schedule

Opponent Tascosa Palo Duro Lubbock Titans Midland Christian Shallowater New Deal San Angelo Central Randall Permian Kingdom Prep Brownfield Slaton Plainview Private School Tournament Brownfield Frenship Canyon Plainview KPA Idalou Plainview Ropes Frenship OKC Storm Lubbock Titans Trinity-Willow Park Midland Trinity Hobbs Lake Country Midland Christian Lake Country Trinity-Willow Park Lubbock Christian Colleyville Lubbock Christian Lubbock Titans Midland Trinity Lubbock Titans Colleyville

Place B G There X Here X Here X Here X Here X Here X Here X There X Here X Here X There X Here X Here X TBA X There X There X There X X There X Here X There X There X Here X Here X Here X Here X X Here X X There X X Here X Here X X Here X There X X There X X Here X X There X There X X Here X Here X X Here X Here X

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Gracin Bonner

Aubry Gaskins

Zaiah Buchanan

Trinity Christian Girls Name Ht. Pos. Class Adlee Blacklock 6-0 G Jr. Bonnee Busby 5-5 G Jr. Claire Simpson 5-8 G/F Jr. Rylee Cox 5-8 G/F Jr. Aubrey Gaskins 5-7 G Jr. Gracin Bonner 5-8 G/F Jr. Menyia Ewing 5-5 G Jr. Maddie Grace Ritchie 5-9 F Sr. Lauren Henry 5-8 F Sr. Zaiah Buchanan 6-1 F Soph.

Bonnee Busby of Trinity Christian drives against Wellington last season. The Lady Lions’ Adlee Blacklock is in the background. (Photo courtesy of Trinity Christian School)

Coach: Josh Bailey Asst. Coach: Paige Buchanan 2019-2020 record: 19-19, 2-2 School phone: 791-6583 Players to watch: Adlee Blacklock, Bonnee Busby, Claire Simpson, Menyia Ewing, Rylee Cox, Gracin Bonner

Lady Lion Gracin Bonner makes a jumpshot in a 2019-20 game. Teammate Adlee Blacklock is in position for a possible rebound. (Photo courtesy of Trinity Christian School)

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Canadian Lady Cats The Canadian girls had a 25-9 season in 2019-20 that ended in a loss to Idalou in their bidistrict game played at Amarillo High. Below are photos of some of the Lady Catsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; returners for the 2020-21 season taken during that Feb. 17 bidistrict game. (Photos by Mike Haynes)

Briley Merket

Mattie Boyd

Parker Lee

Jasmyn Moreno

Maddie Spence

Coach Aaron Marks and Lady Cats

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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356

2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

357

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2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

Dave Wohlfarth, left, has written almost all of the high school previews and many of the feature stories for Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine for the past decade. Wohlfarth is a veteran journalist; his resume includes time as sports editor of the Lincoln Journal Star in Nebraska and as a journalism professor at West Texas A&M University. Here he interviews athlete Heather Murrell Houston for the book, Pride of the Plains: Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame 1959-2019.

Steve Satterwhite, left, and Tony Freeman have been essential contributors to Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine for many years. Satterwhite shoots the annual cover photos in Amarillo, while Freeman has provided a location for the photo sessions in addition to supervising production of the color portion of the magazine by Trafton Printing, now Cenveo Printing.

Lance Lahnert, at left, working at the media table at a West Texas A&M University basketball game last season, has written feature stories and college previews for Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine the past two years. Lahnert is a former sports editor of the Amarillo Globe-News and hosts the Sports Drive on KGNC radio in addition to TV and online sports work. He is a member of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. 2020-2021 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

359

PANHANDLE-PLAINS BASKETBALL INDEX

-AAbernathy............................................................................... 158 Amarillo ISD Amarillo High............................................. 48, 97, 358 Caprock................................................................... 102 Palo Duro................................................................ 105 Tascosa.............................................................. 49, 120 Anton ................................................................................ 334

Monterey........................................................... 50, 126 Lubbock Christian University Men.......................................... 70 Lubbock Christian University Women............................. 73, 357

-B- Boys Ranch............................................................................ 247 Brownfield........................................................................ 42, 186 Bushland................................................................... 42, 143, 356

-NNazareth ...................................................... 16, 39, 50, 322, 357 New Deal............................................................................... 270

-CCanadian......................................................................... 145, 355 Canyon .............................................................. 7, 50, 133, 358 Childress......................................................................... 161, 358 Clarendon............................................................... 211, 356, 358 Clarendon College Men........................................................... 86 Clarendon College Women.............................................. 87, 357 Class 6A schools...................................................................... 92 Class 5A schools...................................................................... 96 Class 4A schools.................................................................... 129 Class 3A schools.................................................................... 142 Class 2A schools.................................................................... 190 Class 1A schools.................................................................... 289 Class 4A TAPPS.................................................................... 350 -DDalhart ................................................................................ 147 Dumas ................................................................................ 137 -FFollett ................................................................................ 290 Fort Elliott.............................................................................. 293 Frenship .................................................................................. 92 -GGroom ................................................................................ 305 Gruver .............................................. 14, 36, 88, 191, 358, 359 -HHappy ................................................................................ 319 Hereford ................................................................................ 139 Higgins ............................................................................ 21, 29 -IIdalou ................................................................................ 164 -LLevelland.......................................................................... 29, 130 Littlefield................................................................................ 188 Lockney ................................................................................ 266 Lubbock ISD Coronado................................................................. 123 Lubbock High......................................................... 126

360

Index

-MMcLean ........................................................................ 299, 356 Memphis................................................................................. 216 Midwestern State University Women...................................... 39

-OOlton

................................................................................ 248

-PPaducah ................................................................................ 344 Panhandle....................................................................... 218, 358 Plainview.......................................................................... 41, 108 -RRandall .......................................................................... 49, 111 Ropes ................................................................................ 287 -SShallowater................................................................. 12, 24, 175 Shamrock............................................................................... 232 Slaton ................................................................................ 182 South Plains College Men........................................................ 80 South Plains College Women..................................... 46, 82, 357 Spearman.............................................................. 29, 43, 60, 149 Springlake-Earth............................................................ 336, 357 Stratford ........................................................................ 207, 356 Sudan .......................................................................... 60, 274 Sundown ................................................................................ 284 -TTexas Tech Men................................................... 46, 50, 54, 356 Texas Tech Women.................................... 39, 43, 45, 50, 57, 60 Texline ................................................................................ 332 Trinity Christian............................................................... 19, 351 -VVega ................................................................................ 260 -WWayland Baptist Men................................................. 47, 76, 357 Wayland Baptist Women.............................................. 29, 40, 77 Wellington........................................................................ 51, 236 West Texas A&M Men............................. 32, 48, 49, 51, 63, 358 West Texas A&M Women.................................... 35, 67, 79, 357 Wheeler ................................................................................ 243 White Deer............................................................................. 312 Whiteface............................................................................... 346 2019-2020 Panhandle-Plains Basketball

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GAME

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5701 Time Square Blvd, Suite 240 Amarillo, TX Inside the Black Building next to Verdure Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Northwest Texas Healthcare System. The system shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. 204100-6161 9/20

Dr. James R. Parker

Carlos Flores, PA

Patients are seen 5 days a week for ALL orthopedic injuries.

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7000 W. 9th Avenue • Amarillo, TX 79106

806.350.BONE (2663) • Fax: 806-350-2664 www.drparker.com