2023 Basketball First Look
Trying to figure out who will be the Big Country’s best basketball teams by the time the playoffs roll around in February and March is a little like predicting the weather in West Texas: You think you have a pretty good idea but there are always going to be some surprises. While fans don’t really start paying close attention to the basketball races until district play begins following the Christmas holiday break, teams are forged…
Abilene High Girls Basketball
Brenda Andress, a former standout basketball player at Abilene Christian University, takes over as the new girls basketball coach at Abilene High. She inherits a team that struggled to a 4-7 record overall and 2-10 mark in District 2-6A last yeare. But she is hoping to bring a new attitude to the Lady Eagles. “This program’s main focus is to work hard, practice and act like a champion, and get better every day,” Andress emphasized. “If…
Albany Girls Basketball
The Albany girls basketball team is a perennial playoff contender, but the Lady Lions missed the postseason last year, finishing with an 8-13 record overall and a 3-9 mark in the always competitive District 10-2A. Among the returning players that Albany coach Tate Thompson will be relying are 5’6” Alli Hill, 5’5” Tana Thompson, 5’0’’ junior point guard Brylee Moore and 5’0” guard Briley Tabor. Albany plays in District 10-2A with Anson, Cisco, Hamlin, Haskell, Hawley…
Anson Girl’s Basketball
The Anson girl’s basketball team had an outstanding season a year ago, and the Lady Tigers believe this year could be even better. Anson returns three starters and five lettermen from last year’s squad that finished 21-5 overall. The Lady Tigers were runner-up to Haskell in District 10-2A with a 9-3 record and lost 52-38 to eventual state champion Lipan in the area round of the Class 2A playoffs. “This year’s team will have the opportunity…
Baird Girl’s Basketball
As Baird tries to rebuild its girl’s basketball program, the Lady Bears will be counting on several underclassmen. But there is optimism because the numbers participating in the program have grown this year, according to coach Samuel Hamrick. “We are very young in terms of upper-to-lower class ratio,” he said. “Compared to last year, this team is raw with the ability to grow into an elite program with proper guidance. We have a work ethic to…
Ballinger Girls Basketball
The Ballinger girls basketball team is primed to take the next step this season. The Lady Bearcats were 17-7 a year ago and finished 10-4 as the third-place team from District 6-3A behind perennial powerhouses Jim Ned and Wall. But Ballinger lost in the bi-district round to Coahoma 51-47. “We will not be as deep as last year, but if we can stay healthy we should be as good if not better,” said veteran coach Jerry…
Breckenridge Girls Basketball
With three returning starters and seven returning lettermen, the Breckenridge girls basketball team is looking for a turnaround this season. The Lady Bucks were 7-20 overall and 2-10 in District 7-3A a year ago. “I think our balance on offense and added experience will benefit us,” said coach Bryan Goehring, who is beginning his second season as the Breckenridge head coach. “We graduated our point guard, so we will be looking for the next leader to…
Brownwood Girls Basketball
The Brownwood girls basketball team returns its top seven players from last year’s squad. “This team will be more experienced and more motivated to compete on a high level,” said Heather Hohertz-Perez, who is in her 12th season as the head coach at Brownwood. With that experience, the Lady Lions expect improvement on last year’s record which saw the team finish 9-15 overall and 2-7 in District 5-4A. Tessa Goodwin, a 5’10’ senior, was a Class…
Cisco Girls Basketball
The Cisco girls basketball team posted a 20-9 record last year but was only 7-5 as the fourth-place team from tough District 10-2A. The Lady Loboes caught fire in the postseason, however, winning three straight games before falling to Muenster in the regional semifinals. “This year’s team is almost the same team as last year, only a year older with more experience,” said Brent Kilpatrick, beginning his seventh season as the head coach Cisco. That may…
Clyde Girls Basketball
Jamie Masonheimer, the former Eula coach, moves across Callahan County to take over as the new girls basketball coach at Clyde this season. He inherits a team that struggled to a 5-18 overall record and a 5-9 mark in rugged District 6-3A a year ago. But he welcomes back three returning starters and five lettermen, led by 6’1” senior post Liz Underwood who averaged a team-high 20 points and 10 rebounds per game last season. Underwood,…
Coleman girl’s basketball
The Coleman girl’s basketball team returns three starters from last year’s lineup that made the Class 2A playoffs. The Bluekatts were 7-13 overall but 5-4 as the fourth-place team in District 8-2A. Christoval edged Coleman 48-39 in a bi-district playoff game. The Bluekatts must replace two-time district defensive MVP Abbi Allen, who signed to play volleyball at Hardin-Simmons. “We will be small but quick,” said Coleman coach Meg Barrett, who emphasized chemistry and an aggressive defense…
Comanche Girls Basketball
Diana Salinas admitted her Comanche girls basketball team will be very young this year. “We have almost a new team as we graduated a few girls,” said Salinas, who was a standout during her own playing career in high school at Comanche and this year will be inducted into the Hardin-Simmons University Hall of Fame for her play for the Cowgirls. “We will be a very fast team this year, and that can help…
Cooper Girls Basketball
Kyla Speights, a 5’3” junior guard, is a returning first-team all-district player for the Abilene Cooper girls basketball team. “She is a very hard worker and an extremely smart player,” Cooper coach Arsenio Geter said of Speights. “She will be a third-year letterman this year that will bring knowledge and experience to our team.” Speights, who averaged 14.8 points and 2.2 assists per game last season, is one of three returning starters and five returning lettermen…
Cross Plains girls basketball
The Cross Plains girls basketball team expects to challenge Eula for the District 13-1A crown this year. The Lady Buffaloes return three starters and four lettermen from a team that finished 13-13 overall and 6-4 in district a year ago. “This year’s team will be more athletic and defensive-minded,” said Dustin Bates, who is in 24th season as the girls coach at Cross Plains. “Our biggest weakness is our lack of experience with success.” The Lady…
Early girls basketball
New Early girls basketball coach Kristy Sweatman is happy to welcome the return of Dana Lykes and Taylor Summers to her team. Lykes, a 5’8” senior forward was an all-district selection last season for the Lady Longhorns. “She is athletic and quick,” Sweatma said of Lykes. “Dana is an inside presence for us that can get up and rebound and defend.” Meanwhile, Summers, a 5’6” senior guard, is eager to get back on the court after…
Eastland girls basketball
Eastland girls basketball coach Troy Doyle claimed the Lady Mavericks will be “younger but better” this season. They will certainly be younger with three freshmen and four sophomores expected to play significant roles, according to Doyle, who is in his third year as the head coach at Eastland. The Lady Mavs will count on the leadership of 5’11” senior guard Kynnley Herrington, who paced the team in both scoring and rebounding last season when Eastland posted…
Eula girls basketball
After 18 years coaching the Eula boys basketball team, including a state title in 2011 and a state tournament appearance last year, Josh Fostel switched gears and became the head girls basketball coach for the Lady Pirates this season. His Eula team returns only two starters and four lettermen from last year’s District 13-1A championship squad. The Lady Pirates were 19-7 a year ago and 10-1 in district play, advancing to the Class 1A regional quarterfinals.…
Hamlin Girls Basketball
Hamlin girls basketball coach Casey Botos returns all five starters and expects a turnaround for the Lady Pipers this year. “This team will be a great group to coach,” Botos said. “All are very, very quick, looking to press more defensively and drive more offensively. We have only two seniors, and this group has been with me the last two years. It is time for things to click and gel together.” Hamlin was 9-15 overall and…
Hamlin Girls Basketball
New Hamlin girl basketball coach T.J. Fly said the Lady Pipers will be “older and very athletic” this season, relying on their speed and quickness to overcome a lack of height. Hamlin returns eight lettermen and three starters from last year’s team that finished 1-11 in powerful District 10-2A. Samantha Gonzalez, a 5’6” senior guard, provides that athleticism for Hamlin. “Samantha is our Energizer Bunny,” Fly said. “She will play hard all the…
Hawley Girls Basketball
Hawley girls basketball coach Michael Muscatell expects to play a lot of freshmen and sophomores on the varsity this year, but that hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm. “We will have to replace a lot from last year’s team,” he said, “but I feel like this group has the potential to step up and will find success. I am excited about this group of girls and excited about this season.” Ava Davis, a 5’10” junior, missed all of…
Jim Ned Girls Basketball
Jim Ned has been one of the most consistent winners in girls basketball in the Big Country, and veteran coach Hunter Cooley should have another outstanding team, although it will be younger. “We will be smaller but quicker,” Cooley said. The Lady Indians were 27-3 last year, winning the District 6-3A title with a 14-1 mark and advancing to the regional semifinals before losing to Shallowater. Jim Ned returns two starters off that team, led by…
Merkel Girls Basketball
Alyssa O’Malley, a 5’10” senior guard brings three years of varsity experience to the Merkel girls basketball team this year. She is one of two returning starters and six lettermen back for the Lady Badgers. “Alyssa has been named defensive player of the year for the past two seasons for our district,” said Merkel coach Laura Lange. “We are expecting another great season from her, and she is definitely a player to watch. She has verbally…
Roby Girls Basketball
First-year Roby girls basketball coach Michael Humphrey is bringing an extra weapon with him to his new job. His daughter 5’7” senior guard Callie Humphrey averaged 15.4 points per game last year and was the District 4-2A MVP at Ralls. She was also a Texas Girls Coaches Association all-state selection the last two years. Humphrey joins a team that returns two starters and five lettermen. The Lady Lions were 15-11 overall and 10-2 in District 15-1A…
Rotan Girls Basketball
A lack of size is the challenge facing a young Rotan girls basketball team this season. “Speed is our strength,” said Yellowhammers coach Patricia Clary, “but our weakness is our height. We have to play with short posts.” Zoe Flores, a 4’11” guard, is the only senior on the Rotan team. Clary is also counting on contributions from 5’0” junior Anna Daniels, 5’0” sophomore Tylee Fillingim and 5’5” sophomore Abby Moffett. The Yellowhammers were 2-22 overall…
Stamford Girls Basketball
First-year Stamford girls basketball coach Joe Crabb inherits a Lady Bulldogs’ team that is capable of competing for a district title. Stamford returns four starters off a team that finished 17-7 overall and 9-3 as the third-place team from District 10-2A. The Lady Bulldogs won their first two playoff games last season before falling 52-39 to eventual state champion Lipan in the Class 2A regional quarterfinals. “Size and experience will be our biggest strength,” said Crabb.…
Stamford Girls Basketball
The Stamford girls basketball team enjoyed an incredible season a year ago. The Lady Bulldogs were the only Big Country team to reach the state tournament, posting a 36-3 record before losing in the Class 2A state tournament championship game. It was Stamford’s first-ever appearance in the state tournament. Although second-year head coach Joe Crabb lost four starters off last year’s team, he still expects his Stamford team to contend for another district title and…
Sweetwater Girls Basketball
Thomas Robinson takes over as the new girls basketball coach at Sweetwater, and he is essentially starting over. The Lady Mustangs don’t have any returning starters and just three returning lettermen from a team that went 9-16 overall and 3-7 in District 3-4A a year ago. Sweetwater graduated eight seniors off last year’s squad, leaving Robinson with a young, inexperienced team. Sweetwater plays in District 3-4A along with Big Spring, Levelland, Lubbock Estacado, San Angelo Lake…
Wylie Girls Basketball
The Abilene Wylie girls basketball team will count on its inside post game this season. The Lady Bulldogs return only one starter and five lettermen from last year’s team that finished 13-13 overall and 7-3 as the runner-up in District 4-5A. Amy Powell, beginning her fourth season as the girls coach at Wylie, admitted this year’s team will be inexperienced compared to last year. The Lady Bulldogs must find replacements for their two leading scorers who…