Thursday, April 25, 2024
Area Sports Roundup
SPORTS ROUNDUP
TOLAR FOOTBALL
On the surface, one might think the Tolar Rattlers will be facing an easy matchup going into their Class 2A Division I football regional semifinal playoff game Friday, Nov. 25 (2 p.m. kickoff) at Crowley Multi-Purpose Stadium.
After all, Tolar will be entering that game with a 12-0 record, enjoying what is believed to be the best football season in school history. Hamilton, meanwhile, is 7-5 and one of those losses was a 56-7 setback at Tolar when the teams met in District 5-2A play.
But coach Jeremy Mullins wasn't buying any of that. While the Bulldogs might not have been flashy in the regular season, they've made some serious noise in the postseason to earn a rematch with the Rattlers.
Hamilton needed a 22-0 win over 0-10 Goldthwaite just to secure a playoff berth. Once there, however, the team has been a spoiler with upsets of 41-15 over Tioga (8-3) and 35-21 over Axtell.
Meanwhile, the Rattlers have made short work of their two playoff opponents, opening with a 61-0 pasting of Whitewright and thrashing Marlin 71-18 last week behind 288 yards and five touchdowns rushing from Peyton Brown.
“It's always good to be practicing during Thanksgiving!” Mullins said. “Hamilton and us are pretty familiar with each other, so this will be a fun week. They are playing well and I'm sure we will see their best effort.
“We are just excited to have another opportunity to go play another game! We are going to keep our focus on what we can control and do our best to be a little better this week than we were last week.”
For the season, Brown has 2,429 yards and 44 touchdowns. He is the leading rusher in the state in Class 2A and in the top 25 nationally.
Against Marlin, Brown had TD runs of 34, 24, 52, 6 and 8 yards. Also, quarterback Jackson LeCluyse had three touchdown passes to Garrison Nation (24 yards), Jeffrey Collie (19) and Matthew Behrens (8).
Wyatt Jones returned a kickoff 75 yards for a TD and kicked nine extra points, along with running in a two-point conversion. Levi Mercado added a 5-yard TD.
Defensively, the Rattlers held Marlin to 95 yards rushing on 24 carries and forced three turnovers (2 interceptions, 1 fumble) while committing none of their own.
“I was very proud of our entire team this past Thursday. We played really well in all phases. Our coaches did a tremendous job of having a good plan for the week and having the guys ready to play,” Mullins said. “Our kids had their best week of practice and preparation, and it was great to see them execute when it mattered. I can't say enough about the support of this community, we had a great crowd Thursday.”
GRANBURY GIRLS
BASKETBALL
Lady Pirates coach Alan Thorpe achieved a career milestone this past weekend in the Crandall Tournament. When they defeated Krum 67-50 in the tourney’s second game, it was the 600th of his career, one that has spanned stops in Lamesa, Burnet, Northwest, Stephenville and Granbury.
“Just means I’ve been doing this a long time, but I am very proud of these girls for helping me get there,” said a humble Thorpe. “I’ve had the privilege of coaching some great young ladies through the years. Very grateful to Granbury for giving me the opportunity to reach this milestone.”
The Lady Pirates (6-1) went on to win the tournament, also posting victories against Richland (32-30), Joshua (64-31) and College Station (69-36). This came after a 43-21 win at Burleson earlier in the week.
Leaders in each of the week’s victories were:
Burleson – Ella Garner, 18 points, 7 steals; Ella Hamilin, 12 points, 5 rebounds; Kate Hamlin, 5 rebounds; Alexa Mueller, 5 assists, 3 steals; Madison Black, 3 steals.
College Station – E. Garner, 34 points; E. Hamlin, 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists; Mueller, 5 rebounds, 9 assists.
Krum – E. Hamlin, 24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists; Garner, 16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists; K. Hamlin, 14 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks; Mueller, 3 assists.
Joshua – E. Hamlin, 27 points, 8 rebounds; Mueller, 10 points; Black, 9 points, 3 assists; Maycee Slatton, 4 assists; E. Garner, 3 assists.
Richland – E. Hamlin, 13 points, 4 assists; Black, 6 points, 3 steals; Garner, 6 rebounds, 4 steals; K. Hamlin, 7 rebounds; Mueller, 6 rebounds, 5 steals.
The freshmen defeated Burleson 58-5 and the JV won 41-27.
TOLAR GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Lady Rattlers fell to 0-3 despite some stingy defense in a 29-24 loss to Lingleville on Nov. 15. Karley Richardson led Tolar with nine points, along with grabbing six rebounds.
Senne Imel had 10 rebounds and six steals, while Shylar Nunley pulled down six boards.
The Lady Rattlers defeated Lingleville 17-15.
LIPAN GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Lady Indians (6-1) advanced to the championship game of the Brock Tournament before falling to Glen Rose, 51-36. Prior to that game, Lipan defeated Stephenville (49-34), Whitehouse (46-12), Maypearl (63-20) and Argyle Liberty Christian (51-35).
Leaders in each game were:
Stephenville – Lynsey Little, 15 points, 3 assists, 4 steals; Chelsea Lott, 12 points, 6 steals; Trinity Benitez, 10 points, 5 rebounds.
Whitehouse – T. Benitez, 10 points, 3 steals; Lott, 9 points; Taylor Branson, 5 assists, 4 steals; Little, 8 points, 4 assists, 3 steals; Ellie Peacock, 5 rebounds.
Maypearl – Lott, 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals; T. Benitez, 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals; Branson, 9 points, 3 assists, 3 steals; Ashlyn Clark, 8 points, 3 steals; Little, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 steals.
Liberty – Branson, 13 points, 3 steals; Little, 12 points, 3 assists, 3 steals; Lott, 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks; Hanna Gaylor, 9 points, 3 steals; Olivia Benitez, 5 rebounds; T. Benitez, 7 rebounds.
Glen Rose – Little, 11 points; T. Benitez, 8 points, 7 rebounds; Lott, 5 rebounds.
Branson, Lott and Little were named to the all-tournament team.
GRANBURY BOYS BASKETBALL
The Pirates (2-0) disposed of Joshua 63-35 as their tenacious defense forced the Owls into 30 turnovers compared to just 12 of their own.
True Hughes scored 12 points to lead Granbury, while Kensington Colston scored 10 with four assists and Dylan Couto added 10 with six rebounds. Carter Fallis and Isaiah Trejo contributed eight points apiece.
The Granbury JV also defeated Joshua 78-42, while the freshmen fell 54-36.
TOLAR BOYS BASKETBALL
Behind a triple double from Merritt Imel, the Rattlers (2-1) defeated Lingleville 48-34. Imel scored 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked 12 shots.
Also for Tolar, Reis Brown scored 17 and Luke Ellis added seven.
They followed that with a 56-50 victory against Godley as Brown scored 23, including 16 in the fourth quarter as the Rattlers outscored Godley 21-15. Colton Gibson added 10 and Imel scored eight.
LIPAN BOYS BASKETBALL
The Indians improved to 3-0 with victories against Peaster (67-43) and Merkel (79-23).
Leaders against Merkel were: Garrett Smith, 18 points, 4 assists, 6 steals; Darius Steed, 14 points, 7 rebounds; Tripp Phillips, 13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists; Cole Reynolds, 12 points; Reese Cook, 10 points; Korey Massie, 6 rebounds; Reese Cook, 5 rebounds; Tate Branson, 3 assists.
Leaders against Peaster were: Phillips, 20 points, 6 assists; Smith, 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals; Reynolds, 3 assists.
GRANBURY SWIMMING
The Granbury Pirates placed first and the Lady Pirates second in their respective divisions recently at the Cougar Classic in Lewisville.
Highlights for the girls include:
Individual
200 Free – 2. Brenna Haynes, 5. Madison Erezo, 6. Tessa Fox.
50 Free – 2. Mylie Erezo, 5. Haynes.
100 Fly – 4. Avery Young.
100 Free – 5. Madison Erezo.
500 Free – 5. Fox.
100 Back – 1. Mylie Erezo.
100 Breaststroke – 3. Grace Larsen, 5. Jina Kim.
Relays
200 Medley – 5. Kensington Loving, Kim, Remi Chastain, Fox.
200 Free – 2. Haynes, Young, Madison Erezo, Mylie Erezo.
400 Free – 3. Young, Madison Erezo, Mylie Erezo, Haynes.
Boys
Individual
200 Free – 6. Leander Stuart.
50 Free – 3. Braxton Heffernan.
100 Fly – 6. William Power.
500 Free - 6. Stuart.
100 Back – 4. Ryan Solisz.
100 Breaststroke – 6. Preston Beauchamp.
Relays
200 Medley – 3. Solisz, Bodie Chastain, Jordan Buchanan, Tyler Guidry.
200 Free – 4. Heffernan, Buchanan, Solisz, Guidry.
400 Free – 3. Beachamp, Colin Lindsey, William Power, Hunter Jones.
