Ten Highland Lakes Sports Insights

CAPTION: Marble Falls senior Tea Rodriguez (third from left) at her signing ceremony to Murray State College Dec. 18 with her Lady Mustang teammates. Photo by Madison DeBerard

A mandatory five-day break from the University Interschlolastic League that most associations across the state follows meant local athletic departments didn’t call for practices or games leading up to the Christmas holiday. But my guess is some players in the Highland Lakes still got some work in on their own, especially those whose teams haven’t had the success leading up to the holiday they’re used to. Still there’s plenty of hoops still left to play and the best news is that no team in the region has started district play yet. That changes soon after teams return from the holidays, so many are taking advantage of the final week of the break by playing in holiday tournaments.

1. Perhaps the most prestigious is the Mansfield Spring Creek Barbecue Invitational Tournament that has 32 squads, including the Marble Falls Lady Mustangs. After starting the season 7-1 leading into the Thanksgiving holiday, the Lady Mustangs are 11-8 overall. Injuries, including a season-ending one to senior forward Avie Nail, has forced the team to look for more offense to help senior guard Tea Rodriguez. Nail is regarded as one of the top finishers on the team, especially in transition where she often contributed to the defensive headaches for opponents by being in on steals and then using her speed to get down the court to finish plays for quick buckets. Marble Falls is still searching for another solid finisher who can contribute on both ends. Add in injuries to senior forwards Emma Koziel and Lilly Nesrsta that has limited the duo, and the roster looks thin. And let’s not forget the schedule isn’t for the faint of heart. Marble Falls lost to Boerne High, Stephenville and Glen Rose — all ranked in the top 10 in Class 4A — not to mention the Corpus Christi tournament in early December where it played Class 6A teams, and that’s where the majority of the losses occurred. Still this program is used to playing opponents whose enrollments are bigger, and that experience will help when it starts District 24-4A play against Burnet at home at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6. Marble Falls will play Cedar Hill at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the opener of the Mansfield tournament.
2. Meanwhile, the Lady Dawgs are on a five-game winning streak with the latest against Pflugerville Connally where Burnet gave up only nine points in three quarters. To say Burnet is playing great basketball is an understatement. The Lady Dawgs are looking every bit as the two-time defending district champion and has the Leander Glenn tournament to play in before starting district play. Burnet is creating depth in various positions and is seeing juniors MaeSyn Gay and Zaris Solis lead the way to victory. In pool play, the Lady Dawgs face Leander High at 11:30 a.m. and Leander Vandegrift at 6:30 p.m., both on Wednesday, Dec. 28, and Pflugerville Weiss at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29.
3. Rumor out of Lampasas is the Lady Badgers (18-7) have their best team in years and are expected to compete for the district title this year. One win was against Lago Vista (8-8), another district member that has the worst record pre-district record among the district members. Don’t overlook Jarrell (15-5), which has won four in a row.
4. Only one team in District 24-4A in boys basketball has a winning record — Lampasas at 9-6. Still don’t count out the Burnet Bulldogs with five returning starters who love to shoot the long ball. The 61-40 loss to Connally Dec. 16 is a little deceiving considering Burnet had a lead for much of the contest. But the Cougars’ athleticism was on full display in the final period and may have been the difference in the contest. Like the Lady Dawgs, Burnet will compete at the Leander Glenn tournament Wednesday and Thursday.
5. The Marble Falls Mustangs had a great start to their holiday after beating Comal Davenport 47-40 Dec. 16. It won’t get easier though as the Mustangs play in the Wimberley tournament this week in preparation for a tough and wide-open district race.
6. Another team having to adjust to the loss of a senior forward is Llano which lost Owen Powers to a knee injury that will keep him out for weeks. The Yellow Jackets’ (6-8) latest loss was against Gatesville (16-1) 59-41 Dec. 19. That point margin is what Powers’ scoring average was before he was injured. Llano is learning how to adjust without their forward. Others will have to step up to help junior guard Weston Baker on the offensive end. The Jackets must have three players whose scoring averages total the missing 20 points a game. If they can do that, they’ll make it near impossible for any opponent to stop them.
7. The Lady Jackets are bracing to face Lampasas at noon Wednesday. They have been playing without senior guard Avery Brooks and junior guard Gwyn Burnett, who’ve been letting their bodies heal in preparation for District 5-3A play that begins against Comfort Jan. 10. Head coach Jay Parker believes the Lady Jackets have enough to earn a playoff berth and are showing a commitment to playing defense the way the Lady Mustangs defend. And just like Marble Falls, Llano is looking to be more offensive.
8. The Faith Academy basketball teams are playing in the Irion County holiday tournament Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 28-29. This should pose a great challenge for both squads. The boys play Ballinger at 1 p.m. and Hamilton at 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Irion County at 9:15 a.m. and Highland at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday. The girls face Irion County at 2:15 p.m. and Hamilton at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday and Mason at 8 a.m. and Highland at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.
9. A special shoutout to the Marble Falls boys soccer team that came from behind to beat Cedar Park High 3-2 Dec. 15 before breaking for the holiday. Cedar Park is a long-time district foe but with the Mustangs dropping to Class 4A, head coach Rick Hoover wanted to play the Timberwolves to start the season. And it was a fantastic start to the season as the Mustangs found a way to escape with a victory.
10. This week’s game ball goes to all the readers. Thank you for spending time with me, especially since your time is incredibly valuable. Sports reporting is more than a love, and you make it more than enjoyable. My sincerest thanks and my holiday wish is that yours is one to remember.

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