Basketball Featured NBA 

Spurs win more than the first pick during 2023 draft lottery

CAPTION: Spurs Managing Partner Peter J. Holt holds a framed photo of his father, Peter M. Holt, who celebrates after winning the the 1997 NBA Draft Lottery the organization used on future Hall-of-Famer Tim Duncan. The younger Holt represented the Spurs during the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery and celebrated winning this year’s event in similar fashion. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Spurs Peter J. Holt may have been the first, but he wasn’t the only one. When his San Antonio Spurs were revealed to win the 2023 NBA Draft…

Read More
College Featured Football High School Recruiting 

Burnet’s Valencia signs to play soccer for Oklahoma Wesleyan

CAPTION: Burnet senior Caroline Valencia (seated, center) is congratulated by her teammates after signing to play college soccer. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography Burnet High School senior soccer player Caroline Valencia signed her National Letter of Intent to play for Oklahoma Wesleyan University May 15. Valencia, who has been part of the Lady Dawgs’ record-breaking seasons the last two years, was recruited to be a midfielder and forward. “I think they loved the way she played on the ball, and her confidence when shooting,” Burnet head coach Kimberly Myhre said. “She…

Read More
Baseball Featured High School 

Marble Falls baseball has many Mustangs named all-district

When the Marble Falls High School baseball team captured the District 24-4A championship for the first time in 20 years, it stands to reason the Mustangs have a team full of “studs,” as one head coach of a member program noted. Many of his counterparts agreed as the all-district lists reflect it. “I think it worked out really well,” Mustangs head coach Tyler Porter said. “The kids who deserved things got them. There are kids who stand out.” Senior Cale Cochran, who was 5-0 in district play with a save,…

Read More
Baseball Featured High School 

Standout Burnet baseball players named to all-district lists

The Burnet High School baseball team announced which of its players made the District 24-4A all-district teams. Trey Morrow was named the Newcomer of the Year. “We moved him up, and he played in three or four district games,” head coach Russell Houston said. “He’s a hard kid to get out. He hit the ball hard. (Other head coaches) were impressed by him.” First team all-district members include pitcher Braden Ellett-Clark, outfielder Will Johnson and catcher Tanner O’Hair. “These are kids who performed well on both sides (offense and defense),”…

Read More
Basketball College Featured High School Recruiting 

Marble Falls hoops player Rodriguez signs with Southwestern University

CAPTION: Marble Falls Lady Mustang Tea Rodriguez (center) celebrates signing her National Letter of Intent with her folks. Courtesy photo Marble Falls High School senior Tea Rodriguez signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball for Southwestern University May 10. The senior guard led the Lady Mustangs to the Class 4A regional quarterfinals last season. She averaged 11.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3 steals per game. Rodriguez originally signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Murray State College during the early signing period in November.…

Read More
Featured Running 

Burnet’s Bennett wins the one state title that eluded him

CAPTION: The Burnet athletes competing at the 2023 Class 4A state track and field championships include Asah Roy (left), Brady Rygaard, Brayden Hill, Victor Aviles and Hudson Bennett. Courtesy photo Burnet High School senior runner Hudson Bennett completed his collection of state championships when he won the Class 4A 1,600-meter final May 11. The Bulldog ran won the race in 4 minutes and 19.37 seconds, beating defending state champion Carlo Martinez of Gatesville, who earned silver by finishing in 4:19.56. The two know each other well thanks to competing against…

Read More
Baseball Featured High School 

Johnson City baseball sweeps Iola to face Burton in 3rd round

The Johnson City High School baseball team beat Iola 2-0 May 13 and 10-0 May 12 in the area round of the playoffs to advance to the Class 2A regional quarterfinals. The Eagles (20-6, 12-0 District 28-2A champions) will meet Burton at Liberty Hill High School. Game one is at 6. p.m. Friday, May 19, and game two is at noon Saturday, May 20. Game three, if necessary, will follow after game two. A night after run-ruling the Bulldogs 10-0, the Eagles returned determined to end the series in two…

Read More
Featured Softball 

Burnet softball continues playoff march by sweeping Salado

CAPTION: The Burnet Lady Dawgs are beat Salado in back-to-back games to win the Class 4A regional quarterfinal best-of-three series. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro The Burnet High School softball team made quick work of Salado in what turned out to be the game clincher to win the Class 4A regional quarterfinal series May 12. The Lady Dawgs crushed the Lady Eagles 8-1 in game two on the heels of outlasting them 3-2 in nine innings May 11. Burnet will face Liberty (32-7, 10-0 District 20-4A champion) in the Class…

Read More
Featured Running 

Burnet’s Aviles, Bennett are Class 4A state champs in 800, 1,600 meters

CAPTION: Burnet senior Hudson Bennett with his gold medal that symbolizes winning the Class 4A state championship in the 1,600 meters. Photo by Martelle Ludecke/Luedecke Photography Burnet High School senior Hudson Bennett called it. Minutes after teammate Victor Aviles, a sophomore, and he finished first and second in the 1,600 meters at the District 24-4A meet April 13, Bennett looked at Aviles and said: “He will win a state championship in the 800.” Almost a month later, when Aviles, who was in third place, found another gear in the final…

Read More
Featured Running 

Llano’s Gwyn Burnett finishes sixth at Class 3A state meet

CAPTION: Llano junior Gwyn Burnett is running the final part of the 300-meters hurdles in the Class 3A track and field championship May 11 at Mike Myers Stadium on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Photo by Briley Mitchell/Dirt Devil Diver Photography Llano High School junior Gwyn Burnett (center) had already won long before she set foot on the track at Mike Myers Stadium on the University of Texas at Austin campus May 11. Burnett had returned to the Class 3A state meet with the intention of adding a…

Read More