Saturday, December 14, 2024
Five years ago, Alan Thorpe took over a Granbury Lady Pirates basketball program that had gone through five consecutive losing seasons. He revived the once-renowned program with five straight seasons of 20 or more wins, including playoff appearances in each of the past four campaigns.
And they’ve enjoyed postseason success, advancing to the second round in each of those four years.
This season the Lady Pirates return plenty of talent from last season’s 21-13 squad that finished third in district with an 8-4 record. In fact, they bring back nine players, including:
Senior post Kate Hamlin, 7 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game and a block per game.
Senior guard Faith Fry, 5.1 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 spg
Senior wing Baylee Goodman, 3.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1 sp
Senior post Sterling Dunagan, 2.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1 apg, 1 sp
Junior guard Jolie Hayes, 5.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.3 spg
Junior forward Jayla Hayes, 2.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1 spg
Junior guard Hannah Dafoe, 1.5 rpg, 1 spg
Junior guard Bentley Sherrill, 1 spg
Junior forward Jillian Willaims, 1.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1 apg, 1.1 spg
Hamlin was named first-team all-district, while Fry and Jayla Hayes garnered second-team honors.
“I like our team. We will be a lot like last year, small but work hard. I feel like we will be fun to watch,” Thorpe said. “We had great community support last year. I hope people will take time to come see these young ladies compete again this year.”
The Lady Pirates are once again in District 5-5A. However, following UIL realignment they have some new district opponents. The league now includes Aledo, Azle, Saginaw Chisholm Trail, Keller Fossil Ridge, Saginaw and White Settlement Brewer.
“District will be very tough this year. Aledo is picked to win it with Brewer right behind them,” Thorpe said. “The rest of us are evenly matched. Should be a lot of fun.”
LADY INDIANS LOOK FOR ANOTHER STATE RUN
The Lipan Lady Indians have been perennial contenders for a state championship for many years.
And guess what? They are once again as they enter the season ranked fifth in the state in Class 2A by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.
Lipan returns five varsity players, including two starters, from a 34-4 squad that won its district for the umpteenth time and reached a regional final on the heels of a state championship in 2023.
“A little different look than we’ve had in the past. We have some key players and leaders back, but several new pieces we are trying to fit together,” Lady Indians coach Amber Branson said.
Back as starters are seniors Hanna Gaylor at guard and Alisha Green at forward. Joining them as returners are junior forward Finley Shockley and sophomore guards Kynzi Callaway and Jacy Bolton.
Gaylor’s list of accolades from last season are an arm’s length, including district Co-MVP, TABC All-Region, TABC All-State, Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State, and Texas High School Coaches Association 2A Super Elite Team MVP.
Green was a first-team all-district selection; Callaway and Bolton were second-teamers and Shockley garnered honorable mention.
The Lady Indians will again play in District 11-2A. This time realignment has them with DeLeon, Graford, Hamilton, Hico, Poolville and Santo.
“Will be a little different adding in Graford and Hamilton. Graford has a rich basketball tradition, and Hamilton always has great athletes and a respected program,” Branson said. “Hico will be tough and as always, Santo, will be a very competitive district.
“As always, we are excited about the season, and look forward to a long playoff run, chasing a state championship.”
LADY RATTLERS OUT TO MAKE 3A IMPACT
The Tolar Lady Rattlers have moved up to Class 3A and are counting on the leadership of six returners from last season as they seek a return to the playoffs.
Starters back from a team that finished 22-10, second in district and advanced to the second round of the playoffs are senior Senne Imel, junior Callan Nix and sophomore Jaycee Jones. Also back are senior Kenzi McQuain, junior Emma Jackson and sophomore Kamryn Kolb.
Imel was the district’s Offensive Player of the Year, along with being named TABC All-Region. Jones was the league’s Newcomer of the Year.
“Moving up to 3A will be exciting,” coach Ericka Halfmann said. “Can’t wait to get rolling. Our first game will depend on the volleyball playoffs.”
Several of the Lady Rattlers are also on the Tolar volleyball team that began the playoffs earlier this week.
Joining Tolar in District 8-3A are Breckenridge, Comanche, Dublin, Early, Eastland, Millsap and Peaster. Comanche is preseason ranked No. 17 in the state.
“Super excited to compete against some of the best in the region,” Halfmann said. “We had a great season last year and look forward to this year.”
