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Author: Charles Branch

Jones, Ramey lead Texas past No. 20 West Virginia 67-57

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in NCAA BASKETBALL.

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas got pummeled by West Virginia earlier this season. The Longhorns were anything but the same timid bunch in the rematch.

Andrew Jones scored 22 points and Courtney Ramey added 21 to lead the surging Longhorns over the 20th-ranked Mountaineers 67-57 on Monday night as Texas won its third in a row with an injury-depleted lineup.

Texas (17-11, 7-8 Big 12) has its first three-game win streak in conference play since 2016. The Mountaineers (19-9, 7-8) have lost six straight on the road in the Big 12.

West Virginia beat Texas by 38 points back on Jan. 20, the worst loss of coach Shaka Smart’s five years with the Longhorns. But the Mountaineers came staggering into the rematch off a long road trip and Texas didn’t buckle in a physical matchup while Jones and Ramey poured in points from the outside.

Oscar Tshiebwe scored 14 points to lead West Virginia.

Jones scored 16 points in the first half on a barrage of 3-pointers, and the Longhorns shot 62% against one of the best defensive teams in the country to lead 34-28 at halftime. Texas trailed by 25 at halftime in the first meeting.

Texas is missing three starters or regular players with injuries and had another, forward Kamaka Hepa, knocked out with strep throat Monday night.

“Over the last couple of games, me and Courtney have just felt a chemistry. It’s beginning to click,” Jones said. “With guys out, it’s forcing me to step up. When two players are in sync, you can do great things and lead a team to victory.”

West Virginia cut the Texas lead to three early in the second half before Ramey drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing, then made another to push the lead to nine.

The Mountaineers’ last real chance to push for the lead came when Smart was called for a technical foul and Sean McNeil made both free throws to get West Virginia within 54-47. But Texas’ Matt Coleman III made a quick jumper on the other end and any momentum quickly died.

“I did not try to get that. When you are playing (West Virginia), it’s hand-to-hand combat,” Smart said. “It’s a very challenging game to officiate. I imagine I just got caught up standing up for our guys.”

BIG PICTURE

West Virginia: The Mountaineers have been woeful on the road and terrible free-throw shooting doomed them Monday night. They were 10 of 21 on a night they got to the shooting bonus early in the second half. Just a few made shots would have kept the game close.

The Mountaineers are also just 7 of 44 shooting 3-pointers over the the last three games. West Virginia made three against Texas, none in the second half.

“This game is about making shots. They made shots and we can’t,” West Virginia coach Bob Huggins said. “They continue to clank off the rim and its demoralizing. It zaps your enthusiasm.”

Texas: The Longhorns are playing with the desperation they needed a month ago. They have clawed back from the bottom third of the league in a season of open speculation on Smart’s future. Texas hasn’t finished at .500 or better in the Big 12 since Smart’s first season in 2015-2016.

“Our guys really exemplify Texas fight,” Smart said. “We haven’t talked to the guys about the negative stuff people say about us. … What you are seeing the last few games is the back against the wall and still fighting.”

BIG PLAY SUB

Texas freshman guard Brock Cunningham barely played much of this season but has taken on a much bigger role as injuries decimated the lineup and has delivered some big and timely plays.

Cunningham had two key offensive rebounds in the final three minutes, then came flying down the baseline to block a shot by Jermaine Haley, protecting a 62-54 lead with 1:44 left.

“That’s just what I bring to the team,” said Cunningham, whose defensive intensity has sparked similar efforts from teammates.

Cunningham didn’t even play in 15 games this season, but has logged at least 15 minutes in each of the last four.

“We’re at a point of this season where if we had lost any of these last three games, our postseason dreams would have been shattered,” he said.

UP NEXT

West Virginia hosts Oklahoma on Saturday.

Texas plays at Texas Tech on Saturday.

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More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25

El Matador: Luka Doncic

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in NBA.

2000, In Slovenia, there was a baby that picked up a basketball, not knowing it will always stay with him to this present day. Luka Doncic, next Super Star of the NBA, has established a dominance at the youthful age of 20 before he can even legally purchase a beer. A lethal step back that can rival Houston Rockets’ own, gutsy finishes, and crafty ball fakes; Doncic has the ability to take over games.

Where has this come from? In a sit-down interview there was a player who explained he would play against older players who were bigger, faster, and stronger. He was one of the NBA’s most dominant players who’s ever played the game, Shaq. Where does this even tie in with Luka?

While at 8 years old he began playing with the older players, his Dad played professionally in Europe who was provided the best trainers available for Luka. It was meant to be,  the journey began.           

As a teenager, Real Madrid took him in, a basketball organization that develops younger players. This eventually prepared him to be able to jump to the pro’s as a sixteen year old in Europe. While playing against grown men, he made a name for himself competing with guys in their twenties and even thirties. His competitiveness grew til he was on the NBA’s radar.  

The Mav’s traded for Luka Doncic at the age of eighteen and the rest is history and history is about to be made.

The legend begins in his rookie year a year ago, he already achieved 4 triple doubles and beat Michael Jordan’s record of consecutive 20-5-5 games . Let’s not forget he’s a teenager providing this for all to see. The Dallas Mavericks were waiting for the heir apparent to future Hall of Famer Dirk Dowitzki and they finally got him. With each game he creates and finished better than the last.

This season Luka Doncic elevated his game to another level. Almost averaging a triple double while averaging a little over twenty nine points per game, Luca has steadily kept the Mavs in the mix of the playoff race heading into All-Star Weekend. As a underrated number two, New York Knicks, castaway Kristaps Porzingis he has contributed respectfully almost producing double double numbers. The Unicorn puts up seventeen points a game and understands the fact this is not his team like it was in New York is a very selfless. A great team player and will continue to grow at just twenty-four years old. The Knicks who will regret it when it’s all said and done might have given the Mav’s a contender for years to come.

The Mavericks made the right move in placing their franchise on the shoulders of a twenty year old as crazy as that sounds. Give the kid five years and we might be talking Conference finals appearances or even NBA Finals. The L.A. teams will get in his way, but don’t count out the Rockets and the Warriors are still in play once Klay Thompson and Steph Curry return from injury. Golden State will have a lottery pick and they can pick the best player available if they want to in the next draft.

Dallas is still building its young roster for the future, but as of right now they are maybe one player away from taking their team to contending status. This year is respectful but adding another starting like player will move the pendulum towards greatness. The torch has been passed in Dallas can Luca keep the torch lit guiding this franchise into history?

49ers roll past Packers, 37-20, in NFC title game, & meet Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in NFL FOOTBALL.

Raheem Mostert rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns to make quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo mostly a spectator, Nick Bosa harassed Aaron Rodgers from the start and the San Francisco 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers, 37-20, for the NFC championship on Sunday.

The 49ers (15-3) advanced to their first Super Bowl in seven years and will play the Kansas City Chiefs in two weeks in Miami for the championship.

It’s been a remarkable turnaround for a team that won just 10 games in the first two seasons under coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch and had the No. 2 pick in the most recent draft.

Now, San Francisco is one of two teams left standing after delivering a second thorough beating of the season to Rodgers and the Packers (14-4). The Niners are the third team to make it to the Super Bowl a year after winning four or fewer games, joining Cincinnati (1988).

Bosa, the prize for last year’s rough season as the No. 2 overall pick, helped set the tone when he ended Green Bay’s second drive of the game with a 13-yard sack of Rodgers.

Mostert, a former special teams standout, did much of the rest in a remarkable redemption story for a former surfer who was cut seven times and carried the ball only eight times in his first three seasons in the NFL.

But he has become a key part of the NFC’s top team this year, leading the Niners with 772 yards rushing in the regular season and delivering a performance for the ages in the NFC title game.

He had the second-most yards rushing in a playoff game to Eric Dickerson’s 248 for the Rams on Jan. 4, 1986, and was the first player to rush for at least four TDs and 200 yards in a playoff game.

He got started when he burst 36 yards on a third-and-8 trap play to open the scoring on San Francisco’s second drive and kept ripping off long runs behind impressive blocking.

He added TD runs of 9 and 18 yards in the second quarter and had 160 yards rushing at the half, becoming the only player in NFL history to rush for at least 150 yards and three TDs in the first half of a playoff game.

Mostert added a 22-yard TD run in the third quarter.

Rodgers and the Packers were unable to match that performance as they got overwhelmed by San Francisco’s dominant front for a second time this season. Rodgers had a career-low 3.15 yards per attempt in a 37-8 loss here back in November and wasn’t much better in the first half of the rematch.

He lost a snap from center to end Green Bay’s only promising drive of the half, threw an interception to Emmanuel Moseley late in the half and didn’t convert his first third down of the season against the Niners until connecting on a 6-yard pass to Aaron Jones on the opening drive of the second quarter for his first third-down conversion in 18 attempts this season against the Niners.

Rodgers capped that drive with a 9-yard TD pass to Jones, but the game was too far out of hand by that point.

49ers: The team’s seventh appearance in the Super Bowl against the Chiefs on Feb. 2.

Westlake prepares for area round against Brennan Bears

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

The Westlake Chaps have been dominant in regular season play and look to continue their streak in the second round of the playoffs. A team that is used to winning expects to win. They handled the Cibolo Steele Knights convincingly 30-7 in the first round with ease.

Up next are the Brennan Bears at Texas State stadium over in San Marcos, last year they cruised to a 49-7 win, but Coach Dodge doesn’t want to look past them as they travel down IH-35.  “We’re very excited to play at Texas State stadium we haven’t played there. Brennan is a very good team, we played them last year, but it didn’t show how well of a team they were, we jumped on them early.”

Coach wanted to make sure the Chaps doesn’t overlook their opponent. With just one loss this entire season he understands not to look at their next challenge. Every game is important. This week Coach Dodge wanted his team to take in this is a whole new year.   “They (team) understand that Brennan is 9-2, they’re good and a very athletic team.” A one game at a time approach.  A great team is disciplined and continues to get better.

Coach Todd Dodge asks for an explanation from an official on the sidelines in the Battle of the Lakes game at Lake Travis on October 11th 2019. The Cavs defeated Westlake 26-25!

Coach Dodge has one phrase of how his guys will respond when he needs them to make plays. “Next one in line.” Dodge believes in his players, no matter the conditions. He’s led them to a near perfect season. Westlake’s lone loss came against Lake Travis as they lost by one. Close games will not be an issue for his team. 

As the next playoff stage of teams get ready to play it will all come down to coaching. Coach Dodge has earned himself as Central Texas’s top tier coaches.As the playoffs filter out the elite teams closing out their games let’s hope Westlake will stand victorious in San Marcos.

Wimberley levels up to Area Round with coach Warren.

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

In the 2018 season Wimberley staggered to a 4-7 record. As a respectful winning team the previous two seasons they have come back to winning football this year and have made the playoffs. It didn’t sit too lightly on the players heading into the summer workouts.

“I think that the kids took it to heart, realized it was not satisfactory. They used it as fuel let that drive them. Turn it into a great summer and fall camp,” replied Coach Warren. The fuel turned this season into a successful 4A district 8-3 record. A wake-up call that helped them prepare for the playoffs. It sparked a new drive within them. As the season continued throughout the weeks Coach Warren noticed something within his team which is needed for the postseason.

“Spirits are great, they like being around each other, enjoying it.” Team chemistry is essential for a successful season and beyond. As they got back to winning football it certainly helped that their confidence was high. They will need it for Raymondville who will be there first test in the playoffs.

A formidable opponent who has Coach Warren’s respect. “They’re explosive; their two running backs get tons of yards. Twelve yards per carry, you’re doing something right when you’re doing that, very impressive. They are physical and not afraid to complete plays.”

Raymondville will provide the ultimate test for Wimberley. Spirits will need to stay up. With two players running the ball gaining a first down on every play, Wimberley will need to bring a complete team effort to come out on top. They’ve done it all year so why wouldn’t they keep the trend going. Central Texas has made noise in the postseason and Wimberley wants to be heard. 

Micheaux Chaps QB in 2019

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

Westlake has taken an impressive leap this 2019 season, when they score at least 30 points they are undefeated. Lake Travis is there lone loss during the season when they barely lost 26-25.

The Chaps are rolling this season otherwise. Kirkland Micheaux leading behind center has taken his team to dominant wins over Lehman, Del Valle, Akins, and Austin High. Standing at an impressive 6’5 the senior has played smart football throwing less than 5 interceptions so far in the middle of the season and has 14 touchdowns under his belt. A 73% completion rate at a little over 13 yards per completion it’s amazing to think that for every pass he gains a first down on every drive.  

There are three receivers that have over 350 yards this season all averaging over 13 yards per catch. When you pass to Lindley, Greathouse, and Mangum you will get a first down. It’s nice to think that you have three receivers you can rely on to assist in moving the ball down the field against opposing defenses in the Central Texas area. They will be relied on heavily as the season goes along.  Micheaux last season had a taste of playoff football before losing to the West Brook Bruins in the Semifinals. A game away from state, he has experienced the playoff atmosphere and is more than ready to lead them deeper in the playoffs this season. A state championship is ready for the taking, can they take that next step?

After loosing Senior QB Taylor Anderson last year to injury late in the season; Coach Todd Dodge has tried a different strategy in 2019. This year he has kept defenses on edge playing three Quarterbacks in the trio of Kirkland Michaux, Cade Klubnik and Drew Willoughby. Should any player go down then all three have had plenty of playing time this season and will be ready for NEXT MAN UP football Friday Nights in late November and December this year.

Micheaux carries his leadership from last season giving Westlake another hope of the prized State Championship in 2019. Coach Dodge has kept his program at an elite level for years reloading with players across the board. With just a few weeks before playoff time Kirkland Micheaux can’t lay off the intensity and therefore must give his team hope into the playoffs. Texas football takes it to another level when the playoffs start. Teams are either pretenders or contenders. This Chaps team along with their quarterback will contend come playoff time. 

Round Rock Dragons Baseball

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in High School Baseball.

After a subpar start to begin the 2019 season the Round Rock Dragons have steamrolled their district rivals losing just once to Stoney Point. In a season where mediocrity began to set the tone for the Dragons, they buckled down and prepared to take over the district. Coach John Carter has done a fantastic job adjusting this season and playoffs are now a thought for this team.

The change in mindset has allowed Round Rock to focus and close out wins and even dominate in some instances. A complete 180 from a mediocre group of kids to a team that plays together to make sure they close games and leave each field with a win. The constant grind in district is precious and with just a couple of games left in the season they cannot allow themselves to get comfortable but use this momentum to evolve to another level come playoff time.              

Round Rock currently has a three game lead in district over Stoney Point and should take home the district title once all is said and done. A district title will give them the confidence to begin the playoffs on the right foot therefore presenting them the opportunity to go deep in the playoffs. They know what mediocrity is but they also have a taste of what winning can feel like as well in the tough 6A competition.

April is the last month of the regular season; Round Rock has made a name for themselves in the Central Texas high school area. They have earned every local high school’s respect from digging themselves out of a hole to claiming their spot in the playoffs. Anything is possible for this team based in Williamson County.

Aside from the fact there are other elite juggernaut teams in the Central Texas area, Round Rock for now is currently knocking on the door and will eventually bust through in the playoffs to make themselves heard.

Horns edge out Purdue before facing Tech & LSU.

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in College Baseball, TEXAS SPORTS.

The magic in 2018 was unforgettable for the Horns as Cody Clemens led the way with clutch hitting and over 20 home-runs leading them to Omaha. It was remarkable to see and this season will try to get close to equivalence.

The Horns will be without short stop David Hamilton for the season as he suffered through an Achilles injury. The horns lost a  total of five players from last season and some of the question marks are in some important aspects of this team most notable the pitching; referencing to Chase Shugart and Nolan Kingham.

The Longhorns bring in a challenging group and the expectation to win another Big 12 title and earn a top seed to Omaha. David Pierce is a fine coach at developing talent and fans will definitely keep an eye out for this promising group. There might be hiccups early in the season or there might be some progress. At this point the horns have earned a respectable 6-2 record to start the birth of the 2019 season. The offense should be the strength of this team even with the absence of Clemens. Pierce has turned this program into a competitive and strong one each and every year. They will lean on the bats of Tate Shaw, Austin Todd, Duke Ellis, and Ryan Reynolds.

The Disch has already hosted Purdue giving Texas a series win over a span of three games. Gaining this momentum has given them a confidence as they prepare for a battle with series against 2nd ranked LSU and #3 Texas Tech. If they can come out of this maybe splitting these two it’s a success and and will direct them into the right direction.

With Pierce’s strength and knowledge regarding his team, there’s a stability that he will put his players in the right positions to win. A one game at a time mentality for this young rebirthing team is the right thing to do and the leadership from Pierce will definitely be used. Once this team gets their feet underneath them and the hard work they portray this season they should be able to match the success. The expectation is not out of reach. We’ll get a real feel once they face the Red Raiders. And they will see them again down the line. It’s not a failure if you see them go back and forth and maybe going just 1-2. They have time and with a respectable 6-2 record it can only get better. The uncertainty of how they’ll start the season is behind us and now it’s time to turn up the notch. There will be bumps and bruises but the grind will hopefully turn this team into the team to beat in the BIG 12. Grab a seat, get some popcorn, and Hook ‘EM.

Austin LBJ falls short to (S.A.) Brack 80-67 in Playoff.

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS.

A brisk cold wind breezed its way through this particular Saturday morning. A student walked alongside the building struggling to keep warm. It was 9 am and the LBJ Jags prepared for the playoffs, winners of the District 25 5A division, they ran through their half-court offense repeatedly. The basketball bounced, the coaches yelling instruction from a distance, it was time to elevate their game for playoff basketball.

              

The team graciously welcomed your fellow writer at the practice facility and one of the coaches came up giving a rundown of the team. He started pointing with Brian Batts, senior guard, playing his last year for the Jags who has chosen to attend college at University of Texas at Permian Basin to play football. Batts earned All District Utility Player of the Year playing both sides of the ball and also chosen for first team All-District this basketball season. Batts handled the ball with an efficient scoring mentality.

The next player looked at was Junior Jordan Teal. As a sophomore, Teal guarded well enough to earn Defensive MVP. He played the outside confidently shooting his mid-range shot at the elbow.

Coach Roland approached, we shook hands, and began to dive deep into the quality head coach that he is. He teaches Health at the high school and believes that the kids should feel important, they write their name on a piece of paper and bring to class each and every day. Coach’s main ideology is his students and athletes graduate high school. The relationship he develops through his athletes has come over time. He keeps in touch with former Jag Kerry Hyder who played college at Texas Tech and now currently plays for the Detroit Lions recovering from an injury. He has this paternal complex about him that reveals his intentions. A lot of players have looked up to him as they are raised by single mothers. He offers guidance, structure, and most of all discipline.

 Coach looks over to the speaker blaring hip hop music and chuckles. He comes from the old school listening to Marvin Gaye and The Temptations. The modern day music genre is an unique one.  The fundamentals aspects are what he preaches and he is confused on the mentality of the flashy athlete. What does it benefit? Why the need for it?

The assistant coaches whistled for the shooting drill where each player lined up at two lines at each basket with time on the clock and shot. You could hear one of them screaming “legs” as a few shots were coming up short. The tiredness was taking effect but they pushed through it in their effort to shoot the basketball when the game was on the line. Mental toughness comes into play when the body is drained and technique is weakened.

They ran one more circuit Coach Roland shook hands, then walked over to center court where the team circled together. It was hard to listen on his words but you could see the teams focus on every sentence. Two days before their first playoff game these next two days were important; scouting reports had to be read, healthy eating had to be consumed, but most of all they had to understand this could be their last practice.

They didn’t want this season to end and for some it was their last few games especially for starting senior Rodrick Roberts, “It’s my last year, I want to win state.”

Jordan Teal replied with even more ambition,” We’re gonna win state.”

And for others it’s just like this,” I want us to play as a team and we have seven more games to play. It’s deeper than basketball.”

Yes it is. Especially for the LBJ Jaguar basketball team

March Madness is Perfect.

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in NCAA BASKETBALL.

The wildest college playoff is about to come alive for March Madness for two weeks time. Every year is a surprise, bubble teams squeeze themselves in, snubs have to accept their fates, fan brackets are crushed in the first week, Cinderella’s develop, and unsuspected players create their legacies as they are talked about forever. Fan favorites are born; the last seconds are dragged on capturing moments for all to see that will be discussed in the office; Who will win? How many teams do you have left in your bracket etc..

Many NBA players have taken that with them to cast their careers with Steph Curry and Gordon Hayward.

Let’s go back to Gordon Hayward for a second, in 2010 a college kid who looked like he snuck in the locker room, stole a jersey, and just took Butler all the way to the Finals against Duke. Hayward missed just inches as the basketball hit the rim ricocheting causing Duke to rush the court as the last seconds ticked away. Coincidentally Brad Stevens coached Butler and earned himself one of the best basketball developers in the sport. Hayward got drafted by Utah then ended up in Boston as he teamed up again with his former coach.

 The underdog is one of the go to stories giving casual fans to take a look what all the attention is about. That was the case for Curry in 2008 as he led Dayton to wins over Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Wisconsin. It all seemed possible for the small boyish face to go all the way but Big 12 representative and eventual champion Kansas beat them 59-57. He beat records for most threes in the tournament that year. It’s pretty safe to say he didn’t ease off the trigger a few feet back in the NBA.

The stress that goes into each game for the fans shoot at the very beginning. A little voice creeps in saying, “I think this is the game that ends the season,” because in all reality only one team can win. Their eyes are glued to the screen, yells are called on fouls that are suspect. There is a little bit of paranoia, are the refs getting paid? The logical answer is no but we all remember the debacle in the NBA a few years back with Tim Donaghy. For two hours everyone soaks up the intensity. The last five minutes feels like a second game, is this one of the games that will be talked about the next day. Conversation is intense as well.

This year gets a little interesting. One of the tops team in Duke grabs headlines for their confidence, youth, and one of the top picks Zion Williamson. And just for nostalgia sake Rick Barnes who has coached Tennessee one of the top teams in the nation. Sorry Texas fans but Tennessee won on the coaching changes with Shaka Smart not able to be a consistent threat. With Rick Barnes you knew what you had.

  • Texas guard Kerwin Roach II (12) shoots past Oklahoma State forward Yor Anei (14) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Texas won 69-57. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

 The Longhorns have a chance to sneak in as the Big 12 hasn’t had a clear cut leader of the pack. They have to finish strong and demand attention or maybe even winning the Big 12 title to get in as a lower seed.

The name March Madness is the perfect. Heart comes to life on the hardwood, teams are strengthen or weakened, stories are written, upsets are on high alert. This year will be no different, this year will carry out its own identity. Roll out the balls and let’s meet at half court because there will bound to be something worth remembering this year.