Girls and Boys Get

Set for Tough Basketball

Season

            In this great state of Texas, high school athletics is built around one, main sport: football. It is the spine on which a school’s reputation is built. Some might even say it is the best sport in a Texas high school today. However, if you had to choose a close second, the answer would be basketball. When the excitement and joy of a football season come to an end, ‘b-ball’ is there to keep our adrenaline going. Being a former player myself, this sport does take up a special place in my heart. I am familiar with the tasks and challenges one meets when preparing for a long, strenuous season, but that is only because of my experience in the sport. For those who have only watched their children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, or friends from the sidelines, here is a small dose of what pre-season basketball is like for the boys and girls of Tom Bean High School.

Lady Cats:

Great Expectations

            After such a successful season last year, Coach Emily Martinez will be looking to get more of the same from her girls this year. There is no doubt that this is not going to be an easy task, especially since key players from last year have graduated. The core of the team, however, seems to remain. Seniors Lindsey Lacy, Erin Tidwell, Kirsten Lyons, and Leslie Fulton return for one last year, along with juniors Lauren Achimon, Kayla Hastings, and Shay Cavender. And who knows what talent can be pulled out of the sophomore and freshman class? Plus, with practice starting so early, there is no reason these girls shouldn’t be used to each other by the time the important games come about.

It’s Not Totally About Winning

            Sure, it would be nice to see the girls make the playoffs once again. However, Coach Martinez has some other goals she wants her players to reach come the seasons end.

“I want the girls to gain respect for themselves and their teammates. I want them to gain confidence, and to have pride in their school and team. I want them to have fun and make memories they will be talking about for years to come,” said Martinez

            All of these things should be a part of the foundation of high school athletics. State titles and playoff games are good, but they should only come as a bonus to those teams who strive to achieve these fundamental elements. No one can argue that a team with this attitude will have great success during their season.

And So It Begins

            The girls started their pre-season with scrimmages against Era and Leonard during the week of Halloween. Their first real test comes with a visit from Trenton on November the 6th, followed by a few non-district games and tournaments, and district starts with a trip to rivals Howe. The ladies have until February 5 to make their playoff dreams a reality, and that’s a goal that many expect them to achieve.