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By Sandy Anderberg

The Lady Broncos jumped started their tournament season with five huge wins that brought about a Platinum Championship in Ponder last weekend. The ladies were hitting on all cylinders as they knocked out teams from 3A, 4A, and 5A schools.

The Lady Broncos opened the tournament against Iowa Park and defeated them 50-19. Preslee Smith, Kenidee Hayes, and Madi Benson finished in double figures with 16, 13, and 10 points respectively. The Lady Broncos hit four three-pointers and converted free throws at 60 percent.

They took on 5A Wichita Falls in the next game and pounded them 72-34. Cambree Smith, Gracie Ellis and Berkley Moore took control of the scoreboard and finished with 15, 14, and 12 points. The team knocked down all of their free throws hitting all 11 shots and sunk seven shots from the arc.

Benbrook ISD was the next challenger in the bracket and the Lady Broncos took full control early on leading by 27 points after one quarter of play to get the 66-23 win. Moore was on fire with 16 points that included three for three at the bonus line and two three-pointers. C. Smith had 14, and Hayes helped with 12. The host team was next in line to face the Lady Broncos and stay fairly close all game long. A big third quarter for Ponder put them only two points behind the Lady Broncos as they went in to the final eight minutes of play. C. Smith led the charge with 11 points and Moore finished with nine. P. Smith, Ellis, and Hayes all helped with eight, and Millie McAnear added one.

The final game was against Bridgeport, which turned out to be a foul-fest that went into overtime at 35 all. Thirty-eight free throws were shot by both teams in the game with the Lady Broncos hitting 16 of 29. Bridgeport was only able to put three points in the overtime period compared to seven for the Lady Broncos. Ellis and Hayes were able to hit three of six free throws and Hayes was able to score two field goals in the extra minutes.

Solid play and a lot of determination fueled the Lady Broncos who will be back at home December 2 against Abernathy at 6:30 p.m.

By Sandy Anderberg

The Clarendon Broncos, under the guidance of a nearly new staff and Athletic Director Jeff Caffey, fell short in post-season play against the Windthorst Trojans in Vernon last Friday night. The young Bronco team fought hard against the Trojans but lost 14-55.

Several Broncos on both sides of the ball gave their all. Caleb Herbert and Kreed Robinson shared duties at the helm. Herbert burned one to Michael Randall for the Broncos’ first six of the game in the first quarter of play. Robinson took it in for the bonus to give the Broncos an 8-6 lead. The Trojans would add more touchdowns before the break and grabbed the lead back at 8-35 at halftime.

The Broncos gained their next touchdown when Robinson, who has shown a lot of maturity on the field, ran it in from the 15 for six to give the Broncos 14 against 48 for Windthorst. The Trojans converted one more touchdown in the fourth quarter to win by 41 and advance to the next round.

The Broncos struggled at the beginning of the season, but brought things together in the second half of the year gaining wins over Memphis and Quanah to secure their spot in the playoffs. The Broncos also dealt with injuries this year as the loss of two strong seniors put them behind the eight ball. However; every Bronco stepped up and filled the empty spots. They showed up with heart and versatility giving their all to Caffey, the Coaches, and the fans of Bronco Nation.

The underclassmen will miss this year’s seniors, but are more than ready to work hard in their off season to make some noise when two-a-days begin next fall.

Seniors Kyler Bell, Don’Jae Orr, Kaleb Mays, Michael Randall, Tyler and Tanner Cavanaugh, Shane Hagood, Dakota Bond, Ranger Drenth, Heston Seay, Coulter Wortham, Kaendan Moffet, Rowdy Bebout, Nolan Burrow, and Dylan Chest will be missed.

Bronco basketball will travel to Childress November 22 and Borger on November 25 as they begin their 25-26 season.