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Wow! No other word describes what took place in the Regional Tournament over the weekend as the Clarendon Broncos battled and muscled their way through two good opponents to capture the Regional Championship in Levelland at the Texan Dome on the campus of South Plains College.

Now, it all comes down to two games. The two most important games of the season await the Bronco team in Austin beginning Thursday.

The Clarendon Broncos suffered through a 41-year dry spell from the state basketball tournament, but broke new ground with a dominating team and a great coaching staff.
The last appearance at state by Clarendon’s basketball team happened in 1970 when the Bronchos played for the state title but were defeated by Kennard. Several present Clarendon residents were part of that team. The Bronchos also made the state tournament the previous year but were defeated in the semi-final game. The 1968 team qualified for the Regional tournament but was unable to move on.

But this 2011 team is ready to make basketball history and is determined to bring home the gold.

The Broncos were named Regional Champions by stomping the White Deer Bucks on Saturday in the final game of the Regional Tournament.

The 67-52 win over the Bucks followed a close 47-40 win over Farwell on Friday. There was no question as to who was the dominant team in the Regional Finals game as the Broncos went on a scoring frenzy in the first quarter to set the tone for the game.
After White Deer posted four points to begin the game, the Broncos took control and scored 14 straight points with about two minutes left in the quarter. They quickly upped that point spread to 13 at the end of one. Things just got better in the next period as the Broncos made good on several White Deer turnovers and led by 20 at the break. All in all, the Bronco pressure defense caused 35 White Deer turnovers, which converted into 33 points for the Broncos.

The Broncos were able to coast in the second half of play, but they never lost their intensity and determination to win. Johnny Gaines put in 22 points, Chris Crump added 12, and Mike Crump had 10 to lead the Broncos. Brayden Phillips had eight, Cole Ward put in seven, and Justin Shillings had seven.

Surrounded by new displays of gold in his office, first year Bronco coach Brandt Lockhart was sporting a huge grin on his face as he commented on the games.
“Our kids played great,” Lockhart said. “They were ready to go.”

And go they did. The Broncos out-hustled, out-played, and out-lasted the Bucks making the game look simple, as they never missed a beat on either end of the court. But it was the intense defense that set the tone for the lopsided game.

“We hurt them a lot with our pressure defense,” Lockhart said. “We caused a lot of turnovers and were able to score from them. They have worked so hard and they deserve this.”

On Friday, the Broncos stayed the course against Farwell in a back and forth game that was close to the end. Twelve clutch free throws in the final two minutes of the game by the Broncos gave them the edge they needed in the highly contested game.
Last Wednesday, the Broncos closed out Gruver 55-50 to earn a spot in the Regional Tournament. In the Farwell game, Gaines had 19 and Phillips scored 15; and in the Gruver game, Gaines scored 25, while Phillips added 14.

The Broncos will face off against Tenaha in the semi-final round of the state tournament at 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning in Austin at the Frank Erwen Center; and if victorious, they will play the winner of Eula and Evadale on Saturday morning also at 8:30 a.m.

Tenaha is 27-9 going into the tournament and is ranked 24th. They defeated two top five teams on their way to the state tournament by one point in each game.
The Broncos are at 24-6 and have been ranked number one all season. They are determined to hang on to that ranking for the duration and have the ability to do so.
“Tenaha is not tall, but they are quick,” Lockhart said.

The Broncos are quick as well and are in a great place to take it all the way. They are, like Coach Lockhart said, “ready to go.”