Broncos win bi-district title
Sports
Lady Broncos fall in Area to Panhandle
The Lady Bronco basketball team’s season may have ended last week with a 42-52 loss to Panhandle in the Area round of the playoffs, but despite the heartbreaking early exit from post-season play, the ladies played hard all season long.
The Lady Broncos knew they were in for a battle going up against the number five state ranked Pantherettes who carried a 19-1 record this season. They were very much in the mix early on and only trailed by four points after the first eight minutes. They fell off somewhat before the break, but regained some momentum to come within five points late in the game. They struggled with getting the breaks they needed to put a strong pressure on the Pantherettes and could not catch up.
The ladies ended the season with an outstanding 26 wins and seven losses and were second in District 2-2A. A team who pulled together early as a group, the Lady Broncos played with heart and determination with a solid goal in mind. The team has been led by seniors Finley Cunningham, Makenna Shadle, and newcomer for the season, Baylee Gabel under the coaching of Korey Conkin and Kasey Bell.
Stepping up in a big way were those returning from last year’s varsity team. Courtlyn Conkin and Hayden Elam were standouts along with the seniors and were joined by Tandie and Kennadie Cummins, Graci Smith. Freshmen Kenidee Hayes and Berkley Moore were impressive and added a lot of game to the Lady Bronco team. Next season looks very promising as they will gain several good athletes from the junior varsity team.
Broncos, Owls head to playoffs
Local teams will head to the playoffs this week with Clarendon and Hedley high schools both seeking to keep their seasons alive.
The Clarendon Broncos will face the Fritch Eagles in the Bi-District Championship game Monday night at 6 p.m. in Pampa. Tickets are online here: https://gofan.co/app/school/TX12112
And the Hedley Owls will face Follett in Wheeler on Tuesday night for a Bi-District title at 6 p.m. and those tickets are available here: https://bit.ly/3lQjo6f
Broncos head to post-season play
With all the District basketball games behind them, the Clarendon Broncos are preparing for the playoffs once again. At press time the Broncos are currently tied for the District Championship with Wellington at 8-1.
The Broncos traveled to Wellington last week and suffered their first loss in 27 district games and broke their 30 plus winning streak. The Broncos struggled to put points on the board in their 43-57 loss.
The game was back and forth for the first two quarters, but the Skyrockets gained the positive momentum after the break and led the Broncos by 13 points after three. Wellington was able to stay solid in the remainder of the game to get the upset.
Senior Jmaury Davis put in 18 points going four for four from the bonus line. As a team, the Broncos made eight of eleven free throws compared to 10 out of 12 for Wellington. Anthony Ceniceros hit two three-pointers and finished with eight, and Lyric Smith added seven. Kaleb Bolin had six, and Tyler Harper helped with four.
The Broncos then took on Wheeler and earned the 54-43 win. The Broncos struggled in the first half of play, but never stopped fighting and came back to defeat the Mustangs in an exciting fourth quarter. Davis and Smith had 23 combined points in the final period, and Harrison Howard hit two huge three-pointers to steal the momentum away from Wheeler.
Davis finished with 23 and Smith added 22. Howard had six, Harper put in two, and Levi Gates added one.
Lady Broncos head to Area
The Lady Broncos have had a great season so far and are ready to add several playoff games to their season.
Clarendon beat Sunray 58-43 Monday night at Tascosa High School in Amarillo to claim the Bi-District title.
The ladies will face Panhandle for the Area Championship this Thursday, February 16, at 6 p.m. in Pampa.
Despite the close 39-46 loss to Wellington in their last regular season game, the Lady Broncos are fired up for their playoff run.
The Lady Broncos led at the break, but the Lady Rockets turned up the heat in the final two quarters of play to take the lead and hold on for the win.
Senior Finley Cunningham hit three three-pointers in the game for nine points and Hayden Elam was perfect at the free throw line and finished with four as well. Makenna Shadle helped with eight points and Kenidee Hayes had five. Baylee Gabel put in four and Courtlyn Conkin and Berkley Moore added two points each.
Lady Broncos defeat Wheeler, 66-41
The Lady Broncos only have one loss in district play and are concentrating on the end of their regular season schedule while preparing for post-season play.
The ladies played at home against Wheeler last Tuesday and defeated them 66-41.
Three Lady Broncos finished in double figures in the game with senior Finley Cunningham leading the way with 14 points that included four three-pointers. Hayden Elam finished with 13 and Kenidee Hayes had 10.
The ladies worked hard to execute their offensive plan against the Lady Mustangs and played solid defense. Wheeler struggled to put points on the board in the final eight minutes.
Courtlyn Conkin had nine and Berkley Moore and Baylee Gabel added five each. Makenna Shadle and Tandie Cummins had four, while Gracie Smith had two.
The Lady Broncos were able to stop Quanah 45-36. The ladies jumped out with the early momentum and led by eight after one. The Lady Indians were able to close the gap to two points at the break, but were plagued by turnovers and missed shots.
Elam put in 13 and Gable had 10. Conkin put in eight points and Cunningham added five. Moore had three, and Hayes and T. Cummins helped with two each.
The Lady Broncos will play Shamrock at home on Friday, February 3, and travel to Wellington February 7 to finish regular season play.
Broncos take down Wheeler, Quanah
The Broncos upped their record to 12-9 overall and remain perfect in district play at 5-0 with the end of the first half of district nearing an end. On Tuesday, the Broncos took on Wheeler at home and breezed to a 66-41 win.
Things went the Broncos’ way from the beginning and they were able to spread out the scoring. Jmaury Davis was able to put in 24 points in the win, Lyric Smith added 12, and Tyler Harper added 10. Harrison Howard helped with seven, Anthony Ceniceros had five, Josiah Hearn had four, and Levi Gates put in one.
They played at Quanah Friday and were able to hustle to a 50-39 win.
The Broncos took the early lead in the game and never fell behind. It was a defensive game by both teams with the Broncos gaining the upper hand early on. They were able to spread their lead in the third quarter and ride their offensive execution to the end. Davis and Smith led the way with 14 points each.
Lady Colts win 2nd in Groom Tourney
The Clarendon Lady Colts played solid basketball in the Groom Tournament over the weekend and finished in second place with two wins and one loss.
The Lady Colts had their first 27-37 loss in the opening game against a good Sunray team. The first half of play belonged to the Lady Colts as they were able to hold the Lady Cats at bay. But Sunray stepped up their game and scored 25 points in the second half to get the win.
Cambree Smith topped the field with 12 points that included hitting eight of ten free throws and Jayla Woodard helped with six.
Makynna Williams had four, Josie Murillo and Ella Estlack put in two each, and Kinslee Hatley had one.
Their last two games were against West Texas White and West Texas Red, and they had no problem with either team. They won over WT White 42-7 and WT Red 47-7.
The Lady Colts outscored West Texas 23-2 at halftime and only allowed four points for their opponent in the second half. Woodard led the way with 20 and Smith put in 11. Addy Havens finished with seven, and Eli Rodriguez and Estlack had two each.
In the final game, the Lady Colts executed their defensive attack and the WT Red team were helpless to make anything happen. Clarendon played solid basketball on both ends of the court.
Earlier in the week, the ladies easily rolled over Shamrock 35-9. They were able to run their offense like they wanted and the Lady Irish struggled to stop them.
Smith put in 10 and hit six of eight free throws and Woodard put in nine. Rodriguez had fie, Havens put in four, Murillo had one three pointer, and Williams finished with three.
Results for the Colts were not available at press time.
Guns up! Davis signs with Texas Tech
Broncos topple Memphis
The Bronco varsity made short work of the Memphis Cyclones defeating them 70-29 on the road last Friday night. The win was the first of the district season for the Broncos.
They will host Wellington at home on Friday, January 20, beginning at 8 p.m. On January 24, they will take on Wheeler at home.
Lyric Smith got the best of the Cyclones and scored 26 points that included one three-pointer and scoring five out of nine free throws. Tyler Harper joined Smith in double figures with 13 points. The Broncos took control early on and never looked back. They hit shot after shot and their solid defensive play frustrated the Cyclones who struggled to find the basket. Anthony Ceniceros went two for two from the bonus line and finished with nine points. Jmaury Davis and Josiah Hearn added eight points each, and Kaleb Bolin helped with six.
Earlier in the week, the Broncos narrowly lost to a very physical Childress team 38-46 that included a heavy-duty defensive effort by both teams.
The game stayed fairly even through three quarters, but Childress gained a six-point advantage going into the final eight minutes. The Broncos never gave up but were not able to close the gap.
Smith finished with 18, and Davis had 16. Hearn and Harper had two points apiece.
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