Despite being picked to finish last in District 12-1A, Division II, the young and surprising Iredell Dragons surged in the second half of the season to capture a berth to the postseason behind district champion and state quarterfinalist Bluff Dale. Drawing accolades for their accomplishments, Iredell freshmen Cole Heutzenroeder and Jordan Gutierrez were named the district’s co-Newcomers of the Year, while five Dragons – Heutzenroeder at running back and defensive utility, Gutierrez at running back and safety, senior center Chase Wilkerson, sophomore tight end and defensive lineman Deuce Paul and senior cornerback Preston Robinson were selected to the all-district first-team.

By advancing to the Class 1A, Division II postseason for the third straight season, capturing their second district title in three years and winning their first playoff game in school history, the Morgan Eagles dominated the all-District 10-1A, DII selections. Claiming all of the district’s superlative awards, sophomore quarterback E.J.

Clearly, the Meridian Yellowjacket boys basketball team has set high expectations for itself this season. And never has that been more evident than when their District 20-1A opening victory simply left the Jackets wanting more.

Bouncing back from a disappointing District 201A loss, the Meridian Lady Jacket girls basketball team quickly rebounded to establish itself as a team to be reckoned with this season. Winning back-to-back games in dominating fashion, the Lady Jackets ran past the Morgan Lady Eagles, 66-39, at home last Friday before burying the Walnut Springs Hornets, 44-9, on the road Monday evening before taking a nine-day break for the Christmas holidays.

Despite suffering a heartbreaking loss in their District 17-3A opener last week, the experienced Clifton Lady Cub girls basketball team showed resilience by bouncing back for a big win. And in the process, the Lady Cubs demonstrated their resolve and determination to return to the Class 3A postseason.

On the verge of taking an extended break for the Christmas holidays, the young and fast-paced Clifton Cub boys basketball team opens District 17-3A competition hoping to surprise the field and establish themselves as one of the teams to beat. Straight out of the gate, Clifton (6-9) will be tested against one of the frontrunners as the Cubs travel to Maypearl to take on the Panthers (10-7) at 2 p.m.

Gearing up for their District 20-1A opener on Tuesday, the Meridian Lady Jacket basketball team notched another win and a wealth of experience playing the Santo Tournament last week. In your final tune-ups for district competition, the Lady Jackets dropped a home game toAquilla, 59-34, last Tuesday before winning one out of four matchups in the Santo Tournament last Thursday-Saturday.

With just one week left to prepare for District 20-1A competition, the Meridian Yellowjacket boys basketball team took strides in the right direction last week. After opening the week with a resounding 61-27 road victory over Penelope last Tuesday, the Jackets (7-3) captured third place in the Santo Tournament by winning three of five matchups Thursday-Saturday.

Coming off a busy slate last week, the Clifton Cubs boys basketball team will be looking to clean up some areas of their fast-paced style in search of consistency with a young squad in a final chance to tuneup before opening District 17-3A competition. With two more non-district games left on the schedule, the Cubs (5-8) will host the Troy Trojans (10-2) at 6:15 p.m.

Putting a strong group of experienced players on the court hungry for a trip to the Class 3A state playoffs, the Clifton Lady Cubs hope to make the 2022-23 Texas high school girls basketball season a special one. Without establishing a clear frontrunner during the non-district and tournament schedule, the Lady Cubs (9-5) will open District 17-3A competition on the road against the Keene Lady Chargers (13-3) at 6:15 p.m.