Spearman gets first playoff win in 10 years

On a very busy Monday to open the UIL high school girls’ playoffs, the Spearman Lynxettes were able to end a decade-long streak earning their first gold ball since 2014 thanks to a 36-20 victory against Slaton during a Class 3A bi-district matchup at the Caprock Activity Center.

The District 1-3A champions move to the area round for the first time in 10 years where the Lynxettes (25-5 overall) will get Tuesday’s winner between Lamesa and Alpine at a time and place to be determined.

Spearman used strong defense and enough offense to go up 20-10 by halftime. In the second half, that same recipe continued to show success as the Lynxettes never allowed Slaton (24-9) to score more than five points in a quarter.

Senior leader and West Texas A&M signee Braylen Lusby did the damage leading the way with a game-high 19 points.

Gruver opens playoff push in style 

A team that’s no stranger to the postseason picked up where they left off the past two years.

The reigning two-time Region I champion Gruver Lady Hounds took care of Quanah to open the Class 2A playoffs with a 47-22 victory in Groom during a bi-district game on Monday.

The Lady Hounds, who were the 2021 state champions and state runner-up a year ago, have now won 14 of their last 15 playoff contests.

Quanah didn’t have an answer for junior sharp-shooter Hannon Lankford. Left open on multiple occasions, Lankford never hesitated knocking down five 3-pointers including three in the third quarter alone to finish with a game-high 20 points. Teammate Brooklyn Vasquez also scored in double-digits with 13.

Gruver (17-15) will take on Floydada (25-3) in the area round on Friday on the campus of Wayland Baptist University in Plainview with a time to be determined.

Monday’s top performers 

Bella Edwards got Amarillo High off to a hot start to the Class 5A playoffs by racking up 27 points in a 67-18 blowout win over Abilene High in a bi-district matchup.

Behind the strong play of Dane’ja Agu-White and Piper Patterson, the West Plains Lady Wolves won their first playoff game in program history knocking off Midland Greenwood 76-32. Agu-White poured in a game-high 17 with Patterson tallying 15.

Randall’s Sadie Sanchez put on a scoring exhibition with 25 points during an 89-38 rout of Andrews in the Class 4A bi-district round.

Canyon’s Jaylee Moss posted 18 points in a 75-11 blowout against Fort Stockton.

Stratford took care of Wheeler 47-32 with Madison Braden leading the way thanks to her 11 points.

Kashlyn Conkin was on fire for Clarendon knocking down six 3-pointers that helped result in 21 points as the Lady Broncos took down Sunray 62-33.

Wellington’s Charly Wilbur went for 14 points in a 47-37 win against Sanford-Fritch to open the Class 2A playoffs.

Vega’s Lucy Richards had a strong showing with 25 points in a big 60-54 win over Sudan.

Farwell’s Bella Jaime posted 17 points with teammate Kennedi Richey adding 15 as the Lady Blue dominated New Deal 69-28.

McLean’s Kassidy Russell went for 22 points with teammate Hailo Moon chipping in 19 during the Lady Tigers 46-20 victory against Claude.

Brenna Francis of Silverton posted a game-high 26 points which was more than enough as the Lady Owls cruised past Fort Elliott 60-29.

The No. 1-ranked Valley Lady Patriots opened the Class 1A playoffs with a convincing 69-18 win against Miami. Trinity Schlueter was a big reason for the victory thanks to a game-high 23 points.

Nazareth’s Brooklyn Dyer scored 11 points in a 62-17 victory against Hartley. The Swiftettes, the defending UIL Class 1A state champions, have now won eight straight postseason games dating back to last year.

Texline’s Jada Clay and Rissa Johnson combined for 53 points during a 71-33 rout of Hart. Clay tallied a game-high 28 points with Johnson adding 25.

Reyna Rosales and Kimber Wheatley combined for 29 points that helped Follett get by White Deer 43-34 in a very competitive Class 1A matchup. Rosales had a team-high 15 points with Wheatley adding 14.

Breelee Dempsey of Happy led a hot-shooting night as the Cowgirls blew past Pringle-Morse 75-29. Dempsey finished with a game-high 21 as Happy made a total of 11 3-pointers for the contest.

Monday’s bi-district scores 

Class 5A

Amarillo High 67, Abilene High 18

Class 4A

Canyon 75, Fort Stockton 11
Randall 89, Andrews 38
West Plains 76, Midland Greenwood 32
Seminole 52, Pampa 49

Class 3A

Spearman 36, Slaton 20
Shallowater 61, Dalhart 31
Idalou 68, Bushland 19

Class 2A

Stratford 47, Wheeler 32
Gruver 47, Quanah 22
Clarendon 62, Sunray 33
Farwell 69, New Deal 28
Wellington 49, Sanford-Fritch 37
Vega 60, Sudan 54
Floydada 60, Boys Ranch 20

Class 1A

McLean 46, Claude 20
Follett 43, White Deer 34
Silverton 60, Fort Elliott 29
Valley 69, Miami 18
Nazareth 62, Hartley 17
Texline 71, Hart 33
Happy 75, Pringle-Morse 29