Ascension Academy stays unbeaten
In a very well-kept secret that’s starting to get out thanks to their stellar play, the Ascension Academy Cardinals led by former Palo Duro and University of Oklahoma great Austin Johnson are starting to make noise.
Behind a 6-foot-3 freshman Jaxson Richards and a strong supporting cast, Ascension Academy dominated Lubbock Kingdom Prep 63-36 in front of a packed Homecoming house at the Cardinals Gym on Friday.
Johnson has his team to the best start in school history at an eye-opening 18-0 on the year while leading TAPPS District 1-2A at 7-0.
The Cardinals jumped out to a 7-0 lead and never looked back on Friday. Richards, who continues to get better by the game, had another strong outing going for a game-high 16 points against Kingdom Prep, pulling down nine boards, with five assists and four steals. Teammate BJ Brittan added 11 points with six rebounds and five assists while Greg Parker was strong with 13 points and cleaned the windows with eight boards.
Randall takes down West Plains
Randall stayed red-hot by not flinching at a hostile West Plains Gym. The Raiders were able to use a big second half to pull away from the Wolves for a 79-60 victory in a key District 4-4A clash on Friday.
Randall (24-3) remains all alone of the district lead with an unblemished 9-0 record while the Wolves (18-8) drop to 6-3.
West Plains played tough throughout the first two quarters trailing by just three points, 29-26, at the break. The second half is where the Raiders flexed their muscle by outscoring the Wolves 50-34 in the final two stanzas to get the win.
Randall’s Devin Baccus finished with 20 points followed by KJ Thomas with 17. Jaydan Gibson of West Plains tallied 15 points.
Friday’s top performers
Texas Panhandle veteran head basketball coach Brandon Word celebrated a special milestone during his Miami Warriors 66-43 victory against Fort Elliott earning his 250th career win. Word is no stranger to the Texas Panhandle as he enjoys his 16th season as a head basketball coach with previous stops at McLean and Borger.
On top of Word’s accomplishment, Miami standout senior Haiden Thompson went over 500 career assists on Friday night.
Sanford-Fritch sharpshooting guard Danner Price racked up a game-high 30 points leading the Eagles to a 70-47 victory against Sunray. Price is averaging a double-double on the year with 30 points and 17 boards.
Alex Warren scored 12 points and added three rebounds in River Road’s thrilling 40-39 road win at Spearman.
Bushland’s Jenner King went for 16 points during a 58-20 thumping of Tulia.
Stratford’s Chase Lantelme scored 13 points as the Elks earned a hard fought 43-41 win over West Texas High in the final seconds on Friday night.
Carson Tarver of Wellington poured in 20 in the Skyrockets 61-43 victory against Memphis.
Farwell’s Ryder McElroy had a big night posting 26 points to lead the Steers past Bovina 61-28.
Panhandle freshman guard Luke Schmucker made the most of his first career start knocking down four 3-pointers in the first half finishing with a career-high 12 points in a 73-40 win over Boys Ranch.
Logan Mason and Swayde Cleavinger combined for 39 points in Wildorado’s 84-49 victory against Adrian. Mason scored a game-high 20 with Cleavinger chipping in 19.
Friday’s district scores
District 3-5A
Amarillo High 53, Palo Duro 33
Tascosa 70, Caprock 43
District 4-4A
Randall 79, West Plains 60
Canyon 69, Borger 21
Pampa 52, Perryton 39
Hereford 59, Dumas 48
District 1-3A
Canadian 37, Dalhart 35
River Road 40, Spearman 39
Bushland 58, Tulia 20
District 2-3A
Lubbock Roosevelt 65, Childress 57
Idalou 65, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty 38
Abernathy 61, Slaton 49
District 3-3A
Dimmitt 56, Friona 49
Lamesa 61, Brownfield 57
Denver City 57, Muleshoe 34
District 1-2A
Sanford-Fritch 70, Sunray 47
Stratford 43, West Texas High 41
Gruver 69, Booker 48
District 2-2A
Wellington 61, Memphis 43
Clarendon 54, Quanah 41
Wheeler 70, Shamrock 25
District 3-2A
Panhandle 73, Boys Ranch 40
Farwell 61, Bovina 28
Vega 40, Highland Park 32
District 1-1A
Follett 55, Kelton 7
Miami 66, Fort Elliott 43
Lefors 77, Darrouzett 38
District 2-1A
Valley 67, White Deer 30
Groom 43, Claude 35
Silverton 57, Hedley 19
District 3-1A
Pringle-Morse 56, Hartley 39
Texline 93, Channing 2
Wildorado 84, Adrian 39
District 4-1A
Nazareth 52, Springlake-Earth 44
Happy 43, Hart 35
Kress 54, Lazbuddie 33
TAPPS District 1-2A
Ascension Academy 63, Lubbock Kingdom Prep 36