Sports

Close. And exciting. Back and forth. Down to the wire. This one had a great deal you’d want to see in a basketball game, except the Llano boys did not get a win over Taylor. The Ducks, appropriately on a rainy January 24 night, prevailed 60-58. “I’m proud of the effort,” said head coach Keith Allen, “especially after last week,” which included a 100-34 loss to Liberty Hill.

BURNET—It was a rout from the beginning. The Llano boys made a determined—but short—run in the second quarter, but that was the only rumor of equality. The Bulldogs jarred the Jackets 56-30 in the fifth and final game of the first half of the district schedule. Burnet is 4-1, while Llano is winless. “Their big men played with intensity,” head coach Keith Allen said of his foe, following another frustrating night.

This has been a merciless season for the Taylor Ladies’ basketball team, but the Jackets are not in any mood for counseling sessions. Llano, January 24, dominated the Ducks for the second time in 19 days, 54-25. “We preach that defense leads to offense,” said head coach Daryl Friedrich. His sermon was heard by the young parishioners who manufactured some 30 turnovers in the 32 minute contest. It was 14-6, LHS, when the home team crafted one of its most success ...

MARBLE FALLS—Let the Good Times Roll at Faith Academy this time of the year. Yes, mainly if you’re a fan of the basketball Ladies. It’s a party atmosphere before the game, because, until the heavyweight matches take place in the postseason, the contest at hand will be like watching a fine symphony orchestra at work: excellence will reign.

Realignment, which happens twice as much as the Olympics, grabs the public school spotlight Thursday, February 2. Unlike Groundhog Day, the results won’t govern for just six weeks, but for two years. The University Interscholastic League—every other February—tells Texas schools what their classification is—1A to 5A according to enrollment—and in what district they will be for sports and academic contests.

BURNET—Llano girls’ head basketball head coach Daryl Friedrich did not mean that literally, when he delivered his opening line following the Lady Dawgs’ 62-29 win over the Jackets, but it was indeed accurate. This one was a knockout, all too similar to the boys’ game, which wrapped up the dismal doubleheader on the final Friday of January.

Realignment, which happens twice as much as the Olympics, grabs the public school spotlight Thursday, February 2. Unlike Groundhog Day, the results won’t govern for just six weeks, but for two years. The University Interscholastic League—every other February—tells Texas schools what their classification is—1A to 5A according to enrollment—and in what district they will be for sports and academic contests.

MARBLE FALLS—One of the most successful coaches in Texas high school football history is taking over a program that has run a losing race with success for close to 15 years. Todd Dodge is the new head coach of the Marble Falls Mustangs. The former UT quarterback (1982-85) won four state championships at Southlake Carroll (Metroplex), 2002-2006.

There were nasty negatives in the Llano basketball boys’ 58-43 loss to Lampasas, but positives, too, in this second district game, January 17. One plus was it was a big improvement over a 65-34 defeat to the Badgers in a tournament game in San Saba in early December. “Our energy level was outstanding,” said head coach Keith Allen, “but we have to do a better job of making shots down the stretch.” That was not the case in the first half.

Marcos Vallejo, the best middle-distance runner in Llano High School history, will have to gallop thousands of meters to wind up at his collegiate destination. He will soon sign a letter-of-intent to accept a scholarship to attend Texas Tech. Marcos will trade in his 3A designation for the Big 12. “I’m really excited,” Marcos said before workout, Monday, January 23.