Archives > Sports > Schools
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
2011-2012 YEAR IN REVIEW: Horn athletics boasts year-round excellence
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@starlocalnews.com
The chief goal for any team is to make the playoffs.
Under that criterion, every one of Horn's athletic teams passed the test during the 2011-2012 athletic year.
The Jaguars saw every one of its teams make the playoffs during the last nine months, including a district championship in softball.
The Jaguar football season epitomized the way the year in athletics would go.
Horn got off to a slow start but rallied late against its cross-town rivals, picking up tight victories over North Mesquite (16-13) and Mesquite (30-28) in the final two weeks to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
The Jaguars then staged one of the most exciting postseason games in the bi-district round. They appeared to be in good shape when they took a 34-13 lead over Copperas Cove at halftime.
However, Cove staged a furious rally in the second half, storming back to take a 48-41 lead late in the fourth quarter.
Horn countered with a touchdown of its own to close to within a point with less than a minute to play. The Jaguars elected to go for the two-point conversion and win but the run came up short, leaving them on the short end of a 48-47 loss.
"These guys never stopped working hard and they deserved to make the playoffs," Horn head coach Rodney Webb said. "We went through some tough times during the season but they never got down on themselves. One of our goals every season is to make the playoffs and we were able to do that."
Horn does have some holes to fill, including replacing 11-5A most valuable player DeVante Harris, wide receiver Vincent Hobbs and hard-hitting linebacker Richard Jones.
But the Jaguars should be in position to make another run, returning quarterback Destri White, running back Treyvon Marsh and wide receiver Brian O'Bannon on offense, as well as linebacker D.J. Green to anchor the defense.
Led by the district's outstanding hitter in Haley Hampton, as well as Sarah White, the Horn volleyball team posted a 7-3 record in district play to return to the playoffs. It was a short road in the postseason, though, as they fell to Bryan in the bi-district round.
The Jaguars should be in good shape next season, as well, with the return of first-team all-district selections Jessica Kondikoff and Andi Spearman.
In cross country, Siguenza Teressa and Kishana Allen placed in the top 16 to help the girls to a fourth-place finish. Aric Lopez was 19th overall to lead the boys.
The girls and boys basketball teams have been fixtures in the playoffs in recent years and this season was no different.
Behind first-team all-district members Lauren Bradshaw, Nelsha Peterson, Kristina Smith and Tyler Hamilton, the Jaguar girls posted a 7-3 record in 11-5A to finish second.
In the playoff opener, though, Horn could not get its offense untracked in a 41-29 loss to Temple.
The boys basketball team has been one of the most entertaining, high-scoring units in the area during the past few years, and with Vincent Hobbs, Mike King and Bryon Miller leading the way, they used that formula once again for success.
After going 7-3 during district play, the Jaguars out-gunned Killeen Harker Heights in the bi-district round for a 68-60 victory, becoming the only one of the school's programs to make it to the area finals. The road came to an end, though, with a 70-61 loss to Berkner in the second round.
The girls and boys soccer teams had seasons that were a mirror image of one another. Both teams had some ups and downs in district play, but their 5-5 records were enough to make it into the playoffs.
Both then made a quick exit from the postseason at the hands of Belton, with the girls dropping a 4-0 decision and the boys falling, 3-0.
There were several highlights during the course of the spring, spanning from the golf course to the track.
Horn senior Garrett Fey carded a two-round score of 143 to defend his championship at the 11-5A tournament. Fey, along with Tyler Stout, who was seventh, and Bradley Wright, who was ninth, helped the Jaguars finish fourth in the team standings.
The girls track and field team placed second at the 11-5A meet. Rhenique Williams led the way, winning the 100 and 200 meters, and then teaming with Arteshia Johnson, Deja Young and Aatiyah Henry to claim first in the 400 relay.
Andrea Travis also captured a district championship for Horn by winning the high jump.
The Jaguar softball team had the best regular season of any sport. Behind 11-5A offensive player of the year Hayley LeMonds, Horn rolled over the district competition, posting a 10-0 record en route to the 11-5A title.
That success did not carry over into the playoffs, though. After picking up an 8-7 record in the opener of its best-of-3 series against Belton, the Jaguars suffered losses of 9-6 and 3-1 to drop the series.
While that setback was a tough one to swallow, Horn will be in good shape to push further next year with the return of newcomer of the year Aubree Tuberville, sophomore pitcher Ashley Moore and juniors Kelsea Fite, Andrea Trevino and Colleen Harrison.
The Jaguar baseball team had some rough spots, but their 5-5 record was good enough to make it into the playoffs. Brian O'Bannon was named newcomer of the year, and seniors Jared Davidson and Logan Trent were named to the 11-5A first team for Horn, who was swept by Bryan in the opening round of the playoffs.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Mesquite Horn «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
