Tournament MVP Brooke Galvin holds up Jim Ned's Polk-Key City Basketball Classic trophy following a 28-26 championship win over Dallas Bishop Lynch on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at Hardin-Simmons' Mabee Athletic Complex.
Stephen Garcia/Reporter-News
By: Stephen Garcia, Abilene Reporter-News
Jim Ned girls basketball coach Hunter Cooley told his team at halftime it was playing well.
Despite trailing, Cooley knew if the Lady Indians could convert some buckets they'd be right in it. Late in the game, the team did.
Alief Taylor took their lumps in their previous district (22-6A) a year ago, but still managed to punch their ticket to the playoffs, before advancing to the Area Round to conclude their season with a respectable record of 20-15.
Now that they move over to District 20-6A in the realignment, the Lions have an even greater opportunity, as the only other legitimate contender for the title will be Fulshear this time around.
Coach Brandy Jones has the luxury of bringing back the majority of her stars from the 2024 roster, beginning with nationally-recognized talent Nataliyah Gray. The senior forward and recent Mississippi State-commit was named the district’s Offensive MVP after averaging 20.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game last winter, and should only improve against some newer competition.
She’s joined by first-team, all-district selection Madison Bush-Lewis (Sr. G), who put up some solid numbers (12.5 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3 rpg) of her own. Also keep an eye out for junior Mya Rhea (second-team), as well as honorable mentions Morgan Maldonado (Sr. G) and Trinity Hamilton (Jr. F).
IT TOOK NO TIME AT ALL FOR AUDIENCES TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE NAME JEMINI MITCHELL.
Standing at 6-foot-2, Cy Springs’ newest star made one the most utterly dominant freshman debuts that the state has seen, having scored 538 points, with 219 rebounds, 70 assists and a team-leading 46 blocks.
This would obviously result in a District 16-6A Newcomer of the Year selection, but she’s much more than just a big body.
“Most people might lean more towards their shooting ability, which I do think I’m skilled in that area,” said Mitchell. “But, I like to think that my greatest strength relates to my versatility as a player. Sure, I have the size, but I’m able to play inside and outside the paint and I feel that my defense has gotten better over the years.”
Entering her sophomore year, Mitchell is listed as a five-star recruit who’s the No. 1 ranked player in Texas and No. 13 in the nation in the Class of 2027.
That instantaneous level of success, coupled with her growing confidence, could arguably be attributed to the landscape she’s developed her game in.
“Being in this program has really allowed me to grow as a person, even though I’m only entering my second year,” she said. “On and off the court, I feel like my coaches and teammates push me to be better. You have to mature at a rapid pace in order to compete at this level, which is something that really sticks with me.”
Teamwise, the Panthers enjoyed yet another tremendous season this past winter, going 30-3 overall, which included an undefeated district title. They reached the UIL Class 6A Region II Semifinals.
However, they were ultimately thwarted by the eventual State Champs Duncanville, in a tight 48-40 defeat, clearly fueling them for this season.
“I don’t want to go back into the locker room like we did last year,” Mitchell said. “I hated the feeling after what happened in Round 4. If we want to improve on last year’s result, we need to take everything seriously, whether it be in practice or the classroom. There’s some unfinished business here, so it’s going to be about going hard every rep, and doing what we need to do.”
Given the unquestionable talent returning for coach Taneisha Rogers in 2024 – particularly Mitchell and South Carolina-commit Ayla McDowell – it’s likely that the vision they’ve set for themselves might very well come to fruition.
Strake Jesuit's Johnny Herbert is having a breakout season
Provided by Strake Jesuit
John Hebert is an anomaly.
The Strake Jesuit running back leads the state of Texas with an astounding 3,110 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns—but he has no cell phone.
Hebert has no curated social media presence, no slow-motion hype videos, and no interest in the spotlight. As one of seven siblings, he’s learned to shy away from attention.
And yet, Johnny Hebert makes perfect sense.
“My parents told all of us we couldn’t have a cell phone until our senior year,” Hebert explained, speaking via his iPad. “I’m actually grateful to them. They wanted to keep us away from what phones expose you to. At school, I see everyone glued to their screens. Not having one makes you really talk to people and stay connected to what’s happening around you—it’s a better way to live at a young age.”
His humility and discipline are as impressive as his stats. Coach Donovan Fikac and offensive coordinator Billy Noonan recognized Hebert’s potential early.
“We walked off the field after a loss to Clear Falls last year and decided we needed to revamp our offense,” Fikac said. “We knew we had a solid offensive line and someone special at running back.
“Johnny’s vision, low center of gravity, and patience are rare. He plays behind his pads, falls forward, and knows how to avoid injury. He’s tough, fast, and humble—an old-school type of player.”
Hebert’s football roots run deep. His father, Jason Hebert, played at Rice University and had brief stints in the NFL.
“We all grew up loving football because of my dad,” John said. “He taught us the game, and with seven kids, we’ve had some epic street football games.”
Strake Jesuit, one of only two private schools competing in UIL football, is making history. With a dominant 56-36 win over Tompkins last week, the Crusaders are on the verge of reaching the third round of the playoffs for just the fourth time in school history. Their next challenge: Heights High School.
“Our district is incredibly physical,” Fikac said. “Fulshear is still undefeated, and the Alief schools have great athletes who play hard. Foster had a strong season, and George Ranch always competes. That competition has prepared us for the postseason.”
Despite Hebert’s stellar performances, he’s quick to share the credit.
“This isn’t a one-man show,” he said. “Our offensive line has been incredible, and our defense has done a great job getting us the ball back. We’re a team of competitive guys, and they push me to be better.”
The Crusaders’ offensive line, featuring Matt Devlin (son of the San Diego Chargers’ OL coach), JC Martinez, Chrysanthos Fetokakis, and Heger Davis, paves the way for Hebert, while QB Bryson Easley keeps the offense in sync.
“We need to take care of the ball and stay true to our identity,” Fikac said. “There are no egos here—this is a brotherhood, and we’re having a lot of fun.”
As for Hebert, his goals are clear and unwavering.
“Am I surprised by my rushing yards? Yes, it’s a little surreal. But I’m confident and willing to put in the work,” he said. “I want to play college ball and make it to the NFL. Once I get there, I want to be the best I can possibly be.”
With his talent, mindset, and determination, John Hebert won’t stay off the grid for long.
