Broncs win Quarter-Finals title

Great things come around every once in a while and in the case of the Bronco basketball team that ‘every once in a while’ has been 16 years.
The last time Clarendon participated in a Regional Basketball Tournament was in 1994 and Monday night at Randall High School, the Broncos fought off Stratford and bought their ticket to the Regional game, which will be held this Friday in Levelland.
The win was great for the players and the many fans in attendance.  And what was even better, several of the players from that 1994 Regional Finalist Team were on hand to cheer on this young group of players and watch them do exactly what they did.
That’s what Clarendon basketball is all about.
The Broncos (22-5) did not disappoint in their determination to defeat a very physical Elk team and began the game with intensity.  Thirty-two minutes after the tip, the Broncos proved they could battle and earned the 69-62 win.
It was a showcase for the three-point shot and there were lots of them. Brayden Phillips connected on four, Justin Shillings hit three, and Johnny Gaines made good on two.  Those 27 points boosted the Broncos to the win and stopped the 16-year Regional Tournament drought.
Stratford tried to answer, but the Broncos were quick to answer right back and hit crucial shots to maintain their lead.  The Elks were able to tie the game at 49 all at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but that did not stop the Broncos from their goal.
Big men Tre Brown and Mike Crump toughened up inside and the Broncos put an end to any comeback attempt by the Elks.  Johnny Gaines, Tre Brown, and Brayden Phillips finished in double figures to lead the Broncos to the win.
“I thought our guys did a tremendous job of executing our game plan against Stratford,” coach Clint Coley said.  “We really tried to pick up the tempo and turn it into a fast paced game, and I think for the most part we were able to do that. We knew how strong and physical they were, but I think our guys are just as strong really, as well as fast, so we just tried to use that to our advantage.
“We hit nine three’s in the ballgame and that certainly didn’t hurt either.  I’m just so proud of the way our guys handled themselves in the game.  I think they do things with a lot of class and that’s a credit to them.”
Coley also said fan participation was a great asset for the Broncos.
“We appreciate the crowd once again and hope we can get a big group down for the Regional Tourney. It is great to see everyone come out and support these kids.  We have had better crowds than the opponent, and I can tell you that makes a big, big difference in a game.”
Scoring:  Gaines 20, Brown 15, Phillips 12, Justin Shillings 9, Stephino McCampbell 5, Mike Crump 5, Jadon Thornton 2, and Chris Crump 1.
Last week, the Broncos were able to advance by defeating Crosbyton in the Bi-District game 48-39.  The game was fairly even the entire time until the fourth quarter when the Broncos pulled away.
“I was extremely proud of the way our bench stepped up,” Coley said.  “We’ve been relying on several people all year long and that night was no different.  Justin Shillings and Brayden Phillips came in and did a great job keeping us in the game.”
Scoring:  Gaines 16, Shillings 10, Phillips 6, McCampbell 4, Thornton 4, Brown 4, C. Crump 3, and M. Crump 1.
The Broncos were named Area Champs when they defeated Wheeler 67-52 Friday night at Randall High.
It was another hard-fought game for the Broncos, but they jumped out to the early lead, which put them in a rhythm that lasted the entire game.
“I was really proud of our guys Friday night,” Coley said.  “They came out ready to play from the opening tip. We were aggressive and attacked all night long.”
Scoring:  Gaines 21, Brown 15, Phillips 10, Shillings 5, McCampbell 5, C. Crump 5, M. Crump 4, and Thornton 2.
The Broncos will play Seagraves in Levelland on the campus of South Plains College at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 5.  Please come and support the Broncos in the Regional Tournament and cheer them on to a trip to Austin!