Morgan Wheatly

By Sandy Anderberg

The Broncos hosted the annual Alumni game last week and the current Broncos came out on top of the former Broncos, 2-0.

According to CHS coach Brad Elam, the game turned into a pitching duel and both runs were scored in the fifth inning.

“Zack LaRoe and JoJo Cartwright walked and Israel Osburn singled in both runs for the only runs of the game,” Elam said. “The Alumni pitcher of Troy Chambless, Bradley Watson, and Brayden Phillips pitched outstanding giving up only those two runs while striking out twelve. The Broncos’ pitching of Chance McAnear and LaRoe pitched outstanding as well, throwing a shutout.”

Elam went on to say that the Alumni players, who have all been coached by Elam, hit the ball well, but ran themselves out of some innings by getting thrown out on the bases. Alumni got base hits from Gage Nelson, Stephen Fowler, Dalton Askew, Braden Phillips, Caleb Mitchell, and Billy Ceniceros. Elam was glad to see his former players and believed everyone had a great time.

“And like old times, JC Blackburn and David Roberts were hit by a pitch,” Elam said. “It was great seeing the ‘old guys’ and I believe fun was had by players and fans alike.”

Also playing for the Alumni was Stephen Fowler, Dusty Martindale, Rowdy Speed, Trevor Leeper, Tyler Drackley, John Levario, an Matt Henderson.

By Sandy Anderberg

The Broncos only needed one run to tie the Wellington Skyrockets, but could not put it on the scoreboard and took a 6-7 loss.

According to head coach Brad Elam; the Broncos committed a couple of mistakes early that put them in a hole.

“We started out slow on offense and had a couple of miscues that cost us,” he said. “We got down 0-4 after three innings, but battled back in the fourth to trail 3-4.”

Bryce Hatley got things rolling for the Broncos when he earned a walk and Caleb Cobb hit a single. JoJo Cartwright drove those two in before also scoring a run. Another error cost the Broncos some runs in the fifth and they trailed 3-7 going into the last inning.

“We gave ourselves a chance to win,” Elam said. “The first five batters reached base and Nick Shadle scored after he had a single. After Chance Lockhart scored, we had bases loaded with two outs.”

Elam noted that Zack LaRoe singled, which allowed Clay Koetting to score and cut the lead to only one run. The tying run was thrown out at the plate trying to score on the hit.

“(It was a) great comeback attempt,” Elam said. “Cobb and LaRoe pitched and threw really well.”

The Broncos will continue their regular schedule on Thursday, March 13, at Hale Center at 2:00 pm. They will play a double-header at home on Friday, March 14, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

By Sandy Anderberg

Clarendon High School senior Ryann Starnes has been a workhorse for the Lady Broncos during her high school basketball career, and this year she was rewarded for her outstanding play by being named the 2-1A All-District MVP.

Starnes’ stellar play helped the Lady Broncos to win their first game at the Regional tournament before losing to the eventual state champion Plains and was recognized by the participating coaches for the award.

Deborah Howard also received a great award by being named the District Defensive MVP. Howard also was instrumental in helping the Lady Broncos’ success this year and has been a constant on the team. Her dedication to the Lady Broncos and aggressive defensive play made her a great recipient for this award.

Starnes and Howard are joined by Taylor DeGrate and Taylor Gaines. Both DeGrate and Gaines were starters all year and played important roles for the Lady Broncos all season long. Camra Smith was named to the team as an Honorable Mention.

Completing the All-District team are Torri Chavez from Panhandle who was named the Offensive MVP, Aisia Bonner, Keylee Mayfield, and Macalle Melton from Panhandle, Cassidy Crutchfield from White Deer, Shelby Foster and Ashley Giles from Claude, and Madison Milligan and Nicole Rohrbach from Vega.

The All-District Academic team was also announced for the Lady Broncos. Deb Howard, Haley Ferguson, Ryann Starnes, Camra Smith, and Taylor Gaines were all named to that team.

With only three practices under their belt, the Lady Broncos are beginning their softball season with district games early in their schedule. According to head coach Gary Jack; the Lady Broncos have played two games already.

“We lost to Fritch on Thursday 10-12,” Jack said. “We really played pretty well considering the amount of time we’ve had to prepare. Brooke Martin, Sterling King, and Briley Chadwick pitched pretty good for a first game and Haley Ferguson caught for us. Audra Thomas hit the ball well and we made some good defensive plays.”

Last Friday, the Lady Broncos played Sand Jacinto and won 23-0. Camra Smith and Brooke Martin pitched with Haley catching again. Audra and Bailey hit well according to Jack.

“We will have two district games this week,” Jack said. “West Texas High will be here on Tuesday and we will travel to Booker on Friday.”

By Sandy Anderberg

Senior Chance McAnear and junior Charles Mason have been selected to the 2 1-A All-District Team according to head coach Brandt Lockhart. Both McAnear and Mason have been a huge part of the Bronco basketball team and were chosen to the team by the participating district coaches.

Zach Cornell, Cedrick McCampbell, and Chance Lockhart have also been selected to the All-District Academic Team. The academic team selections are determined from play during the basketball season and overall grades.

Tanner Barnett from Panhandle was the unanimous selection as District MVP, Cory Free and Brody Powers also from Panhandle were selected as offensive and defensive MVP’s respectively.

Bradley Cornell, Bailey Morrow, and Zack Johnson were selected from Claude, Tyler Hall and Josh Oliver were selected from Panhandle, Colton Luster and Justin Joyce were selected from Vega, and Dustin Thomas was selected from White Deer to finish the All-District Team.