Sports

Wow! No other word describes what took place in the Regional Tournament over the weekend as the Clarendon Broncos battled and muscled their way through two good opponents to capture the Regional Championship in Levelland at the Texan Dome on the campus of South Plains College.

Now, it all comes down to two games. The two most important games of the season await the Bronco team in Austin beginning Thursday.

The Clarendon Broncos suffered through a 41-year dry spell from the state basketball tournament, but broke new ground with a dominating team and a great coaching staff.
The last appearance at state by Clarendon’s basketball team happened in 1970 when the Bronchos played for the state title but were defeated by Kennard. Several present Clarendon residents were part of that team. The Bronchos also made the state tournament the previous year but were defeated in the semi-final game. The 1968 team qualified for the Regional tournament but was unable to move on.

But this 2011 team is ready to make basketball history and is determined to bring home the gold.

The Broncos were named Regional Champions by stomping the White Deer Bucks on Saturday in the final game of the Regional Tournament.

The 67-52 win over the Bucks followed a close 47-40 win over Farwell on Friday. There was no question as to who was the dominant team in the Regional Finals game as the Broncos went on a scoring frenzy in the first quarter to set the tone for the game.
After White Deer posted four points to begin the game, the Broncos took control and scored 14 straight points with about two minutes left in the quarter. They quickly upped that point spread to 13 at the end of one. Things just got better in the next period as the Broncos made good on several White Deer turnovers and led by 20 at the break. All in all, the Bronco pressure defense caused 35 White Deer turnovers, which converted into 33 points for the Broncos.

The Broncos were able to coast in the second half of play, but they never lost their intensity and determination to win. Johnny Gaines put in 22 points, Chris Crump added 12, and Mike Crump had 10 to lead the Broncos. Brayden Phillips had eight, Cole Ward put in seven, and Justin Shillings had seven.

Surrounded by new displays of gold in his office, first year Bronco coach Brandt Lockhart was sporting a huge grin on his face as he commented on the games.
“Our kids played great,” Lockhart said. “They were ready to go.”

And go they did. The Broncos out-hustled, out-played, and out-lasted the Bucks making the game look simple, as they never missed a beat on either end of the court. But it was the intense defense that set the tone for the lopsided game.

“We hurt them a lot with our pressure defense,” Lockhart said. “We caused a lot of turnovers and were able to score from them. They have worked so hard and they deserve this.”

On Friday, the Broncos stayed the course against Farwell in a back and forth game that was close to the end. Twelve clutch free throws in the final two minutes of the game by the Broncos gave them the edge they needed in the highly contested game.
Last Wednesday, the Broncos closed out Gruver 55-50 to earn a spot in the Regional Tournament. In the Farwell game, Gaines had 19 and Phillips scored 15; and in the Gruver game, Gaines scored 25, while Phillips added 14.

The Broncos will face off against Tenaha in the semi-final round of the state tournament at 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning in Austin at the Frank Erwen Center; and if victorious, they will play the winner of Eula and Evadale on Saturday morning also at 8:30 a.m.

Tenaha is 27-9 going into the tournament and is ranked 24th. They defeated two top five teams on their way to the state tournament by one point in each game.
The Broncos are at 24-6 and have been ranked number one all season. They are determined to hang on to that ranking for the duration and have the ability to do so.
“Tenaha is not tall, but they are quick,” Lockhart said.

The Broncos are quick as well and are in a great place to take it all the way. They are, like Coach Lockhart said, “ready to go.”

In their first regular season game, the Broncos flexed their muscles against a good Fritch team and came away with a 6-5 win.

According to coach Brad Elam, the team was stacked with several young players who stepped in while the basketball players are still in post-season play.

“We had many young players step up and make plays when the game was on the line,” Elam said. “(I was) extremely happy with the results of the game.”

The Broncos got up early on the Eagles at 4-2, but Fritch tied the score midway into the game.

“They tied it, but we were able to score two in the bottom of the fifth for a two-run lead,” Elam said. “We then held them off in the sixth.”

Several players contributed to the score and the win and defensively, the Broncos stayed determined. The Bronco offense took control with many crucial hits.

“The top of the lineup was huge,” Elam said. “Trevor Cobb, John Levario and Troy Chambless scored two runs a piece and five different players drove in runs. Cobb drove in one on his first homerun of the season and Rowdy Speed and Dusty Rice drove in runs in the key fifth inning. Chambless and Dillon Nicholl had RBI’s in the first inning.

The Broncos had great results from the mound as well. “Chambless pitched four good innings striking out 11 (batters),” Elam said. “Cobb pitched a good inning and Caleb Mitchell came on to close the game out in the sixth.”

On Saturday, the Broncos inched by Arbor Christian Academy at 3-1. Troy Chambless was on the mound and nearly threw a shutout, as the Lions did not score until the final inning.

The Broncos earned their first run in the third inning when and scored again in the fourth and sixth.

“There was not much offense in this game, and we managed only three hits,” coach Brad Elam said. “But we were able to take advantage of some of their errors.”

According to Elam, John Levario, Rowdy Speed, and Dusty Rice had hits with Speed doubling in a run. Chambless scored two runs and Chance McAnear scored the other run.

“Chambless had a big day on the mound striking out 13 (hitters) and giving up only three hits,” Elam said. “He did tire a little late, but was able to battle through it to strike out the last batter with bases loaded. I am pleased with the results again playing with so many younger kids.”

The Broncos will play in a double-header Saturday, March 5, at West Texas High School beginning at 1:00 p.m. and travel to Electra to play their District opener Tuesday, March 8, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

The Clarendon Broncos sealed the deal last Tuesday night at home when they easily defeated Quanah, 73-31, to finish with a perfect district season.

The game belonged to the Broncos from the beginning as they executed well on offense to quickly gain the upper hand. On the opposite end, their defense was outstanding as they shut down anything the Indians tried. Johnny Gaines and Brayden Phillips finished in
double figures with 24 and 15 points.

Also scoring: Cole Ward 9, Mike Crump 6, Adam Topper 6, Justin Shillings 6, Chris Crump 5, and Wes Williams 2.

The Broncos took on Bushland last Friday night in a warm-up game and were defeated 53-63. Clarendon got up on the Falcons early and led by six points at the break. But their offense hit a rough spot in the second half, and Bushland gained the momentum to get the win.

“We played pretty good for three quarters,” coach Brandt Lockhart said. “But we fell in the fourth. We couldn’t make anything late in the game.”

Cole Ward worked hard inside and finished with 12 points, and Gaines pumped in 16.

Also scoring: Phillips 7, Shillings 6, C. Crump 4, Mike Crump 2, Daniel West 2, Wes Williams 2, and Diego Santos 2.

The Broncos will play Canadian at Amarillo High School on Friday, February 25. Game time was not available at press time. Visit www.ClarendonLive.com or www.facebook.com/TheEnterprise for the latest information.

The Clarendon Broncos are District Champions once again. They sealed the championship at home Friday night against Memphis with one game to play as of press time.

The 68-47 win was a just one more example of how strong the Broncos are this year and their unchallenged dominance on the court. According to head coach Brandt Lockhart; the game was topped off by great offensive play.

“We had a season high of 19 rebounds,” Lockhart said. “And we did a good job of forcing turnovers.”

The Broncos reigned supreme against Memphis from the tip off and led by 20 plus points at the break. Not only did their offensive play set the tempo of the game, the Broncos hustled defensively and frustrated their opponent.
Seniors Johnny Gaines and Brayden Phillips teamed up for seven of the Broncos’ three-pointers with Phillips turning five from the three-point line.
The Broncos also controlled the boards and used their strength to muscle their opponent.

Mike and Chris Crump showed a lot of power inside, and sophomores Cole Ward and Adam Topper came in and continued the dominance under the basket. Justin Shillings, Daniel West, Wes Williams, and newcomer Diego Santos helped around the perimeter.

The Broncos were able to coast the second half as they led by 30 after three.
Scoring: Gaines 22, Phillips 20, Ward 7, Shillings 8, M. Crump 5, C. Crump 2, Williams 2, and Topper 2.

The Broncos will continue their schedule in post-season play at a time to be announced.