2010 NATIONAL SICNINC DAY CINTRAL TEXAS SICNIIS BASEBAU Coy"'-· Anderson. uni"t'rsitY of Texas at Isaac Davia., Elgin. TeXilS Midwestern State Dallas A&M4<.ingsvilE'! J.ed Herrick, Hutto, Trinity Andrew Conzales, Elgin, Justin Henry, E.ast View, ObM socaR (girt,) Tetnple COiiege JC AnnoBri.....,cedarPatk. J.lco Gtady, Elgll\ o.tlos Cody Jackson. Logo Vista. Houston Ba!)bst BapbStUnoveMy SOuthWityof Ma-Edlef,RoundRock. oe,in Jone$.L8J. HDUSron·V$ctoria Univc,>ity of Texas at Oalas Nortflwt>srem (Ol From left, Ul"nl'ffi) senior football players Chad Wolf (preferred walk on, Texas), Kaleb Wenson (McNeese State University), and Sean Brown-Nixon (Missouri Southern State) signed letters of intent to play collegiate football Feb. 6 al High School. (PHOTO COURTESY UN. v,,.,s ISDJ Llke Jravi, '60, Bowie 51: The Bulldos were right where they wanted to be midway through the fourtb quarter at District 25-6Arival!..;!-. '!::....;.. on Friday. They had trailed by as many as nine points in the first half and faced a seven-point deficit early in the final quarter but were down only 51-48 with4:57. But instead of making its run, Bowie watched the Cavaliers run away with a nine-point victory to secure second place in the district. The Cavs (30-4, 12-3) sank 9 of 12 free throws when the game was still in doubt as neither team registered a field goal after Bowie senior M'elijah Wesley's 3-pointer at the 5:28 mark. Bowie (20-9, 10-5) got 11 points apiece from junior Ethan Walker and sophomore Coleton Benson as it clinched third place in the district. L.u..: ':'1 ... u started four seniors in its final home game of the season - Brett Baty (13 points), David Gregory (nine), Luke Depperschmidt (eight) and Bennett Mohn (seven). Junior John Wetter had 13 points. John Harris, AA-S correspondent PREP BASKETBALL BOYS __ _ ··-··- •• un TPl',"S"' BOWIE SI - 111, U U - 51 lib- 15 u 1115 - a lowie: - U.8dl 5, - U. Wallccr ILw.sleyl.0,-,,S.l-cl:(l~). 1, ;• ,S: --1. COdarRldgtws.l.UglUnlQM. 7pat Bttnham Bowie.._--,. 7 p.m.at canyon CCCIM' PMk 'f'S. MUor. 7PA it Ct By Colby Gordon But Robinson, who fin moves, put- backs, layups the lead to 33- 21 at the American· Slatesman ished with a game-high and dunks. half and45-26 after three Corr•spoodenl 21 points, started to get Baker targeted Adams quarters as Rangers coach going with six straight often. Keith Allen emptied his The Feb. 12 game points late in the first, AustinHigb(13-15, 7-9) bench. between Connally and and Connally played made a brief run in the Vista Ridge posted a Cedar Park wasn't a play lockdown defense for the third quarter, outscor 9-3 record in District off game, but it certainly second and third quarters ingWes\J',l u 7-9 to pull 13-6A, losing twice had a playoff atmosphere. while limiting Cedar Park within 53-49 as senior to state heavyweight Played in "The to 1o total points during Josh Jones scored nine of Hendrickson, but Allen Timberdome" at Cedar that time frame and turn his 11 points during the has his young team Park High School in front ing a 15 - 7 deficit into a burst. West:,•-e, how protecting the ball and of a raucous crowd with 32- 25 lead. ever, helda63-42Jeadat playing strong defense. large contingents from A Robinson three the end of the period. Girls playoff roundup : both schools, the game midway through the third Westl;.l;:.e's next task is In other local action, featured the top two quarter put the Cougars preparing for the bi-dis District 25-5A champion teams in District 17-5A, ahead 25-23 - their first trict playoffs next week. Dripping Springs Tigers with the Timberwolves lead since 1-o - and Rob Austin High, meanwhile, rolled over San Antonio looking to run the table in Myers scored five straight connally guard ~ne Perry, left, drives the base6ne finished in a three-way Wagner 63-47 while district play and Connally points to end the frame as as he passes Cedar Partt guard Ethan Kieke during tie for the fourth and final eight-time district cham wanting to enter the Connally looked to be in Q!nnallyts 43-42 win Tuesday. [JAMIE HAAMS/fOA AMEAICAN playoff spot in District pion LibertY Hill handled playoffs on a five-game control. SfATESMANJ 25-6A with Del Valle and Canyon r 48-32. winning streak. Myers, the only other Lehman. Representatives State-ranked It didn't disappoint, Connally player in double the final moments.Kieke the Maroons 13- 0 top ofthose teams are sched Fredericksburg edged with the Cougars hold figures, scored all 11 of his added 12 points for Cedar open the game. They built uled to meet Wednesday Salado 55- 4 7 at Burger ing off a Cedar Park points in the second and Park, which heads into a 25- 7 lead after the first to determine the Center while Comfort fourth - quarter rally third quarters. the postseason as a dis quarter and never looked tiebreaker. clipped Jarrell 42- 38.... and Connally senior Robinson's short trict champion and No. back. Led by sophomore John Harris, AA-S District 25-6A did not guards Kylin Robinson jumper to open the 1 seed and plans to play a K.J. Adams (27 points), correspondent have a good night as both and Tyrone Perry com fourth increased the lot more basketball. Texas-bound senior Vista Ridge girls advance: ~ ..,. · and Austin bining to bit nine free Cougars' lead to 34-25, West lio boys basketball Will Baker (19 points, 10 AJ Marotte and Victoria High joined district throws down the stretch but Cedar Park then completes perfect district rebounds, three blocks) Baker keyed Vista Ridge runner-up Bowie on the to secure a 43-42 win for started its comeback. run: A few minutes after and SMU-bound senior to an impressive 59-40 sidelines after bi-district Connally. Josh Baker, who paced Wes~. e defeated host Darius McBride (10 win over Houston defeats. Austin High ran The Cougars (22-9, the Timberwolves with Austin High 87-55 in the points), the Chaps shot Cypress Springs in bi into a buzz saw against 10-2 Dist rict 17- 5A) 14 points, scored eight final regular season game a blistering 71. 7 percent di strict girls playoff Converse Judson, a state struggled offensively points as Cedar Park Feb. 12, each Chaparral ftrom the field (38-of- 53). action Tuesday night in tournament qualifier out of the gate, only went on a 15 - 6 run to player received a t -shirt With Austin High's Bryan. last season, as the Lady managing one point the pull within 41 - 40 in the for winning District defense concentrating Marotte and Baker Rockets defeat ed the first six minutes as the last minute. 25-6A witbaperfect16-o on containing the 7-foot combined for 34 points Maroons 64-34. :'. "" Timberwolves (26-5, Robinson then calmly record. Jl.aker, Adams, the sec as the Rangers opened a ·r_ fell to powerful u-1) took a 13-1 lead swished two free throws Wes1....': (31-3, 16-0 ond-tallest player on the 16-11 first-quarter lead Cibolo Steele, 70-47. behind three-pointers with 16 seconds left, and District 25-6A) con court at 6-6, had bis way and then continued to from Karson Cater, Ethan the Timberwolves missed nected on its first six inside, scoring on a vari outplay the Panthers Butch Hart, Kieke and Jacob Hester. two game-tying threes in shots while outscoring ety of animated post-up defensively, extending AA-S correspondent Cav boys wrap up second in district Lake Travis defeats secure second place in the Cavs 11 -2 to make it 26-26 at Bowle51-48 district. The Cavaliers (30-4, halftime as Bulldogs' junior 12-3 District 25 -6A) knocked Ethan Walker delivered nine down 9-of-12 free throws of his 11 points during the run. By John Harris when the game was still in Bowie pushed out t o its Americnn·Slotesm3Jl doubt as neither team regis first lead of the game at J J • 31 Correspondent tered a field goal after Bowie when junior Drew Dunsmore senior M'elijah Wesley's converted a 3-point play and l Tr.i117::l' L!..l;,WA Y • Bowie was 3-pointer at the 5:28 mark. sophomore Coleton Benson Brett Baty right where it wanted to be "That was a good basketball (11 points) completed a rare (22) tries to midway through the fourth game to watch, n said ~ 4-point play resulting from block the quarter at District 25-6A - ,.. coach Clint Baty. "It a J·point bomb and ensuing shot of Drew rival ....,. • on Feb. 8. wasback-and-forth.Bowieis free throw. But, true to form, Dunsmore The Bulldogs, who trailed a playoff team in our district. =-....is outscored the (55) during by as many as nine points That's always good prepara· visitors 12-5 to close out the the 60·51 in the first half and faced a tion when you're playing a third period, including a pair victory by seven ·point deficit early in playoff team. They're well· of buckets from junior John tllelffiM/ls the final quarter, were only coached, and they play hard." Wetter (13 points). Senior over Bowie down 51 -48 with 4 minutes, To prove Baty's point, r •.._. Brett Baty's J · pointer gave on Feb. Sat 57 seconds to play. ~ led8-ooutthegateand • 'T a i o 34- 33 lead it ~va But instead of making its 15 - 10 after the first quarter. wouldn't relinq111ish. High School. run, Bowie watched T" Trailing by as much as 24-15 Bowie, which clinched third [ PAUL BRICK/ rr,. , run away with a 60-51 in the second quarter, Bowie FOR AMERICAN• boys basketball victory to (20- 9, 10- 5) outscored the See HOOPS, AS STATESMAN) lalte Travis guard LaJte Mcllff 02) shoots over Bowie's M'elijah Wesley (54) during the 60·51 victory by Lake Travis over Bow~ on Feb. 8 at Lake Travis High School. fPA UL 8RIC,vfOR AM:rnlCAN·STAft..SMANl fought and kept it close. We seniors in its final home meant to our program the HOOPS gave ourselves a chance," game of the season - Baty(13 last four years," Clint Baty Bowie conch Celester Collier points), David Gregory (nine said. "We've got some very tromPageA6 said. "I like what I see going points), Luke Depperschmidt good basketball players, but into the final stretch of (eight points} and Bennett the biggest thing is they all place in the district, led only the season and into the Mohn (seven points}. lead by example. Our last once. playoffs." ''I can't say enough about game, it's going to be tough "I'm real proud bow we Lake Travis started four oursenio rs and what they've to see them go." DISTRICT 2S·6A aovs 8ASK&T8ALL ROUNDUP Drama builds for fourth playoff spot WestI' H CU,.. title; district with a win over Austin the Trojans' 6i•60 win over 1..a..~,_.a beats out High on lbe lasl d11y of the Del Vslle, and to Del Vslle's Bowle for No.. 2 seed regular seuon Feb. u. Deion Crenshaw, wbobad 30 points Feb. 5 a.s the Carduuls Pla~r of Ille Wttk: deJealed Hays 84-57. By Colby Cordon Will Baker, Wtsf ' A.mcncm•Sl1lmm11 TIie rut of lllt dislrict t:a~• Bater, a senior who bu signed to ploy at Texas next f (30-4 , 12-3) THE WEEK IN REVIEW year, wa.s virtually unstop· clinched the No. 2 seed with Tt1111olt.litWetlc p;1ble in the Chaps' wins over wins over Anderson (6S•40I Bowle and Akins. Against and Bowle (60-51). Cameron The Chaps clinched lbe the Bulldogs, Balcer poured Langan and C3de Parrett both outright district title with a in 38 points and grabbed Ii had U points to lead the Cavs win over Bowie-(7)•60), lhen rebounds, an d he tallied 28 ag,,inst Anderson, wllile Brett stayed undefeated in district points and pulled down II Baty and John Wett er each lorwml lfflt 11.lty (22) tries to drift OIi M'e!IIM Wesley action by topping Akins (61• rebounds agalnst Ak:iru. tallied 13 to pace (S4) ...... Ille 61-51 wlctor, by L 1 Oftl' a-le Oft fd. I al 45). Wes! (;o-;, 15-0 Honorable mention goes onr the Bulldogs.... Bowie l High Scl100L TIie win secared secOlld place In District District 2S• 6A) can make to Anderson's Max Smith, 2S,U for tile ~I'S. IP>\lJl IIRICl(JfOUM£R'ICAN·STATtSl... ,NJ a per fect run through the who hod 43 points Feb. 8 in SeeDISTIUCT, A8 DISTRICT 1~omPageA6 (20-9, 10-5) will be the No. 3 seed out of tibe district for the postseason.... Lehman (16-15, 7-9) wrapped up its regular season with a win over Akins (57-49) behind Keevan Penson's 14 points, then fell to Austin High (49- 44).... The Maroons (13-14, 7-8) had to beat the Lobos to stayalive for the fourth play - off spot. Calvin Williams had 15 points to lead Austin High in the win.. .. Del valle (ll - 16, 6-9) is still alive for the fourth playoff 5))01 after split· ting the week. OJ Jgiehon had 17 points in the loss against Anderson.... Anderson (13-17, 5-10) stands alone in sev· enth pince .... Akins (10-20, 3- 12) received 16 points from Sherrod Whitley in the loss to Westlake. The Eagles are lied with Hays (14-18, 3-12) for eighth place. Caden Doyle bad 21 points for Hays in its loss to Del Valle. THE WEEK IN PR,EVIEW Games of the Week: Westlake at Austin High; Del Valle at Bowie The district's fourth play off spot comes down to these two games. If Austin High pulls off a major upset against the Chaps, it secures the last playoff spot. If it loses, it will be in a tie with Lehm:lll, :llld Del Valle can force a three way tie for the fourth spot by beating Bowie. With a three-way tie, there would be a three-team tour nament to determine t he fourth playoff qualifier, with one team receiving a bye. If both Austin High and Del Valle lose, the Maroons and Lehman will h ave a play in game to determine who advances to the playoffs. Other games Lake Travis travels to Akins and Anderson hosts Hays in the district's other two games. These games have no impact on playoff seeding. HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL: FAB FIVES, PLAYER OF THE WEEK, NOTES FabFlves season .... In Class 5A, No. 15 LBJ dropped its Class 6A District 25 finale to East I. WestJ': JI -3 Austin rival Reagan 2. r ~ 130-4 60-57 but still wrapped 3. Hendrickson 23-8 up its 22nd consecutive 4. RoundRock23-10 district championship. 5. Vandegrift18-15 Forward Josiyah Thorn Class 5A had 17 points to pace the 1. Cedar Park 26-5 Raiders while Jordan Teal 2. LBJ21-6 bad 22 points for LBJ ...In 3. Reagan 23-5 District 17-5A, No. 18 4. Connally 22-9 Cedar Park suffered its 5. Manorz3-10 firs1 loss against Connally Class 4A and others 43-42. KyUn Robinson bad J. Liberty Hill 28-6 22pointsfortheCougars, 2. Thorndale 24-7 who finished second in 3. Gateway Prep 23-7 Del Valle guard Deion Crenshaw helped his team beat the district behind Cedar 4. Blanco 25-9 Bowle on TUesday and keep Its playoff hopes anve, Park.... In Class 4A, No. 5. St. Michael's 22-10 earning Americar,-Statesman Player of the Week honors. 22 Liberty Hill closed out [JOHN GUTtERREZft0R STATESMAN) its District 27 title run Player of the week with a 66-46 win over from playoff cont en and finished the regular Lampasas .... In Class 2A, Oeion Crenshaw, senior, tion, and the winner will season tied for second in No. 12 Thorndale suf Del Valle: The 6-fooh4 face Lehman at 7 p.m. District 13-6/\, will have fered a wrenching 84-83 guard nailed a trio Friday. The winner of a chance to snap that double-overtime loss to of 3-pointers as the that game will qWllify for dubious streak when they Hearne on Friday. Cardinals blasted Bowie the postseason. lnanother open the Clnss 6A playoffs OTHER KEY GAMES 67-39 Tuesday to keep tiebreaking scenario, Tuesday against Langham TUESDAY: In District 13-6A, their playoff hopes alive. Rouse and Pflugerville Creek. Round Rock has Vandegrift clinched the Crenshaw ended the tied for th.ird in District already accumulated its fourth and final playoff District 25-6A campaign 17-SA but flipped for most wins since 1976. spot with a 68-56 win averaging 20 points, playoff seeding. Rouse HOW RANKED LOCAL over Stony Point. Greg seven rebounds, four won the flip and will face TEAMS FARED TUESDAY: Brown Ill scored 26 points assists and two steals. District 18-5A second In Class 6A, Wesi" for the Raiders, who won seed Georgetown in next moved up to No. 6 in the nine of their last 11 dis Area Roundup week's playoff opener, latest Texas Association trict games to reach the while Pflugerville will face of Basketball Coaches postseason. That surge PLAY IN, PLAYERS : District 18-sA champion poll by capping a second coincided with the return Though the regular season Manor. consecutive perfect of Brown, a five-star 6-7 ended Tuesday, there are ROCK ON A ROLL: One of District 25 campaign with forward who missed the still a pair of games that the oldest high schools in an 87-55 win over Austin. first half of the season will determine one more Texas will have a chance Sophomore guaid K.J. with an injury .... McNeil playoff spot. In District to make history when Adams, who played for St. closed out its 13-6A cam 25-6A, Del ValJe, Austin the playoffs begin next Andrew's last season, had paign with a 70-52 win High and Lehman fin week. Round Rock, which 27points... k, ;.,s, over district c hampion ished tied for fourth. opened in 1867, has never No. 16 in the latest poll, Hendrickson. The Mavs Austin was to play Del won a boys basketball wrapped up the No. 2 have qualified for 12 con Valle at 7 p.m. Thursday playoff game, according seed in District 25-6A secutive playoffs. at Hays High School. to coach Brent Murphy. The with wins over Bowie and The loser is eliminated Dragons, who are 23-10 Akins to close the regular Th.omas Jones PREP BASKETBALL CEIITIIAl TEW STATISTICS IO'IS Sttnllg(IIILll5PflC,.•lll.llpMS --.T.- GPPb..._, Grcg Brown. 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"'"'9.- u .. .,,. .-le:, At.ood,. ~ I Ii lSJ .1Jt Jlm.i k-1~ MCNell NA NA .110 NIIOllnit Mlict. ll:IIM l3 46 JU 11-N.~ 14tl-"Jl• ~ll.telet,ll>lst 43 61 .10S Girls playoffs: Anybody goin' to San Antone? Uy Thomas Jones playmakers in the paint, too. 10 games this year but bas ldjoues@$totesiruu,.com Nicole Leff of No. 7 Cedar plenty of playoff experi Park can score "at all three ence as well as a coach in The U1L high school girls levels," says Timberwolves April Hund! who has both basketball playoffs begin coach Donny Ott, and she played and coached in the Monday and will conclude just led her team to its second state tournament. And Feb. 28-March 2 at San consecutive Class 5A district Cedar Park, which beat the Antonio's Alamodome. title. Florida State signee Panthers twice in District What area teams have the London Clarkson of district 17-5A, boasts a balanced best chance of reaching rival Pflugerville, which is attack and stout defense that state, and what will happen ranked No. 15, has been a should make it a tough out. on the long and winding pivotal partof a program that The area's smaller schools playoff road? bas won eight playoff games seem a bit down. Liberty Hill, Let's answer a few ques over the past five years. which went 105-11 with two tions as the postseason tips Bowie guard Hailey Atwood If you like defense, watch appearances at state from off: is one of the highest-scoring juruor Shay Holle of Class 2016 to 2018, went 18-17 We know teams such players in the Austin area. 6A No. 15 West , .l·e, a while still qualifying for as Wesll k~, Pflugerville, (JOHN GlfTIERREZ/fOR STATESMAN] three-year starter who just the playoffs in a rebuilding Georgetown and Liberty Hill - committed t o Texas and year, and no 0th.er Class 4A who are all ranked by the Texas year's Tigers went through can guard any position on or smaller school from the Association of Basketball District 26-4A without a the court. Oh, and Mikayla Austin area is ranked in the Coaches - always seem to loss. Woods of Class 6A No. 2 state's top Io. make the playoffs. Who are Which players can carry their Hendrickson, the reign Are some teams' roads to San some surprising teams to make team to a few playoff wins? ing American-Statesman Antonio smoother than others? it this year? Class 6A Bowie's Hailey Central Texas Player of the Nothing comes easy in a Let's start with Lockhart, Atwood might not be the Year, averages 6.1 steals to playoff bracket that features which is making its first biggest player on the court, go along with 5.2 assists and seven rounds, but Class 6A's postseason appearance but the 5-foot-8 guard 19.2points. Region IV looks particu in 20 years. The Lions' boasts a scorer's mentality; OK, we know Hendrk:kson is larly rugged for West ., District25-5,Arival, Dripping she averages more than 20 good. Who else has a chance to and L-lto. ~ with three Springs, is no stranger to the points and can take over a reach state? teams - San Antonio Clark, playoffs but did win the pro game in the lane or from the W~ • is the only other San Antonio Brandeis and gram's first district title in a 3-point arc. fordyn Carter area team ranked in Class fudson - ranked in the decade. of Class 5A No. 16 Crockett, 6A, and the Chaps have top 10. And no region in And don't forget about who has more than 2,100 the athleticism, length and the state bas more depth Smithville, one of the area's career points, is another ver defensive mindset to make than 5A' s Region III, which proudest programs, which satile guard with the ability a run. boasts seven teams ranked hadn't won a district title to help the Cougars win their Pflugerville, which in the top 15, including No. since legendary conch Robin first playoff game in u years. dropped down to Class 5A 10 Georgetown, Pflugerville Ramseyretiredin2013. This There are plenty of this season, may have lost and Cedar Park. UIL GIRLS BASKETBALL FIRST- ROUND PLAYOFF SCHEDULE MONDAY Cedar Ridge HS Lampasas vs. Boerne, 8 p.m., 8 p.m., Lehman HS Class 6A Crockett vs. Boerne Champion. Johnson City Class 4A Westwood vs. Cypress Ranch, 7 p.m, San Marcos HS Class 3A Jarrell vs. Comfort, 6:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m., Brenham High School Lockhart vs. San Antonio Blanco vs. SA Randolph, 7 p.m., Johnson City HS Westlal.a vs. New Braunfels Veterans Memorial. 7 p.m., New Braunfels HS La Grange vs. Stanford, 7 p.m., Canyon, 6 p.m" Hays HS Cibolo Steele HS Lago Vista vs. Marion, 8 p.m., Sealy HS Bowie vs. Smithson Valley, 7 Marble Falls Georgetown, 7 Dripping Springs HS vs. Liberty Hill vs. Canyon ~ e, 7 p.m., Canyon HS p,m" Liberty TUESDAY Hill HS p.m, Dripping Springs HS Cedar Ridge vs. Langham Creek, Pflugerville vs. Hutto. 7 p.m., Class 6A Class3A 7 p.m., Brenham HS Hendrickson HS Austin High vs. Converse Hendrickson vs. Cypress • . cs, Rouse vs. East View, 7 p.m., Judson, 6 p.m., San Marcos HS Johnson City vs. SA Cole, 6 p.m .. 7 p.m., A&M Consolidated HS. Round Rock HS vs. Cibolo Steele, 7 Lehman HS College Station Class 4A p.m., Hays HS Luling vs. Industrial. 7 p.m., Class SA Burnet vs. Bandera. 6 p.m., Vista Ridge vs. Cypress Springs, Cuero HS LBJ vs. Kerrville T,vy, 6 p.m., Johnson City 7 p.m., Bryan HS Class 2A Dripping Springs HS Smithville vs. Wharton, 6 p.m., Class SA Thorndale vs. 101a. 6:30 p.m. Cedar Park vs. Manor, 6:30 p.m., Columbus HS Dripping Springs vs. SA Wagner, Blinn College, Brenham HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL: FAB FIVES, ROUNDUP, PLAYER OF THE WEEK - I a. Westwood's Makayla Coy, center, had 19 points and 10 rebounds as the warriors advanced to the playoffs with a 55·38 win over Round Rod( in a play-in game on Friday to earn American-Statesman Player of the week honors. [JAMIE HARMS/FOR STATESMAN] FABFIVES for Round Rock. Though and never quit and kept Warriors with 19 points, the Dragons capped their after us," Warriors coach and Danielle Davalos had Class6A most successful season Doug Davalos said. "At 18. Moore led Round l. Hendrickson 36-1 last week, head coach halftime we looked at Rock with 12 points, and 2. Westlau27-7 Pecos McDaniel's squad fell using our pressure zone Simonetti added nine. 3. Vista Ridge 23-11 just shy of the playoffs, if we couldn't stop their After the game, Cedar 4. Bowie 21·9 losing to Westwood 55-38 penetration." Ridge and Westwood held 5. ~~24-10 in a District 13-6Aplay-in The third quarter opened a coin toss to determine the Class SA contest Friday at McNeil. with Round Rock con- third-place playoff spot, l. Cedar Park 29-3 "The girls really bought necting on a 3-point shot with Cedar Ridge win- 2. Georgetown 24·10 in to our approach, and we by Maddie Edler. After ning the toss. The Raiders 3. Dripping Springs 23-12 have gotten better over a Westwood basket b y were t o play Langham 4. Crockett 31-5 the season. The last week Christie French, Round Creek on Monday night at 5. Pflugerville 24· 11 was going to be challeog- Rock got a free throw by Bri Brenham. Westwoodfaced Class 4A and others ing," McDaniel said, after Simonetti and a 3-pointer Cypress Ranch at the same l. Texas School for the Deaf the Dragons beat Stony by Jaaucklyn Moore to tie site in the first game of the 31-0 Point to set the stage for the game at 34-34 with 4 doubleheader. 2. Lago Vista 21 ·5 a hectic finish. minutes, 46 seconds left In other district action, 3. Liberty Hill 18-17 Westwood (2 7-8, in the third quarter. state and nationally ranked 4. Burnet 26-7 11-6), Round Rock (16- The tie game prompted Hendrickson closed its 5. Hyde Parle 21·4 14, 10-7) and Cedar Ridge Davalos to call for the season by beatingsecond- (23-13, 10-6) finished in zone pressure against the place Vista Ridge 80-49, AREA ROUNDUP a three-way tie for third Dragons. and McNeil finished on place at 10-6. Under dis- Round Rock did not a strong note by beating Check the box: For the trict bylaws, Cedar Ridge score again until 4:06 Leander 57-43 and Stony 29thstraightseason,coach earned a spot by having remained in the game, a Point 58-53 to end with Rhonda Farney has guided the best head-to-head scoreless span ofmore than a two-game win streak. Georgetown into the bas- record among the three seven minutes in which the Dripping Springs woo 12 ketball playoffs. Her Lady teams. Cedar Ridge swept Warriors built au-point straight to take the District Eagles crushed district Round Rock and split with advantage and sailed to the 25-4A crown. Cedar Park rival and second-place Westwood for three wins, victory, ending on a 21-4 won its last 14 to finish East View 45-18 to close and Round Rock swept scoring run. In the score- 29-3 and win District out district action. Not Westwood for two wins. less stretch, Westwood 17-51\. only did Georgetown (22- The final spot required a forced more turnovers 18, 12-0) win the district play-in despite the Dragons (eight) than it allowed PLAYEROFTHEWEEK title, but none of the Lady having swept the Warriors shots (six). Eagles' subvarsity teams head-to-head during dis- "Our containment really Makayla Coy, S-9 seniorfor· had a district loss as Farney trict play, and this time worked well. They beat us ward, Westwood: Coy had19 extended the dominance of Westwoodwon55-38. twice; we just happened points and 10 rebounds as the blue and white. Friday night started as to beat them tonight,• Westwood advanced to the East View, which has a high-scoring affair as Davalos said of the con- playoffs with a55-38 win continued to improve and Westwood led 16-15 after test, which drew more over Round Rock. Earlier has a strong team, posted a quarter and the teams than 800 fans on a wintry in the week, Coy had nine a 9-3 district mark. But alternated leads until the Friday night. "They are a points and 10 boards in Georgetown has a 14-0 Warriors took a 32-27 half- verygoodteam, verywell- abbreviated playing time record against the Patriots time edge. coached, and when Round as Westwood defeated since their campus opened. "Round Rock was beat- Rock and Westwood get Leander44-26. Kylie Ellsworth ledthe F,agles ing us off the dribble, and together, you get this kind with 16 points. we would get ahead, but ofagrune." Butch Hart, AA-S It's wait until next year they are very well ·coached Makayla Coy led t he correspondent t ..,._ 's guard Shelby Devin, left, draws a foul from Cibolo Steele forward Sydney cajero during the Cavaliers• 70-47 loss to Cibolo Steele in a Class 6A first -round playoff game Tuesday at Hays High School. (JOHN Gl/TIERREZ/1-0R AMERICAN•STATESMANJ --~e ·s falls short against girls of Steele Despite playoff loss, "We're going to miss these boastfourplayerswbostandm future looks bright for seniors because they're spe least 6 feet, 2 inches, and their revitalized c avs cial," Bussinger said. "They bigs excel at drawing defenders helped take this program to the before swinging the ball out for ByThomas Jones next level. I can't sayhowproud openthree-pointers,asevident [email protected] I amof these gir.ls, because they against ~ '.' ':": 1s. put in so much work." Steeleshot27-of-56fromthe HAYS COUNTY - Even in Devin agreed with her coach, field, including 12-of-26 from the moments after his team lost saying "now we believe in three-pointrange. TheKnights to Cibolo Steele 70-47ina Class ourselves." also bad 19 assists. 6A first-round playoff game "A couple of years ago, we Outside snipers Aja Holmes Tuesday at Hays High School, didn't think we had a chance in and Angeline Sanchez each 'T', girls basketball the playoffs, and we didn't take made four treys while scoring coach KevinB~er couldn't it seriously," she said. "Now, 17 and 14 points, respectively. help but look ahead to thefuture. we know we can do it. I expect Often, however, the offense ran "We'll start to work for next them (the Cavs) to be back here through burly 6-4 post Ashley season tomorrow," he said. next year." Brown, who had 17 points and '"lbeexcitementintheprogram, -1 looks poised to n rebounds while showing off it's there." do just that. Freshman Raeven her soft hands and deft passing Playing a tall and talented Boswell and junior Jackie touch. Steele squad wasn't too excit Cilliers, who tied for team-high "They played a game that ingfor Bussinger and his players, honors against Steele with 15 made it really impossible for but the Cavs (24-n) showed no points apiece, will hoth return us to guard," Bussinger said. shame ill losing to one of the next season. Boswell, a 5-10 "When you have that size and most dangerous teams in the guard, in particular showed you're knocking down shots at Region IV bracket. flashes of dominance all season a rate like that, it makes it tough. "It sucks that we came out while scoring in double-digits Ithoughtthekidsdidagoodjob; here and lost, but we tried our 24times. we had hands up but they just best," said Shelby Devin, one Two-year letter winner knocked down shots." of eight seniors for ;...J {ffynvi<;. Sydney Wilson will also next The Cavs trailed just 36-29 "They had size, and they could year return after missing this at halftime, primarily because shoot. It was hard to guard season with a knee injury. In Cilliers made a trio of three them; we'ddoonethingdefen addition, the Cavs' junior varsity pointers while scoring 13 of sively and they'd adjust and hit team won 25 games and didn't her 15 points before the break. some threes. It was tough." lose a district game while the But a 12-3 run by the Knights Devin and her classmates, two freshmen teams combined gave them a 16-point lead by including twin sister Bailey fora48-1recordandtwodistrict the end of the third period, Devin, have helped raise the titles. which allowed Steele coach Jeff expectations of the program, But while L.:L. -;_a:, looks Chatman to finally relax. said Bussinger, who has led the toward the future, the pres "As a coach, you never feel Cavs to two playoff berths in his ent may just belong to a Steele thatcomfortable,"hesaid. "But two seasons at the school. Last team that has won 86 games when we made that run in the year, £ ,! - wonitsfirst over the past three seasons. third quarter, I felt pretty good. playoffgame as a Class 6Ateam. The Knights (25-11) battled "We fought the injury bug This season, the team tallied its through some injuries earlier earlier this year, and now we highest win totalin more than a this season, but they have lost finally have a complete team. decade. just once since Jan. 1. They We'll see what happens." UIL GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS: RESULTS AND SCHEDULE Bl-DISTRICT RESULTS La Grange 52 , Stafford Sl Class SA Class 6A Lampasas 51, Boerne 30 Crockett vs. SA Houston. Cedar Ridge 60, Liberty Hill 48, canyon 32 6:30 p.m., Seguin HS Langham Creek 50 Smithville 58, Wharton 35 Cedar Park vs. Bryan Rudder, Cibolo Steele 70, L.: 47 Class3A 7 p.m., Cameron Yoe HS Converse Judson 64, Lago Vista 49, Marion 8 Dripping Springs vs. SA Austin High 34 Luling 41, Industrial 26 Brackenridge, 6 p.m~ Alamo Cypress Ranch 52, Westwood 51 SA Cole 56, Johnson City 28 Convocation Center, San Antonio Hendrickson 69, SA Randolph 28. Blanco 25 East View vs. College Station, Cypress I s 52 Class 2A 6 p.m., Gidding s HS Smithson Valley 52, Bowie 38 Thorndale 47, Iola 31 Georgetown vs. Magnolia West, Vista Ridge 59, 7 p.m., Hearne HS Cypress Springs 40 AREA ROUND SCHEDULE Pflugerville vs. Waller, 8 p.m., Westtw! 49, Thursday A&M Consolidated HS, College New Braunfels canyon 32 Class 6A Station Class SA Cedar Ridge vs. Klein Collins, Class 4A Cedar Park S3, Manor 46 6 p.m., A&M Cor1solidated HS, Fredericksbu rg vs. La Grange, Crockett 52, College Station 6:30 p.m. Rouse HS Boerne Champion 49 Vista Ridge vs. College Park, Lampasas vs. El Campo, 7 p.m., Dripping Springs 63, 8 p.m., A&M Consolidated HS, Bastrop HS SA Wagner47 College Station Liberty Hill vs. Navasota, East View 35, Rouse 30 West ilk! vs. SA Brandeis, 6:30 p.m., Rockdale HS Georgetown 52, Marble Falls 37 7 p.m., Smithson Valley HS, Smithville vs. Burnet. 6 p.m., Kerrville Tivy 69, LBJ 29 Spring Branch Round Rock HS Pflugerville 80, Hutto 46 Class 3A SA Veterans Memorial 54, FRIDAY Lago Vista vs. Luling, 7 p.m. Lockhart 41 Class 6A Taylor HS Class 4A Hendrickson vs. Conroe, 6 p.m., Class 2A Burnet 73, Bandera 48 A&M Consolidated HS, College Thorndale vs. Harper, 6:30 p.m. Comfort 42, Jarrell 38 Station Marble Falls HS SOFTBALL BOWIE, t-!'!IYIS I ...i...... ·-•ltJNtt -- •··,1, W; Es,....(1-t~t; ~ (O•l). Higllhgltt <. Illy H RBI. Bowle, Est..,. 2-3 3-run HR lRBIS IKS,. Md.eftnan 2~2 28. A. smitll 2◄.- l...- O·l. l·O, tolt -llfo rward Maia Courtois (7) had a hat trick in a win over Anderson last week. (JOHN GUTtERR€Z / fOA: AMERICAN - STATESMAN! Cav girls flash offense. . 1n pair ofwins ~lloU:i.:~ View The I e-vi girls soccer team held onto a share of the District 25-6A lead with two strong performances last week. On Feb. 5, the Cavs shut out Hays 4-0. Kendall Fain, Natalie Yoo, Maddie Wright and Trinity Clark all scored for i=il• n...,-t,, The squad added another complete performance Feb. 8 with an 8-o win over Anderson. The Cavs (10- 3·0, 8-1-0 District 25-6A) continued to spread out the offense as five players scored. Maia Courtois head lined the effort with a hat trick while Yoo netted two goals. Brooke Berens, Wright and Isabel Hort all scored. SeeSOCCER, A7 Through nine district (7-2-4, 5-0-2 District SOCCER games, 13 players have 25 -6A) didn't allow a goal scored a total of 44 goals, in a pair of wins last week FromPageA6 and Lake Travis has sur that kept the team in a tie rendered just three goals. for first place in District The Cavs e nter the week 25-6A with Lehman. Defensively, centerbacks tied in the loss column The Cavs beat Del Valle Claire Rodgers and Annie with rival Westlake for 1-0 Feb. 5 and Hays 2-0 Reckart paced Lake Travis first place in the district. Friday. while keepers Jeannette The Cavs have only Massey and Hannah cav boys stiU unbeaten allowed two goals in dis Alexander combined for in district play trict play, which is the lheCavs' seventh shutout fewest goals allowed in of the season. The Lake Travis boys 25-6A. Schools quiet in tax cap debate By Julie Chang school spending. school district tax rates, as depending ona district's rev and policy oversight. jch,mg@st•t,sman.oorn Moreover, House Bill 2 and well as another provision that enue growth. "Until the school finance Senate Bill 2 do not address would compress the so-called "For school districts, bills are filed, the effects of As mayors and county how much districts' property copper pennies of the school lawmakers have promised SB 2 and HB 2 cannot be fully commissioners in recent tax rates could be lowered tax rate. additional legislation that analyzed." days have sharply criticized because unlike cities and Still, school district officials would provide state dollars While it's fairly certain the legislation that would place counties, schools receive state and education groups worry to replace every local dollar state will increase its share of strict limits on increasing funding under a complicated about identifying sustainable they lose because of the school funding this session, property tax collections - formula that is subject to revenue sources to pay for property tax cap. SB 2 and it's not clear whether overall saying the limits could force change. the legislation and whether HB 2 do not provide those funding for schools - state cuts in basic services - Lawmakers are crafting leg the school finance system extra dollars or the safety and local revenues com school district officials have islation that will detail how a would become less equitable net," said Edna Butts, Austin bined - will increase. remained on the sidelines as 2.5 percent property tax rev because tax rates would be school district's director of they await proposals to boost enue growth cap would lower compressed at different rates intergovernmental relations SeeTAXCAP, A4 Marya Crigler, chief appraiser for the 'JI" ,i1 Central Appraisal District, gives a p~entation during a state Senate Property r.u Committee hearing on Wednesday. (ST!PHEN SPILLMAN/ FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN) TAX CAP l'romPageAl A broad outllne During a hearing of the Senate Property Tax Committee this week, SB 2 author Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, said the references toschool districts inbis bill were just placeholders, indicating the school finance bill would address scbOQl property tax rates. Although the fine details of a school property tax cap are unknown, the idea, which originated in Gov. GregAbbott'soffice,istbat districts' growth in local revenue growth would be cappedat 2.5 percent every year. Any growth above that would be used to lower the school district's tax rate. School districts shouldn't experience a loss in funding because under the school finance formula, the stnte makes up for any loss inlocal revenue. "Ifthey do anythingwith 2.5 percent on school dis tricts, it would be that they would have touse any value growth above 2.5 percent to compress their tax rates but they would be rcim bursed by the state," said Sheryl Pace with the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association. "Thnt'sahuge difference between school districts and counties and cities, because school dis tricts are reimbursed by the state and counties and cities are not. But cities and counties are not being required to compress their tax rates." Also, as local revenue drops, so do the recapture payments that property wealthy school districts must send to the state to be redistributed to poor school districts. Again, the state would need to make up for the 1055 of recapture revenue. The Texas Education Agency has estimated the state's total tab would bal loon in 2023 to $3.8 billion more with a cap in place. - . . Lawmakers also are contemplating increas ing how much money districts can generate on a portion of their tax rates called "copper pennies." The increase would pay for lowering tax rates, not to increase revenue for school districts, but the result also would lead to lower recapture payments. The Legislature-created Texas Commission on Public School Finance recom mended this idea. Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, and Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, chairs of education com mittees in their respective chambers, are crafting school finance legislation, which is expected to be basedonthecommission"s recommendations. "It is our hope that over the next few weeks we will have meaningful and con structive meetings, so that at the end of the 86th ses sion we can go home to our constituents and know we have made a difference," Huberty said inastatement. State leaders have yet to received funding from the district's state and local identify a revenue source state to ensure its revenue revenue only increased by to support their tax relief stayed the same. But when 60 percent over that same plans. Bettencourt has an economic downturn led period, said Johnny Hill, previously suggested using to the state slashing public the district's chief financial oil and gas production education funding by $5. 3 officer. Meanwhile,enroll taxes to fund property true billion in 20 u, the district ment grew by 68 percent. relief and school finance suffered. The additional "What would happen is but experts, including state aid the district was that the statewould have to Texas Comptroller Glenn receiving from the tax make up that difference. If Hegar,havesaidsuchrev compression dwindled youlookatthestate'strack enue is extremely volatile. from $9.4 million a year record, as soon as they During a bearing this week, to zero two years ago when have a deficit in their state Bettencourt defended the lawmakers repealed the budget, they will be cutting useofthetaxes. pot of money tied to the that out," Hill said. "It's "You may not be able to 2006 tax compression. scary for school districts count on the price of oil, Lawmakers .at the time like :.aicP T'- '!$." but you can count on the said school districts should Its lean budget and production. You count on have been adjusting their growing enrollment mean a low price and a high pro budgets to wean off the an inability to hire as many duction, that's a much less state aid. teachers and counselors as riskysituntion. We'regoing The Pll'I ~ school district officials would like. to keep our estimates con district has struggled as Some classrooms have up servative," Bettencourt its student population to 35 students, 10 more said. has been rapidly growing than the ideal number and the state funding for should be, Hill said. lii.ake 'Ta.Vis concerns mulas, elements of which The 2.5 percent revenue haven't been updated in cap would affect districts' L.h T~i school decades, haven't kept up. tax rates in different ways. district officials are par The district's property tax For school districts where ticularly concerned by the collections between 2009 property revenues are tax relief plans because the and 2019 have increased growing, the tax compres district has been a victim 107 percent, but after run sion would be larger than of false state funding ning those taxes through for districts with slower promises before. When theschool funding formu revenue growth. TheTexas the state compressed las (the district's recapture Constitution requires siin all school districts' tax payment is estimated to be ilar revenue for sirnilar tax rates in 2006, the district $50 million this year), the effort. Redesign coming for Lalce ffravis High road Uy Luz Moreno- Lozano lmoreno -- loi::[email protected] SpiUm:m Loop, the road that leads to L,~. , ... ,. High School, is due for a few improvements this year, including additional entrance and exit lanes, a new parking lot and more sidewalks. Toe school district plans to address those improvements over the summer in a project that will be funded out of the 2012 bond contingency funds estimated at about $1.5 mil lion. An additional $800,000 will be allocated for improve ments to Cavalier Drive, which runs through the origi The Spiller Loop redesign calls for two lanes entering and four lanes Designated student parking along SpiUer Loop as drivers enter the nal portion of the high school exiting. LLUZ MOREN(H OZANCV .c 6 VIEWJ high school Cillllpus will be removed in the redesign of tile road this campus and its athletic fields, summer. ll ll2 MORENO-LOZANO/~ ~ l .,IVIEWJ in summer 2020. As the high school campus road. The redesign will also where student parking will be. gets bigger, district officials include lengthening the parent Winovtich said new side said there is a need to rede loading zone. Winovitch said walks will be built around the sign the entrance and exit for that should help increase the new parking lot to ensure that safety purposes and also for flow of traffic as people exit students, staffand parents are the ease ofgetting in and out. campus. safely crossing the street to the Toe road has one lane lead "One thing I love about campus• buildings and fields. ing into tbe campus and two this project is you see kids "We've looked carefully at lending out, with an addi (now) walking in the middle of trying to improve safety for tional lane used for student (Spillman Loop), and with this students walking between (the parking. Parents, students design we looked at how can parking lot) and the activity and staff have reported long The proposed redesign for Spillman Loop, the road that leads into we make it safer for these kids center and on the campus, so wait times trying to get on L.alw r :is High School, calls for addit.ional lanes and more parking. who are loading and unload we've added lots ofsidewalks and off campus. Kim Flascb, ing," said Johnny Hill, assistant and looked at crosswalks tbe school board president , tbecampus. get students and staffonto the superintendent for business, to improve safety there," said that in her last visit to the uwhat we are trying to campus more quickly." financial and auxiliary services. Winovitch said. high school it took about 40 accomplish there is get the The exit will expand from A parking reconfiguration Toe design and funding was minutes to exit onto RM 620. masses of cars coming into two to four lanes with new will allow for 240 new parking approved by the school board Robert Winovitch, director tbe high school campus off of sidewalks running alongside. spaces with new spots in front in January. Before improve of facilities and construction (RM) 620 and into tbe school District staff said a portion of the administration build ments begin for Cavalier Drive for tbe district, said the goal more quickly, • Winovitch of the center median will be ing and a new parking lot by in summer 2020, a design will is to convert the parking lane said. "We hope tbnt will help removed to create additional the western edge of campus need to be approved by tbe into a second Jane leading into traffic problems on 620 and capacicy neededroexpandthe near the softball field, which is school board. _ notice to bid fnrnttionf«@id IRl No. 1M1' - f'11te Seppr••ion ~ M1. P18l2019 ··------ww1oeo1- SPICEWOOD 'Art in the HeARr takes place Saturday "Art in the HeART of Texas" will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Spicewood Vineyards, 1419 Burnet County Road 409. The event raises money for arts scholarships awarded to students at and Marble Falls high schools and for arts programs at area elemen tary schools. It will include a happy hour wit h wine and hors d'oeuvres and a dinner. Tickets are $100 and are available at spicewoodarts. org. LT High returns to normal instruction Teacher assaulted, week. being made against the school 3,176 students, officials said. said it was not able to com t hreats made to "Today is a regular day of through a tip line and on social Alvarado said the campus ment on matters of student campus last week instruction," district spokes media. was back to its standard discipline. Alvarado said man Marco Alvarado said As a result, the district two resource officers and the district will continue to By Luz Moreno-Lozano Monday. "The week is off increased police presence that attendance was back to monitor and investigate each [email protected] to a good start and nothing on campus and launched an normal Monday. incident to ensure the safety new has been brought to our investigation. After inves In an unrelated incident, a of students and teachers. A sense of normalcy attention." tigating the threats, the student assaulted a teacher on "We're always concerned returned to r"ll·II !!' '-"i High Principal Gordon Butler district deemed them to be campus last week. Alvarado with student and staff safety, School campus this week after sent a letter to parents and unfounded. More than 1,300 said the teacher was back on and will continue to work a student assaulted a teacher guardians Feb. 7 that said the students were absent from campus Monday. with T' ~ , County to ensure and then sepnrate threats district had received reports school that day. The campus' Due to student and individ safety of our campuses," be were made to the campus last of threats involving weapons student enrollment is about ual privacy laws, the district said. DIGEST Feb.14 as part of the nationwide Vineyards, 1419 Burnet County Foreign Policy Association Road 409. The event raises Mke Tr • Rotary Club meet• program. Refreshments will be money for arts scholarships ing: Noon at Flintrock Falls available. and attendees will awarded to students at t....t Country Club, 203 Golden Bear view a short film on the topic r and Marble Falls high Drive. The meeting will include and discuss with others. schools and for arts programs a presentation from a repre at area elementary schools. tt sentative from the Ga Ti'a.7:1 Feb. IS•March 3 will include a happy hour with Film Festival. wine and hors d'oeuvres and a Brown Bag Luncheon concert: "Xanadu": 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15-16, dinner. nckets are $100 and are Noon to 1 p.m. at the , ~ c,Nay 21-23 and Feb. 27-March 2 and available at spiccwoodarts.org. Activity Center. 105 Cross 2 p.m. Feb. 17, 24 and March Creek. Attendees are encour 3 at TexArts, 2300 Lohmans Feb. IS aged to bring a lunch. The free Spur. The students In the concert will feature the David TexArts Youth Musical Theatre Empower Your Health: 10:30 Cummings Band. Next week·s Academy will present the show a.rn. at the l or...c1 concert features pianist Red based on the Broadway musl• Community Library, 1938 Young and his wife, vocalist cal. For tickets, visit tex-arts. Lohmans Crossing, Austin. Silvie Rider. org. Attendees will learn about Great Decisions: 7 p.m. at the ayurveda. a traditional Hindu l Community Library, Feb.16 system of medicine practiced 1938 Lohmans Crossing. in India using combinations of Attendees will discuss "The "Art in the HeART of Texas": herbs, purgatives and rubbing Middle East Regional Disorder" 5:30 p.m. at Spicewood oils in treating diseases. MYTH: 100 PERCENT of property tax dollars designated for Eanes or Lake Travis ISO stays in the districts to support local education. FACT: Though residents are giving more to the school district portion of their tax bills each year, the districts are not keeping most of that percent increase-the state ofTexas is. ... EANES LAKE ...... ISO 9.34% TRAVIS ... LOCAL 66% ..• - STATE ISO - MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION FUND - MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION FUND - MONEY GIVEN TO RECAPTURE - MONEYGIVENTORECAPTURE $120M $SOM -· $100M ~ $60M $SOM .~------$40M -- $60M .., _,, $40M $20M ~ $0 $0 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 SOURCE; EANES ISO. LAKE TRAVIS ISO/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER Redoing recapture: What it means for Eanes, Lake Travis School finance reform is one of the biggest issues for the 86th Texas legislature this session BY SALLY GRACE HOLTGRIEVE growth like in Lake Travis ISO, where to many state senators, representa Eanes ISO has sent more than recapture payments have gone up 100 tives, administrators and parents. $1 billion of local property tax funds percent in a decade. When recapture, or what many to the state of Texas since the recap What began as an attempt to call "Robin Hood" was enacted, ture system was established in 1993. equalize school district wealth 33 districts were required to pay Lake Travis ISO has sent about half across Texas and make up for a lack money back to the state. Districts a billion. The amount districts send of an income tax is now an out with the highest property values increases rapidly with taxable value dated, broken formula, according CONTINUED ON 38 ,• ••.•• . ,,4.. • • 'I ..• '·- .,.', .~.,. The average taxpayer's total bill in Eanes ISO rose 6.7 percent ... from 2017 to 2018, while Lake Travis IS D's rose 8.6 percent. . , Most of the additional funds collected went to the state. EAl~ES ISD 13REAl(IJOWN •ij ..,.-·"• 2017 ...•::~ •. c- AVERAGE1 APPRAISED AVERAGE APPRAISED VALUE $859,315 VALUE $916,666 ...... ' & Ill ' · ·· : ... .. : =. • ·····::::::.::. :tT• ITI I ::: . ~ ~ . ; . .. ► - - ◄ : . . • ' • :;ii~ii I Bond $1,168 $1,248 Bond Maintenance and operations $3,416 $3,444 Maintenance and operations r StateofTexas $5,428 $6,008 State ofTexas . PERCENTAGE CHANGE FROM 2017TO 2018 • I Appraised value ◄ ,.~·.. # Totaltaxbill ======:::'.. ◄ ·6.8 Bond ______◄ · 6.9 Maintenance and operations a ◄ ·········· ...... ,._ 0.8% StateofTexas ◄ .. ·10.7% l., '\ ,.,. 11.Al(E THAVIS ISO BHEAl(DDWN I 2017 2018 [ TOTAL TAABIL] ~ ~OTAL T~X Bill 7 §11©,ll?im L~ _ :- AVERAGE APPRAISED AVERAGE APPRAISED ... VALUE $489,982 VALUE $532,134 ' M Ill ' ► - - ◄ ' ' Bond $1,256 $1,336 Bond Maintenance and operations $2,303 $2,325 Maintenance and operations State ofTexas $1,503 $1,752 State ofTexas PERCENTAGE CHANGE FROM 2017 TO 2018 Appraised value ◄ Total tax bill ◄ ··.. 6 4 Bond ----~======:::: ◄ ·· · 6.3 Maintenance and operations ■ ◄ ...... State ofTexas 'AMOUNTCA LCULATED ON DISTRICT"$ ESTIMATE - EXACT NUMBERC ANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MANY VARYING TAXING ENTITIES 38 CONTINUED FROM 1 contributed about $130 million toward the state's public education budget. Today, about 250 districts are paying into recapture, meaning about 60 per cent of Texas' education fund comes from property taxes. But local district officials say ris ing property tax payments across the state, including the Lake Travis-West lake area, do not mean more money for schools. Local districts send a larger sum back to the state every year, but what is redistributed to everyone, the basic allotment, remains the same. Once a district reaches a wealth-per student value of $514,000, it must start paying recapture. LTISD has a value of about $1 million per student. ''We're seeing all this growth out here, but we're not getting to use most of that value coming in," said Johnny Hill, LTISD assistant superintendent for Business, Financial and Auxiliary Services. EISD has a value of about $1.66 mil lion per student, according to district data. What many homeowners do not realize is that the district is not keeping that large sum, Superintendent Tom Leonard said. ''Whether someone is a business or homeowner, their property taxes are going up at a high rate," Leonard said. "They get confused because of the way the state is representing where that money goes- they point their fingers at the school district because our name is the biggest on that increase." HilJ said every district in Texas, rich or poor, gets the same $514,000 value per student for basic education. Each year districts paying into recap ture throw their varying shares into a pot; the state adds its portion, and then the $514,000 per student is redistrib uted. But if more is thrown in the pot each year from the local districts' rising taxes, where is the extra going? "As more local property taxes come into the state to cover the cost of pub lic education the state owes less," said state Rep. Donna Howard, who is also a former EISD board trustee. "Rather than ratchet up the state's, amount so there is no reliance on property value increases, the state has taken advantage of that windfall for the past decade." The state is using the additional funds to not only cover educational expenses such as population growth, but also to pay for non-education-related state expenses, Howard said. The budget cycle passed in the last legislative session projected and counted on an additional $7 billion of local property taxes. "Rather than putting the entire $7 billion increase into public educa tion, they used about $3 billion to pay for parts of the budget that had nothing to do with public education," How ard said. "More and more people are becoming aware of this and demanding change as taxes rise." State Rep. Vikki Goodwin said though school finance has been a problem for many years, it has come to the forefront this legislative session because voters made it a priority by electing those who ran on the position they would priori tize a fix to the system. Both Howard and Goodwin said they are optimistic because the Legislature has a larger budget to work with this session- $9 billion more in revenue over its previous budget of$119 billion. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Leonard and other EISD representa tives were at the capital for the opening of the Legislature in January and plan to push for reform until the end. "The general concept we are for is additional funding for schools," Leon ard said. Many officials cite raising the basic allotment- last done in 2014- as a poten tial fix. Howard said that would mean a higher guaranteed amount per pupil, and the point at which a district would ~ .. - &.---. .. .__ t'...... ~ ...... - ... ~.._...... have to start sending back dollars would also increase. Along with raising basic allotment, Goodwin, Howard and others said , c1The state cannot keep giving us ~ ~m@ ~@?~ and expect us to continue delivering the same services.bl - TOM LEONARD, EANES ISD SUPERINTENDENT modernizing the formulas that deter mine how much money a district receives could be implemented this ses sion. The formulas are decades old and not reflective of the current economy, Howard said. Rather than use arbitrary numbers, there needs to be a system that truly reflects the weighted differ ences applied to students with partic ular needs. English language learners typically need additional revenue to achieve success, but no multiplier for that figure has yet been determined with evidence to back it up, she said. Heather Sheffield, an EISD parent and founder of Eanes Advocates, said she was hopeful the Texas Commission on Public School Finance- formed last legislative session- would look into spe cific costs of education. Since that direc tion was not pursued, Sheffield said she believes a study on the actual cost of educating children is needed. Howard is working on a state consti tutional amendment for public vote. It would stipulate anytime the state gets property tax value gains through which it reaps the benefit of extra taxes coming in, all money would go into the basic allotment rather than being spent on non-public education-related expenses. Goodwin said she plans to co-spon sor a biU that would require the state pay 50 percent of school finance. Howard said another potential fix could come from Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who is proposing a Texas Legacy Fund through which a sum of money would be taken from a savings account and invested at a prudent but higher-than-usual yield. "If we take that separate, sustainable stream and use it for teacher pensions and health care, then we can take out the need to fund those things from the general revenue, freeing that up to pay for the ongoing expenses of instruc tion," she said. The governor's property tax and recapture reform plan says the state should cap property tax levy increases at 2.5 percent per year. State-level municipal advocates say this puts unnecessary pressure on cities. "Cities have nothing to do with rising school taxes and are the innocent vic tim in this mismanagement of educa tion finance," said Bennett Sandlin, executive director of the Texas Munic ipal League. "To divert attention away from themselves, the state keeps point ing fingers at the city and saying prop erty taxes are the problem." Goodwin said capping property taxes is not relevant to the issue, and How ard said it would cost the state sev eral billion dollars to make up for the decreased dollars coming in with no apparent plan to replace that money. IF NOTHING CHANGES Both sides of the political aisle agree school finance reform is issue No. 1, while property tax relief is issue No. 2, said Chad Wilbanks, LTISD parent and president of The Wilbanks Group, which specializes in public affairs strat egy for business and politics. "Despite the state"s rosy revenue pic ture, Democrats will argue that new or greater sources of revenue are needed, and they will look for a potential new or greater revenue source," Wilbanks said. "In this case, no entity should feel overly secure." He said Republicans will counter that increased state or Local taxes are not needed to improve student outcomes, and Lake Travis is perfect example. "[LTISDl made a ,choice long ago to pay our teachers a better salary to keep them in Lake Travis- and that plays a key role in the academic success of Lake Travis students," Wilbanks said. What will likely happen this session is lawmakers will repurpose existing tax dollars to pay teachers a higher sal ary with the argument that higher state or local taxes are not necessary, he said. According to Leonard, the students will feel the consequences most if the recapture system is not reformed. Class sizes would rise, and teacher pay would not. Programs would have to be eliminated while taxes would continue to go up. The issue is hurting all districts, includ from a public policy standpoint. If we ing those with a high percentage of kids cannot look at our children and their on free and reduced lunch that are still education as a national resource, we paying back to the state, he said. have a problem." "We have been defunding public edu cation in Texas and across the United C\ for more information, visit States," Leonard said. "That is not good V communttyimpact.com. A DECADE OF NO GROWTH FOR Local districts have increased teachers' salaries by about 2 percent each year, but when inflation and health coverage changes are considered, teachers have not gained much money by staying in their career- some have lost money. ■ 0 years experience ■ 5 years experience 10 years experience EANES ISO TEACHERS Average annual Inflation-adjusted Inflation-adjusted salary inc.rea.se annual increase annual increase with 2008/09-2018/19 2008/09-2018/19 family health plan 2.5% - ='--'-"------+------+------2.0% 1.5% 1.0% •• 0.5% 0% 0.5% ------+------+-•~ 1.0% ------+------~-'===-- 1.5% ------....______...... ______~. LAl(E TRAVIS ISO TEAC:HEltS ~~~ Averag_e annual lnHation-adjusted Inflation-adjusted salary increase annual increase annual increase with 2008/ 09-2018/ 19 2008/ 09-2018/ 19 family health plan 2.5% 2.0% 1.5% 1.0% 0.5% 0% STATEWIDE GROWTH OF When implemented in 1993, a handful of school districts paid into recapture. If the system is left unchanged, 375 districts are projected to pay a total of more than $5 billion per year by 2023. 2004 $1,075,60,2,976 2018 $2,092,219,983 2023 $5,028,495,423 $0 $1B $28 $38 $48 $58 SOURCES: EANES ISO. LAKE TRAVlS ISO, TEXAS COMMISSION ON PUBLIC SCHOOL ANANCE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER 39 Lancaster clarifies plans for Vall Divide to Hamilton Pool Road extension Lake Travis Superintendent Dr. Brad Lan caster onJan . 16 clarified updates about Bee Cave Middle School and the roadway that runs alongside it, Vail Divide. A new T-intersection at Vail Divide and the Bella Colinas subdivision is underway, and Lake Travis ISD is working to complete a new section of Vail Divide from Bella Colin as to the end ofdistrict property as part of a $2.5 million infrastructure project, Lancaster said. While LTISD owns the remainder of the land that could house a connection to Hamilton Pool Road, Lancaster said itwould bean approximately$7 million-$10 million proj ect. District officials are exploring an inter local agreement to enter into construction for the project, Lancaster said. HAMILTON POOL RO. INFRASTRUCTURE County pauses plans for controversial bridge to be built over low water crossing BY TAYLORJACKSON BUCHANAN future of the low-water crossing] will AND BRIAN RASH be up to them," Daugherty said. Plans to address a low-water cross Bee Cave City Manager Clint Garza ing on Great Divide Drive could soon said following the Commissioners change hands. Court meeting that Parker will likely Travis County commissioners were begin discussions with Travis County expected to vote on a proposed bridge Judge Sarah Eckhardt regarding over the low-water crossing. However, annexation of the low-water crossing following the city of Bee Cave's vote and Lake Travis ISD and Travis Coun to pursue annexation of the property, ty's role in the extension of Vail Divide, county commissioners instead opted but a tirneline for those talks is not yet not to move forward with the project. determined. Bee Cave City Council called a Some 50 residents of the Home special meeting Jan. 28 to address stead neighborhood attended the mounting concerns on both sides Feb. 5 Commissioners Court meeting. of the issue involving the proposed Thirty-eight individuals shared public bridge. Council ended up voting unan testimony. imously to authorize Mayor Monty "This tiny stretch of county road is Parker to negotiate with Travis County surrounded by miles of Bee Cave juris about annexing the low-water crossing diction," 15-year Homestead resident in conjunction with a project to extend Jennifer Walker said. "[It's] a local Vail Divide. issue. Annexation lets the city ofBee The council action rehashed a Cave deal with this." November 2017 request from residents for the city to annex the low-water THE LOW-WATER CROSSING crossing, but no action was taken then. County plans called for a bridge Following the Jan. 28 meeting, 510-570 feet in length. The structure Parker said a critical part of the nego was proposed to include two 2-foot tiation will center around the county shoulders, two 12-foot lanes and one taking over the city's portion of the 5-foot sidewalk. cost to build the Vail Divide extension, County voters approved funding which has been a topic of discussion for the bridge in a $185 million 2017 between the county, Lake Travis !SD bond package. The cost- currently and the city of Bee Cave for quite some estimated at S6.2 million- is not final. time. Since passage of the bond, the county After the Feb. 5 Commissioners has updated infrastructure design Court meeting, Travis County Com recommendations based on new missioner Gerald Daugherty said the rainfall data released by the National bridge may stay off future county Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis agendas. tration. "Bee Cave is [likely] going to annex It's unclear at this time where the this low-water crossing. After that, [the funds will go if Bee Cave annexes the ROeOSED BIDGE The bridge proposed by Precinct 3 Commissioner Gerald Daughertx that would go over the low-water crossing on Great Divide Drive has been a source of controversy. Many residents of the Homestead neighborhood near the low-water crossing have expressed th~y don't wan.ta bridge that size to run alongside their homes, 510-570 ·feet in length 2-foot 5-foot .shoulders sidewalk 18feet above the :1owest part of the creek where the existing low water c;rossing sits; SOURCE; TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER GERAI.O DAUGHERTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER property and the county does not controversial this subject can be." move fonvard with the project. Just over 83 percent of Homestead !residents took the survey, and of those RESIDENTS WEIGH IN !respondents, around 78 percent said ln January, Daugherty issued a they do not support the bridge as rec survey to Homestead residents asking ommended by the county, Daugherty one question: Do households support said. or not support a bridge recommended "What you've seen this morning and by Travis County attorneys, engineers is proven by Commissioner Daugh and staff? erty's survey is that the vast majority of "I \vanted to try to respond to the [People don't want the bridge," 36-year overwhelming number of (opinions] Homestead resident Rick Scadden said. whether that be to build the bridge or "Please cooperate with the city of Bee not build the bridge," Daugherty said. Cave to allow them to proceed with "I've known for years now just how annexation of the property." EDUCATION NOTES News from Eanes ISO, Lake Travis ISO and local private schools Redrawing Lake Travis ISO attendance zones begins Who is on the committee? Parents on the committee are not employed by the district or related to anyone in February as new school construction progresses who is serving in another position. They will maintain communication with their neighborhoods on the issue, share data and gather feedback. •f43ii#MH~i•i With the anticipated "We tried to make sure the com opening of Bee Cave Middle School mittee members were spread out 16 next fall, district officials convened throughout the district so all neigh 4 4 parents - two community members a school attendance zones advisory borhoods can be part of the conversa LTISO from every teachers committee to begin work in early Feb tion," Morris-Kuentz added. affected school ruary, Deputy Superintendent Holly Superintendent Brad Lancaster ~ Morris-Kuentz said to the Lake Travis said the district's priority is that 2 0 0 0 5 ISD board of trustees in a presenta buildings be balanced for future ~ 11 board members, ~ LTIS D tion Jan. 16. growth. Lauren White and Jessica Putonti ~ principals Because the district will also be "You don't want 1,000 students in SOURcr: LAK£ TRAVIS ISO/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER opening a seventh elementary school one building and 600 in another, so in 2020, the committee will work to you have to redistribute" Lancaster enrollment numbers, but it is equally is one of the biggest things we do. shift LTISD's existing elementary said. important to look at five- and 10-year Our job is to make the process go well and middle school attendance zones The last time the district rezoned projections as well. and bring you something through to provide balance and continuity was six years ago. "We want to prepare for growth the committee you can endorse and across campuses, Morris-Kuentz said. Lancaster said people often think and do as little redrawing as infre move forward with the least amount about rezoning in terms of current TIME TO REZONE quently as possible," he said. "This of heartache." April 2019 May 2019 -- August 2019 --August 2020 • Two public community • There will also • The committee is • Final • Newmiddle • New elementary school presentations will be be a feed back expected to make board school attendance attendance zones become scheduled where residents form posted its recommendation •pp,o~I rr31 zones become effective to coincide with the can hear zoning options and online. to the school board. is sought. effective. opening of each campus. supporting data and ask questions. SOURCE; IAKC TRAVIS ISO/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER Gala to raise money for grants, programs Annual fundralslng event for school district Includes dinner, silent auction and live music By Luz l\1oreno-LOzano hno.reoo ~ loz3ll0@slatesm:w.com With more and more fund ing being taken from thet....1, n 1 ...., school district through the recapture payments to the state, officials said, the r r n · ia Education Foundation is doing everything it can to ensure students and teachers have the materials they need to be successful. The foundation is host ing its annual gala at the JW Marriott in downtown Austin on March 2, the foundation's biggest fundraiser of the year, to help fund those projects. "About 46 percent of our local truces go back lo the state, and we need to ensure we have the latest technolo gies and make sure students have what they need to be the future leaders of tomorrow," said the foundation's execu tive director, Katie Kauffman. Celebrating school pride, the "Black and Red Ball" will include a cocktail hour, a silent auction and dinner. Auction items range from a dinner cruise on I:&:.. 1...... to a trip to Africa. Kauffman said this year's event will highlight the impact the fundraising has had on the district. She said teachers will share their stories about what SecGALA, A; The -. Education foundation gala i.s scheduled for March 2 at the JW Marriott in downtown Austin. [COURTESY EDUCATIOtf FOUtfDATIOtl) perform. foundation also raises GALA Kauffman said the money through individ eventlastyear raisedjust ual and corporate donors, JoromPageAI over $100,000, which the its annual Hill Country foundation iis hoping to Turkey Trot, a fall golf match this year. tournament, a shop and they've been able to do "There is a large auc style brunch and the gala. with teacher grants and tion and the community Tickets are $200 per student programs. comes out to support person and includes "They're going to bring innovative programs, dinner, cocktails and some of these stories to curriculum, technology the evening's enter life," Kauffman said, "and and resources and student tainment. Sponsorship that will help give our scholarships," she said. opportunities for tables donors and community Since its inception, the and advertising are still members an inside peek foundation has raised available. into the schools." over $4 million to help Tickets can be Country singer Tracy support student programs purchased at lteducation Byrd is also scheduled to and teacher grants. The foundation.org. Football league creates a buzz on opening night By Suzanne Ualliburlon Super Bowl and the draft. to laugh at a joke he had yet to [email protected] Nearly 28,ooo fans, mostly tell, "that all the teams would dressed in red and black, even have jerseys ... SAN ANTONIO - Charlie gathered at the Alamodome "This was way above our Ebersol was giddy late Saturday to watch the San Antonio expectations. n night. Commanders hold offthe San The AAF is chock full of He'soneoftheco-founders Diego Fleet 15-6. The other names football fans have fol of the Alliance of American game had a decided offen lowed for years. Bill Polian, a Football, which simultane sive flair, with the Orlando member of the Pro Football ouslymade its debut Saturday Apollos overwhelming the Hall of Fame who was general at the Alamodome and in Atlanta Legends 40-6. The manager for Buffalo, Carolina Orlando, Fla. Ebersol and other other four teams in the fledg and Indianapolis, is a co big names with strong ties to ling league were scheduled to founder who probably knows the NFL and network televi play Sunday. more about the sport than sion are hoping a league with "H you'd told me six months any other person alive today. Greg Ward Jr., who starred at quarterback for the UnNersity of high-quality action will satisfy ago, n Ebersol said, before Houston, stretches to grab a pass for san Antonio as the Commanders the fan cravings between the pausing for several seconds SeeBUZZ, CS beat san Diego on saturday. £TOM REEl./SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS] BUZZ From Page CJ Ebersol, the son of Dick Ebersol, the former herulofNBC sports, and actress Susan St. Jrunes, is a Los Angeles-based producer who was brought up onnetwork1V. The two announced the cre ation of the AAF last March. Coaches who have led either NFL or major college pro grams were hired to guide the eight franchises. Legendary Chicago Bears linebacker Mike Singletary is coach of the Memphis Express. Steve Spurrier,tbeone- timeHeisman Trophy quarterback who coached at Florida and South Carolirut, leads Orlando. Mike Riley, who coached the San Diego Chargers among other stops in his lengthy career, was hired to lead the Commanders. He's coached in San Antonio before, leadingthe SanAntonio Riders, who played in the old Woirld League of American Football in the early 199os. He and his wife loved the city so much baclk then that they bought a vacation home here. Saturday night, Riley faced off against MikeMartz, the former head coach ofthe high-octnne St. Louis Rams. Defense won the night inSan Antonio. But that was OK. "Our hope was this would look like real NFL football," Polian said. "Andthat'sexactly what it looked like. Both teams can only go up from here." The AAF is a more concise version of the NFL. The games are quicker. Saturday's matchup lasted 2 ½ hours. League rules have elimJnated kickoffs and extra-point kicks. If a team scores, it must go for two. In theory, there are onside kick attempts. But it's been redefined. The ball is placed at thescoringteam'sown28. The offense has one chance to pick up 12 yards. It':s like afourth and-12. The onside kick rule applies only if a team scores within the last five minutes of the game and/or is down by at least17 points. Defensively, a team can rush only five men. There are nocor nerback or safety blitzes. There's another fan-friendly concept. Thosewatchingon'IV canbearreplayofficialsdiscuss ingwhether to uphold a play. If there is a tie in regulation, each team gets one possession from the 10 in overtime. If the game is tied aft.er that, it stays a tie. The players also are famil iar names to fans who follow college football. They're guys who starred for their schools and usually have had stays in the NFL. The eight teams are assigned a player pool based on region. San Antonio has a host of players from the Big u and other in-state programs. They all sign three-year contracts. None are guaranteed. Players earn $70,ooo for the first year. By year three, the salary is $100,000. Theleaguealsopays for housing. Nick Rose, a former Texas Longhorn, kicked three field goals to lead the Commanders. His 28-yard field goal with 3 minutes, 39 seconds to play pushedthegameto15-6. Former Texas A&M line backer Shnan Washington produced the defensive play of the evening. He blind sided Fleet quarterback Mike Bercovici, bitting him chest high. Bercovici' s helmet was knocked off by tbe force ofthe bit. A clip ofthe sack went viral onsocialmedia,tothedelight of theAAF. "He didn't even see me, n Washington said. "It was like I was in a candY store. n The Commanders' defense picked off three passes. Former Baylor star Orion Stewart bad the first. He intercepted it at his own 3 and returned it 68 yards. Ex-Oklahoma Sooner Zack Sanchez picked off the third pass in the end zone. San Antonio will host Orlando next Sunday. The Apollos are led by Garrett Gilbert, tbeformert ,L,·T · High School star who played for both Texas and SMU. Gilbert will go down in AAF history as the first quarterback with a touchdownpass. Hethrewtwo and caught one on a trick play. CBS broadcast both games. And each game had enough action to generate a buzz on social media. Commanders' secondary has true Longhorns flavor BIii Bradley, Duke Sunday's game Thomas span Texas generations for San Orlando Apollos at San Antonio Antonio's AAF team Commanders. 3 p.m., CBSSN By Suzanne Halliburton three-year starter for Texas, [email protected] didn't realize his new coach was one of those ghosts. SAN ANTONIO - Texas Thomas is a starting cor players sometimes refer to nerbaclc for the San Antonio the photos adorning the hall Commanders, one of eight ways in the football complex teams in the new Alliance as ghosts. of American Football spring They're the Longhorns who league. He met Bill Bradley have played before them, at training camp last month, the ones who achieved All not initially cluing in that his America status or other wow new position coach was such ldnds of honors when they a fabled Longhorn that older Bill Bradley is a UT legend and former Philadelphia Eagles star. He competed at UT. came out of semiretilffllfflt to coach the secondary for tt,e san Antonio Duke Thomas, who was a SeeAAJ', CS commanders, a team in the new Allance of American rootbalL lHAIIOOOTf AAF from Page CI fans add the word "Super" to his name. "Wbenheexplained(who be was), it rang a bell," Thomas said. "Oh, my God, I'd seen him in the pictures. Cool is the thing. Coach Cool. ... He's absolutely a Longhorn legend." UT defensive backs BUI Bradley was a proudly have claimed for quarte
February 11 2019
