Texas adds third pledge for 2020 recruiting class
Uy Mike Craven earlypickupfortheoffen [email protected] sive staffand a player with real upside if he's given Jake Majors, a tbiee time to develop. star offensive tackle from Offensive line isn't usu - Prosper, became the third aUy a position for freshmen commitment of Texas' to have an immediate 2020 recruiting class impact; it's usually a bad Thursday evening when he sign for a program ifa true pledged to the Longhorns. freshman is asked to step Majors joins fellow onto campus and start. offensive lineman Logan The Longhorns should be Parr and Hudson Card, in a position to redshirt a four-star quarterback most of their offensive from Gian;?;. Jineadditions.1hat'swhat Majors was among a Texas rud with the offen group of elite 2020 pros sive linemen from the 2018 pects who visited Texas class. last weekend. The real impact will be He's a big, rangy line on the recruiting trail. man with the frame (6 Majors gives Texas another feet 4, 285 pounds) to add big lineman to sell to skill weight and play tackle or position recruits as well guard. The offensive line as to other offensive line is a point of emphasis for taxgets in the 2020 class. Texas in 2020 because of He'll essentially be another a strong batch of in-state recruiter whom Texas can talent al the position. With deploy on targets. It's also Majors, the Longhorns can a recruiting win in the claim two of the top six or Dallas-Fort Worth area. seven in-state linemen, Two of UT's other with more targets still on top offensive line tar the board. gets for the 2020 cycle Majors already has - Jaylen Garth and Chad 14 offers, including one Lindberg - also were in from Stanford. He's the town Saturday to visit the 4oth-ranked tackle in the campus. The third taxget is country, per 247Sports' Galena Paxk North Shore composite ratings. He'll standout Damien George. debut on the American Signing all five of those S tat es man's 2020 prospects is the ideal sce Fabulous 55 when it's nario for the Longhorns, released in February. who are 40 percent of the Getting Majors is a great way there already. Texas' eyes already on 2020
By Mike Craven Hookem.com Community College inside mcr.1ven@s~lesm:1n.com linebacker Lakia Henry the Let Mike Craven keep you weekend before signing day The Texas Longhorns, up on the latest recruiting and hopes to odd him to an whose 2019 recruiting developments at hookem. already impressive four class currently ranks No. com, our home for Longhorns man linebacker class. 3 in the country after get news and analysis. The early signing period ting five -star transfer Bru malces a qukk start to the McCoy on Friday, are less A bulk of the attention 2020 class important. than two weeks away from now falls beyond the 2019 Oklahoma and Texas A&M securing n second straight class, even before national beat the Longhorns to the top-five group. Th.eir 2018 signing day Feb. 6. The top recruiting punch in the2019 class also ranked third and prep prospects in the coun- class, and it caused Texas to provided instant impact try now use the early signing venture out of state more players such as defensive period in December, leaving than it would like in a given backs CadenStems andB.J. little excitement bead cycle. Foster and running back ing into signing day. But Keaontny Ingram. Texas will host Dodge City See RECRUITS, C5 RECRUITS
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The addition of three star offensive tackle Jake Majors on Thursday gives the Longhorns three Texans to build around for the 2020 cycle. ITT has also eased concerns sur roWlding the future of the quarterback and offensive line positions, as Majors, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound ~ tro1.vii quarterback Hudson Card (1) was Texas' product from Prosper, was first commitment for the 2020 reauiting dass. The preceded by fellow offen Longhorns alrea.dy have three pledges for that class. sive lineman Logan Parr [STEPHEN SPILlMAft/rnR STATESMAN) and four- star quarterback Hudson Card. their senior season. Eight The sizes of the 2018 of the current top 10 on and 2019 classes mean the the 2019 Fab 55 were off nwnbers in the 2020 class the market by June. will be small. It'll be a cycle "We start meet about quality instead of ing coaches and going CjlliUltity, and it's a great to campuses as fresh year for in·state for talent men and sophomores at key positions such as now.Weallkindofknow offensive and defensive which schools we favor if line. the offers are there," said The American Logan Parr is one of two Garrett Wilson, a five-star Statesman's 2020 offensive tackles who wide receiver from ;...i;e Fabulous55willbereleased have already committed who picked Ohio Feb. 7. Card and Parr are to the Longhorns for 2020. State over Texas in April top-30 prospects in the [MIKE CRAVEN/AMERICAN· of his junior season. "It state. Majors also will STATESMAN] becomes about getting the make the initial list. The decision public and then next steps for UT include Whatever it is allows helping that school recruit. adding fellow big men these young recruits to The earlier you commit, such as Jaylen Garth and know each other before the earlier you can kind of Chad Lindberg on offense steppingon campus. This be an ambassador for the and landing standout local means coaches must now guys you want to join you. n defensive ends such as recnrit groups as much as The Longhorns weren't Alfred Collins and Princely individuals. quick to compile commit Umanmielen. "rmnotgoinganywhere ments in 2019. Roschon Momentum matters, that doesn't already have a Johnson committed way and the early addition bunch ofdogs committed back in 2017, but the of Majors might attract at offensive line," five-star secondmemberoftheclass other prospects to jump running back Zach Evans didn't pledge until last Feb. on board before the spots said. •rm looking at the 28 when T'Vondre Sweat fill up. two classes before me and joinedthefold. Texasheld "Cliques are a normal myclassofbigmen. That's four commitments going thing in recnriting now, n just as important as the into May of last year. But Lindberg said. "Weall talk coaching staffand every the 2020 class already has about what we want to do thing else. For myposition, three members before the and how well we'd do if nothing matters more than 2019 class has become we all went to the same the guys blocking for you. official college. Why wouldn't So, yeah, rm watching to It is another example you want to go to school seewherethebestbigguys of Tom Herman calling withguysyourespectand go before I make a final the right recnriting audi can help you win football decision." ble. Instead of settling games?" That's where the suc for lesser in- state talent Maybe it's the elite cess for Texas in the 2018 when 2019 stars such as camps that allow these season comes into focus. DemarvinLealand Wilson players to bond in the off The early signing period chose elsewhere, Herman season despite not playing and the ability for play explored outside of the for the same teams in the ers to take official visits borders. fall. Maybe it's social as juniors means the Theaudiblein202owas media and the ability to elite prospects are pick to push for commitments connect to otherelite stars ing schools in the spring earlier. Texas reaped those throughout the country. and summer. Thirteen of benefits when Majors Maybe it's the growing Texas' 22 commitments decided to call Austin seven-on-seven market. pledged before the start of borne. PREP SOCCER BOYS McCaAIM Z. UIJ I t;..,.. l.lelnu l GIRLS ~-ll.Nlldttl ~--·-- ~Ia.ws 58. DEi. YAU.E 4' Doi- "t , N-C , ..,_ KDl712 - 51 DIIV... _16._L_l_ ~C-~lgidloo> LM'tltr"ILMdw! IO.a.yl5,Ml:At't6.Ac(:Onl;: --2HC,l). -•-u.uoo,n Late goals lift Let .~ " T•~r, _:-:; boys soccer team past WestLt:'"0 By John H arris offense off the score American-Sl.atemi.an board and allowing Corre,;poud,nl the Cavs to locate the back of the net twice in r...... -.wAY - crunch time. _~ 1"."!1 broke open a "Most of the experi scoreless game with ence on this year's team a pair of second-half from previous years goals and held off visit playing varsity soccer ing West "~ , to preserve comes OD that back a 2-0 victory in a piv line {featuring seniors otal District25-6A boys Smith, Diego Guerrero, soccer match Tuesday at Bentley Patterson Cavalier Stadium. and Wren Maybury)," Senior center back Bammel said. "We were Cory Smith headed in a able to readjust at half perfectly placed comer time and make sure we kick from junior Ben kept our shape on the Arney in the 74th minute back line, and some guys to provide the Cavaliers really stepped up for us (5-2-4, 3-0-2 District that made us successful 25-6A) with some in keeping a zero on the breathing room in what scoreboard. had been a tense back "We were able to cap and-for tb defensive italize OD opportunities struggle. Three min later in the game because utes later, junior Carson we were able to be suc McKinzie rmnmedhome cessful defensively.• a rebound off a cross Wesl1.. « coach from freshman David James Baker found little Arellano to put the game fault with his team. out of reach for Wes~ The Chaparrals con (8-3-2, 1-2-1). stantly pushed forward, The win kept t ..l:, creating scoring oppor 7~ .. .,. in a tie with tunities throughout the Lehman for second place game, and they had a in the district stand goal wiped out in the ings. Both teams trail first half due to an off first-pince Bowie by two side call. points. "I told them I was "That was huge for pleased with their us," . ,, ,, coach performance, but some David Buramel said. "We times the result doesn't were right there in the match,• Baker said. "We mix of the top three or had a couple opportuni four teams in the district, ties to get the ball in the but we were not neces backofthenet. We knew sarily at the top. Thisisa what they were going to great opportunity for us do. They're big, physi to set ourselves apart, cal. They were going to and maybe we can work try to get set pieces, and our way toward the top that's how they got us. of that list instead of We got stretched out on just being in the mix of the second goal trying to that list.• push forward a little bit. Bammel credited his "Any time we can take defense, specifically his points away from LT is a back line, for keeping good day. Today was not West)-': 's dangerous our day." Qu ll'llfls' Cory Smith celebrates his 14th-minute goal during the 2--0 win over West on Tuesday. The win kept the cavaners in a tie with Lehman for second place in the District 2S-6A standings. [PAUL BRICl(/1-0R AMERICAN-STATESMAN) Bowie boys basl By Thomas Jones ldjonel@sttlll'SWGU.OOm Celeste Collier bas learned plenty in bis three decades as Bowie's bead coach, and be received a reminder of one of those lessons Tuesday. Nothing comes easy against Austin High. After build ing a 21 -point h alftime led behind a barrage oflong distance bombs, Bowie (18-7,9-3 District25-6A) held on - barely - for a 69-67 win in a wild dis trict matcbup al Austin Bowie's Coleton Benson, center, splits Austin High defenders DaRyan Wllliams, left, High School. and Calvin Wllliams as Drew Dummore, far left, looks on during the Bulldogs' 69-67 win The Maroons (12-13, Tuesday. (ROOOl.fO GON2ALE2/FOA: AM.tJUCAN-STATESMAN) 6 -7) had a chance at the ...... - improbable win, but a Mikayla Woods Finister finished with nine the Dragons (20-9, 8-4), contested three-pointer scored 27 points to pace points. creating nn ugly game by hot-shooting reserve Hendrickson (35-1, 15-0 R'Yhani Vaughn led that had Lions coach Clint Colby Kalbncher glanced District 13 -6A). While Weiss with 11 points. Bradley grinning ear to off the rim with just a few the Hawks can start plan Marble Falls upset ear. ticks left on the clock. ning for the postseason, Connally54-45Tuesday, The victory vnuJted Coleton Benson , a Cedar Ridge (22-12, 9-5) creating a chance for Leander into second place 6-foot-1 guard who fell into a third-place tie the Mustangs to catch in the standings, although played on Bowie's var· with Round Rock, which Connally for the final the teams remained tied sity squad as a freshman, defeated Leander 57-30. playoff spot. Rylie in the Joss column. scored 26 points to pace Both Cedar Ridge and Ulbricht scored 28 points Landon Sisson had 10 the Dawgs. Ten of those Round Rocle are one game for Marble Falls, while points for lheLioos, while points came in the fourth ahead of idle Westwood. Lashiyab Fowler bad 22 Kyce Wilson and Hunter quarter, when Bowie Malaysia DePrisco for Connally. Stevens both added nine needed it most in the fnce led Cedar Ridge with 14 In District 18 - 51\, points. of Austin High's furious points, while Kiersten Georgetown remained Round Rock lead· nilly. Rossow and Taryn Wills in first place by blasting ing scorer Carter Ford Kalbacher finished had 12 points each. Cedar Creek 78-15. East managed a game-high with 20 points for Austin Zoe Nelson scored 12 ViewedgedBastrop42-41 12 points, with Peterson High, and Calvin Williams points, and Kailey Lacy when Sarah Workman adding 11 for the Dragons. had 14 points and six added 11 points for the scored the game-winning Chris Bib, AA·S rebounds. Hawks. Gina Pastucci basket on a floater in the correspondent The teams entered the finished with nine points. final second, and Hutto contest having split their In other District 13-6A beat Elgin 54-51. 11<,ndrickson boys back on previous 18 games, and action, Round Rocle (14• In District 25 • 5A, track after win over Cedar Bowie won the first meet· u, 9 -5Jremainedred·bot DtippingSpringsremained Ridge: Hendrickson is ing earlier this season with a 57-30 win over in first place by beat· back on track. by just folll points. The Leander. ing third-place Lockhart Whether that track Dawgs ' season sweep sets Bri Simonetti and Carly 34-27, while Crockett leads to the District 13-6A up a dramatic stretch run Altenburger scored 11 crushed Reagan 65-18 to title remains to be seen, to the regular season for points each, and Jaaucklyn bold on to second place. but after losing two in a both teams. Moore added 10 points. 1n25-6A, the top of the row, the Hawks took care Bowie is tied with • Westwood (24-8, 8-6) standings remained static of Cedar ltidge 59-51 at 'n , for second place in closes lhe season with as Wes~t' beat Hays home Tuesday and bead the district race behind Leander and Vandegrift. 67-29 and second-place into the final three games Wes!t:lb and can clinch If the Warriors win both Bowie beal Austin High of the season in prime a playoff spot with a win games, they are ass1Ued 41-32. position to claim a second over Lehman Friday. of at least a tie for fourth The loss dropped the straight district title. Despite the loss, Austin place since Round Rock Maroons into a tbfrd The Hawks (21-7, 11·2 High remains tied with and Cedar ltidge close place lie with f".'[T". District 13-6A), who Lehman for fourth place the season against one 7 ~ . which beat Del clinched a playoff spot following Anderson' s another. In other district Valle 56-14. Lehman beat with lhewin, toolecontrol upset win over Lehman piny, Vandegrift defeated Anderson 50-3 7. with a 17 -0 run early in Tuesday. McNeil 56-47. Butch Hart, AA·S the third quarter, stretch The Maroons travel to Elsewhere, Pflugerville correspondent ing a 25-22 lead to42-22. Lehman Feb. 8 in a game warmed upforits District Javuon Pitts had 12 that could determine a 17•5AsbowdownatCedar zone defense helps points, and both Caleb playoff spot. Park Feb. 1 by beat· l @ander shut down Round Golden and Ryan Elvin ing Weiss 67- 25. The Rock boys: A highlight bad 11 to pace Cedar ltidge Hendrickson girls beat Panthers, w hose lone package of Leander's (17-13, 5-7), which will Cedar Ridge, wrap up dis• district loss came against 45-38 win over Round need to win out and get trict title: Hendrickson's fust· plnce Cedar Park, Rock on Tuesday a lot of help to reach the state-ranked girls made have secured the lop wouldn't last Jong, but postseason. it official Tuesday by two spots in 17· 5A while coaches around District Hawks senior Isaac cHnching the District Rouse appears locked in 13-6A might fight over Bullard led all scorers with 13 -6A title and the dis· third. London Clarkson the game tape. 20 points, while Dylan trict's top playoff seed led Pflugerville with 22 The Lions (16-10, 9-4 Disu scored 12 points. with n 69-54 win over points ; Destiny Magee District 13-61\) used a Colby Gordon, AA· S Cedarltidge. had 10 points; and Kai matcbup zone to disrupt correspondent Westlake Chaparral Will Baker (50) looks to shoot at the basket as Lake Travis cavaliers forward Brett Baty (22) defends during the first period at the District 25-6A boys basketball game on Jan. 22 at Westlake High School [JOHN GUTIERREZ/ FOR AMERICAN • STATESMAN] Nipped again: Westlal THE WEEK IN REVIEW (51-43). Against Del VaJle, Coleton Benson. The fighting for their play Team of the Week: Jones had 18 points, five Bulldogs moved back off lives, and a win Austin High rebounds, five assists into a tie with Lake against Bowie for either and three steals. Against Travis for second place school would go a long The Maroons picked Hays, Jones went off for in the district standings. ways towards earning a up a pair of crucial vic 19 points, 1o rebounds ... Akins (9 - 16, 2-10) spot in the postseason. t ories to keep their and five assists. An hon topped Anderson (11 -16 1 Something to keep in playoff hopes alive as orable mention in this 3-9) 49-38 on Jan. 22 mind is that Austin High they defeated Hays (75- category would be Jones' behind Alfred Ortiz's 22 still has a matchup against 59) and Anderson (57-48). teammate, Marcos Cantu, points. Beto Morales and Westlake, while Lehman Austin High (12-12, 6-6 who hit a 25-foot shot at Sherrod Whitley added is done with the Chaps. District 25-6A) is now the buzzer to beat Del nine points apiece for Both schools are finished tied with Lehman for the VaJle. the Eagles .... Del Valle with Lake Travis. district's fourth playoff (10-14, 5-7) falls to sixth spot. Calvin Williams The rest of the district in the district standings, Other games had 16 points, and Joe one game behind Austin Kinkade tallied 15 to lead Westlake (26-3, 11-0) High and Lehman ... Hays Lake Travis is likely out the Maroons against the clinched a playoff spot (14-15, 3-9) is tied with of the district title race Rebels, while Williams(21 and remained perfect in Anderson for eighth place now, but the Cavswill still points) and Josh Jones (18 the district and atop the in the district. want to take the district's points) paced Austin High standings with wins over second playoff seed. They against the Trojans. Lake Travis (54-51) and THE WEEK IN PREVIEW bo~t Del VaJle Jan. 29 and Del Valle (66-48). The Games of the Week: Bowie travel to Hays Feb. 1. ••• Player of the Week: Chaps, who have won at Austin High Jan. 29; Westlake can clinch a cam Jones, Lehman 11 consecutive game, Bowie at Lehman Feb. 1. share of the district title received 21 points from with two wins this week. Jones, a senior, K.J. Adams against Del The Bulldogs can put The Chaps face Hays Jan. recorded two phenom Valle .... Bowie (18-7, in a lot of work toward 29 and travel to Anderson enal games as the Lobos 8-3) won its only game clinching a playoff spot Feb. 1. ... Lehman hosts (15-12, 6-6) earned of the week when it with two wins this week. Anderson Jan. 29, and Austin High senior Josh Jones and the Maroons face a important wins over Del stopped Akins, 78-49, ... Meanwhile, Austin Austin High travels to pivotal week In District 2.5-6A. Valle (65-63) and Hays behind 29 points from High and Lehman are Akins Feb. l. IPAUL MICK/ FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN) HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL: FAB FIVES, PLAYER OF THE WEEK, NOTES FABFIVES Class6A 1. West! 27•3 2. C...-..lf&!; 27·4 3. Hendrickson 21·7 4. Bowie 18·7 5. Leander 16· 10 Class SA 1. Cedar Park 23·4 2. LBJ 18·5 3. Reagan 21-5 4. Connally 19·9 5. Mccallum 18-10 Class 4A and others 1. Thorndale 22·6 2. Blanco 24-7 3. Liberty Hill 24-6 4. Taylor 23·5 5. Regents 17• 4 PLAYER OF THE WEEK Coleton Benson, sopho• more, Bowie:The 6-foot-1 sophomore guard scored a game-high 26 points on 7-of-12 shooting in Bowie's 69-67 win over Austin High Tuesday and proved particularly clutch from the foul line down Bowie"s Coleton Benson scored a game-high 26 points on the stretch. 7-of-12 shooting in Bowie's 69-67 win over Austin High Tuesday to earn the American-Statesman's Player of the AREA ROUNDUP Week honors. [ROOOlFO GOHZALEZ/tOR AMERICAN·STAT!SMANI DOWN THE STRETCH THEY over Hearne, whom it COME: With every district plays again next week race now in its second HOW RANKED LOCAL half, Jet's take a look at TEAMS FARED TUESDAY: In who's on track to win a Class 6A, No. 9 Wesl' . district championship: ripped Hays 78-42 behind District 13·6A: Despite 27 points from post Will a recent two-game skid, Baker, who played Jess Hendrickson still holds than 20 min utes in a two-game lead over game Wes ' ~ led by 25 Round Rock, Leander points at halftime. L ' _ District 25· 6A: It's all T ~. which remains West 1le, which holds No. 15 in the latest Texas a three-game lead over Association of Basketball Bowieand;:,..J;,f"' · Coaches poll, beat Del District 17-SA: Cedar Park Valle 58-46 despite 26 holds a two-game lead points by Del Valle guard over Connally but must Deion Crenshaw . ... In Class still play the Cougars SA, No. 16 LBJ followed District 18·5A: Manor its big win over Dripping leads Georgetown by one Springs last week with an game but doesn 't have to 83-38 romp over Lanier play the Eagles again behind a team-bigb 18 District 25-SA: LBJ has points from Brian Batts. S•eized control and holds Cedar Park, which bas a two-game lead over climbed to No. 21, beat Dripping Springs and Weiss 58-41. ... In Class McCallum 4A, No. 17 Liberty Hill District 26-4A: La Grange suffered its first loss in trails first-place Navasota District 27-4A with a by two games 79-74 setback to Salado. District 27-4A: Liberty ... In Class 2A, Thorndale, Hill and Salado are tied which has risen to No. for first, one game ahead 14, remained unbeaten of Taylor in District 25-2A with a Distri c t 28 · 4A : 66-44 win over Granger. Wimberley trails first OTHER KEY GAMES place Fredericksburg by TUESDAY: While first four games place Hendrickson District 25·3A: Blanco regained control of leads Jarrell by two games District 13-6A with a after beating the Cougars win over Cedar Ridge, last week Leander continued to District 25-2A: Thorndale surge up the standings holds a one-game lead with a 45-38 win over Round Rock. The Lions have won five consecutive district games and hold a half-game lead over Round Rock for second place.. .. Vandegrift and blue-chipper Greg Brown Ill remained alive in the 13-6A playoff chase with a 57-49 win over McNeil. Brown, who missed the first half of district play, led all players with 31 points. The Vipers have won six of eight dis trict games since Brown returned early this year but still trail McNeil by two games for the fourth and final playoff spot. ... Max Smith scored 19 points as Anderson dealt a blow to Lehman's playoff hopes with a 58-50 win. Lehman is tied for fourth place in District 25-6A with Austin High, which lost to Bowie 69-67 . ... Sophomore Charlie Pecina had 16 points as Mccallum continued its surge into second place in District 25-5A with a 66-52 win over er ~ Behind high-scoring for ward Norman Boyd , the Knights have woD four consecutive games . ... Pflugerville stretched its winning streak in District 17-5A to four games with a 54-41 win over Weiss. Dwayne Tay'lor scored a team-high 14 points for the Pa11thers .... Hutto reached the 20-win mark with a 71-39 victory over Elgin. Jean-Pierre Sanders had a team-high 16 points for the Hippos .... Ttistan Thomas and Josiyah Thorn each had 20 points as ReagaD raced past Crockett 99-69. Thom, a 6-foot-8 forward among the area leaders in blocks a11d rebounds, recently signed a letter of inteDt with junior college power Temple College. ... Behind 16 points from 6-6 for ward Ben Novy, Regents routed Hyde Park 74-41. GAMES TO WATCH FRIDAY Cedar Park at Pflugerville, 7 p.m.: While Cedar Park tries to hold onto its lead in the District l 7-5A standings, red-hot Fflugerville seeks its fifth straight win. Hutto at Georgetown, 7 p.m.: Georgetown has won six straight but Hutto hoping to jump Eagles in standings. Drippi ng Springs at Mccallum, 8 p.m.: Can high-scoring Knights for ward Norman Boyd power Knights past Dripping Springs and into second placein25-5A? TUESDAY 'Taylor at Liberty Hill, 7:30 p.m.: A road win may give the Ducks a share of the 27-4A lead, depending on how Salado fares. Please send scores, sta tistics, infonnation and player ofthe week nomi nees to Thomas Jones at [email protected]. Worth a shot? - .. Cedar Ridge's Kierstyn Rossow shoots a free throw against Hendrickson earlier this week. Like almost all high school gyms in Texas, the one at Cedar Ridge High School does not have a shot clock. Only eight states nationwide have implemented them at the high school level. (JAMIE HARMS/FOR AMERICAN-STATESMANJ Although shot clock not on UIL agenda, basketball coaches in favor of adoption By Thomas Jones ljones@olul esnun.COJU A few years back, Westlake boys basketball coach Robert Lucero traveled to the Pbillipines to watch former University of Texas hoops star Damion James, whomLucerooncecoachedand mentored at Nacogdoches High School in East Texas. Lucero noticed that the Filipino basketball league that James played in used a shot clock, as did both the youth and adult recreation leagues in the country. Thinking back to that visit, Lu cero can on ly chuckle at some of the differences The scorer's tab le at Hendrickson High School, like almost all of its between Filipino basketball and kind in the state, includes one scoreboard operator that updates the highschoolbasketballinTexas. score and runs the game clock. Any implementation of a shot clock would require an extra worker at the table to operate iL Sec SHOT, C3 [JOHN GUTIERREZ/FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN] SHOT 1-romPageCl "I think it's funny that we, the country that invented the game of basketball, are the only ones that don't use a shot clock at our (the high school) level," he said. "Everyone else - in Europe, in the Phillipines, wherever - grows up playing with a shot clock. It's part of th.e game; not having one at any level would be like playing football without a play clock." Much to the chagrin of Lucero and most coaches - both boys and girls - at the Class 5A or 6A level, things won't change in Texas any time soon. The University Interscholastic League, the state's governing body for high school athletics and other extracurricular activities, fol lows the guidelines set by the National Federation of State High School Associations, Westlake head coach Robert Lucero, like most coaches in the Austin area, is a vocal proponent of a shot which doesn't allow the use clock and says it would ~add more excitement" to the high school game. of a shot clock. Any state that . ' ...... ------J - -- adopts a rule that conflicts with the NFHS guidelines for feits a seat on the NFHS rules committee. According to Susan Elza, the UIL's director of athlet ics, membership in the NFHS in an integral part ofthe UIL's mission. "There's a lot of benefits," she said. "You want to have input at the national level, and you want a say on the rules that will impact our players and teams." The UIL's membership in the NFHS means it hasn't taken any official action on the implementation of a shot clock even though the proposition has been pro posed to the UIL's legislative council, which is the organi zation's rules-making body composed of public-school administrators. Does a shot clock make cents? Hendrickson's Isaac BuUard dribble5 the baU upcourt in a recent district game against Cedar Ridge at Hendrickson High School. High schools in Texas do not use a shot dock in district play, so the Hendrickson Costs and implementation scoreboard - like almost all in Texas - does not have one. !JOHN GUTIERRU PHOTOS/l'OR AMERICAN-STATESMAN] remain the primary concern for both UIL officials and school administrators. Shot That's all a certain dollar rescinded that vote in "It will definitely change the clocks for gym scoreboards - amount you have to take into December after fierce oppo last four minutes of a game. assuming scoreboards are consideration." sition from administrators It adds more possessions; it new enough to be compat However, Elza says the UIL concerned about the cost. adds more excitement." ible with shot clocks - range also has concerns about the And the NFHS doesn't Lucero's teams would seem from $1,800 to more than impact that a shot clock would seem in any rush to consider like a benefactor of a shot $3,000, and those don't have in each of the state's the shot clock; on the list of clock. The Chaps, who com include installation fees and six classifications that goes 18 proposed rules changes pete with the state's largest wireless adaptions. In addi beyond cost considerations. that the NFHS basketball schools in Class 6A, have tion, schools will have to pay "The coaches' side is rules committee considered played at a fast pace over the an extra employee to manage what counts," she said. for the 2018-19 season, none past few years while produc the shot clock during games • Administrative inconve involved adding the shot clock ing a handful of collegiate as well as undergo training. nience is never a reason not on a national basis. players. This year's Westlake In an estimation compiled by to add something. team, which includes Texas the Cleveland Plain Dealer "Is the game at every level coaches: Shot clock signee Will Baker, SMU signee newspaper in 2014, Paul Pilat ready for a shot clock and that 'adds excitement' Darius McBride and a likely of video display company style of play? I've talked with future collegian in sophomore Daktronics estimated an ini coaches in the Dallas-Fort Still, say some area coaches, K.J. Adams, averages a robust tial cost beginning at $10,000 Worth area, Houston, Austin, the implementation almost 70. 5 points a game, one of the for two clocks, which doesn't and they all seem to be in favor seems inevitable across the highest averages in the Austin include training and operating of it. They don't want their nation. area. costs. kids to fall behind what teams "I think it's not too far But coaches who favor a Cost concerns are height are doing in college away," Lucero said. "It's how slower pace also support ened in districts such as the "But that may not be the the game is played at the next the implementation of a Austin school district, which case in different parts of the level." shot clock. McNeil's Darrell is trying to trim its budget state. Is every classification Lucero will quickly cite the Hagemann, a master of amidst a steady loss of stu ready for a shot clock? Or is it benefits of a shot clock for controlling the tempo, has dents and tax revenue via the just the 5A and 6A schools?" players and coaches. It not enjoyed plenty of success state's uRobin Hoodn plan of Such considerations only helps athletes develop since taking over the Class school financing. haven't stopped every state into a more complete player, 6A Mavs' program prior to "As an AD (athletic direc athletic organization from he said, but it will increase the 1992-93 season. This tor), that's the first thing I implementing a shot clock. the game's drama, especially year's team averages 45.8 think about: How much is Eight states - California, in the final few minutes of a points a game but is on pace a shot clock and how much Maryland, Massachusetts, contest. for a 23rd playoff appearance does it cost to have them New York, North Dakota, "It teaches everyone to be inHagemann's 27 years at the installed, n said Austin school Rhode Island, South Dakota a playmaker," he said. "You school. district athletic director Leal and Washington - use a shot have to be skilled to play with "I've played (slow) and Anderson, a former basketball clock at the preps level. a shot clock; you can't just pulled the ball out, and it's not coach at Austin's Anderson Wisconsin almost became pass it around until you get necessarily pretty," he said. High School. uThen you have the ninth state when its the guy you want with the "But the rules let us do that." to have someone working Interscholastic Athletic ball. And more possessions But Hagemann also says each game dedicated only to Association voted last June means more kids get to play. most coaches would easily the shot clock. And is it only to implement a 35-second Without a shot clock, you're tweak their strategies in for varsity, or do we have shot clock for boys and girls not subbing as much. With a response to a shot clock, just a shot clock for JV, fresh basketball for the 2019-20 shot clock, you'd be able to as they did when the NFHS men and middle schools? season. However, WIAA chart out your rotations. adopted the three-point shot in 1987. "I think we'd all adapt," he said. "Whenweputinthethe 3-point line, we all adapted to that. Certainly at the 5A and 6A level, it needs to take place. Most 5A and 6A teams play pretty fast anyway, and the athletes are better across the board." Westlake girls basket ball coach Katie Hensle has coached with a shot clock during stints as an assistant at Texas Tech as well as at pri vate schools and in summer leagues. She agrees that the gradual implementation of a shot clock based on a school's classification makes sense, but she's quick to shoot down some proposals to introduce the shot clock for boys bas ketball before the girls game. "I think that's a terrible idea," she said. "If boys can do it, so can girls. Plus, that sends a bad message. Girls can't score? Girls can't take someone off the bounce?" Hensle, whose state-ranked team boasts a record of24-7 and is on the verge of winning the District 25-6A champion ship, bas seen her share ofstall tactics from foes. She points out that a handful of teams in district play have drained at least 50 seconds off the clock on their initial posses sion while trying to limit the Chaps' explosive attack. "And I don't blame them," she said. "I've done it myself (at other schools). They're talcing advantage of the rule. "I know the cost issues are very real, (but) the game has evolved so much and the skill level bas gotten so much better. I think. a shot clock would add to that." Lucero, Hensle and Hagemann say the implemen tation of the rule could help some slower-paced teams by allowing them to utilize a zone defense the entire game. For a team like McNeil that favors playing a zone, a significant deficit down the stretch means it has to abandon it defensive principles in order to get a 5-second call. With a shot clock, a team can still play zone without sacrificing possessions. In recent years, the UIL has allowed the use of a shot clock where applicable during tournaments and nondistrict games. Elza says the UIL takes information from those tour naments - including shots taken in relation to the shot clock, clock vfolations and number of shots - and shares it with the NFHS as part ofits research on the impact of the potential ru1l change. McNeil and Westlake were among the handful of area teams to play the past two years at such an event at Concordia University, a collegiate gym in Northwest Austin that already has a shot clock. The scores from that ini tial tournament organized by Hagemann and Lake Travis coach Clint Baty in November of2017 hint that a shot clock would affect the pace of a game. Ofthe eight games that took place during that week end with a JO-second shot clock, six had higher com bined point totals than the season average between the two competing teams. "It's been siiccessfuJ when used, based on the informa - tion I've gotten from some coaches," said Anderson, who spent 10 seasons as a coach at Anderson High School before talcing over as Austin's ath letic director. "You have to weigh the overaU benefits with the cost." CENTRAL TEXAS STAl1Sl1CS 80\'S Scol1!wOIM.1tnG.*lt_,.,,_, Namo.'f- a, Pis. .. Gttgero.n.~ 15 ~JUI ll\'IUIO....- DNAM.-0 ll 724 lS.9 Sam-W9-.-- NA NA IS.O -11<¥1,....:,a., ll NAWI Mo ---Jdmy~- 29Z5 501&1455 l&2 Ry.1nwa,d.-- ""NA17.0 - lbal,lBJ u; 16.9 Z7I ~lllllil!on,CIIIWIJ' NA NA 16.l CMnor-ll!gl!OS 21 m 15.D Lul ---Cdrl_l.l>orty.. MMl4Sl1 JIii 14A KJAdoms.- M MIU --Bri,nBallS, LSI l1 l8I14 IUl'lll 14.1 Gantt! 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NA20 1013.568 3.4 llla,tmoQ ----.-.llbll,dct!I.--Clr .No\ 20 80511 2.752Jl Hialloli!fl.r..da ---Jonjyncartt,r.aoddl 243No\ 4l1NASlO .58J Hiallol.dl.CA! ---Hiallol.df.ClodlrPn 114IS 114J2 .JIJlAal HilM.11,Bl!t,,_ !I Ill A20 Slq,taRluilo, ..._,. e ICIII AOO Susio MCCormicl:. --- l1 r.is .ll8 Hlmll\1..-lor,Clodlr- 47 Ill J#,1 3' " .l5I ~Ady•--~ llMI.. .. 11, Jl6 11,)Jko/ llMI. ll Jt JD -5Ubnils&a1Sl¥--,._Oldl....,. lll~-lm.-danCOidlos'- Second-half goal lifts Lake Travis girls past Westlake westlake Chaparral Special to the Wostbke Picayune the Cavs got the match's School for Young Leaders Olympla wallcer (lo), lone goal in the 60th minute 8-o at Chaparral Stadium. with help from SOphla In the latest edition of "The after Westlake keeper Gabby Senior Ryan Dittoe, junior Hopkins (22), ldcks the Battle of the Lakes," the Lake Marcus deflected a driv Maddie Dawson, senior bal away from Lalce Travis girls soccer team ing shot, which Lake Travis Allison Chang arid freshman Travis cavaier Maddie earned a hard-fought 1- 0 win senior Olivia Trevino fin Annika Fredell all scored in Wright (2) during the Friday at Chaparral Stadium. ished off. The Chaps pressed the first half. The goals came first half at the District The victory pulled the Cavs for the equalizer and earned on assists from senior Ally 2S-6A girts soccer game (6-3-0, 4-1-0 District 25-6A) three corner kicks over the Huang (2) and junior Addie on Jan. 25 at Westlake into a tie for first place in last 15 minutes but failed to Hackney (2). Hlgh SChooL I JOHN the District 25-6A race with convert. The Chaps travel to Hays GUTIERREZ/ FOR AMElllCAN Westlake (4-1-0, 4-1-0) On Jan. 22, Wes tlake on Feb. 1 and face Anderson • STATESMAN) After a scoreless first half, defeated the Ann Richards at Burger Stadium on Feb. 5. Coleman raising profile of Lake Travis softball ByChrl$ Blls but floated near .500 in 2017. this year." Amerk::an .. Statesm~m "This year, the expectations Day is one of the leaders Corre$pOlldA!nl are the same, but the girls Coleman will lean on. An understand better what we're All-Central Texas performer It didn't take Jong for Billy about and what we're trying in 2018, Day batted .480 with Coleman to create a buzz to accomplish." five home runs and and 30 around Lake Travis High Coleman has won every RBIs. She'slikelytosplittime School softball. where he's conched. He led at third base, first base, out Entering his second season Celina to a Class JA state field and even pitcher, where at the helm, Coleman has championship in 2011 and the Cavs must r·eplace starter the Cavaliers ranked No. 6 has a career record of 341- Emerald Pina, whograduated. in the Texas Girls Coaches 137, including a stop at Catcher Emily Kahler also Association preseason poll. Canyon Randall. As he enters graduated, along with second They're coming off a 22-8-2 his second year, the Cavs baseman and leadoff slapper campaign that ended with a are settling into the coach's Sammie Whitman. District 25-6A title and a trip demanding style. "We have p[ayers to fill to the area playoff round. "He was definitely hard those spots this year, and I "The first year, it's kind of on us, but it made all of us think there's a bunch of diver hard getting yoUI program better," said Jessica Day, a sityon the team," Dny said. "I established and changing senior utility player for Lake think they're going to get the Coach Bitty Coleman, putting up the stop sign as All-Central Texas cultures," said Coleman, who Travis. "We came together job done." player Jessica Day rounds third, got the Cavaliers adjusted to a new took over a program that made and worked as a team, and I'm culture last season. This year Lake Travis is starting out ranked No. 6 regular playoff appearances just hoping that carries on to See SOFrBAU.., AS in the state. SOFTBALL FTomPqgeA6 At Lake Travis, Coleman has a deeper talent pool than at his previous stops, allow ing the program to reload and garner preseaso.n attention. Senior Abbie Biggs will tnke on much of the pitching load, with help from Day and sophomore Maddy Marotz. Other senior starters include center fielder Adele Benny, right fielder Tristyn Seymore and shortstop Kaitlyn Schoonmaker. Sophomore Jami Watson will take over for Kahler at catcher. "We have the capability to be a lot better than we were last year, and that's saying a lot because that team was pretty good," Coleman said. "I'm going to have a lot of speed, a.nd I have three or four girls that can bit the long ball" Lake Travis bas scrimmages beginning this weekend, before the season officially gets underway against Bowie on Feb. 12. The Cavs will play in the Bryan-College Station Tournament on Feb. 14-16, opening against Santa Fe. Their second round oppo nent could be No. 10 The Woodlands. The ranking should put a target on Lake Travis that it hasn't had the past few years, something Coleman hopes will pay off late in the season. "Hopefully we can go out a.nd prove to people that we deserve that and we belong there, n be said. Right flekler Trist:yn Seymore is another senior being counted on to lead the cavaliers. !JOHN Gll1 IERREZ PtiOlOS,l'FOR SlATESMANJ Holle, Chaps survive• OT battle with Lake Travis Uy Colby Gordon American •Statesman turrespoootJ>I LAKEWAY - Shay Holle knows how to score against a zone defense. Even when she's the focus ofit. With Lake Travis employing a stingy 2-3 zone that stymied the rest of Holle's Westlake teammates Jan. 22, Holle took over when she got the ball at the high post, pouring in 28 points to l.ead the Chaps to a 40-36 overtime win in a District 25-6A defensive battle at Lake Travis High School. "It's a credit to her team mates to get her the ball when that's what we wanted to do, and the defense knew that's what we wanted to do," Westlake coach Katie Hensle said. "Credit to the group for getting the ball to her there but credit to her for finishing." Whether it was knocking down a 15-foot jump-shot or driving past a defender to make a contested layup, Holle - who also had six rebounds and four steals - was seem ingly unstoppable at points during the contest. And for Westlake's case, she had to be as the Chaps struggled to get anything else going against the Cavs' zone while suffering from a plethora of turnovers and a poor shooting night from everyone else. "We put in a new zone offense this week with me flashing to the high post," Holle said. "That worked well Just bitting those shots was big for us. I had been hit ting those shots in practice, so I felt good about hitting them in the game." Westlake (23-7, 12-0 District 25-6A) led 19-16 at halftime before each defense exerted its will the rest of the way. GIRLS FtomPageA6 Lake Travis (20-10, 8-5) held the Chaps scoreless for nearly five minutes to start the third quarter but could only manage a 20-19 lead during that time. Tied at 26 entering the fourth, Westlake returned the favor by holding Lake Travis scoreless for the quarter's first five min utes but only managed two baskets from Holle in the stretch to go ahead 30-26. "This was a slugfest from the tipoff, n Cavs coach Kevin Bussinger said. "You have two teams who are defensive-mind ed and that's what you saw, was two teams getting after it on the defensive side and playing with a ferocity of Westlake's Shay Holle (11) scores in overtime during the 40·36 OT win by Westlake over Lake Travis on ref'.u~g!'_~ gi~.e ?P ~~~;" Jan. 22 at Lake Travis High School. (PAUL BRICl PRESEASON TOP 10 working with two younger She was the centerpiece pitchers. Theyshouldbattle for a team that was second 1. Lake 'Travis, Class 6A, Giddings for the district in 25•6A, hitting .530 with 22-3-2 (last year's record) title and probably again in 16 RBIs and 36 runs. SecODd-year coach Billy the regional tournament. Shortstop: cam111e Corona. Coleman bas the Cavaliers 8. Hendricks.on, 6A, 13-12 Sr, Dripping Springs beading in the right direc The Hawks startedslowly TbeUTpledgeandtbree· tion after a solid playoff run butgot rolling indistrict last time All-Central Texas in 2018. Coleman is a vet year and have an extremely selection bad 29 RBIs, 22 eran, playoff-savvy coach, talentedyounger group that steals and a .586 average and the Cavs are loaded. should bode well for coach last year. 2. Cedar Ridge, 6A, 20-4 Lindsay Eaton. Tbird base: Avalon Sanchez, The Raiders are three 9. Austin, 6A, 22·10 Soph. Hyde Part time defending district Kristin Lozano welcomes The power hitter was all champions, and despite back all-around talent state, hit . 711, tied a school graduation losses, coach Danielle Serna, and the record with 13 homers and JessicaPoolereturnsstrong Maroons move up from 5A set a record with 72 RBIs. pitching with Tori Mccann to6Abutwillcompetewell outfielder: Jessica Day, Sr. and a deep lineup. within25-6A. Lakelravis 3. ~ Springs, 5A, 2S-9 10. Giddings, 4A, 15-11 Hit .480 with five homers Wade Womack wel Arthur Behrend guided and 30 RBIs for the 25-6A comes back Texas pledge La Grange to a state title champswhileshowingver and four-year all-state before moving down the satility by playing outfield selection Camille Corona road to Giddings, where he and third base. and lights-out pitcher bas built a powerhouse. Outfielder: Sydney Flitsch, Logan Hulon along with a Sr. La Grange veteran cast. PLAYERS TO WATCH Speedy center fielder hit 4. Elgin, 5A, 23-4; .449 with six homers and Coach Amanda Wolf, a Pitcher: Logan Hulon, Sr~ 36 RBIs while helping the former Wildcat and Fresno Dripping Spmgs Leopards to the District State All-America pitcher, The Houston pledge was 20-4A championship. is reloading after a three District 26-5A's pitcher Outfielder: Baylea Brandon, round playoff run, and of the year, going 17-6 Soph. Leander the Lady Cats are already with a 0.62 ERA and 286 District 25-6A's offen earning Top 10 statewide strikeouts. sive MVP hit . 536 with six respect. Pitcher: Tori McCann, Sr~ homers and 27 RBIs in her s. Lockhart, 5A, 21·5 Cedar Ridge varsity debut season. Coach Katy Snell's Lady T he District 13-6A utiity: Daniele Serna. Sr. Lions played toe-to-toe pitcher of the year went Austin with Dripping Springs last 13-1with 152 strikeouts and An All-Centex selection year, and thetwo shouldbe a 1.03 ERA for the 20-4-1 the past two years, she hit tops in District 2 5-5A ag.tin district titlist. .490 with four homers, 22 this season. catcher: Grace Ross, Soph., RBIs and 31 runs and had a 6. Vista Ridge, 6A, 15-7-1 Crockett 0.48 ERA with 127 strike Lauren Myrick, a former District 25-5A's offen outs last year. Westwood High stand sive player of the year led utiity: Alyssa Popelka, Sr. out, led the Rangers to a the Austin area with a .689 Westwood great season in District averageand22RB!sin2018. District 13-6A's co 25-6Aandnowmovesinto First bas e: Brianna offensive player ofthe year District 13 -6A, where they Rodrigue7, Sr. Hays hit .592with29runsand30 should vie with Cedar Ridge The all· district selection stolen bases. for the top spot. hit .424 with 24 RBIs and 26 7. La Grange, 4A, 16-9 runs for a team that reached Butch Hart, AA-S The traditionally pow the area round. correspondent erful Leopards return the second base: Melayna coreoftheiroffenseandare Lopez, Sr, Vista Ridge 13earn Eagle Scout status Boy Scout Troop 52 hosted its biannual Court of Honor on Jan. 14, where 13 scouts were recognized for achleving the rank of Eagle Scout. The troop, charted by Emmaus Church, is honored to announce that one of the scouts Is the 100th Eagle scout In Troop 52 since it was established. Ftom left to right In the front row are Salvador Alanis, Cortland DeNisio, Cory Smith, Luke Arney, Karthikeya Ambati and Manoi Singireddy. In the back row from left are Craig Dorsey, Nick Meier, Andrew Cohan, Kirkland Schwitters, Grant Webb, Preston Holloway and Alexander Cannata. iCON"TRIBIJTED PHOTOJ Expert: Cale ravis housing market solid U"eway, Bee Cave move forward with development projects Ily U slee Rassman Conlribollng writer Although new con struction homes will continue to be tbe strength of the soutb I:.ik.!,..,.., .tll real estate market, "brace (your self) for a bumpy ride, n Sotheby's International Realty broker Doug Land told participants at tbe annual Liikt 'i ra,,. Economic Forecast lun cheon Jan. 16. The program nlso included 2 0 18 recon ciliations and 2019 predictions from way City Manager Sotheby's International Realty Broker Doug Land addresses l~ • Chamber of Steve Jones, Bee Cave Commerce members and guests at this year's Economic Forecast Luncheon on Jan. 16 at Mayor Monty Parker the Fllntrock Falls Country Club. IP!iOTO BY l£SlEE SASSMAN) and Me t'1<1- school district Superintendent L..keway Bee cave school district in early Brad Lancaster. January showed that, Factors outside of On average, t .i... . way's General revenue for for the first time in more the area's local con- population has risen by the cityof Bee Cave is than two decades, the trol - such as traffic, about 3.7 percent, or up year over year with district experienced a stock market volatility, 491 residents, annually, expenditures down, "both slowing in the growth of international issues, from 2011 to 2017, Jones favorable trends," said its student population, immigration, labor costs, said. The city's sales tax Bee Cave Mayor Monty Lancaster said. government action and revenue, which increased Parker. Over the past 20 years, state Legislature deci by 3.5 percent annually The city will see two the student popula- sions - may create ups for both 2017 and 2018, new major projects move tion grew 5 percent to and downs in the market, has been "growing at a forward in the coming 7 percent annually, he he said. steady pace since the end year, Parker said The said. Although the dis "Weare a hot spot," of the recession," he said. Village at Spanish Oaks trict projected a growth Land said ofthe L.li.e "We're still seeing is an So-acre mixed-use of u,ooo students for ~, area'sdrawin growth there, it's just development offTexas this school year, or 5.9 population. He said the not as much as we had," 71 and bordered by the percent growth year over Hamilton Pool Road and Jones said of the sales tax Shops at the Galleria, year, the actual student Texas 71 corridors are revenue that stems from Spanish Oaks and the population of the district slated to continue to the city's grocery stores Lamar Brown property, is 10,685 students, a 2.9 thrive with residential and other retail outlets. a44-acretractat Great percent growth year over construction, but that Property values have Divide Drive that the city year, Lancaster said. the uptick in such sales grown by about 10 purchased and annexed Increasing home prices "may slow slightly," percent annually since this past year. Owned have eliminated some with sales becoming 2014, with the average byCCNGandcovered younger families from "somewhat stable" over t ~eway home valued at by a 1999 development moving to the district, the past three years. $527,427in 2018, up 6.1 agreement, the project will with more empty-nesters "We're still building," percent from 2017, be include retail, restaurants moving in without chil Land said. ''We're not said. New home per and housing. dren, Lancaster said. Toe growing at a breakneck mits are holding steady, ''It's a unique oppor district is looking at a 39 speed but (the residen Jones said, with 294 tunity to negotiate and, percent growth over the tial real estate market) permits granted in 2018. from a city standpoint, not next 10 years, between will certainly grow." Commercial building be stuck with code from 2018- 2028, an adjust According to Land, permits average about the1999 year and bring ment downward from property values could 9 permits annually, be it up to the development previous projections that appreciate by 2 percent said. code that we have today," anticipated a 61 percent to 5 percent this year. Development proj Parker said. growth, he said. In 2018, residential ects in • ~ cway for the Additionally, the ' ~ t Staffers are also real estate sales in the coming year include a n.i..... schooldistrictis reviewing attendance south area climbed a half 30,000-square-foot building a new middle zones at L~t Ti:.i,,,.u and of a percent from 2017's police station to be school off Hamilton Pool Hudson Bend middle sales numbers, and the substantially completed Road, he said. schools as the district's average area sales price in March; the medical City staffis work- new school - Bee Cave grew from $584,000 office complex Overlook ing with state and local Middle School - pre in 2017 to $589,500 in at T a:~way; a 104-unit agencies to coordinate pares to open this fall, 2018, he said. About hotel La Quinta at the a proposed connection Lancaster said. $984 million of residen Oaks at , • p ay; the off Texas 71 to Hamilton A feedback process tial property sold in the 93-unit Lohmans Spur Pool Road through Vail is online for residents south w..e ;:,.,.lli area Townhomes; an 88-unit Divide, be said, and a to provide responses this year, up from $971 hotel Springhill Suites in connection between to the reorganization million in 2017, Land the Medical Village; an Bee Cave Parkway and process, with district said. 11-building Cherry Peak Ladera Boulevard. staff presentations to the "Weneedabouta2 office condominium community on rezon percent growth (in resi complex off Wild Cherry L":lk.t n"'-11m schools ing options slated for dential real estate sales) Drive; and the 164-unit early April, said Deputy next year to get to $1 bil Serene Hills independent A new demographic Superintendent Holly lion in sales," he said. living facility. study released to the Morris-Kuentz. DIG E S T Jan. 31 Im RotatyCklb meeting: Noon at Rintrock falls Country Club. 203 Golden Bear Drive. Austin. Scott Unebcck will Sl)Cak on water projects in Central America and Africa. Brown Bag Luncheon con cert Noon to 1 p.m. at the Na.Y Activity Center. 105 Cross Creek. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch. The free concert will feature the Damy Britt Trio. The Feb. 7 concert will feature the t....~•• -~5 fiddlers. Schools battered by 2nd wave of Ou cases Dy Mary Huber four schools in northwest and Melissa D. Taboada ern County because [email protected] of an increasing number of [email protected] students reporting flu symp toms. Superintendent David Austin-area doctors are Webb said only 84 percent warning of a second wave of of its 1,518 students attended the flu striking Central Texas, classes this week, which is 13 which has led to an increase in percent lower than the typi hospital visits over the past cal attendance rate. When week and at least two local middle school attendance school districts to temporar fell below 70 percent, Webb ily shutter their doors. made the decision to close all carmen Hernandez, a McDade Independent School District The Lago Vista school the schools. maintenance worker, cleans the desks in a classroom last week district canceled Thursday after the Bastrop County school district dosed temporarily in and Friday classes at its SeeFLU, A5 response to a flu outbreak. (BRANDON MULDER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN ) FLU How t o guard yourself, others against the flu • Get a flu shot Doctors say it's not too late. The vaccine, even From Page Al if it fails to prevent the virus, can cut down on its duration and severity. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands and cover your mouth "The safety and well when you cough. being of the students and • If you're sick, stay home: A rule of thumb is not to go in until 24 staff is our priority," be told hours after your fever breaks. But a fever does not accompany the American-Statesman on all cases of the flu, so it's still possible to be contagious with only Thursday. "We felt it would respiratory symptoms. Your best bet is to stay home until you feel be best to shut school down better. to let those kids recover, and • Make an appoi ntment to see a doctor if you have symptoms like go in and clean and disinfect a sore throat, headache or diarrhea, which are common signs of all of the schools. It was the flu. If you catch the illness early, antivirals could help but aren't right decision." usually effective after the first 48 hours. Antiviral medication is Custodial staff showed up also a good preventative measure for high-risk populations like early in the morning to wipe people with chronic health conditions. down classrooms and school • Drink lots of water: It's one of the best ways to ensure the illness buses, as they have over the won't stick around long. past few days, topreventthe • Parents should watch for symptoms in children that subside spread of illness before kids and then reappear, particularly a recurring fever, or worsening return to classes next week. respiratory symptoms, such as heavy breathing or shortness of Last week, the McDade breath. This could be a sign of bacterial pneumonia. Kids with ear school district in Bastrop infections will also complain of ear pain. County closed its two schools for two days after 40 of its 377 students were week. : 1,Countyisoneof season will shape up. While absent with the flu. Students the regions seeing an increase flu season typically peaks in were allowed to return to in flu activity, Austin Public January or February, every classes Monday after cam Health data sbow. season is different. puses were cleaned and Three people have died so "You never know what's disinfected. far in r- County this flu going to happen with flu," Other Texas school dis season from the illness, said Anton said. tricts - including Fairfield, Philip Huang, the medical Dr. Coburn Allen, a pedi Sanger, Ore City, New director for Austin Public atric infectious disease Summerfield and Winters - Health. specialist at Austin's Dell also closed schools because "We are seeing an increase Children's Medical Center, of rampant flu. More than in the last few weeks," he said he thought the flu had 300 students in the Coppell said Thursday. "But it's peaked in late December, school district in North definitely not as bad as last because emergency room Texas missed classes this year." doctors were seeing fewer week because of the flu or The 2017-18 flu season is people coming in with flu-like symptoms. considered one of the dead symptoms at the start of the As many as 285 students at liest on record. More than year compared with around Bailey Middle School in South 12,000 people in Texas died Christmas, when they saw a Austin were absent because from the flu in that season, lot offlu activity. ofillnessTuesday. But classes including 4 9 in ~~ That all changed this were allowed to continue County. A total of 185 pedi week, when people started because less than a quarter of atric deaths were reported pouring into the emergency the student population was nationwide, the most ever room with symptoms, he affected, officials said. The in a regular flu season, Texas said. Forty percent of rapid campus was being disinfected, Department of State Health tests have come back posi and its principal urged parents Services spokeswoman Lara tive for the virus, he said. to keep kids home from school Anton said. Allen thinks that has to do if they're sick. Ant on attributed the with the spread of the H3N2 While small school districts severity of last year's flu strain of the virus across the appear to have been the most season to the prevalence of southeastern United States affected, the closures reflect theH3N2strainofthevirus, in recent weeks. He said a rise in flu cases statewide which is known to cause doctors had been primar - in the past week. According more hospitalizations and ily seeing the less severe to Texas Health and Human complications. Last year's H1N1 strain but that began Services data released last flu vaccine allso proved not to change this week, when week, flu activity is now con tobeveryeffective, shesaid. HJN2 started popping up. sidered widespread across "It was dlefinitely an "That's probably why we Texas, with positive flu tests unusual year," she said. are busy again right now," up 5 percent in the third week Health officials say it's All.en said. "I bet the second of January from the previous too soon to tell how this wave is heading this way." Allen said it's not too late to get flu shots. Whileittakes about two weeks for the vac cine to become effective, it is known to shorten the dura tion of the illness and lessen possible complications, he said. Health officials also are urging people to wash their hands, cover their mouths when they cough and stay home if they're sick, partic ularly if they've had a fever in the last 24 hours. "Wewouldbedoingour selves a great service if, while we still felt ill from the flu, we didn't show up in public places when we are highly contagious," Allen said. "There is something about doing the right thing for society and staying home and trying not to be a part of the epidemic." In the meantime, school districts across Central Texas are taki.ng additional measures to clean and dis infect campuses, which are often a hotbed for the virus. • The Bastrop school dis trict will do another full sanitation this weekend in all of its schools, and next weekend its staff will do another round of the disin fectant "bombs," a type of disinfectant fogger. • The :..J:i ~ school district's custodial staff members are cleaning facilities and classrooms districtwide and are sanitiz ingrugs with hospital-grade disinfectant every Tuesday and Thursday at the elemen tary schools. • The Hutto school dis trict added custodial staffto the day shifts to clean more frequently the commonly touched areas, such as door knobs, hand rails and drink ing fountains. "A larger percentage of kids than adults will get sick with the flu every year, and a larger portion will spread it. That's why they are called thereservoirs. That's where the flu hangs out," Allen said. "It's very tempting to give them Motrin and put them on a school bus. But it really is a public health issue and should be treated that way." THE 2014 FABULOUS 55: HOW FAB WERE THEY? Sunme Halliburton'S look back at the Amcrican-StatcsrnM's Fabt.hJs 55 list of the state'S Ill!> recruit5 of 2014 - and how their careers panned oot RANK, PLAYER POS. HIGH SCHOOL COLL£GE COMMENT l, ~G.lm!tt !!Ii Adi!!!llllnMil!l!J ~ M.!d Alll [ttj,\lilC~~DI tliil-Amcrican. 11!!:'!J It!!: 112, I l!!!l!i!l 119 21It!!: mz !b!UBrownsl, z.rom:~ ~ !l:!li!mlll1 !1!!:D Alabama ~ !I :ii 01tt1aamcs. Wilm im~ IM earned il~S!!I wi!!I It!!: Packers. 3. Solomon Thomas DE Cooocll Stanfonj Pia~ blO seasons with the cardinal, then lclt for the NB; was taken No. 3overall in 2017. !-~Adams ~ l.cwSvllf Hcbroo ~II ~ilthrettcir~!1!I~ l/llil!l!.ni!!!~lt!!:~ !!I ~ IP!!.ll!ll l!!!lZ!!IZ~!l.~ llll~ s. Kl>. cannon WR Mount Pleasant Ba!!or C3tdtt !95 carttr ~ for 3,113 ~ But he - undrafted; now 11!!!!ing in the CfL 6.ArrlonSorir111S CB SanAntonio~ ~ was a~starter for the Ducks. Undraftcd and silJled to the CharoM' oractice swad. 7. Davion Hall s li!!!m:~ Bal'!or Started 17 ~ at rccciwr and sa!ffi:; 20 catd1es lor287 ~ 2 m,; 10'3 taddcs. l intcrccotion. 8. Edward Paris s Mansfield Timbcrvicw ISU Pickoo L5U over Texas and Florida. Was a career bacla.ll at !a!!, with 29 tld