Texas Talk

Wow, things could not have gotten a lot crazier in Texas, this week, especially in East Texas. In the West, #1 ranked Howard continues their dominance. They are 12-0 with 2 regular season games to play. Behind them is #11 ranked Midland, who is 10-2 in conference play. Howard, Midland, and South Plains have secured berths in the NJCAA Region V tournament in Lubbock, TX. Odessa has a two game lead on Clarendon and New Mexico with two games to play for the final spot in the tourney.

In the North, McLennan has taken a 1-½ game lead on Temple, who has two games to play. McLennan, Temple, Grayson, and Collin Co. have secured berths in the NJCAA Region V tournament. True to form, the East is still far from decided. Six teams have qualified for the NJCAA Region XIV tourney in Tyler, TX. Those six are Paris, Angelina, Lon Morris, Panola, San Jacinto and Lee. Two more berths will come from between Kilgore, Jacksonville, Tyler, Blinn, and Navarro. Only Trinity Valley has been mathematically eliminated. Three games remain in the league. To further emphasize the crazy nature of East Texas, during the Paris-Kilgore contest on Saturday, a Paris Dragon cheerleader received a technical foul. Expect one thing: expect these last three games to be nothing predictable or unexciting.

The Week in Review

On Wednesday night, #15 ranked Paris fell to San Jacinto 69-59. Houston Cougar signee Rob McKiver led the Ravens with 24 points. Maurice Steen led Paris with 13 points. On Thursday, #1 Howard defeated South Plains 80-57. To further emphasize the domination of Howard, South Plains is 21-7. On Saturday, Angelina defeated Blinn 80-73. Sophomore guard, Chip Cartwright, turned in an outstanding game for Angelina. Cartwright had 23 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds. Freshman guard Desmond Boatner led Blinn with 29 points, including seven made three pointers. Also, Saturday, Lon Morris knocked off Navarro 62-59. Juco Junction All-American, Hernol Hall led Lon Morris with 19 points. College of Charleston signee Shaun Reynolds led the Bulldogs with 18 points. In addition, on Saturday, McLennan continued their dominating play in the North. They rolled over Southwest Christian 99-68. Ryan Bennett both scored 16 points for the Highlanders. Rashad Brown led Southwest Christian with 17 points.

Games to Watch

(Wed.) McLennan @ Collin Co.

(Wed.) Temple @ Hill

(Wed.) Lon Morris @ Angelina

(Thur.) Odessa @ #11 Midland

(Sat.) Panola @ Angelina

(Sat.) Lon Morris @ Tyler

Player of the Week

After coming very close to notching a triple double on Saturday vs. Blinn, this week's award goes to Chip Cartwright from Angelina. 23 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds are more than a good day's work. Mid/low major programs who are still searching for a point guard that can score and create for others need to get to Lufkin immediately to recruit Mr. Cartwright.

Recruiting Updates

The staff at Colorado State is one of the best at recruiting juco kids. They are looking at quite a few young men from Texas this year. They are in pursuit on Ricky Smith from Midland, Brian Burrell from Paris, Bryson Graham from Lon Morris, and Darren Hopkins from Panola. Also, Blinn swingman, Brent Holder, has a new leader, Morehead State.