Lubbock had another successful Caprock basketball tournament and had four competitive final games for titles. As for the fifth one, the first championship game that pitted Shallowater vs Lubbock ChristIan, was an easy victory for the Mustangs, who are currently ranked 5th in the new TABC Rankings. Here are some thoughts I have after covering the entire tournament this weekend. Buckle up..
MONTEREY’S LADY PLAINSMEN HAVE TO FINISH BASKETBALL GAMES LATE OR THEY WILL BE GOING HOME EARLY IN THE PLAYOFFS
The 19th-ranked Lady Plainsmen are 19-6 on the season so far. If you look at their losses, besides Amarillo who beat them handily and Seminole‘s 15-point loss, every game has been winnable. Their problem is finishing late in close games. This a predominantly young team with leaders that will have to grow into their leadership roles but in a few games, like their losses against Shallowater and Lake Dallas in the Caprock Tournament, these contests were decided by two points in each game with Monterey faltering late down the stretch. Will adjustments be made, or is it too much to ask of the Lady Plainsmen now due to their inexperience in these close games?
THE CAPROCK’S FIRST ROUND GAMES WITH LUBBOCK SCHOOLS SHOULD HAVE THEM IN ANOTHER GYM, RATHER THAN HAVING THEM AT HOME IN THE FIRST ROUND
I may sound crazy to some, but let’s talk about it. Aledo’s boys and El Paso Eastlake’s girls came down to Lubbock and had a first round game against a team in their home gym. I think that needs to change ASAP. These Lubbock crowds will travel around Lubbock to support and cheer their teams on and I think these guys shouldn’t have to travel five-to-six hours to a team their playing against to play against them in their home gym.
OUT OF TOWN TEAMS ARE TAKING ALL THE TITLES….
Now, besides Shallowater, the other four brackets were won by Martins Mill (small school girls), Texline (small school boys), Lake Dallas ( Big School girls) and Desoto ( Big School Boys). All these teams are a long way from Lubbock and there is still a gap between us and the rest of Texas in that aspect.
THE CAPROCK BOARD DID A GREAT JOB THIS YEAR WITH THE MEDIA
This is the first year that my team and I really didn’t have an issue getting into games and covering the tournament and Championship day! Thanks to John and others that treated us well and we loved the hospitality room! Can’t wait until next year!
Great job by Lake Dallas’ girls and Desoto’s boys on their championship wins! But we also have to give love to Frenship! Those boys played outstanding and really have a great starting five that could really make a deep run for Tiger Nation in March! Kelly Mora had a game for the ages with her 37-point, 16-rebound game on New Years Eve in their loss against Shallowater. The Young lady is rounding into form and should be on the All-State team after the season is over. Texline and Will Luther looked sharp over a really good Abernathy team that was led by Anthony White, who has seven Division One offers so far. Martin’s Mill and Panhandle impressed in the small school bracket and both teams are ranked in the top six in the new TABC Rankings. Basketball is on to district now…FUN TIME!!