TexSport Publications: November 2021

Friday, November 26, 2021

HBU Huskies fall to Oklahoma Sooners, 57-40

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA (November 24, 2021) The HBU Huskies jumped out to a 27-22 lead over the Oklahoma Sooners at halftime but were unable to retain the lead in the second half and as a result, dropped a 57-40 decision at the Lloyd Noble Center.

The Huskies shot 57% in the first half but could manage only 5-of-27 (18%) in the second. That, in addition to the Sooners shooing 44% in the last 20 minutes, sealed the loss for HBU.

Starting forward Zion Tordoff tallied 11 points for the Huskies, followed by starting guard Jade Tse with nine points. Darius Lee pulled down eight rebounds with Za-Ontay Boothman recorded two assists. HBU largest lead was at the 2:49 point of the first half, where they recorded a nine point lead (27-18).

Turnovers played a major role in the loss, with the Huskies turning over the ball 21 times to the Sooners. The loss pushed HBU to a 1-4 record, with their only win coming on November 11 at home against Barclay, 122-44.

HBU will play their next four games in the friendly confines of Sharp Gymnasium in Houston, where they will face Southwestern Adventist on November 29, followed by Oral Roberts on December 4. They will take on Champion Christian (December 7), followed by a meeting with crosstown foe Rice on December 11.

Oklahoma, with the win, climbed to 5-1 on the season. They were led by senior Elijah Harkness with 13 points and nine rebounds. He was followed by senior Jordan Goldwire with 11 points.

Saturday, November 20, 2021

HBU Huskies drop season finale to Incarnate Word 44-14

By Robert H Kelly

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 20, 2021) The HBU Huskies scored 14 points in the second quarter, but it was not enough to overcome a 35-0 deficit in the first quarter as they dropped their season finale by the score of 55-14 to the Incarnate Word Cardinals at Husky Stadium in Houston.

The Husky scores both came in the second quarter; the first by Ean Beck (Taylor High School; Katy, Texas). The senior running back carried the ball the final two yards of a 75 yard drive for the first Husky touchdown at the 13:27 mark of the quarter. The second score came with 7:10 remaining in the half. Sophomore safety Corey Smooth snagged Cardinal pass and returned it 36 yards for the score. Gino Garcia scored both kicking conversions to secure HBU's final points of the season.

The Huskies finish the season with a 0-11record and will use the upcoming off-season to recover from this season's inquiries and to fill key openings in their roster due to graduation.

With the win, the Cardinals take the Southland Conference title and the automatic qualifying spot to the NCAA FCS playoffs, Incarnate Word will face former Southland Conference member Stephen F Austin at home on Saturday, November 27.

Saturday, November 13, 2021

Pasadena Eagles swim team competes in Beaumont Sprint Invitational

By Chris Price

(Shown left to right in the submitted photo by Darla Kelly, Pasadena ISD; Jael Medrano, Alan Ramirez, Ana Mercado, Jose Estrada, Alexa Montanez)

BEAUMONT, TEXAS (November 13, 2021) The Pasadena High School Eagles Swimming Team competed in the in the Christopher McClain Beaumont ISD Sprint Invitational at the Beaumont ISD Natatorium on Saturday, November 13.

Five Eagle swimmers made the trip with all five showing improvement in their times against some of the top high school swimmers from the southeast Texas area.

Senior Ana Mercado was the top performer for the Eagles, placing ninth in the 100-yard individual medley and 12th in the 100-yard freestyle. Sophomore Alexa Montanez, who is in her second year in the program, finished in 27th place in the 100-yard freestyle and 37th in the 50-yard freestyle. Fellow second-year swimmer Jose Estrada placed 25th in the 100-yard freestyle and 30th in the 50-yard freestyle.

First year swimmers Jael Medrano and Alan Ramirez also competed in the invitational, with Medrano taking 25th in the 50-yard backstroke and 30th in the 100-yard freestyle. Ramirez contributed with a 27th place in the 100-yard freestyle and a 37th finish in the 50-yard freestyle.

Next up for the AquaEagles is the 19-team Texas City Turkey Bowl Swimming and Diving Invitational on November 18-19 at Matthew T Doyle Natatorium in Texas City.

Pasadena Memorial swimming team find success at Beaumont Sprint Invitational

By Chris Price

BEAUMONT, TEXAS (November 13, 2021) The Pasadena Memorial High School swimming team travelled to Beaumont on Saturday to compete in the Christopher McClain Beaumont ISD Sprint Invitational. The competition was held at the Beaumont ISD Natatorium and included 17 of the top 5A and 6A teams from the southeast Texas region.

The meet saw four swimmers assent the victory platform in six events in route to a fourth place finished in the girls team standing and seventh in the boys standings. Rachel Del Angel continued her record-setting senior season with two victories; in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard breaststroke. Freshman Levi Del Angel captured gold in the 100-yard freestyle and silver in the 100-yard butterfly. Also securing top-three finishes were Alexis Rodriguez; third in the 100-yard backstroke and Samara Olvera; third in 200-yard freestyle. Rodriguez also placed ninth in the 100-yard freestyle and with Olvera taking 28th in the 50-yard freestyle.

Also placing in the meet were Noe Gutierrez (7th in 200-yard freestyle and 13th in the 50-yard freestyle), Mikayla Williams (17th in the 100-yard freestyle and 22nd in the 50-yard freestyle), Cinthea Martinez (18th in the 50-yard backstroke), and Christina Guzman (25th in the 50-yard freestyle). In the relay events, Del Angel, Rodriguez, Martinez, and Olvera teamed up to take fourth place in the 200-yard medley relay and fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle relay.

Next up for the AquaMavericks is the 19-team Texas City Turkey Bowl Swimming and Diving Invitational on November 18-19 at Matthew T Doyle Natatorium in Texas City.

Sam Rayburn HS swimmers pick up three top-eight finishes at Beaumont Invitational

BEAUMONT, TEXAS (November 13, 2021) Select members of the Sam Rayburn High School Swimming Team travelled to Beaumont on Saturday to compete in the Christopher McClain Beaumont ISD Sprint Invitational. The meet was held at the Beaumont ISD Natatorium and saw 17 of the top high school teams from southeast Texas invited to compete in the annual classic.

The Texans were represented by four athletes in eight events, with three swims finishing in the top eight in their events. Senior and four-year team member Mitzy Gonzalez-Perez (shown second from left) carried the banner for Sam Rayburn, placing second in the 200-yard freestyle and seventh in the 100-yard breaststroke. Also breaking into the top eight was freshman Zachariah Flores (shown third from left) who took fifth in the 200-yard freestyle. He also placed 13th in the highly contested 100-yard freestyle.'

Senior Jason Arismendez (shown far left), who is also a four-year member of the Texan program, finished 11th in the 200-yard freestyle and 39th in the 50-yard freestyle. Freshman Darianna Rodriguez (shown far right) contributed with a 15th place in the 100-yard freestyle and 18th in the 50-yard freestyle.

As a result of the individual performances, the Texans placed 10th in the girls division, 12th in the boys division and 13th in combined scoring. Next up for the AquaTexans is the 19-team Texas City Turkey Bowl Swimming and Diving Invitational on November 18-19 at Matthew T Doyle Natatorium in Texas City.