A difficult season of growth has turned into the cliche of being a team to get hot at the right time. After a one-run loss Thursday, May 11 in Game One, the Steers bounced back with a one-run win Friday, May 13. The Steers left no doubt that things were coming together for the team Saturday, May 14 with an 11-4 win over Decatur in Game Three of the area championship.
Steers baseball coach Allen McGee has said several times throughout the season that “Graham kids don’t quit fighting.” The Steers kept fighting Friday, May 12 at Henrietta High School to force a third game in their best-of-three series against Decatur for the area championship.
Senior Nolan Casbeer provided the heroics in the bottom of the sixth inning to lead the Steers to a 3-2 win over the Eagles.
The Lady Blues’ turnaround season came to an end Friday, May 12 with an 11-5 loss to Decatur at Weatherford High School in Game Two of the regional quarterfinal best-of-three series. Although the team fell behind early, they did not go down without a fight. Through it all, Lady Blues coach Adam Arrington said the program is back where it needs to be.
Graham High School junior Jesus Lucio is taking his soccer game to the international level this summer.
After a tryout in Bryan last month, Lucio was accepted into the Rome City Institute. He will take part in camps in Europe this summer before returning to Graham for his senior year.
After his 2024 graduation, Lucio will continue pursuing his dream of professional soccer while studying in Rome, Italy.
The Graham Steers and Lady Blues are making their postseason runs. Athletes from both teams are making impacts on both offense and defense.
Steers sophomore first baseman Colter Johnson’s impact on the Steers does not always show up in the more common statistics, but defensively, he has been a key contributor as the Steers look to extend their season by at least another week.
Lady Blues senior Rainey Ortegon has made key contributions at times during the season, but none more important than Monday, May 8 against Sanger.
A walk-off single by Hayden Johnson gave the Decatur Eagles a 1-0 lead over the Steers in the best-of-three series for the area championship. With the Steers’ 5-4 loss to the Eagles Thursday night at Henrietta High School, they will look to force a Game Three this evening. Game Two will begin at 5 p.m. at Henrietta High School. Game Three, if necessary, will take place Saturday at 5 p.m.
The 2023 season is on the line this evening when the Lady Blues and Decatur Lady Eagles meet in game two of a best-of-three series in the 4A Region 1 quarterfinal. The Lady Eagles defeated the Lady Blues last night 8-1 at Weatherford High School in Game One. Game Two will take place at 3 p.m. this evening in Weatherford. Game three, if necessary, will follow 30 minutes after game two, weather permitting.
The Graham Steers will continue their postseason run this week. With a two-game sweep over the Snyder Tigers to win a bi-district championship, the Steers will meet Decatur this week for a best-of-three series in the area championship.
The Steers and Eagles will meet Thursday, May 11 and Friday, May 12 for games one and two. If necessary, game three will take place Saturday. The two teams will meet at Henrietta High School. Games one and two will begin at 7 p.m. Game three, if needed, will start at 1 p.m.
Steers 4, Tigers 0
For the first time since 2018, the Lady Blues are area champions. The Lady Blues clinched the area championship after defeating Sanger 2-1 in a best-of-three series played at Midwestern State University.
With the seasons winding down and playoffs underway, Graham and Newcastle High Schools both had athletes with memorable performances.
All three Young County schools advanced athletes to the state meet following their respective regional track meets, while one Lady Blue recorded a hit she will never forget.
Graham’s Olga Morales and Newcastle’s Isaac King have earned recognition as The Leader’s Athletes of the Week for their performances last week.
Olga Morales
