Sports

Graham High School Lady Blues track athlete Mary Lyndell Graham and Steers baseball second baseman Nolan Casbeer have earned The Leader’s Athletes of the Week for their performances between Thursday, March 30 and Wednesday, April 5.

There were several impressive performances at this year’s District 6-4A Track and Field Championships this week at Newton Field. Among multiple district winners was the junior distance runner, Graham, who participates in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter runs. Graham won a district title for both events Wednesday, April 5.

The 4A No. 10 ranked Lady Blues put on a hitting display Tuesday, April 4 in Brownwood. With five extra-base hits, including two home runs, the Lady Blues tamed the Lady Lions with a 7-1 win to improve to 3-0 in District 6-4A play.

Defensively, the Lady Blues played error-free softball while pitchers Zoey Harrell and Reese Calhoun each threw six strikeouts in the Lady Blues’ 18th win of the season.

Starting with one out in the top of the first inning, the Lady Blues found the scoreboard early and never trailed in the game.

The Graham Steers held an early lead Tuesday, April 4 at Brownwood. Pitching struggles led to a six-run second inning that the Steers could not overcome in a 9-2 loss to the Lions.

Tate Loesch struck out to open the game, foreshadowing the night for the Steers’ batters. Lions starting pitcher Gavin Brandstetter threw 14 strikeouts while earning the win.

Six Graham High School tennis athletes are heading to the regional tournament in Lubbock next week after competing in the District 6-4A tournament last weekend in Glen Rose. At the district tournament, GHS was represented by district champions in girls’ singles and mixed doubles.

Jade Dospapas took first overall in the District 6-4A girls’ singles tournament. Josh Gipson finished runner-up in boys’ singles after an injury forced Gipson to retire in the championship match. Gipson and Brownwood’s Peter Le were tied 3-3 in the third set when Gipson suffered a severe leg cramp.

The Graham Leader’s co-athlete of the week Noah Jilek and Stephenville’s Wacey Dill led their teams in a pitcher’s duel Friday at Stephenville High School. The pair combined to give up nine hits and three runs with neither team finding the scoreboard until there were two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Steers responded to the Yellowjackets’ sixth-inning run with a pair of runs in the seventh inning Friday, March 31 to win 2-1.

The Lady Blues completed a season sweep over the Honeybees in Stephenville with their 4-0 win Friday. Behind an eight-strikeout game from co-athlete of the week Reese Calhoun, the Lady Blues held the Honeybees to two hits in the win.

Hitting was not a problem for the Lady Blues during the win Friday, March 31, but the team struggled to advance runners in the early innings. Tatum Westerman opened the game with a lead-off double to left field but was left stranded on third base when Zoey Harrell flew out to end the top of the first inning.

The Graham High School track teams competed in their final meet ahead of this week’s District 6-4A meet at Newton Field. GHS athletes competed Thursday, March 30 at the Stephenville Colonel Mobley Optimist Relays.

GHS Track coach Jim Walton said while there were personal bests recorded in Stephenville he felt there was still room for improvement going into the district meet.

The Graham Junior High School track schedule concluded in record fashion Tuesday, March 28. GJHS hosted Brownwood and Bridgeport in its annual home meet.

Steers senior Noah Jilek and Lady Blues junior Reese Calhoun have been named The Leader’s Athletes of the Week for games taking place between Wednesday, March 22 and Tuesday, March 28.

Calhoun is being recognized for her performance in the Lady Blues’ district-opening win against Stephenville Monday, March 27. Jilek is being recognized for his offensive performance in the Steers’ senior night win against Burkburnett on Friday, March 24 and his defensive play in a loss against Stephenville on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Reese Calhoun

The Lady Blues opened the district schedule Monday, March 27 with a blowout victory over the Honeybees at the Graham High School softball field. In their 11-2 win, 11 Lady Blues recorded runs or runs batted in. Pitcher Zoey Harrell held the Honeybees to four hits.