Bryer, Riggins selected Athletes of the Week

In the last week, Graham’s teams have done quite a bit of winning. The Steers’ football team punched its ticket to the region final with a win over Glen Rose, and the Lady Blues basketball team took care of business in a win over Eastland.

Fayth Bryer of the Lady Blues basketball squad and Brayden Riggins of Steers football have been selected as Athletes of the Week for their efforts in Graham’s big wins.

Fayth Bryer, Lady Blues basketball

Bryer is a player who leads by example. She will talk in the locker room and on the court, but it’s primarily her effort that sends the biggest message to her teammates.

As one of the team’s go-to post players in just her second year in Graham, Bryer has developed every aspect of her game and continues to improve. But what really stands out is the fact that her energy and determination influence the rest of her team.

“When she starts getting rebounds and hustling after stuff…people start hustling after they see the first hustle,” head coach Baylee Thompson said. “She's being a great leader there. She's really just starting to fill her role as a senior and is stepping up.”

After a short break for Thanksgiving, the Lady Blues got back to action Tuesday against Eastland. In an excellent win for the team, Bryer seemed to be in the thick of everything, whether it was helping ignite the offense or going after every rebound she could and playing solid defense.

The senior finished with a near double-double as she recorded 9 points and 10 rebounds, the latter leading the team. But it wasn’t just the number of rebounds she got, it was her aggression and effort to get them.

“She’s started to be more aggressive, going after rebounds harder, trying to get to the basket more,” Thompson said. “The younger kids see that. That's what a good leader should do. They should try to show them how to be aggressive, how to go hard in each play. And whenever she starts doing that, other girls follow.”

Bryer makes every second on the court count, and as the season progresses and games mean more she’ll be a vital part of this team’s success.
 

Brayden Riggins,  Steers football

To be a four-year varsity member in any sport is an accomplishment, and Riggins is one of the few on this year’s Graham football team.

The senior wide receiver brings a lot of passion and talent to the football field, and whether he’s getting the ball or not he simply wants to win.

“Against Monahans he didn't catch a football, but he was as happy as anybody at the end of the game. He was just happy for the win, and he was excited for it. So he kind of brings that unselfishness that you need to have on the offensive side,” head coach Clay McChristian said. “Then he turned around this past week (against Glen Rose), and he had two huge catches for us: the touchdown, the one that kind of sealed the deal for us, and then the big catch he had on the sideline.”

In the Steers’ region semifinal win over the Tigers, Riggins caught four passes for 70 yards and the final touchdown of the night. McChristian shared that Riggins has sneaky speed and an ability to make plays happen out of both long and short passes.

“He’s got really good speed for a big kid like that, and then he’s got a really nasty stiff arm too,” the head coach said. “...He'll put your head on the turf in a heartbeat, so you better bring a physical tackle to him or you'll be on the ground.”

His development as a receiver, teammate and leader over his four seasons of high school football has impressed everyone, especially his coaches.

“He isn’t on the (team) leadership council, but we told those kids, ‘You don't have to be on the leadership council to be a leader on the team,’” McChristian said. “... He's one that's pulled the offense together and talked to them like he is on the leadership council. So I'm proud of him. He's really found his voice this year.”