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(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Graham's Cooper Corley has been an asset for the Graham team this year and helped to make plays across the court. In the most recent game against Abilene Cooper, Corley led in scoring and was a part of the battle put on by the team to attempt to close the scoring gap. -
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Newcastle's Camren Mallory is one the many weapons in the arsenal for the Ladycats team. Between the last two games, Mallory and her teammates worked to be a force felt across the court and came away with two big wins to start their district.
As the Graham Steers open up district this week and with the Newcastle Ladycats having secured two victories already, local teams have been busy making an impact on the court.
Full focus is on winter sports as basketball teams have finished a solid portion of their season, soccer seasons are underway and powerlifting is around the corner. With basketball at the forefront, the Steers and Ladycats recently had strong showings in their matchups.
Cooper Corley of the Graham Steers and Camren Mallory of the Newcastle Ladycats have been named Athletes of the Week for their performances in their recent games.
Cooper Corley, Steers basketball
Though the final non-district game for the Steers ended in a 46-54 loss for the team Friday, Jan. 3, they put up a fight across the court and Corley was a key player in that battle against Abilene Cooper.
Corley contributed points in almost every quarter of the game and brought the sole points for the Steers for the first quarter with two made free throw shots and a 2-point shot.
After the Steers scored only 10 points in the first half of the game, they got a wake up call moving into the second half led by scoring from Corley and teammate Ty Thompson. During the third quarter alone, Corley, Thompson, Bryce Martin, Brodie Martin and Nikolas Wankowicz scored 17 points overall.
Even at the end of the game, Corley showed how the Steers had been battling the whole match with a layup shot with only 16.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to bring the Steers within nine points.
Corley led with 14 points at the end of the game Friday and, along with his fellow teammates, showed the determination that comes from being on a Graham varsity team.
Camren Mallory, Ladycats basketball
The Newcastle Ladycats have been on fire, with back-to-back wins destroying opponents Throckmorton and Perrin in matchups Friday, Jan. 3 and Tuesday, Jan. 7.
Mallory has been a contributing factor to the success of the team by making key plays across the court during both games.
Eleven points was the highest the Lady Hounds would score in a quarter overall throughout the game Jan. 3, with the Ladycats keeping possession and control across the court.
Part of the dominating lead against Throckmorton in the first quarter came from Mallory’s 2-point jump shot and two points from free throws. She would go on to get another two points in both the third and the fourth quarter helping to contribute to the 59- 28 win.
She brought the same determination into the game Tuesday with key plays to keep the Newcastle team ahead and show why the team is a force on the court this season.
