Sports

The Graham Steers had their most complete performance in 7on7 so far in Brownwood. The team qualified for the state tournament after sweeping their four games. 

Right from the jump, the tone was different for the Steers this go around. Coach ZT Burkett said the mentality for this week was walking out of Gordon Wood Stadium with nothing less than a state tournament qualification. 

“We told them we’re going to qualify tomorrow,” Burkett said. “This is our week, we’re going to go qualify, and they did.” 

Graham officially kicked off its summer schedule in May with its volleyball camp. After a short break, Graham ISD picked their camp schedule right back up with Lady Blues softball camp. 

The camp started Tuesday, May 27, and ran until Thursday, May 29 in which Graham students ranging from second grade all the way to ninth grade were invited to come out to Hogan Field to learn the basics of the sport. 

In some places, the summer season might be a time for high school athletics to take a step back for a more leisurely and relaxed approach, but not in Graham. 

On top of summer camps, several teams in Graham ISD’s athletic programs are hosting summer leagues in order to build chemistry with teammates and give players valuable experience. 

One of the most prominent of these summer leagues are the Steers and Lady Blues softball and baseball leagues. 

Graham athletes continue to make their community proud representing them in summer tournaments. 

This year, several athletes were selected to compete in the various athletic events for the Maskat Shrine Annual Oil Bowl Classic.

This athletic tournament dates back to the 1930s when the first ever oil bowl all star football game was played. According to their website, the oil bowl started as “a simple summertime West Texas vs. East Texas high school all-star football game back in 1938.” 

After opening their 7on7 schedule in Fort Worth, the Steers traveled to Mineral Wells for their week two matchups. 

The event took place Saturday, May 24 and Graham once again had another shot to test their metal against regional rivals. 

While the team once again didn’t qualify for the championship game, they certainly had a stronger day finishing the afternoon 2-1. 

Overall, this 7on7 league is about building team chemistry and player development and the Steers were consistently better than they were last week. 

Graham High School has seen its fair share of new staff welcomed into its ranks over the years. The high school is adding another addition heading into the 2025-26 academic year with Matt Chapman. 

Chapman is joining the staff at Graham ISD after serving at Santo High School previously according to GHS Athletic Director Clay McChristian. Chapman will join the athletic sphere at the high school in a multitude of roles. 

Despite Graham hitting the end of its academic year and seeing its senior body move on to the next steps in their lives, the school must still look towards the future of its athletic programs. 

That’s exactly what Graham High School is doing with the nomination of athletes for their 2025 summer leadership board for football.

The Graham Athletics Facebook page released a statement announcing the members of the board Tuesday, May 20. 

The Lady Blues varsity basketball team competed once again in their penultimate week of spring league basketball Tuesday in Mineral Wells. 

During this night, the team put on some of their strongest performances yet.

“Chemistry has definitely built and confidence has grown,” Head coach Baylee Thompson said.

The night started off with the Lady Blues taking on the Perrin-Whitt Lady Pirates. The name of the game in this contest was smothering defense and creating extra opportunities offensively in transition off of turnovers.

Multiple Lady Blues softball athletes made their community proud with All-District recognitions. 

Those players in particular, whose awards were officially announced Thursday, May 15, are Hadleigh Allen, Tiffany Cotter, Zoey Harrell and Larissa Warren. 

Allen, Cotter and Harrell were each recognized as District 6-4A First Team All-District players while Warren was recognized as a Second Team All-District athlete respectively. 

The Lady Blues Softball Facebook page put out a statement congratulating the efforts of these young women. 

The first week of June will be one for the books for Graham and Newcastle athletes. Several stars from this academic year will be competing in the Big Country FCA All-Star Festival. 

Athletes from both school districts who will be attending were announced back in February of this year, but now is the time for them to step onto the fields and courts, some potentially for the last time, representing their high school communities.