Sports

A little over two and a half minutes remained in the game. Graham held the lead, but Glen Rose was driving.

The Tigers had a first down at the Steers’ 20-yard line. Three straight incomplete passes set up fourth-and-10. With a stop, Graham would all but clinch the win.

Glen Rose’s quarterback dropped back to pass again, only this time he was quickly surrounded by a swarm of Steers defenders. Linebacker Mason Milton got their first, and he and his teammates recorded the sack and turnover on downs.

The holiday season has begun with teams taking breaks this week for Thanksgiving and winter holidays just around the corner.

Graham’s football team continued its postseason run last week with a win in the area round over Monahans while the basketball teams continue to push forward with their non-district schedules.

For their performances in recent games and all season, Addyson Weaver of the Lady Blues basketball team and Jayton Hearne of the Steers football team earned selections as Athletes of the Week.

Addyson Weaver, Lady Blues basketball

Graham’s boys basketball team hit the road to nearby Breckenridge for one final game before the Thanksgiving holiday this week, and although they fought hard to overcome early struggles, the Steers ended up with a 49-45 loss to the Buckaroos.

Graham’s varsity team this year is full of young players, either in terms of their varsity experience or their actual age and year in school. It’s taking time for them to gel and establish the chemistry that will help them win games, which will come with time and repetition.

A couple days before Thanksgiving, the Lady Blues basketball team spent time in Bowie at a tournament where the team gained valuable experience in the midst of a series of difficult games.

Over the course of two days Monday, Nov. 25 and Tuesday, Nov. 26, the Lady Blues went to battle in four games against Holliday, Paradise, Burkburnett and Muenster. Although the team went 0-4 in those contests, there was lots to learn and room to grow following each match-up.

One week after pulling off an upset over an undefeated state-ranked team, the Newcastle Bobcats got another crack at a ranked team. Only this one brought a considerably more difficult challenge.

The Bobcats fought hard Friday night against the third-ranked Westbrook Wildcats but ultimately took a loss and saw their season come to an end with a final score of 98-52.

Senior Rylan Monsey settled under the ball near the 20-yard line to catch the opening kickoff from Monahans.

After he secured the kick, he followed his blockers toward the Monahans sideline, and about 10 seconds later, he crossed the goal line for Graham’s first touchdown of the game.

It was yet another tone-setting play from the Steers as they rode the wave of that kickoff return touchdown to a 63-6 domination over the Loboes to claim an area championship.

Area teams did a lot of winning over the last week. Both Graham and Newcastle football teams earned playoff wins while basketball teams found some success on the court.

For their play in their teams’ wins, Katie McGehee of the Lady Blues basketball team and London Martinez of the Bobcats football team earned selections as Athletes of the Week.

Katie McGehee, Lady Blues basketball

Not more than a few weeks ago, McGehee was knee deep in volleyball season. The sophomore was a member of a squad whose season continued into the start of basketball.

The Lady Blues basketball team has only played four games so far this season, but early results have shown some promise.

With a first-year head coach and players having to adjust to different gameplans and tendencies, Graham’s girls have been up for the challenge and answered the call.

The Lady Blues recently defeated the Stamford Lady Bulldogs 45-35 in a battle where Graham’s defense once again led the way.

Graham boys head coach Kyle Wood has won plenty of basketball games in his career, but this past Tuesday was his first time as the leader of the Steers.

After spending multiple seasons as the girls head coach, Wood moved over to take the reins of the boys program.

While things may have started out rough, the Steers came from behind to earn a 51-40 win over the Millsap Bulldogs to begin the season.

Newcastle head coach Isiah Archer knew what he was getting his team into with their non-district schedule at the start of this football season.

He knew his team would be tested and they may take their lumps in some of those match-ups. But he also knew those trials would prepare his players for something big.

All that hard work paid off for the Bobcats as they dominated their bi-district game against the previously undefeated Spur Bulldogs 74-22 in a contest that ended at halftime due to the six-man mercy rule.