GAMES
RANKINGS
STATE SEMIFINALS: Dallas Lincoln squares up with Waco La Vega
Dropping only three games the entire season, the Dallas Lincoln Lady Tigers have put forth an incredible effort that has shown a no doubt mentality. Outscoring their opponents by nearly 850 points combined on the season, the team has remained resilient through all moments-- even entering the state tournament.
Beginning their season with tough non-district victories over Dallas Skyline, North Forney, Hallsville, Arlington Bowie, Crandall, Red Oak, Princeton, Lancaster, Paris, and others, the Lady Tigers set their expectations for the season. Not willing to accept defeat, the teams' only losses came in their non-district schedule in hard-fought games against Memorial, Sachse, and Princeton.
T'Anna Saddler, Kayla Crowder, Aaliyah Rose, Ar'Jayla Taylor, Grace Spencer, Jada Patterson, Jalynn Staten, Sy'niyah Gulley, and other talented athletes continued to hold their heads high through district play as they finished at the top of their standings with a 10-0 undefeated district record. The team downed North Dallas, Dallas Carter, Dallas Wilmer-Hutchins, Dallas Pinkston, and others to secure a fantastic entry into the playoffs.
Once in the playoffs, the Lady Tigers sent Brownsboro, Sunnyvale, Panther Creek, and Canton packing. Now, on a 25-game win streak, Dallas Lincoln finds itself at the UIL Class 4A State Semifinal matchup against Waco La Vega (30-11). In a good position to secure a state title appearance, fans can expect this squad to power their way through each moment on the court on Friday.
Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Friday, March 1.
FAT BOY’S PIZZA Player of the Month: Travis’ Mack eclipses 1000-pt mark to cap off stellar career
The 2024 season will be one to remember for Fort Bend Travis hoops.
The Tigers excelled within a loaded Fort Bend district, finishing third overall (12-4) and would subsequently advance to the Area Round, in which they were unfortunately eliminated by a stingy Bellaire squad.
Despite the Winter ending sooner than expected, Travis still finished the year with a record of 28-7, which is the best the program has performed since their district championship year in the 2020-21 season.
Justin Mack can be heavily attributed for that success.
Following his first-team all-district performance in 2023, the senior guard proceeded to have yet another monster year, which resulted in Mack surpassing the 1000-point career milestone with the Tigers, in their 74-63 victory against Paetow in the Bi-District round of the playoffs.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“I wasn’t actually aware that I passed the mark at the moment,” Mack said. “They told me about it after the game, and everybody was walking in the hallway and clapping. It was a surreal moment, because not many people achieve that in their career. I was just very blessed to hit that milestone to finish my career with the school.”
According to Mack, he’s been a multi-sport athlete for the majority of his life – competing in sports ranging from football, soccer, baseball, and track and field, which he excelled in.
However, he always knew that his home was on the court.
2023-24 Fort Bend Travis BasketballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“The chemistry you feel with your teammates stands out the most to me,” said Mack. “It trains you, even outside of basketball – getting to know more people, becoming more sociable. Plus, it’s crazy to think about how far this sport can take you.”
It’s not so crazy, apparently.
After all, Mack’s skill will be taking him up north to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he’ll continue his basketball tenure at Augustana University.
“They (Augustana Recruiting) have been talking to us since June, right around the start of AAU,” he said. “All the time that they sacrificed – you could tell that the coaches really wanted me, really liked me. They traveled to come see me play in person, and always kept up with me, which I really appreciated.”
“The facility and atmosphere is very professional there. So, I naturally made my decision to go to Augustana.”
Once he advances to the collegiate level, and isn’t spending his time balling or acclimating to the drastic weather-change in South Dakota (low of 11℉ today), Mack will have plenty of time to invest in his other hobbies.
“Honestly, I really like to read and cook a lot,” he said. “Right now, since we’ve finished up in the playoffs, I’ve been cooking, learning up on new recipes – especially because I’m going to be by myself in college. I won’t be getting any more home-cooked meals, so it’s up to me to make sure I’m eating right.”
Mack’s signature dish? Chicken fettuccine alfredo.
As an Italian, myself, I can strongly attest that you can’t go wrong with that meal.
However, if his high school career is any indication, he won’t just be cooking in the kitchen next Winter.