RANKINGS
End Of An Era: Hays Will Remember Latest Sweep Of Rival Lehman
On Friday January 31st, a pair of Hays CISD schools were thinking about the next round of UIL Realignment, which will introduce new district lineups on Monday February 3rd. The school district's two oldest high schools had their final basketball district meetings before they head to different classifications for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years.
Hays, which will remain in UIL 6A, completed its seventh boys basketball season sweep of future UIL 5A program Kyle Lehman by winning 54-36 in Buda on December 31st and 67-39 in Kyle on Friday. At the same time, the Lady Rebels were wrapping up their 11th girls basketball season sweep of the Lady Lobos. They won 53-31 in Kyle on December 31st and 49-21 in Buda on Friday.
"Felt great," VYPE Player of the Game Luke Watson said of the boys basketball sweep. "Playing Lehman all four years [and] finish out with two good wins."
The Hays boys (18-9, 7-5) leaned on Watson's game-high 17 points to stay in the mix for a 25-6A playoff spot with four district games remaining in the regular season. He had strong starts to both halves and set up important Rebel runs. It started with his seven points in the opening quarter, which paved the way to an early 16-4 advantage. Kyle Lehman (13-16, 3-9) did answer with a 12-5 surge to cut the difference to five in the second period, but seven more Watson points in the third frame and an 11-0 Rebels' start to the second half put an end to the Lobos' comeback attempt.
"I knew Lehman was going to be a tough game," said Watson. "They're a big rival, so I thought I'd come out there, bring a lot of energy, try to get my team going with a few shots and [it] worked out."
Hays also got 13 points from Caden Doyle and 11 from Durand Hill, while Jarek Salinas led Kyle Lehman with 13.
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Locker Talk ATX/SATX: Temple/McDermott Interview + Area Hoops/Soccer & Kobe
VYPE editor Thomas Bingham, Hill Country Indoor sports director Evan Beyer and "Producer Josh" Waclawczyk continue their 2019-2020 sports coverage and share this week's "From The Bench" interview with Austin Achieve athletic director/boys basketball head coach Jordan Temple and senior basketball player DJ McDermott during the 22nd Locker Talk Austin/San Antonio episode. Thomas talks to the guests about their school's rise to UIL membership, how their campus is trying to stick out in the vast athletic and education scene, the heated playoff race featuring their 2019-2020 basketball team, and more.
Along with this, the hosts discuss notable area soccer and basketball matchups, continue their weekly pick 'em segment and remember the life of Kobe Bryant.