Posted by
Mark Kusenberger on February 27, 2010 at 7:25 am
#12 Austin LBJ races past Boerne Champion 70-51
by Mark Kusenberger
SAsports.com Senior Writer
Boerne Champion started the game on a 7-0 run against the #12 team in the state, the defending Region Champion Austin LBJ Jaguars.
Sometimes, a surge like this from the underdog demoralizes an opponent and propels a team to an upset victory.
Sometimes, it just makes the favorite mad.
Friday night at San Marcos High School, LBJ got mad enough to earn a 70-51 victory over Boerne Champion, ending the Chargers’ season.
In the early going, Champion (24-12) attacked the basket with success, while LBJ shot three pointers to no avail. Then LBJ coach Freddie Roland called timeout with 5:45 left in the first quarter. The Jaguars shelved the three-point shooting – they finished by making only two the entire ballgame –worked the passing game and began to find open looks in the paint. By the time the first quarter was finished, LBJ had tied the game at 19.
The end of the quarter foreshadowed the remainder of the game. Although David Rogers scored with seconds left to put Champion ahead 19-17, LBJ went quickly into transition and found Deandre Byrd open for a layup half a second before the buzzer to tie the game again at 19.
The Chargers took the lead twice more, the second time at 23-22 on a pair of free throws by James Rogers, but LBJ closed the half on an 11-0 run. The coup de grace was administered by Robert Lee, who stole an inbound with one second remaining and dunked at the halftime buzzer. Johnson led 33-23 after two quarters.
It’s a tribute to Champion’s defense that they held LBJ scoreless through the first three minutes of the third quarter. It’s a tribute to the LBJ defense that they held Champion scoreless over the same stretch, after holding the Chargers to four points in the second quarter. LBJ’s stifling defense forced turnovers and snared rebounds if the Chargers happened to get a shot away. As the game wore on, more and more fast break opportunities presented themselves to LBJ, allowing the Jaguars to build the lead as high as 23 points in the fourth quarter.
Donald Dallas led Johnson with 21 points, followed by 14 from Deandre Byrd. Cameron Brown scored 12 and Robert Lee added 11.
James Rogers, a graduating senior, led Boerne Champion with 12 points. Andrew Abbott, another senior, scored seven points, all in the fourth quarter, for his highest scoring game since he poured in nine against McCollum on December 3rd.
Austin LBJ (23-7) will play Lake Travis in the third round on Monday. The game will be a rematch of last year’s Class 4A Region IV Championship game, won by Austin LBJ in overtime.
Quarters
BOERNE CHAMPION 19 4 7 21 - 51
AUSTIN LBJ 19 14 16 21 - 70
BOERNE CHAMPION SCORING: James Rogers 12, Connor Czar 10, David Rogers 10, Andrew Abbott 7, Madison Turner 5, Matt McKinney 3, Trevor Eckard 2, Dallas Quick 2, Marshal Kelly
AUSTIN LBJ SCORING: Donald Dallas 21, Deandre Byrd 14, Cameron Brown 12, Robert Lee 11, Darryl Roberts 7, Mike Hargis 2, Brandon Glover 2, Dante Price 1, Elijah Cash
Posted by
Jay Tope on February 20, 2010 at 1:27 am
Simmons putback gives Austin LBJ a 52-51 victory over Champion
by Mark Kusenberger
SAsports.com Senior Writer
The Boerne Champion Chargers had their sites set on the state tournament. And for good reason.
After all, they’d played a gauntlet of a non-district schedule, and came through it strong enough to be co-district champion with two-time region champion Steele.
But the Johnson Jaguars, ranked #22 in the state, brought their season to an end with a 52-51 victory Friday night at Texan Gym on the campus of Wimberley High School.
Champion (26-7) had taken the lead 51-50 with 1:06 left in the game on a transition basket by Paige Grandjean, with the assist from Hilary Lumpkins.
Johnson (24-5) followed by playing for the last shot, and when the Chargers covered Johnson’s biggest threats, Tashanique Jones drove the baseline and missed a layup. Grandjean got the rebound and was fouled with 11.31 seconds left.
The foul was the seventh team foul on Johnson, so Grandjean was faced with a one-and-one. She missed the front end; Johnson got the rebound, and called timeout with 9.46 seconds left.
Given a second chance to take the lead, Johnson called a play for Alexis Hyder, who finished with a game-high 23 points. Hyder drove the same baseline Jones did, and also missed the layup. But this time, Morgan Simmons got the rebound and the layup at the buzzer for the 52-51 win.
At the beginning of the game, Champion had trouble coping with Johnson’s size and speed. Johnson’s front court features 5’10 Alex Jones, 5’10 Hyder, and 6’1 Simmons. Hyder, in particular, caused problems with her sheer muscle. Johnson started the game on a 7-0 run, and led 19-12 after one quarter.
Champion began to cope with Austin Johnson’s size by being more patient in the halfcourt sets. Brooke Allemand scored 10 points in the second quarter, and Katie Smith’s late three gave Boerne Champion a 28-25 lead at the half.
The third quarter featured a tie and four lead changes. After a Hyder score put Johnson ahead 35-34, Lumpkins drove the length of the floor for a layup with 5 seconds left; Champion led 36-35 after three quarters.
Lumpkins’ score ignited an 8-0 run for Boerne Champion, capped by a Smith three which built the lead to 42-35. Johnson responded with a 6-0 to pull within 42-41, and the game was nip and tuck the rest of the way.
Johnson took the lead 50-49 on an three-pointer by Alex Jones, which set up Grandjean’s layup, which gave Boerne Champion the lead.
Which set up Simmons’ put back, a shot which sent Austin Johnson to a third-round playoff date with Pflugerville Hendickson, and ended Boerne Champion’s season.
Quarters
AUSTIN JOHNSON 19 6 10 17 - 52
BOERNE CHAMPION 12 16 8 15 - 51
AUSTIN JOHNSON: Alexis Hyder 23, Alexandria Jones 13, Morgan Simmons 12, Demetria McClain 12, Tashanique Jones 2, Cierra Johnson, Jasmine Brown, Losa De Leon
BOERNE CHAMPION SCORING: Paige Grandjean 14, Brooke Allemand 10, Hilary Lumpkins 9, Katie Smith 7, Heather Hormuth 6, Brooke Eckard 5, Madison Champion
Posted by
Jay Tope on February 17, 2010 at 8:30 am
Boerne Champion wins 84-26 over depleted Burbank team
by Mark Kusenberger
SAsports.com Senior Writer
The Burbank Lady Bulldogs would have had their hands full against Boerne Champion no matter what. Last year, when the teams met in bi-district, Boerne Champion won 53-31.
This year, Burbank Coach Laura Zapata was short three starters due to injuries. Boerne Champion took advantage for an 84-26 victory Tuesday night at O’Connor Gym.
Boerne Champion (25-9) had little trouble scoring, particularly in the first half. The Chargers led 28-14 after one quarter and 51-17 after two. Boerne Champion closed the first half on a 20-0 run; later, they opened the fourth quarter on a 22-0 run. Paige Grandjean scored 10 points, all in the first quarter. Hilary Lumpkins, who missed the Chargers’ last regular season game against Seguin due to injury, score six in the first quarter and 13 in the first half, slicing through the Burbank defense for easy layups and assists. Katie Smith also had 13 first half points for the Chargers.
Burbank’s Monique Alvarado scored eight points in the first quarter, but managed only three more points the rest of the game. Her free throw provided the only Burbank point in the fourth quarter; she and Valerie Arriaga were the only Lady Bulldogs to score more than a single basket. Burbank (20-16) made only eight field goals for the game, six of them three-pointers. Junior Sarah Perez, playing her sixth varsity basketball game, got the start and scored three points.
Such was Boerne Champion’s dominance that Charger coach Jonathan Tate could give ample minutes to players who usually don’t get to play. Senior Shelby Easley, who had scored 11 points in her varsity career, scored a career-high nine points Tuesday, all in the fourth quarter. Senior Madison Champion scored a career-high seven points. Jessica Bowers, who’d scored her only varsity field goal against Uvalde on December 29th, scored two points. Lolly Kelly, who hadn’t scored a point since that Uvalde game, made three of four free throws for three points.
Boerne Champion will face state-ranked Austin LBJ Friday night in the area round, with the site and time to be determined.
Quarters
BOERNE CHAMPION 28 23 9 24 - 84
BURBANK 14 3 8 1 - 26
BOERNE CHAMPION SCORING: Hilary Lumpkins 15, Katie Smith 13, Brooke Allemand 12, Paige Grandjean 10, Shelby Easley 9, Madison Champion 7, Heather Hormuth 6, Claire Sullivan 3, Sam Cardenas 3, Lolly Kelly 3, Jessica Bowers 2, Brooke Eckard 1
BURBANK SCORING: Monique Alvarado 11, Valerie Arriaga 6, Cassie Guerrero 3, Bianca Regalado 3, Sarah Perez 3, Marisol Acosta, Jennifer Gonzales, Maricela Acosta, Kim Garcia, Karina Martinez, Ingred Ortega, Tania Hernandez
Posted by
Mark Kusenberger on February 6, 2010 at 8:50 am
Simmons 34, Gumbs 20 lead Steele to 69-60 victory at Boerne Champion
by Mark Kusenberger
SAsports.com Senior Writer
The two-time defending region champion Steele Lady Knights had lost their last two games to Boerne Champion going into their matchup in Boerne Friday night. If the Chargers were to win again, Steele would find themselves second place in their own district, with the Chargers becoming district champions.
Since their loss to Boerne Champion in the first round of 27-4A play, Steele had won five straight games by at least 23 points apiece. And although Boerne Champion fought back to the bitter end, the Steele Knights extended their winning streak with a 69-60 victory.
Steele won despite Coach Kari Wallace missing three rotation players – Destinee Showell, Megan Cole, and Briana Morris – due to injury.
The victory created a deadlock for first place between Steele (28-4, 10-1 in 27-4A) and Boerne Champion (23-9, 10-1 in 27-4A.) Steele hosts Tivy in their final regular season game, will Boerne Champion finishes at Seguin, where the Lady Matadors must win and hope New Braunfels Canyon loses to Alamo Heights in order to make the playoffs.
Should Steele and Boerne Champion finish tied for first, they will flip a coin to determine seeding.
Meighan Simmons put on an astonishing display of quickness in scoring 34 points. Simmons made her one three-pointer with five seconds left in the first half to send Steele to the locker room leading 35-26. She also made all 11 of her free throw attempts, keeping Champion’s post players in foul trouble in the process. The Chargers’ efforts to contain Simmons, who has averaged 33 points over her last foul games, also freed up sophomore Elena Gumbs to score 20 points.
The pace was fast and frenzied, as Steele used a full court press much of the ballgame. The press forced turnovers, but also left the lane open for driving layups.
Two freshmen led Boerne Champion in scoring, as Heather Hormuth scored 14 and Brooke Allemand scored 13. Both players, however, struggled with foul trouble; Champion led 13-8 and Hormuth had just scored her third field goal when she committed her second foul with 3:03 remaining in the first quarter. Simmons’ free throws, and Hormuth’s forced trip to the bench, sparked Steele to an 12-2 run, putting them ahead 20-15 early in the second.
Boerne Champion closed within 25-24, only to have Hormuth commit her third foul, forcing Boerne Champion coach Jonathan Tate to sit her down for the rest of the half. Once again, Simmons’ ensuing free throws sparked a run, this time 10-2, and Steele led 35-26 at the half.
Although the Chargers never retook the lead, they made Steele work the entire 32 minutes, pulling within 4, falling behind by 9, pulling within 3, falling behind by 10. In the fourth quarter, Boerne Champion pulled within 6, fell behind by 10, then made it as close as 61-58 when Hilary Lumpkins found Hormuth underneath with 1:25 remaining. Steele made their last six free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
As exciting as the game was, and as clearly as each team wanted to win, there was a sense of unfinished business in the building. Not because the district championship has yet to be determined.
Rather, it was because as terrific as each team played, a rematch seems inevitable. On February 27th. At St Mary’s Greehey Arena. For a berth in the state tournament.
No one who saw this game would want to miss that one.
Quarters
STEELE 17 18 17 17 - 69
BOERNE CHAMPION 15 11 18 16 - 60
STEELE SCORING: Meighan Simmons 34, Elena Gumbs 20, Olivia Patterson 7, Taylor Calvert 6, Lauren Zoldey 2, Domonique Smalls, Rebekah Rightnour, Angela Johnson
BOERNE CHAMPION SCORING: Heather Hormuth 14, Brooke Allemand 13, Hilary Lumpkins, 10, Katie Smith 8, Madison Champion 5, Brooke Eckard 4, Paige Grandjean 4, Sam Cardenas 2, Shelby Easley
Posted by
Jay Tope on at 8:44 am
Photo by Antonio Morano
SAsports.com Senior Photographer
www.moranomemories.photoreflect.com
amorano@satx.rr.com
It was a special night at Champion High School Friday. Parent/Senior night for the Chargers…
… a great performance by the Super Squad of the Hill Country…
… and then an incredible game between the top two teams in District 27-4A. The Steele Knights would win, tying up the two teams for first place.
More pictures are available for viewing:
www.moranomemories.photoreflect.com
amorano@satx.rr.com
Posted by
Jay Tope on January 30, 2010 at 10:05 am
Passing game, three pointers lead to 70-62 victory
by Mark Kusenberger
SAsports.com Senior Writer
Stan Leech’s Boerne teams have won four district championships in the last five seasons, and have made the playoffs nine straight years.
In 2009-10, however, with a team including only three seniors, the Chargers struggled, losing five of their first seven district games, and in danger of falling out of the playoff race altogether.
Despite this, Alamo Heights coach Charlie Boggess said before his team’s game against Boerne Champion that he wouldn’t be surprised if they won every game the rest of the way.
Boggess probably wishes he weren’t so insightful after Boerne Champion’s 70-62 victory Friday night at Boerne Champion Gym.
Boerne Champion (18-11, 3-5 in 27-4A) built up a 29-15 halftime lead with strong rebounding, crisp passing, and five three-pointers. The Chargers unofficially recorded 14 assists on their 25 field goals.
Alamo Heights (19-9, 5-3 in 27-4A) dominated the bounds in the first round of district, outrebounding the Chargers 38-17 in a 53-38 victory at the Muledome. However, Steven Elder, who grabbed 13 of those rebounds, was lost to the Mules for the season due to an ACL injury in the Tivy game January 19th. His absence not only cost the Mules rebounds, it allowed Boerne Champion to negate Jeffrey Rodewald as a factor. Rodewald, who had 15 points and 13 rebounds in the first meeting, was limited to 5 points Friday night, and the Mules had to run their halfcourt offense from the perimeter the entire night.
Boerne Champion’s James Rogers scored 20 points, had four assists, and probably registered a double-double with his rebounds. After a 10-0 Mule run brought Alamo Heights within six at 39-33 with 2:03 remaining in the third, Rogers helped fend off the Mules by making all eight of his free throw attempts in the fourth quarter. James’ sophomore younger brother David added 12 points and five assists, while juniors Connor Czar and Matt McKinney each scored 10.
Alamo Heights used a press in the second half to try to change the pace of the game. The accelerated tempo opened up their offense, as Brandon Garcia scored 17 second half points and Thomas Villanueva scored 14 in the second half. For all their efforts, however, Alamo Heights only outscored the Chargers 47-41 in the second half.
The Heights loss, combined with Tivy’s victory over Seguin, gives the Antlers a two game lead with five dates to go in 27-4A. Boerne Champion pulls within one game of fourth-place Seguin with the victory.
Quarters
ALAMO HEIGHTS 9 6 21 26 - 62
BOERNE CHAMPION 14 15 14 27 - 70
ALAMO HEIGHTS SCORING: Brandon Garcia 22, Thomas Villanueva 20, Clay Boggess 11, Jeffrey Rodewald 5, John Misquez 4, Daniel Mitchell, Travis Garwood, Brady Blonkvist, Cargil Wright, Shelby Lane
BOERNE CHAMPION SCORING: James Rogers 20, David Rogers 12, Matt McKinney 10, Connor Czar 10, Marshall Kelley 6, Madison Turner 4, Andrew Abbott 4, Trevor Eckard 2, Dallas Quick 2
Posted by
Jay Tope on January 29, 2010 at 10:34 pm
27-4A saw Boerne Champion upset Alamo Heights 70-62, behind a solid performance by senior Janes Rogers, who scored 20. Combine that with Kerrville Tivy’s 60-49 win over Seguin and Steele’s 81-58 victory at sister school Clemens, and the playoff race is getting interesting. Current standings:
Kerrville Tivy 7-1
Alamo Heights 5-3
Steele 4-3
Seguin 4-4
Boerne Champion 3-5
NB Canyon 2-5
Clemens 2-6
Posted by
Jay Tope on January 27, 2010 at 7:59 am
STEELE: Casey Cooper 6 (Michael Stohlman 1) @ 11′
CHAMPION: Alex Rubio 6 (Billy Martin 3) @ 20′
CHAMPION: Ryan Jackson 2 (Alex Rubio 11) @ 43′
CHAMPION: David Bergien 12 (Cody Gentry 3) @ 74′
shots (on goal): Champion 26 (11), Steele 12 (6)
Champion GK: Kyle Bullard 5 saves
Steele GK: Michael Stohlmann 8 saves
Boerne Champion 12-0-1, 1-0-0
Steele 6-3-1, 0-1-0
Posted by
Jay Tope on January 13, 2010 at 8:58 am
The Boerne Champion girls had played one of the toughest non-district schedules in the area, defeating Marshall twice, Lytle, and Stevens, while playing both New Braunfels and Jay within six points.
Five games into district play, it looks as if it’s all paid off.
Hilary Lumpkins scored 20 points, Katie Smith had 15 and Paige Grandjean 14 in Champion’s 65-59 win at Steele Tuesday night, moving the Chargers to the top of the 27-4A standings at 5-0.
Meighan Simmons led the Knights with 24. Showell and Gumbs also in double figures with 11 and 10, respectively.
Posted by
Mark Kusenberger on January 6, 2010 at 8:12 am
Thirteen three-pointers carry Chargers to 59-40 victory
by Mark Kusenberger
SAsports.com Senior Writer
After trailing 11-6 in the first quarter, the Boerne Champion Chargers went on a 13-0 run, then pulled away for a 59-40 victory Tuesday night at Boerne Champion high school.
Boerne Champion (16-8, 3-0 in 27-4A) took the lead for good on Claire Sullivan’s three-pointer with a fraction of a second left in the first quarter. The shot helped the Chargers close the quarter on an 8-0 run, which they extended to 13-0 in the second.
Paige Grandjean led the Chargers with 17 points, including three trays and 4 of 5 shooting from the free throw line. Katie Smith followed Grandjean with 15 points, all on three-pointers, three in the decisive second quarter. Boerne Champion scored 13 three-pointers and eight two-pointers, plus Grandjean’s four free throws.
Boerne Champion scored consistently throughout the game, netting 14 in the first quarter, 15 in the second, 16 in the third, and 14 in the fourth. For one quarter, Alamo Heights was keeping up.
Alamo Heights (7-12, 0-4 in 27-4A) built an 11-6 lead early thanks to Stephanie Wittman. The future Kansas State Wildcat scored 7 points in the first quarter, and finished with a game-high 18.
Given the wakeup call, the Chargers responded with a three from Grandjean and a basket by freshman Heather Hormuth to tie the game, setting up Sullivan’s quarter-ending trey which gave Boerne Champion the lead for good.
The second quarter began in unusual fashion, as Boerne Champion inbound the ball to open the quarter, passed it around for 1:02, then called timeout. The game remained 14-11 until Smith’s first three-pointer with 4:40 left in the half. Combining a press with a patient passing game, Boerne Champion outscored Alamo Heights 15-6 in the second quarter on their way to a 29-17 halftime lead.
The victory kept Boerne Champion tied for first place with Steele, who defeated the other then-undefeated-in-district-team, Clemens. With Seguin’s win over Tivy, Alamo Heights is now the last winless team in District 27-4A play.
ALAMO HEIGHTS SCORING: Stephanie Wittman 18, Ashley Canty 8, Natalie Weyand 6, Jackie Cabello 4, Abbey Strunk 4, Megan Solomon, Sally Stecher, Jordan Ploetz
BOERNE CHAMPION SCORING: Paige Grandjean 17, Katie Smith 15, Brooke Allemand 10, Claire Sullivan 8, Heather Hormuth 4, Shelby Easley 3, Hilary Lumpkins 2, Brooke Eckard, Sam Cardenas, Lolly Kelly, Madison Champion
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