By posting three consecutive impressive wins to open District 20-1A competition, the Meridian Yellowjacket boys basketball team has established itself as one of the frontrunners for the district crown. And even after taking time off for the holidays and stumbling in the high-caliber Rio Vista Tournament, the Jackets quickly restored momentum.

Riding a four-game winning streak in District 20-1A competition, the Meridian Lady Jacket girls basketball team has established itself as one of the teams to beat in the battle for postseason berths. And coming out of the holiday break, the Lady Jackets simply solidified their position.

Coming off an extended holiday break without playing a single game, the Clifton Cub boys basketball team quickly found themselves right back in the heat of District 17-3A competition. Following a disappointing 61-55 loss to the Whitney Wildcats at home last Tuesday, the Cubs bounced back to knock off the West Trojans, 60-52, on the road last Friday to fight their way back into the district race conversation.

Despite opening the 2022-23 Texas high school girls basketball season with an experienced, playoff- tested team, the Clifton Lady Cubs have been hit hard by injuries just as competition in District 173A began to heat up. And certainly, the adversity will test the resilience of the Lady Cubs as they fight to return to the Class 3A postseason.

Despite playing the 2022 Texas high school season as the team with the lowest enrollment numbers in the state in 11-man-football, the Meridian Yellowjackets made their presence known and remained competitive in a loaded District 10-2A, Division II. As a result, the Jackets placed two players – junior offensive tackle Noah Alvizo and senior inside linebacker Brady Taylor on the all-district first-team and eight more players on the second-team.

Despite being picked to finish last in District 12-1A, Division II, the young and surprising Iredell Dragons surged in the second half of the season to capture a berth to the postseason behind district champion and state quarterfinalist Bluff Dale. Drawing accolades for their accomplishments, Iredell freshmen Cole Heutzenroeder and Jordan Gutierrez were named the district’s co-Newcomers of the Year, while five Dragons – Heutzenroeder at running back and defensive utility, Gutierrez at running back and safety, senior center Chase Wilkerson, sophomore tight end and defensive lineman Deuce Paul and senior cornerback Preston Robinson were selected to the all-district first-team.

By advancing to the Class 1A, Division II postseason for the third straight season, capturing their second district title in three years and winning their first playoff game in school history, the Morgan Eagles dominated the all-District 10-1A, DII selections. Claiming all of the district’s superlative awards, sophomore quarterback E.J.

Clearly, the Meridian Yellowjacket boys basketball team has set high expectations for itself this season. And never has that been more evident than when their District 20-1A opening victory simply left the Jackets wanting more.

Bouncing back from a disappointing District 201A loss, the Meridian Lady Jacket girls basketball team quickly rebounded to establish itself as a team to be reckoned with this season. Winning back-to-back games in dominating fashion, the Lady Jackets ran past the Morgan Lady Eagles, 66-39, at home last Friday before burying the Walnut Springs Hornets, 44-9, on the road Monday evening before taking a nine-day break for the Christmas holidays.

Despite suffering a heartbreaking loss in their District 17-3A opener last week, the experienced Clifton Lady Cub girls basketball team showed resilience by bouncing back for a big win. And in the process, the Lady Cubs demonstrated their resolve and determination to return to the Class 3A postseason.