Lehman head coach Jamie Coy called senior guard and first-team All-District selection Amara Smith a leader on and off the court and someone who drove the team to new heights. (photo by Judy Cooper)
Hays sophomore Hayden Cagle overcame a serious injury as a freshman to help lead the Rebels to their first playoff win since 1980 this season. He and teammate Caleb Kimbro were named first-team All-District. Other local basketball players named first-team All-District were Lehman’s De’Andre Carson, and Amara Smith, and Hays’ Lindsey McCurdy and Nicole Alcantara. (photo by Bruce Ruckel, www.chaparralphoto.com
Hays senior guard Nicole Alcantara helped push the pace of the Lady Rebel offense all season. The senior was named to the first-team All-District squad. (photo by Cyndy Slovak-Barton)
Lehman junior point guard De’Andre Carson was the un-questioned team leader for the Lobos this season. He was named first-team All-District for the third straight year. (photo by Judy Cooper)
by JASON GORDON
Both the Lehman and Hays girls and boys basketball teams were well represented on the All-District squads.
In a year the Hays High boys won its first playoff game since 1980, the Rebels had two players, guard Caleb Kimbro and sophomore post Hayden Cagle, make the first team.
It was the third straight year Kimbro, a junior, has made the first team.
“To not play all the district games because of injuries and to still make first team shows the kind of respect Caleb has from the other coaches around the district,” Hays head coach Dean McMullen said.
“Haden had a great summer and came a long way after suffering a pretty bad injury last year,” McMullen said. “He took on the responsibility this year of being a leader and a scorer and that’s pretty impressive from a sophomore.”
In addition, Lehman junior guard De’Andre Carson also made the first team for the third straight year.
“De’Andre was definitely our leader this year,” Lehman head coach Thomas Acker said. “He was able to lead us in nearly every statistical category all while having a target on his back. Every team we faced, whether it be a district opponent or non-district opponent, focused their game plan to limit De’Andre’s effectiveness. I feel he did a tremendous job of handling what was thrown at him and running our team. This recognition is well earned and deserved.”
In addition, Hays forward Isaiah Williams and guard Jaren Rodriguez were named to the second team, as was Lehman post Jamael Windom.
Lehman’s Manny Santibanez and Hays’ Jacob Rodriguez, Trey Johnson and Travis Miller were named honorable mention.
It was an exciting year locally for girls basketball as well, as Lehman beat Hays for the first time in school history and the Lady Rebels nearly knocked off undefeated San Antonio Brennan in the first round of the playoffs.
Lehman senior guard Amara Smith was named to the first team.
“Amara is a leader on and off the court,” Lady Lobo head coach Jamie Coy said. “She works hard at everything she does. She is also ranked number six in her class. She helped run the Lobo offense and drive the team to reach new heights. She made sure that everybody around her worked hard and she will be greatly missed.”
Hays guards, junior Lindsey McCurdy and senior Nicole Alcantara, were also named to the first team.
“Nicole could play either guard position and was a great leader and defender,” Hays head coach Danny Preuss said. “Lindsey was our top 3-point shooter with 63 made this season and was our leading scorer. I’m glad we’ll have her back as a senior leader next season.”
Lehman guard Cydney Ervin and post Ariana Gallagos made the second team, as did Hays’ Jennifer Colonnetta and Rachel Calabrese.
Lady Lobos named honorable mention were Catherine Gonzales, Olivia Marzullo, Bria Cheatham and Anissa Robles. Lady Rebels that made the honorable mention list were Jordyne Dugger, Jill Borreson and Mariana Sigala.
