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Ten Highland Lakes Sports Insights

Welcome to this weekly column where readers will find a summary of sports across the region and the impressions left on this writer. The end of June is near. And that means a real push for athletes to attend voluntary strength-and-conditioning sessions will pick up speed in July. Let’s face it — even I am struggling to do my workouts indoors with the air conditioner and fans blaring. So those athletes who use the last invaluable weeks of the summer to arrive fit for the first day of fall training…

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Next Level caps busy month with tournament victories

Three Next Level basketball teams performed well in tournaments against some great opponents that traveled from across the state and country. Next Level’s 17-and-under girls team went 1-2 at the Foreverland Tournament June 18-19, while the 15-and-under team finished third in its division at the same event with a 2-1 record. The 17-and-under team defeated Nike Pro Skills Roberts 55-32 but lost to Texas Lone Star Gold Dallas 46-42 and to Texas Elite Premier, the host, 46-37. The team, coached by Malcolm Canada, featured MaeSyn Gay, Grace Gates and Zaria…

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Burnet athletics finishes Lone Star Cup race in the top 25

The University Interscholastic League announced final standings for the Lone Star Cup races in all classes, and Burnet High School finished No. 23 in Class 4A. Athletic director Kurt Jones presented the results during the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees meeting June 20. “I think it’s the highest overall finish for us since they started that (competition),” he said. “That’s about out of 230 Class 4A schools. We feel like it was a great year for us collectively.” In late March Burnet was No. 11 that included…

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Next Level teams have top three finishes at showcase events

Two Next Level basketball teams had impressive showings at the T.J. Johnson Showcase June 11-12 in Austin where each squad posted 3-1 records. Next Level, which is located in Burnet, allows athletes to play different sports under their direction in tournaments across the state and country. Next Level’s boys 16-and-under team won the championship thanks to beating Houston Kings 58-44. Next Level was second in pool play with wins against TWE Red 55-53 and Waco Warriors 53-51 but lost to State Elite DeShaun 71-59 in pool play. Next Level’s girls…

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Marble Falls Lady Mustangs make most of first week of voluntary workouts

The Marble Falls High School weight room was so crowded that visitors had to be careful with every step and willing to turn and twist to avoid bumping into athletes who are participating in voluntary strength-and-conditioning workouts. And the crowd wasn’t by the Marble Falls High School boys; rather it came from the Lady Mustangs representing grades 7-12 and the seventh- and eighth-grade boys. About 38 Lady Mustangs and 40 middle-school boys attended the first week of voluntary sessions, a solid number for both. “I would say for day one,…

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Next Level to play in two top tournaments over the weekend

The Next Level girl basketball program has several tournaments scheduled for the next few weeks. Top of the list is the Foreverland Invitational in Mansfield June 18-19 that will draw two Next Level squads. Next Level team members are Grace Gates, Aubrey Matthews, Sydney Lough, Sydney Robinson, Sierra Schaeffer, Kloe Shannon and Zaria Solis, both of Burnet; Ellison Lehmberg of Faith Academy of Marble Falls; Kennedy Smart of Lampasas; Ciara Hayes and Keaton Owen, both of Llano; and Alyssa Berkman, Lexi Edwards, Izzy Fernandez, Bethany Fry, Emma Koziel, and Tea…

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Burnet coaches see big increase in attendance for voluntary workouts

The number of Bulldogs attending voluntary strength-and-conditioning sessions thrills the Burnet High School coaching staff. That’s according to defensive coordinator Ben Speer. Burnet is averaging triple-digit attendance by athletes in grades 7-12, about 50 percent increase from summer 2021. The seven-week summer strength-and-conditioning sessions began June 6. “We can’t be disappointed with that,” Speer said. “Last summer we had 60 guys, and we thought that was good.” Several factors have contribute to the increase of attendees, he said. First, head coach Bryan Wood is beginning his second summer in Burnet.…

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Burnet improves existing athletics facilities for more space, to conserve valuable resources

While much of the talk regarding athletics facilities revolves around the construction of the new activity center projected to open in February 2023, Burnet Consolidated Independent School District officials aren’t ignoring existing facilities. They include replacing scoreboards and natural grass and adding track lanes. It’s difficult to miss where these upgrades are happening when fans are at Bulldog Field. At Bulldog Diamonds, the baseball and softball fields are receiving artificial turf and new scoreboards. Originally both facilities had natural grass when they opened in 2008. The scoreboards that are being…

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Next Level boys hoops features Marble Falls, Faith Academy, Johnson City players

The Next Level boys select basketball team was within seconds of a earning one of the program’s biggest wins. Instead a charging call allowed nationally-known Sky High, a squad consisting of players 16 and younger, to escape with a 44-41 win last weekend. The contest was part of the Lace Em Up tournament in Georgetown June 3-5 where Next Level finished with a 2-1 record. The Next Level players include Gabe Lopez and Tidus Willie, both Faith Academy of Marble Falls athletes; Roman Brown, Jamie Castillo, Cooper Cochran, Garon Jones,…

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Health battles help Burnet’s Escamilla discover her calling

Burnet High School graduate Marissa Escamilla’s health battles helped her discover her career path and how she wants to be a blessing for others the way her mentor, Dr. Jason Hill, has been a blessing for her. The 2018 graduate recently earned her bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University in kinesiology thanks to being on a basketball scholarship. But the Lady Dawg battled numerous injuries throughout her four years playing for the TexAnns, none bigger than a back injury that medical professionals told her would require she wear a back…

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