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The Playbook
From Staff Reports
Locals at International Bowl
Eighth graders John Brannon and Anthony Hines III appear to be on the football fast track.
Hines (Armstrong Middle School in Plano) and Brannon (Erickson Middle School in Allen) are both 14, but were picked for the U16 National Team competing at the International Bowl in Austin.
The 44-player roster had only 10 eighth graders.
Hines (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) is primarily a linebacker, but also plays running back and safety while Brannon (6-foot-1, 215) mainly lines up at tight end and linebacker, but can also go at fullback.
The 16U squad faced the Canadian National Team Wednesday evening from the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.
Leopards win 13-4A title
For the fourth consecutive season, the Lovejoy boys basketball team reigned supreme over its district competition.
The Leopards locked up another district title Friday night, retaining their unbeaten mark in 13-4A after defeating Royse City, 51-39. Lovejoy improved to 11-0 with the victory, led by 15 points from senior Jake Flaggert and 13 from junior Jordan Reed.
Now assured the district's No. 1 seed for the playoffs, the Leopards followed up Friday's win with a 40-38 victory Tuesday over Wylie East.
Senior Chris Ford led Lovejoy with 18 points.
With just two games remaining on the 13-4A schedule, the Leopards resume play Friday at 8 p.m. when they host Wylie.
Nwanebu, Mitchell win big
The Texas Sports Writers Association has released its 2012 All-State Volleyball Team and Lovejoy is well represented.
Senior outside hitter Ebony Nwanebu was named Class 4A Player of the Year while Ryan Mitchell was tabbed Coach of the Year. Nwanebu, also a first-team selection, wasn't the only Lady Leopards' hitter featured as senior Mallorie Puckett was a second-team pick. Senior liberos Bailey Martin and Brooke Ray as well as senior setter Shannon Connell received honorable mention nods.
Internet exclusive content
For more stories on the sports community, including web exclusives, video previews and wrap-ups, go to: starlocalnews.com. This is the site for in-depth coverage, immediate scores, videos, game stories and a football score ticker for those that can't wait for the print edition.
Hall of Honor nominations
Though the Allen ISD began enshrining people into its Hall of Honor when Eagle Stadium opened, the district is still seeking future nominees.
Candidates must be ex-athletes, employees, teams or supporters of AISD. They must have graduated from Allen at least 10 years ago and demonstrated good character throughout their post-high school athletic career. If a nominee is deceased, a representative of his/her family may accept the honor.
Nomination forms can be found at: allenisd.org.
Nominations should include as much detail as possible to help choose the best candidates. The selection committee will name recipients at an annual AISD Hall of Honor banquet.
THSCEF Leadership Summit
The Texas High School Coaches Education Foundation is teaming with Game Changers for its leadership summit on Feb. 18, 2013.
The event will take place at the AAC.
Tickets are $99 for Texas High School Coaches Association members and $250 for non members. Payment can be sent to: THSCEF, P.O. Drawer 1138, San Marcos, Tx. 78667.
For more info, call: 512-392-3741.
LaSane to Montana State
Lovejoy senior Nick LaSane has anchored the Leopards' backfield for the past three seasons and now looks to do the same at the collegiate level.
The running back will get that chance after committing to Montana State.
During his tenure at Lovejoy, LaSane totaled 3,212 yards of offense and 36 touchdowns.
On the ground, the rusher averaged 8.7 yards per carry for his career. The highlight for LaSane came during a 2011 campaign that saw him total 1,484 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. As a senior, LaSane ran for 865 yards and five touchdowns before suffering a season-ending knee injury in October.
The next step in his career will transpire at Montana State, which finished 2012 at 11-2 and ranked No. 5 in the nation.
LaSane also received looks from Iowa State, Clemson, Missouri, Georgia Tech and New Mexico.
Jacob picks La. Tech
With Signing Day approaching Feb. 6, recruiting has heated up for multiple Allen players.
Senior cornerback Michael Jacob was the latest to pledge a Division I school as the 5-foot-11, 170-pounder committed to Louisiana Tech over the weekend.
Jacob, an honorable mention all-district pick, played one season for Allen after transferring in from McKinney ISD.
Jacob may not be the only senior defensive back from the Class 5A Division I State Champions to be playing DI football next season though as safety Cameron Hartsfield has received offers to Nevada and UT-San Antonio.
Hartsfield, the Defensive MVP of the state finals and first team all-district selection, accounted for 100 tackles and six blocked punts in 2012.
Eighth graders John Brannon and Anthony Hines III appear to be on the football fast track.
Hines (Armstrong Middle School in Plano) and Brannon (Erickson Middle School in Allen) are both 14, but were picked for the U16 National Team competing at the International Bowl in Austin.
The 44-player roster had only 10 eighth graders.
Hines (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) is primarily a linebacker, but also plays running back and safety while Brannon (6-foot-1, 215) mainly lines up at tight end and linebacker, but can also go at fullback.
The 16U squad faced the Canadian National Team Wednesday evening from the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.
Leopards win 13-4A title
For the fourth consecutive season, the Lovejoy boys basketball team reigned supreme over its district competition.
The Leopards locked up another district title Friday night, retaining their unbeaten mark in 13-4A after defeating Royse City, 51-39. Lovejoy improved to 11-0 with the victory, led by 15 points from senior Jake Flaggert and 13 from junior Jordan Reed.
Now assured the district's No. 1 seed for the playoffs, the Leopards followed up Friday's win with a 40-38 victory Tuesday over Wylie East.
Senior Chris Ford led Lovejoy with 18 points.
With just two games remaining on the 13-4A schedule, the Leopards resume play Friday at 8 p.m. when they host Wylie.
Nwanebu, Mitchell win big
The Texas Sports Writers Association has released its 2012 All-State Volleyball Team and Lovejoy is well represented.
Senior outside hitter Ebony Nwanebu was named Class 4A Player of the Year while Ryan Mitchell was tabbed Coach of the Year. Nwanebu, also a first-team selection, wasn't the only Lady Leopards' hitter featured as senior Mallorie Puckett was a second-team pick. Senior liberos Bailey Martin and Brooke Ray as well as senior setter Shannon Connell received honorable mention nods.
Internet exclusive content
For more stories on the sports community, including web exclusives, video previews and wrap-ups, go to: starlocalnews.com. This is the site for in-depth coverage, immediate scores, videos, game stories and a football score ticker for those that can't wait for the print edition.
Hall of Honor nominations
Though the Allen ISD began enshrining people into its Hall of Honor when Eagle Stadium opened, the district is still seeking future nominees.
Candidates must be ex-athletes, employees, teams or supporters of AISD. They must have graduated from Allen at least 10 years ago and demonstrated good character throughout their post-high school athletic career. If a nominee is deceased, a representative of his/her family may accept the honor.
Nomination forms can be found at: allenisd.org.
Nominations should include as much detail as possible to help choose the best candidates. The selection committee will name recipients at an annual AISD Hall of Honor banquet.
THSCEF Leadership Summit
The Texas High School Coaches Education Foundation is teaming with Game Changers for its leadership summit on Feb. 18, 2013.
The event will take place at the AAC.
Tickets are $99 for Texas High School Coaches Association members and $250 for non members. Payment can be sent to: THSCEF, P.O. Drawer 1138, San Marcos, Tx. 78667.
For more info, call: 512-392-3741.
LaSane to Montana State
Lovejoy senior Nick LaSane has anchored the Leopards' backfield for the past three seasons and now looks to do the same at the collegiate level.
The running back will get that chance after committing to Montana State.
During his tenure at Lovejoy, LaSane totaled 3,212 yards of offense and 36 touchdowns.
On the ground, the rusher averaged 8.7 yards per carry for his career. The highlight for LaSane came during a 2011 campaign that saw him total 1,484 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. As a senior, LaSane ran for 865 yards and five touchdowns before suffering a season-ending knee injury in October.
The next step in his career will transpire at Montana State, which finished 2012 at 11-2 and ranked No. 5 in the nation.
LaSane also received looks from Iowa State, Clemson, Missouri, Georgia Tech and New Mexico.
Jacob picks La. Tech
With Signing Day approaching Feb. 6, recruiting has heated up for multiple Allen players.
Senior cornerback Michael Jacob was the latest to pledge a Division I school as the 5-foot-11, 170-pounder committed to Louisiana Tech over the weekend.
Jacob, an honorable mention all-district pick, played one season for Allen after transferring in from McKinney ISD.
Jacob may not be the only senior defensive back from the Class 5A Division I State Champions to be playing DI football next season though as safety Cameron Hartsfield has received offers to Nevada and UT-San Antonio.
Hartsfield, the Defensive MVP of the state finals and first team all-district selection, accounted for 100 tackles and six blocked punts in 2012.
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