Statesman 1A Div. I team capsules

[AggiesAreWe]

Class A, division I

Bronte (35-4)

Coach:Rocky Rawls

Rank: No. 15

Streak: W8

Distinguished alumnus: Doug McCutchen, former Texas Tech running back

Team motto: "Band of Brothers"

About the Longhorns: Rawls has been the head coach at Bronte for 27 years. He led the Longhorns to runner-up finishes at the state tournament in 1987 and 1991. ... Twins Dakota and Kerwin Rawls, the coach's sons, make up the team's backcourt, with Kerwin (12 ppg, 6 apg) running the point. The 6-5 Dakota (19 ppg, 9 ppg) scored 31 points in a regional-final victory against Italy. He made seven three-pointers and grabbed 14 rebounds. ... The Longhorns' remaining starters are Rob Rosson (8 ppg, 5 rpg); Heath Richey (8 ppg, 8 rpg); and Ernesto Casillas (4 ppg). ... Rocky Rawls played for the legendary Ken Cleveland at Dimmitt High. He was a member of the 1978 team that lost to Whitehouse in the 2A state final.

Miles to Austin: 223

Cayuga (20-2)

Coach: Greg Jenkins

Rank: No. 1

Streak: W20

Distinguished alumni: Ned Duncan, former SMU basketball player; Shelby Metcalf, former Texas A&M basketball coach

Team motto: "Do The Double"

About the Wildcats: This will be Cayuga's first trip to the state tournament since 1958, when coach Jenkins' uncles played, and senior Billy Duncan's grandfather played as well. ... The Wildcats won a Class A state football title this year, and their extended playoff run cause them to write off the first 18 games of the basketball season. ... Without having practiced, the Wildcats lost their first two games, but they have gone undefeated since. ... Texas Longhorns running back recruit Traylon Shead (14 ppg, 10 rpg, 6 apg, 6 spg); A&M quarterback recruit Malcome Kennedy (13 ppg, 6 apg, 7 spg); and junior CJ Wagner (19 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg) have led the team this season. ... Cayuga is averaging 87 points per game.

Miles to Austin: 190

Gruver (28-5)

Coach: Troy Seagler

Rank: No. 17

Streak: W6

Distinguished alumnus: Rodney Dale Clawson, country songwriter

Team motto: T.I.N. (Time is Now)

About the Greyhounds: Gruver is back at the state tournament for the first time since it lost in the final in 2006. ... Senior centers Rily Urban (19.6 ppg 5.2 rpg) and Tyler ‘Randy' Wills (14.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg) have led the team offensive this season. ... Since the start of the playoffs, Greyhounds players and coaches have had a three-point shooting contest at the end of every practice. ... Coach Seagler also has been the principal at Gruver for the past two years. ... Some colorful nicknames on the team include Danny ‘Dandle' Bonilla, Drew ‘Super' Mireles, Caleb ‘Milner' Miller, Justin ‘Bassquez' Bass and Cory ‘Rita' Graves.

Miles to Austin: 553

Spurger (27-5)

Coach: Calobe Isaacs

Rank: No. 25

Streak: W9

Distinguished alumni: none

Team motto: "Do What We Do and Do It Well"

About the Pirates: As his team makes its first trip to the state tournament in school history, coach Isaacs said he expected his players to be "going crazy," but instead they were very focused on "winning it all." ... Junior center George Whittaker (20 ppg, 11 rpg); senior forward Daniel Blankenship (17 ppg, 6 rpg); and junior guard Chase McGallion (10 ppg, 4 rpg) have led the Pirates this season. ... Injuries and illness have plagued the team at times. Out of 32 games, all nine players have been available for just 10, but the team's record is 10-0 in those contests.

Miles to Austin: 289