Denton Record Chronicle | News for Denton County, Texas

02/10/2012

Men’s basketball: A Walton run
MIAMI — Early in North Texas’ game against Florida International on Thursday, it seemed as if Brandan Walton might have one of those nights when nothing would go right. The junior is one of UNT’s best 3-point shooters and launched four in the first half. Not a single one fell. By the end of UNT’s 68-61 win at U.S. Century Bank Arena, those misses were nothing but a memory.

Women’s basketball: UNT rally falls short at buzzer
MIAMI — Karen Aston had North Texas go to a full-court press and called a few timeouts in the second half to try to get the Mean Green back to the point where it was playing like it was early on in its game against Florida International on Thursday. UNT got there eventually. But by then it was too late.

02/09/2012

Softball: Mean Green rebuilding after losing its leaders
During her first three seasons at North Texas, Lisa Johnson paid attention to every move players like Mallory Cantler and Mariza Martinez made. She noticed when they spoke up and when they stayed quiet while serving as UNT’s unquestioned leaders. What Johnson learned could go a long way toward determining if the Mean Green can overcome expectations that are pretty low heading into UNT’s 11 a.m. season opener today against Oklahoma State at the University of Houston tournament.

02/10/2012

Swimming: Twins among DISD athletes seeking state berths
For all of the Denton ISD swim and dive teams, Thursday was as a day of rest during the 25th week of a long and exhausting season. The district natatorium was filled with the pungent smell of chlorine, while some elderly visitors and a water polo team occupied various portions of the indoor pool. After chopping through water for the past 25 weeks, Ryan, Denton and Guyer can use this weekend’s regional meets to get closer to berths in the state championships.

02/09/2012

Men's basketball: Big-time chance

DRC/David Minton

Senior guard Tyler Hall has seen a lot of playing time recently after injuries and academics decimated North Texas’ roster.

Tyler Hall didn’t have a lot of time to adjust to being in a situation he never even dreamed of finding himself in a few weeks ago. The shot clock was winding down just seconds after he was introduced as a starter for the first time at North Texas. Hall had to let a 3-pointer fly. How Hall ended up in that spot is a tale of perseverance, misfortune, faith and a little luck, all wound up in one.

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Basketball: Denton girls face last shot to make playoffs
It has been a long wait for Denton girls basketball coach Dennis Krishka. The longtime coach is now in his sixth season at Denton and has gone five years without a trip to the postseason since winning a district championship in his debut campaign.

Women's basketball: Pioneers pull off the upset
The Lone Star Conference leading Tarleton State TexAnns entered Wednesday night’s game against TWU riding a 15-game winning streak, but that came crashing down as the Pioneers pulled off the upset with a 55-48 victory at Kitty Magee Arena.

02/08/2012

Basketball: Winner takes all

DRC/David Minton

Sanger guard Taylor Jones, center, goes up for a shot against Argyle defenders Madison Hardy, left, and Kim Strelke during Tuesday night’s showdown for first place in District 9-3A.

SANGER — Fans at Sanger on Tuesday night were treated to the final district meeting between Argyle and Sanger for at least the next two years, and the stakes could not have been higher. A week after being separated into separate districts for the next two years, the girls basketball teams met in a winner-take-all game for the District 9-3A championship and a first-round bye in the playoffs, which begin next week.

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Basketball: Ryan boys fade late in loss to Little Elm
For the second time in the last four games, the Ryan Raiders had an opportunity to topple one of the top two teams in District 4-4A. Each time, the Raiders held a fourth-quarter lead and were in position to win, only to let that lead painfully slip away. On senior night at Ryan, Little Elm came back from a seven-point deficit to defeat the Raiders 56-54 in overtime Tuesday night.

UNT notebook: Jones hopes Holmen can help Mean Green this week
North Texas men’s basketball head coach Johnny Jones knew from the beginning that it would take time for Jacob Holmen to return to form after missing nearly two months due to a pair of concussions. The process will continue this week when UNT heads to Florida for an extended road trip with games against Florida International and Florida Atlantic. UNT will face a red-hot FIU team Thursday before taking on FAU on Saturday.

TWU Notebook: Pioneers look to end skid against Tarleton State
TWU finds itself in another three-game losing streak — its second this season — and the schedule doesn’t get any easier tonight when the Pioneers play host to league-leading Tarleton State at 7 p.m. at Kitty Magee Arena. The TexAnns (17-5) arrive with a 14-0 mark in Lone Star Conference play, providing the Pioneers the ultimate challenge as they attempt to reverse a recent stretch in which they’ve been dominated on the boards, outscored in the paint and offered up little threat from the perimeter with poor 3-point shooting the last three games.

02/06/2012

Football: Ex-Ryan QB Young may consider move to UNT

DRC file photo

Scotty Young, who was the 2009 AP Player of the Year in Texas, will consider several schools to which to transfer, including North Texas.

Former Ryan quarterback Scotty Young is considering finishing his college career at North Texas, his father said Monday afternoon. The 2009 Gatorade and Associated Press Player of the Year in Texas spent two seasons at Texas Tech. Young decided to transfer after last season when he was buried on the depth chart behind starter Seth Doege and backup Jacob Karam, who transferred to Memphis following the season.

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Softball: TWU, Southern Ark. split doubleheader

Courtesy photo/Chris Bluenshine, Bellissimofoto

TWU freshman shortstop Kathryn Williams was 3-for-5 in Sunday’s two games against Southern Arkansas.

It was a tale of two games at Pioneer Field. Texas Woman’s University (1-2) had a better offensive game to start the doubleheader, defeating Southern Arkansas 6-2. The second game ended up being a pitchers’ duel, with SAU (2-1) coming out on top 3-2. TWU combined for six errors in the two contests, which is a problem coach Richie Bruister plans to address.

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Football: UNT alumnus Waters nears edge of victory
Brian Waters waited his entire career for an opportunity like the one he encountered Sunday night, only to see his best chance to win a Super Bowl thus far in his illustrious career slip away. After 11 seasons without so much as winning a playoff game, the former North Texas standout started at guard for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.

02/04/2012

Women’s basketball: Lady Buffs stampede TWU

TWU/Lockard Koval

TWU guard Raquel Cuffie grabs a rebound away from West Texas A&M’s Kenisha Harris, left, as TWU freshman Jacqui Nickell looks on Saturday at Kitty Magee Arena. The Pioneers suffered a 66-55 loss.

After trailing by 11 points at halftime Saturday, TWU rallied to take the lead against West Texas A&M, only to see the Lady Buffs respond and hand the Pioneers their second home loss of the season, 66-55. TWU went on a 15-2 run early in the second half to take a 39-38 lead, but West Texas executed down the stretch with a 16-4 run of its own. Sophomore forward Kenisha Harris, the Lady Buffs’ leading scorer at just over 14 points a game, led all scorers with 25 points and 10 rebounds, including 17 points and 9-of-11 shooting from the free throw line in the second half.

Softball: Pioneers drop season opener to Southern Arkansas
Costly errors and a lack of offensive execution plagued TWU on Saturday as the Pioneers dropped their season opener to Southern Arkansas 8-1.

Basketball: Make it three

DRC/David Minton

Guyer senior Andrew Williams, left, drops in a basket over Fossil Ridge center Brandon Conley, right, on Friday at Guyer. The Wildcats won 57-45.

Don’t count the Guyer Wildcats out just yet. After losing six straight games in District 7-5A play, Guyer entered Friday’s game against third-place Keller Fossil Ridge riding a two-game winning streak. And when the final buzzer sounded on Friday, the Panthers (19-9, 6-5) were Guyer’s latest victims as the Wildcats led wire-to-wire in a 57-45 win to keep their playoff hopes alive. “We’ve been in that position so many times this year where we’ve come out and played really well and weren’t finishing games,” said second-year head coach Trey Watts. “Part of it was that we weren’t playing with conviction and belief in what we were doing. Now we’re doing that, and they’re making plays down the stretch.”

Basketball: Broncos weather Rider rally for key win
It was a situation Denton had experienced three days ago — a huge, fourth-quarter lead that evaporated under the fluorescent lights against Ryan, further crippling the Broncos’ playoff chances. On Friday night against Wichita Falls Rider, Denton almost had the same thing happen again, this time to a team winless in District 4-4A play. But in this instance, the Broncos made sure to hold on for the victory.

Softball: Pioneers to open season today
Fourth-year TWU softball coach Richie Bruister relaxes in the Pioneer Field bleachers and watches his team work out in spring-like temperatures. He’s definitely not feeling any midwinter blues. A balanced mix of seven returning starters, five transfers expected to make an immediate impact and six talented freshmen is the reason Bruister speaks with an excited air of confidence about this year’s Pioneers.

Football: UNT happy with health of walk-on program
North Texas has a long history of having walk-ons develop into key players. Linebacker Derek Mendoza and Casey Fitzgerald are two recent examples of recruits who came to UNT without a scholarship and quickly developed into starters.

02/03/2012

Football: Up and down

DMN/Michael Ainsworth

Ryan football coach Joey Florence, left, and North Mesquite coach Mike Robinson call other coaches as they try to schedule nondistrict games Thursday during the UIL’s biennial realignment announcement at the Birdville Fine Arts/Athletic Complex in North Richland Hills.

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS — In a massive, dimly lit room at the Birdville Fine Arts/Athletics Complex, three projections onto a wall sent hundreds of football coaches into a chaotic swarm, as the UIL announced district realignment and reclassification on Thursday. Ryan head coach Joey Florence figured he would be moving up from Class 4A to Class 5A, the biggest classification in the state. But what Florence didn’t foresee was the number of teams in Ryan’s district. The Raiders were placed in District 5-5A, joining Coppell, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Hebron and Flower Mound Marcus. The district is one of only four districts in Class 5A with six teams, the only six-team district in Region I.

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Football: Guyer back in 4A with Denton, Lake Dallas
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS — John Walsh was feeling a little bittersweet after the state’s district realignment was announced Thursday morning at Birdville Fine Arts/Athletics Complex. The Guyer head coach watched as the Wildcats’ fate for the next two years was sealed with a move back down to Class 4A, as expected, and there were some mixed feelings.

Men’s basketball: Rally comes up just short
North Texas had chance after chance to hit a shot in the closing moments that might have changed the outcome of its showdown with Middle Tennessee on Thursday at the Super Pit. None of them would fall. Not a Tony Mitchell 3-pointer. Not a short jumper from Alzee Williams. Not a tip by Niko Stojiljkovic.

Women’s basketball: UNT makes it close but fall again
North Texas was right where it wanted to be Thursday in the waning moments against Middle Tennessee, a team that has given the Mean Green fits over the years. UNT just couldn’t quite get over the hump.

Realignment splits classic rivalries
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS — The communities of Argyle and Sanger have built up one of the healthier rivalries in the Denton area over recent years.

02/02/2012

Football: Head of the class

DRC/Al Key

Ryan defensive end Mario Edwards gives the tomahawk chop before signing his national letter of intent to sign with Florida State on Wednesday at the Ryan fieldhouse. Edwards is ranked No. 1 among recruits in the Class of 2012 by ESPN.

On a day fit for teenage kings, Ryan defensive end Mario Edwards assumed his throne and took his spot in the middle of the table among his teammates in the Ryan fieldhouse on Wednesday morning, announcing to a national television audience that he was headed to Florida State. As Ryan head coach Joey Florence welcomed the coaches, parents and media to the occasion, Edwards, wearing an earpiece and microphone, suddenly began talking into ESPN’s cameras. Florence, joining the rest of the room in a sense of confusion, wondered why Edwards, the dominant force on Ryan’s loaded defense, had already begun the interview.

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Football: UNT focuses on high school stars
Dan McCarney laid out a plan to build a solid program with high school talent when he took over at North Texas just weeks before national signing day a year ago. McCarney and his staff had a full year to recruit, not to mention a new $79 million stadium to sell, while putting together their second signing class.

Football: Ryan class leaves mark on program
Wednesday’s processions at the Ryan High School fieldhouse cemented what the city, state and nation have known for the past two years. It was a celebration for a heralded group of seniors that did everything but bring Ryan its third state championship, a ceremony commemorating a class that went undefeated in District 4-4A and earned a district title in 2011.

Football: Guyer DL trio heads to D-I level
It’s a rare occasion for one high school to produce three Football Bowl Subdivision-caliber recruits on the defensive line in one class. It’s an even rarer thing for three defensive linemen with histories like those at Guyer to earn those scholarships. But that’s why it has been so special for Guyer head coach John Walsh to see Cody Henessee, Dan Kottman and Diontre Thomas succeed this season and sign their national letters of intent Wednesday.

Football: Guyer seniors develop into pleasant surprise
When Guyer’s current seniors were freshmen, there was not a lot of excitement buzzing around the coaches’ offices in the football fieldhouse. The sophomores at that time were loaded with talent, and the younger class was a bit of an afterthought.

Women's basketball: Late TWU rally falls short against Zias
PORTALES, N.M. — TWU went on a 17-10 run in the final eight minutes, but it wasn’t enough as the Pioneers dropped a 62-59 decision to Eastern New Mexico on Wednesday night.

01/31/2012

Denton High coach hired

Kevin Atkinson

The search for Denton High School’s new football head coach ended Tuesday night when the Denton school board unanimously approved Kevin Atkinson as the school’s new head coach and athletic coordinator. Atkinson, who was the head coach at Keller High School for the past 10 years, takes over for Randy Patzkowski, who stepped down in November.

02/01/2012

Football: When it comes to the class of 2012 in Denton, it’s the year of ‘D’
Joey Florence was blessed with a top-notch defense over the past two seasons. Prior to last season, Ryan got a move-in by the name of Mario Edwards, who turned into the No. 1 recruit in the nation according to ESPN.

Football: Did new digs pay off?
Up until a few months ago, North Texas was in the unenviable position of selling dreams when it came to recruiting. UNT had plans. It had aspirations. What it didn’t have was a top-notch football venue — or anything close to it — while playing at Fouts Field.

Basketball: Ryan comes back, stuns Denton
Tuesday night’s District 4-4A game between crosstown rivals Denton and Ryan contained enough drama, passion and intensity to encompass a few hours, not in the 32 minutes the two teams battled each other. For three quarters, Denton outplayed Ryan in every aspect and was poised to finally overtake the Raiders, whom the Broncos have struggled with in recent years.

TWU notebook: Nuzum starting to feel at home downtown
Junior guard Brittney Nuzum, who transferred to TWU after two solid seasons at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, may finally be settling into her role as the Pioneers’ dominant perimeter scorer.

UNT notebook: Three recruits to sit out semester
Andrew Tucker is still a part of North Texas’ future. The Mean Green’s plans for the Tyler Chapel Hill running back and two other members of its recruiting class are just a little further off.

01/31/2012

Adam Boedeker: Odds appear stacked against Guyer-Ryan reunion

Adam Boedeker

Everyone tries to do their projections and much like a trip to Sin City, some hit and some miss. But when coaches from around the region convene on Thursday morning at the Birdville Fine Arts/Athletics Complex for the UIL’s biennial realignment, anything could happen.

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Football: Martin DL believes he can grow into his role
Mustafa Haboul doesn’t have ideal size for an interior defensive lineman — at least not yet. The issue is one both Haboul and Arlington Martin head coach Bob Wager believe he will be able to address quickly at North Texas. Haboul committed to play for the Mean Green after taking an official visit to the school over the weekend.

01/29/2012

Football: UNT picks up 3 more commits

Frank Monica hosted coaches from the Big 12, the Pac-12 and a few from the Southeastern Conference over the last year at St. Charles Catholic in LaPlace, La. They all came through early on to see his star linebacker, LaJaylin Smith. In the end, North Texas was one of the last teams left that showed faith in one of the elite players in Louisiana.

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01/30/2012

Football: Ryan, Lake Dallas, Guyer land spots on TSWA all-state teams
For the second straight year, Ryan defensive end Mario Edwards was named the Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year when the Texas Sports Writers Association released its 4A all-state team on Friday. Edwards also was chosen for the first team. Joining Edwards on the first team is former teammate and linebacker Alex De La Torre.

01/29/2012

Men’s basketball: Jones earns 200th win

DRC/David Minton

North Texas men’s coach Johnny Jones speaks after earning his 200th career win with a 76-64 decision over Arkansas State on Saturday at the Super Pit.

For most of North Texas’ game against Arkansas State on Saturday, the focus was on Tony Mitchell, the Mean Green’s dynamic forward who was giving yet another memorable performance in his breakout freshman year. It wasn’t until the Mean Green had polished off a 76-64 win over the Red Wolves at the Super Pit that UNT athletic director Rick Villarreal turned the attention to the architect of the win — not to mention one of the great eras in the history of the school’s athletic program. Villarreal walked to halfcourt and handed over the latest in a line of commemorative basketballs head coach Johnny Jones has collected in his time at UNT. This one was for the 200th win of his coaching career.

Women’s basketball: UNT rolls on
North Texas will head into a showdown with arguably the Sun Belt Conference’s premier program next week with a load of momentum on its side. Jasmine Godbolt led three UNT players who finished in double figures with 15 points and the Mean Green knocked off Arkansas State 68-54 on Saturday at the Super Pit for its fourth win in five games.

Football: All-Aune
Austin Aune is used to accolades. The Argyle senior has had his fair share of honors in the pages of the Denton Record-Chronicle and elsewhere. The two-time defending Most Valuable Player on the Record-Chronicle All-Area baseball team, Aune is a major-league draft prospect and participated in the prestigious Area Code Games last summer.

All-Area Football Team 2011

Women’s basketball: Late ACU run sinks visiting Pioneers
ABILENE — TWU dropped a Lone Star Conference game to Abilene Christian, 69-57, on Saturday at Moody Coliseum. The Pioneers are now 10-8 on the season and 5-7 in the conference. Despite holding the lead midway through the second half, TWU could not overcome a late 11-0 run by the Wildcats. The teams traded the lead eight times prior to ACU’s run.

01/28/2012

Basketball: Home remedy

DRC/David Minton

Denton’s Wendell Williams (33) defends against Lake Dallas’ Tre Dickerson on Friday as Broncos Ronny Garza, far left, and D.J. Hicks (32) look on at the Purple Pit.

Friday night’s District 4-4A matchup between Lake Dallas and Denton was like a race between two cars with bricks on the accelerators, with fans waiting to see which ran out of gas first. Denton defended its home court and defeated rival Lake Dallas 46-39 at the Purple Pit, keeping the Broncos’ playoff chances alive. Senior D.J. Hicks had 16 points to lead all scorers, with eight in each half. Dontonio Jordan led the Falcons with 11 points. Both teams raced up and down the court, and transition opportunities were bountiful.

Basketball: Avid gamer Holmen back in fold for UNT
Jacob Holmen didn’t know what to do with all the spare time he suddenly found at his disposal for nearly a month earlier this season. Doctors told the North Texas junior that he couldn’t play basketball and couldn’t play video games while recovering from his second concussion in just over a month.

08/25/2011

DRC's Football 2011