Hornets Nest

Fall, winter sport updates

   Girls Basketball: I’m really liking the mentality and work ethic in the gym…kids are working hard, absorbing the coaching, and getting better each day. They also will welcome back some additional veterans once the cross country and volleyball postseasons have ended. They won’t make their 2024-25 debut until Nov. 8.  

   It was good to see some of the ex-players at last week’s Alumni Game. Those exes might have aged a little, but they showed they still have some fundamental skills and technique. For young players reading these words…those ladies could hoop it up back in the day.

   Football: It’s been a long time since I have ever witnessed a quarter of football like last week’s GHS win at China Spring. It was a whirlwind, up and down, and exciting as heck to say the least.  Fans on both sides were loud – we had a smaller crowd, but they were vocal and doing everything they could to help.

   After seeing a pretty comfortable 21-0 third quarter lead disappear, the Hornets didn’t panic or lose control, they simply kept making plays. The offensive line kept mashing like they had done all night. Rayshon Smith toted the rock and had numerous yards after contact, and Clark Allman had a nifty kick return. On the final, game-winning drive, GHS shocked the entire stadium with a throwback on a kickoff. Then, Dutch Nielsen made a brilliant catch on the sideline to keep the final drive alive. Black & Gold was not going to lose, plain and simple.

   Thinking back to how GHS had lost some wild affairs at China Spring over the last two decades, this victory was S…W…E…E…T!  Afterward, I celebrated in my own way…with a bottle of Coke and salted peanuts on the drive home.

   Volleyball: GHS will step into the playoffs Tuesday night as it faces Burnet in the Class 4A bi-district round. It has been fun to watch this still-young team mature and get it done on the court and to watch the contributions of different players on varying nights. If you have been to any of their games or watched their game/highlight videos on social media, you can see how those guys celebrate big with their teammates after good plays and wins.

   Hornet Volleyball will be making its 22nd-straight playoff appearance, a streak that started long before any of the current players were born. That in itself is pressure enough for current GHS players trying their best to keep alive the streak that began in 2003.

THSCA Coaches Day

   Yesterday (Nov. 1) was Texas High School Coaches Day as designated by the THSCA (Texas High School Coaches Association), the largest organization of its kind in the country.

   I can’t say or brag enough about our coaching staff…the men and women that go above and beyond to help shape and mold our student-athletes that make each and every program/sport a big deal and that spend countless hours away from their own families each week to make sure our teams are prepared and ready for success.

   To our coaches, thank you so much for everything you do on a daily and year-round basis for Hornet Athletics.

Notes and dotes

   …There are so many things that go into hosting an event, especially athletics events that draw large crowds of onlookers. We are so fortunate to have great custodial and maintenance staff that prep and take care of our facilities, as well as make sure things run smoothly on those game nights. We are also grateful for the dozens of folks that help work our games, from admin to press box to gates to sidelines to concessions. It takes everyone.

   …If any business is interested, we still have ad spots on GISD Athletics’ Weekly Calendar that reaches hundreds of viewers and readers through our Gmail distribution, sportsYou accounts for each sport, and Athletics’ Facebook and X threads. The spots can be rented once or on a long-term basis. Contact me at rgphilli@gatesvilleisd.org if you have any questions.  

Upcoming schedule

Tuesday, Nov. 5

Boys Basketball: Varsity-JV scrimmage at Lampasas

Tennis: GHS hosts JV tournament

Thursday, Nov. 7

Football: JV Gold-JV Black here vs. Connally, JV White here vs. Lake Belton

Football: GJHS at Connally

Tennis: GHS hosts Varsity tournament

                               Friday, Nov. 8

Girls Basketball: GHS here vs. Groesbeck

Football: Varsity at Connally

                   Saturday, Nov. 9

Wrestling: GHS intrasquad scrimmage

Hornet Fight Never Dies!

Gatesville Hornet Athletics on Facebook, @FightinHornets on X, www.gatesvilleathletics.com