Decatur guard Style Brazile and post Bralyn Peck celebrate following the Lady Eagles’ 53-41 win over Waco La Vega in the 2025 4A Division I state championship game Feb. 28 inside the Alamodome in San Antonio. Peck was selected as the 4AI state tournament MVP with 15 points, eight rebounds, six blocks, five assists and one steal in the win over the Lady Pirates. BRENDAN MARCHAND | WCMESSENGER
Lady Eagles dethrone Waco La Vega for first championship title
The Decatur Lady Eagles girls basketball program proved that third time is the charm, as the team rose to the top to bring home its first state title.
Decatur (36-2) defeated two-time defending state champion Waco La Vega 53-41 in the 4A Division I state championship in San Antonio Feb. 28 — the Lady Eagles’ first successful championship campaign in three UIL state tournament appearances (1951, 1961, 2025).
The Lady Eagles never flinched against a vaunted La Vega program that was on the cusp of a 4A state title three-peat. Decatur set the tone early, and their well-rounded game plan overwhelmed the Lady Pirates from buzzer to buzzer.
Decatur’s offensive efficiency and passing was an effective weapon to dethrone the Lady Pirates. Eighteen of Decatur’s 20 made shots came after an assist.
Oklahoma State signee Bralyn Peck filled out every box of the state championship stat sheet with 15 points, eight rebounds, six blocks, five assists and one steal en route to claiming the 4AI MVP award.
Peck also took home the 2025 Wise County Female Athlete of the Year award, and was named Texas Association of Basketball Coaches’ 4A Player of the Year.
Joining Peck on the 4AI all-state team was her sister, forward Sayler Peck (13 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block).
On its road to the state title, Decatur claimed its second straight unbeaten league title, finishing 14-0 in District 7-4A to take the league’s top seed in the 4A Division I bracket.
The Lady Eagles collected postseason wins over Fort Worth Southwest (108-14), Levelland (58-26), Seminole (46-35), Canyon (42-37) and Mabank (53-34) before knocking off La Vega for the gold medal, and ended their season on a 33-game win streak.
Boyd coach Clark Oberle led the Lady Jackets (36-9) to the 3A Division II state title in his fourth and last season. Oberle announced his plan to retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year in August. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
Oberle leads Boyd to state title, ends career with third ring
Boyd volleyball coach Clark Oberle wrote the final chapter of his legendary 32-year career by walking off with his third state championship.
After falling short in the 2024 3A Division II final, Oberle’s Lady Jackets (36-9) fought their way back to Garland, and secured their first state title following a sweep against Clifton — 25-23, 25-21, 25-10 — Nov. 21 inside Garland’s Curtis Culwell Center.
The win gave Oberle his third gold medal and 798th victory. He previously led Argyle (2015) and Decatur (2018) to state championship titles.
Senior outside hitter and Addy Delgado was crowned as the 3AII state tournament MVP with 15 kills, 10 digs, one ace and one assist against Clifton. Delgado also took home the Texas Girls Coaches Association’s 1A-4A Volleyball Player of the Year and All-Wise MVP awards.
Boyd earned three additional spots on the 3AII all-state tournament team — senior libero Bryleigh Wallace (28 digs, 4 assists, 3 aces, 1 kill), senior middle blocker Annabelle Nichter (7 kills, 4 block assists, 2 digs) and junior setter Cami McIntire (29 assists, 5 kills, 4 digs, 3 block assists).
The Lady Jackets clinched the top Division II seed in District 10-3A after going unbeaten (14-0) to win its first district title outright since Oberle took over the program in 2022.
Boyd’s postseason run also included wins over Cedar Hill Trinity Leadership (3-0), Leonard (3-0), Edgewood (3-0), Paradise (3-2) and Wall (3-0).
Northwest runner Cooper Lutkenhaus signed a professional contract with Nike in August, electing to forgo his remaining high school and collegate eligibility. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
Lutkenhaus turns pro, inks deal with Nike after setting records
Fresh off of earning a gold medal at the 2025 6A state track and field championships, Northwest runner Cooper Lutkenhaus elected to start his professional career while still in high school.
Lutkenhaus signed a contract with Nike in August — becoming the company’s youngest track and field athlete (then-16 years, 8 months) to ink a deal with the brand.
Details of the contract were not made public. By signing the deal, Lutkenhaus chose to forgo his remaining high school and collegiate eligibility.
Lutkenhaus cemented his name amongst the best half-mile runners in the nation with a historic performance at the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships Aug. 3 at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field.
Sitting in fifth with 100 meters left and trailing the front pack, Lutkenhaus blazed a trail to the finish line and passed four runners down the stretch — including Olympians Bryce Hoppell (1:42.49) and Brandon Miller (1:43.14) and American 800 indoor record holder Josh Hoey (1:43.06) — en route to running a personal best 1:42.27 to take silver, securing his spot on Team USA.
Lutkenhaus shaved more than 3 seconds off of his previous national high school record time of 1:45.45 at the 2025 Nike Outdoor Nationals June 21 at Hayward Field. He also set new under-18 world and under-20 American records, and is now the fourth-fastest American and fifth-fastest worldwide to run in the event.
Despite being the youngest runner qualifying for finals, Lutkenhaus — the 2025 Wise County Male Athlete of the Year — ran just .11 seconds behind former American 800 indoor record holder and 2019 world champion Donavan Brazier, who claimed the gold medal in 1:42.16.
Making his professional debut just 22 days after jumping to the professional ranks,Lutkenhaus clocked 1:47.68 to place seventh in Heat 3 of the mens 800 at the World Athletic Championships in Tokyo, Japan, placing 54th overall.
Lutkenhaus broke onto the running scene in his freshman season. He was the 2024 5A state champion in the 800, clocking 1:49.84 to break the freshman national record set by Miller at the 2017 AAU Junior Summer Olympics (1:49.87).
In his second season at Northwest, Lutkenhaus claimed the gold medal and set both a conference and state record in the 800 (1:47.04) at the 2025 6A state championships at the University of Texas at Austin’s Mike A. Myers Stadium in May. He also ran 46.30 to finish second in the 400 behind state champion Elijah Ferguson of Kady Mayde Creek (46.05).
Lutkenhaus claimed the national high school 800 outdoor record by winning gold (1:46.26) at the Brooks PR Invitational June 8 — snapping Michael Granville’s time of 1:46.45 set at the 1996 CIF California State Meet. He then shattered Hoey’s 2018 high school indoor national record (1:47.67) after finishing sixth in 1:46.86 at the 117th Millrose Games in New York City.
The Decatur Lady Eagles (42-7) claimed a 3-1 win over La Vernia — 19-25, 25-20, 25-18, 26-24 — to earn the program’s second straight 4A Division I state title, securing the program’s seventh overall championship. BRENDAN MARCHAND | WCMESSENGER
Decatur volleyball repeats, earns seventh state championship
The Decatur Lady Eagles took a new path in the 2025 postseason, but still finished on top of the 4A Division I mountain.
Despite falling to third in District 7-4A after a tiebreaker loss against Springtown, Decatur (42-7) rallied and caught fire once again in the playoffs, sparking off six straight wins en route to claiming its second straight 4AI state title — the program’s seventh overall.
In the postseason, the Lady Eagles racked up postseason sweeps against Fort Worth Southwest, Stephenville and Canyon before earning a 3-1 revenge win over Springtown in the 4AI Region I final, punching the program’s ticket back to the 4AI state tournament.
The Lady Eagles then knocked out Lindale (3-0) in the state semifinal sweep, and rallied back to defeat La Vernia 3-1 — 19-25, 25-20, 25-18, 26-24 — in the state championship match, clinching their second straight 4AI state title Nov. 17 at the Curtis Culwell Center.
Decatur’s win kept the team’s unbeaten record in state championship matches intact, now 7-of-7.
Sophomore outside hitter Ava Green was selected as the 4AI state tournament MVP. She led Decatur’s offensive attack with 18 kills, and also recorded two digs and two block assists.
Joining Green on the 4AI all-state tournament team were senior setter Grace Fortune (40 assists, 11 digs, 2 aces) and sophomore middle blocker Sayler Peck (9 kills, 6 block assists, 3 digs, 1 solo block).
After the championship victory, Decatur coach Stormi Snider was tapped as the Texas Girls Coaches Association’s 1A-4A Volleyball Coach of the Year following her second straight gold medal run with the team.
The Lady Eagles also claimed three spots on the TGCA 4A all-state team — Fortune, Green and junior libero Hope Escobar.
Bridgeport golfer Colten Paradise fires a shot down the course at the 2025 4A state tournament at Legends Golf Course in Kingswood. The Bulls repeated at 4A state champions after carding a two-day total 590. BRENDAN MARCHAND | WCMESSENGER
Bridgeport golfers claim second straight 4A state championship
Making their third trip in four years to the 4A state tournament, the Bridgeport Bulls climbed back to the mountaintop and proved that its quick rise to prominence in 4A golf had been no fluke.
Just 371 days after celebrating their first state title at the same venue, the Bulls’ Aiden Green, Zach Kehoe, Brady Mann, Collin Moody and Colten Paradise capped off a strong 2025 campaign by hoisting the championship trophy for the second consecutive year.
The Bulls’ two-day, championship-winning total was 590. Andrews finished second at 617, followed by Mabank at 624.
The state title served as the third for Bridgeport golf coach Alan Green (golf — 2024, 25; boys basketball — 2015).
After starting the final round three shots off the lead, Aiden Green surged up the leaderboard to win the individual state title at 2-under (73-69—142).
Mann — an Abilene Christian University signee — closed his high school career with a third-place finish. His 71-74—145 tied for second, but he lost a one-hole playoff to Davenport’s Kyle Doolittle.
Aiden Green and Mann were selected as 2025 TAGC 4A First Team All-State players.
A Midwestern State University signee, Collin Moody capped off his run with the Bulls by earning a top-10 finish, placing ninth with 150 (76-74) and earning TAGC 4A Second Team All-State honors.
Paradise was picked as a TAGC 4A Honorable Mention selection. He swung for 15th at state with a two-day 153 (75-78).
Earning the silver medal at the 2024 4A state meet, Kehoe shot a two-day 162 (78-84) and finished 37th in his final state appearance.
Green, Mann, Moody and Paradise received postseason honors from the Texas Association of Golf Coaches following the Bulls’ second straight state title win.
Bridgeport punched its ticket back to state by claiming the program’s first 4A Region I title April 16-17 at Shadow Hills Golf Course in Lubbock.
Mann finished third overall at 4-under (71-69—140), securing the individual bronze medal.
Moody, who claimed gold at the 2024 regional tournament, closed with an even-par 72 after going 2-over in the opening round to finish seventh with 146 (74-72).
Kehoe (T-13th, 74-73—147) and Green (21st, 74-77—151) carded top 2 finishes, while Paradise (79-76— 155) tied for 34th.
Cason Lanfear shot a two-day 162 (81-81) to finish tied for 44th, and served as the team’s alternate at the state tournament.
Bridgeport earned its third consecutive league title at the 7-4A championships March 31 at Wichita Falls Country Club with a two-round team score of 586 (292-294), defeating second-place Krum (646) by 60 strokes.
The Bulls dominated the leaderboard, securing five of the top six individual spots.
Paradise (71-74— 145) was crowned as the district champion, while Moody (76-71) and Kehoe (70-77) tied for second after shooting 147 each. Mann (73-75 — 148) placed fourth — one stroke behind Moody and Kehoe — while Green (75-77) carded 165 for sixth.
The Bulls were invited for the second straight year to compete at the PGA National High School Invitational Tournament, held at Pinehurst Resort. Bridgeport carded a 3-round 879 (292-293-294) and tied for 11th with Massachusetts’ St. John High School.
Bridgeport’s David Duran celebrates after scoring a goal in a 7-2 4A Division II Region I semifinal win over Brownwood March 28 at Granbury High School’s Pirate Stadium. Bridgeport (15-7) suffered a 3-0 shutout loss to state finalist Gainesville April 4 at Lake Dallas High School’s Falcon Stadium in the program’s first and only season under former coach George Velten. BRENDAN MARCHAND | WCMESSENGER
Bridgeport falls one game short of 4AII state title match
The Bridgeport Bulls’ 2025 season was stopped one game short of reaching the state championship for the second time in program history.
The Gainesville Leopards held the Bulls scoreless in the 4A Division II state semifinal match, handing Bridgeport a 3-0 loss April 4 at Lake Dallas High School’s Falcon Stadium.
Bridgeport ended its season at 15-7.
The Leopards came out with a blazing offense, launching a long ball right after kickoff to nearly get on the board just seconds into the game.
Both teams came within inches of the net over the next 10 minutes, but it was Gainesville that was able to dial in the attempts.
Gainesville forward Cesar De la Rosa put the Leopards ahead by one with his goal in the 11th minute, assisted by Matteo Gurreiro.
Eleven minutes later, De la Rosa was celebrating again after knocking in a header to give Gainesville a two-goal lead.
The Bulls could never gain the momentum they were looking for in the first half. Gainesville’s speed and physicality helped them shut down Bridgeport when they broke into the Leopards’ half of the field.
Just a minute into the second half, Gainesville forward Ethan Torres teed up a free kick to set up De la Rosa with a point blank shot at the goal that he punched in with ease for the hat trick.
Bridgeport leveled up the defensive pressure in the second half and gained several shot attempts from it, but the stout Gainesville defense stonewalled the Bulls the remainder of the game.
Gainesville was assessed with four yellow cards throughout the match, mostly on defensive gambles, but the fouls had no effect on the Leopards’ deep bench.
Even as Bridgeport dominated possession down the stretch, the Gainesville defense gave goalkeeper Leonardo Martinez a stress-free night.
The following week, Gainesville suffered a 1-0 loss to Austin Achieve in the 4AII state championship match.
The Bulls earned District 4-4A’s top seed in the Division II bracket after finishing second (6-2) in league play behind Decatur.
In the postseason, Bridgeport claimed gold ball trophies against Borger (4-2), El Paso Irvin (3-2), Brownwood (7-2) and Diamond Hill-Jarvis (2-1) — punching the team’s first ticket to the state tournament since 2017.
One week after the state semifinal loss, Bridgeport coach George Velten announced his resignation due to health and stress issues, becoming the third coaching departure for the program in as many years.
Former Western Hills assistant coach Brandon Medrano was announced as the team’s new coach in June, marking Medrano’s first opportunity as a head coach.
Paradise senior post Channing Beauvais battles near the basket against Kountze’s Star Warren in the 2025 3AII girls state final game Feb. 28 inside the Alamodome in San Antonio. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
Lady Panthers, Panthers end 2025 campaigns as state runners-up
Following the UIL’s decision to split team sports into divisions last year, the Paradise girls and boys basketball programs both stepped onto the state stage for the first time in 2025.
In their first season under former Alvord and Miles coach Michael Barnes, the Lady Panthers (27-11) suffered a 69-40 loss to Kountze in the 2025 3A Division II girls state championship game Feb. 28 inside the Alamodome in San Antonio to put an end to team’s historic year.
Kountze’s length and athleticism overpowered Paradisethroughout the contest. The Lionettes forced 30 Paradise turnovers on 21 steals.
The Lady Panthers were represented on the 3AII all-state tournament team by Gazey Yates and Kimber Euler.
Yates was Paradise’s leading scorer with 13 points, along with seven rebounds and three steals. Euler was the Lady Panthers’ top rebounder with 10, and added nine points.
The Lady Panthers were a force to reckon with in 10-3A, placing second behind Ponder with a 10-2 record.
Paradise brought home five playoff wins en route to their state runner-up finish, defeating Cedar Hill Trinity Leadership (88-13), Mount Vernon (45-36), Tatum (62-57), Bells (49-31) and Idalou (42-40).
A week late, Paradise fans filled the Alamodome’s stands once again, as the Panthers faced the same daunting task — battling Kountze in the 3AII boys state final.
Paradise (30-7) fell victim to the Lions’ near-unstoppable combination of outside shooting and chaotic defense in a 67-41 loss March 7.
The Lions built up a 22-point lead through the first two quarters on guard Zac Sells’ — the state tournament MVP — 17 points and suffocating full-court press. And although the Panthers couldn’t overcome that deficit, they kept it more competitive in the final two frames.
Cooper Jones led the Paradise offense with 15 points. Cash Gibson was next in line with eight points, while Cooper Woodard finished with six.
Jones and Woodard were named to the all-state tournament team.
The Panthers clinched their first 10-3A title with an 11-1 mark in coach Bo Rickner’s third season, with their lone loss coming against Whitesboro (65-56).
Paradise’s run to the 2025 silver medal included postseason victories against Young Men’s Leadership Academy (55-38), Lone Oak (59-44), Hooks (47-38), Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill (37-31) and Wichita Falls City View (48-42).
Alvord coach Matt Fanning led the Bulldogs (9-3) to a District 6-2A Division I title and bi-district playoff win in his first season. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
New coaching hires turn around Alvord, Boyd football programs
A pair of new football coaches arrived in Wise County at the start of 2025 and immediately made an impact on their programs.
In January, Alvord ISD hired former Hardin-Simmins tight ends coach Matt Fanning to replace Marcus Grgurich after two seasons. Before joining the collegiate ranks, Fanning led Jim Ned to the 2020 3A Division I state title.
The Bulldogs saw improvements quickly under Fanning even before the season began. In its first appearance at the State Lineman Challenge, Alvor finished atop the 2A rankings and claimed the title belt June 21 at Hardin-Simmons University’s Shelton Stadium in Abilene.
Despite tough losses to Lindsay and Windthorst in non-district, Alvord caught fire entering District 6-2AI play. With Fanning on the sidelines and All-Wise MVP Zane Fuentes in the backfield, the Bulldogs went 6-0 in league play to claim the district championship, capped off by a 62-28 road win against preseason favorite Wolfe City.
Alvord (9-3) brought home its first gold ball trophy under Fanning following a 51-14 win over Hico, but saw its season end with a 41-23 second-round loss to Carlisle Nov. 21 at Ennis High School’s Lion Memorial Stadium.
Likewise, a change in leadership occurred in Boyd after a 4-year run by former coach Ian Ritchey.
Former Saginaw offensive coordinator Shawn Sparks was hired in late January — becoming Boyd’s fourth athletic director/head football coach in the last half-century — after helping to lead the Rough Riders to an 11-1 season in 2024.
Similar to Fanning, Sparks’ impact was quickly noticeable after a 56-7 season-opening win against Howe. The following week, Boyd upset perennial favorite Jacksboro at home, 26-21.
In 4-3AI play, Boyd dropped its first two games against Ponder (32-29) and Vernon (44-14), as well as its final pair of contests versus Peaster (36-7) and Paradise (41-7).
However, the Yellowjackets earned wins in the middle of their league schedule, defeating Bowie (35-21) and Iowa Park (31-21) to finish fourth and punch their ticket to the postseason.
Making its first playoff appearance since 2020, Boyd faced the tough challenge of battling 3-3AI champion Jim Ned in the first round. The Indians ended the Yellowjackets’ first campaign under Sparks with a 42-7 bi-district loss Nov. 14 at Stephenville High School’s Art Briles Stadium.
Paradise senior middle blocker Ady Stoltz elevates for a kill shot during a home match against Pilot Point Oct. 14. The Lady Panthers (31-14) made program history by earning three playoff wins over Duncanville Village Tech, Blue Ridge, Troup to earn their first trip to the 3A Division II Region 2 final. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
Paradise volleyball, football punch tickets to regional finals
The Paradise Lady Panther volleyball program climbed to new heights in 2025 during coach Cali Springer’s first season on the bench, cementing itself as a team to keep an eye on for years to come.
Securing its first trip to the regional final, Paradise (31-14) saw its historic run following a back-and-forth fourth-round bout with Boyd Nov. 11 at Chico High School, 3-2 — 25-20, 25-22, 25-27, 22-25, 15-13.
Trailing Boyd 2-0 and standing on the brink of elimination, all of the energy in Dragon Gym suddenly shifted to the Paradise stands. The Lady Panthers reeled off two straight set wins to send the match to a do-or-die fifth frame.
When Paradise jumped ahead to a 13-9 lead, its fans got even louder for a team that refused to quit.
But trailing by four, Boyd proved it was built for the moment. The Lady Jackets exploded for a closing 6-0 run, with Lady Jacket freshman right side/middle blocker Bayleigh Medlock securing the win with a walk-off ace.
Paradise outside hitter Autumn Proctor led the Lady Panthers in kills with 28 and added 11 digs for a double-double.
The Lady Panthers tied for third (7-5) with Whitesboro in District 10-3A — finishing behind Boyd and Ponder — and claimed the league’s second seed in the 3A Division II postseason.
Paradise brought home three playoff trophies following sweeps against Duncanville Village Tech, Blue Ridge and Troup.
In football, Paradise hoped to take the next step after reaching the 3A Division I state semifinals in 2024.
But the team’s momentum came to a screeching halt in the final seconds of a fourth-round rematch against league rival Peaster — a team Paradise defeated 21-15 in Week 8 — Dec. 5 at Springtown High School’s Porcupine Stadium..
Despite holding a 14-10 lead late in the fourth quarter, the Panthers (12-2) watched as Peaster quarterback Luke Gray launched a 63-yard air strike to wide receiver Cade McCollough to set up the Greyhounds at the Paradise 1-yard line.
A Paradise defensive penalty on third and goal advanced the ball slightly ahead before Peaster running back Mark Tullous scampered across the goal line with 16 seconds left.
The Panthers attempted to fight their way as the clock ticked down. Paradise returned the ensuing kickoff to its own 46-yard line, but quarterback Ayden Olalde’s final throw of the night was picked off, resulting in a 17-14 loss.
The following week, Peaster suffered nearly the same fate as the Panthers, as the Greyhounds fell to state runner-up Grandview 21-18 in a 3AI semifinal matchup.
In the loss to Peaster, Olalde played a part in both Paradise scores. He ran in for a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter, and tossed a 25-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Layne Smith with 8:28 left.
Running back Luke Brown led the Panthers’ ground attack by rushing for 54 yards on 13 carries.
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