Sports

San Francisco Giants Minor League Baseball Roundup, 8/14/25

Published

5 months ago

August 15, 2025

San Francisco Giants Minor League Baseball Roundup, 8/14/25

It’s been a few days without a roundup for the San Francisco Giants Minor League Baseball affiliates, as I’ve been enjoying a few days off. But I’m back, and so, too, are the roundups! All six of the team’s affiliates that are still in season were in action on Thursday, so let’s discuss the games!

Link to the 2025 McCovey Chronicles Community Prospect List (CPL)

All listed positions in the roundup are the positions played in that particular game.

Not much news. The Giants signed veteran RHP JT Brubaker to a Minor League deal and assigned him to AAA Sacramento. Brubaker has a 3.38 ERA in 16 innings in the Majors this year, all with the Yankees. ACL infielder Ramon Peralta, a 2021 international free agent, was released.

AAA Sacramento (61-56)

Sacramento River Cats lost to the Round Rock Express (Rangers) 3-2
Box score

Thursday was the 4th AAA start of the season for RHP Hayden Birdsong, and unfortunately, the strike-throwing issues that plagued his Major League season are remaining an issue on the farm. Birdsong threw just 49 of 89 pitches for strikes against Round Rock, and those 89 pitches only took him through 4 innings.

Birdsong only gave up 2 hits, though 1 was a homer and 1 was a double, and he was tagged for 2 runs. But the big issue was the 3 walks he allowed, as well as a hit batter, while striking out just 4. After Birdsong’s out-of-nowhere struggles in the summer, his reset in AAA hasn’t gone quite as well as the organization had hoped. He’s walked 7 batters and hit 2 in just 16.1 innings, and hasn’t exactly been effectively wild, either: he’s allowed 19 hits and 9 earned runs in that time, with 18 strikeouts. With LHP Kyle Harrison gone, I’d claim Birdsong as the inarguable top pitching “prospect” (he’s not technically a prospect) in the system, so it’s far too early to hit the panic button, but it’s safe to say it’s been a very disappointing year for him.

Birdsong probably won’t be back in San Francisco very soon, and there’s another high-profile player in Sacramento who probably won’t be at Oracle Park anytime soon: first baseman Bryce Eldridge (No. 1 CPL). A few weeks ago, Buster Posey threw a lot of cold water on the idea of Eldridge making his MLB debut soon, but then the lefty slugger had a blistering hot streak, which included 4 home runs in 3 games. Since then, he’s cooled off fairly dramatically. The 20-year old phenom went 0-3 with a walk, a strikeout, and an error on Thursday, which was his 3rd straight hitless game … and he has 6 strikeouts in that time. Since the aforementioned dinger explosion, Eldridge has hit just 3-29 with 1 home run, 3 walks, and 17 strikeouts. That does nothing to diminish his prospect status or star power, but it certainly makes it that much more likely that his MLB debut comes in 2026.

Well, that’s probably enough time spent talking about bad things. Let’s talk about some good things! Center fielder Wade Meckler (No. 13 CPL), left fielder Marco Luciano, and third baseman Thomas Gavello all doubled, with Meckler having a 2-hit day. Meckler hasn’t been showing much power at all this season (he has just 11 extra-base hits, and 0 home runs in 252 plate appearances this year), but that’s not surprising. What is surprising is that the hits are down, too. It used to feel like Meckler had 4 or 5 multi-hit games a week, but Thursday’s outing was just his 3rd multi-hit outing in the last 18 games, as his average has dropped to .264 … not awful in a vacuum, but a death sentence for a player with no power.

Well, damn. My quest to not talk about bad things failed! Let’s try again. Luciano only went 1-4, but all 4 of his at-bats resulted in hard contact, and his hit was a 406-foot double that left the bat at 112 mph. After an ice-cold stretch, Luciano now has a 4-game hit streak going, during which time he’s hit 5-13 with 2 doubles, 2 walks, and just 3 strikeouts. Perhaps that’s not the biggest dose of optimism, but it’s better than anything else I’ve drummed up in this article yet!

Back to the mound: LHP Erik Miller made his 3rd rehab appearance and it went significantly better than the other 2, as he pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout. RHP Braxton Roxby also pitched a perfect inning, and is certainly playing himself into contention for Rule 5 protection this winter.

AA Richmond (42-66)

Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Altoona Curve (Pirates) 6-1
Box score

A very bad day for the Flying Squirrels, but a pair of players did everything they could to salvage it. On offense, that player was designated hitter Dayson Croes, who had his best game since a recent promotion. The left-handed hitter had 3 of the team’s 7 hits, and provided their only extra-base hit and their only run with a solo shot in the 3rd inning.

Croes has been a fun story this year. He was the rare older international signing, as the Aruban joined the Giants in the spring as a 25-year old. After getting his feet wet in the Arizona Complex League, Croes got acclimated in High-A, and is now seeing how he fares at a more age-appropriate level. So far, so good, as he’s 9-21 with 2 extra-base hits, 3 walks, and just 2 strikeouts in 6 games with the Squirrels.

On the mound, the contributor was LHP John Michael Bertrand. Richmond may have given up 6 runs on the day, but that was no fault of their starting pitcher, as Bertrand took down 5 scoreless frames to open the game, while allowing just 4 hits. Bertrand did walk 3 batters, which isn’t ideal, but more than made up for it with 7 strikeouts. And despite the 3 walks, it was a fairly strike-heavy day for the 2022 10th-rounder, as he threw 53 of 86 pitches for strikes. He also showed off his defense, which has been truly special from the pitcher position his entire career.

Interestingly, the 27-year old Bertrand appears to be beating out LHP Jack Choate (No. 29 CPL) in the funky Richmond southpaws race. Since the organization traded for RHP Trystan Vrieling, Choate (who gave up 3 baserunners but struck out 3 batters in 1.1 innings) has been operating out of the bullpen, while Bertrand continues to get starts. It’s hard to fault that logic given that Bertrand has a 2.78 ERA on the year, though with just 5.9 strikeouts per 9 innings (and a 4.31 FIP), a little skepticism is warranted for how clean those numbers will look at higher levels.

High-A Eugene (65-46)

Eugene Emeralds beat the Tri-City Dust Devils (Angels) 3-0
Box score

What a difference a day makes. One day after losing 19-18, the Emeralds had a score that looked much more like a baseball game than a football game, winning 3-0.

It probably goes without saying that it was a great pitching performance, and it was highlighted by one of the best starts of the season on the farm. It’s been an up-and-down year for LHP Cesar Perdomo, but Thursday was all up and no down for the 23-year old Venezuelan. Perdomo did something quite rare for the level, as he pitched 7 innings in this game, ceding just 4 hits and 0 walks, while striking out 7 batters. A day to remember … and Eugene has had a few of those lately, after RHP Josh Bostick (No. 27 CPL) struck out 14 batters in 6 innings on Tuesday.

The ups have outpaced the downs for Perdomo, who has a 3.89 ERA and a 4.18 FIP, with just 2.6 walks per 9 innings (but just 8.1 strikeouts). Lately, however, it’s been feast or famine. In 3 of his last 11 starts, he’s allowed 15 earned runs in just 14 innings; but in the other 8 starts during that time frame, he’s ceded a mere 2 earned runs in 44.1 innings. That lack of consistency is likely a source of frustration, but it’s also a sign of how good he can be.

RHP Austin Strickland handled the final 2 innings, and while they weren’t super clean — he gave up 3 baserunners and threw 43 pitches — no runs scored and he struck out 3 batters. After a tough July, Strickland — acquired in the Joey Bart trade — has yet to allow a run in 4 August outings, and now has a 4.34 ERA and a 4.45 FIP.

There wasn’t a lot on offense, but center fielder Jonah Cox (No. 26 CPL) and shortstop Zane Zielinski had identical days, as each player hit 2-4 with a stolen base and a caught stealing. Neither player is having a great offensive year (.703 OPS and 93 wRC+ for Cox, .640 OPS and 85 wRC+ for Zielinski), but both play strong defense and have been swiping a ton of bags (49 in 57 attempts for Cox and 30 in 37 attempts for Zielinski). Zielinski has moved back to shortstop after Maui Ahuna (No. 23 CPL) unfortunately landed back on the IL.

Low-A San Jose (72-39)

San Jose Giants lost to the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) 4-2
Box score

A quiet game for the baby Giants, though an exciting day on the mound, as LHP Luis De La Torre got the start. De La Torre, a 21-year old in his 1st stateside season, thoroughly dominated the ACL this year, and opened plenty of eyes along the way. This was his 5th start since joining San Jose, and it tells you how good he’s been that it was one of his worst games at the level, as he allowed 2 hits, 1 walk, and 1 run in 5 innings, with 4 strikeouts. De La Torre has a 1.50 ERA and a 1.90 FIP with San Jose, and his strikeout-to-walk numbers are the stuff of double takes: after striking out 62 batters with only 16 walks in just 38.2 innings in the Complex League, De La Torre has upped the command: he has a sensational 33 strikeouts against just 4 walks in 24 innings in the Cal League. Incredible!

A very mild-mannered day in the batter’s box, but left fielder Lisbel Diaz (No. 17 CPL) continued his second-half surge, hitting 2-4 with a double and a stolen base. Diaz is up to a .718 OPS and a 95 wRC+ on the year — not eye-popping numbers, but still a lot to like given that he turned 20 a few weeks ago, has a sub-20% strikeout rate, plays quality defense, and has 19 stolen bases in 23 attempts this year. Most important, though, is how he’s been improving late in the year. After hitting just .193/.256/.269 in May, Diaz hit .280/.320/.430 in June and .265/.274/.441 in July. So far in August — in which he already has a quintet of multi-hit games — the righty is hitting .375/.426/.563.

Dominican Summer League Black (31-21)

DSL Giants Black lost to the DSL Blue Jays Red 5-3
Box score

Another sensational game courtesy of shortstop Josuar González (No. 5 CPL, 17 years, 2025 IFA), whose performance is really catching up to his tools as his debut season winds down. The switch-hitting phenom was all over the place on Thursday, hitting 2-3, drawing 2 walks, and stealing 3 bases. González, the top prospect in the DSL for any organization, has been an on-base machine lately: in his last 10 games, he’s hit 14-35 and drawn 8 walks, while striking out just 7 times and stealing 8 bases. His stateside debut next year can’t come soon enough!

Catcher Yohendry Sanchez (No. 40 CPL, 18 years, 2024 IFA) and designated hitter Albert Jimenez (18 years, 2024 IFA) both hit 1-3 and drew 2 walks. Sanchez, who earned the biggest signing bonus of the Giants 2024 class but had an injury-shortened debut season, has a .736 OPS and a 98 wRC+ on the year. Those aren’t great numbers, but given his prospect pedigree, his position (and defense at said position), and the fact that he has just an 11.8% strikeout rate, I would assume it’s pretty close to a sure thing that he’s playing his 2026 baseball in Arizona, not the DR. Jimenez has made huge strides this year, dropping his strikeout rate from 22.0% to 13.7%, and raising his OPS and wRC+ from .744 and 99 a year ago, to .777 and 107 this year.

RHP Alberto Laroche (19 years, 2024 IFA) has emerged as one of the top pitchers in the DSL and one of the top prospects in the Giants system, but he struggled on Thursday, giving up 5 hits, 1 walk, and 3 runs in just 2.2 innings of work, with 2 strikeouts. Still a fantastic campaign for the Papago-bound pitcher, who has a 2.11 ERA and a 3.11 FIP, plus a 61.3% groundball rate and a tiny 6 walks allowed in 38.1 innings.

A very nice outing from RHP Mario Gonzalez (18 years, 2024 IFA), who struck out 3 batters in 2 innings, without allowing a baserunner. It’s been a tough debut year for Gonzalez, who has a 6.30 ERA and a 5.32 FIP, with an ugly 26-to-21 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 30 innings. But he’s rounding into form as the season nears an end — after allowing runs in 9 of his 1st 11 outings, he’s gone 3 straight games without allowing a run, and has 7 strikeouts to 1 walk during that time.

Dominican Summer League Orange (32-18)

DSL Giants Orange lost to the DSL Pirates Black 4-2 (7 innings)
Box score

A bad day on the mound, but a pair of young hitters continued their strong seasons at the plate. Shortstop Anthony Marquez (18 years, 2024 IFA) hit 2-3 with a double and a walk, which raised his OPS to .763 and his wRC+ to 115. Those numbers are slightly down from his exceptional debut campaign, when he posted a .774 OPS and a 124 wRC+. But the Giants are probably happy to see his walk rate rise (from 12.8% to 19.2%) and his already-strong strikeout rate drop (from 16.8% to 14.8%). He doesn’t have much power at the moment, but he has some impressive bat-to-ball skills, some quality defense at short, and good speed.

Second baseman Yulian Barreto (17 years, 2025 IFA) had the other nice day, hitting 1-3 with a double and a walk, though he also committed an error. It’s been an awesome debut season for the right-handed hitter from Venezuela, who will celebrate his 18th birthday next week. He has an .850 OPS and a 133 wRC+ and a similar profile to Marquez: not much power, but good contact skills, more walks than strikeouts, and awesome defense and speed.

Home run tracker

AA Dayson Croes (3) [1 in AA; 1 in High-A; 1 in ACL]

Friday schedule

Sacramento: 5:15 p.m. PT at Round Rock (SP: Blade Tidwell)
Richmond: 3:35 p.m. PT vs. Altoona (SP: Joe Whitman)
Eugene: 7:05 p.m. PT at Tri-City (SP: Greg Farone)
San Jose: 6:45 p.m. PT at Lake Elsinore (SP: Jacob Bresnahan)

Sports

2025 All-Johnson County volleyball team

Published

54 minutes ago

January 4, 2026

Your Sports Nation

MVP

Defending her crown as the top player, this year’s All-Johnson County Most Valuable Player goes to Grandview outside hitter London Helm.

“When I hear MVP, I don’t think about stats or awards. To me, it means I did my job as a leader and a teammate,” said Helm. “It means the people around me felt supported, trusted me on the court and knew I was going to show up and work every day. That matters more to me than anything individually.”

In her final season with the Lady Zebras, Helm began her senior campaign by winning the MVP award at the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star game in July.

Eyeing a state championship with Grandview after the winningest season in program history and its first trip to the state tournament, Helm led the Lady Zebras to a 33-11 overall record, an undefeated District 18-3A run and a second consecutive appearance to the final four.

“What I’ll remember most about my senior year is getting to play alongside my sister [Paris] and share those moments and accomplishments with her,” Helm said. “I’ll also remember how much I grew as a leader. Not every season is perfect, and there were times when our team faced challenges and division, but those moments taught me how important selflessness, accountability, and trust are. Our coaches continued to push us and hold us to a standard, and that experience shaped me just as much as the wins did.”

Boasting 424 kills, 103 aces, 360 digs and 87 blocks, she earned the district MVP honor, while being named to the UIL 3A Div. I All-Tournament team, the TGCA 3A All-State team and the Texas Sports Writers Association’s third team.

Helm is now the program record holder in kills with 1,463 and in blocks with 317.

In deciding on where to further her playing career, what mattered most to Helm was her feelings while on campus. Whether the future involved volleyball or not, she believed Oklahoma Baptist University was the best place and signed with them in early December.

“I wanted to be somewhere I could grow as a player and as a person, with a coach who understands I still have a lot to learn and is willing to invest in me,” furthered Helm. “What I’m most excited about is the challenge. Signing doesn’t mean anything is given. It’s just the beginning. I’m ready to be pushed, compete as a freshman and work for every opportunity on the court as an outside [hitter].”

While playing volleyball, Helm will pursue a degree in engineering.

Offensive Players of the Year

Sharing the award of All-Johnson County Offensive Player of the Year are a pair of 6-foot-1 left-handed hitters who were hard to contain. The Co-OPOY award goes to Joshua’s Natalia Belisle and Cleburne’s Grace Thorne.

Leading the Lady Owl charge to one of the program’s best seasons, Belisle was voted the best player in District 8-5A among some of the County’s best teams in Centennial, Burleson and Cleburne.

Just behind Helm in season kills with 416, Belisle finished with a 31.9% hitting percentage and averaged nearly four kills per set.

Joshua’s senior middle blocker and right side hitter has yet to commit, but has received multiple offers.

On a youthful roster, the Cleburne Lady Jackets relied on the experience and talents of their seniors, including Thorne.

The right side and opposite hitter led the team with 254 kills, helping Cleburne reach the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

“I am thankful for the personal growth and opportunity to lead that being a part of Cleburne volleyball has given me,” said Thorne. “Looking back, it’s encouraging to see how even the struggles and challenging seasons have shaped me. Being presented with this award is very meaningful to me because confidence has not come easily. I am proud of my teammates and the direction this program is heading.”

On Nov. 13, Thorne signed her national letter of intent with Northwest Missouri University and is just thankful for the opportunity to play at the college level.

“Northwest really just fits all the things I am looking for, from its size and academic strengths to the volleyball program’s history and solid coaching staff. I am most looking forward to building relationships with my new teammates and making an impact.”

Defensive Player of the Year

Returning to the superlative list for 2025 is a middle blocker who’s been a constant throughout her time as a Ladycat and capped off her varsity career with another extraordinary season. The All-Johnson County Defensive Player of the Year is Godley’s Bella Van Wart.

The District 12-4A MVP and TGCA All-State selection finished with 81 blocks on the year and 211 digs, the most by any middle blocker in the area.

Van Wart will take her talents not too far from home, as she signed with Dallas Baptist University in mid-December.

Setter of the Year

Although many of the finalists are deserving of this award, the All-Johnson County Setter of the Year was a landslide victory for Grandview’s Gracie Lawson.

The district Setter of the Year and TGCA 3A All-State selection left everything on the court in the final season of her career, totaling 1,189 assists. For reference, the second-highest assist count came from Joshua’s Braedyn Holland with 808.

Setting up Grandview’s hardest hitters, such as Helm, Rylie Butler and Emma Bartosh, Lawson also set the program record with 3,110 career assists.

She will be attending Arkansas to focus on academics.

Server of the Year

Among a very young Lady Indian roster is the sole senior who earned the title of All-Johnson County Server of the Year — Alvarado’s Madison Kingsley.

The Lady Indian libero picked up 71 aces during the season.

Utility Player of the Year

Helping the Lady Elks to an 11-3 district record in her final season, the All-Johnson County Utility Player of the Year goes to Burleson’s Daelyn Cross.

Earning the same honor in District 8-5A, Cross was near the top in almost every category for the Lady Elks with 143 kills, 18 aces, 18 blocks and 102 digs.

The senior outside hitter is headed to Olathe, Kansas next fall after signing with Mid-America Nazarene University back in November.

Newcomer of the Year

Although her time with the Lady Chargers was short, the senior middle blocker made the most of her time. The All-Johnson County Newcomer of the Year is Keene’s Deonna Tell.

Adding size and power to the Keene lineup, Tell made her presence known in her only season with the program and assisted the team in clinching a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2021.

In district games, Tell had 126 kills, 26 blocks and 74 digs. She was recognized by District 18-3A for the same honor.

Liberos of the Year

Maintaining control of the back row, this pair of liberos was essential in the program’s success in 2025. The All-Johnson County Co-Liberos of the Year are Joshua’s Madilyn Lacey and Grandview’s Paisley Hayes.

Lacey nearly doubled the second-most digs on the Lady Owls (663) and was second in aces (41) in her junior year.

As the district Defensive Player of the Year, Lacey led all teams in digs and was top 10 in the area in that statistical category.

With the third most digs in the county at 462 and over 900 receptions, Hayes saw a significant increase in her production for the Lady Zebras from 2024 as the only libero listed on the roster.

“To play for a program like Grandview has been such an honor. My coaches and team have pushed me to not only be the best player I could be, but the best teammate too,” said Hayes. “I am so beyond grateful to have spent my high school career playing for such a successful team. The contributions I’ve been able to make are simply just a thank you to the life lessons and memories this group of girls has blessed me with.”

Hayes rounds out the three Grandview selections for superlative awards.

“London, Gracie and I came into this team as only freshmen hoping to make a mark on the program. To be able to say that we not only did that, but made history for Grandview volleyball is something I truly don’t take for granted,” Hayes said. “Not only are they my teammates, but my best friends and I wouldn’t want to share accolades with any other two people. Playing alongside them has been the best part of being on this team, and I’m grateful for the four seasons I have been able to call them my teammates. It’s been an incredible ride, and I’m glad to say that we have set the new standard for this program.”

Coach of the Year

In her first season at the helm, the Lady Eagles saw a dramatic change in their mindset and the results showed. The All-Johnson County Coach of the Year is Rio Vista’s Rebecca Anderson.

Bringing a “big-school mindset” to the 2A program, Anderson pivoted the Lady Eagles to be a much stronger version of themselves and garnered a 27-13 record and a second-place finish in District 13-2A.

It was the most wins in a season for Rio Vista since 2017.

The Lady Eagles made it all the way to the regional semifinals for the first time in five years.

Team of the Year

Droughts don’t get much longer than for the Lady Owls and a district championship. Despite winning season after winning season, topping the standings has evaded Joshua until 2025.

Behind Belisle, Lacey and a deep roster, Joshua claimed the District 8-5A title with a perfect 14-0 record; a first in 44 years.

With a 32-10 overall record, the All-Johnson County Team of the Year is the Joshua Lady Owls.

First team: Cleburne’s Arrisa Turner; Alvarado’s Kaetyn Hazard; Grandview’s Rylie Butler and Emma Bartosh; Godley’s Kase Grimsley, Bryce Reed, Alissa Sullivan and Lila Heiner; Joshua’s Braedyn Holland and Kensey Doss; Keene’s Aliana Lewis; Rio Vista’s Courtney Cooley, Kalli West and Shiloh Johnson; Burleson’s Camryn Bruder, Anna Davis, Brooklyn Lynes and Gemma Sweeney; Centennial’s Lauren Seeton, Channing Ward and Ty’Jahnique Minter.

Second team: Cleburne’s Jozlyn Tarango; Godley’s Abbi Lee; Joshua’s Ruby Vincent, Kinlee Alexander and Kaylee Elrod; Keene’s Brynleigh McFarlin; Rio Vista’s Gator Dayhuff and Emma Niemtschk; Burleson’s Morgan McAlpin and Guinevere VanderTol; Centennial’s Sophia Kirkpatrick and Katelyn Seeton.

Honorable mention: Cleburne’s Haley Price, Adeline Leifeste and Maddie Morrison; Grandview’s Sarah McDaniel and Kenna Collins; Godley’s Peyton Bower and Calleigh Brewer; Joshua’s Ava Abbott, Katherine Colbert, Heidi Walker and Reagan Gage; Rio Vista’s Kyndal Cooley and Tamra Hersom; Burleson’s Vivianne Rose and Angela Ombati; Centennial’s Gracyn McKay and Kamryn Key.

Selections were made by Armando Lutz based on the submissions of coaches, along with stats and accolades.

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Decatur sophomore earns top honor on Texas 4A all-state volleyball team | Sports

Published

1 hour ago

January 4, 2026

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Indiana State set for battle with the Bulldogs

Published

1 hour ago

January 4, 2026

Your Sports Nation

DES MOINES, Iowa – Indiana State men’s basketball looks to get back on track during the backend of the Iowa swing trip, playing Drake on Sunday afternoon.

Last Time Out

After leading at the break by five at Northern Iowa, Indiana State fell to the Panthers 75-66 on New Year’s Day. The UNI would outscore the Sycamores 42-28 to claim the victory.

Ian Scott led the way offensively for Indiana State, scoring 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting. Sterling Young was right behind with 14 points off the bench, finishing 6-for-9 from the floor. Jo Van Buggenhout finished with seven points, five rebounds, and seven assists.

Indiana State did shoot their best from inside the arc, 79.3% on a 23-for-29 effort.

Series History

This will be meeting No. 103 against the Sycamores and Bulldogs, as Drake holds the series lead 53-49. Both teams hold a decisive advantage when playing on their home court – Drake owns a 34-13 record in Des Moines. The Bulldogs also have the advantage over the last 10 meetings, going 8-2.

Both Indiana State wins came in Terre Haute. The Sycamores haven’t won in Des Moines since January 6, 2016 by a score of 79-69.

Quick Hits

Jo Van Buggenhout has averaged 6.0 assists in the last two games, above his season average of 3.0.

Enel St. Bernard has come off the bench all season, and in the last 8 games he has grabbed 4+ rebounds in each. In the last 8 game, he’s averaging 5.13 rebounds per game.

Ian Scott is averaging 18.25 points per game in the last 4 games, better than his season average of 13.9.

MVC Rankings (with MVC-specific minimums included, thru 1/1)
- Ian Scott: 2nd in rebounds per game (7.07), 4th in FG% (63.3%), 7th in points per game (13.93), T13 in assists per game (2.64), 12th in free throw percentage (74.5%), 14th in Ast/TO Ratio (1.36), T15 in blocked shots (0.79)
- Xavier Hall: 2nd in assists per game (4.80), 4th in Ast/TO Ratio (2.32), 6th in free throw percentage (82.9%)
- Jo Van Buggenhout: 10th in assists per game (3.00)
- Enel St. Bernard: T13 in blocked shots (0.80), T18 in rebounds per game (5.27)
- Camp Wagner: 2nd in threes made (44), 4th in free throw percentage (90.9%) 14th in points per game (12.93), 18th in three-point percentage (34.6%)

Up Next
Indiana State will return to action on Saturday, January 10 at home against the University of Evansville. Game time is set for 1 p.m. ET with the doors opening at noon.

Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on Sycamore Basketball, visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from the both the App Store and the Google Play Store.

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Decatur sophomore earns top honor on Texas 4A all-state volleyball team

Published

2 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Your Sports Nation

By Canadian Press on January 3, 2026.

LONGVIEW, Texas (AP) — Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association Class 4A all-state volleyball team, distributed by The Associated Press:

FIRST TEAM

Middle blockers: Keoni Williams, Eagle Mountain, sr.; Emma Pollard, Gatesville, sr.; Rebecca Lucksinger, Bellville, sr.

Outside hitters: Ava Green, Decatur, soph.; Elizabeth Corbitt, Spring Hill, sr.; Paisley Pavliska, La Vernia, sr.

Setter: Molly Aubert, Eagle Mountain, jr.

Libero/defensive specialist: Lexi Nichols, Eagle Mountain, sr.

Player of the year: Green, Decatur

Coach of the year: Stormi Snider, Decatur

___

SECOND TEAM

Middle blockers: Shaelyn Ward, Aubrey, sr.; Alyssa Potts, Lindale, sr.; Harper Smith, Decatur, jr.

Outside hitters: Libby Tedder, Springtown, soph.; Allegra Foreman, Stephenville, sr.; Avery Keck, La Vernia, sr.

Setter: Grace Fortune, Decatur, sr.

Libero/defensive specialist: Hannah Forshee, Sweeny, soph.

___

THIRD TEAM

Middle blockers: Sayler Peck, Decatur, soph.; Brooklyn Brannen, Bullard, sr.; Giselle Webster, Kilgore, sr.

Outside hitters: Savannah Irwin, Spring Hill, sr.; Brooke Lacewell, Eagle Mountain, sr.; Belle Seibert, Sweeny, sr.

Setter: Bailey Hampton, Aubrey, sr.

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Kaylee Londeau, Spring Hill, jr.

The Associated Press

23
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Tarleton State Women’s Basketball’s strong second half not enough to complete comeback at CBU

Published

2 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Your Sports Nation

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Tarleton State Women’s Basketball took control in the second half, but CBU’s double-digit lead was too much to overcome and the Lancers defeated the Texans 80-68 on Saturday at the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center.

CBU shot 62% in the first half and made nine 3-pointers to take a 25-point lead at halftime. The Texans used 48.5% shooting in the second half and outscored the Lancers in the last 20 minutes. CBU finished the game shooting 62.5% from 3-point range and 54.5% from the floor overall to maintain its lead.

Senior guard Gia Adams led the Texans in scoring with 21 points, including 17 in the second half. Senior guard Jakoriah Long added 19 points, including three 3-pointers to bring her career total to 100. Long is now in the top 10 on the program’s all-time career 3-pointers list. Freshman center Elodie Lutbert added 10 points to go with four blocks, her third game with four or more blocks.

“It was very important for us to get off to a good start defensively and we did not do that today,” head coach Bill Brock said. “CBU is a very hard team to match up with and you have to get back in transition defense so fast against them. I’m never happy with a loss, but I’m more satisfied with our effort in the second half today than I was at Utah Valley.”

After CBU opened the first quarter with the game’s first basket, the Texans forced the Lancers to miss their next six shots. Tarleton State took advantage, with Long knocking down a 3-pointer to give her team the lead. CBU, however, responded with layups on four straight possessions to take an early seven-point lead.

CBU ended the opening period shooting 50% from the floor while the Texans made 33% of their shots in the first 10 minutes. The Lancers knocked down a 3-pointer just before the first quarter buzzer to take a 23-12 lead.

Junior forward Allie Myers helped the Texans cut the deficit to single digits in the second quarter, but CBU responded by making three of its first four 3-pointers to stretch the lead. The Lancers got a lift from their freshman guard Lauren Olsen in the second quarter. Olsen made all six of her shot attempts en route to 15 second quarter points to help the Lancers go up by 20.

CBU ended the first half on a 7-0 scoring run while holding Tarleton State scoreless for the final two minutes, allowing the Lancers to take a 25-point lead into the locker room.

The Texans eyed a comeback after the break, knocking down the first two shots of the third period while forcing CBU into three shots and three turnovers. Tarleton State knocked down four of its first seven shots from the floor in the second half, trimming the deficit to 19 at the media timeout.

CBU answered with two 3-pointers while holding Tarleton State to just two made shots over a two-minute stretch. The Texans, however, outscored the Lancers 19-13 in the third quarter to make it a 62-43 game entering the final quarter.

Tarleton State knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter and trim the deficit, with junior guard Caroline Lyles knocking down a basket from beyond the arc to make it a 13-point game.

Despite the Texans winning the fourth quarter 25-18, the deficit was too much for Tarleton State to overcome.

Tarleton State wraps up its road trip with its first game of the I-20 rivalry in 2026, traveling to Abilene Christian on Thursday for a 6 p.m. contest.

Postgame Notes

Tarleton State was unable to complete a comeback at CBU and was defeated by the Lancers 80-68 on Saturday at the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center. The Texans are now 0-2 in the 2026 calendar year.

CBU now has an 8-1 record against Tarleton State in women’s basketball. The Lancers remained undefeated against the Texans in games played in Riverside.

Senior guard Jakoriah Long knocked down three 3-pointers, bringing her career 3-pointers total to 100. Long is now in the top 10 on the program’s all-time list for career 3-pointers.

Senior guard Gia Adams scored 17 second half points en route to a 21-point performance. Saturday marked Adams’ fourth 20-point game of the season.

Freshman center Elodie Lutbert had four blocked shots, her third game this season with 4+ blocks. She is the first Texan since the 2021-22 season to have three games with at least four blocks (Seynabou Thiam, 8).

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Sports

Meet the New Orleans all-metro volleyball teams for 2025 | Prep Sports

Published

2 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Your Sports Nation

All-metro selections are based on team success and individual performances throughout the 2025 season.

Large schools

Outstanding player

Ava Labat, Slidell

Slidell senior Ava Labat had already put together one impressive volleyball season that ended with a state championship. To do it a second time, the standout setter had to make some adjustments to her game.

First, she no longer had the same experienced outside hitters to whom she could deliver passes, forcing her to find ways to consistently get the ball to dependable middle blocker Ava Barduca, the team leader in kills, whenever she could.

Second, Labat had a coach who challenged her to become a better defender in the back row, creating a defense-first mentality that made the Loyola-New Orleans signee a stronger all-around player.

Completing those tasks over the course of the season gave Labat the results she desired — making her a two-time state champion on the way to also being selected as The Times-Picayune All-Metro Large Schools Player of the Year for the second year in a row.

Averaging more than 13 assists per set, Labat completed the season with 1,595 assists to go along with 281 digs, 60 kills, 72 blocks and 26 aces — an all-around stat line that illustrated her versatility.

What most impressed coach Danny Tullis was the way Labat delivered what he called “trouble balls” to Barduca in the middle.

“Finding ways to get trouble balls to our middles is tough,” said Tullis, who defined “trouble balls” as having to make a play from an uncomfortable spot on the floor.

Defensively, Labat held “more of a leadership role” in the back row, she said, constantly “telling my teammates what’s going to happen” between points so they would know what to expect.

“It was a great season,” Labat said. “People were doubting us in the beginning because we were losing so much. We were low-key the underdog.”

Slidell’s Ava Labat (11) sets the ball during a volleyball game against Dominican at Dominican HIgh School on Walmsley Ave. in New Orleans, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com) STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD▲

All-metro team

Ava Landry

Chapelle, Sr., libero

811 digs, 95 assists 58 aces

Victoria McCann

Chapelle, Jr., outside hitter

548 kills, 68 blocks

Molly Baker

Dominican, Sr., setter

1,215 assists, 106 kills, 43 aces

Mallie Mahoney

Dominican, Sr., outside hitter

411 kills, 62 aces, 552 digs

Rani Smith

Dominican, Sr., middle blocker

347 kills, 70 blocks

Ava Frerman

Fontainebleau, Sr., outside hitter

535 kills, 460 digs, 53 blocks, 38 aces

Lila Franovich

Mount Carmel, Jr., outside hitter

491 kills, 25 blocks, 112 digs

Mia Lopez

Mount Carmel, Sr., libero

594 digs, 22 aces

Emily Martin

Northshore, Sr., setter

1,028 assists, 458 digs, 214 kills, 77 blocks

Ava Barduca

Slidell, Sr., middle blocker

592 kills, 145 blocks, 30 aces, 130 digs

Ava Labat

Slidell, Sr., setter

1,595 assists, 281 digs, 60 kills, 72 blocks

Lillian Daviss

Academy of Our Lady, Sr., outside hitter

371 kills, 160 digs, 35 aces

Mia Casi

St. Scholastica, Sr., setter

465 assists, 390 digs, 322 kills, 57 blocks

Sophia Schliem

St. Scholastica, Sr., libero

470 digs, 152 assists, 57 aces

Honorable mention

Zhoey Johnson, AOL, So.; Avery Johnson, Ben Franklin, Sr.; Audrey Dubuc, Chapelle, Jr.; Kaelyn Sharp, Covington, Sr.; Aurore Tortorich, Dominican, Jr.; Maci Hollingsworth, Hahnville, Jr.; Brianna Litolff, Kenner Discovery, Jr.; Taylor Litolff, Kenner Discovery, So.; Alyssa Gaudet, Mandeville, Jr.; Ella Kate Spilling, Slidell, Sr.

Coach of the year

Danny Tullis, Slidell

The Tigers won a second consecutive state championship with Tullis at the helm after the coach previously won five state titles while at Pope John Paul II and one at Fontainebleau.

The Tigers were seeded third in the LSHAA Division I state playoffs and defeated No. 10 Chapelle in a semifinal before facing top-seeded Dominican in the state final. The closely contested state final ended with Slidell winning 25-23, 25-23, 27-25 in a sweep.

Tullis, who engineered a quick resurgence over three seasons at Slidell, will coach next season at Mandeville with daughter Ansley as an assistant coach at the school.

Small schools

Outstanding player: Jade Washington, Country Day

Country Day junior Jade Washington proved to be a perfect fit for whatever role she played for her volleyball team. Not only as a key front-row player with more than 400 kills, but also a stalwart back-row defender with more than 400 digs.

The six-rotation standout helped Country Day run its streak of state championships to 10, which factored in her selection as The Times-Picayune All-Metro Small Schools Player of the Year.

Washington earned the player-of-the-year selection after older sister Nia Washington received the same honor as a senior for Country Day in 2021.

Leila Washington, the middle sister among the three, earned a spot on the All-Metro team this season as a senior outside hitter.

“I love playing with my sister,” Jade Washington said. “We’re close in age, so we connect a lot on the court.”

The Cajuns’ Jade Washington (15) goes for the kill as Country Day faces Central Catholic in the Division V finals of the LHSAA State Volleyball tournament on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Cajundome in Lafayette. STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD BOWIE▲

All three sisters are influenced by their volleyball-playing mother, Kim Sentmore, a former O. Perry Walker standout who starred at Tulane in volleyball and track and field.

Country Day coach Julie Ibieta described Jade Washington as “our steady on the court” for how she affected every phase of the game, starting from her frequent role as the primary passer on serve-receives to everything else she can do on offense and defense.

“She led us in defense in a lot of the matches,” Ibieta said, adding that Washington also “carried our offense in terms of the number of swings she took.”

Washington ended the season as the outstanding player selection in the LHSAA Division V state final sweep of Central Catholic. Her 15 kills, two blocks and nine digs helped Country Day win the 19th state title in school history.

Metairie Park Country Day School’s Jade Washington (15) competes against Mount Carmel Academy in Metairie on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Staff photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune) STAFF PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE▲

All-metro team

Layla Henderson

Country Day, Jr., middle blocker

418 kills, 64 blocks, 92 digs, 22 aces

Leila Washington

Country Day, Sr., outside hitter

238 kills, 38 aces, 305 digs

Jade Washington

Country Day, Jr., outside hitter

410 kills, 38 aces, 435 digs, 39 blocks

Bailey Bevolo

Hannan, Sr., middle blocker

502 kills, 73 blocks

Avery Lewis

Hannan, Sr., libero

585 digs, 81 aces

Josie Pathoumthong

Hannan, Jr., setter

1,237 assists, 383 digs, 110 kills

Ella Feehan

Haynes, Sr., libero

53 aces, 512 digs,

Marilyn Voitier

Haynes, Sr., middle blocker

620 kills, 58 aces, 28 blocks, 271 digs

Ina Smith

John Curtis, Sr., outside hitter

303 kills, 31 aces, 43 blocks, 277 digs

Makayla Morter

John Curtis, Jr., outside hitter

432 kills, 78 aces, 36 blocks, 319 digs

Caroline Beahm

Newman, Sr., outside/middle

428 kills, 73 aces, 44 blocks, 289 digs

LeiLani Reid

Newman, Jr., outside hitter

442 kills, 78 aces, 72 blocks, 312 digs

Khloe Duncan

Northlake Christian, Sr., outside hitter

446 kills, 297 digs, 45 aces, 22 blocks

Elizabeth Alford

Sacred Heart, Jr., middle blocker

323 kills, 62 blocks, 22 aces

Honorable mention

Liza Richards, Christ Episcopal, Sr.; Marleigh White, Country Day, Jr.; Lucille Loomis, Country Day, Fr.; Jesse Lambert, Newman, Sr.; Jailly Vance, Newman, Sr.; Abigail Willie, Northlake Christian, Sr.; Kylee Buford, McGehee, Jr.; Kady Benedic, Pope John Paul II, Sr.; Layla Price, Riverside, Fr.; Ellie Habetz, Sacred Heart, Sr.

Coach of the year

Colleen Loerzel, Newman

Newman won a state title for the sixth time with Loerzel as coach and for the 19th time in school history with a sweep of top-seeded Dunham in the LHSAA Division IV state final.

Newman lost to Dunham twice during the regular season but won with improved play on defense during a 28-26, 25-18, 25-20 victory in the state final.

Loerzel, a former college player at Iowa State and Purdue, began coaching at Newman in 2002. Other state titles with Loerzel as coach came in 2003, 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2022.

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