First before I write the report I need a BIG favor from all Lady Dillo Fans. If you see a Lady Dillo this week, go up and give them a hug or a pat on the back and

let them know how proud you are of them for the way they

represent themselves and our school. Not only are these

girls who are on JV and Varsity great players for our program, they are even BETTER individuals who are involved in just about everything under the sun and to top it all off, they are great students who take care of business in the classroom. Personally as their coach I can’t think of a better group of young ladies who I would want to be associated with. I’m going in reverse order as far as the article but we played our hearts out last Saturday night and came up on the short end of the stick losing to a good Goldthwaite team 37-36.

The reason for the "sermon" above is that these girls cheered, danced, and supported our Dillos on Friday night which they LOVE to do and then got home late, played a tough game with Mason on Saturday at noon and then gave a valiant effort against Goldthwaite leaving everything they had on the floor. We didn’t win but we gave a CHAMPIONSHIP effort and have no regrets from this group. I’ve told them from day one that if they compete and give all they have then I have no regrets as their coach. I also give Goldthwaite credit, they took some "blows" early as we had them down 12-3 in the first quarter but they fought back and made a game of it. We had a 7 point lead with about three minutes left

in the game but Goldthwaite hit some threes to draw them

close and then we missed some freethrows down the stretch.

We’ll catch them again on December 7th back at Armadillo

Arena and it should be another barnburner. To start the tourney we defeated Nueces Canyon soundly by a score of 57-21. Haylee Oliver lead us in scoring with 15 points followed by Danessa Vasquez with 9 and Johna Reavis with 8. We did a great job of pressuring Nueces Canyon and forced a great deal of turnovers.

The next day we played

Smithville in an entertaining game. We once again were able to play in front of our student body and it was a cool, CAMERON CRAZY like atmosphere. Smithville actually had us down 11-6 early in the first quarter but we rebounded quickly and scored 26 points in the second quarter. We were up 40-25 at halftime. The final score

ended up 59-48. Haylee had a monster game scoring 27

points. Danessa hit four three pointers and tallied 12 points as well. Jaena Edwards tossed in 7 points as well. Jaena has been shooting the ball well for us from the outside and will be a force to be reckoned with down the

stretch for us. Our next game was with Mason and I knew it would be a struggle for us. We’ve already beat them once and I knew they would be up a bit more than usual trying to pull the upset. We were a bit sluggish and trailed by as many as 8 in the first half. We were down three at halftime, 24-21, but scored 20 points in the third quarter to give us a lead we’d never relinquish. Mason gives us fits with their matchups but we hung in there and advanced to the Championship game for the fifth straight year. Goldthwaite and San Saba for all the marbles. You couldn’t ask for a better matchup. Goldthwaite had pulled the upset of the tournament knocking off Brownwood in the semifinals. We jumped on them early and had them down six at halftime, 18-12. Goldthwaite pulled ahead in the third quarter but we answered back and actually went up seven in the fourth quarter. Like I said earlier, give Goldthwaite credit. They answered the bell by cutting into the lead with some big three pointers along with some clutch buckets by Chesney Neely. Goldthwaite actually took the lead late in the game by one point but we pushed the ball quickly down the floor and got fouled with about 8

seconds. We missed our freethrows but got one last shot

at the basket. We ran a called sideline play but didn’t

run it quite like we wanted, we got a shot at the basket, Tarah rebounded the miss but got her shot blocked. There was some contact but we were denied at the end. Our Lady Dillos scratched and clawed all night but sometimes things don’t fall your way as we all know in the world of sports. We were disappointed by not winning the Championship but we know we get a shot at our neighbors once again in

December. Haylee Oliver, Danessa Vasquez and Tarah Crosby made the All Tournament Team. Also before the tournament we traveled to Llano and soundly defeated the Lady Jackets. We jumped on them early and had them down 21-2 in the first quarter and never looked back. Everyone contributed to the win and a "good time was had by all!!"

Now for a huge list of Thank Yous. This is our fifth year to host the Hill Country Classic and it was a success once again. We had several new faces in the

tourney and many great compliments. First of all a HUGE

thanks to Coach Stowe for her great organizational skills

in getting many things setup. Next, THANK YOU Mrs. Glaze and Schoolboard for allowing us to host this event. Thanks to Mr. Martin and Mrs. Key for allowing people to work the books and clocks in both gyms. To our awesome Athletic Director, Jeff Pannell, who is truly an AD. Not

many AD/Head Football Coaches would be at a girls tournament the day after a tough loss the night before helping in anyway and keeping the book in our game with Goldthwaite. You are to be commended. Thank you Deanne

Cromer and Naomi Saucillo for making signs and banners.

Thanks Mrs. Dyer for making out the bracket and being there for any miscellaneous duties. A big thanks to Phyllis and Herminia for cleaning the gyms and floors

during the tourney. A shout out to Penny Pulatie, Richard Taylor, Melanie Mathis, Kim Kirk, Mickey Rundell, Jackie Dyer, Jeff Pannell and Kara Stowe for keeping books and clocks. Thank you Emma Stewart, Kaycee Thiebaud, Markie Mark Dyer and Sara Huron for running the gate for us.

Louis and Suzie Garza we thank you for running the concession stand as well. Thanks to Scott Miller for cooking fajitas for the hospitality room. and to all people who made food and brought goodies to the tourney. Brandy Easterwood and Jan Crosby finished in a dead TIE for the best Banana Pudding. I think in the future we’ll just have that pudding made in #3 washtubs!!!

Lastly I had several businesses make a donation through money or supplies for the tournament and I would like to make mention of them: Top Donuts, G&R Grocery, Barnes/McCullough Lumber, Marvin Riggs, CTC Telephone Company, Commercial Bank, West Central Wireless, Alco, Super S Foods, Brady Walmart, Lampasas Walmart, Harry's Arrowhead Bank, Athletic Supply, Alamo Pecan and Oliver Pecan Company. Parrish Dentistry from Llano covered the costs of our trophies and for that we are very thankful. When the paper comes out we will have played Brady and Blanco and then we’ll be off for some much needed rest. When we come back from the Holidays we’ll travel to Merkel to face the Lady Badgers.

The Lady Dillos and myself would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and safety as you guys travel over the holidays. Don’t eat too much turkey and dressing but be sure to be thankful for so many great things that we enjoy in our city and country. Take Care and GOD BLESS. Phil 4:13