Tough Week for Castleberry

Alex Gonzales has had an outstanding career launching three point bombs like this one against Madison

The Castleberry boys basketball team had a tough week last week, playing two of the best 3A teams in the state last week, back to back.

On  Tuesday night, the Lions traveled to Dallas to take on the defending state champion Dallas Madison Trojans.  The Trojans jumped on the outmanned Lions early, and pressed throughout the game, winning 111-54.

Three Lions players scored in double figures in the game, with senior shooting guard Alex Gonzales leading the team with 19 points.  Jeremiah Cox had 16 points in the game, and Nathan Goetz scored 10 points for the Lions.  Also scoring, Ignacio Martinez, 6 points; Jesse Aldaco, 2 points; and Daniel Castillo, 1 point.

Friday night, the Lions hosted Carrollton Ranchview, a team that Madison beat by only 2 points in the first half of District 11-3A play.  The Lions started well in the game, led by the scoring of junior point guard Jeremiah Cox, who scored 12 of his game high 14 points in the first half.  The Lions actually had an 18-16 lead after the first quarter, but were outscored by 12 in the second quarter to go into the half down 34-25.

Castleberry Sweeps Diamond Hill

Jose Mendoza finishes an alley oop late in the Diamond Hill game.

Both the Castleberry boys and girls were victorious Friday night, sweeping Diamond Hill-Jarvis in District 11-3A play.

Statistics and final scores are not yet available, so I will have to post them later.  (I usually take a picture of the scoreboard, but forgot to this time).  However, the guys were up 58-28 with 1:18 left in the game, and ended up winning by around 3o points.

The last couple of minutes in the game were taken up in the guys trying to set up Jose “Taco” Mendoza for a dunk.  It didn’t look like it would happen until Mike Corona threw him a lob with 4 seconds left in the game.  Jose didn’t disappoint, skying for the pass, and softly dropping in the basket for the final points of the game.  Not exactly a dunk, but impressive nevertheless.  All of the players on the team got playing time, and the fans were enthusiastic until the end.

Samuell Martin powers up a shot inside against Diamond Hill

The win for the girls is sweet revenge for an overtime loss to Diamond Hill in the first half of district play.  The Lady Lions now have two victories in District competition, and are showing much improvement late in the season.

We will post stats when we get them.  Meanwhile, enjoy the pictures, and go to the Maxpreps site to see many more.  (The Diamond Hill pictures should be up there sometime Saturday).

Castleberry Loses Heartbreaker

Jeremiah Cox knocks down a long three against Lake Worth

The Lions lost a heartbreaker to Lake Worth on Tuesday.  69-64.  The loss pretty much derails their chances of a playoff spot this year.  However, the Lions still have a number of winnable games left, and competed well against both Roosevelt and Ranchview in their first go around in District play.

The game was close throughout, with neither team gaining much more of a lead than the final score.  The Lions trailed 13-11 after the first period, 23-22 at the half, and 46-44 after the third period.  However, they also had several leads throughout the game as the momentum swung back and forth.

Ignacio Martinez drives the lane against Lake Worth

However, the Bullfrogs pulled away a bit late, and the Lions could not make that final surge to win the game.

Jeremiah Cox led the Lions in scoring with his most efficient offensive effort of the season, with 21 points.  He was joined in double figures by Alex Gonzales with 15 points, and Ignacio Martinez with 10 points.  Nathan Goetz scored 8 points, Jesse Aldaco finished with 7 points, and Daniel Castillo scored 2 points on the night.

Castleberry Boys Split Games

Alex Gonzalez drains a three pointer against HSAA

The Castleberry Lions played two games last week, losing on Tuesday to Dallas Roosevelt, before rebounding on Friday night to defeat Dallas HSAA in a thrilling overtime victory.  The two games left the Lions with a 16-8 record for the season, and a 2-4 district 11-3A record as they begin the second half of district play.

The Lions still have an outside chance at a playoff spot, but will have to finish games better in their tough district to pull off the feat.

Against Roosevelt, the Lions fell behind early, trailing 24-13 at the end of the first quarter.  Roosevelt extended its lead to 14 points at half time, 36-22.  The Lions put together a rally during the third period, and trailed only 45-35 going into the fourth period.  They closed to within 7 points early in the fourth, but were unable to maintain the rally, losing 68-51.

Daniel Castillo powers up in the lane against HSAA

The game against Dallas HSAA was not well played early.  The Lions missed shots they normally make, and were never able to put together a consistent offensive effort.  They scored only 6 first quarter points, trailing 14-6 at the end of one.  They rallied to take the lead 22-20 at the half, but trailed 33-32 at the end of the third.

The fourth quarter was closely contested, and the Lions had the ball with a tied score and 11 seconds left on the clock, but were unable to get a shot off.  Overtime began with the score 48-48.  The Lions finally began to play well in the 5 minute overtime, scoring 13 points, and winning going away, 61-56.

Scoring is not available for either of the games contested last week.

Next for the Lions is a home game against Diamond Hill at 8:00 pm Friday night.  Next Tuesday they travel to the Cobb Field House in Dallas to play Madison, also at 8:00 pm.

CHS Athletes Among Area Leaders

A list of leaders in the various statistical categories was published a couple of days ago in the Fort Worth Star Telegram, and both Alex Gonzalez and Ignacio Martinez were listed among the leaders in multiple categories:

Alex Gonzalez

Alex Gonzalez

• 2nd in the area in scoring with a 23.1 ppg average
• 9th in the area in steals with a 2.8 spg average
• 4th in the area in free throw percentage at 86.4%
• 14th in the area in 3 point shooting percentage at 41.4%

Ignacio Martinez

Ignacio Martinez

• 15th in the area in scoring with a 15.5 ppg average
• 9th in the area in rebounding with 8.3 rpg average
• 14th in the area in free throw percentage at 76.9%

CHS Teams Complete Sweep (Newspaper)

(Note: This is the article for this week’s River Oaks News.  Since there was only the Riverside games this past week, it is very similar to the initial posts on the game.  I am including the pictures I sent into the paper as well).

Jamie Thornhill scores two for Castleberry

The CHS Varsity basketball teams completed a sweep Friday night, as the boys won 83-59, and the girls won 52-19.  The game was the only one of the week, as Tuesday was open due to end of semester testing.

Alex Gonzalez had a big game for the boys, scoring 38 points, and was joined in double figure scoring by Ignacio Martinez with 20 points, and Nathan Goetz with 10 points.  Jeremiah Cox finished with 7 points, Daniel Castillo scored 5 points, and Jesse Aldaco, Samuell Martin and Jamie Thornhill had 2 points each.

Gonzalez’s performance earned him a mention the next day in the Star Telegram.  He finished 7-of-10 from the floor, 5-of-10 from 3-point range and 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.

Ignacio Martinez scores from the outside

The boys used a big third quarter to take an 11 point halftime lead to 16 points by the end of the third quarter.  They built on that lead in the fourth quarter for the final 24 point win.

The win raised the boy’s record to 15-7 on the season, and 2-3 in District 11-3A play, and set up their most important game of the year last Tuesday against Dallas Roosevelt.  A win would keep the Lions in the hunt for the playoffs.  Results for the Tuesday game were not available at press time.

The have a home game against HSAA on Friday at 8:00 pm, then start up the second half of district 11-3A play by traveling to Lake Worth next Tuesday for an 8:00 pm game.

The girls dominated from the beginning, outscoring Carter-Riverside 21-2 in the first quarter.  They outscored their opponent in every quarter in their 33 point victory.

The Lady Lions were led by sophomores Rebecca Salinas, 13 points; and Mikayla Thompson, 12 points.  Cindy Zambrano, 9 points; Jamie Farthing, 6 points; Rachel Keefer, 6 points; Katy Kipp, 4 points; and Vanessa Jaramillo, 3 points; also scored for the Lady Lions.

Next Tuesday the Lady Lions will host Lake Worth in a 7:30 pm game.  The last game with Lake Worth was competitive, so it should be a close one again.  The ladies only have five games remaining, so be sure and go to see them play!

Castleberry’s sharp-sharp-shooter

Alex went 9 for 9 from the free throw line against Carter-Riverside

A short article about Alex Gonzalez appeared in the Saturday, January 16 issue of the Fort Worth Star Telegram, written by Tobias Xavier Lopez

Below is the article:

Apparently, the hoop appeared the size of a bass drum and the ball featured a swish magnet for Fort Worth Castleberry’s Alex Gonzalez on Friday.

Gonzalez scored 38 points for Castleberry (15-7, 2-3) in an 83-59 victory against Fort Worth Carter-Riverside in 11-3A play.

The 5-foot-8 senior guard hit 7-of-10 from the floor, 5-of-10 from 3-point range and 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.

“He’s a streaky shooter and when he starts off hot like he did, it tends to come in waves,” Castleberry coach Bart Beasley said.

Beasley cited Gonzalez’s defensive efforts as well with seven steals plus another six assists.

Guys and Girls Beat Carter-Riverside!

Jamie Thornhill scores early in the Carter Riverside game

The CHS Varsity basketball teams completed a sweep Friday night, as the boys won 83-59, and the girls won 52-19.

Alex Gonzalez had a big game for the boys, scoring 35 points, and was joined in double figure scoring by Ignacio Martinez with 20 points, and Nathan Goetz with 10 points.  Jeremiah Cox finished with 7 points, Daniel Castillo scored 5 points, and Jesse Aldaco, Samuell Martin and Jamie Thornhill had 2 points each.

The boys used a big third quarter to take an 11 point halftime lead to 16 points by the end of the third quarter.

Samuell Martin shoots a jumper against Carter-Riverside

The girls dominated from the beginning, outscoring Carter-Riverside 21-2 in the first quarter.  They outscored their opponent in every quarter in their 33 point victory.

The Lady Lions were led by sophomores Rebecca Salinas, 13 points; and Mikayla Thompson, 12 points.  Cindy Zambrano, 9 points; Jamie Farthing, 6 points; Rachel Keefer, 6 points; Katy Kipp, 4 points; and Vanessa Jaramillo, 3 points; also scored for the Lady Lions.

Next up is a Tuesday game VS Roosevelt.  For the guys, this is an important contest, and they need a win to help their playoff chances.  The guys will play at home at 8:00 pm, the girls are away at 7:30 pm.

Both Teams Lose to Ranchview

Jeremiah Cox makes 2 of his 15 points in the Ranchview game

Both teams lost to Carrollton Ranchview this evening (1/8), as the boys dropped their game 70-53, and the girls lost their game (I am told) by about 20 points.

At present, neither of the games have been posted online.  However, I have watched the video, and have the scoring for the boys (although I missed one point somewhere).  Alex Gonzalez and Jeremiah Cox were the leading scorers with 16 and 15 points, respectively.  Ignacio Martinez finished with 9 points, Daniel Escamillo scored 8 points and Nathan Goetz finished with 4 points in the game.

The boys are finding district 11-3A to be tough sledding.  The Dallas Madison team we played Tuesday at home was extremely good, and Ranchview was strong as well.

Daniel Castillo scores with his left hand late in the Ranchview game

The Lions played hard, though they fell behind early in the game.  They managed creep back to within 6 at the half (34-28), and to within 3 early in the third quarter, but the Timberwolves went on a big run in the latter half of the quarter to finish the period up 50-36.  The Lions were unable to close the distance in the fourth quarter, and dropped to 1-3 in district play.

The Lions are idle on Tuesday, and next play Carter-Riverside at home next Friday at 8:00 pm.

Lady Lions Play Well in Loss

The Lady Lions played well in their game Tuesday night against Dallas Madison, but came up short, losing the game 37-24.

The odds were stacked against the Lady Lions, as they were playing on Madison’s home court, and head coach Jaci Hill was absent due to illness.

However, the Lady Lion played well defensively, and Rebecca Salinas finished with a double – double, pairing 10 rebounds with her 11 points on the night to lead the Lady Lions.  Jamie Farthing added 8 points, Cindy Zambrano had 4 points, and Mikayla Thompson scored 1 point.

Next up for the Lady Lions is a home game against Ranchview on Friday.