Big Country Player of the Week: Brownwood sophomore takes award

There's good and then there's "scary good."

Our Big Country Player of the Week falls squarely into the latter category after an eye-popping performance at the San Angelo Relays last week.

Brownwood's Braden Jetton, who took gold in the 100 meters in 11.26 seconds, also took first in the 200 — setting a new meet record of 22.36.

The scary part?

He's only a sophomore and we're still in March.

"The reason I don't think he's topped out yet is he has an incredibly competitive heart and spirit," coach Don Hood said. "His dad was a good track runner and his mom is very competitive, so it's just bred into him.

"With his work ethic and love for track, I'm scared to say what his limit is because I have no idea."

This should get interesting. Stay tuned.

BIG COUNTRY TOP 10

1. Madison Gilder, shortstop, So., Stephenville — Hit .571 on the week with a walk, three RBIs, four runs scored and two steals to help the Honeybees to wins over Alvarado (13-1) and Godley (10-1).

Gilder was one of five Stephenville players who hit .500 or better on the week to help the club improve to 18-3 overall and 6-0 in district play.

Former Eastland coach Russell Mayes has built another solid program.

2. Ty McCullough, sprinter, Sr., Comanche — Took two golds and a silver at last week’s Eastland Maverick Relays, beginning with a first-place finish in the 200 meters at 22.03.

McCullough ran the anchor leg for the second-place 800-relay with a 21.8 split and helped the 1,600 relay team to gold with a 52-second first leg.

3. Ethan Price, 275-pound class, Jr., Dublin — Captured the bronze medal in his weight class during Saturday’s state powerlifting meet in Abilene.

Price finished with a three-lift total of 1,590 pounds — a personal best. On his way to that total, he also set a personal record with a 540-pound deadlift.

4. Haven Williams, pitcher, So., Clyde — Went the distance in a 2-1 win over area power Colorado City, striking out 10 batters in a rematch of last year’s regional championship series.

“Friday's game was a total team effort from the energy in the dugout to the outstanding performances of these young ladies in the field and at the plate,” coach Reagan Sewell said. “That is something about our team that I believe is so special, our depth and our energy. The girls play with passion and cheer each other on every step of the way.”

5. Tesla Hawes and Jasmine Soliz, infielders, Jr./Sr., Anson — It’s difficult to separate these two this week, given that both had grand slams in last week’s win over Stamford.

Hawes finished the day with six RBIs while Soliz had five.

6. Joey Garcia and Bryce Whitely, catcher/pitcher, juniors, De Leon — Garcia was a combined 5 for 9 with a double and three RBIs in a win over Gorman and a loss to Miles. Whitely, meanwhile, was 5 for 7 with four runs scored.

De Leon enters this week at 8-4 overall and 2-2 in district play.

7. Haylee Sharp, shortstop, So., Eula — Finished a combined 5 for 7 with two doubles last week in wins over area rivals Cross Plains and Baird.

Along the way, she scored four runs, drove in four others and stole two bases.

Shifted from catcher to shortstop due to an injury to Laura Guerrero, Sharp was perfect in the field in eight chances.

8. Aubrey Moon, Shortstop, Fr., Albany — Was 2 for 4 in Friday’s win over Stamford with two homers.

But get this: She hit a two-run shot in the third inning and followed that with a grand slam in the fourth.

Whenever you have a freshman who can hit the ball like this and is good enough to play shortstop, you can’t complain.

9. Zach Holmes, outfielder, Jr., Coahoma — Was a combined 5 for 6 with three doubles, three walks and seven runs scored against Jim Ned and Merkel.

“Zach has been a spark plug for us at the leadoff position all year,” coach Bryan Jacobs said. "His work ethic and competitive edge have been strong contributing factors in allowing our team to have successes this season.”

10. Abbigail Sorrells, hurdler, Sr., Blackwell — This defending state champion broke her school record in the 100 hurdles with a time of 15.31 at the Blackwell Hornet relays last week.

Actually, she shattered it. Her previous mark was 15.69.

10B. Jenna Moore, pitcher, So., Jim Ned — Tossed a five-inning shutout in an 11-0 win over Stanton, fanning seven.

At the plate, she had two doubles, drew two walks and had two RBIs.

10C. Adam Faith, catcher, Jr., Albany — Was a combined 5 for 8 against Graford and Stamford with two doubles and four RBIs.

The Lions enter this week at 6-1-1, despite getting a late start on things due to an extended basketball season.

10D. Gabby Mendoza, outfield, Sr., Haskell — Was 2 for 3 in last week’s game against Albany and “went yard” twice.

She finished the day with four RBIs to help the Maidens improve to 15-7 overall and 2-0 in district play.

OTHER TOP PERFORMERS

Sami Shaffer, catcher, Sr., Stephenville (This Tarleton State commit hit .647 last week with two triples, two runs scored and two RBIs); Nadine Arredondo, third base, Sr., Stephenville (Hit .500 with two homers, four runs scored and four RBIs); Elissa Lozoya, pitcher, Sr., Anson (Was a combined 4 for 6 with two doubles and a triple); Elijah Munoz, shortstop, So., Big Spring (Hit .500 over two games with three walks. She also struck out two in one inning of pitching); Josh Dyer, shortstop, So., Albany (Was 2 for 4 with a two-run homer vs. Stamford); Brian Hamilton, pitcher, Jr., Albany (Delivered six solid innings in an 8-2 win over Stamford, allowing only two hits. He also was 1 for 2 at the plate with two walks); Annie Chandler, catcher, Sr., Coahoma (Was 1 for 3 with a triple and two RBIs vs. Merkel); Joe Gilligan, hurdler, Jr., Comanche (Took silver in the 300 hurdles at the Eastland Maverick relays in 42.96. He also took silver in the 110 hurdles in 15.67); Jaseton Atkinson, outfield, Sr., Clyde (Drove in the game-winning run vs. C-City); Taylor Lopez, infield, Sr., Clyde (Delivered a bunt single to give Clyde a 1-0 lead in a 2-1 win over C-City); Rachel Dugan, shortstop, Sr., Clyde (Was 1 for 3 and had four putouts with no errors vs. C-City); Brayden Sizenbach, outfield, Jr., Big Spring (Went a combined 3 for 6 with three RBIs vs. Sweetwater and Brownwood); Madison Daniels, pitcher, Fr., Coahoma (Allowed no earned runs with nine strikeouts in a 3-2 win vs. Merkel); Zach Brown, pitcher, So., Eastland (Allowed no earned runs in 5⅓ innings with seven strikeouts. He also was 3 of 7 at the plate with two RBIs).

To be considered for Big Country Player of the Week, athletes must be nominated by their coaching staffs. Coaches are invited to submit nominations for all varsity sports to Evan Ren via e-mail at evan.ren@reporternews.com, or via telephone at 325-676-6711. Deadline for nominations is noon each Monday. Big Country Player of the Week recognizes players outside the Abilene city limits who are within the newspaper’s circulation area. Players from Abilene High, Cooper, Wylie and ACHS are not eligible.

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