Graphic by Brent Seals/ All Photos by Tom Carver, Alan Hale, Ben Jenkins, Matt Smith and Mackenzie Teal]
Player of the Year
Mason Jones, Panhandle, 5-10, Sr. Guard
The Press Pass Girls Player of the Year
will go down as one of the best to ever wear a Panhandle Ettes uniform.
Mason Jones stellar career at Panhandle will be remembered for years to come.
Jones, a Tarleton State signee, was the backbone to a senior-laden Panhandle team that went 28-4 overall, and made its second Class 2A state semifinal in the past three years.
“Mason loves game of basketball and she wants to play all the time,” Panhandle head coach Rob Schmucker said. “She’s always looking to improve and gets better. I’m anxious to see how she does in college. She improves every year, and I can’t wait to see her take that next step.”
The 5-foot-10 versatile guard was unbelievable throughout Panhandle’s playoff run, especially on a major platform. That was proven when she poured in 30 points to upend defending state champion Gruver, 57-43, in a highly anticipated regional quarterfinal showdown.
Jones was named the District 2-2A MVP averaging 17.2 points a game, 5.6 rebounds a night, and 2.7 steals per contest. For her tremendous play on the hardwood, Jones was recently honored as a Texas Girls Coaches Association all-state selection for a third time.
“This season was really a blessing,” Jones said. “In the summer it was all individual stuff, and we didn’t know if we’d even get a season. We were just grateful to get to work through March.”
Jones competitive nature allowed the Ettes win a ton games over four years, as she wrapped up a heralded career playing in a total of 142 games with an astounding 123-19 record, scoring 1,681 career points.”
“I owe a lot to Schmucker family,” Jones said. “They moved here when I was in sixth grade and we’ve been close ever since. Coach (Rob) Schmucker and I hit off early, and he’s been a father figure to me. He saw something in me, so I just wanted to give back to him and my community.”
Schucker echoed he expressed the same sentiment towards Jones.
“Mason means a ton to our program,” Schmucker said. “All of our seniors do. But it was just the way she carries herself, and her confidence, and the way she practices that makes her special. She goes so hard everyday. No one sees that, She left it all on the floor, and took no days off.”
First Team
Chloe Callahan, Canyon, 5-10, Sr., Guard
In helping lead Canyon to a Class 4A state championship, Callahan led the Lady Eagles with 13.1 points a game and was the District 4-4A Co-MVP. The University of North Texas signee was a huge factor at both ends of the floor all season and was a TGCA all-state selection. Never was that more evident than in the state championship game against Hardin-Jefferson, when she led Canyon with 17 points and had two steals in the final two minutes to set up a pair of 3-pointers to give the Lady Eagles the lead for good in a 56-55 victory, earning her game MVP honors.
Bailey Maupin, Gruver, 5-10, Jr. Guard
Maupin continues to show why she’s one of the premiere players in the Texas Panhandle. The District 1-2A MVP, and Division I prospect is flat out dangerous from anywhere on the floor averaging 23.3 points a game, shooting 50 percent from the field to go with 7.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.4 steals a game. Maupin, a junior, helped lead Gruver to the Class 2A regional quarterfinals, and was a TGCA all-state selection for a second straight season.
Kenadee Winfrey/ Canyon, 5-11, Sr. Forward
Winfrey came all the way back from an ACL injury which sidelined her before she could even play her sophomore season. She averaged 11.6 points a game and led the Lady Eagles with 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game to share 4-4A MVP honors with Callahan while also earning TGCA all-state honors. Winfrey shot 41.5 percent from 3-point range to lead Canyon, including the first of two huge threes in the final minutes of the state championship game. She has signed to play at University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
Grace Foster, Childress, 6-1, Sr. Post
The Lady Bobcat captain had an unbelievable senior season. The 6-foot-1 post put up close to double-double numbers throughout the year, scoring a not so shabby 20 points a game to go with nine rebounds a contest.
The District 3-2A Co-Offensive MVP and Lubbock Christian University signee ended her career with an impressive 2,150 points, and was named to the TABC all-state team, as well as an all-region selection.
Mattie Boyd/ Canadian, 6-0, Jr. Post
The District 1-3A Co-MVP had a breakout junior season for a very talented Canadian Lady Cat team that finished the season 24-4 overall.
The 6-foot-0 Boyd, who is as dangerous with her jump shot as she is in the paint, ended her sensational season averaging 18.1 points per game, pulling down 8.9 rebounds a night. Boyd was named to the TGCA all-state team, and was a TABC all-region selection.
Newcomer of the Year
Avery Carter, Tascosa, 6-1, Fr. Post
Carter played big her first year on varsity, giving Tascosa’s opponents plenty to worry about for the next three years. She averaged a double-double per game, scoring 14.1 points and 11.4 rebounds a game and was the District 3-5A Newcomer of the Year. Carter had eight double-doubles in her last 13 games of the season, and was a TGCA all-state selection.
“She is a very gifted athlete,” Tascosa coach Betsy Baughman said. “Her versatility is very difficult for most opponents because she has speed, height and the ability to score the ball inside or out. She improved so much this season on the defensive end as well, guarding the perimeter as well as in the paint. What I like most about Avery is that she is very coachable and respectful to her coaches and teammates.”
Second team
Taylor Thomas, Canyon, 5-7, Sr. Guard
Thomas was a solid complementary option to Callahan and Winfrey, averaging 9.8 points a game as a first-team 4-4A selection and TGCA all-state pick. She played big in the fourth quarter late in the playoffs, including making two free throws with under 30 seconds left to ultimately clinch the state title game.
Kyla Kane, Wellington, 5-10, Jr. Guard
Kane was a bright spot for the Lady Skyrockets during their run to the Region I-2A finals. The junior got better and better as the season went on averaging a total 16 points a game to go along with 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.3 assists. For her amazing efforts Kane was named District 2-2A Co-Offensive MVP, as well as a TGCA All-State selection.
Emma Kleman, Nazareth, 5-8, Sr. Guard
The three-year starter did it all for the Class 1A state runner-ups in 2020-2021. The Swiftettes guard earned the District 3-1A MVP while putting up eight points a game, collecting 5 rebounds a contests, and dishing out three assists per night. Kleman was awarded TABC All-State honors as well as All-Region for the second year in a row.
Lanie Stapp, Claude, 5-4, Sr. Guard
One of the biggest stories of the basketball season was the success of the Claude Lady Mustangs. Stapp’s impact was felt throughout the year. The senior led Claude to a District 2-1A title while picking up Defensive MVP honors for her outstanding three steals a game. As good as she was defensively, the speedy senior shot an efficient 51 percent from the field while averaging 11.6 points a night. Stapp
netted TGCA All-State honors, and was named to the TABC All-Region team.
Briley Barnes, Amarillo High, 6-1, Jr. Post
Barnes was a valuable piece to an Amarillo High team that captured the District 3-5A championship.
The district MVP did it all from scoring in the paint to knocking down shots on the perimeter. Barnes, a TGCA all-state and TABC all-region selection, ended her fantastic season putting up 15.8 points a game, pulling down 7.8 rebounds and shot an eye-opening 51 percent from 3-point range.
Honorable mention
Emmery Sides, Panhandle, 5-9, Sr. Guard
Jessalyn Gonzales, Tascosa, 5-6, Sr. Guard
Briley Merket, Canadian, 5-9, Jr. Guard
Preslee Agee, Farwell, 5-5, Sr. Guard
Taryn Shultz, Bushland, 5-8, Sr. Guard
Keaona Marquez, Dalhart, 5-6, Sr. Guard
Merry Gerber, Nazareth, 6-1, Sr. Forward
Emma Troxell, Bushland, 5-11, So. Forward
McKenzie Smith, Amarillo High, 6-0, So. Post
Tatum Stow, Hereford, 6-3, Jr. Post
Contributors
Tommy King
Lee Passmore