Photos by [Matt Smith, Trevor Fleeman, Ben Jenkins, Tom Carver/ For Press Pass Sports]
Coach of Year
Trent Lankford, Gruver
By Lance Lahnert
The number one sports passion in Trent Lankford’s life is coaching girls basketball.
The number one passion in Lankford’s life is his family, wife Bethany, along with kids Hannon and Mason.
When Lankford’s passions joined forces in Gruver this past high school basketball season something magic happened – a state championship with the added icing being a rare undefeated season.
Lankford guided Gruver to a 33-0 record and Texas UIL Class 2A state girls basketball title.
Gruver was one of two UIL boys or girls basketball teams in the entire state of Texas finishing without a blemish on its record (5A girls Cedar Park was the other).
For the incredible Gruver run, Lankford today is named the 2022 Press Pass Sports Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.
After spending five years as an assistant girls basketball coach at Amarillo High in his latest coaching stop, Lankford pounced on the chance to return to Gruver (he had coached there before leaving for AHS in 2015) when the girls basketball job opened last year.
“This was a job more about my family,” Lankford said. “This was a job about my kids getting them in a smaller school system. I have a ninth grade daughter and sixth grade son. Gruver is one of the places where the expectations are there. The academic rigor is there. The morals and the standards they have in that small community are still upheld. Obviously, basketball was a part of it as a head coach.”
Gruver was coming off a girls basketball season ending in the third round of the playoffs to Panhandle, too early by its high standards since the year before a state championship was won.
Lankford knew all about the talent Gruver owned since he had coached several of the players when they were younger.
But Lankford had a message from day one for the 2021-22 Lady Hounds and it wasn’t about talent.
“On the first day of school we met and we talked about playing with joy,” Lankford said. “We talked about loving the game and playing for each other. They really bought into that. That was a big deal. The biggest part of what we did this year was they loved playing this game of basketball with each other and that grew as the season went on.”
One of those players in that first meeting was Texas Tech signee and MVP of the 2022 state tournament Bailey Maupin
Maupin said the message hit home.
“We all knew Coach Lankford and we knew Hannon and the whole family in junior high when they had been here before,” said Maupin, who averaged 22 points a game this year and finished with a school-record 2,707 points. “So it really wasn’t a tough adjustment at all. His first thing he said to us is we are going to play for each other and we are going to play together as a team. We all just bought into that since the first team meeting and I think that’s the reason we had such success. It definitely just got better and better as the season went on and we built a culture.”
Gruver opened the season opening eyes with a 68-19 pounding of Class 5A Palo Duro, then shortly after added a win anybody around here knew was huge dumping defending 4A state champ Canyon, 49-44.
The Lady Hounds breezed through district unbeaten, fended off a very good New Home team by three in the Region I-2A semifinals, won by 40 over San Saba in the state semifinals, then capped the perfect season in style beating a 36-2 Stamford team by 12 points in the championship game.
“All season long they kept fighting for one another,” Lankford said. “It wasn’t playing against somebody, it was playing for each other. … We talked about being a good teammate. I heard all season long from community members how this team they really enjoyed playing with one another and played with enthusiasm. … And then we had a team with five starters who could score. I kept expecting Bailey to see a box-and-one or something like that. I think because coaches shied away from that because of all the ability of the other kids to score.”
Maupin said not once during the season did the team talk about the undefeated record, only getting better and “it was time to bring another gold back to Gruver.”
Maupin said Lankford is a glass half full kind of a coach and his uplifting attitude impacted the Lady Hounds.
“What Coach Lankford does so well is he is such a super positive guy on and off the floor,” Maupin said. “He sees the good in everything and he sees the good in every person. He’s the first to tell us what we are doing well and not what we need to work on. He helped boost the confidence of our team.
“We had so much fun. We would play games at team meals and things like that. Those were things we had never done before. We all really came closer this year. A coaching change can either bring a team closer or tear them apart. I think Coach Lankford did a really good job of bringing us all back together.”
Lankford didn’t mince words on what the Gruver players and the 2022 season meant to him.
“For me personally, since this was a special, special journey we want on as a group, this was obviously the best year in my career,” Lankford said. “No doubt. It was a just a wonderful journey we went on. And it’s because these girls were so fun to be around. I loved going to practice every day. I loved battling with this group every day. Because I knew if I had to get after them, I could do that and they would respond. As we went on through the season they showed me I could fully trust them and they could take care of business. When you have kids who can play and have the different skill sets, then obviously have a star player like Bailey Maupin, they make your Xs and Os look a lot better.
Player of Year
Bailey Maupin, Gruver, 5-10, Guard, Sr.
By Kale Steed
The 2022 Girls Press Pass Player of the Year needs no introduction.
Gruver’s Bailey Maupin stamped her unbelievable career as one of the most heralded players to come out of the Texas Panhandle leading the Gruver Lady Hounds to their second UIL Class 2A state championship in the past three years.
How bout the way Maupin and the Lady Hounds did it? A perfect 33-0 season that concluded with the Maupin leaving her signature on greatness thanks to a state MVP selection scoring 16 points with 14 boards during a 50-38 win over Stamford to seal the unblemished year on the big stage of San Antonio’s Alamodome.
“It still hasn’t sunk in,” Maupin said. “It still feels like a dream. Our goal from the beginning of the season wasn’t to be perfect, but to go win it all. It was so special to do that, and bring it back home to a community that does nothing but support us.”
Maupin, a Texas Tech signee and arguably the best to ever wear a Lady Hounds uniform, leaves a legacy that stands alone. During her four-year run at Gruver, the smooth shooting, smooth passing, Maupin, was a part of 124 program wins, while scoring an eye-opening 2,707 career points.
We’re just getting started when it comes to accomplishments.
Maupin was recently named the inaugural Dave Campbells Miss Texas Basketball Player of the Year. She was a four-time TABC All-State selection, a four-time District MVP, was named a McDonald’s All-American nominee, and is ranked 53rd in the nation by ESPN Hoopgurlz.
Head coach Trent Lankford returned to Gruver after leaving in 2015. Upon coming back he knew the unique talent he had in Maupin, calling her a “once in a lifetime player”.
“When you have a dynamic player like Bailey you can do so much,” Lankford said. “She is so explosive, and she can score at all three levels. Bailey is a great defender. She can steal, she can rebound, and her baskeyball IQ is off the charts. You don’t coach many Bailey Maupin’s, she is truly special and it’s been a privilege.”
Maupin isn’t running track and field, though she was the Amarillo-areas top high jumper clearing 5-foot-8 last season. She is playing mixed doubles on the tennis team with her younger brother, Walker. However, her sole focus is being prepared to check into Texas Tech this summer and start making an impact for head coach Krista Gerlich. Though Maupin knows her future is bright as a Lady Raider, she’ll never forget what Gruver means to her.
“Our team was so close,” said Maupin, who averaged 22 points a game this year. “We all treated each other like family, and we loved being there for one another. “Gruver means the world to me. This community is special, and I’m so glad this is my home. I’ve been supported since third grade, and now I’m going to Tech, and I know Gruver will follow me there.”
First-team
Taylor Thomas, Canyon, 5-8, Guard, Sr.
Thomas was voted the District 4-4A Co-MVP in helping to lead the Lady Eagles to an undefeated district championship and the region semifinals. A returning starter from the 2021 Class 4A state championship team, Thomas showed her experience and leadership by leading Canyon with 12.2 points a game. Thomas was also named to the Region I-4A All Tournament team, and was a TABC All-State selection.
Kyla Kane, Wellington, 5-10, Guard, Sr.
The four-year starter leaves as one of the best players to ever wear a Lady Skyrocket uniform. The District 2-2A MVP, and TABC All-State selection, led Wellington pouring in 19 points a game, nabbed 6.3 rebounds a night, and averaged 2.4 steals with 2.2 assists. Kane scored over 1,800 career points, and will play her college basketball at West Texas A&M.
Mckenzie Smith, Amarillo High, 6-0, Forward, Jr.
Smith emerged as a raw talent in her second full season on the varsity in helping lead the Lady Sandies to the Class 5A state tournament. She was voted 3-5A MVP, and honored as a TABC All-State selection. Smith averaged 14.8 points a game to lead the Lady Sandies, and was also named to the Region I-5A All Tournament Team and the 5A state All Tournament team.
Emma Troxell, Bushland, 5-11, Forward, Jr.
The Division I talent, and District 1-3A Offensive MVP had a fantastic season leading the Bushland to the Class 3A regional quarterfinal. Troxell ended her superb junior campaign averaging a double-double, scoring 19.3 points with 10.2 rebounds. Troxell also added three steals per night. Through her first three years, Troxell has tallied 1,325 career points with 730 boards.
Mattie Boyd, Canadian, 6-0, Post, Sr.
The District 1-3A Co-MVP was the heart and soul of a Canadian Lady Cat team that carried the No. 1-ranking in Class 3A most of the season, finishing at 33-2 with a push to the regional championship. The 6-0 post, that also developed her outside skill, averaged a team-high 17.2 points a game with 8.3 rebounds a contest.
The West Texas A&M signee and TABC All-State selection finished her stellar career being a part of 114 program wins while scoring over 2,000 career point.
Newcomer of the Year
Sadie Sanchez, Randall, 5-4, Guard, Fr.
Sanchez may not be big, but she was a huge reason the Lady Raiders bounced back from a one-win season in District 3-5A to reaching the region quarterfinals this season. She averaged 13.8 points a game along with 2.2 steals a game to earn 3-5A Newcomer of the Year. Sanchez was a fixture in Randall’s lineup from the moment she stepped on campus.
“Sadie is a phenomenonal player who has a passion for the game and loves her teammates,” Randall coach Brooke Walthall said. “She is always working to improve her game. She is super fun on and off the court and we are looking forward to her continued success as a Lady Raider.”
Second-team
Zoey McBroom, Canyon, 5-6, Guard, Sr.
McBroom shared 4-4A MVP honors with teammate Thomas as another returner from the state championship team. She averaged 10.7 points mmmmk a game and led the Lady Eagles with 5.3 rebounds a game. McBroom will stay at home to play her college basketball, as she’s signed with West Texas A&M.
Briley Barnes, Amarillo High, 6-1, Post, Sr.
Barnes, who has signed to play with Tulsa, was a first-team District 3-5A selection in her third season as a starter, averaging 12.6 points a game and leading the Lady Sandies with 7.4 rebounds a contest. She was named the MVP of the Region I-5A Tournament, and a TABC All-State selection. Barnes posted double-doubles in points and rebounds in the region semifinal and final.
Briley Merket, Canadian, 5-9, Guard, Sr.
The Co-District 1-3A MVP was one of the top sharp-shooters in the Texas Panhandle. During the Lady Cats impressive 33-2 season, and run to the regional championship, Merket averaged 13.2 points a game, to go with 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists. The Angelo State signee ended her career scoring over 1,000-points.
Callie Conyers, Gruver, 5-9, Guard, Sr.
Conyers came on during the season, especially in the playoffs to play a valuable role in Gruver’s 33-0 run to a UIL Class 2A state championship.
The District 1-2A Co-Offensive MVP and state tournament team selection, ended the season putting up 9.5 points a game, pulling down 3.6 rebounds, nabbing 1.8 steals a night, and shot 88 percent from the free-throw
Kate Kuehler, Panhandle, 5-9, Post, Sr.
The 5-foot-9 post came into her own to lift Panhandle back to a District 2-2A championship, and a third round run to the playoffs. The first-team All-District selection scored 9.0 points a game, pulled down 5.1 rebounds a contest, and shot 55 percent from the field.
Honorable mention
Camryn Armes, Gruver, 5-8, Guard, Sr.
Kailee Benton, Randall, 5-6, Guard, Sr.
Brenna Butler, Gruver, 5-6, Guard, Jr.
Makenzy Corrales, Nazareth, 5-5, Guard, Sr.
Reese Cruse, Valley, 5-9, Post, So.
Jada Graves, Amarillo High, 5-4, Guard, So.
Daizjia Oages, Tascosa, 5-8 Guard, Jr.
Grace Sims, Panhandle, 5-8, Guard, Sr.
Alana Strong, Caprock, 5-6, Guard, Sr.
Whitney Willeford, Canyon, 5-7, Guard, Sr.
Contributors
Lance Lahnert
Lee Passmore
Kale Steed