Water Valley, Veribest, Robert Lee Boys Break Through to Regional Semis

SAN ANGELO, TX — District 11-1A has proven to be one of the best small-school districts in the state with seven playoff trophies to its credit so far.

Water Valley, Veribest and Robert Lee all won two postseason games last week, while Garden City also had a win before losing in the area round.

It was a battle just to earn one of the four playoffs spots from the district, but the teams that survived the gauntlet were well-prepared once the postseason began.

No. 19-ranked Water Valley has rolled to a pair of convincing wins over Eden (83-40) and Balmorhea (72-36). Next up for the Wildcats is a matchup with Hamlin at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Baird.

It should be the toughest test yet for Water Valley (21-3). Hamlin (20-12) was the runner-up in its district behind No. 1-ranked Jayton, so the Pied Pipers have been tested, too.

Water Valley reached the regional final last year before losing 40-38 to district rival Garden City.

Veribest has been one of the biggest surprises in the Concho Valley this season. The Falcons didn’t make the playoffs last year, but they earned the No. 2 seed in the district this time and were the only team in the district to claim a win over Water Valley.

Veribest has scored two big wins over Paint Rock (75-44) and Dell City (63-22) to reach the third round of the playoffs for the first time in program history.

The Falcons’ 27-8 season will now be put to the ultimate test, however, with a meeting against No. 1 Jayton up next at 7 p.m. Monday in Colorado City.

Robert Lee, which finished in a tie for third in the district with Garden City, has cruised to wins over Rochelle (67-19) and Big Bend (72-20) to start its playoff run.

The Steers (18-10) are now back in the regional semifinals, where their season ended last year with a 50-46 loss to Benjamin.

This time, Robert Lee has a matchup with Ira (25-10), scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Abilene Christian University’s Moody Coliseum.

The three 1A teams are carrying most of the Concho Valley’s playoff hopes after a second round that took out numerous contenders, including a pair of 29-win teams in San Angelo Central and Wall.

The only other area team still alive heading into the third round is Junction (17-8), which plays Mumford (26-10) at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Lampasas in the 2A Division II bracket.