Sports

Marble Falls coach Tim Hulon said the Mustangs just need to relax and play within themselves.
That’s his formula for the team as they head into a weekend tournament in Llano.
“We are going to be fine,’’ Hulon said. “We need to cut out the errors and just play with confidence. In baseball confidence is everything.’’
The Mustangs were 2-3 heading into a Thursday rematch with Liberty Hill.
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Faith Academy lost a 42-40 heartbreaker to McKinney Christian Saturday at China Spring High School.

The Lady Flames fell one win shy of qualifying for the TAPPS state Final Four. The Flames have been to the Final Four seven times in 10 years.

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Marble Falls dropped its final two games in the Hill Country Classic. On Saturday, the Mustangs had five errors in an 8-2 loss to Liberty Hill. Starting pitcher Kenny Ulbricht took the loss. On Friday night, the Mustangs lost a 2-1 decision against Houston Second Baptist. Ethan O'Riley threw a no-hitter and lost ecause of three errors by the defense.

By Mark Goodson

Highlander Sports Editor

Faith Academy advanced to the TAPPS Class 3A regional championship with a 62-41 win over Kennedale Fellowship Christian on Tuesday night at the Fire Pit. Faith Academy (32-5) will face McKinney Christian on Saturday. Tipoff is 2 p.m. at China Spring High School. “We had a great crowd that was very supportive and loud,’’ Faith Academy coach Jerry English said. “I have to admit that when we got such a great start in the first quarter by scoring 17 points and only lead by three that we were in for a real dog fight. The second quarter our defense really picked it up and took control of the game. It was exciting to be able to let everyone get a chance to play in a play-off game since we are so young.” The winner of Saturday’s game advances to the Final Four in Mansfield. Please follow the Lady Flames in The Highlander.

By Mark Goodson
Highlander Sports Editor
Marble Falls’ first-year head coach B.J. Brown said Saturday he’s pleased with the early progress of the girls’ softball team.
They went 2-3 in the Liberty Hill tournament over the weekend. They were competitive and showed a lot of resiliency.
On Saturday in their matchup with unbeaten Abilene, the Lady Stangs battled to the end in a 5-4 loss. Abilene won the game on a reversal of an umpires call.
In the sixth inning, Sabrina Tovar hit a shot down the left field line for a sacrifice to score teammate Taylor Dixon.
After originally scoring the run to tie the game, the umpires overturned the call and called Dixon out for leaving third base too soon.
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By Mark Goodson Highlander Sports Editor Robbie Coplin, an 18-year veteran coach including the last two seasons at Marble Falls, started his new job today as head football coach New Diana. New Diana is a Class 3A, Division II school in Northeast Texas. “Today’s my first day on the job,’’ said Coplin, who was approved Feb. 15 by the New Diana school board. “This is my chance for my first head football job,’’ said Coplin, who served as co-offensive coordinator for the Mustangs. “My family being from Southwest, Ark. was another factor. It’s a good opportunity for my family, too, to be closer to relatives.’’ Coplin has four kids, ranging from ages 11 to five. Coplin has coached 18 with tops at North Crowley, Stephenville, Lake Travis and Marble Falls. He coached with Marble Falls athletic director and head football coach at all the places other than North Crowley. Coplin was an assistant at North Crowley for six years.

By Mark Goodson
Highlander Sports Editor
A reserve player Danyon Becker for The Woodlands Christian made an awkward follow shot at the buzzer to end the second quarter to put the Warriors ahead by five points Friday night in Faith Academy’s bi-district boys’ playoff game.
The Woodlands Christian team carried the momentum into the third quarter and rolled to a 76-50 victory over the Flames (18-8).
The Flames committed nine turnovers in the third quarter when the Warriors ran off a 19-2 to take control in the TAPPS Class 3A playoff matchup.
The Woodlands Christian tandem of Azarius Tocabens and Dawson Libonati combined for 49 points to pace the Warriors attack. Tocabens slashed his way through the Faith Academy defense on drives and fastbreak shots. Libonati added some firepower from the outside.
The Woodlands Christian improves to 24-11 overall.
Faith Academy was led by junior Gage Blair with 17 points.

Faith Academy will face Kennedale Fellowship (24-8) Tuesday night at Faith Academy in a second round TAPPS playoff basketball game.

Kennedale Fellowship defeated Dallas Luterhan 59-38 in the bi-district round Thursday night. The winner of the Faith Academy-Kennedale Fellowship game will advance to the TAPPS Class 3A regional finals.

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The Marble Falls girls’ golf team won the Llano Invitational golf tournament by shooting a school record of 327. Sonora was 2nd with a 349 and district rival Leander was third at 384.

Kelsie Tackitt tied the school record with a personal best 73 that included a 2 under par back nine score of 34. She won the first place medalist trophy with her score. Sam Offutt fired a personal best 83 to earn 3rd place. Delaney Kelley tied for 6th place and shot a personal best of 85. Blaire Hambrick shot 86 that tied for 8th place and Kassidy Reitan shot a personal best score of 90.

The team score broke the school record of 334 that was shot at Llano in 2014.