Texas basketball coaching community loses longtime coach to lung cancer

The Texas high school coaching community lost one of its very best when Cedar Hill boys coach David Milson passed away Jan. 31 after battling lung cancer. He was 53.

Milson coached the Longhorns for 23 years but had battled lung cancer since last April. He left his position before the 2010-11 season to enjoy watching his son, Tanner, play at UNC-Wilmington, and his daughter, Rylea, play at Midlothian High School. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with the cancer.

Milson won 676 games in his career and advanced to state championship games in 2004 and 2009. As recently as the Friday before his death, Milson was doing what he enjoyed, watching his daughter play and score four points for her team.

Milson was also someone who cared deeply about his own teams. He could always be counted on as someone who would return his team questionnaire to us for the next issue of Tex Preps Basketball magazine. Milson constantly built up his own players and wanted to make sure that they — and not he — were the center of attention. He will be missed.



WEATHER OR NOT
Mother Nature unleashed her fury last week across Texas in the form of sleet, snow and freezing temperatures from Amarillo to Brownsville. Rare is the time when games are postponed in the Rio Grande Valley, but that was the case last week as games were scuttled due to inclement weather.

The result of the bad weather is that many schools will be making up the extra games this week and playing three contests, with a handful of schools even playing four games.

More wintry mix weather is predicted for this Wednesday, so rest assured that all coaches will be keeping an eye on the forecast with crossed fingers that no more postponements will be necessary.

FRIENDSWOOD NOT SO FRIENDLY TO LA MARQUE
Class 4A No. 4 La Marque has been looking forward to its revenge district rematch against Galveston Ball, but along the way was sideswiped by Friendswood in a 45-42 upset in District 24-4A play. The Mustangs improved to 23-10, 6-3, while the Cougars fell to 25-3, 7-2.

In the process, La Marque's five-year run as district champion has likely come to an end.

Friendswood's Jackson Griffon dropped a short six-foot floater over two Cougar defenders to give his team a one-point lead with 15 seconds remaining. Things became dicey, though, when Friendswood fouled Texas signee Julien Lewis, who had an opportunity to give his team the lead but missed the first free throw that could have tied the game.



Griffon led the way with 24 points while Lewis had 17 for La Marque. As for the upcoming Clash of the Causeway against Ball, La Marque coach Cedric Mason said that his team's ultimate goal is still to get to Austin and the state tournament.

Continue reading{PAGEBREAK}HENDRICKSON TAKES DOWN RUDDER IN 4A HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH
In another exciting Class 4A boys contest, No. 17 Hendrickson (Pflugerville) took down No. 14 Bryan Rudder, 88-77, in District 16 action.

Jalen Washington was huge for the winners with 30 points and 14 rebounds, but had plenty of help as seven players had at least six points for the Hawks. Fernando Rivera chipped in with 13 points. Hendrickson improved to 7-2 in district while Rudder is now 7-1.

The win was particularly satisfying for Hendrickson as the Hawks were coming off a district setback to Bastrop.

Rudder is still in control of the district race despite the loss. Marquis Taylor had 19 points to lead Rudder's scoring while Semaj McGruder and Reginal Lawson each had 12.

KENNEDY GIRLS NAB FIRST DISTRICT TITLE
Congratulations are in order to coach Lelia Lockett and her Kennedy (San Antonio) Rockets, district champions for the first time after beating San Antonio Brackenridge, 44-41, in District 29-4A action. Kennedy is now 22-6, 14-1 while Brackenridge fell to 18-14, 11-4.



Lockett is the school's long-time coach and was understandably driven to tears following the game. The school's only playoff appearance occurred in 2009 and throughout the years Kennedy's talented players would often transfer.

Sisters Gabby Ramos and Alyssa Ramos are two who stayed and have been rewarded for their efforts. Gabby, a junior, scored 17 of her 19 points in the first half while senior Alyssa scored all of her 14 points after halftime, including eight critical points in the final period.

DEAR REACHES COACHING MILESTONE
More congratulations are in order for Frenship (Wolfforth) boys coach Jason Dear, who picked up career win No. 200 as Frenship topped Canyon, 58-50, in District 3-4A play. Dear has been at the school for 10 years and this year's team improved to 20-9, 8-3 with the victory.

R.V. Baugus is the publisher of Tex Preps Basketball magazine and texprepsbasketball.com.