Sports & Schools

OVERTIMEWIN The defending state champion and top-ranked Jayton Jaybirds defeated the No. 2 Gordon Longhorns in an overtime nail-biter 47-42 to claim the Class 1A Division 2 area championship Friday night in a packed Moody Coliseum on the campus of Abilene Christian University. | TEXAS 1A FAN

OVERTIMEWIN The defending state champion and top-ranked Jayton Jaybirds defeated the No. 2 Gordon Longhorns in an overtime nail-biter 47-42 to claim the Class 1A Division 2 area championship Friday night in a packed Moody Coliseum on the campus of Abilene Christian University. | TEXAS 1A FAN

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Instant classic

Sue Jane Sullivan |
Thu, 03/05/2026 - 04:50
The state’s #1 boys basketball team in Class 1-A trailed Gordon three of the four quarters in their Feb. 27 area game played in ACU’s Moody Coliseum. But at the end of the game, which needed one overtime period to determine a winner, the Jayton Jaybirds led when it counted, 47-42.
Winning season ends with Lady Jays loss in regional final to #1 Gordon

Winning season ends with Lady Jays loss in regional final to #1 Gordon

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Winning season ends with Lady Jays loss in regional final to #1 Gordon

Sue Jane Sullivan |
Thu, 03/05/2026 - 04:50
JAYTON GIRLS RIDE DEFENSE TO REGIONAL FINALS, HISTORIC SEASON The Jayton Lady Jays remarkable basketball season closed out Feb. 27 after the regional final loss to Gordon, 46-36.

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Statement win for Jaybirds against Veribest

Sue Jane Sullivan |
Thu, 03/05/2026 - 04:50
After being pushed to the limit in the area round against Gordon, Coach Ryan Bleiker’s Jayton Jaybirds wanted to send a message to any of those 1A teams hoping to dethrone the two-time defending state champs: hold off.
HISTORY MADE When the buzzer sounded Friday night in the Spurettes versus Borden County Semi-final game, history was made. The Spurettes became the first Spur basketball team in history to ever make the Final Four in the State Championship Tournament. | COURTESY PHOTO

HISTORY MADE When the buzzer sounded Friday night in the Spurettes versus Borden County Semi-final game, history was made. The Spurettes became the first Spur basketball team in history to ever make the Final Four in the State Championship Tournament. | COURTESY PHOTO

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Spurettes go Coyote calling, advance to Final Four

Sue Jane Sullivan |
Thu, 03/05/2026 - 04:50
One year after getting knocked out of the 1A basketball playoffs by the Borden County Lady Coyotes, the Spur Spurettes were on the hunt. Coach Colton Rogers and his team set the traps, defeating the state-ranked Lady Coyotes, 45-39, in the regional final Feb. 27.
REBOUND Spur BKB Bulldog senior Josh Ortiz grabs a defensive rebound in first-quarter action of Spurs’ playoff game with Crosbyton. The Bulldogs fell to the Chieftains the third time this season, 61-49.

REBOUND Spur BKB Bulldog senior Josh Ortiz grabs a defensive rebound in first-quarter action of Spurs’ playoff game with Crosbyton. The Bulldogs fell to the Chieftains the third time this season, 61-49.

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Bulldogs bow out of playoffs with bi-district loss to Crosbyton

Story And Photos By Sue Jane Sullivan |
Thu, 02/26/2026 - 04:50
The third time was not the charm as Spur Bulldog fans had hoped. After meeting twice during the season, Spur and Crosbyton boys basketball teams faced off again on Feb. 24 for a trip to the area round of Texas 1A playoffs.
MARCHMADNESS coming up for the Lady Jaybirds after victory over Blackwell Feb. 24. | SHERI BATY PHOTO

MARCHMADNESS coming up for the Lady Jaybirds after victory over Blackwell Feb. 24. | SHERI BATY PHOTO

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Lady Jays ‘charge’ their way to regional finals

Sue Jane Sullivan |
Thu, 02/26/2026 - 04:50
It’s been a thing of beauty all season. Watching the Jayton Lady Jays do what winning teams do: turn defense into offense.
WHAT’S NEXT AFTERTHE BI-DISTRICT GOLD BALL? For the Jaybirds, a showdown against the 2024 and 2025 Six-Man D-I football state champion Gordon Longhorns. The teams will meet in a playoff doubleheader Friday, Feb. 27 (scores not available at press time).

WHAT’S NEXT AFTERTHE BI-DISTRICT GOLD BALL? For the Jaybirds, a showdown against the 2024 and 2025 Six-Man D-I football state champion Gordon Longhorns. The teams will meet in a playoff doubleheader Friday, Feb. 27 (scores not available at press time).

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Jayton takes care of bi-district business to advance in playoffs

Story By Sue Jane Sullivan |
Thu, 02/26/2026 - 04:50
FOOTBALL POWERHOUSES TO MEET IN KEY REGION II AREA GAME FEB. 26 IN ABILENE The two-time defending state champion Jayton Jaybirds started defense of their crown Feb. 24 with a convincing 79-31 win over Knox City in bi-district 1A basketball action.
ON OFFENSE Jaybirds’ Sean Stanaland drives around a LCHS defender Feb. 20. | SUE JANE SULLIVAN FOR THE TEXAS SPUR

ON OFFENSE Jaybirds’ Sean Stanaland drives around a LCHS defender Feb. 20. | SUE JANE SULLIVAN FOR THE TEXAS SPUR

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ON OFFENSE

News Staff
Thu, 02/26/2026 - 04:50
ON OFFENSE
ABOUT TO FOUL OUT Strawn’s Gracie Cook (left) and Jayton’s Reese Redford battled all night in the Lady Jays’ physical win, 51-36. Both standout players fouled out.

ABOUT TO FOUL OUT Strawn’s Gracie Cook (left) and Jayton’s Reese Redford battled all night in the Lady Jays’ physical win, 51-36. Both standout players fouled out.

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Fast and furious: Lady Jays outrun Strawn to take area title

Story And Photos By Sue Jane Sullivan |
Thu, 02/26/2026 - 04:50
“Dance with who brung you.” Those Asleep at the Wheel lyrics held up in Jayton’s 51-36 playoff win over Strawn in what was arguably the most physical game of the year for the Lady Jays.
BLOCKS TWO Senior Erin McGalliard blocks out two Meadow players in the area round.

BLOCKS TWO Senior Erin McGalliard blocks out two Meadow players in the area round.

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Sister Act III and ‘Key’-lee unlock balanced attack as Spurettes grab another playoff win

Story And Photos By Sue Jane Sullivan |
Thu, 02/26/2026 - 04:50
Spur’s girls basketball team showed up big-time Feb. 20 in a key Region I Area matchup, knocking off Meadow, 59-33, at Roosevelt. Sophomore sisters Kendal and Kaygan Walker joined forces with junior Keylee Molina on the highlight reel for the Spurettes’ second consecutive playoff win.
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