Highland Park’s Cassie McClurg, Bushland’s Cole Purcell tabbed Happy State Bank Athletes of the Week
Cassie McClurg, Sr., Highland Park
Coming back from a torn ACL is no easy feat, but McClurg appears to be on her way back to her old form.
In her final season on the court, McClurg is beginning to find her shooting form and is helping the Lady Hornets get back on the winning track with district play looming.
Last week, she netted 12 points in a loss to White Deer. In six games, she’s averaged 18.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals for Highland Park.
“She is a warrior,” Highland Park coach Matt Taylor said. ”She went through her battles, putting her time and effort into rehabbing correctly so that she would have the opportunity to play against before graduating.
“Before coming back, she was able to lead and help teach the younger players from the side, but now that she is back, she is able to do that while on the court with them.”
Back in the summer, McClurg suffered the injury during a basketball tournament in Dallas. The surgery and rehabilitation process meant she would miss her senior year of volleyball — but have a chance to play basketball if things went well.
During volleyball practice, McClurg shot free throws and kept her mind right while also bringing along some of her younger teammates as she became another coach on the sideline.
“She’s a real dedicated person,” Taylor said. “Before the injury, she was ewxpected to be a leader in whatever sport she was involved in. She’s all-around athlete.”
Along with volleyball and basketball, McClurg also ran track. But, before that, she’s looking to get the Lady Hornets (5-8) close or above .500 before the start of District 3-2A play. Highland Park starts that journey with a 9 a.m. Wednesday contest against Hale Center as part of a tournament held at the high school.
McClurg, who’s still easing into a regular workload, is expected to continue to orchestrate the offense and be a calming voice to her younger teammates as they navigate what’s expected to be a difficult District 3-2A slate.
“While she’s been out, teammates have been able to log minutes and gain confidence,” Taylor said. ”So, we’re expecting some good things when she gets comfortable.”
Cole Purcell, Sr., Bushland
After a deep run in the Class 3A Division I playoffs, the Falcons basketball team is hoping that success translates to the court.
Before that comes to fruition, the core group of players needs to mesh together, figure out the offensive and defensive needs and, most important, carve out their roles on the court.
Purcell appears to be on track for a few of those, developing into the catalyst on offense as he can score on or off the dribble and finds multiple ways to drive to the basket and get to the free-throw line. Along those lines, he can also help on the defensive end with his quickness and ability to rebound the basketball.
”He does that on a nightly basis for us,” Bushland coach Connor Copley said. ”He’s also a streaky shooter, who, if he gets going, could ensure it’s a really good night for us offensively.”
The ultimate goal is for the Falcons to be playing their best basketball in about a month, or so, when the playoffs begin and that builds toward as push to the state tournament.
But, before any of those thoughts emerge, Bushland (5-5) must mesh on offense and defense — a tall task as the team started the season back on Dec. 1 and had some time off during that last couple of weeks.
Purcell has been a vital portion of the process, per Copley, who has told his all-around senior to be a commanding voice on and off the court. It’s worked as the offense has worked well with Purcell as the starting point.
“We’ve got a lot of seniors and some players are dealing with injuries,” Copley said. ”In those moments, everyone on the team has looked to him as a leader. He’s stepped into that role and become a go-to scorer as well. It’s been a nice addition to his game.”
The Falcons are set to compete in the Littlefield Tournament this week before, like a majority of the state, starting district play. Bushland is set to go against Canadian, River Road, Dalhart, Spearman and Tulia in 1-3A action.
“We got a late start to the season and the guys are still trying to mesh together — even though they played with each other last year,” Copley said. ”And they’re also trying to figure out what I want done on offense and defense. It’s a process, and one that takes time. Our hope is to be playing our best basketball when the calendar shifts to March (for the state tournament).”
Only had one kid that didn’t play. One varsity starter and sitll meshing and played with each other and learning. Hoping to peal at the right time.
5-5. first game was Dec. 1.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Highland Park’s Cassie McClurg, Bushland’s Cole Purcell tabbed Happy State Bank Athletes of the Week
