A true balancing act, the holiday break had its share of rest and revved-up competition for Killeen ISD athletic teams, which enjoyed moments of relaxation in between bouts of being very busy.
While everyone was away, basketball, wrestling and soccer teams participated in a number of tournaments, and the district hoops season rolled along in 12-6A and tipped off on the girls side of 16-5A.
Here is a quick catch-me-up on all the happenings.
Basketball
Killeen ISD had strong showings at various tournaments Dec. 26-28. Three boys squads advanced to gold bracket finals with the Chaparral boys winning the China Spring Christmas Classic by defeating Lake Belton in the championship tilt. The Harker Heights Knights finished second at the Leander Glenn tournament while the Ellison Eagles were second at The Championship Basketball Tournament.
The Shoemaker boys (Championship Basketball Tournament) and Killeen boys (Kaufman Christmas Classic) also played well.
The Chaparral Lady Bobcats placed third in the gold bracket at the Austin High Holiday Classic while the Shoemaker Lady Grey Wolves won the bronze bracket at the College Station Aggieland tournament.
The Ellison Lady Eagles (Aggieland), Killeen Lady Roos (Rose City Holiday Classic) and Harker Heights Lady Knights (Spring Creek Invite) put in a full workload as well.
While playing in the Aggieland Tournament, Ellison’s Faith Etienne, a sophomore guard, eclipsed 1,000 career points.
After ringing in the new year, players laced up their shoes for a jam-packed slate Friday, Jan. 3.
Tipping off their District 16-5A title defense, the Lady Bobcats buried visiting Waco University, 63-25, while the Ellison Lady Eagles, who were runners-up a season ago, cruised through Waco, 58-13.
Resuming 12-6A action, the Lady Knights pulled away from Temple, 59-37, and Bryan nudged the Lady Roos, 57-43.
In boys 12-6A action, Harker Heights outlasted Temple, 67-52, and Killeen turned away Bryan, 63-60.
In non-district boys basketball matchups Jan. 3, the Ellison Eagles defeated visiting San Angelo Central 99-71 to improve to 16-5 this season. Also, the Chaparral Bobcats (16-8) won for the 10th straight outing, beating Hearne 64-40 on the road.
The District 16-5A boys slate opens Friday, Jan. 10.
Wrestling
Meanwhile on the mats, all five KISD teams grappled Jan. 3-4 as CHS, KHS and SHS entered the Craig T. Grace CenTex Tournament, and EHS and HHHS logged into the Cy-Fair ISD Tournament.
Leading the way at the Cy-Fair event was Harker Heights’ Ana Davis (185 pounds) and Saniah Ebron (235), who were third in their weight divisions, while teammate Xenia Gutierrez (145) placed fourth to help the Lady Knights take fourth.
The Chaparral boys placed second as a team with 133 total points, nine shy of winner Leander at the CenTex tournament.
Adrien Wright (126) led the Bobcats’ charge with a second-place showing. T’Metrius Davis (165) and Mitchell Dye (144) were fourth, Logan Collins (175) and Antonio Collins (150) fifth and Jadin Hall (138) sixth to reach the podium for Chaparral.
Killeen’s Damirte Hemphill (190) and Ethan Isbell (285) were fourth, and Joshua Bailey (165) fifth.
In the girls CenTex competition, the Lady Bobcats had four medal in a third-place team finish. Mikayla Hudson (107) and Kaelyn Reynolds (138) were runners-up, Lanaya Padilla was third, and Alyssa Thomas (132) sixth.
For the Lady Roos, Angrand Mackeila (138) was fourth and Fredaya Clarke (235) sixth.
Earlier in the break, Shoemaker’s Cameron Roberts (107) was third and Demetria Taylor (185) fifth at the Leander Rouse Raider Ruckus, Dec. 27-28. In the boys competition, Akiliz Akina (165) and Sheldon Gunnells (285) placed third for the Grey Wolves.
Soccer
The soccer season officially got underway Dec. 30 when the Shoemaker boys played Salado and quickly ramped up Jan. 2-4 as KISD sides ventured into tournaments.
Results were mixed –– kind of like the weather –– as the athletes began to find their footing in 2025.
Among the matches was one all-KISD girls contest between Killeen and host Chaparral on Jan. 3. The Lady Bobcats secured the win, 2-0.
Soccer teams have plenty of gametime ahead this week with tournaments on tap Thursday through Saturday.
Swimming
KISD’s swim teams are back in action Saturday, Jan. 11 when they host the KISD Last Splash at 10 a.m. in Clements Boys and Girls Club. It is the final regular-season meet before district meets Jan. 25.
