It was difficult, but Joshua Mann knows he made the right decision. For almost two decades, the veteran head football coach made Leander his home, overseeing Rouse’s program from the first day the school opened. During the span, he won plenty of games and celebrated multiple championships. He also raised a family. Entrenched within the community, Mann saw his children grow within the city limits while also creating lifelong friendships with other residents. Recently, however, change was calling the coach, and he accepted a new challenge, becoming the Tigers’ head coach following the retirement of Brett Sniffin. In the days since his milestone decision, which altered both his professional and personal lifestyle, Mann admits to having no regrets. “Being here has been truly amazing,” he said. “It has been beyond my expectations of anything I could have imagined or thought it would be like. The people, the community and the staff members have all been outstanding, and most importantly, the student-athletes are phenomenal already. “I’m just excited to get to work with all these people every day.” The feeling should be mutual. As the Raiders’ inaugural head coach since its start in 2008, Mann developed the team into one of the area’s premier squads. Rouse, which was recognized as a University Interscholastic League program in 2010, produced an overall record of 91-89-1 through its first 16 seasons, collecting consecutive district titles in 2020 and 2021. In the playoffs, the Raiders were 13-9 in nine appearances, reaching the Class 4A, Division I state semifinals in 2012. The success helped Rouse earn a trio of top-25 finishes in the Lone Star Cup, which recognizes excellence at schools across both athletics and academics, and he has received several coach-of-the-year awards from various publications. Now, he looks to transfer his philosophy to Belton, and on the football field, Mann feels the process was already underway prior to his arrival. “I’m already at a huge advantage,” Mann said. “I believe there are three ‘Es,’ and that is effort, enthusiasm and execution, and the kids are in control of all three. These guys are already at a level where their effort is high, so my goal is just to take it a little higher. “They’ve got the enthusiasm, and they want to work together as a family, so we just need to perfect our execution for my system that I’m bringing in. Knowing that I’m not going to have to start at step one, though, was part of my draw to Belton.” The Tigers went 35-32 under Sniffin, reaching the playoffs five consecutive seasons to set a new school record, and they captured district titles in 2022 and 2023. Mann’s arrival coincides with the UIL’s biennial realignment, which kept the Tigers in District 8-5A, Division II along with two-time defending league champion Brenham, Killeen Ellison, Waco, Waco University and Bryan Rudder. The setup is slightly different from Mann’s prior seven-team district, leaving one less district game than Rouse played during the previous two seasons, but as expected he is embracing the change. “It is a smaller district,” Mann said, “and there is not a lot of room for error. We have to capitalize on opportunities to win when we have them. For me, though, it always starts with Week 1 — that is the most important game on the schedule because that is the only game we get to play that week. “I’m really excited for August even though I’m not ready yet. I just can’t wait to see what we can do.”

The Belton Tigers continued their District 16-5A schedule Thursday night as they hosted Waco High at Tiger Gymnasium. Belton hit 18 three-pointers, including eight in the opening quarter, and put together multiple early runs to overpower Waco, 97-47. Ty Johnson set the tone with a pair of three-pointers in a 58-second span to put Belton up 6-0. Ja’dyn Loggins hit two three-pointers, and Johnson, Daniel Briscoe, and Noah Childers each drilled triples during the final stretch of the opening quarter in a 23-7 run as Belton led 29-7 at the end of the period. Johnson, Loggins, and Gavin Ross hit three-pointers in the second quarter during a 14-0 run in the middle portion of the quarter and a 24-8 run for the entirety of the period, giving the Tigers a 40-point lead at the half, 55-15. The Tigers continued to dominate the offensive zone in the third quarter as Keishawn Coles and Abran Knight joined the scoring for Belton with big field goals. Big Red outscored the Lions 26-11 in the period and led by 55 points heading into the fourth quarter, 81-26. Belton’s biggest lead of the game came early in the fourth period, as the Tigers opened the frame on an 8-3 stretch and led 89-29 with 6:44 to go. Waco closed the game on an 18-9 run, as Belton won by 50 points. Johnson and Loggins each had 22 points for the Tigers. Following the Crosstown Rivalry matchup with the Lake Belton Broncos at Tiger Gym, the Tigers will head to University on Jan. 30 to complete the first pass through District 16-5A.

Belton ran into a tough night Friday at home, falling 67–29 to Chaparral as the Bobcats used steady pressure and scoring depth to pull away in district play. The Tigers struggled to find rhythm early, as Chaparral set the tone with aggressive defense and quick transition offense. Despite the slow start, Belton remained composed and managed to put points on the board in both the first and second quarters, scoring nine points in each period. However, Chaparral’s ability to convert turnovers into scoring opportunities allowed the visitors to steadily build separation. Coming out of halftime, Belton showed improved balance on both ends of the floor. The Tigers moved the ball more effectively and competed with increased energy, limiting Chaparral’s scoring during the third quarter. While the Bobcats held a slight 11–7 edge in the period, Belton’s defensive effort and willingness to attack the glass were noticeable improvements. Chaparral regained control in the fourth quarter, stringing together multiple scoring runs that stretched the lead and put the game out of reach. Belton continued to compete until the final horn, but Chaparral’s depth and pace proved difficult to overcome. Individually, Aubrey Edwards provided a strong presence defensively, impacting the game with her rebounding and physical play in the paint. Edwards consistently battled on the boards and helped limit second-chance opportunities. Emma Flory handled ball-handling duties against Chaparral’s aggressive guard pressure, showing poise and decision-making while helping initiate the Tigers’ offense. Though the result did not go Belton’s way, the Tigers will look to build off the positive stretches shown in the second half as they continue district competition. Belton returns to action Tuesday with a road matchup against Ellison, marking the fourth district game of the opening round. The Tigers will aim to respond with sharper execution and renewed energy as they continue to grow through district play.

Almost a year ago, the Tigers traveled to state powerhouse Killeen Ellison and lost by 58 points. Times, however, have changed. On Tuesday, Belton returned to the gymnasium where the Eagles dominated the last encounter on Jan. 31, 2025, winning 92-34, but Ellison could not repeat the feat. Paced by five double-digit scorers, the Tigers cruised past the Eagles, who have reached three consecutive state semifinal games and two state championships, winning 82-67 to even their District 16-5A record. Belton was almost flawless from the field in the first quarter as it established a 25-17 lead, and the advantage inflated to 49-31 by halftime thanks in part to senior guard Jay’dn Loggins’ buzzer-beating 3-pointer from halfcourt. The shot was part of a 14-1 run to close the period. The cushion was a dozen points, 62-50, following three quarters, but the Tigers were never threatened. Ty Johnson, a junior forward, shared team-high scoring honors with Loggins, finishing with 16 points apiece. The outing came on the heels of a district-opening loss at Chaparral on Friday. Belton went back-and-forth with the Bobcats early but lost its offensive rhythm in the second and third quarters, and the slump proved costly. The Tigers posted just 13 points during the stretch, and despite a fierce comeback attempt, Belton suffered a 64-55 defeat to snap its four-game winning streak. Behind a seven-point, four-rebound first quarter from senior forward Daniel Briscoe, the Tigers took a 14-11 lead into the second period, but they could not maintain the momentum. Chaparral outscored the Tigers by nine points in both the second (15-6) and third quarter (16-7), but Belton would not go away. Despite trailing 42-27 to begin the final period, the Tigers recorded the quarter’s first seven points, pulling within eight points, 42-34, with 7 minutes, 13 seconds remaining in regulation. Belton could not complete the comeback, though, and lost to Chaparral for the first time in the Bobcats’ brief existence. The Tigers won the first six encounters with five victories coming by double digits. Chaparral was led by forward Carlos Robinson, who finished with a game-high 21 points to go along with 16 rebounds and two blocks, while teammates Curtis Watson-Davis and Demoni Mayes, who are both junior guards, added 17 points and 10 points, respectively. In defeat, Loggins scored a team-high 20 points, while junior teammate Luke Munden added 10 points for the Tigers. Belton will attempt to build on its performance at Ellison in a pair of home games, hosting Waco on Friday and Lake Belton on Tuesday. Killeen Chaparral and Waco University share an early lead in the league race with identical 2-0 records, while the Tigers and Broncos are tied for third at 1-1. Ellison and Waco are 0-2.

By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal

By Tony Adams The Belton Journal

By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal

By Tony Adams The Belton Journal

By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal