BISD tops All-district list for baseball

May 29, 2025

By Clay Whittington

The Belton Journal

The Broncos and Tigers finished atop the district standings once again, and it is easy to see why. Lake Belton emerged from the league race with its fifth consecutive championship, while Belton extended its streak of playoff appearances to nine straight after placing second.

While team success is always the primary focus, recently, coaches voted on the district’s top players, and Belton ISD’s individual talent was honored as the Broncos and Tigers accounted for all five of the league superlatives.

Lake Belton senior pitcher Brandon Holley received the most prestigious accolade, receiving the title of 16-5A AllDistrict Most Valuable Player after helping the Broncos produce an unblemished 10-0 showing en route to the title.

Holley did not allow a run during his five victories on the mound, and he gave up only 13 hits while striking out 26 batters in 26 innings of work. Relying heavily on Holley, Lake Belton (26-7-2) only allowed seven runs during district competition before advancing to the third round of the postseason. Holley, however, was not alone on the list.

Senior center fielder Cameron Bartz was named defensive player of the year, senior outfielder Cole Mikalus capped off his high school career by being named newcomer of the year, and junior Maverick Maddux was named pitcher of the year.

Bartz did not commit an error all season, and in district, he recorded a .364 batting average with six singles, a pair of triples, eight runs scored, eight RBIs and seven stolen bases, while Mikalus finished district with 11 runs scored and 11 RBIs, nine singles, two triples and a double. His batting average was .600.

Maddux was 4-0 in district, allowing only three runs while totaling 51 strikeouts. Rounding out the superlatives, Belton pitcher Cole Haisler was named offensive player of the year.

With the standout hitter pacing the squad, the Tigers (15-13, 7-3) produced double-digit runs five times during district, including a season-high 23-run outburst in a victory against Killeen Ellison. Belton swept the two-game series by a combined score of 41-4.

Plenty of other Belton ISD products were represented as well. Landing on the first team were Belton seniors Jacob Quigley, a pitcher, and outfielder Rayshaun Peoples along with freshman designated hitter Oakley Torres.

For the Broncos, senior first baseman Cooper Mees, senior second baseman Bryce Davis, senior outfielder Rohde Smith, junior third baseman Roger Hunt and junior catcher Braxtan Cope were selected to the first team.

Tigers senior outfielder Tre Garcia was Belton ISD’s lone second-team member.