The new year has arrived and so has the final push toward district.
After months of preparing, the most important part of the Broncos’ season is on the verge of beginning as only three games remain before the District 16-5A schedule starts, and if all goes according to plan, the season will not end there.
Lake Belton has not qualified for the playoffs since 2022, but following a strong opening, the Broncos intend to end the drought, and they have a trio of opportunities left to ensure they are ready for the run.
On Friday, Lake Belton hosts the homeschool Austin Royals at 1 p.m. before welcoming China Spring to town Tuesday for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff. The Broncos conclude non-district play Jan. 9, when they travel to Gatesville. One week later, the 10-game league slate begins with a home encounter against Waco.
Finishing among the top four teams will not be easy, though. No. 14 Killeen Ellison is almost assured one of the berths after advancing to the state semifinals in three consecutive seasons, including a pair of appearances in the title game (2023, 2024). The Broncos play the powerhouse on Jan. 30 at home and on the road Feb. 17 in the regular-season finale.
Lake Belton must also contend with rival Belton in games that could prove critical to the standings. The squads play Jan. 27 at Belton and Feb. 13 at Lake Belton. Waco University, Killeen Chaparral and Waco round out the district’s teams.
The Broncos traveled to China Spring for the Cougars’ two-day tournament earlier this week, but results were unavailable. Regardless of the outcome, however, Lake Belton generated plenty of momentum in 2025.
The program delivered one of its best starts in its five-year history by winning 14 of its first 17 games punctuated by a 63-point victory against Smithville prior to breaking for the Christmas holiday. Lake Belton’s best campaign resulted in 18 victories in 2022, when it reached the playoffs.
The Broncos took a three-game win streak into the China Spring tournament, defeating Hillsboro by 22 points, 58-36, before traveling to Georgetown Gateway and beating the host Gators 49-41. Then, Lake Belton delivered its most lopsided showing of the season by defeating Smithville 76-13 after trailing 6-5 in the game’s opening moments.
Krosby Smith, a junior forward, outscored the opposition by himself, posting 15 points, six rebounds and a trio of steals, while junior point guard Avery Diaz had 11 points, four rebounds and a steal. Additionally, senior shooting guard Dezmin Ravizee (3 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists) and senior forward Christian Onchweri (3 rebounds) scored eight points apiece, and Jackson Striegler (3 rebounds and 2 assists) and Mikey Lockett (5 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal) each scored six points.
Senior guard Ameer Williams (5 points), junior guard Allen Muchunu (5 points), senior Nick Martin (5 points), senior Joe Ferrell (4 points) and senior center Charles Hanson (3 points) also contributed offensively.
