By Aries Ramos The Belton Journal The Lake Belton Broncos continued their strong start to the season on Tuesday night, improving to 10–1 overall with a dominant 71–22 win over Eastside Early College at home. The Broncos controlled the game from the opening tip. Lake Belton pushed the tempo early and consistently created high percentage looks. Dez Ravizee led the team with 12 points and added two rebounds, providing steady scoring in transition and in the half court. Krosby Smith followed with 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals, giving the Broncos production on both ends of the floor. Defensively, Lake Belton forced turnovers and disrupted Eastside’s offensive rhythm. Mikey Lockett finished with nine points, two rebounds, one assist, and a team high three steals, showcasing quick hands. Ameer Williams matched that defensive activity with eight points, two rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Lake Belton also benefited from strong contributions throughout its rotation. Nick Martin finished with six points and led the team with four rebounds, adding an assist and two steals. Avery Diaz matched him with six points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal, helping extend the Broncos’ lead during a strong second quarter stretch. Colt Smith added six points and a rebound, continuing the trend of balanced scoring. Christian Onchweri contributed five points, five rebounds, and three assists, giving the Broncos a boost with his rebounding. Allen Muchunu added five points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal off the bench, while Jackson Striegler chipped in two points and four rebounds. Charles Hanson added two points and two rebounds to round out the scoring. The Broncos’ defensive intensity, depth, and consistent ball movement allowed them to control the game from start to finish. Nearly every player contributed across multiple statistical categories, reflecting the team’s emphasis on effort and unselfish play. With the win, Lake Belton improves to 10–1 and continues to build confidence heading into the next phase of the season. The Broncos will look to carry this momentum forward as they prepare for upcoming matchup against Mexia and Marble Falls in an upcoming tournament , and the challenges of district play.

Special to The Journal Lake Belton High School Girls Basketball Coach Tiffney Barnes reached a major milestone on Thursday, November 13, securing her 100th career win during the Broncos’ game versus Stratford. Barnes said the achievement reflects years of hard work, growth and dedication shared by her staff and athletes. “Hitting 100 career wins represents years of sacrifice and growth both on and off the court,” Barnes said. “We have faced challenges, leaned on the people who support us and learned from the moments that shaped us. It shows how far we have come and motivates us to keep pushing forward.” Barnes said the biggest lesson she has learned through 100 wins is that success is rooted in consistency. “It is not about one big moment,” she said. “It is the daily habits, the discipline and the preparation. Every win taught me something, whether it was how to handle pressure or trust the work we put in. And you cannot do it alone. Teammates, coaches, mentors and supporters have shaped every step of this journey.” Her players were thrilled when they realized the victory marked win number 100. “They were excited to be part of this milestone,” Barnes said. “They are a big reason we reached it, and they want to keep this journey going.” Even in the excitement, Barnes remains focused on what comes next. “The journey is never over,” she said. “There is always someone working to get better, so we must keep grinding and never become comfortable.” Belton ISD Athletic Director Sam Skidmore praised Barnes’ impact on the program. “Coach Barnes sets high expectations and models the work it takes to reach them,” Skidmore said. “Her consistency and leadership have strengthened the Lake Belton girls basketball program, and we are proud of her.” Barnes said the milestone fuels the team’s momentum. “This win reminds us of what we are capable of, but it also pushes us to keep growing,” she said. “We are grateful, we are hungry and we are ready for what’s next.”

By Aries Ramos The Belton Journal The Lake Belton Lady Broncos kept their undefeated season alive Monday night, overcoming a slow start to defeat Shoemaker 55–46 on the road. The win pushes Lake Belton to 11–0, continuing what has been one of the strongest beginnings to a season in recent program history. Shoemaker struck first, using an aggressive opening stretch to take a seven-point lead after the first quarter. Lake Belton struggled to find its rhythm early, but that changed as the Broncos settled in defensively and began to control the pace of the game. By halftime, the momentum had shifted, and the second half belonged almost entirely to Lake Belton. The Broncos' turnaround was driven by their defense. Shoemaker's early success faded as Lake Belton disrupted passing lanes, pressured the ball, and turned mistakes into fast break opportunities. The Broncos finished the night with 17 deflections, 11 steals, and five blocks, producing 20 points off turnovers. Their presence inside also made a difference, with 30 points scored in the paint and 30 rebounds collected, including 10 on the offensive end. Offensively, the Broncos received strong performances across the board. Aniya Taylor led the team with 20 points and contributed several key plays defensively that helped spark the comeback. Alexa King added 16 points, attacking the rim with consistency and providing timely stops on the other end. Olivia Dann supplied 10 points and seven rebounds, giving Lake Belton valuable strength in the post. Lake Belton turned its attention to a Tuesday matchup with Temple, which enters at 5–5. Despite the Wildcats' even record, they have shown the ability to play teams close, and the Broncos will need another steady defensive showing to protect their unbeaten mark. Results were not available as of press time. After Temple, Lake Belton will prepare for a December 9 contest against Copperas Cove, another opponent known for its physical style of play. With double digit wins behind them and confidence growing each night, the Lady Broncos head into their next stretch of games with an opportunity to continue building on their perfect start.

By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal The Lady Broncos reclaimed their spot atop the district standings this year, and it is easy to see why. One season after finishing second to Killeen Chaparral, Lake Belton bounced back with an impressive campaign, losing only three sets en route to claiming its third league title in four years. Along the way, plenty of players contributed to the collective success, and they were recently recognized by being placed on the 16-5A All-District Team. While it took a complete unit to deliver an undefeated record, senior outside hitter Kaitlyn Hutchins separated herself from every other player and was named most valuable player. It was an ideal achievement for the Northern Colorado commit, who set six school records during her career. She graduates with the program's most aces in a match, season and career along with the most kills in a match, season and career. Multiple teammates also landed on the list, including another superlative recipient. Madison Bingham, a senior setter, amassed more than 2,500 assists and 1,000 digs during her three-year career and concludes her time by being named setter of the year. Additionally, six more Lady Broncos were recognized on the list. Senior setter Natalia Partida, senior defensive specialist Keileigh Krueger, junior middle blocker Ava Wood and junior defensive specialist Kruz Smith were each placed on the first team. Teammates Madilyn Jackman, a sophomore outside hitter, and junior middle blocker Makinzi Johnson were second-team selections. Posting a second-place record of 8-2, Belton was also rewarded for its efforts, earning three of the top honors. Kaitlyn McCracken was named offensive player of the year. Outside hitter Brylee Renegar was named newcomer of the year. And Lady Tigers' third-year head coach Haleigh Johnson was named coach of the year. With the trio guiding the squad, Belton posted its most wins in recent history with 31, including a second consecutive bi-district victory in the playoffs. McCracken, a senior middle blocker, had 196 kills to go with a dozen aces, while Renegar burst onto the scene by recording 384 digs, 297 kills, 58 aces, 31 blocks and eight assists in her debut sophomore season. The Lady Tigers also had three first-team selections in senior outside hitter C.J. Seites, senior libero Miley Davila and senior right-side hitter Landry Duggan. And two more — Lyza LeBlanc, a senior outside hitter, and junior setter Ella Tucker — were placed on the second team. Third-place Chaparral and fourth-place Killeen Ellison accounted for two of the remaining three superlatives. Lady Bobcats senior libero Mikayla Cromwell was named defensive player of the year, while Lady Eagles junior libero Ja'Lya Swiney was named utility player of the year. Waco University senior middle hitter Kamari Greenleaf rounded out the accolades by being named blocker of the year.

By Aries Ramos The Belton Journal Lake Belton’s playoff run came to an end Friday night, as the Broncos fell to Highland Park in the bi-district round to close the year at 5-6 overall and 4-3 in district play. Despite the loss, the Broncos showed progress and set the stage for a strong offseason.

By: Aries Ramos The Belton Journal The Lake Belton Broncos closed their regular season in dominant fashion Thursday night, powering past the Chaparral Bobcats 53-20. The win capped a strong district campaign for the Broncos and secured their place in the postseason.  From the opening quarter, Lake Belton set the tone on both sides of the ball. The Broncos’ offense found balance through the air and on the ground, while the defense delivered one of its most complete performances of the season, forcing turnovers and controlling the tempo from start to finish. Sophomore quarterback Jessiah James led the offensive charge, completing 12 of 19 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for another score. Junior Reese Rosenbaum added depth in the passing game, connecting on 5 of 8 attempts for 30 yards. The Broncos’ running game proved to be the difference maker, however. Senior Alexander Arrington powered through the Chaparral defense for 90 rushing yards on 20 carries, scoring twice and converting two extra point runs. James added 19 yards and a rushing touchdown of his own, while Zion Harness and Cohen Beaird each contributed big plays Harness scored on a 14-yard run, and Beaird broke free for a 34-yard gain to help sustain momentum. In the passing game, senior receiver Davion Peters was electric, hauling in three receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns, including a 44-yard strike. Junior Brock Von Rocks added 33 yards receiving, while Zion Harness contributed 24 yards through the air to complement his ground production. Lake Belton’s special teams also made a major impact. Christian Onchweri provided a spark with an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, adding to the Broncos’ scoring surge. Kicker Long Chuong was perfect on the night, converting all five of his extra point attempts, while Braxton Cope chipped in a successful two-point conversion and handled punting duties with efficiency, averaging just over 40 yards per punt. Defensively, the Broncos swarmed. Senior linebacker Gavin Owens anchored the unit with 10 total tackles, while Johnathan Russell tallied nine tackles and two sacks. Evan Lazott made his presence known in the trenches, recording four tackles for loss. Nick Basak and Joe Ferrell each added sacks as the defensive front consistently pressured Chaparral quarterback Bryson Coleman. By the final whistle, Lake Belton’s 520 total yards of production underscored its dominance. The 53-20 win not only secured Lake Belton a postseason berth but also reinforced the Broncos’ identity as a fast, physical, and versatile squad heading into playoff play.

By Aries Ramos The Belton Journal The Lake Belton Lady Broncos wasted no time showing what kind of team they plan to be this season. In their debut Tuesday night, the Lady Broncos ran away with an 84–39 win over Killeen, turning defense into offense and energy into a statement victory. Lake Belton opened the night with a flurry of fast-break points and full-court pressure that immediately threw Killeen off balance. The Lady Broncos scored 27 points in the opening quarter and never let up, pushing the pace and controlling the tempo from start to finish. Their defense set the tone, forcing turnovers on nearly every possession and converting them into points in transition.  By halftime, Lake Belton had built a commanding lead thanks to its swarming defense and ball movement. The offense was equally impressive. Lake Belton shot efficiently from the field and shared the ball, racking up more than 20 assists as nearly every player contributed to the scoring. The balanced attack kept Killeen on its heels and showcased just how deep this roster can be. Guard Aniya Taylor led the effort with an all-around performance, scoring 21 points while also creating plays for teammates. Olivia Dann added 14 points and four steals, while Alexa King gave Lake Belton a strong presence inside with 12 points and multiple offensive rebounds. Beyond the starting lineup, the bench made its presence felt as well. Erica Taylor provided steady leadership in the backcourt. Players Brylee Craddick and Dannika Kelley all delivered valuable minutes, helping maintain the team’s energy and keeping the offense flowing. In total, Lake Belton dominated the paint, won the battle on the boards, and overwhelmed Killeen with pace and effort. But perhaps the most impressive aspect of the victory was how complete it felt. The Lady Broncos will be back in action Nov. 13 at the Rouse Tournament, where they’ll look to keep building on their hot start.

By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal Practice just began for the Broncos, but Zane Johnston feels far ahead of schedule. Wednesday marked the first day the University Interscholastic League permitted team practices in advance of the upcoming season, giving players and coaches at least two weeks together before playing a game. Many head coaches use the time to conduct tryouts, evaluate talent, and begin creating cohesion, but Lake Belton is focused on other aspects after returning a large percentage of the team, and the Broncos’ head coach believes it will be beneficial. “I definitely feel like we are ahead of where we would be at this point in previous seasons,” Johnston said. “These kids have been so good throughout the fall at absorbing what we wanted to teach and remembering what we taught in the past. We’ve just really been able to hit the ground running.” Along with maintaining a majority of the roster, Lake Belton’s team consists primarily of basketball-only players, meaning Johnston does not have to wait for the football season to conclude before players transition between the sports. Therefore, almost the entire team has been able to take part in the athletic periods that began with the start of school, allowing for additional time together on the court. Most of the players, however, are already extremely familiar with one another, as only two graduated from last season’s team, but they were critical contributors. Voids left by the departures of Nelson Hayes, a shooting guard who earned 16-5A All-District Honorable Mention as a senior, and guard Hunter Hutchins must be filled. The Broncos have options, though. Dezmin Ravizee and Kendrick Jones Jr., who are seniors, and juniors Mikey Lockett and Allen Muchunu were each all-district selections last year after helping Lake Belton amass a 14-19 overall record. “It is a pretty good formula for success when you’ve got four, five, or six guys who are all capable of scoring double figures,” Johnston said. “I just keep reminding them that on any given night, somebody can get hot, and we’ve got to feed that guy, because the next night, it will be somebody else. We’ve got to be unselfish enough to move the ball, though, and they have responded pretty well to that.” While the preseason is getting off to a good start for the Broncos, they want to be performing near their best in a little more than two months when the District 16-5A schedule begins. Lake Belton opens against visiting Waco on Jan. 16. Killeen Ellison, Killeen Chaparral, Waco University, and Belton round out the league. The Broncos have struggled in district competition since reaching the playoffs in 2022. In the three seasons since, Lake Belton is a combined 7-31, coming off a 1-9 showing last year. The Lions tied Lake Belton for fifth place in the final standings, sitting three games behind the Bobcats (4-6). The Eagles cruised to the district championship with an unblemished record, while the Trojans and Tigers were tied for second place with identical 7-3 records. This season, however, the Broncos intend to return to the playoffs. “The top three last year are probably just reloading and looking good,” Johnston said, “but I can’t really speak too much about them, because I’m not around them. I can speak about my guys, though, and I’m just really pleased with their attitude and effort daily. They have a drive and a hunger, and you can see there is a little difference in their confidence heading into this year.”

By Aries Ramos The Belton Journal Lake Belton’s youth was on display Friday night. Despite falling 49–21 to Cedar Park, the Broncos battled through and continued to show the kind of fight that could make them dangerous down the stretch. The night began with frustration as Cedar Park controlled the tempo early. Timberwolves senior running back Trae Hill powered through the Broncos’ defense, scoring multiple times in the opening half and helping his team jump out to a commanding lead. Lake Belton struggled to find its footing early, but the Broncos didn’t stay quiet for long. Sophomore quarterback Jessiah James and junior wideout Zion Harness sparked the offense midway through the first quarter with a 76-yard touchdown that breathed life into the team. The play highlighted the trust between the two young playmakers and their ability to turn any snap into a scoring opportunity. After Cedar Park stretched its advantage again, Lake Belton kept clawing back. James hit Harness for another deep touchdown late in the second quarter, and moments before halftime, the Broncos executed a crisp two-minute drill that ended with James punching in a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line. What had been a lopsided game quickly became competitive, with the Broncos trailing just 35–21 at the break. Lake Belton’s defense also delivered moments of promise. Caleb Chandler and Gavin Stewart produced key tackles for loss, while defensive back Braxton Cope grabbed an interception in the fourth quarter. But Cedar Park’s physicality ultimately prevailed, with Hill finishing the night with four rushing touchdowns to seal the victory. Afterward, head coach Brian Cope emphasized the positives amid the growing pains. “Our kids kept fighting,” Cope said. “We’ve got to clean up the penalties and take advantage of our chances, but I like the effort. These guys believe in each other.” James finished the night with nearly 250 passing yards and three total touchdowns, while Harness and running back Dupree provided a steady spark on offense. Their connection continues to develop each week, giving the Broncos a foundation to build on as the season winds toward its conclusion. That growth will be tested again this week as Lake Belton prepares for a pivotal home matchup against district-leading Georgetown. The Eagles enter Friday’s game unbeaten in district play at 5-0, while the Broncos sit at 3-2, holding the fourth and final playoff spot just ahead of Rouse (2-3). For Lake Belton, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A win would not only solidify playoff positioning but also send a message that the Broncos can compete with the district’s elite. To do that, they’ll need another efficient night from James, continued explosiveness from Harness, and a disciplined effort on both sides of the ball. Kickoff against Georgetown is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Tiger Field, where the Broncos will look to bounce back and show once again that their best football is still ahead of them.