Sports Briefs

March 27, 2025

By Clay Whittington

Belton Journal

The Lady Tigers soccer team earned another spot in the third round Tuesday night, when they traveled to Corsicana and coasted to a 4-0 victory against Mesquite Poteet in the Class 5A, Division II playoffs.

Lauren McKinney needed less than two minutes to score a pair of goals to give Belton an immediate cushion. Michaela Dvonch and Tori Lucksinger were responsible for the final goals late in the second half.

With the victory, the Lady Tigers, who improved to 21-2-3 overall, advance to face either Jacksonville or Frisco Wakeland in the Region II semifinal this weekend.

BRONCOS SOCCER

Lake Belton’s playoff run came to an end last week as it suffered a 3-0 loss to defending state champion Midlothian in the opening round of the Class 5A, Division I bracket.

The Panthers took a one-goal advantage into the second half, where they scored twice quickly to put the score out of reach.

The outcome gave the Broncos an overall record of 5-17-2, and it was the fifth consecutive season the program reached the postseason.

BASEBALL

The Broncos earned a victory versus their crosstown rivals Tuesday, defeating Belton 9-0 at home to begin the District 16-5A schedule.

Lake Belton (11-4-2) scored twice with the bases loaded in the fourth inning — once on a walk and once by hitting a batter — and the lead swelled to 6-0 in the fifth inning.

Zavion Rodriguez was 3 for 4 in the victory with an RBI single, leading Lake Belton to eight hits as a team. Bryce Davis had a two-run single, and teammate Rohde Smith connected for a home run in a three-run sixth inning.

Additionally, Cole Mikulas was 2 for 2 with a pair of RBIs and walks.

On Friday, the series shifts to Belton, where the Tigers (6-8) will attempt even the score. The first pitch is set for 7 p.m.

BOYS POWERLIFTING

Broncos standout Christian Morales emerged from last week’s Texas High School Powerlifting Association Division I State Meet with a second-place showing in the 114-pound weight class.

En route to a 1,165-pound total, he posted a 455 squat, 255 bench press and 455 deadlift.

Also in attendance, teammate Brett Harmon (615- 415-570–1,600) was 29th in the 275 division as Lake Belton finished 15th overall with five points.

Mercedes claimed the team title with 10 points, narrowly edging out Victoria West (2nd, 10) by a tiebreaker. Castroville Medina Valley (3rd, 9) and Victoria East (4th, 9) followed. 

Belton did not place, but Daniel Arana was sixth in the 123 weight class with 1,180 (435-290-455), while 165-pounder Logan Ricks had a 515 squat and 300 bench press but did not complete a deadlift.

GIRLS GOLF

The District 16-5A tournament began Tuesday at Killeen’s Stonetree Golf Course, where the Lady Tigers built an early lead.

With a team total of 367, Belton held a seven-stroke advantage over second-place Lake Belton (374). Killeen Ellison was in a distant third with a 425.

Results from Wednesday’s final round were not available.