Local Sports Headlines – Honors for WT Athletes

West Texas A&M student-athletes in three different sports have won honors, including two on a national level.

- After being named the Lone Star Conference Hitter of the Week, West Texas A&M senior third baseman Shea Ibrahim has also been named the Coaches Association Division II National Player of the Week. Ibrahim becomes the eighth player in Lady Buff history to win the honor.

– The weekend Lone Star Conference showdown between the #9 Lady Buffs and Cameron has been pushed back a day due to the threat of inclement
weather in the Lawton area today. The big series will now begin tomorrow.

– Senior Rellie Kaputin and junior Paolo Lazaric were named the Lone Star Conference women’s and men’s field athletes of the week. Kaputin takes home the honors for the second straight week after breaking her own school record in the long jump while Lazaric broke a 34-year old record in the high jump.

– West Texas A&M junior pitcher Marshall Kasowski has been named to the prestigious USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List. The list features 40 of the nation’s top amateur players from the college ranks.

- The 4-0 Amarillo Venom have a rare Thursday night game this evening at the Texas Revolution in Allen. The Revolution are also 4-0 on the season. The winner will have sole possession of first place in the Champions Indoor Football South Division.

- For the seventh straight year, the Tascosa boys track and field team has won a district championship. The Rebels rolled up 199 points to win the District 2-6A crown in a runaway. The Tascosa girls finished third overall at the district meet in San Angelo.

- Palo Duro track and field standout Jaleisa Shaffer has signed a National Letter of Intent to the North Texas. Shaffer becomes the first girl track and field student-athlete from Palo Duro to sign at the Division I level in at least a decade.

- James Harden had his 22nd triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists to help the Houston Rockets wrap up the regular season with a 123-118 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves last night. The MVP contender became the first player in NBA history to finish the regular season with at least 2,000 points (2,356), 900 assists (907) and 600 rebounds (659).

The NBA Playoffs begin on Saturday.

Eastern Conference - First Round
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Chicago Bulls
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (7) Indiana Pacers
(3) Toronto Raptors vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks
(4) Washington Wizards vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks

Western Conference - First Round
(1) Golden State vs. (8) Portland Trail Blazers
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Memphis Grizzlies
(3) Houston Rockets vs. (6) Oklahoma City Thunder
(4) L.A. Clippers vs. (5) Utah Jazz

- Jose Altuve hit three singles and drew two walks, helping the Houston Astros overcome an early five-run deficit and rally past the Seattle Mariners 10-5 last night.

- Joey Gallo hit a go-ahead, two-run triple in the fifth, and the Texas Rangers prevented a third straight late-inning comeback by the Angels, beating Los Angeles 8-3 Wednesday night.