While the normal fall, winter and spring seasons have looked a little different this year amid the pandemic, the 51 state high school associations continue with their determined efforts to provide high school students the opportunity to compete in sports and performing arts.

The Rotan Yellowhammers’ basketball team in 1A (Region 2) District 15 are 3-0 as of JANUARY 8, 2021. Your Rotan Yellowhammers defeated the Knox City Greyhounds in overtime by the score of 51-50. (Senior) Matthew Pillians recorded his first double-double in District play with 14 PTS, 11 REBS, and 3 ASTS; (Senior) Koy Bell hit the final shot in overtime, to give the team a one point lead with under 5 seconds remaining in the game. Bell finished with 15 PTS, 7 REBS, 2 ASTS, and 1 STL; (Senior) Dylan Jeffrey scored 14 PTS, 2 REBS, and 1 STL; (Sophomore) Jaxon Warren led his teammates with 4 ASTS, 4 STLS, and contributed 4 PTS; (Sophomore) Zac Flores contributed from each of the following categories: 2 PTS, 2 REBS, 2 ASTS, and 1 STL; (Sophomore) Jordan Daniel scored 2 PTS, grabbed 2 REBS, and had 1 STL. Previous game, at Rule, on JANUARY 5 (rescheduled from January 1), stats: Jeffrey-19 PTS, 5 REBS, and 2 ASTS; Pillians-19 PTS, 6 REBS, 1 ASTS; Bell-7 PTS, 13 REBS, 4 STLS, 2 ASTS; Daniel-8 PTS, 3 REBS; Warren-6 PTS, 6 REBS, 1 AST; Flores-4 PTS, 3 REBS, 2 STLS; Garza-1 point, 1 REB; Krebsbach-1 point, 2 REBS; Harris-1 AST; Perez-2 PTS; J. Perales-1 AST. Stats from District opener: Pillians- 13 PTS, 9 REBS, 4 STLS; Daniel-12 PTS, 4 REBS, 1 AST; Krebsbach-12 PTS, 3 REBS, 2 STLS; Jeffrey-12 PTS, 6 REBS, 1 AST; Warren-9 PTS, 5 ASTS, 5 STLS, 1 REB; Bell-6 PTS, 4 REBS; Garza-4 PTS, 2 REBS, 1 STL; Harris-4 PTS; Perez-4 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST; Flores-2 PTS, 6 ASTS, 3 STLS.

The Aspermont Lady Hornets hosted a basketball game against the Hawley Lady Cats on Jan. 9th.

The Aspermont Hornets hosted a game against the Valley Patriots on Jan. 8th.

As of January 5, 2021, the final total for the Rotan Gin is 6,268 bales. The final total of bales for the Longworth Gin in Roby is 7,043..

Since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down high school sports and performing arts last March, we have been looking forward to that day when normalcy returns. While there are challenging days ahead, the turning of the calendar to 2021 and the approval of vaccines provide the first ray of sunshine in 10 months.

The Aspermont Lady Hornets rang in the New Year with a 42-20 win over the Roby Lady Lions during Tuesday's conference game. Jenna Berry was highpoint for the Hornets tallying 15 total points for the game, with Sadie Gentry trailing behind with eight points.

The Hornets dominated Tuesday night’s game against Roby until the final moments when the Lions rallied back to snatch away the victory, earning a 52-47 win over Aspermont. The Hornets put the first points on the scoreboard and tallied a total of 27 by the end of the first half.

Matt Pillians goes up for a lay up for two points. (Photo by Mark Martinez) Zac Flores sizes up Bobcat defender (Photo by Mark Martinez).

The Lady Lions had a great week on the court, starting district play 2-0. They defeated the Rotan Lady Hammers 44-7 and the Lady Greyhounds of Knox City 63-11. The Jv girls defeated the Abilene Christian High School 23-21. Then the Varsity girls lost a close one 46-50 to the Munday Mogulettes.