Yoemen Sports Network

Last year, Little River Academy’s girls basketball team won 20-3A and represented region III at the state tournament.  The Lady Bees showed why they are still one of the state’s best in Tuesday's 72-33 district opening win over Cameron.  

The Lady Yoe fall to 5-9 overall and 0-1 in district play with the loss.  

Academy's (12-3/1-0) full-court press gave Cameron fits throughout the first.  The Lady Bees forced a total of 10 turnovers in the period and held a commanding 29-6 lead after one. 

"We talked about trying to do that and we got on them early using our press in addition to our transition game," said Academy head coach Brian Pursche.  

The press was something that Lady Yoe coach Corey Cunningham and his team were not expecting to see. 

Six different Cameron Yoemen were named to the Associated Press Sports Editors class 3A all-state teams, released Monday. 

Yoe receiver and return specialist Sicory Smith was the lone first team selection for Cameron.  The senior had a team high 1,339 yards receiving to go along with 20 touchdowns in 2016.  Smith also ran for 186 yards and one touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, Eddie Luna was recognized as a second team linebacker.  Luna, a senior, finished his career in Cameron with a team-high 179 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. 

Honorable mention selections include quarterback Jr. Zack Andress (3,116 yards passing, 45 touchdowns), defensive lineman Sr. Jesse Valdez (93 tackles, 18 tackles for loss), linebacker Sr. Brandon Wilkins (118 tackles, six tackles for loss) and defensive back Jr. Levi May (85 tackles, five interceptions). 

Last week, the Cameron Yoemen and Lady Yoe basketball teams continued preparation for the start of  20-3A action by competing in tournaments.  The Yoemen traveled to Moody while the Lady Yoe were in Salado.

Lady Yoe

Cameron participated in the Salado tournament last week, finishing with a 1-3 mark.  The competition level went up a notch as the ladies took on a 4A, plus two 5A schools in their four games. 

The Lady Yoe began things with a tough 60-54 loss to 5A Hutto.  The ladies led at the half, 31-22, but could not hold off the comeback down the stretch and fell, 60-54. 

Cameron also suffered losses to 3A McGregor (57-37) and 4A Robinson (47-26) on Friday.  Terryn Adams led the ladies in both games, scoring 10 versus McGregor and eight against Robinson. 

Cameron Yoe (11-3) - State Quarterfinalist

Beginning Thursday, December 8, 16 teams from across the area will be competing in the Cameron Junior High tournament.  Action will begin today and will resume on Saturday from all three gyms across the Cameron ISD campuses. 

The seventh and eighth grade tournament will feature Academy, Cameron, Gatesville, Midway B, Rockdale, Rogers, Troy and Salado. 

The Cameron seventh grade will take on Salado on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. from the junior high gym.  A win would mean a break until Saturday morning (9:00 a.m.) while a loss would force another game at the Junior High at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.  Cameron will get the winner/loser of Midway B and Rockdale. 

The Cameron eighth grade will also be in action on Thursday, taking on Salado.  Tipoff for that game is set for 6:00 p.m. from Yoe Gym.  A win (Saturday, 10:00 a.m.) or loss (Thursday, 8:00 p.m.) would set up a game with either Midway B or Rockdale. 

With all four 10-3A playoff team finished with their playoff runs, all-district lists were announced on Monday morning. 

The Yoemen were well-represented with a total of 33 different individual awards handed out.  First-year starting quarterback Zack Andress was named offensive newcomer of the year and a first team all-district quarterback.  The junior finished the year with 3,116 yards passing, 578 yards rushing and a total of 56 touchdowns.

Senior Sicory Smith was a first team return specialist and wide receiver.  Smith capped off his career as a Yoemen with 70 catches for 1,339 yards.  Smith also ran for 186 yards and had 21 total touchdowns.

When you get to the fourth round of the state football playoffs in Texas, you expect to see close, hard-fought ball games.  Malakoff and Cameron played one of the more memorable contests of the postseason in 2015, and Friday night's regional finale from Waco ISD Stadium was equally as thrilling. 

For the Yoe faithful, this one didn't turn out liked they would have liked as Malakoff's Everardo Garcia nailed a 30-yard field goal in overtime to end the Yoemen's playoff run.  

Malakoff (14-0) advances to play Yoakum (10-4) next week in the state semifinals.  Yoakum came back late to defeat Hallettsville, 27-23.  

In what was a back-and-forth affair all night long, four quarters was just not enough to decide who would win the region III title.  Cameron had their first crack at it in overtime, but failed to convert a first down and could not generate any points. 

Cameron Yoe (11-2) Vs. Malakoff (13-0)

Lady Yoe
After a break from the Thanksgiving holidays, the Lady Yoe basketball team was back in action on Tuesday as they hosted Riesel. Cameron defeated Riesel earlier this season during tournament action, 55-24.

Much like in the first matchup, Cameron came out hot and overwhelmed the Lady Indians with pressure defense. NaQuiria Gibbons and Terryn Adams both scored eight points in the first as Cameron led 18-4.  

“It was our goal this game to apply the defensive pressure right away through the press, and it created offensive opportunities for us in the transition game which allowed us to extend that lead right away,” said Lady Yoe Coach Corey Cunningham.

Gibbons doubled here total in the second with 16 as Cameron took a commanding 30-10 advantage at the half.

The ladies coasted throughout the second half to finish off the win, 46-24. Gibbons finished with a team-high 22 points.

In last year's run to the state championship, Cameron had to defeat both Teague and Malakoff to get out of region III.  If the Yoemen will be playing in the state semifinals next week, they will once again have to accomplish that feat. 

In the regional round, Cameron defeated Teague while Malakoff got by Rockdale to setup the rematch. 

Last year's game is one that neither team will soon forget.  Malakoff appeared to be in total control of the area round matchup, building a 32-7 lead in the second quarter.  Cameron proceeded to go on a 38-12 run to stun the Tigers, 45-44. 

This year, the teams will be meeting in the state quarterfinal round.  Malakoff has dominated their way throughout the entire schedule, scoring 40 or more points in every game besides last week's win over Rockdale, 27-13.