Yoemen Sports Network

With the 2017-2018 sports season coming to an end at Yoe High, I want to dive into a topic that I feel is extremely important for the future of this community we call home. That would be The Yards of Cameron.

Currently, this facility has two main attractions to offer. 1. A premier field for high school playoffs games. 2. A farmers market.

Over the past several weeks, Cameron has managed to host a large number of playoff series at the high school field. In addition, there have been weekly farmers market events held at the 44 Farms pavilion. Those two are great additions for the community, but that is just simply scratching the surface of what we’re looking at.

The closer we get to June, the hotter the temperatures get. That did not slow down the Yoemen, which joined 14 other teams in the Burnet 7-on-7 state qualifying tournament over the weekend. It was not going to be easy to qualify, but the Yoemen almost made that happen, advancing out of their pool while winning a quarterfinal game. The Yoemen needed to defeat China Spring in a semifinals to advance, but ran out of steam in a 20-12 loss.

“We played them the first time and they did not have all of their people,” said Yoe head coach Tommy Brashear, who’s team had beaten China Spring in an earlier SQT, 20-0. “They were still playing baseball and things like that and I was worried about that coming into this game. I was worried that our kids thought they had this and we have already beat them once.”

Sports camps approaching

If you want your child to attend sports camps this summer, then there are plenty of options on the table. A total of nine camps will be taking place this June through August and signups are underway.

The camps include: Yoe Baseball (June 4-5, $30); Lady Yoe Softball (June 4-6, $40); Yoe/Lady Yoe Wrestling (June 5, 7, 12 and 14; free); Yoe Basketball (June 5-7, $30); Lady Yoe Volleyball (June 11-14, $30); Lady Yoe Basketball (June 12-14, $30); Lady Yoe Volleyball (July 24-25, $50); Mini Cheer Camp (July 28, $30); Yoe Football (July 30-August 2, $45).

Baseball Playoff Update

With just one week before the state tournament, there are still a few local schools that have a shot advancing on to the state’s biggest stage.

With Cameron’s last sporting event for 2017-2018 ending on Tuesday, I now want to go back and look over all the the sports from this past calendar year.  Collectively, it was a down year for the program, which saw four team sports make the playoffs, but had no squads advance past the first round of the playoffs.  The high note came at the very end of the year with the track, golf and tennis programs sending members to their respective state tournaments.

Fall Sports

Football (4-7/3-3)

Preseason State Ranking: First

District Finish: Fourth

Playoff Finish: Bi-District

Lone Star Cup Points: Two

The goal of state qualifying tournaments is to actually qualify for the state tournament.  The Yoemen fell short of that goal on Saturday, winning their first two pools matches before falling to Brownwood in match number three to finish with a 2-1 record.   

Cameron picked up wins over Little River Academy (33-18) in the opener before edging out Mineral Wells (25-20) in their second game.  Meanwhile, Brownwood had also topped both of those opponents, so whomever won that match would move on to the semifinals.

Cameron was overwhelmed early and often, falling behind 34-7 at the break.  Some ground was made up in the second half, but it was too much to overcome in the end in a 39-25 loss.  

“Their kids play, smart, hard and physical and they made plays,” said Yoe coach Tommy Brashear on Brownwood, which will be advancing to their 19th straight state tournament.  

20-3A All-District Baseball

With Lexington exiting the playoffs in the regional quarterfinals, the 20-3A all-district lists have been released.  Cameron - which finished this season with a district record of 5-7 - had three different players honored. Topping that list was senior Bryce Brashear, which was the Yoemen’s lone first team selection.  Zack Andress, another senior, received second team honors while senior catcher Rick Fuentes took home honorable mention accolades.

Baseball Playoff Update

Like most golfers that come through Cameron, Kegan Galvan got her start playing golf at a young age at the local course.

When she was 10, her dad joined the country club, allowing the youngster to get her hands on a set of golf clubs. She has been making routine trips back down 21st street for eight years now, and it proven to be a good use of her time.

Next week, Galvan will be making her fourth and final appearance at the state golf tournament in Austin.

“She has been a number one or two player for this program the last three years,” said her coach Pete Magre. “Her freshman year, she was a two or three player every week, so she has been a vital part to this program. She is hands down our best player this year. This has been her best, and most consistent year, giving low score after low score. She has had a really good season for us.”

Success in 7-on-7 can be measured in a variety of ways. For the Cameron Yoemen, it’s simply all about progression and continuing to improve each time out on the field. You could say that was accomplished this past Saturday, as Cameron went 2-1 in pool play with wins over China Spring and First Baptist Academy in addition to a last second loss to Groesbeck.

“It was a good day overall,” said Yoe football coach Tommy Brashear. “It was the best we have looked in all phases, offensively and defensively. We are getting better and that is what we’re doing this for.”

Cameron began the day with what appeared to be their toughest matchup in China Spring. However, the Yoe defense was up to the task, posting a shutout in the 20-0 victory.

Yoemen fall short at state track

Sometimes things just don’t go your way. For the Yoemen track team, it was one of those days. The Yoemen were expected to be in contention for a possible team title or top three finish, but in the end did not earn any points.

In the 4x100 relay, Cameron finished eighth out of nine teams, coming in with a time of 43.36, over a full second slower than their qualifying time posted at regionals. Cameron’s regional time would have been good enough for fourth.

Davion Bynaum saw the same fortunes, finishing eighth in the 100 meter dash with a time of 10.87, short of his qualifying time of 10.64. Van Vleck’s De’Mitri Monroe took home gold with a 10.57.

Bynaum scratched in the 200 meter dash with injury. Yoakum took home the team championship, totalling 60 points.

Bryson finishes strong at state

Ever since Cameron’s Houston Harris entered high school, she has had a goal in mind to make it to the final eight - the state tournament.  In her third attempt, she has made that goal a reality, as on Thursday she will be competing for a state championship from Texas A&M University.  

“I am very excited to be going to state,” said Harris, who finished fourth at regionals the past two seasons.  “It has been a goal since my freshman year and I was finally able to make it. I love the Texas A&M courts. I have played on them every summer for the past six years at the Texas A&M tennis camp, so I won't be completely out of my element.”