Brown County Athletes Gear Up for FCA All-Star Game Thursday

Six Brown County athletes and cheerleaders and one coach are getting ready for the big games Thursday night as the South takes on the North in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes All-Star basketball game at the Brownwood Coliseum.

It’s more than just a basketball game according to the coaches that are leading them, says Early High School’s Kristi Sandoval as she coaches the South women’s team.

“I was really excited to be a part of just the FCA, the Christian side of it. I’ll get a chance to witness to some of those girls and that is going to be exciting,” said Sandoval. “I hope they grow a closer relationship with God and hope they find some friends out of it. I hope those who don’t get to play college ball, it’s kind of their last thing and I hope they take a lot from it. The ones that get to play college ball, I hope they advance on.”

She stated that it will be great to coach such talent and that two of the players are very special to Sandoval, as she coached them at Early High School.

“I’m excited; it’s going to be fun. Getting to see that talent and see that caliber of play. Just to think having all 12 talented girls, inside shooters, defense, all of them,” said Sandoval. “It’s kind of a bittersweet ending, get to have Hannah and Aubrey once again.”

For Hannah McDaniel it’s her last hurrah, she will be attending Midwestern State University where, although she will not be playing basketball, she will put all of her efforts toward studying dental hygiene.

“This is going to be my last game ever. It’s going to be hard, but I’m excited to play one last game,” said McDaniel. She gave credit to Coach Sandoval for carrying her through all four years of play at Early High School. “She has helped me a lot. I really got down on myself my freshman year and she helped me out a lot. I’m glad I had her all four years.”

She stated that it’s been a great experience meeting the other players. “I’m really excited, I mean it’s fun to get to see all the girls we’ve been playing and get to see a different side of them. I’m really excited for the game. I hope we will all stay in touch and try to hang out sometime after the game.”

For Aubrey Horton who will attend and play basketball at Tarleton State University, it’s one more victory after injury to be on the team. She had suffered a torn meniscus and is just two weeks post operation. Horton encourages younger athletes to have a good work ethic and not take anything for granted.

“Work hard, they can take from my injury and understand. Before my injury I had no work ethic but now I know to always work hard,” she said. “You just don’t know when your workout may be your last, so you have to work hard all the time. Don’t take it for granted.”

Horton stated that she followed fellow EHS athletes in last year’s all star game and was determined to be a part of the team this year. She also stated that being a part of a team with McDaniel and Coach Sandoval was very special.

“It’s bittersweet to play with Hannah and to have Coach Sandoval for my coach one more time, so I’m going to make it my best experience ever.”

Of the other players she stated it was different now that they are not rivals. Playing as one team of very talented players has been exciting for Horton.

“We hated each other on the court when we were playing each other but now getting to know on a personal level, it’s nice. I like all the girls now,” said Horton. “We are all one big team, it’s nice. Having all these good players on the team; it takes a lot of the pressure off of you. I had a torn meniscus and surgery 2 weeks ago, so I hope I’m going to be able to do my thing.”

Brownwood High School’s Bryant McDaniel, 5’ 6” a point guard, and Early High School’s Cameron Denison, a 5’10” guard are on the men’s South team.

For Bryant, it’s a culmination of his high school career, playing baseball and basketball. He gives credit to his high school coach, Josh Allcorn, for pushing him to be his best.

“He has gotten me to where I am today. I’ve been with him since my freshman year, he kept pushing me to lengths that I didn’t think I could reach,” said McDaniel.

McDaniel will be attending Texas A&M University where he will play baseball and study kinesiology and sports medicine. He encourages younger athletes to “work hard and stick with it.”

Cameron Denison stated that he has always wanted to play in this all-star game.

“It’s really exciting, an honor really to be a part of it. I’ve always wanted to play in it,” said Denison. “Just getting to play with this much talent on one team-playing with some that have as much or more talent than you, it’s fun.”

Denison stated that his sports inspiration is Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers. “His determination and motivation, the way he gets in the game, everything, he is just amazing.” He stated he is also thankful for his family’s support throughout his sports career.

Denison will be attending Howard Payne in the fall, where he will continue to play basketball.

Three Brown County cheerleaders will also take part in the game. Kylie Allen of Bangs, Mabree Moore of Brownwood and Aimee Lawrence of Early are members of the South Cheer Squad which is coached by Jeffri Foster of Howard Payne University.

Advance tickets that include both of the basketball games are currently available for $10 each at the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce. These all-star boys and girls basketball games are scheduled to be held at the Brownwood Coliseum on Thursday, June 6th. The girls will play at 6:00 p.m. followed by the boys’ game at 8:00 p.m.

Pictured at top is Coach Sandoval (far right) and Coach Tate Lombard (Wall High School) with the FCA All-Star South Women’s Basketball team