Heights/Neartown Roundup: Davis captivates with run

by JEFF JENKINS , CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT | April 12, 2011 6:14 pm

It's become almost a spring-time ritual. It seems like each spring the Davis boys soccer team puts together a long playoff run.

After back-to-back trips to the Class 4A-Region III semifinals in 2007 and 2008, the Panthers took it a step further, winning five straight games to advance to the regional finals.

Even though Davis lost to Kingwood Park 4-1 in the Class 4A-Region III championship game, head coach Van Daniel felt like celebrating.

"We came up short, but what an awesome postseason we had," Daniel said. "No one saw this coming."

True enough. The Panthers were only the third seed from District 43-4A. However, they upset Dawson 3-0 in a bi-district game. Things got crazier from there, as the Panthers edged Northbrook 3-2 in the area round and Lee 2-1 in a sectional contest.

"Sometimes, you have to be good and lucky," Daniel said. "We had a few breaks go our way, especially in the Lee game."

The Panthers' good fortune continued as they beat Foster 2-1 in the regional quarterfinals and Waco 2-0 in the regional semifinals.

"I think we did a nice job preparing, both mentally and physically, for every opponent we played," Daniel said. "The kids stuck to the game plan and they executed."

However, Davis' ride ended against a superb Kingwood Park squad.

But Daniel and his players created some memories that won't soon be forgotten.

Senior midfielder Erlan Magana was the hero of the playoffs. Magana accounted for both goals against Foster, scored again against Foster and delivered an assist against Kingwood Park. He finished with a team-high 22 goals on the season.

"Erlan put the entire team on his back and carried us," Daniel said. "Erlan inspired everyone. He's going to be impossible to replace."

For now, Daniel will look back at the season fondly.

"It was a fun ride for the school and the whole community," Daniel said.

"It's too bad it had to end."

Lamar golfers win 20-5A crown

Lamar's boys recently claimed the District 20-5A Tournament at Sharpstown Municipal Golf Course, regaining the title the Redskins last won in 2009.

The Lamar Red team shot rounds of 313 and 320 for a total of 633, winning by six strokes over Bellaire at 639. Westside Black finished third at 668, followed by Lamar Blue at 679 and Westside Blue at 724.

Lamar head coach Chuck Davis admits Lamar won't be among the teams to beat at the Class 5A-Region III Tournament coming up Wednesday and Thursday, April 20-21, at Eagle Pointe Golf Club in Mont Belvieu. However, he expects the Redskins to compete at a high level.

"We're not up there with teams like Cinco Ranch and Memorial," Davis said. "But I expect our kids to go out and do their best. They're getting the opportunity to play against the best players in Houston, and I want them to have fun."

St. Thomas heading back to state

After a year's absence, St. Thomas is headed back to the TAPPS Class 5A State Golf Tournament coming up Monday and Tuesday, April 18-19, at Wildflower Country Club in Temple.

The Eagles punched their ticket to state with a fourth-place showing at the TAPPS Class 5A South Regional Tournament held recently at Sherrill Park Golf Course in Richardson.

Lamar qualifies for state water polo

Lamar's girls and boys qualified for the Texas Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association State Texas High School Water Polo Championships on Friday and Saturday, April 15-16, at the Conroe ISD Natatorium in Shenandoah.