The Blanco Panther basketball team completed their season in the third round of the playoffs with a loss to the state-ranked Cole Cougars Tuesday, March 3.
The Panthers completed the season with a 29-9 record, with a District 25-3A record of 14-2. Cole moved on through the playoffs, winning the Region IV Championship and their state semifinal game against Peaster. Before the state championship game could be played between Cole and Dallas Madison, all UIL events were canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. Dallas Madison won the 2019 state championship after defeating Cole in the state semifinals and Brock in the state finals.
“What a wonderful season and a wonderful team,” stated head coach Juston Weldon. “I was so thankful to lead these young men this year, as we accomplished so much. Winning 29 games (which I believe is a Blanco record) and going to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in Blanco in over 30 years, was an incredibly fun ride. These boys worked their tails off all year and improved exponentially.”
The team received many post-season awards, including one for Coach Weldon. He was named Coach of the Year for District 25-3A. This is the third consecutive year for him to receive this honor.
Tristan Schlinke, a junior point guard, was named district MVP. Schlinke played in 37 games and averaged 15 points per game. He averaged 6.5 assists per game, with two steals per game. Schlinke sank 80 three-pointers on the season. Schlinke also received academic all-district honors and has been named to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-Region Team.
Senior Kade Kneese received first team all-district honors and academic all-district. Kneese played in 38 games with a 5.9 point-per-game average. He averaged 4.8 rebounds per game and blocked three shots per game.
Gavin Young, a junior, received first team all-district and academic all-district. Young played in 37 games, averaging 11.1 points-per-game. He sank 80 three-pointers.
Baylor Smith, a junior, was named first team all-district and academic all-district. Smith played in 16 games, averaging 7.9 points-per-game. Smith averaged six rebounds per game. Smith got a late start to the basketball season while recuperating from an injury suffered during football season.
Caleb Meyer, a sophomore, received first team all-district honors and academic all-district. Meyer played in 38 games, averaging 9.6 points per game. Meyer averaged 10 rebounds per game.
Zack Wisdom, a sophomore, was named first team all-district and academic all-District. Wisdom played in 32 games, averaging 10.8 points-per-game. He scored 75 three-pointers. Wisdom led the team in drawing charges.
Senior Andrew Sanchez received second team all-district honors. Sanchez, a defensive stand-out, played in 36 games averaging 3.2 points per game.
Mitchell Hebert, a junior, was named second team all-district and academic all-district. Hebert played in 13 varsity games, shooting a 4.3 point average per game. He averaged 4.3 rebounds per game.
Senior Nick Quintero received honorable mention all-district. Junior Andres Elizondo received academic all-district honors.
“We will miss our three seniors very much, but we are looking forward to the opportunity of having a very solid team heading into a new district next year,” Weldon said. “I would also like to thank the community as we received so much support through our run as district champions and into the playoffs. Every night we played the gym was packed and loud, and that support very much helped our success on the court.”
