Whirlwind Abran Castillo shoots a free throw during a Caprock Classic game against Lubbock Christian on Dec. 30, 2021. (Alex Driggars/Floyd County Record)
LUBBOCK — Despite experiencing their first loss of the season to the Lubbock Christian Eagles on Thursday, the Floydada Whirlwinds (16-1) played probably their best basketball of the season by going 3-1 in the United Supermarkets bracket at the 62nd Annual Caprock Classic on Dec. 29-31.
The bracket included 18 teams in one of two small school boys divisions. The Shallowater Mustangs (15-1) won the championship an Lubbock Christian (12-5) was the runner-up. The Grapevine Faith Lions (13-7) defeated the Hawley Bearcats (4-6) for third place. The consolation champions were Floydada and the McMullen County Cowboys (19-4) of southern Texas.
“The Caprock will help us get ready for district,” Floydada coach Anthony Carson told the Record at the conclusion of the tournament. “We had to overcome some adversity in this tourney. We are a young team with no seniors in the starting lineup, but we have talent and are always ready to play,” Carson said.
“These Whirlwinds are scrappy and get after it,” Carson added. “They are well conditioned and know how to box out for rebounding against taller opponents like we faced this week.”
Floydada junior Abran Castillo was one of 10 players selected to the all-tournament team from the United Supermarkets bracket. Castillo scored 85 points in the four games the Whirlwinds played, including 31 points against both Lubbock Christian and Sundown. His scoring average for the season is now 22.4 ppg.
In the consolation championship against the Lubbock Kingdom Prep Warriors (7-8) on Friday afternoon, Floydada jumped out to a six-point lead after the first quarter. The Whirlwinds then stretched it to an 11-point margin at halftime, 35-24. The Whirlwinds then fought the off Kingdom Prep’s comeback efforts in the final quarter to win 53-43.
Abran Castillo led the Whirlwinds in scoring with 16, according to the tournament’s official scoring. Junior Luis Gonzalez was next with and freshman Braun Hobbs added 11. For the Warriors, Tommy Nicholson was the leading scorer with 14 followed by Luke Sell with 12. Sell was one of the 10 players named to the all-tournament team from the United bracket.
Scoring
Friday Consolation Championship
Floydada – 18 17 13 5 – 53
Kingdom Prep – 12 12 7 12 – 43
Halftime: Floydada 35-24
Records: Floydada 16-1, KPA 7-8
Points: Abrin Castillo – 16, Luis Gonzalez – 15, Braun Hobbs – 11, Ty Henderson – 4, Brett Brittain – 4, Aiden Trevino – 3
Thursday Night
Floydada – 18 25 11 13 – 67
Sundown – 12 5 6 6 – 29
Halftime: Floydada 43-17
Records: Floydada 15-1
Points: Abran Castillo – 31, Braun Hobbs – 17, Ty Henderson – 9, Aiden Trevino – 4, Saul Rayes – 4, Luis Gonzalez – 2
Thursday Afternoon
Floydada – 62
LCHS – 75
Halftime: Floydada 36-35
Third Quarter: Floydada 51-48
Records: Floydada 14-1, LCHS 11-4
Points: Abran Castillo – 31, Braun Hobbs – 14, Ty Henderson – 7, Aiden Trevino – 5, Luis Gonzalez – 5
Wednesday Afternoon
Floydada – 69
Stanton – 28
Records: Floydada 14-0
Points: Abran Castillo – 25, Braun Hobbs – 14, Ty Henderson – 11, Luis Gonzalez – 10, Aiden Trevino – 4, Johnny Rodriquez – 2, Orlando Oritz – 5
Next: Tuesday, Jan. 4, 7:45 p.m. at Whilwind Gym vs. Tahoka Bulldogs. District 4-2A double round robin play begins on Tuesday, Jan. 11 at Lockney.
District 4-2A Records (as of Jan. 1)
Floydada 16-1
New Deal 13-4
Ralls 13-6
Lockney 9-6
Hale Center 3-7
