Let’s take a look at what an all-time Texas Tech basketball team from West Texas would look like.
When most people think of West Texas high school sports, they think of football and the famous Friday Night Lights. But astute Texas Tech basketball fans know that there have been some legendary Red Raider hoops icons that have come from Tech’s back yard.
It is the summer and, of course, this is the summer of no sports so we have plenty of time to think back on the history of our favorite teams. After all, the only way we can see them in action is to enjoy replays of classic games.
So let’s jump into reminisce mode with both feet by taking a look at what a mythical all-time Texas Tech basketball team would look like if it were comprised only of players from West Texas. Though the area is not synonymous with high school basketball, the truth is that over the decades, the teams that have come from the region have been just as competitive on a state-wide level as the fabled football teams.
In fact, when you look at the Texas UIL record book, you will see that numerous West Texas programs have set state tournament records. For instance, Dumas holds the 4A record for points in a game with 94, which they scored in 1971.
Meanwhile, Lamesa is tied with three other programs for the most state tournament appearances with 11. (However, their last came in 1998.) What’s more, back in 1990 the Tornados set a 3A record with 100 points in a game.
From an individual perspective, Tommy Jones of Crane shares the record for most points in a 3A state tournament game with 51 in 1969. That year, he also set a record with 16 free throws in that same game. What’s more, he holds the record for points in a two-game series with 94. Likewise, Levelland’s Harold Pheland set a record for points in a 3-game series in 1952 with 74 points.
In other words, don’t discount the basketball that is played in West Texas. Though Buzz Bissinger has yet to immortalize it in a book, it is highly competitive and important to the communities of the region.
Over the years, Texas Tech has benefitted from that talent pool by drawing some of the best West Texas players to Lubbock. So let’s see just what an all-time West Texas Red Raider team would look like starting with the bench.