Basketball Playoffs: Berkner 75, Plano West 73

The Berkner Rams men's basketball team won a huge victory Tuesday night over the Plano West Wildcats 75-73 at Garland's Culwell Center. It was the third round of the Texas UIL state tournament, the regional quarterfinals. Plano West came into the game as champions of District 10-5A and ranked eighth in the state. The Rams were no slouches themselves, District 9-5A tri-champions and ranked 17th in the state. They proved it by taking a second quarter lead over Plano West that they never relinquished, stretching it to twelve points late in the game.

Keenan Evans put on a show, leading all scorers with 35 points, including two clutch free throws with three seconds left to give Berkner a five point lead. Plano West's D.J. Hogg, with 27 points on the night, did his best to rally the Wildcats down the stretch, hitting a couple of three pointers in the last four seconds of the game to make the final margin of victory two points. Berkner's big lead was too much to overcome.

It's a great time to be a Ram!

With the win, the Rams advance to the regional semifinals at Baylor's Ferrell Center in Waco Friday night at 8:00 pm.

Basketball Playoffs: Berkner 66, Rockwall 59

From 2014 02 21 Berkner vs Rockwall

The thrill of victory

Berkner and Rockwall met in the area round of the Texas UIL playoffs Friday night in a neutral site, the Allen High School gym. In the round two match-up between two of the top three scorers in the Dallas area, Rockwall's Austin Grandstaff came out on top of Berkner's Keenan Evans, 25 points to 16. But, in an overtime thriller, the Berkner Rams as a team outlasted Rockwall 66-59 for the win.

It's a great time to be a Ram!

More photos after the jump.

Basketball Playoffs: Berkner 41, Plano 39

Torey Everett and two impressed young fans

In a tense finish, the Berkner Rams men's basketball team held on for 41-39 victory over the Plano Wildcats Friday night at the Pearce gym. It was the first round of the Texas UIL playoffs. Win and play another day. Lose and go home.

With a minute left and the score tied, the Rams played for the last shot. With seven seconds to go, Keenan Evans, the lead scorer of the game with 19 points, drove to the basket, was fouled, and hit two clutch free throws to give Berkner a 41-39 lead. Then at the other end of the court, a blocked shot with less than a second to go protected the lead. Finally, an inbounds pass under the basket was tipped harmlessly away at the buzzer to seal the win. Exhale. Fittingly, it was tight defense in the end, as throughout the whole game, that won the game for the Rams.

It's a great time to be a Ram!

HS Basketball: Neither Snow nor Rain...

From 2014 02 07 Richardson vs Berkner

Snow on the ground and sleet in the air caused cancellation of many events across north Texas Friday, but these basketballers had a game awaiting them, a game for the ages. In triple overtime, the Richardson Eagles defeated the Berkner Rams 100-97 Friday night at the Berkner gym.

With the win, the Eagles (10-3) preserve a chance at sharing the district championship with the Rams (11-2) depending on the outcome of the two teams' final district games next Tuesday night. The Rams' record assures them of at least a share of the championship. But that's next week. For now, this triple overtime thriller is one to savor a little longer.

More photos after the jump.

Skyline Women at RHS: Basketball at its Finest

From 2014 02 04 Skyline vs Richardson women

It was the last game of the District 9-5A season. It was also the game of the year. The two teams had a combined district record of 21-1. The outcome would determine the district championship. The crowd was large and boisterous. The players talented and scrappy. It was basketball at its finest.

Three weeks ago, when these same two teams met, the Richardson women's basketball team handed Skyline their first defeat in district play in 134 games. But Tuesday night, in the rematch at the RHS gym, Skyline prevailed 58-52. Richardson lost the game, but still ended up winning a share of the district championship with Skyline, both with 11-1 records. Thanks for the great season, Eagles and Raiders.

More photos after the jump.

Berkner Sweeps Pearce

From 2014 01 31 Pearce vs Berkner

The Berkner Rams men's basketball team swept their season home-and-away series against the Pearce Mustangs with a 69-44 win Friday night at the Berkner gym. With the win, the Rams retain sole possession of first place in District 9-5A, with a record of 10-1. It's a great time to be a Ram!

More photos after the jump.

Berkner Sweeps Lake Highlands

From 2014 01 21 Berkner vs Lake Highlands

The Berkner Rams men's basketball team swept their season home-and-away series against the Lake Highlands Wildcats with a 81-64 win Tuesday night at the Lake Highlands gym. With the win, the Rams retain sole possession of first place in District 9-5A, with a record of 7-1. It's a great time to be a Ram!

More photos after the jump.

Berkner: The End of a Winning Streak

From 2014 01 17 Skyline vs Berkner

The Berkner Rams' men's basketball team lost to the Skyline Raiders 65-62 Friday night in the Rams' gym. The defeat was the first district loss by the Rams since January 24, 2012 (Skyline 68-66), a winning streak of 24 games.

With the first half of the season now history, the Rams have sole possession of first place with a 6-1 record. There's a lot of basketball still to be played. Come on out and watch these talented young athletes put on a great show.

More photos after the jump.

Showdown: Berkner at Richardson

From 2014 01 14 Berkner at Richardson

It was the battle of the unbeatens in District 9-5A men's basketball. Berkner and Richardson, both sporting 5-0 records, met Tuesday night at the Eagles' gym to determine who would take sole possession of first place in the district. The game was played as high school basketball should be played, before an enthusiastic full house cheering every score.

In a wild game, the Berkner Rams prevailed 66-63. The Rams led by eight during the first quarter and by two at the half, then the Eagles led by eleven in the third quarter before the Rams came storming back in the fourth quarter to win by three as Richardson's three point attempt at the buzzer fell short.

A sad note: with 57 seconds left in the game, there was a collision on the court. Berkner's Torey Everett fell to the floor hard, where he lay for twenty minutes before walking off the court on his own power, but he sat quietly on the bench for the final seconds of the game. Let's hope he recovers quickly and fully.

More photos after the jump.

Rams Win Over W.T. White

From 2014 01 10 WT White vs Berkner

The Berkner Rams easily defeated the W.T. White Longhorns 78-54 Friday night at the Berkner gym. With the win, the Rams' district record improves to 5-0, while White drops to 2-3. It's a great time to be a Ram!

Elsewhere, the Richardson Eagles defeated the Skyline Raiders 60-43 to improve their record to 5-0, matching the Rams atop District 9-5A. A showdown between the two district leaders is scheduled for next Tuesday in the Richardson gym.

More photos after the jump.

Rams Roll Past Pearce

From 2014 01 07 Berkner vs Pearce

The Berkner Rams easily defeated the Pearce Mustangs 60-34 Tuesday night at the Pearce gym. With the win, the Rams' district record improves to 4-0, while Pearce drops to 1-3. It's a great time to be a Ram!

Elsewhere, the Richardson Eagles defeated the W.T. White Longhorns 58-44 to improve their district record to 4-0, matching the Rams atop District 9-5A.

More photos after the jump.

Basketball: Richardson 75, Lake Highlands 64

From 2014 01 03 Richardson vs Lake Highlands

Before a small crowd at Lake Highlands High School on Friday afternoon, the Richardson Eagles improved their district record to 3-0 with a 75-64 win over the Lake Highlands Wildcats, who dropped to 0-3.

More photos after the jump.

Auld Lang Syne: Jesuit 65, Berkner 68

From 2013 12 31 Jesuit vs Berkner

The Berkner Rams men's basketball team bid goodbye to 2013 with an always close 68-65 win over the Jesuit Rangers on the afternoon before New Year's Day at the Berkner gym. It's a great time to be a Ram!

More photos after the jump.

HS Basketball District Play Tips Off

From 2013 12 20 Lake Highlands vs Berkner

District 9-5A basketball tipped off its 2013-2014 district season with rivalry games in Richardson. The Richardson Eagles defeated the Pearce Mustangs 61-51 at Pearce High School, while across town at Berkner High School, the Rams defeated the Lake Highlands Wildcats 76-62. Berkner had a balanced offense, with four players in double figures. Lake Highlands' Jamarice Preston led all scorers with 19 points.

More photos after the jump.

High School Basketball is Back

From 2013 12 03 McKinney Boyd vs Berkner

Now that the football season is over for the four Richardson ISD high schools, it's time for basketball to take center stage. The Berkner Rams, coming off a 2012-2013 season that was one of the two best in school history, culminating in a trip to the state Final Four in March, are off to another great start this season.

After the jump, the Berkner Rams take on the McKinney Boyd Broncos.

Playoffs: Allen 63, Lake Highlands 6

From 2013 11 15 Allen vs Lake Highlands

The Lake Highlands Wildcats faced off against the undefeated Allen Eagles in the first round of the 2013 Texas UIL football playoffs Friday night at Wildcat-Ram Stadium. Allen more than lived up to their #1 state ranking in beating the Wildcats 63-6. The Wildcats end their playoff season with a district record of 5-2 (overall 5-6). Thanks for the good season, Wildcats.

More photos after the jump.

Season Ender Game: Skyline 48, Berkner 13

From 2013 11 08 Skyline vs Berkner

The 9-1 Skyline Raiders defeated the Berkner Rams 48-13 Friday night at Wildcat-Ram Stadium. The Rams' season comes to a close with a record of 4-6. From the 104 degree season opener at South Garland to the final playing of the Berkner fight song in 58 degree weather, it was a wild season of blowout wins ... and losses. Thanks for the fun, Rams.

More photos after the jump.

Homecoming: Berkner 49, WT White 14

From 2013 10 25 WT White vs Berkner

The Berkner Rams ensured the home fans enjoyed homecoming Friday night by beating the W.T. White Longhorns 49-14 at Wildcat-Ram stadium.

More photos after the jump.

Lake Highlands Homecoming Win

From 2013 10 11 Richardson vs Lake Highlands

The Lake Highlands Wildcats celebrated a 29-18 win over the Richardson Eagles Friday night.

More photos after the jump.

Junior High Band Night 2013

From 2013 10 04 Jesuit at Berkner

The Dallas Jesuit Rangers defeated the Berkner Rams 31-14 Friday night at Wildcat-Ram Stadium, but the bands kept the home team's fans in good spirits. It was Junior High Band night, with young musicians from Apollo and Liberty Junior High Schools joining the Mighty Ram Band on the field and in the stands.

More photos after the jump.