Lexima looks to change culture

After two consecutive seasons without a district victory, the Rockdale Tiger basketball program appeared to be in need of a new approach.

For Sean Lexima, a Lufkin native who accumulated many years of experience as a junior high coach before working as the top assistant at Class 6A New Caney High School for three seasons, his degree of expertise seemed to be an ideal fit for RHS.

One month into his first season with the Blue-and-Gold, the Sam Houston alum says his main priority is making sure he sees improvement every time his players touch the court.

“I just have them focused on their growth right now,” Lexima said. “I think we have nine seniors, three guys that just got back from injuries. We also had to move a freshman up and we have a couple of sophomores, so we’re focused on getting better each day.”

“We’re trying to build a new culture starting from the ground up and we’re just working on growing,” he continued.

So far, Lexima likes what he sees. Even with a team where many of the players haven’t played organized hoops in years.

“The kids have completely bought in, and it couldn’t be better,” he said. “We’re making strides. I have a couple of guys who haven’t played basketball since middle school. So there’s a big learning curve and they’re working at it, but they’re locked in and I’m very confident going into district.”

Although they’ve played 12 games and played in their first district contest after press time, the Blue-and-Gold are still in the process of finding their strengths and working on their weaknesses. Following their district debut, they will play in the Mumford Christmas Classic, Dec. 28-29. While in Robertson County, all Lexima really hopes for is too see his players, whom he sees as family, develop.

“For me those are practice games, he said. “It would be cool to come home with a trophy, but we’re trying to see who we are and identify our identity.”

The Blue-and-Gold face Sulphur Springs-North Hopkins (2:30 p.m.) and Big Sandy (5:30 p.m.) on Wednesday and take on Bryan’s Brazos Christian School (1 p.m.), Thursday before entering pool play.

The Tigers have a record of 2-10.

LADY TIGERS— On Friday, fellow first-year head coach Danielle Froggatt and her team fell on the road to perennial power Academy, 67-33.

However, the Blue-and-Gold were without leading scorer Ciara Miles for much of the game after she hurt her knee early in the second quarter.

According to her father Charles, her ligaments “look good” and she will take the time to heal over the first part of Christmas break. She is slated to have a status update on Christmas. Her father also said that if her knee is at least 50 percent healed, there’s a chance a doctor will clear her to play at the Bastrop tourney, Dec. 27-29. If the healing hasn’t reached that 50 percent threshold, Miles says “they will set up an MRI date as soon as possible.”

Three days before, the Lady Tigers opened district play against rival Cameron at home, where they throttled the Lady Yoe, 66-41.

The Blue-and-Gold trailed early by as much as eight points, but fought back and shut down the Cameron offense for the remainder of the first half. The RHS defense allowed just one field goal in the second quarter and led 37-13 at halftime. The Lady Tigers were able to sustain their dominance for the remainder of the game and open district with a win.

“We turned it around,” Froggatt said. “And we always talk about defense, that’s where you win games.”

“Offense will come if you settle down and play defense, and the girls came out and played tonight,” she added. “They talked as a team, they worked as one, they were talking on the court and helping each other adjust things. Defense won us the game tonight, so I’m proud of them.”

Miles led the way with 21 points while Mijah Crawford scored 20 and Saige Robertson had 16.

THIS WEEK— Like the boys’, the 1-1 Lady Tigers faced Lexington after press time and play in the coming days after Christmas at the 28th annual G.M Blackman Tournament in Bastrop, Dec. 27-29.

Rockdale faces host Bastrop (1:30 p.m.) and Austin LBJ (7:30 p.m.) on Tuesday and Magnolia West (1:30 p.m.) on Wednesday before competing in pool play Wednesday evening and Thursday.