The Texas High School UIL (University Interscholastic League) began organizing and sponsoring a state basketball tournament for boys in 1921. It was held in Austin in early March. But the UIL took the attitude that basketball was injurious to girls’ health and this giant organization even advised all schools to drop girls’ basketball. Regardless, many schools continued to have girls’ basketball teams. That was especially true in the smaller, rural schools.
Through the years, many school officials across Texas did not agree with the UIL’s position on girls’ basketball. In 1939 the State High School Girls Basketball Association was formed in an effort to protect and promote girls’ high school basketball. Up until that time, Texas high school girls’ basketball did not have an official state tournament. The girls’ season ended with the county tournament. So, there was no opportunity for a girls’ team to “go to state.”
This new State High School Girls Basketball Association made immediate plans to sponsor an official Texas high school girl’s state tournament. The state was divided into 16 districts for girls’ basketball. District champions advanced directly to a state tournament. There were no classifications like “B”, “A”, or “AA.” Teams played each other regardless of school size. There was only one champion. The first few girls’ state tournaments were held in Waco. In 1942, the tournament moved to Hillsboro where it remained until 1949. Then it moved back to Waco. The state high school girls tournaments (sponsored by the Association) were well attended and a huge success. They were well covered by newspapers of the time.
By 1951, likely due to the success of the girls’ state tournament sponsored by the Association, the UIL had a change of heart and decided to sponsor a rival Texas High School Girls’ State Basketball Tournament. The UIL sponsored tournament had two classifications. Large schools were Class “A” and small schools were Class “B”. It was held in Austin about the same time as the other girls’ state tournament was being held in Waco.
The State High School
Girls Association continued to sponsor their Girls’ State Tournament (as they
had done since 1939). So, for a few years there were two dueling tournaments –
the Girls Association tournament in Waco and the new UIL tournament in Austin.
Both tournaments produced state champions. This situation existed in until 1955
when the Girls Association tournament in Waco was discontinued leaving only the
UIL sponsored tournament in Austin.
In these Girls Association state tournaments that began in 1939 trophies were
given for 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, consolation
winner, and consolation runner-up. You may be amused to learn that a beauty
contest of sorts was also held and awards were given to prettiest blonde player,
prettiest brunette player, and prettiest red head player. A sportsmanship award
was also given.
I wondered what year the Brock girls first “officially” advanced to the state tournament, so I researched the topic using newspaper archives. As it turns out, Brock won its district and advanced to the very first Texas Girls’ High School Tournament in Waco in 1939. From 1939 thru 1954 when the State High School Girls Association held an official state tournament in Waco (and a few years in Hillsboro), the Brock girls went to state the following years: 1939, 1942, 1946, 1953, and 1954.
In the UIL era of girls’ basketball from 1955 to present, Brock girls have advanced to the state tournament in Austin the following years: 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1992, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
Below is a summary of the Brock girls’ state tournament appearances 1939 – 1968:
1939:
Brock was among the 16 district winners that advanced to this first state tournament held in Waco in the Baylor gym. In a first round game, Beattie defeated Brock 33-23. That sent Brock to the consolation bracket. Brock defeated Ben Arnold 25-16 in 1st consolation game. According to one newspaper clipping, Brock was led by Tanner. I’m not sure, but I think this was Era Tanner. La Poynor defeated Brock in the 2nd consolation game. Gatesville won state in 1939.
1942:
Brock defeated Sundown 21-19 in their 1st round game. Emory defeated Brock in 2nd round game 34-33 in overtime. Brock players mentioned in newspaper articles (most by last name only): Lillie Mae Hildebrand, Jones, Bodiford, Woodruff, Mathews, Wolfe, Rucker. And Louise Hildebrand. Borger won state in 1942.
1944:
Aquilla defeated Brock in a 1st round game 26-25. Brock defeated Placedo 49-18 in 1st consolation game. Brock defeated Turnersville in 2nd consolation game. Bynum defeated Brock 26 – 25 for consolation championship. Members of the 1944 Brock team: Arveja Wolfe, Margaret Jones, Linda Mae Williams, Joyce Bell, Naomi Ruth Canell, Alena Thomas, Janez Rucker, Juanita Scarbrough, Virginia Roberts, Fern Jones, Sammy Ruth Phillips, Emma Jo Woodruff, and Coach Dale Roark. Aquilla won state in 1944.
1946:
Post defeated Brock 34-25 in 1st round game. In the 1st consolation game, Brock defeated Thrall 34-34 in overtime. (At the end of regulation the score was 32-32. In overtime, Thrall hit two free throws and Brock scored two points by field goal. Brock was declared the winner because they scored a field goal and Thrall did not). East Chambers defeated Brock 27-15 in 2nd round consolation game. Brock coach in 1946 was Dale Roark. Aquilla won state in 1946.
For the next four years, there were competing high school girls state tournaments—the State High School Girls Association tournament in Waco and the UIL tournament in Austin. Brock remained with the State High School Girls Association until it ended in 1955.
Note: In December, 1952 Waco hosted a huge girls’ invitational tournament called the Heart O’ Texas Tournament. Many of the best basketball teams in a 200 mile radius of Waco were invited. Brock won the championship. This was a prestigious win for Brock, but it was not a “state” championship.
1953:
This year the State High School Girls’ Association tournament expanded to two classifications. Twelve Class A teams and ten Class AA teams participated. Brock was Class A. Brock drew a 1st round bye. Bullard beat Brock 36-32 in a 2nd round game. Teams that lost first round game went to consolation bracket. Since Brock had a bye in 1st round and lost in 2nd round, they only played one game in this tournament. Maydelle won the State High School Girls Association Class A championship in 1953.
1954:
Brock advanced to state with a 33-4 record and the prestige of winning the highly touted Heart O’ Texas tournament a few months earlier in December. The Brock coach was Bill Tolbert. Brock defeated McCauley 38-26 in the first round. Brock defeated Orangefield 48-32 in the second round. Penelope defeated Brock 40-38 in the Class A semi-final. Aquilla defeated Brock by a score of 41-39 for 3rd place in Class A. Brock was presented the trophy for “best sportsmanship” in the tournament. Two Brock girls made All State: Sue Phillips and Ina Jean Nicholson. Sue Phillips was also named the “most outstanding” forward in the tournament. Norma Bell of Brock was named “most determined” in the tournament. Penelope won the State High School Girls Association Class A championship in 1954.
1963:
The 1963 tournament was held in Austin (March 14 – 16). There were three classifications (AA, A, and B). Brock was still Class B in 1963. Four Class “A” and four Class “AA” teams advanced to state. Brock entered the tournament with a 27-2 record. I don’t know why, but six Class B teams advanced to state: Claude, Friendswood, Fort Davis, Slidell, Wells, and Brock. Claude and Friendswood drew byes and the other four teams played 1st round games. Losers of the two 1st round games went home. Losers of the two 2nd round games played a consolation game for 3rd place. Brock lost its 1st round game to Wells by a score of 45-43. Linda Thomas, a 5’6” guard from Brock was named to the All-Tournament team. Slidell won the Class B title in 1963.
1965:
In 1965, there were four classifications (B, A, AA, AAA). Class “B” still had six teams advance to state, while the other three classifications had just four. Class B teams in the 1965 tournament were: Round Top Carmine, Trent, Bowie Gold-Burg, Wells, Briscoe, and Brock (35-8 record). Brock sophomore, Cathy Horn averaged 20 points per game during regular season. She was also named to the All-Tournament team at the state tournament. Brock defeated Briscoe in 1st round game by a score of 64-49 and advanced to semifinals. Round Top Carmine defeated Brock 56-39 in a semi-final game. Round Top had a six foot junior forward who scored 41 points. Brock won 3rd place in Class B by defeating Bowie Gold-Berg 37-36. Trent won the Class B title in 1965.
1966:
Six teams from Class B advanced to the state tournament in Austin. Brock and Sundown drew first round byes. Brock entered the state tournament with a 32-7 record. They were defeated 67-47 in a semi-final game by Round Top-Carmine. High scorers for Brock were Linda Beaty with 20 and Cathy Horn with 19. Brock lost the third place game to Sundown 76-64. Brenda Cardwell, a senior guard from Brock was named to the Class B All-State team. Round Top-Carmine won the Class B title in 1966 and finished the season 43-0.
1967:
Brock (30-7) was one of six Class B teams to advance to the state tournament. Brock lost their first-round (quarterfinal) game to High Island in double-overtime by a score of 72-68. Cathy Horn was high scorer for Brock with 38 points. High Island won the Class B title in 1967.
1968:
Brock (31-6) was one of six Class B teams to advance to the state tournament. They drew a bye in the first round (quarterfinals) and lost to Lamesa Klondike 73-36 in the semi-finals. Brock was beaten in the consolation (3rd place) game by Round Top-Carmine 39-37. High Island won the Class B title in 1968.
As stated earlier, in addition to the years summarized above, Brock girls have advanced to the State tournament the following years: 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1992, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
Brock girls have won the state championship in their classification in the following years: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
Prior to their first state championship in 2002, the best finish for the Brock girls was a third place finish in the 1965 state tournament.
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