Beyond the arc: Double Dribble, Andrew Jones, Big 12 Honors

Double Dribble

Whatever happened to Rayford Young? Fresh off of the first Oklahoma vs Texas Tech basketball game featuring Trae Young, I thought it would be good to talk about how good his dad was at Tech.

Rayford Young was a 5’11 point guard from Pampa, TX, and played for the Red Raiders from 1996-2000. He began his career at Tech by being named to the 1996-1997 Big 12 All Freshman Team and ended with 1,525 career points, tying him for 15th overall in program history.

In between was a stellar career that included a selection to the Big 12 All-Conference Second Team in 1999 and 2000. He was also named as the eighth-best player under six feet by Athlon Sports College Basketball 1998-99.

The crowning jewel of Rayford’s career at Tech was a 41-point performance against then No. 24 Kansas on February 13, 1999. The scoring effort tied him with four others for seventh all-time for single game scoring.

After his career at Tech, Young had various stops in NBA, ABA, and Europe from 2001-07. Rayford currently resides in Norman with his wife, Candice, and four children.

Andrew Jones

It was announced on Wednesday that Texas sophomore guard Andrew Jones has been diagnosed with leukemia.

“After undergoing a number of tests and evaluations over the past week, Andrew has been diagnosed with leukemia,” the family said in a statement released through the university. “He has begun treatments, and we hope everyone will keep him in your thoughts and prayers.”

Jones was a McDonald’s All American at MacArthur High School in Irving. As a Longhorn, he averaged 11 points per game as a freshman and was leading the team in scoring this year at 15.3 points per game before suffering a wrist injury in early December.

He saw limited action in two games since returning from the injury but missed last Saturday’s game against Baylor because of an unidentified illness.

Longhorns coach Shaka Smart said, “Speaking for our entire team and staff, we love Andrew and will do everything we can to support his family and help him get back to health.”

Prayers up for effective treatment and a full recovery, Andrew.

Big 12 Honors

Tech’s Keenan Evans was named the Big 12 Player of the Week and West Virginia’s Teddy Allen was Newcomer of the Week for Week 9.

Evans, a 6’3 senior guard averaged 21 points, four rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals as Tech collected their first win ever in Lawrence against then-No. 10 Kansas and improved to 3-0 in Big 12 action for only the second time in program history.

Allen, a 6’5 forward from Mesa, AZ, averaged 21 points and 21.5 minutes per game off the bench as West Virginia defeated Kansas State and then No. 7 Oklahoma. Allen also shot a blistering 73 percent from the field and 88 percent from the free-throw line.

On the women’s side, Lashann Higgs of Texas was named Big 12 Player of the Week and Oklahoma State’s Braxtin Miller was named Freshman of the Week for week 9.

Higgs, a 5’9 junior guard from Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock averaged 28 points in 30.5 minutes per game. She scored 18 of a career high 30 points in the second half of a come from behind win against then No. 20 Oklahoma State.

LaShann was also named as USBWA National Player of the Week.

Miller, a 5’10 guard from Alter HS in Centerville, OH, averaged 18.5 points, 5 rebounds and 4.5 steals per game as the Cowgirls went 1-1 on the week. She scored a season high 23 points against Texas and helped the team snap a three-game losing streak against Oklahoma with a 14-point effort.

Lady Raiders

The Lady Raiders struggled again this past week, losing 93-72 to TCU in Fort Worth last Sunday and 52-73 to Oklahoma at home on Wednesday. Brielle Blair led the way with 19 points against TCU and Jada Terry led the scoring against OU with 18.

The losses drop their record to 6-10, 0-5 and extends the losing streak to five games. Tech will be back in action Saturday as they welcome in Iowa State for a 6:00 P.M. start at United Supermarkets Arena.

Men’s hoops

The Red Raiders suffered their first Big 12 loss of the year, 65-75, on the road last Tuesday against Oklahoma. When Tech beat Kansas, they spoke about the next big test coming in the next game. So it goes this time as well. There aren’t any games off in the Big 12.

Up next for the Red Raiders is a home tilt against No. 2 West Virginia Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The Mountaineers remain the lone unbeaten team in conference play and this game will be the first ever between two top-10 teams at the United Supermarkets Arena.

The home court advantage will be critical. The crowd helps West Virginia realize that there will not be an undefeated Big 12 champion this year. Show up, wear red, be loud.