Farmersville senior Drake Grimes has helped to lead the Farmers to a 15-7 record. Photo by Maddie Smith / C&S Media

By David Wolman

[email protected]

There has not been a lot that has gone right for the Farmersville boys basketball team in recent years.

The Farmers have not had a winning record in their district since 2013, which coincidentally, was the last time that Farmersville made the playoffs. But there is reason for optimism that could very well change this year.

Farmersville comes into this Friday night’s District 13-4A opener against Sunnyvale with a 15-7 record. The Farmers have already more than doubled their win total from a year ago when they finished with a 7-22 record. 

One of the biggest achievements for Farmersville was capturing second place in the Clarksville Tournament, where the Farmers finished with a 4-2 record and earned wins over DeKalb (63-49), Pewitt (67-57), Clarksville (89-39) and Wolfe City (91-37).

“We haven’t won a lot of games in the past, so seeing this success early definitely gives us some great confidence going into district,” said Hayze McGuckie, Farmersville head coach.

Balanced scoring is a big reason why Farmersville is piling up the wins on a more consistent basis. Sophomore Devin Swan Jr. averaged 17.5 points per game at the Clarksville Tournament, but he wasn’t alone. Seniors Braxton Turney, Kauri Miller, Payton Davis and Tay’shaun Davis all finished in double figures in scoring in at least one game in Clarksville. Payton Davis poured in 27 points in Farmersville’s 54-point blowout win of Wolfe City. 

“We are definitely scoring a lot more then we have in the past couple years,” McGuckie said. “It seems even if one person is off someone else steps up and has a good game. Even though some of the games haven’t been pretty, we have found a way to finish the game and get the win which has been a nice change from the past of not being able to finish games.”

Although Farmersville lost 59-53 to Ranchview last Friday in its final tune-up before district play begins this Friday at home against Sunnyvale, McGuckie was encouraged by the relentless effort by his Farmers, who were playing without one of their key starters, Swain Jr. The Farmers led 30-29 at halftime, but the Wolves rallied with a 30-23 run in the second half to escape with the victory.

Turney (18 points) and Tay’shaun Davis (19) combined for 37 points in the loss with Davis scoring 15 of his 19 points by halftime.

“We played a great game against Ranchview,” McGuckie said. “They are a very talented team. I thought we played well especially considering we were missing one of our key starters, Devin Swain, who got hurt in the Clarksville Tourney. We have had other guys step up and do a great job filling that spot, but we are excited to get him back for district play.”