Farmersville alum Conner Bakken became the first boys powerlifting from his school to win a state title in his sport. Bakken won first place in the THSPA Class 4A state meet in the 123-pound division. Photo by David Wolman / C&S Media
By David Wolman
Winning defined the 2025-26 winter sports season for Farmersville.
Farmersville won individual state titles in powerlifting for the first time in school history, made the playoffs in girls basketball and also enjoyed a huge turnaround in boys basketball under the direction of new head coach Kingsley Akinwole.
The Farmersville Times will now break down each sport and highlight their success.
Boys basketball
After struggling to a 1-9 record in District 13-4A play during the 2024-25 season, the Fightin’ Farmers turned to former Allen varsity assistant Kingsley Akinwole to help inject life into a program that hadn’t posted a winning record since going 28-5 during the 2012-13 season.
Akinwole’s energy helped to make for an exciting year on the hardwood for Farmersville.
Farmersville was ranked in the top 25 in Class 4A in December by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, captured first place in its division at the Allen In-N-Out Tournament, captured second in the Dr. Pepper Classic in Caddo Mills and finished with a 23-8 record.
A relentless style of defense paved the way for a dominant start, one which saw the Farmers earn 12 wins by at least 20 points.
Farmersville also fed off the play of incoming senior guards Christian Smith and Koby Chavez, both of whom were offseason transfers. However, Smith and Chavez were unable to compete in district games.
The losses of Smith and Chavez for the remainder of the season took 39 points per game off the court. Their unavailability proved too much for Farmersville to overcome as the Farmers went 3-7 in district play and missed the playoffs.
The Farmers got another productive year from incoming senior forward Devin Swain Jr., who earned recognition on the all-district first team after averaging 14.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.8 assists.
One of the breakout stars for Farmersville was incoming junior forward Tavian Smith (7.7 points, 6.5 rebounds per game), who was also named to the first team. Senior Marquis Oshodi landed on the second team. Senior Ethan Stone and incoming juniors Colt Guinn and Kayleab Cuellar were named to the honorable-mention team.
Girls basketball
Farmersville has enjoyed plenty of success under Sandra Hoge – and this past season proved to be no different.
With an experienced roster that included six seniors, Farmersville finished with an 18-11 record and qualified for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
Defense proved to be the strength of the Lady Farmers. They held opponents to an average of 38 points per game. Senior point guard Alexia Hernandez fueled Farmersville’s defensive efforts. She was named the district’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Incoming junior Sadee Mathews was named the 13-4A Co-Newcomer of the Year. Seniors Rileigh Blankenship and Katelynn McRay were named to the first team, while seniors Gali Mathews and Jachael Pearson received second-team recognition. Senior Daniella Jimenez and incoming junior Kali Phillips were honorable-mention team selections.
Farmersville’s experience showed in a playoff rematch against North Lamar.
After losing to the Lady Panthers by 30 points the previous season, the Lady Farmers were more ready for the challenge this time around. For as well as Farmersville played, the Lady Farmers came up just short in a 44-37 Class 4A Division II bi-district playoff loss.
Following the conclusion of the season, Sandra Hoge, who had been the head coach for the Lady Farmers since 2018, resigned her post, although she will remain in her role as assistant principal.
Former Lady Farmers standout guard LaToya Ellis, who graduated from Farmersville in 1994, was hired as the team’s next head coach on April 8.
Powerlifting
Farmersville has enjoyed plenty of success over the years in powerlifting but has never won an individual state championship.
That drought finally came to an end.
Not only did Farmersville crown one state champion, but two – one in the boys’ division and one in the girls’ division.
Senior Janiyla Craft was the first Farmersville athlete to be crowned state champion. Craft lifted a total weight of 1,065 pounds at Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg between the three events: bench press (220 pounds), squat (455) and deadlift (390).
Craft was one of two Farmersville lifters to earn a spot on the medal stand at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association state meet. Senior Sophia Ferretiz took third at 220 pounds with a total weight lifted of 1,050 pounds.
Callie Edwards concluded her season and high school career by lifting 755 pounds, good for 14th in the 148-pound weight class.
A week later, senior Conner Bakken became the first boys state champion for Farmersville. He won the 123-pound division at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association state meet after Bakken lifted a total of 1,275 pounds.
Vicente Luna was 11th in the 198-pound class, Bryson Helms took 18th at 123, and Noah James placed 19th at 148.
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