Lombard enjoys return to MSU, leads Canyon to Fantasy of Lights title
Tate Lombard has spent plenty of time on the court at D.L. Ligon Coliseum, but this weekend was the first time he did so as a coach.
The former Midwestern State basketball player led Canyon to the Fantasy of Lights large-school girls championship at Ligon on Saturday, routing Amarillo Palo Duro, 63-34. It was Canyon’s third FOL championship, previously winning in 2008 and 2009.
“I love Midwestern State and D.L. Ligon. I have a lot of great memories here,” Lombard said. “My family spent a lot of time watching games here, but this was my first time to coach on this floor. It was great to be back.”
Lombard played for Midwestern State from 2002 to 2006. His sister, Lindy, preceded him at MSU, starring for the women’s basketball team from 1998 to 2002. Lindy was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Honor in 2010.
Tate Lombard has followed in the footsteps of his legendary father, Joe, as the head coach of the Canyon Lady Eagles. Joe Lombard won 19 state titles as a head basketball coach at Nazareth and Canyon. Tate already has three state championships as a coach, including Canyon’s 20th title in 2021. He also won two championships while the head coach at Wall.
Competing for a state title is always the expectation for the Lady Eagles, but Lombard admits this year’s team has plenty to figure out right now.
The Lady Eagles shot the ball well in the championship game, finding their stroke in the second quarter and never losing it. Canyon made 10 3-pointers, including three from Shaylin Schulte and two each from Jaylee Moss and Sydnee Winfrey. Ta’Leeyah Glynn led the Lady Eagles with 18 points with Winfree adding 10.
“Winning this tournament is good for our team. We’re kind of a new team this season, and we’re working through some things,” Lombard said. “I thought we played well, and that’s kind of what we want to see right now at this time of year. We just want to make some progress on the previous game. This weekend was definitely a step in the right direction.”
LARGE-SCHOOL GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP
Canyon 63, Amarillo Palo Duro 34
Palo Duro – Alana Davis 10, Aubri McClain 20, Torrence 4.
Canyon – Cornelsen 3, Ta’Leeyah Glynn 18, Hernandez 3, Sydnee Winfrey 10, Millican 5, A. Winfree 5, Schulte 9, Moss 8, Burgoon 2.
Palo Duro 5 12 7 10 -34
Canyon 10 19 15 19 -63
Free throws – (PD) 8-13, (Ca) 5-9. 3-pointers – (PD) 2 (Davis, McClain), (Ca) 10 (Schultz 3, Moss 2, S. Winfree 2, A. Winfree, Glynn, Hernandez).
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
LARGE-SCHOOL GIRLS
Friday’s Pool Play
Pool A – Canyon, Fort Worth Dunbar, Weatherford
Pool B – Amarillo Palo Duro, Rider, Van Alstyne
10 a.m. – Weatherford 47, Dunbar 40
11:30 a.m. – Palo Duro 56, Rider 36
2:30 p.m. – Canyon 61, Dunbar 36
4 p.m. – Palo Duro 54, Van Alstyne 40
5:30 p.m. – Canyon 66, Weatherford 22
7 p.m. – Van Alstyne 51, Rider 25
Saturday’s Bracket Play
Game 1 – Canyon 45, Van Alstyne 23
Game 2 – Palo Duro 48, Weatherford 38
Game 3 – Dunbar 49, Rider 30
Consolation Games
Game 4 – Van Alstyne 61, Dunbar 54
Game 5 – Weatherford 42, Rider 33
Championship Game
Canyon 63, Palo Duro 34
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Lombard enjoys return to MSU, leads Canyon to Fantasy of Lights title
