Top 10 viewed news, sports stories from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in 2023

In 2023, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal saw a significant increase in online views of stories, videos and photos from the West Texas community and beyond.

Over the course of the year, numerous stories from news and sports were frequently visited and generated a lot of interest from the Lubbock community.

Here are the top 10 stories - five news and five sports - that captured attention in 2023.

Top five news stories from the A-J:

An 'unprecedented tornado' hits Matador

The A-J team's coverage was part of a national coverage of the tornado outbreak across the United States this past summer, with the story being shared by USA Today and many other local newspapers around the nation.

The article told the story of a deadly EF3 tornado striking Matador — a town with a population of 600 people just off the Caprock east of Lubbock.

Reporters on the ground reported complete devastation of several businesses and houses in the western part of the city, along with four people losing their lives.

Lockney cowboy, reality TV contestant Jackson Taylor dies in rodeo accident

Jackson Taylor, a cowboy from Lockney who was to make his second appearance in a reality cowboy competition show this fall, died in July after a rodeo accident. He was 33.

According to Alex Driggars' reporting, Taylor, a member of the Amarillo-based Working Ranch Cowboys Association, was competing in the WRCA-sanctioned Estancia Valley Ranch Rodeo in Moriarty, New Mexico when he took a fall during a bronc ride and later died.

The reality show still aired in the fall to honor Taylor's life and legacy. His funeral services were held in Floyd County.

Jeena Roberts released on parole after serving 11 years of 15-year sentence

A former college student who was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2012 for a deadly drunken driving wreck then failed to report to prison after she was allowed to finish her degree has been released on parole, according to Gabriel Monte's story.

At the time of the crash, police reports described Roberts as belligerent at the scene, but she admitted to driving the vehicle involved in the accident, according to court documents.

She has since been released on parole as of March 9, 2023.

Police end search for missing man after body found in Lubbock field

On May 7, 2023, 21-year-old Cameron Long was reported missing by the Lubbock Police Department, which requested the public's help in locating him.

Police were able to find a vehicle, and it was through the publicity of the case that law enforcement was able to connect the discovery of the vehicle to Long.

Officers returned to the scene Tuesday and conducted a search of the area, locating his body a "considerable distance" from where the vehicle had been, according to the statement from LPD.

At this time, foul play is not suspected, according to police.

Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup this week, snake advocates push change

For many Sweetwater locals, the annual Rattlesnake Roundup every spring is a festive event that brings humans and wildlife together while also providing a much-desired financial safety net for their community.

However, a snake advocacy group, a university class and an army of children banded together in an attempt to put an end to what they say is the inhumane mass slaughter of rattlesnakes.

Instead, they'd like to see the event transform into an educational opportunity that celebrates the creatures, according to Brandi D. Addison's story.

Full Story: Sweetwater's Rattlesnake Roundup is this week. Snake advocates are pushing for change

Top five sports stories from the A-J:

Gerlich rebukes Lady Raiders guard for obscene gestures

Two days after a Texas Tech basketball player made obscene gestures toward the crowd and was ejected in a road basketball game against TCU, Lady Raiders coach Krista Gerlich condemned Bre'Amber Scott in a statement.

According to the story from Don Williams, Gerlich said "(Scott's) actions were in direct conflict with the values and standards that we hold our student-athletes, coaches and staff to here at Texas Tech. We are working with Bre to ensure this is a learning experience moving forward."

When asked if Scott faced other disciplinary action, a Tech athletics spokesman said no additional comment would be made beyond the statements released.

Big 12 football power rankings: Does Oklahoma State realize what it has done?

Written by one of our Texas Tech reporters —Nathan Giese — it gives a brief glimpse of Texas Tech heading into the second to last week of the season.

That week's game was the last home game of the season against UFC, which had the Red Raiders 4-3 in conference play. At the time, if Tech won — which they did — the university would be eligible for a Bowl Big.

5 observations from the Red Raiders' loss against Oregon

The Texas Tech football team's upset bid of 13th-ranked Oregon came up short Saturday night in Jones AT&T Stadium.

According to Nathan Giese's story, it appears that former Texas Tech quarterback Tyler Shough seems to have a system for his receiving targets, and he wasn't running as often as most people expected.

One top of that, this early in the season, Texas Tech was not living up to the hype the program created for itself — which ultimately was proven wrong since the team earned a bowl win.

Texas Tech men’s basketball transfer portal tracker

As the 60-day window for men’s and women’s basketball players to enter their names in the NCAA transfer portal opened up in April, Sports Editor Carlos Silva Jr. kept track of which Red Raider student-athletes elected to look at their options.

Some of those elected to enter the portal were Daniel Batcho, Elijah Fisher, Fardaws Aimaq, Robert Jennings, KJ Allen with De’Vion Harmon declaring for NBA Draft.

Whitharral's Tucker Parkinson remembered after fatal Hockley County crash

On Oct. 1, 15-year-old Tucker Parkinson died in a crash in Hockley county. The community banded together to remember him as a hard-working and caring individual.

"He's just loved by all, because he loved all," said Whitharral football coach/athletic director Jeremy Holt said.

Full story: 'Loved by all': Whitharral's Tucker Parkinson remembered after fatal Hockley County crash

According to high school sports reporter Stephen Garcia's story, Parkinson started at center in certain formations and played defense for the Panthers football team. He also participated in basketball and track and field last year.

Parkinson was also involved and won numerous awards in the 4-H Club and livestock competitions.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: 10 top viewed, trending stories from the Lubbock A-J in 2023