Faces Off the Field: Clayton Schultz, senior point guard, Lake Travis

By Rick Cantu - American-Statesman Staff

What expectations do you have for the Cavaliers this season?
They’re just as high as any previous year. We’ve got a different skill set from last year, but that isn’t a bad thing. We’ll definitely be expecting to do just as well, if not better than last year

Does it motivate you how other schools want to knock off Lake Travis in every sport?
There’s no doubt that it’s satisfactory to beat a school that’s known for success, regardless if it’s in that sport or a different one. Knowing that certain teams hold that extra desire to beat you definitely puts those extra pounds on your shoulders.
What’s a bigger challenge, maintaining your grades or keeping up with basketball?
Maintaining grades is a bigger challenge for me. With basketball, the passion to compete and thrive keeps you going through all of the early mornings and late nights in the gym. It’s more difficult to push through something like putting in that extra studying for that upcoming test.
What’s the coolest part about going to Lake Travis?
Wow, that’s hard. I’ve got to say the community. Everyone is very supportive of all of the teams and events, and the people are genuine about helping one another. All of the staff really set you up to improve yourself and prepare for things other than just getting good grades. Coming from a community that provides these things just makes the high school experience a lot more fun and rewarding.
If you could invite any four people in the history of the world to dinner, who would they be?
I would invite Steve Nash, Will Ferrell, William Shakespeare and (sports commentator) Steven A. Smith.
Why Will Ferrell?
I would invite Will Ferrell because no matter what the conversation is about, he will find a way to make it hilarious.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
I listen to music ahead of time to get focused. I do a lot of mental preparation and try to adjust my mindset for the game.
Tell me something about yourself that most people don’t know.
I love deep-sea fishing.
What do you consider to be the greatest invention of all time?
The internet. It revolutionized the way we do so many things today.
If you had the choice of being all-state in basketball or valedictorian of your class, which would you choose?
That’s easy, valedictorian. Basketball is great, but being valedictorian would be better in the long run.
What is your favorite sports movie?
“Coach Carter.”
http://www.mystatesman.com/news/sports/high-school/faces-off-the-field-clayton-schultz-senior-point-g/nbzqt/

Cavaliers rout Anderson to open district play

By Michael Adams

Austin Community Newspapers Staff

Lake Travis’ defensive philosophy has carried over from its football team.
The Cavaliers (15-3 overall, 1-0 District 15-5A) held explosive Anderson guard Kevin Fisher (15.9 PPG) scoreless and went on to rout the Trojans 72-33 Dec. 20 at Lake Travis High School.
Anderson (8-8, 0-1) scored less than 10 points in each quarter as Lake Travis, led by Will Swenson’s 17 points, put on a shooting clinic.
The Cavaliers jumped out to a 17-2 lead in the first quarter and led 43-16 at halftime. Lake Travis, the defending District 15-5A champions, extended its lead to 41 points going into the fourth quarter.
Ja Lon Spence was the only Trojan to score in double digits, scoring 12, while Foster Allen added eight.
Fisher shot 0-for-5 from the floor.
Swenson had a lot of help as four Cavaliers scored in double digits. Tate Searle added 16 points, Jake Budde had 10 and Sean Wimbush put in 11.
Lake Travis’ 39-point win Friday in the district opener was the largest of any game involving a 15-5A team. Bowie defeated McCallum by 22 points in a non-district game.
The Cavaliers will play in the Kerrville Tivy Tournament beginning on Dec. 27 and will travel to Westlake on Dec. 31 for a District 15-5A battle scheduled for 6 p.m.

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Lake Travis 72, Anderosn 33

Anderson;9;7;8;9;33
Lake Travis;21;22;22;7;72
Anderson: Russ Newman 2, Trevor McManis 3, Taison Seneewongs 4, Ja Lon Spence 12, Foster Allen 8, Alec Woodmansee 4. Record: 8-8 (0-1).
Lake Travis: Clayton Schultz 4, Tate Searle 16, Connor Sundbeck 3, James Bailey 5, Will Swenson 17, Quin Amsler 2, Jake Budde 10, Christian Seidl 2, Sam Reynolds 2, Sean Wimbush 11. Record: 15-3 (1-0)
District standings
Lake Travis;14-3;1-0
Del Valle;11-7;1-0
Austin;8-4;1-0
Bowie;13-3;0-0
Akins;9-6;0-1
Anderson;8-8;0-1
Westlake;7-10;0-1
Friday’s scores
Del Valle 79, Westlake 77
Austin 52, Akins 47
Lake Travis 72, Anderson 33
Bowie 66, McCallum 44*
* non-district
http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/boys-basketball-cavaliers-rout-anderson-to-open-di/ncTwn/

Faces Off the Field: Will Swenson, senior guard, Lake Travis

By Rick Cantu - American-Statesman Staff

What do you remember most about your first organized basketball team?
It was a summer-league team in middle school coached by Mark Schultz. I was invited to play in a game by his son and my friend Clayton (Schultz). Afterward, they told me that I should try out for the team during the school year even though I didn’t think much of it, but it was obviously a pretty smart decision.        

            

What’s your favorite basketball memory at Lake Travis?
I made a shot at the halftime buzzer (against Marble Falls) while being pushed down but was called for traveling, even though the game film showed there was actually not a travel and the points should have counted. The thing that meant the most was that my coach (David Canfield) had my back and argued with the ref the entire halftime. No one on our team had ever seen his face so red.

Is there extra pressure to win at Lake Travis because other sports teams have done so well?
I would not say there is extra pressure, but there is always a high standard for excellence on and off the court at Lake Travis.

What are your college plans?
I plan to attend Texas A&M and major in business.

If you could have dinner with any four people in the history of the world, who would they be?
Tom Hanks, (musician) Marcus Mumford, Bill Gates and (basketball inventor) James Naismith.

Why would you want to invite Dr. Naismith?
Because I would want to ask him one question: Is this what you had envisioned?

If you had the choice of being valedictorian of your class or all-state in basketball, which would you choose?
I would choose to be valedictorian because I can have that on my resume the rest of my life.

Which of your high school classes will benefit you the most after you graduate?
Math. I use it every day and always will.

Tell me something about yourself that most people don’t know.
In a small fishing village in Belize, I’m known as “Two Cuda Will.”

What’s the story behind that?
After I caught my second barracuda, I learned that’s something pretty unusual for one trip. The guide then said, ‘From now on, you will now be known as Two Cuda Will in these waters.’

What do you consider to be the world’s greatest invention?
The wheel. If it was any other shape, it would be pretty bumpy.

If you bought a car that matched your personality, what would it be?
A Tesla. I appreciate the engineering, design and efficiency.

What’s the best advice anyone has ever given to you?
Our coach at Lake Travis, Clint Baty, has a phrase: big team, little me.

Boys basketball: Cavaliers head into district play on six-game winning streak

By Michael Adams

Austin Community Newspapers Staff
                       

Lake Travis’ boys basketball team swept the Cedar Creek Tournament last weekend at Cedar Creek High School to move its winning streak to six games.
The Cavaliers (12-4) picked up decisive victories in the tournament with their smallest margin of defeat being six points in a quarterfinal game against Vandegrift that saw Lake Travis pick up a 59-53 win over the Vipers.
Lake Travis defeated Hutto 62-34, Waco Midway 47-34, Elgin 57-40 en route to defeating Rouse 65-46 in the championship game.
Junior Jake Bubbe and senior Clayton Schultz both received all-tournament honors.
The junior varsity and freshman teams also walked away with the championships in their respective divisions.
“I am very proud of all three teams and the hard work these young men have put forth so far this season,” said head coach Clint Baty. “The leadership shown by these guys, both on and off the court, is something special. The fact that they are bringing home these trophies shows their hard work is starting to pay off.”
Earlier in the week, Lake Travis picked up a 60-55 win over Copperas Cove behind 18 points from Bubbe.
Lake Travis had three players score in double digits with Tate Searle scoring 15 and Sean Wimbush adding 10.
Lake Travis took a 29-21 lead into the locker room at halftime, but Copperas Cove cut the Cavaliers lead to three points heading into the final quarter.
Other scorers for Lake Travis were Shultz (5), Will Swenson (3), Quinn Amsler (3) and Christian Seidl (5).
The Cavaliers open District 15-5A action Friday at home against Anderson. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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2013-14 CURRENT STANDINGS
(Through Dec. 17)
Team;Overall
Bowie;13-4
Lake Travis;12-4
Austin High;7-4
Akins;9-5
Del Valle;9-7
Anderson;8-7
Westlake;7-9
15-5A POWER POLL
Here’s how sports editor Michael Adams sees 15-5A playing out:
1. Lake Travis (12-4): The defending champions are off to a really good start and now they get the football players back. This is a dangerous team that does have the potential for a long playoff run.
2. Bowie (13-4): If there’s a team in 15-5A team that is going to challenge Lake Travis, it’s going to be Bowie. The Bulldogs have a puzzling loss to San Marcos, but has some impressive wins against Conroe and Alief Elsik.
3. Westlake (7-9): No one has a tougher non-district schedulethan the Chaparrals. A win over then-No. 2 Judson indicates this is a scary team and that’s why Westlake, despite being the only team in 15-5A with a losing record going into district play, is a lock for the postseason.
4. Austin High (7-4): At this level, it’s really anyone’s pick, but I like the Maroons here based on tradition. Impressive wins against Cedar Park and Connally are nice, but that 12 point loss to Hendrickson is maybe an indication there’s work to be done.
5. Akins (9-5): The Eagles are an athletic team, but doesn’t really have a huge win to their credit to warrant a spot higher than this. They beat Del Valle last weekend in the Hays Tournament and Friday’s opener against Austin High will set the tone for the district race for Akins.
6. Del Valle (9-7): Speaking of scary teams, Del Valle has a win over Stony point and Dripping Springs, two decent teams. However, there is some up and down with the Cardinals, who have a one-point loss to McNeil and a three-point loss to San Marcos. Yet, a win over Manor makes the Cardinals a team to watch.
7: Anderson (8-7): Someone has to be here and the Trojans are the least impressive team of the bunch. That’s not saying a whole lot considering from top to bottom this district will be competitive. A 23-point loss to Cedar Ridge is the difference maker in this preseason power poll.Lake Travis Basketball

Coaches Corner - Referee

Coaches Corner

Referee

10/31/2013

We had one of the best basketball officials in the Austin Chapter speak with our basketball players today. 

We as coaches think it is important that our players understand all aspects of the game and that includes the officials perspectives.  This official gave them insight into their background, the testing requirements to become an official, points of emphasis for this year, what is considered a foul and what is not a foul, and other key areas that are important to officials.  Our players were very respectful, attentive, and even had the opportunity to ask some questions of their own. 
Two points that he wanted me to convey to parents: (1) There is no such thing as an “Over the back” call or a “Reaching” call and (2) Foul counts mean nothing to the officials. If your team has 10 fouls and the opponent has 2, then stop fouling.  One team may be very aggressive on both ends of the floor while the other is playing finesse basketball while running a 2-3 zone.  Sometimes discrepancies in the foul count happen due to the style of play.


Clint Baty

Head Boys Basketball Coach
Lake Travis High School
http://www.LTBasketball.com

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