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    March Madness

    Rejuvenated Houston player hits game winner as Texas advances in NCAA basketball tournament

    Michael Corcoran
    Mar 21, 2014 | 1:43 pm
    Rejuvenated Houston player hits game winner as Texas advances in NCAA basketball tournament
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    Cameron Ridley, Jonathan Holmes and Demarcus Holland — all on last year’s University of Texas basketball team that lost in the first round of the tournament you slithered into if you weren’t good enough for the NIT — starred in a thrilling 87-85 NCAA tournament win over 10-seeded Arizona State Thursday night. This is a different team.

    Ridley hit the game winner, rebounding a Holmes miss and throwing it up against the backboard as the horn went off. Coach Rick Barnes threw his hands straight up like he was watching Justin Tucker. That play was football big!

    The turnaround started with Ridley, one of the nation’s top 10 recruits out of high school. The kid worked his ass off to get in better shape and became more confident in his role as first option on the inside-out offense.

    The Longhorns' now remain in Milwaukee to play No. 2-seeded Michigan on Saturday. But they’re already winners for refusing to crumble, and blowing a 14-point second half lead against the storming Sun Devils. The Horns' last three baskets were after offensive rebounds, including a three-point play by Holmes that put the Horns up by two with 40 seconds left. Both teams played with an intensity that was exhausting to watch.

    Barnes was named Big 12 Coach of the Year before one of his greatest games at the helm. Liking something he saw with little-used Martez Walker, Barnes left the freshman from Detroit in the game while a shot-eager Javan Felix sat on the bench. Walker led the Horns with 16 points. Holland, in there for defense with three steals, also hit all six of his shots, including a bench-clearing dunk late in the second half, to finish with 14 points.

    Last year’s team rebelled against the authoritative Barnes, who can be annoying if you’re not hustling or if you look lost on defense, and the three leading scorers bailed from UT at season’s end. Turns out, those guys were the problem. The 2013-14 team has shown character and guts all season long, taking everything Barnes dished out with a nod of determination. The 24-10 Horns had that amazing stretch in January when they beat four ranked teams in a row, including routing Kansas at home. But there have also been trying times, with enough late-season L’s to spell Lykke Li at Lollapalooza.

    The turnaround started with Ridley, one of the nation’s top 10 recruits out of Fort Bend Bush High School in Richmond, who was flatfooted and confused last season, a bit of a bust. The kid worked his ass off to get in better shape and became more confident in his role as first option on the inside-out offense. Last season Ridley would’ve been on the bench, gasping for air, during such a fast game. But No. 55 had enough energy left after 30 minutes of playing time to rescue Holmes’ wounded duck and send Texas to the second round. Manhood!

    Freshman point guard Isaiah Taylor is a fearless player who sets the team identity, but he needs to play better against Michigan than he did against ASU for the underdog Horns to have a chance. And Holmes and Felix, though they both hit huge shots late, better say their prayers tonight. Dear God, let me be more consistent.

    Doesn’t it feel like the pressure’s off? This team, with no high profile additions, wasn’t even supposed to make the tournament. Now they’re on to round 2. You never know how a team will play when they’ve got nothing to lose. But these overachievers aren’t going to step out on the court like they’ve already won. They’re not coached that way.

    Rick Barnes' Longhorns are all grown up.

    Rick Barnes and Jonathan Holmes March Madness
      
    Courtesy of Texassports.com
    Rick Barnes' Longhorns are all grown up.
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    pucker up

    Growing pickleball franchise smashes into Houston with 2 locations

    Jef Rouner
    Apr 29, 2025 | 5:30 pm
    Two men play pickleball on a Picklr court.
    Photo courtesy of The Picklr
    A Picklr court campus similar to the ones soon to open in Houston.

    Pickleball is one of the hottest sports sweeping the nation, and one of the biggest names in the game is setting up two new facilities in Houston. Picklr is scheduled to open indoor sports campuses in Cypress and The Woodlands in the coming months.

    “Bringing a pickleball facility to Cypress will not only provide a fun and engaging recreational outlet for residents of all ages, but will also foster a sense of community and promote a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Steve Nguyen, owner of The Picklr Cypress.“This facility will serve as a vibrant hub for social interaction, skill development, and friendly/competitive competition, enhancing community bonds and offering a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.”

    Although the game is approximately 60 years old, pickleball saw a massive spike in popularity following the pandemic when people were looking for fun group activities with easy points of entry. Though a racket sport like tennis, it is far easier and slower thanks to using perforated balls, smaller courts, and lighter paddles. This means the game is open to players of all ages, and was originally most popular with retirees. Now, there are roughly 5 million players across America, with players under 24 making up the majority. Houston even has its own professional team, the Hammers (not the Texas Hammer; that's this guy).

    The court in Cypress will be located in the old ASI Gymnastics building at 8920 Barker Cypress. It's a relatively modest facility with only six courts including a practice court. By contrast, The Woodlands location will be much more opulent. At 66,517 square feet, it will have 20 courts, 4 private event spaces (one with an exclusive viewing area), as well as a shower, changing room, dry bar, and kitchenette. Picklr The Woodlands will be located at 16590 Interstate I-45 South.

    These locations are the first for Picklr in Houston. They have twelve locations all throughout Texas, including in Round Rock and McKinney, and many more nationwide. Picklr locations operate on a membership model similar to a gym. Memberships run $159 a month for adults and $89 for minors, with unlimited access to open play, league play, and tournaments , as well as four free clinics a month. Additional coaching is available.

    There is currently no set opening date for the two Houston-area Picklrs. Players interested in learning more may sign up for updates at ThePicklr.com.

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