LOGAN LONGHORNS BATTLED THROUGH ADVERSITY THIS SEASON
Back in November, the Logan High School volleyball team lifted the blue trophy at the state championships. They hope to do the same at the Pit this March.
“I think it’s made them tougher (winning the volleyball title),” said head coach Glynna Strand. “Logan never won state volleyball until 2017, now we have a goal to get volleyball and basketball (in the same season). They’ve now had the experience of being at the state games.”
Logan is currently 21-5 and the Longhorns sit on top of the MaxPreps poll. Despite their impressive record, the Longhorns have had to deal with some adversity this season. “It’s been a rough and trying year for us,” said Strand.
Harlie Roach is a senior post player for Logan. Her brother was involved in a serious car accident and was near death with multiple injuries. “We didn’t know if he was going to live or die,” described Strand. “A small community like ours pulled together, but it was a hard time and hard to focus on basketball.”
For some players on the team, it was difficult to concentrate on winning games when someone from their community was fighting for their life in the hospital. The team suffered their biggest loss of the season on December 7th, falling to Tatum 48-23. “I told the team ‘I don’t know whether to yell at you or cry with you,’” said the head coach. “He was in a hospital near Lubbock. Harlie didn’t miss a game, but it was rough on her.” Her brother has since recovered and now supports her at her games.
The roller coaster ride of the season continued for Logan. “Then we lost a starter to an ACL injury,” said Strand. “Karli Webb went down about a month ago against Melrose. We’ve been plagued with injury and tragedy.” Prior to the injury, the junior guard was one of their top scorers. Roach currently leads the team with about 15 points a game.
In the face of adversity, Logan continues to pick up win after win. “We’ve kept our goals and do a lot of revamping,” explains Strand. The second-year head coach is used to making adjustments. She grew up in San Jon and then attended school at Lubbock Christian. She taught and worked as an assistant coach at Texico High School for 15 years. Strand then went to Bushland High School, outside of Amarillo, for another eight years, got married, and moved back to New Mexico three years ago. “It’s come full circle for me,” she said.
Logan last played in the state basketball final in 2016. The Longhorns won it all in 2013 under head coach Clair Rachor (the school’s only other girls title was in 1980).
Strand’s message to her team in the home stretch… Play fearlessly, be fearless.
In light of the adversity they’ve gone through, it’s good advice.
