This Graham Steers Sports Minute is brought to you by Fox Hollow Resort
Steers basketball is navigating a busy stretch this week as teams look to build momentum heading into the holiday break.
The Graham boys entered the week with a 6-4 record after closing out play at the Red, White and Blue Classic over the weekend. With several games packed into a short window, the Steers are getting plenty of opportunities to test their depth and consistency before Christmas.
Graham hit the road Tuesday for a non-district matchup at Iowa Park, a game that served as a measuring stick against a traditionally competitive program. The schedule ramps up even more this weekend as the Steers compete in the Jim Ned Tournament on Friday and Saturday, where multiple games against quality opponents will help sharpen the roster before district play resumes in January.
On the girls side, the Lady Blues are searching for momentum before the break. Graham began the week at 6-8 overall and riding a three-game losing streak, making the final stretch of December important for confidence and rhythm.
The Lady Blues played host to Wichita Falls Memorial on Tuesday in an effort to halt the slide and reestablish defensive intensity. On Friday, Graham travels to Ballinger for another non-district contest, wrapping up pre-holiday action. District play for the Lady Blues does not begin until next month, giving the team a brief reset period before games begin to carry added postseason implications.
As with many programs across the state, Graham is also keeping an eye on the upcoming UIL realignment. With an enrollment figure of 668 students, the Steers are expected to remain in Class 4A Division II. The University Interscholastic League is anticipated to release its official classification cutoff numbers as early as this week, with final district alignments scheduled to be announced in February.
Remaining in 4A Division II would provide continuity for Graham athletics, allowing programs to plan for familiar competitive landscapes over the next alignment cycle.
As the holiday break approaches, both Steers basketball programs are using this final stretch of December to evaluate progress, address areas of growth and position themselves for a strong start to district play in the new year.