This Cleburne Yellow Jackets Sports Minute is brought to you by Air Masters Inc.
As the 2025-26 athletics season comes to a close, the defining story for Cleburne was the dramatic turnaround by the Lady Jackets basketball team.
After missing the playoffs during the 2024-25 season, Cleburne responded with a breakthrough campaign this winter. The Lady Jackets captured the District 8-5A championship with a perfect 14-0 district record, won a playoff game and finished the season ranked No. 16 in the final Class 5A girls basketball poll. Cleburne closed the year with a 26-9 record.
The girls soccer team also enjoyed a strong season and reached the postseason.
Softball provided one of the best comeback stories of the spring. The Lady Jackets overcame a two-game deficit in the final weeks of district play to clinch a playoff berth. Baseball also returned to the postseason during another solid season for the program.
Looking ahead to football, coach A.J. Sheppard reshaped his coaching staff for 2026 with new offensive and defensive coordinators.
The Yellow Jackets now turn their attention toward the 2026-27 athletic year and a new district alignment following February’s UIL realignment. The new season officially begins Aug. 1.