Welcome to the Official Site of the Deer Park High School Lady Deer Basketball

History of the Lady Deer Basketball Team

Since it’s inception in 1951, well over 2,000 female athletes have participated in the girl’s basketball program at Deer Park High School.This page is dedicated to each of those players, whether they played one year or four during their high school years.It’s purpose is not just to recall their achievements on the court, but to bring to mind the joyous times and friendships they found through the sport of basketball at Deer Park High School.To each of those individuals we say…

Go Lady Deer!!

1951

The Deer Park High School girl’s basketball team first hits the floor during the 1950 –1951 school year. Its’ first coach was Doll Forrest. The program begins with a single team consisting of twelve players. There are no “official” assistant coaches or managers.

1952

In only its’ second year, the program wins its’ first district championship with a 4 – 0 record. The team also comes in first in the Eagle Lake Tournament.

1953

Coach Forrest guides the team to a 4 – 2 record.

1954-‘61

Coach Forrest remains at the helm while two important events take place: · beginning in 1957, the program grows to include a second team· in 1961, Miss Mildred Wunsch joins Coach Forrest as an assistant to the program.

1962

The programs twelfth team not only wins the district 23AA title, but also reaches the state tournament. At the tournament, with Head Coach Forrest and Asst. Coach Wunsch providing the strategy, the team places 3rd in the state.

1963

Head Coach Forrest and Asst. Coach Wunsch still comprise the staff; the team wins its’ second consecutive district 23AA title.

1964

Ten players make up the varsity team, along with one manager and Coach Forrest. The B” team consists of eleven players and is guided by Assistant Coach Wunsch.

1965

A 29-4 record is highlighted by a single elimination 48-42 playoff win over Clear Creek for the district championship.   A new assistant, Miss Osborne, joins Coach Doll Forrest. A bi-district playoff loss ends the season.
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1966

A 7-1 8AAA district record nets Deer Park a second consecutive district title. But, they lose a heartbreaker a second year in a row in bi-district.

1967

A new coaching staff is in place as Mrs. Joyce Rice becomes the new head coach with Coach Jane Tillman as her assistant. The team posts an 11 – 12 record, including a 6 – 4 district record.

1968

Deer Park was ranked 1st in state for most of the season with Head Coach Joyce Rice and new assistant Mrs. Sonja Gorbet. Included in the success was a school record 125-11 win over Hitchcock. However, they lost a decisive “single elimination” in-district playoff game by 4 points. Another big step was taken when a 3rd team is added to the program.

1969

The team compiles a record of 27-4. However, they can’t capture district as they lose a decisive “single elimination” in-district playoff game to finish second again.   But, a second freshman team is formed, creating the opportunity for more girls than ever to participate.

1970

Bob Brockhoff becomes the new head coach, leading the Deer Park to a 26-6 record. Falling twice to Clear Creek, the team takes second in district for the third year in a row. New assistant coaches joining the program are Miss Linda Pringle.

1971

An 8-2 pre-district record is followed by a second place finish in district for the fourth straight year. Among the many bright spots was Faith Watson being named to the All – State team.

1972

Team compiles a 22-13 pre-district record. While splitting 2 games with Clear Creek, the team loses twice to Angleton and falls short of the district title. Becky Dalby is named a Texas State All-Star.

1973

Mrs. Sonja Gorbet takes over as head coach and is assisted by Paulette Lanier and Kathy Minyard. Deer Park takes 1st in the Rice Consolidated Tournament and goes into district with a 15-4 record. A 5-3 record leads to a third place finish in district, with a season record of 20-7.

1974

’74 Deer Park takes second in district with a record of 10-2.

1975

A 10-2 district record leads to the district title. The team falls in the bi-district round.

1976

A 13-8 pre-district record leads into a 5-3 district record. Overall, the team is 18-11 and finishes second in district. One big highlight for the team was junior Kristi Lewis being named to the High School All-American Team.

1977

A second place finish at the Tomball tournament highlighted the year. The team finished 1-5 in district, losing 3 of the games by a total of 11 points.

1978

Coaches Sonja Gorbet, Glenda McDonald, and Judy Ellisor lead Deer Park to a 9-5-district record. In ’79, the Varsity will begin playing full court basketball as opposed to the 6 player version girls have played in Texas for decades.

1979

Carol Bollinger is the new head coach, with Glenda McDonald and Judy Ellisor remaining as the assistant coaches. Deer Park struggles under the new full court, five player rules, finishing the season with 9-20 pre-district and 4-10 district record. The highlight of the year was taking the top spot in the consolation round of the Tomball tournament.
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1980

Varsity finishes 10 – 19, with 3 wins in district. With Head Coach Carol Bollinger in her second year, assisted by Judy Ellisor, the team does out rebound the opposition in 23 of 29 games. High points of the season include 3rd place finish in the Sweeney tournament and a 4th place finish in the Tomball tournament.

1981

With Jimmie Morrow in her first year as head coach and a staff of assistant coaches consisting of Judy Ellisor and Becky Dalby, the team posts an overall record of 23-8 and a district record of 13-3. The team takes 2nd place at the Pearland tournament and captures 3rd at the Barber’s Hill tournament. However, the team loses its’ final district game, finishes third, and falls out of district contention.

1982

The team’s only loses twice in district, but those two losses were to Baytown Lee and prevented the team from going to the playoffs. The team was ranked 11th in the state by the UIL and took third place at the Toast of the Coast tournament in Victoria.

1983

The team starts the district season 0-6 but rebounds for an 11-3 district record. The second place finish earns Deer Park a trip to the playoffs, where they lose in the bi-district playoffs. The overall season record was 16-12.

1984

Flying high in district at 8-3, the team drops it’s final 3 district games to finish 8-6. This leads to a fourth place finish in the district. Kelly Warrick joins the coaching staff as a freshman coach.

1985

The team goes 10-15 for the season, including a district record of 6-8. This results in a fifth place finish in district. The coaching staff consists of Head Coach Jimmie Morrow and assistant coaches Judy Ellisor and Gay Sabatell.

1986

Following a very successful coaching career at Louisiana Tech University, Sonja Hogg becomes head coach of the Lady Deer. Assistant coaches are Mrs. Gay Sabatell, Miss Nelda Billescas, and Miss Allyson Gubbs. The team takes 1st place in all three of the tournaments it enters and finishes second in district with a 12-2 record. Although it loses in the 1st round of the playoffs, the team ends with a 25-4 record.

1987

Lady Deer enjoy a second consecutive outstanding year, going 20-9 during the season. A 13-1 district record leads to a district championship. They fall in the bi-district round.

1988

The Lady Deer garner their third straight 20 win season and second straight district championship. A 29-4-season record is punctuated by a 14-0 run through district. Fortune doesn’t smile on the team in the playoffs, however, as they lose in overtime in the first round.

1989

With new Head Coach Mrs. Suzie Eppers at the helm and a staff consisting of Coach Gay Sabatell and Coach Allyson Gubbs, the Lady Deer make a deep run in the playoffs through hard work and by creating their own breaks. The season ends one step away from the state tournament in Austin. The Lady Deer beat Brazoswood for the bi-district title and then subdue Baytown Sterling for the area championship. Waltrip falls next in the regional semi-finals. The Lady Deer came on the wrong end of the score against La Porte in the regional final. The season had numerous highpoints, including a 28-7 record and a second place finish in district with a 14-2 campaign.

1990

A year of transition as the team battles to a 15-17 record. District play was also challenging as the team wound up 6-10.

1991

The Lady Deer bounced back in a big way, coming up with a 28-7 record. A 10-4 district record led the team into the playoffs, where they fell in the first round.

1992

With only 2 seniors, the Lady Deer respond by going 8-0 in the second half of district. Combined with a first half 5-3 record, the team clinches 2nd place in district and goes into the playoffs. While winning the first round game, the Lady Deer lose a controversial game in the second round.

1993

With 7 returning lettermen, a new head coach in Dan Salisbury and a staff consisting of Nelda Billescas and Michelle Dean, the Lady Deer reach the state playoffs. Following an 11-6 pre-district record, the Lady Deer take the district title by going 13-1. Four victories in the playoffs lead the team to Austin, where they lose to the eventual state champions in the state semi-finals.

1994

Starting with a new head coach, Nelda Billescas and a revamped staff that includes Dave Wheat, Theresa White, and Marc Milliron, the Lady Deer again make the playoffs by going 12-2 in district. Following a bye in the first playoff game, the team losses in the area round.

1995

After starting with a 6-0 record in district, the Lady Deer play a non-district game against Madison, the No. 1 ranked team in the state. Averaging 82 points a game, Madison can only score 26 points as the Lady Deer play a brilliant defensive game. However, Madison is 2 points better as the Lady Deer lose 26-24. Going back into district, the girls’ take the title as they have a perfect 12-0 district record. While losing in the 1st round of the playoffs, the girls were ranked 7th defensively in the entire state.

1996

Lady Deer claim a 4th straight district title with an 11-1 record. They lose to Nimitz in the area round of the playoffs. Nelda Billescas is the head coach, with Dave Wheat, Theresa White, and newcomer Dena Evans rounding out the staff.

1997

Five proves to be a lucky number as the Lady Deer win their 5th straight district title. With Head Coach Nelda Billescas and a staff of Dave Wheat, Theresa White and newcomer Cheryl Ray, the team advances to the regional round of the playoffs, losing a close game by 3.

1998

With only two returning Varsity players, inexperience catches up to the Lady Deer. A 7-7 pre-district record is followed by a 9-4 district record and a fourth place finish. The team does place 3rd at both the Clear Creek and Alvin tournaments, and 4th at the Leander tournament.

1999

The Lady Deer complete a 10-2 district run but are tripped up by a UIL infraction and are unable to compete in the playoffs.   With Head Coach Nelda Billescas, Coach Theresa White becomes the JV coach as Coach Charise Meriwether joins the staff that also includes Coach Cheryl Ray.

2000

Lady Deer return to the playoffs as co-district champions. The team goes 11-1 in district but falls in the area playoff game to Baytown Sterling 47-40.

2001

A 7-13 pre-district record is transformed into an 8-2 district record as the team makes the playoffs. Coming up short, the team falls in bi-district.

2002

Theresa White takes over as Head Coach with a staff of Cheryl Ray, Charise Meriwether, and Carrie Medford. The season is a roller coaster ride, with the team finishing fourth in district with a 5 – 5 record, and a season record of 16-14.

2003

The coaching staff changed slightly, with Paul Cone' joining Cheryl Ray and Charise Meriwether on the staff of Varsity Head Coach Theresa White. The season almost mirrors the previous year as the varisity finishes with an overall record of 15 - 13, tied for fourth in district with a 7-7 district record.

2004

The Lady Deer enter the playoffs after a two year absence. With Head Coach Theresa White and a returning staff of Cheryl Ray, Charise Meriwether, and Paul Cone', the Varsity sweep five of their seven district opponents, capturing second place in district with a 10 - 4 record. Playing Galveston Ball at San Jacinto College in the bi-district round of the playoffs, the lead see - saws back and forth until a timeout is called with 3:15 left in the game. Ahead by 5 at that point, the Lady Deer seize the moment, winning 60 - 49. Deer Park squares off against Beaumont Westbrook at Barbers Hill in the area round of the playoffs. Almost a repeat of the bi-district game, the lead goes back and forth, only this time the Lady Deer trail for most of the game. But in the final two minutes, the team makes a final push, making a number of clutch free throws. The Lady Deer win the area round of the playoffs 51 - 44. Advancing to the regional round for the first time since 1997, the Lady Deer face Humble in a regional quarterfinal game. In a game with large lead changes, the team finds itself down by 5 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Lady Deer cannot overcome foul trouble and a key injury during the game. The final score is Humble 71, Deer Park 55. The success of the season is reflected in that the Lady Deer were area champions, bi-district champions, runner-up in district 23 5A, and compiled an overall record of 20 - 10. Individual recognition included 4 girls making the All - District teams.
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1951	The Deer Park High School girl’s basketball team first hits the floor during the 1950 –1951 school year. Its’ first coach was Doll Forrest. The program begins with a single team consisting of twelve players. There are no “official” assistant coaches or managers.
1952	In only its’ second year, the program wins its’ first district championship with a 4 – 0 record. The team also comes in first in the Eagle Lake Tournament.
1953	Coach Forrest guides the team to a 4 – 2 record.
1954-‘61	Coach Forrest remains at the helm while two important events take place: · beginning in 1957, the program grows to include a second team· in 1961, Miss Mildred Wunsch joins Coach Forrest as an assistant to the program.
1962	The programs twelfth team not only wins the district 23AA title, but also reaches the state tournament. At the tournament, with Head Coach Forrest and Asst. Coach Wunsch providing the strategy, the team places 3rd in the state.
1963	Head Coach Forrest and Asst. Coach Wunsch still comprise the staff; the team wins its’ second consecutive district 23AA title.
1964	Ten players make up the varsity team, along with one manager and Coach Forrest. The B” team consists of eleven players and is guided by Assistant Coach Wunsch.
1965	A 29-4 record is highlighted by a single elimination 48-42 playoff win over Clear Creek for the district championship. A new assistant, Miss Osborne, joins Coach Doll Forrest. A bi-district playoff loss ends the season. Return to Top
1966	A 7-1 8AAA district record nets Deer Park a second consecutive district title. But, they lose a heartbreaker a second year in a row in bi-district.
1967	A new coaching staff is in place as Mrs. Joyce Rice becomes the new head coach with Coach Jane Tillman as her assistant. The team posts an 11 – 12 record, including a 6 – 4 district record.
1968	Deer Park was ranked 1st in state for most of the season with Head Coach Joyce Rice and new assistant Mrs. Sonja Gorbet. Included in the success was a school record 125-11 win over Hitchcock. However, they lost a decisive “single elimination” in-district playoff game by 4 points. Another big step was taken when a 3rd team is added to the program.
1969	The team compiles a record of 27-4. However, they can’t capture district as they lose a decisive “single elimination” in-district playoff game to finish second again. But, a second freshman team is formed, creating the opportunity for more girls than ever to participate.
1970	Bob Brockhoff becomes the new head coach, leading the Deer Park to a 26-6 record. Falling twice to Clear Creek, the team takes second in district for the third year in a row. New assistant coaches joining the program are Miss Linda Pringle.
1971	An 8-2 pre-district record is followed by a second place finish in district for the fourth straight year. Among the many bright spots was Faith Watson being named to the All – State team.
1972	Team compiles a 22-13 pre-district record. While splitting 2 games with Clear Creek, the team loses twice to Angleton and falls short of the district title. Becky Dalby is named a Texas State All-Star.
1973	Mrs. Sonja Gorbet takes over as head coach and is assisted by Paulette Lanier and Kathy Minyard. Deer Park takes 1st in the Rice Consolidated Tournament and goes into district with a 15-4 record. A 5-3 record leads to a third place finish in district, with a season record of 20-7.
1974	’74 Deer Park takes second in district with a record of 10-2.
1975	A 10-2 district record leads to the district title. The team falls in the bi-district round.
1976	A 13-8 pre-district record leads into a 5-3 district record. Overall, the team is 18-11 and finishes second in district. One big highlight for the team was junior Kristi Lewis being named to the High School All-American Team.
1977	A second place finish at the Tomball tournament highlighted the year. The team finished 1-5 in district, losing 3 of the games by a total of 11 points.
1978	Coaches Sonja Gorbet, Glenda McDonald, and Judy Ellisor lead Deer Park to a 9-5-district record. In ’79, the Varsity will begin playing full court basketball as opposed to the 6 player version girls have played in Texas for decades.
1979	Carol Bollinger is the new head coach, with Glenda McDonald and Judy Ellisor remaining as the assistant coaches. Deer Park struggles under the new full court, five player rules, finishing the season with 9-20 pre-district and 4-10 district record. The highlight of the year was taking the top spot in the consolation round of the Tomball tournament. Return to Top
1980	Varsity finishes 10 – 19, with 3 wins in district. With Head Coach Carol Bollinger in her second year, assisted by Judy Ellisor, the team does out rebound the opposition in 23 of 29 games. High points of the season include 3rd place finish in the Sweeney tournament and a 4th place finish in the Tomball tournament.
1981	With Jimmie Morrow in her first year as head coach and a staff of assistant coaches consisting of Judy Ellisor and Becky Dalby, the team posts an overall record of 23-8 and a district record of 13-3. The team takes 2nd place at the Pearland tournament and captures 3rd at the Barber’s Hill tournament. However, the team loses its’ final district game, finishes third, and falls out of district contention.
1982	The team’s only loses twice in district, but those two losses were to Baytown Lee and prevented the team from going to the playoffs. The team was ranked 11th in the state by the UIL and took third place at the Toast of the Coast tournament in Victoria.
1983	The team starts the district season 0-6 but rebounds for an 11-3 district record. The second place finish earns Deer Park a trip to the playoffs, where they lose in the bi-district playoffs. The overall season record was 16-12.
1984	Flying high in district at 8-3, the team drops it’s final 3 district games to finish 8-6. This leads to a fourth place finish in the district. Kelly Warrick joins the coaching staff as a freshman coach.
1985	The team goes 10-15 for the season, including a district record of 6-8. This results in a fifth place finish in district. The coaching staff consists of Head Coach Jimmie Morrow and assistant coaches Judy Ellisor and Gay Sabatell.
1986	Following a very successful coaching career at Louisiana Tech University, Sonja Hogg becomes head coach of the Lady Deer. Assistant coaches are Mrs. Gay Sabatell, Miss Nelda Billescas, and Miss Allyson Gubbs. The team takes 1st place in all three of the tournaments it enters and finishes second in district with a 12-2 record. Although it loses in the 1st round of the playoffs, the team ends with a 25-4 record.
1987	Lady Deer enjoy a second consecutive outstanding year, going 20-9 during the season. A 13-1 district record leads to a district championship. They fall in the bi-district round.
1988	The Lady Deer garner their third straight 20 win season and second straight district championship. A 29-4-season record is punctuated by a 14-0 run through district. Fortune doesn’t smile on the team in the playoffs, however, as they lose in overtime in the first round.
1989	With new Head Coach Mrs. Suzie Eppers at the helm and a staff consisting of Coach Gay Sabatell and Coach Allyson Gubbs, the Lady Deer make a deep run in the playoffs through hard work and by creating their own breaks. The season ends one step away from the state tournament in Austin. The Lady Deer beat Brazoswood for the bi-district title and then subdue Baytown Sterling for the area championship. Waltrip falls next in the regional semi-finals. The Lady Deer came on the wrong end of the score against La Porte in the regional final. The season had numerous highpoints, including a 28-7 record and a second place finish in district with a 14-2 campaign.
1990	A year of transition as the team battles to a 15-17 record. District play was also challenging as the team wound up 6-10.
1991	The Lady Deer bounced back in a big way, coming up with a 28-7 record. A 10-4 district record led the team into the playoffs, where they fell in the first round.
1992	With only 2 seniors, the Lady Deer respond by going 8-0 in the second half of district. Combined with a first half 5-3 record, the team clinches 2nd place in district and goes into the playoffs. While winning the first round game, the Lady Deer lose a controversial game in the second round.
1993	With 7 returning lettermen, a new head coach in Dan Salisbury and a staff consisting of Nelda Billescas and Michelle Dean, the Lady Deer reach the state playoffs. Following an 11-6 pre-district record, the Lady Deer take the district title by going 13-1. Four victories in the playoffs lead the team to Austin, where they lose to the eventual state champions in the state semi-finals.
1994	Starting with a new head coach, Nelda Billescas and a revamped staff that includes Dave Wheat, Theresa White, and Marc Milliron, the Lady Deer again make the playoffs by going 12-2 in district. Following a bye in the first playoff game, the team losses in the area round.
1995	After starting with a 6-0 record in district, the Lady Deer play a non-district game against Madison, the No. 1 ranked team in the state. Averaging 82 points a game, Madison can only score 26 points as the Lady Deer play a brilliant defensive game. However, Madison is 2 points better as the Lady Deer lose 26-24. Going back into district, the girls’ take the title as they have a perfect 12-0 district record. While losing in the 1st round of the playoffs, the girls were ranked 7th defensively in the entire state.
1996	Lady Deer claim a 4th straight district title with an 11-1 record. They lose to Nimitz in the area round of the playoffs. Nelda Billescas is the head coach, with Dave Wheat, Theresa White, and newcomer Dena Evans rounding out the staff.
1997	Five proves to be a lucky number as the Lady Deer win their 5th straight district title. With Head Coach Nelda Billescas and a staff of Dave Wheat, Theresa White and newcomer Cheryl Ray, the team advances to the regional round of the playoffs, losing a close game by 3.
1998	With only two returning Varsity players, inexperience catches up to the Lady Deer. A 7-7 pre-district record is followed by a 9-4 district record and a fourth place finish. The team does place 3rd at both the Clear Creek and Alvin tournaments, and 4th at the Leander tournament.
1999	The Lady Deer complete a 10-2 district run but are tripped up by a UIL infraction and are unable to compete in the playoffs. With Head Coach Nelda Billescas, Coach Theresa White becomes the JV coach as Coach Charise Meriwether joins the staff that also includes Coach Cheryl Ray.
2000	Lady Deer return to the playoffs as co-district champions. The team goes 11-1 in district but falls in the area playoff game to Baytown Sterling 47-40.
2001	A 7-13 pre-district record is transformed into an 8-2 district record as the team makes the playoffs. Coming up short, the team falls in bi-district.
2002	Theresa White takes over as Head Coach with a staff of Cheryl Ray, Charise Meriwether, and Carrie Medford. The season is a roller coaster ride, with the team finishing fourth in district with a 5 – 5 record, and a season record of 16-14.
2003	The coaching staff changed slightly, with Paul Cone' joining Cheryl Ray and Charise Meriwether on the staff of Varsity Head Coach Theresa White. The season almost mirrors the previous year as the varisity finishes with an overall record of 15 - 13, tied for fourth in district with a 7-7 district record.
2004	The Lady Deer enter the playoffs after a two year absence. With Head Coach Theresa White and a returning staff of Cheryl Ray, Charise Meriwether, and Paul Cone', the Varsity sweep five of their seven district opponents, capturing second place in district with a 10 - 4 record. Playing Galveston Ball at San Jacinto College in the bi-district round of the playoffs, the lead see - saws back and forth until a timeout is called with 3:15 left in the game. Ahead by 5 at that point, the Lady Deer seize the moment, winning 60 - 49. Deer Park squares off against Beaumont Westbrook at Barbers Hill in the area round of the playoffs. Almost a repeat of the bi-district game, the lead goes back and forth, only this time the Lady Deer trail for most of the game. But in the final two minutes, the team makes a final push, making a number of clutch free throws. The Lady Deer win the area round of the playoffs 51 - 44. Advancing to the regional round for the first time since 1997, the Lady Deer face Humble in a regional quarterfinal game. In a game with large lead changes, the team finds itself down by 5 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Lady Deer cannot overcome foul trouble and a key injury during the game. The final score is Humble 71, Deer Park 55. The success of the season is reflected in that the Lady Deer were area champions, bi-district champions, runner-up in district 23 5A, and compiled an overall record of 20 - 10. Individual recognition included 4 girls making the All - District teams. Return to Top