The 1996-1997 Wortham Bulldogs had a season for the ages, capped by the school’s first-ever state basketball title. In a small Texas town, a community united behind a team that defied the odds and became champions. With a remarkable 29-2 record, the Bulldogs only fell to two much larger schools—Plano and Dallas Jesuit—but that didn’t stop them from making their mark.
The Bulldogs stormed into the playoffs, starting with a dominating win over the Price Carlisle Indians. Karnack and Detroit were next to fall as Wortham made its way through the postseason. In the regional semifinal, they never trailed against Goodrich and then dominated a state-ranked Avinger team, securing their place at the state tournament.
The road to the state title was not for the faint of heart. In the semifinals, Wortham faced a tough Brock squad and fought their way to a thrilling 65-61 victory. But the championship game was where the Bulldogs truly showed their heart. Down in the second half, they staged a fierce comeback to defeat Nazareth 50-42, clinching the state title at the Erwin Center on the University of Texas campus.
Throughout the season and playoffs, the Bulldogs shot nearly 50% from the field, led by an unstoppable front line of Leonard Davis, Reuben Randle, and tournament MVP Lance Chambers. Their defense was equally fierce, blocking 44 shots in the postseason. Terrell Spence and Michael Betts brought relentless pressure and sharpshooting, while James Eggins, Jason Carr, and Robert Busby came off the bench to keep the momentum going.
Coach Todd Jarrell’s leadership guided this scrappy, talented team to the top. To this day, a banner hangs proudly in Bulldog Gymnasium, a testament to the heart, grit, and determination of the 1996-1997 Class A State Champion Wortham Bulldogs. A season that started with a small town’s hopes ended with the ultimate triumph—a state title that will never be forgotten!
