Argyle sisters reaching UIL basketball tourney is an assist six decades in the making
When Ashlin and Reese Crabtree step foot on the court in the Alamodome Friday afternoon, they will be continuing a long family tradition that dates back 60 years.
Ashlin and Reese are the third generation of basketball players from their family to reach the UIL state basketball tournament, joining their mother and maternal grandfather.
“I definitely thought about it. I grew up in a gym and I had dreams to be a part of a state championship team,” said Ashlin, a junior who’s a two-year starter. “So, trying to approach it day by day, game by game, training by training. My mom always told me it would take a ton of hard work and a little luck to get there.”
Ashlin, Reese and their Argyle Eagles (37-0) teammates will play Hardin-Jefferson (33-4) in a girls basketball semifinal at the UIL state tournament in San Antonio. The Class 4A game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Should they advance, the 4A state championship is Saturday at 7 p.m.
Basketball has been a rite of passage for the family. “My mom shared the game with me when I could barely walk and supported me, and ignited that passion to compete,” Ashlin said.
Their mother, who was Kim Lummus before she got married, is one of the best Texas high school basketball players of all-time. She helped Cleburne to the 1995 Class 4A title, beating Dallas Lincoln on a buzzer beater, 50-49, in the semifinals and Silsbee, 55-50, in the title game.
“It was a pretty magical season, advancing to state on a buzzer beater,” said Kim, who averaged 17 points in the two games. “The emotions were pretty high taking the court for the first time in Austin. We were four seconds away from not being there.”
She went on to play at the University of Texas and later was inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. Kim was also part of the top 100 players during the UIL 100-year celebration in 2020.
“I grew up attending the state tournament with my mom and dad. Back then it was held at The Drum [Frank Erwin Center] in Austin,” Kim said. “All those years as a spectator made me work that much harder to get there as a player. So, I have done the same with my daughters, taken them to watch, and talked a great deal about the significance of getting there.”
Their grandfather, Charles Lummus or “Huck” was part of the 1963 state team at Blum. Blum (37-2) reached the tournament, but lost in the Class B semifinals, 46-42, to Nocona Prairie Valley. Lummus finished with 14 points and eight rebounds.
“It’s an unreal experience and I feel very lucky after watching Kim then getting to watch Ashlin and Reese,” Lummus said. “My dad was a coach and used to take his team to the Saturday finals every year and I always went with them during the 1950s. It may be my favorite sporting event to watch.”
Added Ashlin, “Getting to achieve one of the goals I set as a child and have my family and my grandparents with me is really meaningful. Huck always has a few post-game pointers for me, and I love sharing the game with them.”
And her mom feels the same way. “I am savoring every minute of every game, watching Ash do what she loves and with her best friends,” she said.
Reese, a freshman, was pulled up to varsity during the playoffs after spending the regular season on the junior varsity team. Kim called it, “a really sweet bonus is that her sister, Reese, is with her and sharing in the experience.”
Argyle beat Decatur, 52-40, in the Class 4A Region 1 final to clinch the program’s eighth trip to the UIL state tournament in the past nine years. The Eagles missed it last season. A state title would give Argyle its sixth title in eight seasons and seventh overall.
“The theme has been ‘Finish the Flight’ and our team and coaches have been focused on the mission since day one. No shortcuts. My teammates are my best friends and our town has been so supportive,” Ashlin said. “The chance to represent Argyle past, present and future is pretty awesome.”
This story was originally published March 2, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
