PANHANDLE, Texas (KFDA) - Caden Armes knew he had big shoes to fill when he stepped onto the basketball court for Panhandle High School.
The senior point guard is the youngest sibling in a basketball family. His brother made it to state and his sister made it to state and won twice.
“I knew I didn’t want to be the only child in our family that didn’t win state,” Armes said.
Armes was instrumental in the Panthers winning a state title for the first time in school history. He was named the 2A Division I state MVP for his efforts.
Stepping up in the playoffs
Armes said he took on a bigger role as the season progressed, particularly during the playoffs.
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“I knew I was going to have to play better than I was playing,” Armes said. “I mean, I was playing good, but when playoffs came, I knew if we had a real shot at going far, I was going to have to play better than I was.”
Head coach Josh Strickland expected greatness from Armes, and the senior delivered.
“Instantly I get emotional,” Strickland said. “I love him. I love him for who he is, and that was something that I really, I had to convince myself I have to let him be who he is. There’s no replacing Caden.”
Team belief led to championship
Armes credited the team’s belief in each other for the championship run.
“I think the only reason we won is we believed, like we believed in Strickland. We believed in each other and our teammates,” Armes said. “That’s definitely why we got so far.”
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The Panthers won a district title before winning the state championship. Armes was named to the all-tournament, all-region and academic all-state teams.
Off the court, Armes has a 3.95 GPA and is in the top 10 percent of his class. He is also in the National Honor Society.
In addition to being the point guard on the basketball team, he was also on the Panhandle varsity football team.
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