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Posted: Feb 12, 2026 10:24 AMUpdated: Feb 12, 2026 11:27 AM
Bullpups Focused on Strong Finish as Playoffs Approach
The Caney Valley Bullpups picked up another road win Tuesday night, but head coach Matt Washburn says the performance left plenty to clean up as the team heads into the final stretch of the regular season. After beating Cherryvale by 31 points in the first meeting, the Bullpups escaped with just a seven-point win this time around. Washburn said the drop-off in margin was a wake-up call, especially with Fredonia up next on the schedule. He noted that Fredonia is a very comparable team and that Caney Valley will need a stronger overall effort and a faster tempo to force opponents to play the Bullpups’ style instead of the other way around.
One bright spot has been the team’s balanced scoring. Multiple players have reached double figures in recent games, including the Messner twins along with Layne Denny, Traxcyn Garton stepping up offensively. Washburn said the scoring spread is exactly what the coaching staff has been working toward. Rather than relying on one or two stars, the goal has been to build depth so that different players can carry the load on different nights. With a deeper bench, the Bullpups can withstand a couple of cold shooting performances and still find enough offense to win.
Looking ahead, Washburn said every game matters with postseason seeding on the line, including Friday’s non-conference matchup against Commerce, Oklahoma. He hopes to use his depth to keep players fresh while still pushing for decisive wins down the stretch. With only one home game in the final five, the Bullpups will be tested on the road, but Washburn believes that experience could pay off come playoff time. His message to the team has been simple: wherever the game is played, against whoever is on the other side, show up ready and handle business.
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