Twenty-four years have passed since the opening of McNeil, but time hasn’t worn down the boys’ basketball team, especially not while Darrell Hagemann has been coaching. Coach Hagemann just achieved his 500th win of his coaching career.

“It means we have been consistent for the 24 years we have been open,” Hagemann said.

Hagemann received his 500th win from the recent match against Leander in the Georgetown Tournament.

“We are very proud of getting 500 here,” Hagemann said.

It was difficult for the boys’ basketball team when the school first opened to be classified as 5A since only three grades participated, but the Mavs managed to move to this classification within the first five years.

“We just try to show up and work hard every day,” Hagemann said.

Hagemann described one of his memorable games from years ago against Pampa in the State Semi-Finals. Although the match was an official loss for the Mavericks, it was a victory for the basketball team’s progress as 15,871 people attended the game and it was the furthest the team has advanced in the program.

Hagemann plans on using this achievement as another milestone for his players: to help motivate them to continue working hard and reach a goal of 600 wins.