El Paso Burges, Not just a team from West Texas

Sixth-year head coach Paul Gutierrez is enjoying success as his El Paso Burges Mustangs sit on a 15-1 record, awaiting the start of the Allen In-and-Out Burger Tournament, December 28-30.

The Mustangs have compiled a 71-9 record since the 2015-2016 season, winning 28 games in each of those seasons, and reaching the Regionals both years. This year’s team is well on their way to reaching that mark in wins and making the Refionals seems like a must.

The 2016-2017 season ended for the Mustangs in the Regional Finals against Justin Northwest and a rematch is expected, but the turning point for the Mustangs came in the area round of the playoffs when they had to face the favorite, Lubbock Coronado.

“That was a huge game for us,” said Gutierrez. “Coronado had dropped from 6A to 5A and were expected to be at Regionals. We have had the mindset after losing to Fort Worth Dunbar the year before that we belong. We have the expectations and believing that we can make it [to San Antonio]. We are no longer on the outside looking in.”

Coming off a 19-11 season (2014-2015), the culture and the program changed once the players starting holding each other to certain standards.

“As a coach, I have seen individuals grow into a team and learn that each play takes maximum intensity. It’s a culture that is contagious.The players hold each other accountable and each player has learned their role. We may win a game by 30 or 40 points, but it’s more about what each player did and how they played. Was maximum effort given on every play? That’s how we get better and ready for the bigger games.

“The challenge is striving for excellence,” Guiterrez stated. “Let's be good today, but better tomorrow. And that takes buy-in and the team has.”

The season isn’t close to being over, but Gutierrez doesn’t want games and time to pass by without recognizing what a special group of players he has.

“As a coach, I am making the most of this season. It is easy to get caught up in winning and then you forget about the journey and enjoyment of the season. I have to remind myself to enjoy each day and to enjoy the caliber of talent we have.

Currently, the Mustangs are averaging 70 points as a team, and Jawaun Newton is averaging 29.7 while Tristen Newton is putting up 26.7 of his own. That’s nearly 80% of the scoring.

“These are two special players and we know as coaches and the players understand that Jawaun and Tristen have to score for us to win. The brothers don’t take things for granted. They work hard and push everyone on the team. They have the lead by example mentality.”

Let us look back at the Mansfield Spring Creek Tournament a few weeks ago. The total numbers are astonishing when you add them up.

In five games, Jawaun and Tristen accounted for over 86% of the team’s scoring. It should really come as no surprise, but to witness it first hand, and to see the fearless way that the brothers go about their business against any opponent that is thrown their way is fun to watch. The Mustangs scored a total of 364 points and the Newton Brothers combined for 315 of those points. Unsigned senior Jawaun was selected to the all-tournament and averaged 32.8 per game, while Tristen (class of 2019) totaled 30.2 points of his own.

The Mustangs went 4-1 during those five games and beat Fort Worth Dunbar, then lost to a stingy Killeen Shoemaker team by two, 47-45 in the second round of bracket play. Burges went back to their winning three straight, taking down The Woodlands College Park, followed by Waco Midway and finally beating Odessa Permian to close out the three-day tournament.