I’m Don Julian, KSST Sports Director, and just for fun, here are my top bakers’ dozen local sports stories for 2016.
Number 12, the Wildcats and Lady Cats’ cross country teams, under new Coach Ross Hicks, go to the regional meet again after solid performances at the district meet.
Number 11, freshman Wildcat Powerlifter Joe’ell Morales goes to the state meet in early April after qualifying at the regional meet.
Number 10, Wildcats football has spring workouts, a rare occurrence. It’s hard to find anyone who remembers spring ball around here in the past. It seemed to be very beneficial. The coaching staff is pondering whether to do it again next May since it did result in one less week of August practice and one less scrimmage before the first game.
Number 9, continued volleyball success under new coach Justin Maness. The team ended up second in district and set a new school record for wins in a season going 30-12. They wento tobi-district.
Number 8, Wildcats soccer makes the playoffs again after a one year absence. The Wildcats lose in bi-district in what surprisingly turns out to Coach Andy Holt’s farewell game. He’s now at Frisco Wakeland and his assistant Nicky Wiggins is the new Wildcats’ soccer coach.
Number 7, Wildcat golfer Brody Blackmon, now at Ole Miss, finishes 7th at the state meet after qualifying at regional.
Number 6, Wildcats and Lady Cats basketball teams put down firm foundation in 2016 for good seasons in early 2017. Wildcats are 16-4 and 1-0 in district while Lady Cats are 16-3 and 3-0 in district. Lady Cats still have one game in 2016 Friday night.
Number 5, Wildcats’ football rebounds from 0-10 season in 2015 and makes the playoffs. A bi-district loss to Mesquite Poteet doesn’t dampen enthusiasm for the future.
Number 4, the Lady Cats’ basketball team wins the district championship and they have a 26-7 season. They defeat Lindale in bi-district before an Area loss to Mansfield Summit.
Number 3, Lady Cats softball has a 30 win season and they go three rounds deep into the playoffs. The Lady Cats defeat Corsicana and Waxahachie before losing in three games to Mansfield Legacy.
Number 2, the Lady Cats’ soccer team has perhaps their greatest season ever making into the third round of the playoffs. They win first playoff games over Whitehouse and Waxahachie with dramatic shootout finishes. The Lady Cats lose in the regional quarterfinals to Mansfield Legacy.
Number one, the longest road trip in Wildcats football history, to Orlando, Florida in early September. It was a trip of a lifetime with first time flying for many. It required lots of fundraising. It was a fine trip even if the varsity game was disappointing. Just unusual in all respects.
