Don Julian's Top 16 SSHS Sports Stories For 2019 Continues With #8-9
A review of the sports files recently produced a list of 16 top stories involving Wildcats and Lady Cats teams during 2019. The list began running Monday, Dec. 23, and will continue through the first day of the New Year, with additional . On Jan. 2, a story will provide the entire list of 16.
- Don Julian #9 SSHS Sports Story: Wildcats and Lady Cats Track Success
- My #9 top SSHS sports story of 2019 are the accomplishments by the Lady Cats and Wildcats Track Teams. Both teams signaled they were going to be special as they both finished in second place at the district meet to qualify for the Area meet. The Lady Cats had just about everyone of their athletes qualify for area as 13 athletes made it. The Wildcats also had a fine district meet sending 9 athletes on to Area. District success was only the beginning as Lady Cats and Wildcats track athletes as they also shined at the Area meet. The Wildcats ended up with 7 athletes heading to the Regional Track Meet while the Lady Cats qualified six. Region II competition in track like in others sports is brutal and it takes its toll as the final huge step to the State Meet. One athlete out of the 13 competitors made that step. Sprinter SaDavia Porter, a UTA commit, qualified for state in the 100 meter dash. That accomplishment will be the topic of another story as I continue to count down to #1. My #9 story for 2019 for SSHS sports is the tremendous accomplishments of Lady Cats and Wildcats Track athletes at the district, area and regional levels.
- Don Julian #8 SSHS Sports Story for 2019: Three Wildcats Powerlifters to State and Lady Cats Powerlifters Emer
- As I continue my countdown to the top sports story for SSHS in 2019, next I have my #8 choice. Powerlifting athletes head to state and we get new language this year, Lady Cats Powerlifting. Wildcats Powerlifters, coached by Casey Jeter and assisted by Coach Alex Guerra, were numerous at the Regional Meet. Three of those lifters: Oscar Yanez in the 114 pound weight class, Carson Bridges in the 181 pound weight class and George Greenway in the 198 pound weight, all qualified for the State Meet some making it with dramatic final lifts. Coach Jeter proudly reported that all three ended in the top 20 at the State Meet. Also this year, freshman Addie Lamb, became the very first Lady Cats powerlifter. She lifted in the 123 pound weight class. Soon she was joined by Sable Erdmier in the 165 pound weight class. Coach Jeter actually took Lamb, Erdmier and Emily Hernandez to the regional meet. Three Wildcats to State and young ladies breaking the glass as Lady Cats Powerlifters, my 8th ranked SSHS sports story for 2019.
Wildcats Basketball Team Opens Play In Prestigious Whataburger Tournament Against Highly Ranked 6A Team Thursday
On this Thursday game day, the #17 ranked 5A Wildcats Basketball Team opens play in the prestigious Whataburger Tournament against Harris County Atascocita at 7 p.m. at Mansfield Legacy High School.
Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta says the tournament is by invitation only and features some of the finest teams in Texas. In the field of 16, ten of the teams are ranked in the top 25 in either Class 6A or Class 5A. Coach Cipoletta says some people consider the Whataburger even better than the State Tournament because at State there can only be one top team per region.
The Wildcats will certainly have their hands full Thursday night against Atascocita, ranked #5 in Class 6A. Coach Cipoletta says the Eagles are fast and athletic and will press the Wildcats all over the court. He says they have a great tradition of excellence. Coach Cipoletta says one of their former athletes, Carson Edwards, played in college at Purdue and now plays for the Boston Celtics in the NBA.
The tournament will continue through Saturday.
Police: Sulphur Springs Pair Arrested After Marijuana Found In Infant's Diaper
At least 5 Others Jailed Over Christmas Holiday on Misdemeanor Marijuana Charges
At least seven people were booked into the county jail on marijuana charges over the Christmas holiday, including a Sulphur Springs pair who allegedly hit the substance in an infant’s diaper.
A Sulphur Springs woman, 29, and man 31, were arrested by Sulphur Springs Police Lt. Eddie Moon and Officer Zachary Brown at 9:55 p.m. Christmas Eve on Mockingbird Lane on a possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana charge.
Police reported stopping a Ford Taurus at 7:20 p.m. Dec. 24 for a defective tail light. On contact, Moon alleged a marijuana odor was detected emitting from the vehicle, resulting in a probable cause search of the car. Less than 2 ounces of marijuana was reportedly found hidden inside a 4-month-old child’s diaper.
Child Protective Services personnel was contacted. The two infant children in the vehicle were released to family members and the pair was taken to jail. The two adults in the car was jailed for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana in a drug-free zone due to the proximity of the traffic stop to Bowie Primary School. The 31-year-old Sulphur Springs man was also found to have outstanding warrants for not taking care of no driver’s license and speeding tickets, according to arrest and jail reports.
Both were released from the county jail on Christmas Day on $2,000 bond on the marijuana charge, according to jail reports.
A 19-year-old Sulphur springs man was arrested at 8:29 p.m. Christmas Eve on Wildcat Way by a state trooper for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana, according to arrest reports.
The highway patrol trooper reportedly stopped him for a high mount stop lamp violation. As he approached the Hyundai car, the trooper alleged he cold detect a marijuana odor. In addition to the driver, the vehicle included 15-year-old and 16-year-old males. A search of the car allegedly yielded marijuana, a grinder and pipe.
Sulphur Springs police assisted in taking the two juveniles home. The 19-year-old was jailed on the marijuana possession charge, according to jail reports. He was released from the county jail Christmas Day on a $1,000 bond, according to jail reports.
A 23-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested on Jefferson Street at 9:50 p.m. Christmas Eve on a possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana charge.
Troopers reported stopping a Dodge Charger for speeding. Upon contact with the driver and passenger, troopers alleged smelling a marijuana odor. The 23-year-old passenger was allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana and that there was some in the console.
The substance was found in the console and the passenger placed under arrest and jailed. The driver was released. The man was released from jail on Christmas Day, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers also arrested a 25-year-old Magnolia man at 9:28 a.m. Christmas Eve for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana.
The highway patrol reported stopping a Toyota car Dec. 24 on Interstate 30 at mile marker 137 for speeding. On contact, the DPS officer alleged he could smell a strong marijuana odor coming from inside the car. When asked if he had any marijuana, the man took a baggy containing a green, leafy substance suspected to be marijuana from his pants pocket and handed it to the trooper, the arresting trooper alleged in arrest reports.
The man was taken to jail; the car was released to the passenger who was the owner, according to arrest reports. The 25-year-old was released from the county jail later Christmas Eve on a $1,000 bond, according to jail reports.
A 24-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was arrested at 9:10 a.m. Christmas Eve on Interstate 30 at mile marker 130 by DPS for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana.
DPS reported stopping a Hyundai Accent for speeding. On contact with the woman, the trooper alleged he could smell a marijuana odor coming from inside of the car. A probable cause search allegedly revealed a hand-rolled marijuana cigar.
The woman was taken into custody in the trooper’s patrol vehicle. A short time later, the highway patrol alleged he could smell a marijuana odor in his patrol vehicle, leading him to suspect the woman was concealing some of the substance on her.
While talking to her, the woman allegedly told the trooper she had concealed some of the substance in her vagina. She was transported to jail, where a second hand-rolled cigar was located exactly as she’d advised.
The woman was released from the county jail later Dec. 24 on a $1,000 bond on the possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana charge, according to jail reports.
A 53-year-old Rowlett woman was arrested at 12:18 p.m. Dec. 21 on Interstate 30 at mile marker 126 for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Troopers reported stopping a Ford Mustang for an improperly plated license plate. During contact with the driver, the trooper alleged he could smell a marijuana odor coming from inside the car. A probable cause search yielded two baggies of marijuana, a grinder, rolling papers and a vaporizer pen.
She was released from the county jail Dec. 22 on $1,000 bond on the marijuana charge, according to jail reports.
A Commerce man, 31, was arrested at 1:54 a.m. Dec. 22, on Interstate 30 at mile marker 125 by trooper for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and second offense driving while intoxicated, with an open container.
Troopers reported stopping the man for failing to drive his sport utility vehicle in a single lane on I-30. The man allegedly admitted to consuming two drinks before leaving a Shannon Road restaurant’s bar. He was determined using standard field sobriety tests to be intoxicated, the trooper alleged in arrest reports.
The highway patrol reported smelling a marijuana odor in the SUV while inventorying it; marijuana was found in the center console. He was taken to jail, where he tested 0.217 and 0.226 on breath tests, more than twice the legal 0.08 limit, according to arrest reports.
He was released from the county jail Dec. 23 on $2,000 bond on the DWI charge and $1,000 bond on the marijuana charge, according to arrest reports.
Arkansas Man Arrested In Hopkins County On Waco Theft Warrant
A routine traffic stop on Interstate 30 Christmas Eve resulted in the arrest of a 52-year-old Cabot, Arkansas man on a Waco warrant, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper William Gillentine reported stopping a silver SUV on I-30 at mile marker 132 at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 24 because the vehicle’s license plate light was not on. When contacted, the man allegedly produced an Arkansas ID card identifying him as Malcolm Russell Henderson, but didn’t have a driver’s license. A computer check showed Henderson to be wanted by Waco police on a warrant for larceny-theft of property valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000.
Consequently, Henderson was jailed on the warrant and issued a citation for not having a driver’s license. The vehicle was released to his wife, according to arrest reports. He remained in the county jail Thursday morning, Dec. 26; bond was set at $5,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Traffic Stop Nets Over 200 Pieces Of ID, 3 Felony Arrests
A Christmas Eve traffic stop on Wildcat Way in Sulphur Springs resulted in location of more than 200 pieces of identifying information and three arrests, according to arrest reports. The Houston pair also were reported to be wanted on two felony warrants as well.
Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Brandon Mayes reported stopping a 2004 Buick LeSabre at 8:31 a.m. Dec. 24, in the 600 block of Wildcat Way for a “moving violation.” Upon contact with the occupants, the driver was identified as 21-year-old Corey Allen Duvall of Houston, and the passengers identified themselves as Veronica Duvall of Houston and 18-year-old Karizma Renea Miller of Sulphur Springs, according to arrest reports.
A records check showed the Houston man to have a warrant out of Hopkins County for his arrest. The man allegedly agree to let Mayes search the car. More than 200 different pieces of identifying information were located, Mayes alleged in arrest reports. When the occupants were asked if they would talk to him about the items, they allegedly told him no. All three were taken into custody and transported to jail.
Upon arrival at the jail, however, the woman who’d identified herself as Veronica Duvall was discovered to have been known previously as 29-year-old Veronica Diane Sweeney, a wanted woman, resulting in an additional charged of failure to identify as a fugitive, Mayes alleged in arrest reports.
After being read his rights Corey Duvall allegedly confessed to owning all of the identifying information. However, all three were charged with fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, according to arrest reports.
Corey Duvall was also charged on the warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Swinney was also held on the warrant and failure to identify charge. All three remained in the county jail, Thursday morning, Dec. 26, according to jail reports.
Bids for Precinct 3 Property Purchase Rejected
The Commissioners Court were slated to consider bids to finance a land purchase in Precinct 3 at their regular meeting this week.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley explained at a November that Precinct 3 is currently and has been leasing the land for several years for precinct work. It is located with frontage on County Roads 3564 and 3602.
It’s held in an estate, owned by two brothers, one who owns 1 acre of land and one who owns the other 9 acres. Bartley at the November meeting said the brothers live out of state and are ready to liquidate. Thus, he proposed purchasing the land in two contracts, and seeking bids from local banks to make the purchase. The debt would be paid back out of the Precinct 3 budget over the next 7 years, Bartley proposed in November.
Bartley at that time said he could use some of the materials salvaged from the county building recently torn down on Rosemont and Houston Street to build an equipment shed on the property. The Commissioners Court in November gave him the go-ahead to seek bids to purchase the land.
At the Dec. 23 court meeting, Bartley said bids for financing were received from City National and Alliance Banks. However, he was recommending declining both bids in order to pursue a “different avenue of financing that property.”
“We’re going to go through a process where there won’t be a lien on that property. It’ll be free and clear with this new avenue we’re going to do,” Bartley said.
Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Walker said to proceed with a different option, the court would need to decline the two bids submitted in order to “completely go back out” for financing.
The court approved request, declining the two bids.
Don Julian's Top 16 SSHS Sports Stories For 2019 Continues With #10-12
A review of the sports files recently produced a list of 16 top stories involving Wildcats and Lady Cats teams during 2019. The list began running Monday, Dec. 23, and will continue through the first day of the New Year, with additional . On January 2, a story will provide the entire list of 16
- Don Julian #12 SSHS Sports Story: Lady Cats Golfer Miriam Tran
- Number 12 on my list of top sports story for 2019 for SSHS teams is another good season by Lady Cats golfer Mariam Tran, a junior this year who was a sophomore last spring. Tran had another solid season as the best Lady Cats’ golfer for Coach Whitney Spigener. Tran ended up finishing in second place at the District Golf Tournament qualifying her for the April 22-23 Regional Tournament for a second straight year. At regional, Tran finished 17th. She was disappointed but that sometimes happens when one’s goals are set so high. Tran had hoped to make it to the State Golf Tournament last spring. I’m sure she will be taking aim at that target when golf gets underway this spring. My #12 best sports story for 2019 from SSHS, Lady Cats golfer Mariam Tran qualifies for the regional tournament.
- Don Julian #11 SSHS Sports Story: Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Teams Qualify for Regional
- Continuing my look at my favorite sports memories from SSHS during 2019. My 11th ranked story is cross country, coached by Ross Hicks, as the Lady Cats and Wildcats both qualified for the regional meet at the district meet. The Lady Cats were quite impressive as they finished second at the district meet and then got a 17th place finish in the always highly competitive Region II Meet in Dallas on October 28. A mostly underclass Wildcats Cross Country team grabbed third place at the district meet to qualify for the regional meet. The Wildcats finished 18th against the tough field. A masterful job of coaching by Coach Hicks taking these teams made up mostly of young runners and getting them to he regional meet again this year. My 11th top story from SSHS for 2019, Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Teams qualifying for the regional meet.
- Don Julian #10 SSHS Sports Story: Wildcats Golf Team Qualifies for Regional Tournament
- On the list at #10 for my top sports stories from SSHS for 2019, the Wildcats Golf Team of Coach Chris Owens qualifying for the regional tournament again this year. Battling illness, the Wildcats wound up in second place at the district meet to qualify for the regional golf tournament. Leader of the pack, Carter Lewis, shot 70 and 71 to win the district championship. Other team members were Colton Bench, Andrew Escobar, Kip Childress and Grant Mohesky. Like in other sports, Region II is a strong one and the Wildcats battled some terribly wet weather and had to play 27 holes on day two but still managed a sixth place finish in regional. Hats off to Coach Chris Owens for his fine work. Chris Owens has moved on to other things and has turned over the Wildcats Golf Team to Jeremy DeLorge, a good high school golfers who was a Lady Cats basketball assistant coach before becoming head Wildcats golf coach. My #10 sports story from SSHS for 2019, the Wildcats golf team qualifying for the regional golf tournament again this year.
Commissioners Consider Fate Of 2 County Roads, Cyber Security Training, Fire Protection Contracts
Hopkins County Commissioners this week agreed to let a land owner take over maintenance of two county roads, approved four fire protection agreements and an agreement for cyber security training.
2 County Roads
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin told the court during their regular meeting Monday, Dec. 23, that Jack Kempanaar approached him a few months ago about the County Roads 2449 and 2348. The Kempanaars have acquired the land around the two dead end roads. The property used to house dairies.
“His desire was for the county to drop the county maintenance and he would take over the maintenance of these two roads as driveways,” Anglin said.
Anglin said Kempenaar has posted notices on a billboard and at the end of the county roads for more than the 20 days required by law. The commissioner said he believed all required procedures had been followed and recommended turning over those roads to Kempanaar to maintain as private roads.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote of the court.
Cyber security Training
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom reported that all county employees would be required to have cyber security training in the next 6 months or so per law. Newsom noted that all of the commissioners now utilize computers in their work for the precinct as do most county employees.
Newsom proposed signing an agreement with Texas Association of Counties to arrange the training for all county employees and officials who use computers.
Barker said he’d like a motion to approve the agreement to include a stipulation that all employees who may in the future use computers must attend the training, so the training wouldn’t have to be administered again for those individuals.
The motion passed unanimously. Newsom said he’d send it to TAC officials to determine the next move regarding scheduling of training.
Fire Protection Agreements
Hopkins County Commissioners Court accepted fire protection agreements returned signed by representatives for North Hopkins/South Sulphur, Pickton-Pine Forest, Sulphur Bluff and Saltillo Volunteer Fire Departments. Each VFD has to have a signed document with the county in order to receiving funding from Hopkins County.
At the last court session, the court receive and accepted agreements from Como, Cumby and Brinker VFDs. All four submitted Monday for approval were granted.
Fire protection contracts have yet to be approved for Miller Grove and Arbala VFDs. The deadline for fire protection contracts is Feb. 1.
Cornersville WSC Project
Commissioners also at Monday’s meeting approved an agreement to be executed by Hayes Engineering for Cornersville Water Supply Corporation water main improvements.
“This is something that has to go through the court, even though it’s helping the Cornersville Water Supply Corporation in Eastern Hopkins County,” Newsom said.
Asset Disposal
Commissioners approved Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley noted several pieces of old, worn pieces of equipment that he plans to sell using two different auction companies. Among the items are: a wood chipper at auction, 1998 bucket truck that needs some repairs, a hitch trailer, 1980s dump truck bed, 2 mixers (one good for parts and one still operational), a road grader that has some damage from an accident, and a road reclaimer.
“My primary intention to liquidate a lot of this equipment is to consolidate it into one piece of equipment,” Bartley said.
He noted that for the last two years, Precinct 3 has been leasing a piece of equipment that grounds the rock up and mixes oil. Bartley plans to go out for bids for a similar used piece of equipment that will also do the job of multiple pieces of equipment.
The motion to sell the equipment at auction was unanimously approved by the commissioners court.
Mount Vernon Man Jailed On Firearm, Burglary, Credit Card Abuse Warrants
A 26-year-old Mount Vernon man was jailed Dec. 23 on three felony warrants.
Hopkins County sheriff’s officials were notified that Tyler Jon Bogardus was being held in Camp County jail on three Hopkins County warrants. HCSO Deputies Aaron Chaney and Elijah Fite traveled to Pittsburg, took him into custody at 2 p.m. and transported him to Hopkins County jail.
Bogardus remained in Hopkins County jail Christmas Eve on the theft of firearm, burglary of a habitation and credit or debit card abuse warrants. He’s also wanted in Tarrant County on a driving while intoxicated charge, according to jail reports.
Don Julian's Top 16 SSHS Sports Stories For 2019 Continues With #13-15
By Don Julian
A review of the sports files recently produced a list of 16 top stories involving Wildcats and Lady Cats teams during 2019. The list began running Monday, Dec. 23, and will continue through the first day of the New Year, with additional . On January 2, a story will provide the entire list of 16
- #15 Sulphur Springs High School Sports Story For 2019: Wildcats Team Tennis Makes Playoffs
- My #15 highlight for SSHS Sports in 2019 is Wildcats Team Tennis qualifying for bi-district playoffs. On October 15, Wildcats Team Tennis took on Jacksonville at indoor courts at Texas High. Earlier in the season during a tournament, Jacksonville had dominated the Wildcats. That was not the case in the rematch although the Indians did win the bi-district match, 10-5. This year’s Wildcats Team Tennis Squad was more competitive than past teams. They finished in third place in district play behind juggernaut Texas High and rapidly improving Lindale. Perhaps the Wildcats best win of the district campaign was their 15-4 win over Greenville that secured their third place spot in district. Hats off to Wildcats Team Tennis Coach Tony Martinez. My #15 sports story during 2019, Wildcats Team Tennis makes the playoffs.
- #14 SSHS Sports Story: Lady Cats Basketball Wins 24 Games and Makes PLayoffs
- Number 14 on my list involves the Lady Cats Basketball Team. In Coach Brittney Tisdell’s first season (2018-2019) as Head Coach, the Lady Cats, with four senior starters, win 24 games while losing only 8 and they qualify for the playoffs as the district’s third seed. In bi-district, the Lady Cats lost to Jacksonville, 57-46 at Winona. Earlier in the season on senior night for the Lady Cats, the Lady Cats honored five good seniors: sub Tarayla Kelley as well as starters Te’Aria Rose, Danielle Godbolt, Autumn Tanton and SaDavia Porter. My #14 pick for top SSHS sports story in 2019, the Lady Cats Basketball team wins 24 games and qualifies for the playoffs.
- #13 SSHS Sports Story: Wildcats Soccer Team Gives a District Champ Fits in Bi-District
- Number 13 on the list, the Wildcats Soccer Team making the playoffs under first year head soccer coach Alexi Upton. Then, when the Wildcats got there, they played one of their best matches of the season against Jacksonville in bi-district at Mineola. As the district’s #4 seed, the Wildcats drew a district champion in the Indians. Much earlier in the season, Jacksonville had defeated the Wildcats 3-1 in a Longview tournament. Two and a half months later, the Wildcats played some tenacious defense against Jacksonville and gave them all they wanted. The teams battled through regulation with the score tied 0-0. They remained scoreless through overtime’s two periods. Finally the Indians won 4-3 in penalty kicks to win in a shootout. Jacksonville later told Coach Upton, the Wildcats gave them the best game they had in the playoffs until the Indians finally lost several rounds later to powerful Frisco Wakeland coached for former Wildcat Coach Andy Holt. My #13 top sports story from SSHS for 2019, the Wildcats Soccer Team’s impressive showing in bi-district playoff action against a good Jacksonville team in Coach Upton’s first season as Wildcats Head coach.
