Wildcats Team Tennis 15-4 District Win at Greenville was a Team Effort According to Coach Martinez
Wildcats Team Tennis had a team full of success stories in a 15-4 district win at Greenville Tuesday. The Wildcats won 5 of 7 doubles matches, 5 of 6 boys singles matches and 5 of 6 girls singles matches. Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez called it a team effort. Due to the state of the district, the win puts the Wildcats into position for a third place finish and a playoff spot. Royse City does not have a team and Mount Pleasant’s team is short quite a few players. Those are the two teams the Wildcats have left after a trip to perennial district champ Texas High next Tuesday. Coach Martinez said he told his team to be more aggressive at Greenville Tuesday and he said they did that. He praised Harleigh Stegient for getting a come back 9-7 win in singles and teaming with Emily Dick to win a doubles match. Jeauxleigh Cantu came back from injury and won in singles and in mixed doubles with Jonah Kirkpatrick. Coach Martinez was also pleased with freshman Trynity Luckett’s 8-4 win in girls singles and her 8-4 victory in girls doubles with Paige Miesse. Coach Martinez also liked Savannah Lilley’s 8-5 girls singles win. He said he would have liked to see better serving and improved net play by his girls. They will need all of that against Texas High next Tuesday. Coach Martinez said he just wanted his players to compete against the Tigers. He said that’s all that a coach can ask.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner Comments to Lady Cats Win Over Rains Tuesday
After the Lady Cats Volleyball Team got by Emory Rains, 3-1 Tuesday (September 10), Lady Cats Coach Bailey Dorner said her team had some good moments, some great moments and some not so good moments. The Lady Cats up and down play had the 23-year old Dorner worrying about gray hair. She said Rains is a good team. She said several times she thought the Lady Cats had put the ball down only to see Rains return it. After winning the first two sets, the Lady Cats struggled in losing set three. Coach Dorner said the Lady Cats got complacent and Rains took advantage. The Lady Cats rallied late to win set four and avoid a fifth set. Coach Dorner said she liked the fight in the Lady Cats late in set four but she said she would have liked to see that fight throughout the set. She said she moved some players around into different spots. Coach Dorner said she liked most of what she saw but she said there was still room for improvement. She indicated more changes are possible. Coach Dorner said she had a whole team to good players without a weak link in the bunch. She said the Lady Cats were still giving up too many free points due to bad serves. The Lady Cats play at Pleasant Grove Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Coach Owens Discusses Terrell and Wildcats as District Play Starts Friday
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens discussed Tigers and Wildcats as Sulphur Springs opens district play Friday night (September 13) at Terrell. Both teams are 0-2. Coach Owens continued to say he’s frustrated due to the team not taking advantage of opportunities and killing themselves with mistakes. He said good teams like Frisco Wakeland and Lovejoy make you pay when you make mistakes. Coach Owens said he is stressing urgency to his players. He told them they are only guaranteed eight more games. Coach Owens said Terrell might be reeling more than the Wildcats due to a coaching change after last season. Terrell runs a Wing-T type offense. He said there is a trend with teams going back to the old Wing-T. Some, like Frisco, Paris and Pleasant Grove run a similar Slot-T. Coach Owens said Terrell is getting better every week with the offense. He said he believes the Terrell players like Coach Marvin Sedberry Junior and he will play hard for him. Coach Owens shared his keys to the game for his defense and offense. He said the defense needs to tackle better, he aggressive and properly read their keys. Coach Owens said the offense has to take care of the football and put points on the board. He said with Terrell’s speed that if the Wildcats don’t tackle well, it would cost them. A Terrell back who hurt the Wildcats is coming back. Dee Dee George left Terrell after their coaching change but has returned. He might be eligible to play Friday night. Terrell only has about 30 players on their roster while the Wildcats have 42. Coach Owens suggested that the Wildcats might try an uptempo approach but he added the offense has to be comfortable with it. Coach Owens called Terrell big and fast on defense. They employ a four man front. He said the linebackers and defensive backs trigger hard to plays. Coach Owens said Terrell has great athleticism in their secondary. Coach Owens said there is no way the Wildcats would overlook Terrell on Friday night.
Tira News For Sept. 11, 2019
By Jan Vaughn
Last week, I received the following note from Terry Sampite: “It is with great sorrow that I inform you of the death of our mother, Joyce Allayne Callaway-Schwartz, on March 11, 2019. Mom often spoke fondly of growing up there. My brother and I were pleased to visit Tira in 2015 and pause briefly at the Callaway headstone behind the church. The experience adds to our memories of her.” You can read the obituary at www.GlenAbbeysandiego.com. We extend our sympathy to this family. Please remember them in prayer
Robert, Yvonne and Wesley helped celebrate Daniel and Desirea Velasquez birthdays Saturday by going to bowl and then to Braum’s. Yvonne shared, “The kids had fun.” The week before, Yvonne got to see all four of her grandkids by babysitting on Thursday night, Friday and Sunday. She commented, “The little ones change so fast.” Joyce Dodd and Yvonne went to see Greater Tuna at the Main Street Theater in Sulphur Springs on Sunday and they really enjoyed it.
Joyce Dodd would like to invite everyone to the next Bible study at the Tira Methodist Church. It is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sept.17.
Our great-grandson Brailon Joslin (6) and his uncle, Kasen Gammill (12), celebrated their birthdays with family and friends at Kasen’s home on Sunday, Sept. 1. The kids enjoyed swimming and everyone was treated to a delicious taco bar and birthday cake.
The North Hopkins Alumni Homecoming is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. The Classes of 1969, 1979 and 1989 will be honored for their 50-, 40-, and 30-year reunion. Please help us pass the word. The homecoming is for all former North Hopkins School students and teachers and their guests. Watch for more details, coming soon.
Our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, Tiffany, Perry and Jaidyn of Malvern, Arkansas, came for a visit on Labor Day weekend. They attended the early service with us at First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, and then went to Posey Baptist Church. We all attended the birthday party for Brailon and Kasen that Sunday afternoon.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Jefferson Street Just Off Square Temporarily Closed Due To Ruptured Water Main
Motorists who frequent downtown should be aware of a street closing just off the square.
Jefferson Street from Oak Avenue to Rosemont Street was closed Wednesday morning after a water main ruptured, according to City Manager Marc Maxwell. Water sprayed down Jefferson to Rosemont as crews worked.
“This is the time of year when we start seeing more water main ruptures. When the ground dries, it shrinks and withdraws from the pipes in places. The old brittle pipes just can’t take the strain,” Maxwell said.
City workers were on scene just before lunch Sept. 11, bringing in new piping and materials needed to repair the damage, restore service and reopen the road. The city manager expects work to be completed there today.
Until the street is reopened, those traveling to and from Celebration Plaza via Jefferson Street will need to find an alternate route of travel.
Wildcats Team Tennis Slams Greenville
Wildcats Team Tennis Gets Big District Win Over Greenville, 15-4
Wildcats Team Tennis won a district match they probably had to have to make the playoffs as they defeated Greenville, 15-4 at Greenville Tuesday (September 10). The Wildcats led after doubles matches, 5-2. Jeauxleigh Cantu and Jonah Kirkpatrick won their mixed doubles match, 8-0. In boys doubles, Logan Schumacher and Aaron Lucas won 8-2. Carlos Lopez and Alex Ramiro won their match 8-1. In girls doubles, the team of Trynity Luckett and Paige Miesse won 8-4. The team of Emily Dick and Harleigh Stegient won their match 9-7. In boys singles, the Wildcats won five of six matches. Kirkpatrick won 6-1, 6-2. Lucas won 6-0, 6-0. Schumacher won 6-0 and then the Greenville player retired. Lopez won 6-0, 6-0. Jordan Gonzales won 6-0, 6-0. The Wildcats also took five of six girls singles matches. Cantu won 8-3. Stegient won 9-7. Miesse won 8-2. Savannah Lilley won 8-5. Luckett won 8-4. All four of the Wildcats losses were fairly close. Waylon Matlock lost his boys singles match, 6-4, 6-2. Matlock and Gonzales lost in boys doubles, 9-8 on a 7-4 tiebreaker. Dick lost her girls singles match, 8-5. The girls doubles team of Katie Beth Herd and Lilley lost 8-2. The Wildcats are now 1-1 in district play. They are 4-10 for the season. The Wildcats are at Texas High next Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
Big Smith’s Celebrates 30th Anniversary, Invites Public
Restaurateurs Steve and Donna Smith of Big Smith’s BBQ and Catfish know how to cater to a crowd…that’s their livelihood!…so they invited everyone to join them in observing the 30th anniversary of their business! The current location on Hwy 154 South of Sulphur Springs has been their home for the past five years, and long-time patrons will remember their original location further south along the highway in a converted dairy barn. Much of the Smith’s rustic decor comes from the original location and other repurposed farm finds, making a perfect setting for the laid-back family atmosphere of Big Smith’s!
Over 150 persons crowded the tables at 5pm when the ribbon was cut. Logan Vaughan, Vice President of the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce called out the winning door prize tickets, and guests sampled brisket, riblets, lollypop chicken legs and several varieties of smoked sausage that makes the family business so popular, open Wednesdays through Sundays.
Downtown Business Alliance Plans Four Fall Projects with Fun for Everyone!
Jason Tully, President of the Downtown Business Alliance, addressed the DBA members who gathered on Tuesday September 10, 2019 at a new downtown business, VR Social at 317 Spring Street, located just behind the Sulphur Springs Police Department and Water Department. VR Social describes itself as “a collaborative space for Nerds, Artists, Geeks and Gamers”. Owners Scott Hanson and Gina Ross invite all ages to check out the Virtual Reality games which can be played at numerous stations inside the building. DBA projects including World Wide Photo Walk, the Heritage Square Car Show, the Fall Decorating Contest and the Brick Street Vintage Market were discussed during the meeting. Afterwards, members were invited to try out the VR stations!
Bricks Street Vintage Market will take place on Saturday September 21, 2019 from 8am til 6pm along Connally Street and portions of Celebration Plaza. Already over 40 vendors have reserved booth space, and more vendors can be accommodated, offering antique, re-purposed, shabby chic and handmade goods. Find the entry form at sulphurspringsdba.com. Entries are also being sought in the first-ever Bicycle Decorating Contest, open to all ages. Bring your decorated bicycle that morning to the Vintage Market, park it in the judging area. Winners will be announced at noon, with a $100 top prize. Also, the first 100 shoppers who check in at the Vintage Market Information Center at The Magic Scoop that morning will receive a goodie bag stuffed with coupons and special offers.
The popular Heritage Square Car Show is set for Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Celebration Plaza. To find out more or get an entry form, Contact Jason Tully at 903-440-6650 or [email protected].
Sulphur Springs joined in the World Wide Photo Walk several years ago, and the DBA is once again encouraging local amateur photographers to get involved for fun and prizes. The starting point for the group photo day on Saturday October 5 is Whimsey Boutique and Wine Bar at 9am. The suggested path includes Heritage Park and the downtown area, ending back at Whimsey at 11:30am. Interested persons need to sign up for the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk at https://worldwidephotowalk.com/
The Fall Decorating Contest is another DBA event that will be starting up soon. It will be open to businesses who will decorate the front of their business and help create a lovely backdrop for visitors and residents to enjoy during the Harvest season. Sign up at sulphurspringsdba.com.
Meetings of the Downtown Business Alliance are held on the second Tuesday at 5:30pm at a member location. Interested persons are welcome to attend.
