Wildcats Win Season Home Opener
The Wildcats’ baseball team used good starting pitching and nine base hits to defeat North Lamar, 10-4 at Wildcat Park in the regular season home opener Monday night (February 25). The Wildcats also benefited from 4 walks, 4 hit batters and 2 Panther errors.
Pacen Edwards got the pitching win for the Wildcats allowing no runs and only 2 hits over 4 innings. Edwards also walked 4 and struck out 5.
The Wildcats backed Edwards with a 6 run first inning. The Panthers allowed a fly ball to fall in during the big inning. Kamren Harrison got an RBI when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Connor Burgin had the biggest hit in the inning, a bloop single that drove in 2 runs. The Wildcats made it an 8-0 game with 2 runs in the second inning. Jase Thompson drove home a run with a single and Harrison got an RBI on a fielder’s choice. In the third inning, the Wildcats went up 9-0 as Burgin scored from third on a wild pitch. The Panthers rallied back with 3 runs in the bottom of the fifth. The Wildcats scored their tenth run in the bottom of the sixth. Edwards drove home a run with a single. North Lamar scored a fourth run in the top of the seventh. Austin Dodd, Edwards and Harrison all got 2 hits for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats improved to 4-1 for the season. The Wildcats will play in a Van tournament this Thursday through Saturday.
Wildcat Tennis Season Continues; Hosts Tournaments This Week
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said everyone on his team was able to get in three matches before rain began to fall at a John Tyler tournament last Friday (February 22). Coach Martinez said tournament organizers anticipated rain beginning at noon. He said they ended up playing 6 game pro sets instead of 8 to speed things up. Coach Martinez said they also eliminated five and ten minute breaks.
Coach Martinez said his boys doubles team of Aaron Lucas and Logan Schumacher finished in third place. The girls’ doubles team of Paige Miesse and Savannah Lilly also got third place. The mixed doubles team of Carlos Lopez and Jeauxleigh Cantu took fifth place losing to Whitehouse seniors. Lopez and Cantu led late in the match before losing 7-6. Coach Martinez continued to experiment pairing up Jonah Kirkpatrick, usually a #1 boys player, with Michael McCord as a boys doubles team.
This is a busy week for Wildcats’ tennis. SSHS is hosting the Sulphur Springs JV Invitational Tuesday at the Wildcat Tennis Complex. Coach Martinez said the tourney will have 20 plus teams and 150 total entries.
On Friday, the Wildcat Tennis Complex will be the site of the Sulphur Springs Varsity Invitational. Coach Martinez said it will feature 6 to 8 teams. He said the Wildcats Middle School’ tennis team will play at Whitehouse Saturday morning.
Saltillo Lions Face Slidell in Regional Quarterfinal Tuesday 6:30 p.m. at Bells High School
The Saltillo Lions’ basketball team’s regional quarterfinal game has been firmed up. Saltillo announced Monday that the Lions will be playing Slidell Tuesday (February 26) at 6:30 p.m. at Bells High School. The Lions are 26-8 for the season. They edged by Midway, 45-44 Friday in an Area round game.
Wildcat Coach Discusses Area Win; Wildcats Play Lufkin Tuesday 7 p.m. at Wagstaff Gym
On KSST Radio and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show, Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta discussed the Wildcats pulse pounding 62-57 Area round win over Midlothian Friday night (February 22) at Forney. A Forney official told Coach Cipoletta Friday was the most packed he had ever seen the gym.
Among difference makers, Coach Cipoletta listed the Wildcats rebounding. There was also the Wildcats free throw shooting (they were 18 of 21 for 85.7%). It was notable that Wildcats post Xavier Cork finished the game despite picking up his fourth foul early in the third quarter.
The Wildcats got off to a good start due to Cork’s scoring near the basket and Keaston Willis’ three point shooting. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats can do a much better job on offense. The Wildcats had 6 players that scored in the game and all six scored some points in the fourth quarter. There were two very huge fourth quarter baskets: a Jeremiah Roland three to help stave off a Midlothian run and a good Grayson McClure floater for two that also kept the Panthers at bay.
Midlothian got to within one several times late but could never tie the game or go ahead. Coach Cipoletta said another key to victory was the way the Wildcats got control of those 50-50 balls. He said Sadaidriene Hall also did a good job of finishing inside.
The Wildcats, ranked #4 in Class 5A and 26-8 for the season, now play Lufkin Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Wagstaff Gym at Tyler Junior College.
A&M-Commerce Participates in We Teach Texas Initiative
COMMERCE, TX— We Teach Texas, an initiative of The Texas A&M University System, encourages prospective students to pursue teaching careers at one of the 11 system universities, including A&M-Commerce.
When East Texas Normal College, now A&M-Commerce, was founded 130 years ago, its purpose was to train teachers. The university remains a leader in teacher education as the sixth-leading producer of teachers in Texas. Graduates of the College of Education & Human Services are well prepared for success in the classroom. Notably, 97% of A&M-Commerce graduates pass the initial statewide teacher certification examination, and 85% are still teaching after five years.
Dr. Timothy Letzring, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, stated, “We are excited to participate in this A&M System initiative. Texas continues to need qualified teachers, and the A&M System teacher preparation programs, including A&M-Commerce, prepare teachers who are ready to perform on day one. We attribute their readiness to the passion of our faculty for the teaching profession, the curriculum and the significant amount of time our students spend in an actual K-12 classroom.”
According to Dr. Jennifer Sennette, curriculum and instruction department head, the certification program at A&M-Commerce delivers extensive hands-on classroom experience which is key to successful teacher preparation.
“We are a two-semester student teaching program. From day one, our students are working with students,” Sennette said. “They’re getting that basket of tools to work with so that when they’re out there on day one by themselves, they’re ready.” Sennette emphasized that classroom preparation is crucial to prevent teacher burnout and keep teachers in the classroom for the long term.
Eboni Walls, an A&M-Commerce graduate and teacher at Plano ISD, added, “I really believe that being able to go to Commerce and be a student teacher in a real school for a full year, any obstacle that comes to you, you’ll be ready for it.”
According to the We Teach Texas website, the A&M System produces more fully certified teachers than any other Texas university system. Visit the A&M-Commerce We Teach Texas page for more information about the teaching program or call 903-886-5537.
North Hopkins Panthers Face Big Sandy In Playoff Tuesday After Clarksville Withdraws
North Hopkins Panther Boys Basketball has been activated back into playoffs today due to a Clarksville UIL eligibility issue. Clarksville had defeated North Hopkins last Friday in Mount Vernon in overtime, but today Clarksville has withdrawn due to the UIL issue.
North Hopkins ISD, reactivated into playoffs, and will play Big Sandy Tuesday, February 26, at 7 p.m. at Mount Vernon High School Gym.
County Commissioners’ Court Honors Tully for Service
Hopkins County Commissioners’ Court approved a Proclamation at the close of the court meeting Monday. The Proclamation honors Jim Tully of the Flora Community for his years of service to education at various places and his life of service locally. Tully will be 90-years of age on March 8th of this year.
P r o c l a m a t i o n
WHEREAS, Dr. James Elvis “Jim” Tully was born in the Flora community in Hopkins County on March 8, 1929, the youngest of 6 children of Lee and Rosa Tully. At the age of 4, his family moved first to Hagansport, then to Santa Fe, Texas, where he graduated from High School; and
WHEREAS, He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Math in 1949 at East Texas State Teachers College. He earned a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Houston and finished his Doctorate in Education in 1971 at East Texas State University; and
WHEREAS, Jim taught in public education systems for 38 years, including schools in Santa Fe, Alvin, and Houston; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Tully helped start and served as the Dean of Learning Resources at Western Texas College in Snyder for 17 years while teaching at the college. He also taught at Texas Tech, the University of Texas at Austin, Sul Ross University, and at East Texas State University. He started and served as Executive Secretary of the Texas Association for Educational Technology; and
WHEREAS, After his retirement from teaching, he worked as a department manager, then as an assistant store manager for Walmart for 11 years, first in Snyder and later in Sulphur Springs where he and his wife, Peggy relocated so he could care for his elderly mother and several other close family members until their deaths; and
WHEREAS, Jim is a Life Member of the Sulphur Springs Kiwanis Club and has been a Kiwanian for 48 years, with 46 years of perfect attendance. His wealth of knowledge and experience is a valuable resource for the local club to this day. While at Western Texas College he started the first Golden K club in the State of Texas and was elected Lieutenant Governor of Division 22. Later, after returning home, he helped charter a local Golden K club in Sulphur Springs; and
WHEREAS, Jim is an active and dedicated member of League Street Church of Christ and has been instrumental in several efforts including the food pantry and the jail ministry; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Tully served in active duty in the United States Army from 1952 through 1954, primarily at Camp Chafee in Arkansas, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant 1st class more quickly than any other enlisted man in the Camp’s history. He then served for 9 years in the Reserves, for a total of 11 years of service to our nation; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hopkins County Commissioners Court urges all to acknowledge the valuable asset to our community, the dedicated servant of the Lord as well as for the people of Hopkins County and the local treasure we know as Jim Tully. On March 8, 2019 Jim Tully will turn 90 years of age and this court recognizes the immense contributions he has made to our county, our state, and our nation.
New Flu Strain Accounts For Almost Half of All New Cases
Just when you think the flu season should be winding down, a new strain of influenza accounts for nearly half of all the new cases being reported according to the U S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the local medical community. H1N1 is now moving over for the H3N2 strain and there seems to be more flu to come.
Ben Pegues with CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs reminds local residents to get vaccinated if they have not. If vaccinated and you get the flu, the illness will be milder than it would be without the vaccination.
Flu activity is high in 30 states and is found in 48 states. Texas is among those states with a higher rate.
Season of Elements continues with “The Hobbit” at PJC
THE HOBBIT — Dwarves celebrate in the background as their leader Thorin Oakenshield (Frederic Doss) prevails over The Great Goblin (Ingeborg Hodge) in this rehearsal of a scene from “The Hobbit,” opening Thursday, Feb. 28 at PJC.
As part of the 2018-2019 theme of a “Season of Elements,” the Paris Junior College Department of Drama opens “The Hobbit” on Thursday, Feb. 28, representing the element of Earth.
“This production is suitable for all ages,” said PJC drama instructor and play director Robyn Huizinga, “and we hope many families, young people, and the young at heart come to enjoy ‘The Hobbit’ together.”
In the play, Bilbo Baggins, one of the most conservative of all hobbits, is asked by Gandalf the Wandering Wizard to join a group of dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield and leave his large, roomy and very dry home in the ground in order to set off as chief burglar in an attempt to recover an important treasure.
The play will begin at 7:30 p.m. each evening from Feb. 28 through March 2, and at 2:30 p.m. on March 3 on the Duane Allen Stage in PJC’s Ray E. Karrer Theater.
Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for those under 18, $5 with the donation of a new children’s book for local charities, and free for those with current PJC ID.
Reservations can be made by e-mail at [email protected]. Any unclaimed reservations will be released to patrons on the wait list beginning at 15 minutes prior to curtain.
