Season Ends for Lady Cat Volleyball; Freshmen Team Ends District 10-0
Texas High 3, Lady Cats Volleyball 0 Season Over
(For of all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these “It Might Have Been” John Greenleaf Whittier)
A promising Lady Cats’ volleyball season came to an earlier than expected end as the Lady Cats closed district play with a 3-0 loss at Texas High Tuesday night. The Lady Cats actually wound up district play in a fourth place tie with Greenville. Both had 4-6 district records. Greenville ends up with the fourth playoff spot because they defeated the Lady Cats twice in district play. Royse City nailed down the third spot by defeating Mount Pleasant. Texas High won the district championship with the win over the Lady Cats. Lindale wrapped up the second seed by defeating Greenville in Greenville, 3-2. The Lady Cats opened their match with Texas High Tuesday with a strong first set. The Lady Cats appeared poised to take the set as they led late, 23-20 after a serve by Sadie Washburn handcuffed the Lady Tigers. Texas High took the last five points and won set one, 25-23. Set two was another one that could have gone either way. The Lady Cats were up in this one, 22-21. The Lady Tigers took the last four points to win, 25-22. Early in set three, with the score tied 1-1, senior standout Autumn Tanton suffered an ankle injury and had to be carried off the court. She spent the rest of the match on the bench with her ankle iced. Tanton said she stepped on a teammate’s foot and turned the ankle. She said it was the same one she injured last basketball season at an Edgewood tournament. The Lady Cats never gave up and played very hard but they were no match for a Texas High team trying to nail down a district championship and playing in their own gym. Texas High won set three, 25-13 and the match 3-0. The Lady Cats end the season with a 28-13 record. They had made the playoffs three straight years before coming up just short this season.
Lady Cats Freshmen Team Wins District Championship, the Fourth in a Row by Coach Hammack
Without much fanfare, Lady Cats Freshmen Volleyball Coach Jerrod Hammack has captured four straight district championships. The Lady Cats frosh defeated Texas High, 2-1 Tuesday in Texarkana prior to the varsity match. The score was 25-16, 23-25 and 25-16. The Lady Cats Freshmen were a perfect 10-0 in district play and their season record was a stellar 27-3. Coach Hammack said his first two seasons as the freshmen volleyball coach, his teams finished second in district to Hallsville. If he keeps this up, we may have to consider him a volleyball coach who also just happens to coach baseball!
Also Tuesday, the Lady Cats JV, coached by David Carrillo, defeated Texas High in Texarkana, 2-1. The Lady Cats JV dropped a first set to the Lady Tigers JV 27-25 before rallying to win the next two, 25-9 and 25-23.
818 Cast Early Ballots Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Tuesday early voting in Hopkins County recorded 818 ballots cast in person at the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Courtroom. The courtroom serves as the early voting place for the county.
According to Debbie Shirley, Hopkins County Clerk, “Everything is going smoothly, just really busy.” She said there have been several voters who have cast limited ballots. These individuals, who are registered in another county and did not register in Hopkins County in time for this election, cannot vote for local offices such as commissioners, county clerk, etc., but can cast ballots for state-wide offices such as U. S. Senate, Governor, and other Texas offices.
Early voting continues through November 2nd from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each weekday with the exception of Tuesday, October 30th and Thursday, November 1st when early ballots may be cast from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Early voting will also be available Saturday, October 27th from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 28th from noon until 5 p.m.
Hopkins County United Way Campaign Continues Progress Toward Goal
With an additional donation delivered shortly after Tuesday’s weekly Hopkins County United Way report meeting, campaign pledges received for the day totaled $28,243.38. This is the highest pledge total for Report Meetings so far this year and brings a grand total to date of $77,801.58. The 2018-2019 Hopkins County United Way Goal is $165,000.
The next report meeting is set for Tuesday, October 30th at 9 a.m. A list of those joining the 100% club Tuesday, October 23rd is found below.
A give back day is Thursday, October 25th at Panda Express in Sulphur Springs. In order for HCUW to receive credit for purchases, Panda patrons are asked to please show a digital or paper copy of the attached flyer.
100% Club for October 23, 2018; companies meeting or exceeding the posted goal
Grocery Supply Co.
Civic Center Staff
Tire Town
Payne Electric
Sulphur Springs Dodge
Sulphur Springs Muffler Center
Texas Trading Co.
Briley Barber Shop
Nation’s Lending
4 Paws Pet Grooming
Everything Unique
Brumley’s Uniforms
Jay Hodge Chevrolet
Smith and Smith Law Firm
Interstate Body Shop
East Texas Line X
Commercial Glass and Mirror
West Oaks Funeral Home
Hall Oil Co.
Guaranty Bank and Trust Corp.
Juan Pablo
Lone Star Bail Bonds
Pizza Inn
The Magic Scoop
Flippin Printing and New Millennium Shopper
Don Lalos
Johnson Law Firm
Powers and Blount
Carl D. Bryan
J Brian Allen
Dr. Shetty
Schlotzsky’s
All World Travel
Legacy Ag Credit
Nor-Tex Tractor
Mitchell Fitness
Northeast Texas Farmers Co-Op
Rotary Club of Sulphur Springs
Sulphur Springs Lions Club
The Shoe Inn
Fieldhouse
Super Handy Corp. Office
Super Handy Store #5
Super Handy Store #6
Super Handy Store #7
Nationwide; Jason Tully Insurance
Toliver Ford
Wayne Cooper Construction, Inc.
County Clerk Debbie Shirley
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office
Constable Bill Allan
County Auditor Shannah Howle
County Commissioners Barker, Bartley, Evans, and O’Dell
County Judge Robert Newsom
County Tax Assessor Debbie Mitchell
County Court at Law Amy Smith
Constable Norman Colyer
Justice of the Peace BJ Teer
Veteran’s Service Officer Danny Davis
District Adult Probation Office
Juvenile Probation Office
Wildcat Marching Band Places Fourth at Prairiland
Wildcats Marching Band Director Spencer Emmert said Saturday was a great day at a Prairiland contest because the band didn’t get rained on and they were able to perform during prelims and finals. The Wildcats finished fourth at the contest.
Emmert said the Wildcats Band received the top scores of straight ones and they also got lots of good comments from judges. Emmert said he challenged the band to step up during their finals performance and he said they did. He said the contest employed a different rating system than most and Emmert said the Wildcats band would have been second or third under the usual rating system. He said the Wildcats Marching Band also tied for first in Outstanding General Effect but then lost out on a UIL tiebreaker. The band was able to use their grid tarp during both performances. Emmert called the contest a fantastic experience for his kids, especially the freshmen.
He said the contest wrapped up a great competition season. Emmert said he expects the band to do its contest show at Greenville and at the last Wildcats’ football game. Then he said they would probably put together a spirit show for a little change. At the last Wildcats home football game on senior night, Emmert said eighth grade band members would be joining varsity band members. He said the Band Beau and Band Sweetheart would also be announced.
Last Friday at The Prim in the rain, the Wildcats Marching Band, in rain gear, did a brief non-marching show with no woodwinds. Emmert said the show was put together at the 10 minute mark of the second half of the football game. He praised band members for being flexible.
Wildcat Thornton Qualifies for State Meet
Wildcat cross country runner Landon Thornton qualified for the state meet at the Regional Cross Country Meet in Dallas Monday. Thornton finished 22nd in the race and grabbed the final spot for state. Wildcat Christian Palomino finished 23rd and just missed qualifying.
Thornton will compete at the state cross country meet at Old Settlers’ Park in Round Rock on November 3.
The Wildcats finished in 8th place out of 26 teams. Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks said the 8th place finish was the best finish for one of his team’s since he’s been coach the past three years. Other Wildcats in order of their finish were Eli Sellers, Andrew Escobar and Jose Mejia.
The Lady Cats finished in 19th place. They were led by Sydney Washburn. Coach Hicks said she collapsed at the finish line after giving it all she had. She recovered with no injury after the collapse. Other finishers for the Lady Cats were Maurie Flecker, Kaitlyn Ferrill, Jessica Yanez, Landri McKinney, Ashley Noe and Hailey Ricks. Baylie Arrington had a foot injury and could not compete.
Game Day: Lady Cats at Texas High
Expect some fantastic finishes as the District 15-5A volleyball district race comes to a conclusion Tuesday night with five of the six teams contending for playoff spots. Someone will end up being left out.
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team is 4-5 in district play and they are tied for third place with Greenville and Royse City. The Lady Cats close out district play against first place Texas High in Texarkana. The Lady Tigers need a win to guarantee a district championship. They have a one game lead over Lindale as play begins Tuesday night. The Lady Cats are 3-1 in the second half of district play after a 1-4 record in the first half. In the first half, the
Lady Cats lost in five sets at home to Texas High. Also Tuesday, Greenville hosts Lindale and Royse City is playing Mount Pleasant.
Saltillo Lions, Lady Lions Qualify for State Meet
Saltillo Lady Lions Cross Country Coach Colton Smith and Saltillo Lions Coach Bill Giles are proud of their teams and rightly so. Both teams qualified for the state meet at the Regional Cross Country Meet Monday in Dallas.
Christy Marquez, Sienna Collins, Raegan Speir, Kristina Wade, Jocelyn Ochoa, Ofelia Cabrera, Danielle Ross, Chandler Bain, Brianna Tawil & Coach Colton Smith.
Photo courtesy of
Francis Mowat teacher at Saltillo ISD
Smith says the Lady Lions placed fourth overall to advance to the state meet for the fifth year in a row. Lady Lion Sienna Collins won the race with a time of 12:42. Raegan Speir was 13th, Kristina Wade was 26th, Ofelia Cabrera was 51st, Jocelyn Ochoa was 64th, Chandler Bain was 88th and Danielle Ross was 89th. Coach Smith says conditions were not optimal for the race noting that the weather felt nice but the course was very muddy and wet. He says he was proud of the way the girls pushed through it and competed.
Brancen Cupp, Matthew Gurley, Jayden Holloway, Coach Bill Giles, Ben Moore, Edi Olayo, Andrew Redburn, Garret Tarver & Dillon Beadle. Photo courtesy of
Francis Mowat teacher at Saltillo ISD
Coach Giles said his Lions finished third and qualified for state for the eighth year out of the last nine. Saltillo won state in 2016 and was runner up in 2015 and 2017. The Lions were led by Garrett Tarver who was second in the race with a time of 16:31:51. Jayden Holloway was 5th, Dillon Beadle was 14th, Matthew Gurley was 30th, Edi Olayo was 40th, Ben Moore was 66th and Andrew Wellburn was 70th. Coach Giles notes he had only two runners return for the varsity from last year’s team. He says it was the first regional race for five of his guys and they ran really well. The Saltillo teams will compete at the state meet in Round Rock on November 3.
PJC Men’s Soccer Bound for Region XIV Tournament in Sulphur Springs
Emiliano Leal, freshman from Monterrey, Mexico, races a Murray State College defender for possession in a game earlier in the season. Leal is PJC’s lead scorer.
The men’s soccer team from Paris Junior College has made the first round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XIV Tournament, taking on Coastal Bend College at 4 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, at Sulphur Springs High School.
“It’s been a really good season for the men’s team,” said PJC Head Soccer Coach Evan Michael Camperell, “we’re a very entertaining team to watch, very offensive and scoring a lot of goals. We play Coastal Bend College tomorrow and we have a good shot; we’ll see how it goes.”
Coach Camperell pointed to several players to watch for during the game. In the back field, freshman Raymond Kennedy of Waxahachie provides an anchor as a solid defender. Sophomore goalkeeper Ervin Rocha from Brownsville is fantastic, providing a few winning results largely due to his work. Offensively, freshman Emiliano Leal of Monterrey, Mexico, leads the team in scoring and has also been heavily involved with assists.
“Region XIV is perennially one of the toughest in the nation,” said Coach Camperell. “This game will be well worth watching.”
Currently PJC is 8-9 for the season and 7-7 in conference. The team that advances after tomorrow’s game will face either Seed 1, Tyler Junior College (ranked sixth nationally) or Seed 2, Northeast Texas Community College (ranked fifth nationally).
Brown and Gray to Appear at Hopkins County Stew Contest
The 49th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest will be held on Saturday, October 27th, at Buford Park in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Stew service will begin at 10:45 a.m. This year marks the largest ever number of contestants in the World Champion Stew Contest, with over 165 pots competing in four categories: Chicken, Beef, Super Stew Chicken, and Super Stew Beef. Those competing in the Super Stew Categories have earned that right by winning first place in the Chicken or Beef categories in previous years. All stew is prepared on site over open wood fires. Tickets are $6.00 each for all-you-can-eat-while-it-lasts. The Stew Contest is hosted by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored generously by local businesses.
The Chamber is excited to announce that Brown & Gray will be participating in this year’s Stew Contest, with an acoustic music set from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. on the main Stew stage. Brown & Gray is a brand-new country duo composed of Kaci Brown and Sam Gray. Their Hit Single, “Top Down”, has earned strong support from Apple music, with major placements across multiple Apple-curated playlists. The song has also received substantial support from Radio Disney Country and is currently a featured Highway Find on Sirius XM – The Highway. The Track has passed 3.5 million streams and is now firmly ensconced in the Top 75 US iTunes Country singles chart with over 250,000 downloads sold. On Spotify, where Brown & Gray have earned over 72.5k monthly listeners, “Top Down” reached #1 on the Spotify-curated, “Wild Country” playlist and was featured on the “Very Nearly Nashville” playlist.
Kaci Brown was born in Sulphur Springs and started writing music at age 11 when she signed with Barbara Orbison’s Nashville-based, Still Working Music. At 17, she released her debut album, “Instigator” on Interscope Records. She also was an opening act for the Backstreet Boys.
Hailing from the UK, Sam Gray is a profoundly talented singer-songwriter, producer and musician who has over 95 million streams on Spotify across 7 current single releases with Hardwell, Julian Perretta, DJ Katch, Tobtok, Manovski, Allie Farben, and Solano.
The Chamber is happy to welcome Sam & Kaci to the Stew Contest. Brown & Gray will be serving as celebrity judges for the Stew Contest and will then be available for meet-and-greets throughout the park. They will also have merchandise available for sale that day. Tickets are available at all local banks and the Chamber of Commerce office. The theme for this year’s stew contest is “May the Stew Be With You”. T-shirts are also available for purchase at the Chamber this week and at the event on Saturday for $10 each.
