Wildcats Defeat Paris
Over the years, Paris has been a tough basketball match up for the Wildcats. On Monday night (December 11) before a large crowd, the Wildcats took a dominating win over Paris, 64-41 in Wildcats Gym.
Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said the game represented some of the best team basketball the Wildcats have played this year. He noted the team had more than 25 assists. Coach Cipoletta called it San Antonio Spurs type basketball and he said the unselfish play led to good shot selection. The Wildcats had ten three-point baskets from five different players.
Then there was that trademark Wildcats defense. For the first three quarters, the Wildcats allowed Paris less than ten points a quarter. The Wildcats led 15-6 after one quarter, 31-14 at the half and 46-23 after three quarters. With Wildcats’ reserves playing for most of the fourth quarter, both teams scored 18 points in the quarter and the Wildcats won, 64-41.
The Wildcats were led by Keaston Willis who had 13 points including four three-pointers. Victor Iwuakor was strong inside with 12 points. All thirteen Wildcats played and eleven of them got on the score sheet. Other scorers included Godsgift Ezedinma with 8 points, Michael Jefferson and Bryson Lynn had 6 points each on two three-point baskets, Dedric Godbolt had 5 points, Xavier Cork had 4 points, Jeremiah Roland and Ivan Clayton each had 3 points on a successful three-point shot and Cameron Kahn and Day Day Hall added 2 points apiece.
Taking in the game was a coach from the University of North Texas. The Wildcats, ranked #11 in Class 5A, improved their season record to 14-1. The Wildcats play again Friday at Royse City at 7:30 p.m. It’s the last non-district game for the Wildcats before district play gears up on December 19 as Pine Tree will visit Wildcats Gym at 7:30 p.m.
Wildcat Game Day
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta said the Union Grove Chick-fil-A Tournament was a really great one for the Wildcats this past weekend. The Wildcats won the championship taking all four games they played there and they are now 13-1 and are ranked #11 in state. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats saw a lot of different things including zone and man on man defenses, a stalling team and fast paced teams. He said the experience would be super beneficial for the Wildcats in the future. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats grew as a team and got better. He was pleased all thirteen of his players got to play in the championship game Saturday afternoon against Willis. The Wildcats also didn’t have to meet Mount Pleasant in the tournament. Neither staff wanted to play a pre-district game. The Wildcats won a coin toss and played in the Gold Bracket while Mount Pleasant ended up in the Silver Bracket. As good as the Wildcats have been, Coach Cipoletta said the team still has to get better if they have really big plans for the rest of the season. The Wildcats play Paris Monday in Wildcats Gym at 7:30 p.m. We will have this game on KSST Radio and we will videotape it for replay on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable. The Wildcats will travel to Royse City for a game Friday at 7:30 p.m. Coach Cipoletta said both of those teams will challenge the Wildcats.
Here are the Wildcats point totals for the Saturday afternoon championship game win over Willis, 79-60. Keaston Willis had 20 points, Godsgift Ezedinma and Victor Iwuakor 11 points each, Michael Jefferson and Xavier Cork 8 points apiece, Dedric Godbolt 7 points, Day Day Hall 6 points, Cameron Kahn 4 points, Bryson Lynn and Iverson Wade 2 points.
Cattle Custody Hearing Moved to District Courtroom Wednesday
The custody hearing concerning the future of hundreds of head of cattle seized by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies and the SPCA of Texas will be held on Wednesday, December 13 at 1:30 p.m. in the District Courtroom of the Hopkins County Courthouse. The hearing will only focus on the custody of the cattle and not any criminal charges against the owner of the cattle, George Lawrence Bergin, 61, of Sulphur Springs. Bergin was charged with a state jail felony, which carries a punishment of up to two years in state jail and up to $10,000 fine if found guilty.
texas flag courthouse
Bergin was in Hopkins County jail following his arrest for Cruelty to Livestock-Fail to Provide, a state jail felony. At first it was thought there were between 200 and 400 head of starving cattle that appeared to be suffering from malnutrition. That number has increased according to Justice of the Peace B. J. Teer who will preside during the custody hearing. The livestock were transported to an undisclosed location to be treated by a Veterinarian and to receive proper nourishment.
According to the SPCS of Texas, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office began seizing and taking custody of the allegedly cruelly treated, starving head of cattle from six Hopkins County properties near Sulphur Springs, on Monday, December 4. The animals did not have access to appropriate food or water and were not receiving proper care. Due to the severity of their conditions, two head of cattle were euthanized on the scene by a veterinarian. Three deceased cattle were also found today on the properties along with an unknown number of skeletal remains of cattle.
The cattle were found on six different properties encompassing an estimated 2,700 acres of bare pasture land. Most of the cattle are emaciated. No hay was found on the properties. The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and the SPCA of Texas have received multiple complaints of animal cruelty in this case and attempted to work with the owner to bring the animals’ conditions into compliance with Texas Health and Safety Code. As the animal owner refused to provide sufficient appropriate food, water and care for the cattle, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and the SPCA of Texas agreed that it was in the animals’ best interest to obtain a seizure warrant and remove them.
Corvette Club Continues Christmas Cheer
Some members of the local Corvette Club sped by the Senior Citizen’s Center to drop of a check of $1,000 in support of the wonderful efforts made by Karon Weatherman and the staff of the center. The local Senior Citizen’s Center not only provides a wealth of activities for seniors in our area but also prepares over 160 meals each weekday for the Meal-A-Day program. Pictured below is Director Karon Weatherman accepting the check from Corvette Club Treasurer Mike Hart.
PJC Nears Fall Graduation
Delivery of caps and gowns signals the end of the fall semester at Paris Junior College, as does an increase in the number of students studying for next week’s final exams.
GRADUATION TIME PJC-Sulphur Springs Center student Dylin Gosart gets assistance from welding instructor John Plemons as he tries on a graduation robe to ensure a correct fit as he prepares for fall graduation ceremonies. Gosart, of Sulphur Springs, is completing his certificate in the welding program. Fall graduation will be held in the PJC Hunt Center in Paris at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15.
The fall graduation ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. in the Hunt Athletic Center in Paris on Friday, Dec. 15. Students should arrive at the Rheudasil Learning Center by 6 p.m.
Family and friends are encouraged to arrive early to find seating in the Hunt Center. They are also invited to join graduates in a reception afterwards in the McLemore Student Center Ballroom.
As the fall semester winds down, registration continues for both the Winter Mini-Term and the Spring 2018 Semester and will continue until PJC closes for Winter Break at 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 15.
“The Winter Mini-Term offers core curriculum courses which transfer to all public Texas universities,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. “Families welcoming students home for the holidays from a university could find this a great way to save on tuition for a basic class. The online classes run Dec. 18 to Jan. 5, 2018, but registration must be taken care of before PJC closes for Winter Break.”
Spring registration will resume when PJC reopens on Jan. 2, 2018. The 16-week semester will continue until May 11, 2018. A flex term will also offer 8-week courses that begin on March 19 and end May 11.
To learn more about graduation or registration, contact the Office of Admissions and Records at 903-782-0425.
Reilly Springs Jamboree Dance Benefits Senior Citizens Building Fund
CENTER: Roger Reed and Enola Gay present Karon Weatherman with a donation of $450 for the Senior Building Fund
Producers of the Reilly Springs Jamboree brought the show to town with a Christmas Dance on Saturday December 9, 2017 at the Sulphur Springs Senior Center as a benefit the building fund for a new Senior Center.
Classic country music ruled the evening as Roger Reed and the Sunshine Band’s Gary Jones and Bill Langley kept the couples dancing. Guest singers Shanna Carter and Janet Reed performed favorite Christmas songs, Don Woods Jr. delivered traditional and redneck country, and Enola Gay sang the blues. There was also more than a little comedy and laughter. Center Director Karon Weatherman and volunteer Jan Massey spread good cheer with punch and cookies amid the beautiful holiday decorations throughout the center.
About forty persons attended the dance and others stopped by with checks to donate to the cause. At the end of the evening, the Jamboree was able to donate $450 to further the plans for building a more spacious building to better serve the needs of the Senior Citizen community in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County.
Plan to follow the Reilly Springs Jamboree back to their home stage in the New Year, with a country music stage show on the third-Saturday night of every month at the Reilly Springs Community Center, Hopkins County’s original music venue. The January 20, 2018 Jamboree will be a Gospel Extravaganza featuring Psalms 100 and Dallas artist Mary Fay Jackson.
Two Arrested After Causing Alarm to Homeowner
Two men were arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams, a Felony 2, when a Honda Civic was stopped for a traffic violation at Main and Mark Streets by Sulphur Springs police.
The vehicle had been reported to police as suspicious when it had pulled into a residence drive causing alarm to the homeowner. The two in the vehicle exhibited signs of nervousness, excessive, rapid talking, breathing heavily and uncontrolled shaking. Narcotics were found in the vehicle.
Brandon Reid Black
Brandon Reid Black, 31, of Eustace, and Christopher Michael Morgan, 34, of Gun Barrel City, are in Hopkins County Jail with each held on $35,000 bond.
Christopher Michael Morgan
Woman Arrested for Intoxication Assault Following Injury Accident on I-30
Texas Department of Safety Trooper responded to an accident on I-30 at the 109 mile marker around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Two vehicles were involved and injuries were reported. Also Victoria Grace Brawley, 26, of Azle was arrested for Intoxication Assault.
Victoria Grace Brawley
The trooper talked to Ms. Brawley, who was standing next to an ambulance. He detected the odor of alcoholic beverage coming from her person. She told the trooper that she was driving the white Crown Vic when it crashed into the minivan. There were three adults and one child in the van. All three adults were transported via helicopter to metroplex hospitals with incapacitating injuries. The trooper noted that Ms. Brawley had slurred speech and difficulty maintaining her balance. She refused to provide a breath sample and a blood warrant was obtained. After the warrant was executed at 11:50 p.m. she was transported to Hopkins County Jail.
Ms. Brawley is in Hopkins County jail charged with Intoxication Assault and is being held on a $50,000 bond.
