Wildcats Win in Overtime; Lady Cats’ Defense Rules North Lamar
Wildcats Basketball 70, Rockwall Heath 65 (Overtime)
The Wildcats’ basketball team outscored Rockwall Heath 7-2 in overtime to take a 70-65 win at Rockwall Heath Tuesday night. The Wildcats trailed by double digits with just minutes to go in regulation before staging a big comeback using a ferocious press. Inside the last minute, the Wildcats trailed by two. Dedric Godbolt got a huge steal but missed a driving layup. Victor Iwuakor grabbed the rebound and his thundering dunk tied the score with about 28 seconds left. A late Hawks shot did not fall sending the game to overtime. Iwuakor hit a 15 foot jump shot early in overtime to give the Wildcats a two point lead. Godbolt hit a cold blooded three pointer to increase the lead in overtime to 5. A Hawk basket reduced the Wildcats lead to 3. The Hawks then fouled Michael Jefferson. Despite admitting to being nervous, Jefferson hit both free throws and the Wildcats led by 5 with just seconds left. The lead held up. To pull off the upset, the Wildcats had to overcome a barrage of Hawk’s three point baskets. They hit a total of 14. Using six threes, the Hawks led after one quarter 23-15. They went cold in the second quarter and the Wildcats took a half time lead of 32-31. With five more threes in the third quarter, Rockwall Heath went up 52-43 after three quarters. The Wildcats big comeback in the fourth quarter in which they outscored the Hawks 20-11 tied the score at 63-63. Then came the overtime heroics. Keaston Willis led the Wildcats with 26 points. Iwuakor chipped in 16 points and spearheaded the Wildcats defense despite playing with four fouls for most of the second half. Michael Jefferson added 15 points. Godbolt had 6 points. GG Ezedinma had 5 points. Xavier Cork had 2 points. The Wildcats are now 2-0 for the season. They have their home opener Monday at 7:30 p.m. as they host Lindale in Wildcats Gym.
Lady Cats Basketball 33, North Lamar 17
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Jeff Chapman stresses defense. He feels that even if your offense is struggling, a stifling defense will still give you a chance to win. A case in point was the Lady Cats 33-17 victory at North Lamar Tuesday night. The Lady Cats led 11-0 after the first quarter. They increased their lead to 17-4 at halftime. They led 26-12 after three quarters and outscored the Pantherettes, 7-5 in the fourth quarter to take the 33-17 win. The Lady Cats are now 2-0 for the season. The Lady Cats have their home opener Friday at 6:30 p.m. as they host Hugo, Oklahoma.
Hammons Qualifies for State at Region 8 UIL Congress ; SSHS UIL Academic Team Competes in Fall Meet
Two Sulphur Springs High School students went to a Region 8 UIL Congress competition earlier this month and one of the students qualified for state competition early next year. Noah Hammons finished second in the Region 8 competition qualifying for state and Rhett Reid placed sixth. Wildcats UIL Academic Coordinator Gerald Grafton said at UIL Congress competition, students introduce legislation, propose it and then debate it. Judges decide who did the best job. Hammons will be going to UT Austin January 8-10 to compete at the State UIL Congress. Grafton said if he makes it through the first two preliminary rounds, Hammons will then compete inside the State Capitol.
The Wildcats UIL Academic Team competed at the Whitehouse Fall UIL Invitational Meet last Saturday. Wildcats UIL Academic Coordinator Gerald Grafton said the Whitehouse meet is highly attended and is very competitive so he said placing at the meet is very impressive. Grafton said in Ready Writing, Annemarie Gunn finished third and Brianna Wooten 5th. The Spelling and Vocaulary Team took first place. Individually, Chase Charlton was also first. Natalie Cruz finished fourth and Sarah Harper fifth. Other members of the first place spelling and vocabulary team are Samantha Allemang and Giselle Gonzales. The Accounting Team placed second. Team members are Giselle Gonzales, Daniel Soto, Gillian Thomas and Caleb Yanez. In Computer Science, Kevin Orozco was fourth and Josh Rissman sixth. In Social Studies, Brandon Hodges was fourth. The Literary Criticism team took first place. Individually, Sarah Harper was second, Natalie Cruz was third and Lainey Whittle was fourth. Grafton said also of note, Corbin Philo had three wins and no losses in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Grafton said Philo finished seventh overall after ties were broken. Grafton said there will be a math and science competition on December 2 with students competing with others in their grade level.
Wildcat Football Coordinator Tuesday
by Don Julian
Wildcats Defense
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron said he felt like the Wildcats played well in the win over Hallsville last Friday night. He said the defensive line played a heck of a game. Coach Abron said they were highly disruptive. Along with linemen D’Idrec Dugan, Calvin Eckert, Jose Rodriguez and Vuk Susic, Coach Abron said outside linebacker Kylan Wade also had a good game. He really liked the four interceptions, two by cornerback Terrell Turman and one each by safeties D.J. Abron and Jase Thompson. Coach Abron said the defenders ran to the football well and then made good tackles when they got there. Concerning Lucas Lovejoy, who the Wildcats play in a bi-district game Friday night, Coach Abron said their quarterback is the key. When he was hurt early in the season, the Leopards struggled. Coach Abron said when he came back, they lost to Highland Park and then he added that they had not lost since, winning five in a row. He said they remind him of Whitehouse, extremely explosive. Coach Abron said they were very good at scoring with their passing game. He said they have a talented pair of receivers including one who is a speedy track athlete who runs hurdles. Coach Abron added Lovejoy has a big running back who is a physical runner and who wants to put his footprint on defenders’ chests.
Wildcats Offense
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said the offense in the Hallsville win last Friday was a little less than desired but he said it was enough to get a win. He complimented the Wildcats for getting three must wins at the end of the season after five losses in a row. Coach Young called them resilient and ones who persevere. He said the team stayed together when things were not going the way they wanted them to. Against Hallsville, Coach Young said he liked the touchdown drive the Wildcats got to open the third quarter. He said the level of execution was really high. Coach Young did acknowledge that the Wildcats need to score more touchdowns. He said twice they settled for field goals and one time they had a turnover. Coach Young praised the offensive line saying that they had come miles this year. He liked the running of Colton Allen and Searn Rodgers last Friday. Coach Young said Rodgers bided his time and then contributed when he had the chance. Coach Young said there were some factors that led to a small amount of passing yardage last Friday. He said with the lead, the Wildcats were running to use up the clock. Coach Young said when defenses don’t put people in the box to stop the run, he is going to call running plays. He said all that matters is that the number representing points for the Wildcats is higher than the opponents number on the scoreboard at the end of the game. Concerning Lovejoy, Coach Young said they will line up a lot like what the Wildcats have faced the past two weeks. However he said Lovejoy is much more multiple. Coach Young said they liked to blitz. He said the Leopard”s defense is anchored by middle linebacker Bumper Pool, a Division I commit. Coach Young said the Lovejoy front plays hard. He said they have a lot of good defense players who have length and who are speedy. Coach Young said he is pleased to be coaching in a playoff game at home. He said none of the Wildcats’ coaches have ever done that before.
Game Day: Wildcat, Lady Cat Basketball
There is Wildcats and Lady Cats’ basketball on this Tuesday game day. Both teams are on the road.
The Wildcats, 1-0 so far this season, play at Rockwall Heath. Play begins with a freshman game at 5 p.m., then a JV contest takes place at around 6:30 p.m. with the varsity game at around 8 p.m. The Wildcats opened the season with an impressive win over Arlington Bowie in the Cowtown Showdown in North Crowley Saturday.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats visit North Lamar. They will have JV Gold and JV Blue contests back to back beginning at 5 p.m. The varsity game is scheduled to start at around 7:30 p.m. The Lady Cats are 1-0 so far this season after a win Saturday at Emory Rains.
Maxwell Named 2017 Official of the Year by Texas Mining Reclamation Association
AUSTIN, Texas [Oct. 31, 2017] — The Texas Mining and Reclamation Association (TMRA), the state’s leading mining industry association representing more than 150 companies and individual members, presented Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell with its 2017 Elected Official of the Year Award at the trade group’s annual meeting last night in Bastrop, Texas. The award is in recognition of his support for the Texas lignite mining industry.
“On the heels of the announcement of the permanent shutdown of Luminant’s Thermo Mine, Maxwell was instrumental in leading the charge to breathe new life into this community asset, which had served the City of Sulphur Springs and its surrounding community for so many decades,” said Ches Blevins, TMRA executive director and general counsel.
Because of its proximity to the City of Sulphur Springs, the Thermo Mine presented an ideal opportunity for dual repurposing as a mixed-use zone with both industrial and recreational development. Maxwell was keenly aware of the opportunities that could stem from redevelopment of this asset and has been working with Luminant for the past two years to bring some of his ideas to fruition.
“The solution just seemed so evident; Luminant wouldn’t be required to rebuild county roads or demolish an overpass, and it could write off the donation. The city would receive an asset that could be a game changer in terms of large recreational events and even some industrial development,” said Maxwell. “It’s a win-win situation. We are so grateful for Luminant’s receptivity and generosity.”
Maxwell has been the city manager for the City of Sulphur Springs, Texas, for 22 years. In this role, he serves as the chief executive officer and is responsible for 157 employees and an operating budget of approximately $30 million. He plans, directs and reviews the city’s activities and operations, while maintaining a positive working relationship with many outside agencies
Maxwell is motivated by a desire to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Sulphur Springs. He has an ambitious and forward-looking vision for the city and often employs out-of-the-box thinking to make that vision a reality.
He and his wife Kathy have two sons, two daughters and three grandchildren.
“Fly Your Flag” On the Air During Contest Hosted on KSST…Texas A and M Commerce Wins Again
KSST opened it’s doors to the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation Executive Director Meredith Caddell, board members and volunteers on Tuesday November 14 for the annual “Fly Your Flag” fundraising effort which benefits the Lights of Life Campaign. KSST owners Chad and Rhonda Young, General Manager Jim Rogers and the staff fielded phone calls from listeners who pledged money to have their own Alma Mater flag flown above the Hopkins County courthouse during Thanksgiving week.
At the halfway point of the morning’s bidding, the contest was between Texas A and M Commerce, Texas A and M College Station and Texas Tech. Other bids were for Baylor, SMU, U.T, Oklahoma State and others. For the previous four years, Texas A and M Commerce has flown their flag.
Mikki Eddins is the 2017 Fly Your Flag Committee Chair who also supports the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation as a board member. She joined Meredith and Rusty Harden with more pledges she had collected from local citizens.
The pledge process went on through the morning by e-mail, Facebook, text and phone as listeners, friends and fans responded to the invitation to help the Healthcare Foundation meet their goal of $400,000. as well as to place their college flag on Celebration Plaza during the last two weeks of November. The college flag which brings in the most pledges gets the singular privilege, which for 2017, is Texas A and M Commerce at $5,100, the winner for four out of five years. Texas Tech was a close second, bidders pledged a total bid of $4775.
Winnsboro Police Report November 6-12, 2017
Winnsboro Police made four arrests, investigated a minor two vehicle accident, responded to 157 calls for service, issued 54 citations, and wrote 37 warnings during the report period , November 6-12, 2017.
Dawn-Marie Mooney, 47, of Winnsboro, was arrested November 7th on two city of Winnsboro Municipal warrants.
Jimmy Beckham, 36, of Winnsboro, was arrested November 7th on a felony warrant out of Franklin County.
Wesley Miller, 39, of Winnsboro was arrested November 12th on a Wood County warrant.
Jason Phillips, 41, of Winnsboro, was arrested on November 12th for Possession of Marijuana less 2 oz.
On November 9th, Winnsboro Police responded to a minor two vehicle accident in the 200 block of East Coke Rd. No injuries were reported when a vehicle made an unsafe lane change and struck another vehicle.
SSISD Board Hears Reports, Approves Contracts, Approves Personnel Changes During November Meeting
Sulphur Springs School Board approved the purchase of replacement air conditioning/heating units for four classrooms at the high school and took a tour of Salem, Massachusetts during colonial times during their Tuesday evening November board meeting. The board also learned that almost all of the local policies in the district complied with the 800-plus pages of legislative chances for public education.
Lamar Primary School students, who had lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and Texas flag shared their headsets with board members for the tour. The headsets allowed students and board members to adjust the focus of the lens and provided popups to highlight the various sites to be observed. It was noted that stocks for prisoners were among the first things to be built in colonial villages. Wigwams, colonial thatched roof homes and furnishings, and other sites were featured. Board members exhibited an enthusiasm that matched that of first graders who experience the headset tours. Principal Rowena Johnson presented an audio-visual overview of all the activities at Lamar.
Regarding state legislative changes, policies for firearms in the vehicle of a teacher were discussed. The legislative changes allow school policy to permit teachers to store a handgun in their locked vehicle. The policy allows for the weapon to be unloaded and the recommendation to the board is to delete “not loaded”.
In the 2016-2017 school year, SSISD provided services for 585 students of limited English proficiency. Bilingual and ESL Programs served 572 of these students.
Dan Froneberger will serve as one of two SSISD representatives on the Hopkins County Civic Center Board of Directors. He returns to the post for a second time and will serve the new term, January 1, 2018-December 31, 2020.
An agreement between the district and the Sulphur Springs Country Club will allow golf teams to use the course for practice and tournaments.
Reading at the Kindergarten level is a top priority for the local school district, according to Assistant Superintendent Kristin Monk. Monk reported on the various emphases on the Primary Education level. Josh Williams reported on the Secondary level.
PERSONNEL
Resignations
Alexis Navarrette Purchasing Clerk Administration
Andrea Rodriguez Office Clerk ECLC
Sy Lucas Grade 1 Teacher Lamar Primary
Janlyn Therwhanger ESL Aide Middle School
Maci Newsom Government Teacher High School
New personnel
Alison Thompson Grade 1 Teacher Lamar Primary
Tobias Adams Special Ed Aide Middle School
Ruston Pennington Math Teacher High School
Beatty Named Texas A & M-Commerce Vice President of Advancement
Commerce, TX – President Ray Keck announced that Keturi Beatty will serve as the University’s next Vice President of Advancement. Beatty joined A&M-Commerce as the Associate Vice President for Advancement in July of 2017. Interim Vice President for Advancement, Wyman Williams, will continue his service to the University as the Associate Vice President for Advancement and Beatty’s senior development officer.
President Keck looks forward to working with Beatty in her new role, stating, “Everyone who works with Keturi notices her acute ability to listen and to engage a community of active participants in University life. She possesses all the warmth and openness East Texas proudly offers both our nation and the global community. She will serve as the ideal partner with Wyman Williams, whose knowledge of this population and its history is unmatched.”
Beatty previously served as the Senior Director of Development for the College of Education at the University of North Texas. In this role, she redesigned major gift solicitation strategy, aligned the strategic priorities of the university’s College Development Board, implemented a peer solicitation program, and integrated communications, alumni, marketing, events and strategies to support college and campaign goals. Prior to her time at UNT, Beatty held advancement positions with The Hockaday School, where she served as the Director of Planned Giving and Stewardship and the Director of Annual Giving.
Now settled in with the A&M-Commerce advancement team, Beatty looks forward to assuming her new role, stating, “In my short four months, I have fallen for this great university. I am honored to serve in this role, and I look forward to partnering with our alumni and donors to build a robust culture of philanthropy at A&M-Commerce.”
Wyman Williams has served as a development officer at A&M-Commerce since 2010, and as Interim Vice President for Advancement for the past 18 months. Williams has lived in Commerce since he was three years old, and has had the rare opportunity to attend first grade through college in Commerce. He also owned and operated a family business in town. He is a 1969 graduate of East Texas State University and prior to joining senior leadership at A&M-Commerce, Wyman served on its Foundation Board for more than 20 years.
Wyman looks forward to continuing the important work of expanding alumni and donor support for his beloved alma mater. “Keturi is the right person to lead advancement at A&M-Commerce,” he said. “I am thrilled to assist her in taking our fundraising enterprise to the next level.”
