At Yantis: Saltillo Lions Lost; Lady Lions Win
The Saltillo Lions lost and the Saltillo Lady Lions won in varsity action against Yantis on Friday (January 5).
The Lions were defeated 53-43 by the Owls. The Lions led after the first quarter, 12-10 but fell behind at halftime, 26-24. Yantis led after three quarters, 34-31. The Owls had a big fourth quarter to put the game away. For the Lions, Chris Boekhorst and Trevor Moore both scored 11 points. Matthew Gurley scored 9 points. Walker McGill had 6 points. Branson McGill, Levi Hoover and Lyle Bench each scored 2 points. The Lions season record is now 14-12. The Lions play Wolfe City on Tuesday.
The Saltillo Lady Lions took a 50-27 win against Yantis. The Lady Lions got off to a good start leading 18-4 after the first quarter. They led 30-17 at the half and 42-25 after three quarters. For the Lady Lions, Jocelyn Ochoa led the way with 13 points and Tori Mobley scored 12, Maddy Smith had 7 points. Madison Simmons scored 6 points. Chandler Bain added 4 points. Jordan Sustaire, Anna Reeder, Christi Gurley and Shelby Matlock each scored 2 points. The Lady Lions improved their season record to 10-15. The Lady Lions play at Sulphur Bluff on Tuesday.
Lady Cats’ Soccer Finishs Second at Terrell Tournament
The Lady Cats’ soccer team made it all the way to final game in a Terrell tournament Saturday where they lost their game of the season, 3-1 to Richardson, a Class 6A school. Richardson led 2-1 at halftime and added a goal in the second half. To qualify for the final, the Lady Cats defeated Garland, a Class 6A team, 3-1 very early Saturday morning. In that game, the Lady Cats scored 1:30 into the first half when Haley Robinson headed in a corner kick from Makenna Kagar. In the second half Robinson headed in a free kick from Kagar. Gracie Boyer scored the third Lady Cat goal on a breakaway.
After that game, Coach Joel Bailey said the girls are playing extremely well. He added they are controlling possession, scoring goals early and protecting the lead. The Lady Cats won 4 and lost 1 in the Terrell tournament and their season record is now 4-1.
The Lady Cats will play in a Paris tournament that runs Thursday through Saturday.
Lady Cat and Wildcat Soccer Secure Wins in Second Day of Tournament Play
The Lady Cats’ soccer team continued their strong play Friday in a Terrell tournament as they shutout Athens, 4-0. It was the Lady Cats third shutout in their first three games. They have scored 19 goals during three games and have benefited from one own goal. Friday, the Lady Cats scored four first half goals and then turned things over to their defense. The Lady Cats scored in the games first 30-seconds as Brook Harden tossed a throw in over the Athens back defensive line and Gracie Boyer broke free to score a goal. Makenna Kagar scored two goals. One was on a corner kick that curled around the near post beating the Athens’ keeper. Taylor Robinson also scored a goal. Haley Robinson had an assist. Lady Cats keeper McKenna Gammill had four saves to earn her third shutout of the young season. Lady Cats Coach Joel Bailey said all the Lady Cats are playing well across the board. He added he was very pleased with how the Lady Cats are playing at the start of the season. The Lady Cats are now 3-0 for the season. They will play Garland at 8 a.m. Saturday in the Terrell tournament. They will also play at 4 p.m. match against an opponent to be determined.
The Wildcats’ soccer team won two games Friday in a Forney tournament. The Wildcats defeated Royse City 2-0 and later downed Amarillo Tascosa, 1-0. Angel Tavera scored against Royse City and Johnathan Alvarez had an assist. Johnathan Lopez scored the goal against Amarillo Tascosa and Enrique Arellano had an assist. The Wildcats evened their season record at 2-2. The Wildcats will play Longview Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Forney tournament.
Lady Cats Basketball Hangs on For Win
The #9 ranked Lady Cats’ basketball team hung on by their fingernails in the fourth quarter and came out of top of Texas High, 47-44 Friday night in Texarkana.
When the two teams met at Winnsboro’s Hoopfest on December 1, the Lady Tigers trailed by five going into the fourth quarter but outscored the Lady Cats, 19-6 to take a 46-38 win. Friday night, the Lady Cats were up by 12, 41-29 after three quarters. Again Texas High made a run and outscored the Lady Cats 15-6 but they came up short by 3 points. The Lady Cats used big second and third quarters to go from two points behind to up by 12.
Sadavia Porter led the Lady Cats with 17 points. Kaylee Jefferson had 10 points. Autumn Tanton scored 9 points and Imani Taylor had 7. Danielle Godbolt and Te’Arria Rose had 2 points each. The Lady Cats shot 43% from the field making 18 of 42 shots. They were two of six from three point range for 33%. Taylor and Porter canned three pointers. The Lady Cats made 9 of 16 free throws for 56%. The Lady Cats grabbed 37 big rebounds. Tanton led the team 13 rebounds. The Lady Cats managed only 7 assists with Porter having a team high 4. The Lady Cats turned the ball over 21 times. They had only 8 deflections and 9 steals. They committed only 8 personal fouls.
The Lady Cats are now 5-0 in district play and they improved their season record to 19-3. After an open date next Tuesday, the Lady Cats will complete the first half of district play with their big showdown with Mount Pleasant in Wildcats Gym next Friday night.
Wildcat Basketball Remains Unbeaten in District
The #8 state ranked Wildcats’ basketball team stayed unbeaten in district play with a 63-48 win over Texas High Friday night before a large crowd in Wildcats Gym. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said he expects for the Wildcats to get everyone’s best shot and the Tigers battled throughout the game.
Early in the fourth quarter, Texas High trailed by only six points before the Wildcats made a run to put the game out of reach. The Tigers were aided by their solid offensive rebounding throughout the game. The Wildcats led 19-12 after the first quarter featuring the inside play of Godsgift Ezedinma and Victor Iwuakor. The Wildcats led 30-24 at the half. Bryson Lynn provided a spark off the bench with 3 three-point baskets during the first two quarters. The Wildcats led by 8, 41-33 after three quarters. Keaston Willis and Ezedinma had strong fourth quarters to keep the Wildcats out in front.
Willis and Ezedinma led the Wildcats with 15 points each. Iwuakor added 11 points. Lynn had 9 points. Michael Jefferson had 7 points. Dedric Godbolt, Day Day Hall and Xavier Cork had 2 points each. Texas High got a game high 16 points from post C.J. Kelley. Tigers guard Caleb Wilson hit 5 three-pointers for 15 points.
The Wildcats improved to 3-0 in district play. They are now a 20 win team with a season record of 20-3. After an open date next Tuesday, the Wildcats will have their showdown at Mount Pleasant next Friday.
Game Day: Wildcats host Texas High; Lady Cats at Texas High
Wildcats Basketball Hosts Texas High
The #8 ranked Wildcats’ basketball team should face a good test in district play Friday night (January 5) as Texas High comes to town. The Wildcats are 2-0 in district play and 19-3 for the season. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said the Tigers are a very good team. He said they defeated Marshall by 25 points. Coach Cipoletta said Texas High is athletic and has the size to match up with the Wildcats. He said they have players that are 6-foot-6 and 6-7. Coach Cipoletta said an emphasis for the Wildcats will be stopping the Tigers dribble penetration by their guards. He said they were not great shooters but he said they can get hot. Coach Cipoletta also said the Tigers like to use the full court press. However he noted that Marshall usually likes to press but he said they did not try to press the Wildcats. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats will be ready for the press or no press Friday night. There will be a freshman game at 5 p.m., a JV game at 6:15 p.m. with the varsity game at 7:30 p.m. We will bring you Wildcats’ basketball Friday night on KSST Radio at around 7:30 p.m. We will also videotape the game for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Lady Cats Basketball at Texas High
The #9 ranked Lady Cats’ basketball team has their work cut out for them Friday night (January 5) as they play Texas High on the road. The Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Cats at the Winnsboro Hoopfest, 46-38 back on December 1. In that one the Lady Cats actually led by 5 going into the fourth quarter before Texas High used a 19-6 scoring advantage to win by 8. The Lady Cats are 4-0 in district play and 18-3 for the season. After a win over Marshall Tuesdaynight, Lady Cats Coach Jeff Chapman was well aware what’s coming up for the Lady Cats. After Friday’s Texas High game, the Lady Cats have a bye next Tuesday and then they host Mount Pleasant Friday week. Coach Chapman said the Texas High Coach wants a Dallas referees chapter to do the Lady Cats and Lady Tigers game. He does not want to use the usual district officials from Paris, Commerce or Mount Pleasant chapters. Coach Chapman said the district race is wide open featuring the Lady Cats, Texas High and Mount Pleasant. He said the Lady Cats can’t get the big head from what they have done so far this season or in the past. Coach Chapman said the key is not the will to win but the will to prepare. He said if his team has the will to prepare more than their opponents, they have a good chance to come out on top. Coach Chapman said he is seeing more and more Lady Cats staying after practice to work on their games. The leaders in extra gym time are veterans Kaylee Jefferson, Sadavia Porter and Autumn Tanton. He sensed that they want to be a part of a possible district title three-peat. The Lady Cats have won the district championship the past two years.
Bergin’s Motions Question Jurisdiction, Evidence Obtained, and Texas Health and Safety Code vs Civil Procedure
In three motions filed before the Hopkins County Court at Law by Attorney Chad Cable on behalf of George Lawrence Bergin and his desire to regain custody of hundreds of head of cattle seized by the SPCA of Texas and Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies, Bergin through his attorney states that the court denied the defendant’s motion to dismiss on account of the courts complete abrogation of the rules of civil procedure, requests that the court exclude states evidence and announced his non-participation. Judge Amy McCorkle Smith had not ruled on the motions as of noon Friday and the court proceeded with jury selection and the trial immediately following the selection of the jury.
In one motion, Bergin complained by written motion that Hopkins County Court at Law has no jurisdiction over the issues in the controversy. He stated that the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Sherman Division) has proper jurisdiction of the issues in controversy. He also noted “The State’s purported statutory authority (Health and Safety code Chapter 821) is an aberration wholly inconsistent with all other Texas statutes and rules defining jurisdictional and procedural fairness. He states the County Court at Law has denied all of the Defendant’s pleas for basic protections afforded citizens in every other area of American jurisprudence.
In another motion, Bergin states that the State intends to present evidence which was obtained by search warrants that are devoid of any specificity and were issued without any showing of probable cause.
An additional motion stated the court had denied his motion to dismiss and/or stay the procedure based on jurisdictional grounds. Bergin objects to the proceedings based on “The Texas Health and Safety Code does not trump the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. He states in the motion: “Defendant is about to be put to trial on an issue that imperils hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of livestock, yet has not notice as to which, if any, of the Texas Rules of Civic Procedure are to be recognized.” The motions states that no complaint nor citation affording defendant of the most basic notice and preparation rights. He says there are no established Rules of Court, Civil or Criminal, to be employed by the court. The motion states the discovery rules are completely ignored in a rush to government taking of property with less due process than is afforded traffic ticket defendants, all pursuant to an aberrant statue completely at odds with all other state and federal standards of due process.
Judge Smith will review the motions and rule on them. Until then, the trial proceeds.
texas flag courthouse
New Courtroom, Voting Equipment Priorities on Commissioners’ Court Monday Agenda
Two items on the agenda for Hopkins County Commissioners’ Court Monday, January 8, 2018 have been on the back burner for some time but the court is expected to move forward with both items.
The Commissioners will consider the approval of building a new 100 seat courtroom that will be attached to the Hopkins County Jail. According to County Judge Robert Newsom there will be no increase in taxes to pay for the new addition. He told KSST News that the new courtroom will be built using money the county already has and will be a part of what is often referred to as the new county jail. The court will also approve the employment of a consultant/architect to supervise the building of the new courtroom.
For some time Debbie Shirley, County Clerk, has wanted to improve the voting equipment in the county and the court will consider and approve voting equipment for the clerk’s office.
A review of the Racial Profiling Report will be presented by Constable, Precinct 1, Norman Colyer. Also on the agenda are a number of routine items.
Bergin Does Not Appear; Attorney Files Motion Challenging Authority of Court in the Appeal of Cattle Custody
Although a motion has been filed with Hopkins County Court at Law challenging the authority of the court regarding an appeal of a settlement reached in a pre-court magistrates hearing regarding custody of hundreds of head of cattle, a jury is being picked Friday, January 5, 2018, in the second floor courtroom of the county courthouse and the appeal trial is expected to begin as soon as the jury is picked. The trial is expected to continue through Wednesday of next week.
The motion was presented to the court by Chad Cable, Attorney for George Lawrence Bergin who is seeking the restored custody of his cattle. The cattle were seized by the SPCA of Texas and Hopkins County Deputies in December, 2017. County Court At Law Judge Amy McCorkle read the motion into the record as the jury selection began. The motion states that Bergin does not believe the court has jurisdiction in the case. Burgin did not appear in court for the jury selection and his attorney left as selection of the jury began. KSST News has filed a formal request with the County Clerk’s office for copies of all pre-trial motions presented Friday. As soon as those are presented, the story will be updated with a more complete explanation of the protest against the court.
The appeal of a settlement reached in a pre-court hearing involving the custody of hundreds of cattle was to have begun with jury selection on Wednesday of this week according to information received last week. However, the court reset the schedule for Friday.
The malnourished cattle were seized December 4-6, 2017 by Hopkins County Law Enforcement and the SPCA of Texas. The cattle were found on 2,700 acres of barren pasture land with no hay. George Lawrence Bergin, 61, of Sulphur Springs was charged with Cruelty to Livestock-Fail to Provide, a state jail felony. The cattle appeared to be suffering from malnutrition.
In the settlement made December 13th, Justice of the Peace B. J. Teer signed an order calling for a public auction of the animals. A bond in the amount of $245,000 was set to perfect the case. The settlement and the appeal of the custody of the cattle will not affect the state jail felony criminal charges against Bergin.
See previous stories here, here, and here.
