Game Day: Wildcats Host Pine Tree
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta says in his three years as Wildcats head coach, his team has never been able to defeat Pine Tree by much of a margin. The Wildcats, ranked #11 in Class 5A, open district play in their last game before the Christmas break as they play host to Pine Tree in Wildcats Gym Tuesday night. There will be a freshman game at 5 p.m. a JV game at 6:15 p.m. and the varsity game at 7:30 p.m.
As good as the Wildcats were last year, they could only win a pair of squeakers against the Pirates. In Pine Tree last December, the Wildcats had to rally in the fourth quarter to pull out a 69-65 win. It’s one I called the Dane Rutherford game. Last year’s senior Rutherford took a key charge late in the game and then hit a put back shot to fuel the win. Then in late January in Wildcats Gym, Pine Tree forced overtime before the Wildcats prevailed 66-56. Coach Cipoletta calls Pine Tree scrappy and well coached with a new head coach this season. He says the Pirates are tall and athletic with some good guards. Coach Cipoletta remembers Pirate J.J. Sparkman, a 6-foot-5 player, named the district’s newcomer of the year last year as a freshman. He says the Pirates play hard and seem to find a way to stay close near the end of the game. Coach Cipoletta says a key for the Wildcats in any district game is to come in focused.
The Wildcats come into the game with a 15-1 season record and they have won eight straight games. We will bring you all the action of Wildcats’ basketball tonight on KSST Radio starting at around 7:30 p.m. We will also videotape the game for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Harrison Endorsed for Judge, County Court at Law by Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association
Clay Harrison, candidate for Judge Hopkins County Court at Law the Republican March Primary Ballot was endorsed for the seat by the Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association Tuesday, December 19, 2017. Harrison is currently an Eight Judicial District Assistant District Attorney. Members of the association shown here with Harrison, center, include, left to right, Chief Deputy Jace Anglin, Investigator Wade Sheets, Sheriff Lewis Tatum, Investigator Dennis Finley, Investigator Charles Humphries, Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford.
Jury Selection Underway Tuesday for Retaliation Trial
Tuesday morning (December 19, 2017) in 8th Judicial District Court, selection began for a jury to hear the trial of Robert Alan Hawkins for Retaliation. Hawkins, of Dallas, is charged with making threats against a member of the local judicial system.
When threats were made the local judge, Eighth District Judge Eddie Northcutt contacted Lewis Tatum, Hopkins County Sheriff. Tatum called on the Texas Rangers and the U S Marshall’s office to locate Hawkins. He was found by the Rangers and Marshalls working on a construction site in Plano, where he was a carpenter’s helper.
The trial will be heard by a visiting judge. Hawkins Is currently in Hopkins County jail on a bench warrant.
SSISD Tax Office Announces Holiday Schedule
The school tax office will be closed the following days for the Christmas Holiday:
Friday, December 22nd through Tuesday, December 26th
And
Monday, January 1st through Friday, January 5th
“Tis the Season”! DBA “Ladies Night Out” Brings Prizes and Christmas Cheer!
Marlene DeYong of Marlene’s Sass and Class Boutique, Gay Bailey of Merle Norman Cosmetics and Maci Fowler of Sister Babyz Boutique
This trio of merchant members of DBA are joining about three dozen other businesses to launch a fun night for shopping in Sulphur Springs this week. On Thursday December 21, 2017 downtown merchants and merchants throughout the city limits will keep their doors open with extended hours and door prizes for shoppers who register between 6 and 8 pm. Unadvertised markdowns and specials as well as refreshments will be the rule inside many of the restaurants, coffeehouses, wineries, fashion stores, boutiques and gift shops. You can even hop on the trolley to get from one end of the shopping district to the other. At 8pm, the participating businesses will close and head to The Venue 219 on Main Street downtown. Everyone is invited to meet there for more refreshments, awarding of the door prizes and for the “Tacky Christmas Sweater Contest” with a $50 Visa gift card as Grand Prize.
The idea of “Ladies Night Out” came about from a brainstorming session of Downtown Business Alliance members. It provides a way to boost local shopping as well as a fun get-together for busy moms, teachers, businesswomen and anyone who likes Christmas shopping “at home” in Sulphur Springs.
PJC Fall Graduation: 17-Year Old Stanley Twins Receive Associate of Science Degrees
Paris Junior College held its fifth fall graduation ceremony for 230 graduates on Friday, Dec. 15, in the Hunt Center.
An opening invocation was delivered by Student Government Association President Laura Sandoval, and music student Deja Sikes performed “Ending of the Beginning.”
Graduates this fall ranged from 63 to 17 years of age, and came from four states — Texas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and California.
According to PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin, this year there were 122 male and 108 female graduates, a change from a longtime trend of women outnumbering men.
Among the youngest graduates were 17-year-old twins Rachel and Samuel Stanley of Sulphur Springs. Both received associate of science degrees through PJC’s dual credit program at North Hopkins High School, where they will graduate in May, and both earned highest honors for earning a 4.0 GPA.
Twins Rachel and Samuel Stanley of Sulphur Springs. Both received associate of science degrees through PJC’s dual credit program at North Hopkins High School.
Another local graduate was Kaci Renee Powers of Sulphur Bluff, who obtained her Associate of Applied Science in Radiology.
Kaci Powers of Sulphur Bluff, receiving her science degree in radiology from PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin.
#9 in Class 5A Lady Cats Defeat Pine Tree 59-26 Monday
The Lady Cats’ basketball team, ranked #9 in Class 5A, will enter the Christmas break with a perfect 3-0 mark in district play. The Lady Cats won Monday afternoon at Pine Tree, 59-26.
The Lady Cats had four solid quarters. They led 17-6 after the first quarter, 31-13 at the half, 44-19 after three quarters and 59-26 at the end. All eight Lady Cats got in the score book. Sadavia Porter led the Lady Cats with 18 points and Kaylee Jefferson added 14. Imani Taylor hit double digits again with 10 points. Autumn Tanton had 7 points. Danielle Godbolt and Te’Arria Rose scored 3 points. Jamia Hall and Tarayla Kelley had 2 points apiece. Taylor, Godbolt and Rose all hit three-point baskets. The Lady Cats hit 42% of their shots sinking 25 of 60. They were 6 for 9 or 67% from the free throw line. The Lady Cats were 3 out of 15, or 20%, from behind the three-point arc.
The Lady Cats had 29 rebounds including ten offensive rebounds. Jefferson had a team high 12 rebounds including 6 offensive rebounds. The Lady Cats committed only 11 turnovers and had 15 assists. They had 12 deflections and 20 steals.
The Lady Cats improved their season record to 15-2. After the Christmas break, the Lady Cats will resume play in a three-day Idabel, Oklahoma tournament starting December 28. The Lady Cats compete again in district play at home against Marshall on January 2.
A & M-Commerce Lions Division II Football Champions
Texas A & M Commerce defeated West Florida 37-27 to win the 2017 Division II football national championship. Both teams arrived at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas looking for their first national title. One day before the A & M Commerce quarterback, Luis Perez was named the Harlon Hill Award winner. The Harlon Hill Award is the Division II equivalent to the Heisman Trophy. Perez completed 23 of 30 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
photo courtesy of Michael Lamb
The Lions defeated Winona State, Central Washington, and Minnesota State on their way to the championship game. A & M Commerce finished the season with a 14-1 record. The Lions have won four straight Lone Star Conference championships in a row.
