Lady Cats Win Idabel Tourney; Resume District Play Tuesday at Marshall
As we get ready to ring in a new year, the Lady Cats’ basketball team will remember 2016 fondly. On the penultimate day of the old year, the Lady Cats captured their second tournament title of the season. The Lady Cats used their defense to defeat Canton, 50-29 in the title game of the Idabel, Oklahoma Warrior Winter Classic.
The Lady Cats led all night long: 15-9 after the first quarter, 26-14 at halftime and 33-20 after three quarters.
Kaylee Jefferson led the Lady Cats with 18 points and 14 rebounds, a big double double. Jefferson also had 2 blocks, 2 steals, 4 deflections and 1 assist. Jefferson was also named the tournament MVP. Tori Moore had 13 points including 3 three-pointers. Moore also had 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 deflections. Autumn Tanton added 6 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Tanton was selected to the all-tournament team. Daieyshia Pruitt scored 6 points including 1 three-point basket. Pruitt also had 6 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 assists. Sadavia Porter had 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 3 steals, 7 deflections and a team high 8 assists. Destinee Weeks had 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal and 1 deflection. The Lady Cats had 12 steals and 15 deflections.
Amazingly the Lady Cats committed only 3 personal fouls in the game. The Lady Cats lost in the championship game at Idabel last year. The Lady Cats also captured the title at an Edgewood tournament December 8-10. Earlier in 2016, the Lady Cats won the district championship last season and won a bi-district game against Lindale after an unbelievable comeback.
The Lady Cats are now 17-3 this season. That record includes a 3-0 record in district games. The Lady Cats resume district play at Marshall next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Saltillo Lady Lions Win 1 Lose 2 in Leonard Tourney
The Saltillo Lady Lions’ basketball team won one game and lost two in a Leonard tournament this week.
Wednesday the Lady Lions lost to Whitewright, 41-7. Thursday the Lady Lions lost a tough one, 26-25 to North Lamar. It was a seesaw game. Saltillo led 9-4 after the first quarter. The Pantherettes grabbed the lead 15-9 at the half. The Lady Lions had a big third quarter and recaptured the lead after 3, 22-17. North Lamar ended with a rush to take the one point win. For Saltillo, Sienna Collins scored 6 points. Jocelyn Ochoa and Tori Mobley had 5 points apiece. Melissa Groenewold added 4, Ana Gallegos 3 and Madison Simmons 2. Madison Morrison of North Lamar led all scorers with 9 points.
Friday the Lady Lions defeated Farmersville, 45-35. The Lady Lions trailed at the half 21-17 but outscored Farmersville 28-14 to get the victory. Ana Gallegos had a big game for the Lady Lions with 12 points. Madison Simmons scored 9 points, Jocelyn Ochoa added 6 points, Melissa Tawil had 5 points, Brenda Castro, Sienna Collins and Melissa Groenewold had 4 points apiece and Tori Mobley scored 3 points.
SSHS Top 12 Sports Stories of 2016
I’m Don Julian, KSST Sports Director, and just for fun, here are my top bakers’ dozen local sports stories for 2016.
Number 12, the Wildcats and Lady Cats’ cross country teams, under new Coach Ross Hicks, go to the regional meet again after solid performances at the district meet.
Number 11, freshman Wildcat Powerlifter Joe’ell Morales goes to the state meet in early April after qualifying at the regional meet.
Number 10, Wildcats football has spring workouts, a rare occurrence. It’s hard to find anyone who remembers spring ball around here in the past. It seemed to be very beneficial. The coaching staff is pondering whether to do it again next May since it did result in one less week of August practice and one less scrimmage before the first game.
Number 9, continued volleyball success under new coach Justin Maness. The team ended up second in district and set a new school record for wins in a season going 30-12. They wento tobi-district.
Number 8, Wildcats soccer makes the playoffs again after a one year absence. The Wildcats lose in bi-district in what surprisingly turns out to Coach Andy Holt’s farewell game. He’s now at Frisco Wakeland and his assistant Nicky Wiggins is the new Wildcats’ soccer coach.
Number 7, Wildcat golfer Brody Blackmon, now at Ole Miss, finishes 7th at the state meet after qualifying at regional.
Number 6, Wildcats and Lady Cats basketball teams put down firm foundation in 2016 for good seasons in early 2017. Wildcats are 16-4 and 1-0 in district while Lady Cats are 16-3 and 3-0 in district. Lady Cats still have one game in 2016 Friday night.
Number 5, Wildcats’ football rebounds from 0-10 season in 2015 and makes the playoffs. A bi-district loss to Mesquite Poteet doesn’t dampen enthusiasm for the future.
Number 4, the Lady Cats’ basketball team wins the district championship and they have a 26-7 season. They defeat Lindale in bi-district before an Area loss to Mansfield Summit.
Number 3, Lady Cats softball has a 30 win season and they go three rounds deep into the playoffs. The Lady Cats defeat Corsicana and Waxahachie before losing in three games to Mansfield Legacy.
Number 2, the Lady Cats’ soccer team has perhaps their greatest season ever making into the third round of the playoffs. They win first playoff games over Whitehouse and Waxahachie with dramatic shootout finishes. The Lady Cats lose in the regional quarterfinals to Mansfield Legacy.
Number one, the longest road trip in Wildcats football history, to Orlando, Florida in early September. It was a trip of a lifetime with first time flying for many. It required lots of fundraising. It was a fine trip even if the varsity game was disappointing. Just unusual in all respects.
County Judge Calls 2016 A Good Year
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom told KSST News that 2016 has been a good year despite the fact that the funds for certain county roads to be rebuild with Federal Emergency Management Agency funds have been slow in coming to the county. Newsom also notes that the transition in Precinct 1 with the retirement of County Commissioner Beth Wisenbaker and soon to be sworn-in Commissioner Mickey Barker and a new sheriff when Lewis Tatum takes the oath of office replacing the retiring Sheriff Butch Adams are also marks of big change for the county.
Newsom noted that the county has to follow the rules to receive the FEMA funds and that causes the receiving of funds to be slowed. Newsom said the damage done during the 2015 flooding on over 800 miles of roads takes time to repair. A quick fix such as filling a pothole does not add extended life to the roadway according to Newsom. Newsom praised commissioners for their patience and diligence in working with FEMA for the funding.
Day to Day operations are going well with the county according to Newsom. The big change on the commissioner’s court is a loss of 20 years of experience and the interaction with regional and state governmental leadership. Newsom said Wisenbaker is well known among state leaders and that has aided in gaining advantage for the county. He did note that Barker’s background with Verizon has prepared him well for the job ahead. Newsom said there is much to learn in county government but he expects Barker to do well.
Newsom praised Adams for his work as sheriff and noted that Tatum has an expanding vision for the sheriff’s department that will build on the foundation Adams has prepared. Recalling that he had served as a deputy several years ago, Newsom said the energy of the current sheriff’s department enables them to accomplish much.
Commissioner’s Court Expected to Approve Slate Roof for Courthouse Wednesday
Hopkins County Courthouse will receive a new slate roof soon. Commissioners opened bids Friday morning at the Hopkins County Courthouse. The contract will receive final approval in a meeting of the court Wednesday, January 4, 2017. The new roof will cost $600.000 of which all but $10,000 will be paid by insurance. The $10,000 is the deductible on the insurance.
Commissioners had approved a contract with an individual who stated he and his company was a member of the buy board but it was later found that he had applied but had not, as yet, been approved. The court went out for bids again and Friday, only one bid, by the same man and company had been received. Newsom said it is hoped that the new roof will take only two to three months to complete. The slate roof should last for a minimum of 30 years and could last as long as 100-years. It is the same material that is used on older buildings in Europe, according to Newsom.
Newsom said he was not sure how many times the roof on the courthouse had been replaced during its lifetime. The original roof was slate. He noted that a synthetic-slate roof that will be removed as the new roof is put in place, has only lasted 30 years. He said the actual slate roof should have a much longer life. Leaks in various areas of the current roof necessitated the new roof.
Newsom said it is possible some of the wood under the roof will need to be replaced due to the leaks.
Remodel Delays Cause Dinner Bell Cancellation for Wednesday January 4th, 2017
An unprecedented 3 consecutive cancellations of the Dinner Bell are due to kitchen remodeling delays. A larger capacity Vent-A-Hood was installed to deal with excessive kitchen heat. Electrical, plumbing and other systems are often more complicated in older buildings. Several groups that use the First United Methodist Church facilities have been shifted to other parts of the complex, but the Dinner Bell simply could not be accommodated. FUMC is confident that everything will be back to normal for the January 11th, 2017 Dinner Bell.
*Updated* Local Landmark ‘Gates of Hell’ For Sale
KSST spoke with the current pastor of the Changed Life Church Friday morning. The Church is selling this site in order to raise funds for new buildings and more missionary work at a new location. They are also expanding the scope of their works.
Clearly seen from I-30 since the 80’s, the “Gates of Hell” church is looking for a new owner. The church’s location gives drivers a clear message if they happen to view both sections of the roof. A call to the phone number on the church’s current website went unanswered. It is unclear of the congregation is moving to a new location.
Miller Grove News December 30, 2016
by Brandon Darrow
I hope everyone had a good Christmas – I know my family and I did. My niece and nephews seemed to have a lot of fun and enjoyed the gifts and the good food we had. The Sunday before Christmas we had supper at my Aunt Betty Phillips’ house for the Darrow side of the family. It was nice to see the folks in my family that I don’t get to see every day. There were several that didn’t get to make it this year but hopefully I’ll get to see them next year.
My condolences to the family of Dannie Garrett that passed on Dec. 23. He was born Sept. 20, 1944, in Sulphur Springs and was buried Dec. 28, in Greenview Cemetery. He was as deacon at South Liberty Baptist Church and was retired from L-3 in Greenville. Even though Dannie lived down the road in Greenview, he did have Miller Grove connections. His grandmother, Annie (Ferguson) Garrett, grew up in Miller Grove. His parents, Cleo Reese Garrett & Christine Virginia Freeman, (of the Freemans from the Greenview community) married in 1941 and moved to Greenview. Dannie and wife Judy were married over 50 years. Survivors include his wife, Judy; son, Dewayne Garrett; daughter, Tammie Winstead; and 5 grandchildren. Death of a loved one is hard at any time but especially just before Christmas so please keep their family in your prayers.
The new Miller Grove Elementary School addition is looking great. The workers have been there most days and are really coming along with finishing up the inside of the building. The restrooms are nearly complete, tile is on the floors and along part of the walls, concrete sidewalk has been poured, and exterior doors have been hung. Hopefully we are now on the count-down to moving into the new wing of the school. I hope our students, parents, and community members are as proud of the building as I am.
Happy Birthday this coming week to Mark Phillips & Heath Darrow on Jan. 1, Blake McGowan & Cathy Weatherly on Jan. 5, and my sister-in-law, Madison Darrow on Jan. 6.
I hope everyone has a fun and safe New Year’s this weekend and don’t forget to eat your black eyed peas for good luck on New Year’s day.
As you travel the highways and byways don’t forget that all roads lead back home and back to Miller Grove. Please send me any newsworthy information. My email address is [email protected].
Lady Cats Earn Spot in Idabel Tourney’s Championship Game
The Lady Cats’ basketball team earned a spot in the championship game of the Idabel, Oklahoma Warrior Winter Classic with a nail-biting 44-42 win over Marlow, Oklahoma Thursday afternoon. The Lady Cats play an opponent to be determined in the final at 7 p.m. Friday.
Marlow led the Lady Cats, 14-12 after one quarter. The Lady Cats had a 22-19 lead at halftime and a 38-32 lead after three quarters. The Lady Cats were outscored 10-6 in the fourth quarter but hung on to win.
Autumn Tanton led the Lady Cats with 13 points. She also had 6 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 deflections and 2 assists. Kaylee Jefferson had 10 points and a team leading 10 rebounds along with 2 blocks, a steal, 1 deflection and 3 assists. Sadavia Porter had 8 points, 3 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 deflections and 1 assist. Tori Moore scored 7 points including the team’s only successful three pointer. Moore also had 5 rebounds, 5 deflections and 1 assist. Sheretta Hill scored 6 points along with 4 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal. The Lady Cats shot 36% from the field despite only 1 of 14 from three-point range.
The Lady Cats are now 16-3 for the season.
