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.
Wildcats Lose to 6A Powerhouse in Tourney; Return to District Play Tuesday
The Wildcats’ basketball team hung around a long time with a very talented Houston Sam Houston team before losing, 66-50 in a quarterfinal game at the Leroy Romines Memorial Basketball Tournament in Longview Thursday night. The Wildcats are done after winning two and losing two in the tournament featuring good competition. Their other loss was to Pro Vision of Houston, a powerful charter academy.
The Wildcats actually led the Class 6A Sam Houston Tigers, 17-12 after the first quarter. The Tigers rallied to lead 32-23 at halftime. The Wildcats only trailed 46-43 after three quarters.
Victor Iwuakor led the Wildcats with 17 points. Michael Jefferson scored 10 points and Keaston Willis added 9. The Wildcats hit 7 three-pointers in the game. Sam Houston was led by Kendric Davis with 31 points and Jacob Wiley, a 6-7 post, with 14 points.
The Wildcats season record slips to 16-4. Next the Wildcats, 1-0 in district play, return to district action as they play Marshall Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Wildcats Gym.
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
Malorie Patrone, James Turcios, and Daniel, Desirea, and Denise visited Robert and Yvonne Weir and had supper with them on Friday night. Wesley and Yvonne attended the candlelight service at the Tira Methodist Church on Christmas Eve. Yvonne reports that “it was a lovely service.”
Floyd Payton had to undergo surgery for an abdominal aneurism and he came home from the hospital on Christmas Eve. Martha reports, “Regina had lunch ready and we enjoyed some comfort food.” They are glad to be home and want to thank everyone for all the “good wishes.”
Landon, Laiken, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden Joslin celebrated Christmas with Laiken’s family on Christmas Eve.
Jaidyn, Kenden, and Morgan Joslin and Morgan’s girlfriend, Alexis, and Landon, Laiken, and their family had Christmas dinner and exchanged gifts with Malcolm and Tanja in Sulphur Springs on Sunday night.
We attended the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. Our son, Delayne, arrived from Waco on Christmas Day. After church, our family – Tiffany, Morgan, Kenden, Jaidyn, Morgan’s girlfriend Alexis, Landon, Laiken, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden, joined the three of us for lunch and opening presents. Chip’s mother and sister, Grace and Linda Ellen Vaughn, visited us on Christmas night.
Kenden Joslin celebrated his 15th birthday on Tuesday, December 27th. Our family visited Liz Steinsiek at her Tira cabin that afternoon. Also there were Michael, Tracy, Jordyn, Madison, and Lani Horn, and Carol, Jessica, and Jared Cowley. The kids, and some of the adults played badminton and bean bag toss. Others enjoyed the nice weather, while sitting on the porch and visiting. Afterward, the group (except the Cowleys) went to the ROC (First Baptist Church’s Recreational Outreach Center), where they were treated to pizza and cake and had fun playing games. Malcolm and Tanja were there, as well as Kenden’s girlfriend, Abby, and her brother.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected]
