Lady Cats Open Bi-District Play at Home Thursday
Lady Cats softball begins playoff action Thursday, April 28th, with a best of three bi-district series against Corsicana. Thursday night, the Lady Cats host at Lady Cat Park at 6:30 p.m. and then travel to Corsicana for game two Friday night at 6:30. If a third game is needed, the two teams meet at North Forney High School field at 1 p.m. Saturday.
North Hopkins ISD Lone Finalist Choice Raises Questions
Dr. Darin Jolly was named lone finalist for the position of Superintendent of North Hopkins Schools during a board meeting this week according to a member of the North Hopkins School staff. Jolly was named to replace Donna George.
Darin Jolly, Ed.D.
However Jolley recently resigned under duress as Superintendent of Kenedy ISD after admitting blame in an effort to shield a student or students from being found to use a prohibited substance. In a statement by the Kenedy ISD board of trustees read by Edward Monson and recorded in the Karnes County newspaper and mysoutex.com, the web presence for Beeville Publishing, “Unfortunately… Dr. Jolly made some mistakes that have eroded trust in him to continue as a leader of the district. Specifically, Dr. Jolly failed to follow school safety procedures for reporting the circumstances surrounding students’ use of a prohibited substance in a timely manner, with intent of shielding at least one student from disciplinary action. He also did not accurately and truthfully disclose his knowledge of this incident when initially questioned about it by the board and its special investigator. Dr. Jolly has owned up to his mistakes and error in judgement, and offered his resignation. The board decided to accept his resignation because it believes that it is in the best interest of the district to do so.”
The investigation into Jolly’s actions by the Kenedy school board came about when “parents of Kenedy students expressed concerns over the way school district officials responded to a recent incident where students were found on campus intoxicated-under the influence of drugs or alcohol or a combination of the two,” according to mysouTex.com. According to the article in mysoutex.com, the sheriff in Karnes County said his office had received several calls from parents worried that the school district officials may have looked the other way in the case.
A call placed to North Hopkins School Board President Allen Joslin found him awaiting the results of a family member’s surgery. He plans future comments to KSST News regarding the choice of Jolly. Joslin did say the board is aware of the situation in Kenedy, “We looked into it,” he stated. Joslin says Jolly brings many essential aspects in many different areas that will contribute to the school district. Joslin said he would make a further statement at a later time. KSST will continue to follow this story.
Lady Cats Impressive on Senior Night
This time there was no Pine Tree rally. Last month in Pine Tree, the Lady Cats saw the Lady Pirates come back from a 7-1 deficit to defeat the Lady Cats. Saturday evening, the Lady Cats won in impressive fashion, 8-1 at Lady Cat Park.
Freshman Bricklee Driver drove in five runs with a two-RBI single and a three-run home run. The Lady Cats two seniors also came through big on Senior Night. Molly Johnston drove in two runs with a single and Sarah Womack was two for four with a run scored and an RBI. Hannah Crowson continued her hot hitting going three for three with a stolen base and three runs scored. Alyssa Abron scored two runs after walking twice.
Pitcher Landri Bell went four innings and got the win giving up five hits and only one earned run. Bailey Haggerty pitched the final three innings giving up four hits and no runs. Both pitchers struck out four. The Lady Cats wrapped up district play with a 10-4 record. The Lady Cats season mark is now 26-6. They are the district’s third seed in the playoffs. The loss knocked Pine Tree out of the playoffs as Texas High ended up in the fourth spot.
The Lady Cats most likely bi-district playoff opponent is Corsicana. That could change if allegations of wrong doing at District 16-5A district champ Lufkin prove to be true and if the infraction results in playoff disqualification after a UIL investigation. In that case, the Lady Cats could face a rematch in bi-district with Whitehouse, who they lost to last year.
Wildcats Suffer Saturday Loss to Hallsville
It went from feast to famine for the Wildcats in a 6-0 district loss to Hallsville Saturday afternoon at Eagle Stadium. After scoring 12 runs on 11 hits against Pine Tree Friday night, the Wildcats were shut out Saturday as they managed only two hits.
Cole Cooper and Mason Buck got singles. Hallsville scratched out two runs in the second, one in the third, one in the fifth and two in the sixth. They had only six hits. Tyler Follis took the hard luck loss allowing only three earned runs. The loss drops the Wildcats to 5-7 in district play and 8-12-1 for the season.
If the Wildcats win their last two games and Pine Tree loses their last two, the Wildcats could tie the Pirates for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Wildcats will have to defeat Longview and Marshall while Pine Tree would have to lose to Hallsville and winless in district Greenville.
The Wildcats will play Longview at Eagle Stadium on Senior Night next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
College Honor Society Inducts 22 PJC-Sulphur Springs Campus Students
NEW HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERS
Several students at the Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center were recently inducted into the Beta Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society. The induction took place on the PJC-Sulphur Springs campus. New inductees, officers and advisors pictured include from left: Nazareth Olguin (Chapter Publicity), Anna Jones (Chapter Vice President), Amanda Gunnels (Chapter Secretary), Diann Mason (Advisor), Roselilian Fernandez, Taliana Bell, Olivia Guidino, Olmos Hodalis, Whitney Olivares, David Larkin (Advisor), and Brittany Hall.
More than 100 new members of the Beta Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, were inducted at Paris Junior College this semester.
PTK offers $37 million in transfer scholarships to more than 700 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and online. Members are also eligible to apply for scholarships and award programs to assist them with costs of attending two-year schools.
Students who are in PTK also have opportunities to develop qualities of scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and service. To be eligible, students must have a grade point average of 3.5.
Inductees light a candle of light and learning and sign the official membership book as part of the ceremony. Following the induction, students, family and friends enjoyed cookies and punch.
PTK inductees, by city, include:
Cumby: Aleigh Bessonett and Tiffany McManus
Dike: Justin Nichols
Pickton: Nabor Cuevas
Sulphur Bluff: Hunter Powers
Sulphur Springs: Taliana Bell, Taylor Broyles, Katie Cooper, Sidney Dietze, Vanessa Gonzalez, Shandi Groezinger, Olivia Gudino, April Hanson, Anna Jones, Megan Lescallett, Ana Miranda, Casie Norris, Hodalis Olmos, Estrella Resendiz, Esmeralda Sanchez, and Micah Stieber
Yantis: Roselilian Fernandez
SSHS Area Track Medalists
Jacob Gatewood is Area Track Champion in both the 1600 meter run and the 3200 meter run–on to regional.
Wildcat distance runner Jacob Gatewood claimed first place in both long races at the area track meet in Whitehouse. Friday Gatewood took first in the 1600-meter run. Thursday he took first in the 3200-meter run defeating a runner who had been beating him all season long. Gatewood qualified for the regional meet in Arlington April 29-30.
Abbigael Baier wins two gold medals, 100 meter and 300 meter hurdles, at Area Track meet–on to regional
Thursday Lady Cat hurdler Abbi Baier was also a big winner at the area track meet. Baier advanced to the regional track meet after taking first place in both the 100-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles. The Lady Cats also had a good showing from two hurdlers that earned alternate status. Mackenzie Moore was fifth in the 100-meter hurdles and Faith Hatley was fifth in the 300-meter hurdles.
Imani Taylor Silver Medalist in long jump at Area Track Meet–on to Regionals
Friday Imani Taylor qualified for regional with a second place finish in long jump. Taylor battled back after a disappointing seventh place finish in the triple jump. Taylor is the district champion in the long jump. She went to the regional tournament last year in triple jump and high jump.
Wildcats Win in Five Friday; Host Hallsville Saturday
The Wildcats’ baseball team soundly defeated Pine Tree, 12-1 Friday night on the road. The game was halted after five innings due to the ten-run rule.
Wildcats pitcher Ryan Humphries pitched all five innings allowing only one run and four hits. It was his second straight strong outing. He threw a two hit shut out against Greenville last Friday. The Wildcats offense produced ten runs and eight hits in a second inning where 14 batters came to the plate. Triston McCormack and Michael Arnold opened with singles and Easton Silman drove home a run with a double. Tyler Follis had an RBI single. Gavin Millsap singled. Mason Buck walked. After a Pirate pitching change, Humphries blasted a double that drove home three runs. Cole Cooper had an RBI single. McCormack walked, Silman got on on an error. Follis then drove home three runs with a triple. Pine Tree scored their lone run on three hits in the bottom of the second to make it a 10-1 game. In the top of the third, the Wildcats scored the game’s final two runs as Heston Golightly tripled to drive in Cooper who had walked. Golightly scored on a wild pitch.
The win improved the Wildcats district record to 5-6. They have won three of four in the second half. Their season record improved to 8-11-1. The Wildcats have a crucial game with Hallsville Saturday at 2 p.m. at Eagle Stadium. Tyler Follis is expected to pitch for the Wildcats.
Friday Area Track Results Good News for SSHS’s Gatewood, Baier, Taylor
Wildcat distance runner Jacob Gatewood claimed first place in both long races at the area track meet in Whitehouse. Friday Gatewood took first in the 1600-meter run. Thursday he took first in the 3200-meter run defeating a runner who had been beating him all season long. Gatewood qualified for the regional meet in Arlington April 29-30.
Thursday Lady Cat hurdler Abbi Baier was also a big winner at the area track meet. Baier advanced to the regional track meet after taking first place in both the 100-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles. The Lady Cats also had a good showing from two hurdlers that earned alternate status. Mackenzie Moore was fifth in the 100-meter hurdles and Faith Hatley was fifth in the 300-meter hurdles.
Friday Imani Taylor qualified for regional with a second place finish in long jump. Taylor battled back after a disappointing seventh place finish in the triple jump. Taylor is the district champion in the long jump. She went to the regional tournament last year in triple jump and high jump.
