Lady Cats Softball Sweeps Huntsville For Regional Semifinal Bid
The Lady Cats and Huntsville Lady Hornets softball teams traded runs throughout the entirety of Game 2, but Sulphur Springs emerged victorious Friday, May 12 by a score of 7-5.
Speaking on how he thought game 2 of the series would go versus Huntsville, Lady Cats softball coach David Carrillo “Knew [the Lady Cats] were going to have to battle.”
Both teams snagged a run in the second inning. LF Nicole Higgins got the offense going in the game when she homered on a line drive to CF to make it a 1-0 lead for Sulphur Springs.
Huntsville responded with a run of their own thanks to two timely hits to make a tied, 1-1 game after two full innings.
The Lady Cats in their next at-bat made their hits count, as 1B Nylah Lindley reached first on an error on what should have been a routine pop-up.
The following batter, CF Jadyn Harper, cashed in on a line drive to center field for a 2R HR to make it 3-1 Sulphur Springs after 2.5 innings. Coach Carrillo said his girls stepped up tonight.
The Lady Cats softball coach said his squad has “Stepped up all season long, getting the key hits when they needed to.”
Huntsville was able to get a solo shot to put the game within one run at 3-2 after four innings.
Sulphur Springs, never relenting, again responded in a big way, turning a walk, an error, two singles, and a fielders choice into a 3-run inning to take a big 4-run, 6-2 lead going in to the bottom of the fifth.
“Offensively, we scored” Coach Carrillo said about his team’s big fifth inning, adding that his team “scored when they needed to.”
The Lady Cats softball coach said his team’s bats came alive in Game 2 of the best-of-three series.
Huntsville never gave up in the game. With their season on the line, the Lady Hornets played with a fierce tenacity showcasing their offensive prowess.
Huntsville scored 3 of the game’s 4 final runs over the final 2.5 innings, but it would not be enough as Sulphur Springs took the back-and-forth victory in Rusk, TX by a score of 7-5.
“We wanted that game tonight,” Coach Carrillo said. The softball coach said his girls weren’t going to lose that game tonight.
“I’m so proud of the way we fought and went through it,” Coach Carrillo said.
The 12 total runs scored in a game was the most for a Sulphur Springs match since their Senior Night shut-out of Pine Tree on Apr. 20, 16-0.
Crimson Bryant got the win, pitching a complete 7 inning game. The righty gave up five runs on eight hits, but did manage to strike out four Lady Hornet batters. Bryant walked two Huntsville batters in the victory.
The win gave the Lady Cats their second win of the series, which in turn meant Sulphur Springs swept Huntsville in the best-of-three series to move on to the Regional Semifinals.
Not only that, but Game 2’s victory over the Lady Hornets allowed Coach David Carrillo’s squad to move on to the Regional Semifinals for the first time in Coach Carrillo’s tenure.
Under Coach David Carrillo, the Lady Cats have made the Regional Quarterfinals (including this season) five times.
It was not until this year that Sulphur Springs was able to break through and advance to the Regional Semifinals (or fourth round of playoffs) for the first time.
“They’re a special group,” Coach Carrillo said about his team.
Coach Carrillo said every single member of his squad is a tight-knit team; the starters, the substitutes — everyone on the field.
“It has been amazing to watch this whole year watching them develop,” Coach Carrillo said, adding that “they’ve come through and are together as one.”
With the series sweep and elimination of the Lady Hornets, the Lady Cats season record is now 28-5 overall (11-1 district).
Next up, Sulphur Springs will be taking on the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards in the Regional Semifinals held next week.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Wanted Saltillo Man Caught With Methamphetamine
A wanted Saltillo man was caught with methamphetamine Thursday evening, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies, aware of the arrest warrant, contacted Robert Earl Smith at his County Road 3604 residence at 6:45 p.m. May 13, 2021. The 56-year-old advised deputies he needed to grab some personal effects prior to being put into handcuffs and taken to jail on the outstanding surety off bond on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone charge, deputies noted in arrest reports.
Deputies stood inside the living area of the home while Smith did so. Smith reportedly retrieved an item from a tin box on the coffee table, revealing to deputies a burned glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine and other related paraphernalia. Closer inspection of the box revealed a few baggies with suspected methamphetamine and miscellaneous items of drug paraphernalia containing suspected meth residue, HCSO Deputies Aaron Chaney and Chris Baumann alleged in arrest reports.
Smith was taken into custody at 6:50 p.m. May 13 and the suspected controlled substance and contraband were seized. Additional suspected marijuana was observed in the bottom of the box as well. The suspected meth and baggies weighed 1.4 grams; the meth field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Deputy Chaney used Google satellite imagery to determine the CR 3604 residence where Smith was located is within 500 feet of a school, making it a drug-free zone, the deputy wrote in arrest reports.
No only was Smith booked into jail on the warrant for surety off bond on the May 20, 2020 controlled substance charge but also on a new possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone, according to arrest reports.
Smith remained in Hopkins County jail Friday night, May 13, 2021, on both charges. His bonds totaled $40,000: $20,000 per charge, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Wanted McKinney Woman Attempted To Flee From Police
A wanted 51-year-old McKinney woman attempted to flee from police when contacted early Friday morning, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officers were contacted by Collin County law enforcement about a wanted McKinney woman thought to possibly be in the Sulphur Springs area in a white Mercedes-Benz. Officers were told the woman was also reported to be suicidal, the officers noted in arrest reports.
SSPD Officer Silas Whaley and Sgt. Matt Glenn contacted the wanted McKinney woman at a hotel room at 12:47 a.m. May 14. She reportedly came to the door and opened it but didn’t comply when they instructed her to get on the ground. The woman then allegedly “attempted to run into the hotel room, but was grabbed and placed on the ground, without being injured,” Whaley wrote in arrest reports.
After being secured in handcuffs, Jeanne Yong Mi Chang was reportedly taken to the emergency room as a precaution, and after being medically cleared was transported to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, where she was booked at 3:03 a.m. May 14, 2021, on the Collin County aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. Chang’s bond on the second-degree felony charge was set at $10,000, according to Hopkins County jail reports.
Chang, whop is also known by Jeanne Youg Mi Boshart and Jeanne Yong MiChang, was transferred later Friday to Collin County jail, where she remained Friday night, in lieu of the $50,000 bond set on the second-degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon warrant obtained by McKinney Police Department on May 13, 2021, according to Collin County jail reports.
Updated: Aiguier Cemetery Association Meeting
The Aiguier Cemetery Association is planning to have their annual meeting on Sunday, June 6, 2021, at the North Hopkins School Cafeteria. Please make plans to bring a covered-dish and share a meal and memories. After lunch, there will be a brief business meeting. Donations for the upkeep of the cemetery are always needed and appreciated. You can contribute that day or mail your donation to the Aiguier Cemetery Association, c/o Peggy Beck, Treasurer, 332 CR 3620, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482.
Lady Cats Softball Team Looks to Close Out Regional Quarterfinal Series Friday Night
The Lady Cats Softball Team has game 2 of their best 2 out of 3 Regional Quarterfinal Series with Huntsville Friday at 6:30 p.m. In Rusk.
The Lady Cats lead the series 1 game to zero after Wednesday evening’s pulse pounding 1-0 win over the Lady Hornets in 8 innings at Whitehouse.
This is a battle of perhaps the best team in their respective districts, the Lady Cats in District 15-5A and Huntsville in District 16-5A.
Both teams showed strong pitching and defense in game 1. Both teams managed 4 hits Wednesday evening and both teams had one error.
The Lady Hornets come into Friday’s contest with a record of 28-6. The Lady Cats are now 27-3 and they have won 18 straight games. The Lady Hornets are ranked #7 in the State in Class 5A according to a Texas Girls Coaches Association Poll.
The Lady Cats defeated Crandall in Area and Lufkin in Bi-District to get into this series. Huntsville topped Texas High in Bi-District and Forney in Area to get into the third round. Huntsville also lost their first game in their Area series before winning the final two.
The Lady Cats are hoping to prevent a repeat of that. The Lady Cats want a Friday win to wrap up the series and avoid a game 3 Saturday at 2 p.m. back at Whitehouse. The Lady Cats are attempting to perhaps go farther than they ever have with a win Friday.
This is the fifth Regional Quarterfinal for a David Carrillo-coached Lady Cats team and the first four proved to be the end of the road.
The winner of the Lady Cats and Lady Hornets series will face the winnr of a Lovejoy and Frisco Heritage series. Lovejoy leads in that series 1 game to zero with their game 2 also planned for Friday evening.
KSST sister station, KRVA-FM, 107.1, will bring you Lady Cats and Lady Hornets Regional Quarterfinal action tonight at 6:30 p.m. From Rusk. Ross LaBenske will have the play by play.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Lady Cats Softball Team Gets Special Escort Out of Town On Their Way to Regional Quarterfinal Game Friday
A good number of supporters turned out Friday afternoon (May 14) at around 1 P.M. to give the Lady Cats Softball Team a send off to their game 2 of the Regional Quarterfinal Series with Huntsville in Rusk Friday evening.
The Lady Cats bus was escorted to the city limits by Sulphur Springs Police, Campus police, a Sulphur Springs Fire Department truck and several EMS vehicles.
From the parking lot outside Lady Cat Park, the route went out onto Highway 19 south to Wildcat Way, then east to Highway 154 and south to the city limits.
The team bus then continued on toward Rusk with a food stop in between.
At the send off, present were School Superintendent Michael Lamb, a large number of students, along with parents, grandparents and other fans.
Lady Cats Softball Coach Davis Carrillo said the Lady Cats are very deserving of the attention they are getting. He said he was ready for the game tonight and added he was sure the Lady Cats were too.
Game 2 is in Rusk at 6:30 p.m. If the Lady Cats win the series, they will make history as the first Lady Cats Softball Team to ever make it to round four, to a Regional Semifinal game.
The Lady Cats lead the series with Huntsville, 1-0 after winning 1-0 Wednesday evening. The series winner will face the Lovejoy and Frisco Heritage winner in the Regional Semifinal next week.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Morgan, Busby Named Top Seniors At Como-Pickton High
Como-Pickton High School recently announced it’s top seniors. Kaitlyn Morgan is the the valedictorian and Lexi Busby as salutatorian of the 2021 CPHS Senior Class, which includes 47 students. Both achieved a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
Valedictorian Kaitlyn Morgan, daughter of Randy and Amanda Morgan of Como, has attended Como-Pickton CISD all 14 years of her formative education.
“Como-Pickton is a school unlike any other. This school is bonded in unity by an overwhelming since of family. Each staff member cares about every child’s journey through education. I would not be the student I am today without the influence of my school,” the CPHS 2021 Senior Class valedictorian said.
Morgan said two CPHS staff members she’s been especially blessed to have been influenced by are English teacher Shelly Anderson and counselor Lou Colvin. Mrs. Anderson was Morgan’s sophomore English II teacher, but now “serves as a mentor and so much more.”
“She has shown me how to be kind through adversity, how to strive to reach great things, and how to be a well-rounded intelligent individual. Mrs. Anderson sets the example for several of the amazing teachers we have at Como-Pickton,” Morgan said.
Ms. Colvin, Morgan notes, “has been so helpful in guiding me through college decisions and offering me any help I have needed for scholarships.”
“Her passion for her job shines through and impacts each of her students greatly. I would not be the dedicated student I am today without her,” the CPHS valedictorian said.
Not surprisingly, Morgan has remained on the A Honor Roll each year of high school.
To other students hoping to be successful, she says to remember that “There are going to be tough days. It is going to get very difficult to continue to work hard for the ultimate goal. However, it is how you work through that adversity that determines your level of success.”
In addition to her high academic standing, Morgan has been very active in softball, cheerleading and academic competitions, garnering a number of accolades in each, and was involved in several school and community organizations as well.
In academic UIL, the CPHS valedictorian earned first place honors in both persuasive speaking and news writing contests, and garnered second place honors in feature writing at the District 15 AA Academic UIL contest this year. She also was recognized as the CPHS Top Readers in 2017-18.
Morgan also played softball, earning 2nd Team All-District in softball in 2018, 2019, and 2020; and Academic All-District Softball: 2018, 2019 and 2020. She also was a varsity cheerleader, earning All-American Cheerleader in 2020.
She too was involved in the National Honor Society, Student Athletic training, Student Council, served as a Class Officer and FFA.
“One of the things I have grown to love over the course of high school is to arrange flowers. I have been involved in several events through our FFA program to exhibit this hobby. My goal is to eventually work part-time at a flower shop,” Morgan said.
The CPHS valedictorian also participated in Hopkins County Leadership this year, and is part of the Greenpond Baptist Church Youth group.
“It is crazy to think that our class survived high school through a pandemic. We have participated in times unlike any other before. It has taken time, hard work, and sacrifices to be ranked at the top of my class. Ultimately, I now realize it was all worth it in the end,” Morgan said, when asked about achieving the top ranking in her senior class at CPHS.
Morgan has been accepted into the Honors College at Texas A&M University-Commerce, where she will study to become a pediatric nurse practitioner so she can help children in the community through different outreach programs. She has been awarded the TAMUC Presidential Scholarship, which amounts to $16,000 over four years as well as the TAMUC Honors College Scholarship. She too received a $1,000 Como-Pickton FFA Scholarship and a $1,000 Texas FFA Foundation Scholarship and a $1,000 Sulphur Springs Lions Club Scholarship.
CPHS salutatorian Lexi Busby is the daughter of Mark and Casey Busby, and sister of Samantha and Bailey Busby of Como.
When asked about her thoughts on being named the CPHS salutatorian, Busy said, “It’s nice to see all the hard work I’ve put in come to fruition.”
Busby also was on the A Honor Roll and Received the Principal’s Award.
To other students hoping to be successful in school, she advises, “the amount of effort you put in will reflect the reward you receive, so always put in 100 percent.”
The top ranked CPHS student has served as the Como-Pickton mascot and been involved in student and community organizations.
She was been involved in the National Honor Society, FCCLA and Student Council, and served on the yearbook staff. She also was involved in the Wood County 4-H group, and in her spare time enjoys drawing, watching Marvel movies, reading, and taking naps.
Busby was has been very active in sports during her years at CPHS as part of the school cross country, volleyball, basketball, track and softball teams. She includes among the honors she’s received being named 1st Team All District in volleyball and basketball, 2nd Team All District in Volleyball, Honorable Mention in softball and Academic All District.
In fact, Busby received a 2021 Texas Student-Athlete of the Year Scholarship to help her with her continue her studies. She said she is looking forward to attending West Texas A&M University to major in criminal justice, with a goal of one day becoming an FBI agent.
“This career choice is something that has always been put on screen and viewed as miraculous and daring, I would like to experience it for myself,” Busby said of her career goals.
Busby says she’s been inspired by many people throughout her life, including “my parents, my sisters, my grandparents, my teachers throughout the years, and my coaches.”
ETA Josh Davis Presents a Variety Tribute Show at Reilly Springs Jamboree May 15
by Enola Gay Mathews
Having grown up at Reilly Springs in Hopkins County, Texas, Josh began a lifelong love of the music of Elvis Presley at a very early age. He loved to watch Elvis movies, and throughout his childhood, he put on concerts for his parents, Gary and Debbie Davis, nightly before bedtime. He had memorized most lyrics to Elvis music and dialog to Elvis movies as an adolescent. I was first introduced to Josh, a 6-year-old out to eat with his parents at the old West Side Plaza restaurant downtown where I was singing. He was very shy as a child but at age 14, Josh decided to take a bold step by making his first public appearance. It was during Talent Night at the local restaurant, K-Bobs. Along with Guy Rushin, I was entertaining there and introduced Josh’s debut performance. He later told me he was nervous at first, but soon felt a connection with the people who were watching him. I was so proud of Josh as he gave a surprisingly polished performance to the ‘Hound Dog’ track, showing himself to be a natural-born entertainer. Truthfully, he had been rehearsing a long time for that first show!
From that point, he was hooked on appearing live. When Christmastime came, Josh was asked to perform his Elvis act downtown in a daytime family event put on by the City of Sulphur Springs. Reminder notes from the elementary schools brought a lot of families out, and that day, the fully costumed Josh got his first taste of screaming young girls who each wanted the scarves he was tossing out! He played the role of Conrad Birdie in the SSHS production of ‘Bye Bye Birdie’, a story inspired by Elvis Presley’s induction into the US Army in 1958. As he matured and his voice changed, Josh stepped into the Texas Opry circuit, including the Reilly Springs Jamboree, and then began to get his feet wet in the competitive ETA world of Elvis Tribute Artists. He will admit, it took awhile to learn the ropes and the etiquette of competition, and to be recognized and accepted by the ‘other Elvises’. But he made some lasting friends and lots of fans during those years of travel with his parents. In 2017, I was privileged to join the family on one of the Caribbean cruises where Josh performed nightly. His goal was to establish himself among the many talented entertainers who give tribute to the life and legend of Elvis Presley, and he has accomplished that. Competing in contests in Texas and Oklahoma and then in Branson, Orlando and Memphis including the global Ultimate Elvis, Josh is counted among the top 20 Elvis Tribute Artists in the world by Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Josh married in 2017 and his wife Jessica handles promotion of his media. He remains a regular on the Opry circuit, booking private and corporate parties, and attending ‘Elvis Week’ festivities in Memphis. His repertoire has broadened to include tributes to Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and others. Josh is a crowd-pleasing entertainer and always performs high-energy shows, whether it’s a tribute to Elvis or Rock n Roll. Due to our long history, Josh still calls me ‘boss’ whenever we talk! To me, that shows character, and that he’s never forgotten his roots. I am super pleased to welcome Josh back to the Reilly Springs stage backed by Gary Jones and the Running Creek Band on Saturday May 15, 2021 at 7pm.
Texas Workforce Commission Warns of Fake Social Media Sites, Imposter Emails
Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission is warning Texans about cleverly designed fake social media sites and imposter emails designed to look like they come from the agency, but which are really scams seeking to enable thieves to steal Texans’ identities. Texans seeking unemployment benefits are warned not to send any personally identifiable information or transact any business except through TWC’s unemployment insurance (UI) portal or Telecenters.
In addition, a recent scam using a spoof email address designed to mimic the TWC address, attempted to defraud some unemployment benefits recipients of funds by demanding direct deposit information in exchange for services. No authorized TWC representative will ever demand payment to expedite cases and TWC does not ever solicit information like social security numbers through email.
TWC does not conduct business or take personal information on its social media sites. Nonetheless, the legitimate sites can be valuable sources of information from the agency to the public. TWC will only send out useful information; if there is information needed for a particular claimant’s case, that person will be directed to either the UI portal or TWC’s Telecenters.
TWC’s authorized social media accounts, used for disseminating information only, include:
- Facebook: facebook.com/texasworkforcecommission
- Twitter: twitter.com/TXWorkforce
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/Texas-workforce-commission
All Texans should take steps to secure their identity online by practicing Internet security best practices. Treat your TWC account and all accounts like you would your bank account. The Texas Workforce Commission will investigate every unemployment benefit claim to confirm identity and to lock accounts that are fraudulent.
May 18 Health Fair Hosted at FBC THE ROC for Local Seniors
For the past three years, Jody Pair has been manager of The Roc and serves as Minister of Missions and Outreach. Jody visited the KSST Good Morning Show to invite the public to the many free events and activities planned inside THE ROC, including the 2021 Health Fair set for the morning of Tuesday May 18.
If you want to utilize The ROC for a family reunion, club meeting or banquet, the facility can be rented for small to larger events. Most other uses are free, such as if you’re looking for an indoor place to walk for exercise, there’s the walking track built around the upper perimeter of the gym. Youth and adults can schedule time to play basketball and other kinds of sports in the gym. Friday mornings 9am til noon is Toddler Time, where the gym is reserved for children age 5 and under to play and enjoy with their parent/grandparent. Find out all the uses of The ROC on the First Baptist Church Facebook page, or website ssfbc.org. Or phone for information at 903-885-0649. See the entire interview with Enola and Jody by clicking HERE
