Shelby County Today

April 27, 2017 - Joaquin Bi-District Baseball Playoffs, Joaquin vs Chireno, is set for Friday, May 5th at Nacogdoches High School. Game one starts at 5pm. Game two starts 30 minutes later. Game three, if necessary, is set for Saturday, May 6th at 11am. Gate prices are Adults $5, Children $3, and will accept All Passes.

Tuesday, April 26, 2017, Shelbyville Dragons Baseball Park -

The visiting Gary Bobcats varsity baseball team edged out the Shelbyville Dragons, by a narrow 1-0 score, in 8-innings, last Tuesday night. The win forced a tie-breaker game, at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 28, at Gary High Schools’ Bobcats Ballpark to determine who enters the bi-district playoffs as third place representative in District 23-2A baseball. Both teams have already earned a third or fourth place seeding in the post-season.

Gary's win also locked Joaquin into second place after they beat Tenaha, 13-0, in their district finale.

Neither, Shelbyville or Gary hit safely until the Dragons got a lead-off single in the bottom of the third inning. Bobcat pitcher Cason Daniels was able to strike out the next batter and the GHS defense got the second and third outs by retiring the next two batters out on pop-ups.

With two outs in the inning, Gary got their first and only hit, in the top of the seventh inning, when Collin Coleman singled to leftfield. He stretched his hit to third base when the baseball got behind the Dragons’ outfielder. Shelbyville starting pitcher Kolby Parker avoided a Bobcats score by striking out the next GHS batter in three pitches.

Gary shut down the Dragons in 1-2-3 fashion in the bottom of the seventh inning. The game went into overtime and Cole Ferguson took over pitching duties for the Dragons. The Dragons walked Ethan Askins to start the eighth frame. Ferguson then struck out Landon Odom, however during Odom’s at-bat, pinch-runner Holden Ritter was able to advance to third base, on a passed-ball and a steal. Ritter later scored the game’s only run by advancing home on a sacrifice bunt by Brandon Storm.

Cole Ferguson drilled a base hit up the middle with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning but Landon Odom was able to strike out the next Dragons batter to end the final inning, and give Gary the narrow 1-0 win.

Gary pitchers teamed up for 12 strikeouts and allowed four walks while Dragons pitchers teamed up for 14 strikeouts and gave up five free bases.

From Head Coach, Leon Dykes:

April 25, 2017 - The Center Tennis team competed in the Region 2 4-A Championship April 18-19 and after two days of rain delays and midnight marathon matches, the Rider Tennis season has come to an end.  

Boys Singles:
Mauricio Rojas-Solis finished second in our District to Adam Morris (Henderson). Adam is going to represent our district and region at the State tournament by finishing second in our region. Mauricio had to face the number three seeded player in the draw (District Champion from Paris, Tx) and had a straight set loss. Mauricio is a sophomore and will be one of the future leaders of the Rider Tennis Team.

Girls Singles:
Keelan Williams finished 1st in District and played a District Runner up from Anna, Tx. Keelan won her first round in straight sets and made it to the Region Quarterfinals before facing the #1 seed in the draw. Keelan is a freshmen with a bright future ahead and will also be a future leader of the program.

Boys Doubles:
Nate Morris / Zach Fausett are the seniors of this years boys program and were the District Champions going into the tournament. They drew Kilgore in the first round, who finished second in their District but were the #2 seed in the bracket. The boys held their own and had a chance to serve for the first set but fell short and ended up in a tiebreaker which the Riders did not come out ahead in. After dropping the first set, they bounced back and took the second set (which was the only set Kilgore dropped in the entire tournament) forcing a third and deciding set which Kilgore outgunned us in.

Abram Morales / Juan Gonzalez finished 2nd in the District and drew the District Champions from Van. These boys lost in a hard fought match but Center struggled to win their serve games when it was needed and gave Van the opening they needed to close out each set. Abram is a junior and Juan is a sophomore.

Girls Doubles:
Whitlee Reed / Megan Dunn had an outstanding tournament with five matches played and gave their all to compete for a chance to advance to State. The Lady Riders fell a little short to a couple of very accomplished teams in Kaufman and Wills Point, but came home with Third Place Medals and a solid year. Congratulations!!! Senior Whitlee Reed and Junior Megan Dunn.

Senior Iliana Rojas and Junior Emma Locke had a tough draw, meeting the District Champions from Wills Point (same team who finished 2nd place over Reed / Dunn) in the first round at Regionals. The girls jumped out to an early lead in the first set but lost the momentum and Wills Point was able to take back the lead and win the first set and carry momentum into the second set.  

Mixed Doubles:
Junior Mackenzie Dykes and Sophomore Keaton Watlington came into the tournament unseeded and was able to pull out a first round victory over Dallas Hutchins and then had to face the #4 seed from Kaufman. The mixed doubles duo played a great first set and was leading to start the second set when the rain hit. The delay stalled our momentum and Kaufman regrouped and took the second set, but Center bounced back to win the third set and reach the semifinals. The Rider duo faced a loss in the semifinals and third place matches but finish fourth. Congratulations!!!!

Sophomores Maddie Russell and Sam McSwain had to play the District Champions from Pittsburgh in the first round and were able to pull off a three set victory. This put the Center duo into the Region Quarterfinals to face the number 2 seed in the Region. The Riders put up a fight in each game but fell short and will have a few more years to improve and advance.

Overall, the Center tennis team did not have a State qualifier this spring, but knew they would have a different region to compete with in the new alignment. I believe this will give the returning tennis players the incentive to work that much harder to succeed.

The Rider Tennis team represented CHS to the best of its ability and look forward to another season. Congratulations to our Seniors and we look forward to hearing of your success in the years to come.

Octaxious Evans selected to play in TABC 4-A All-State Game
By CHS Junior, Alberto Huichapa

April 24, 2017 - Senior Octaxious Evans was selected by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches to play at the TABC All-Star Game in San Antonio on May 19.

"It came out of nowhere to be honest," Evans said. "Mama Harrison texted me and she showed me I was on the roster. It felt good knowing I get to play again."

Evans is the first player to play in the TABC All-Star Game from Center High School since Robert Culley in 1977, who was the first high school student in Texas to play in both the basketball and baseball All-Star Games.

"This recognizes his abilities and accomplishments," Athletic Director Barry Bowman said. "It also recognizes our athletic department and specifically, our basketball program of Coach Harrison and his staff with the job that they've been able to do with Tae."

To be selected for the All-Star Game, a player must be nominated by their coach. After that, the player must also be selected by coaches throughout the State of Texas.

"The honor speaks for itself," Bowman said. "This is a group of coaches, who spend their lives in a particular field like basketball, in the State of Texas who have decided that this young man has fit all the criteria to be selected to play in this game."

Evans was elected into the 1st team of the 2017 District 16-4A, All-District Boys Basketball Team and the Class 4A Region III Basketball Team. Evans racked up a total of 496 points, 80 assists and 193 rebounds in the 2016-17 basketball season.

"I'm proud of Tae," head basketball Coach Hiram Harrison said. "He's a hard worker, so he deserves it."

Evans has became a leader and a role model for many athletes and students. He shows success pays off with hard work, and having good character makes a difference. Because of these qualities, Evans signed his letter of intent to play football at Boise State in the fall.

"It's feels good to step up and play a role in other people's lives," Evans said. "It's a lot of pressure sometimes. You can't let nobody see you doing wrong cause then they’re going to think they can do wrong."

A banquet will be held to honor the players and coaches on May 18 at 7:00 p.m. at The El Tropicano Hotel in San Antonio. The Boys 4A All-Star Game will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Blossom Athletic Center on May 19. There will be no charge for admission into the game.

"He's going to do well, no doubt about it," Bowman said. "He's going to do well no matter what he chooses to do. He's just that kind of kid."

If an individual or business would like to support Evans by sponsoring an advertisement in the All-State Game program, please contact hiram.harrison@centerisd.org.