Shelby County Today

Friday, June 23, 2017, Killeen, Texas - The Bandits 14 and under (14U) Girl's Softball Team have checked off many of their 2017 goals but none as exciting as their most recent accomplishment of qualifying for the ASA Nationals, in Johnson City,Tennessee, on the weekend of June 16-18. They face some very tough competition against both first and second year 14U teams in Killeen but were able to secure the birth thus accomplishing its top 2017 goal, a ticket to ASA Nationals. Facing teams like the Firecrackers, Bombers, Glory Teams and Velocity, will certainly continue to push this ladies team to new levels of competition.

The Texas Bandits softball team was started in 2012 by Jay Stone and Jason Stanley out of Joaquin. The team mainly consists of local area talent. Over the last several years there have been many accomplishments and the Bandit’s name has become well known in the East Texas area.

The Lady Bandits first year 14 and under team was formed in August of 2017. The team includes many new players from around the area as well as some additions to the coaching staff. The teams focus for this season is Commitment, Respect & Teamwork. The Bandits coaching staff quickly established its goals for the upcoming season and shared with all players & family.

Goals set by the team were to develop top notch team chemistry, compete at the highest levels successfully, win and lose as a team with class, qualify for 14U American Softball Association Nationals this summer at Johnson City Tennessee, and to keep a team grade average of 80+ is also a minimum expectation.

In October of 2016 the Bandits began the journey of competing at a higher level by participating in the Ronald McDonald College Showcase in Woodlands, Texas in the 14U division despite being eligible to compete in the 12U division based on age. Throughout the fall of 2016 the Bandits played all of their tournaments in 14U age group to better prepare for the level of competition they would face in 2017.

Competing at this level requires a lot of hard work and dedication from the Bandit ladies as well as their families. The Bandits will travel over 50% of the time leading up to Nationals to compete in some of the highest levels of competition in both Texas and Louisiana. The Bandits have begun the journey of trying to raise funds to attend the Nationals in Tennessee with an estimated budget to attend of $16,000. The Bandits will host several fundraisers over the next month and welcome any assistance from local area businesses. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Team Manager Jason Stanley at jstanleytbsoftball@yahoo.com or call at 903-754-9213. Any donations are appreciated by the coaching staff, ladies & parents.

June 12, 2017 - Dwight Preston hosted his annual mentoring program and football camp on Friday and Saturday, June 2-3. There were about 10 kids in attendance for the mentoring program plus guests.

The mentoring program, "My Brother's Keeper," was held in the conference room of the Best Western Plus in Center and featured a host of mentoring participants. They included: Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom; John Brooks, Founder of MBK Mentor; Noel Cotton, Sid Roberts Funeral Home Director; Lt. Jeremy Bittick, with Center Police Department (accompanied by Sgt. Ricky King and Officer Kenneth King); Todd Bailey, Professional Body Builder; and Dwight Preston himself.

"They talked to them about being positive, about attitude. Mr. Cotton talked a lot about them putting in the work. If you want to have something, you're going to have to put the work in to get it," said Preston.

A lot of the kids attending the program, Preston works with during the school year. He said some of the kids attending the program have trust issues and need nurturing.

"One of the kids really, really came out and Mr. Cotton really helped him out," said Preston. "One thing with kids with trust issues you cannot do is tell them something and don't do it, because, they expect you not to do it all the time."

Although some of the kids have had to face negative situations in their lives, Preston wants to help break the cycle and help them to realize everything in the world is not that way, not everyone is bad, and some days are just bad days.

Preston said during the program the kids were provided with a continental breakfast, pizza, gifts and MBK bags provided by John Brooks.

Following the mentoring program on Friday, the Preston Football Camp was held on Saturday. Several people contributed time to the camp to help educate the children on different football skills.

Those individuals included: Ronnie Williams, Elliott Edwards, Jeremy Smith, Desmond Hillard, John Brooks, Jeremy Small, David Harris, John Preston, Jhimon Preston, Jerrett Preston and Stephen Preston.

Preston had some additional news about Jeremy Small, "He has graduated from graduate school. He graduated from college and he went to grad school, he has his Masters and he is going to be working in Nacogdoches over at their high school."

The camp was a success, and plans for next year are in the making.

Center Middle School Gymnasium, June 08, 2017 –

The 2017 Roughrider Summer Basketball Camp was held in the Center Middle School Gymnasium for boys entering grades fourth through eighth. Each camp participant received a T-shirt and learned the value of conditioning drills, basketball fundamentals, competitiveness, and teamwork. Coaches, including Head Basketball Coach Hiram Harrison, instructed over forty players at the camp which lasted three days.

May 25, 2017 - Rams, Roughriders, and Dragons will be represented as the nations elite 10u baseball players gather in Disney World.

From left: Ram Tanor Doggett, Roughrider Logan Horton, Roughrider Carson Crawford and Dragon Dylan Parker

Shelby county will be represented well in the Demarini Elite 32 World Series event located in Orlando, Florida Disney World. The event invites the top 32 teams in the United States to compete for the title of National Champion. These four players have committed their time and efforts since 4 years of age to achieve this dream.

Their love for the game and motivation to succeed is the driving force behind their efforts. The future is bright for Shelby County Baseball and their parents would like to thank the community for the support they have each received.