Sports

Tenaha Special Events Center, January 10, 2017

Tuesday saw the Tenaha Tigers Varsity Basketball Team win their first District 22 2A contest of the year by a close 57-55 score, at home, over the Shelbyville Dragons. The Dragons led a lot of the game which was tied as late as the last three seconds of the contest.

Jordan Boykins hit a 3-pointer to give Shelbyville an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Three minutes later, he gave his team a 6-2 advantage with another deep 3-point bucket. Boykins hit his third 3-pointer with just seconds left in the opening period and SHS held a 16-9 advantage going into the second quarter of play.

Boykins hit two more 3-pointers in the second frame but Tenaha was able to outscore the Dragons by a 13-11 margin during the period. Shelbyville took a 27-22 advantage into the midway break at halftime.

By the conclusion of the third period Tenaha had narrowed the Dragon’s lead to three points by narrowly outscoring them 18-16. SHS took a 43-40 lead in to the final quarter of the game.

Tiger Trai Gardner scored ten of his team-high 25 points during the final period including a final, off balance bucket, with 2 seconds remaining. The score, and a last second steal, gave THS a two-point lead at the final buzzer.

JaQualin Franks scored ten points for the Tigers. Shelbyville had three players in double digits, Jordan Boykins scored 17 points, Trez Barnes added 15, and Cole Ferguson scored twelve, 10 of his points were down the stretch during the final quarter of play.

Tenaha will travel to Woden High School where Junior Varsity will begin a 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 13. Varsity will follow.

The Dragons have an away game at Woden on Tuesday, January 17 at 8 p.m

Tenaha Special Events Center, January 10, 2017

Tuesday night saw the Tenaha Lady Tigers Varsity Basketball team gain a 71-31 win over the visiting Shelbyville Lady Dragons. Tenaha gained an early 11-2 lead and took a 19-4 lead into the second period of play.

The Lady Tigers got 13 points from twin-tower-posts’, Arlicia and Calicia Roland, during the second stanza, to pull away to a 38-11 lead by the midway point of the ball game.

Scores early, by the Roland twins and Brooke McClure, helped the Lady Tigers extend their lead to 45-12 by the midway point of the third quarter.

The Lady Dragons bounced back with scores from Bailey Rabalais, Madison Taylor and Jasmine Osby , during the third stanza, but SHS still trailed 21-54 going into the final period.

Calicia Roland hit a bucket with 6:52 left in the final period which gave THS a 35 point lead. Lady Tiger, Kia Suell gave Tenaha a 40-point lead, at 69-29, with just over one minute remaining in the contest.

The Lady Tigers were led by Arlicia Roland with 18 points, Calicia Roland 14 and Bianca Davison had 13. The Lady Dragons were led by Jakyra Ross with 9 points, Madison Taylor 8, and Kennedy Parker scored 4.

Tenaha is 3-0 in District 22 2A action and will travel to Woden High School Friday, January 13 with Junior Varsity action starting at 4:30 p.m. Varsity will follow. Head Coach Garry Davison stated: “We will now face our toughest road game with Woden who is also unbeaten. We will get our kids prepared and plan to play our best.”

Shelbyville falls to 0-3 in conference play and will face Woden at WHS on Tuesday, January 17, at 6:30 p.m. 

January 10, 2017 - Lufkin, Texas – The Panola College men’s basketball team defeated Angelina College here Monday Night, 82-77. The victory raises the Ponies record to 11-5 and 3-2 in Region 14 play. “It was really fun to watch our guys battle all night long.” Mentioned head coach Grant McMillan. “Angelina kept coming at us in waves and we stayed steady and continued to execute.” He added.

A consistent offensive output saw the Ponies take their biggest lead of the game 29-17 midway through the first half. Angelina closed the half on a 13-9 run to cut into the Panola lead at halftime, 38-30. Angelina continued to cut into the lead the second half and eventually took a 5 points lead with 6:00 minutes remaining in the game. A Devyn Wilson three pointer gave Panola a 78-76 lead with 2:08 remaining. Panola never relinquished the lead in route to the victory.

Tope Arikawe led the way for Panola netting 24 points on 11 of 15 shooting. Marlon Taylor scored 21 points and Devyn Wilson continued his hot shooting netting 5 three-pointers in the victory. Tyonte Robertson recorded a team high nine assists. The Ponies shot 54 percent from the field and forced 15 Angelina turnovers.

Another quick turnaround for Panola as they host Jacksonville College this upcoming Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM in Arthur Johnson Gymnasium on the campus of Panola College.

Submitted by Adam Blaylock

January 6, 2017 Carthage Bulldogs Gymnasium - Friday, January 6, 2017, saw the visiting Center Lady Roughriders Varsity Basketball team fight back after trailing 15-2 to the Carthage Lady ‘Dogs at the conclusion of the first period. The Lady ‘Riders fought their way back into the ballgame but eventually lost by a narrow 42-38 margin. The game was the District 16 Class 4A opener for both teams. Center is now 1-7 overall and 0-1 in conference play. Carthage is 8-3, 0-1.

Center trailed 13-0 with just 1:43 left in the first quarter when MaKayla Hubbard sank two free throws to give CHS their first and only points of the opening stanza.

The second period saw Center out-score the Lady Bulldogs 8-7 and fight their way to within 10-22 of Carthage at the midway intermission.

Makayla Rankin scored twice for the Lady Roughriders, during the third period, but CHS still found themselves trailing Carthage 36-22 going into the final period of play.

Guard Taylor Nichols hit a bucket to start the fourth quarter and pull Center to within 24-36. She also banked in a 3-pointer with 6:22 left in the contest to pull CHS to within 27-36 of the Lady ‘Dogs. Additional scores, during the fourth period, by Nichols, Malaisha Cartwright, Shanya Williams, and Anijah Harper helped the Lady Roughriders get back into the contest but ultimately Carthage tightened up defensively and was able to hold on for the 4-point win, despite a last second 3-point bomb sank by Center’s Malaisha Cartwright.

Scoring for the Lady ‘Riders were:  Taylor Nichols with 9 points, JaKayla Weathered and Malaisha Cartwright with 5 points each, and MaKayla Hubbard with four points.

Center Head Coach Arianna Rodriguez will regroup the Lady ‘Riders who will play their next conference game next Tuesday, January 10, at home against the Rusk Lady Eagles. Tip off will be at 5 p.m. for sub-varsity, with varsity following.

In Junior Varsity action on Friday, the Lady Bulldogs led the Lady Roughriders 23-17 at the end of the third quarter and pulled away to a 36-26 win at the final buzzer.

Update: Tip-off for tomorrow's contest is scheduled for 6:00 PM on the campus of Panola College. 


January 5, 2017 Carthage, TX – The Panola College men’s basketball team defeated ETBU JV here Wednesday night, 103-59. With the victory, the Ponies raise their record to 10-4. “I thought at times tonight we played some of our best basketball of the year.” Stated head coach Grant McMillan. “We haven’t played a game in 26 days and you never really know what might happen with such a long break.” He added.

Tyonte Robertson dishing out one of his game high 11 assists.With the score knotted up a 6, Panola went on a ferocious 45-21 run to end the half. TJ Killings came off the bench and scored 13 of his game-high 15 points in the opening period. The second half saw much of the same as Eric McGill scored eight straight Panola points to start the half. Panola’s bench scored 63 total points in the victory.

All 14 Ponies who suited up saw minutes and were led by TJ Killings who netted 15 points. Devyn Wilson added 13 points. Chan Williams-Bey came off the bench and scored 12 points and Eric McGill also scored in double figures adding 11. Tope Arikawe and Marlon Taylor both chased down double-digit rebounds and Tyonte Robertson dished out 11 assists. As a team, Panola dropped in 10 three-pointers and recorded 20 steals in the victory.

Panola will host Region 14 for Lamar State College-Port Arthur this upcoming Friday. Tip-off is set for 6:30 PM at Arthur Johnson Gymnasium on the campus of Panola College.

January 4, 2017 - The Fillies played Louisiana College on Tuesday the 3rd to open the 2017 year and jumped out of the gym with a win. With a final score of 94-49, the Fillies hit double digit wins and are now 10-3 overall.

The Fillies started the game on a 14-2 run before ending the first quarter 29-10. “It was good for us to get our legs back after the break. We had too many turnovers and still have some preparation to do for conference play, but I am happy we got this win” stated Head Coach Eddie Kite.After the first quarter, the Fillies never slowed down, and outscored the Wildcats in every quarter.

Some hot shooting by Freshmen Patience Okpe and Stefany Lourenco carried the team all the way, combining for 41 points on the night. Patience also led the team in assists with 6 and Stefany lead the team in steals with 8. Sophomore Charlynn Perry added 13 and Freshman Waynenecka Wynn had 12.

The Fillies continue with games during the winter break on Thursday, January 5th, 2017 at Baton Rouge Community College at 6pm.

Submitted by Nalani Hernandez

November 28, 2016 - Joaquin Youth Basketball will begin registration in December. The league is open to girls and boys in grades 1-6. The registration fee is $40 per child.

Registration will be held on the following dates:

  • Saturday, December 3rd, 2016 1:00-3:00 at First Baptist Church Haslam
  • Tuesday, December 6th, 2016 4:30-6:00 at First Baptist Church Haslam
  • Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017 5:00-6:30 at First Baptist Church Haslam  ****FINAL DATE

Practice will begin the week of January 9th. The first game is scheduled for January 21st .

Please contact Yolanda Bledsoe with any questions at 936-572-0016

December 31, 2016 - The 8th Annual Holiday Hoops Classic was held on December 28, 29 and 30th.

2016 Holiday Hoops Hall of Fame Inductees 
Saltillo Lady Lion Victoria Stretcher

In the early days of Holiday Hoops, fans knew what they were going to see when the Saltillo Lady Lions came to town; disciplined, fundamental, almost even surgical basketball.  From the tournament’s first year in 2009 through 2012, no one dominated the field quite like the Lady Lions.  

The three time tournament champions annually swept through the competition behind the consistent strength of their inside, go-to layer, Victoria Stretcher.
Though Victoria towered over most opponents, she exemplified what it meant to be a complete player by often serving as a ball handler and great passer.  She also was the preeminent rim protecting defender at Holiday Hoops in those early years.

Victoria was named to the All-Tournament team four consecutive years and was the Most Valuable Player in 2011.  In her senior year, Victoria once again was fell in the Semi-Finals and subsequently finished 3rd by defeating White Oak.
However, the Holiday Hoops experience prepared the Lady Lions for bigger things as later that spring, Victoria led her team all the way to the State Tournament in Austin where they would finish Runner-Up to Witharral in the Class A State Title game.  
Tenaha Lady Tigers’ Coach Garry Davison

Intense…Passionate…Winner…That pretty much sums up Holiday Hoops Hall of Famer Garry Davison.  Coach Davison led the Saltillo Lady Lions to three championships and a 3rd place finish in the first four editions of the tournament.  

He joins Duane Joubert of Kountze as the second three-time Holiday Hoops winning coach.  After his remarkable run at Saltillo, Davison was lured to Tenaha to take the Lady Tiger program to new heights.  And, that is exactly what he has done.  

In less than four seasons in Tenaha, Coach Davison has taken the Lady Tigers twice to the Regional Tournament. And, for the first time in school history, the Lady Tigers were recognized by the polls as the number one ranked team in Texas under his leadership.  Coach Davison also led the Lady Tigers to the first trophy win for Tenaha in Holiday Hoops by defeating Chireno for 3rd place in 2015.  He was able to lead the Lady Tigers to Runner Up in this year’s Holiday Hoops Tournament.

Holiday Hoops Scholarship Recipients 2016

Mikkah Hacket (Alto Yellow Jackets) coached by Augustus Moore III
(Name Not Supplied) (Carlisle Indians) coached by Cal Goss
DeAndrea Traylor (Carthage Lady Bulldogs) coached by Linda Brooks
Tori Tollett (Centerville Lady Tigers)
(Name Not Supplied) (Central Heights Lady Blue Devils) coached by Danielle Templeton
(Name Not Supplied) (Cushing Galkats) coached by Jason Davis and Marion Garret
Fallon Hilliard (Dodd City Lady Hornets) coached by Alex Stephenson
(Name Not Supplied) (Elysian Fields Lady Jackets) coached by Wayne Carter
Dylan Parker (Elysian Fields Yellow Jackets) coached by Chaston Pruitt
Dayton Bell (Garrison Bulldogs) coached by Alex Cloudy
(Name Not Supplied) (Gary Lady Cats) coached by Mitchell Skeen
Blake Cranford (Gary Bobcats) coached by Jimmy Wallace
Mary Echols (Harleton Lady Wildcats) coached by Shanna Johnson and Torriin Bush
Hana Bonner (Joaquin Lady Rams) coached by Carrie Obregon
Justin Hooper (Joaquin Rams) coached by Kevin Yates
Kiara Cole (Kountze Lionettes) coached by Travis Williams
TJ Stanford (Kountze Lions) coached by Duane Joubert
LaDarius Arnett (Laneville Yellowjackets) coached by Joshua Jones
Hannah Massey LaPoyner (Lapoyner Lady Flyers) coached by Gary Grahn
KeAndre Eldridge (Lapoyner Flyers) coached by Dean Nuckolls
Sarah Callaway and Maddie McGee (Lipan Lady Indians) coached by Amber Branson
Derrick Cook (Lion Indians) coached by Brent Gaylor
Hailey Celsur (Martin’s Mill Lady Mustangs) coached by Tommy Cross
Alexsys McElroy 9Martinsville Lady Pirates) coached by Robert Bristow 
Kase Hooper (Martinsville Pirates) coached by Donal Mayhugh
Chase Silvey (Milano Eagles) coached by Justin Hales
Brendon Washington (Oakwood Panthers) coached by Chris Kuykendall 
Lynzee Faulkner (Sabine Lady Cardinals) coached by Sara Cantrell
River Bennett (Sabine Cardinals) coached by Keith Taylor
Leandra Wilson (San Augustine Lady Wolves) coached by Dee Randle
Cordel Moore (San Augustine Wolves) coached by Tory Barnes
Trez Barnes (Shelbyville Dragons) coached by David Schmitt
Makayla Bickerstaff (Slocum Lady Mustangs) coached by Dustin Bates
Brook McClure (Tenaha Lady Tigers) coached by Garry Davison
TK Gardner (Tenaha Tigers) coached by Greg Jenkins
Josh Islet (Thorndale Bulldogs) coached by John Cover
(Name Not Supplied) (Timpson Lady Bears) coached by Joshua Jourdan
(Name Not Supplied) (White Oak Ladynecks) coached by Desiree Hutchins-Boyett
Anthony Hoyt (White Oak Roughnecks) coached by Brett Cloud

Girls’ Tournament Winners
Consolation- Lipan Lady Indians
All Tournament-Maddie McGee
5th Place – Centerville Lady Tigers
All Tournament - Sara Stutzman
4th Place-Dodd City Lady Hornets
All Tournament-Fallon Hillliard
3rd Place- LaPoynor Lady Flyers
All Tournament-Jas Mitchell
All Tournament- Te’Aire Hambrick
2nd Place-Tenaha Lady Tigers
All Tournament- Brook McClure
All Tournament- Calecia Roland
All Tournament- Bianca Davison
1st Place- Martin’s Mill Lady Mustangs
All Tournament- Hailey Celsur
All Tournament- Abbie Orrick
Winning Coach-Tommy Cross
Girls’ Tournament MVP
Tournament MVP- Mollie Daniel

Boys’ Tournament Winners
Consolation-Shelbyville Dragons
All Tournament- Trez Barnes
5th Place- Sabine Cardinals
All Tournament-Will Shawn
4th Place – San Augustine Wolves
All Tournament- Q. Borders
3rd Place- Kountze Lions
All Tournament- TJ Stanford
All Tournament- Jeremiah Barker
2nd Place- Tenaha Tigers
All Tournament-Trai Gardner
All Tournament-Ja’Qualin Franks
1st Place- Lipan Indians
All Tournament-Tate Phillips
All Tournament- Santana Martinez
Winning coach Brent Gaylor
Boys’ Tournament MVP
Tournament MVP Derrick Cook

December 31, 2016 Tenaha Special Events Center - Friday’s Eighth Annual Tenaha Holiday Hoops Basketball Tournament final round action saw five Shelby County teams still competing, four local teams fought it out for a chance at tournament trophies.

The Shelbyville Dragons Varsity Basketball team came away with a 65-55 win over the White Oak Roughnecks. This win gave SHS the tournament’s Consolation Bracket B Trophy.

The game was very close until the late stages of the fourth stanza. The Roughnecks had an 11-9 advantage with just two minutes left in the first frame, but a bucket by Dragon Cole Ferguson tied the game with 1:31 remaining. A 3-pointer by Dragon Jordan Boykins, with just 29 seconds left in the opening period, helped Shelbyville take a narrow 14-13 lead into the second quarter of play.

Two 3-pointers by Boykins in the second period helped Shelbyville stay close to White Oak but the Roughnecks held a narrow 35-34 lead at the midway break.

The Dragons lost a little ground to the Roughnecks in the third frame when WOHS outscored the Dragons 13-12 and took a 48-46 in to the fourth and final period of play.

The Dragons got 8 points from Boykins and 5 points from teammate Jakovian Buckley in the final frame to help themselves outpace White Oak 19-7 in the final period.

Trez Barnes and Jordan Boykins led the Dragons with 17 points each, Cole Ferguson had 14, Trae Polley 9, Corey Bearden 2, and Ryan Bailey had one point. White Oaks’ Cameron Bates and Andrew Hood each had 17 points.

The Joaquin Girls Varsity Lady Rams team fell in a narrow 44-43 loss to the Centerville Lady Tigers Friday in the Holiday Hoops fifth round title game. The Lady Ram held a 14-11 lead at the end of the first period after getting six points early from junior post Desere Cooper and four from senior post Hana Bonner.

Day’za Lane scored nine points for the Lady Rams in the second period which helped JHS outpace the Lady Tigers 12-9 on the way to a 26-20 halftime lead.

Centerville chipped away at the Joaquin lead and they led 34-32 with 1 minute left in the third frame. Lane tied the game at 34-34 with 41 seconds left but Lady Tiger Sara Stutzman hit a 3-point bomb for the last score of the period, which sent the game into the fourth period with CHS ahead 37-34.

Joaquin gained the lead with less than 1:30 left in the contest but a 2-point bucket with less than one minute left to play, by Tori Tollett, gave Centerville the final one-point advantage.

The Lady Rams were led offensively by Hana Bonner with 15 points, Day’za Lane had 13, Desere Cooper pitched in 8, Erica Davis 8, and Katelyn Jackson had 3 points.

Both Tenaha boys and girls teams reached the championship finals round of tournament play for the first time in tournament history. The Lady Tigers fell to the Martin’s Mill Lady Mustangs in a narrow 32-30 championship loss. Tenaha held a 9-6 lead at the end of the first period. Martin’s Mill fought back to gain a 14-13 advantage when the teams went into the locker room at the midway intermission.

Tenaha took a 20-17 lead with 3.29 left in the third stanza but the Lady Mustangs went back up 21-20 with a score on a fast-break for the final score of the frame.

Arlicia Roland put THS up to start the fourth stanza but MMHS made the next three scores and began to stall while leading 32-28 with just seconds remaining in the contest. The Lady Tigers were forced to foul. Arlicia Roland scored with just 6 seconds left in the contest but the Lady Mustangs were able to hold on for the narrow

2-point victory and hoist the championship trophy.

Only four players scored for THS, they were led by Arlicia Roland with 10 points, Shayla Parks 8, Bianca Davison 8, and Brooke McClure had four points.

The #6 Class 2A Tenaha Tigers’ Varsity Boys team faced off with the #1 ranked Class 1 A Lipan Indians in the championship round of the Hoops Tournament later on Friday. The Indians came out hot and jumped out to a 12-2 lead by the 2:30 minute mark of the first period. Tenaha went on an 8-2 run at the end of the frame and only trailed 10-14 going into the second period.

Trai Gardner hit a bucket to begin the second quarter but the Indians exploded during the frame and outscored THS 24-12 during the period. Lipan took a 38-22 advantage into the midway intermission.

Tenaha outscored Lipan 13-14 in the third quarter but still needed to gain more ground as they headed to the fourth stanza behind by a 36-51 margin.

The Indians once again outscored Tenaha, this time 27-19 during the final period, and they won the championship game by a 78-55 margin.

The Tigers were led by Trai Gardner who had 25 points and only trailed Lipan’s Tate Phillips who had 26 points. Other Tigers scoring were JaQualin Franks with 17, Jay Lloyd 6, Ladarrius Garret and Cody Foshee each had two points each.

The Joaquin Rams boys’ varsity team fought it out in a Consolation Bracket B round-robin match game with the Garrison Bulldogs. The Rams ultimately fell to GHS by a 70-59 margin after falling behind early and trailing throughout the remainder of the contest.

Four points each from Bulldogs Dayton Bell and RJ Johnson helped Garrison gain an 11-6 lead by the end of the first quarter of play. Three 3-pointers by Ram Eleazar Huerta helped Joaquin gain ground at times but GHS eventually outpaced the Rams 21-17 in the second frame. Garrison led 32-23 at the midway break.

Bulldog Justin Garcia exploded for ten points in the third frame which helped the Bulldogs gain a 53-41 advantage going into the final period of play.

Ram Tray Wilkerson hit three 3-pointers in the final period but Joaquin wasn’t able to gain enough ground as they outscored GHS but only 18-17 in the last quarter.

Each Huerta and Wilkerson led JHS with 16 points each, Nick Matthews 10, Justin Hooper 8, and Peyton Martinez had seven points.

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