Sports

March 28, 2024 - The 2023-2024 District 17 - 4A Boys Basketball All District Honors are as follows.

MVP: Cameron Kelley, Chapel Hill Senior
Offensive MVP: Timothy Johnson, Center Junior
Defensive MVP: Jayden Sanders, Kilgore Junior
District Newcomer: Jimmarion Smith, Center Junior / Isiah Mayfield, Chapel Hill Sophomore
6th Man: Dee Brisbon, Chapel Hill Junior
Coach of the Year: Akimba Johnson, Chapel Hill

1st team:
Jakevin Robinson, Center Junior
Emonte Cross, Center Junior
Brayden Nelson, Kilgore Senior
Cale Preston, Carthage Junior
Mikel Fields, Carthage Senior
Dustin Yelverton, Spring Hill Senior
Jack Beckett, Spring Hill Senior
Peyton Bassett, Spring Hill Senior
Jayvin Mayfield, Chapel Hill Senior
Trevor Brooks, Chapel Hill Junior
Jorden Ford, Chapel Hill Junior
Jordyn Bradshaw, Chapel Hill Junior

2nd team:
Andrew Snoddy, Chapel Hill Senior
Malik Gee, Chapel Hill Sophomore
Eric Armstrong, Kilgore Senior
Javon Towns, Kilgore Junior
Colt Vickery, Carthage Freshman
Aiden Duncan, Henderson Senior
Brett Andros, Spring Hill Senior
Brady Mashe, Spring Hill Junior
Noah Kaunitz, Gilmer Junior
Mykah Easly, Gilmer Junior
Carson Bush, Center Junior
TJ Belin, Center Junior

Honorable Mention:
Damarcion Blaylock, Chapel Hill Sophomore
Caleb Mosley, Center Junior
JaKaeden Rodgers, Center Junior
Mikel Dennis, Kilgore Senior
Dre Sanders, Kilgore Sophomore
Ayden Perry, Henderson Freshman
Dashawn Jackson, Henderson Senior
John Harris, Spring Hill Sophomore
Jay Lewis, Carthage Sophomore
Landon Hodges, Carthage Junior
Charlie Barber, Carthage Senior
Geremiah Noble, Gilmer Junior
Aron Bell, Gilmer Senior
Brenden Webb, Gilmer Junior
Kolby Webb, Gilmer Senior

Academic All-District
Charlie Barber, Carthage Senior
Cale Preston, Carthage Junior
Colt Vickery, Carthage Freshman
Jaden Jefferess, Carthage Freshman
Landon Hodges, Carthage Junior
Andrew Snoddy, Chapel Hill Senior
Malik Gee, Chapel Hill Sophomore
Jayden Sanders, Kilgore Junior
Kayson Brooks, Kilgore Sophomore
Dre Sanders, Kilgore Sophomore
Brayden Nelson, Kilgore Senior
Griffin Antunes, Henderson Sophomore
Aden Butler, Henderson Senior
Vince Howard, Henderson Sophomore
Ayden Perry, Henderson Freshman
Dustin Yelverton, Spring Hill Senior
Peyton Bassett, Spring Hill Senior
Jack Bassett, Spring Hill Senior
Bryan Seale, Spring Hill Junior
Dwaylon Richardson, Spring Hill Senior
John Harris, Spring Hill Sophomore
Joe Otujor, Spring Hill Sophomore
Connor Dodd, Gilmer Senior
Damarion Hackett, Gilmer Senior
Noah Kaunitz, Gilmer Junior
Brenden Webb, Gilmer Junior
Taj Manson, Gilmer Junior
Alec Sims, Gilmer Junior
Carson Bush, Center Junior
Caleb Mosley, Center Junior
JaKevin Robinson, Center Junior
JaKaeden Rodgers, Center Junior
Jimmarion Smith, Center Junior

Timpson Lady Bears Ballpark on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 –

(Photo Album)

The Timpson Lady Bears varsity softball team defeated the visiting Mount Enterprise Lady Wildcats by a 13-0 score on Tuesday. Senior Alexis Grigsby pitched the entire game for Timpson and struck out 12 batters and gave up only a single walk. Timpson also allowed a second baserunner, on an error in the top of the first inning.

Timpson got on the board in the bottom of the first inning when Grigsby led off with a double to centerfield. Taylor Stewart homered to leftfield giving the Lady Bears a 2-0 run advantage. Claire Ham scored a third run later in the inning.

Laura Garza, Grigsby and Ceale Kruse each scored during a rally in the second inning to give THS a 6-0 advantage. Garza doubled to right-centerfield in the third inning and Grigsby homered to left to give the Lady Bears an 8-0 lead. Kruse, Stewart, Ham and Cale Cornelius all scored later in the third to balloon the THS lead to 12-0. Grigsby scored the game’s final run of the contest when she singled to centerfield and was driven home to score on a single by Ham in the bottom of the fourth inning. Grigsby struck out the final three batters she faced in the top of the fifth inning and the game was ended by the 10-run mercy rule.

The Lady Bears are coached by Richie Bruister and his staff. They have completed the first half of District 22 2A action and are 10-7 overall and hold 4-2 mark in conference play. They have six conference games remaining. Timpson will begin the second round of league play by hosting the Beckville Lady Bearcats on Thursday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m. at Lady Bears Field.


From left: Halle Bonner and Riley Mullins

March 26, 2024 - The Joaquin Lady Rams Powerlifting team competed at the Region III 1A/2A Regional Powerlifting meet on Friday, March 1st in Commerce, Texas. Competing from Joaquin High School were Emma Barton, Halle Bonner, Zion James, and Riley Mullins.


From left: (front Row) Emma Barton, Zion James, (back row) Halle Bonner, Riley Mullins, and Anna Lewis, manager

Riley finished 4th in her weight class and achieve her personal best with a total of 805 lbs. She squatted 310, bench pressed 170, and dead lifted 325 for a total lift of 805.

Halle finished 1st in her weight class to earn 2X Regional Champion, and advanced for her third trip to State. She set personal records on all her lifts. She squatted 390, bench pressed 200, and dead lifted 375 for a total of 965 lbs.


From left: Manager Emma Barton, Halle Bonner, and Coach Beth Lawson.

On Wednesday, March 13th, Halle Bonner competed at the THSWPA State Powerlifting Meet in Frisco, Texas at the Comerica Center.


Halle Bonner showing her State Medal.

Halle represented Joaquin well with a 3rd place finish in her weight class. She squatted 385, bench pressed 195, and dead lifted 360 for a total of 940.

Last year as a sophomore she placed 4th and her freshman year she placed 9th. Congratulations!

Submitted photos from Regional Competition.

Emma Barton

Riley Mullins

Zion James

Halle Bonner

From left: Halle Bonner and Coach Beth Lawson

Halle Bonner showing Regional Medal

Submitted photos from State Meet.

Halle Bonner at State Meet


Halle with the creator of the Bench Daddy, Mike Womack

State Champions

Halle with her coach, manager, and family who were able to attend the state meet.

March 21, 2024 - Timpson ISD announced Coach Patrick Gandy will be the new head football coach and athletic director on their Facebook page on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

The announcement:

Timpson ISD is excited to announce that Coach Patrick Gandy will be TISD’s new head football coach and athletic director! 

Coach Gandy has been with TISD for 12 years and has held teaching, coaching, and assistant principal positions. He has served as the defensive coordinator for the THS football team for the past 5 years.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of a new job,” Coach Gandy said. “My dad was an AD and head football coach for 20+ years and it’s always been my goal to sit in that seat and build a program like he did.”

After 8 years at Timpson ISD, Coach Kerry Therwhanger announced his retirement earlier this year and has been guiding Coach Gandy as he transitions into his new role. 

“Coach T has done a great job and has been a fantastic mentor for me over the years,” Coach Gandy said. “He has done nothing but help me learn things that athletic directors have to deal with on a daily basis.”

Coach Gandy and his wife Lacey have two children, Lylah and Brock. Lacey has taught at Timpson ISD for 5 years. Both are dedicated members of the Timpson ISD community and passionate about the success of Timpson ISD students.

“I’ve gotten to the point I am at by ‘building relationships and serving others,’” Coach Gandy said. “My goal is to get these kids to buy into that quote and become great people after they leave our programs.”

Timpson ISD is happy to be bringing a member of the TISD coaching staff on as the new athletic director. Coach Gandy has shown commitment to the district and its students over the years and we are eager for him to begin his new role. Thank you Coach Gandy, and congratulations!

March 21, 2024 - Center High School will be hosting the first-round playoff game next Tuesday, March 26th at Roughrider Stadium. The Center Roughriders versus Madisonville game will start at 6:30pm. Tickets are $5 for everyone. Come out and pack the stadium for Playoffs!

Center Roughriders Horseshoe Ballpark on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 –

(Photo Album)

The Center Lady Roughriders fell to the Carthage Lady Bulldogs by a 14-6 run score on Tuesday. This was the opening game in District 17 4A-2 softball conference play. The Lady Roughriders are now 7-13-1 this season.

Carthage brought nine batters to the plate during a rally in the top of the first inning and led 5-1 going into the second frame. Five hits and an error in the second inning saw the Lady Bulldogs balloon their lead to 10-1.

Center’s Gabby Whisenant and Carson Crouch each reached base on hits in the bottom of the third inning and were driven home to score on a single by Lauren Causey which cut the Carthage lead to 10-5.

Center trailed 14-5 in the bottom of the fifth inning and they scored the game’s final run when Azul Figereou came home after a teammate tripled into the outfield.

The Lady Roughriders will next travel to Henderson High School’s Lady Lions Ballpark for a 6 p.m. game on Friday, March 22, 2024. Henderson is 14-7 overall and 1-0 in District 17 after defeating Kilgore on the road by a 17-0 score on Tuesday.

March 19, 2024 - Weather permitting, the Roughrider Broadcast Team will present a livestream of Roughrider Soccer: tonight, March 19, it's the Roughriders versus the Tatum Eagles, live from Tatum Eagle Stadium. Pregame is 6:40pm with the game beginning between 6:45-7:00 (depending upon the conclusion of the first game). Stay with us through the postgame for a chat with Coach Martinez and with the Player of the Game.

The Riders are on a 7-game winning streak including victories over Henderson, Sabine, and State #2 Kilgore. A win tonight should give Center the #2 seed for the playoffs.

To catch the action, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-qNHDv0iTk.

Center Roughriders Stadium on Friday, March 15, 2024 –

(Photo Album)

The Center Roughriders junior varsity and varsity soccer programs each took home-game wins over the Carthage Bulldogs on Friday.

The junior varsity Roughriders took a 4-0 point win by jumping out to a 3-0 lead by the 3:09 mark of the first half. The Roughriders scored the final, fourth goal, with 12:20 remaining in the contest.

Carthage jumped out to a 1-0 lead when the varsity Bulldogs got a goal from Jesus Lopez with 6:49 minutes left in the first period. Center tied the game at 1-1 with a Daniel Flores header into the goal at the 4:31 mark of the first half. Moments later Brandon Salazar retook the lead by scoring at the 3:11 minute mark and Carthage held a 1-point advantage with a 2-1 lead at the break.

Center tied the game at 2-2 when Braxton Riley scored on a penalty kick with 22:09 left in the final period. Center later gained another goal by Riley on a penalty kick opportunity with 1:33 left in the game which gave Center a narrow 3-2 advantage which held up until the clock had expired.

The Roughriders are coached by Gerardo Martinez and they are tied with Sabine High for second place with a 10-3 District 15 4A-2 mark, they are 14-4 overall this season. They have a single game left in the regular season as they will travel to Tatum High School on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Eagles.

Joaquin Lady Rams Ballpark on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 –

(Photo Album)

The Joaquin Lady Rams varsity softball team improved their season mark to 5-3-1 by defeating the visiting Shelbyville Lady Dragons (10-8) by a 9-3 score on Tuesday. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when Joaquin’s Brooklyn Bagley lifted a homerun over the right-centerfield fence to give the Lady Rams a 1-0 advantage.

A rally in the bottom of the fourth inning saw JHS use four walks, two doubles and a Kate Fuller homerun to extend their lead to 7-0. The bottom of the fifth inning saw Joaquin extend their lead to 9-0 using two base hits, and three free bases. The Shelbyville defense was able to end the inning with two baserunners stranded helping them to avoid the ten-run mercy rule.

Lizzy Jernigan and Nicole Harvey led off a rally for the Lady Dragons to lead off the top of the sixth inning. Two outs later Taylor Jones blasted a 3-run homerun over the right-centerfield fence to cut the Joaquin lead to 9-3 runs. This proved to eventually be the final score of the game.

Joaquin hit safely 9 times and Shelbyville had 5 hits. Lady Rams pitcher Brooklyn Bagley struck out nine batters and walked none. Shelbyville pitching saw Lanie Bass strike out six and walk four. Taylor Jones struck out one and walked three.

Joaquin, now 2-0 in District 22 2A, will next host the Timpson Lady Bears on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.

Shelbyville (0-1) will host the Garrison Lady Bulldogs on Friday, March 15, at 5:30 p.m.

The Shelbyville Dragons varsity basketball team has moved on to the 2024 Texas UIL Basketball Class 2A Finals by defeating Thrall High School on Friday by a 67-52 final score. The Dragons built a 14-7 advantage midway through the first period and they led 19-17 at the end of the first quarter. The Dragons led through the bulk of the second stanza but Thrall fought back to tie the game at 32-32 at halftime. Shelbyville gained a 44-40 lead in the middle stages of the third frame and they led 50-42 going into the final period. The Dragons outscored Thrall 17-10 points in the final period to win the game by the 67-52 final score.

The win put the Thrall Tigers season record at 30-6. The Tigers were led by Dawson Meiske with 17 and Ethan Dahl with 10 points. The Dragons are now 29-7 and they were led by DJ Barnes with 23, JaDavian Mathis had 22 points and Eli Ferguson scored 12.

The Dragons will now face the Lipan Indians at the Alamodome on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 1 p.m. Lipan is now 34-7, they won their Semifinal over New Home 40-39 in overtime on Friday.

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