Tyler County Sports

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Jubilant Woodville High School senior Kesean Paire signed his letter of intent to play wheelchair basketball for the University of Texas – Arlington Mavs last week.  Paire, who plays basketball for the Memorial Hermann Hot Wheels, was joined in celebration by his family and Hot Wheels coach Trice Ham. Paire is going to UTA on a full scholarship and plans to study nursing. He and his twin brother, Kevon, have been athletic and academic standouts during their high school careers at WHS.  Photo by Chris Edwards | TCB

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The Woodville Lady Eagles continued their playoff campaign last week with a win against the Boling Lady Bulldogs (31-25). Coach Troy Carrrell remarked that “ugly wins in the playoffs mean only one thing: you advance.” The Lady Eagles played Central Heights in Lufkin on Tuesday night for the Regional Quarterfinals. Results unavailable at press time.

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Lady Jacket Kat Knox dribbles around a Lady Pirate defender in their bi-district loss to Wells on Monday. JANA RAYBURN | TCB

By Jana Rayburn

The season ended for the Lady Jackets on Monday, Feb. 14, with a 33-63 loss to the Wells Lady Pirates.  Trinity Jerkins ended the night with 10 points.  Lily Read had eight points, Kyli Handley scored six points, Kat Knox had four points, Sydney Brock scored three points, and Emma Grimes scored two points.  The Lady Jackets were the third-place team in their district. 

The Jackets split a couple of games this week, as they near the end of the season.  The boys traveled to Chireno last Tuesday, February 8 and lost to the Owls.  Jack Rayburn scored seven points, Rick Carlton scored five points, Keighen Green scored four points, and Luke Read scored two points. 

The Jackets won big over the High Island Cardinals last Friday, Feb. 11 by a score of 69-13.  Jack Rayburn had a big night with 8 three-pointers and 28 points overall.  Keighen Green scored nine points, Luke Read scored eight points, and both Bradley Davison, Carson Thomson scored six points, and Kaighnen Green scored four points.  Also scoring for the Jackets were Rick Carlton, Jaxson Hilliard, and Cutter Lowe all scored two points and Jeff Knox scored a free throw.

Both the junior high boys and girls competed in a basketball tournament in Colmesneil on Saturday, Feb. 12.  Both teams ended the tournament with third place finishes.  This tournament concluded basketball season for the teams. 

Lady Jackets scrimmage Crockett

The Lady Jackets scrimmaged Crockett last week in Chester.  Coach Marty Thompson said the girls played well against the Lady Bulldogs.  Audrey Gilzow sent one over the fence for the Lady Jackets.  Both Olivia Gilzow and Kaylee Tolar pitched, and both did a good job.  The Lady Jackets played a couple of scrimmages in Woodville on Friday, Feb. 11.  The Lady Jackets played against Woodville and Central Heights.  The girls did a good job in both games.  Audrey Gilzow had a double play and caught a hard-hit line drive. 

The Lady Jackets will have a little break this week but will be back in action on Feb. 24-26 in the Kountze tournament.  Opponents and game times will be announced next week.    

Baseball gearing up in ‘Jacket Country

Baseball season is finally upon us, and no one is more excited than Coach Coleman Butter, who is in his first year as Head Baseball Coach for the Jackets.  “The kids are eager and ready to start playing. We have lots of returners and some young kids coming in that are going to help right away,” says Butter. Butter is looking for the returning guys to lead the team. Peanut Fann, Luke Read, Jack Rayburn, Carson Thomson, Zayne Barnhart and Cole Clarke are all returning starters. Butter will also lean on Carsyn Whitworth and Colton Pursley throughout the year. Butter believes this is going to be a different team and the beginning of a new era for Chester Baseball. Butter added, “I’m excited about it all. We will be playing at updated facilities and looking to turn heads this season”. Coach Butter has a full schedule for his team lined out, and several games for the junior varsity team.

The Yellowjackets will kick off their season with a game against the West Hardin Oilers on Tuesday, Feb. 22 in Chester at Alex Johnson Memorial Field at 4 p.m.

 

 

 

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By Jana Rayburn

 The Chester Yellowjacket Football Team was recently named the 1A School State Champion for the 2021-22 National Football Federation National High School Academic Excellence Award. 

 This award was created in February 2021, with the goal to inspire and foster a culture of academic excellence in high school football teams throughout the nation. 

 Finalists from each division, 6A through Private, were selected by the Texas High School Coaches Association from submissions made from coaches across the state.  Eligibility requirements for the award are a minimum cumulative team GPA of 3.0, superior academic application and performance, and a successful football season. 

 This award is a direct reflection of the work put in by the teachers, coaches, and student athletes at Chester High School, both on and off the field. 

 All state champions will be submitted to the National Football Federation to be considered for the overall National Champion Award. Congratulations go to Head Coach Justin Hilliard, Athletic Director/Coach Coleman Butter, the amazing staff at Chester ISD, and the 2021 Chester Yellowjacket football team members.

‘Jackets take on Leggett Pirates

 The Yellowjackets hosted the Leggett Pirates on Friday, Feb. 4 for the last time this season. 

 The Jackets played hard and stayed with the Pirates most of the game and ended up losing 29-46.  Jack Rayburn knocked down three 3-pointers, ending the night with 13 points.  Keighen Green scored 9 points.  Carson Thomson scored four points, Luke Green scored two points, and Kaighnen Green scored a free throw.    

 The Jackets next game will be in High Island on Friday, Feb. 11.  The game will start at 7 p.m. 

  The Jackets will play their final district game of the season in Chester on Tuesday, Feb. 15 against the Chireno Owls.  Game time will be at 7 p.m.

 The Lady Jackets defeated the Leggett Lady Pirates last week 56-48.  Lily Read scored 25 points and Sydney Brock scored 16 points.  Kat Knox and Emma Grimes both score four points each.  Saydi Handley scored three points, and Abby Grimes and Trinity Jerkins each scored two points. 

 The Lady Jackets have wrapped up the regular season and are gearing up for what they hope is a long postseason run.  The team will face the Wells Lady Pirates in the bi-district round of the state playoffs on Monday, Feb. 14 at Hudson High School.  Tip off will be at 6 p.m. 

Lady Jackets prepping 

for softball

 The Lady Jackets will play their first softball game of the season on Thursday, Feb. 10 as they host the Crockett Lady Bulldogs for a 4 p.m game. 

 Then, the team will travel to Woodville for games against both the Lady Eagles and the Lady Blue Devils from Central Heights.  The Lady Jackets will first take on Central Heights at 4:30 p.m. and then Woodville. 

 Coach Marty Thompson said this has been a challenging start to the season, as his team is battling injuries and illnesses.  However, the girls have been working hard in practice and in the batting cages with the goals to improve and make a long playoff run.