Two local athletes took advantage of the first day of the early collegiate signing period Wednesday, inking their letters of intent to play sports at the next level.
Elkhart senior catcher Levi Smith signed his National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Stephen F. Austin University, while Cayuga senior guard Preston Anderson signed to play basketball at the University of Hartford (Conn.).
Both said that it was the fulfillment of childhood dreams.
“It’s definitely a dream come true,” Smith said. “When you’re little, you always dream of playing Division I baseball and now that it’s happened, you’ve got to live in the moment, but after today you’ve got to set new goals and set on to accomplishing them after high school.”
Added Anderson, “It’s kind of like a bittersweet feeling, because I don’t want to leave here. But, I look forward to leaving here and doing bigger things.”
LEVI SMITH, STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
Smith joins a Lumberjack team that finished 2012 26-33, with a 16-17 record in the Southland Conference.
He said that a major reason for his decision to go with SFA — a decision he made this past summer — was his relationship with SFA head coach Johnny Cardenas.
“I’ve known the head coach over there for a while now and he’s really a great guy,” Smith said. “He’s the one that helped me with my catching when I first started. Knowing him, I know that whatever happens the next four years, he’s going to set me up the best ways that I can be successful.”
Taking advantage of the early signing period definitely had its perks for Smith, who now doesn’t have to worry about his recruitment anymore during his senior season.
Instead, he said he’s focusing now on helping the Elks get back to the state tournament, where the team fell to Jarrell in the semifinals last season.
“It’s so amazing because now I can just focus on the high school season,” he said. “That’s what’s important right now is this upcoming season.”
PRESTON ANDERSON, UNIV. OF HARTFORD
Connecticut is a long way from Cayuga, but Anderson said he has big plans for himself once he settles in with the Hawks.
The 6-7 senior said he wants to try and make an immediate impact with Hartford, a program that went 9-22 a year ago but fell in overtime during the conference tournament semifinals.
“For this next year, I want to get in and make an impact as fast as I can,” Anderson said. “Farther on, (I want) to go on and be an all-conference player, things like that. Just succeed.”
Like Smith, Anderson said that getting this out of the way during the early signing period was especially important.
The Cayuga basketball team is coming off of two-straight regional semifinal losses to Tenaha, and Anderson wants to lead his team back to state one more time.
“It’s a great relief,” he said. “I can completely focus on winning state and nothing else.”
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Sports editor Justin Rains can be reached via email at jrains@palestineherald.com
Local Sports
Dreams come true: 2 locals sign DI offers
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H.S. Athletics: Holden named new Cayuga ISD athletic director
It took just over a month for Cayuga ISD to find their new athletic director.
In a school board meeting Monday, the Cayuga school board hired current CHS assistant coach Russell Holden as its new athletic director and head football coach.
Holden, who has been on the staff at Cayuga for five years, will replace Greg Jenkins, who after three years at the helm is leaving for Tenaha. -
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Eighth graders Annalise Meyers (March) and Josie Soehnge (April), and seventh graders Madison Oliva (March) and Ashley Middleton were honored with the awards, which go to student athletes that lead not only on the field or court, but also in the classroom. -
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Just like in game one, the Grapeland Sandiettes jumped out to a big lead during Saturday's decisive Game 3 against the Joaquin.
The only difference is this time the Sandiettes never let off the gas on their way to a dominant 12-2 win over the Lady Rams in the do-or-die regional semifinal game.
With the win, Grapeland moves on to its third regional final in four years, where they will take on Beckville. It’s the third-straight year the teams will meet in the postseason. -
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After needing three games to end its first two playoff series this postseason, the Elkhart baseball team made sure it didn’t happen a third time.
The Elks — who are seeking a second-straight trip to the state tournament — rolled past Warren Saturday, 6-0, at Lufkin’s Morris Franks Park. The win came a night after Elkhart topped the Warriors, 5-1, to open the series on Friday. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland, Joaquin split games Friday
It was a tale of two games during Friday's Regional Semifinal between the Grapeland Sandiettes and Joaquin Lady Rams. The Sandiettes and Lady Rams combined for 22 runs in the Sandiettes 12-10 win in Game 1.
Game 2 was a much different as the teams wouldn't combine for 20 hits, or even 10 runs as the Lady Rams picked up a 4-2 win.
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H.S. Football: Palestine's Owens leads strong class of area recruits
Palestine junior Jarrell Owens hasn’t ever played a significant down in a game for the Wildcats at linebacker in his football career.
Yet, the position is obviously where his future lies.
Owens is one of a handful of area juniors drawing significant college interest, and the Palestine running back/linebacker already holds an official offer from Texas Tech University. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Harleton shuts down Cayuga in regional quarterfinal
In an as-expected pitcher’s duel, it took only one off inning to cost Cayuga and ace Chantz Holland.
Holland gave up four hits and hit a batter in the top of the third inning, and Harleton turned that into four runs — the only runs of the game — as Harleton topped Cayuga, 4-0, here at the Lindale ISD Baseball and Softball Complex in regional quarterfinal action. -
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The Cayuga baseball team that will take the field tonight against Harleton in the regional quarterfinals doesn’t look a lot like the Cayuga team that rolled through district play earlier this season.
Injuries have hampered the look of the Wildcat lineup, but Cayuga still finds itself into the playoffs’ third round for yet another season. -
H.S. Softball: Grapeland going strong into regional semifinals
It’s been relatively easy-going so far in the state softball playoffs for the Grapeland softball team.
The Sandiettes have lost only once so far in the playoffs, and that came thanks a forfeit in the area round against Avery, when Grapeland decided not to play rather than play without missing members at the state golf tournament. -
Local Roundup: Cayuga's Hughes named 19-A MVP
After a stellar regular season that saw them capture a district title, then a solid playoff run that ended with a regional quarterfinal loss to Grapeland, the Cayuga softball team showed well on the District 19-A all-district teams.
Cayuga star freshman pitcher Kimberly Hughes capped her stellar year by earning the district’s Most Valuable Player award. Joining Hughes in earning superlative honors was her battery-mate Maci Poland, who was named the league’s Defensive MVP. - More Local Sports Headlines
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