After a season in which his team went 9-1 in district and claimed a district crown, Westwood’s Dra Ross earned 19-2A’s top honor.
The senior was named the District 19-2A Most Valuable Player on the all-district team released this week, after all the district’s teams were eliminated from playoff contention.
Ross helped lead the Panthers back to the postseason last year, the team’s first appearance since the 1990s.
This year, Ross and Westwood did two-better, winning the district crown and advancing to the regional quarterfinals, where they fell to second-ranked and defending state champion White Oak, 69-57.
For the first time in eight years, Elkhart also found its way back to the postseason, and leading-scorer Jacob Cheatham was named the district’s co-Offensive Player of the Year, sharing the honor with Woden’s Blake Reimer.
For getting his squad back to the postseason, Elkhart’s Ryan Blackmon shared Coach of the Year honors with the last man to lead Elkhart to the postseason: Westwood coach Scott Nettles.
The Westwood trio of L.J. Hutchison, Chris Thompson and J.J. Turner all earned first-team honors, as did Elkhart’s Brian Johnson.
On the second team, Westwood’s Josh Denby joined Elkhart’s Cole Bridges and Luke Hollingsworth.
Earning an honorable mention nod was Westwood’s Demontrey House..
Westwood’s La’Rodney Brown and Chris Thompson, along with Elkhart’s Luis Banuelos and Jordan Ives, were named to the academic all-district team.
Crockett’s Mathew Schaefer was named the district’s Defensive MVP, while Central Heights sophomore Harrison Perkins and Woden freshman Ja’michael Tanner shared Newcomer of the Year honors.
19-3A ALL-DISTRICT
After getting back to the postseason for the first time since 2006, and earning the program’s first playoff win since 2005, the Palestine boys’ basketball team placed two players on the 19-3A all-district first team.
The team’s lone senior, Shumauri Scott, was named a first-teamer, as was junior Ben Luckett.
Sophomore Gee Clark and junior Sheldon Watson were named to the second team, while junior Tony Butler earned an honorable mention nod.
Mexia junior Kaylon Watson was named the district’s Most Valuable Player, while Fairfield senior Aaron Heers was named the Offensive MVP.
Mexia juniors LaVictory McKnight and Damion Matthews were named Defensive MVP and Newcomer of the Year, respectively, while Fairfield’s Joey Worley and Brian Merrick earned Coach of the Year honors.
Local Sports
H.S. Boys Basketball: Locals litter 19-3A, 19-2A all-district squads
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H.S. Baseball: Elkhart's Smith stellar at all-star weekend
By all accounts, former Elkhart baseball standout Levi Smith had a stellar weekend.
The former Elks’ catcher spent it in Round Rock, participating in the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association (THSBCA) all-star weekend.
He played in the 1A-3A all-star Saturday, batting in the clean-up spot for his team. But, it was the show he put on Friday that probably turned the most heads. -
Tennis: Palestine-native Ybarra captures East Texas Open title
In terms of his tennis, the last year had been a rough one for Palestine-native Ryan Ybarra.
After transferring from Texas Tech to UT-Tyler, Ybarra had seen his season come to a rough end thanks to a foot injury, and led him to wonder about his future in the sport.
In his own words, Ybarra was “burnt out.” -
H.S. Football: 5 local players to play in Saturday's FCA bowl
The annual FCA “Heart of a Champion” Bowl in Tyler Saturday will have a decidedly local flavor to it.
Five local players were among the almost 100 chosen to play in the game, which honors the best high school seniors from a 25-county area in Northeast Texas. -
H.S. Football: Palestine OL Thlang commits to ULM
The first of the area’s Class of 2014 football recruits has made a commitment.
Palestine offensive lineman Brian Thlang committed to the University of Louisiana at Monroe on Wednesday, days after attending the Warhawks camp with teammate Ben Luckett.
Thlang said he was won over at the camp with the ULM coaching staff. -
H.S. Football: Area coaches react to UIL's new 90-minute rule
In an effort to combat injuries, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) approved a limit on how much full contact can be made weekly during high school and middle school football practices.
The UIL, which governs athletics in Texas, approved a measure limiting contact to 90 minutes per week at a meeting on Tuesday. But, full contact is deemed to be “game-speed tackling and blocking to the ground.” -
H.S. Football: TCU latest to offer Palestine's Jarrell Owens
Palestine star senior-to-be Jarrell Owens picked up his fourth college offer on Tuesday, his second from a BCS school.
TCU offered the Class of 2014 linebacker/defensive end, joining Texas Tech as the two Big 12 schools currently courting Owens. -
H.S. Baseball: Trio of locals named to THSBCA all-state teams
Three local players were named some the state’s best baseball players Monday by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association (THSBCA).
Elkhart teammates Levi Smith (catcher) and Jacob Cheatham (third base) were both named first team players on the Class 2A team, while Cayuga pitcher Chantz Holland was named a first teamer in Class 1A. -
Sports Briefs: Week of 6/3/13
Sports briefs for the week beginning June 3, 2013, including a Lady Elk garage sale and updated information on Adrian Peterson Day.
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H.S. Football: Palestine's Owens picks up third college offer
Palestine senior-to-be Jarrell Owens picked up his third college offer Monday morning.
The Wildcat running back and linebacker can add Texas State to his list of confirmed suitors after the Bobcats extended an official scholarship offer Monday. -
H.S. Baseball: 10 Palestine players earn all-district honors
Even in his first — and only —season on the Palestine baseball team, newcomer Zane Worsencroft made an impact.
The coaches in District 19-3A took notice as well, and Worsencroft was honored as the district’s Defensive Player of the Year on the league’s all-district team released recently. - More Local Sports Headlines
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