Local Roundup: PHS soccer stars get big wins, sign college offers

Local Sports

Discussion

March 4, 2013

Local Roundup: PHS soccer stars get big wins, sign college offers

Staff Reports Palestine Herald-Press The Palestine Herald-Press Mon Mar 04, 2013, 06:39 PM CST

It’s been a big four days for Palestine soccer players Kaleb Garcia and Xochitl Zavala.

On Friday, the duo were part of big wins for their respective Palestine soccer teams against Lufkin Hudson, then Monday both celebrated taking their careers to the next level at a ceremony at Palestine High School.

The Wildcats clinched a playoff spot Friday with a 2-0 win over Hudson, with Garcia setting up Pablo Aguilar for the game’s opening goal.

Adrian Rodriguez netted the second goal of the match with an assist from Parker Hamon.

The girls’ game was a bit more intense.

The Ladycats fell behind Hudson 2-0, and trailed by that deficit at halftime.

But, Palestine scored three second-half goals to earn a big win, with Zavala having a hand in all three.

On the first, she set up Nidia Umanzor to cut the Hudson lead in half, then the duo switched roles, as Umanzor set up Zavala for the equalizing goal.

With seven minutes left in regular time, Zavala found Alyssa Claytor, who finished to give Palestine the 3-2 win.

With the victory, the Ladycats moved into second place in district, and travel to first-place Nacogdoches today. Boys action begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the girls’ game.

Also celebrated in Monday’s ceremony were former Palestine players Lucy Ayala and Fabio Chavez, who both will play at Jacksonville College next season.

H.S. BASEBALL

Elks win Leon Classic

Behind a scalding-hot performance at the plate from Jacob Cheatham, the third-ranked Elkhart baseball team captured the Leon Classic crown over the weekend.

The Elks (10-2) won the title with mercy-rule shortened win over Buffalo, scoring runs in all six of the game’s innings.

Cheatham drove in the decisive run in the sixth to end the game via mercy-rule, a fitting end to the tournament for the Cisco College-bound Cheatham. On the weekend, Cheatham was 16-of-17 at the plate, driving in 15 runs and scoring 12 of his own.

He had four doubles, a triple and a home run among those 16 hits, and also stole six bases.

Hunter Parker got the win on the mound for the Elks, his second win of the week.

The Elks open up District 19-2A play today, welcoming in Garrison to The Backyard in Elkhart. Games begin at 4:30 p.m. with junior varsity action.

Cayuga wins Arp tourney

The Cayuga baseball team went unbeaten en route to the Arp tournament title over the weekend.

The Wildcats capped the tournament with an 8-4 win over Class 3A Brownsboro to earn the title.

Cayuga also earned big wins over Frankston (11-1) and Arp (15-4), while edging past East Texas Christian Academy, 7-5.

Cayuga returns to action today when they travel to Fruitvale for a 5 p.m. first pitch.

H.S. SOFTBALL

PALESTINE 16, Kennard 0

The Palestine softball team rolled to an easy, four inning victory over Kennard Friday.

Nicole Thompson and Amber Magee each had two hits in the 16-0 Palestine victory, with Magee driving in a team-high three runs. Destiny Holloway and Amaris Ordonez each added two RBI.

Liz Cone got the win inside the circle for the Ladycats, pitching all four innings, striking out six in the process.

Palestine travels to Normangee at 6 p.m. today, before hosting College Station at 6 p.m. Friday.

Text Only

Local Sports

Palestine's Owens picks TCU
A whirlwind recruitment came to a resolution for Palestine star Jarrell Owens Tuesday.

June 18, 2013
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.

June 17, 2013
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.”

June 17, 2013
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.

June 13, 2013
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.

June 12, 2013
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.”

June 11, 2013
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.

June 11, 2013
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.

June 10, 2013
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.

June 3, 2013
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.

June 3, 2013
More Local Sports Headlines

Local Sports

Search Results

Discussion

Local Roundup: PHS soccer stars get big wins, sign college offers

Site Map

Contact Us