Sports Year in Review for 2025
Part 1-of-2 (January – June)
Another year of sports wrapped up as the year turned from 2025 to 2026. Here in our neck of the woods these country schools churn out the best student athletes in the state. Not just in athletics but UIL events of all kinds.
From debate to one act play, to band, Cass County boasts some of the best schools statewide.
Each school district has something to be proud of and memorable moments that will never be forgotten.
With each new year comes the hope that things will get better than we left them in the previous year.
From a sports point of view, what happened in 2025 set the bar for 2026 success.
Champions Christian Academy
On Saturday Jan. 18, Champions Christian Academy held its January 2025 Shootout on the campus of CCA. The competition consisted of CCA students as well as area homeschool students.
The winners were as follows: Senior Division - First Place - Alannah Lampshire, Second Place - Maya Perry and Third Place - Elijah Lowry.
Junior Division - First Place - Annalise Perry, Second Place - Eli Hill and Third Place - Kyle Hill.
The Champions Christian Academy archery team wrapped up their season with a final tournament on Feb.1. Winners from the Senior and Junior division were Theodore Tackett, Alannah Lampshire, Maiah Perry, Annalise Perry, Kyle Hill and Eli Hill.
The CCA Champions Middle School track team traveled to Bishop T.K. Gorman school in Tyler last week and gained some valuable experience. Highlights from the meet included Zeke Hill placing fourth in his heat in the seventh-grade 100m dash and Payton Woods placed fifth overall in the eighth-grade shot put.
The CCA Middle School track team traveled down the road to the Hughes Springs Colt Relays held at Mustang Stadium on Mar. 17 Payton Woods placed third in the eighth-grade ladies’ shot put and the rest of the Champions track team continues to gain valuable experience.
Atlanta Signings
Five Atlanta student-athletes signed letters of intent last week. Chantoya Hurd will be hitting the track at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Kheaton Kinney will play football for Missouri State University, Marcellous Kirk will play football for Henderson State University and both Peyton Harris and Sye Stroman will continue their athletic careers playing football at East Texas Baptist University.
Other
Atlanta Middle School’s eighth-grade girls’ basketball team was crowned district champions this year.
AMS 7A boys finished the season a perfect 11-0 and claims both the regular season and district tournament championships.
Atlanta stud athlete Markeylin Batton was named to the 73rd annual Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association’s Class 3A All-State Football Team.
The Atlanta Middle School boys’ track programs capped off a great season by adding two more district championships in track and field.
Band
The Atlanta High School Symphonic Percussion Ensemble and two of its eighth-grade musicians competed at the Redwater Solo and Ensemble Contest — and they did not disappoint. The Percussion Ensemble earned a First Division medal, and both Cor’Demion Roquemore and Jaxon Durmon received First Division medals for their impressive solo performances. Based on their ratings, they would’ve earned a gold medal at the state level.
Baseball
Atlanta’s varsity baseball team kicked off its season with an 11-0 win over Evangel Christian Academy on Feb. 17.
On Mar. 11 the Rabbits topped rival Queen City 15-2. For the Rabbs, Peyton Harrison was on the hill and gave up three hits over six innings with five strikeouts.
Atlanta was in second place in the District 14-3A race with just two games left. That’s due in large to a 5-game district win streak.
Softball
Atlanta’s varsity softball team took on county rival Linden-Kildare on Feb. 11. When the dust had settled the Lady Rabbs posted a 17-4 victory over the Lady Tigers.
The Lady Rabbs’ softball team beat Daingerfield 9-5 on Feb. 25.
On Feb. 27-Mar. 1 the Lady Rabbits took part in the New Boston tourney and went 4-1.
Atlanta’s softball team run-ruled Liberty-Eylau 24-4 on Mar. 18. Keirsten Underwood posted three hits with three RBIs and Carlajah Adger added a double with four RBIs.
The Lady Rabbits blanked New Boston 11-0 in five innings on Mar. 25. Gabby Arredondo gave up just two hits over five innings with five strikeouts.
Tennis
Atlanta’s varsity tennis team brought their A-game to their own tournament and the results were outstanding. Ricky Brown placed first in Boys’ Singles, Colt Engle and Nolan Hapner placed second in Boys’ Doubles, Malachi Holland and Coby Alaimo placed first in Boys’ Doubles Consolation and Matthew Castillo and Aaliyah Murphy placed second in Mixed Doubles.
Atlanta JV tennis players Addison Sloan and Riley Chiles placed first in Girls’ Doubles Consolation recently.
Atlanta’s JV Tennis program turned in outstanding performances at the District tournament last week. Atlanta placed in every event, including Carson Matthews – First Place, Boys Singles; Isabella Campbell – First Place, Girls Singles; Madison Jones – Second Place, Girls Singles; Brian Arenas and Chris Jones – Second Place, Boys Doubles and Riley Chiles and Addison Sloan – Second Place, Girls Doubles.
Atlanta High School’s Anna Davis and Will Davis, seniors at AHS, advanced to the state tournament in mixed doubles. They’ll compete later this week in San Antonio.
Track
On Mar. 13 the Atlanta track program competed in the Paul Parr Relays at Liberty-Eylau High School. The Rabbit and Lady Rabbit teams fared well as the varsity girls finished first overall and the varsity boys, JV boys and JV girls all finished second.
For the first time ever, all four Atlanta High School track teams won District Championship titles — JV Boys, JV Girls, Varsity Boys and Varsity Girls.
Both Atlanta’s varsity boys’ and varsity girls’ teams won Area titles.
Markeylin Batton advanced to the state meet in the 100m dash.
The 4x100m and 4x200m girls’ relay teams advanced to state.
Golf
Atlanta’s varsity boys’ and girls’ teams competed in the Redwater Invitational last week and the varsity boys No. 1 took first place overall, with Carson Caver shooting his tournament-best 80 and earning second place for the lowest score in the boys’ division. The varsity boys No. 2 team finished strong in third place overall. The varsity girls claimed first place overall, with Emma Jo McCall shooting her personal best tournament score of 85 and winning first place for lowest score in the girls’ division and Ryleigh Thompson and Makenzie Lampshire tied for third place with the lowest score in the girls’ division.
Both Atlanta varsity programs won district championships.
Powerlifting
At the FCA Lift Off, Darryck Prounh placed 10th in the 165-pound weight class with a total lift of 995 pounds, Menace Lloyd placed seventh in 242-pound weight class with a total lift of 885 pounds and Kheaton Kinney placed sixth in the Super Heavy Weight division with a total lift of 1,260 pounds.
Bloomburg Other
Lexi Powell and Christopher “Pip” Jones were crowned Bloomburg’s 2025 Homecoming Queen and King.
Softball
Bloomburg’s softball team was crowned district champions and received a first-round bye.
Track
Remington Mays in the 100m and 200m dash, Craig Johnson and Kaiden Priest in the 3200m run advanced to area.
Linden-Kildare Signings
On Feb. 5, National Signing Day, Linden-Kildare student-athlete Asher Wells signed an offer from Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. to play Wide Receiver with the Warriors.
Autumn Walker committed to Texas A&M University– Texarkana to cheer at the next level.
Aleesha Parkman committed to the cheer squad at Henderson State University.
Softball
Callie Johnson was named MVP of the game after a 13-0 win over Avery. Johnson led the Lady Tigers with eight strikeouts.
On Feb. 27 the Lady Tigers dispatched Paris 16-0 as Callie Johnson sat down eight batters and gave up just four hits.
On Feb. 28 the Lady Tigers topped Mt. Pleasant Chapel Hill 6-1 as Ada Whatley struck out five batters and gave up just two hits.
On Mar. 7 the Lady Tigers beat Maud 5-2 behind Callie Johnson’s 6-strikeout performance.
Linden-Kildare’s softball team topped James Bowie 11-2 on Mar. 14 and beat Detroit 3-1 on Mar. 18.
Linden-Kildare picked up two wins over Paul Pewitt on Mar. 25 and Mar. 27. One was a 14-2 win and the other a 13-2 win.
Track
The Lady Tigers placed second overall at the district meet.
Brooklyn Bynum 800m run, Jakiah Birmingham 200m dash, Charington Taylor and Mariyah Franklin shot put, Devonna Linwood discus and Jamiah Birmingham Long and Triple Jump advanced to area along with the relay teams - 4X1 and 4X2 Relay-Jamiah Birmingham, Jakiah Birmingham, Kalysa Roberts, Summer Gibson and 4X4 Relay-Jamiah Birmingham, Brooklyn Bynum, Kalysa Roberts, Summer Gibson.
Landon Farrington in the high jump, boys 4x100m Ja’Koryn Love, Chance Kirkland, Joa Lopez and T.J. Patterson, 4x200m Jerric Madison, Chance Kirkland, Joa Lopez and T.J. Patterson, 4x400m Dylan Perez, Jacob George, Eberado Padilla and Alex Munoz advanced to area.
Linden-Kildare’s varsity girls’ squad placed second overall at area.
Jamiah Birmingham was crowned Area champion in both triple jump and long jump; Devonna Linwood placed third in discus and the 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m relay teams of Jakiah Birmingham, Kalysa Roberts, Summer Gibson and Jamiah Birmingham were all Area champions after three solid first-place finishes.
Landon Farrington placed second in high jump and qualified for regionals.
The 4x100m and 4x200m relauy teams advanced to state along with triple jumper Jamiah Birmingham.
Linden-Kildare track star Jamiah Birmingham added a gold medal to her career accolades after winning a state championship in the triple jump. Birmingham outdistanced other competitors with a jump of 37 feet, 3/4 inches. Last year she placed second in the same event.
Tennis
Linden-Kildare’s Carley Hays and Hannah Snow competed in the 2A Region 3 tennis tournament in Franklin, Texas. Both players had a great tournament. Hannah finished fourth in the region and Carley finished third. With a third place finish, Carley advanced to the state tournament to be held May 15-16 in San Antonio.
Powerlifting
Linden-Kildare’s Allie Watson and Charington Taylor qualified for State after turning in solid numbers in their respective weight classes. Watson lifted a total of 840 pounds and Taylor lifted a total of 855 pounds.
Linden-Kildare’s Charington Taylor placed seventh and Allie Watson placed eighth at the State Powerlifting Meet in Edinburg, Texas on Mar. 12. Taylor had a total lift of 840 pounds and Watson posted a total lift of 835 pounds.
Linden-Kildare lifters competed in the 2025 FCA Powerlifting Meet on Jan. 18. Cadi Belford placed first in her weight class with a lifting total of 770, Charington Taylor placed third in her weight class with a lifting total of 775 and Allie Watson placed fourth in her weight class with a lifting total of 765.
Linden-Kildare’s girls’ powerlifting program took part in the Maud Invitational on Jan. 30 and finished second overall out of 12 schools and 76 lifters participating.
Linden-Kildare’s girls’ powerlifting team won the Redwater Invitational on Feb. 6.
FFA
Linden-Kildare brought home all blue ribbons from the FFA Ag Mechanic Show in Fort Worth on Jan. 18. Carley Hays and Jacee Quaid placed first, Kalysa Roberts and Olivia Stewart placed first and Tylton Surratt placed first.
Linden-Kildare’s Ag Mechanic’s students all won blue ribbons for their projects at a show in San Angelo. Carley Hays and Jacee Quaid won with their deer feeder, Tylton Surratt and Keegan Salers won with their mineral feeder and Kalysa Roberts and Olivia Stewart won with their patio swing.
McLeod Other
McLeod’s Brayden Bascombe and Riley Howell were crowned Homecoming King and Queen for 2025..
Basketball
McLeod’s varsity boys’ basketball team topped Linden-Kildare 77-35 on Jan. 3 The Longhorns took a 28-9 commanding lead into the second quarter and had a solid 47-16 lead at the break. A 30-19 run in the second half finished off the 42-point win.
McLeod’s varsity boys’ team beat Union Grove 67-51 on Jan. 14 and improved its district record to 4-1.
Baseball
McLeod’s baseball team won its bi-district battle with Como-Pickton last week by scores of 16-4 and 5-2.
Track
Ariel Stevens in high jump advanced to area.
Queen City Cheer
The Lady Bulldogs’ cheer team had an unbelievable time as well and finished sixth place after it was all said and done at the UIL Spirit State Championships in Ft. Worth.
Band
Queen City’s Band of Champions had 24 members, some doing multiple events, bring back 21 first division medals and 20 of those students have qualified for State which will take place at Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville on May 25-26.
Signings
Surrounded by a crowd of family, friends, teachers and coaches, QCHS softball standout, Brenna Turbeville signed a letter of intent with Texas A&M-Texarkana to continue her softball career in college.
Other
The Morris Upchurch Middle School girls’ track program placed well at the Paul Parr Junior High Meet last week. Both the seventh and eighth grade teams placed second overall.
The MUMS Beginner and Symphonic bands attended the SoundPost Music Festival in Canton on Monday, May 12 and came home with two FIRST DIVISION ratings.
Baseball
Queen City’s baseball team topped East Texas Home School 9-3 on Feb. 21.
Queen City topped Jefferson 9-5 in a Bulldogs’ matchup on Feb. 24. The game was a thriller that included a solid comeback by the orange and black Bulldogs.
Bulldogs take 2-of-3 in New Boston tourney. Queen City edged New Boston 5-4 in district play on Apr. 8, after Gunner Loftin hit a sac bunt to the pitcher’s mound scoring Brayden Wiley from third.
Track
On Mar. 13, Queen City’s track program competed in the Mo Parker Relays hosted by Hooks High School. Both boys’ teams finished second overall.
Queen City’s track program hosted the J.K. Hileman Relays on Mar. 20. The varsity boys came in second overall and both the varsity girls and JV boys placed third.
Kaylin Griffin pole vault, Mallory Hamilton 100m hurdles (district champion), Makenna Hamilton and Gracie Alexander discus, Bella Brown 800m run advanced to area.
Daketrick Smith 200m dash, DJ Henson 400m dash, Bryce Belk 110m hurdles, 4x200m relay DJ Henson, Malaki Richardson, Derrell Sewell and Daketrick Smith, 4x400m relay DJ Henson, Malaki Richardson, Derrell Sewell and Daketrick Smith advanced to area.
Lincoln Moore pole vault (district champion), David Jackson shot put (district champion), Leevi Byrum discus (district champion), Daketrick Smith long jump, top three spots in triple jump Tavon Andrews (district champion), Lincoln Moore and Daketrick Smith advanced to area.
At area, Makenna Hamilton placed second in discus; Bella Brown placed third in the 800m run; Mallory Hamilton placed second in the 100m hurdles and Kaylin Griffin placed second in pole vault.
At area, Lincoln Moore was crowned Area champ in pole vault; Daketrick Smith placed third in the 200m dash and fourth in triple jump; David Jackson placed second in shot put and Leevi Byrum placed second in discus.
Tennis
Queen City High School varsity tennis player, Vincent Wong competed in the Sulphur Springs Invitational Tennis tournament on Thursday, Mar. 6. Wong placed third in the Boys’ Singles Division.
Queen City High School’s Vincent Wong won the Liberty- Eylau Spring Tennis Invitational on Mar. 14 in Boys’ Singles. L-E hosted the event but all matches were played at the Texarkana College tennis courts.
Queen City High School tennis players, Abbie York and Vincent Wong were crowned district champions after winning the girls’ and boys’ singles division respectively held at Liberty-Eylau High school on Apr. 24-25.
Queen City High School senior Vincent Wong qualified for state Queen City High School senior Vincent Wong won a bronze medal at the state tennis meet last week. Wong also won a bronze medal at the state meet a couple of years before.
Powerlifting
Queen City’s Abigail Leverett punched her ticket to State after turning in solid numbers at the Region 3 Championships hosted by Commerce High School on Mar. 1.
At the FCA Lift Off, T’Shadrick Bolden placed second in the 114-pound weight class with a total lift of 605 pounds, Thomas Guest placed fifth in the 148-pound weight class with a total lift of 915 pounds, Easton West placed 11th in the 148-pound weight class with a total lift of 820 pounds, Cameron Clarke placed 24th in the 165-pound weight class with a total lift of 665 pounds, David Jackson and Riley Newkirk placed 2-3 in the 308-pound weight class with total lifts of 1,465 and 1,300 pounds respectively and Justin Pankery placed fifth in the 308-pound weight class with a total lift of 1,015 pounds.
Queen City’s powerlifting program took part in the Maud Invitational on Jan. 30 and the boys’ team finished fourth out of 11 schools and 112 lifters participating.
FFA
Queen City FFA member Mallory Hamilton competed at the Fort Worth Livestock Show where she placed first in her class and Reserved Division Champion with her heifer.