Sports Year in Review for2022

The years seem to go by faster than they used to. I’m not sure it’s an age thing; I believe everyone feels the same way.

Last year, 2022, was indeed a great year on the sports end for our local schools. Each school district has something to be proud of and memorable moments that will never be forgotten. I believe the student-athletes of our coverage schools are just as good as those elsewhere.

With each new year comes the hope that things will get better than we left them in the previous year.

From a sports view, 2023 opens new doors of success not seen before or gives an open opportunity to build on what was in 2022.

CLARE WONG

If there’s one thing that will get you plenty of recognition in the sports world it’s winning a state championship.

These student-athletes put in a lot of time and hard work to achieve the unthinkable.

Queen City High School’s Clare Wong won the 2022, 3A Girls’ Singles state championship in tennis.

Wong won her first match 7-6 (6) and 6-2, her semifinal match 7-5, 6-0 and the championship match 6-3, 6-0.

After her amazing feat, the prodigy was awarded her own day by the QC ISD Board of Trustees at the conclusion of a parade in her honor.

April 29 will forever be known as “Clare Wong Day” in the cITy.

CEDRIC DAVIS

Queen City powerlifter Cedric Davis had one great year on the powerlifting stage in 2022.

The road ended at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association’s Division 3 State Meet in Abilene where Davis finished third and earned a bronze medal in his classification.

Davis turned in personal bests on the state stage where he squatted 675 pounds and benched 395.

He deadlifted 625 which was down from regionals where he hit 635. Nonetheless he wrapped up a medal with a total lift of 1,695 pounds.

QUEEN CITY CHEER

Queen City’s cheer squad won a bronze medal at the UIL State Spirit Contest for 3A Division 2.

The cheer team consisted of: Ke’Nayah Larry, Nyla Pearl Harrison, Keaton Simpson, Halle Worthington, Emma Baker, Toni McCellon, Landry Beckham, Cassidy Johnson, Alex Larry, Jordyn Jones, Lauren Carrell, Payton Boone, Courtney Price, Brenna Turbeville, Paitynn Weeks, Zoe Breach, Ruby McCasland, Keeli Mainer, McKynli Steaveson, An’Tonianna Gamble, Jeremiah Henderson (Mascot), Laurel Moore (Mascot), Fidelity Giles(Manager), Lisa Doddy (Head Coach), Alyssa Clements (Asst. Coach) and Jaiden Droddy (Asst. Coach).

BEN SCHARNBERG

Former Atlanta Rabbits’ AD Ben Scharnberg was inducted into the Fox Sports Texarkana Hall of Fame in 2022.

Along with this honor the legendary coach is also in the Kerrville Tivy Hall of Fame and the East Texas Coaches Association Hall of Honor.

In his first year as Athletic Director/Head Football at AHS Coach Scharnberg turned around a 1-9 program from the previous season and took the Rabbs to an 8-2 record.

In his third season at the helm of the Rabbit Express Scharnberg led Atlanta into the playoffs for the first time since the 1983 season.

The very next year in 1990 the Rabbs went 10-0 and undefeated in district play for the first time since 1978.

In 1994 the Rabbits lost the first two games of the season and then reeled off 13 consecutive wins, which included the “Game of the Century” against Jefferson, en route to the school’s first state football appearance.

The Rabbs lost to a tough Sealy team in the 1994, 3A title game but did win it all in the 2003, 3A title game with a 34-0 win over Marlin.

In his Atlanta coaching career Scharnberg was 149-82-2 and overall was 172-90-3.

His honors and accolades are numerous and include being named District Coach of the Year 11 times, securing a State title, a State appearance, three Area championships, 14 District championships, 11 Bi-District championships and 17 years in the playoffs.

Scharnberg’s 1990-1999 decade has been the most successful in school history as he compiled an 82-35-2 record.

He led the Rabbs to undefeated seasons in 1991 and 2001 which are two of the seven in AHS history.

After a long, successful 20 years Coach Scharnberg retired in 2007.

TED THOMPSON

Atlanta’s Ted Thompson passed away in 2021 but in 2022 the Green Bay Packers honored Thompson by unveiling his name on the façade of the stadium in the northeast corner.

With his family in attendance, the Packers honored Thompson in a most memorable way.

Thompson’s journey to his dream began in Atlanta and is still seen in the form of what he accomplished while here.

Under his tenure as GM, the team went 125-82-1 in regular-season play and made the playoffs nine times, including a franchise-best eight straight seasons from 2009 through 2016.

Green Bay was 10-8 in postseason play during that time, reaching four NFC Championship Games (2007, 2010, 2014, 2016).

In 2010 the Packers won Super Bowl XLV — led by Aaron Rodgers, who was Thompson’s first-ever selection as Packers’ general manager.

Thompson was voted Sporting News NFL Executive of the Year in 2007 and in 2018 the Packers announced that Thompson would be inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.

With that honor Thompson joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Ron Wolf as only the second person inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame exclusively as a general manager. Vince Lombardi was inducted as a head coach and general manager.

Before him, the only men to guide Green Bay to a Super Bowl title were named Lombardi and Wolf.

Thompson retired in 2019 after a successful career in which his draft picks helped change both the Seahawks and Packers organizations.

DAIMION COLLINS

Former Atlanta basketball standout, Daimion Collins, announced in 2022 that he would return to play for the Kentucky Wildcats for a second year.

In a time where players take off for the NBA after one season in college or hit the transfer portal it was sweet news to the Kentucky basketball team and its fans.

Collins understands the game and the need for development before shooting off for the NBA.

The elite baller hit a roadblock in November after the sudden passing of his father Ben Collins Jr.

Collins, after a brief respite, returned to the court with determination to keep going as his father would want him to do.

COACH JARRICK FARMER

Former Atlanta coach Jarrick Farmer was hired by Linden- Kildare CISD as Athletic Director, Head Football Coach in 2022.

Coach Farmer made his way back to Cass County after a stint at Clarksville ISD as the AD and head football coach there.

Farmer left for Clarksville after coaching at Atlanta High School where he helped coach a solid Rabbits’ football team into the playoffs, coached the Lady Rabbs’ basketball program into the playoffs for the first time in several years and coached the Lady Rabb’s track team to its only state championship in school history.

In a historical manner Farmer is the first African American to be named Athletic Director/Head Football Coach at Linden-Kildare.

COACH TYLER MORTON

Atlanta ISD hired Tyler Morton to be the new Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Atlanta ISD in 2022.

Coach Morton was the Defensive Coordinator at Arkansas High School in Texarkana, Ark., before being hired by Atlanta.

Coach Morton was tasked with bringing the Rabbit football program back to life after a disastrous 2021 campaign that saw the Rabbs go 0-10 and not win a single game since 1935.

Coach Morton and company did so as the Rabbs finished the season 7-4 and made the playoffs.

HALL OF FAME

Three former Rabbit athletes who competed at the national level entered the Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame (HOF) in 2022. At pre-game induction ceremonies Martin Miller, Sammy Epps and Sherri Steward - Ganz were honored as members of the HOF Class of 2022. Each had stellar sports careers at Atlanta High School and then went on to compete in college and beyond.

Martin Miller, a 1971 Rabbit graduate, had a big impact in sports for the Maroon and White. He was a key football and basketball player, but track was the showcase for his accomplishments. Martin became the first Rabbit State track champion when he brought home the gold in the 1970 mile run. He established the school mile record while repeating as the State champ in 1971.

During his four high school years he earned a spot in the State track meet each season. His performances brought a scholarship to run at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Running both cross country and track, Miller turned in top finishes for the Ponies in Southwest Conference competition.

Miller passed away in 2019. Sammy Epps joins his older brother Phillip who was inducted into the HOF last year with the Class of 2021. As did his older brothers, Sammy played football, basketball and ran track for the Rabbits.

A good long jumper in track, he got an opportunity to join the track team at Southern Arkansas University (SAU) in Magnolia, Arkansas. He headed off to college after high school graduation in 1981. Put in the Muleriders off season program of weightlifting and distance running, Sammy began to physically mature. Stronger and faster by that first college track season Epps began to make his mark in Arkansas collegiate track.

During four seasons he established several school records that still stand. Sammy closed his college career by entering seven events in the Conference meet and piling up 45 points to lead the Muleriders to the championship.

Sherri Steward was truly a pioneer in women’s track as she has a long record as an outstanding competitor in distance running events. Sherri began running at Atlanta High School in 1968 when girls’ sports were severely limited in opportunity and support. As a junior she earned second place for the Lady Rabbs in the 1970 Girls State track meet held then in Abilene.

After high school, Sherri joined the North Texas University women’s track program which then was almost nonexistent. Title IX to bring women’s athletics toward equality with men’s was just passed in 1972.

Despite funding difficulties, Sherri began to win Cross Country and track events within the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW). She won the 880, mile and two-mile events among several Texas Universities.

Following college competition, she ran for the Metrop lex Striders Track Club based in Dallas. With the Striders Sherri competed in numerous national level meets like the Texas and Kansas relays plus several national championship meets. Running the 880 and mile she competed against an Olympic champ and several other Olympians finishing second and third.

As the anchor runner for the Striders two mile relay this unit had the best time in the nation.

AREA BANDS

Atlanta’s Big Bad Band from Rabbit Land, Queen City’s Band of Champions and Linden-Kildare’s Roaring Band from Tigerland had a very successful Fall finish to 2022.

Both bands aced the Regional Marching Contest by receiving straight 1’s for a Superior rating which is the highest rating that can be given.

The Roaring Band from Tigerland received all ones and advanced to the Area competition on Oct. 29.

CADE FANT

Former Atlanta Rabbit standout Cade Fant was named to the American Southwest All-Conference Football Team recently as an Honorable Mention Tight End.

Fant finished 2022 with 16 catches for 135 yards and three touchdowns for the East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) Tigers. After overcoming a torn ACL his freshman year, Fant has been a starter the past two years and has been a member of the Academic All-ASC team since 2020.

TROUBLE

In the summer of 2022, the ETX Trouble 2k13 8U Travel Team, based in Texarkana, won a World Series championship in the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) fastpitch league.

The ETX Trouble went 6-0 in a span of three days en route to the ’ship.

Two of the players on the roster are from Atlanta, two are from Louisiana and the rest reside in Texarkana.

In the title game, Trouble faced the Demarini Aces NWA 2013 out of Muskogee, Okla., who came in ranked first in the state of Oklahoma and third nationally in its division.

In its last 25 games the team was 22-3 and had a record of 44-6-1.

ETX Trouble had won eight of its last nine games, had a record of 41-16 and was ranked second in the state of Texas and ninth nationally in its division.

The game was a classic slugfest as the two teams went back-and-forth, but when the dust settled ETX Trouble had a World Series title to add to its seasonal accolades.

A 15-13 win over a national powerhouse was a perfect way to end the tournament.

POWERLIFTING

Powerlifters from Region 3 met at Malakoff High School on Mar. 5, to compete for a chance to go to state. Both divisions three and four were present and had a total of 265 lifters involved.

At the end of the day, Avery Whitlow and Jaden Wells from Atlanta and Cedric Davis from Queen City punched tickets to the state competition.

PINEYWOODS BAGGERS

The Pineywoods Baggers, a local cornhole league, hosted a cornhole tournament on Saturday, Oct. 22, inside the Bloomburg ISD gymnasium.

The tourney was a Bloomburg ISD Scholarship benefit with most of the proceeds going into the scholarship fund.

Money raised for the scholarship fund was $2,350 and player payout was $2,309.

Atlanta

Atlanta’s Lady Rabbs’ basketball squad earned 14-3A All-District honors after winning a district championship and bolting into the playoffs.

Kym Sheppard was named Outstanding Rebounder and Kristie Mauldin was named Coach of the Year.

Atlanta swept the Atlanta Lions Club/Gordon Pynes/ Runnin’ Rabbs Relays on Mar. 10.

The boys won for the 18th time in 27 years which includes the past five meets.

Atlanta’s girls’ squad hadn’t won this meet since 2007 and turned in an epic performance as they dethroned Liberty- Eylau. L-E had won the past six meets coming in and nine of the last 12, but the Lady Rabbs gave it all they had and stopped the Lady Leopards’ winning streak.

The JV boys left no doubt as they crushed the competition.

Atlanta competed in the Tommy Miller Relays hosted by Hallsville on Mar. 24.

The varsity boys’ squad topped the field with 102 points which included a sweep in the relays.

Atlanta beat out a host of 3A, 4A and 5A teams en route to a team title.

Atlanta’s varsity boys’, varsity girls’ and JV boys’ track teams all won district titles on Apr. 13, at the 14-3A District Meet hosted by Atlanta.

Atlanta’s track program turned on the jets at the 13-3A and 14-3A Area Track Meet on Apr. 20.

The Runnin’ Rabbs placed first overall with a point total of 113.

The Lady Rabbs missed winning it all by just two points. Mineola took first with 89 points, Atlanta and Quitman tied for second.

Atlanta’s 4x100m relay team of Isaiah Chandler, Zakyus Jackson, Markeylin Batton and JaBranden Wells made it to state after placing first at regionals with a time of 42.16.

Atlanta’s 4x400m relay team of Isaiah Chandler, Matthew Cauley, Eli Riojas and JaBranden Wells placed first at regionals with a time of 3:22.37 and punched a ticket to state.

Atlanta’s Stacy Darty placed second in the triple jump with a leap of 45 feet, 2 inches and punched his ticket to state. Darty just missed first place by two inches and tying for first place by one inch.

Atlanta’s 4x100m relay team of Zakyus Jackson, Markeylin Batton, Isaiah Chandler and JaBranden Wells won a gold medal after winning the 4x100m relay race at the UIL State Track and Field competition on May 12. The champs ran a 41.74 to beat out second-place Brock.

AHS tennis players Will Davis and Galexi Jett won Mixed Doubles at the TC Winter Invitational.

Atlanta’s tennis team traveled to Gladewater and brought home the most hardware.

In boys’ singles Atlanta took both first and second between Sam Jones and Micah Lampshire.

Boys’ doubles saw John Hipp and Gage Whatley take first while Landon Moore and Jackson Dillinger placed second.

In girls’ doubles the team of Alex Brown and Jasman Lindley brought home second, and the mixed doubles team of Will Davis and Galexi Jett took second.

On Mar. 29, Atlanta tennis had a great day as several athletes advanced to regionals and the boys’ team won a district title.

Sam Jones advanced to regionals after a second-place finish in boys’ singles and Micah Lampshire finished third as first alternate in boys’ singles. In boys’ doubles, Landon Moore and Jackson Dillinger placed third and first alternate to regionals.

Gabby Rigdon finished second in girls’ singles and advanced to regionals, and in girls’ doubles, Jasman Lindley and Alex Brown finished third and first alternate to regionals.

In mixed doubles, Will Davis and Galexi Jett won second place and advanced to regionals.

Atlanta High School’s Cassidy Caver for won second place at the District Golf Tournament and qualified for regionals.

Atlanta High School’s boys’ golf team of Carson Dillinger, Shad Barr, Owen Flint, Andrew Allen, and Jackson Dillinger won second place at the District Golf Tournament and qualified for regionals.

Atlanta High School anglers Justin Pierce and Carson Dillinger advanced to the THSBA state fishing tournament.

Atlanta High School’s Kym Sheppard attended the KTAL News channel 6 “Player of The Year Banquet” recently and is one of only 32 athletes chosen from around the Ark-La-Tex to have a segment done on them for the Market Chevy Player of the Week.

Sophomore hurler Will Woodruff was named Co-Pitcher of the Year. Woodruff had 50 strikeouts on the year and scattered 46 hits over the course of 54 innings in 16 games pitched.

Sophomore slugger Tori Clayton was named Defensive Player of the Year Atlanta varsity girls’ head coach Jim Elser invited former WNBA player Shameka Christon to host a basketball camp for the area youth. Christon played for Elser in Arkansas.

Atlanta kicked off its 2022 football season with a 27-2 win over Elysian Fields. That win marked the first since the 2020 season. The Rabbs went 4-1 in pre-district play Atlanta Middle School’s 7A football team finished the year 8-0 as undefeated district champs.

Isaiah Chandler and Sabriiyah Young were crowned Atlanta ISD’s King and Queen on Homecoming Day.

October 25, 2022, will be a date to remember for the Lady Rabbs’ volleyball squad.

Atlanta not only celebrated Senior Night but beat Hooks in three sets to seal its second straight undefeated district run.

The Lady Rabbs then racked up a Bi-District, Area and Regional Quarterfinal crowns.

Atlanta’s volleyball squad took home 14-3A All-District honors with first-year Head Coach Tau Maxwell earning Coach of the Year by unanimous vote, Kaylon “KP” Partain was named Most Valuable Player by unanimous vote, Kym Sheppard was named Most Valuable Blocker and Rylie Pattillo was named Most Valuable Setter.

Atlanta senior Kaylon “KP” Partain signed her Letter of Intent on Nov. 9, to play volleyball for Henderson State University.

Atlanta senior Ty Graf signed his Letter of Intent on Nov. 9, to play baseball for Henderson State University.

The Atlanta Middle School eighth grade volleyball team won the district championship this year which makes them back-to-back champions as they also won the title in their seventh-grade year.

Atlanta has never been short of long-distance runners. There was a time where the boy’s team won 23 or so consecutive district championships. This year, however, marks the first time in school history that both the boys’ and girls’ teams qualified for state.

Atlanta’s boys’ basketball team competed in the Mt. Pleasant tourney.

In game one the Rabbits trounced Pittsburg 79-50, in game two Atlanta won 57-52 over Jefferson and in game three the Rabbs topped Mount Vernon 52-43 for a slot in the championship game against Mt. Pleasant Chapel Hill.

The Rabbs lost to the Red Devils 68-50 but did finish runner-up and Aidan Boston was named to the All-Tournament team.

BLOOMBURG

Jolie Greer was named Homecoming Queen and Cage Garrett was named Homecoming King during Bloomburg’s Homecoming event in 2022.

The Lady Wildcats’ basketball team thumped Yantis, 5528, on Feb. 8, and sealed up a district championship in the process.

The Lady Wildcats met up with Campbell in the first round of the playoffs and wrapped up a Bi-District championship after crushing Campbell, 64-14.

For Bloomburg golf at the district event, the ladies placed first and Jolie Greer placed third overall individually, and the boys placed second and Cage Garrett placed first overall individually.

The Bloomburg girls’ golf team won first place and advanced to Regionals. Jolie Greer placed third overall individually.

The Bloomburg boys’ golf team placed third, with Cage Garrett placing second overall individually. Garrett to Regionals as a singles competitor.

Bloomburg’s Morgan Haworth, Evie Douglass and Daija Maldonado advanced to the Regional Tennis Meet in 2022. Daija and Evie placed first in ladies’ doubles and Morgan placed first in ladies’ singles.

Bloomburg’s softball team topped Maud 15-3 to end its regular season schedule and secured a 1A district championship in the process.

On Apr. 27, Bloomburg won a Bi-District championship by thumping Sulphur Bluff 15-0 in just four innings of play. Corinne Ray was near flawless as she sat down nine batters and gave up only one hit in the shutout.

Bloomburg’s softball team won a Regional Quarterfinal championship after beating Neches in two games, 14-4 and 5-3.

Bloomburg ripped Fruitvale 11-1, in a 1-game playoff scenario on May 13, and earned a Regional Semifinal title in the process. Corinne Ray was a beast from the circle as she struck out 12 batters and gave up only one hit over six innings of work.

Senior Jolie Greer from Bloomburg ISD signed an athletic golf scholarship on May 17, to attend and compete at Bacone University in Muskogee, Okla. Jolie is the first golfer in Bloomburg history to receive a golf scholarship.

Jolie has been a captain and leader of the Bloomburg ladies’ golf team since the program was created two short years ago. Within two years Jolie led the team to two district titles and two top five finishes individually including a third-place individual medal.

Bloomburg’s varsity girls’ basketball team won the Mc-Leod Tournament which took place from Dec. 1-3.

The Lady ’Cats had an amazing 5-0 run and earned the championship.

LINDEN-KILDARE

L-K’s football team beats Overton 28-26 on Homecoming night and gave Head Coach Jarrick Farmer his first win as coach of the Tigers.

Tae Mitchell and Rayna Bradshaw were crowned L-KCISD’s 2022 Homecoming King and Queen in 2022.

Linden-Kildare’s golf program teed off in the District 16-2A tournament and both teams competed very well and walked away as district champions. Not only did both teams win a district championship, L-K also had the girls’ and boys’ individual district champion.

Jonathan Owen took first place on the boys’ side and Allie Smallwood took first for the girls.

See REVIEW page 8 Both teams qualified for the Regional golf tournament.

Linden-Kildare’s softball squad beat Avery 6-1 on Apr. 21 and wrapped up its first district title since 2012.

Hayley Mason scattered four hits over seven innings and struck out nine.

On Apr. 27, the Lady Tigers won a Bi-District championship with two tough wins (4-3, 10-8) over Detroit.

Linden-Kildare’s junior high softball squad finished district play undefeated.

Linden-Kildare senior, Jackson Lee, signed a letter of intent on May 12, to play college baseball at Central Baptist College in Conway, Ark.

Several members of the L-KHS band competed at UIL Solo & Ensemble contest in 2022. Seventeen students performed six solos and four trios to bring home 15 First Division medals. One of the trios earned a Second Division rating but no one received a Third, Fourth or Fifth Division rating.

The band members who competed were: Jacee Quaid, Kyleigh Abernathy, Leland Beatty, Brooklynne Dalrymple, Evey Lansdale, Emma Milligan, Yedith Uribe, Neveah Arnold, Nayeli Fuentes, Elizabeth Klaver, Kaitlin Sellers, Dylan Stanley, Josie Turner, Alexus Davis, Maddy Ebarb and Camdyn McNutt.

The Linden-Kildare Junior High Band earned a First Division Sweepstakes rating at UIL on Mar. 31, with 1’s in both sight reading and concert stage performance.

On Apr. 6, Linden-Kildare’s track program hosted the District 16-2A track meet.

The Lady Tigers was within striking distance of first place but placed second overall by the end of the competition.

Linden-Kildare’s boys’ track program took part in the 15-2A and 16-2A Area Track Meet on Apr. 20, at Cooper High School.

Asher Wells placed first and was named Area champion in the 200m dash and the 4x100m relay team of Wells, Charlie Kirkland, Daquavious Richardson and Jay Birmingham placed third. The athletes advanced to Regionals.

The Lady Tigers took part in the 15-2A and 16-2A Area Track Meet on Apr. 20, at Cooper High School.

Linden-Kildare placed fourth overall with a point total of 68. Madilyn Bynum placed third in the 200m dash, Bynum and Ashtin Patterson placed 3-4 in the 100m dash, the 4x100m relay team of Rylee Burns, Bynum, Charis Minson and Patterson placed first, Minson placed second overall in the quarterand Kyndal Fitts won the 300m hurdles. LaSonya Nard started the day in the field events with a winning throw of 34 feet, 2 1/2 inches in shot.

The athletes advanced to Regionals.

MCLEOD

Stormy Johnson and Hagen Courtney were named Homecoming Queen and King during McLeod’s Homecoming celebration in 2022.

On Feb. 8, the Lady Longhorns wrapped up an 11-1 district run and back-to-back district championships after topping Rivercrest, 32-22.

The Lady Longhorns added another crown to its trophy case as they topped Como-Pickton, 43-36, in the Bi-District round of the UIL state playoffs.

McLeod’s girls’ basketball squad notched another memorable season after winning back-to-back district championships and bolting into the playoffs.

For that reason, the Lady Longhorns earned 16-2A All-District honors.

Senior baller Ella Lambeth was the overall MVP, junior Chassie Gryder earned 6th Man honors and Head Coach Casey Schubert was named Coach of the Year.

On Mar. 28, McLeod’s tennis program competed at district in Hughes Springs.

The varsity boys’ team won the team district championship and all seven players qualified for regionals.

McLeod High School sophomore, Austin McCalister, competed in the Region V Rodeo Finals. His performance in steer wrestling was in the top ten and qualified him for State.

McLeod’s varsity cross country teams made it to regionals.

QUEEN CITY

Toni McCellon made it to state after placing second in the 300m hurdles with a time of 46.13 at the UIL Region 2 track meet in 2022.

Queen City’ softball squad sealed a District championship, a Bi-District title and an Area title.

The Lady Bulldogs (23-7, 11-1) last loss was to White Oak before QC reeled off 22-of-23 wins. The Area win was over the same White Oak team that handed them one of just seven losses on the year.

A loss to a tough Mt. Vernon team in the Regional Quarterfinals ended the season and set the bar fo4r the team of 2023. The team had no seniors so everyone is coming back.

The 14-3A All-District softball list was released and several Lady Bulldogs were listed.

Sophomore Trinity Oden was named District MVP, freshman Brenna Turbeville was named Newcomer of the Year and Coach Eric Droddy and Coach Jacie Lance were named Staff of the Year.

Queen City High School junior Clare Wong was named the Region 2 Girls’ Singles Champion and has earned a trip to the State Tennis Tournament in San Antonio on April 26 and 27.

Clare Wong and Vincent Wong won the girls’ and boys’ singles respectively at the Winter Tennis Invitational Tournament hosted by Texarkana College.

QCHS varsity tennis players brought home some hardware after competing in the UIL District tennis tournament held at Atlanta High School on Mar. 28-29. Clare Wong won the girls’ singles title and Vincent Wong won the boys’ singles title.

QCHS Cheerleaders Emma Baker, Ke’Nayah Larry, Keaton Simpson and Halle Worthington were named to the Texas High School Coaches Association’s Academic All-State Team for Cheer.

On Apr. 4, Lauren Carrell and Halle Worthington competed in the 14AAA District Golf Tournament at Oak Grove Golf Club in New Boston. Lauren claimed a district crown after finishing the day in first place and Halle finished in third place and was awarded a bronze medal.

On Apr. 7, Queen City’s girls’ track squad competed in the Elysian Fields Track Meet and won first place overall with a season high of 172 points.

Queen City’s track program took part in the 13-3A and 14-3A Area Track Meet on Apr. 20, at Winnsboro High School. Both sides had athletes move on to the Regional Meet.

Trent Granberry placed third in the 400m dash, Manasseh Drayton placed fourth in high jump and Cedric Davis placed second in shot. All three advanced to Regionals.

Toni McCellon made a case for state as she blew the competition away in the 300m hurdles with a time of 47.49.

The 4x200m relay team of Brooklyn Garner, Cook, Cassidy Johnson and Harrison placed fourth and the 4x400m relay team of Garner, Oden, McCellon and Harrison placed fourth.

Last year’s state qualifier in the triple jump, Cassidy Johnson, placed second overall and Harrison placed third. First through fourth place finishers advanced QCHS senior Dylan Benson signed a letter of intent with East Texas Baptist University on Apr. 12, to join the Tigers’ Bass Fishing Team. Dylan was joined by his parents, Mike and Susie Benson, his little brother, Evan, and a crowd of other proud friends and family members as he committed to the current MLF National Champion program.

Anglers from the Queen City Bass Fishing Club fished Lake of the Pines last Saturday and reeled in a whopping 71 pounds of fish.

First place - Jasey Engledowl and Sawyer Smith (18.98 pounds), second place - Clayton Whittenberg and Case Wiley (17.30 pounds) and third place - Evan Benson and Will Hall (16.48 pounds).

The Big Bass title was captured by Evan Benson this week with a single catch of 4.42 pounds. The QC BFA is excited to welcome several new anglers to the group this year.

Cassidy Johnson and Trent Granberry were crowned Homecoming Queen and King in 2022.

QCHS FFA and Jr. FFA students had a great day at the Four States Livestock Show. Mason Campbell placed first in his class with his wether Kid Rock, second in his class with his wether Hank, Red Reserve Grand Champion market goat, Gold Reserve Grand Champion overall, and Senior Showmanship!

Queen City’s Band of Champions competed in the Four States Marching Contest and finished second overall out of several bands present.

Queen City’s volleyball team faced off against Mineola in the first round of the playoffs.

Bulldogs win a thriller game over New Diana as the Eagles had a 22-point lead, but the fourth quarter was one for the ages. In the end the Bulldogs pulled off an amazing comeback and won the contest 42-36.

Queen City’s girls’ basketball team traveled to Atlanta to open up district play. Queen City worked together as a team and defeated the Lady Rabbs, 62-51. Leading scorers were Jamecia Cook with 27 points and Trinity Oden with 10 points.