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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Sports
Bound for the playoffs Lady Hawks earn spot in coveted postseason tourney By ALEX RILEY Chronicle sports writer
It has been the mantra of the team all season. It was said in practice, on the bench, on the court and in the locker room. Anytime the squad needed focus, the saying was what they turned to. It was even written on the game ball itself. The Red Oak girls basketball team made “on a mission” the catch phrase for this season and with last Friday’s win over Terrell the Lady Hawks accomplished part of that goal. For the first time in five years, the girls program will be playoff bound and could finish as the No. 2 seed from District 15-4A. “Yes we’ve been on mission since the Photo by Alex Riley/The Chroniclet beginning of last year and we have succeeded Members of the Red Oak girls basketball team begin to celebrate as time runs and we’re (still) on a mission. And we finally out in last Friday’s win over Terrell. The Lady Hawks are in the playoffs for the got (to the playoffs) this year. It’s been a lot of hard work,” senior Danyel Harris said. first time in five years and could be a No. 2 seed.
That hard work came to a head on Friday night as players, fans and even the coaching staff could not contain itself from a little postgame celebration. Armed with a ladder and a pair of scissors, the Lady Hawks proceeded to cut down the nets in celebration of many things — a berth in the playoffs, a possible second place finish in the district, senior night and the final girls basketball game at the old Red Oak gymnasium. With the new high school set to open next fall, the victory and season accomplishments served as a backdrop to sending the old venue out in style. The hope is that the momentum will carry over into the new building. “We knew that if we took care of business See GIRLS , Page 9
Dynamic defensive duo Red Oak pair in running for personal accolades but putting team results first By ALEX RILEY Chronicle sports writer
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
Red Oak center Earl Graves is a shot blocking specialist. He leads the team in rebounds as well.
Ninth-grade girls basketball update The season ended on a positive note for the freshman Lady Hawk basketball team last week as it knocked off Terrell 49-34 to close out the season. Kristen Kistner’s 16 points led the way while Bailey Hebert added another 12. “They’re playing at a level that requires more ball movement and so they have to kind of learn how to manage the ball, we can’t just run plays all the time. That’s kind of where we were at the end of the season,” coach Brian Rogers said. “But definitely we’ve got some players that are ready to move up and take the game to whole new level.” For the season, Kistner scored a team-high 285 points while Hebert was just behind her with 273. Lauren Mclin led the team in rebounding with 123 and Bri Arriola recorded 76 steals. The team finished at 13-14 overall and 5-7 in district.
Junior varsity girls basketball update Three different players hit double-figures as the junior varsity girls basketball team just missed out on tying its single-game scoring record for the season with a 79-61 win over Terrell. “We got that final victory, we were so excited. We were actually going for 83 points to tie our allseason high but we didn’t get it,” coach Jane Laws said. “We blew a lot of easy lay-ups but you know what? A win is a win is a win and we are district champs.” Taylor McCollugh led in scoring with 26 while Sydnii Noland (15) and Kara Kistner (14) each had big days to close out the season. Red Oak finishes the year with a 24-3 record and was 10-2 in district.
MESQUITE – It’s probably a good thing Red Oak boys basketball coach Preston Foster can’t vote for his own players during post season district awards. Honestly, he’s not sure what he would do if he had to. In the race for District 154A defensive player of the year, the Hawks have a pair of standout players who make life miserable for opposing teams’ offenses. Gaylon Edwards and Earl Graves are imposing, hard-nosed players who make the team’s defense go. The problem — which one do you vote for? “I’m sitting there and to me, I’m not allowed to vote
on my own kids, but if I had to vote on them I don’t know who I’d vote for,” Foster laughs. Edwards, the defending 15-4A defensive player of the year, has lived up to his billing this season as the team’s primary front man on other teams’ ball handlers. With his long arms and quick hands, Edwards has developed a knack for poking the ball away from guards and converting the turnovers into easy buckets down on the other end. In a game last week against West Mesquite, Edwards’ prowess was on display as he squared off all night with Wrangle guard Javier Sora. In
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
Gaylon Edwards has lived up to his status as See BOYS, Page 9 2009 defensive player of the year for 15-4A.
Red Oak ISD Round-up glass to go up 59-43. Varsity girls basketball While Lockhart’s 19 and Junior varsity boys Robinson’s 15 led the way in scor- soccer update update ing, it was the play of the seniors The Lady Hawks also stayed in the playoff hunt with a 62-52 road win over Mabank. In all, 10 of the 11 players on the team had points in the game. Freshman Diamond Lockhart finished with a team-high 18 while Kiona Robinson, Raquel Dent and Daphene Ward had eight points each. With flash bulbs popping, cheers flying and a step ladder in hand, the Lady Hawk basketball program capped its regular season by ceremonially cutting down the nets in celebration of a turnaround season. A 73-58 win over Terrell ensured the team would claim either the second or third seed from District 154A in the upcoming playoffs, gave the team it’s first berth in the post season in five years and turned out to be the final girls game played at the old gymnasium as the new high school opens next fall. And if all that wasn’t enough, it was senior night. Six players took the court for their final home game in a high school uniform and all six made the most of their farewell evening. The
Photo by Alex Riley/The Daily Light
Bailey Hebert finished the season with 273 points for the ninth-grade girls team as it closed out with a win.
that stole the show. Dent led the group with eight and those 12 boards while Jackson, Ward and Kaitlyn Smith each had six. Wendy Martinez (six) and Harris (three) rounded out the senior group.
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
Taylor McCollugh scored 26 points as the JV closed out the season with a win. group combined for 36 of the team’s points as all six scored at least three points. They also helped force numerous turnovers and grabbed key rebounds along the way. Of the six seniors who took the floor, Dent made the biggest impact defensively as the 6-foot-4 post player narrowly missed out on a double-double with eight points and 12 rebounds. When the night started, it appeared as though Red Oak (1911, 8-4 district) was about to get a hard charge from Terrell. After taking a 4-0 lead, the Lady Tigers responded with a 10-0 run and held a lead until Danyel Harris hit a pullup jumper to tie the game at 16. Robinson’s shot off the glass gave Red Oak an 18-16 lead it would not give back the rest of the way. Lockhart sank a pair of free throws then stole the inbounds pass and hit a jumper just before the half to give Red Oak a nine-point lead. After Terrell cut the lead back to single digits in the third, seniors Ward, Symone Jackson and Dent went to work, starting with a 3pointer from Ward to make it 53-41. Ward then dished to Dent for a layup followed by a Lockhart jumper and a Jackson tough shot off the
Varsity boys basketball update Nine players finished with four or more points as the Red Oak boys rolled past Mabank 93-68. Five Hawks posted double-figure scoring as Earl Graves and Gaylon Edwards each had 16 while Dominique Bonner added 15. Brothers D.J. and Brandon Brady had 14 and 10 points respectively. The Red Oak boys basketball team earned its 20th win of the season on Friday night with a 68-54 victory at Terrell. Led by Earl Graves’ 22, the Hawks broke a fairly tight game open in the third period by outscoring the Tigers 15-8. Over the first three periods, Red Oak (20-9, 6-4 district) led Terrell in scoring each time before both teams combined for 41 points in the fourth period. Gaylon Edwards was next in line with 16 while Brandon Brady added 10. The victory ensures the Hawks of a trip of to playoffs where they are currently locked in a third seed from District 15-4A.
The JV boys soccer team fell to Rockwall 3-1 on Friday. The teams were tied at 1-1 going in at the half before Rockwall scored early in the second to take the lead and go on to win.
Varsity boys soccer update Goals by Josh Mrozinski, Dillon Malke and Richie Barrientos helped the Red Oak boys soccer team pick up a big 3-1 win over Mansfield Timberview. The Red Oak boys soccer team finished the early portion of its season with a 10-1 record by defeating Rockwall 2-0. Timely offense and stellar defense continue to be the team’s calling card. In 11 games, the squad has given up just four goals in regulation all season. Friday’s game was no different as the squad pitched its fourth shutout in the last five games. Goals by Preston Hancock and Ramen Lopez were all the offense the team would need to get the win.
Varsity girls soccer update Ashley Gonzales’ goal against The Colony forced a 1-1 draw for the Lady Hawks last week. While the boys were at home hosting Rockwall, the girls made the trek to play the Yellowjackets on the road. The Lady Hawk offense was stymied by Rockwall in a 1-0 loss.
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
The Red Oak junior varsity soccer squad dropped a tough 3-1 game to Rockwall.
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UIL Realignment Recent athletic achievements of District 5-5A teams 2007- 4A area champs 2005- 15-4A district champs Boys soccer 2009- 4A state runners-up 2008- 4A regional finalists
Corsicana Football 2009- 4A area finalists 2005- 4A area finalists Boys soccer 2009- 4A area champs 2008- 11-4A district champs
Girls soccer 2009- 23-4A district champs 2008- 4A area champs 2007- 4A area champs 2006- 4A area champs
Girls soccer 2009- 4A sectional champs 2008- 4A bi-district champs 2007- 4A bi-district champs 2006- 4A area champs
Baseball 2009- 4A area champs 2008- 4A area champs 2007- 4A state runners-up 2005- 4A regional finalists
Baseball 2007- 4A regional semifinalists
Softball 2009- 4A Region II champs 2008- 4A area champs 2007- 4A area champs
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
Defending the District 15-4A championship just got tougher for Red Oak and coach Mike Shields as the district expanded to nine teams in the realignment.
A tough road ahead Nine team district makes route to playoffs hard difficult path to follow By ALEX RILEY Chronicle sports writer
When Red Oak won the District 154A football title last season, coach Mike Shields knew the Hawks would go from being the hunter to the hunted. He just never imagined the pack chasing his team would get so big. After realignment was announced last week, Red Oak was placed back into District 15-4A allowing them to defend that title. The road to that defense just got a lot tougher as the district slate jumped from seven to nine teams as three members of the former 16-4A joined the list. “You keep thinking that they can’t make it tougher and they keep doing it. With nine teams, adding one team makes it tougher when only four get in so more than half of us aren’t going to get in,” Shield said. Red Oak’s road to the playoffs now features a district with six teams that
made the playoffs last season. In the old 15-4A, Forney, West Mesquite and Terrell made the playoffs along with the Hawks. Waxahachie, the 16-4A champions who advanced to the regional quarterfinals, and Corsicana, who claimed a bi-district championship, round out the list of teams who made appearances in the post season. None of the 15-4A participants in last year’s playoffs won their bi-district game, all of which were played against teams from 16-4A. The good news for the Hawks is Waxahachie will lose a lot of talent from last year’s team that rose to a top 5 state ranking and none of the Waco area teams previously in 16-4A will continue to play in the metroplex. However that isn’t much comfort as the window to get into the post season continues to get smaller. “It just makes it tough and each week is going to be tough. It’s going to
be a tough season when you’ve got to be ready each week,” Shields said. What Shields hopes for is the experience of last season pays dividends when the Hawks hit the field this fall. After winning the school’s first district championship since 1982 and the first as a 4A program, he believes the desire to continue building on that tradition might be something Red Oak can use as a guiding tool to get through the tough district slate. With any luck, he might be right. “You hope it carries over but you never know. Every year’s different,” Shields said. “You’ve got to come in ready to go and that’s what we’re telling them already. We said you better start now because I promise you those other eight teams are too.” Alex at Contact alex.riley@wninews.com or at 469517-1456.
Improved district schedule puts win-streak at high risk By ALEX RILEY Chronicle sports writer
As if pressure from within wasn’t enough, the Red Oak volleyball team now faces a much tougher task to keep its district win streak alive thanks to last week’s realignment. Joining the Lady Hawks in the new District 15-4A are last season’s 16-4A champion Waxahachie along with Ennis and Corsicana bringing the total number of schools in the new district to nine. Coupled with the fact that playoff teams like Mesquite Poteet are still in the district and the chances of winning a 21st district title in a row are starting to get less likely. Six of the nine teams in the new district took part in the playoffs last year “Waxahachie didn’t really lose anybody and they were a game behind us (in the playoffs). Poteet was pretty good, I know they lost their big hitter but other than that they should still be pretty tough,” junior Hunter Porter said of the new district. The biggest problem arises in schedule as the eight teams Red Oak
must now schedule will take away from non-district competition. The Lady Hawks have generally liked to play in tough tournaments and upper-level non-district competition in the early months of the season to get warmed up before diving into district play. That scheduling looks less likely to happen as 16 games will be devoted to district with the need for a gap at the end of the season in case of tiebreaker playoff games. While there is still a chance for appeal, the odds of a change in the competition is unlikely making next season a tough one for the team. “Nine is a lot and we’re going to have to cancel some of our other games which we’ve already scheduled which is not going to be good for us,” Porter said. “We play a lot of tough competition in preseason and eliminating those games doesn’t give us a chance to play those teams.” Contact Alex at alex.riley@wninews.com or at 469517-1456.
Ennis Football 2008- 4A area champs 2007- 4Abi-district champs 2006- 15-4A district champs 2005- 4A state semifinalists Boys soccer 2007- 4A regional semifinalists Girls soccer 2009- 4A area champs
Terrell Football 2009- 4A bi-district finalists 2005- 4A bi-district champs Boys basketball 2008- 4A bi-district champs 2007- 4A area champs Girls soccer 2007- 4A bi-district champs
Baseball 2008- 4A area champs
Waxahachie Forney Football 2009- 4A bi-district finalists Volleyball 2009- 4A bi-district finalists Girls basketball 2009- 4A area champs
Football 2009- 4Aregionalquarterfinalists 2008- 4A bi-district champs Volleyball 2009- 4A regional semifinalists 2007- 4A area champs Boys basketball 2008- 4A bi-district champs 2007- 4A bi-district champs
Girls soccer 2008- 4A bi-district champs Baseball 2008- 4A regional finalists 2005- 4A area champs
Girls basketball 2009- 4A regional semifinalists 2006- 4A state champs Girls soccer 2009- 4Aregionalquarterfinalists 2006- 4A regional semifinalists 2005- 4Aregionalquarterfinalists
Softball 2008- 4A area champs 2007- 4A regional finalists
Baseball 2008- 4A state runners-up Softball 2008- 4A regional semifinalists 2007- 4A area champions
Lancaster Football 2008- 4A bi-district champs 2005- 4A bi-district champs Boys basketball 2009- 4A regional finalists 2008- 15-4A district champs 2007- 15-4A district champs Girls basketball 2008- 4A area champions 2007- 4A area champions
Photo by Lezley Norris/Special to the Chronicle
Continuing to win district titles got a little tougher for Hunter Porter and Red Oak as the district expanded to nine teams for the next two years.
West Mesquite Football 2007- 4A regional finalists Boys basketball 2005- 4A area champs
Mesquite Poteet
Girls basketball 2009- 15-4A district champs 2008- 4A regional semifinalists 2007- 10-4A district champs 2006- 4A bi-district champs
Volleyball 2009- 4A bi-district finalists 2008- 4A area champs
Boys soccer 2009- 4A regional semifinalists
Red Oak coaches look ahead to the new District 15-4A “The main thing that disappoints me is for us to be the only nine-team district in the state for 4A. The difference for teams in a six-team district when four make the playoffs compared to a nine-team district is huge. I knew it would be against some tough teams whether we went north or south, but to make it all nine is real tough.”
“The new alignment makes it much more competitive for softball. I am really excited about it. We gain three solid programs and that forces us to have to improve that much more.”
Football coach Mike Shields
Softball coach Theresa Thibodeaux
“The problem with the realignment is we might have to drop around five non-district games from our schedule and we might have to back out of a tournament. That doesn’t leave our team much time to ease into the season as district play will start almost immediately.”
Volleyball coach Hope Porter
Girls basketball coach Melissa Fullmer
“I think it is a great district for us. We will see great competition for our district games and will have to earn every victory we get. I like this district and the teams we have an opportunity to play. We have some great rivalries with a few of the schools so every night should be exciting for girl’s basketball in district 15-4A.”
“It should be a good, competitive district. The teams should all be pretty familiar with each other, it is kind of a combination of our current district, and our previous one. I am not real excited about having 9 teams. I do not like the odd number of teams, which means that you have a couple of off nights during district.”
Boys basketball coach Preston Foster
“I am really looking forward to being in this competitive 4A district and getting the opportunity to coach against some of the best baseball coaches in Texas. It ought to be interesting. I wish we started this thing today.”
Baseball coach Heath Autrey
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Signing Day
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
Eight Red Oak athletes representing four different teams signed national letters of intent to play college sports last week. (From left, sitting) Becky Lamar (soccer), Courtney Beene (soccer), Candace Halbert (volleyball), Devan Guynes (volleyball), Amber Franklin (soccer), Courtney English (soccer), (back row from left) Ricky Tellez (soccer) and Colby Houston (football) were part of the largest signing day class in Red Oak history.
Red Oak produces elite eight class Houston accepts scholarship to Angelo St.
Volleyball program produces two more collegiates By ALEX RILEY
By ALEX RILEY
Chronicle sports writer
two-year all-district and we’re going to miss him obviously. He’s been a stalemate in that offensive line for the past two years.” The choice of where to sign was a tough one for Houston who contemplated trying out as a walk-on at some smaller Division-I school. Standing 6-foot-1, most big-time
The bad news for the Red Oak volleyball program is there will be a lot of holes to fill come next season. The good news for college programs is there is plenty of talent for the school to choose from. During Tuesday’s signing day ceremony, a pair of former Lady Hawks signed on with colleges bringing the total number of former players on team playing college athletics to four. Senior Devan Guynes signed on with Southwestern Assemblies of God University where she will join one of the top volleyball programs in the NAIA. Fellow senior Candace Halbert signed on to play at Brookhaven Community College in Dallas home to the defending two-time Division III national champions. The pair join fellow seniors Andrea McQuaid and Tara McKenney as collegiate signees. McQuaid will play volleyball at Oklahoma next season while McKenney will play softball at Northwestern State. “It’s real exciting. We’ve always been able to have a strong program here so when you have half your seniors or more signing to go somewhere and continue to play obviously it says a statement about your program and I’m just hoping we can continue,” coach Hope Porter said. Adding to the lore of Red Oak volleyball, the duo were key cogs in Red Oak’s run to the regional semifinals. Halbert doled out 124 assists last season, third
See HOUSTON, Page 9
See VOLLEYBALL, Page 9
Chronicle sports writer
Colby Houston knows one way of doing things — full steam ahead. The offensive lineman has spent his high school career leading the way for runners and quarterbacks, opening holes and clearing paths. So just moments after putting pen to paper and signing his letter of intent to play at Angelo State, Houston realized for the next few months he can simply enjoy himself. “It’s relieving to get everything done with so you don’t have to look at colleges and all that stuff. Now it’s just cruising until college,” Houston said. The offensive guard, Houston capped his stellar high school career by signing on with the Rams where he expects to red-shirt next season before contending for a starting spot at the guard position. Over the last two seasons, Houston racked up the accolades garnering first team all-district honors in each of the last two years. This past season, he was dubbed an honorable mention all-state selection by the AP, the only player in Ellis County to receive the honor. Houston is the first player from the Hawks’ District 15-4A championship team to sign a college scholarship. While grabbing all the individual and team honors was an accomplishment, coach Mike Shields was most pleased with where Houston’s money to play for college will be coming from. “It’s a tribute to Houston. The thing I’m most proud about is he’s getting athletic money and he’s getting academic money. That tells you what type of kid he is,” Shields said. “He’s been a two-year starter for us, a
Photo by Gary Puckett/Special to the Chronicle
First team all-district lineman Colby Houston will continue playing the front line at Angelo State.
Four Lady Hawks ready for college soccer competition
Photo by Gary Pucket/Special to the Chronicle
Candace Halbert (top) and Devan Guynes (bottom) became the second and third players from the 2009 Red Oak volleyball team to sign.
Tellez heads to Butler for shot at championships By ALEX RILEY Chronicle sports writer
By ALEX RILEY Chronicle sports writer
Tuesday morning was a testament for the Red Oak girls soccer program. Not just about the four players who signed for college scholarships but for just how far the program has come in the last few years. Senior players Courtney English, Amber Franklin, Courtney Beene and Becky Lamar all put pen to paper in signing national letters of intent, making the four player group the largest signing class in the Lady Hawk program history. “It’s came up from a lot actually. From not really winning anything to having a new coach in here my freshman year and it’s opened up,” Franklin said. “Everything’s gotten a lot better since she’s pretty much walked in the door. We’ve accomplished a lot with her here. (Coach Laurie Norrell) is a great coach and we have a great group of girls.” Franklin will continue her career at McMurray University while English is headed to Hill College. Beene and Lamar are both off to Howard Payne University. While signing a college scholarship is a special deal, the day became even better as the four got to share the moment together. Surrounded by their teammates, parents and coaches, each player expressed how glad they were to continue playing. Getting the decision out of the way was also a big relief for the rest of the season. “I’ve always been looking forward to this. I’ve always wanted to and have aspired to play college ball,” Lamar said. “I’m very excited to have the opportunity to continue my soccer career. I’m just looking forward to See SOCCER, Page 9
Photos by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
A record setting four Lady Hawk soccer players signed to play collegiately on Tuesday. (Top from left) Courtney English (Hill College), Becky Lamar (Howard Payne University), Amber Franklin (McMurray) and Courtney Beene (Howard Payne University) comprise the largest Red Oak girls soccer signing class in history.
Ricky Tellez already plays soccer in cold weather. Next season, he’ll take it up a few notches. Or down a few, depending on which temperature gauge you’re looking at. A senior on the Red Oak boys soccer team, Tellez signed his national letter of intent on Tuesday to continue his playing career at Bradley University next season. “It’s pretty far to go there but I guess things happen for a reason. I guess I’ll get used to it eventually, the change in weather and being up so north and being away from my family and everything. It should be fun,” Tellez said. The standout defender is hoping his efforts will help the Braves get back on track after a slight lull the past few years. Bradley was a contender in the mid-2000s for deep runs into the NCAA tournament but fell off slightly over the past few seasons. All that is something Tellez believes he can change and apparently the Bradley coaching staff believes he can too. After going through different workouts in the summer trying to catch the eye of college recruiters, Tellez began talk to the Braves about a possible spot on their roster. Half of his scholarship will be from soccer while the rest will be academic. “I was going through different combines and stuff through the summer and in the beginning of the year. And my older brother, he’s in college now, he’s a freshman, he actually told me about a camp they had so I went up there to Illinois and I just got in touch with the coaches after the camp because they really liked me and I just kept in touch,” Tellez said. “I had them come out to a couple tournaments that I had and just from there is how it happened.”
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
Senior Ricky Tellez will head north to play at Bradley in Illinois next season. The signing marks one of the biggest in Trent Kutch’s time as head coach of the Hawks who was proud of what his senior captain has already accomplished. Kutch recognizes that not many eyes are watching a small town community like Red Oak, so when a player like Tellez shows up on the See TELLEZ, Page 9
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Sports Boys
Upcoming schedule
Continued from Page 6 two previous games between the teams, Sora poured in 21 points each time. In the rubber match, he was held to just five all of which came in the fourth period. Being back in the conversation for a post season superlative is an honor in itself for the 6-foot-2 senior. “It would mean a lot (to win the title again) because I take a lot more pride in my defense than offense,” Edwards said. What Edwards is to the wing defense Graves is to the post. At 6-foot-6 with a wing span to match, last year’s 15-4A newcomer of the year has become a force for altering and blocking opponents shots in the paint. On more than one occasion this season, Graves has flirted with a triple double in points, rebound and blocks. This defense forces smaller players to try and shot around him which is no easy task. That ability to make other teams miss has helped Graves post impressive numbers with over eight rebounds per game. At one point early this season, the senior was averaging a doubledouble with points and boards. “It means a lot to be a good defensive player and an all right offensive player,” Graves said. Don’t let either player fool you — there is nothing wrong with their offensive game. Graves leads the Hawks with a 15.3 points
Feb. 12* vs. Mesquite Poteet 5 p.m./6:30 p.m./8 p.m. (ninth-grade/JV/varsity) Feb. 16 @ Forney 6 p.m./7:30 p.m. (ninth-grade, JV/varsity) *Senior Night
per game average while Edwards is second at 10.8. Graves also leads in rebounds with 8.5. Edwards is third with just under four. Both players recognize that winning the individual honor would be a nice finish to their high school careers but either would gladly trade it for a deep run into the playoffs in a few weeks. Having two players being in such a conversation is something each believes might allow Red Oak to make such a run when the time comes. “It’s good because it means that one person’s not just putting forward defense. We’re all trying to work on defense and offense,” Edwards said. “It’s a lot of stability. We have it at the top and the bottom. That’s why our defense is so good.” “We’re just battling to win games and at the end of the season we’ll see who wins it,” Graves said.
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
Red Oak center Earl Graves (right) congratulates teammate Gaylon Edwards after making a free throw. The duo are two of the top defensive players in District 15-4A and could be battling for defensive player of the year honors. Until that time, Foster is just glad to have a pair of defensive standouts playing on his team. But, if it were to come down to there players battling it out for a post season award, the veteran coach presents an interesting alternative solution. “Gaylon does a tremendous job out of the
Continued from Page 8
Continued from Page 8
college recruiters shied away from Houston because of his size. But in the end, the senior felt like he had found the right place to play his college career out. “It was definitely hard because I was thinking about walking on at like Texas State or some D-I, trying to get a scholarship but I just wanted to help my mom out and take the Angelo,” scholarship at Houston said. “And the facilities are real nice and it’s all new. The newness of it made me want to go there.”
national radar it is a significant deal. “It’s great for program but it’s even greater for the kid to have the opportunity to go, especially out of state, and go to a good level soccer program so it’s very positive not (only) for the program and for him and his family,” Kutch said. While he still has a large part of his senior year left to play out, Tellez is glad to be able to focus on the season at hand rather than worry about where he will play next year. The chance to play soccer at the highest collegiate level is one that has the veteran player ready to finish out his high school career strong. “I’m really excited about it. To play D-I soccer is pretty good,” Tellez said.
Volleyball Continued from Page 8 highest on the Lady Hawk roster. Guynes was a key defensive player with 70 digs, 11 blocks and 53 kills last fall. The pair both know how good the high school volleyball program is and they’re looking forward to displaying that at the collegiate ranks as well. “It’s just really fun to see people keep playing past high school because we have so memories playing in high school and growing our talent and stuff. It’s really cool to see a lot of people going to a new level and getting to experience that,” Guynes said. “We can take a player pretty much from any talent level and really grow. The coaches are great and I owe it all to them.” “(This program is) very strong. You do so much but you don’t get tired or burnt out. You end up loving it even more. It’s great. I love it,” Halbert added.
Continued from Page 8 four more years of my favorite sport.” “It’s always been part of my life and to go have the experience of playing in college is just amazing,” Beene said. Percentage wise, the signing class is one of the most spectacular in all of sports. With just six seniors on the roster, four have already signed and Norrell expects another to possibly follow suit later on this year. The players know that Tuesday’s ceremony was a showcase of why the Lady Hawks have become one of the area’s toughest teams to play. “It’s an awesome feeling. It’s the most we’ve ever had (signed). I’m excited very excited,” Beene said. “We love each other. We hang out all the time and it’s just great.” Though there is still a lot of season left to play out,
Contact Alex at alex.riley@wninews.com or at 469-517-1456.
Tellez
Houston
Soccer
perimeter but then Earl’s so good inside with his blocking shots and rebounds. I don’t know who I’d vote for. (How about) co-defensive players?” Foster said.
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
Offensive lineman Colby Houston signs his letter of intent with his family looking on. Houston was a two-time first team all-district selection.
While the team came up a little short of its goal to win a state championship, both players feel like they have a chance to claim a title at the next level as they join highly successful programs. Both programs had deep post season runs last fall and both will return a slew of talent this season. Halbert and Guynes are happy to go places with rich tradition and are looking forward to contributing to the school’s continued success. “It’s very exciting. Ever since I was little I wanted to play volleyball in college and to actually do it is a success. I finally got there and I’m really excited for it,” Halbert said. “I visited a couple of other schools and I just didn’t feel right about going anywhere else. And I know this coach so I’m just excited the program and what it’s all about,” Guynes said. Contact Alex at alex.riley@wninews.com or at 469-517-1456.
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
With his family looking on, Ricky Tellez signed his letter of intent to play soccer at Bradley next season.
Girls Continued from Page 6
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
Photos by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
With family and friends in attendance, Devan Guynes (top) and Candace Halbert (bottom) signed on to play volleyball in college.
Girls basketball coach Melissa Fullmer waves the net in celebration of the Lady Hawks victory on Friday. The contest was the final girls game in the old school.
Norrell knows that each of four players will bring a lot of talent to the program they play for next. While she still has them on her team for a few more months, Norrell realizes there will be a lot of talent leaving the Lady Hawk roster at the end of the season. Until then, the group will set their sights on a district championship and proving they are as good as advertised. “This is my largest signing class since I’ve been here at Red Oak. This is a great group, this senior group all together. I think the leadership this year has been better and I think it’s a sign of the four that are going on,” Norrell said. “They’re definitely going to leave holes next year to be filled. It’s going to be difficult. Even the ones that didn’t sign, this senior group is going to leave a mark and hopefully they’ll leave a mark in college too.” Contact Alex at alex.riley@wninews.com or at 469-517-1456.
this week we were probably going to have a nice seed and nice chance for post season play,” coach Melissa Fullmer said. “And I’m just so proud of the kids and glad for the seniors to have this opportunity and start a tradition that hopefully doesn’t go away anytime soon.” Now the Lady Hawks must sit and wait for their next opponent to be announced. After Friday’s game, the team’s regular season was done as the other squads in the district wrapped up their regular seasons on Tuesday. Those results will determine who Red Oak will face in the bi-district round of the playoffs. If the team finishes as the second seed from District 15-4A, the team would potentially face Waco High. There is a chance the Waxahachie Lady Indians, a team Red Oak will face as part of its district schedule next season, could become a potential opponent. If Red Oak drops to the third seed, it would face Cleburne. The bidistrict round will be played from Feb. 15-16. Either way, the Lady Hawks are just happy to be going to a place no one on the roster has been to before. “We haven’t been to playoffs in five years. This is exciting. I’ve always wanted to go my senior year to playoffs and it’s finally happening and it’s in Red Oak. The little town of Red Oak where no one expects to win,” senior Raquel Dent said. “Now we’re there. Now we’ve got to go prove ourselves that we’re ready for playoffs and we are ready for playoffs.” Contact Alex at alex.riley@wninews.com or at 469-517-1456.
Photos by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
(From top left) Courtney Beene, Becky Lamar, Amber Franklin and Courtney English all signed national letters of intent on Tuesday to play soccer in college. The four players are the largest class in the Lady Hawks’ program history to sign.
To see who Red Oak will face in the playoffs, see the Waxahachie Daily Light on Sunday, Feb. 14.