6-1-27 ECC sport
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2/8/10
12:37 PM
Ellis County Chronicle,
Page 1
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sports
Surging at the opportune time Lady Hawks making push for uncharted territory with strong ending to year By ALEX RILEY
Upcoming schedule
Chronicle sports writer
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
Kiona Robinson and the Lady Hawks have already overcome one hurdle beating Mesquite Poteet last week.
The Red Oak girls basketball team is well aware that it hasn’t won, clinched or sealed anything yet. Still doesn’t mean it can’t celebrate a little. As time ran out on Tuesday’s game with district rival Mesquite Poteet, the Lady Hawks were all smiles and celebratory shouts and for good reason. After missing out on the playoffs each of the last three seasons, the team sits at second place in the District 15-4A standings. “I told them we’ve got nothing to lose. We’ve not been in this position before. And I think that they’re feeling good,” coach Melissa Fullmer said. “They’re starting to see that all the preseason conditioning and all the time that they’ve put in is starting to pay off and it feels good to win.” At 17-9 overall and 6-2 in district
Jan. 29 vs. West Mesquite 5 p.m/6:30 p.m./8 p.m. (ninth/JV/varsity) Feb. 2 @Mabank 6 p.m/7:30 p.m. (ninth and JV/varsity) play, the Lady Hawks have already exceeded most outside expectations in a tough district. Penciled in as a team that could contend for a playoff slot, Red Oak has surpassed its win totals for the last three seasons and stands a very good chance of entering the playoffs as one of the top two seeds from the
district. Friday’s win over Forney gave the team its fourth straight win in district play and its eighth win in the last nine games. The team’s only losses so far have come to Poteet, which it evened the season series with last week, and district favorite West Mesquite. The Lady Hawks will get another crack at the No. 5 state-ranked Wranglers in a home bout on Jan. 29. The success has brought a new air into the Lady Hawk locker room. “(Our confidence is) real high because of the simple fact last year we were sitting in seventh and this year we’re sitting in second so we’ve had a major improvement. Our confidence is up there,” junior guard Kiona Robinson said. Before the season started, players and coaches cited a desire to make See HOOPS, Page 7
Vertical obstacle Senior forward making a defensive stand in the paint By ALEX RILEY Chronicle sports writer
Length. It’s the first thing you’ll notice about Red Oak post player Earl Graves. At 6-foot-6, Graves is two inches taller than his next closest teammate. His wingspan seems to spread almost as far. And for his senior season, he’s making the most of it. The long and lanky player player has developed a knack for sending opponents shots in the opposite direction. With his leaping ability and size to spare, Graves has become a shot blocking force in the paint for the Hawks this season. Truth be told, defense is the first thing on his mind. “I just try to block shots, play defense, get rebounds,” Graves said. “I just jump after they jump and usually get a block.” Last season, Graves was named newcomer of the year after his first varsity season on the Hawks roster. Teammate Gaylon Edwards was dubbed defensive player of the year with his ability to hassle defenders into turnovers and bad passes. This season, both players might be battling for the same award. Edwards still presents a tough obstacle for most guards to get around in the backcourt but
Upcoming schedule Jan. 29 @West Mesquite 6 p.m/7:30 p.m. (ninth and JV/varsity) Feb. 2 vs. Mabank 5 p.m/6:30 p.m./8 p.m. (ninth/JV/varsity)
once a player steps inside the three-point arc they quickly run into Graves. The area that the center can cover forces offensive players to constantly adjust shots. It could also force post-season award voters to take notice. “He’s very gifted. He’s a natural at blocking shots and that helps out your team so much. He’s a great rebounder and then you throw in he has such a nice shot also. He’s a very nice, all-around player,” coach Preston Foster said. “We take pride in our defense. We’ve had several defensive players of the year before so whoever gets it I’d like for them to be from Red Oak.” Several might be an understatement. Over the last 12 years, at least four players have received the honor. The good news for Graves and Red Oak is that defense has turned into offense. With his ability to make team’s miss, Graves has become a rebounding force down low grabbing 8.7 boards per game. His defense has led to offense as well as his 15.5 points per game average put him within an eyelash of averaging a double-double for the season. But Graves isn’t greedy about it. Along with the rebounds and scoring, the big man doles out nearly 1.5 assists per game. For now, he is content with play his role and helping his team win games and make a run for the playoffs. And if he keeps it up, who knows what type of post-season accolades could be awaiting him. “(My offense) picked up starting on defense and now (with) fast breaks and getting easy points,” Graves said. “It’s a good thing. If you kick it out then they can make the shot and we can make the post shot too.” Contact Alex at alex.riley@wninews.com or at 469-517-1456. Photo by Chad Wilson/The Chronicle
Red Oak’s Earl Graves pulls up for a jumper during a game earlier this season.
Soccer teams rally for third place at tourney Emotions run high as Lady Hawks stake 2-1 win in finale
Offensive start helps boys rebound from shootout defeat
By ALEX RILEY
By ALEX RILEY
Chronicle sports writer
Daily Light sports writer
ALEDO – Saturday’s game between Red Oak and Arlington Heights became a showcase of two things – how teams react well or not so well to being penalized. While Arlington Heights drew four yellow cards and had to be warned by officials for attitude problems, the Lady Hawks took their yellow card of the day as a challenge to overcome and they did just that. Paige McMillan broke loose down the right side of the field as a pass from teammate Lauren Stewart met up with her stride resulting in a goal at the 19:05 mark of the second period for a 2-0 lead. The shot proved to be the game winner as Red Oak went on to win 2-1 to claim third in the Aledo Tournament of Champions. “I got a great assist from my teammate (Lauren) she had a great pass and just us working together helped us get through their defense,” McMillan said. “When we got that yellow card it kind of pumped our team up
ALEDO – The deck might as well have been stacked against the Red Oak boys soccer team. The day before, the Hawks came from a 1-0 deficit to tie the game with little time left only to fall to Aledo in the semi-finals of the Tournament of Champions event. Added to that, the team would play the first half of its game against Everman with three of its regular starters out taking the SATs. That disadvantage lasted all of four minutes. A pair of first half goals got the Hawks started on one of their best scoring days of the season as team rolled to a 4-0 win to claim third place in the tournament. “After a loss, especially your first loss of the season, the best thing is to see how the boys respond,” coach Trent Kutch said. “The energy level was there, not the best weather but the energy level was there.” Goals by Daniel Almaguer and Ramen Lopez
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
Paige McMillan (far left) is congratulated by teammates after her goal against Arlington Heights. because we knew we had to win this.” Shanya Thomas’ goal with just under three minutes left in the first half gave the Lady Hawks (5-1) a 1-0 lead going into the half. With fatigue and frustration mounting, Red Oak
looked to take advantage. After being issued its only infraction of the day near the 20 minute mark, the team responded with McMillan’s goal to take control of the game, a big turnaround from See GIRLS, Page 7
Photo by Alex Riley/The Chronicle
The Red Oak boys thank the crowd for their support after a 4-0 win over Everman. from Shay Pate and Keegan Stewart assists respectively in the first half started Red Oak (7-1) off right as the team ran out to a 2-0 lead in deplorable conditions. Less than six minutes into the half, Lopez tapped a ball into the net as the goalie shaded right and the ball went left for his second goal
of the game. “It felt good. It was my first time having two goals in a single game so it felt good,” Lopez said. That shot proved to be the back breaker that put the game away as Red Oak conSee BOYS, Page 7