Local student sign with A&M for baseball

ANNA HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER SIGNS WITH A&M

Story and photos by Joyce Godwin

While 2020 has been a difficult year for many, the Hector family is experiencing a few accolades. The most excitement for them surrounds their only son Rawley, a high school senior.

Rawley has recently committed to play baseball at Texas A&M University.

During the spring of 2020, Head baseball Coach Joey Hector was named Teacher of the Year, the result of a vote from fellow teachers. He teaches Professional Communications and was really surprised to get the award. He calls it an honor.

But back to Rawley. Hector says Rawley is a very good baseball player but he’s a better person.

“He’s been on the field with me since the time he could walk and around the game for a very long ltime,” Hector said. “He’s easy to coach. Even if he wasn’t mine I would say the best thing about him is he’s an exceptional teammate. He’s just wired a little different.

“For some playing on that level, they are usually not focused on being a good teammate, but he is very focused on being a good teammate.”

There were several schools interested in Rawley and he narrowed it down making his choice based on the coaches. Rawley is inter-

Pictured at Rawley Hector’s signing ceremony committing to the Texas A&M baseball program. Standing are parents Amy and Joey Hector and seated with Rawley is his sister Maddie.

DOWNLOADED FROM ANNA HIGH SCHOOL FACEBOOK We are extremely proud of our very own, Coach Joey Hector! He was chosen as the Anna High School Teacher of the Year! He was also selected as the Anna ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year! Thank you for everything you do, Coach Hector! Our faculty and students appreciate and admire you! #proudtobeAnnaISD #CoyoteNation

Rawley Hector showing is new A&M pride. ested in whatever will help him develop and improve his baseball skills.

As a member of the USA team, he’s already travelled to distant lands to play baseball. Hector says Rawley has been to Panama, Columbia and this past summer he was in Taiwan and South Korea.

He’s also played around the U.S. and knows there are a lot of great players out there. His dad says Rawley has a chance to make it in the pros. “He has the intangibles I think they look for,” Hector said.

In fact, Rawley is currently scheduling Zoom meetings with several of the professional teams because he will probably be a part of the major league draft in July.

Hector said some teams want him as a pitcher and others want him as a hitter. When asked about Rawley’s interest, his dad says the Texas Rangers would be Rawley’s dream world, but he’s more into which one can help him develop.

But for Rawley, to go to the majors after high school, there would have to be a really strong offer because he is committed to going to A&M. “So, if something happens in the draft, it will really have to knock his socks off,” Hector said. “It would have to be a no brainer.”

For Rawley’s parents, Amy and Joey Hector, they will be happy with the choices Rawley makes. “Either way, for us, it’s what fits for him,” Joey Hector said. “It’s all icing on the cake.”

The Hectors came to Anna nine years ago to take over the high school baseball program. They were comfortable in Longview in a successful program and knew the move would be a huge undertaking. Amy Hector was supportive of the move and the two made the decision together. So they brought their two children, Rawley and his older sister Maddie. They took on the baseball program in Anna as a family.

Maddie Hector is currently the social media director at Grayson College in Denison.

When asked what Hector likes the most about coaching the Anna Coyotes, he said he likes the way the kids compete. “They are hungry for success and work really hard.”

It’s been a really fun journey, Hector said of his time in Anna.

SCENES FROM FRIDAY NIGHTS IN ANNA Story and photos by Joyce Godwin

Anna Tennis Built with Sharp Care By Joyce Godwin

The Anna High School tennis team shows off its regional trophy.

The Anna tennis team finished its season with a regional trophy this season. They have been to the regional semi-finals for three years in a row and the regional quarter finals once.

Every year has been a little better than the last,” said Head Tennis Coach Vince Sharp. “Next year we will have the best team.”

The team’s biggest competition in the district this year came from Melissa High School. “But we beat them 17-2,” Sharp said.

The regional trophy is not the only thing Anna tennis is celebrating. Coach Sharp was named 4A State Coach of the Year by the Texas Tennis Coaches Association. For Sharp it was an affirmation of what he’s doing right. He took the team from five members six years ago to today’s group that numbers more than 40 and is bringing home trophies.

“It’s been fun to see the program grow from nothing,” Sharp said. “Growing the sport from 5 kids to 45 kids with 35 in the middle school. That’s been the coolest part about being here. I got to start it and do it the way I wanted to.”

Sharp says he believes a positive atmosphere is the key to helping his students grow. “The first year we were terrible; the second we won our district, and the third year we made it to regionals.” Every year Sharp has been in Anna, the team has improved.

“To me, I think it’s a situation where kids come to the court and feel accepted; a place of belonging,” Sharp said. “I think, today, kids don’t get that, and when they find it, they stay.”

The kids love practice and when Sharp has to cancel practice for one reason or another, he cab hear the kids groan. “School is stressful and they get to just let it go on the court,” Sharp said. “We value caring, loving, accepting and a place of belonging ahead of winning and awards and trophies.”

Sharp came from Whitesboro High School where he coached the team to the state tournament. His two daughters play USTA Tennis. Morgan, a sophomore, is a USTA Super Champion and Ella, an eighth grader, is a USTA Champion. Morgan was the district MVP and is ranked No. 1 in the district. Sharp is excited to see the spring tennis season start up.

“I love the city of Anna and don’t want to leave any time soon,” Sharp said. “My love for this community continues to grow every day.”