Rusk coach 'would not trade' team
BY LELAND ACKER

A 5-9 district record was probably not what Rusk baseball coach George Banda had in mind when he came to Rusk. None the less, the coach said he is proud of his team.

"I still would not trade these kids for anything, they have learned a lot," Coach Banda said. "I will lose five great seniors. Now I know why I came to Rusk High School!"

Coach Banda's Eagles got off to a strong start in district play, chalking up wins over Diboll, Center and Huntington. However, short stop John David Beard suffered an injury in the Lindale tournament, then an unexpected blowout loss to Crockett put the feathered flock on skid row for five games.

Rusk's five game losing streak was broken with wins over Huntington and Center. The Eagles then were back to playing Crockett and Carthage.

On Tuesday, Rusk lost to Central 10-1, despite outhitting the Bulldogs 8-6. On Friday, Rusk lost to Hudson 12-0.

"(Against Hudson), we gave up a grand slam and a three-run homer in the 1st," Coach Banda said. "We settled down and played okay (after that)."

This was Coach Banda's first year at Rusk.