2008 is year of change, success for local athletes
BY QUINTEN BOYD

It was a year of change in the Cherokee County sports scene. Schools changed records and coaches changed jobs. Teams across the county improved and area athletes made it to the heights of athletic prowess, representing their schools in regional, area and state competition. For two Cherokee County athletes, it was a year that saw them get one step closer to the highest in athletic competition: the big leagues.

For the entire county, it was a year of change and success.

January

Basketball got off to an interesting start for the Rusk Lady Eagles varsity when their game against Westwood was cancelled due to a lack of officiating.

Literally: the officials didn't show up. Later in the month, Rusk lost a close game to Carthage when Michael Katon was called for a technical foul in the fourth quarter for, of all things, not having his jersey tucked in. Rusk went into the fourth leading by five; they would lose by six. On January 15, the Lady Eagle varsity snapped a streak that had plagued them for two years when they defeated Central for their first district win and eighth overall.

County-wide, the districts were affected by UIL redistricting. Rusk and everyone else in the district, except for Crockett, were moved to District 18-3A to join the Jasper Bulldogs. Alto gained opponents in Overton and Carlisle while Jacksonville saw the face of their district change with Marshall leaving, putting the Indians in 14-4A with Henderson, Kilgore, Lindale, Nacogdoches and Whitehouse.

February

National Signing Day came through Cherokee County, with several area athletes signing with colleges across the country. Rusk's Sierra Smith signed with McClennan Community College to play softball. In Alto, Clayton Scott signed with Kilgore College while Tarlandus Mitchell signed to play football at Navarro. In Jacksonville, four football players signed to continue their football careers: Joe Villavisencio (Texas A&M), Ryan Arrington (Northwest Missouri St.), Ryan Crews (Henderson State) and Kelvin Hall (Kilgore College). Two Maiden softball players, Brittany McAnally and Jennifer Meza signed to play at Denison's Grayson County College.

Rusk football head coach Wayne Mahaffey was reassigned to another administrative position within the school district. In 2007, the Eagles finished 2-8. For his career at Rusk, Coach Mahaffey was 53-43. He also coached the golf team and served as assistant softball coach. Coach Mahaffey would eventually move on to Hamshire-Fannett as head baseball coach and offensive line coach. Jacksonville football head coach Randy Copeland left the Tribe to accept the assistant principal job at Arp High School.

Basketball season came to an end and the Lady Eagles finished 8-19 (2-12 in district). The Eagle varsity boys finished 8-20 (0-14).

March Rusk football found their new leader in Ted Patton, previously the coach at Elysian Fields. The season prior, he'd lead the Yellowjackets to a 14-2 record and a state final berth. He started his coaching tenure in Rusk on March 25.

Baseball and softball started quickly as the Lady Eagle softball team won the Longview Tournament early in the month and the baseball team finished second in the Fairfield Tournament.

Six members of the Rusk basketball team were named to the 20-3A all-district team: Michael Katon, Demarcus Skinner, John David Beard, J.J. Session, Horrace Lewis and Quinn Anthony.

April Jacksonville hired their new athletic director and head football coach in Steve Wells, who'd previously coached at Mineola and led the Yellowjackets to a playoff berth in 2007. He assumed his duties on April 14.

Area track athletes had a strong showing at the Doug Jordan Relays as Rusk, Alto and Jacksonville placed second, third and fourth in varsity boys competition. In varsity girls' competition, the Maidens finished second with the Lady Eagles and Lady Jackets behind them in third and fourth. In varsity and JV competition, Alto, Rusk and Jacksonville combined for 78 medals.

Rusk sent three of their boys track team members to regional competition. Quinn Anthony qualified in discus, J.J. Session qualified in the long jump and John Carroll qualified in the pole vault.

Rusk Lady Eagle basketball player Cambry Blakemore was selected to play in the 2008 Azalea Orthopedics All-Star basketball game at the University of Texas at Tyler. She also qualified for the regional track meet in the discus. Rusk continued to send athletes to regional competition as Lisa Frauenberger and Brandon Downs qualified in golf.

Rusk's softball team advanced to the playoffs, finishing second in district play behind Huntington. In April, the Lady Eagles defeated Westwood in the bi-district round. Alto's baseball and softball teams made trips to the playoffs, as well, with both teams finishing district play undefeated.

May

With baseball and softball playoffs in full swing, area teams made an impact. Alto's baseball team defeated Lovelady before falling to West Sabine in the regional quarterfinals. The Lady Jacket softball team defeated Lovelady, Mt. Enterprise and Detroit before losing to Maud in the regional finals.

The Rusk Lady Eagle softball team advanced to the area round where they were defeated by Waco Robinson.

Thirteen athletes from Cherokee County competed in the state track meet, with 12 coming from Alto. Alto's 4x100 meter relay team of Devon Patton, Brandon Thacker, Demarcus Griffin and Javante Jones finished in third place. Also competing from Alto were Lashandra Gasaway, Katina Sturns, LaQuendal Tyler, Taneshia Pope, Kilton Wade, D'Marcus Tyler, Hayden Scott and Jordan Shaw. Representing Rusk was Quinn Anthony.

Area schools held their athletic banquets. In Alto, Tarlandus Mitchell and LaQuendal Tyler won Best All-Around Athlete awards. In Rusk, Best All-Around Athlete awards went to Horrace Lewis and Cambry Blakemore.

Coming next week: Part two of "Sports in Review."