KFDM COOP

And the 2 game streak is stopped.

Congrats to all!

The predictions this year from the Magazine look way off, we'll see.

I'll find out this week.

2007 SETXSPORTS.COM BASEBALL SUPERLATIVES Released by the editors of www.setxsports.com Trying to get a group of people to pick a ‘game of the year’ or a ‘catch of the year’ is next to impossible. The staff at SETXSPORTS.COM, however, does not shy away from the impossible…instead, we embrace it. Try these out for size… GAME OF THE YEAR: JASPER DEFEATS BRIDGE CITY 2-1 TO CLAIM REGIONAL TITLE This best of three series was tied 1-1 when the ‘Dogs and Cards squared off on a Saturday afternoon to decide who would represent Region III at the state tournament. Although many suspected this, no one knew that the state champion would emerge victorious in this game. Jasper coach Shawn Mixon started junior LHP Justin Parsons while BC mentor Billy Bryant countered with freshman phenom Matt Hicks. The game would all that one would expect. BC wasted an excellent scoring opportunity in the top of the first when Troy Bolton singled and Johnny Dishon doubled to open the ball game. They were stranded as Parsons coaxed a strike out, pop up and fly ball to end the threat. Jasper then got on the board in the bottom of the frame courtesy of two Cardinal errors. The score remained 1-0 until BC tied the game in the top of the 4th. Both Parsons and Hicks continued to dominate the game until the bottom of the 6th when Jasper SS Travis Reagan led off with a booming double into the left field corner. After a ground ball out moved Reagan to third, Mixon went to his bread and butter – the bunt and called for a squeeze. The ball was popped up and caught by BC 1B Chase Warner who fired the ball toward third to double up the trapped Reagan, only to see his throw deflect off the shoulder of teammate Troy Bolton. Two outs, man still on third. After a hit batter placed runners on 1st and 3rd, Bryant made a trip to the mound to see Hicks. Cardinal ace Jeff Stringer was loose and ready in the ‘pen but Bryant sticks with Hicks to face the next hitter, John Bradley. Bradley laces a two-out single up the middle and Jasper leads 2-1 after six. Incidentally, Bryant did bring Stringer in for the final out of the inning. With three outs remaining, the Cardinals fought back. After Parsons retired the first hitter, freshman Joseph Robertson reached on a fielding error by SS Reagan. Parsons steadied himself by striking out the next hitter and, with 2 outs, he was back to the top of the order and Troy Bolton. Bolton laces the pitch into the left-centerfield gap and CF Taylor Hart’s diving effort deflects the ball away from both he and his teammates. Robertson is running all the way, rounds third and then has the stop sign thrown up…slips and falls. The relay goes to SS Travis Reagan who sees Robertson and fires to third…OUT. Ball game. Jasper wins 2-1 and the rest, as they say, is history. OTHER GAMES OF NOTE: 1. JASPER DEFEATS LIBERTY EYLAU TO WIN STATE – Maybe not a great game in the classic sense but any time you win state…that is a ball game. The Bulldogs score early and often to win 14-4 and bring home the hardware to SE Texas. 2. HARDIN-JEFFERSON WINS PLAY-IN GAME 1-0 – After a season of ups and downs, the HJ Hawks and Silsbee Tigers found themselves tied for the third and final playoff spot in 21-3A. The playoff game was classic. HJ ace Aaron Treece threw 7 shutout innings to outduel Silsbee pitcher Kevin McDonald 1-0. The lone run scored on a Dylan Lundy double and Treece pitches out of a 7th inning jam. The Tigers, who seeming had the district crown in their hands two weeks earlier, were done and the upstart Hawks were playoff bound. 3. JASPER WINS DISTRICT – The 21-3A crown was on the line when Jasper visited BC on the last Friday of the season. Although both had playoff spots assured, the fans got their money worth. Jasper rallied from an early deficit to win 10-8 and, for the first time in recent memory, BC was not a district champ. 4. HAMSHIRE-FANNETT DEFEATS SILSBEE 11-4 – The entire season had been one of near misses and bad breaks for the HF Longhorns and their last game against Silsbee promised to be more of the same. The Tigers needed only a win to secure a playoff spot and had staff ace Joel Schooling rested and ready to go. Instead, the ‘Horns blasted Schooling and the Tigers 11-4 and forced the play-in game. 5. HELMKE THROWS NO-NO; DEFEATS PNG 1-0 – Nederland’s Beau Helmke did not have the season he thought he would but, on one special night, the senior right-hander was ‘nails’…a no-hitter against Mid County rival PNG in a riveting 1-0 Bulldog win. And, to make it tougher, Helmke threw his no-hitter with no (that’s right, zero) strikeouts. 6. WEST BROOK POUNDS STERLING FOR 21-5A LEAD – The 21-5A lead was at stake when Baytown Sterling traveled to Beaumont to take on the West Brook Bruins. Sterling threw UT commit Hunter Cervenka and the game was tied 1-1 in the 4th when WB’s Tim Ferguson crushed a 2-run homer. The Bruins scored 5 times, Cervenka was knocked out and the Bruins cruised to a 7-4 win and their 1st district crown since 1995. 7. JASPER DEFEATS HUDSON 3-1 IN 10 – The opening game of the 3A Regional Semi-Finals was a nail biter to the end. Tied at one, Jasper outlasted the Hornets from Lufkin Hudson to win 3-1 in 10 innings. This game had a bit of everything including an appeal that took the apparent winning run away from Jasper. This game decided the series as the wind left Hudson’s sails. Jasper won game two 18-1. PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR: DISHON BELTS 2 HOMERS AS BC DEFEATS #1 CARTHAGE 6-2 The Carthage Bulldogs were undefeated and ranked #1 in the State when they tangled with Johnny Dishon and the Bridge City Cardinals in the Regional Semi-Finals. Playing at Jasper, the teams battled to an early 1-1 tie when Dishon bashed a 2 run homer well over the LCF wall to give BC a 3-1 lead. When Carthage closed the gap to 3-2, Dishon did it again…another HR, this one a towering shot down the left field line. BC wins 6-2 and eventually sweeps Carthage out of the playoffs. For Dishon, it was a crowning achievement on his high school career. OTHER PERFORMANCES OF NOTE: 1. MURPHY BELTS 3 HOME RUNS – West Brook traveled to Kingwood to take on the always-tough Mustangs and UH-bound David Murphy did not disappoint. Starting with a lead-off dinger, Murphy hit not one, not two but three bombs as the Bruins cruised to the district win. How good was Murphy? His ‘other’ at bat was a fly ball caught at the wall in center field…that close to a 4th homer. 2. LISTI WIN GAMES 1…AND GAME 2 – The Huffman-PNG playoff series opened with a marquee matchup between Michael Listi and Eric Harrington. Neither disappointed as Listi one-upped Harrington by a 1-0 score. If that wasn’t enough, once Huffman rallied to tie game 2, here came Listi again and he won game 2. Game, set and match to Huffman. 3. BACK TO BACK WINS FOR PARSONS – Junior LHP Justin Parsons earned his stripes with his complete game 2-1 win against BC in the Regional Final. Coach Shawn Mixon liked it enough that he gave Parsons the ball to open the state tournament and he responded with another CG and another win…this one propelling the Bulldogs to the state title game. 4. LISTI OUTDUELS HALES 1-0 – With Huffman’s season hanging in the balance, senior RHP Michael Listi outdueled Barbers Hill ace Ross Hales 1-0 and allowed the Falcons to distance themselves from the rest of the pack in 21-4A. A masterful performance and one that put Huffman in the playoffs for 2007. 5. WHO? CLARK, THAT’S WHO – With their playoff series tied at one, and projected game 3 starter Matt Hicks injured, Bridge City fans scratched their heads at who would pitch the pivotal game 3 against Needville. Jason Clark, that’s who…and he responded with a gem as the Blue Jays never knew what hit him. The left-hander kept them off balance all afternoon and the Cardinals lived to fight another day. OFFENSIVE PLAY OF THE YEAR: FERGUSON WALK-OFF RALLIES WEST BROOK – No one thought it would come to this. 21-5A champion West Brook opened the playoff with a best of three series against Pasadena Memorial at Clear Creek and were heavily favored. Boy, were they wrong. Trailing 3-2 going to the bottom of the 7th, WB opened the inning with a double off the bat from Mark Serna and bringing Tim Ferguson to the plate. Ferguson experienced a thrill of a lifetime by blasting the first pitch over the LF scoreboard and lifting the Bruins to a 4-3 win. And for Memorial? They were done as the Bruins cruised to a game 2 win. OTHER OFFENSIVE PLAYS OF NOTE: 1. JOHN BRADLEY GETS GW RBI – Tied at one in game 3 of their Regional Final, Jasper’s John Bradley lines a two-out single in the bottom of the 6th to break a 1-1 tie as Jasper wins 2-1. 2. DISHON ‘SLAMS’ BC INTO PLAYOFFS – Tied at 0-0 in the bottom of the 6th, BC loads the bases for Dishon who hits a grand slam that lands somewhere near Newton. The Cards hold on for a 4-2 win and clinch a playoff spot in 21-3A. 3. LUNDY DOUBLES IN WINNER FOR HJ – Another 0-0 game, this one the play-in game between HJ and Silsbee and junior infielder Dylan Lundy doubles in the only run in a 1-0 Hawks’ win. The Hawks make the playoffs and the Tigers don’t. DEFENSIVE PLAY OF THE YEAR: REAGAN PICKS ROBERTSON OFF THIRD; JASPER IS GOING TO STATE It is game 3 of the Regional Finals at Lamar and Jasper has just taken a 2-1 lead over Bridge City going to the 7th inning. BC freshman Joseph Robertson has reached first with one out on a Travis Reagan error. After a strike out, Troy Bolton doubles to LCF and the ball deflects crazily in the outfield. Robertson rounds third, tries to stop and then slips and falls. The ball is relayed to Jasper’s cutoff man…Travis Reagan. He recognizes the situation and fires a strike to third, just in time to nail the crawling, scrambling Robertson. Jasper wins. OTHER DEFENSIVE PLAYS OF NOTE: 1. SPIKES MAKES “THE CATCH†– PNG vs. Nederland. Those two teams almost demand high drama and PNG’s Jerin Spikes provided it with a grab of a lifetime. As one long-time fan described it, “You just had to be thereâ€. 2. DISHON’S BACKHAND KEEPS BC ALIVE – The final week of the season was a time of high drama in 21-3A as well. BC and HJ met to decide a playoff spot and, with the game tied at 0-0 and the Hawks threatening, BC CF Johnny Dishon ran a ball down in the LCF gap that was literally amazing. The ball was caught, the Hawks didn’t score and…well, you know the rest. Dishon hit a slam in the bottom of the 6th. And, fans…that is is. Were there others? All season long. Great games, great plays, clutch performances. For all of you who will be here in 2008, it promises to be more of the same. Only 8 months til practice starts….Play ball !!!!

At 10:20. Whole team with the Trophy will be there.

Stinson’s baseball career is moving in new direction By Dave Rogers The Port Arthur News From the time his parents got a divorce strictly so he could transfer from Nederland High to Port Neches-Groves, Josh Stinson’s dream was always to be a top Major League Baseball draft choice. But six years after that drastic move, five years after he batted nearly .500 as a high school junior and four years after graduating from high school, Stinson’s amateur baseball career is ending and that dream is dust. Nearly 1,500 names were called in this year’s pro baseball draft and when they wrapped up Friday, the 30 Major League teams had failed to call Stinson’s. Unthinkable as it was in the summer of 2002, when he was coming off a junior year at PN-G that saw him named MVP of District 20-4A and earn all-state honors, Stinson is completing his high school and college career without ever having been drafted. And he has been eligible for the draft four times in the last five Junes. So why is Josh Stinson smiling? Because he feels he has a lot to be thankful for, not the least of which is being a part of a Texas A&M team that was within two wins of the College World Series at the start of Saturday night’s Super Regional game against top-ranked Rice University. “In my opinion, this is my best year, even though I’m not being an everyday player but instead I’m being the No. 1 guy off the bench,†he said a few days ago. Stinson, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound left-handed hitter, has spent his senior season appearing as the Aggies’’ designated hitter, pinch-hitter and backup catcher. He has batted .307 with one home run and 15 RBI in 88 at-bats. “Hitting-wise, this has been my best year at the plate in college,†he says. And, best of all, Stinson was speaking in the present tense as Texas A&M was one of only 16 Division I teams still playing, after the Aggies came from the losers’ bracket to win their NCAA Regional tournament last Monday. They needed another comeback performance at Rice, where they lost the first game of the best-of-three series with the Owls 3-2 in 10 innings Friday. “Being caught up with winning the regional, I haven’t really thought much about the draft at all,†confessed Stinson, who went 2 for 4 with a two-run homer in his only start in the College Station regional, a 10-4 win over Ohio State. Too bad rules wouldn’t allow him to be drafted after his junior year of high school. In his first season at PN-G, he batted .451 with eight home runs and 47 runs batted in. The Indians won district and Stinson was district MVP. All-state, too. “If that had been his senior year, he probably would have gone in the first day of the draft,†said Port Neches native Bobby Straface, owner of the SSE Group player agency and Josh’s brother-in-law.

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MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Johnny Dishon, Bridge City OFFENSIVE MVP: Jake Rowell, Little Cypress-Mauriceville DEFENSIVE MVP: Jon Gunn, LC-M PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Jeff Stringer, Bridge City NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Matt Hicks, Bridge City COACH OF THE YEAR: Steve Griffith, LC-M FIRST TEAM P: Dallas Brown, LC-M P: Phillip Meeks, Bridge City 1B: Chad Richard, LC-M 2B: Troy Bolton, Bridge City SS: Kris Hearn, LC-M 3B: Stefan Cloeren, LC-M OF: Earl Thomas, WO-S OF: Taylor Robichau, Vidor OF: Tim Barry, LC-M C: Casey Jackson, Bridge City UTL: Matthew Manning, Deweyville SECOND TEAM P: Adam Leggett, LC-M P: Jace Statum, Orangefield 1B: Chad Kennon, Vidor 2B: Posseum LaFleur, Orangefield SS: VJ Bunner, Vidor 3B: Joe Robertson, Bridge City OF: Matt Johnson, LC-M OF: Daniel Willey, Bridge City OF: Jaden Dillon, Bridge City C: Jacob Felts, Orangefield UTL: Ethan Williams, Deweyville

SE Texas teams ranked low in Texas Football Van Wade The Orange Leader It’s that time of the year again. That’s right folks, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine is hitting the newsstands. Of course, the long-time superb mag covers the Big 12 Conference, plus Rice, TCU, North Texas, SMU and UTEP like nobody’s business and then there are the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans. However, being the local prep football “nerd†that I am, I always hit the high school section first. Scanning through this year’s edition, there looks to be plenty of motivation for a local high school gridiron boys in 2007. For the first time in their existence in the Class 3A ranks, the West Orange-Stark Mustangs are nowhere to be found in the Class 3A top 10 poll. Coach Dan Hooks’ Mustangs (11-1 last season) are ranked No. 16 in this year’s poll. Heck, the Mustangs aren’t even picked to win District 21-3A. That top spot belongs to the Kirbyville Wildcats (8-4 last year). Kirbyville is ranked No. 12 in the state poll. The Mustangs return just seven starters, four on offense, three on defense while the Wildcats, who placed third last year, return seven starters back on both sides of the ball. Silsbee, last year’s runnerup with a 9-3 mark, return nine starters and is picked third. First-year Bridge City head coach Cris Stump will see just two Cardinals on both sides of the ball as the Redbirds are picked sixth. Bridge City has not had a record below .500 since 1999. Coach Blake Morrison’s Orangefield Bobcats are tabbed fifth with six starters returning on offense and four on defense. A big matchup to watch will be when the Mustangs visit Kirbyville this year. Also, Bridge City will host both WO-S and Orangefield while the Bobcats visit WO-S. The pickers didn’t deviate at all with the top four selections in District 22-4A. Dayton, Beaumont Central, Nederland and Little Cypress-Mauriceville were picked as the top four, the same order that the district finished in last season. Dayton whined about having to join the 22-4A loop last season and all Jerry Stewart’s Broncos accomplished was waltzing through the district unscathed. Central will be tough to bargain with again as Coach Donald Stowers has the Jags on the rise and returns 11 starters. This could be the year that the LC-M Bears find their way back into the postseason. Coach Todd Moody’s squad was a play or two away from accomplishing that feat last season. By the looks of the Bears’ summer workouts in the weightroom, one with a superb turnout thus far, 2007 could be the first time in 10 years that LC-M makes the playoffs. The Bears are fortunate enough to host both Dayton and Central this season. A rough spot could be trips over “the bridge†to face Nederland and Port Neches-Groves. We Orange County folks know how tough that can be, fair or not. Coach Jeff Mathews’ Vidor squad must have slipped under the radar and knowing Jeff, he loves that. The Pirates are picked to finish last despite returning five starters on offense and seven on defense. The other Pirates in our area, the Deweyville Pirates, are picked third in District 24-2A as head coach Dwight Bickham and Co. are seeking their third straight postseason berth. Deweyville returns nine starters on offense but gone is 2,300-yard back Justin Williams. Five are back to lead the defensive charge. The East Chambers Bucs are favored once again and Buna, the second-place squad last season, is in the No. 2 spot. To no one’s surprise, long-time coach Curtis Barbay’s Newton Eagles are the 23-3A favorites and are ranked No. 6 in Class 2A. In Class 5A, Dick Olin’s Baytown Lee Ganders are the 21-5A favorites with Beaumont West Brook and Port Arthur Memorial breathing down their necks. So, for those local high school football hopefuls, be sure to pick up Texas Football, there should be plenty of motivation. After all, this is the lowest I’ve seen Southeast Texas teams picked in a long time. It’s amazing, not one team in the Golden Triangle is ranked in the top 15 with the exception of Newton.

CONGRATS TO ALL!

2007 ALL SOUTHEAST TEXAS BASEBALL TEAM June 9, 2007 – released by editors of www.setxsports.com The dust has barely settled on the 2007 season and your SETXSPORTS.COM editors have now selected the All Southeast Texas Baseball Team. No team stands taller than the Jasper Bulldogs, the 3A State Champions. Coach Shawn Mixon and crew stormed through the playoffs and simply dominated the 3A state tournament. Along the way, they won the 21-3A district crown, eliminated Bridge City in a classic 3 game Regional Final, and put a 10-run whipping on defending state champion, Liberty-Eylau. 2007 also saw other outstanding performances. 5A Beaumont West Brook won its first district championship since 1995 while 4A Little Cypress-Mauriceville surprised the entire baseball community by roaring to the 22-4A crown. Next door, the Barbers Hill Eagles overcame the loss of the senior SS and rode one of the area’s strongest pitching staffs to the Regional Semi-Finals. While Jasper proved they were the class of 3A this season, their road to the championship went through Bridge City while Hardin-Jefferson slipped past disappointing Silsbee to earn 21-3A’s final playoff spot. Woodville continued its streak of excellence by rolling into the 2A Regional Finals, only to be upended by eventual state finalist Hooks. Hooks, as you may recall, had previously eliminated the upstart Buna Cougars a week earlier. And, in 1A, the feel-good story of the year may belong to Coach Jacob Hooker and the High Island Cardinals. Fielding only 9 players, HI ran down Evadale to capture the district crown. All in all, it was another exciting year in SE Texas baseball. Individual accomplishments also predominated the season. Jasper 2B/P Ryan Ellis was the 3A MVP for the State Finals. Huffman’s Michael Listi defeated PNG in both of their playoff games while Nederland’s Beau Helmke no-hit the Indians…without a single strike out. Buna’s Taylor Muckleroy hurled back-to-back no-hitters. West Brook’s David Murphy hit 3 home runs…all in the same game while BC’s Johnny Dishon hit 2 against 3A #1 Carthage. Jasper’s John Bradley had the GW RBI in game 3 against BC, a 2-out 6th inning single while teammate Travis Reagan picked off BC’s Joseph Robertson (the tying run) to end that game and send the Bulldogs to Austin. And West Brook’s Tim Ferguson experienced every player’s dream… a walk-off HR to win a playoff game. Like last year, a lot of talent graduates and will be lost to our local high schools. On the other hand, the future remains bright for 2008… Barbers Hill returns both of their starting pitchers (Ross Hales and Kendall Thamm), WB returns C Todd Wallace, 3B Thad Lycan and P Nathaniel Svoboda (7-0 as a junior). PNG welcomes back a full contingent led by Eric Harrington while BC will be led by C Casey Jackson and two super-frosh: Matt Hicks and Joseph Robertson. And Jasper? Start with OF Taylor Hart and you know the ‘Dogs will be ready to defend their crown. Without further delay, here is your 2007 All-SETXSPORTS.COM Baseball Team. As Gene Hackman said in ‘Hoosiers’, …â€This is your team.†MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Jake Rowell – LCM The debate over ‘who’ should be over MVP began with ‘what is’ the MVP? Is it the best player? Is it a two-way player? Is it the best player on the best team? Or is it the player who meant the most to his team? Regardless of the criteria, LCM’s Jake Rowell is our ‘king’ and the most-deserved winner of our Most Valuable Player award. As the District 22-4A MVP, Rowell hit over .500 with 11 HR and 48 RBI. More importantly, he provided senior leadership to a team that had no other returning starters and led Coach Steve Griffith’s youngsters to the 22-4A crown. There may not be a better leader in all SE Texas. Jake has signed to continue his career across the river at McNeese State where he promises to wear out opposing Southland Conference pitchers. Congratulations, Jake…you earned this. Other Top Nominees: Travis Reagan (Jasper), David Murphy (WB), Tim Ferguson (WB), Johnny Dishon (BC), Eric Harrington (PNG), Aaron Treece (HJ), Braeden Riley (Woodville) OFFENSIVE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Tim Ferguson – West Brook The clean-up hitter in the middle of West Brook’s murder’s row, Ferguson mirrored his 2006 performance by either leading or being near the top of every offensive category for the Bruins. Hitting .427 (.500 in district) with 7 HR and 32 RBI, the senior infielder also slugged .765 and was a perfect 13-13 in stolen bases. Demonstrating a flair for the dramatic, it was his 2-run HR (off UT commit Hunter Cervenka) that broke open the ‘battle for district’ vs. Sterling. It was also his walk-off homer that turned a 3-2 deficit into a game 1 play-off win vs. Pasadena Memorial. The only area player to be named a Rawlings All-American (and a two-time 1st Team All District selection), Ferguson will take his game to 13th ranked Ole Miss as the heir apparent to All-American SS Zac Cozart. Other Top Nominees: Mark Serna (WB), Johnny Dishon (BC), Rocky Calhoun (Silsbee), Taylor Hart (Jasper), Travis Reagan (Jasper) PITCHING MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Ross Hales – Barbers Hill The junior left-hander was the mainstay of what might have been the 2007’s best pitching staff. Not only were his numbers good, the difference maker here was that Hales kept his team in every single game he pitched. Even his losses (when he did lose) were heart-breaking 1 run losses. And, did anyone lose more 1-0 games than he did? Sporting an 11-4 overall W-L record along with a microscopic ERA of less than 1.00, Hales has already got the eye of college and professional scouts. Just last week, Ross flashed an 89 mph fastball at the invitation-only Pittsburgh Pirates workout and is on the radar of heavyweights such as Texas A&M and UH. In a year of outstanding performances, Hales’ consistent excellence made the difference as he edged ahead of the pack to become our Pitching MVP. Other Top Nominees: Jeff Stringer (BC), Michael Listi (Huffman), Josiah Svoboda (WB), Jacob Winters (Woodville), Tucker Muckleroy (Buna) DEFENSIVE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Johnny Dishon – Bridge City You want speed? Got it. You want an arm? Got it. Want instincts to make not only the routine but the spectacular as well? Got it. Defensively, no one covered their position like Johnny Dishon, the senior CF from Bridge City. Ask Hardin-Jefferson about the backhanded grab he made to keep the score knotted at 0-0 in the top of the 6th of their 21-3A showdown. Ask Needville about the bullet he threw from CF to beat the winning run home (sure, the catcher dropped the tag but that ain’t the point, now is it?). Johnny takes his game across the border next year to LSU and promises to make an immediate impact. And, before anyone assumes he is all glove and no bat…he hit 12 HR this season. Other top nominees: David Murphy (WB), Cameron Campbell (BH), Rocky Calhoun (Silsbee), Tim Ferguson (WB) NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR Matt Hicks – Bridge City On any team, being a freshman on the varsity would be a tall order. To be a freshman, starting as the team’s SS and one of their frontline pitchers, that is almost too much to ask. And when that team is Bridge City, coming off back-to-back state tournaments, then the pressure has to insurmountable…unless you’re BC freshman Matt Hicks. He stepped in, would up hitting 3rd in their lineup and contributed mightily. It was his game 3 pitching performance that won the bi-district series against Wharton and it has his game 2 triple that broke open BC’s sweep over previously #1 Carthage. Named as a First Team All District selection in 21-3A, Hicks shone brighter than all others. Other top nominees: Brandon Hillin (Buna), Jace Statum (OF), Joseph Robertson (BC) COACH OF THE YEAR: Shawn Mixon – Jasper As someone said on the ‘Coach of the Year’ thread, give it to the ‘last man standing’. While that criteria would be enough, that shortchanges the outstanding job that Shawn Mixon has done since succeeding Mike Rodgers up north in Jasper. The 2007 stands as a crowning achievement as he and his Bulldogs quietly went about their business, winning 21-3A then rolling through Region III and knocking off Bridge City in the Finals. By the way, anyone doubt that Shawn Mixon was the best coach that weekend? Not anymore as he pulled every string and pushed every button perfectly. As one fan noted that weekend, “Mixon’s not only the best coach on the field. He’s the best coach in the ballparkâ€. He backed it all up in Austin including the 10-run win over defending state champ Liberty Eylau in the finals. 5A Coach of the Year: Jacob Walton (West Brook) – In only his second season, Walton led the Bruins to their first district title since 1995…when he played there. 4A Coach of the Year: Steve Griffith (LCM) – One of the more hotly contested positions on this board, Griff edges Gil Stalbaum (BH) and Kyle Green (Vidor)…all of whom did masterful jobs. But, Griff supposedly had no pitching, only 1 returning started and no chance. So what’d he do? Win district. 3A Coach of the Year: Shawn Mixon (Jasper) – see above. No one else is close. 2A Coach of the Year: Neil Hennigan (Woodville) – although excellence seems to be expected, Hennigan guided the Eagles back to the Regional Finals. 1A Coach of the Year: Jacob Hooker (High Island) – It seems like forever since HI made the playoffs but Coach Hooker and his ‘gang of 9’ did that and more…district champs at last. FIRST TEAM: PITCHERS (8 Jeff Stringer (Bridge City) – the senior left-hander was perhaps the most dominating pitcher in the area, striking out 150 hitters while going 8-3 with a 1.50 ERA. He takes his game next door to Lamar so he’ll still be (always be) a Cardinal. Michael Listi (Huffman) – the senior righty was perhaps the best ‘big game’ pitcher, outdueling Ross Hales and BH 1-0 then doing the same to Eric Harrington in game 1 of their playoff series. Not enough? He returned in game 2 to win that game as well. Josiah Svoboda (West Brook) – after missing a large chunk of the preseason, this senior returned and quickly reasserted himself as the ace of Bruins’ staff, going 5-1 (and his only loss was a 1-0 defeat to upstart Atascocita). Eric Harrington (PNG) – a junior, Harrington went 10-2 with a 2.50 ERA leading the Indians to a 2nd place finish in 22-4A. Recognized as the PA News MVP, Harrington was also a 22-4A First Team All District selection. Tucker Muckleroy (Buna) – the left-hander led the Buna Cougars to not only a district championship but also a run to the Regional Semi-Finals. Along the way, he was both consistent and spectacular…including back-to-back no hitters. Justin Parson (Jasper) – never given credit as the ‘ace’ of the Bulldogs’ staff, it was this junior left-hander’s complete game victory in Game 3 of the Regional Finals and the State Semi-Finals that define his season. If that ain’t an ace, I don’t know what is. Reese Winters (Woodville) – the left-hander quietly emerged from the shadow of teammate Braeden Riley to become the #1 of the Eagles’ pitching staff. He probably led the area in ‘head shakes’…as in another batter shaking his head after striking out. Shawn Flores (PNG) – the 2nd part of PNG’s dynamic duo, Flores possesses as much raw talent as any pitcher in the area. Flores proved his mettle by holding West Brook to 3 runs, then injuring himself by running into the wall chasing a foul ball in the 8th inning, and returned to pitch the opening week of district. CATCHERS (3): Cameron Campbell (Barbers Hill) – the senior catcher returns again as one of our first team catchers and deservedly so. A home run here and a triple there, Campbell always seemed to be in the middle of every Eagle scoring outburst. He’ll take his game to Lamar and catch summer teammate Jeff Stringer. Todd Wallace (West Brook ) – the junior exploded on the scene…literally, but hitting 7 HR including 5 during district play. Named the First Team All District catcher in 21-5A, he was also named WB’s defensive player of the year. Landon Steinhagen (Kelly) – this junior tolled in relative anonymity over at Kelly…unless you happened to be a Bulldog opponent. He was so good that, after 1 game, Bellaire’s head coach immediately nominated him for the Texas Rangers Area Code team. INFIELDERS (8 David Murphy (West Brook) – the senior capped off a sensational career by tying the WB single season record by belting 10 HR, including 3 in one game (against Regional Finalist Kingwood). Hitting .353 with 21 RBI, Murphy was named the 21-5A MVP. Now bound for the University of Houston. Murphy promises to give Cougars’ fans the same thrills he gave Bruins’ fans for the past 4 years. Braeden Riley (Woodville) – the senior hit .488 with 8 HR and 31 RBI in leading the Eagles deep into the playoffs once again. Riley is off to Sam Houston State to join Coach Mark Johnson as the Bearcats try to repeat their NCAA playoff appearance of this season. Mark Serna (West Brook) – perhaps no one re-wrote the WB record books this season more than Serna who ends his 4 year career on the West End as the holder of a number of single season and career records. After moving to 1B from the OF due to a shoulder injury, Serna banged out an incredible 50 hits this year. Amazing… VJ Bunner (Vidor) – no single player may have meant more to his team than this junior middle infielder. After sustaining a severe leg injury, the Pirates’ season was one in jeopardy. Just as immediate, once Bunner returned then the Pirates’ ship was righted and they made their long-awaited appearance in the playoffs. Jake Ponder (Barbers Hill) – you remember him? Like Serna, he was an outfielder last year. Like Serna, he moved to the infield this year (3B) but never missed a beat offensively. At times carrying the Eagles offense, Ponder earned his First Team All District selection…just as he earned our first team recognition. Thad Lycan (West Brook ) – the junior 3B is yet another 21-5A All District first teamer, hitting .373 with 3 HR and 25 RBI. Slated to move to SS when Murphy moves on to UH, look for Thad to be one of 2008’s leading stars. Chad Richard (LCM) – One of the unknown Bears, Richard hit .430 with 6 HR and 36 RBI providing ample support for senior Jake Rowell. Named to the 22-4A All District First Team, Richard proved that, at LCM, you don’t rebuild…you reload. Zach Sipe (Huffman) – Like Ponder, this 21-4A veteran moved from OF to 3B this year. And, for the third year in a row, Sipe was a first team All District selection and one of the Falcons’ most valuable ingredients all season long. Its anchors away for Sipe…he’ll take his game to the Naval Academy next year. A true honor for a great kid. OUTFIELDERS (8 Taylor Hart (Jasper) – Hart made the move from SS to CF this year, allowing Coach Shawn Mixon to take even more advantage of his speed. A prototypical lead-off hitter, Taylor was the spark plug that made the Bulldogs’ engine run…all the way to the State Championship. Rocky Calhoun (Silsbee) – Calhoun finished his career by being named the 21-3A Offensive Player of the Year after hitting over .400 for the Tigers. Always steady, Calhoun may be best remembered for this stat: in 4 years as the Tigers’ CF, he never, ever made an error. Bobby Armstrong (West Brook) – Armstrong had another quietly spectacular year, hitting .358 including a .500 clip during district. While other may have received more accolades, Armstrong was yet another WB First Team All District selection and won the West Brook ‘point system’ as the Bruins’ top offensive performer. Chris Raggett (Ozen) – a bright star during a dismal and disappointing season, this CF hit .406 for the Panthers and garnering a first team All District berth. Only a junior, Raggett is one of the core of youngsters that promises to lead Ozen to better days. Jeremy Pinder (Hamshire Fannett) – like Raggett, Pinder’s accomplishments went unnoticed by many but not the other coaches in 21-3A who named this youngster as one of their first team All District outfielders. This is just one of the reasons that Coach Landry has to smile as he thinks ahead to 2008. Colby Townsley (Barbers Hill) – yet another stellar performance for this senior as he helped the Eagles overcome the season-ending injury to SS Chase Barrera. Not only did Townsley’s bat play big, his leadership played equally big all year long. Jace Statum (Orangefield) – another freshman who came up big in 21-3A as Statum hit nearly .400 and played so well he was recognized as 21-3A’s Newcomer of the Year. In that district, that’s something to talk about and gives the Bobcat faithful something to look forward to for the next 3 years. Will Fontnow (Vidor) – roaming RF for the Pirates, Fontnow was one of the major cogs in Coach Kyle Green’s superlative run as one of 22-4A’s playoff teams. A contributor not only offensively, Will also flashed good leather and a quality arm. UTILITY (3): Travis Reagan (Jasper) – this senior could have been a first team infielder or a first team pitcher. His reward? He is first team at both and is our top utility man of the year. Often called the state champions’ ‘best player’ Reagan will next flash his skills in Carthage while playing at Panola JC. Aaron Treece (Hardin Jefferson) – Like Reagan, Treece excelled on the mound (9-2) and at the plate (.444 with 5 HR). He also pitched one of the best, pressure-packed games of the year – the 1-0 play-in win against Silsbee. Taylor Robichau (Vidor) – As a first team All District OF in 22-4A, and part of Kyle Green’s ‘tough as nails’ pitching staff, Robichau did it all this year for the Pirates. If there is a better definition of what a utility player is, I don’t know what it is. DESIGNATED HITTER (3): Malcolm Bronson (Jasper) – a true DH, Bronson filled the 2-hole in the Bulldogs’ lineup and was a superb compliment to lead-off hitter Taylor Hart. Often viewed as a small ball player, it was Bronson’s monster triple in Game 1 of the Regional Finals that changed the momentum and led Jasper to that win. Casey Jackson (Bridge City) – One of the most potent bats in the area, Jackson battled early season injuries before returning to true form in time for BC’s run into the playoffs. The 2006 HR leader, look for this junior to rebound strong in 2008…and make 21-3A opponents pay for it. D.J. Massey (Dayton) – the senior catcher hit .508 with 38 RBI in leading the Broncos to the brink of the playoffs in their first season in 22-4A. A very projectible defensive catcher, Massey continues his career next season as LSU-Eunice. SECOND TEAM: PITCHERS (8 Nathaniel Svoboda – West Brook Kendall Thamm – Barbers Hill Phillip Meeks – Bridge City Andy Dewey – Dayton Beau Helmke – Nederland Joel Schooling – Silsbee Adam Leggett – LCM David Jackson – Evadale CATCHERS (3): Colby Hargraves – Silsbee Jacob Felts – Orangefield Alex Moshier – Nederland INFIELDERS (8 Brice Christian – Port Arthur Memorial Josh Gardiner – Ozen Cameron Alexander – Central Ryan Ellis – Jasper Dylan Lundy – HJ Chantz Pryor – Jasper Kris Hearn – LCM Taylor Eaves – HF OUTFIELDERS (8 Josh Fisher – West Brook Keenan Allison – Central Earl Thomas – WOS Micah Mosely – Nederland Randy Musgrove – Kirbyville Kevin Roebuck – HJ Jaden Dillon – Bridge City Kelvin Thomas – Central UTILITY (3): D.D. Lott – Ozen Chance Sievers – High Island Brandon Hillin – Buna DESIGNATED HITTER (3): Todd Kahla – High Island Brandon Wolcott – Silsbee Randall Courville -- HF

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congrats

Your 2007 Baseball State Champions 5A......Cy Fair 4A......CC Moody 3A......Jasper 2A......Rogers 1A......Archer City

C.C. Moody Trojans 4A State Champs!!! Defeated Mesquite Poteet 9-1. Congrats to Moody!

Time Warner doesn't carry anything good.

Well that was nice ???

Chavis looking good.

Couple of locals playing!

Game is on Fox Sports at 8 PM

Houston Cy Fair wins the 5A State Championship.