KFDM COOP

UT pitcher throws no-hitter against Texas State AUSTIN - Kenn Kasparek threw a no-hitter and faced the minimum of 27 batters to lead Texas to an 11-0 win over Texas State on Tuesday. Only a hit batter kept Kasparek from a perfect game. Kasparek plunked Thomas Field to begin the seventh, but then induced a double play grounder from the next batter. Kasparek struck out nine and improved to 3-3 on the season. It is the 20th no-hitter in school history and the first since 2005. At the plate, the Longhorns (27-18) were led by Michael Torres and Kyle Russell. Torres went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and a run scored. Russell was 4-of-5 with three runs and two RBIs. He also hit his 13th home run of the season. The loss went to starter Kane Holbrooks, who fell to 2-5 for Texas State (24-19).

Rockets win Game 5 over Jazz to keep series alive That is how you send a message. Tracy McGrady had said that it was time the Rockets made some sort of point, but it he did not say what he had in mind, as if he was still formulating ideas ranging from strong drives to harder fouls. The Rockets hit with a determined offense and tremendous defense, to more than survive, but to thrive. With the Rockets facing elimination from another post-season first-round, the Rockets fought back in the only way that really matters. They held the Jazz to fewer points than any team has ever scored in a playoff game against the Rockets, pummeling Utah, 95-69, on Tuesday, to send the best-of-seven series to Game 6 at 9:30 on Friday with the Jazz leading, 3-2. The Rockets defense shackled the Jazz defense throughout, then surged through a spectacular second-quarter and determined second half. The Jazz made just 27 of 74 shots (36.5 percent), falling eight points shy of the fewest the Jazz had scored in a game this season. McGrady drove the offense with his best-shooting, most complete game of the series, scoring 29 points on 13 of 26 shooting. But the Rockets found contributions all over the court. Luis Scola had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Rafer Alston made 5 of 9 shots for 14 points with six assists. And the Rockets bench outscored Utah’s, 26-9. The Rockets did hit a lull early in the second half. But in keeping with much of the night, they even turned that into a good thing, using it to spur them on to six spectacular minutes that took control of the game. Leading by 15 less than a minute into the second half, the Rockets went five possessions without getting a good look at the basket, with McGrady committing two turnovers that turned into Jazz points, and Shane Battier a third. With the Jazz within 47-40 with an 8-0 run, McGrady scored on a drive before Alston passed to Scola for consecutive fast break layups. Carlos Boozer settled things down for the Jazz with consecutive baskets. But the Rockets rolled through a 12- run, with Rafer Alston hitting a pair of 3s, McGrady hitting a jumper and Scola and Alston finishing drives to put the Rockets ahead, 70-48 with 2 ½ minutes before the fourth quarter. The Jazz crept to within 15 as the Rockets missed their first six shots of the fourth quarter. But Carl Landry put in the rebound of a McGrady drive, before McGrady scored the game’s next six points, pushing the lead back to a safe 23. From there, it did not take much to close it out. The Rockets did not score easily, but their defense was not about to allow enough scoring to change anything. When McGrady put in a turnover jumper with 3:51 left, the lead was back to 20 and Jazz coach Jerry Sloan had seen enough, quickly clearing his bench with 3:42 left. By halftime, however, the Rockets already had to know they could not have hoped for much more. After a terrible shooting start, in which the Rockets made just 3 of 12 shots through the first eight minutes, they found a way to an 18-16 first quarter lead, then took off at the start of the second quarter, building their lead to 17 – the largest lead either team had in the series or that the Rockets had built against the Jazz this season or last. The Jazz rallied a bit in the final minutes of the half, but the Rockets still went to the locker room with their first halftime lead, 43-32, of this season’s or last season’s series. Bobby Jackson came back from his 1 for 10 Game 4 to provide a huge lift to start the second quarter, making 3 of 4 shots and scoring nine points in eight second-quarter minutes. Chuck Hayes helped shut down Carlos Boozer, as he has through stretches of the series, but also scored on a one-on-one drive to a turnaround jump hook. But more than anything, the Rockets hit the Jazz with their strongest defensive performance of the series. As well as the Rockets have played defensively, holding the Jazz 16 points shy of their season average, the 32 points Utah scored in the first half was their fewest of the season. The Rockets did not quite keep up the heady pace of most of the half. After a Hayes follow, they scored just four points in the first 4 ½ minutes of the half. But they started the second half with McGrady hitting a jumper and then passing to Scola for a layup, the lead was back to 15, and the Rockets kept pushing to see how long they could make it last.

8)

Did you miss any games that year Soulja?

Bracket offers potential tasty matchups in 2nd round Watch out for Klein when it's time to decide title; Cy-Fair's Collier is 10-0 Who is the favorite in Region III-5A? Atascocita is the highest-ranked team in the area, but it's difficult to call any team in Region III a prohibitive favorite. Teams that must be considered contenders for the regional title are Alvin, Atascocita, Baytown Sterling, defending state champion Cy-Fair and Lamar. Teams that can't be counted out include Elkins, Katy, Memorial, Pasadena Memorial and Westside. Can a Houston-area team win the Region II-5A title? Yes. Klein, which ended the season ranked 10th in the state, has been one of the most consistent teams in the area this season. The Bearkats have a ton of offense (averaging 9.4 runs per game) and they have one of the area's best pitchers in Matt Purke. Defending regional champion Klein Collins, Klein Oak and The Woodlands should also be factors in Region II. Who are the strongest teams in 4A? Barbers Hill and Brenham appear to be the Region III favorites. Barbers Hill has one of the deepest pitching staffs, led by Ross Hales, Hunter Silva and Kendall Thamm. Brenham is one of the best hitting teams in the area, with a .374 team batting average, and is led by Kyle Mangan (.475 average, nine homers, 29 RBIs), Justin Preuss (.443, 20 RBIs) and Kyler Crenshaw (.443, three homers, 37 RBIs). Other teams to keep an eye on are Friendswood, Lamar Consolidated and Santa Fe. Who are some of the Region III-5A dark horses who could make deep playoff runs? Brazoswood, Langham Creek and Katy Taylor look like teams that could make some noise. Brazoswood finished second in 24-5A, one of the area's toughest districts, and has a promising young pitching staff led by junior Colton Lindloff and sophomore Tyler Green. Langham Creek came on strong toward the end of District 17-5A play and is balanced with good hitting (.333 team batting average) and solid pitching (2.81 team ERA). Katy Taylor has pop at the top of the order, led by Taylor Featherston, and a capable pitching duo in Cliff Archibald and Travis Martin. Which potential matchups are the best? If Atascocita and Alvin win their first-round series in Region III-5A, they would meet in what should be a fantastic second-round series. Lamar and Langham Creek would also be an intriguing second-round battle, while Baytown Sterling and Elkins could be a good regional quarterfinal. In Region III-4A, District 18-4A rivals Brenham and Montgomery could meet in the regional quarterfinals, while district champions Barbers Hill and Friendswood could meet in the same round on the bottom half of the bracket. • • • Players to watch Hunter Cervenka, pitcher/infielder, Baytown Sterling: The southpaw Texas signee boasts a 1.51 ERA and 87 strikeouts on the mound and a .431 average with six homers and 23 RBIs at the plate. Tommy Collier, pitcher, Cypress-Fairbanks: He's loaded with playoff experience, having led the Bobcats to the 5A state title last year as their primary Game 1 pitcher. He has been even better this year: 10-0 with a 0.54 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 65 innings. Matt Purke, pitcher, Klein: Purke is one of the best juniors in the area, if not the state and has been the Bearkats' ace this year. He's undefeated (7-0) and has the potential to rack up double-digit strikeouts on any given night. Anthony Rendon, infielder, Lamar: Rendon plays a solid shortstop and has one of the best bats in the area. The Rice signee led 5A hitters in the area with a .571 average this season and has five homers and 44 RBIs. Taylor Wall, pitcher, Westside: The Rice signee is part of one of the area's best pitching duos (along with UH signee Michael Goodnight). Wall is 9-1 with a 0.80 ERA and 76 strikeouts this season. • • • First-round matchups to watch Langham Creek vs. Cinco Ranch Game 1: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Langham Creek. Game 2: 11 a.m. Saturday, Cinco Ranch. Game 3:* 30 min. after Game 2 Kempner vs. Brazoswood Game 1: 8 p.m. Friday, Baytown Sterling. Game 2: 3 p.m. Sat., Baytown Sterling. Game 3:* 30 min. after Game 2 The Woodlands vs. Tomball Game 1: 7 p.m. Friday, Tomball. Game 2: 4 p.m. Saturday, The Woodlands. Game 3:* 30 min. after Game 2 Clements vs. Clear Lake Game 1: 8 p.m. Friday, Deer Park. Game 2: Noon Saturday Deer Park. Game 3:* 30 min. after Game 2 Beaumont West Brook vs. La Porte Game 1: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Barbers Hill. Game 2: 2 p.m. Saturday, Barbers Hill. Game 3:* 30 min. after Game 2 * — If necessary

Wednesday.

It's over for the Mavs!

Jones geared up for Bears’ playoff push Gabriel Pruett The Orange Leader LITTLE CYPRESS — Ben Jones was around last year as a junior to be a part of the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Battlin’ Bears march to a District 22-4A championship. As a senior this season, Jones has been around to be a part of the Bears fighting for their playoff lives late in the district season only to finish third behind Port Neches-Groves and Vidor. Through rules guided by the UIL, the Bears were awarded third place even before last Friday’s games against Vidor and are now headed to the bi-district round against the Huffman Falcons. “We were stressed up until we found out we had clinched,†Jones said. “When we heard the news, it was stress off our back. Vidor was still a game we should have won but it was still great for all our players to get into the playoffs.†The Bears and Falcons will meet at 7 p.m. in the Class 4A Region III bi-district round starting Friday at Spring ISD’s Dekaney High School. Game 2 and Game 3, if necessary, will be at Don Gibbens Field Saturday starting at 2 p.m. For about a two week period the Bears were on a three-game slide with double-digit losses to PN-G and Dayton while also losing to Beaumont Ozen. “The PN-G game definitely rattled us,†Jones said. “We lost 5-1 over there first and we went into the ball game thinking we had a shot of winning. They blew us away. “The losses definitely put us in a tough position. I think everyone on the team at that point just assumed we would get into the playoffs. It was as if we were going to show up and other teams would hand the games over to us. We found out the hard way that was not going to happen.†Jones said the Bears are now back on track after a pivotal win against Nederland. “We are very focused on this year’s playoffs,†Jones added. “This year we have to roll into the playoffs with our heads up and stay focused. Last year we lost Game 1 (against Bay City) and never came around. This year us seniors have to make sure everyone is ready to win.†Being a senior has definitely been one of the shining moments of Jones’ year with the team. “It’s really been great,†he said. “A lot of the younger players look up to you and watch how you act, practice and carry yourself. I’ve tried to have the best time that I could because I know I will not be around next season. “Last season I looked up to guys like Jake (Rowell) and (Kris) Hearn and now it is my turn. There has been a lot of us who have stepped up in different spots.†Jones has stepped at both on the mound at at the plate for the Bears in 2008. On the year, Jones is batting .351 with five homers and 21 RBI with three doubles, two triples and 25 runs. While pitching Jones carries a 2.80 ERA with a 6-2 record. He has struck out 42 batters and allowed just 13 hits in 25 innings of work.

Memorial/PN-G

Good point

Good luck!!

Be sure to check the sticky at the top for all the State Qualifying Tournments across the region and the State.

[Hidden Content]

Dickie called it!!

Video [Hidden Content]

A Huge Congrats!!!!!!!!!!

Hardin set it up. Yes the top 2 teams will go to State.

I agree!

Clemens Denies Affair! [Hidden Content]

Surely Boston will pull it out...

Stros lose game 1..

Thanks for the pics!

kogt Orange Crush 12U beat the Tarkington Ball Brats to win the NAFA Championship in Beaumont in a game that was completed at 3am Sunday morning. Top row--coaches John Worthy, John Collins & Dan Harris. Players-Asthon Ratcliff, Amy & Ashley McKellar, Kellyn Cormier, Katherine Burns, Morgan Babineaux, Emily Collins, Jade Pipper, Josie West, Morgan Worthy, Melinda Waterman, Lauren Perkins, Kallye Harris.

kogt The Orange Crush 10U won the GT Shockers Spring Classic at Ford Park beating the Texas Ball Brats 7-2 to finish undefeated. Front row - Taylor Odom, Kayla Manuel, Katelyn Dickerson, Marlaysia Davis, Emilee Adrio and Mikaela Stegall. Back row - Brooke Brister, Kasey Frederick, Ally Wray, Britnie Peck, Mallory Hand and Maddison Ohler. Coaches - Michael Shugart, Jody Hand, Craig Adrio and Butch Ohler.

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