A young squad of Rivercrest Lady Rebels was recognized by the coaches of District 17-2A with the recent release of the all-district team. Every player on the Lady Rebels’ roster received at least one honor, with the team taking home two superlative awards.

The UIL Class 3A girls’ state golf tournament at Austin’s Jimmy Clay Golf Course came down to the wire like the 2001 Masters. Three players at the heights of their games – one the defending state champion, one the defending state runner-up and one who was a member of the defending team champions.

It’s said that the hardest thing to do in sports is beat a team twice in a year. The Rivercrest Rebels went into game one of their regional quarterfinal matchup against district rival Maud on a winning streak against the Cardinals that stretched at least four games – two wins in district play this year and two in the playoffs last season.

The CHAAMP Hawks finished their 2022 campaign last week as they traveled to Grant, Oklahoma and defeated the Excel Christian Eagles in a pitchers duel, 2-1. The Hawks and the Eagles each gave up a run in the first inning, but from that point on the two pitchers settled in, Excel’s right-hander striking out 13 batters, and CHAAMP starter Drew Wigley fanning 12. The Hawks struck in the third inning, scoring the go ahead run that would eventually prove to be the winning score. After giving up a hit to the first batter he faced, Wigley pitched brilliantly, walking four batters and surrendering no hits in the remaining six innings he worked. David Harrison took the mound for the Hawks in the bottom of the 7th and final inning and put the Eagles away, giving the Hawks their 10th victory of the season.

Two area athletes traveled to this past weekend’s state track meet at the University of Texas-Austin, looking to bring home state titles in their respective events. Although both fell short of titles, they cemented themselves among the best athletes in the state.

The Mount Pleasant Tigers put up their best season since 2014 and were strongly rewarded with a stout showing on the District 15-5A All-District team this week. Head coach Tommy Stewart led the Tigers to an overall finish of 14-10-3 and a second-place district finish at 8-4. The Tigers took Nacogdoches to three games in the first round of the playoffs, narrowly missing out on their first playoff series win in 8 years. Mount Pleasant notched 11 district awards, a testament to the player’s hard work and team-first mentality that led to their success on the field.

Mount Pleasant running back Edward Wilder had plenty of games where he showcased what Athletic Director Ritchie Pinckard called the “it factor.” “Ed had a really special lean as a runner,” he said. “He knew how to get north and south and make you miss.