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The Lamar State College-Port Arthur softball team returns to conference action Wednesday, when the Galveston College Whitecaps visit Martin Field for a 1 p.m. doubleheader. The Seahawks are 7-29 overall and 5-15 in Region XIV action after losing both games of a Monday non-conference doubleheader with LSU-Eunice, which was ranked No. 6 in the most recent NJCAA Division II poll. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards said his team is looking forward to getting back into conference action after playing a very tough LSU-Eunice team. “We let a win slip away against the Lady Bengals in the first game, and they showed why they are nationally-ranked in the second game,†Edwards said. Two Seahawks from Bridge City are ranked in the Top 50 players in the nation in hitting. Sophomore shortstop Christina Jaques is hitting .504 to rank No. 17, while freshman third baseman Lauren Angelle (.468) is No. 40. Lamar State has 12 conference games left in the regular season. The top six teams in the 12-team conference will qualify for the post-season tournament, which begins April 30 at Navarro College in Corsicana. The Seahawks currently are in 10th place, seven games behind Navarro, the sixth team in the current standings. Galveston (22-18, 15-9), last year’s Region XIV champion, is fourth.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur head basketball coach Jerre Cole announced today that he has accepted the head coaching position at Highland Community College in Highland, Kansas, where he led his team in scoring as a sophomore. “I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to be the head coach at the school where I began my college career. I also will be nearer to my family and my wife’s family,†Cole said. “I truly enjoyed my employment at Lamar State and I appreciate the opportunity to help build the program here.†Cole grew up in Kansas and was a high school All-State first-team selection of the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. After graduating from Highland CC, Cole transferred to Missouri Valley College, where he earned All-Conference and All-District honors. Cole began his coaching career in 1993 with a two-year stint as varsity assistant and head freshman team coach at Missouri Valley College. He then was graduate assistant coach for one year at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. Cole also made coaching stops at Porterville College, Peru State College and Arizona Western College. Prior to joining Lamar State, Cole was an assistant coach for two years at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas. Cole replaced Don Bryson, Lamar University’s first All-American, who came out of retirement to start up Lamar State’s basketball program in 2004. Cole’s 2008-09 Lamar State team compiled a 9-19 overall record and went 2-17 in the Seahawk’s first season in the Division I Region XIV conference.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur head basketball coach Jerre Cole announced today that he has accepted the head coaching position at Highland Community College in Highland, Kansas, where he led his team in scoring as a sophomore. “I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to be the head coach at the school where I began my college career. I also will be nearer to my family and my wife’s family,†Cole said. “I truly enjoyed my employment at Lamar State and I appreciate the opportunity to help build the program here.†Cole grew up in Kansas and was a high school All-State first-team selection of the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. After graduating from Highland CC, Cole transferred to Missouri Valley College, where he earned All-Conference and All-District honors. Cole began his coaching career in 1993 with a two-year stint as varsity assistant and head freshman team coach at Missouri Valley College. He then was graduate assistant coach for one year at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. Cole also made coaching stops at Porterville College, Peru State College and Arizona Western College. Prior to joining Lamar State, Cole was an assistant coach for two years at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas. Cole replaced Don Bryson, Lamar University’s first All-American, who came out of retirement to start up Lamar State’s basketball program in 2004. Cole’s 2008-09 Lamar State team compiled a 9-19 overall record and went 2-17 in the Seahawk’s first season in the Division I Region XIV conference.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur softball team returns home to Martin Field on Monday for a 2 p.m. non-conference doubleheader against Louisiana State University-Eunice. The Seahawks are 7-25 overall and 5-15 in Region XIV action after losing both games of a conference doubleheader Thursday in Brenham at Blinn College (39-8, 15-5), the No. 9 team in the nation in latest Division I junior college poll. LSU-Eunice (23-12 overall) is ranked No. 6 in the NJCAA’s Division II poll. The Lady Bengals are 2-2 in Louisiana-Mississippi Conference games.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur softball team will travel Thursday to Brenham for a Region XIV doubleheader with Blinn College. The Seahawks are 7-23 overall and 5-13 in conference after losing both games of a Monday non-conference doubleheader in Tyler against the University of Texas-Tyler junior varsity. Blinn (37-8, 13-5) was ranked No. 9 in the nation in this week's NJCAA poll. In their last four outings, the Lady Buccaneers lost twice to San Jacinto and then swept a doubleheader against Angelina College.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur softball team will be on the road Saturday for a Region XIV doubleheader at Bossier Parish Community College in Bossier City, La. The Seahawks are 6-22 overall and 4-12 in conference after splitting a Wednesday home doubleheader with Angelina College. Lamar State topped the Lady Roadrunners, 9-3, in the first game. But the Seahawks spotted Angelina eight runs in the first inning of the nightcap and, although their bats were very active, lost 14-12. Bossier Parish (18-14, 5-7) split a Region XIV doubleheader Wednesday at Navarro College. Lamar State will be back in action Monday in Tyler for a non-conference doubleheader against the junior varsity team from the University of Texas-Tyler.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur sophomore forward George Williamson will continue his collegiate basketball career at Missouri Valley College, a private four-year liberal arts school in Marshall, MO. The two-year starter at Lamar State signed a scholarship agreement Monday with the Vikings, who play in the NAIA Division I Heart of America Athletic Conference. The 6’-5†Williamson had an illustrious high school career that included first team all-district honors. He was the runner-up for the 2005 James Gamble “Mr. Outside†Award. After graduating from high school, Williamson stayed out of school for two years before enrolling at Lamar State in 2007, when his younger brother, Jason, signed with the Seahawks. The decision proved to be a good move for Williamson as he led Lamar State in scoring as a freshman, earning third team All-Metro Conference honors and setting team records for season scoring (404 points), single game scoring (34 points), per-game scoring average (14.9 ppg) and free-throw percentage (85 percent). In his sophomore season, Williamson tailored his game to fit the talents of his teammates. He finished the year as the Seahawks’ second-leading scorer with 313 points to rank as Lamar State’s all-time scoring leader with 732 total points. Williamson also set career records for per-game scoring average (13.1 ppg in 56 games) and double-figure scoring games (42). Lamar State head coach Jerre Cole said Missouri Valley is getting an excellent ballplayer. “It was a pleasure to work with a young man like George. My only regret is I only had the chance to work with him for one year,†Cole said. “I know the Missouri Valley staff is very excited about George’s decision to go there. They need a big guard to come in and produce right away, and that lends itself to George’s strengths. I am proud of what he has accomplished, and I look forward to following his progress the next two years.â€

Lamar State College-Port Arthur sophomore forward George Williamson will continue his collegiate basketball career at Missouri Valley College, a private four-year liberal arts school in Marshall, MO. The two-year starter at Lamar State signed a scholarship agreement Monday with the Vikings, who play in the NAIA Division I Heart of America Athletic Conference. The 6’-5†Williamson had an illustrious high school career that included first team all-district honors. He was the runner-up for the 2005 James Gamble “Mr. Outside†Award. After graduating from high school, Williamson stayed out of school for two years before enrolling at Lamar State in 2007, when his younger brother, Jason, signed with the Seahawks. The decision proved to be a good move for Williamson as he led Lamar State in scoring as a freshman, earning third team All-Metro Conference honors and setting team records for season scoring (404 points), single game scoring (34 points), per-game scoring average (14.9 ppg) and free-throw percentage (85 percent). As a sophomore, Williamson tailored his game to fit the talents of his teammates. He finished the year as the Seahawks’ second-leading scorer with 313 points to rank as Lamar State’s all-time scoring leader with 732 total points. Williamson also set career records for per-game scoring average (13.1 ppg in 56 games) and double-figure scoring games (42). Lamar State head coach Jerre Cole said Missouri Valley is getting an excellent ballplayer. “It was a pleasure to work with a young man like George. My only regret is I only had the chance to work with him for one year,†Cole said. “I know the Missouri Valley staff is very excited about George’s decision to go there. They need a big guard to come in and produce right away, and that lends itself to George’s strengths. I am proud of what he has accomplished, and I look forward to following his progress the next two years.â€

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur softball team returns to Martin Field this Wednesday for a 2 p.m. Region XIV doubleheader with Angelina College. The Seahawks slipped to 5-21 overall and 3-11 in Region XIV action after losing both games of a Sunday conference doubleheader at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville. Lamar State spotted the Lady Bearcats six runs in the first inning of the opener and never got back in the game, which was ended by the eight-run rule after six innings. The Seahawks held Lon Morris down in the second game, but once again couldn’t get a timely hit as they dropped their 10th one- or two-run margin game of the season. Angelina (2-15, 2-10) lost four games this past weekend – two on Saturday to Lon Morris and two on Sunday to Navarro College.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team came away from Saturday’s conference doubleheader with a split against Navarro College. Lamar State dropped the opener, 11-4, after leaving eight runners on base during the game including leaving the bases loaded in the fifth inning. The Seahawks came back strong in the nightcap, shutting out the Bulldogs, 8-0, in five innings. Freshman third baseman Lauren Angelle got the game-winning hit with a single to short center field to score Ashlin Tahaney and close out the game. Lamar State (5-19, 3-9) will be on the road Sunday for a Region XIV doubleheader at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville. Lon Morris (8-14, 0-4) has lost four straight conference games to Navarro and Alvin Community College. The Lady Bearcats played at Angelina today. Results from that doubleheader were not available.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur softball team will play two conference doubleheaders this weekend – at home Saturday against Navarro College and on the road Sunday versus Lon Morris College in Jacksonville. The Seahawks, 4-18 overall and 2-8 in Region XIV action, were rained out Wednesday, when they were set for a Region XIV doubleheader at Blinn College in Brenham. Those games were reset for April 9. The Navarro doubleheader begins at 2 p.m. Saturday on Martin Field, 1000 Lakeshore Drive on the LSC-PA campus. Navarro (16-17, 3-3) is coming off two home conference losses to San Jacinto College this past Sunday. Bad weather on Wednesday also scrubbed the Bulldogs’ Wednesday home doubleheader against Texarkana College. Lon Morris (8-14, 0-4) has lost four straight conference games to Navarro and Alvin Community College. The Lady Bearcats also were rained out Wednesday.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur softball team will be on the road Wednesday for a doubleheader in Brenham against Blinn College, the No. 4-ranked Division I junior college team in the nation. The Seahawks are 4-18 overall and 2-8 in Region XIV play after splitting weekend conference doubleheaders with Angelina College and Texarkana College, and losing both games of a Sunday home conference doubleheader with Paris Junior College. Despite having seven players hitting over .300, three of whom are over .500, Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards still is looking for timely hitting, a factor missing in many of the Seahawks’ games this year. “Texarkana and Paris are two of the top teams in the conference, and we stood in there with them. But we left too many runners on base,†Edwards said. “Against Paris, we left the bases loaded in back-to-back innings. We must improve that part of our game.†Lamar State’s offense currently is led by two players from Bridge City – sophomore shortstop Christina Jaques, who is hitting .560 to rank No. 14 in the nation, and freshman third baseman Lauren Angelle (.500), who is ranked No. 40. Jaques is 34th in the nation in stolen bases with 16 swipes in 16 attempts. Blinn (28-5, 4-2) finished second in Region XIV in 2008. The Lady Buccaneers started this season with 11 wins in their first 13 games and put together a 15-game winning streak leading up to the start of conference play.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur softball team travels Friday to Lufkin for a conference doubleheader with Angelina College. The games originally were set for March 11, but were rained out. The Seahawks are 2-14 overall and 0-4 in Region XIV play after losing 6-4 and 4-3 Wednesday in two extra-inning conference games at Alvin Community College. Angelina (0-5) hasn’t played since Feb. 28, when the Roadrunners lost 7-3 to Carl Albert State College. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards said his team is playing good, but needs to improve its hitting. “Losing by one or two runs is frustrating. We’re lost seven games by those margins this season because we didn’t get a hit at a critical time,†Edwards said. Edwards expects a better performance Friday at Angelina as the Seahawks prepare for to play four conference games at home this weekend. Lamar State faces Texarkana College on Saturday and Paris Junior College on Sunday. The first game begins at 1 p.m. both days at Martin Field, 1000 Lakeshore Drive on the Lamar State campus. Texarkana (17-15, 0-2) opened conference play March 10 with two losses to Paris. Paris (19-6, 4-0) is coming off a conference doubleheader sweep over Bossier Parish Community College.

Rainy weather this past weekend wiped out two attempts to stage a conference doubleheader in Port Arthur between Lamar State College-Port Arthur and Texarkana College. The games, originally scheduled for Saturday, were moved to Monday. But heavy rain on Sunday scrubbed that plan. The teams now will meet this Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. at Martin Field, 1000 Lakeshore Drive on the LSC-PA campus. In the interim, Lamar State will go on the road Wednesday for a doubleheader at Region XIV rival Alvin Community College. The Seahawks travel to Lufkin on Friday to play a conference doubleheader with Angelina College that was rained out March 11. Alvin (19-8, 0-2) has won its last eight games, but has been off since March 10 because of rainouts. The Dophins opened Region XIV play March 3 with two losses to Blinn College.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team planned to return from their Spring Break road trip for a Saturday home conference doubleheader against Texarkana College. But bad weather in the Golden Triangle forced the rescheduling of the games to 1 and 3 p.m.. Monday at Martin Field, 1000 Lakeshore Drive on the Lamar State campus. The Seahawks opened their Spring Break road trip Tuesday with two losses at Louisiana State University-Eunice to move to 2-12 on the season. Lamar State’s Wednesday conference doubleheader at Angelina College was rained out and is reset for March 20. Texarkana (17-15 overall) opened its conference play at home Tuesday with two losses to Paris Junior College.

As the Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team begins their 2009 season, head coach Vance Edwards already is thinking about recruiting for the 2010 season. “We certainly are focused on this year, but all college coaches have to look ahead to fill positions currently held by sophomores,†Edwards said. “We have several pressing needs to address for next year.†High on Edwards’ list of priorities is finding pitchers and at least one back-up catcher. The current Seahawk mound staff consists of three sophomore pitchers and one freshman catcher. Edwards also will lose two sophomore outfielders at the end of the 2009 season, so he will have several scholarships available for next year’s freshmen. “Between our scheduled games, assistant coach Erin Lovelady and I will be out watching as many high school athletes as we can,†Edwards said. “We’re looking for fast, athletic players who have a strong desire to compete at the college level.†High school softball players interesting in being a part of next year’s Lamar State team should go to the college website (www.lamarpa.edu) to fill out and submit the on-line Prospective Student/Athlete Form, which can be found on the Athletics home page. Lamar State College-Port Arthur competes in Region XIV, a Division I conference that includes two-year schools from Texas and Louisiana.

While most students are on Spring Break this week, the Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team will be on the road for a Tuesday non-conference doubleheader with Louisiana State University-Eunice and a Thursday conference doubleheader with Angelina College in Diboll. Lamar State is 2-10 on the season and 0-2 in Region XIV after losing both games of a conference doubleheader at San Jacinto College. The 4-0 and 3-2 (eight innings) wins moved the Coyotes’ season record to 19-8 overall and 2-0 in conference play. San Jacinto, 19-8 overall was picked No. 25 in the NJCAA pre-season poll on the strength of their 2008 finish, when they emerged from the middle of the Region XIV standings to win the conference tournament and reach the 2008 Final Four, where they lost to Santa Fe Community College, the eventual national champion. LSU-Eunice (14-11) is coming off a doubleheader sweep against Galveston College. The Bengals topped Lamar State twice, 12-10 and 5-3, in their most recent meeting, Feb. 23 in Port Arthur. Angelina (0-7) is a first-year program with a roster that includes pitcher Anna Peveto from Vidor. The Lady Roadrunners last played March 2 in the Temple College Tournament, where they lost 6-2 to Eastern Oklahoma State College and 10-2 to Temple. Lamar State will be home Saturday for an 11 a.m. conference doubleheader with Texarkana College.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team travels to Pasadena this Saturday to face San Jacinto College in the first conference doubleheader of the 2009 season. Lamar State is 2-8 on the season after splitting Friday’s home doubleheader against Coastal Bend College. The Seahawks dominated the Cougars in the opener, scoring seven runs in the first inning and going on to post a 17-1 win ended by the eight-run mercy rule after the fifth inning. Lamar State started the second game on top, scoring four runs in the first inning. But the Seahawks allowed Coastal Bend to come back to tie the game in the fifth inning. The Cougars added an insurance run in the sixth to win, 5-4. Lamar State sophomore pitcher Shauna Kelly went the distance in the first game to get her first win of the season. Sophomore pitcher Alison Heidbreder pitched the second game for the Seahawks. San Jacinto, 17-8 overall, is coming off a doubleheader split with McClennan Community College. The Coyotes were picked No. 25 in the NJCAA pre-season poll on the strength of their 2008 finish, when they emerged from the middle of the Region XIV standings to win the conference tournament and reach the 2008 Final Four, where they lost to Santa Fe Community College, the eventual national champion.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team will play a 1 p.m. non-conference home doubleheader Friday against Coastal Bend College in preparation for the opening of Region XIV action Saturday at San Jacinto College in Pasadena. Lamar State is 1-7 so far this year, even though the team has an overall .350 batting average, led by shortstop Christina Jaques from Bridge City, who is hitting .655 to rank No. 5 in the nation. Five other Seahawks are hitting over .300 – utility player Lauren Angelle from Bridge City (.414), first baseman Chelsea Brown from Kirbyville and pitcher Alison Heidbreder from Houston (.409), catcher Heather Pinder from Hamshire-Fannett (.353) and first baseman Sami Jo Williams from Port Neches-Groves (.346). Coastal Bend is a first-year program with players from campuses in Alice, Beeville, Kingsville and Pleasanton. The Cougars, who are not affiliated with a conference, are 0-10 this year while playing an abbreviated schedule of road dates. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards said Friday’s games are important to his team’s season. “We need to get into a winning state of mind now because we open conference play Saturday against one of the best teams in Region XIV,†Edwards said. San Jacinto College was picked No. 25 in the NJCAA pre-season poll on the strength of the Coyotes’ 2008 finish, when they emerged from the middle of the Region XIV standings to win the conference tournament and reach the 2008 Final Four, where they lost to Santa Fe Community College, the eventual national champion.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team will be a player short when they take the field Friday for a home doubleheader against Coastal Bend College. Starting right fielder Jenna Angelle from Bridge City will be on the bench for the rest of the season after having surgery Tuesday to repair a broken bone in her throwing hand. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards said Angelle jammed her finger while sliding into second base in a Feb. 23 home game against Louisiana State University-Eunice. “Jenna will be out for at least six to eight weeks. It’s a big loss for us, but luckily we have lots of talent on this team who can take up the slack,†Edwards said. “Jenna only played in only eight games, so we will red-shirt her for the season, and she won’t lose a year of eligibility.†Before her injury, Angelle was hitting .273 with seven hits, including a home run and a pair of doubles. She led the team in walks and had five RBIs.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team needed a win Wednesday night at Panola College to keep their hopes alive for a berth in the Region XIV post-season tournament. Lamar State came up short of the goal by allowing Panola to take a 22-point lead early in the first half. The Seahawks came back later in the game, tying Panola twice in the closing minutes, but still lost 72-67. Sophomore guard Jason Williamson led Lamar State with 20 points, while his brother, sophomore forward George Williamson, had 17. Freshman forward Adrian Fontenot added 16 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds. Lamar State closes its first season in the Division I conference Saturday at Lee College in Baytown. The Seahawks go into the 4 p.m. tipoff with a 9-18 overall and 2-16 conference record. Lee (12-17, 4-14) took a 45-point pounding Wednesday at Jacksonville College, losing 100-55. The loss was the 10th straight for the Runnin’ Rebels, who last won Jan. 21 over Bossier Parish, 98-93 in overtime. Lee won the first meeting this season with Lamar State, 70-64, in Port Arthur. Twelve of the 14 Region XIV team qualify for the conference tournament. The two first-year teams – Lamar State and Bossier Parish Community College (also 2-16) – will be at home when the tournament begins March 6. The tournament winner advances to the NJCAA National Championship Tournament.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur freshman forward Adrian Fontenot has been named the Region XIV Player of the Week for Feb. 16-22, marking the second time he won that honor this season. The 2008 graduate of Sterling High School in Baytown is Lamar State’s leading scorer and rebounder this season with 17.2 points and 8.79 rebounds per game. He also won the Region XIV honor for the week of Jan. 12-17 This past week, Fontenot had 29 points and nine rebounds in a loss at Blinn College, followed by a 31-point, 14-rebound performance Saturday in Lamar State’s home upset win over Jacksonville College, which was ranked No. 22 in the nation going into the game. Fontenot’s 31 points matched his season high and broke the Lamar State regular season scoring record of 404 points set this past year by George Williamson. Fontenot currently ranks No. 6 in the conference in scoring and No. 4 in rebounding with two games left in the regular season.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur freshman forward Adrian Fontenot has been named the Region XIV Player of the Week for Feb. 16-22, marking the second time he won that honor this season. The 2008 graduate of Sterling High School in Baytown is Lamar State’s leading scorer and rebounder this season with 17.2 points and 8.79 rebounds per game. He also won the Region XIV honor for the week of Jan. 12-17 This past week, Fontenot had 29 points and nine rebounds in a loss at Blinn College, followed by a 31-point, 14-rebound performance Saturday in Lamar State’s home upset win over Jacksonville College, which was ranked No. 22 in the nation going into the game. Fontenot’s 31 points matched his season high and broke the Lamar State regular season scoring record of 404 points set this past year by George Williamson. Fontenot currently ranks No. 6 in the conference in scoring and No. 4 in rebounding with two games left in the regular season.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team closes out their 2008-09 season this week on the road – Wednesday at Panola College in Carthage and Saturday at Lee College in Baytown. The Seahawks got their first-ever win over a nationally-ranked opponent Saturday, when they defeated No. 22 Jacksonville, 79-78, at the Carl Parker Center in Port Arthur. Freshman forward Adrian Fontenot collected a team-high 14 rebounds and matched his season-best 31 points to lead the Seahawks and break the Lamar State regular season scoring record of 404 points set by George Williamson this past season. Williamson, now a sophomore, hit for 15 points in the final home game of his two-year career as a Seahawk. The win moves Lamar State to 9-17 overall and 2-15 in Region XIV action. Panola (15-12, 5-12) is coming off back-to-back losses, the most recent Saturday to Paris Junior College, 65-62.

1st game: LSU-E 12, Lamar State 10 2nd game: LSU-E 5, Lamar State 3 I'm waiting for stats. LSU-E was ahead 11-4 in the first game and the Seahawks came back in the sixth inning to make it 12-10. In the final inning, the Seahawks got two runners on base with two outs, but couldn't get the hit they needed.