LamarStatesports

That's because the games at the Dallas tournament and this Saturday at Kilgore College are scrimmages, and therefore are very loose. We don't keep the results or stats. This is just an opportunity for the coaches to see their players in action against other teams, as opposed to seeing them play against themselves in practice. Stats, results and news for the Seahawks will commence with the first regular season game on November 3, when they travel to Shreveport to play Southern University-Shreveport. Information about outcomes, stats, etc. should be available on-line within a day or so after games at the college website: www.lamarpa.edu and on the National Junior College Athletic Association website: www.njcaa.org/schmain.cfm?sid=6&divid=0&slid=2&gender=m&menu=11&schmenu=1&cid=1758

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team will play a final tune-up scrimmage at Kilgore College this Saturday to prepare for their first regular season in a Division I conference, which begins Nov. 3. Lamar State faced three Grayson County College, Eastern Oklahoma State College and Clarendon College at the Oct. 11 Dallas Jamboree, a scrimmage tournament featuring 55 teams from across the nation. This week, the Seahawks will face a Kilgore team that last year went 15-15 overall and 7-15 in conference play to finish 10th in the 12-team Region XIV. Lamar State went 13-15 overall this past season and finished fourth in their final year in the Division III Metro Athletic Conference with a 6-6 record. Lamar State head coach Jerre Cole isn’t taking anything for granted as he prepares for Kilgore. “Although Kilgore is picked to finish 10th again, I’m certain first-year head coach Brian Hoberecht will field a talented team. This will be a very tough test for our group this close to beginning the season.†Cole’s team, which includes only three veterans, is learning very complex offensive and defensive systems never seen in Region XIV competition. On paper, Lamar State has more talent on the roster since the program began in 2004, when Lamar University’s first All-American, Don Bryson, came out of retirement to take the reins of the Seahawks for their first four seasons. Translating that talent to performance is the challenge facing the team now, Cole said. “I think our group has some serious questions to answer early in the season that will dictate how we end up,†Cole said. “We need to be more focused on the task at hand, and our competitive toughness must improve.†The Seahawks start this season with non-conference road games at Southern University-Shreveport (Nov. 3) and at Lone Star College-Kingwood (Nov. 6). Lamar State’s home opener is a non-conference rematch with Southern U-Shreveport on Nov. 11. The Seahawks begin Region XIV competition Nov. 22 at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team closed out their fall scrimmage schedule on the road Saturday with a doubleheader split against Angelina College at Ladyjack Field in Diboll. The fall softball season is a mixed bag of scrimmage games against all-star select teams and some intercollegiate competition. Lamar State’s fall schedule usually loses several games to bad weather, especially in 2005 because of Hurricane Rita and this year because of Hurricane Ike. The Seahawks lost two dates this year that would have included about eight contests, half of which would have been intercollegiate scrimmages. But head coach Vance Edwards isn’t complaining. The Seahawks posted their best-ever fall record with five wins and only one loss against college teams. “Overall, it was a good fall season,†Edwards said. “We know what we need to work on between now and the opening of the spring season.†Lamar State opened the Angelina series with a 2-1 victory. Sophomore shortstop Christina Jaques from Bridge City went 2-for-3 at the plate, including a home run that proved to be the winning run. Sophomore pitcher Alison Heidbreder from Houston and freshman Shandi Conner from Bridge City combined for the win. Heidbreder also went 2-for-3 and scored the Seahawks’ other run. Lamar State committed six errors in the first two innings of Game 2, leading to six runs by the Lady Roadrunners. “The team kept fighting, but couldn’t overcome the six runs we spotted them,†Edwards said. Freshman first baseman Chelsea Brown from Kirbyville had two hits in the at-bats, including a double. Jaques also had two hits, including a triple, and scored two runs. Lamar State begins spring play in February and starts XIV competition March 11 against the first-year softball program at Angelina College, where the Seahawks ended their fall campaign.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team will close out their fall scrimmage schedule on the road Saturday with a doubleheader against Angelina College at Ladyjack Field in Diboll. The Seahawks are 4-0 since they resumed their hurricane-interrupted fall schedule Oct. 4 at the Louisiana State University-Eunice fall tournament, where they topped Baton Rouge Community College, 8-3, and shutout the host LSU-E Lady Bengals, 2-0. This past Saturday, Lamar State swept a doubleheader with LSU-E, 4-3 and 6-2, at Ford Field in Beaumont. The Seahawks led most of the first game, but allowed the Lady Bengals to tie the in the seventh inning to force extra frames. In the eighth, Seahawks second baseman Jenna Angelle drove in the tying run and then scored the winning run on a hit by her sister, third baseman Lauren Angelle. The Seahawks were down by two runs early in the second game, but rallied in the third inning to score six runs. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards said he sees improvement each time his team takes the field. “Once again, we had excellent pitching, good offense and pretty good defense in both games,†Edwards said. “It was an excellent team effort all day. They never gave up. Five of the runs in the second game were scored with two outs.†Shandi Conner and Alison Heidbreder combined for the win in the opener. Shauna Kelly had another excellent outing in relief of starter Nikki Morace in the second game. Kelly had 14 strikeouts in her previous appearance and recorded another 10 strikeouts while allowing no runs. The Seahawks kick off the spring at the Feb13 Galveston College Invitational Tournament. They also will play in the Cowtown Classic Tournament in Fort Worth and several non-conference games before beginning Region XIV competition March 11 at Angelina College.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur’s Oct. 11 softball doubleheader with Louisiana State University-Eunice, originally scheduled for Martin Field on the Lamar State campus, has been moved to Ford Park in Beaumont because of umpire availability. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards said, “We really wanted to play our only home games this fall at our field, but we had problems finding available umpires. So, we had to move the date to Ford Park, where we can get umpires.†The Seahawks’ doubleheader with LSU-E will begin at noon.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team returns will make their only home appearance of the fall this Saturday, when they play a scrimmage doubleheader against Louisiana State University-Eunice beginning at noon on Martin Field. The Seahawks resumed their hurricane-interrupted fall schedule this past Saturday on the road at LSU-Eunice’s fall tournament with scrimmage game victories over Baton Rouge Community College and the host LSU-E Lady Bengals. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards was pleased with his team’s performance last weekend. “We had excellent pitching in both games,†Edwards said. “Alison Heidbreder and Shandi Conner combined for the win in the opener. Shauna Kelly pitched the entire second game and recorded 14 strikeouts.†Edwards also saw some of his team’s offensive potential. Down early against Baton Rouge, the Seahawks rallied with a double by Stormy Morris and a three-run homer by Jenna Angelle to win 8-3. Morris also had an RBI double to score the first run of a 2-0 shutout over LSU-E. “Lauren Angelle executed a perfect squeeze bunt to score Christina Jaques for the second run,†Edwards said. “I was very impressed. We are working hard and getting better every day.†Lamar State closes out its fall schedule Saturday, Oct. 18, with a scrimmage doubleheader at Angelina College in Carthage. The Seahawks kick off the spring Feb13 at the Galveston College Invitational Tournament. They also will play in the Cowtown Classic Tournament in Fort Worth and several non-conference games before beginning Region XIV competition March 11 at Angelina College in Lufkin.

Seahawks 2008-09 Roster: *10 Jemel Douriso 5'-10" freshman guard Port Neches-Groves,2004 11 Josh Washington 5'-8" freshman guard Istrouma (Baton Rouge, LA), 2008 12 David Redmon 5'-11" sophomore guard Beaumont Ozen, 2006 *13 Jason Williamson 6'-2" sophomore guard Vidor, 2007 14 D'Jameon Stearns 5'-11" freshman guard Houston Wheatley, 2008 15 Joseph Franklin 6'-4" freshman forward Houston Wheatley, 2008 *20 George Williamson 6'-5" sophomore guard/forward Vidor, 2005 21 Adam Sanchez 6'-1" freshman guard Bridge City, 2008 22 Dallas Bean 6'-3" freshman guard/forward Little Cypress-Mauriceville, 2008 23 Jacovin Buckner 6'-2" freshman guard Port Arthur Memorial, 2008 24 Jacoby Joseph 6'-6" freshman forward Beaumont Ozen 2008 25 Adrian Fontenot 6'-6" freshman forward Baytown Sterling, 2008 30 Tim Hamlin 6'-8" sophomore post King Phillip (Boston, MA), 2007 31 Lincoln Charlston 6'-7" freshman post Beaumont Central, 2008 32 Stephen Moten 6'-5" freshman forward/post Beaumont Ozen, 2008 (* Returning from 2007-08 team)

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team will get their first taste of intercollegiate competition Oct. 11, at the Dallas Jamboree, a scrimmage tournament played at several venues and featuring 55 junior college teams from across the nation. The Seahawks will play three scrimmage games at Cooper Junior High School in Wylie, beginning at 1:30 p.m. against Grayson County College, followed by Eastern Oklahoma State College at 3:30 p.m. and Clarendon College at 4:30 p.m. Lamar State head coach Jerre Cole said he and his team are excited about having the opportunity to play in what has become the most prestigious pre-season jamboree in junior college basketball. “It’s that time of the year when the guys get tired of playing each other and look forward to games with other teams. Despite having so much time off the court from the hurricane, everyone returned, and we have been working hard to implement our system and get back into shape. I am particularly excited to see our group compete as a team. It should be a great weekend.†The Seahawks went 13-15 overall this past season and finished fourth in their final year in the Division III Metro Athletic Conference with a 6-6 record. Lamar State begins Division I play this season in the Region XIV conference. Grayson County compiled a 13-16 overall record in 2008, finishing in the middle of Region V with a 6-8 conference record. Clarendon was 10-17 overall and 1-14 in conference play for last place in Region V. Eastern Oklahoma, a member of Region II, was 1-19 overall and 1-16 in conference play. Lamar State has two other scrimmage games scheduled this season – an Oct. 25 road date at Kilgore College and a Jan. 6 pre-season tune-up at Delgado Community College in New Orleans. The Seahawks begin the 2008-09 season with non-conference road games at Southern University-Shreveport (Nov. 3) and at Lone Star College-Kingwood (Nov. 6) before their home opener, a non-conference rematch with Southern U-Shreveport (Nov. 11). Lamar State begins Region XIV competition Nov. 22 at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team returns to competition this Saturday after Hurricane Ike caused them to miss a Sept. 20 tournament at Bossier Parish Community College in Bossier City, La., and the Sept. 27-28 Lone Star Classic Tournament in Beaumont. The Seahawks travel Saturday to Eunice, La., for scrimmage games with Baton Rouge Community College at 1 p.m. and Louisiana State University-Eunice at 3 p.m. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards said all 19 members of his team are back after the hurricane, including four players who live in Bridge City, which had severe flooding. “Everybody is here, but we missed a couple of weeks of practice and eight or nine scrimmage games because of the storm. It will be good to get back into action against other teams,†Edwards said. The Seahawks will be home at Martin Field on Saturday, Oct. 11, for a doubleheader with LSU-Eunice beginning at noon. Lamar State closes out its fall schedule Saturday, Oct. 18, with a doubleheader at Angelina College in Carthage.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women's softball team came to the aid of a team member today, when a group of players traveled to Winnie to help catcher Heather Pinder clean up her family's home, which was close to the landfall of Hurricane Ike. Head coach Vance Edwards said all of his players returned to school after the storm. "Although many of these ladies just met when fall semester began, they quickly are becoming a team," Edwards said. "Many of them had storm damage, including the four who live in Bridge City. But they all want to help each other."

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur Seahawks' fall softball scrimmage schedule was shortened by Hurricane Ike, which also damaged several Region XIV softball facilities The backstop at Martin Field, home of the Seahawks, was twisted and bent over by the wind. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards said the college Physical Plant director believes the damage can be repaired by Oct. 11, when the Seahawks are scheduled to play a home doubleheader against Louisiana State University-Eunice. The Seahawks did not compete in last weekend's Bossier Parish College Fall Tournament because of the storm's effects. Edwards said the Lone Star Classic Tournament, set for September 26-27 at the Beaumont Athletic Complex, has been canceled. The Seahawks' next scheduled date is October 4 at LSU-Eunice, where the Seahawks will face the host LSU-E Lady Bengals and Baton Rouge Community College. Lamar State Athletic Director Bill Worsham attended the September 22 fall meeting of Region XIV ADs and reported that Alvin College's softball facility was destroyed. The dormitory at Galveston College flooded and the softball field is covered with debris and a large storage tank that was floated there by the storm. Edwards has been in contact with some members of his team, when possible, by e-mail and cell phone since the storm. He will know more about the status of the team Thursday, when Lamar State College-PA resumes fall semester classes.

I was told that LSC-O had water in three buildings. The college announced today that it will resume classes on Monday, October 6. LU and Lamar State-Port Arthur open Thursday. LIT is opening next Monday, September 29.

I'm glad I have EastTX to keep me straight. I've been in kind of a fog since the last hurricane evacuation, and I appreciate it that someone checks and notifies me when I post mistakes. The college webmaster has not posted the corrected schedule. If we don't have to hit the road again this week, he might have time to take care of that little item. Coach Edwards told me he saw some high points and some areas that need work when the Seahawks played in the Galveston College Tournament.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team travels to Bossier City, La., on September 20, to play in the annual Bossier Parish Community College Fall Tournament. Lamar State, which opened its fall scrimmage campaign this past Saturday at Galveston College, will play four times in the BPCC event, beginning at 9 a.m. against Northeast Texas Community College. The Seahawks play the host Bossier Parish Lady Cavaliers at 10:30 a.m., followed by Ouachita Baptist University at 1 p.m. and the University of Arkansas – Monticello at 3 p.m. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards said he was pleased with his team after their trip to Galveston. “This team has tremendous talent, but we have a lot of new faces who haven’t played together before. So, they’re getting used to each other,†Edwards said. The Seahawks play in Beaumont at the Lone Star Classic Tournament in Beaumont on September 27-28. Lamar State’s only fall home date will be an October 11 doubleheader against Louisiana State University-Eunice.

The college webpage should be updated soon with the 2008 fall roster for the Seahawks. Here's is the current roster: 2008 Fall – Seahawks Softball Team Name Class Position High School, graduation year *Shauna Kelly sophomore pitcher, outfield Nederland, 2006 (Alvin CC) *Christina Jaques sophomore shortstop, catcher Bridge City, 2007 *Jerrica Stephenson sophomore outfield Vidor, 2007 *Alison Heidbreder sophomore pitcher, 3rd base Waltrip (Houston), 2007 *Jessica Tapp sophomore utility Anahuac, 2007 Amanda Barnes freshman utility, catcher La Porte, 2008 Hannah Godina freshman outfield Monsignor Kelly, 2008 Sami Jo Williams freshman 1st base Port Neches-Groves, 2008 Shandi Conner freshman pitcher Bridge City, 2008 Lauren Angelle freshman utility Bridge City HS, 2008 Jenna Angelle freshman 2nd base Bridge City HS, 2008 Ashlin Tahaney freshman 2nd base, DH Monsignor Kelly, 2008 Ashley Cocoran freshman infield Port Neches-Groves, 2008 Amber Holland freshman infield Warren, 2008 Stormy Morris freshman shortstop Warren, 2008 Heather Pinder freshman utility, catcer Hamshire-Fannett, 2008 Chelsea Brown freshman utility Kirbyville, 2008 Nikki Morace sophomore pitcher Livingston, 2007 (Blinn CC) Elissa Frost freshman outfield, pitcher Monsignor Kelly, 2008 (* returning from the 2008 team) Head Coach: Vance Edwards Athletic Trainer: Jamie Moore Athletic Director: Bill Worsham

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur women’s softball team will begin its short fall scrimmage schedule this Saturday at the Galveston College Fall Invitational Tournament, which includes junior college teams and all-star 18-and-under squads. Lamar State head coach Vance Edwards expects to play four games at the tournament. “We hope to get in 16-18 scrimmage games this fall to give our players a chance to tune up for the spring conference schedule,†Edwards said. “It also allows us to see where they fit on the roster. We have some great talent with a good mixture of sophomores and freshman. This is going to be an exciting team.†Five veterans are returning from the Seahawks’ 2007-08 squad – pitcher/third baseman Alison Heidbreder from Waltrip High School in Houston, pitcher Shauna Kelly from Nederland, outfielder Jerrica Stephenson from Vidor, utility player Jessica Tapp from Anahuac, and shortstop Christina Jaques from Bridge City, an All-Region IV first-team selection this spring. Edwards signed 12 scholarship freshmen this spring and has several walk-ons. The Seahawks’ only fall home date will be an October 11 doubleheader against Louisiana State University-Eunice.

I also just sent a revised schedule to our webmaster.

I'm posting a story about the Galveston College Tournament in another topic. I noticed a couple of discrepancies in your schedule, EastTX. The October 11 date is a doubleheader with LSU-Eunice. Blinn College will not be playing the Seahawks this fall. The October 18 date is at Angelina College. I hope we have good weather this fall and the team can get in all their games. In previous years, we sometimes saw a 12-15 game schedule in which only 6-7 games didn't get rained out. I'm looking for a "blue-sky" day on October 11. Martin Field is great venue for softball, with the ship channel behind the levee and a breeze blowing off Sabine Lake. It usually blows toward the outfield fences, which HAS NOT been an asset to the Seahawks in previous years. This year, Coach Edwards has some strong hitters and that breeze should become an advantage. I look forward to seeing you at Lamar State home games.

As of today, Porter had not signed with Lamar State. That could change tomorrow. It's coming down to the wire for him and many other unsigned players as the fall semester opening date approaches. RCS Sports' Jim Hicks reported Monday that Porter hadn't made a decision, even though school is about to start at Lamar State and at the junior college he was considering in Wyoming. We're working on a 2008-09 media guide, so I'll be talking to Coach Cole tomorrow about the fall roster. There also may be several walk-ons I don't know about who will show up when the class list is released next Monday, the first day of Fall Semester.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur head softball coach Vance Edwards hopes to find a catcher among the "walk-ons" in his softball team this fall. This spring, Edwards made an offer to a catcher who was a former teammate of Seahawks sophomore pitcher/3rd baseman Alison Heidbreder at Houston Waltrip High School. But that player decided to sign with Blinn College. Edwards has a couple of players who previously played the position, but no one who was primarily a catcher. Interested catchers can call Edwards at 984-6293 or go to the college website (www.lamarpa.edu), click on "Athletics" and fill out the on-line "Prospective Student/Athlete Form."

You also can get in the touch with the coach by filling out the on-line "Prospective Student/Athlete" form that you will find on the college website (www.lamarpa.edu). Just go the front page and click on "Athletics." You'll see a link for the form, which will allow you to tell the coach all about your high school career.

Believe me, I am more excited about this season than I have been about any of our previous seasons, and I was excited about all of them. Lamar State is making a giant leap from Division III (non-scholarship) to Division I (full scholarship). The Seahawks' new head coach, Jerre Cole, is matching that giant leap with one of his own, by signing more talent than have ever been on a Lamar State roster. From experience, we know the fall roster will go through additions and subtractions (mostly the latter) as players quit or become ineligible for the spring). So, whatever list of signees we post now, it most probably will change. I know of three returning players -- guards Jason Williamson and Jemel Douriso, and forward George Williamson. Here are the players who have officially signed with the college as of today (August 6): Adrian Fontenot, a 6'-6" freshman power forward from Baytown Sterling Joshua Washington, a 5'-8" freshman guard from Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge, La. Jacovin Buckner, a 6'-2" freshman small forward from Port Arthur Memorial Dallas Bean, a 6'-2" freshman off guard from Little Cypress-Mauriceville D’jameon Stearns, a 5'-11" freshman p/s guard from Houston Wheatley Joseph Franklin, a 6'-4" freshman small forward from Houston Wheatley Lincoln Charlton, a 6'-8" freshman power forward from Beaumont Central Stephen Moten, a 6'-4" freshman power forward from Beaumont Ozen Jacoby Joseph, a 6'-6" freshman small forward from Beaumont Ozen Cole also signed Chan-cious Rose, a 6'-0" sophomore p/s guard from Aldine who played at Ohlone College in California this past year. However, Rose may not be leaving Ohlone. If he doesn't come here, Cole probably will sign someone to take that scholarship. I know he will be signing a couple of players in the next few days. I'll keep you posted. I also know of several players who plan to "walk-on" in the fall, including Kevin Cooper, a 1st team all-district player from Little Cypress-Mauriceville; and Creshon McBride, a 1st team all-district and all-region player from Jasper. THEBRAIN also referred to Tim Hamlin, a 6-8 post from Boston, Massachusetts. He played in a reserve role this past year at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Illinois. There are some other things cooking, but nothing is set yet.

Christina played a couple of games behind the plate for Lamar State near the end of the season, but Coach Edwards would rather have her defensive skills in the field. He's still looking for a catcher, although there are a couple of recruits who have played the position before. Edwards most likely will have another open tryout day before the end of the summer. I'm on vacation today, but I'll check with him tomorrow to find out when the tryout will be.

Three All-District 22-4A student-athletes from Beaumont recently signed letters-of-intent to play basketball for Lamar State College-Port Arthur in 2008-09. Ozen High School teammates Jacoby Joseph, a 6-6 small forward, and Stephen Moten, a 6-4 power forward, earned first and second team all-district honors, respectively. Lincoln Charleston, a 6-8 power forward from Beaumont Central High School, was a second team all-district pick. Lamar State head coach Jerre Cole said these recruits will help the Seahawks as they move from the non-scholarship Division III Metro Athletic Conference to full-scholarship Division I competition in Region XIV, which is considered to be one of the toughest junior college conferences in the nation. “Lincoln brings us much needed size and strength. We are very lucky to get a skilled big man this late in the recruiting season. I see him making an immediate impact in our program†Cole said. “Stephen is a prototypical junior college power forward. He is undersized, but plays much bigger than 6-4. I really like players who are tough and physical, and that is exactly what Stephen is. “Jacoby also is a great get for the Seahawks! He is so versatile and has the ability to score all over the court. I felt like our program got a lot better when Jacoby signed with us.â€

Three All-District 22-4A student-athletes from Beaumont recently signed letters-of-intent to play basketball for Lamar State College-Port Arthur in 2008-09. Ozen High School teammates Jacoby Joseph, a 6-6 small forward, and Stephen Moten, a 6-4 power forward, earned first and second team all-district honors, respectively. Lincoln Charleston, a 6-8 power forward from Beaumont Central High School, was a second team all-district pick. Lamar State head coach Jerre Cole said these recruits will help the Seahawks as they move from the non-scholarship Division III Metro Athletic Conference to full-scholarship Division I competition in Region XIV, which is considered to be one of the toughest junior college conferences in the nation. “Lincoln brings us much needed size and strength. We are very lucky to get a skilled big man this late in the recruiting season. I see him making an immediate impact in our program†Cole said. “Stephen is a prototypical junior college power forward. He is undersized, but plays much bigger than 6-4. I really like players who are tough and physical, and that is exactly what Stephen is. “Jacoby also is a great get for the Seahawks! He is so versatile and has the ability to score all over the court. I felt like our program got a lot better when Jacoby signed with us.â€