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WB girls v Conroe JV 2-2 V 1-1

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Kincade-less Rangers fall to Titans By Dave Rogers Sterling coach Mark Patton picked Port Arthur Memorial to win the District 21-5A boys’ basketball title this season, so Tuesday night’s showdown with the Titans figured to be a shootout. That’s if Patton was able to suit out the team he expected to a couple of months ago. But that was impossible with the ranks of Sterling’s suspended and ineligible players increasing by a very big one – leading scorer Cartavious Kincade – and Port Arthur showed little mercy in a 74-37 whipping of the depleted Rangers. “We were just totally annihilated,†Patton said later. “It was the worst loss we’ve had this year. “Once he (Port Arthur coach Terrul Henderson) knew Cartavious wasn’t playing, he went box-and-1 on Andre Corley and wore him down.†Five Port Arthur players scored in double figures, led by Jekore Tyler with 14 points and Tevin Turner with 12. The Titans improved to 16-7 overall and 1-1 in District 21-5A. Keith Harrison came off the bench to lead Sterling with eight points. Corley finished with seven and freshman Bralen Evans added six, on a pair of 3-pointers. It was the fourth straight loss for Sterling, which dropped to 14-9 overall, 0-2 in district. The Rangers played without one starter and two key subs in last week’s loss to Lee. Kincade’s absence meant Patton was down four key players. None are expected back before next week and the Rangers face a tough game at North Shore Friday. “We hoped to keep this thing close,†Patton said, “but our kids didn’t have our usual firepower, and we had some cold shooting. We only hit 4 of 13 from the free throw line.†Port Arthur jumped out to a 20-6 lead in the first quarter with Tyler scoring 12 in the first eight-minute period, half of those points coming from 3-point land. It was 32-18 at halftime and Port Arthur upped its lead to 20 points midway through the third quarter. “We’re in a bad funk,†Patton said, “for the first time all year. In some other games, we shot ourselves in the foot. But tonight, we were overmatched. “I’m not going to make excuses, but we’ve got four guys out, possibly our four top athletes. It’s an absolute worst case scenario.†The Rangers expected this would be the year they would end a 20-season playoff drought and the 0-2 start to a 10-game district schedule does not bode well. “If we get through this stretch, we’ll try to make a run at it,†Sterling’s coach said. “We’ll respond. We always do.â€

Oh and this BS about having to pass a Taks test to participate in after school activities..Give me a freaking break!!

Final

Congrats!

School board deadlocked on transportation cuts Tommy Mann, Jr. The Orange Leader Sometimes one vote can make all of the difference. The Board of Trustees for the West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District concluded Tuesday's school board meeting with no change to a previous decision to cut a transportation program for students following extra-curricular activities. School board members reached a 3-to-3 stalemate following a vote on the motion to rescind the November decision and continue the transportation program through the end of the year. School board member Nancy Byers, who asked fellow school board members during December's meeting to place this topic on the January agenda, was absent from Tuesday night's meeting. Because the board reached a 3-to-3 stalemate, a majority decision was not reached and the motion failed. On Nov. 24, 2008, the West Orange-Cove CISD Board of Trustees voted 6 to 1 to cut the district's after hours transportation program for students participating in sports and other extra-curricular activities. This move took effect on Jan. 1 and would affect students in the school district which rely on this special transportation to get home following athletic practices, games, band contests and other UIL sanctioned events. According to information provided by First Student and Laidlaw Transportation, the district is expected to save more than $25,800. However, according to information provided by Dan Hooks, West Orange-Cove CISD athletic director, the financial savings would be approximately $9,300. The board members are considering many avenues to save money as the district is in the middle of a difficult financial situation as it is currently in a $1.5 million budget deficit. A standing room only crowd listened in anticipation as the board and members of the audience debated the situation openly. Rev. Raymond Young of Greater St. Paul Fellowship Christian Church was one of the many patrons who signed up to address the board members during the public comment portion of the meeting. "This program was created 30 plus years ago with the safety of children in mind," Young said. "But the board reached a decision in November which was based on a financial deficit and not the needs of the children." Young urged the board members to consider how such a decision would affect them and their children if they were in this situation. "This small financial cut won't just help the district," Young added. "But it will hurt students. We are afraid it won't stop here if not reversed tonight." Young reminded board members the community stood by it when seeking approval for the previous bond election which is what led to the current construction of a new elementary school. "We were there for you when you wanted a new school," Young said. "Now we want you to be there for us." Another concerned citizen and West Orange-Stark Mustang supporter, Skip Moore, also spoke to the school board. He said many parents are unable to transport their children to and from school since Hurricane Ike, and also suggested a true accounting of the number of students who are being affected by this decision should be reached. Moore also said the district could expect to see an increase in the number of student withdrawals and the drop out rate because of November's decision to cut extra-curricular transportation. "A lot of information has been tossed out there since the November meeting," said Pete Amy, school board president. "Some of it is correct, and some is not." Amy then proceeded to present the actual cost of transporting students home following extra-curricular activities from the 2007-2008 school year, which was $16,356. This amount is approximately $9,500 less than the original figure provided by First Student for this year, but approximately $7,000 more than the amount provided by the athletics department. "Is that figure astronomical enough to keep the district from taking our kids home," said Hooks, who was also in attendance. One district resident in attendance, Russ Holt, said he had already spoke via telephone with Dr. Collins and confirmed he would indeed withdraw his children out of the West Orange-Cove school district if the transportation issue remained as is. "We are operating at a $1.5 million deficit, and expect to operate at a $1.5 million to $2 million deficit next school year," Amy responded to the now vocal audience. "We have to start somewhere." This comment provoked a strong reaction from the audience, as well as Hooks. ""Why did you start with me?" Hooks added. "It's not right and it's not fair to do this to the kids. Cut people if you have to but don't do this to the kids. "All I want you to tell me is what is the real motive behind this," Hooks continued. "It can't be busing or the students. You know and I know you will have to cut people to save the amount of money you need." Hooks plead with board members to reconsider the decision they made in November and wait until the end of the year to consider such action, which would allow all concerned parties to have time to gather information to make an informed decision. "We need to make a concerted effort to balance our budget," Amy said. "And, no matter what happens, not everyone will be happy." Dr. Mary Fontenot Hardin made the motion, which was seconded by Ricky Jacobs, to rescind the November vote and re-institute the previous policy of busing students home following extra-curricular activities until the end of the current school year when the matter could again be addressed. Voting to rescind the decision were Amy, Jacobs and Hardin, while board members Harry Barclay, Vincent Bottley and Eric Mitchell voted against changing the previous decision. Although the motion failed for lack of a majority vote, the matter could reappear on a future school board agenda at the request of any board member.

Hooks was pissed and i don't blame him! What a joke!

Williams, Lady Bears spank Lumberton Van Wade The Orange Leader LITTLE CYPRESS — Using the hot hand of Ellen Williams and a tenacious defense, the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Lady Bears gained some more separation in the District 20-4A race. Williams cut loose for 21 points, hitting four three-pointers, as she led the Lady Bears to a convincing 44-32 victory. The win solidified the Lady Bears (13-10, 5-3) in the third-place position in the 20-4A playoff race. LC-M was tied with Livingston for third entering the night. Meanwhile, Lumberton dropped to 3-5 in district. The top four teams in Class 4A this year move on to the playoffs. The Lady Raiders led 18-15 early in the second quarter but Williams canned two consecutive three-point bombs and the Lady Bears closed the half with a 10-0 spurt to lead 25-18 at the break. LC-M received a stout defensive effort from the whole team, sparked by defensive dynamo Amber Soileau. Soileau finished with 10 points and had five steal. Post Shelby Apperson came off the bench to pitch in four points to go along with a game-high 12 rebounds. Hailey Christian helped keep Lumberton at bay in the second half with five big points. Katie Harrell played fierce defense and also pulled down seven rebounds. Alyssa Valastro paced the Lady Raiders with 14 points and also had six rebounds. Kindell Johnston contributed 10 points and seven boards. Danielle Stewart had five points and nine rebounds while Rachel Kemp grabbed five boards. The Lady Bears led just 34-28 entering the final period. However, Williams converted a floater on the baseline and then converted a steal into a layup. Soileau eventually buried two free throws to give the Lady Bears a comfortable 42-30 cushion with 1:58 remaining. The Lady Bears forced the Lady Raiders into eight of their 14 turnovers in the final eight minutes. The lady Bears committed 17 turnovers of their own. LC-M finished with a 32-30 rebounding edge. The Lady Bears went 6-of-13 from the free-throw line while the Lady Raiders were just 10-of-23. The only rough patch the Lady Bears had came when standout post Tayler Thompson, who has had a superb campaign, went down with what looked to be a serious knee injury going in for a layup. She was sent to the hospital for X-rays. The Lady Bears return to action Friday when they venture to Beaumont to take on second-place Beaumont Ozen.

Hardin-Jefferson takes down Lady Bobcats Gabe Pruett The Orange Leader ORANGEFIELD — There are a few facts in the game of basketball. Fact No. 1 is free throw shooting is important, very important. Orangefield went 5-for-14 from the free throw line Tuesday night while Hardin-Jefferson was 14-for-19 at the charity stripe. The shooting was a key factor in the Lady Hawks’ 55-38 victory over the Lady Bobcats. Fact No. 2 would be turnovers can be important, very important. Orangefield (18-5, 3-1) finished with 23 uncharacteristic turnovers while Hardin-Jefferson (17-6, 4-0) had 17. The Lady Bobcats also suffered from a sluggish offense after the first half as the Lady Hawks limited Orangefield to 12 points in the second half. Olivia Wagner, who had 18 points in the game, had 10 points alone in the first period. Victoria Fontonot had the most impressive game of the night with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Allie Beach finished with 13 points and seven boards while Jessica Weldon added five boards and five assists. The wide-margin of victory was different in the first period when Orangefield had opened up a 14-5 lead. Hardin-Jefferson then struck for eight straight points to climb to within 14-13. After Orangefield’s Ashton Wagner, who had five points and four rebounds, hit a shot, Hardin-Jefferson’s Taylor Sutherland drained a three-pointer before the end of the period as the teams were tied at 16 heading into the second. Hardin-Jefferson took the lead for good in the second after four straight points from Fontonot and the Lady Hawks led 21-19. Sutherland, who had 12 points, then hit the period’s last five points as Hardin-Jefferson led 31-26 at half-time. The Lady Hawks outscored the Lady Bobcats 13-5 in the third as Fontonot scored eight in the period and Hardin-Jefferson led 44-31 going into the fourth. Olivia Wagner, who was held scoreless in the third, scored five in the fourth yet it was not enough as Hardin-Jefferson outscored Orangefield 11-7 in the game’s final eight minutes. Hardin-Jefferson was 6-for-10 in the fourth period from the free throw line. Orangefield travels to Silsbee for another important District 21-3A contest.

54-50 Center

Jasper 72 Diboll 67 Final

A Whopping 16,000

LCM-44 Lumberton-32

Livingston 49 Central 43

BH 53 Crosby 43

EC 62 Buna 29

Admin is in Heaven with this Channel.. 8)

@ Lumberton 46, LC-M 45 LCM (10-13, 2-4) LUM (6-20, 1-5) PICK: LC-M (-5)

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Very confusing.... so do we keep the buses running or not? No! You surpised?