County Athletes of the Week for March 21-27
Kevinski Pitts have been named the Co-Athletes of the Week in
Shelby County for events held on March 21-27. (Submitted Photo)
Center senior powerlifter Jeremy Small has been named Shelby County Co-Athlete of the Week for events taking place March 21-27 when he advanced to the State Powerlifting Meet for the second straight year.
Small finished fourth in the 165-pound class in 2010 after posting a 4th-place showing at State a year ago. Small lifted 515 pounds in the squat competition, then bench pressed 280 pounds and dead lifted 535 pounds.
He suffered some technical problems in the meet, but still posted a total weight of 1,330 pounds, earning the medal of being one of the state's best in Class 3A.
Center junior powerlifter Kevinski Pitts qualified for his first trip to the State Powerlifting Meet and placed seventh in the 198-pound class of Class 3A. For his efforts throughout the season and at State, he was been named the Shelby County Co-Athlete of the Week.
Pitts lifted 545 pounds in the squat competition, 290 pounds in the bench press and then dead lifted a season-best 560 pounds to tally 1,395 pounds. His bench press total was just five pounds under his season's best, while the deadlift total was 15 pounds better than his previous best.
Individual School/Organization Honors
Zach Mason - Joaquin Male Athlete of the Week
Joaquin third baseman Zach Mason had a outstanding effort against Cushing on March 26 and has been named the Joaquin Ram Male Athlete of the Week for his effort during contests between March 21-27. Against the Bearkats in a key District 22-1A contest, Mason went 2-for-5 at the plate, with a triple, a double and two stolen bases. He also scored three runs and drove in four more as the Rams posted an impressive 18-9 win. It completed a 2-0 week for JHS as the Rams also defeated Gary, 5-2, earlier in the week.
Whitney Vaughn - Joaquin Female Athlete of the Week
Joaquin Lady Ram Whitney Vaughn picked up two wins in the circle during contests played between March 21-27 and has been named the Lady Ram Athlete of the Week for her efforts on the diamond. Vaughn was the winning hurler against Gary in an 11-7 win over Overton. In that contest she struck out five batters, walked one and hit one. She was also the winning pitcher against Waskom on March 26, while posting a 3-for-5 effort at the plate. It took 10 innings, but Joaquin picked up a 6-2 victory in that contest.
Tyler Adams - Shelbyville Male Athlete of the Week
Tyler Adams smashed a home run on March 23 to cap an outstanding week as he was named the Shelbyville Male Athlete of the Week for contests played on March 21-27. Adams led the Dragons to a 20-0 blanking of San Augustine by delivering a 2-for-3 effort at the plate with three runs batted in. In Shelbyville's 11-10 win over Newton on March 26 he posted a 3-for-4 performance with a double, two runs scored and a run batted in. He also pitched in the contest as the Dragons improved to 2-0 in district.
Keni Griffin - Shelbyville Female Athlete of the Week
Shelbyville Lady Dragon Keni Griffin delivered a solid performance in the circle in the team's only contest during March 21-27 and has been named the Shelbyville Female Athlete of the Week for her effort during the squad's 21-3 triumph over Newton on March 26. Griffin allowed three runs against the Lady Eagles, but none of them were earned. She also went 1-for-2 at the dish, with a pair of runs batted in and two walks. The victory evened Shelbyville's District 22-2A record at 1-1.
Porter Gipson - Tenaha Male Athlete of the Week
Tenaha senior Porter Gipson had a big week as he signed a letter-of-intent to play football for Lon Morris College in Jacksonville. For that he has been named the Tiger Male Athlete of the Week. Gipson was a unanimous First Team All-District 19-1A selection as an outside linebacker. He finished with 108 tackles and one interception. He was also an all-district second team selection as a wide receiver after catching 24 passes for 274 yards and three TDs. He also averaged 11.4-yards per catch.
Tia Thomas - Tenaha Female Athlete of the Week
Tenaha's Tia Thomas placed in five events recently as the school's track & field squads participated in the Bearcat Relays in Beckville. She participated in a pair of field events, posting the fifth-best distance in the long jump and coming in sixth in the triple jump. She was also part of three Lady Tiger relays, finishing third as part of the 400-meter relay, third as one of the members of the 800-meter relay and third as one leg of the 1,600-meter relay. Thomas as been named the THS Female Athlete of the Week.
Cole Milford - Timpson Male Athlete of the Week
Timpson pitcher Cole Milford is having an outstanding season in 2010 as part of the Bear baseball team. Not only is he one of the top hitters on the ballclub, but he is the best pitcher as well. For his efforts he has been named the Timpson Male Athlete of the Week for games played the week of March 21-27. He entered the week after coming off a one-hitter against Martinsville, where he struck out 10. He also went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two RBI a run scored and a stolen base. Although the Bears lost both games during March 21-27, he continued to hit the ball well.
Shelby Green - Timpson Female Athlete of the Week
Timpson's Shelby Green has led by example during the 2010 season and her play during the week of March 21-27 has earned the Lady Bear softball player the Timpson Female Athlete of the Week honor. During the span she led THS to a 9-4 win over Carlisle on March 26, Green tagged a three-run home run over the leftfield fence. The blast was the second of her career and her first at Lady Bear Field. She's been instrumental in Timpson's 10-15 overall mark and 2-4 District 19-1A mark as THS continues to improve on the season goes on. The Lady Bears have won 2 straight.
Brandon Horton - East Texas Wildcats' Offensive Player of the Week
East Texas Wildcat wide receiver Brandon Horton (Tenaha) has been named the squad's Offensive Player of the Week for the game played on March 27. Horton went over the 100-yard mark in receiving for the second time in four games this season, catching four passes for 120 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown. The score gave the Wildcats the lead for the first time since the opening game of the season. Horton has caught 14 passes this season for 306 yards, averaging 21.9-yard per reception. He also has two touchdown of more than 50 yards apiece as he has keyed the ET offense.
Markesta McAlister - East Texas Wildcats' Defensive Player of the Week
East Texas Wildcat Markesta McAlister played on both offense and defense during the March 27 setback to the Texas Xtreme, but he play a vital role in the team's upset bid. For his effort McAlister has been named the team's Defensive Player of the Week in the 16-14 setback. He scored the Wildcats' first touchdown on a 15-yard run. He went in motion on the play and scored after taking the handoff and breaking several tackles. He also recorded a key quarterback sack and was fourth on the team in tackles with nine. Seven of his tackles were solo stops. He also caused a fumble.