Sports

sports@vanzandtnews.com The Martins Mill boys basketball team entered this year’s playoffs in a rare position, being forced to square off against a three-seed in the bi-district round after finishing the regular season as District 19-2A runners- up.

The search for a new Wills Point ISD athletic director and head football coach came to an end on Tuesday afternoon with the board of trustees officially announcing the hiring of James Boxley to fill both vacancies.

The Wills Point Lady Tiger softball team gave scoreboard operators a workout at the Dallas Tournament Feb. 16-18, pushing runs across the plate at a dizzying pace on their way to a perfect 5-0 record and the event title.

sports@vanzandtnews.com The Edgewood Lady Dogs took to the court twice last week, continuing their playoff journey with an Area round contest against Ponder before falling to Pottsboro in Regional Quarterfinal round action.

DAVID KAPITAN sports@vanzandtnews.com The Grand Saline Lady Indians crossed paths with a familiar foe on the diamond Feb. 21, traveling to Mineola for a battle against the rival Mineola Lady Jackets.

The Wills Point Tigers were a team on a mission throughout much of the 2022-’23 season, showing plenty of grit and resilience to finish the regular season with the best overall record of any District 14-4A team.

sports@vanzandtnews.com The Van Lady Vandals entered the Area round of this year’s 4A UIL Playoffs riding high, having strung together a 14-game winning streak dating back to a Dec. 20 loss to Palestine.

sports@vanzandtnews.com The Martins Mill Lady Mustangs continued to find themselves on familiar ground last week, continuing their seemingly annual trek through the early rounds of the playoffs with ruthless efficiency.

The Wills Point Lady Tiger softball program officially opened its season Feb. 13, traveling to Tyler to take on Chapel Hill in an early season test.

The Martins Mill Lady Mustangs have been a fixture at the State Basketball Tournament over the years, reaching the final four 16 times overall including 15 since the 2015-’16 season. The quest for a 17th appearance at the State Tournament began in earnest this week as the District 19-2A champions clashed with District 20-2A fourseed Centerville in bi-district round action Feb.