Sports

The field of playoff competitors is nearly set for Van Zandt County boys basketball programs with bi-district round action slated to begin around the state Feb. 21-22.

Left, Van standout Maci Jones capped her senior year by being named to the Texas Sports Writers Association All- State Third Team at the middle blocker position for her play during the 2021 season. Coach Ashton Carpenter stated, “Maci is very deserving of this recognition. She has been a key component in our program and has been so fun to watch perform on the court.” Right, despite splitting her time playing both the outside hitter and setter positions for the Van Lady Vandals in 2021, Bella Thompson was recognized as an Honorable Mention All-State performer as an outside hitter by Texas Sports Writers Association. Coach Ashton Carpenter noted, “I am so proud of her and appreciative of what she has done for Vandal volleyball.” Photos by David Kapitan

The Wills Point Tigers kept themselves in the thick of this year’s playoff race last week, winning games against rivals Canton and Van to force a playin tournament Feb. 17-18.

Lifters representing Canton, Fruitvale and Van made their way to Bullard last week, continuing their 2022 season at the annual Bullard Invitational Powerlifting Meet. Lindale posted the top finish in the varsity girls division with 48 points while Whitehouse placed second with 35 points, Gladewater Sabine third with 30 points, Canton fourth with 29 points, Chapel Hill fifth with 25 points, Rusk sixth with 23 points, Fruitvale seventh with seven points, Van eighth with five points, Arp ninth with two points and Pollok Central 10 th with zero points.

Van Zandt County was well represented this week with four local programs, the Canton Eaglettes, Edgewood Lady Dogs, Martins Mill Lady Mustangs and Van Lady Vandals, all beginning their respective playoff runs.

The Wills Point High School athletic department rolled out the red carpet last week, welcoming powerlifters from across the area for the annual Wills Point Tiger and Lady Tiger Invitational Meets. Wills Point finished second overall at the Tiger Invitational Meet with 30 points, behind Quinlan Ford in first with 46 points and ahead of 11 other schools in attendance.

The Martins Mill Lady Mustangs have been close to automatic on the basketball court over the years, turning back challengers with machine like precision. That success was put into sharper focus this week as Martins Mill completed a perfect run through district play, a 17 th consecutive district championship and their 170 th consecutive district win all on the same.

The Martins Mill Mustangs found themselves in a rare position last week, looking to bounce back from a rare district setback against LaPoynor Feb. 1.

Above, Van’s KD Erskine (Trinity Valley – football), Luca Kozhev (Trinity Valley – football), Reed Johnson (Howard Payne – football) and Bella Garza (UT-Dallas – softball) all signed their letters of intent on National Signing Day. Left, Edgewood teammates Kirk Dillard and Dailyn Huett signed their letters of intent to play football collegiately at Northwestern Oklahoma to play football beginning in the fall. Courtesy photos

The Canton Eagles put the finishing touches on their third district title in as many seasons last week, notching wins over both Van and Brownsboro to move to 8-0 overall with two games left on the schedule.