Sports

The University Interscholastic League’s Lone Star Cup is awarded annually to six high schools, one in each of the six UIL classifications (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A). The award honors the best overall athletic and academic programs in Texas based on their team performance in district and state championships.

Harding University announced the hiring of Weston Jameson as its new head men’s basketball coach March 16. Jameson, a former assistant coach for the women’s basketball programs at Abilene Christian University and Arkansas State University, will return to Harding where he previously served as a women’s assistant coach for five seasons. He will be replacing former coach and current athletic director Jeff Morgan, who retired from coaching after 30 seasons earlier this month.

DAVID KAPITAN sports@vanzandtnews.com The Grand Saline Lady Indians gave their playoff hopes a needed boost this week, downing Lone Oak 5-1 March 21 to notch their second win in District 12-3A play. Neither team could make much headway offensively in the early going, keeping the score at 0-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning.

The Wills Point Lady Tiger powerlifting program was well represented at the Class 4A Division II Meet March 17, sending three lifters to compete against the state’s best at the Comerica Center in Frisco.

The Van Vandals found themselves in two markedly different games over the past week, clashing with Daingerfield in an offensive slugfest before battling White Oak in a closely contested pitchers duel. The Vandals would earn a hard fought split against their two opponents as they continue preparations for the start of District 16-4A play.

Lifters representing Van Zandt County’s three largest school districts, Canton, Van and Wills Point, made their way to Arp March 10 to compete for a chance to advance to the Class 4A State Powerlifting Meet.

The Edgewood Lady Dogs hit the diamond twice last week, looking to shift their quest for a spot in this year’s 3A UIL Softball Playoffs into high gear following a district opening setback to perennial power Rains back on March 7.

sports@vanzandtnews.com The Grand Saline Lady Indians have struggled to find their way offensively in recent weeks, scuffling at the plate in multiple contests with District 12- 3A play now underway. That Rains and Prairiland.

DAVID KAPITAN sports@vanzandtnews.com The Martins Mill Mustangs made the trek to Kerens this week, taking on the Bobcats in a district tune-up for both programs. The Mustangs would come up short in the contest, falling behind early and never fully recovering in a 7-0 setback.

The Edgewood Lady Dogs have been the class of the field in District 12-3A in recent years, dominating the field on their way to numerous lengthy playoff runs. That stretch of dominance continued into the 2022-’23 season as Edgewood went a perfect 12-0 overall to top the field in a district that also includes Commerce, Prairiland, Emory Rains, Grand Saline, Paris Chisum and Lone Oak.