Sports

The Van Vandals strengthened their playoff position and earned some bragging rights last week, topping county foes Wills Point and Canton in back-to-back District 14-4A showdowns. Van opened its week at home, posting a 7-3 win over the visiting Wills Point Tigers April 1.

Jak Kinder and Mia Nixon punched their respective tickets to the 2A Regional Golf Tournament with strong finishes at the District 19-2A Tournament in Athens. Kinder carded a two-day total of 182 to finish as the district runner-up in the boys division while Nixon shot a two-day total of 144 to win the district title in the girls division. The pair will now advance to represent Martins Mill at the Regional Golf Tournament. Additionally, Launa Coker (not pictured) finished fourth overall in the girls division.

The Edgewood Lady Dogs took the field against two of District 12-3A’s best in recent days, hosting the Prairiland Lady Patriots April 1 before hitting the road for a game against Paris Chisum April 5. Edgewood narrowly came up short in both games, losing the two matchups by a combined three runs overall.

Athletes representing schools from across the area flocked to Norris Birdwell Stadium in Canton last week to compete in the annual Eagle Relays. Canton finished first overall in the varsity girls division with 153 points, followed by Bullard with 140 points, Quitman with 111 points, Mineola with 74 points, Brownsboro with 67 points, Edgewood with 38 points, Quachita Christian School with 30 points and Grand Saline with two points.

The Van Vandals got the bounce back win they needed on Tuesday night, rebounding from a district-opening setback against Athens March 25 with a 14-12 triumph over Brownsboro. Van showed plenty of resiliency in the contest, trailing 11-0 entering the fifth inning.

District 14-4A teams acquitted themselves well on the hardwood this season, with runner-up Canton reaching the Area round of the playoffs and district champion Brownsboro winning this year’s Class 4A State Championship.

The Edgewood Lady Dogs put the finishing touches on the first round of District 12-3A play last week, taking on perennial power Emory Rains and Lone Oak in consecutive games. Edgewood earned a split in the two contests, falling to Lady Cats before bouncing back with a win over the Lady Buffalos.

The Van Lady Vandals had their hands full last week, clashing with Athens and Brownsboro in District 14-4A play. Van started its week on a winning note, overcoming a shaky night in the field to score an 11-3 win over the Athens Lady Hornets March 25.

The Grand Saline Indians earned a measure of revenge to open last week, evening their season series with Edgewood in a 2-1 thriller March 25. The two teams has squared off just three days prior with Edgewood leading from start to finish in a 6-2 Bulldogs win.

The Wills Point Tiger track and field program played host to schools from across East Texas last week for the annual Bluebird Relays at Ken Autry Davis Field. Wills Point finished second overall in the varsity boys division with 127 total points, behind Kaufman with 220.5 points and ahead of Mabank with 101.5 points, Van with 92 points and Eustace with 69 points.