Sports

The Canton Eaglettes enjoyed a solid season on the court during the 2021 season, finishing third overall in a competitive district after a series of tiebreakers before getting edged out of the playoffs by the Caddo Mills Lady Foxes in a five-set heartbreaker.

Athletes participating in football, volleyball and cross country shook off the rust from a long summer this week, officially kickstarting their respective seasons with the start of two-a-day workouts Aug. 1.

The Canton Eaglette volleyball program will get its first taste of competitive action this week, traveling to Emory Rains High School Aug. 5 and Kaufman High School Aug. 6 for a series of preseason playdays. Canton will begin its 2022 season on the road in Bullard for a dual against Bullard and Neches Aug. 11. More sports on 10A. Photo by David Kaptian

The Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association named Canton standout Ace Reese First Team All-State for his performance during the 2022 season at the shortstop position. Reese proved to be a tough out for opposing pitchers, posting a .524 average in 120 plate appearance. Of Reese’s 43 hits, 19 were doubles, four were triples and two were home runs. Photo by Lianna Reid

Only mid-way through June and Texas has already seen extreme heat and very little rain this summer, with the trend predicted to continue. The anticipation of drought can bring many thoughts to mind from water shortages to increased wildfire risk, but what do drought conditions mean for our trees?

As guide Brandon Sargent eased his big guide boat out of the breakwaters at Sapphire Bay Marina on Lake Ray Hubbard, the sun was just beginning to light up the eastern sky. Mike Ray, the manager of the marina and I were eagerly anticipating the red hot crappie bite Brandon and his customers had been enjoying the past few days. Our plan was to get on the water early while the temperature was still pleasant, catch our fish and be back at dock my mid morning.

Martins Mill standout Mia Nixon made what has become a familiar season-closing trip to Austin last week, wrapping up one of the most decorated careers of any Van Zandt County athlete at the Class 2A State Golf Tournament.

The Canton Eaglette softball program enjoyed a season to remember in 2022, finishing as the runners-up in a highly competitive District 14-4A before earning bi-district and Area round titles. Competing coaches took notice of Canton’s dominance, awarding multiple Superlative and All-District recognitions on Eaglette players.

The Canton Eagles entered last week’s series against the Bullard Panthers riding high, having knocked off District 13-4A champions Nevada Community in bi-district round play. Bullard would go on to get the better of the Eagles in game one of the series May 12, edging Canton 5-0 despite being outhit in the contest.

The Canton Eaglettes were a team on a mission throughout the 2022 season, posting numerous impressive wins on their way to a runner-up finish in district play, postseason wins over both Sunnyvale and Gilmer, and an appearance in the Regional Quarterfinals against the Bullard Lady Panthers.