LOCAL SPORTS IN BRIEF
BY SPORTS EDITOR MITCH LUCAS
SOCCER

Games moved to Saturday

Both Kilgore High School games that had been scheduled for Friday night were instead played Saturday afternoon - following this publication of the News Herald - at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium.

Coverage of those games will be in Tuesday's sports section.

The KHS teams are, of course, back in action again on Tuesday - the boys play at Chapel Hill (5:30 p.m. junior varsity start, varsity afterward), and the girls host Chapel Hill. The regular season is scheduled to be completed on Friday, as the KHS teams face Hallsville.

SOFTBALL

Wet fields force softball re-location

The rain and snow forced the Kilgore High School softball team to re-schedule its game against Marshall for Saturday, as well - and the game was moved to Marshall's softball field, meaning the second game between the two schools later in the schedule (April 1) will be here.

Kilgore (4-9) lost its District 12-4A opener last week at Henderson, and is to play at Whitehouse on Tuesday night, a 4:30 p.m. JV start, varsity to follow. Coach Cassie Newell's Lady 'Dogs will also be on the road Friday at Nacogdoches, and won't return home until March 18.

Kilgore has only played one home softball game all season (the season opener, Feb. 11).

BASEBALL

Diamond 'Dogs off thanks to weather, too

The cancellation of this weekend's North Lamar Tournament in Paris left the Kilgore High School baseball team with nothing to do this weekend, as well.

The Bulldogs (6-4) have been off since completing the Oil Belt Classic tournament last weekend - a home game with Gladewater scheduled for last Tuesday was canceled due to wet weather, then the tournament at North Lamar was lost, also due to the weather.

By the time the Diamond 'Dogs take the field at Whitehouse Tuesday night at 6 p.m., 10 days will have came and gone since they've played a game.

Like the softball team, the Bulldogs are on the road twice this week. They're at Whitehouse Tuesday, as mentioned, then at Nacogdoches on Friday, also a 6 p.m. start. They'll be back at Driller Park March 18 against Jacksonville.

The JV, coached by Ronnie Hendrix, is scheduled to open district play Monday at Driller against Whitehouse, and to host the 12-4A JV tournament this weekend. Kilgore faces Hallsville at noon on Friday to begin the tournament. BASKETBALL

RXIV tournament title games Monday

The bulk of the Region XIV Conference men's and women's basketball games were to be played at Masters Gym Saturday and today, but the two games that matter most - the tournaments' championships - are Monday night.

The ladies championship game is set for a 5:30 p.m. start Monday, and the men's title game will follow.

GOLF

Hood Classic is March 28

Rockin' C Ranch has opened registration for its upcoming benefit golf tournament.

The fifth annual Dr. Robert Hood Memorial Golf Classic will be held on Friday, March 28 at Garden Valley Golf Club, with proceeds going directly towards the various programs of the camp. Rockin' C Ranch is a Christian camp on a working ranch, and is committed to providing youth with a solid Christian foundation by giving them a memorable, faith and character building camp experience. There are various levels of financial involvement for both individuals and corporations.

"This is a great opportunity to get out and have some fun while providing a great benefit to some deserving kids," said Matt Clapp, Rockin' C Ranch Director.

The March 28 event will begin with registration at 11:30 a.m. and a burger buffet followed by a shotgun start for the four-man scramble (1:30 p.m.). Prizes will be awarded for each member of the top three teams. In addition, there will be prizes for longest drive, straightest drive, closest to the pin and hole in one.

Rockin' C Ranch operates year-round as a summer camp, retreat center, outdoor education program and corporate retreat facility. To discuss sponsorships or register for the event, call (903) 858-3308, or email Jason@rockincranch.org.

Rockin' C Ranch is located north of Tyler State Park just off of Highway 14, 11 miles north of Tyler. For more information, visit their website at rockincranch.org.

Golf-a-thon April 7

A golf-a-thon will be played here at Meadowbrook Country Club on Monday, April 7 to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Participants will play 54 holes of best ball, with a triple bogey maximum on any hole played.

To enter, you provide a minimum donation of $500 to the American Cancer Society.

For the donation, your food and drink for the day will be provided, you'll get a Nike Dri-Fit shirt, your cart and green fees are included in that donation, and dinner and drinks at the end of the day.

Cash prizes for the low nine, the low 18, the low 36 and the low 54, based on handicap, will be given.

To enter, call Greg Collins at (903) 988-3413.

FISHING

Big Bass Tournament March 29-30

The 25th annual Big Bass Tournament at Cedar Creek Lake, sponsored by KCKL 95.9-FM, is Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30.

Over 120 prizes will be given, including the first prize, a Triton Mercury bass rig.

There is an entry fee of $65 per day, and contestants may enter at the lake.

For more information and entry forms, call (903) 489- 1518, or try fishing world.com/kckl/bass online.