Cardinals honored at all-sports banquet
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
From special reports

AWARD-WINNERS - Sabine High School honored its athletes Monday night at the school's all-sports banquet, held at the First Baptist Church of Liberty City. Among those honored were the Sabine boys basketball team (above), including (from left) Josh Herod, Glenn Hutchison, Colton Kirk, Jacob Kenna, Tyler Woodrell, and Noah Jackson, as well as members of the just-finished Sabine softball team (from left), Alex Easley, Sandy James, and Chelsea Headley.

Lots of hardware was handed out earlier this week, as athletes in all sports from Sabine High School were honored at the school's annual athletic banquet, held this time at the First Baptist Church of Liberty City's gymnasium.

On hand as well was new Sabine head football coach and athletic director Jerry Baker, hired last month from Lewisville.

Awards presented were in these categories:

• Cross-country: Samantha Jackson, a senior, was named girls outstanding runner, and Conrad Tyckson won the boys honor.

• Volleyball: Alex Easley won the hustle award, and Sandy James was named most valuable player.

Courtesy photos by Marvin Hillhouse

• Football: Josh Herod, the starting quarterback, was named the MVP of the offense, and Isiah Colbert was named defensive MVP. Jesse Adamson won the distinction of being named most outstanding lineman.

• Basketball: The girls' offensive MVP was taken by Cortnee Ryan, while Samantha Jackson was named defensive MVP. In boys basketball, coach Tim Davis presented the offensive most valuable player award to two people: Noah Jackson and Colton Kirk. The defensive MVP was also split, as Jacob Kenna and Tyler Woodrell were honored. And Glenn Hutchinson and Josh Herod were the team MVPs.

• Powerlifting: On the boys side, Chris Pegues and Logan Springs were named most improved, and Isiah Colbert was named most outstanding lifter. In girls powerlifting, Tashae Pegues was named most outstanding lifter, and Sharne Pegues was voted most improved.

• Golf: Ashley Middlebrooks and Krystal Kent were co- MVPs for the girls golfers, and Tyler Weatherford won that honor in the boys' golf program.

• Softball: The Lady Cardinals just completed their playoff run, having made it once again to the second round. Sandy James, who started on the mound for most of the games the Lady Cards played this season, was named the team's MVP. Chelsea Headley took home the leadership award, and the hustle award went to catcher Alex Easley.

• Baseball: Jeremy Montana was voted team MVP, with Colton Harvick taking the pitcher of the year award and Zac Howell winning the hustle award.

• Tennis: The boys split their MVP - Wes Eaton and Jeremy Gray each took a share. Stephanie Wilson won that honor in girls tennis.

• Track and Field: Cortnee Ryan was named the girls outstanding runner, and teammates Shayla Gossett and Ashley Gatons were named outstanding field athletes. Gabrielle Samples was recognized for qualifying for regionals in all four high school years.

In boys track, Taylor Gray was named boys outstanding runner, and Jacob Kenna outstanding field athlete.

Recieving scholarships from the Sabine Athletic Booster Club and the Lady Cardinals Fan Club were Jon Berryhill, Angela Cherry, Travis Daniel, Jacob Dunaway, Preston Florence, Jordan Gabriel, Jeremy Gray, Shelby Guthrie, Chelsea Headley, Dawn Hendrix, Josh Herod, Marissa Huskey, Samantha Jackson, Sandy James, Gabrielle Samples, Demi Thompson and Jake Taylor.

The Leo Cook Memorial Scholarhship went to Jeremy Gray, Jake Taylor and Samantha Jackson.

Sabine athletics have made strides in recent seasons, with softball and both basketball teams making regular appearances in the playoffs. Although the football coaching position has had turnover - three head coaches/ athletic directors in three years - the UIL's realignment of districts and classifications for the upcoming school year (and the 2009-10 school year) should allow the Cardinals, the smallest 3A school in the state, to compete on a more even level.

Marvin Hillhouse provided information for this story, as well as the photos seen on page 8.