Buckeye Stadium will be ready for graduation GILMER — Construction on the $1.8 million renovation of Buckeye Stadium is “going pretty smoothly” and the facility will be ready to host Gilmer High School graduation ceremonies in June, the project manager told the Gilmer ISD board Monday night.

Former Baylor QB Florence speaks to scholastic all stars “Your story can change the world.”

Troxell becomes Brook Hill's 11th athletic signing BULLARD — When Grant Troxell was looking for a military school to attend, other options included Virginia Military Institute and Oklahoma University’s large ROTC program and Norwich University. The most important thing to the Bullard Brook Hill senior was putting himself in a position to fight for his country after his education is complete.

JT has 11 starters back as spring practices begin John Tyler springs into action for the 2013 football season starting today, with the cup half-full or half-empty, depending on whom you ask.

After injury-plagued 2012, Lindale eyeing improved 2013 A rash of injuries combined to derail Lindale’s 2012 football season, which ended with the program’s worst record in almost 30 years. Less than four games in, the Eagles were already using backups at several key positions.

Oklahoma State's Cowboy Caravan stops in Tyler During his tenure at Oklahoma State, Joe Wickline has scoured East Texas for some of the best talent the country has to offer.

Lee focusing on spread offense It’s year two for Robert E. Lee coach Darrell Piske and his Red Raider football team.

Grace receiver picks UMHB His first day of Pop Warner, Lin Gillham weighed all of 50 pounds and, in his words, got beat up.

Grace's Miller signs with TJC for volleyball Grace Community senior Rilee Miller meant everything to the Lady Cougars volleyball team.

Spring Hill's Voelzke is All-ET Volleyball MVP Some believe she signed with Arkansas because of family.

Smith County spikers dominate 16-4A team Smith County schools dominated the All-District 16-4A volleyball team, with John Tyler, Lindale and Whitehouse laying claim to all superlative honors.

All Saints' Kastmo named to TAPPS 4A all-state volleyball first team For the second straight year, All Saints middle blocker Katrina Kastmo was named first-team all state in TAPPS 4A volleyball.

Top Hitter: Lee's Kuechle receives 12-5A accolades Robert E. Lee senior Mallory Kuechle pulverized nearly every set that went her way and was the first person every Lady Raider opponent game-planned to stop.

All Saints' Kastmo, Grace's Miller lead way on all-TAPPS 2-4A team For the second straight year, All Saints’ Katrina Kastmo and Grace Community’s Rilee Miller led the way for Tyler schools on the TAPPS 2-4A all-district volleyball team.

Brook Hill's Anderson earns co-MVP honors Bullard Brook Hill sophomore Samantha Anderson was named co-Most Valuable Player on the TAPPS 4-3A all-district volleyball team after leading the Lady Guard to the second-best season in school history.

ETCA places four on all-district first team East Texas Christian Academy placed four players on the TAPPS 3-2A volleyball all-district first team, led by senior middle blocker Shannon Stewart.

Report: New Patriot basketball coach CBS19 sports director Eric Sullivan has learned Jamon Copeland will be the new head basketball coach at UT Tyler.

Johnson signs with Weatherford Ciara Johnson and Bre Brooks were Robert E. Lee basketball’s dynamic duo for two years, leading the Lady Raiders to the playoffs in both 2011 and 2012.

TJC's Berkeley signs with Drake University After playing post in high school, Trevor Berkeley knew his game would have to change to compete on the collegiate level.

Lee grad Brooks a NJCAA All-American Bre Brooks was in class when her cell phone buzzed informing her she had a text message. She took a quick glance, not wanting to draw attention to herself.

Underwood new SFA basketball coach NACOGDOCHES — Brad Underwood, the associate head coach at South Carolina, was named the new basketball coach at Stephen F. Austin State University, Robert Hill, SFA director of athletics, announced on Tuesday.

James, Heat favored to win another title “Not one, not two, not three ...” LeBron James predicted in increasingly confident fashion shortly after the superstar signed on with the Miami Heat as a free agent in the summer of 2010.

Brownsboro players selected for all-star game GREENVILLE — Brownsboro standouts Blake Ralson and Davonte Givens have been selected to play in the first Chicken Express All-Star Classic Basketball Game on Saturday at Greenville High School, Bears coach Tobin Reid said.

Longview native, WNBA star Jackson-Jones doing clinic in Tyler WNBA star Tiffany Jackson-Jones believes in girls basketball not only in the state of Texas, but her one-time stomping grounds.

UT Tyler ends softball season fourth in nation EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The UT Tyler softball team finished fourth in the nation after dropping a 1-0 decision to Salisbury (Md.) in an elimination game on Monday in the NCAA Division III College World Series at Gelein Field.

Patriots top Luther, 4-1 EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Jackie Mendez’s tie-breaking RBI single in the sixth inning to help lift the UT Tyler Patriots to a 4-1 win over Luther (Iowa) in an elimination game on Sunday at the NCAA Division III Softball College World Series.

Baseball/Softball Pairings Regional Quarterfinals

Gorman dedicates softball field to Carney Bishop T. K. Gorman Regional Catholic School the new John H. Carney Softball Field on Saturday.

Apaches win twice to keep World Series hopes alive McKINNEY — The Tyler Junior College Apaches remained alive in their quest to reach the NJCAA Division III College World Series with two wins on Saturday.

HS Baseball Roundup, May 18: Spring Hill wins twice to oust Gilmer LONGVIEW — After dropping Game 1 on Friday to Gilmer, Spring Hill battled back for two wins to advance in the Class 3A Region II quarterfinals on Saturday at Pine Tree’s Field of Dreams.

Van rallies for 5-4 win to sweep Sanger SUNNYVALE — Van scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to overcome a three-run deficit.

Mineola finishes sweep of Frisco Lone Star with 7-0 win ROCKWALL — Mineola is headed back to the regional finals.

Pair of Patriots headed to NCAA Track & Field Championships UT Tyler’s Ed Palencia and Buck Thompson will be competing in the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, NCAA officials announced from Indianapolis on Monday.

Title fit for a King: Patriots coach retires after NCAA crown When UT Tyler coach King Campbell and his national championship golf team arrived back on campus Saturday, Dr. Rodney Mabry, UT Tyler president, first congratulated Campbell and his Patriots then said, “You can’t leave King.”

Reeves comes closest to jackpot The gusty winds did their best to ruin the day of many golfers on Sunday during the finals of the 27th annual UT Tyler Suddenlink Patriot Million Dollar Hole-in-One Contest at Hollytree County Club.

Texas East Gymnasts bring home medals The Texas East Gymnastics Level 7 Team completed their 2013 competition season on a high note at the Texas State Championships in Plano.

Apaches win national tennis title PLANO — With the national title firmly in hand, Tyler Junior College finished a dominating performance on Friday in the NJCAA Men’s National Tennis Tournament at Collin County Community College.

UT Tyler men, Lindsey capture national golf titles DESTIN, Fla. — The UT Tyler golf team rallied in the final round to capture the NCAA Division III National Championship on Friday at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort.

TJC netters clinch national title The Tyler Junior College men’s tennis team clinched another national championship with a day to play in the NJCAA National Tournament at Collin County Community College in Plano.

TJC golfers finish fifth MESA, Ariz. — The Tyler Junior College Apache Ladies finished fifth in the NJCAA National Women’s Golf Tournament on Thursday at Longbow Golf Club.

3 Lady Lions sign with Jacksonville They helped build John Tyler’s girls soccer program into winners, and now head to the same college set to field a brand new team.

Eight area soccer players chosen to TAPPS all-state first team Including All Saints freshman Allie Werner, eight Tyler-area players were chosen to first-team all-state in TAPPS.

JT's Rosales chosen 31-4A defensive MVP John Tyler’s Yelsi Rosales and Whitehouse’s Brittany Matthews were regarded as the best on their side of the field when it came to District 31-4A girls soccer.

REL'S Harrison chosen 12-5A all-district Robert E. Lee senior Julia Harrison is all-district for a fourth-consecutive season as the defender/holding midfielder was chosen first team for the 2013 All-District 12-5A girls soccer team.

Lady Guard's Wells tabbed district MVP With 22 goals and 14 assists on the year, Bullard Brook Hill’s Kendall Wells was named the TAPPS D-III District 1 Most Valuable Player.

Brook Hill's Latson named district MVP Setting a school record with 29 goals, Bullard Brook Hill’s Caleb Latson was named the TAPPS D-III District 2 boys soccer Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year.

Werner tops all-district soccer squad Allie Werner was named Offensive Player of the Year and Co-Newcomer of the Year as a freshman at All Saints.

Lee's Kaba voted MVP When the boys soccer coaches from District 12-5A gathered for their annual end-of-season meeting to discuss awards and acknowledgements, Robert E. Lee’s Marty Germany had a dilemma.