LOCAL NEWS

Four Caught Following Convenience Store Robbery

TYLER — Tyler police arrest four suspects in a late Friday morning robbery at the Conoco gas station, 2706 W. Gentry Parkway. Police say several suspects entered the store and assaulted the owner, who was working behind the counter, by striking him in the face with their fists. According to police, the suspects then grabbed several packs of cigarettes and ran out of the store. The owner suffered minor injuries. Officers flooded the area and were able to capture four suspects.

The suspects are identified as:
1) Steven Ray Sadler, 17, of Tyler, bond $505,000
2) Michael Avory Hayles, 17, of Tyler, bond $250,000
3) Prince Kentrell Hull, 18, of Tyler, bond $250,000
4) Jamon Nicholas Taylor, 17, of Tyler, bond $250,000

All four suspects have been charged with robbery, a 2nd degree felony, and Sadler was also charged with evading police. Tyler Police investigators believe that more suspects may have been involved in this incident and may file other charges upon completion of the investigation.

Police Arrest Local Man for Theft

LONGVIEW — A man is in custody in Longview, charged in a Thursday night theft. At 11:42 p.m. Thursday, officers responded to an alarm call in the 1700 Block of East Whaley Street. The alarm company employee told dispatchers they could see a person inside the fenced area removing a cover from one of the boats in the yard. Officers gained access to the secured area of the lot and located the suspect. The man had a marine boat radio in his possession that police say appeared to have been removed from one of the boats at the location.

The suspect was identified as 42-year old Guadalupe Guillermo Hinojos of Longview. Officials say Hinojos also gave police a false name. They were able to positively identify him from jail records. He was charged with theft under $1,500 with two previous convictions, a state jail felony, and failure to identify, a Class B misdemeanor.

Former Deputy Indicted on Child Sex Charge

HARRISON COUNTY — A former Harrison County sheriff’s deputy was indicted Thursday on his third charge of sexual indecency with a child. Huey Edwards “Eddie” Nichols was arrested in September on two charges of sexual indecency with a child by contact. He was arrested again in December on a third sex indecency charge. According to the Longview News-Journal, in the latest case, Nichols is accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl between January 2002 and March 2003. Authorities learned of the third accusation from a school counselor, who came forward with the information after Nichols and his wife were arrested in the other two cases.

The girl, who now is an adult, told police that Nichols touched her inappropriately when she was 15. Police said the girl met Nichols in 2002 after running away to a vacant house after a counseling session. Nichols was one of the responding officers to the scene and asked the girl’s grandmother if he could be her male role model, according to police documents.

The other two cases involve two girls, age 14 and 11, who also told a school counselor and authorities that Nichols touched them inappropriately. Nichols, who is also an ordained minister, was immediately fired from the sheriff’s office after the investigation in the first case. His wife, 33-year-old Sharon Nichols, was fired from her position as deputy county clerk a few days later. Huey Nichols worked at the sheriff’s office for three-and-a-half years. Before that, he worked as a Marshall police officer for 13 years. He also served as the police department’s chaplain.

Cemetery Vases Recovered, Warrants Issued

CANTON — Authorities in Van Zandt County say some cemetery vases have been recovered and warrants issued following a recent theft. On January 24th, an investigator from the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a call at Eubank Funeral Home in Mabank. They reported a theft from the Eubank Cedar Creek Cemetery located at 16701 State Highway 198.

The investigator was advised that there were 37 vases stolen from various grave plots throughout the cemetery. He immediately contacted Lt. K. Bradshaw of the Mabank Police Department. Through their joint investigation they were able to recover all 37 vases from a local metal recycling company. The company provided sales receipts showing that two white males on three separate occasions sold the vases. They were able to provide information to identify both suspects. All the property was safely returned to Eubank Funeral Home, and warrants have been issued for the arrest of both suspects. Theft from a corpse or grave is a state jail felony and each defendant may be facing multiple charges.

Harrison County Woman Missing Since January 20

MARSHALL — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from the public regarding the location of Lalania Rhodes-Williams. According to KETK, she is listed as a missing person and has not had any contact with the family since she left the residence of her brother in Scottsville, Texas, on Friday, January 20.

Ms. Williams is described as a black female, 40 years old, 5’5”, 180 lbs, shoulder length brown hair. She was last seen wearing gray pants, black blouse, and a light gray sweater. She may be driving a 2003 4-door Pontiac Grand Am with Texas license plates CR3D212, which is registered to her in Houston. The family believes she may be distraught and fearful, which may be why she suddenly left the residence with no additional clothing or personal items. If anyone has any information of the location of Lalania Rhodes-Williams, you’re asked to contact the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office at 903-923-4000.

Multiple Burglaries Net Two Arrests

CANTON — Authorities in Van Zandt County say two suspects have been arrested following a series of burglaries. On Saturday, January 7th, at approximately 1:23 a.m., a deputy from the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office while on patrol observed a vehicle with a defective license plate light in Edgewood. The Deputy conducted a traffic stop.

After approaching the vehicle, the deputy reportedly detected an emitting odor of marijuana. Upon a search of the vehicle, according to authorities, the deputy located a matchbox containing marijuana and observed a large quantity of copper wire in the rear of the vehicle. The suspects were then identified as Eric Ashley Hoover and Chad Everitt Massey, both of Quinlan.

Authorities say upon an interview of the suspects, they both admitted to being in possession of the marijuana and also admitted to obtaining the copper wire by burglarizing a residence on VZCR #3702 in Wills Point. Both suspects were then booked into the Van Zandt County Justice Center. Hoover and Massey were charged with burglary of a habitation and possession of marijuana.

At a later date the suspects were again interviewed and questioned about several other burglaries that occurred approximately during the same time and in the same area. Authorities say Hoover and Massey confessed to burglaries of residences on FM 1395, VZCR 3849, and Highway 64, all in Wills Point. Both suspects will be charged with the additional burglaries. They are still considered suspects in several other burglaries. Both are currently detained in the Van Zandt County Jail.

Report: Alcohol a Factor in 2011 Plane Crash

ANGELINA COUNTY — A toxicology report indicates a Lufkin cardiovascular surgeon piloting a private plane that crashed in Southern Mississippi last year was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Taylor Pickett, 51, his wife 22-year-old Laura, and her 29-year-old sister, Jaqueline Ham, were killed when the plane went down in the early morning hours of April 10, 2011.

According to the Lufkin Daily News, the National Transportation Safety Board reported the trio left from a New Orleans airport around 3:20 a.m. after going to a bar. Pickett reportedly did not get a weather briefing or file an instrument flight rules flight plan before his 4:08 a.m. takeoff in a Cessna 310R to make the 110-mile flight.

Less than 20 minutes later, he radioed air traffic control to say he had the destination airport in McComb, Miss., in sight and wanted to stop flight following services. At that time the destination airport was actually 24 miles away, and with cloudy skies it is unlikely Pickett had the airport in sight, the report stated. The plane then overflew the destination airport. The plane reportedly clipped some trees as it crashed into a wooded area and landed in a creek before catching fire.

Lufkin Pedestrian Hit by SUV, Flown to ETMC

LUFKIN — A Palestine man remained in a Tyler hospital Friday night after being struck by an SUV as he walked across Timberland Drive hours earlier. Jaime Lopez, 53, remained in critical condition in East Texas Medical Center’s ICU after being struck by a Chevy Tahoe traveling 30 to 40 mph. Lopez, had just delivered produce to Brookshire Brothers Friday morning before parking his rig at Towne Square Four Plaza at 400 N. Timberland Drive to walk across the highway to get something to eat when the accident occurred. Jonathan McGinty, 30, of Huntington told officers he didn’t see Lopez crossing the highway until it was too late. Officials said all of his injuries appeared to be internal. He was taken to Memorial Medical Center-Lufkin’s helipad and then flown to ETMC. The accident is under investigation by Lufkin Police.

Multiple Crews Responded to House Fire

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Cherokee County Firefighters respond to a Friday morning house fire in the 1000 block of CR 3805. Family members told our news partner, KETK, they called for help after they discovered heavy smoke coming from the attic. Multiple fire departments responded and were able to extinguish the flames quickly. The house suffered mainly water damage to the back side of house. No one was injured during the fire.

Toledo Bend Drought Stage Changed

MANY, La. (AP) – Rainfall over the past two months has prompted the Sabine River Authority of Texas to change the drought stage of Toledo Bend Reservoir from moderate to mild. Voluntary water use reductions are still encouraged by reservoir officials. The Shreveport Times reports the reservoir reached a historic low of 159.42 feet Nov. 22. Almost weekly rainfall has steadily pushed up the level, which was measured at 162.92 feet Thursday morning. By comparison, the reservoir was at 164.27 this time a year ago. The level is expected to improve in the coming days as runoff from this week’s rainfall hits the tributaries that feed into Toledo Bend.

Three Tornadoes Wednesday in Mt. Enterprise Area

MT. ENTERPRISE — The National Weather Service confirms Wednesday’s storms produced three tornadoes with winds reaching 85 miles per hour in the Mount Enteprise area, including one that touched down along Highway 315. That information was released Thursday.

Rangers Investigate Shooting Involving Game Warden

BOWIE COUNTY — Officials have identified a man fatally shot during a Thursday traffic stop in Bowie County. A Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden shot and killed Frank Anthony Shoen, 55, during a possible driving while intoxicated stop Bowie County Sheriff’s officials said Friday in a news release. Game Warden Shawn Hervey fired the fatal round while assisting a deputy and Liberty Eylau School District police officer during the stop on Cummings Lane southwest of Texarkana, The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said. During the stop, officials told Shoen to get on the ground with his face down. Schoen did not comply, the news release said. He then pulled out a gun and fired a round into the air. Schoen then lowered the weapon toward officers. The Texas Rangers are investigating the incident.

STATE NEWS

Judges: April 3 Primary in Texas Still Possible

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — There’s only one week left to salvage an April 3 primary in Texas. A San Antonio federal court on Friday ordered the state and minority groups to compromise on redrawn political districts by Feb. 6. The three-judge panel said that if both sides don’t reach an agreement by that deadline, the primary will be pushed back. The court did not indicate a new primary date if a deal isn’t reached. But state Democratic and Republican leaders told the court that an April 17 primary is possible if interim maps are in place my mid-February. Minority groups sued the state over newly drawn political voting maps passed by the GOP-controlled Texas Legislature. The dispute is over whether the new map fairly reflects Hispanic growth.

Man Gets Death Penalty for Fatal North Texas Heist

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A North Texas jury has delivered a death sentence to a man convicted of capital murder in a 2010 convenience store holdup that left two men dead. A Tarrant County jury deliberated about 14 hours over two days before opting against a sentence of life imprisonment without parole for 36-year-old Kwame Rockwell. The same jury returned its guilty verdict against the 32-year-old defendant Jan. 17 in the death of store clerk Daniel Rojas. Also killed in the holdup of the store in southeastern Fort Worth was 70-year-old Mrs Baird’s Bread deliveryman Jerry Burnett. Lookout man Chance Smith got a 20-year prison term in return for testimony and a guilty plea to aggravated assault. Three men still await trial on capital murder charges.

Ex-Air Force Instructor to Face Sex Assault Trial

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A former Air Force instructor charged with sexually assaulting female trainees at a Texas base is headed to a military trial. Staff Sgt. Luis Walker is charged with rape, attempted aggravated sexual contact and six counts of aggravated sexual assault. He’s also charged with adultery, obstruction of justice and 18 counts of violating orders and regulations that forbid having unprofessional relationships with trainees. The allegations surfaced last summer and involve 10 trainees at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Joint Base San Antonio spokesman Brent Boller said Friday that a trial date hasn’t been set. Walker faces up to life in prison and a dishonorable discharge if convicted. Walker hasn’t been in custody but is no longer an instructor. His civilian attorney didn’t immediately return calls for comment.

State of Texas Accepts Paul Quinn Accreditation

DALLAS (AP) — Higher education officials in Texas have approved new accreditation for the only historically black college in Dallas. Paul Quinn College was granted full membership last year by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges. The Dallas Morning News reports that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board voted unanimously Thursday to accept the accreditation. Colleges can’t award degrees in Texas without accreditation and students at unaccredited schools can’t receive federal or state financial aid. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools dropped Paul Quinn from membership in 2009, citing limited finances and other concerns. A lawsuit over that decision is pending. Transnational also is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Paul Quinn is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

US Army Postmaster in Kuwait Pleads Guilty to Theft

HOUSTON (AP) — A 34-year-old Houston-area man who was postmaster for the Army post office in Kuwait has pleaded guilty to theft of government money for imprinting false postal money orders and transferring $181,000 into personal bank accounts. Delmus Eugene Scott, Jr., of Humble, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Sim Lake, who took his plea Friday, set sentencing for April 19. Scott formally was custodian of public effects, working for a Defense Department contractor that provided postal services to the U.S. military in Kuwait. He was indicted last July after investigators determined he stole 565 postal money orders, each valued at $1,000. Proceeds from 181 were deposited into his and his fiancee’s bank accounts. The remaining money orders were recovered before being deposited.

US Senate Hopeful Dewhurst Releases Tax Returns

AUSTIN (AP) — U.S. Senate candidate and Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has released his income tax returns for the last three years. They show an adjusted income of more than $4.5 million since 2009. Dewhurst and his wife Patricia reported nearly $1.5 million in losses in 2009, but made more than $1 million the next year and over an estimated $5 million in 2011. The couple also donated more than $4 million to charity since 2009. Friday’s release came a day after rival Senate hopeful and ESPN personality Craig James released five years’ worth of returns. Dewhurst is considered the frontrunner among 10 candidates for the Republican nomination to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Dewhurst made a fortune in energy and has a net worth of at least $200 million.

Senate Candidate Cruz Reports $5M in Income

AUSTIN (AP) — Former Texas Solicitor General and U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz has reported more than $5 million in adjusted income over the last five years. Cruz released his tax returns Friday, which also showed he had paid more than $1.6 million in taxes. Cruz released his tax returns after his competitor, Craig James, released his and called on everyone in the senate race to do so. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst also released his tax returns on Friday. The three men are the leading candidates in the race for the Republican nomination to replace Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. She is retiring this year. As solicitor general Cruz represented Texas before the Supreme Court and now works in Houston as an attorney specializing in appellate law.

Disputed Coal Mine Project Revived on Texas Border

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A two-decade old plan to mine tons of low-quality coal in South Texas for Mexican power plants has been revived. A Texas Railroad Commissioner will begin hearing evidence Monday on an application by the Dos Republicas Coal Partnership to strip-mine coal just north of Eagle Pass. The border city is 130 miles southwest of San Antonio. The coal is such poor quality that it cannot be used in the United States, but it can be used in Mexico’s federally owned power plants just outside Piedras Negras. Those plants near the Mexican border city across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass are not under any pollution restrictions. Eagle Pass-area elected officials and community leaders have mobilized to fight approval of the coal mine.

Texas’ Bills Mounting for Perry’s Security Detail

AUSTIN (AP) – The state’s bill for providing security for Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s presidential bid is nearly $800,000 and growing. A Texas Department of Public Safety report released Thursday showed the cost of travel expenses for the security detail for Perry and his wife, Anita, was $798,031 from September through part of November. The San Antonio Express News reports that most of that bill was for out-of-state trips and the security tab for travel outside Texas was more than $1.1 million from Perry’s November 2010 re-election to this November. Remaining security detail costs to the end of Perry’s presidential campaign last week will be in future DPS reports. Democrats have called for the GOP governor to reimburse the state. Perry has said he shouldn’t because he promotes Texas wherever he goes.

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Severity of Jason Kidd’s injury uncertain

Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd left Friday’s game against the Utah Jazz early in the first quarter with a right calf strain. The severity of the injury is uncertain, coach Rick Carlisle said.

The injury, which forced Kidd to leave barely two minutes into Dallas’ 116-101 victory, left the Mavs without three starters. Dirk Nowitzki missed his fourth game of a scheduled four-game break to help strengthen his sore right knee, and shooting guard Delonte West was out with a tight right hamstring.

Dallas will take Saturday off before closing out a four-game homestand with a first-place showdown Sunday against the Southwest division rival San Antonio Spurs. Both Nowitzki and West hope to return for that one.

Kidd, 38, was playing his seventh game since being sidelined by back spasms for four games. He has struggled throughout this rapid-fire season, averaging just 4.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. His overall shooting percentage and 3-point percentage are both less than 29 percent.

Third-year guard Rodrigue Beaubois filled Kidd’s shoes nicely to help Dallas avoid a two-game home losing skid and move into a first-place tie with the Spurs in the Southwest division.

Beaubois recorded season highs with 22 points and seven assists, and added a career-high four blocked shots in 36 minutes, also a season high. He added six rebounds and was 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.

Carlisle called it Beaubois’ best game of the season.

When Kidd missed four games earlier this month, West started at point guard with Vince Carter starting at shooting guard. Carter, who returned from a five-game absence due to a sprained left foot, scored 12 points — eight in the first quarter — off the bench.

Beaubois, who admits to being more comfortable playing shooting guard over point guard, started Friday’s game at shooting guard before quickly taking over the point after Kidd’s injury. His play likely will give Carlisle more confidence to use him for extended stretches there and perhaps even start him if Kidd is unavailable.

“I am getting better every day,” Beaubois said about playing point guard. “I know that I can do it. My teammates and coaches trust me, so I just have to keep working and get better every day.”

Kidd left the game with 9:47 to play in the opening quarter, hobbling off the court to the bench. Head athletic trainer Casey Smith checked him out on the bench before escorting the 18-year veteran to the locker room.

Rangers plan more talks with Josh Hamilton

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Friday on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM’s ‘The Ben and Skin Show’ that he plans to have more conversations with Josh Hamilton’s representatives before full-squad workouts begin in Surprise, Ariz., next month.

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Hamilton, who will be a free agent after the 2012 season, said this offseason that he doesn’t want to discuss his contract after spring training begins, opting to concentrate on getting ready for the season. (That’s something Albert Pujols did as well with the Cardinals last year). The club agrees with that plan.

“We both agree we don’t want it to be a distraction,” said Daniels, who just returned from a trip to the Dominican Republic. “So unless we’re 90 percent down the line, we both agree, ‘Hey let’s do it right up until we report and then let’s put it aside.’” Hopefully, we’ll have something positive to report.”

Daniels talked briefly about how complicated a deal like this can be with Hamilton’s injury history and age. Only once has Hamilton played a full season since making his Major League debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007. But when he is on the field, few players have a greater impact on the game (as his 2010 AL MVP shows).

“We’d like to keep Josh here for an extended period of time,” Daniels said. “It’s got to be a deal that works for both sides. He’s got a unique set of circumstances because of how his career has played out and he’ll reach free agency at a different age than Prince [Fielder] or even Elvis [Andrus]. Josh will look at this, rightfully so, as the one time he hits free agentcy and how does he factor that in with his family and the different opportunities he has. We’re talking to them about this. We love Josh, love what he’s about and we want to keep him here and we’ll continue talking to him and hope we figure something out.”

Hamilton, 30, is slated to make $13.75 million this season as part of the two-year deal he signed last offseason that took care of both of his remaining arbitration years.

Beaubois makes first start, scores season-high 22 in win

With three starters out, the Dallas Mavericks were searching for offense from other sources.

Reserve guard Rodrigue Beaubois and slumping Lamar Odom delivered.

Beaubois had a season-high 22 points and Odom added 19 points, his most since joining the Mavericks at the start of the season, to lead Dallas to a 116-101 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday night.

Beaubois made his first start of the season, subbing for Delonte West, who was out with a strained right hamstring.

“Tonight was a good night,” said Beaubois, who went 9 for 15 from the floor and also had seven assists, six rebounds and four blocked shots. “When they give you a good shot, you’ve got to be ready to shoot it. … I’m just trying to be aggressive.”

Odom has been struggling since his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers, entering the game averaging 7.7 points with and hitting 33 percent of his field goal attempts.

Making the transition from Phil Jackson’s Triangle offense with the Lakers to a Dallas attack that takes more of a fastbreak approach has been a tough adjustment for Odom.

This time, Odom was more aggressive on offense, converting three 3-pointers and going 7 for 12 from the floor to help the Mavs to a season-high for points.

Odom was more eager to talk about his defense, however.

“It’s not all about making shots,” Odom said. “It’s about making the right play, making stops, making defensive plays. Tonight I played a better all-around game.”

Odom has been starting in place of the team’s top scorer, Dirk Nowitzki, sidelined for a fourth straight game while he improves his conditioning and gets treatment for a sore right knee.

Nowitzki has been through multiple conditioning sessions each day and could be back for Sunday’s home game against San Antonio.

Tyler Lee’s Late Rally Falls Short

By Mike Alzamora/KTBB Sports
The Robert E. Lee Red Raiders trailed by ten at halftime, by the same margin after three quarters, but rallied to get within three late in the final period before falling to the North Mesquite Stallions 52-48 Friday in a District 11-5A Boys Basketball game in Mesquite.

The Red Raiders were led offensively by senior point guard Jarrod Coleman who finished with 18 points. However, Lee had to play the majority of the game without its leading scorer junior forward Taylor Tankersley who was in foul trouble for most of the contest. The 6’5″ junior finished with nine points and only two field goals. The Stallions used a very balanced attack as ten different players scored led by Darik Walker’s 14.

REL drops to 17-9 overall and 1-4 in district play while North Mesquite improves to 10-14 and 2-3 respectively. The Red Raiders will be at Mesquite Horn next Tuesday and you can hear that contest LIVE on ESPN East Texas 92.1 FM. North Mesquite hosts DeSoto on Tuesday.

Boys High School Hoops Scores – 01-27-2012

District 11-5A

North Mesquite 52
Robert E. Lee 48 – Final

Mesquite 58
Mesquite Horn 55 – Final

DeSoto 66
Longview 48 – Final

District 14-4A

John Tyler 65
Nacogdoches 36 – Final

Whitehouse 81
Hallsville 59 – Final

Jacksonville 52
Marshall 29 – Final

Patriot Men Fall to Louisiana College

By Bill Coates/KTBB Sports
The Louisiana College Wildcats defeated the University of Texas at Tyler Patriots 75-70 in an American Southwest Conference men’s basketball game on Thursday night at the Herrington Patriot Center. The Patriots trailed by 8 at halftime and kept the game close in the second half. The Wildcats hit eleven three point field goals. Jarrod Jackson led Louisiana College with 23 points. Jacob McDonald and Darren Houliston scored 14 each for Tyler. The Patriots fall to 4-10 in league play. The Wildcats are 6-7. UT Tyler will host Mississippi College on Saturday, January 28 at 3pm.

UT Tyler Women Come Up Short Against Louisiana College

By Mike Alzamora/KTBB Sports
The UT Tyler Patriots gave first place Louisiana College all it could handle Thursday but couldn’t quite pull off the upset as the Lady Wildcats held off a furious second half rally by the Patriots for a 79-70 win. The victory marked the seventh in a row for Louisiana College while UT Tyler lost for the fifth time in their last six outings.

Playing short-handed without leading scorer Melissa Thomas, the UT Tyler Women trailed 39-23 at the half as they were hounded by the Lady Wildcats full court press. But UT Tyler fought back with a vengeance in the second and got within three of Louisiana College thanks in large part to the work of senior guards Cookie Domino and Lindsay Hausmann. Domino, a senior from Longview, finished with 16 points and 21 rebounds, which marks as the second most in school history for a single game. Meanwhile, Hausmann added 15 points and 7 boards. Junior guard Olivia Burns and Sophomore Post She’Cara Humphrey were also in double figures for the Patriots with 11 and 10 points respectively.

UT Tyler falls to 9-9 overall and 6-8 in the ASC. Louisiana College, on the other hand is now 15-2 and 12-1 in league action. The Patriots will host Mississippi College Saturday at 1:00pm before traveling to Pineville, LA to take on the Lady Wildcats again next Thursday. Louisiana College will be at LeTourneau on Saturday. You can hear the Patriots and Choctaws Saturday LIVE on KTBB AM 600.

Grooms to Join Texas Tech Red Raiders

Aaron Dickens
RedRaiderSports.com Managing Editor

Tyler Lee center Conner Grooms has committed to play football at Texas Tech. The three-star standout hosted Tommy Tuberville and Neal Brown today, and accepted the Red Raiders’ preferred walk-on offer.

Grooms met with Tuberville and Brown Thursday morning. The decision was a no-brainer for Grooms, as he grew up rooting for Tech and has extensive family ties to the South Plains. “Both of my dad’s parents, both of my parents and one of my brothers have graduated from there, and then I have one brother who’s a freshman there right now,” Grooms said. “It kind of runs in the family. It feels like home, I’ve been going out there forever. It’s really been my dream (to play for Tech).”

The Red Raiders head into the 2012 season with very little experience at the center position, so the 6-foot-4, 280-pound prospect should have a great chance to get on the field and earn a scholarship. “They said right now they have two guys that can snap the ball. They want to use me at center,” Grooms said. “They told me I can earn a scholarship if I get in the rotation or on the field.”

Grooms chose Tech over scholarship offers from Houston, Kansas, Louisiana Tech, Memphis and others; he took an official visit to Ruston, La. earlier this month. “They really wanted me to come there,” he said. “I went on an official visit. It wasn’t Texas Tech, it didn’t feel like home.” Last week, at Lee’s annual football banquet, Grooms was named team MVP.

TJC Sweeps Hoops Doubleheader at Angelina

By Mike Alzamora/KTBB Sports
The TJC Apaches and Apache Ladies dug deep and pulled out two hard earned victories in Lufkin Wednesday night as the Tyler Men defeated Angelina 62-57 after the TJC Women edged the Lady Runners 66-64 at Shands Gym. The Apache Ladies trailed at halftime 33-31 and played from behind for most of the second half before sophomore point guard Shawnee Johnson hit two big shots late including a 3-pointer with 1:11 left to give Tyler a 65-63 lead and propel them to the win. Meanwhile, the TJC Men led it 29-25 at the break and opened up a double-digit lead early in the second half. The Apaches were never able to pull away, however, and held off the Roadrunner thanks to a pair of big threes by freshman point guard Trent Washington.

Washington was the only Tyler player in double figures as he led the way with 14 points while freshman power forward Chris Coleman added 7 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Johnson and sophomore guard Markisha Hawkins led the Apache Ladies with 13 points a piece, while sophomore guard Ericka House chipped in with 12.

The Apache Men improve to 11-6 overall and 4-4 in conference play while the TJC women are now 15-5 and 6-2 in league action. Both Tyler teams will comeback home this Saturday for a doubleheader against Jacksonville College at Wagstaff Gymnasium. The Women play at 2:00pm, while the Men take the hardwood at approximately 4:00pm. You can hear both games LIVE on ESPN East Texas 92.1 FM and www.ktbb.com beginning at 1:45pm.

Tyler Lee Runs Past Longview, 59-42

By Mike Alzamora/KTBB Sports
The Robert E. Lee Red Raiders fell behind 4-0 in the early going to the Longview Lobos. Lee then went on a 16-0 run and never looked back as the Red Raiders picked up their first district victory of the season 59-42 over their East Texas rivals Tuesday night at the REL Varsity Gymnasium.

Junior forward Taylor Tankersley, who was nursing an injured ankle was challenged by Lee head coach Alan Johnston earlier in the morning shootaround. The Red Raiders leading scorer responded by scoring 23 points, including three 3-point baskets, to go along with six rebounds. Also in double figures for the Red Raiders were senior point guard Jarrod Coleman who finished with 13, and senior guard Evan Tomlinson who added 12. Longview was led by senior guard Jaquan Jackson who scored 12.

Robert E. Lee improves to 17-8 overall and 1-3 in district play, while the Lobos fall to 9-11 and 1-3 in league action. The Red Raiders will travel to North Mesquite Friday for a game you can hear LIVE on ESPN East Texas 92.1 FM beginning at 6:45pm. Longview will host DeSoto on Friday night at Lobo Coliseum.

Changes Ahead for Tyler Lee Football

By Bill Coates/KTBB Sports
Tyler’s Robert E. Lee high school will have a new head football coach and athletic coordinator for the 2012-13 season. ESPN East Texas and KTBB Sports has learned that Randy Huffstickler is not a finalist for the job. Huffstickler was named the interim head coach in June after Mike Owens announced his sudden retirement. Huffstickler immediately assumed the job with a enthusiasm, but the Red Raiders finished the 2011 campaign with a 1-9 record. The Tyler Independent School District informed Huffstickler of the decision to find a new coach on Tuesday. As many as three candidates are now believed to be under consideration for the job.

The list of as many as six or seven coaches who interviewed for the second time with the district last week included Huffstickler, Mike Meador of Lindale, Shawn Bell of Magnolia West High School and Darrell Piske of Fairfield. The final round of interviews are scheduled for later this week. TISD hopes to have a new coach in place by early February.

Mickey Spagnola on Sportstalk 1-17-12

Mickey Spagnola on Sportstalk
DallasCowboys.com’s Mickey Spagnola joins KTBB’s Bill Coates on Sportstalk at 5:30pm every Tuesday on ESPN East Texas 92.1 FM.
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Jen Floyd Engel: Sportstalk 1-16-12

FoxSports.com Columnist Jen Floyd Engel visits with KTBB’s Bill Coates on Sportstalk Monday afternoon – Listen Now
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