Cameron Jackets look to veteran players to help bring success

PAGE 2...SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018 2018 Fall Diamond POTEAU DAILY NEWS Front row, from left Lexi Redimueller, Brooke McCormack, Hope Gotes, Shelby Fitzer and Daisy Hernandez. Back row Ashley Montgomery, Sarah Billingsley, Hannah McCormack, Reilli Whitehead and Amber Battice. Not pictured Coaches Roger Hoffman and Darrion Luce. PDN photo by David Seeley Cameron girls blending experience, youth this fall A combination of experience and youth will lead the way for the Cameron Lady Yellowjackets this fall on the diamond. The experience will come from four returning starters from a season ago seniors Sarah Billingsley and Amber Battice, along with juniors Hannah McCormack and Reilli Whitehead. Rounding out the roster are Lexi Redimueller, Brooke McCormack, Hope Gotes, Shelby Fitzer, Daisy Hernandez and Ashley Montgomery. Also, a slight change at the helm has taken place for the Lady Jackets. Roger Hoffman has slipped over from assistant coach to head coach, replacing Curtis Curry who resigned at the end of the school year in May. Hoffman s assistant is Darrion Luce, who had been a junior high and assistant high school coach at Pocola. Businesses and parents show your support and team spirit for your team or child. Place an ad in our sports section 5 days a week. 1 x 3 for $29.00 2 x 3 for $58.00 3 x 3 for $88.00 Cameron Jackets look to veteran players to help bring success Second-year Cameron baseball coach Jarrett Cannon was pleased with how his Yellowjackets did last season under his tutelage. Last fall, the Jackets were 13-13 last fall, then went 15-15 in the spring that included a district title in a miraculous comeback to win the best-of-3 series at home against Arkoma. The Yellowjackets return eight starters from last season s squad, with three of them seniors outfielder/pitcher Ashton Adams, outfielder/pitcher B.J. Pendergrass and third baseman/pitcher Mitchell Pipkins. Four other returners are juniors on this year s team second/first baseman/pitcher L.T. Booth, first baseman/ The Poteau Daily News is your best source for local sports coverage in LeFlore County Good Luck To All LeFlore County Teams! There s one near you. pitcher Kole Hadley, third/second baseman Kolby McGee and outfielder Parker Cooper to go with sophomore shortstop/catcher/pitcher Cody Fitzer. Booth is the top returning hitter, while Adams is the No. 1 pitcher. Rounding out the team are sophomore catcher/center fielder Bryson Carshall and junior outfielder Ethan Shoptease. Last year, we took a big step in the right direction by winning districts in the spring, Cannon said. This year s team has enough returning talent, as well as some new pieces, to hopefully keep the momentum of the program going. The ultimate goal here is to get Cameron back to being the name that s synonymous with championships [like in the 1990s], but we re taking things one step at a time to get there. Front row, from left B.J. Pendergrass, Matthew Carshall, Braden Fitzer, Kolby McGee, Ethan Shoptease and Spencer Featherston. Back row Mitchell Pipkins, Cody Fitzer, Kole Hadley, L.T. Booth, Brextan Castillo, Ashton Adams and coach Jarrett Cannon. Not pictured Branson Castillo, Wyatt Riggs, Parker Cooper, Matthew Hall and Brandon Bozarth. Photo Submitted by Jarrett Cannon

POTEAU DAILY NEWS 2018 Fall Diamond SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018...PAGE 3 Bokoshe Tigers returning to fall baseball once again After about a decade of playing on the gridiron in the fall, the Bokoshe Tigers will return to their past and play fall baseball beginning this fall. The Tigers were 5-15 last spring, but the majority of the players are coming back this fall after getting a season under their belts. Four juniors are among the returners catcherpitcher Johnny Traylor, infielders/pitchers Caden Waggoner and Brayden Treat and infielder Carson Abernathy. Sophomores back are outfielder Zack Traylor and infielders Trenton Lovell and Billy Delaplank. Freshmen outfielders Hunter Gibson, Matthew Weaver, Jacob Cooper and Seth Clause round out the roster for second-year Bokoshe coach Dannie Culwell. Editor s Note: No preseason information on the Bokoshe Lady Tigers was available at press time. There is a possibility that they will not have enough players to field a team this fall. Front row, from left Billy Deleplank, Jacob Cooper, Seth Clause, Hunter Gibson, Trenton Lovell and Matthew Weaver. Back row Coach Dannie Culwell, Zack Traylor, Brayden Treat, Connor Crow, Johnny Traylor, Carson Abernathy and Caden Waggoner. Photo by Dixie Culwell The Poteau Daily News is your best source for local sports coverage in LeFlore County

PAGE 4...SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018 2018 Fall Diamond POTEAU DAILY NEWS Wister girls softball success will depend upon their youth The Wister Lady Wildcats softball team made it to the Class 3A State Slow-Pitch Softball Tournament with a 20-11 mark last spring after seeing their consecutive state softball appearance streak end at seven after they were eliminated at the Class 2A Regional Tournament last fall to end with a 21-11 record. If they want to make it back to the Class 2A State Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament for the first time since 2016, the Lady Cats will be relying on youth to do so. The good news is the Lady Wildcats return six players from a season ago, but that just so happened to be their first-ever varsity softball experience as the six players are sophomores Sage Anson, Kate Hammons, Keylee Shipman, Haley Terrazas, McKenna Pierce and Braxtyn McMillin. The not-so-good news is Anson will not get to pitch this fall after having her injured ACL repaired in a May surgery, so she will be out all fast-pitch season. That means that Businesses and parents show your support and team spirit for your team or child. Place an ad in our sports section 5 days a week. 1 x 3 for $29.00 2 x 3 for $58.00 3 x 3 for $88.00 McMillin, who normally catches, will have to do some pitching as well. McMillin won t be alone in the pitching rotation, but the remaining roster members are all freshmen Shaylinn Logan, Jaelyn Covey, Kourtney Donaho, Shaylin Midgley, Audrey Eilers and Chay Espinel with Midgley and Donaho seeing lots of action as a starting pitcher when not playing shortstop or catching, respectively. Shipman and Hammons will be two of the three usual outfielders in center field and left field, respectively. Because of having all underclassmen on this year s team, some might think veteran coach Kristie Jo Morgan might be in a rebuilding year but success breeds success, so don t be surprised if the Lady Wildcats don t make some noise come postseason time. Front row, from left Shaylinn Logan, Jaelyn Covey, Kourtney Donaho, Shaylin Midgley, Audrey Eilers and Chay Espinel. Back row McKenna Pierce, Braxtyn McMillin, Kate Hammons, Keylee Shipman and Haley Terrazas. Not pictured Sage Anson and coaches Kristie Jo Morgan and Stacy Gibson. Photo by Deedra McMillin

POTEAU DAILY NEWS 2018 Fall Diamond SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018...PAGE 5 Front row, from left Maddie Carlile, Ashley Ellison, Skyla Paul, Sommer Carlile, Kaylee Moore and Jaydynn Walden. Back row Coach Aloise Weezie Shepherd, Tyra Beaver, B.J. Lang, Trisha Walden, Madisen O Neal, Josslyn Beesley and coach Jessica Walden. Not pictured Coach Dean Winders. Photo by Aloise Shepherd Arkoma girls hope off-season improvements lead them to success this fall The Arkoma Lady Mustangs, who finished 7-18 last fall but played for a district title, had a strong summer regiment of workouts to try to make them better for this fall, The Lady Mustangs, who were 7-17 last spring, return the nucleus of the team from a season ago. Three seniors are back for Arkoma, pitcher/utility player Josslyn Beesley, shortstop/ outfielder Madisen O Neal and utility player Skyla Paul. First/second baseman Tyra Beaver, catcher/third baseman Maddie Carlile, third baseman/outfielder B.J. Lang and infielder/right fielder/pitcher Kaylee Moore are the groups of juniors on this fall s team, while pitcher/utility player Jaydynn Walden is the lone sophomore back from a season ago. Three other players senior pitcher/utility player Trisha Walden, senior outfielder Sommer Carlile and freshman outfielder Ashley Ellison round out the roster. Our girls have worked really hard on their individual strength and skills in the offseason, and we re excited to play, Arkoma second-year coach Aloise Weezie Shepherd said. Our team has some key players returning as well as some rookies that add value to our program. We want to finish this season better than last season. Most of all, we want to compete well and leave it all on the field. Be sure to check out the Diamond Notes column every Tuesday for that week s schedules as well as Hitters and Pitchers of the Week and what s on tap

PAGE 6...SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018 2018 Fall Diamond POTEAU DAILY NEWS Front row, from left Lakotah Cripps, Kinlee Free, K-Jae Alexander, Kadance Espinoza, Rayannah Ward and Whitley Eslick. Back row Coach Rodale Sanders, coach Gunner Sanders, Destiny McGee, Morgan Smith, Morgan Alexander, Lillian Smith, Paige Crase, Haley Dean and coach Aaron Alexander. Not pictured Brylee Simmons, Gracie Pate, Kylee Free and Kinsey Terry. PDN photo by David Seeley Heavener girls will be young, but enthusiastic this fall Graduation hit the Heavener Lady Wolves softball team hard last spring as nearly the entire starting lineup has moved on three of them, Makenzie and Makaylee Wilson and Emily Yandell to Carl Albert State College to be Lady Vikings. After making the Class 3A State Tournament in the 2015 and 2016 seasons and being the Class 5A State Tournament runner-up last May, the Lady Wolves, who were 26-12 last fall, will rely on youth to keep the tradition going. Only three players are back who saw any major varsity time, junior pitcher/third baseman Brylee Simmons, junior infielder Gracie Pate and junior second baseman Morgan Alexander. Simmons likely will be Makenzie Wilson s heir apparent in the pitching circle. Rounding out the players likely to see varsity time this fall are junior first baseman Lillian Smith, sophomore catcher Lakotah Cripps, sophomore shortstop Destiny McGee, sophomore outfielder K-Jae Alexander, freshman pitcher/third baseman Paige Crase and freshman outfielder Morgan Smith. Kadance Espinoza, Rayannah Ward, Whitney Eslick, Kinsey Terry and Haley Dean round out the roster. We re young but enthusiastic, Heavener coach Rodale Sanders said. We re looking to improve every day. The Poteau Daily News is your best source for local sports coverage in LeFlore County

POTEAU DAILY NEWS 2018 Fall Diamond SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018...PAGE 7 Front row, from left Jalei Oglesby, Makaleah Lewis, Kenzie Davis, Maddy Nobles, Emily Standifer, Riley Bryan, Caitlyn Stacy and Kenlei Duvall. Back row Coach Shannon Stubbs, Kalen Nye, Raelyn Delt, Peyton Stubbs, Zoe Nation, Sydnie Womack, Loren Ford-Rogers, Dani Collins, Janae Graves and coach Mike Womack. PDN photo by David Seeley Howe girls seek another state-tournament berth After the Howe Lady Lions basketball team has had trips to state each of the last three seasons, the softball girls decided to follow suit last school year. The Lady Lions went to the Class 2A Fast-Pitch State Tournament in October, then went to the Class 4A Slow-Pitch State Tournament in May. However, in both instances, the Lady Lions fell in the state quarterfinals. The good news is the Lady Lions, who were 29-12 last fall, return nine players from their state-qualifying team, with two of them seniors shortstop Jalei Oglesby [batted.436 last fall] and second baseman Loren Ford-Rogers [.373]. Juniors back are third baseman Sydnie Womack [a team-leading.554 to go with nine home runs, 22 doubles, 62 runs batted in and 45 runs scored], catcher Kenlei Duvall and center fielder Zoe Nation [.339]. Pitcher Makaleah Lewis [.293], left fielder Payton Stubbs [.349], right fielder Dani Collins [.301] and first baseman Caitlyn Stacy [.228] round out the corps of sophomores. Freshmen pitchers Kalan Nye and Maddy Nobles round out the roster. Lewis was 12-2 last season with 43 strikeouts, and will do the majority of the pitching this season for the Lady Lions. We return eight starters from our 29-win state tournament team, Howe coach Mike Womack said. By adding Kenlei Duvall [who likely will see quite a bit of varsity playing time] and a good freshman class, we should make a run at another state tournament appearance. Businesses and parents show your support and team spirit for your team or child. Place an ad in our sports section 5 days a week. 1 x 3 for $29.00 2 x 3 for $58.00 3 x 3 for $88.00 Front row, from left Eduardo Sanchez, Ky Lynn, Carson McGee, David Evans and Jackson Morris. Back row Wesley Bradley, Tyler Sockey, Caleb Crabtree, Trever Sockey and Tanner Scott. Not pictured Coach Jon Sockey. Photo by Jon Sockey Howe Lions hope youth will bring them success this fall The Howe Lions have had a string of pretty successful seasons on the baseball diamond, which have culminated in a 17-7 season last fall and 19-10 last spring. Graduation hit the Lions hard as five seniors graduated with one of them, Brant Denton, signing with Arkansas Central Baptist College in Conway, Ark., which also signed fellow graduating senior Michael Dean to a college basketball letter of intent earlier this month. The good news is nine players from last season s team are back, but very young. Back are senior twin brothers Trever and Tyler Sockey, son of longtime Howe coach Jon Sockey, as well as seniors Carson McGee and David Evans, junior Tanner Scott and sophomores Eduardo Sanchez, Caleb Crabtree and Wesley Bradley. Newcomers include Jackson Morris and Ky Lynn whose older brother, Kolton, had success with the Wister Wildcats and whose sister, Justyn will be playing college softball at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark.

PAGE 8...SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018 2018 Fall Diamond POTEAU DAILY NEWS Front row, from left Allie Carry, Hailey Johnson, Lexi McClary, Brooklyn Martin and Kymra Dillard. Back row Brailee Cooper, Brylie Hill, Jolee Welch, Sierra Bishop, Mattie Byrd and Mariah Byrd. Not pictured Amber Johnson and coaches Sara Maxwell and Gerald Griffin. PDN photo by David Seeley Keota Lady Lions a veteran bunch this fall With a year under their belts, most of the members of the Keota Lady Lions softball team are going to be a veteran bunch for second-year coach Sara Maxwell. The Lady Lions return seven of their nine starters from a season ago. Seniors include second baseman Brylie Hill, first baseman/center fielder Mattie Byrd, right fielder Amber Johnson and shortstop/pitcher Sierra Bishop. Three sophomores round out the bunch of returning starters third baseman/pitcher Mariah Byrd, catcher Lexi McClary and pitcher Allie Carry. Rounding out the roster are senior left fielder Brooklyn Martin, junior first/third baseman Jolee Welch, sophomore shortstop/outfielder Kymra Dillard, sophomore second baseman Hailey Johnson and freshman outfielder Brailee Cooper. We have a good mixture of senior experience and underclassmen talent, Maxwell said. We have a lot to improve on, but we have a great work ethic to make those strides.

POTEAU DAILY NEWS 2018 Fall Diamond SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018...PAGE 9 Front row, from left Makinsie Pebley, Jenna Woodall, Katrina Hudlow, Joanna Loyd, Kenzie Pope, Kaitlyn Ryles and Lindsey Hudlow. Back row Kynli Brannon, Emma Luman, Haylee Newman, Summer Barnett, Linsey Waits and Megan Luman. Not pictured Chrissy Ingle and coach Dustin Beck. PDN photo by David Seeley Leflore girls an exciting, experienced group this fall Leflore Savages look to make noise with most everyone returning for fall season Since no one graduated off the 2017-18 Leflore Savages, they re expecting great things this fall. The Savages were 16-15 last fall, but they look to improve upon that mark this fall Leflore s boys, who were 14-14 last spring, will be a relatively underclassmen-ladened team, with only one senior Stetson Adams. There will be a plethora of juniors Jett Carver, Hunter Durant, Wyatt Gibson, Ryan Green, Hunter McGowen, Jackson Woodall and Lee Ray Gwin while Paylon Brown, Johnathon Ferguson, Christopher Loyd and Dax McMillin round out the sophomore group. Newcomers are Traven Sumpter, Cooper Newman, Westin Durant, Chase Lloyd, Cayden Singleterry, Charlie Sinclair and James Long. Carver, Durant and Green likely will be the top four pitchers for veteran coach Mark Warren. After enjoying a 25-12 season last fall, the Leflore Lady Savages are excited for this fall season under second-year coach Dustin Beck. However, not only will the Lady Savages be an exciting team to watch, but an experienced once as well. Leflore returns seven members from its 25-win team last fall, with two of them seniors third baseman Kenzie Pope and right fielder Summer Barnett. Catcher Haylee Newman, pitcher Megan Luman [who is back at full strength after surgery to repair an ACL injury suffered last fall that kept her from playing basketball or slow-pitch softball last year], center fielder Lindsey Hudlow and second baseman Katrina Hudlow are among the juniors on the squad. Sophomore shortstop Lindsey Waits rounds out the returning players. Four freshmen likely to make strong contributions are first baseman Kynli Brannon and outfielders Emma Luman, Jenna Woodall and Joanna Loyd, who will help fill the void left by Shadie Crase, who moved to Red Oak after playing her freshman season with the Lady Savages. We ve got an exciting group of players, Beck said. We have many key returning players, along with a very fast freshman class that are adjusting quickly to new positions. Front row, from left Hunter Lattimore, Paylon Brown, Traven Sumpter, Cooper Newman, Westin Durant, Chase Lloyd, Christopher Loyd and Jackson Woodall. Back row Hunter Durant, Cayden Singleterry, Stetson Adams, Charlie Sinclair, Hunter McGowen, Dax McMillin, Ryan Green, Jett Carver and LeeRay Gwin. Not pictured James Long and coach Mark Warren. Photo by Suzie Cormier Businesses and parents show your support and team spirit for your team or child. Place an ad in our sports section 5 days a week. Look for the weekly Diamond Notes Column in each Tuesday edition of the Poteau Daily News 1 x 3 for $29.00 2 x 3 for $58.00 3 x 3 for $88.00

PAGE 10...SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018 2018 Fall Diamond POTEAU DAILY NEWS Front row, from left Countri Brown, Alexis Calma, Madison Linker, Kenzie Reid, Jaz Johnson, Belle Williams and Camryn Harvey. Back row Coach Mark Reichert, Emma Damato, Mika Scott, Kenzie Tuck, Kyla Abdullah, Kena Chitwood, Shakyrah Gladness, Dache Benge, Amanda Rapin and coach Eddie Combs. Photo Submitted by Mark Reichert Pocola girls seek great success this fall The Pocola Lady Indians, who were 29-9 last fall, expect much the same, if not even more, success this fall, which will see them enter a district format where their standings determine their playoff fate. The Lady Indians return seven players from last season s team, led by senior cousins pitcher/first baseman Shakyrah Gladness and right fielder/second baseman Dache Benge. Gladness was 22-5 last season. While there s no juniors, there are a nice group of sophomores who got their first tastes of varsity softball last fall. They are third baseman Kenzie Tuck, catcher Amanda Rapin, pitcher/first baseman Kena Chitwood, shortstop Emma Damato and outfielder Kyla Abdullah. Second baseman Camryn Harvey rounds out the sophomores. Tuck (.451 batting average/.500 onbase percentage) and Rapin (.321,.539) are the top two returning hitters back from a season ago. Three freshmen round out the roster center fielder Madison Linker and utility players Mika Scott and Alexis Calma. Scott has enjoyed much success for the Lady Indians at the junior high level, both softball and basketball, for Pocola. With a new format to the schedule with the addition of district and no rankings, I loaded up our schedule to prepare this talented team for a long playoff run, fourth-year Pocola coach Mark Reichert said. This season will be determined by the health of my two-headed monster [Gladness and Chitwood] in the pitching circle. They ll split the innings for the most part. This will be the deepest team and deepest line-up I ve ever coached, and I ve had some good teams. That being said, this could be the best team I ve ever coached. The 2018 LeFlore County Gridiron Preview will publish Aug. 24

POTEAU DAILY NEWS 2018 Fall Diamond SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018...PAGE 11 Front row, from left Daylon Fazekas, Preston King, Hadlee Earls, Parker Thomas, Asher Kauk and Dayton Crose. Back row Tanner Hood, Austin Place, Dusty Fazekas, Dayson Fazekas, Chance Noah, Hagen Earls, Ryder Lovell, Cole Nix and Dalton Patten. Not pictured Coach Trey Booth. Photo by Chandra Fazekas Red Oak Eagles look to repeat as Class B state champions The Red Oak Eagles nearly pulled off the hat trick for state championships, which started off with the Class B state title last fall before winning the Class B state boys basketball championship but having the shot at the hat trick end by losing in the Class B State Tournament semifinals last May. If the Eagles, who were 28-8 last fall, plan on successfully defending their state title this fall, they ll be relying on past underclassmen to do the honors after graduating seven players, two of whom will play college athletics Cash Balentine at Carl Albert State College for baseball and Grayson Nix as a basketball player at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark. Two seniors on the team will be Rowdy Smith and Colby Ober, but neither saw a lot of varsity time last fall. Juniors back are Brayden Allen, Alex Jones and Damien Holmes, but they, too, saw limited varsity playing time. However, a lot of last year s freshmen who will be sophomores this year saw quite a bit of playing time Tanner Hood, Dayson Fazekas, Dusty Fazekas, Austin Place, Chance Noah, Dalton Patten and Cole Nix. Preston King rounds out the sophomore group. The Eagles also welcome Leflore move-ins Hagen and Hadlee Earls along with Dayton Crose. Dusty Fazekas, along with graduating Red Oak player Andrew Adams, played this summer on the Okmulgee County Twins Legion baseball team. Red Oak Lady Eagles have new coach for new season The Red Oak Lady Eagles will begin their new fast-pitch season not only coming off a Class B slowpitch state title last May but having a new coach at the helm. Cary Ammons takes over the reigns for John Long, who returned to his former coaching stomping grounds at Cameron. Ammons inherits last fall s team that went 22-17 and got to the Class B State Tournament semifinals last October. With only losing three players from last year s team [one being Carl Albert State College signee Darcie McCullar], the Lady Eagles should be primed for yet another state-tournament run. They return six of the nine starters, and four others who saw varsity action a season ago. Of those nine total returning players, three are seniors center fielder Kayleigh Hunter, catcher Shandee Noah and infielder Mackenzie Wood to go with three junior infielders back, Grace Montgomery, Trista Ober and Rylee Stacey. Sophomore pitcher/infielder Kacie Bell, sophomore pitcher/outfielder Jaiden Dill, sophomore outfielder Grayce Brigance and sophomore catcher Delanie Williams round out the veterans back from last season. Bell and Dill likely will share pitching duties. Three varsity newcomers are freshman outfielder Ashton Grogan, freshman utility player Callea Stewart and sophomore infielder Shadie Crase, who moved in after playing her freshman season at Leflore. Look for Diamond Notes Columns every Tuesday in the Poteau Daily News Front row, from left Callea Stewart, Jaiden Dill, Shadie Crase, Trista Ober, Makenzie Wood and Delanie Williams. Back row Rylee Stacey, Grayce Brigance, Grace Montgomery, Kacie Bell, Ashton Grogan and Kayleigh Hunter. Not pictured Shandee Noah and coaches Cary Ammons and JoAnne Scarberry. PDN photo by David Seeley

PAGE 12...SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018 2018 Fall Diamond POTEAU DAILY NEWS 2018 Fall Fast-Pitch Softball Schedule Front row, from left Emma Routh, Eva Turner, Cayle Lancaster, Destani Parsons and Hannah Caldwell. Back row Abbey Burcham, Makayla Miller, JoJo Webb, Vivian Blake, Brooklynn Denton and Cheyenne Barnes. Not pictured Coach Sarah Morgan. Photo by Sarah Morgan Smithville girls return seven starters from last season The Smithville Lady Braves bring back several players, seven to be precise, from last fall s 13-11-1 squad. However, only two of those seven returning players are seniors, pitcher/ first baseman Cheyenne Barnes and shortstop Makayla Miller. Two juniors back are catcher Hannah Caldwell and second/third baseman Destani Parsons, while outfielder/ first baseman Vivian Blake, outfielder JoJo Webb and utility player Emma Routh are among the sophomore group. Third baseman Abbey Burcham, outfielder/catcher Eva Turner, outfielder/first baseman Brooklynn Deton and outfielder Cayle Lancaster are the incoming freshmen for coach Sarah Morgan, who prepares for her seventh season at the helm. Smithville boys with new coach for new season The Smithville Braves, who were 13-13 last fall on the baseball diamond, will have a new coach as Logan Lindly takes over the reigns from D.J. McIntyre, who took the coaching position at Moss High School near Holdenville. Lindly will be blessed by returning 11 players from last year s team, most of whom were active in the starting lineup. Seniors on this year s team are Conager McBroom, Kolton McBroom, Tanner Rogers, J.P. Pruitt and Devon Whitfield. Jacob Caldwell, Harmon Phillips, Tom Hilton, Austin Routh and Doug Walker are the juniors, and Jase Miller will be a sophomore. Both McBrooms, Rogers, Phillips and Hilton saw quite an amount of time on the mound pitching for Smithville last season. Editor s Note: A team photograph was not available at press time. August 13 Spiro at Pocola, 4:30 Smithville and Antlers at Whitesboro, 4:30 [Antlers vs. Whitesboro, 4:30 ; Smithville vs. Antlers, 6 ; Smithville vs. Whitesboro, 7:30 ] Antlers at Heavener, 5 Savanna at Wister, DH, 4:30 Arkoma at McCurtain, 5 Clayton-Buffalo Valley at Wright City, 4:30 Leflore and Keota at Webbers Falls, 4 [Leflore vs. Webbers Falls, 4 ; Keota vs. Leflore, 5:15 ; Keota vs. Webbers Falls, 6:30 ] Talihina at Sallisaw-Central, DH, 4 August 14 Muldrow at Poteau, 4:30 Keota at Arkoma, 5:30 Cameron at Leflore, 4 Talihina at Wister, DH, 4 Whitesboro at Red Oak, 4 Haileyville and Panola at Clayton- Buffalo Valley, 4 [Haileyville vs. Clayton-Buffalo Valley, 4 ; Haileyville vs. Panola, 5:30 ; Panola vs. Clayton-Buffalo Valley, 7 ] Hartshorne at Heavener, 4:30 Konawa at Howe, 4:30 Panama at McCurtain, 5 August 16-18 Clayton-Buffalo Valley at Stuart Tournament, Red Oak at Oktaha Tournament, August 16 Sallisaw at Poteau, 4:30 Wister at Cameron, 5:30 Panama at Howe, DH, 4 Leflore at Keota, 4:30 Talihina at Spiro, 5 Stigler at Heavener, 6:30 Haworth at Smithville, 5:30 Arkoma at Warner, 5:30 Pocola at Fort Gibson, 5 August 17-18 Whitesboro at Okarche Festival, Panama at Warner Festival, August 17 Poteau at Kellyville Festival, Arkoma at Leflore, 4 Clayton-Buffalo Valley at Leflore, 11 a.m. Heavener at Spiro, 6:30 Howe at Wister, 5 Valliant at Pocola, 4 August 18 Cameron at Spiro, 1 Poteau and Heavener at Kellyville Festival, August 20 Poteau at Muldrow, 4:30 Panama at Arkoma, 4 Smithville at Leflore, 4 Talihina at Pocola, 4 Sallisaw-Central at Bokoshe, 4:30 McCurtain at Wister, 5:30 Heavener at Wilburton, DH, 4:30 Howe at Savanna, DH, 4 Keota at Quinton, 5:30 Spiro at Valliant, 5 Whitesboro at Clayton-Buffalo Valley, 5 August 21 Poteau at Wister, 4 Cameron at Bokoshe, 4 Spiro at Heavener, 5 Wewoka at Panama, DH, 4 Antlers at Pocola, 5 Konawa at Talihina, 4:30 Arkoma at Gore, 5 Clayton-Buffalo Valley at Rattan, 5:30 Leflore at McCurtain, 4 Smithville at SE Oklahoma Conference Festival, at Haworth, Whitesboro at Wright City, 4:30 August 23-25 Arkoma and Heavener at Chouteau- Mazie Tournament, Leflore at Asher Tournament, August 23 Idabel at Poteau, DH, 4 Keota at Bokoshe, 4 Howe and Caney at Red Oak, 4 [Howe vs. Red Oak, 4 ; Howe vs. Caney, 5:30 ; Caney vs. Red Oak, 7 ] Wister at Panama, DH, 4 McCurtain at Whitesboro, 4 Cameron at Gore, 4:30 Clayton-Buffalo Valley at Calvin, 4 Pocola at Antlers, 5 Smithville and Wright City at Battiest, 4 [Smithville vs. Battiest, 4 ; Smithville vs. Wright City, 5:30 ] Spiro at Stigler, 5 August 24-25 Howe, Pocola and Whitesboro at Stillwater/OSU Festival, Spiro at Prague Tournament, August 24 Talihina at Red Oak, 4 Porum at Cameron, 6 Sallisaw-Central at Wister, 5:45 Clayton-Buffalo Valley at Haworth, DH, 5 Heavener at Hartshorne, 4:30 Smithville at Soper, 5:30 August 25 Heavener at Chouteau-Mazie Tournament, Talihina at Konawa, 2 (See SOFTBALL, Page 13)

POTEAU DAILY NEWS 2018 Fall Diamond SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018...PAGE 13 SOFTBALL August 27 Poteau at Sallisaw, 4:30 Red Oak at Cameron, 6:30 Heavener at Talihina, 4 Panama at Keota, 5:30 Leflore at Wister, 4 Whitesboro at Smithville, 4:30 Oktaha at Pocola, 5 Arkoma at Porum, 5:30 Clayton-Buffalo Valley at Soper, 5:30 Howe at Wewoka, DH, 4 Spiro at Wilburton, 5 August 28 Fort Gibson at Poteau, 4:30 Smithville and Talihina at Cameron, 4:30 [Smithville vs. Cameron, 4:30 ; Smithville vs. Talihina, 6 ; Talihina vs. Cameron, 7:30 ] Heavener at Pocola, 4:30 Whitesboro at Leflore, 5:30 Spiro at Red Oak, 5 Sallisaw-Central at Howe, 5:30 Savanna at Panama, DH, 4 Antlers at Spiro, 5 Arkoma at Gans, 5 Clayton-Buffalo Valley at Battiest, 6 Talihina at Haileyville, 4 August 30 Roland at Poteau, 4:30 Caney at Whitesboro, 4 Valliant at Heavener, 5 Kinta at Keota, 4:30 Wilburton at Talihina, 4:30 Konawa at Wister, 4:30 Cameron at McCurtain, 6 Leflore at Wright City, 4:30 Panama at Sallisaw-Central, DH, 4 Pocola at Hartshorne, 5 Smithville at Clayton-Buffalo Valley, 4 August 30-31 Howe and Wister at Tushka Tournament, August 31 Pocola at Spiro, 4:30 Sallisaw-Central at Cameron, 4:30 Panama at Konawa, 4 September 1 Howe and Wister at Tushka Tournament, September 3 Bokoshe at Arkoma, 5 September 4 Poteau at Broken Bow, DH, 5 Cameron at Arkoma, 4 Bokoshe at Keota, 4 Heavener at Leflore, 4 Wright City and Soper at Clayton- Buffalo Valley, 4 [Wright City vs. Clayton-Buffalo Valley, 4 ; Wright City vs. Soper, 5:30 ; Soper vs. Clayton-Buffalo Valley, 7 ] McCurtain at Panama, 5 Wilburton at Pocola, 5 Hartshorne at Spiro, 5 Red Oak at Stuart, 4:30 Talihina at Savanna, DH, 4 Whitesboro at Webbers Falls, 4:30 Wister at Konawa, 4:30 September 6-7 Arkoma and Keota at Riverside Conference Tournament, September 6-8 Cameron, Panama and Spiro at Sallisaw-Central Tournament, Leflore, Red Oak, Smithville, Talihina and Whitesboro at Kiowa Tournament, September 6 Checotah at Poteau, 4:30 Wister at Howe, 4 Heavener at Antlers, 5 Pocola at Valliant, September 7-8 Poteau and Pocola at Durant Tournament, September 10-13 LeFlore County Tournament, at PARC, September 10 Gans at Arkoma, 5 Porum at Keota, 5:30 Clayton-Buffalo Valley at Crowder, 6 September 11 Rattan at Clayton-Buffalo Valley, 5 Dewar at Red Oak, 4 Fort Towson at Smithville, 4:30 Keota at Gore, 5:30 September 13-15 Red Oak at Sequoyah-Tahlequah Tournament, Clayton-Buffalo Valley and Smithville at Wright City Tournament, September 13 Heavener at Arkoma, 4 McCurtain at Keota, 5:45 September 14 Arkoma at Cameron, 5:30 Porum at Leflore, 4:30 Valliant at Spiro, 4:30 Kiowa at Whitesboro, 12:30 September 15 Spiro at Cameron, 2:30 Konawa at Panama, 1 Howe at Dale Festival, at Ballfields at Firelake in Shawnee, September 17 Poteau at Fort Gibson, 4:30 Pocola at Heavener, 4:30 Keota at Panama, 5:30 Red Oak and Wilburton at Whitesboro, 4 [Red Oak vs. Whitesboro, 4 ; Red Oak vs. Wilburton, 5:30 ; Wilburton vs. Whitesboro, 7 ] Clayton-Buffalo Valley and McCurtain at Porum, 4 [Clayton-Buffalo Valley vs. McCurtain, 5:30 ; Clayton-Buffalo Valley vs. Porum, 7 ] Crowder at Leflore, 4 Roland at Arkoma, 5:30 Muldrow at Wister, 4:30 Howe at Sallisaw-Central, 6 Smithville and Valliant at Wright City, 4:30 [Smithville vs. Wright City, 4:30 ; Smithville vs. Valliant, 6 ] Spiro at Antlers, 5 Talihina at Stigler, 4 September 18 Poteau at Heavener, 4:30 Cameron and Clayton-Buffalo Valley at Smithville, 4:30 [Clayton- Buffalo Valley vs. Smithville, 4:30 ; Cameron vs. Clayton-Buffalo Valley, 6 ; Cameron vs. Smithville, 7:30 ] Panama and Vian at Red Oak, 4 [Panama vs. Red Oak, 4 ; Panama vs. Vian, 5:30 ; Vian vs. Red Oak, 7 ] Webbers Falls at Arkoma, 4 Kinta at Keota, 4:30 Talihina at Hartshorne, 3 Wister at Porum, 5:30 September 20-22 Poteau at Northeastern State University Tournament in Tahlequah, September 20-21 Arkoma, Cameron, Keota and Smithville, at Class A District Tournament, Bokoshe, Clayton-Buffalo Valley, Leflore, Red Oak and Whitesboro at Class B District Tournament, September 20 Panama at Poteau, 4 Wister at Pocola, 4:30 Howe at Konawa, 4 Talihina at Wewoka, DH, 4 September 21 Wister at Red Oak, 4 September 24 Red Oak at Poteau, 5:30 Stigler at Pocola, 4:30 Howe at Wilburton, 4:30 September 25 Poteau at Hartshorne, 4:30 Spiro at Wister, 5 Sequoyah-Tahlequah at Red Oak, 4 September 27-28 Poteau at Class 4A Bi-District Tournament, Heavener, Pocola and Spiro at Class 3A Regional Tournament,, Howe, Panama, Talihina and Wister at Class 2A Regional Tournament, Arkoma, Cameron, Keota and Smithville, at Class A Regional Tournament, Bokoshe, Clayton-Buffalo Valley, Leflore, Red Oak and Whitesboro at Class B Regional Tournament, October 4-6 Poteau at Class 4A Regional Tournament, Heavener, Pocola and Spiro at Class 3A State Tournament, at Ballfields at Firelake in Shawnee, Howe, Panama, Talihina and Wister at Class 2A State Tournament, at Ballfields at Firelake in Shawnee, Arkoma, Cameron, Keota and Smithville, at Class A State Tournament, at Ballfields at Firelake in Shawnee, Bokoshe, Clayton-Buffalo Valley, Leflore, Red Oak and Whitesboro at Class B State ournament, at Ballfields at Firelake in Shawnee, October 11-13 Poteau at Class 4A State Tournament, Tournament, at Ballfields at Firelake in Shawnee,

PAGE 14...SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018 2018 Fall Diamond POTEAU DAILY NEWS Front row, from left Kailee Daney, Shaye Barron, Shay Hill, Dayton Holland, Madison Ford, Klaira Morris and Sierra Stowell. Back row Coach David Morris, Allie Standifer, Kinsey Morris, Ashley Daney, Mikayla Pierce, Morgan Burke, Katie Harger and coach Hailey Kirkes. Photo Submitted by David Morris Experience has chance to lead Talihina girls to successful fall After going 7-18 last fall, the Talihina Lady Golden Tigers hope an experienced bunch returning for this season will help them have a chance to improve upon that mark in the fall of 2018. Five seniors highlight the roster, four of them returning starters shortstop Shay Hill, pitcher Mikayla Pierce, second baseman Kailee Daney and outfielder Allie Standifer. Outfielder Sierra Stowell is the fifth senior. Junior catcher Dayton Holland, junior first baseman Ashley Daney and sophomore third baseman Katie Harger round out the returning starters. Senior Morgan Burke and junior Shaye Barron round out the roster. Pierce returns to the pitching circle, while Hill and Kailee Daney are the top two returning hitters. We re highly experienced, with a lot of returning players, Talihina coach David Morris said. We re looking forward to a very good year. Businesses and parents show your support and team spirit for your team or child. Place an ad in our sports section 5 days a week. 1 x 3 for $29.00 2 x 3 for $58.00 3 x 3 for $88.00 Look for the weekly Diamond Notes Column in each Tuesday edition of the Poteau Daily News

POTEAU DAILY NEWS 2018 Fall Diamond SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018...PAGE 15 Whitesboro Bulldogs a veteran bunch After getting to within a win of making the Class B State Tournament in May, the Whitesboro Bulldogs want to claw the door down and make state this fall. The Bulldogs, who were 21-6 last spring and 16-7 last fall, return most, if not all, of the key players from last school year s success on the diamond. Seniors back are Ethan Adams, Tucker LeMay, Corban Culley, Bobby Rose, Trevor Roberts and Micah Gibson to go with junior Ian Baxter. The sophomores corps include Jayse Ward, Ricky Morris, Levi Adams, Rhett Hunter and Ryan Huett. Newcomers are McKinny Thompson, Zeke Baxter, Gage Williams, Kaden Kincannon and Anthony Rogers [who played basketball last year]. Front row, from left Holly Bowman, Abi Marks, Cassie Grey, Hannah Abeyta and Haylee Himes. Back row Kimbri Huett, Kinley Barron, Hope Bailey, Lizzie LeMay and Ashley Johnson. Not pictured Roxy Blagg and coaches Billy Karr and Hoss Ward. PDN photo by David Seeley Whitesboro girls look to keep state streak intact About the only thing that didn t go the Whitesboro Lady Bulldogs softball team s way last school year was getting a win at state. The Lady Bulldogs went to both the Class B Fast-Pitch State Tournament in October and the Class A Slow-Pitch State Tournament in May. In both instances, they lost in the state quarterfinals. The good news for the Lady Bulldogs, who were 25-15 last fall, is they return just about everyone from that squad. Returning are Holly Bowman, Abi Marks, Cassie Grey, Hannah Abeyta, Haylee Himes, Hope Bailey, Lizzie LeMay, Ashley Johnson and Roxy Blagg [currently injured]. Newcomers are Kimbri Huett and Kinley Barron, who will help take the place of Ashten Bailey, who did not come out for the fall season. Businesses and parents show your support and team spirit for your team or child. Place an ad in our sports section 5 days a week. 1 x 3 for $29.00 2 x 3 for $58.00 3 x 3 for $88.00 Front row, from left Zeke Baxter, Corban Culley, Tucker LeMay, Micah Gibson, Anthony Rogers, Gage Williams, Ricky Morris and Kaden Kincannon. Back row Ryan Huett, Ian Baxter, Ethan Adams, Jayse Ward, Trevor Roberts, Rhett Hunter, Bobby Rose, McKinny Thompson and Levi Adams. Not pictured Coach Bryan Cartwright. Photo by Bryan Cartwright Check us out online for all the latest breaking local news, sports, entertainment, opinion polls, trending topics, bookings, special sections and deals. WWW.POTEAUDAILYNEWS.COM

PAGE 16...SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018 2018 Fall Diamond POTEAU DAILY NEWS 2018 Fall Baseball Schedule August 13 Howe at Smithville, 5 Buffalo Valley at McCurtain, 5:30 Cameron and Haileyville at Clayton, 4 [Cameron vs. Clayton, 4 ; Cameron vs. Haileyville, 5:30 ] Leflore at Moss, 4 Whitesboro and Varnum at Crowder, 2 [Whitesboro vs. Crowder, 2 ; Whitesboro vs. Varnum, 4:30 ] August 14 Whitesboro and Cameron at Buffalo Valley, 4 [Whitesboro vs. Buffalo Valley, 2 ; Whitesboro vs. Cameron, 4:30 ; Cameron vs. Buffalo Valley, 7 ] Clayton at Leflore, 5:30 Panola at Howe, 4 Preston at Red Oak, 4:30 Smithville at Milburn, 4:30 Wister at Rattan, 4 August 16-18 Carl Albert State College Fall Classic, August 16 Battiest at Clayton, 4:30 Smithville at Fort Towson, 4:30 August 17 Whitesboro at Smithville, 4 Haileyville at Cameron, 4:30 August 20 Bokoshe at Leflore, 5 Buffalo Valley at Red Oak, 4 Panola at Clayton, 4:30 Haileyville at Howe, 4:30 Wright City at Smithville, 4:30 McCurtain at Wister, 4 Whitesboro and Cameron at Battiest, 3 [Whitesboro vs. Battiest, 3 ; Cameron vs. Whitesboro, 5:30 ; Cameron vs. Battiest, 8 ] August 21 Whitesboro at Howe, 4 McCurtain and Panola at Cameron, 3:30 [McCurtain vs. Cameron, 3:30 ; McCurtain vs. Panola, 5 ; Panola vs. Cameron, 6:30 ] Rattan at Red Oak, 4:30 Clayton at Soper, 6:30 Leflore and Varnum at Kiowa, 3 [Leflore vs. Kiowa, 3 ; Leflore vs. Varnum, 5:30 ] Smithville at Haworth, 5:30 August 23-25 Cameron, Howe, Leflore, Red Oak and Wister at Eastern Oklahoma State College Tournament in Wilburton, Whitesboro Tournament, August 23 Bokoshe at Braggs, 4 August 25 McCurtain at Bokoshe, 1:30 August 27 Bokoshe at Cameron, 4:30 Buffalo Valley at Leflore, 5:30 Howe at Wister, 4:30 Battiest and Haworth at Smithville, 4:30 [Battiest vs. Smithville, 4:30 ; Battiest vs. Haworth, 6 ; Haworth vs. Smithville, 7:30 ] Red Oak and Drummond at Asher, 12:30 [Red Oak vs. Asher, 12:30 ; Red Oak vs. Drummond, 3 ] Whitesboro and Clayton at Panola, 4 [Whitesboro vs. Panola, 4 ; Whitesboro vs. Clayton, 6:30 ] August 28 Cameron at Howe, 4:30 Leflore at Wister, 4 Panola at Bokoshe, 4 McCurtain at Smithville, 5:30 Buffalo Valley at Moss, 4:30 Clayton at Wright City, 5 Red Oak at Tushka, 4:30 Whitesboro at Haworth, 4 August 30 Howe at Bokoshe, 4:30 Smithville at Cameron, 4 Stuart at Buffalo Valley, 6 Fort Towson at Clayton, 6 Leflore at Ripley Tournament, Whitesboro and Coleman at Wright City, August 31 Wister and Boswell at Whitesboro, 4 [Boswell vs. Whitesboro, 4 ; Wister vs. Boswell, 6:15 ; Wister vs. Whitesboro, 8:30 ] Kiowa and Oktaha at Red Oak, 2 [Kiowa vs. Red Oak, 2 ; Kiowa vs. Oktaha, 4:30 ; Oktaha vs. Red Oak, 7 ] Clayton at Kinta, DH, 5:30 Leflore at Ripley Tournament, September 1 Leflore at Ripley Tournament, September 3 Clayton at McCurtain, 6 September 4 Red Oak at Whitesboro, 4 Braggs at Bokoshe, 4 Battiest at Leflore, 5:30 Buffalo Valley at Haileyville, 5:30 Cameron at McCurtain, 5 Howe at Panola, 4:30 Smithville at Boswell, 4:30 September 6-8 Howe Wood Bat Tournament, Red Oak at Silo Tournament, September 6 Clayton at Achille, 6 Leflore at Braggs, 4 September 7 Achille at Clayton, 6 McCurtain at Leflore, 2, tentative. September 8 McCurtain at Leflore, 2, tentative. Clayton at Frontier, September 10 Cameron at Bokoshe, 4 Smithville at Leflore, 5:30 Soper at Buffalo Valley, 4:30 Battiest at Howe, 4:30 McCurtain at Red Oak, 3:30 Panola at Whitesboro, 4 Clayton and Braggs at Kinta, 3 [Clayton vs. Kinta, 3 ; Clayton vs. Braggs, 5:30 ] September 11 Howe at Buffalo Valley, 4 Whitesboro at Clayton, 5:30 Wright City at Red Oak, 5 Bokoshe at Panola, 4 Leflore at Crowder, 4 Smithville at Battiest, 5:30 September 13-15 Swingin It in the Valley Tournament, at Buffalo Valley, Smithville at Rattan Tournament, Whitesboro at Ripley Tournament, September 13 Red Oak at Southeastern Festival in Durant, September 14 Crowder at Howe, 4:30 Silo at Red Oak, noon. Leflore at Tupelo, 3 September 15 Byng at Red Oak, noon. September 17 Leflore at Cameron, 5 Pittsburg at Buffalo Valley, 4 Clayton and Battiest at Haileyville, 4 [Clayton vs. Battiest, 5:30 ; Clayton vs. Haileyville, 7 ] McCurtain at Howe, 4 Eagletown at Smithville, 4:30 Red Oak at Oktaha, 4:30 September 18 Leflore at Bokoshe, 5 Red Oak at Wister, 4 Fort Towson at Clayton, 6 September 20 Wister at Cameron, 5:30 September 20-22 Cameron, Howe, Smithville and Wister at Class A District Tournament, Bokoshe, Buffalo Valley, Leflore, Red Oak and Whitesboro at Class B District Tournament, September 27-29 Cameron, Howe, Smithville and Wister at Class A Regional Tournament, Bokoshe, Buffalo Valley, Leflore, Red Oak and Whitesboro at Class B Regional Tournament, October 4-6 Cameron, Howe, Smithville and Wister at Class A State Tournament, Bokoshe, Buffalo Valley, Leflore, Red Oak and Whitesboro at Class B State Tournament,

POTEAU DAILY NEWS 2018 Fall Diamond SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018...PAGE 17 Front row, from left Braxtyn Buchanan, Chesnee Fitzgerald, Hali Bray, Gabi Reneau, Melissa Wren, Ashley Hairrell, Dana Jackson and Mariah Swindell. Back row Coach Michie Sokolosky, Hannah Garrison, Sydnee Wood, Jalen Durrence, Sidney Hust, Hollee Roberts, Grace O Neal, Alexa Coley, Cheyenne Tyler and coach Charles Durrence. Not pictured Elaina McCarn and Elizabeth Fuller. Photo Submitted by Charles Durrence Buffalo Valley trio co-oping with Clayton this fall for new Lady Bulldogs coach The 2018 fall Clayton Lady Bulldogs will have a new wrinkle to them, the six returning starters not withstanding. Buffalo Valley senior duo Sidney Hust and Elizabeth Fuller and junior Chesnee Fitzgerald will not get to be true Lady Buffaloes this fall due to not enough players at Buffalo Valley to have a team. So, they are co-oping with the Clayton Lady Bulldogs, who are under a new coach Charles Durrence, who came from Moss High School near Holdenville. The new BV coach, Michie Sokolosky who is replacing previous coach Paige Lowder, who went to a teaching job at Hartshorne Middle School will be Durrence s assistant coach. The Lady Bulldogs return six players from last season s squad, four of them seniors senior catcher Sydnee Wood, senior outfielder Elaina McCarn, senior shortstop/pitcher Gabi Reneau and senior first baseman Cheyenne Tyler. Junior second baseman/outfielder Grace O Neal and sophomore third/first baseman Hannah Garrison round out the returning starters. Clayton also will be blessed by having Durrence s junior daughter Jalen come on board as another pitcher for the squad. Junior Alex Coley and freshmen Hollee Roberts, Melissa Wren, Ashley Hairrell and Braxtyn Buchanan round out the roster. I feel we have a solid group of upper clansmen, with a good upcoming freshman class, Durrence said. The addition of Jalen as pitcher and the players gained from the co-op with Buffalo Valley should help in having a successful season. Editor s note No preseason information on the Buffalo Valley Buffaloes or the Clayton Bulldogs was received by press time.

PAGE 18...SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018 2018 Fall Diamond POTEAU DAILY NEWS Experience, freshman pitcher to help Spiro girls this fall The combination of experience and a freshman pitcher likely will be two major keys to success this fall for the Spiro Lady Bulldogs, who were 22-12 last fall and made it to the Class 3A Regional Tournament, then had a 4-8 slowpitch campaign last spring in their first slow-pitch season in three seasons. The good news is they return nine players from a season ago, with four of them seniors infielder Jaycee Cox, outfielder BriLeigh Thornton, infielder Tatyona McFerren and catcher/outfielder Danielle Smith. Also back are Remi West, Katherine Simerson, Carli Matthews, Emily Myers and Madisyn Allen. A familiar face will be back as Bryleigh Clark returns to Spiro after playing last season at Panama. The 1-2 pitching duo of Front row, from left Bryleigh Clark, BriLeigh Thorton, Jaycee Cox, Tatyona McFerren and Danielle Smith. Back row Natalee Harper, Remi West, Madisyn Allen, Carli Matthews, Kaelyn Clayton, Katherine Simmerson, Amya Barnes, Kaylyn Upchurch and coach D.J. Gist. Not pictured Emily Myers, managers Braylin Harper and Taryn Ridenour and coach Richard Haynes. PDN photo by David Seeley Sydnee Haynes and Hallie Harper the Lady Bulldogs had last fall graduated, with Harper signing with Northeastern State University. Lead-off hitter and speedster Hannah Tobler also graduated and will be playing college softball at Arkansas Tech University. Coach D.J. Gist might have found his replacement in the pitching circle in freshman Kaylyn Upchurch, who likely will be complemented by West in those duties. Rounding out the team are Natalee Harper, Kaelyn Clayton and Amya Barnes. Front row, from left Mersades Brown, Cassidy Ward, ShayAnne Gould, Paris Brown and Makayla Belford. Back row Aleah McKinney, Kristin Watson, Shaelynn Bledsoe, Corianne Johnson and Kelcee Ward. Not pictured Hayley Bell and coaches Carrie Covey, Jamie Hoffman and Kayla Denton. PDN photo by David Seeley Panama girls have mixture of experience, youth this season The Panama Lady Razorbacks, who were 5-18 a season ago, hope the experience the team returns and the young inexperienced players it has inherited will help the team improve this fall. Six players back from a season ago are Kristin Watson, Shaelynn Bledsoe, Corianne Johnson, Cassidy Ward, Hayley Bell and ShayAnne Gould. Watson likely will be the No. 1 pitcher, but Gould saw action in the pitching circle during summer league games. Newcomers are Aleah McKinney, Kelcee Ward, Mersades Brown, Paris Brown and Makayla Belford, who will be counted upon to help fill the void of losing two key starters from a season ago, Hailey Weaver and Shanoe Teague, who have moved to new school districts.

POTEAU DAILY NEWS 2018 Fall Diamond SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018...PAGE 19 Poteau girls look to be stronger in fall 2018 The Poteau Lady Pirates were 14-25 last season and only graduated two players, one of whom was a starter. With eight starters coming back and a good corp of reserves, third-year coach Ryan Dill believes his Lady Pirates will be stronger this fall. Just like last year, only two seniors highlight the team both among the returning starters, center fielder Callie Hambrick and first baseman/flex [designated hitter] Kaylee Nixon. Junior shortstop Lexi Wood, junior first baseman/pitcher Jill Cochran, sophomore utility player Kylie Turner, sophomore left fielder Coatney Riggs, sophomore third baseman/outfielder London Sandlin and sophomore catcher Piper Akins round out the returning starters. The team s other junior, second baseman/outfielder Coral Hinson, likely will see a bit more playing time that she did as a freshman. The other four sophomores on the team are pitcher/outfielder Rilee Dunigan, outfielders Whitley Russell and Addie Jackson and Panama move-in Hailey Weaver. Sophomore utility player Emmy Ford, freshmen second baseman/ outfielder Avery Prescott and freshmen outfielders Jalynn Herring, Anayah Fitzpatrick and Jamie Clements round out the roster. They should help the Lady Pirates overcome two players who did not come out for fast-pitch softball this after after playing a season ago junior Lexi Weaver and last year s starting second baseman, sophomore Tori Morgan. We re really going to be stronger this year, Dill said. We have two more pitchers, Jill Cochran and Rilee Dunigan [to go with last year s main No. 1 pitcher, Turner] who are both ready to pitch in varsity games. It also helps us that we have eight returning starters. Front row, from left Emmy Ford, Jalynn Herring, Coral Hinson, Kaylee Nixon, Lexi Wood, Callie Hambrick, Avery Prescott, Addie Jackson and Jamie Clements. Back row Coach Ryan Dill, Whitley Russell, London Sandlin, Jill Cochran, Hailey Weaver, Coatney Riggs, Aniyah Fitzpatrick, Kylie Turner, Piper Akins and Rilee Dunigan. Not pictured Coaches Devin Cochran and Casey Hemphill. PDN photo by David Seeley The Poteau Daily News is your best source for local sports coverage in LeFlore County

PAGE 20...SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018 2018 Fall Diamond POTEAU DAILY NEWS Front row, from left Connor Upton, Gunner McAlester. Isaac Carroll, Kadin Repass, Casey Hampton and Connor Hall. Back row Dylan Schaefer, Braeden Cepeda, Will Hammons, Trey Krebbs, Colten Terry, Kaden McBeth, Connor Kirkland and Matthew Holzhammer. Not pictured Coach John McAlester. Photo by Kara Hammons Wister Wildcats will have to rely on youth this fall The Wister Wildcats went to the Class 2A State Tournament last spring, where they got to the state semifinals, after getting as far as the Class A Regional Tournament last fall. The bad news is six players, including one Bryar Ward who will play collegiately next spring at Connors State College, graduated from last year s team. So, the Cats, who were 26-6 last fall, will have to rely on last year s underclassmen, who now have a year s worth of experience under their belts. Back for the Wildcats are Kadin Repass, Colten Terry and Braeden Cepeda from last year s varsity team. Isaac Carroll, Kaden McBeth, Will Hammons, Trey Krebbs, Matthew Holzhammer and Dylan Schaefer are back from the Wister junior varsity team. Newcomers will be Connor Kirkland, Connor Upton, Gunner McAlester, Casey Hampton and Connor Hall. Repass just finished playing in the the Mid-America Tournament late last month in Wichita, Kan., and likely will be back behind the plate as the team s catcher. The biggest thing veteran coach John McAlester will have to do this fall is find quality pitching. Among the graduates, several of them pitched last year with Ward, Kendon Thornburg and Jeffrey Morris the 1-2-3 for the Wildcats. with Austin Brooks seeing action on the hill as well. Candidates for pitching likely will be Holzhammer, Hammons, McBeth, Hall and Krebbs.