| Sports
Highlights Holyfield
is a powerful player for the Lady Panthers
By Sam Epps
Sports Editor
MABANK–Back in November, Mabank Lady Panther volleyball player
Kourtney Holyfield was named setter of the year for District
13-3A.
 Not
only did she receive the honor, it was her second consecutive
time being named setter of the year.
On top of her volleyball recognition, she also played basketball
for the Lady Panthers and was named Co-District 13-3A MVP, as
well as being included on the Academic All-District team.
“Being Co-MVP with an injury just shows how hard she works and
the dedication to this team and program,” Mabank head basketball
coach Ashleigh Weeaks said.
She has done this all while playing in pain.
On Monday, she had surgery for a femoral hernia that has been
bothering her since August.
“Her surgery was successful, now comes the six-week healing
process,” Kourtney’s mother Karen said. “For her it will be
difficult because this is the first year since seventh grade
that she is not doing track
“She is really not used to just laying around, and this slowing
down is driving her crazy,” Karen added.
Kourtney has achieved much recognition, despite playing with
some level of pain. And ... she’s a junior.
“When she is all healed, I suspect that she will come back
stronger than ever. She is never used to “sitting out” so I know
it will drive her to come back 110 percent,” Weeaks commented.
“Her importance on the floor next year will be even more than
vital than this past season.
“She is the heart and soul of this team, and after losing five
seniors, she will have to step up even more next season, but she
already knows that.
“Her character, not only as a player, but as a person will help
guide and lead next year’s team.
“I could not ask for a more dedicated point guard. She knows
that failure is not an option, that’s why I am confident in her
recovery.”
In volleyball, she made just as much an impact to coach Stacy
Shelton’s team.
Kourtney averaged 5.3 assists per game, 2.4 digs and was a 99.5
percent server.
In addition to being server of the year in 2010 as well as 2011,
she was named to the All-Henderson County volleyball team in
both years.
“She is known as one of the best setters in the East Texas
Area,” Shelton said.
She’ll be back next year without the pain. How dangerous will
she be for opponents then?
Golf teams are going strong
Kemp boys, Mabank girls win in Crandall
By Sam Epps
Sports Editor
CANTON–The Eustace and Mabank golf teams competed at the Van
Zandt Country Club March 5.
Eustace Bulldog Cody Penwarden was low with 101. Senior Dylan
Worrell was second on the team with 112, freshman Jonah Johnson
shot 114, freshman Preston Schwartz shot 119 and senior Chris
Almand shot 119.
“This wasn't our best tournament, but we are making some
improvements,” Eustace head golf coach Adrienne Gautreaux-McDonald
said.
“Last week at the Pinnacle Golf Club was our best tournament so
far,” she added.
At the Pinnacle Club, Penwarden shot 90, Clay McKinney shot 90,
Worrell shot 94, Schwartz shot 121 and freshman Jonah Johnson
shot 124.
The Bulldogs will compete at the Old Brick Yard in Ferris on
March 19.
The Mabank Panthers also struggled in Canton, ending with a team
score of 346.
“It was not one of our better days,” Mabank head boys golf coach
Jeff Lee said.
Mabank did have one very nice bright spot as Chans Hall shot 79
to lead the Panthers.
Brandon Hatfield shot an 86, Adam Cary shot 89, Brock Rademacher
shot 92 and Mac Kelso shot 93.
The Lady Panthers won the Crandall tournament at Creekview
Tuesday with a team score of 406.
Lindsey Mesa was the third-place finisher with a 94.
Raeleigh Smallwood shot 101, Vanessa Harvey shot 105 Hannah
Kellar shot 106.
The Mabank boys and girls will compete at the Martins Mill
tournament at Twin Lakes March 12.
The Kemp Yellowjacket boys golf team also competed in Crandall,
and took first place in with a team score of 354, five strokes
ahead of Crandall.
It was the team’s second first-place trophy this season.
At Creekview Josh Shipp shot 83, Jesse Hall shot 85, Hayden
Bruce shot 90, Colton Love shot 96 and Ben Dillon shot 115.
Kemp currently has just one female golfer – freshman Lauren
Baumgartner, who finished the day with a 115.
Kemp will join Eustace in competing at the Old Brick Yard in
Ferris March 19.
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