Sports

Sports Highlights

Panthers earn first district title since ’89
Mabank clinches title after perfect game by pitcher Caillet
By Sam Epps
Sports Editor
NORTH FORNEY–As if winning the first baseball district championship since 1989 wasn’t enough, the Mabank Panthers did it on a perfect game by junior pitcher Stephen Caillet.
The 17-year-old Caillet struck out the first 14 batters he faced, and finished with 17 strikeouts on the night as the Panthers cruised to an 11-0 win over the hosting North Forney Falcons Friday to clinch the District 13-3A baseball title.
On March 16, Caillet also threw a no-hitter in the first district game of the season. He finished the regular season with a perfect, 6-0, district record.
Overall, Mabank had 13 hits against the Falcons.
Garrett Holcombe had three hits including a double, while three Panthers – Ryan Walker, Jake Raney and Hunter Carrico – each had two hits. Carrico drove in two runs.
Mabank finished the season with a 9-1 district record, and a 15-6 overall mark.
“This group of kids are as focused and driven as any I have ever been around,” Mabank head coach Jeff Johnson said.
“They love baseball and love competing and it shows with how hard they practice everyday and how bad they want to win each and every time out.”
Mabank will play a series of warm-up games in preparation for the playoffs.
The Panthers will face Prairieland at 8 p.m. Friday in Sunnyvale, they will host Sunnyvale at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, and will host Cayuga at 6 p.m. Friday, May 4.
“We have to get refocused and get our mind set on the playoffs. They achieved one goal, but now we have to get back to work and prepare ourselves for a playoff run. Nothing will be easy, but these kids never quit and like challenges,” Johnson said.
Mabank’s success began last year, as Johnson and the team began discussing change in the program.
“We started talking last year about changing the culture of this program and they bought in and were determined to bring about that change,” Johnson commented.
“They had a great summer ball season last year and they spent hours on their own in the cages during the off season and all of that just carried over into the regular season.”
Pride and team chemistry played a big role for Mabank this year, and the Panthers embraced it fully.
“I told them after the game on Friday that they had some of the best team chemistry I had ever seen. They believe in the concept of team and the idea of working together to achieve a goal.
“Everyone on this team accepted their role and worked as hard as they could to help this team win.
“They took a lot of pride in being the first district champion in baseball since 1989.
“They wanted to leave their mark on this school's baseball tradition and it's rewarding to see them achieve that goal.
“They are a great group of kids who are a joy to coach and be around everyday.

Lady Panthers top all-district picks
By Sam Epps
Sports Editor
MABANK–The Mabank Lady Panthers dominated District 31-4A in girls’ soccer.
They cruised into the playoffs and made school history by going deeper into the playoffs than any other team before them.
The Lady Panthers also took charge in all-district honors, taking coach of the year, Co-MVP, Offensive MVP and Keeper of the Year.
Head coach Jeff Downs received the Coach of the Year award.
Ashton Norman was named Co-MVP, along with Whitehouse’s Chestley Strother.
Savannah Henderson, who scored 48 goals this season, was the Offensive MVP.
Bailey Swain was named Keeper of the Year.
Mabank had five ladies named to the first team – Kayla Ward, Brittany Findley, Sam Gomez, Vivian Duong and Maegan Olivarez.
Sam Saucedo, Megan Holyfield, Kacie Williams and Allie Duke all received second team honors.
Alexis Tovar and Kelci Hill received honorable mention.