Sports

Joey Pender coached high school football for 33 years, retiring from West Ouachita high school after the season just ending. He has coached teams to a plethora of wins with the possibility that somewhere along the way, he was unceremoniously doused with Gator Aide. Pender would have had no complaints had former player, Rusty Autry, poured a bucket of the drink on his head the morning of January 4. Autry came with a blood trailing dog that ended Pender’s frustration at not being able to find the big 10 point buck he shot.

“I have been after this particular buck for the past two seasons,” said Pender. “I would see him occasionally on my trail camera but all the images were taken at night.”

WSHS Toy Tigers presents Lil Girls Dance Camp “Dancing Thru the Decades” for ages Pre-K – 6th grade January 21, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.. Cost is $35 per child and registration began Jan. 9. Lil Girls will perform January 27 during half time at the basketball game

By Glynn Harris

Christmas is undoubtedly the most special season of the year for most of us. I can still recall how enchanting the day was when I was growing up. Gathering around the tree on Christmas morning provided a thrill like no other I’ve experienced in my lifetime. What was so very special about our tree was the fact that our dad would lead my brother, sister and me into the woods around our country home where we’d make our way to a particular cedar he had located. He’d cut the tree, we’d bring it home, the aroma of cedar would permeate our home and it would soon be transformed to a thing of beauty with silver icicles, red roping, brightly colored glass balls with a home-made star on top.

“I’ll soon be 75 years old and have hunted deer since I was ten years old. I’ve killed some deer but nothing like the one I got last month. This buck is the kind of deer I’ve been after for 65 years,” said retired Columbia utility operator, James Curry Stuart. The buck Stuart downed on November 19 on his hunting lease in Caldwell Parish was worth the wait. The 13 point buck with an inside spread of nearly 20 inches was scored at over 145 inches of antler mass.

As I sit at my computer writing this week’s column, it’s chilly; it’s nasty; it’s raining outside. Once I get my column done, I’ll likely kick back in my recliner, pour a cup of coffee and chill out with a good book, preferably outdoors themed. With Christmas approaching, I’m pleased to share a few books that your hunter-angler spouse or brother or friend would love to find under the Christmas tree this year.

WSHS Girls Warming Up for State Cross Country Meet. Pictured from front row from left Gabrielle Hasley, Bre Jurek and Jordan Patterson. Back row from left: Gilliana Caskey and Grayce McDaniel.

Start of Boys Cross Country State Meet. Front row starting form 3rd left: Cole DeBusk, Edward Teal and Tyler Hight who came in 7th. Back row: Lakamedin Evans, Brandon Florence and Dylan Irby.

As a reminder, registration for the City of Winnfield Recreation Department WYBL Basketball program ends Friday, December 16. Boys and girls ages 4 – 15 are eligible for the exciting program. The regular registration fee is $40 and must be paid by Monday, December 12. After December 12 the registration fee is $50. Mandatory tryouts will be held on Saturday, December

The PeeWee Flag Football season has come to an end, and it’s time to recognize all the teams for their accomplishments on the field. In the 4 – 6 Year Old League, J.W. Blackmon’s LSU team had one win and three losses. The Bayou Bengals, coached by Scott Nugent had an even record, with two wins and two losses. Jason Mockosher’s Saints team matched the LSU team with one win and three losses. While the Patriots, coached by Manuel Espejel, had a perfect season, with four wins and no losses. The 7 – 9 Year Old League had six teams this year and finished up with some close records. Jason Mockosher’s Saints had zero wins and four losses. The Yellow Jackets, coached by Nathan Johnson had one win this season, and three losses. Trey Guillory’s Bengals and Chris Williams’ Ironheads teams had split records with two wins and two losses each. The Longhorns, coached by J.W. Blackmon had an impressive season with three wins and one loss.

The Winnfield Tigers and Lady Tigers each finished as runner-up to district champion Buckeye in both the boys and girls division at the District 2-3A cross country meet held at the very challenging Fort Buhlow State Park course in Pineville. The Tigers were led by individual champ Tyler Hight who finished in an excellent time of 17 minutes 29 seconds over the 3-mile circuit. Hight, a sophomore, was followed by teammate Edward Teal who ran a personal best 18:40 to finish as runner-up. Both Hight and Teal earned all-district honors as did Freshman Cole DeBusk, who finished 8th, followed by Brandon Florence, Dylan Irby, and LaKameion Evans, propelling the Tigers to their 2nd place finish.