Sports

It’s been since 2014 that Ennis was a state finalist in softball. The following season they were stateranked and made noise again. Their district winning streak reached 55 games in 2016. Restoring the glory years will require a talented roster of committed players, though having All-Staters like Julia Hollingsworth and Michaela Cochran would be a great help.

After leading by 10-to-15 points through three quarters, Ennis held off Corsicana, 63-58, on Tuesday to even their overall record at 14-14 and improve their District 14-5A ledger to 4-6.

Avalon boys basketball has enjoyed quite the turnaround this winter, converting a 7-10 mark a year ago into a 15-8 record heading into Friday night’s (Feb. 11) home clash with Hubbard (14-8). The Eagles were 8-3 and holding onto third place, while the Jaguars were 8-2 and had the edge after thumping Avalon in their first meeting.

As a stream without rocks has no song, so is the tough basketball squad at Ferris. HC Mandie West overcame a short bench and a lack of experience to guide the Lady Jackets to a 14-20 overall finish and, at 6-6 in league action, earned fourth in District 11-4A.

Ennis baseball defeated Class 6A Cedar Hill, 14-9, in a preseason scrimmage on Tuesday. The exhibition was not as close as the score indicated, and one of several players stood out to observers... shortstop Jeremiah Sanchez.

Monday, Feb. 14th 6pm Whitney - vs - Malakoff (26-6)

University Interscholastic League officials made public the new district alignments for all member schools on Thursday, including the Eastern Ellis County Big 5 of Ennis, Ferris, Palmer, Italy and Avalon. Enrollment figures led to state classification changes for many, though the teams in The Ennis News coverage area remained the same.

Being close, like the old adage says, only counts in grenades and horseshoes. Ennis has battled to post a winning overall record in the four years since Roynal Bridgeforth arrived. Each season the Lions have contended for a third or fourth place finish.

Palmer is cresting like a breaker on the beach, and with Makaden Bodie warming up, things are boding well for the Bulldogs.