news_journal
2-minute drill: Former SH coach Gray to coach TGCA All-Stars Published 11:03 am Tuesday, July 7, 2026 GRAY TO COACH ALL-STARS: Former Spring Hill High School softball coach Donald Gray will be an assistant coach for the Red Team at the Class 1A-4A Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Start Game next week in Arlington.
Gray, who left Spring Hill last month to take over as softball coach at Marshall High School, will be an assistant on the Red Team.
Julie Murry, who coached Bullard to a Class 4A Division I state championship this season, will be the teams head coach.
The game is set for Friday, July 17 at Arlington ISDs Workman complex.
Gray coached for four seasons at Spring Hill, compiling a 77-64-2 record.
The Lady Panthers were 27-9 overall and 10-2 in District 16-4A play this past season.
Bullard finished the year 37-7-1, winning 12 in a row to end the regular season and then going 10-0 in the playoffs.
The Lady Panthers swept Vidor, Hargrave, Sealy, Livingston and Calallen before blanking Prosper Richland 3-0 in the state title game.
ARK-LA-TEX JUNIOR GOLF: The Ark-La-Tex Junior Golf Tour continued its summer schedule on July 2 with an Adult/Youth event at Tempest Golf Club.
Earning first-place finishes were (youth first) James Daugherty and Brad Daugherty of Longview (84, coed 7-9), Kyleigh MacBeath and Luke MacBeath of Pittsburg (74, girls 10-11), Ryder Adkinson and Riley Adkinson of Gilmer (66, boys 10-11), Mya Fuller and Selvin Hudson of Longview (81, girls 12-13), Garrett Travis and Dawson Winschitl of Gilmer (64, boys 12-13), Teagan Eager and Lyle Eager of Longview (78, girls 14-15), Will Walgama and Jonathan Walgama of Longview (66, boys 14-15), Margeaux McDonald and Chris McDonald of Hallsville (71, girls 16-up) and Copelan Eager and Roy Chase Fisher of Longview (68, boys 16-up).
Finishing second were Finley Edwards and Cody Edwards of Gladewater (80, boys 10-11), Cutler Kapp and Justin Kapp of Tyler (69, boys 12-13), Broi Combs and Jonathan Combs of Pittsburg (85, girls 14-15), Gus Bowles and John Harris of Longview (69, boys 14-15), Kendall Lambright and Kyle Lambright of Marshall (83, girls 16-up) and Connor Castro and Bryce Burns of Gilmer (69, boys 16-up).
Placing third were James Blalock and Chase Blalock of Longview (83, boys 10-11), Ian Adams and Lance Loewe of Gimer (71, boys 12-13), Harry Smith and Brandon Smith of Canton (69, boys 14-15) and Hudson Heath and Hunter Heath of Longview (72, boys 16-up).
Remaining events for the Ark-La-Tex Junior Golf Tour include Monday, July 13 at Alpine Golf Club in Longview, Monday, July 20 at Wood Hollow Golf Club in Longview (adult/youth), Monday, July 27 at Alpine Target Golf Center in Longview (end of summer skills challenge) and Monday, Aug.
3 at Pinecrest Country Club in Longview (Tournament of Champions).
To compete in the Tournament of Champions, golfers must have competed in three or more tournaments during the summer or earned a medal in one of the summer tournaments.
Invitational spots will also be available.
For information:(903) 753-1415 or [email protected].
THURSDAY THROWDOWN: Shane Gibson took top honors with a bag of 18.9 pounds at the Thursday Night Throwdown bass tournament.
Ace Commeneto and Craig Collins finished second at 9.5 pounds.
No big bass was caught, so the prize pot rolls over to the next week.
Fishing hours are 6 to 9:15 pm.
Entry fee is $30.00, $10 of which is the Big Bass pool.
There is also a $20 side pot, winner takes all.
Payback is 100 percent! BRODERICK WASHINGTON: Former Longview Lobo football standout Broderick Washington, now with the NFLs Baltimore Ravens, will hold two free events for East Texas youths in July.
The fourth annual Broderick Washington Youth Football Camp is set for July 10 at 201 E.
Tomlinson Parkway in Longview.
Check-in is set for 5:30, with session one (ages 5-10) running from 6-7 p.m.
and session two (ages 1-117) set for 7:30-9 p.m.
A Family Fun Day is set for 10 a.m.-noon at the Boys and Girls Club of Big Pines (610 W.
Garfield in Longview) on July 11.
The event will feature bounce houses, music, games and giveaways and prizes.
KC SOFTBALL COMBINE: Kilgore College Softball will host two Prospect Combines this summer at the Ballpark at KC Commons, providing student-athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills and gain exposure to the Lady Rangers coaching staff.
Combine 1 is July 23, and Combine 2 is Aug.
23.
Both will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
at The Ballpark at KC Commons, 7-1 N.
Houston Street, Kilgore 75662.
The combines are open to players in graduating classes 2025 through 2031 and are designed to evaluate athletes in a competitive, instructional setting.
Participants will have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in multiple areas of the game while working directly with Kilgore College coaches.
Cost is $100 per combine, and athletes should bring a glove, helmet, bat, turf shoes, cleats, tennis shoes, water bottle and appropriate softball attire.
For information: [email protected], (903) 983-8178 or [email protected], (903) 983-8648.
KC FOOTBALL COMBINE: Kilgore College will host a football combine/tryout on Saturday, July 11 at R.E.
St.
John Memorial Stadium.
The camp is for juniors, seniors, graduates and transfers, and athletes will be timed in the 40-yard dash along with position drills and other areas to showcase their talent for the KC coaching staff.
Check-in is at 10 a.m.
Early registration is $30, and day of registration is $40.
To pre-register, call or text 318-480-1048 or email [email protected].
For information: 318-480-1048, [email protected] or 214-489-0879, [email protected].
KC HALL OF FAME: Kilgore College will honor former athletes, coaches and contributors during its annual Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, set for Sept.
25-26.
The weekend will begin with a benefit golf tournament on Friday, Sept.
25, at Tempest Golf Club in Gladewater.
The Hall of Fame Induction Brunch is set for 10 a.m.
on Saturday, Sept.
26, in the Devall Ballroom on the Kilgore campus.
The weekend will also include recognition of the 1960 national championship football teams diamond anniversary, as well as the 25th anniversary of the Rangers undefeated 2001 season.
For more information, contact Courtney Pruitt at (903) 988-7536 or [email protected].
KC Athletics Hall of Fame inductees for 2026: Softball: Bianca Van Vlerah (Gary); Mens Basketball: Stefan Moody; Womens Basketball: Danyell Oliver; Womens Basketball Team: 2008-09; Football Coach: J.J.
Eckert; Contributor Award: Pat and Carla Nault; Football: Daniel Chappell; Spirit of Excellence Award: Stacy Cruz (Smith).