Sports

The Canton Eagles took to the diamond twice last week, getting their last two looks at non-district action against a pair of Tyler-based teams: Chapel Hill and Grace Community.

Canton passed each of their tests with flying colors, recording a 7-6 win over Chapel Hill March 14 and 12-7 over Grace Community March 16.

The Eagles built up a 1-0 lead over Chapel Hill before surrendering five runs in the top of the third to fall behind 5-1.

Not to be deterred, the Canton offense exploded for five runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth to take a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the game. Zach Brown delivered the big hit of the inning, driving in three on a two-out home run to right to push Canton to a 6-5 lead.

The Canton boys and girls golf teams each took to the links last week, with the boys team competing at Links at Land's End for the Quitman Invitational March 6 and the girls team competing at Garden Valley Golf Course for the Lindale Invitational March 9.

The boys golf team had their best round of the season at the Quitman Invitational, carding a team total 312 to finish in second place behind Troup's impressive 300.

Madisonville, a 2016 State Qualifying team finished in third place with a 326.

Freshman Tristan Nelson led the team with a season-low 76, followed by Patrick Malouf with a 77, Matthew Allen a 79, Logan Willeford an 80 and Will Huddle an 89.

The Canton tennis team continued its spring season March 7 and March 9, staying in county to take on programs from Alba-Golden, Edgewood, Mount Pleasant, Rains, Rowlett, Troup and Winnsboro in Edgewood.

Coach Glenn Neal stated, “The tennis players from Canton have started playing and are showing the drive, effort, attitude and desire we have come to expect from our students at CHS. Tennis is a fun but challenging sport and we appreciate the players for giving it their best.

“The tennis tournament in Edgewood proved to be a good outing for our players. Everyone competed well and several players were able to come home with a medal. We are proud of the way our players play with passion, purpose and a great attitude.”

Results in the varsity division included Ashley Wood and Maddie Welty won first place in girls doubles, Riley Nicks won second place in boys singles, and Jillian Fry won the consolation championship in girls singles.

The Canton track team got its final taste of competition before Spring Break, traveling to Longview to compete in events at this year's Bill Secord Relays hosted by Spring Hill.

Canton varsity boys with top six finishes in events included:

-200: Dylan Cox, 23.14, second

-400: Bryce Wilkens, 51.10, first

-800: Bryce Wilkens, 2:09.03, third; Cordale Harrison, 2:09.40, fourth

-1600: Jaeden Miller, 4:54.51, first

-3200: Jaeden Miller, 11:00.29, third

-300 Hurdles: Hayden Wilson, 42.85, fourth

-4x100: Canton, 44.33, third

-4x200: Canton, 1:33.18, second

-4x400: Canton, 3:35.43, second

-Discus: Austin Yarber, 116-5, fourth

The Canton Eaglettes found themselves on the road again March 10, putting the finishing touches on non-district play with a game against Bullard. A late rally would not be enough for the Eaglettes, with the Lady Panthers managing to hold on for a 5-2 win.

Play began with neither team breaking through on the scoreboard in either of the first two innings.

Bullard manufactured a two-out RBI in the bottom of the third, getting a triple and an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead on the Eaglettes.

Four errors in the bottom of the fifth inning by the Canton defense would prove to be too much to overcome for the Eaglettes with Bullard scoring three unearned runs to take a 4-0 lead.

The Canton Eagles took part in their final tournament of the 2017 season March 9-11, taking the field four times during this year's Midlothian Heritage Tournament.

Canton finished the event with a 3-1 record overall, scoring big wins over Lake Worth, Kennedale and Castleberry with their only loss coming to the tournament hosts.

The Eagles began play with a pair of dominant shutout victories March 9, rolling past Lake Worth 18-0 and Kennedale 4-0 in complete team efforts.

Johnnie Krawietz got the win for the Eagles against Kennedale, striking out four while allowing just six hits in 6 1/3 innings of work.

Offensively, the Eagles got 2/3 games from both Simon Miller and Cade Shaw. Miller led Canton with 2 RBIs, and Krawietz and John Adams added one each.

The Eagles suffered their only loss of the tournament March 10, 11-1, at the hands of host Midlothian Heritage.

Canton powerlifters Jocie Fuller and Madison Baugh each brought home fourth place finishes at the Region 3 Division II Powerlifting Meet held in Fairfield March 4. Fuller, a senior, lifted a season-best 815 pounds at the event while Baugh, just a freshman, registered a three-lift total of 470 pounds. Other qualifiers from Canton included: Alysia Daniel, Julia Duke, Megan Gebauer, Megan Gerlach, Morgan Medley, Carla Perez, Ashley Riffe, Patricia Hernandez and Faith Besherse. Powerlifting coach Ben Kirk stated, “Congratulations to all of these young ladies on a great season.”

Canton track athletes made their way to Wills Point March 2, competing against a field that included Royse City, Kaufman, Rains, Scurry-Rosser, Crandall, Mabank and others at the Bluebird Relays.

Top six finishes for Van Zandt County athletes competing in the varsity boys division included:

-Pole Vault: Umana, WP, sixth

-Shot Put: Sherwood, WP, fifth

-Discus: Yarber, Canton, third; Sherwood, WP, fifth

-Long Jump: Williams, Canton, sixth

-High Jump: Johnson, WP, second; Gebauer, Canton, fourth; Goodson, Canton, fifth

-Triple Jump: Williams, Canton, third; Johnson, WP, fifth; Smith, WP, sixth

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The Canton boys and girls golf teams each hit the links to close out the month of February, competing at Harmony and Lindale respectively.

The girls team teed it up at Hide Away Lake as part of the Lindale Invitational Feb. 24-25, finishing third overall behind Hallsville and Mabank.

The CHS team was led by junior Emily Watson, who carded a 92 in her first tournament this season. Kenley Nixon, also playing her first 18 this season, followed closely with a 94. Mila Harrison and Julie Bass finished with a 107 and 109.

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The Canton Eaglettes doubled up on second place tournament finishes last week, following a second-place finish at the Lindale Tournament Feb. 24-25 with another second-place finish at their home tournament March 2-4.

The Eaglettes finished their own tournament with a 3-1-1 record overall, highlighted by wins over Sunnyvale, Caddo Mills and Scurry-Rosser during the three-day event.

Canton began play March 2, opening tournament play with a 3-1 win against Sunnyvale. Shelby Vestal put together an impressive effort on the mound, allowing just five hits and an earned run in six innings on the mound.

Gracie Chavez finished as Canton's leading hitter, going 1/3 overall with a double and 2 RBI. Other players registering hits included Kylie Floyd going 1/2 with a double and a run scored and Brooke Arnold going 1/1 with a run scored.

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