Sports

The Canton Eagles got a jump on the rest of Van Zandt County playoff qualifiers, opening their best-of-three bi-district round playoff series with Atlanta May 2. Canton came away victorious in the contest plating a run in the second, one in the fourth and two more in the top of the sixth in a 4-2 win over the Rabbits.

Simon Miller got the start and win for Canton in the game, allowing five hits and two unearned runs over seven innings of work.

Drums, fans, beautiful dresses and unusual music were the highlights of the Wednesday Study Club meeting April 25 that featured a program on Korean dance.

The program, presented by club member Chin Boyd, featured members of a Korean dance group where she belongs.

The Canton boys golf team completed their season April 23-24 at the Region II Golf Tournament at Van Zandt Country Club. After two days of competition, the CHS boys golf team finished in fourth place behind  state qualifiers Pleasant Grove, Bullard and Argyle.

Tristan Nelson led the Eagle team with a very impressive two round total of 150 (77-73) to finish as third place overall medalist, a member of the All-Region Team, and a 4A State Tournament qualifier.

The Canton Eaglettes traveled to Longview last week, taking on District 14-4A runner-up Liberty-Eylau in the bi-district round of the playoffs April 26-27. Despite a game effort, the Lady Leopards won each of the first two games in the best-of-three series to end Canton’s season with a 14-10-1 record overall.

The Lady Leopard offense was red-hot in game one of the series, pounding out 13 hits in an 11-1, five-inning victory over the Eaglettes.

The Canton Eagles have had little to play for in recent weeks, easily outpacing second place Van in District 13-4A play by four games to coast into the postseason with a sterling 24-2 record overall.

Things will change this week with the Eagles slated to take on Atlanta in a best-of-three bi-district round playoff series May 2, 4. Game one was scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. May 2 at 5 p.m. in Atlanta. After a day off, the series will resume May 4 at 4 p.m. in Canton. Game three, if necessary, will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game two.

The Canton senior boys basketball team finished in third place at the National Little Dribblers Tournament in Franklin, Texas April 18-21. Canton competed against other qualifying teams from across the state at the event. Team members include Colton Whitehead, Trey Grier, KD Erskine, Chantson Prox, JaBraylon Pickens, Caleb Guy, Jaden Brown, Jack Day, Ethan Robertson, Zach Dyess and Cameron Shaw.

The Canton Eagles continued to roll through district play in impressive fashion, continuing the dominance they showcased back in 2017 by opening District with a perfect 4-0 record in 2018.

Canton's most recent wins included a 5-3 road win against the rival Van Vandals March 27 and a 10-0 shutout win over the Brownsboro Bears March 29.

The Eagles struggled offensively throughout most of the early innings against Van, trailing the Vandals by margins of 1-0 and 3-1 in the contest before surging with three runs in the sixth inning.

Johnnie Krawietz served as the pitcher of record for the Eagles, allowing five hits and one earned run in a complete game effort. Krawietz struck out 11 Vandal hitters on the evening, while also recording a run scored and a stolen base on offense.

The Canton Eaglettes were finally able to return to the field this week, overcoming both the wet weather that has caused delays and cancellations for teams all across East Texas and the Gladewater Bears to score a 5-4 at home.

Canton struck first against the Bears, manufacturing a run in the bottom of the first inning on a one-out single by Kylie Floyd, a fielding error by Gladewater and an RBI single by Brooke Arnold.

Gladewater leveled the score in the top of the third, capitalizing on a two-out triple followed by an RBI double.

The Eaglettes would break the deadlock in the bottom of the sixth inning, plating four runs to take control of the game. Kylie Floyd opened the frame with a single, followed by an RBI triple from Brooke Arnold. Reagan Busby would pick an RBI on a bunt, eventually advancing to third on a fielding error by the Bears.

The Canton Eaglettes varsity softball team officially opened their season last week, getting their first taste of tournament against with an appearance at the Sulphur Springs Tournament Feb. 15-16.

The Eaglettes opened play on a good note, going 2-0-1 over three games against a slate that included Mineola, Sherman and Community.

Canton opened play against Mineola Feb. 15, rallying from a late 5-4 deficit to secure an 8-5 win. Carla Autry got the start and win for the Eaglettes, allowing four earned runs and five hits over four innings. Autry helped her own cause in the contest, going 2/3 at the plate with a home run, a double and 4 RBI.

Other offensive leaders included Kylie Floyd going 2/3 with a double and two runs scored, Baylee Sanders going 2/3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored, Reagan Busby going 1/2 with 3 RBI and a run scored, and Brooke Arnold and Lottie Adams each going 1/3.

Canton varsity boys and girls lifters made their way to Forney Feb. 17, each competing in their third event of the year at the 11^th annual Jackrabbit Invitational Powerlifting Meet. Eaglette lifters finished third overall out of 28 school while Eagle lifters finished 18^th out of 29 schools.

Individual girls results included:

-105 lb. weight class: Madison Baugh, second place, 500 lbs. lifted

-114 lb. weight class: Carla Perez, second place, 605 lbs. lifted

-123 lb. weight class: Ashley Riffe, third place, 610 lbs. lifted

-132 lb. weight class: Kendralynne Shook, sixth place, 535 lbs. lifted; Brynna Mackling, 10^th place, 460 lbs. lifted; Shelby Wycough, 14^th place, 375 lbs. lifted