Sports

Two familiar foes squared off in Canton Jan. 8, with the Eagles playing host to the Mabank Panthers in one of the final non-district contests for each team during the 2015-’16 basketball season.

Canton got the better of the Panthers in the contest, pitching a shutout during the first quarter before hanging on for a 44-43 win over Mabank.

The Eagles couldn’t have asked for a better start in the game, outscoring the Panthers 12-0 over the first quarter of play to take a commanding lead.

The Panther offense, and more specifically Jordan Thomas (who finished with a game-high 21 points), began to find its rhythm in the second quarter. Mabank edged out Canton 16-14 in the second quarter, moving to within 26-16 entering the half.

When it comes to racing and the state of Texas, it’s doubtful that many people would immediately make the jump to the world of BMX. Eighteen-year old Canton junior Colton Layne-Voorhis is looking to change that mindset, making a name for himself around the country by taking the BMX world by storm over his short 2.5 year career in the sport.

All told, Colton has already collected six #1 plates (placing first in 3 Gold Cups, winning a state championship and two Race of Champions). That impressive performance on the track has Colton placed as the highest ranking intermediate 18-year old in the nation.

Asked how he got involved in BMX and BMX racing, Colton pointed to a trip to Canton Power Sports to purchase a part for his bicycle. Once there, the lure of BMX drew Colton in.

The Canton Eaglette basketball team ensured their holiday would be a little sweeter Dec. 28-29, picking up four consecutive wins to bring home the Cameron Tournament title and improve their overall record to 15-5 with district play fast approaching.

The Eaglettes started off the tournament on the right foot, winning each of their first three tournament games by double figures before holding on for a hard fought championship game.

Play began for the Eaglettes in the tournament against a talented Rosebud-Lott team. After a slow start, Canton owned the second half to pull away for a 39-29 win.

Rosebud-Lott took the first quarter 11-9, before playing Canton to a virtual draw in the second. Entering the half, the Lady Cougars held a 22-21 lead.

Lauren Gomez, who was already recognized as the District 14-4A Co-Hitter of the Year and a Texas Girls Coaches Association 4A All-State Team selection, was recently named a 4A Honorable Mention Middle Blocker by the Texas Sports Writers Association for her performance this season. Gomez and the rest of the Eaglette volleyball team enjoyed extraordinary success on the court this year, winning both a district and bi-district title before falling short in the Area round.

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Aiden Wacaser, 6, recently shot his first deer with .223 rifle in Sonora during Christmas break.  

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The Canton Eaglettes continued their march through non-district play during the past week, picking up lopsided wins over both Gladewater and Saltillo before entering an extended break for the Christmas holiday.

The Eaglettes made it look easy against Gladewater, scoring early and often in 48-8 rout over the overmatched Lady Bears.

Things would be more competitive three days later against Saltillo, with the Eaglettes still doing more than enough to secure a 40-25 win.

Canton took an early lead in the contest, edging out to an 8-2 lead behind a strong defensive effort. The formula would remain unchanged in the second, with the Eaglettes extending their lead by outscoring the Lady Lions 10-3 in the frame to take a commanding 18-5 lead into the half.

Both teams would enjoy their best offensive quarter of the game coming out of the break. The two teams traded baskets, with Canton getting the better of the exchange by a 14-11 count.

The Canton Eaglettes competed in the Great East Texas Shootout Dec. 10-12, taking the court against some of the best teams in all of the state in hopes of taking home one of the most prestigious tournament trophies.

Despite a game effort, the Eaglettes finished the tournament sixth overall, including a loss to an in-county opponent (the Martins Mill Lady Mustangs) in their final game.

Canton opened tournament play against Harmony Dec. 10, building up an early lead before cruising to a 53-40 win.

The Eaglettes did most of their damage from long range in the win, combining to hit 11 three-pointers in the contest. Taylor Tidwell led Canton with 9 points in the contest. Other scorers included Holly Raitz and Kenley Nixon with 8 each, Courtney Roberts with 7, Lilly Nelson with 5, Hannah Manry, Hannah Welty, Payton Williams, Emily Watson and Mattie Tullos with 3 each.

The Canton JV girls basketball team continued to improve and play team basketball over this past weekend, finishing first overall at the Edgewood Tournament after defeating Alba-Golden, Paris North Lamar, Quinlan Ford and North Forney in successive contests. The JV currently has a 10-3 record overall.

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The Canton Eagles will find themselves in tournament play for one final time this upcoming weekend, following appearances at the Madisonville and Wills Point Tournaments with one at the Bryan Mewbourn Tournament in Martins Mill Dec. 17-19.

The field of entrants will include 16 teams, including the Eagles, Lindsay, Grapeland, Clarksville, Martins Mill, Joaquin, Callisburg, Campbell, Texline, Tenaha, Mabank, Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill, East Chambers, Midlred, Poolville and the Martins Mill JV team.

Canton will play three pool play contests, taking on Clarksville Dec. 17 beginning at 6:20 p.m. in the new gym, Grapeland Dec. 18 beginning at 1 p.m. and Lindsay Dec. 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Both games on Dec. 18 will be played in the old gym on the campus of the Martins Mill ISD complex.

Canton senior volleyball player Lauren Gomez found herself in exclusive company Dec. 2 as the Texas Girls Coaches Association released its 2015-’16 All-State Teams. Gomez, who already picked up District 14-4A Co-Hitter of the Year by competing coaches, was the lone Van Zandt County player to be named to this year’s 4A All-State Team. Speaking shortly after the announcement, Canton Head Volleyball Coach Liz Ramsey stated, “Lauren is a unique and talented individual and the type of athlete any coach would love to have. Her presence on the court will definitely be missed next year.”