Sports

Hamilton’s Lady Bulldogs landed three district victories in a four day span last week, and with consecutive wins over Meridian, Rio Vista and Frost, the Bulldogs have climbed out of the District 12-2A cellar and into playoff contention with a now 3-3 district basketball record. The Bulldogs currently reside in fourth place behind 6-0 Italy, 5-1 Itasca and 3-3 Valley Mills, and ahead of 3-3 Rio Vista, 1-5 Meridian and 0-6 Frost. Valley Mills owns a headto-head victory over the Dogs, and Hamilton holds an advantage over Rio Vista after defeating the Eagles last week.

EASTLAND TOURNEY CHAMPS: The now 10-0 unbeaten Hamilton Bulldog eighth grade basketball team pummeled Rio Vista on the road last Thursday 42-19 and claimed an Eastland Junior High Invitational championship by knocking off the host team 44-10 and Breckenridge by a score of 31-26. Hamilton’s Combo Red Dogs suffered their first loss of the season last Thursday in Rio Vista by a score of 31-23. On Saturday in Eastland, the young Dogs earned a 23-15 decision over Breckenridge before falling to the host Mavericks 35-22 in the title game. Prior to hosting a tournament this Saturday, the junior high Bulldogs are scheduled to be back in action on Thursday in Hamilton versus Frost with games set to begin at 5 p.m. Pictured (l-r), eighth grade tournament champions on the back row, including Bret Bauman, Devin Eanes, Pierce Summers, Ben Ivy, Judson Coalson, Colter Johnson and Coach Andrew Heers. On the front row, Halston Haile, Grant Bauman and Dixon Keller. Photo by Jessica Coalson

POWERLIFTING - Competing in their first meet of the season last Saturday in Dublin, the Hamilton High School powerlifting teams captured a total of six individual medals. Medaling in their respective weight classes were Ben Bruce with a first-placed finish, Jose Najera third, Carson Marquess fourth and Ron Ramirez fifth in his division. For the Lady Bulldogs, Kassidy Collett placed second overall in her weight class, and Hannah Bell grabbed a third-placed finish in her division. Other Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs making a splash in Dublin were Chasiti Ranaghan (6th), Jordyn Medina (6th), Nic Adams (8th), Addy Kelley (9th), Helena Knutson (9th), Owen Tyson (9th), Jason Rainbolt (10th), Alex Thiele (11th), Darby Craig (12th) and Braylee Wilson (13th). Coached by Aaron and Katie Emeyabbi, Hamilton’s powerlifters are scheduled to compete next in the Hico Invitational this Thursday with events scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Pictured, sophomore Kassidy Collett and senior Ben Bruce complete a full squat during the Dublin Invitational last Saturday. Staff photos/Veigel

The now 4-1 in district Lady Bulldogs were scheduled to challenge three district opponents over a four day span this week, beginning with a home game versus Rio Vista on Tuesday followed by a 6 p.m. Wednesday matchup with Meridian in Hamilton and a road game in Frost on Friday at 6:15 p.m.

Bulldog seniors Jaydon Watson (8), Jose Najera (60) and cheerleader Skylar Carr were recently selected to participate in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Victory Bowl. The all-star football game is scheduled to be played in Waco on June 4.

Hamilton’s high school and junior high basketball squadrons reported back for duty last week following a swift Christmas and New Year’s break.

ATHENS – The month of January begins a new year and with it the beginning of the 36 season of the Toyota ShareLunker program when anglers across the state, and for that matter the nation, cast their lines and fish for Largemouth Bass in Texas’ world class fisheries.

Hamilton Bomb Squad was the Texas Teenage Softball Association 8U Machine Pitch State Champion in July. Lillian Fletcher was awarded Tournament MVP. Pictured l-r are Jaci Maddox, Emma Blackwell, Ellie Brown, Keira Fry, Annabelle Dabbs, Layla Salley, Ella Patek, Alexis Patterson, Taylyn Banda, Taylin Slone, Fletcher, Addy Lackey and Britley Keeter. Coaches are Harley Patterson, Wedle Banda and Tom Patek.

Madison Henkes and Sutton Lee are pictured making it rain from beyond the three-point arc during last week’s TexasBank Holiday Classic basketball tournament in Brownwood.