BULLARD - Although I personally joined in midway through the 2008 year at Bullard, I had the pleasure to witness many great games, individual and team honors roll in, and hopefully I can do the past 365 days of Bullard sports with some highlights.

Although some I witnessed and unfortunately some researched through the paper archives. I did have a few futile attempts at a few events I might add so don't get upset if you got left out.

Just remind me and we can start out the new year with that okay?

The past year of Bullard athletics will mostly be remembered for the new addition of Panther Stadium. Two playoff games in the first year of almostcompletion is nothing but a feather in the cap for years to come.

Not to mention the added revenue to the areas commerce facets.

So what were some of the topics of the 2008 sports year? Try a few of these on for size and if I missed one…you know m......you know the drill….e-mail any correction.

JANUARY

The new year began with both the Bullard and Brook Hill succeeding on the basketball court, en route to playoff berths later in February. Lady Guard, Selby Rozell led the Lady Guard one game deep into the playoffs before bowing out. The other three teams played on into February.

FEBRUARY

Two Bullard Panthers sign on to play at the next level. Chad Hollie signed on at East Texas Baptist University and Matt Rumbelow inked to play at Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Bullard power lifting team hosted a meet and won the team trophy. The Lady Panthers softball team began their stellar season. The Lady Panthers softball team started off the year with a 4-3 win over Sabine, and then won the Longview Tournament. The Brook Hill boys basketball team beat defending champion, Fort Worth Bethesda in regionals to advance to the state tournament in San Antonio were The Guard lost in the first game. Meanwhile the Lady Panthers and Panthers were treking their way through the hoops playoffs. The girls took wins over Van and Spring Hill. The Panthers put a 60-47, whuppin' on Sabine at UT-Tyler to keep their playoff hopes rolling. Bullard's, Mary Haven Hughes won the Regional All- Round Championship among all level 8 gymnasts in Dallas.

MARCH Awards began to roll in for the 2007 roundballers, and Lance Anding and Daniele Heithoff were both name to the Region III, Class 3A first team. The Panthers and Lady Panthers bowed out of the playoff races. The boys suffered a 71-49 setback at the hands of Pittsburg, and the girls lost also. Now with basketball over, both softball and baseball teams began their playoff journeys. The Bullard Bullets started off the youth baseball season winning the sophomore division in the pre-season tourney in Whitehouse. The Bullets beat the Gilmer Gators, 4-3 in the title game.

APRIL

Brook Hill's, Shelby Rozell was named second team all-state for the Lady Guard basketball team. Bullard High School hosted and won both the boys and girls divisions of the Panther Track and Field Relays. Naylan and Hunter Phelps had a bountiful fishing trip at Ally Creek, pulling in a 72-pound Oppalusa catfish. The Bullard tennis team sent four players to regionals in mid-month. Ashley Braaten, Christoper Braaten, and the doubles team of Trent Weaver and Kailee Schmidt all qualified for the regional meet. Betty Rinehart won the Women's Championship played at Peach Tree-Oak Hurst Golf Course. Another golf note for the month was highlighted as Brook Hill boys took second place at the state meet in Garland.

MAY

After winning the district title, the Panther baseball team went two rounds into the playoffs. After winning a best-ofthree series over Spring Hill by identical 6-1 scores. The Pleasant Grove Hawks then beat the Panthers 1-0, although Nick Rumbelow threw a two-hitter in the one-game series. In track and field, Ashley Ricci (high jump), and Ashley McConnell in the pole vault advanced to compete at the regional meet at Texas A&M-Commerce as did Charlie Moore in the triple-jump. With the school year winding down, both Bullard and Brook Hill hosted their respective All- Sports banquets.

JUNE

Bullard High School was well represented in the Four- States Rodeo Finals sending Lillian, Dowdy, Haylee Murphy, Jessie Harris, Mason Bowen, Tanner Wright, Kyle Burkart, and not forgetting the Hadjson trio of Taylor, Trent, and Trace. Bullard hosted their annual football camp. Later in the month, the Lady Panthers basketball summer league team won the East Texas Summer League.

JULY

July was highlighted with the signing of new coaches at Bullard and Brook Hill both. Bullard High turned the reigns of the boys hoops program to Hank Hargraves. Coming from East Chambers for the last six years, compiling a 149-58 record. Wally Dawkins surprised all of East Texas resigning from Whitehouse High School and taking the head basketball job for the Brook Hill boys. Honoring some superlatives of the diamond, pitcher, Nick Rumbelow was named Tyler Morning Telegraph Newcomer of the Year. Jacob Whatley was named the District MVP at pitcher, and Charlie Moore was selected to the all-state team in centerfield. Erin Kipp as named the All-East Texas Most Valuable Player, and named to the all-state team. Mandy Gillard was first team all-district as well as first-team All East Texas. Brook Hill seven baseball players, and three softball players receiving TAPPS all-state kudos. The Bullard Aggies beat the BMC Rangers, 13-11 to take the freshman baseball title in the year-end district tournament. The Bullard Heat, a group of 10-under softballers fought hard for a third-place finish at the TSSA state tournament in Whitehouse. Brook Hill also made another faculty addition with the signing of Neal Franklin to the staff. Franklin resigned as Tyler Fire Chief to accept the position.

AUGUST

With August began those long and hot, two-a-day football practices for Bullard. Brook Hill got a one-week reprieve before starting their practices with Midnight Madness. After a week of workouts, The Guard overwhelmed Overton in their first scrimmage of the year. One week later, Bullard unveiled the new Panther Stadium as the Panthers bested White Oak in a scrimmage. Emerald Bay made a late run and bested Eagle's Bluff in the battle of the Bullard Country Clubs. The East Texas Desperados are a Bullard leiden team of 14-under baseballers that won the prestigious Brady Burton Tournament. Brook Hill opened their season with a win over Hawkins in the Tyler Ford Classic, held at All Saints Mewbourne Field. One week later, Palestine Westwood feel victim to the Panthers as they christened the new stadium with a 38-31, win.

SEPTEMBER

Far more sporting events were just beginning. More than space will allow. Football season in full swing and not to forget cross-country beginning a banner season for themselves. The East Texas Red Sox, a group of 10-under baseballers became a nationally ranked team with wins in two major national tournaments during the month.

OCTOBER

As football continued, Bullard was struggling through possibly the toughest Class 3A district but ad a surprise up their sleeve. Meanwhile, Brook Hill was rolling up incredible numbers as they defended their district title for the third year, going undefeated all three seasons. The third week was maybe the highlight of the Panthers football season as Bullard beat Tatum for the first time in school history, 49-42. Quarterback, Charlie Moore earned the Ford Tough Player of the Week state-wide, after 494 total yards and accounting for seven touchdowns in the win over the Eagles. The girls cross-country team had a few firsts in their program. The girls qualified for the regional meet as a team, sparked by a second-place finish from Minta Spears, and a fourth place from Bailee Callens. Spears earlier won the Lindale Cross Country medallist honor for the first time in Bullard CC history. The Bullard Middle School eighth grade team made history winning the district title, and going undefeated in the meantime for the first time in middle school history. The Bullard Lady Panthers volleyball team took second-place in district but advanced three rounds deep in to the playoffs. After wins over Rusk and Fairfield, the Bullard season ended against Groesbeck in Crockett.

NOVEMBER

The All-District volleyball teams were announced with Calli Miller sharing Co-MVP honors with Jordan Hughes of Tatum. Valarie Roberts was the defensive player of the year, Nikki Coleman and Heather Camp made the first team. Bullard basketball teams were among the pre-season mentions as the Lady Panthers started the year eighth, but shot up to second in the state, before three losses to state ranked teams leaves them at third currently among the Class 3A best. The Panthers were ranked 11th to begin the year, but with late football additions, and implementing a new system, a 10-7 mark going into the holiday break dropped the boys from the top-twenty list. Calli Miller and Danielle Heithoff made school story signing Division I national letters of intent. Miller will play volleyball at Wyoming University, and Heithoff will stay closer, playing basketball at Lamar University.

DECEMBER

The Bullard basketball teams started off the month with the Lady Panthers winning the Lindale Hoops Heaven Tournament while the boys took third-place. One week later, the two teams finished as the runner up in their respective divisions of the Great East Texas Shootout in Brownsboro. The 17-3A All-District football team was released, naming Charlie Moore the Offensive Player of the Year for the district as well as a first team safety on defense. Daniel Howard made it as a wide receiver, kick returner, and cornerback Nick Rumbelow was named Utility Player of the Year, and Preston Seaton-Knox voted Special Teams Player of the Year. Blain Faulk was named second team on both sides of the line, and Brandon Beavers a second team receiver. Several were named to the honorable mention list but most impressive were the 14 players named to the all-district, all-academic team. Five of those, Charlie Moore, Phillip Reiger, Colton Sheffield, Blain Faulk and Ryan Hamilton were named to the All-State, All- Academic squad. Brook ill placed eleven players on the TAPPS Division III All-State team, led by Tyler Baker and Jeremey Chappelle as a two-way selections. Oh yeah, maybe the best of all. Charlie Moore finally got the recognition warranted and will be playing his college ball at Oklahoma State University.

The basketball holiday classics will be in the next edition of the Banner Sports.

We at the Bullard Banner wish you all a Happy New Year, and best of luck in all your personal, business, and sporting endeavors.