On this episode of East Texas Sports Now, former Tyler Grace Community standout and current Ouachita Baptist track athlete Aden Hecht joins the show after a championship performance at the Great American Conference Track and Field Championships.

Hecht won the 400-meter hurdles conference title with a time of 51.38 seconds, setting both a school record and a conference championship record. He reflects on the emotions of winning the title, the role his faith has played throughout the season, and what it means to see his hard work pay off after battling injuries.

The conversation dives into Hecht’s growth from his freshman to sophomore season, including the importance of taking care of his body, communicating with coaches and trainers, and learning when to push through pain versus when to recover. He also explains why he prefers the 400-meter hurdles over the 110-meter hurdles, describing the event as a test of toughness, courage, and who can handle the most pain down the stretch.

Hecht also looks back on his time at Grace Community School in Tyler, where he developed under a strong hurdle coach and won a TAPPS state championship. He shares advice for young hurdlers, talks about the persistence and courage required for the event, and discusses what comes next as he aims for the NCAA Division II National Championships.

Also in this episode, the show previews the state 7-on-7 football tournament featuring several East Texas teams and recaps the Oklahoma Sooners baseball team’s national championship run, including contributions from East Texans Gavyn Jones of White Oak and Reed Hensley of Lufkin.

On this episode of East Texas Sports Now, new Henderson Lady Lions head girls basketball coach and assistant athletic director Dee Lewis joins the show to talk about his move to Henderson and the next chapter of his coaching career.

Coach Lewis discusses the tough decision to leave Tenaha, where he spent three successful years leading the boys basketball program and building strong relationships with players, staff, and the community. He explains how a long-standing relationship with Henderson athletic director Coach Meeks helped bring him to Henderson and why the timing was finally right to make the move.

The conversation also dives into Lewis’ coaching journey across East Texas, including stops at Pine Tree, New Diana, Union Grove, Spring Hill, White Oak, Tenaha, and now Henderson. He reflects on the mentors who shaped him, his passion for making a difference in the lives of student-athletes, and his coaching philosophy of “coach them hard, but love them harder.”

Lewis also talks about the legendary Tenaha Holiday Hoops tournament, what makes it one of the top small-school basketball tournaments in Texas, and why the competition and community support make it such a special event every year.

Looking ahead, Lewis breaks down his expectations for the Henderson girls basketball program, which is looking to end a playoff drought dating back to 2018. He discusses the importance of discipline, ownership, accountability, defense, and trust as the Lady Lions work to build a winning culture and compete in a tough 4A district.

Coach Lewis also explains the transition from coaching boys basketball back to girls basketball, how his approach may change, and what Henderson fans can expect from his team: effort, toughness, character, and a group committed to getting better together.

On this episode of East Texas Sports Now, state champion anglers Porter South and Sam Cotton join the show after leading the Winnsboro bass fishing team to a dominant performance at the state championship on Lake Texoma.

South and Cotton brought in more than 42 pounds of fish, finishing well ahead of the second-place team and capturing the individual state championship. Winnsboro also took three teams to the tournament and won the overall school competition, adding another major accomplishment to the program’s strong fishing tradition.

The two seniors reflect on what it meant to go out on top, how their partnership came together, and the family influences that helped shape their love for fishing. South talks about fishing with his dad as boat captain throughout high school and having his brother, professional angler Pace South, in the boat for the championship. Cotton shares how his dad and grandfather helped introduce him to the sport and how fishing became a major part of his life.

The conversation also dives into the growth of high school bass fishing, the challenge of staying patient on the water, the role of technology like live scope, and what makes lakes like Lake Fork so special. South and Cotton also discuss the support behind the Winnsboro fishing program and how the community helps make the team successful.

They also reflect on the lasting impact of Kel Robinson, a former Winnsboro angler whose memory continues to inspire the team. South and Cotton talk about how Robinson remains part of every tournament and how his legacy continues to motivate Winnsboro anglers.

Finally, both seniors share what comes next after graduation, with South planning to attend flight school and Cotton heading to lineman school, while both plan to keep fishing in the future.

On this episode of East Texas Sports Now, former Longview Trinity standout and current TCU Horned Frogs track athlete Georgia Scott joins the show after qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the first time in her career.

Scott reflects on her performance at the NCAA West Regional, where she finished seventh overall in the 800 meters and punched her ticket to nationals. She also broke her own TCU school record in the event, running a 2:01.5 and continuing what has been a breakthrough junior season.

The conversation dives into the strategy behind the 800 meters, including pacing, positioning, when to make a move, and why Scott often prefers running on the outside to give herself room late in the race. She also talks about competing in the 1500 meters, how that event has helped improve her 800, and the differences between indoor and outdoor track.

Scott discusses the mental side of racing, explaining how confidence, trust in her coach, and a stronger mindset helped her make a major jump from last year’s regional finish to this year’s national qualification. She also previews the NCAA Championships at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, where she will compete against the top 24 runners in the country.

Scott also shares what it means to represent Longview, the support she receives from family, friends, and the East Texas community, and why she enjoys the pressure of competing on big stages.

On this episode of East Texas Sports Now, former White Oak Roughneck and current Oklahoma Sooners pitcher Gavyn Jones joins the show after Oklahoma’s huge NCAA Regional win over Georgia Tech. Jones reflects on the Sooners knocking off the No. 2 national seed in Atlanta, including his own winning appearance where he threw two scoreless innings, allowed just one hit, and struck out three.

Jones talks about the mindset Oklahoma carried into regionals after an early exit from the SEC Tournament and how the Sooners got back to basics by focusing on fundamentals, energy, and having fun. He also discusses what it is like pitching in the SEC, handling hostile road environments, waiting for the call from the bullpen, and learning how to thrive in high-pressure moments.

The conversation also dives into Jones’ development as a pitcher, including his transition from being a two-way player to becoming a pitcher-only at Oklahoma. He reflects on his freshman year at McLennan, the lessons he learned from limited playing time, the importance of being a good teammate, and how failure helped shape him into the player and person he is today.

Jones also looks back on his time at White Oak, playing for the Roughnecks, competing for Coach Fozzy, and growing up in a tight-knit community that continues to support him from afar. He shares what it means to know family, friends, and fans back home are watching every game and cheering him on as he competes on one of college baseball’s biggest stages.

Looking ahead, Jones previews Oklahoma’s Super Regional matchup against Kansas in Lawrence and explains why the Sooners are embracing the underdog role as they chase a trip to Omaha and the College World Series.

On this episode of East Texas Sports Now, former Whitehouse Wildcat and current Tyler Junior College Apache Garrett Hayes joins the show after catching fire at the plate. Hayes talks about his recent power surge, including homering in four straight games, and explains how confidence, rhythm, coaching, and hard work have helped him find success during his redshirt freshman season.

Hayes breaks down his strong year at TJC, where he is hitting over .330 with seven home runs, 25 RBI, and 29 runs scored. He discusses the biggest improvements in his approach at the plate, especially learning better pitch selection, becoming less aggressive outside the zone, and adjusting to smarter college pitching.

The conversation also covers Hayes’ difficult redshirt year after suffering a broken nose during practice, the mental challenge of getting back in the batter’s box, and how faith, teammates, and coaches helped him work through that setback. Hayes also talks about TJC’s strong April, the Apaches’ momentum heading into postseason play, and the close bond within a roster filled with East Texas talent.

Hayes reflects on his move from North Carolina to Whitehouse, the jump in competition from small-school baseball to East Texas 5A baseball, and how his time with the Wildcats helped prepare him for the college level. He also shares why he prefers turf fields and what it means to continue playing close to home at TJC.

Also in this episode, the show recaps the Brookeland Lady Cats falling just short in the Class 1A softball state title game, the Bullard Lady Panthers winning their first softball state championship, and the latest East Texas baseball playoff results, including Grov eton Centerville advancing to the state championship game.

On this episode of East Texas Sports Now, Brookeland Lady Cats head softball coach McKenzie Vaughan and junior pitcher Paige Powell join the show as Brookeland prepares for another trip to the state semifinals. After reaching the state championship game last year, the Lady Cats are back in position to chase a title, and this year’s group is focused on finishing the job.

Coach Vaughan reflects on a fast-moving season that started almost immediately after basketball, with many of her athletes balancing multiple sports, including softball, basketball, track, and tennis. She discusses the challenges of coaching at a small school, where athletes often compete in several sports at once, and how communication between coaches, extra effort from players, and strong community support have helped Brookeland stay successful.

Powell talks about the difficulty of shifting from basketball to softball, competing at the state track meet while in the middle of a softball playoff run, and learning how to balance focus across multiple sports. She also shares the team’s mindset after last year’s state championship loss, explaining how the Lady Cats are determined to give 100 percent in every drill, every practice, and every game as they chase the gold.

The conversation also looks back at Brookeland’s tough playoff series against Slocum, which gave the Lady Cats the kind of adversity they did not face much during last year’s postseason run. Vaughan explains why that challenge could help prepare the team for the pressure ahead, while Powell breaks down her mindset in the circle and the importance of staying calm, trusting her defense, and moving on to the next pitch.

Looking ahead, Vaughan previews Brookeland’s one-game state semifinal matchup against Moulton in New Caney and explains what the Lady Cats need to do offensively to earn another trip to Austin. The episode also highlights the powerful support from the Brookeland community, the role of faith within the program, and what it means for the Lady Cats to play for something bigger than themselves.

On this episode of East Texas Sports Now, former Spring Hill Panther and current ETBU Tigers pitcher Conner Smeltzer joins the show after helping East Texas Baptist punch its ticket to the Super Regionals. Smeltzer reflects on closing out the regional championship game, striking out both batters he faced, and the emotions of celebrating another major postseason moment with his teammates.

Smeltzer talks about ETBU’s incredible season, including a 36-10 record, a 20-game winning streak, and the Tigers’ third regional championship in four years. He explains what makes this group so special, from the team chemistry in the locker room to the confidence that comes from playing winning baseball at the right time of year.

The conversation also dives into Smeltzer’s first season at ETBU after transferring from Murray State College, where he learned the toughness and work ethic required on the junior college baseball route. He discusses why ETBU felt like the right fit, the importance of being closer to home, and how the Tigers’ winning culture played a major role in his decision.

Smeltzer also reflects on growing up in Spring Hill, playing for the Panthers, and the strong community support that continues to follow him throughout his college baseball career. Looking ahead, he previews ETBU’s Super Regional series against Lynchburg, the No. 2 team in the country, and shares why the Tigers are embracing the underdog role as they chase another postseason breakthrough.

Also in this episode, the show discusses major NASCAR headlines, including the passing of Kyle Busch and the Coca-Cola 600’s 600 Miles of Remembrance tribute honoring fallen service members, including Slocum native Sergeant Bobby Frank Limerick.