Sports

Top, Mia Nixon, who has won state championships in golf and basketball during her time at Martins Mill, committed to play golf collegiately at Texas A&M University during a special signing ceremony Nov. 10. Bottom, Martins Mill standout student-athlete Jada Celsur was joined by family, friends and teammates as she signed her letter of intent to play basketball at Texas Woman’s University next season. Courtesy photos

The local playoff picture continues to come into focus with three schools, Canton, Edgewood and Van, all guaranteed a spot in the bi-district round and two others, Fruitvale and Grand Saline, still alive heading into play Nov. 5. Wills Point, which has struggled with consistency throughout the season after implementing its third offensive and defensive scheme in three seasons, is currently the lone county program assured of missing the postseason.

Van Zandt County volleyball teams acquitted themselves well on the court during the 2021 season, with four out of six local programs advancing to postseason play. Wills Point narrowly missed out on making it five, falling in four sets against the Mabank Lady Panthers during a play-in game Oct. 30.

The Wills Point Tiger tennis program strung together a dominant fall season, entering last week’s Class 4A State Team Tennis Tournament with a sterling 21-1 mark overall. Wills Point would suffer only its second loss of the season in the State Semifinals, falling by a deceptive 10-0 score to Wimberley to finish the fall season as State bronze medalists.

Runners representing Canton and Wills Point made their way west on Monday, looking to qualify for the Class 4A State Meet by racing at the Region II Meet. Canton was the top finisher among local varsity girls programs, finishing 12 th overall with 334 total points while Wills Point finished 21st with 515 points.