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Eight boys teams and eight girls teams are slated to compete in the annual Central Heights High School Holiday HoopFest Thursday through Saturday. The teams will all start off in pool play and the top two teams from each pool will advance to bracket play, Action will tip off at 10 a.m. Thursday when the Blue Devils take on Hudson. The Lady Devils will follow that up with a game vs. Rusk. The Lady Devils will take on Christian Homeschool Sports Ministries (CHSM) at 4:40 p.m. Thursday and the Blue Devil will close off the day with a matchup against Westwood. Friday’s action will begin at 10 a.m. when the Central Heights boys take on Tatum. The Central Heights girls will play Hemphill at 3:20 p.m. and pool play is slated to begin after that at 4:40 p.m. The boys teams competing are Central Heights, Center, Hudson, Westwood, Tatum, Hitchcock, Pollok Central and Lorena. The girls teams competing are Central Heights, Rusk, Hitchcock, Texas Truth, CHSM, Diboll, Rusk and Hemphill. Central Heights head basketball coach and athletic director Kevin Herron said he likes to use the tournament to schedule tough opponents. “Most people that are good, want to go and play good competition,” Herron said. “If you schedule tough, you’ll get tough. We’ve got the No. 1, the No. 3 and the No.5 ranked 3A teams in the state this weekend. We’ll see how we stack up. We’re either going to be close, right there with them or far behind. “Hitchcock has won back-to-back state titles and they won our tournament last year,” Herron said. “Palestine Westwood has one of the best players in the state, if not the best and Tatum brings to town a really deep, solid team. We will be full strength for the first time all year. Hudson is a solid quality team, well disciplined, well coached. Center, the same, they’ve got some size and athleticism. Lorena is a very solid 4A team and Pollock Central, the winner of our district last year, brings the whole team back. They’re very good, very disciplined.”

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SEC rushing leader Dylan Sampson of Tennessee declares for NFL draft KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is heading to the NFL draft after leading the Southeastern Conference in rushing and setting a handful of school records. Canadian Press Dec 27, 2024 11:19 AM Dec 27, 2024 11:35 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) celebrates the team's 36-23 win against Vanderbilt after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is heading to the NFL draft after leading the Southeastern Conference in rushing and setting a handful of school records. The SEC Offensive Player of the Year announced on social media his intention Friday to leave after his junior season. He helped the seventh-ranked Vols go 10-3 with a first-round loss in the College Football Playoff where Sampson was limited by an injured hamstring. Sampson thanked his family, Tennessee coaches and fans, saying he learned so much and had the chance to be part of something special. Tennessee went 3-7 in 2020, and he leaves with the Vols having won 30 games over his three seasons. “I poured my heart and soul into this program and this community,” Sampson wrote. “With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.” Sampson set a school record running for 1,491 yards. He also set a program record with a league-best 22 rushing touchdowns, breaking a mark that had stood for 95 years. He was part of coach Josh Heupel's first full signing class in December 2021 out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He also set school records for total touchdowns scored (22), points scored (132) and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11). He led the SEC in nine different categories, including rushing attempts (258), rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games with 10, averaging 114.7 yards rushing per game, points scored, points per game (10.2), all-purpose yards (1,638) and all-purpose yards per game (126.0). He finished this season tied for fifth all-time in the SEC ranks for rushing TDs in a single season with Leonard Fournette of LSU. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Dolphins clinging to thin playoff hopes. Hit the road to face Browns, who have lost four straight Dec 27, 2024 11:00 AM Eagles coach Sirianni says it's 'tough' for Hurts to play against Dallas with head injury Dec 27, 2024 9:13 AM On Football: Nick Sirianni's success is often overshadowed by self-inflicted distractions Dec 27, 2024 3:01 AMGamecocks place 6 on Coaches' All-SEC TeamsSoftwareONE Holding AG (OTCMKTS:SWONF) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jimmy Carter was honored with a moment of silence before the Atlanta Falcons’ game at the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, hours after the 39th president of the United States died at the age of 100 in Plains, Georgia. Beyond being a Georgia native who led the country from the White House less than 8 miles (12 kilometers) away during his time in office from 1977-81, Carter was the first president to host the NFL’s Super Bowl champions there when he welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980. Falcons owner Arthur Blank in a statement released by the team before kickoff said he was deeply saddened by the loss of his dear friend and mentor, calling Carter “a great American, a proud Georgian and an inspirational global humanitarian.” “He lived his life with great civic responsibility and took it upon himself to be the change he wished to see amongst other,” Blank said, recalling meeting Carter at The Home Depot. “President Carter’s kind and uniting spirit touched so many lives. He was a man of deep faith, and did everything with principal and grace, doing things the right way for the right reasons.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Stephen Whyno, The Associated PressUS sanctions the founder of Georgia's ruling political party

COLUMBIA –Six players from the University of South Carolina football squad earned spots on the Coaches’ All-SEC teams, the Southeastern Conference office announced today. Included were three players who garnered first-team honors. South Carolina defensive back Nick Emmanwori, right, tackles Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) after a short gain during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.) Representing South Carolina on the first-team were defensive lineman Kyle Kennard, defensive back Nick Emmanwori and punter Kai Kroeger. Running back Raheim Sanders was the Gamecocks’ lone selection by the coaches to the second team unit, while quarterback LaNorris Sellers and offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins III earned third-team honors. Kennard, a 6-5, 254-pound senior from Atlanta, Ga. who was named the Nagurski Trophy winner Monday night, posted 15.5 tackles for loss including 11.5 sacks during the 2024 season. Both marks led the Southeastern Conference, and his sack total ranked sixth in the nation. He was also credited with 10 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles. Emmanwori, a 6-3, 227-pound junior from Irmo, S.C., led the Gamecocks with 83 tackles, 10th in the SEC this season, including 3.0 tackles for loss. He logged an SEC-leading four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Kroeger, a 6-4, 213-pound senior from Lake Forest, Ill., returns to the first-team All-SEC squad after a one-year hiatus. A 2022 All-American, Kroeger led the SEC and ranked third in the country in punting average at 47.6-yards per punt, with 18 punts of 50 yards or more, including a long of 75 yards. He had 18 of his 45 punts land inside the 20-yard line with just six touchbacks. Sanders, a 6-0, 230-pound senior from Rockledge, Fla., also had a bounce-back season. A 2022 All-SEC first-team selection, Sanders was sidelined for much of the 2023 campaign. He led the Gamecocks in rushing in 2024, logging 183 carries for 881 yards, an average of 4.8 yards per carry, with 11 touchdowns. He added 27 receptions for 316 yards and two more scores. Sellers, a 6-3, 242-pound redshirt freshman from Florence, S.C., became one of the most exciting players in the conference. He completed 64.9 percent of his passes (172-for-265) for 2,274 yards and 17 touchdowns. He added 155 carries for 655 yards and seven scores in his first year as the starting signal-caller for the Gamecocks. Simpkins III, a 6-5, 319-pound senior from Charlotte, N.C., was the Gamecocks’ top offensive lineman in 2024 from his right guard position. Simpkins III was a two-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, earning accolades from the conference office after his performances against Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. He was also the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week following the upset win over the Aggies. The Coaches’ Individual SEC Awards will be announced on Wednesday, while the Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team will be announced on Thursday. First Team All-SEC Offense QB - Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss RB - Dylan Sampson, Tennessee and Jarquez Hunter, Auburn WR -- Ryan Williams, Alabama and Luther Burden III, Missouri TE -- Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt OL -- Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas, Will Campbell, LSU, Tyler Booker, Alabama, Tate Ratledge, Georgia C -- Cooper Mays, Tennessee AP -- Dylan Sampson, Tennessee Defense DL -- Kyle Kennard, South Carolina, Walter Nolen, Ole Miss, Nic Scourton, Texas A&M, James Pearce Jr., Tennessee*, Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss* LB -- Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma, Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, Whit Weeks, LSU DB -- Trey Amos, Ole Miss, Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina, Malachi Moore, Alabama, Jahdae Barron, Texas Special Teams PK - Alex Raynor, Kentucky P- Kai Kroeger, South Carolina RS -- Barion Brown, Kentucky KOS -- Peyton Woodring, Georgia LS -- Beau Gardner, Georgia Second Team All-SEC Offense QB -- Quinn Ewers, Texas RB -- Raheim Sanders, South Carolina, Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M WR -- Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn TE -- Gunnar Helm, Texas OL -- Kadyn Proctor, Alabama, Dylan Fairchild, Georgia, Armand Membou, Missouri, Emery Jones Jr., LSU C -- Jared Wilson, Georgia AP -- Barion Brown, Kentucky Defense DL -- Bradyn Swinson, LSU, Landon Jackson, Arkansas, R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma, Johnny Walker Jr., Missouri*, Mykel Williams, Georgia* LB -- Anthony Hill Jr., Texas, Jalon Walker, Georgia, Chris “Pooh” Paul, Ole Miss DB -- Malaki Starks, Georgia, Jermod McCoy, Tennessee, Will Lee III, Texas A&M, Isaac Smith, Mississippi State Special Teams PK -- Peyton Woodring, Georgia P -- Jesse Mirco, Vanderbilt RS -- Martel Hight, Vanderbilt KOS -- Aeron Burrell, LSU LS -- Rocco Underwood, Florida Third Team All-SEC Offense QB -- LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina RB - Quintrevion Wisner, Texas, Trevor Etienne, Georgia WR -- Tre Harris, Ole Miss, Kevin Coleman, Mississippi State TE -- Mason Taylor, LSU OL -- Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M, Torricelli Simpkins III, South Carolina, Fernando Carmona, Arkansas, Javontez Spraggins, Tennessee C -- Eli Cox, Kentucky AP -- Davon Booth, Mississippi State Defense DL -- Jared Ivey, Ole Miss, Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss, JJ Pegues, Ole Miss*, Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M*, Deone Walker, Kentucky* LB -- Chaz Chambliss, Georgia, Deontae Lawson, Alabama, Xavian Sorey Jr., Arkansas DB -- Daylen Everette, Georgia, Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma, Andrew Mukuba, Texas, Dan Jackson, Georgia Special Teams PK -- Brock Taylor, Vanderbilt P -- Brett Thorson, Georgia RS -- Zavion Thomas, LSU KOS -- Josh Turbyville, Tennessee LS -- Ben Anderson, Oklahoma (* – Ties) Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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