PackAttack

Lady Pack Softball move to 17-10 on the year and more important, 5-2 in District play with the 7-2 win over Porter girls..

So shocked and saddened to hear about Malcom Deason this morning. He was a very good friend over many many years. My prayers for all his family.

Interesting that he is a former Longview, Center and Cherino guy. ALL East Texas experiences as a Superintendent. New idea's, new direction, no more status quo, he certainly has the qualifications to be successful here. His ideas seem to fit the make up of the district, very similar to Longview, Center and Cherino.

I'm sure Quick has been in contact with folks. For someone to come very far to play here or us to go there, even meet us half way somewhere would suffice. I believe the football budget got cut a bit this year, after the 9 plus million over budget the distrct has endured the past couple of years. Quick may not have the funds to bring someone here from a long distance. Hopefully, Mr Hockenberry can help guide things in a new direction for the district and the football program.

Good, I had figured that to be home game for Lufkin. As far as I know the schedule is still missing a Week #3 game. So that's Longview and Nacogdoches at home the first two weeks, maybe an off week, then to Tyler High in Week #4.

Elijah Alexander has an offer from East Central U in Oklahoma. Don't believe it will be the last.

Alec Forney commits to Eastern New Mexico State, Congratulations!

Michael Mosley a 2X District winner in the 400M.

Evan Young also had a visit to UTSA.

DR. JAMES HOCKENBERRY NAMED LONE SUPERINTENDENT FINALIST The Lufkin ISD Board of Trustees has announced Dr. James Hockenberry as the lone finalist for the position of Lufkin ISD Superintendent. Hockenberry brings extensive knowledge of public education and 29 years of experience to the position. Since January 2020, Hockenberry has served as the Longview ISD Assistant Superintendent for District Services. He spent 14 years as a superintendent in two districts, Center and Chireno. Before that, he was a principal, assistant principal and science teacher. “The board considered 43 applications, community input, two layers of interviews and reference and background checks in our extensive search for our next superintendent,” said Kristi Gay, board president. “Dr. James Hockenberry is the Board’s unanimous choice to fill this position. He has extensive experience and knowledge in all aspects of leading school districts, as well as good communication skills. We look forward to working with Dr. Hockenberry.” To read the article, click the link: https://www.lufkinisd.org/.../lufkin-isd-board-of.../

I would like to acknowledge the passing of a great Lufkin Panther fan, and former three sport athlete for the Panthers. Morris "Dooney" Parrish 76, was a avid Panther sports fan. He was an All-District player in Lufkin in three sports (football, baseball and basketball) from 1964-1966.. Mr. Parrish earned a Football scholarship and played at Blinn College. Hard to lose those older Panthers who contributed to it's history and then continued to come watch and support those kids who came after them. RIP in Peace Dooney, will miss seeing you at the games.

They are deep in good pitching with Hillis, Lindsey and Knight. Although this team does not hit the long ball much, overall they probably might hit more consistently up and down the lineup than the team 2 years ago. Lot of power hitters on that team too. This team maybe plays better defense in my opinion. Hard for me to compare exactly.

Had a joke to make about the above concerning the ETX OLCLINIC, but could not bear to do it. LOL It had something to do with one step zone blocking right, one step zone blocking left, you get the drift. That's enough. Hope all of our Lufkin kids can make this clinic.

School Name *W-L *Pct. *RF *RA W-L-T Pct. RF RA Strk Huntsville 5-1 0.833 30 7 23-4-0 0.852 176 58 1 W Lufkin 4-2 0.667 39 23 16-10-0 0.615 192 106 1 L Kingwood Park 4-2 0.667 31 15 19-6-0 0.750 157 76 2 W Dayton 3-3 0.500 37 25 20-8-0 0.704 218 75 1 W Porter 2-4 0.250 26 34 12-11-0 0.545 128 121 1 L Nacogdoches 0-6 0.000 8 68 11-8-2 0.600 134 111 6 L

16-5A 2024 Standings District Overall W L W L T Lufkin Panthers 9 0 17 5 0 Kingwood Park Panthers 7 2 19 5 0 Porter Spartans 5 4 19 5 1 Huntsville Hornets 4 5 12 10 0 Dayton Broncos 1 8 9 15 0 Nacogdoches Dragons 1 8 4 17 1

Lufkin 10-5 final over Huntsville to remain in first place in 16-5A at 9-0. Two big games next week against New Caney Porter. Both are in Porter with scheduled 6 PM start times.

Lufkin Panther baseball is playing in Huntsville, leading 10-5 in the 6th. Pack with 12 hits, and Cooper Knight on the mound. A win would keep the Panthers in first place in district at 9-0 and 17-5 on the year. Lufkin next takes on New Caney Porter at home on Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM.

Lufkin Lady pack softball drop a 5-0 district game at Huntsville to drop Lufkin to 4-2 in district and 16-10 on the year. It puts the girls in a battle for playoff positioning and a big game at home this Tuesday in Lufkin with New Caney Porter.

Lufkin Baseball moved up to #22 in the 5A State baseball Rankings this week. https://txhighschoolbaseball.com/.../5a-diamond-pro-thsb.../

Your spot on, they are 8-0 in district and 16-5 on the year. I think 10 in a row now.

Looking as if 16-5A is a pretty tough baseball district. 16-5A 2024 Standings District Overall W L W L T Lufkin Panthers 7 0 15 5 0 Kingwood Park Panthers 5 2 17 5 0 Huntsville Hornets 4 3 12 8 0 Porter Spartans 3 4 17 5 1 Dayton Broncos 1 6 9 13 0 Nacogdoches Dragons 1 6 4 15 1

OFFSEASON 2024 Summer Camps Schedules DCTF: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eq7ucEayi6dgnKGeLWfQcwY-jFhMLUBWgta-KtFPD48/edit

To be honest at this point, no need to surmise why and how this search has happen. Waiting on the appeal to be approved is part of it. The whole ordeal just leave us with picking up whatever comes our way, and getting stuck in something for two years that may or may not benefit the program, or become someone else's schedule to deal with in 2025. Just saying, playing almost anyone on down to 5A DII would be better than playing a team from Mexico, unless Monterrey sends their Jr college team up here. The thing that still lingers for me, are that things still seem to be business as usual for now, the same business as usual that has missed the playoffs the past three years. Different folks have told me the past two months all kinds of rumblings. Some from supposed reputable sources. For me, I'm not thinking or mentioning much of anything unless some official announcement comes out. You have got to believe there is some tidbits of truth intertwined into some of this talk, or at least it's been the topic of discussion with some leadership in the district. One of my calls was from another coach outside of Lufkin who had caught wind of something. Another from a well known Texas Football sports guy, who heard rumors from certain folks. Of course I could not confirm any of what they ask, for I had only heard what they had heard. I'm just going to stick with that old saying "maybe where there's smoke, there's some fire". LOL Anyone have a water bucket?? Frankly, none of that is on my top ten list of things that must happen in my life. I use to put Panther Football way up there, almost like breathing air. Looking back now, what a waste to do that. Life changes and events will sometime completely upset your apple cart on what one envisions as truly important, at least it has for me, as those incursions have happen, they have narrowed my life down to what is really important. Won't bore anyone with any of my details, everyone has their own circumstances in life to deal with, just life in general has it's daily challenges for most people. Hopefully, Lufkin can figure out a schedule, whether it's 9 or 10 games, my hope is for the kids to have a great year ahead. Whether that happens or not is yet to be seen. Based on the past three years track record, not sure how most prognosticators will view the 2024 Lufkin team, it's hard to say for certain what will transpire? if it happens, WOW, Great, Fantastic, if it doesn't?, then guess it will no different than the past three seasons. To me this year feels like a one last big push, only because you have some talent?? No building for the future, just one last hurrah.

Lufkin Lady Pack soccer season came to an end Friday night in the Class 5A Area round playoffs, with a 6-0 loss to #9 Lovejoy at Tyler Legacy High School. The girls finished second in District 16-5A and end the year with a 9-11-1 record.