Five Lady Wildcats earn All-State softball recognition PETER STEIN/NEWS-SUN It was a heck of a run for the Lovington softball team, one that lasted all the way to the state championship round. The Lady Wildcats battled their way out of the consolation bracket during this past spring’s state tournament, winning three games on Friday May 16 in Rio Rancho to …

Sanchez signs with NMJC track and field PETER STEIN/NEWS-SUN Alejandra Sanchez thought she’d try something new. She didn’t realize it would be something that would turn into a college athletic career. Sanchez was a Hobbs High junior in the spring of 2024 when track & field first beckoned. She had been a softball player, had played some basketball and run …

Hobbs, Lovington savor state cheer titles PETER STEIN/NEWS-SUN Hobbs and Lovington won state championships at The Pit after all. Though the Hobbs boys and girls basketball teams were defeated in the state semifinals and finals, respectively, at The Pit earlier this month, and both Lovington basketball teams fell just short of making it there, the Hobbs and Lovington cheer teams …

Then and Now Hobbs freshman Adyson Everhart right where she wants to be JASON FARMER/NEWS-SUN As a fourth grader, Hobbs freshman Adyson Everhart was already working on her game on the Tasker Arena hardwood. Now a freshman, she is a contributing member of the Lady Eagles varsity basketball team. Everhart began playing basketball when she was four years old. She …

Ride ’em, cowboy Eunice teen bull rider competes for Team USA in Australia PETER STEIN/NEWS-SUN Tyson Acosta was only three years old when he first tried to ride a beast competitively, and stay on it. It was the Lea County Fairgrounds’ mutton-busting competition. Acosta was trying to stay on a sheep. And he did, covering it and making it back …

‘Youngsters of old men’ reunite at Heizer Junior High In Hobbs, basketball has become the identity RICH TROUT/NEWS-SUN Released in May 1988, “Nothin’ But a Good Time” by Poison is still here. The heavy metal hit may still be with the youngsters who played basketball for Heizer Junior High from 1985-88. Two months ago, the Heizer boys who graduated in …

Lacarthea Cooper, Carlie Makarawu to represent NMJC at Paris Olympics NMJC ATHLETICS Two New Mexico Junior College student-athletes are participating in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Sprinters Tapiwanashe (Carlie) Makarawu and Lacarthea Cooper represented their respective countries when the Olympic Opening Ceremonies kicked off Friday. Cooper will represent her home country of the Bahamas on the 4x400m relay team. The …

Coach Reeves retires from Hobbs Eagle basketball JASON FARMER/NEWS-SUN The Hobbs basketball arena might be named for former head coach Ralph Tasker, but Shelby Reeves is a name no basketball fans from Hobbs will soon forget. After more than 50 years in Hobbs, Reeves will be leaving town Monday, ready to start the next chapter of his life. “I am …

NMJC sports achieve national honors PETER STEIN/NEWS-SUN New Mexico Junior College has sports programs that are highly competitive, most that are championship caliber. The Thunderbird programs that seem to stand out are the men’s and women’s cross country and men’s and women’s track & field teams. They are national heavyweights every year. And both have been recognized for a standout …