Athletes take games to next level of competition

Zack Phillips
Texas High
Zack Phillips Texas High

Many student athletes from across the Texarkana area signed letters of intent Wednesday. While football is big in the south, other area athletes will compete in baseball, golf, softball, track and volleyball at the collegiate level.

Texas High had two baseball players, Zack Phillips and Kyrian Williams, join the college ranks. Arkansas High pitcher Patrick Flanagan, along with Lady Backs' softball player Anna Claire Timmons, signed.

Grayson Jones of Texas High received a scholarship in golf. Queen City volleyball standout Brianna Watkins signed, as well as Daingerfield track star Deandre Daniel.

Each athlete's success is a result of hard work and dedication. Scholarships are earned.

Zack Phillips,
pitcher, Seminole State Junior College

"Zack is a three-year starter for us; he made his presence known as a sophomore in a couple of big games for us," Texas High baseball coach John McClure said. "Last year he had great numbers for us. Not only the numbers he puts up, but he is one of the team leaders in the dugout, in the classroom and is great in the school. He'll be successful in whatever he needs to do and tries to do in the future."

Phillips had a 2.09 ERA his junior year with 62 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched. He also had a .358 batting average.

"I had a bunch of other offers, but once I toured Seminole State and met the coach, his personality and how he teaches the kids was a big point for me," Phillips said. "I know five people from Texarkana who go there now, and they say it's the best school they've been (to)."

Zack, who wants to study to be a physical therapist, is the son of April Lane and Adam Phillips.

Kyrian Williams, first baseman, Oklahoma Wesleyan University

"Kyrian played really well for us last year; he led the team in doubles and RBI," Texas High baseball coach John McClure said. "He came through in some clutch situations last year to keep us in the playoff race. We're expecting some big things out of him this year, as well."

Williams hit .338 as a junior. He had 19 RBI and 11 doubles.

"There was something that stood out about the school, and the coach also set it apart from other programs," Williams said. "Coach (Matt) Parker didn't talk about what they had done; he talked about what they're going to do, and that they want me to be a part of it. The program itself, they're a very close group. They weren't a big team where the freshmen were messed with; it was like a place where anybody had a chance to start."

Kyrian, who wants to major in criminal justice, is the son of Dawn and Rod Williams.

Patrick Flanagan, pitcher, Crowder Community College

Flanagan was named to the Arkansas all-state team and was Arkansas High's most value player in 2014.

"I chose Crowder because they were one of the first colleges to contact me," Flanagan said. "I like their baseball program and what they're about. It is also a good college to transfer from."

Flanagan plans to transfer to the University of Arkansas. Arkansas High head baseball coach Layne Berry looks at Flanagan as an ideal player.

"Patrick is the kind of player that a coach wants to have on his team," Berry said. "He is highly competitive and always gives his best effort. I always feel like we have a chance to win when Patrick is on the mound."

Flanagan's best pitch is his two-seam fastball, but he also has a good curveball and change up. Over the summer of 2015, he played for the Arkansas Express Premier League, went 8-0, and posted a 1.85 ERA.

Patrick, who plans to focus on engineering, is the son of Scott and Stacey Flanagan.

Grayson Jones, golfer, Oral Roberts University

Jones is a three-time all-district golfer and two-time all-region player and made all-state one season. The Tigers, over the past three years, have won three district championships and a regional title and were state runners-up.

"When I went on the visit I got along with the coach really well; he played professional golf in England for a few years," Jones said. "The facilities are fantastic. We get to play Southern Hills once a week; it has hosted multiple major championships, U.S. Amateurs. There is a very rich history of the program, as a whole.

"Thanks to our schedule, I've got to play with the best players in the state and players who are going to play in major D-1 programs, as well as ranked players. It's helped me to get to know where I need to be and what I need to work on, compared to other players in the state. It's really helped me improve my game a lot, taken me up another level."

Grayson, who wants to major in sports management, is the son of Cindy and Geoff Jones.

Anna Claire Timmons, outfield, Central Baptist College

Timmons has a career batting average of .462 and a 92 fielding percentage. She hit .487 in her junior year at the junior classic. Timmons has been named to the Arkansas all-conference team twice.

Elizabeth Tankersly, head Lady Back softball coach, had nothing but positive words for Timmons.

"Anna Claire is a very hard worker," Tankersly said. "Nothing gets in her way, and she can play all nine positions on the field-that is rare. She is a great student, makes great grades and always gives her best effort."

Anna Claire, who wants to major in biology and become a physical therapist, is the daughter of Mark and Erica Timmons.

Deandre Daniel, track, Texas College

Daniel, a senior at Daingerfield High School, decided to make Texas College his track home. He competes in quarter-mile to distance running.

Brianna Watkins, outside hitter, Wharton County Junior College

Watkins is a hard hitter, well-disciplined, and has great stamina.

"Brianna is an outstanding outside hitter," Queen City head coach Haley Patterson said. "She gives all she has in games and practice. Brianna outworks all of the other girls on the court.

"Her hard work has paid off. Brianna puts in many hours in the weight room so that she can jump higher and be stronger than others," Patterson said. "She knows the game of volleyball inside and out."

Brianna, who wants to major in engineering, is the daughter of Jonnie Watkins and Monica Beeman.

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