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A return trip to the Class 4A regional baseball semifinals did not seem to be in the cards for Waxahachie.

The Indians were faced with the daunting task of beating Corsicana in a best-of-3 regional quarterfinal series after losing twice to the 15-4A champion in district play. One of those defeats was a no-hitter in which Corsicana run-ruled Waxahachie, 10-0.

It appeared to be more of the same after the first game of the playoff series, a 3-2 Corsicana win. However, Waxahachie won the final two games in Corsicana to take the series.

"It's a different time of the year," Waxahachie coach Tracy Wood said. "We're playing better baseball. It came down to them making more mistakes when it was time. We'll take district losses to still be playing now."

While Waxahachie is making a second consecutive trip to the regional semifinals, it is by no means the same team that was knocked out by Rockwall-Heath just a round short of state. The Indians returned just four players from last year's squad.

The team has rallied around fundamentals, which Wood has stressed from Day 1, and depended on a committee of pitchers to make up for what they lacked in experience.

Wood started a different pitcher in the first game of every series Waxahachie has played so far this playoff season. David Marinelli, the starter in the opener of the last series, had just one start in the regular season.

"It was a gut feeling," Wood said. "Just a hunch I had and he did a good job. We have different guys getting it done for us for sure."

Waxahachie now has Frisco Wakeland in its sights. Wakeland knocked Highland Park out of the playoffs last week for the third consecutive season.

Wood says his team's success comes down to minimizing Wakeland standout Willie Schwanke in the series either on the mound or at the plate.

"He's their best player for sure," Wood said. "He's the guy you don't let beat you."

The series begins Thursday night in Waxahachie and will be completed Saturday at Frisco's Dr Pepper Ballpark.

Martin moves up in national rankings

Arlington Martin stands firm at No. 10 in the ESPNHS Fab 50 rankings, moving up two spots after its regional quarterfinal win over Lubbock Coronado.

Martin faces Hurst L.D. Bell in the regional semis this weekend.

Duncanville completed its second straight undefeated District 5-5A girls basketball campaign with a convincing 63-41 home court victory over Mansfield Timberview on Tuesday night.

The district title was the 69^th for the storied program.

The Pantherettes extended their win streak to 21 games and stretched their string of victories in district play to 32 dating back to the 2009-2010 season.

Duncanville (33-1) is No. 2 in ESPNDallas.com's Class 5A Top 10 and No. 22 nationally in the POWERADE FAB 50 Girls' Basketball Rankings.

Senior guard Empress Davenport, a Texas signee, and sophomore guard Tasia Foman each scored 16 points to lead the Pantherettes against Timberview, which finished third in 5-5A. Duncanville didn't pull away until the second half.

Plano West handed Duncanville its only defeat, 58-50, in the finals of the Collin County Roundball Classic on Dec. 3. That defeat was avenged when Duncanville defeated Plano West, 55-38, in the finals of the Sandra Meadows Classic on Dec. 29 at Duncanville.

Duncanville faces off against Hurst L.D. Bell (26-9), the fourth seed from District 6-5A, in a Region I bi-district playoff slated for 6:30 p.m. Monday at Grand Prairie High’s Amos Turner Gymnasium.

No. 3 ranked Plano West and Irving MacArthur, the top-ranked Class 5A team, are in the opposite end of the Region I bracket and could meet Duncanville only in a regional final.

"We accomplished one of our goals of going unbeaten in district,'' said Duncanville coach Cathy Self-Morgan. "Now our goal is to win the next seven. It won't be easy. We are in a very tough region. But I like the way we are playing.''

Colleyville Heritage took a big step in solidifying its hold on second place in the District 6-5A girls basketball race with a 38-35 road victory over Hurst L.D. Bell on Monday.

The win gave the Lady Panthers (15-9, 8-1) a season sweep over Bell (21-7, 6-3).

Heather Roberts, a 5-foot-10 junior guard, and 5-foot-8 senior guard Heidi Schneider each scored nine points to lead the balanced Colleyville Heritage attack. Roberts leads the team in scoring with a 10.6 average and in 3-pointers with 43.

The Lady Panthers trailed Bell 34-27 at the start of the fourth quarter, but held the Lady Raiders to no field goals and only one free throw in the final eight minutes.

In the first meeting of the teams on Dec. 9 in Colleyville, Bell outscored its hosts in the fourth quarter, 18-9, but fell a point shy in a 46-45 Colleyville Heritage victory. Schenider scored 18 points in that game.

Artavia Ford, a 6-foot-2 junior post, is Colleyville Heritage’s leading rebounded with 5.4 boards per game.

Colleyville Heritage’s only district loss came at the hands of ESPNDallas.com’s top-ranked Class 5A team, Irving MacArthur, 65-53. The teams are scheduled to meet again on Jan. 27 in Irving.

Two home games are next for Colleyville Heritage. Haltom comes to town Friday, followed by Irving Nimitz on Tuesday. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 6:30 p.m.

Winner's bracket:

Richardson Berkner vs. Milwaukee King, 9 a.m.

Flower Mound Marcus vs. Richland, 11 a.m.

Semifinal between these winners is at 8 p.m.

DeSoto vs. Plano West, 12:30 p.m.

North Crowley vs. Little Rock Parkview, 2 p.m.

Semifinal between these winners is at 9:30 p.m.

Consolation bracket:

Coppell vs. Fort Worth Arlington Heights, 8 a.m.

Hurst L.D. Bell vs. Houston Klein Forest, 3:30 p.m.

Justin Northwest vs. Garland Naaman Forest, 5:00 p.m.

Arlington Martin vs. Duncanville, 6:30 p.m.

CLASS 5A DIVISION I REGION 1 PREVIEW

Overview: It would almost be a surprise in six weeks time if this region does not produce the 5A Division I state champion.

Five of the 16 teams in this loaded field are district champions and two others are co-champions. Three own perfect 10-0 records: Allen, Euless Trinity and Southlake Carroll. All three have won at least one state title in the last six years.

UIL PLAYOFFS
STAFF PICKS Bi-district »   Area round » Region semis »   Region finals » State semis »   Finals »   Totals » STATE BRACKETS Class 5A: Div. I | Div. II Class 4A: Div. I | Div. II REGION BRACKETS 5A Division I: Reg. 1 | Reg. 2 5A Division II: Reg. 1 | Reg. 2 4A Division I: Reg. 1 | Reg. 2 4A Division II: Reg. 1 | Reg. 2

Except for Abilene’s state title run in 2009, the balance of power in Region I has clearly swung away from West Texas, where it rested for decades, and to the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

The two District 4-5A representatives, Arlington Bowie and Arlington Martin, have the opportunity to play West Texas teams in the opening two rounds. Martin used that route to reach the third round of the 2010 playoffs for the second consecutive season. On each occasion, the Warriors were eliminated by Trinity.

Favorite: Allen. The Eagles survived some close calls to go 7-0 in the always-difficult District 8-5A. Being forced to come from behind so many times in the late stages of games could serve the Eagles well in the playoffs when games figure to be tight.

The Eagles are solid and experienced at the skill positions with quarterback Alec Morris, running back Jonathan Williams and wide receiver Andrew Rodriguez.

Allen has proven itself in unfriendly environments with road wins at Longview and Flower Mound Marcus. Both opponents finished the regular season with 9-1 records.

Watch out for: Cedar Hill. The Longhorns landed in the easier half of the bracket and, provided they can shake off a 56-55 overtime loss to Duncanville in Week 10, their speed could possibly carry them to a regional final. The Longhorns' 7-3 record is deceptive because of a tough schedule that included losses to Allen and DeSoto in the first three weeks. The Longhorns have notable wins over playoff teams Denton Guyer, Mansfield Timberview and Mansfield.

Can’t wait to see: Euless Trinity-Duncanville (7:30 p.m. Friday, Irving Schools Stadium). The bi-district contest is an interesting clash of styles. Trinity is better than 4-to-1 run to pass in its offensive play selection and loves to grind out long drives. Defensively, the Trojans are among the best in the area, allowing an average of 191 yards per game. Duncanville counters with an offense that averages 429 yards per game, led by the running and passing of Deandre Grimes, who comes into the playoffs off his best game. In a 56-55 overtime win over Cedar Hill in Week 10, Grimes threw for 166 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 245 yards and two scores.

We hope to see: Allen-Euless Trinity. If this rematch happens, unfortunately, it will come in the second round, just as it did last season when Trinity squeezed out a 37-35 victory at Cowboys Stadium in one of the best spectator games of the postseason. Since losing to Allen 35-28 in a nondistrict game in 2009, Trinity’s record is 38-1. Allen’s record since that game is 28-3. Trinity won state championships in 2005, 2007 and 2009, while Allen won a state title in 2008.

Talent pool (FBS recruits): Abilene Cooper: QB Clayton Nicholas (Texas Tech). Allen: QB Alec Morris (Alabama), RB Jonathan Williams (Missouri), LB Thaddeus LaGrone (Baylor). Arlington Bowie: QB/WR Kolby Listenbee (TCU), RB Russell Hansbrough (Arizona State), DE Jesse Rogers (North Carolina). Arlington Martin: DE Devonte Fields (TCU), K Jaden Oberkrom (TCU), OL Steven Baggett (Boise State), DB Stephen Amoako (Oregon), DB Eric Amoako (Oregon). Cedar Hill: OL Aderius Epps (Kansas State). Duncanville: OL Adam Butler (Vanderbilt), WR Jeffrey Thomas (Colorado). Euless Trinity: DE Polo Manukainiu (Oklahoma), OL Hiva Lutui (UCLA). Hurst L.D. Bell: OL Kimo Tipoti (Texas A&M). Keller Central: DB Zack Sanchez (Baylor), OL Simon Goines (Missouri). Mansfield: DE Hassan Ridgeway (Texas). Southlake Carroll: WR Sabian Holmes (Baylor), WR Peyton Williams (Colorado), LB Will Davis (Kansas State).

A remarkable drive to the playoffs by Irving Nimitz a year ago should serve as an example not to give up hope for a playoff spot in District 6-5A, where in the middle of the pack parity reigns.

A year ago, Nimitz was 1-4 in district play, won its final three games to match Grapevine with a 4-4 record and gained the final berth based on its earlier victory over the Mustangs.

If the season ended today, Grapevine (4-3, 3-2) would be the fourth playoff qualifier. The Mustangs travel to Euless Trinity this week and finish with Irving MacArthur at home and Richland on the road. Two wins in the final three should be enough for Grapevine. Two losses and the Mustangs might be out.

MacArthur (2-5, 2-3) and Haltom (3-4, 2-3) trail Grapevine by just a game. MacArthur has Nimitz, Grapevine and Trinity on its schedule. Haltom closes with Richland, Irving and Colleyville Heritage.

Nimitz is back at its familiar 1-4 this year and faces city rivals MacArthur and Irving sandwiched around a home game against Richland.

Richland is also 1-4 and concludes with rival Haltom, Nimitz and Grapevine.

It is a different story at the top of 6-5A. With two regular-season games remaining, Trinity (8-0, 6-0) has clinched its 14th consecutive playoff appearance.

Colleyville Heritage (7-1, 5-1) is close to clinching. The Panthers’ record is marred only by an overtime loss to Trinity.

Hurst L.D. Bell (5-3, 4-2) is well-positioned in third but still has to play Colleyville Heritage next week.

If the district finishes in the order of the present standings, Trinity and Bell would advance to Division I while Colleyville Heritage and Grapevine would go to Division II.

SOUTHLAKE, Texas -- Southlake Carroll went into halftime seemingly embroiled in a battle with Hurst L.D. Bell on Friday.

Bell had gained 376 total yards -- 51 more than Carroll -- and the Blue Raiders penetrated Carroll territory on six of its eight drives, including four trips to the red zone.

But when Carroll looked back at the scoreboard on its way into the field house at the break, it showed the Dragons with a 25-point lead.

Its peculiarity aside, the halftime lead allowed Carroll to coast to a 45-13 win at Dragon Stadium.

"It didn't feel that way," said Carroll head coach Hal Wasson of the halftime score. "They can score like we can score. I never felt comfortable."

Bell (1-1) had all the yardage it needed to keep pace with Carroll (2-0) in the first half, but it lacked touchdowns. Penalties in the red zone, a turnover on downs and other self-inflicted wounds kept the Blue Raiders out of the end zone.

But it was still a game until late in the second quarter when Carroll quickly blew things open.

Nursing a 17-10 lead, the Dragons capitalized on a Bell fumble when Carroll quarterback Kenny Hill found Peyton Williams in the end zone from 13 yards out.

Following a Bell three-and-out that left 1:03 in the half, Hill hit Sabian Holmes down the left sideline for a 42-yard touchdown that gave Carroll a sudden 31-10 lead that it carried into halftime.

"It didn't feel like a big blowout or anything," Hill said. "It just felt like a normal game."

Coming off his heroics against Copperas Cove last week, Hill had another banner game, throwing for 259 yards and scoring five total touchdowns. He also led the Dragons with 112 yards rushing.

Hill won't lack for receiving targets this season. Williams, a Colorado commit, caught seven balls for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Holmes caught five for 139 yards and two touchdowns.

"Both of them made big catches," Hill said. "They are both phenomenal. The O-line was great. I didn't have a lick of pressure back there."

The final score marginalizes what was actually a strong performance by Bell quarterback Kyle Romano and his offense. The unit ran a balanced attack that accounted for 555 yards, including 278 through the air and another 96 on the ground from Romano.

The Dragons only extended their lead in the second half. After Bell failed to convert in the red zone yet again, Hill hit Williams from 21 yards out to make it 38-13. After a Bell three-and-out, Hill finished off a five-play drive with an 11-yard run for a score.

"Kenny's a playmaker," Wasson said. "You can see him maturing before our eyes."

Welcome to Week 1, football fans! We have live updates from three games tonight, with Jeff Andrews covering Hurst L.D. Bell-Southlake Carroll, Travis L. Brown at Dallas Lincoln-Lancaster and Randy Jennings taking in South Garland-Arlington Martin. The guys will also be glad to answer any of your football questions, and we'll provide updates on area scores as they become available. Thanks for joining us!

HURST L.D. BELL (1-0) at No. 4 SOUTHLAKE CARROLL (1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday at Dragon Stadium

When we saw them last: In Zero Week, L.D. Bell destroyed Mansfield Legacy, 63-9, behind an efficient performance from QB Kyle Romano, who threw for 196 yards and rushed for 75 yards and five touchdowns. Carroll QB Kenny Hill turned in his best performance as a starter, throwing for 402 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Dragons to a 38-31 comeback win over Copperas Cove.

2010 result: Amid its QB controversy, Carroll slipped past L.D. Bell, 20-17, on a field goal as time expired. Hill made his varsity debut off the bench, going 5-for-7 for 52 yards.

What’s at stake: Momentum. Carroll got as energizing a win as it could hope for against Copperas Cove with Hill supplying the late heroics.

Key matchup: L.D. Bell’s running game vs. Carroll’s front seven. Carroll got gashed on the ground by Copperas Cove, giving up two 100-yard rushers. Conversely, L.D. Bell beat Legacy by virtue of its running game, which averaged almost eight yards per carry.

Players to watch: L.D. Bell offensive lineman Kimo Tipoti is a Texas A&M commit. Carroll WR/DB Sabian Holmes became a two-way player last year. He started 2011 with a bang, catching 11 balls for 167 yards and two touchdowns.

Prediction: Southlake Carroll 38, L.D. Bell 24.

DISTRICT 6-5A

• Colleyville Heritage (9-3, 7-1), lost in DII area. Coach: Mike Fuller.
• Euless Trinity (15-1, 8-0), lost in DI state final. Coach: Steve Lineweaver.
• Grapevine (5-5, 4-4). Coach: Dave Henigan.
• Haltom (2-8, 1-7). Coach: Scot Hafley.
• Hurst L.D. Bell (6-5, 5-3) lost in DII bi-district. Coach Mark Smith.
• Irving (1-9, 1-7). Coach Jim Bennett.
• Irving MacArthur (4-6, 3-5). Coach: Brian Basil.
• Irving Nimitz (6-5, 4-4), lost in DI bi-district. Coach: Steven Hohenberger.
• Richland (5-5, 3-5). Coach: Gene Wier.

THE BIG QUESTION: Is a different offensive mindset in store at Euless Trinity?

Look for Trinity to go back to its formula of power running mixed with occasional play-action passes due to the graduation of wide receiver/quarterback Brandon Carter, now at TCU.

Trinity coach Steve Lineweaver added wrinkles to take advantage of Carter a season ago, and the Trojans made it to the Division I state title game before falling to Pearland, 28-24.

“We changed our offense last year for Brandon with reverses and gimmicks to get the ball in his hands because he was so good at making things happen,’’ Lineweaver said. “Without him, we'll change back and look for ways to attack the defense.’’

Going back to the old way is not really a gamble. The previous three odd-numbered years have ended in state titles for Trinity.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

DE/TE Rex Montes, LB/RB Justin Vallilee, Colleyville Heritage; LB Brian Nance, OL Hiva Lutui, OL Henry Lea’aetoa, Euless Trinity; RB J.J. Gibbs, OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Haltom; WR Bryan Popp, QB Brett Harbin, Grapevine; QB Kyle Romano, OL Kimo Tipoti, Hurst L.D. Bell; QB Paul Atwood, Irving; FS Taion Sells, QB Justin Chavez, Irving MacArthur; LB Mark Espinosa, TB/DB Steven Stewart, Irving Nimitz; LB Jeremiah Tshimanga, LB Mike Knoblach, Richland.

DID YOU KNOW?

Colleyville Heritage has an active streak of five straight playoff appearances, but four have ended in losses to Southlake Carroll. ... Euless Trinity will play its 10-game regular season in two stadiums, seven at home (Pennington Field) in Bedford and three at Irving Schools Stadium. ... Steve Hohenberger has Nimitz thinking like winners. Nimitz won only once in the 2007-08 seasons combined but has rebounded by making the playoffs each of the last two seasons. ... This season’s only change in head coaches in 6-5A is at L.D. Bell where assistant Mark Smith was promoted after Gary Olivo stepped down.

PROJECTED PLAYOFF TEAMS

1. Euless Trinity
2. Colleyville Heritage
3. Grapevine
4. Hurst L.D. Bell

COPPELL, Texas -- After a setback earlier Saturday, Hurst L.D. Bell remained confident and recovered for a 7-0 victory over Coppell in Game 3 of the Class 5A area round baseball series.

Bell starting pitcher Weston Sims stifled any momentum Coppell had after taking Game 2, allowing just three hits in a complete-game shutout.

After Bell's defense helps Sims escape from a bases-loaded jam in the first with a double play, he settled into his game and was able to spot up his fastball the rest of the way. Sims threw just two strikeouts but pitched to contact and allowed his defense to work behind him, seeing no more than four batters in any inning.

His best inning was the sixth, in which he needed just four pitches to retire Coppell’s 4-5-6 hitters in order. Sims said this was his best start of the season.

“I was just throwing strikes and they were hitting it and my defense was behind me a lot. We had [five] errors the first game and zero in the second, so it helped a lot.”

Bell struggled on defense in Game 2 earlier Saturday, but Sims said the team shook off any jitters and settled into a perfect glove game in Game 3.

Bell scored three in the second inning off Cullen Gassaway's solo home run and a Sydney Daley double. Gassaway sent the second pitch of his at-bat soaring over the left-center fence into a small wind.

"They had been throwing me inside a couple times and I just missed it a couple times, and I knew they were going to come back in there and challenge me up,” Gassaway said. “They did, and I made it happen.”

Coppell couldn't find consistency on the mound in Game 3, forcing coach Don English to go to the bullpen three times during the game.

Bell added its fourth run in the fourth when leadoff hitter Taylor Empkey scored on a passed ball by Coppell catcher Campbell Cooper.

The Raiders homered again in the fifth, this time off the bat of No. 9 hitter Colten Daniels. His shot went over the left-field wall, scoring Randy Cook.

The seventh and final run was driven in on a fielder’s choice hit by Empkey, scoring Cook.

“Hitting is contagious,” Bell coach Paul Gibson said. “We didn’t get anything going that first game but I knew if we break the egg and got a lead, people start relaxing. Gassaway’s home run kind of did that -- kind of lifted the weight off our shoulders a little bit.”

Even just minutes after Bell had taken the series from Coppell, the Raiders were excited to look ahead to the regional quarterfinal round where they will face a close-proximity rival in Colleyville Heritage.

Gibson said he believes sticking with a true three-man rotation through all of district play will give his team an advantage as they continue through the playoffs.

“Playing in our district, playing three games a week, allowed us to have three kids throwing all through district. We talked before the game that we have to use that to our advantage.”

GAME 2: Coppell 4, L.D. Bell 0

Coppell starter Jake Elliot confounded Bell hitters in the five-hit complete game shutout that forced Game 3.

Elliot struck out four and walked one while keeping the Bell bats off balance.

“Hats off to their kid,” Gibson said of the opposing pitcher. “He pitched a great game. You’ve just got to take your hat off to him. Sometimes that’s the way it goes in baseball when a pitcher settles in like he did. That was the difference in Game 1.”

Bell’s defense committed five errors and allowed one unearned run.

Coppell’s Adam Toth began the attack, hitting a two-out triple in the bottom of the first. Right fielder Tyler Hernandez drove him in in the next at bat.

The Cowboys' insurance runs all came in the second. Craig Aikin and Sam Swinton reached on singles to start the inning and Aikin reached home on an error by third baseman Reid Glaze.

Swinton and Matthew Kaskow were driven in on a double by Tyler Zabojnik that hopped over the wall in right center.

“One through nine is as tough a lineup as we’ve seen in a while,” Gibson said of Coppell’s offense.

Game 1 of the Hurst L.D. Bell vs. Coppell area-round baseball series has been postponed until Friday at 7 p.m. at L.D. Bell. Game 2 will be played Saturday at 1 p.m. at Coppell's Cowboy Field.

If necessary, Game 3 will be played 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 2 on Saturday at Cowboy Field.

Game 1 was originally scheduled for Thursday night at 7 p.m. but could not be played because of wet field conditions.

COLLEYVILLE, Texas -- South Grand Prairie took the deciding third game of a bi-district softball series against Hurst L.D. Bell, 8-4, Tuesday at Colleyville Heritage High School.

Most of the Warriors’ run production came from the middle infield on a four-RBI night by second baseman Whitney Ruyle and a solo home run by shortstop Meagan Michele.

The South Grand Prairie (28-8) and Flower Mound Marcus coaching staffs met immediately after the game to set up the area-round matchup. On three coin flips it was decided there would be a three-game series at Colleyville Heritage, Thursday-Saturday. All games will begin at 7:30 p.m.

“It feels great to be able to see the next games,” winning pitcher Shelby Alexander said.

Michele put the first run on the board in the top of the first when she crushed an Amanda Windham pitch over the left-center fence.

Bell scored twice in the bottom of the first and would lead until the third, when South Grand Prairie tacked on three runs for a 4-2 lead.

The rally began with catcher Jordan Burke driving in Kat Strunk on a single to center. Ruyle stepped in and drilled a shot off the left-center fence that resulted in a run-scoring single. Victoria Gonzales drove in the last of the inning on a single to left center.

The same part of the lineup produced again in the fourth inning, with Burke's single to center scoring Alexander. Ruyle then hit the same pitch to the same spot off the wall on her next at-bat, this time resulting in a two-run double and a 7-2 lead.

Ruyle added her fourth RBI in the sixth as she knocked a single through a hole in the right side of the infield, scoring Alexander again. Ruyle battled through a two-strike count, fouling off several pitches, before finding the one she would put into play.

Royle, a senior committed to Navarro Junior College, had only a handful of RBIs in her junior year, but she said she found her stroke through repetition and lessons in the summer.

“She had a really good summer last year,” Warriors coach Jonathan Rogers said. “She signed with Navarro and then had a lot of confidence at the plate. She went from having four RBIs last year to over 30 now. She’s had that kind of year all year long where she hits the ball in the gaps and doesn’t miss those opportunities when they throw the ball in the strike zone.”

Bell was able to hit Alexander, but the sophomore pitcher was able to get out of three jams with runners in scoring position, including in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.

“I love the pressure and our team loves the pressure,” Alexander said. “Pressure situations are our strength.”

Bell put a little more pressure on in the bottom of the sixth, cutting the deficit to 8-4 on a two-run Taylor Brown single that deflected off a diving Gonzales’ glove at third.

After low-scoring affairs in the first two games of the series (2-1 for SGP and 2-0 for Bell), Rogers said his team was was more selective at the plate in Game 3.

“I think the main thing is that we hit strikes," he said. "The first two games we were swinging at things outside the strike zone. It doesn’t matter how good of hitters you have … if you swing at balls outside the strike zone, you’re not going to have a lot of success.”

Monday's Game 3 of the South Grand Prairie - Hurst L.D. Bell softball series has been postponed to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Colleyville Heritage, coaches said.

Both teams were successful at home. South Grand Pairie won Game 1, 2-0. L.D. Bell won Game 2, 2-1.

South Grand Prairie coach Jonathan Rogers said both teams have had excellent pitching performances from L.D. Bell's Amanda Windham and South Grand Pairie's Shelby Alexander. That, combined with strong defensive play, has kept the games low scoring.

ESPN.com's On The Trail recruiting update has news on two area football players who changed their choice of colleges.

Mansfield Legacy four-star cornerback Tevin Mitchel decommitted from Nebraska and accepted an offer from Arkansas. Mitchel also considered Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Virginia and Arizona.

Hurst L.D. Bell three-star running back Kenneth Farrow had to find a new school when new Colorado coach John Embree withdrew an offer from the Buffs. Farrow wound up taking an offer from Houston, which he picked over Utah and Tulsa.