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Posts published in “Sports”

World class BMX Bike Park opens in North Houston

August 27, 2019
ROCKSTAR ENERGY BMX BIKE PARK as seen in this aerial view, with nearby I-45 frontage road at upper left. Stands hold 3500 spectators.

NORTH HOUSTON – A ribbon cutting was held last Friday, August 16 for a huge new World Class Bike Park and BMX track. This $25 million dollar project was funded by the North Houston Development Corporation, and is expected to be a major attraction for bike enthusiasts and fans.

The ribbon cutting was unusual, with the participants arriving at the line mounted on bikes. Included were Mayor Sylvester Turner, Pct. 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Councilman Jerry Davis, NHDC executive director Sally Bradford, HCH Sports Authority CEO Janis Burke, Rockstar Energy VP Paul Tarney, and WCMX President Gretchen Bailey.

The new bike park occupies 20 acres of the 30 acre recreation site, which also includes the largest skate park in America, and Dylan Park, designed for children with all types of abilities.

The development includes 11 attractions: a BMX track, BMX Super Cross trails, Pump Track, Dirt Jump Track, Streetriding Plaza, Multi-skills trails, Bike Skills area, Tot Track, Bowl Riding Performance Pavilion, and Bayou Trail Walking connections.

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Little League season opens in North Houston with parade, games

March 26, 2019
THE LITTLE LEAGUE PARADE started at MacArthur High School, and travelled down side streets until it ended at the Little League fields at Squatty Lyons Park. Floats were judged for their appearance, and the float above, with the LADY BUMBLEBEES team members, won First Place. In all there were 14 floats in the parade, with the 14 teams that competed, and units from the EMS, Westfield Fire Department, East Aldine District, and the Sheriff’s office. See MORE LITTLE LEAGUE on page 8. (Photo by Sara Garcia)

NORTH HOUSTON – The Little League officially opened last Saturday, with a parade of teams and community units on a long trip from MacArthur High School, where they assembled, to the Little League fields in Squatty Lyons Park on East Hardy at Cromwell Roads.

Under the direction of Sara Garcia and Virginia Bazan, the parade consisted of 14 units on decorated trailers, and also a fire truck, EMS ambulance, and vehicles from the Sheriff’s office and East Aldine District.

Parade units were judged for originality and appearance, with the Lady Bumblebees, a T-Ball team, taking first place. Second place was won by the Houston Bombers, a major league team.

At the park, teams and parents had a Festival with games, food, and exhibits, helping to raise money for the teams.

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COACH OF THE YEAR: Eric Jackson leads Eagles to playoffs in first year as Eisenhower head coach

January 15, 2019
Eisenhower High School head football coach Eric Jackson is the 2018 Northeast News’ Coach of the Year

By Mike Keeney, Contributing Writer

Eisenhower High School head football coach Eric Jackson led his team to the playoffs in the first year as the school’s head coach. The Eagles made it to the post season after a two-year playoff drought.

That accomplishment earned the veteran coach the honor of being named the Northeast News’ Coach of the Year for the 2018 season.

The 2018 season was Jackson’s first as a head coach and he’s excited about the future for the Eisenhower football program.

“We’re getting there, but we’re not satisfied where we’re at. We still have a ways to go” Jackson said. “The kids are excited about the program and so are we as coaches. We’re starting a new regime and I think we have gotten off to a good start.”

The Eagles finished tied for second place in District 16-6A and earned a postseason berth.

Prior to being named the Eagles’s head coach, Jackson served as defensive coordinator at Eisenhower. He has also served on the staffs at Hastings High School, Beaumont Central High School Beaumont Ozen High School, Willowridge High School and Fort Bend Terry High School.

The Baton Rogue native is a graduate of Nichols State where he played linebacker.

Jackson and the Eagles have reason to be excited about the future. They will enter spring training with eight offensive and four defensive starters back for the 2019 season, which is a solid nucleus.

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DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jonzell Prudhomme’s big senior season lands him honor

January 8, 2019
Davis High School senior linebacker Jonzell Prudhomme was named the 2018 Northeast News’ Defensive Player of the Year.

By Mike Keeney, Contributing Writer

The future is indeed bright for Jonzell Prudhomme.

The 6’2″, 220-pound senior linebacker turned in quite a year for the Davis Falcons.

Prudhomme recorded 49 solo tackles, 37 assisted tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 11.5 quarterback sacks, 2 interceptions (one he returned for a touchdown), seven batted ball, five pass breakups and nine quarterback hurries.

Those numbers added up to Prudhomme being named the 2018 Northeast News’ Defensive Player of the Year.

He had a busy season indeed, and will also have a busy winter as he decides which college he wants to choose to continue his academic and athletic career.

Prudhomme has already visited the Air Force Academy and will visit West Point in January. He is also drawing interest from Kansas State, New Mexico, Sam Houston State, the Naval Academy, Fresno State and a host of other schools.

“I really liked the Air Force Academy and I am looking forward to visiting West Point,” Prudhomme said.

James Showers, his coach, said whoever lands Prudhomme will be getting a special player.

“Jonzell is a workhorse who does not let up,” Showers said. “He’s very smart and can analyze a play before it happens. His strengths are his football IQ and his relentlessness to make plays. Jonzell has a true passion for the game.”

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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jacorey Howard delivers huge season for Mustangs in 2018

January 1, 2019
Head football coach Hank Semler congratulates Aldine High School running back Jacorey Howard after being named the 2018 Northeast News’ Offensive Player of the Year. It marked the second straight year that Howard won the award. He and former MacArthur High School star quarterback Odell James is the only other two-time NE News Offensive Player of the Year.

By Mike Keeney, Contributing Writer

Jacorey Howard had a season to remember in 2018.

It was a tough one for the Aldine Mustangs, but the senior running back kept things interesting by rushing for 1,417 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry and scoring 13 touchdowns. He also added 101 passing yards for a total yardage on the season of 1,517 yards.

Not bad for a kid who missed the last two games with a sprained ankle.

For his effort, Howard was named the 2018 Northeast News’ Offensive Player of the Year. He also won the award after the 2017 season when he played quarterback for Hank Semler’s team. Howard and former MacArthur High School star quarterback Odell James are the only two-time winners of the award.

On Dec. 19, Howard signed a national letter of intent with Texas Southern University.

He also had offers from Rice, Lamar and Northern Iowa.

“TSU has a great medical program and I want to be an occupational therapist,” Howard said of his decision to stay close to home to play his college ball.

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Aldine HS athlete named Ford player of the week

October 2, 2018
Aldine’s Jacorey Howard Honored as Week 3 Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Players of the Week.

Ford Motor Company announces the winners of the 2018 Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week trophy for week 3 – among these winners is Aldine’s Jacorey Howard. These six Built Ford Tough gridiron heroes are honored for their performance on the field and their leadership off the field. Each week of the regular high school football season will see a new winner in the sport’s six classifications, all with hopes of ultimately becoming the Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Year.

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Aldine ISD football teams play their first games this week

September 4, 2018
MacArthur RB#2 breaks open in the game against the Klein Forest Golden Eagles.

High School varsity football started the season last weekend, with all the Aldine teams playing against relatively week teams, but losing anyway.

In an optimistic note, the football writer for the Northeast News, Mike Keeney, had picked all the Aldine teams to win. Perhaps he meant next week?

On Thursday night, MacArthur played Klein Forest, and lost 45-58.

On Friday, the Davis Falcons suffered the worst loss, against the Woodlands College Park team, 0-31. The same evening, the Nimitz Cougars lost to powerhouse Channelview Falcons, 25-35.

Saturday games included Eisenhower Eagles 21, Fort Bend Marshall Buffs 28. The Aldine Mustangs lost to the Cypress Falls Eagles, 20-42.

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Keeney’s Korner: Aldine ISD football starts 2018 season

August 28, 2018
Mike Keeney

Labor Day weekend full of high school & college matchups

Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer and the official start of the football season.

This weekend, high school stadiums across the state will be filled with screaming fans as they gather to watch their favorite teams begin their 2018 seasons. That will be the case in Aldine ISD where all five of the district’s varsity programs will begin their seasons with hopes of landing one of the four playoff spots up for grabs in District 16-6A.

AISD has two new head coaches who will be making their debuts this weekend. Eric Jackson is the new head coach at Eisenhower. He served as the team’s defensive coordinator prior to being named head coach last February. Wayne Crawford is the new head coach at MacArthur after serving as the Generals’ offensive coordinator. Crawford was also promoted last February. Both men are excited about their new positions and would like nothing more than to open their respective seasons with a victory.

Labor Day weekend will also be the official kickoff for the 2018 NCAA season (four games were played last weekend), as fans will have plenty of intriguing games to watch in the first full weekend of competition.

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Keeney’s Korner: Texans hope for a full season from Watson

August 21, 2018
Mike Keeney

Aggie fans hopeful Fisher is right man for job

By Mike Keeney

Welcome back football, we’ve missed you!

The 2018 season is right around the corner and while baseball is still the talk of the town thanks to the Astros, football will always be king in these parts. Don’t get me wrong, I’m as big of an Astros fan as there is in this area, and am hopeful for another long playoff run in the fall, but injuries and a tepid offense has made things more difficult this time around. Heck, they may not even win their division. The Oakland A’s are breathing down their necks and are the hottest team in baseball. It would help to get Jose Altuve and George Springer back in the lineup (both are out with injuries) and get Carlos Correra’s bat going.

But enough about baseball. It’s time to turn our attention to the 2018 football season and what story lines we will be following this year.

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Youth hoops in 2-Day Harris County Street Olympics

July 31, 2018
Houston-area youth compete on six courts at Fonde Recreation Center during the Street Olympics 3-on-3 Championship Tournament on July 18. In addition to basketball, the 3-on-3 Basketball competition is designed to teach sportsmanship, leadership and teamwork.

Games were designed to instill teamwork, leadership and confidence

More than 300 boys and girls competed in the 3-on-3 Basketball Championship Tournament on July 18 and 19 at Fonde Recreation Center. Houston-area boys and girls – ages 7 to 17 – playing on 80 teams participated in the single-elimination tournament, which is a signature competition in the Harris County Street Olympics Summer Games.

In the past five weeks of preliminary rounds, more than 500 boys and girls at 45 neighborhood agencies participating in the free Summer Games have competed for the opportunity to display their skills and play for trophies in this championship tournament.

The 3-on-3 Basketball Championship Tournament is a showcase event of the annual Harris County Street Olympics Summer Games, which provides boys and girls with the opportunity to participate in a free competitive athletics program in a safe and nurturing environment. As they practice and compete, they develop confidence and leadership skills that will serve them well both on and off the court.