Photo by Phil Hicks Attending the 28th Scholastic All-Star Team banquet were (from left) Bill Coates, sports director for KTBB; Lanny Uzzell, Founding Sponsor/Southside Bank; and guest speaker Neil Beasley, Fox Sports Southwest.

PHIL HICKS

phicks@tylerpaper.com

BULLARD – Neil Beasley, the Emmy-award winning sportscaster, told the KTBB Scholastic All-Stars to use a three-step process in continuing their career path.

He said, “No. 1, dream. No. 2, plan and No. 3, start where you are.”

“The only two things you can control are attitude and effort,” Beasley said while addressing the 27th Annual Scholastic All-Star team Thursday at KE Bushman’s Celebration Center.

The event honored 24 high schoolers who not only participate in athletics but also are outstanding in academics and involved in school clubs and organizations as well as community events and projects.

Beasley works for Fox Sports Southwest, hosting and producing “High School Spotlight.” He is also the host of “DQ Big Game of the Week.” Beasley noted that the “DQ Big Game of the Week” has highlighted 60 of the 80 high schools in East Texas.

He told the group of how a “5-(foot)-10, skinny kid” played high school football in Florida and later collegiate football at the University of Central Florida.

The honorees received a plaque from The Scroll Christian Book Store and a $500 scholarship, along a commemorative page from the Tyler Morning Telegraph. The team is sponsored by KTBB 97.5-FM and 92.1-FM The Team Sports Radio and founding sponsor, Southside Bank.

Bill Coates, KTBB sports director, was the emcee with Southside Bank’s Lonny Uzzell, executive vice president, and Ashley Fettig, vice president of communications, handing out the awards.

Honorees included Keylee Adair, Carlisle (undecided on college); Sam de Boer, All Saints (TCU); Charlotte Bradshaw, Emory Rains (Tarleton State); Hannah Brown, Hallsville (Ohio State); Clayton Cole, Whitehouse (Texas A&M); Evan Galyean, Alba-Golden (Texas A&M); Cheyenne Grubbs, Union Grove (Texas); Blake Harris, Chapel Hill (Texas A&M); Seth Hudgins, Mineola (Southern Arkansas); Hannah Langford, Hawkins (Texas A&M); Walt Mahmoud, Athens (Texas A&M); Alyssa Mayfield, John Tyler (Stephen F. Austin); Montana Meador, Lindale (North Texas); Jacob Moore, Spring Hill (Rhodes College); Terra Moore, Winona (Tyler Junior College); Mary Claire Neal, Robert E. Lee (Rice); Chidiebere Nechi, Bullard Brook Hill (undecided); Katherine Raby, Kilgore (North Texas); Neal Rangu, Longview (Oklahoma); Alexus Smith, Tatum (Texas State-San Marcos); Joseph Stroupe, Arp (Texas A&M); Logan Willeford, Canton (Texas A&M); Nicole Wright, Harleton (Louisiana Tech) and Kayley Yates, Jacksonville (Huntingdon College).

Robert Bardin, Fellowship of Christian Athletes – Northeast Texas Chapter, gave the invocation.

Paul L. Gleiser, president, KTBB/KRWR Radio, gave the closing remarks noting the students earned the respect of the sponsors who did know them and to remember to thank their families.

Coates said there were more than 100 nominations and this year’s All-Stars included students from 12 counties.

The Platinum Sponsors are the Kyle Lake Foundation and Tyler Junior College.

The Sustaining Sponsors are Steve Taylor & Central Title Co.; Prothro, Wilhelmi & Co.; Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Tyler; Wingstop & Jersey Mike’s Subs; Hall Buick-GMC; Dennis Stansbury, DDS; Texas Spine & Joint Hospital; South Tyler Rotary Club; and Rotary Club of Tyler.

Coates added special thanks to Meredith Dosser and Kim McCartney of KTBB; the Tyler Morning Telegraph; ETFinalScore.com; Tyler Athletics; The Scroll Christian Book Store; KE Bushman’s/Kiepersol Estates; Traditions Restaurant & Catering; and Dairy Queen.

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