Sports

Ford now prepping for college

Ford now prepping for college

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Ford now prepping for college

Rick Mauch The Gatesville Messenger
Friday, June 19, 2026
You could say Brilee Ford is the epitome of talking softly and carrying a big stick.“Softball has always been my way of coping with my feelings without having to speak,” the former Gatesville Lady Hornet said. “It’s a game where it can be calming and chaotic all at one time.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

The Hornet’s Nest

Rickey Phillips Special To The Messenger
Friday, June 19, 2026
Although we are now into the fourth week of summer break, there are still plenty of activities, workouts, and practices taking place across Gatesville ISD campuses.Turnout for our high school and junior high strength and conditioning programs has been strong.
Bikers began the race at 7:15 a.m. on June 13 at the Civic Center. Photo by David Scott

Bikers began the race at 7:15 a.m. on June 13 at the Civic Center. Photo by David Scott

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Exchange Club hosts annual Fire Ant bike race

David Scott The Gatesville Messenger
Friday, June 19, 2026
The 30th annual Fire Ant bike race, hosted by the Gatesville Exchange Club, recently took place starting in the parking lot at the Gatesville Civic Center.More than 219 participants registered to be in the race.
Varsity tennis players who participated as student coaches during the recent GISD tennis camp. Pictured left to right: Head Coach Wendell Jones, Lexi Bryant, Annabelle Lea, Elijah Tyson, Rogan Smith, Olivia Potts, Riley Butler, Paislee Moseley, Jillianna Kim, Donnovan Herrera, Quinton Ivy, and Assistant Coach Alex Scott. Courtesy photo

Varsity tennis players who participated as student coaches during the recent GISD tennis camp. Pictured left to right: Head Coach Wendell Jones, Lexi Bryant, Annabelle Lea, Elijah Tyson, Rogan Smith, Olivia Potts, Riley Butler, Paislee Moseley, Jillianna Kim, Donnovan Herrera, Quinton Ivy, and Assistant Coach Alex Scott. Courtesy photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

GISD Tennis Camp draws record numbers of students

David Scott The Gatesvlle Messenger
Thursday, June 11, 2026
The Gatesville ISD tennis camp has seen a massive surge in popularity, regularly drawing over 60 kids a day and achieving one of the largest turnouts in the program’s history.
Lady Eagles and coach reflect, look ahead

Lady Eagles and coach reflect, look ahead

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lady Eagles and coach reflect, look ahead

Rick Mauch The Gatesville Messenger
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
When the 2026 high school softball season began, only two teams in Texas history had won three consecutive University Interscholastic League state championships, Coahoma in the 3A ranks and Corpus Christi Calallen in Class 4A.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

The Hornet’s Nest

Rickey Phillips The Gatesville Messenger
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Good ol’ summertimeThe arrival of summer somewhat signals the beginning of much-needed and much-deserved breaks for athletes and coaches, most of whom have spent the previous nine months hard at it with a daily grind that stretched from week to week for many.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lady Eagles one win away from three-peat

Rick Mauch The Gatesville Messenger
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
The last time the Jonesboro Lady Eagles softball team lost in the playoffs all but one player on the current roster were still in junior high. Adalyna Andrade was a freshman on the team that season when they were eliminated by Graford in the second round of the playoffs.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

The Hornet’s Nest

Rickey Phillips Special To The Messenger
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Good ol’ summertime The arrival of summer somewhat signals the beginning of much-needed and much-deserved breaks for athletes and coaches, most of whom have spent the previous nine months hard at it with a daily grind that stretched from week to week for many.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Holdbrook: Softball still strong

Rick Mauch The Gatesville Messenger
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
With the graduation of many seniors following the 2025 season in which the Lady Hornets won 24 games and advanced three rounds deep in the playoffs, coach Andrea Holdbrook admitted there were skeptics about 2026 expectations.
Subscribe to