The 2026 Hill Country Classic began the baseball season on Thursday, February 19th, and host, Dripping Springs, is the talk of the tourney. Coming off of a State Semifinals appearance a year ago, the Tigers are looking to make another run at it, with a younger team than last season.
The Tigers are led by Head Coach Chris Payne, who is in his 20th season as the Head Coach of the program (and as of this writing, 398 wins). He has seen the highs and lows of the program, and is excited about the season ahead. “We haven’t won a game since May 30th, and it doesn’t seem like a long time ago, but when you’re in it, it’s a long time.” The Tigers are led by Senior Starting Pitcher, Blake Cox, who in his season debut on Thursday night, Cox through 11 strikeouts, giving up only two hits, and is ready for the grind of the season.
Seven other teams came to Dripping Springs for the festivities. The Indians of Waxahachie, Keller Indians, Hutto Hippos, San Marcos Rattlers, Pearce Mustangs, Rockwell Yellowjackets, and the Lehman Lobos, a team that was in the same district as Dripping Springs some three years ago.
Dripping Springs opened the tourney for themselves on Thursday suffering their first lost of the season to San Marcos 5-3. They rebounded later on that night against Pearce 6-2 thanks to great pitching from Cox, Cody McDaniel, and Daniel Masters.
The very next day, Dripping Springs would lose against the Indians of Waxahachie 6-2, before coming back in the afternoon and getting a tie against Keller 2-2. They would then sweep the action on Saturday, coming back and defeating Rockwall 6-4 thanks to a six inning grand slam by senior Cade Sanders. Sanders would then come back and pitch a gem in an 11-0 run rule game against Hutto.
With only six seniors coming back to the team, the task of making it back to the State Semifinals will be a tough task, but with the coaching staff of the Tigers, this program is primed and focus for a deep postseason run.
The 2026 UIL Softball season began in earnest on Valentine’s Day Weekend with the Wurst Tournament at Canyon High School. Schools from across Texas gathered to get their campaign started, even if weather was going to be a factor throughout the weekend.
The host, Cougarettes of Canyon is looking for a bounce back year in ’26. Last season, Canyon, a power throughout Texas softball, finished fifth in their district, very odd for a team that has had much success throughout the years. While in the same district as District Champions Buda Johnson and Cibolo Steele, Canyon is ready to make some noise once again within District 27.
Canyon’s opponent on that Saturday afternoon was Temple. The Tem-Cats, as they are called, are also looking for a bounce-back season after being eliminated in the Area round of the playoffs last season. Finishing third in their district behind Copperas Cove and State Champion Midway, Temple is looking to build off a strong end to their 2025 season, with a return trip to the state playoffs.
All teams playing this weekend will have a few weekends worth of tournament games before district play begins the beginning part of March. District will last until the end of April, where the State Playoffs begins.
As it has been the prior two seasons, the postseason for softball will mirror of other sports throughout Texas. Each class is separated into two divisions, with a Division One and Division Two State Champion for each class. For these teams at the Wurst, the goal of getting to McCombs Fields in Austin for the State Championship the ultimate goal.
On the very first Friday in the month of February, the New Braunfels Unicorns played their final home game of the season, as they took on district rivals Alamo Heights. The Unicorns came into the game, winners of their last six out of eight games, and was sitting in second place in district standings. Meanwhile, the Mules of Alamo Heights came into the night winning two straight and was sitting 4th in the standings of district 26. Each team has an eye on the post season, as the season is quickly coming to an end.
The Unicorns jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the beginning of the first quarter. Led by great defense throughout the quarter, the Unicorns was suffocating the Mules with their defense in the early part of the game. On a night to give a tribute to their seniors, the players, and student section was rallying the Unicorns on in the first. By the end of the first, the Unicorns led 19-7, a completely dominating opening quarter by New Braunfels. In the second quarter, however, the Mules came to life, and outscored the Unicorns 16-12, to make it an eight-point New Braunfels lead heading into the second half.
In the third, the Mule once again outscored New Braunfels, this time to the tune of 15-12, on the strength of some great three-point shooting for the Mules. Going into the fourth, the Unicorns lead was down to five. But a spirited, yet, competitive fourth, the Unicorns outscored the Mules 19-17 and won by a final score of 62-55. New Braunfels improved to 26-7, and 10-4 in district play. Meanwhile, the Mules dropped to 21-9, 7-6 in district play, still holding on to that final playoff spot for district 26.
The night, however, was bigger than the result for New Braunfels. This senior heavy team had a total of 11 seniors play their final game inside of Unicorns Arena. In an emotional night for the New Braunfels school, and community, the seniors went out on top in their final home game in their gym.
Amateur boxing falls by the wayside for some in Central Texas. But for the competitors of the Austin Golden Gloves on Friday, January 30th, the only thing that mattered was being able to fight.
Photo By Melvin Jones
11 male and female divisions were represented to go along with many divisions. This was the first night of the competition, as a total of 17 bouts started off night one. And if there was any indication that this would be an outstanding event, look no further than the attendance. At a facility that holds roughly 500 people, it was quickly a standing room only event, as fighters and spectators crowded into the Rock Sports Arena, just south of Hutto, Texas for the night’s events.
Amongst the many fighters that came in “Unattached” (ones that does not have any team represented), there were plenty of teams who were represented to begin the night. Reynoso Boxing Club was the heavyweight team of the night, bringing in many boxers to participate in the tournament, many of whom would go on to fight on the final day.
Blue Corner Ready for Next Round (Photo By Melvin Jones)
Not only were there fighters and spectators, but vendors and concessions kept everyone fed and clothed through the night. Many hats and t-shirts were on sale for the event, as well as the smell of popcorn went through the arena as the night progressed.
The night started off with a banger of a fight, as a bout in the Senior Male Novice 154-pound division started the night, and was the first stoppage of the night as the official ended the fight after three standing 8-counts that put a halt to the fight in the 2nd round. The next few fights went toe-to-toe as the next four bouts went the distance, in which every bout was three 2-minute rounds.
Photo By Melvin Jones
Overall, an outstanding night of action accelerated through the weekend, with the final day having 22 bouts overall. The winners of these weight classes in these divisions advance to the state tournament in Ft Worth in early March.
This is the inaugural episode of the Voices of Texas Podcast, a podcast about play-by-play voices of Texas High School Athletics. This week, we bring on the long time voice of the Vandegrift Vipers, the Broadcast Director for VYPE Media, Merle Bertrand on to the show to tell us his story on how he got started, how K-MAC became VYPE Live, and the thrill to call a state championship game. We tend to bring this to you twice a month, maybe even more. So, sit back as Melvin Jones and Merle Bertrand talk about broadcasting high school sports, right here on the Voices of Texas Podcast.Podcast Song Composed by Piotr Pacyna (PRS)
It takes a special person to would rather call high school sports over doing college or even some pro, but this is what we have with Merle Bertrand. On our very first edition of the “Voices of Texas” Podcast, Bertrand talked about how he started, how it was when it called the State Championship for football, some advice he would give to an upcoming broadcaster, and much more.
Back in 2004, Bertrand was brought on to K-Mac Sports by a Chuck Licata (Disclamer: Licata would hire myself back in 2020 after K-Mac became VYPE Live), as he was going in and out of the film industry for seven years in Los Angeles and Austin, TX. “I heard about this little company called K-Mac Sports that was just starting up at the time…and Chuck Licata, who was a track announcer, told me to ‘send me a tape’, like I had a tape or anything like that. But I put something together. I watched the UT Championship game against USC (2006 Rose Bowl) made up my own rosters and put together a little demo tape.”
Mere Bertrand on Zoom (Photo by Melvin Jones)
Bertrand would go on and be one of the lead announcers of K-Mac, along with Licata and Brad Cone, a broadcasting legend in the state of Texas. He would become the voice of the Vandegrift Vipers and call two State Championship games in 2022 and 2024, the year the team won the title. He has also been the voice of Southwestern University football, a Division 3 school just outside of Georgetown, Texas, and those games are also shown on VYPE.
Through it all, Bertrand talks about the love he has for high school sports, and the appreciation that comes with it. “I’m too old go down that path (going after a pro job) Somebody’s got to build and nurture this sandbox, and I think this is sort of my role right now,” says Bertrand.
When it comes to broadcasting, Bertrand is always looking forward. With a full staff to manage, and his own teams to cover, it keeps him moving and rolling every day. Bertrand can be reached on X @kmacmerle.
Canyon 7th Grade battle Spring Branch in Basketball on January 15th, 2026 (Photo by Melvin Jones)
By Melvin Jones | January 18, 2026
On a cold Thursday evening in January, the Canyon Middle School Boys Basketball team plays their 2nd home game of the season, as they took on their rivals in Spring Branch. This 7th grade battle brought out a packed stands, as parents and students from both schools came for the battle at Canyon.
Canyon and Spring Branch Players battles for the ball (Photo by Melvin Jones)
In the state of Texas, if high school sports are the king, then middle school sports are the prince. Parents and supporters alike come out for middle school sports more than a small college, and basketball (along with football) leads the way.
Canyon’s two mascot holding up “Fight” signs (Photo by Melvin Jones)
“I think it helps them academically. I think Texas really cares about the kids, so its keeps them focused on their academics.” said Pamela Escobedo, Head Cheer coach at Canyon.
Cheer with a halftime show during the “B” game (Photo by Melvin Jones)
Middle school basketball rules are different than even high school. Seven minute quarters run the game (but may be eight if agreed upon by both school) , with about a five minute halftime, only two referees, and with only the two refs, some of the calls are missed more than in most game. But, the premise of the game stays the same, and it gets the middle schoolers ready for what will be when they get into high school.
Ref getting ready to blow the whistle for a violation (Photo By Melvin Jones)
There are also postseason opportunities in middle school basketball, something that many other states don’t have, and it is a huge thing for middle schools to proclaim themselves as a champion. For the Jaguars of Canyon, getting to a District Tournament to be classified as 7th grade District Champions is the goal.
Canyon’s “B” Team Bench (Photo by Melvin Jones)Concession Stand Providing Refreshments (Photo By Melvin Jones)
The support from parents and administrators doesn’t stop there. While many high schools rely on booster clubs and sponsorships to generate income, middle schools athletics have to go beyond just that. While booster club and sponsorships bring enough income to get the teams by, having that extra in concessions helps out as well, as it brings extra money for game-day meals, camps, and tournaments fees that teams occur during the season (Sidenote: This author’s wife currently serves as the Secretary on the Jaguar Cheer Board).
Packed House at Canyon on Thursday, January 15, 2026 (Photo By Melvin Jones)Students enjoying the games vs Spring Branch on Thursday, January 15, 2026 (Photo by Melvin Jones)
But it’s all about the result, and both 7th Grade “A” and “B” teams played their best games of the season, sweeping the night against Spring Branch, including a 46-12 domination during the “B” game.
Final Score of 7th Grade “B” Team (Photo By Melvin Jones)Players go through the cheer “run-through” after the victory vs Spring Branch (Photo By Melvin Jones)Jaguars insignia on the floor (Photo By Melvin Jones)
The Jaguars 8th Grade “A” and “B” teams will host Danville on January 22nd, meanwhile, the 7th Grade “A” and “B” teams will be on the road at Danville on the same day.
It’s been over a year since COVID affected what we do on an everyday basis. Businesses were shuttered, people were laid off, and it seemed as though it was no end in sight. The one business that also suffered a hurt, local television news, in particular, the sports department.
Having coverage of local sports is what drives a sports department in TV. While national gets all of the buzz, the heartbeat of sports on local news is local sports. Bryan Salmond, who is the Sports Director at NBC affiliate KSNV in Las Vegas had to adjust the way he covered sports, and the way his department covered sports during this time.
“We actually ended up working harder and doing more stuff and being more relevant than we probably were before the pandemic hit,” said Salmond.
Photo Coutesy: News3lv.com
One thing that had been missing for many months on sportscasts were highlights. However, Salmond reiterated that, even with the lack of highlights, sports never skipped a beat.
“Honestly, it was easier than you think (producing without highlights),” Salmond proclaims. “any kind of news involving hockey, the NBA, the NCAA, tournament, which they had three tournaments going on in Las Vegas at that time, all of that national news was local news.”
For many, including local media, the harsh reality of COVID has been brutal. The company that owns KSNV, Sinclair Broadcasting, just completed a round of layoffs that had huge effects on many newsrooms across the country. KSNV’s were one of those, and in tow, the sports department was one of those that suffered a loss. Sports reporter Amber Dixon, who had been with the station for 8 years, was laid off, leaving Salmond and Sports Anchor Jesse Merrick as the two lone people to cover the massive number of sports that’s going on in Vegas.
“We went from a three-person department to two people…come October, post pandemic, post losing a person, it’s going to be tough! Two people can’t do this anymore.”
While there are several high-profile sports returning to action in Las Vegas, the bread and butter of the city hasn’t seen as much success. Both boxing and mixed martial arts, while having events in the city, has lost many high profiled events to other places. Just recently, one of the best boxers on the planet, Super Middleweight Champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez fought in Texas and in Florida in a span of 90 days. Heavyweight Champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua plans to meet somewhere in Saudi Arabia in early summer, while the UFC has held many events outside of its home headquarters, primarily UFC 257, featuring the returning Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier, and the upcoming UFC 261, featuring Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman defending his title in a rematch against Jorge Masvidal, with that bout in Florida. Salmond believes that, more than anything, is the thing that is missing from the city.
“The Fight Capital of the World is almost no longer the Fight Capital of the World. The pandemic is a big part of it, but even before the pandemic, a lot of big fights weren’t coming to Las Vegas for whatever reason.”
There have been many stations that has been hurting for content over the past year. Make no mistake about it, however, Salmond and his team has flourished in it, possibly more than ever. Focusing more on profile pieces helped the sports department continue to give back to the community. Now, more than ever, local sports will have a huge impact on the community going forward.
August 28, 2006. Why does that date have a significance? It was the final, official broadcast of what was known as ABC Sports. The sports division of the network had been dissolved into sister network ESPN to create ESPN on ABC. While that’s not a bad thing to have the “Worldwide Leader In Sports” to produce all of your sports telecasts, the aura of ABC Sports was officially gone. What was once the leader of all sports in America was no more. Fans will now have a watered-down ESPN network now on their dial, then having the likes of Keith Jackson at the helm on Saturday afternoons saying, “Helloooooooo everybody!”
15 years have passed since this day. For a long while, sports on the weekends on ABC had been relegated to an anthology show called “ESPN Sports Saturday”, while the number of live events were far in between, as College Football, the NBA and Little League World Series were the only live events the once proud network were showing. Combat sports were a staple of the network back in the day, but boxing hasn’t been on ABC since 2000, when a fight between Jose Luis Castillo and Stevie Johnston were on the airwaves, and since then, nothing. The network also televised its final NFL game in February 2006 in Super Bowl 40. The NFL hadn’t been relevant on the network outside of the few playoff simulcasts from ESPN, and nothing seemed to be happening on a bigger stage any time soon.
Then, change happened at the very top of the network. Long time president of ESPN and ABC Sports, John Skipper, resigned his position in December 2017. That created a vacancy and a void to now lead both divisions. Enter Jimmy Pitaro. A longtime executive at Disney (who owns both ABC and ESPN), Pitaro was tasked to lead the sports division and give it more of a presence, including repairing a relationship with the NFL that had been strained at best due to some of the journalistic stories ESPN ran about the league in the mid 2010’s. But, while that may have been one of the major tasks Pitaro was given, the other, was to restore sports on ABC. Given what has happened in the years since, it’s hard to imagine that he hasn’t done that.
Since Pitaro has taken over, many high-profile events have either debuted or return to ABC. The first being the NFL Draft. What was mostly a cable TV show on ESPN and NFL Network over the years, ABC, for the first time, had its own production of the Draft. Not a simulcast of what was being shown on ESPN, but coverage led by College Gameday host Rece Davis. Another live event created just for ABC…the NBA, in prime time, on a Saturday night. Given what the network has been through over the past 15 years, having the return of a major league sport in prime time was a big boost to see it on ABC. It had given the network something that it hasn’t had since 2006, a major property in prime time of its own (outside of Saturday Night Football, which has been a giant for the network).
As stated before, combat sports, in particularly boxing, hasn’t been on the network since 2000. That all changed in January 2021, as the UFC marked its first broadcast on the network ever, and ABC’s first combat sporting event since the above-mentioned Castillo-Johnston bout. This weekend, the network will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Fight of the Century, between Joe Frazier and Muhammed Ali, with the original broadcast that was on ABC’s Wide World of Sports digitally remastered and prepped for broadcast for 2021. There has also been more college basketball games shown on the network then at any time in the past two decades, as the network has been the home for the SEC Tournament games over the past few years. And then, it’s the big one.
According to Touchdown Wire, Disney will get back into the Super Bowl rotation with the next NFL media rights contract. What that entails is the Super Bowl will be back on ABC as early as Super Bowl 57, something that could not be thought of even a decade ago. Even more, while not officially announced, Monday Night Football will return in some form on the network, with many games being simulcast on ABC with this new contract.
So, will this be the return to relevance for ABC Sports? Or even the return of the brand? At this stage, nothing is in the works. But, with more live events happening on the network, the return of the Super Bowl, and increased Monday Night Football schedule, the NBA and more combat sports happening on the network, one has to think, can it really happen? Only time will tell, and maybe the only person that knows this, is one Jimmy Pitaro.
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