Panola College
November 23, 2015 - In the opening game of Region XIV play, the Panola College men’s basketball team defeated Coast Bend, 79-66. With the win the Ponies improve their record to 7-2, and 1-0 in conference play. “Conference play is so difficult because both teams have each other scouted so well.” Stated Head Coach Grant McMillan. “We executed well and got contribution from everyone on our team tonight.” He added.
Coastal Bend scored the first five points of the game but a quick offensive flurry gave Panola a 17-11 lead with 12 minutes to go in the first half. Panola took a 38-31 lead into the locker room. Coast Bend cut the lead to six with just under 9:00 minutes remaining but never got any closer.
Leading the charge offensively was Chan Williams-Bey (Hartford, Connecticut) and Tope Arikawe (Nigeria) nettings 16 points each. Jonathan Wiley (Houston, Texas) scored 11 and Terry Holt (Nashville, Tennesse) continued his hot shooting, coming off the bench, scoring 12. Charles Tucker (Lansing, Michigan) and Tyonte Robertson (Cincinnati, Ohio) shared the ball effectively combining at 19 assists. As a team, the Ponies grabbed 47 rebounds and only had nine turnovers.
Panola will next be in action as they head to Lamar State Port-Arthur this upcoming Tuesday, November 24th. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM on the campus of Lamar State Port-Arthur in Beaumont, Texas.
November 23, 2015 - Despite R'Trevia Randolph contributing 16 points towards the offense,the Fillies lost to Coastal Bend College 65-62.
Fillies had a 25-point second quarter on a powerful 25-7 run, and by halftime gained a 39-22 lead. But this wasn't enough to top Coastal Bend College's 41 points in the second half.
Randolph had a game total of 63% (5-for-8) from the field while shooting 60% (3-for-5) from beyond the arc.
J'Lene Martinez nailed three three-pointers to have nine points on the game. Also helping for Panola College numbers were Amanda Cruz (8 points), Kia Fisker & Laura Chavez (7 points each), CharlynnPerry (5 points), Genesis Rivera & Teanna Frances Henderson (4 points apiece), and Raemeisha Claxton (2 points).
Fillies will take the floor for action again Tuesday, November 24th against Jacksonville College in Jacksonville, TX at 5:30pm.
November 9, 2015 - With the opening of the new Charles C. Matthews Foundation Student Center, Panola College now offers classes in aerial yoga. A dedicated yoga room in the new Fitness Center includes the suspended fabric hammocks used in this newest form of yoga.
Imagine floating weightless in space. That’s the sensation people describe when they have mastered aerial yoga, according to Dr. Barbara Cordell, Dean of Health Sciences and Chair of the Associate Degree Nursing program.
Cordell and Amanda Bickham are aerial yoga instructors. Beginning in the spring 2016 semester, the classes will be offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 5:15 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Bickham is an LVN instructor at Panola in addition to teaching the yoga class.
Aerial yoga combines traditional yoga poses with aerial moves suspended in soft fabric hammocks. In her book, The Aerial Yoga Manual, author and yoga expert Rebekah Leachsays this form of yoga has been practiced for about 10 years. She says aerial yoga can improve upper body strength, allow for deeper stretches, develop a stronger core, improve balance, and reinforce proper body alignment.
She says, however, that hanging upside down in the hammock may not be advisable for people with certain medical conditions including glaucoma and high blood pressure. Students interested in taking the class must consult with the instructors before beginning this fitness program.
Aerial yoga includes four main categories of movement: grounded, when some part of the body is touching the floor with other parts of the body suspended by the fabric hammock; flying, when feet are off the floor; inverted, when the person is hanging upside down; and floating or hammock poses, when the fabric is completely spread out.
Aerial yoga includes not only the warrior and downward dog poses from traditional yoga, but other interesting names including cat cow, hip hang, flying big toe-grab, flying tree, flying chair, flying coffin, inverted frog, inverted crocheted legs, inverted pigeon, flying happy baby, flying diaper wrap, flying swordfish and manta ray, waterfall, and floating corpse. (If “floating corpse” sounds a bit morbid, think back to swimming lessons with the “dead man float.”)
Cordell and Bickham are both certified yoga instructors, who have been trained in aerial yoga, as well. Terrie King, who teaches in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Panola College has earned a pediatric therapeutic certification in aerial yoga. Additional hammocks are in use in the OTA lab to teach students how to use the hammocks in working with children who are going through occupational therapy.
Cordell said she has practiced yoga for 30 years, and has taught traditional yoga at Panola since she joined the faculty. “Yoga is a form of exercise that involves body, mind and spirit. Yoga is a more gentle exercise than aerobics, and aerial yoga provides additional physical support for people as they work through the stretches and poses,” she said. Cordell noted that although yoga originated in the East, the yoga classes at Panola College tap into the body, mind and spirit through breathing, stretching, soothing music, and quiet contemplation through meditation or prayer
While aerial yoga provides a novel way to improve flexibility and strength, the Panola College Fitness Center offers traditional yoga and a wide range of other exercise classes that are available to the public, either for academic credit or as co-enrollment for non-credit participation. The complete list is included in the course schedule under Kinesiology, available on the Panola College website homepage under Popular Destinations.
November 19, 2015 - Panola College students visited the Dallas Museum of Art on Thursday, Nov. 12, through a grant funded by the Panola College Foundation. Art Professor Ann Boland wrote the grant to provide students the opportunity to experience a large city museum. Humanities, photography, and Spanish students also participated.
“We are grateful to the Panola College Foundation for this grant,” Boland said. “Museums give students an opportunity to interact and engage in the visual arts. For many students, this is their first experience in visiting a museum, and, hopefully, will be the beginning of a life-long interest.”
Students who attended included Nathan Allred, Kristina Almeida, Jarid Barton, Ani Buongiorne, Sarahi Contreras, Travis Corley, Melissa Crooks, Melissa Espinoza, Miguel Garcia, Jessica Gherts, Monique Glasper, Katie Golden, Rogelio Gonzalez, Morgan Greenman, LaRaysha Hall, Laurin Hammons, Tammy Johnson, Christie Liles, Clarissa Menefee, Mia Sartor, Samuel Slone, Addison Smalley, Carlie Smith, Lauren Williams, Magdalene Yoerger, Maddy Youngblood, and Jenna Yule.
Faculty and administrators who accompanied the students were Boland; Dr. Kathy Watlington, Spanish professor; Teresa Beasley, humanities and communication professor, and Tryphena Bledsoe, director of institutional planning and research.
Admission to the permanent collection at the Dallas Museum of Art is free. In addition to art works from around the world, the museum features a comprehensive exhibit of works from North America, including ancient native cultures. A special exhibit in progress this month is entitled “Form/Unformed – Design from 1960 to the Present.” Other free exhibits include “Spirit and Matter: Masterpieces from the Keir Collection of Islamic Art,” and a unique exhibit, “Concentrations 59: Mirror Stage, Visualizing the Self After the Internet.” Special exhibitions, which require an admission fee, include “Inca: Conquest of the Andes,” “International Pop,” and, opening on November 20, “Jackson Pollock: Blind Spots.”
Christie Liles, a nursing student, said this was her first time to visit a major museum. “It opens our minds up to the possibility to so much other beautiful things in the world outside of a small town,” she said.
Jarid Barton said his favorite exhibit at the museum was a thumb piano in the Asian/African exhibit hall. “It had musical appeal and we were allowed to play it,” he said. “I enjoyed having exposure to different cultures both in and out of the museum.”
Clarissa Menefee enjoyed the examples of intricate vases because of the incredible detail in their construction. She said having a chance to visit the Dallas Museum for the first time “teaches you about other cultures and exposes you to other things outside of our small town.”
While this was her first time to visit the Dallas Museum of Art, student Ani Buongiorne, who is from Dry Creek, Alaska, has visited The Prado and the British Museum. She said her favorite exhibit at the Dallas Museum was a glass chair in the exhibit about the 1960s. “I loved how the roses were set inside the glass. You could see every angle.” She added that the benefit of visiting a major museum is that the experience “broadens your creative horizons and allows you to see how other people think.”
November 18, 2015 - The Panola College Workforce and Continuing Education division is offering REFIT classes November 23 – December 19, 2015. The class will meet Monday and Thursday from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. The class is free but pre-registration is required. For more information, contact the Continuing Education office at 903-693-2067 or email ce@panola.edu.
November 18, 2015 - Teanna Frances Henderson and Kia Fisker scored 17 points apiece, helping Panola College notch a 91-77 victory over UT Tyler on Tuesday night.
With a powerful 29-point second quarter on the strength of a 22-4 run, Fillies pulled ahead and eventually garnered a 43-25 lead by halftime. Fisker contributed 17 points for Panola College, scoring eight during the first period. Frances Henderson also had the edge for Panola College's offense, scoring 17 points, including six during the third period.
Two other players also racked up double digit scores for Panola College. Destiney Johnson contributed 12 points. Laura Chavez (12 points) and J'Lene Martinez (9 points) each had multiple three-pointers. Also helping the effort for Panola College were Amanda Cruz (6 points), R'Trevia Randolph (5 points), Genesis Riveria (3 points), Denasia Watson (2 points), and Charlynn Perry (2 points).
The Fillies look to take action again Saturday, November 21st with a conference opener in the new Arthur Johnson Gymnasium against Coastal Bend College at 2pm.
November 17, 2015 - Panola College rodeo team traveled to Conroe, TX this weekend for the fifth and final rodeo of the fall season. The rodeo was held indoors the ground was good and dry and made for a very even competition. The rodeo at Conroe was the first of the year to have a short round, where the top ten in each event come back for a second run. This makes for a two head competition, which pays an average and increases the very important team points.
Taylor Gooch started the women’s team off with a great run in the goat tying by posting a 7.7 run on her goat in the long go. The time was fast enough to secure a eighth place split and qualify her for the short go round. In the short round she made another great run of 7.3 seconds, winning fourth in the short go. The total time of 15 seconds moved her to fifth in the total average. Taylor returned to Panola College after a two year break from competition. She is returning to winning form and is expected to be among the leaders for the rest of the season.
Cody Wright just keeps on coming, this week it was in the team roping. Cody and his partner knocked out a fast time of 7.3 seconds fast enough for a fourth place split in long go round. The team then posted a time of 11.4 seconds in the short go round, good enough to hang on to fourth in the short go. The total time on two head was 18.7 seconds and was strong enough to win fourth in the average. Wright is an all-around cowboy, entering on both ends of the arena, rough stock and timed events. Cody is a great athlete that will be heavily counted on in the Spring to help the men’s team reach their goal by qualifying for the CNFR in Casper, WY.
In the world’s most dangerous event, the bull riding, Fulton Rutland really shined. Fulton was the only man to ride his long go round bull with a score of 73 points. The only competitor to achieve success in the long go gave him the automatic win in the average, but there where points left on the table for the short-go round. The short go, well known for having the rankest stock, was a one man show. Rutland was able to capitalize and ride his short go round bull for a score of 77 points. Fulton, who has been extremely focused this year, moved himself to number three in the regional standings. Fulton has a very good work ethic and has set his goal for a regional title.
The Panola College rodeo team has some time to heal up and prepare for Spring semester. The next competition will be in Athens, Texas. Feb. 12-13.
November 16, 2015 Carthage, Texas - In the first game of the newly renovated Arthur Johnson Gymnasium, the Panola College men’s basketball team defeated Creative Young Minds (CYM), 86-64. With the win, the Ponies improve their record to 5-2. “It was a really awesome experience for our team. The gym looks amazing and it was good to win the home opener.” Stated Head Coach Grant McMillan. “We did a good job in the second half holding our opponent to 27 total points and we found ways to share the ball on offense.” He added.
Panola jumped out to a 33-23 point lead with just under 7:00 minutes to play in the first half but CYM closed the gap to 41-37 heading into the locker room. CYM tied the ball game on two separate occasions to start the second half but could never take the lead. Panola gradually pulled away throughout the rest of the game.
The Ponies were led by Devyn Wilson (Brooklyn, New York) with 20 points. Other scorers in double-figures where Tope Arikawe (Nigeria) with 15, Chan Williams-Bey (Hartford, Connecticut) with 14, Terry Holt (Nashville, Tennessee) with 12 and Charles Tucker (Lansing, Michigan) with 11. Arikawe chased down 11 rebounds and Tucker dished out 10 assists to record double-doubles. As a team, Panola shot 52 percent from the field and passed out 27 assists.
Next in action, Panola travels to Levelland, Texas to take on nationally ranked South Plains College on Monday, November 16th. Tip-off is set for 6:30 PM on the Campus of South Plains College.
November 16, 2015 - Panola College defeated Collin County College 90-88 in triple overtime on Friday.
Fillies fell behind early, trailing 36-33 by the half, only to come back strong in the final two quarters, with a game-high 21 points in the third quarter. After being up by 11 with just four and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter the fillies lost the lead and ended the quarter being tied 69-69 to end regulation. Panola College gained some momentum late in the game and was able to battle through three overtimes and come out with a win.
Laura Chavez had a good game managing to score 33 points, which twenty-four of those points came from behind the arc. She was also strong from the line, sinking 70% (7-for-10) of free throws attempted.
Two other players also added ten or more points for Panola College. Kia Fisker contributed 20 points and 7 rebounds. J'Lene Martinez put up three, three-pointers and scored 14 points total. Also helping the effort for Panola College were Amanda Cruz (8 points),Raemeisha Claxton (5 points, 9 rebounds), Charlynn Perry (5 points), Genesis Riveria (3 points), and Teanna Frances-Henderson (2 points).
The Fillies look to take action again tomorrow November 14th against Cisco College at 12pm in the TJC Classic in Tyler, TX..
Panola College defeated Collin County College 90-88 in triple overtime on Friday.
November 16, 2015 - Fillies fell behind early, trailing 36-33 by the half, only to come back strong in the final two quarters, with a game-high 21 points in the third quarter. After being up by 11 with just four and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter the fillies lost the lead and ended the quarter being tied 69-69 to end regulation. Panola College gained some momentum late in the game and was able to battle through three overtimes and come out with a win.
Laura Chavez had a good game managing to score 33 points, which twenty-four of those points came from behind the arc. She was also strong from the line, sinking 70% (7-for-10) of free throws attempted.
Two other players also added ten or more points for Panola College. Kia Fisker contributed 20 points and 7 rebounds. J'Lene Martinez put up three, three-pointers and scored 14 points total. Also helping the effort for Panola College were Amanda Cruz (8 points),Raemeisha Claxton (5 points, 9 rebounds), Charlynn Perry (5 points), Genesis Riveria (3 points), and Teanna Frances-Henderson (2 points).
The Fillies look to take action again tomorrow November 14th against Cisco College at 12pm in the TJC Classic in Tyler, TX.
Pages
