Panola College
February 15, 2016 - At the age of two Charles Tucker tipped off his career in basketball in Lansing, Michigan. Now at the age of 20, Charles Tucker is living his dream of being a college basketball player at Panola College in Carthage.
Tucker, also known as “Cha Cha,” is a humble and selfless person, mellow and goofy off the court. But when the basketball game starts, his demeanor transforms into this person that is focused and intense, making him a huge weapon for the Panola Ponies.
“Basketball means a lot to me because I feel it’s a way God has allowed me to spread his word and influence and has made it an enjoyable experience. On the court I feel like I’m in my own little world for as long as the game is going on. It’s like nothing off the court can hurt, harm, or affect me. I’m like a totally different person,” said Tucker.
At a very young age, Tucker had many basketball role models. Tucker’s dad, Dr. Charles Tucker, is a world class sports agent who owns his own sports agency company called Sports and Psychological Consultants, based in Michigan. Dr. Tucker has represented many famous athletes, including Andre Risen, who had a very successful career in the NFL playing wide receiver. Risen appeared in 186 games and was primarily known for his time with the Atlanta Falcons.
Dr. Tucker also represented Franco Harris, who played running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 12 seasons; Isaiah Thomas, who played for the Detroit Pistons for 13 years; and Magic Johnson, an NBA legend who played for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Charles Tucker’s godfather, Steve Smith, who was also represented by Dr. Charles Tucker, played for various NBA teams over a 16-year playing career. Dr. Charles Tucker currently represents his son’s best friend Jabari Parker, who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks. Jabari Parker and Charles Tucker were roommates at the USA Junior National Team tournament and have maintained a close relationship ever since then.
During Charles Tucker’s high school days, he played at two different high schools: his freshman, sophomore, and junior years, he played at Lansing Eastern in Michigan, and his senior year he attended Montrose Christian in Maryland. Out of high school Charles chose to play basketball at Tennessee State University, but didn’t feel it was a good fit. While searching for his next college, Charles was contacted by Panola College Head Coach Grant McMillan.
“Coach McMillan’s interest never swayed,” Charles said, adding that Coach McMillan had a major impact on his decision to attend Panola College. “Cha Cha has helped change this program,” said Coach McMillan. “He has been everything that we thought he would be when we recruited him. He is playing at a very high level, and deserves all the attention he is getting. He took a leap of faith with me and going the JUCO route, like we tell all of our guys: success never rewards the wrong person, he is prime example of that.”
While at Montrose Christian High School, he led his team to a 19-5 record. During high school, he was selected to the USA Men’s Development National Team comprised of the nation’s top under-16 talents. As a freshman, Charles made 18 starts, averaged 5.1 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 rebounds in 21.5 minutes a game. He was the team leader in assists. He scored a career high 16 points against Southern Illinois. He was named OVC Freshman of the Week on February 2, 2015, after helping TSU to its first two conference wins the previous week.
So what’s next for Charles Tucker? He says his plan is to attend a four-year school and pursue a degree in finance with an ultimate career path toward working as a financial adviser or manager. He plans to continue his basketball career for as long as possible, with a goal of playing in the NCAA tournament, and ultimately in the NBA. The most humbling thing about Charles Tucker is that even in this day and age where college athletes sometimes think they deserve prima-donna treatment, Charles Tucker’s ultimate dream “is to have a legacy of making an impact on our youth.”
February 12, 2016 - Chandler Morris, (The Woodlands), a freshman infielder on the Panola College baseball team, was selected on Thursday as the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division-1 Player of the Week for his efforts in five games from January 30th - February 6th.
This marks the first NJCAA Player of the week honor for the Ponies since 2009.
Morris, a College Park High School graduate went 11-20 with 3 Home runs, 2 Doubles 11 Runs Batted In, 10 Runs Scored, 4 Walks, and 1 Stolen Base in the Ponies 6-0 week.
Since the nomination Morris went 5-6 with 1 Home Run, 1 Double, 3 Runs Batted In, with 4 Runs Scored in an 18-11 victory over Richland College to help the Ponies move to 7-0 on the season.
"Chandler's a good teammate and works his tail off, he deserved to nominated and we're very excited for him that he was chosen." Said Head Coach Todd Shelton.
The Ponies will be back in action this weekend when they travel to Beeville Texas to take on Coastal Bend College for a three game set.
February 11, 2016 - Panola College congratulates baseball player Chandler Morris (#3) for being selected by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) as the player of the week which was announced earlier today, February 11th. Chandler is a freshman shortstop from The Woodlands, TX.
To read the announcement on the NJCAA website - OC Sports Baseball Players of the Week (Jan. 29 - Feb. 7)
February 11, 2016 - Panola College fell to Trinity Valley Community College on Wednesday night,73-56, despite Kia Fisker putting 12 points on the board.
The Fillies put up 24 points in the final quarter but was not able to make the comeback.
Fisker led Panola College's offense, going 3-for-5 (60%) from the field while also sinking 86% (6-for-7) of free throws attempted.
Amanda Cruz achieved double digits, scoring 11 points for Panola College. J'Lene Martinez hit two three-pointers and scored six points total. Also chipping in for Panola College were Teanna Frances Henderson (7 points), Genesis Rivera (6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks), Charlynn Perry (6 points), Destiney Johnson, Denasia Watson, and Laura Chavez all scored (2 points apiece).
The Fillies will be on the road this weekend as they look to face Coastal Bend College in Beeville, TX. Tip off tip is set for 2:00 pm.
February 11, 2016 - Carthage, Texas – The Panola College men’s basketball lost to Trinity Valley Community College, 95-75 here Wednesday night. The loss drops the Ponies record to 19-7 and 10-5 in region 14 play. Despite the loss, Panola remains in second place within the region. “We got out played from the tip.” Head Coach Grant McMillan said. “Our community and administration did a great job promoting the game and making the atmosphere special. We greatly appreciate it.” He added.
Trinity Valley started the game on a 14-3 run and never looked back. Panola trailed 59-34 at intermission. The Ponies outscored Trinity Valley 38-36 in the second half but wasn’t enough to claw back into the game.
Jonathan Wiley (Houston, Texas) led the Panola offense with 17 points. James Suber (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) recorded 13 points and Arnas Dautartas (Lithuania) added 11. As a team, Panola struggled from the field only shooting 36 percent.
Panola will next be in action next Wednesday, February 17th when they host Kilgore College. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM in Arthur Johnson Gymnasium.
February 10, 2016 - The Center Vocational Nursing students offered free blood pressure checks in the Charles C. Matthews Student Center on the Panola College campus on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Students and faculty also provided heart healthy information as part of the College’s celebration of National Heart Month.
February 10, 2016 - The bats were busy at Dallas Tx on Tuesday, and when the dust cleared Panola College had an 18-11 win over Richland College.
The Ponies banged out 22 hits, as well as 8 for extra bases. While striking out 6 of Richlands batters and only walking 4.
Six runs in the first three innings helped Panola blow out Richland. An RBI triple by Cal Smith (Keller,Tx), an RBI single by Chad McKinney (Hughes Springs, Tx) and an error in the first inning and a groundout RBI by Smith during the second inning supplied the early offense for Panola.
Smith racked up five RBIs on five hits for Panola.
Four relief pitchers didn't loosen their grasp on the win as they finished off the game for Panola .Bryce Foley (Spring, Tx) picked up his first win of the season pitching two scoreless innings while striking out two an allowing no walks and now runs. Erik Key (Keller, Tx) faced 10 batters in relief, while Miguel Ausua (Penueals, Tx) managed to record three outs to aid the victory.
Panola pushed one run across in each of the third, seventh and eighth. In the third, Panola scored on a solo home run by Chandler Morris (Woodlands, Tx).
Panola added 10 more runs in the top of the fourth. The inning looked promising, as Smith singled, plating Jansen McCurdy (White Oak, Tx) to kick things off. That was followed up by Morris' double, bringing home Colby Price (Nederland, Tx) and Smith.
With the win Panola now extends there record to 7-0 on the season. Panola will be back in action this weekend when the team travels to Beeville Texas to meet Coastal Bend College for three games.
Click the link to see the box score : http://njcaaregion14.com/sports/bsb/2015-16/dI_east/boxscores/20160209_at4r.xml
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Submitted by Brandon Benton
February 8, 2016 - The Panola College Baseball team had there home opener this weekend vs TCS Post Grad Academy. The Ponies would win both games by the score of 5-0 and 10-0.
Game #1
An impressive two-way performance from Logan Bailey led Panola College to a 5-0 win Saturday over TCS Post Grad Academy, as Bailey came up huge at the dish and on the bump.
Bailey racked up three RBIs on two hits for Panola. He homered in the first inning and singled in the sixth inning.
TCS couldn't get anything going so long as Bailey was on the hill. TCS managed just one hit off of the Panola's pitcher, who allowed no earned runs, walked one and struck out two during his two innings of work.
Panola never surrendered the lead after the first inning, scoring two runs on a two-run home run by Bailey. Chandler Morris followed up with a home run of his own in the bottom of the third.
Panola tacked on another two runs in the sixth. The inning got off to a hot start when Bailey singled, scoring Landon Marshall.
Click the link below for the box score
http://njcaaregion14.com/sports/bsb/2015-16/boxscores/20160206_ie8k.xml
Game #2
In the second game of the double header Panola jumped out to an early lead vs TCS and captured a 10-0 victory.
The game was decided quickly as Panola exerted its will early with seven runs in the first three innings.
An RBI single by Logan Bailey during the first inning and a solo home run by Jordan Gore in the second inning fueled Panola's offense early.
Gore racked up two RBIs on two hits for Panola.
Christian Cuevas was in control on the rubber. TCS managed just one hit off of the Panola's pitcher, who allowed no earned runs, walked none and struck out two during his two innings of work.
Panola tacked on another five runs in the third. Gore singled, plating Todd Streck to start the inning. That was followed up by Landon Marshall's single, plating Bailey and Chandler Morris.
Hector Morales stepped to the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning and hit a three run walk off home run to end the game due to mercy rule.
Click the link below for the box score.
http://njcaaregion14.com/sports/bsb/2015-16/boxscores/20160206_tiul.xml
With the wins Panola now extends its record to 6-0 on the season. And is set to see action again this Tuesday when they travel to Richland College.
Submitted by Brandon Benton
February 8, 2016 - The Panola College Workforce and Continuing Education division is offering Doodads and Resin, a jewelry making class, on Saturday, February 20, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The cost of the class is $40.00 and pre-registration is required. For more information, contact the Continuing Education office at 903-693-2067 or email ce@panola.edu.
February 8, 2016 - The Panola College Workforce and Continuing Education division is offering a CNA – Certified Nurse Aide program, on the Carthage campus, beginning Monday, February 22, 2016. The class will meet Monday, Tuesday and Thursday until May 5, 2016, from 5:15 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. The cost of the program is $580.00 and preregistration is required. For more information, contact the Continuing Education office at 903-693-2067 or email ce@panola.edu
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