Freshman Lady Jacket Taytum Chambless works to avoid decapitation from a Paint Rock player in Menard’s 99-7 stomping of Paint Rock in a late district game. Perla Pecina and Kaitlyn Whitaker are in the background. Unfortunately for the Lady Js, they ended up on the losing side of their bidistrict matchup against Water Valley. Nora Davis, photo.

ABOVE- Menard’s Eli Weatherly works his way through the Rochelle defense during the Jackets’ district win on the road last week. Next up for the Jackets is the bidistrict round of playoffs, to be played early next week. Nora Davis, photo.

One-thousand strong

DIST. 12 REGION 2 BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS- Kneeling, left to right: Maddox Saiz, Julius Zamora, Marlee Salas, Brayden Ramon, Dario Gonzales. Managers, left: Kathryn Hebert, Lundann Jackson, Izabella Morales, Cade Corbin. Back row standing: Coach Jeffrey Campbell, Jaegar Leonard, Logan Powell, J.P. Payton, Jared Ruiz, Tate Wagner, Colby Powell, Eli Weatherly, Aidan Ramon, Mack Davis, coach Doug Weatherly, coach Conner Dawson. See story on page 8. Nora Davis, photo.

'24-'25 CLASS A REGION 2 DISTRICT CHAMPIONS- bottom row, left to right: Lainey Thigpen, Bella Hernandez, Kailey Morris, Lauren Guerrero. Middle: Taytum Chambless, Perla Pecina, Kaitlyn Whitaker, Tatum Ruiz, Sabri Zamora, Kylie Ibarra. Back row: Makenzie Wright, Kylee Sommerville, Mackenzie Compton, Aubree Hernandez. Nora Davis, photo.

RIGHT- Menard's Marlee Salas goes above and beyond during the Jackets win over Panther Creek last week. Nora Davis, photo.

YELLOWJACKET Eli Weatherly, center, fights a Bulldog for the bucket during Menard's 50-13 routing of Eden last week. Jaegar Leonard in background. Nora Davis, photo.

JAYDEN PAYTON ALL-REGION RUNNING BACK