SPORTS
FORESTBURG AWARDS: Mason, Sandusky have the ‘Hearts’
By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@sbcglobal.net
The Forestburg Independent School District had its high school awards ceremony on Tuesday in the Commons area.
Students were honored for their athletic and academic pursuits.
There were two major accolades handed out, including the Mary Lou McCandless Fighting Heart Award and a local family was given special recognition.
Skyler Sandusky and Makayla Mason were selected as the Fighting Heart recipients.
“Mary Lou McCandless worked at the school when I was a student,” Forestburg head boys’ basketball coach Steve Sandusky, Skyler’s father, said. “She had worked at almost every position from cook to bus driver. She and her family were very big in the community.”
McCandless died in 2008. She still has living relatives enrolled in the school district at this time.
Also, Gerald and Nancy Hallmark were honored for their years as supporters of both the Forestburg track and field and cross country programs.
Samantha Reynolds, a graduating Forestburg senior, is the granddaughter of the Hallmarks.
“The Hallmarks have missed very few sporting events their grandkids have been involved in,” Sandusky said. “They always are willing to do whatever was needed and whatever I asked.”
Forestburg principal Jennifer Steadham also was honored, as this will be her final year at the helm. Read more, and see a complete list of award winners, in the weekend Bowie News.
Forestburg’s Skyler Sandusky and Makayla Mason were named the Mary Lou McCandless Fighting Hearts for the 2014-15 athletic season during Tuesday’s awards banquet. Click on the image itself for the complete photo. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)
While school won’t start for another two weeks yet, Bowie tennis coach Dayna Boothe is getting her netters ready to start the 2026 Fall season.
Tryouts began July 21 with nearly 25 players trying out.
Boothe will have a young boys team this year but is excited about their prospects.
“Our boys team is returning with five juniors, a strong sophomore and some promising incoming freshmen,” Boothe said. “It will be a strong building year for our boys team.”
Boothe said the Lady Rabbits will be led by junior state champion in girl’s doubles last Spring Willow Seibert.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
The allure of coaching can be too much for some. Shea Diffie is just that type.
Diffie coached girl’s basketball at Slidell for a time. After the school moved up to Class 2A, Diffie quit coaching and took on a traveling salesperson’s position. After putting on what he says was more than 60,000 miles on his truck over the last year, he decided to get back into coaching.
He met with Bellevue’s athletic director, Colby Broussard, and recently became the new girl’s basketball coach. He replaces Larry Tidwell, who moved on to Arlington Baptist University to become their girl’s basketball coach.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
A positive culture can be tough to install but will reap dividends if done correctly.
Trinadee Imotichey is trying to do just that with her Forestburg Lady Longhorns.
Imotichey, an assistant coach on the 2025 Forestburg volleyball team, was moved into the head coaching position. Last year’s coach, Cori Hayes, took over as football head coach.
Imotichey, in her 2nd year in Forestburg, said she learned a lot from Hayes and is ready to take over.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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