Mixon knew district would have place in Class 3A finals
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Newsboy photos/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S PLAYERS SPILL out onto the field after capturing the Region III Championship and a spot in the state finals in Round Rock.Assistant coach Steve Smith and Shawn Mixon embrace, right above, as the players celebrate. Pictured, below left, Justin Parson, left is congratulated by Taylor Hart following Game 3. Parsons pitched the final three innings in game two, gave up four hits and struck out four. He was back on the mound the following day to throw all seven innings in game three. Pictured below right, Jasper junior Taylor Hart scores a run during the Bulldogs series with Bridge City.

Before the season got underway, Jasper Head Coach Shawn Mixon predicted that one team from District 21-3A would advance to the state finals while some very good ones would be sitting at home. That view hasn't changed, nor has his original statement that 'almost every game in this district will be like a play-off.'

"This is such a strong district that we didn't even know we would make the play-offs," Mixon said. "At one time we were in a fourway tie with Bridge City, Silsbee and Hardin- Jefferson. The strength of the district has a lot to do with where we are right now. When you play teams of this level, any weakness you have will be exposed. The big game experience- one big game after another was great for our guys."

Mixon also paid tribute to his assistant coaches for their roles in Jasper's success.

"Steve Smith is the guy that keeps everything loose, he said. "I get on the kids and Steve smoothes everything over and calms them down. He does a great job calling pitches and anytime I need to know something, I ask him. He is always level headed and I'm always intense. He's always going to suggest the right thing."

David Ford coaches the catchers. Mixon said he has done a great job with senior Blake Weller-Alexander and the up-and-coming Ty Parker.

"He's done a great job with Blake and has been grooming Ty Parker. He works with them every day and I mean every single day. Blake has come a long way. Not often do you get to be a senior and are told you are going to catch. Blake has been great and he thinks like an adult."

Joey Brown coaches the outfield.

"Joey has also done a great job. He coaches them in practice and during games he lines them up. He keeps up with the batters and signals the outfielders when certain hitters are at the plate. I don't even know how he does it."

The fans, Mixon said, have been another plus.

"We really appreciate our fans. They are the best. They will follow us anywhere," he said.

Afinal big factor that has contributed to the success of this close-knit team is their camaraderie. In the dugout, they joke with each other and are always up beat with their teammates, offering compliments on good plays and encouragement when things aren't going so well.

In addition to their sound fundamentals and sheer will to win, these atti- -tudes may just carry them all the way to a state championship.

"I'm happy we are going to state because these kids deserve it and our fans deserve it," Mixon said. "They want to win and they don't care how they do it. This is the most unselfish team I've ever coached."

At this point not much is known about Abilene Wylie except that they are representing Region I for the second consecutive year with a 33-3-1 record.

They will be hungry for the state championship denied to them last year.

But the Dogs have been hungry since 1985 when they advanced in Class-4A. And the players say they are in for the long haul.

"We aren't done yet," pitcher Justin Parsons said. "We're going there to win."