Hey, sports fans,
We’re back, and we’re already seeing plenty of action. Our Roadrunner men’s basketball team hit the floor this past Wednesday and Saturday after the holiday break, and our baseball and softball teams are preparing to start their 2026 campaigns in just a few weeks. (I’m sending links to the schedules with this release.)
We are AC, and we’re ready to Run ‘Em.
Here’s a quick rundown of the past week’s events, along with what’s coming up next:
Roadrunner Basketball
The Roadrunners returned a little rusty from the break, dropping a 60-53 decision to Baton Rouge Community College on Wednesday in the team’s first game back on the floor. AC’s Daemon Ely finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Clarence Payia added 10 points, but their efforts weren’t enough to pull out the win.
On Saturday against Paris Junior College, the ‘Runners fell to Paris Junior College in a tough 61-58 loss at Shands Gymnasium. Despite outrebounding the Dragons by a 41-15 margin, AC just couldn’t come up with the big plays needed down the stretch. Jordan Mathews scored 17 and Julius Crosby 16 for the Roadrunners.
AC (8-5, 2-3) will play at Panola College in Carthage at 7 p.m. on Wednesday before returning home on Saturday to face Tyler Junior College at 4 p.m.
Lady Roadrunner Basketball Cancels Games
The Lady ‘Runner basketball team last played in AC’s 64-50 win over Western Gulf Collegiate back on Dec. 10, and while the ladies were chomping at the bit to get going again, the team will have to wait at least a few more days.
AC was forced to cancel games against McLennan Community College (Jan. 3), at Western Oklahoma State College (Jan. 5) and at Dallas College-Richland (Jan. 7). There are no plans to make up those contests.
The Lady ‘Runners (4-7) will open conference play on Saturday, Jan. 10 against Coastal Bend Community College as part of a women’s/men’s doubleheader at Shands Gymnasium. Game time is set for 2 p.m.
AC Soccer’s Jory Named All-American
Angelina College men’s soccer Jhosua Jory recently earned NJCAA Division I 2nd Team All-American honors, capping his incredible freshman campaign.
Jory, a product of Cinco Ranch High School in Houston, becomes the fifth Roadrunner soccer player in the past four years to receive All-American status, joining Kaito Ueki (2024), Omar Mora (2023), Jaheim Brown (2022) and Juan Lopez (2022).
Earlier this year, Region XIV named Jory its Most Valuable Player while awarding him 1st Team All-Region honors.
With his dazzling combination of speed and ball skills, Jory finished among league leaders in total points (23), goals (9) and assists (5). Those numbers were impressive, but Jory provided an all-time AC Soccer highlight when he nailed the last-second golden goal in AC’s thrilling 1-0, double-overtime win at Blinn College in the Gulf Coast South District Semifinals. With just five seconds before the teams would have headed to penalty kicks, Jory took a lob pass from teammate Kanta Maruyama and banged home the winner to set off a massive celebration.
Jory also added a hat trick (and six total points) in AC’s 7-2 win at Louisiana State University-Eunice on Oct. 7.
Jory has committed to play at Tulsa University.
AC Baseball, Softball Schedules Are Available for Viewing
Both the Roadrunner baseball and Lady Roadrunner softball teams are just a few weeks away from opening their Spring 2026 seasons. Both programs feature first-year head coaches (Jon Phillips with baseball and Kassie James with softball), and there’s excitement brewing for what is sure to be some exciting times on the diamonds.
The Roadrunner baseball team opens with a scrimmage at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall on Thursday, Jan. 22 (3 p.m.) before hosting the regular-season opener against Temple College in a doubleheader scheduled for a 1 p.m. start at Poland Stadium on the AC campus.
The Lady ‘Runner softball team will see its first action on Friday, Jan. 23 at Tyler Junior College in Tyler. The doubleheader is set for a 1 p.m. start. AC’s ladies won’t host their home opener until Wednesday, Feb. 4 when the Lady Roadrunners host Northeast Texas Community College in a doubleheader set for a 1 p.m. start at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex on the AC campus.
Here are the links to the teams’ schedules:
Roadrunner Baseball schedule:
https://angelinaathletics.com/sports/bsb/2025-26/schedule
Lady Roadrunner Softball schedule:
https://angelinaathletics.com/sports/sball/2025-26/schedule
Potential Schedule Changes:
As always in East Texas, the potential exists for schedule changes because of inclement weather. We try to put out the word as soon as we get it, but the quickest way to confirm game days and times is to visit the AC Athletics website (angelinaathletics.com) to view the most updated schedules. We’ll also send out word on social media (AC Athletics Facebook and Instagram, etc.), but the on-line schedule will always serve up the most recent updates.
Live Streaming Reminder:
All AC Athletics regular-season home games are live streamed on TSBN Sports (a free streaming service for fans), with most of the conference road games also available for streaming. (This does not include baseball and softball fall games, as those are not considered official games.)
Once TSBN posts its schedules, AC fans simply need to visit the AC Athletics web site, look at the scrolling schedule in the middle of the page and click the blue “Video” link.
TSBN also offers an app great for smart phones, devices and smart TVs. (You’ve GOT to see those matches and games on the big screen.)
Reminder II: Admission to ALL Angelina College Athletics sporting events is free, as is the TSBN live streaming. Any other links offering streaming are scams.
Reminder III: For the most current schedule updates (especially for potential weather issues) visit the official Angelina College Athletics website (angelinaathletics.com). Fans can also receive updates on the AC Athletics Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram pages.
Upcoming schedules:
Wednesday, January 7:
Roadrunner Basketball at Panola College, 7 p.m. in Carthage, TX.
Saturday, January 10:
Lady Roadrunner Basketball vs. Coastal Bend CC, 2 p.m., Shands Gymnasium.
Roadrunner Basketball vs. Tyler Junior College, 4 p.m., Shands Gymnasium.
For any other information, contact Sports Information Director Gary Stallard at gstallard@angelina.edu.
We’ll see you at the games.
Gary Stallard
Email: gstallard@angelina.edu.
Phone: (936) 465-4614
