The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger
The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger
The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger
Katie Dolberry

Katie Dolberry, Section Editor

Heading into her second year on staff, senior Katie Dolberry is excited to take on the role of sports editor and photographer. She would like to pursue journalism as a sports broadcaster. Outside of the newsroom, Katie puts her height and long wingspan to use by playing post in basketball and first base in softball; she is also a part of PALS. More often than not, Katie can be found talking to her Sky Ranch friends or talking about camp in general. If you were to drive past her, you would likely hear her jamming to lots of country music. Katie is also a chapstick addict and has some in her pocket 24/7. Her favorite flavor is candy cane. More things Katie loves include chocolate, bucket hats, throwing the football, Bible journaling, picnics with friends and the sky. Katie cannot wait to see what her second year on staff has to offer.

All content by Katie Dolberry
Junior first baseman no. 20 Dom Dechant celebrates with his team after crossing home on his home run trot. The team will face Hallsville on Wednesday night for game one of round four at Whitehouse HS.

Photo Gallery: Baseball beats Rock Hill in third round

Katie Dolberry, Staff Photographer
May 24, 2021
Members of the Jungle that came out to support the Leopards in game one at Mckinney North on Thursday night pose for a photo. The team won the first game 6-0 and the second game 5-4 to advance to the fourth round.

Junior first baseman no. 20 Dom Dechant holds up a number one as he heads to second and watches his hit go over the left field wall. Dechant had three walks and a homerun in the game.

Junior shortstop no. 6 Kolby Branch applies a tag to Rockhill’s center fielder Brenner Cox on a stolen base. Cox was safe to put runners on second and third for Rockhill.

Junior pitcher no. 16 Brandt Corley throws the ball back to junior first baseman no. 20 Dom Dechant in a pickoff attempt. Corley had 5 innings pitched giving up 3 hits, and throwing 9 strikeouts

Junior shortstop no. 6 Kolby Branch makes contact with a pitch from Rockhill’s Brett Foss but the ball goes foul to the left side. Branch is committed to play baseball at Baylor after his Lovejoy career.

Junior left fielder no. 2 Trent Rucker jumps to make a catch on a hit smacked out to left field by Rockhill’s Brett Foss. Rucker went 4-6 with 2 stolen bases, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored during the two game series with Rockhill.

Senior third baseman no. 15 Dylan Collins throws the ball around the diamond after a strikeout by junior pitcher no. 16 Brandt Corley in the first inning. Corley went to strikeout nine bluehawks in the game.

Head volleyball coach Ryan Mitchell will be leaving the district for the next school year. Mitchell will be the coach at Prestonwood Christian Academy for the next school year.

[Photo] Head volleyball coach resigns

May 19, 2021
Junior linebacker Phillip Joest runs the ball at spring practice. The football team will play their spring scrimmage on May 22.

[Photo] Spring football begins

May 21, 2021
Sophomore runner Amy Morefield runs in the 3200-meter race at the state meet. The track and field competed in six events at state.

"It’s quite safe to say that the highlight of not only my senior year, but also my high school experience as a whole, was  my time as the district's photographer."

Senior Goodbye: Came, saw, captured

Katie Dolberry, Staff Writer
May 12, 2021
Junior Adam Eschler plays football as a defensive back and a baseball player as a pitcher, infielder and outfielder. Eschler has thrown 74 strikeouts this season and six wins. These stats putting him on the DFW leaderboard.

[Photo] Featured Athlete: Adam Eschler

Will Doig, Staff Writer
May 12, 2021
Junior pitcher no. 16 Brandt Corley throws over to sophomore first baseman no. 1 Sam Finn for an out of Reedy’s batter. Corley only allowed two hits on the night.

Photo Gallery: Baseball wins bi-district round

Katie Dolberry, Staff Photographer
May 11, 2021
Junior outfielder Ian Warren poses for a photo after the third inning when the Leopards put two runs on the board. The Leopards won the game 4-1.

Freshman right fielder no. 23 Matthew Mainord waits on deck during junior right fielder no. 3 Adam Eschler’s at bat. The Leopards will play Hill rest for a one game series on Friday.

Junior left fielder no. 2 Trent Rucker dives home safely, avoiding the tag from Reedy’s pitcher. Rucker scored on a wild pitch during senior third baseman no. 15 Dylan Collins’ at bat.

Junior pitcher no. 16 Brandt Corley delivers a pitch to Reedy’s batter. Corley threw a seven inning complete game while striking out seven.

Freshman second baseman no. 25 Kyle Branch celebrates after senior catcher no. 14 Ralph Rucker scored the team’s second run. Rucker was knocked in after a hit by freshman right fielder no. 23 Matthew Mainord.

Junior shortstop no. 6 Kolby Branch safely dives under the tag of Reedy’s shortstop. Branch’s steal turned into the Leopard’s first run after being knocked in by sophomore center fielder no. 13 Aidan Smith.

Freshman runner Kailey Littlefield reaches to cross the finish line of the 800 meter race on Friday. Littlefield’s winning time of 2:08.04 minutes set both personal, school, and state records.

Photo Gallery: Track competes at state meet

Katie Dolberry, Staff Photographer
May 10, 2021
Freshman runner Kailey Littlefield begins the second lap in her 1600 meter race in which she came in sixth. Littlefield qualified for the 1600 meter, 800 meter and 4x400 meter races.

Junior distance runner Tate Barr crosses the starting line of his second lap in the 3200 meter race after running his first lap in 1:08.40 minutes. Barr finished his race with a time of 9:56.93 minutes.

Sophomore sprinter Bella Landrum turns the first curve of her leg of the race. The relay team placed fifth overall with a time of 3:57.89 minutes.

Sophomore sprinter Chloe Schaeffer hands the baton off to sophomore sprinter Bella Landrum. The relay team won district and area and placed second in regionals before qualifying for state.

Junior distance runner Tate Barr starts his watch just before the beginning of the 3200 meter race. Barr placed ninth in the state meet that was held in Austin on Friday.

Freshman runner Kailey Littlefield begins her second and final lap in the 800 meter race. Littlefield came in with the third best seed time but went on to win.

[Photo] Track competitors place at state

May 21, 2021
Sophomore runner Amy Morefield runs her second of eight laps during the 3200 meter race. Morefield placed seventh, running the race in 11:13.04 minutes.

Junior runners Matt Murray and Riley McGowan talk to junior distance runner Tate Barr after his 3200 meter race. Murray and McGowan traveled to Austin to support Barr and wore shirts with his face on them.

Junior distance runner Tate Barr finishes his first lap at 1:06.41 minutes and in third place as he heads for his second. Barr finished in seventh place with a time of 4:24.64, 1.48 seconds faster than his seed time.

Sophomore runner Amy Morefield runs with the baton in the third leg of the 4x400 meter relay. Morefield handed off to freshman runner Kailey Littlefield at the 3:00.88 minute mark.

Sophomore sprinter Chloe Schaeffer begins the 4x400 meter relay as the first leg. The team consisted of three sophomores and a freshman.

Freshman Colston Adamson clears the high jump bar at districts. Adamson plans to continue track in college.

[Photo] Featured Athlete: Colston Adamson

May 6, 2021
Junior shortstop no. 6 Kolby Branch leads off the game with a single up the middle to centerfield. Branch went 4-8 with a double and 2 RBI's last week.

Photo Gallery: Baseball wins last district game

Katie Dolberry, Staff Photographer
May 3, 2021
Senior catcher no. 14 Ralph Rucker runs to first base after hitting a pop fly to right-center field. Going into the game, Rucker leads the team in RBIs.

Junior catcher no. 19 Michael Holden celebrates with junior outfielder Ian Warren after Holden was walked by Rockhill’s senior reliever no. 32 Brenner Cox after being put into pinch hit for sophomore designated hitter Same Finn. The game went into eleven innings, four more than the normal seven inning game.

Freshman right fielder no. 23 Matthew Mainord dives back safely to first base on a pickoff attempt by Rockhill’s junior pitcher no. 1 Brett Foss. Mainord reached base after a blooper hit single to left center field.

On a 1-2 count, sophomore designated hitter Sam Finn hit a ball to third base for the final out of the game. Finn was hitting for junior pitcher no. 3 Adam Eschler.

Junior pitcher no. 3 Adam Eschler pitches to Rockhill’s sophomore infielder no. 23 Uriah Walters to start out the bottom of the third inning. Eschler struck him out for one of twelve strikeouts he had on the day.

Junior first baseman Brandt Corley prepares for the pitch from junior pitcher no. 3 Adam Eschler. Corley leads the team in winning games as a pitcher.

Sophomore center fielder no. 13 Aidan Smith makes contact with a pitch from Rockhill’s junior pitcher no. 1 Brett Foss on a 1-2 count in the top of the fifth inning. The Leopards went on to win the game 2-1 over the Blue Hawks and clinch second place in the division.

Sophomore center fielder no. 13 Aidan Smith knocks knuckles with junior catcher no. 19 Michael Holden while running off the field after the end of the first inning. The score was 1-0 Blue Hawks going into the second inning after a homerun to right field by Rockhill’s senior third baseman no. 45 Josh Livingston.

Senior third baseman no. 15 Dylan Collins jogs back into the dugout after the end of the third inning. The Leopards will face Frisco Reedy beginning on Thursday for a three-game series to begin playoffs.

Junior shortstop no. 6 Kolby Branch claps as he slides into home safely to tie the score at one. Branch scored on a fake throw to third base that got away while senior catcher no. 14 Ralph Rucker was up to bat.

Junior left fielder no. 2 Trent Rucker makes contact with a pitch Rockhill’s junior pitcher no. 1 Brett Foss. Rucker hit the ball to Rockhill’s junior shortstop no. 8 Jack Opoine.

Freshman right fielder Matthew Mainord waits in the batter's box for a pitch from Rock Hill’s junior pitcher no. 1 Brett Foss. The Leopards beat the Blue Hawks 2-1 after eleven innings to claim second place in the district.

[Photo] Baseball defeats Rock Hill, secures second seed

Christian Giordano, Staff Writer
May 3, 2021
Sophomores Chloe Schaeffer, Bella Landrum and Amy Morefield, as well as freshman Kelly Littlefield qualified for state in the 4x400 meter relay race. This is the first year this team is going to state.

[Photo] Fantastic four

April 30, 2021
Sophomore Chloe Schaeffer was one of the four members on the 4x400 meter relay team to advance to state. Schaeffer is the first-leg runner for the relay team.

[Photo] Chloe Schaeffer, sophomore

April 30, 2021
Sophomore Bella Landrum competed in district, regionals, and area UIL track meets before advancing to state with the 4x400 meter relay team. Landrum is the second-leg runner for the relay team.

[Photo] Bella Landrum, sophomore

April 30, 2021
Sophomore Amy Morefield competed in the 4x400 meter relay, as well as the mile run for track UIL. Morefield is the third-leg runner for the relay team.

[Photo] Amy Morefield, sophomore

April 30, 2021
Freshman Kailey Littlefield advanced to state as a part of the 4x400 meter relay team. Littlefield is the anchor on the team.

[Photo] Kailey Littlefield, freshman

April 30, 2021
Junior pitcher no. 16 Brandt Corley pitches to Denison’s Canaan Farley in the top of the third inning. Corley pitched for four innings and had seven strikeouts.

Photo Gallery: Baseball beats Denison 6-1

Katie Dolberry, Staff Photographer
April 28, 2021
Junior shortstop no. 6 Kolby Branch throws the ball to sophomore first baseman Sam Finn for an out. The play retired Denison’s second baseman no. 5 Peyton Johnson for the first out of the game.

Junior pitcher no. 8 Parker Hutchins watches the game during the first inning. The team ended up beating the Yellow Jackets by a score of 6-1.

Senior catcher no. 14 Ralph Rucker and brother junior left fielder no. 2 Trent Rucker pose for a photo in the dugout before the game. The brothers have been on varsity wrestling and football together as well.

Sophomore center fielder no. 13 Aidan Smith makes contact with a pitch from Denison’s pitcher for a single on an error. Smith later scored on a two out single from senior third baseman no. 15 Dylan Collins.

Junior left fielder no. 2 Trent Rucker catches a pop fly by Denison’s two hole hitter senior no 2. Logan Tilly. The catch put two away for the Leopards in the top of the first.

Sophomore first baseman no. 1 Sam Finn shows bunt to Denison's infield in an attempt to advance freshman right fielder no. 23 Matthew Mainord to third and sophomore designated hitter no. 44 Brett Lanman to second. Finn doubled down the left field line and knocked Mainord in to score.

Freshman second baseman no. 25 Kyle Branch makes a throw to Sophomore first baseman no. 1 Sam Finn for an out in the top of the sixth inning. The team will play their final regular season game on Saturday at Rockhill.

Freshman right fielder no. 23 Matthew Mainord rounds first base and cruises into second on a hit to left field in the bottom of the fifth inning. Mainord was one of three Leopards who had multiple hits in the game.

Senior pitcher no. 22 Drew Summers poses with his mom before the senior night game on Tuesday. The team was 9-3 in district heading into the match up against Denison.

Senior catcher no. 37 Matthew Noack poses for a photo with his mom and dad for senior night. The team had 11 seniors recognized including two trainers.

Junior short stop no. 6 Kolby Branch standing in the box and prepares to face a pitch from Denison’s pitcher. The Leopards beat the Yellow Jackets 6-1

[Photo] Baseball finishes regular season

April 29, 2021
Senior wrestler Dalton Braun takes down his opponent. The wrestling team went to state this season, with one wrestler, senior Jakob Underwood, becoming a state champion.

[Photo] Wrestling takes home state-level awards

April 29, 2021
Junior high jumper Trey Pugh sails over the bar as he clears 5’10” on his third attempt. Lovejoy had two high jumpers competing, Pugh and freshman Colston Adamson, neither qualified for state.

Photo Gallery: Track, field competes at regional meet

Olivia Lauter and Katie Dolberry
April 27, 2021
Sophomore Amy Morefield rounds the corner of the far side of the track as she competes in the 3200 meter race. Morefield’s third place finish got her a spot in the state race as a wild card, and she will also be competing on the state bound 4x400 meter relay team.

Freshman high jumper Colston Adamson glides over the high jump bar. Adamson finished with a clearing height of 6’2”, there was a jump off for fourth through sixth place as none of the competitors could clear 6’4”.

Freshman long jumper Colston Adamson leaps into the pit on his fourth jump. Adamson placed seventh overall with a 21-01.50 meter jump.

Freshman runner Kailey Littlefield wears bib six as she takes a steadfast lead in the 800 meter race. Littlefield ran the race 2:10:76 crowning her first place and qualifying for state.

The girl’s 4x400 meter relay team, consisting of sophomores Chloe Schaeffer, Amy Morefield, Bella Landrum and freshman Kailey Littlefield, poses for a photo after their race while waiting for awards. The team ran the race in 3:55.54 giving them the second place finish behind Lancaster.

Junior outfielder Josh Terwilliger bombards freshman right fielder no. 23 Matthew Mainord after he hit a double that scored senior third baseman no. 15 Dylan Collins. The run proved to be the winner as the Leopards took down the Bulldogs 5-4, Mainord had had 3 hits and 4 RBIs this week.

Photo Gallery: Baseball beats Bulldogs

Katie Dolberry, Staff Photographer
April 26, 2021
Junior pinch hitter no. 19 Michael Holden swings at a pitch from North’s senior pitcher no. 13 Casey Workman in the top of the sixth after coming into the game for sophomore designated hitter no. 1 Sam Finn. On a 2-2 count, Holden grounded out to North’s senior third baseman no. 12 Justin Heeler for the first out of the inning.

Senior catcher no. 14 Ralph Rucker and senior reliever no. 17 Cade Hill talk things over after Hill loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the sixth during a tied 4-4 game. Hill proceeded to go three up three down and escape the inning with no Bulldog runs.

Junior first baseman no. 16 Brandt Corley prepares to hit a pitch from North’s senior pitcher no. 13 Casey Workman with runners on second and third. The ball was popped out to North’s left fielder no. 2 Jackson Jones for the third out in the top of the fifth inning.

Junior shortstop Kolby Branch fields a ball hit by North’s senior pinch hitter no. 11 Dylan Stowe before throwing him out at first for the final out of the game. The win allowed the Leopards to clinch a playoff spot and reach ten district wins thus far with one week remaining.

Junior pitcher no. 3 Adam Eschler pitches to North’s senior third baseman no. 12 Justin Heeler for a groundout to junior first baseman no. 16 Brandt Corley. In Eschler’s previous appearance against the Bulldogs, he pitched a four hit complete game shutout.

[Photo] Baseball, softball head to playoffs

April 26, 2021
Junior center fielder no. 13 Aidan Smith runs to first base after a deep fly ball to center field that advanced junior left fielder no. 2 Trent Rucker to third base. Smith entered the game batting .250 in district play with eight hits in 32 at bats.

Senior third baseman no. 15 Dylan Collins came into the game as the closer for the Leopards and earned the save. Collins went three up three down to finish off the game and help earn him the title of co-defensive player of the week from his coaches.

Senior catcher no. 14 Ralph Rucker walks up to the on deck circle wearing his leg guards in case of retired sides during junior center fielder no. 13 Aidan Smith’s at bat. Coming into the game, Rucker had a five game RBI streak and was named co-offensive player of the week by his coaches.

Junior left fielder no. 2 Trent Rucker launches the ball to senior catcher no. 14 Ralph Rucker to prevent a tag up run by McKinney North. The fly out catch by Trent Rucker was the second out in the bottom of the first inning.

Junior left fielder no. 2 Trent Rucker dives into home plate to give the team a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth inning. Rucker’s run came after a hit to left field by senior catcher no. 14 Ralph Rucker, the hit was Ralph Rucker’s second RBI of the game.

Freshman right fielder no. 23 Matthew Mainord throws the ball into freshman second baseman no. 25 Kyle Branch after a single was hit into right field by North’s junior outfielder no. 4 Logan Laney. The Leopards held the Bulldogs to no runs in the first inning despite having the bases loaded with one out.

Senior catcher no. 14 Ralph Rucker celebrates in the dugout after a base hit from freshman right fielder no. 23 Matthew Mainord. Junior center fielder no. 13 Aidan Smith scored on the hit and during the throw home Mainord advanced to second base.

Junior left fielder no. 2 Trent Rucker smiles while jogging off the field after being thrown out at second on a failed double play attempt by the Bulldogs. Rucker got on base after being the second Leopard in row to be hit by a pitch from North’s senior pitcher no. 13 Casey Workman.

Junior pitcher no. 2 Trent Rucker receives a pat on the back from older brother; senior catcher no. 14 Ralph Rucker while heading into the dugout after the top of the third inning. Trent struck out two and threw out one in the inning for the three outs.

Photo Gallery: Baseball loses to Sherman 4-3

Katie Dolberry, Staff Photographer
April 21, 2021
Sophomore pitcher no. 44 Brett Lanman winds up to pitch to Sherman’s senior first baseman no. 11 Dylan Fine in the top of the fifth inning. Lanman struck Fine out for out number one.

Junior pitcher no. 2 Trent Rucker high fives senior pitcher no. 17 Cade Hill as he enters the dugout. Rucker and junior first baseman no. 16 Brandt Corley scored on a by a hit to center from freshman right fielder no. 23 Matthew Mainord.

Senior catcher no. 14 Ralph Rucker steps over Sherman’s senior first baseman no. 11 Dylan Fine after Fine ran into Rucker in an attempt to score. Rucker tagged Fine out to retire the sides in the top of the seventh inning.

Junior pitcher no. 20 Dom Dechant pitches to Sherman’s senior right fielder no. 8 Luke Young in the bottom of the seventh inning. The team will face McKinney North on Friday at North.

Senior third baseman no. 15 Dylan Collins makes contact with a pitch from Sherman’s junior no. 14 Drake Dodder. The pitch was caught in centerfield, Collins had two walks in the game.

[Photo] Softball clinches district championship, baseball falls to Sherman

April 22, 2021
Sophomore center fielder no. 13 Aidan Smith comes in to catch a pop-up hit by Sherman’s shortstop no. 7 Connor Clark. The catch retired the sides and sent the Leopards into the bottom of the sixth.

Junior left fielder no. 3 Adam Eschler pounds his fist to his helmet after making it safely to second on a wild pitch ball four. The walk was Eschler’s second of the game.

Junior pitcher no. 2 Trent Rucker releases a pitch in the top of the second inning to Sherman’s third baseman no. 4 Tate Bethel. Rucker struck out Bethel on a 1-2 pitch.

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