It’s not a problem coming up with local stories each year that deserve to be in the because Orange County always produces. Of course it’s not always positive stories or popular stories that make the list. Sometimes it’s the stories that draw the most attention or those that reached new heights.
We’re putting them out there. We’ll let you decide in what order they should rank.
In May relief pitcher Grant Anderson was called up by Texas Rangers – The former West Orange-Stark/McNeese star sat down eight of the nine hitters he faced. He collected four consecutive strikeouts to start and finished with SEVEN K’s in 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Texas would go on to win 10-6. Anderson’s time in The Show earned him a World Series ring as the Rangers won their first ever title.
Shock wins, defends Title – O’Shaquie “Shock” Foster of Orange is your new WBC 130 pound Champion. In February the 29 year old defeated the previously undefeated Rey Vargas by unanimous decision inside the Alamodome. In October he would defend his title against Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez.
Three big coaching changes in 2023- In January Jeff Mathews announced he was leaving Vidor after 30 years. BC native Dwayne Dubois was named his successor. Later in the year Mathews learned he would be inducted into the SETCA Hall of Fame.
As the school year was ending in May, Cody McGuire left Bridge City after two years. McGuire said he was asked to resign because he was running a mobile sno-cone truck on the side and it didn’t sit well with the BCISD brass. Baseball coach Chad Landry was asked to be the interim head football coach.
In December, Josh Smalley announced he was leaving Orangefield after 12 years to take the job at Bridge City. Smalley returned to his alma mater after becoming the winningest football coach in Bobcat history.
Longlois Named Bassmaster All-American – LCM’s Jacob Longlois was one of only 12 high school fishermen in the country to be named a Bassmaster All-American. Besides completing community projects, Longlois had seven wins, two Top 5s and 10 Top 20 finishes over the past year.
Parks Brothers – Senior Xander Parks won the 3A Golf title with rounds of 72-70. His younger brother Lincoln, followed that by setting a new course record at Sunset Grove with a round of 60 in September.
Parks wasn’t the only local State Champ. Bridge City’s Hallie Bearden and Vidor’s Camryn Barragan won State in Powerlifting in their respective weight classes. Vidor’s Raegan Stephenson won State in the 4A High Jump.
Doiron on National Championship Team – BC grad Taryn Doiron, a freshman at Eastfield College in Dallas, helped lead her team to the NJCAA Division III Championship with a 35-0 record. Doiron was named to the All-Tournament team.
Bassmaster champ – In June Orange hosted the Bassmaster Elites for the fifth time and Brock Moseley got the win and his first blue trophy in his career.
Dallas brothers – Both Chad and Jack saw promotions during their minor league seasons. Chad reached Double A, was a two time pitcher of the week, and finished with a 9-3 mark and 144 strikeouts in 123 innings. Jack went 9-4 with 7 saves.
Robertson steals record – Playing Independent baseball in the Pioneer League, broke the leagues steal record that stood since 1989. He finished with 62 swipes and hit .331 on the season.
Field Named After Mota – LCM voted to name the Lady Bear softball field after super fan Pete Mota. It’s the first time a fan has had a field or stadium named in his honor. Mota rarely misses a Bear game of any sport.
The Deweyville Pirate football team set two marks in 2023. For the first time in school history they reached the third round of the playoffs. And for the first time they won 10 games in a season.
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