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A verbal commit
With senior year looming, Huntsville football standout accepts offer from Oklahoma State
The folks at Oklahoma State did not roll out the red carpet when Justin Gilbert and a few of his Huntsville football teammates visited late last month. But the Cowboys did show the Hornets around Stillwater and made them feel welcome.
That warm greeting was enough to sway Gilbert to make a verbal commitment to Oklahoma State. Last week, Gilbert told Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy he would accept his scholarship offer.
Gilbert wants to be a Cowboy after his senior season at HHS.
“It all started with playing time and how they made me feel. Stillwater felt like a home away from home,” Gilbert said Tuesday. “Our visit to Stillwater helped me out a lot.
“Oklahoma State was not really one of my top schools, so I’m glad I took that visit.”
Along with Huntsville coaches David Cooper and Joseph Granville, plus Hornet teammates Joseph Maxey, Shaquille Ross and Tremaine Ashley, Gilbert made an unofficial visit to Oklahoma State before school let out for the summer. He also made earlier visits to Oklahoma and Baylor.
“I talked to some of the players and I talked to coach Gundy,” Gilbert said of his trip to Oklahoma State. “He told me they had a scholarship for me even if I get hurt or something. Oklahoma State also has the nicest facilities I’ve ever seen.
“I just felt at home there. I could see myself living there even after I get done with school. I can see myself staying there.”
The Hornets’ starting quarterback, who also plays basketball and runs track, chose Oklahoma State over Oklahoma, Miami, Colorado, Texas A&M;, Baylor, SMU, TCU, Houston, Nebraska, Mississippi and North Texas. All of those schools had offered the talented Hornet a football scholarship.
Gilbert said Oklahoma State has left the door open for him to play cornerback, receiver possibly, and also return punts.
It was not easy making a decision, Gilbert admitted, but the talented senior-to-be said he feels pretty solid about his commitment to Oklahoma State, even though letters and e-mails keep coming.
“Oklahoma State and Oklahoma were in the top two, and it really came down to which one made me feel at home,” Gilbert said. “I’m not saying Oklahoma treated me bad, but Oklahoma State was really nice. I think I’m pretty much done with the recruiting business, but you never know what might happen. I’m still getting mail and e-mails from schools showing an interest in me.”
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Top-ranked Cubs bring big bats to Huntsville
On a night when Brenham’s Chase Wellbrock nearly threw a no-hitter, Huntsville head coach Jeff Brumbelow shook his head more about the Cubs’ impressive hit parade.
Brenham came to Kate Barr Ross Park on Wednesday and quickly took control on the District 18-4A baseball game against the Hornets. The top-ranked Cubs banged out 16 hits in the first three innings and scored 13 runs on their way to a commanding 18-1 win over Huntsville. -
Just deserts
Seniors Jeremy LaDay, Marvin Dunbar and Justin Gilbert refused to listen to the people who said the Hornets were headed for a subpar season in 2009-10.
Huntsville’s run was done, some folks said last fall. That only fueled the fire for LaDay, Dunbar and Gilbert. -
Lady Hornets bound for playoffs
The Lady Hornets are in the state soccer playoffs.
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Cooper to take over Hornet defense
Shane Martin did not have to look far to find the guy who will fill his old shoes with the Hornets football program.
Huntsville’s new head football coach promoted David Cooper, one of his hard-working assistants, to defensive coordinator, the job Martin held for the past two seasons. -
Huntsville's Baggett jumps at chance to play in Space City Classic
Out of the blue, Huntsville senior Forbes Baggett got some good news Tuesday.
An all-district offensive and defensive lineman, Baggett received an invitation to play in the Space City Classic, an all-star football game featuring Houston-area players. The game is scheduled Saturday evening at Delmar Stadium in Houston. -
Trying to make history
The floor at Hornet Gym sure looked crowded Wednesday afternoon. That’s because there were 13 players running around like crazy — five on offense and eight on defense.
To get his team ready for Friday’s Region III semifinal game against Houston Yates, Huntsville coach Larry Carlson wisely devised a practice schedule that includes a hectic press-break drill complete with eight yellow-shirted defenders. -
Fish in the water
Huntsville freshmen Matthew Bitara and Sierra Wagner could hardly contain their excitement Thursday afternoon when talking about their upcoming meet.
The young Huntsville duo will be among the state’s top swimmers as they race in the UIL Swimming and Diving State Championships, which begin this morning at the Jamail Texas Swim Center in Austin. - Hornets excited about area-round clash with No. 25 C.E. King
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Alive and kicking
HOUSTON — Kingwood Park hung around and hung around, but the Lady Hornets were just too strong down the stretch.
Huntsville finally wore down a feisty Lady Panthers squad in the fourth quarter to cruise to a 69-54 victory in the area round of the Class 4A girls basketball playoffs Friday night at the Campbell Center. -
Huntsville girls to put Panthers in pressure cooker
While the Lady Hornets were taking care of Elgin in the bi-district round of the playoffs Tuesday night, Huntsville assistant girls basketball coach Mike Ray was scouting Huntsville’s next opponent.
The Lady Hornets (23-7) are set to battle Kingwood Park in the area round today at 6 p.m. at the Campbell Center in Houston. - More Hornet Sports Headlines
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Top-ranked Cubs bring big bats to Huntsville
