News In Sachse, TX
City sees growth, progress in 2024
by Staff Reports | Dec 26, 2024 | Latest, News
As 2024 draws to a close, our coverage of the city of Sachse reflects on a year marked by significant milestones, community achievements and moments of both triumph and challenge.
From local elections to new developments, crime updates to educational honors, Sachse has seen progress in many areas—while also confronting challenges that have shaped the community.
Tax cuts, local elections, legislation
In January, more than 450,000 property tax notices were sent out to Collin County residents, including new rate reductions prompted by a state constitutional amendment passed by voters in November 2023.
The tax cuts, part of a sweeping $18 billion property tax relief package, were anticipated after the Legislature had instructed local officials to include them in the notices.
Also in January, a Sachse resident, Josiah Perez, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for shooting two Sachse police officers in 2022. Perez, 27, was convicted of aggravated assault against a public servant in December 2023.
Sachse Chief of Police Bryan Sylvester expressed the department’s gratitude for the work of the Collin County District Attorney’s Office in securing the sentence. “This heinous crime illustrates that policing, regardless of city or jurisdiction, is unpredictable and inherently dangerous,” Sylvester said.
Locally, the city readied for its next council election as filing opened in January for two council positions—Place 1 held by Brett Franks and Place 2 held by Michelle Howarth. The election was set for May 4, 2024, setting the stage for another year of civic engagement.
In February, the issue of student vaping took center stage as a new state law took effect. House Bill 114, signed into law in June 2023 by Governor Greg Abbott, brought severe punishments for students caught vaping on school campuses.
The law mandates that students found using, selling, or possessing e-cigarettes face removal from class and placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP). Garland ISD, which serves Sachse, adopted these tough measures.
GISD Assistant Director of Student Services Mary Garcia noted that while the district initially worried about handling the increased demand for DAEP placements, it has been manageable so far.
In terms of local education infrastructure, improvements were underway at Sachse High School, with updates to baseball and softball fields, including turf and bleacher canopies.
Other improvements were planned for Armstrong and Sewell elementary schools, which would each get new playgrounds designed for different age groups.
Hospital, crime stats, community
A significant shift in local healthcare occurred in February when Medical City Healthcare officially purchased the former Trinity Regional Hospital in Sachse, renaming it Medical City Sachse. City officials attended a ceremony on February 1 to mark the transition, which expanded the hospital’s affiliation with Medical City Plano.
Meanwhile, local crime statistics revealed a 17% overall increase in crime in Sachse during 2023.
Sachse Police Chief Bryan Sylvester presented the data to the city council, highlighting a sharp rise in thefts, particularly shoplifting incidents at local businesses like Walmart. Criminal mischief, including vandalism and property damage, also spiked by 45% compared to 2022.
During his annual State of the City Address on February 6, Mayor Jeff Bickerstaff reflected on Sachse’s progress, citing the city’s vision to remain a vibrant community offering opportunities for all to live, work, and play.
He celebrated the hard work of city employees and the community’s ongoing efforts to build a better Sachse. Bickerstaff highlighted the city’s ongoing infrastructure improvements, such as roadwork on Sachse Road, which was being expanded to accommodate regional traffic.
In March, the Sachse Historical Society commemorated its 35th anniversary, highlighting the city’s deep historical roots.
Sean Sachse, a descendant of the city’s founder, J.K. Sachse, presented a collection of family heirlooms that had been passed down through the generations. Among the artifacts were items from his grandfather, Woodrow Wilson “Happy” Sachse, who had hoped to establish a museum to share the city’s history.
Source: Sachsenews.com
Football team honored at banquet
by David Wolman | Dec 26, 2024 | Latest, Sports
Sachse football players pose for pictures with awards that they won at their team banquet. Photo courtesy of John Phillips.
By David Wolman
sports@csmediatexas.com
Coaches and players from the Sachse football team reminisced on all of the memories from the 2024 season during their annual team banquet, held Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Individual awards were also handed out.
Jackson King and Aidan Pierce were honored with the scholar athlete award. King, a senior defensive back, finished this season with 37 tackles, one pass defended and one fumble recovery. Pierce is a senior offensive lineman.
Case Lee and Aaron Esheku were announced as winners of the Fighting Mustangs award. Lee is a senior offensive lineman/tight end. Esheku is a senior defensive lineman.
Newcomer of the year went to Trason Haley and Walker Williams. Haley is a sophomore defensive lineman. Williams, a sophomore outside linebacker, tallied 43 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception and one caused fumble.
Senior kicker Josh Weston won special teams MVP.
Offensive lineman of the year went to senior tackle Hunter Hanks.
Senior wide receiver Kaliq Lockett garnered offensive skilled player of the year. Despite being double- and tripled-team, Lockett, a Texas signee, still went on to lead the Mustangs in receiving yards (625) and receiving touchdowns (7).
Santana Quinn, also a senior wide receiver, won wide receiver of the year. He finished his final season with Sachse with 377 receiving yards and six receiving scores.
Senior running back Brendon Haygood was named the offensive MVP. A couple of weeks ago, Haygood, a Missouri signee, won the District 9-6A most valuable player award after he rushed for 1,589 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns. Haygood set the school record for rushing yards in a game with 386.
Seniors Corey Walls and X’zavion Williams shared defensive lineman of the year. Walls, a UT-San Antonio signee, racked up 43 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and 14 quarterback hurries this season. Williams also had a knack for blowing up plays in the opponents’ back field. He recorded 17 tackles for loss, 61 total tackles, six sacks and 13 quarterback hurries.
Seniors Vashon Brunswick was awarded linebacker of the year. Brunswick, a UTEP signee, finished his senior season with 11 tackles for loss, 82 tackles, one sack and seven quarterback hurries.
Senior Aidan Sharp garnered defensive back of the year. Sharp was a reliable tackler for Sachse, racking up 70 tackles his senior season. He was also a ball hawk. Sharp had four interceptions this season, including two in the Mustangs’ 41-0 win over Garland on Sept. 13.
Senior Sean DaVault won defensive MVP. DaVault, a Tulsa signee, recorded 97 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, five sacks and five quarterback hurries in his final season donning a Sachse uniform.
The “Take No Days Off” award was won by Major Snow.
For the second consecutive season, District 9-6A ran through Sachse.
Sachse dominated the field to earn an unblemished 8-0 record to win their second straight undefeated district crown.
Source: Sachsenews.com
Thompson becomes Sachse’s all-time leading scorer
by David Wolman | Dec 21, 2024 | Latest, Sports
Sachse teammates, cheerleaders and fans surround senior Charish Thompson (32) after she became the team’s all-time leading scorer in a Friday, Dec. 20 home game against South Garland. Thompson reached 1,626 career points, besting the previous mark held by 2019 Sachse graduate Avery Crouse. Photo by Tina Lopez / C&S Media
By David Wolman
sports@csmediatexas.com
Sachse senior Charish Thompson came into the Lady Mustangs’ Friday, Dec. 20, District 9-6A home game against South Garland just seven points away from becoming the team’s all-time leading scorer.
And given how it doesn’t take long for Thompson to assert herself offensively, she needed less than one quarter of play during a 71-31 blowout victory for the Lady Mustangs against the Lady Titans to break the previous scoring record of 1,625 points, held by 2019 Sachse graduate Avery Crouse.
With 6:42 remaining in the first quarter, Sachse got a steal, and Thompson made a spin move to get past a South Garland defender and converted a layup. Play was stopped to honor the occasion. Her teammates ran onto the court to celebrate the historic milestone.
“I was really excited,” Thompson said. “I was kind of in the moment. I was just like, ‘Let’s go, let’s play the game.’ When I broke the record, it hit me that I broke the record.”
Thompson set the tone for Sachse, scoring the game’s first seven points. She had 15 points by the end of the first quarter, and finished the game with 18 points.
“She’s everything,” said Donna McCullough, Sachse head coach. “She’s the hardest worker, has the best attitude.
“Sometimes the best basketball player is not the hardest worker in the room, but she’s been the hardest worker every day that she steps into the room. She’s very deserving. It didn’t come easy for her. She’s had to surpass some very good basketball players that played here. Kudos to her. She’s put in the work and deserves it.”
Sachse (16-6 overall, 6-0 district), ranked No. 16 in the latest Texas Association of Girls Basketball Coaches Class 6A state poll, played just as about of a flawless game as possible in the first quarter.
The Lady Mustangs held the Lady Titans without a point and forced 14 South Garland turnovers, with many of those turnovers being converted into uncontested layups.
Sachse gained a 31-0 lead after freshman Trinity Thompson got her hands on the ball for a steal and made a layup with 29 seconds left in the first quarter.
“The press really gives us belief in the beginning,” Charish Thompson said. “We just try to run our offense and defense perfect. When we play tougher competition, it will help us to be disciplined and stay in our lanes. We’re just connected with each other.”
South Garland (3-13, 0-7) finally on the board when junior Ajah Choice made a 3-pointer just nine seconds into the second quarter.
And although the Lady Titans scored 11 points in the second quarter, the Lady Mustangs remained relentless in their approach.
Sachse built a 51-11 halftime lead after senior Sharon Bekele made a 3-pointer with 50 seconds left in the stanza.
Senior Arianna Gregory tallied 10 points. Trinity Thompson finished with nine points. Senior Camille Logan contributed eight points.
With Sachse building a large advantage so early in the ballgame, that allowed their reserves to receive significant playing time.
One player who has benefitted from that playing time is last year’s starting point guard for Sachse, senior Danica Mendoza. Mendoza, who missed most of district play last season with an injury, is regaining the form that she showed prior to her injury. She scored five points in the win over South Garland and was accurate with her passes.
“We need her and we are slowing working her back and to progress her from all of the injury time that she had,” McCullough said. “We’re getting there, but she’s a solid player and a true point guard.”
Source: Sachsenews.com
Sachse’s signing day include late flip in college commitment
by David Wolman | Dec 12, 2024 | Latest, Sports
Sachse seniors, from left, Corey Walls, Sean DaVault, Kaliq Lockett, Brendon Haygood and Vashon Brunswick II, pose for pictures during a National Signing Day ceremony that was held on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Photo by David Wolman / C&S Media
By David Wolman
sports@csmediatexas.com
Sachse head football coach Mark “Red” Behrens called senior running back Brendon Haygood, senior wide receiver Kaliq Lockett, senior linebackers Sean DaVault and Vashon Brunswick II and senior defensive lineman Corey Walls the “cornerstone of our football team this year.”
Those five players led the Mustangs to their second consecutive undefeated District 9-6A title this season and a 9-2 record.
Last Wednesday morning, that heralded senior class signed national letters of intent in front a large crowd gathered inside the school’s gymnasium. Haygood inked with Missouri. Lockett made it official with Texas. DaVault is bound for Tulsa. Brunswick II signed with UTEP. Walls will suit up for UT-San Antonio.
“Their leadership is unbelievable,” Behrens said. “But even more than that, it’s about their playing ability and their character.”
Last week was a whirlwind for Haygood. The 4-star running back flipped his commitment from Boise State to Missouri on the night before his signing. The next day, he celebrated his 18th birthday.
“He’s very excited to be part of that program (Missouri),” Behrens said. “He had a lot of options, and he knows that they’re an outstanding offensive unit, and he’s excited to get himself plugged in there as soon as possible.”
Lockett know that his future was with the Texas Longhorns. He committed to playing for Texas during a commitment ceremony that was held in August in the school’s gymnasium. And Lockett, a 5-star wide receiver who is the 16th-ranked overall player in the nation for the class of 2025 by 247Sports.com, had quite the week himself, too. He signed with Texas last Wednesday after fielding 31 total offers. One day later, he was named to the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl, which will be held Jan. 11, 2025, at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
“Teams this year took away Kaliq away,” Behrens said. “They were double- and triple-teaming him, but he’s a great receiver and I’ve had a lot of great receivers that have come through here, including Devin Duvernay, who is still in the NFL. I expect to see Kaliq there one day.”
Brunswick II, DaVault and Walls anchored an athletic and physical defensive front for Sachse that held opponents to an average of 16.45 points per game.
Brunswick II created havoc in the backfield, recording one sack, seven quarterback hurries, 11 tackles for loss, 82 tackles and one fumble recovery.
“Super leader,” Behrens said. “He’s a football guy. He knows football, understands the game. He was the quarterback of our defense.”
DaVault also had a knack for creating plays for loss. This season, he tallied five sacks, nine tackles for loss, 97 tackles and a whopping 17 tackles for loss.
“He’s a hitting machine,” Behrens said. “He got better and better as a football player.”
Walls recorded 10 tackles for loss for the second straight season, in addition to 43 tackles, two sacks and 14 quarterback hurries.
“I’ve known him since the eighth grade, and he’s done a fantastic job, great player,” Behrens said. “His character is through the roof.”
Source: Sachsenews.com