Orangefield Junior High School

Please see the attached image regarding next weeks dress up days at Orangefield Junior High! Merry Christmas Everybody!

Last night our OJH Beginner Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band performed their annual Winter Concert. The students not only looked amazing but sounded amazing and showed all of their friends and family why it is always a great day to be a Bobcat! Huge thanks to the community members, board members, and administration for their continued interest and support in our students and their talents! The directors are so proud of these students and all of their hard work and are looking forward to the next concert!

OJH Student Council and NJHS attended the 68th Annual Toy Coffee on Thursday, December 5th in Orange. In total, 51 students attended the event, donating over 30 toys and more than $200 for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program. In return, the students were able to tour a local historical home decorated for the holidays, visit with Santa, and treated to refreshments.

OJH Girls Basketball against Anahuac on Monday, Dec. 2nd: The 7B Lady Bobcats opened up the night with a 10-5 win against the Anahuac Panthers. It was a strong defensive night for the Bobcats tallying up 19 steals. The Lady Bobcats stayed ahead all game putting on a display of great teamwork to help secure their first district win of the season, moving to 1-1 overall! Final 10-5 Win Points: Adalynn Worthy (2), Gloriana McKay (2), Peyton Nichols (2), Farrah Josephson (2), Zoey McGee (2) Rebounds: Peyton Nichols (4), Farrah Josephson (4), Zoey McGee (4), Mckenna Carruth (1), Lilian Anderson (1), Ava Worthy (1), Adalynn Worthy (1) Steals: Ava Worthy (4), Bitty Briggs (3), Gloriana McKay (3), Peyton Nichols (2), Jacelynn Barnes (2), Farrah Josephson (2), Mckenna Carruth (1), Lilian Anderson (1), Zoey McGee (1) Assist: Ava Worthy (3), Adalynn Worthy (1) The 8B Lady Bobcats came out with a 14-12 win after a hard fought back and forth battle. The Bobcats made key mid-game adjustments scoring 10 of their points in the 2nd half. This was a great first showing for the Lady Bobcats grabbing their first district win and moving to 1-0. Final: 14-12 Win Points: Carleigh Mouton (6), Audrey Broussard (6), Kaitlynn Sides (2) Rebounds: Audrey Broussard (6), Carleigh Mouton (1), Kara Kirkland (1) Steals: Audrey Broussard (4), Carleigh Mouton (2), Brylee Reynolds (2) Assists: Audrey Broussard (3), Brylee Reynolds (1) Blocks: Carleigh Mouton (1), Audrey Broussard (1) 7A Had a great home opener, spreading the floor and working as a unit. This team is learning each day and improving with every practice! 2-0 overall! Final: 28-6 Win Points: Brooklyn Lee (11), Kollyns DuBose (4) Rebounds: Brooklyn Lee (4), Paisley Cobb (4) Steals: Brooklyn Lee (4), Emma Arnold (2), Sophia Lilly (1) Assists: Sophia Odom (1), Kollyns Dubose (1), Brooklyn Lee (1) Blocks: Emma Arnold (1), Paisley Cobb (1), Kollyns DuBose (1), Sophia Lilly (1) 8A Our 8A team came out as a smothering force, creating havoc for the Anahuac Panthers. The duo of Lakynn Granger and Ainsley McAlpin was too much to handle, as they helped cause over 15 steals throughout the game. Every Bobcat contributed to the 38-1 win, pulling down 19 Offensive rebounds, stretching their record to 2-0. Final: 38-1 Win Points: Ainsley McAlpin (9), Maddie Breaux (9), Lakynn Granger (8), Jordan Liebold (7) Rebounds: Brooklyn Bishop (5), Karah Spain (4), Maddie Breaux (4), Piper Pollet (4) Steals: Lakynn Granger (5), Karah Spain (4) Ainsley McAlpin (2) Assists: Lakynn Granger (2), Brooklyn Bishop (1), Jordan Liebold (1) Blocks: Karah Spain (1)

Tuesday night the OJH choir got the holiday season started with their winter concert "Deck The Halls!!" The 6th grade chorus and the 7/8th grade competition choir both performed fun Christmas tunes like Cold Snap and Carol of the Bells. Several duos and trios also performed favorite songs of the season and both groups combined for one last song...the Reindeer Rap. Friends and family enjoyed themselves and even sang along. Thank you to all that made this concert possible...and let the holidays begin!!

OJH Boys Basketball: Last night fresh off a Thanksgiving break the Bobcats took to the court to try and knock some of the rust off and get back in the swing of things. First up were Babin and his squad of Bobcats who won 15-10. Kamden Smith-Slagle set the tempo by getting 2 straight steals and hitting a 3 to give the Bobcats the lead and a huge momentum swing. Slagle would go on to lead the team in scoring with 5. Channing Harrison and Liam Williams were the other offensive standouts each dropping 4. Ainsley Skibo and Williams were bullies on the defensive side as the stole most of the passes and shut down all the dribbling in the front court. The 8th grade B group was up next. This was a close one as the Panthers put the pressure on early and the Cats almost clawed their way back into this one but came up short 26-27. Andrew Bland kept it close hitting 2 three pointers keeping the Bobcats within pouncing distance. Caylum Johnson went to work early on in the game with some fancy footwork dropping 5. Cullen West hit 4 and Cash “Big Money” Sims also hit 2 layups underneath the goal. Coach Barbay and his crew popped it neutral early as they got to enjoy Lexon Detwiler dropping 32 on the Panthers. Detwiler scored by getting steals, shooting from outside the arc, and rebounds underneath. He also commanded the paint as he had several blocks and assist. Landon Agerton also cleaned up on the glass. He was out leaping everyone and then making smart passes adding 9 more to the Cat total. This group cruised to a 48-11 victory and looking to make a strong push for a district title. The last group of the night was the 8th grade A team who came out hot breaking the press early on going up 6-0, then Anahuac dropped to a zone making the Bobcats struggle shooting offensively. Mental mistakes, along with questionable officiating and missing 15 free throws contributed to the 39-51 loss. Kaysen Click led the in rebounding and scoring again with 11 each. Austin Erickson led the comeback in the 4th going on an 8-0 to almost give the Cats the lead. Easton Locke handled the ball well and knocked down a handful of free throws to add 6 to the total. All these groups will be back in action next Monday in Kountze for another district showdown.

OJH Boys Basketball Players of the Game for this week: -7th B King of the Court, Channing Harrison -8th B King of the Court, Cash “Big Money” Sims -7th A King of the Court, Lexon Detwiler -8th A King of the Court, Austin Erickson

OJH Boys Basketball: After football ended only a few weeks ago it is time to roll out the basketballs and start the season already. The Bobcats opened up district play only after a few practices to take on the Warren Warriors. The four games ended in a clean sweep for the Cats as all teams cruised to big wins. Coach Babin made his debut on the vinyl top in style winning 23-4. He put pressure on the Warriors early and never looked back. Liam Williams and Kamden Smith-Slagle led the way on offense with 6 points a piece. Channing Harrison also chipped in another 5 to help his team out. Smith-Slagle and Williams also forced a lot of turnovers each having a handful of steals with Kole Knox cleaning up underneath the glass. The 8th B group were next up and found their footing early in this one as Cullen West took over immediately allowing the Cats to win 21-4. West did all the things Monday. He rebounded, scored, got steals, made assists and truly had an all around game. Andrew Bland led the team in scoring with 8 points with Logan Merriman dropping 5 of his own. Fresh off the gridiron Brock "Battle Axe" Barbay led his troops to a 47-5 win over the 7A Warriors. Lexon Detwiler had a double double leading the way with 15 points and 11 boards. Landon Agerton contributed 12 more points along with a handful of steals. The press is where this game was won as the defense set the tone early jumping out to a 20-0 lead after the first quarter and never let off the gas. The 8th grade A group tried to keep pace and finish the sweep which they did also winning 47-6. This group took turn scoring with no one really dominating the offense but spreading it out through the whole roster. Austin Erickson was the high point guy with 9 followed closely by Andrew Burt and Kaysen Click with 8. Everyone was struggling with the jump shot but found their way to the rim for lay up after lay up. Keaton Leonard dropped 7 more points along with Kolston Robinson with 6. All of these groups will look to shake off the rust with a week of practice and then a Thanksgiving break with the Anahuac Panthers looming on that Monday when we return.

OJH Basketball: The 7B Lady Bobcats fell to the Warren Warriors last night 7-6. This team displayed great fighting gaining all of their points in the second half despite coming up short. The Lady Bobcats fall to 0-1 but look to bounce back against the Anahauc Panthers! Final: 7-6 Loss Points: Adalynn Worthy (2), Farrah Josephson (2), Zoey McGee (2) Rebounds: Mckenna Carruth (1), Lillian Anderson (1), Ava Worthy (1), Amellia Briggs (1), Gloriana Mckay(1) Steals: Zoey McGee (7), Adalynn Worthy (2), Peyton Nichols (2), Amellia Briggs (1), Kristina Boyd (1), Ava Worthy (1) The 7A Team started off strong to go into the half with a 12-1 lead. Bobcats stayed ahead all game displaying great teamwork and crafty ball movement. Lady Bobcats sealed the win with their first district win! Final: 17-9 Win Points: Emma Arnold (8), Paisley Cobb (4) Rebounds: Brooklyn Lee (4), Paisley Cobb (4) Steals: Brooklyn Lee (4), Emma Arnold (2), Sophia Lilly (1) Assists: Kollyns DuBose (1), Baylor O’Quinn (1), Brooklyn Lee (1) The 8th Grade A Team started the season with a 28-14 win over the Lady Warriors. This team is quick and moves with authority, they will no doubt be contenders for every opponent they face this season. Great way to start the season! Final: 28-14 Win Points: Lakynn Granger and Brooklyn Bishop (8) Ainsley McAlpin (6) Rebounds: Maddie Breaux (5), Karah Spain (4) Steals: Lakynn Granger (7), Karah Spain (3), Ainsley McAlpin (3) Assists: Maddie Breaux (1), Piper Pollet (1)

Attention OJH Community: Due to early release on Friday, November 22, parents/guardians will not be allowed to have lunch with their students. Lunch may still be dropped off to the table in the lobby. Early Release Lunch Times are: 6th grade-11:00 7th grade-11:35 8th grade-12:10

From Mrs. Francis, OJH Librarian: Parents and students,THANK YOU for continuing to help keep the Book Fair successful!! 📚📚📚It absolutely brings me, pure joy to witness the excitement students still have for books! 🧡 Missed an opportunity to shop at the physical Book Fair? No worries! Follow the link to shop online through November 21st. All sales benefit our school library! https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/orangefieldjh

OJH Basketball: Kings of the court against Warren -7B Kamden Smith-Slagle -8B Cullen West -7A Lexon Detwiler -8A Kaysen Click

OJH is home to the greatest staff in Texas! Thankfully, even when our staff is off duty, we have the world’s best substitutes waiting in the wing! Thank you to all of the fantastic subs that serve Orangefield ISD and keep our students learning every day!

Friday, Ms. Oliver’s 6th grade science class concluded their egg drop project. Students’ egg contraptions were put to the test with a 25 foot drop. This hands-on project truly enhanced student knowledge of forces and Newton’s Third Law. Special thanks to K-Dan’s for their donation of the eggs for all of these projects!!

Attention OJH Community: Due to early release on Friday, November 15, parents/guardians will not be allowed to have lunch with their students. Lunch may still be dropped off to the table in the lobby. Early Release Lunch Times are: 6th grade-11:00 7th grade-11:35 8th grade-12:10

OJH’s Fall Book Fair is happening NOW through Friday, November15th @ 3pm! Students may shop before school starts, 7:50 am - 8:15 am, and after school until 5 pm. Family Night is Thursday, November 15th until 7pm 📚📚 Follow the link to shop online if you are unable to attend or want to set up an eWallet for your student! Happy Reading! https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/orangefieldjh

On Saturday, November 9th, OJH had 33 junior high band students attend the ATSSB All-Region Contest at Hardin Jefferson High School. These students joined about 500 junior high students from the surrounding regions to compete for a chance to be apart of the All-Region Band. We were very fortunate to have 6 students make the band and one student become an alternate to the band. These students will attend a 2 day clinic ending in a concert that will take place January 24th and 25th at Silsbee High School. Please join me in congratulating all of our students on a job well done! Adelyn Travis - 15th chair Flute Sadie Aucoin - 13th chair Clarinet Evelyn Van Huis - 17th chair Clarinet Holli Lanthier - 23rd chair Clarinet Rebekah Mire - 5th chair Bass Clarinet Brooklyn Carter - 11th chair Horn (Alternate) Cullen West - 3rd chair Percussion

Attention OJH Parents of 7th Grade Students!! Tuesday, Nov. 12th we will be conducting Vision & Hearing Screenings on all 7th graders. If your child wears glasses or contacts please be sure they wear them tomorrow.

Wednesday, November 6th, OJH Student Council officers and members attended the 2024 District 17 Fall Convention at Ford Park. Students participated in ice breakers; table talks where they exchanged project ideas with other councils; and attended a presentation by keynote speaker Jason Levasseur.

OJH 6th grade junior football league made it to the super bowl! Orangefield Junior High couldn't be more proud! Thanks to Katie Brannon for such an awesome sign!