Thundering 13

In the 2017 Little League World Series the team represented Southwestern United States.[3] Their first game during the World Series was held against the Great Lakes team, they won 5-1. The second game they played was against New England they won 6-3. Their first loss was played against Southeasts team, they lost 2-1. Once again, the team played New England and won 14-4. In the game to decide who the U.S. Champion was they played once again against Southeast, and won 6-5.[4] In the final game held against Japan to decide the World Champions, they lost 12-2.[5] All the games were held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The Fierce 14 was another team created about 11 months after the 2017 victory, it was composed of many of the same players.[13] The team won the U.S. Championship in the 2018 Junior League World Series. In the World Champion title they were runner-up to Chinese Taipei team with a score of 2-0.[14]

Downtown Lufkin mural tributing the Thundering 13 and Fierce 14 teams

Several tributes in the Lufkin were put up to honor the Thundering 13 and the Fierce 14. In 2018, the City of Lufkin decided to put up a permanent picture of the Thundering 13 players in Morris Frank Park baseball complex. A plaque was also placed near the picture honoring community youth baseball leaders Bud Maddox, Ted Maberry, and W.A. Dempsy.[15] In 2019, the Lufkin Landscape Task Force put up a statue to honor the Thundering 13 and Fierce 14. The statue is at the Plaza between the Museum of East Texas and Pitser Garrison Convention Center in Lufkin.[16] In 2019, the Lufkin City Council voted to add a mural commenerating the Thundering 13 and Fierce 14 teams. The mural is located on the north wall of the "old penny building" in downtown Lufkin. The City of Lufkin will maintain the mural for 10 years, in accordance with the contract. Pineywoods Foundation agreed to provide $15,000 to the City of Lufkin to be used for maintenance of the mural.[17]