Pictured is Bri Sanderson
In what was by far THE best game of their season, the Mansfield Sr High Tigers hosted the Mulberry Yellowjackets to a heaping plate of in yo face street ball that even the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air would be proud of. With action around every corner, it was the type of game that yielded zero time for a concession break due to the fact that one would surely miss something. The Sr Tigers were last in line on Monday night to face Mulberry and with both Jr High teams along with the Sr Lady Tigers taking wins, the Sr Tigers were more determined than ever to make a clean sweep of the Yellowjackets. And man-oh-man did they accomplish that goal!
With 19 total points on the game, Codi Chick was the Tigers sharpshooter delivering 3 three-pointers, 4 two-pointers, and 2 free-throws. It was as if Chick’s shots were magnetized to the net due to the fact that anytime the ball left his hands, it was in. The “Power in the Paint” was provided by Bri “Grizzly Man” Sanderson and Zayne Dugan. The duo put up a towering wall that gave Mulberry fits while also allowing them to grab and snag 10 and 7 points respectively. JoJo Bailey provided a significant energy level that was very key in the game. His defense was a high-pressured don’t test me style while offensively he spread the ball out to everyone. Bailey secured 6 points in the match.
Ethan Pettus, who netted 4 points, proved to be an all-in-one baller. With tricky dribbling, swift cuts, and sure shots, Pettus helped the Tigers gain a big lead in the second and third quarters. Tyler Escalante was a rebounding machine who also scored 2 points in the process. Even FedEx couldn’t stop Escalante’s “UPS” as he jumped higher than anyone to snag rebound after rebound after rebound. And scoring 2 points as well, was Jackson Andrews who, like his fellow Tigers, was on fire each time he stepped on to the court. Andrews was the perfect wingman offensively and defensively that even Top Guns Maverick would be happy to have.
By the time the dust finally settled, the Sr Tigers took the win and the sweep with a final score of 50-41. This win was much needed and very much welcomed as the boys saw struggles in their last four games. The Sr Tigers now sit with a 3-5 season record and are ready to continue upgrading that first column as they turn around tonight to take on the River Hawks of Valley Christian at Russellville. The River Hawks finished last year’s season with a 15-6 record.
