The Bill Frye Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament sponsored by Today’s Bank came to a rousing conclusion on Friday night with championship play in both the girls and boys brackets. Consolation games were played earlier in the day, and championship finals were played on Friday evening. All in all, it was a great week of holiday basketball to end 2022. Fans were left wanting more, and that is what they will get when the teams return to their respective conferences in January and continue play that will eventually lead to post-season in February.
In the girls championship, the host school Mansfield Lady Tigers defeated Paris for the tournament title before a raucous crowd at the Mansfield High School gymnasium. Paris played well against the talented Lady Tigers, but the talent and depth of Mansfield proved to be too much for the Lady Eagles. After a closer than anticipated half time score, the Lady Tigers shut down the Paris scoring in the third quarter and went on to defeat the Lady Eagles, 57-35.
Mansfield’s Kynslee Ward was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player on the girls side of the tournament. She and her Lady Tigers teammates dominated Paris in the second half to win the championship.
In the boys bracket championship game, the Waldron Bulldogs defeated the Wolverines of Vian, Oklahoma in a double-overtime thriller. It was a seemingly appropriate end to what was a great three days of good basketball play in a very good holiday tournament. Waldron pulled away late in the second overtime to defeat Vian, 53-48.
The Bulldogs and the Wolverines battled on every possession, and each time one team seemed to be ready to pull away, the momentum would swing to the other team, and both schools would fight back and forth for the entire game. Vian pushed hard and fast up the court on offensive transition opportunities, but the height and length of Waldron, combined with their athleticism and intensity carried the Bulldogs to the championship.
Waldron’s Lidge Stinson was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player on the boys side of the tournament. Several players from both Waldron and Vian could have been named to the award, but Sinson’s performance stood out among all players on both teams. Waldron is now set to have a big remainder of their year leading up to this year’s district tournament.
The tournament began on Wednesday with play in boys and girls games. Winners advanced to the next round of the winners brackets, and losers of first round games moved to the consolation brackets where games would eventually be played for third, fifth, and seventh place in the tournament. There is some debate as to the popularity of holiday tournaments; some believe the tournaments allow their teams to keep playing and to avoid an extended layoff during the holiday break. Others may doubt the importance of playing in a tournament and choose to take the time to allow their players to rest, practice, and heal from nagging injuries before continuing conference play in early January.
It all depends on who you talk to. But one thing can be said for this year’s Frye Classic…the teams that played in both championship games on Friday night will benefit later on in their schedules by having played in tough, competitive games in the finals. All four teams will be stronger as a result of having played good competition this past week in Mansfield.
The tournament’s namesake is former Mansfield basketball coach, Bill Frye. Frye was one of the most successful coaches in Mansfield history. He and his family still live in the community and can be seen often supporting the school and the sports teams at Mansfield High School. He has touched many lives throughout his career, but on Friday night, it was Coach Frye who seemed to be touched by the honor of the tournament and its recognition of him and his career. Coach Frye and members of Today’s Bank who sponsored the tournament were on hand and presented trophies on the court at the conclusion of both the girls and boys championship games.
In full disclosure, most people know that I retired from Mansfield in 2019. The week was like a “homecoming” week for me. It was a lot of fun to be back on campus and to see the many former colleagues and friends from the community. But I say that to add this observation; there have been many great coaches and staff that have worked the tournament in the past. And now, there is a new generation of excellent coaches and administrators that are doing a great job. This week’s tournament was extremely well-ran and continues to be one of the best holiday tournaments in the state. Congratulations to everyone in Mansfield who had a hand in making the Frye Classic an overwhelming success.
It takes many people donating their time and resources to make a tournament a success. Starting with the tournament’s sponsor, Today’s Bank, and going down the line with the many coaches, administrators, parent volunteers, and district employees, it is a huge effort that goes unnoticed by many who may not be aware of what is required to host the tournament. Mansfield has been doing it for many years, and they do an excellent job. On behalf of RNN Sports, thanks for all you do, and thank you for making us feel at home. RNN Sports had four photographers present on Friday night for the finals, and we were all treated with great hospitality. Thank you Mansfield!
We would also like to congratulate the tournament runner-ups who had a great run in the tournament and should be proud of their effort and success in the tournament. On the girls side of the tournament, the Paris Lady Eagles finished second in the tournament and now have a very good experience to springboard their team into the remainder of their schedule starting next week.
On the boys side of the tournament, we congratulate the Vian Wolverines who made the trip over to Mansfield from Vian, Oklahoma to play in the tournament. The Wolverines lost a very close double overtime battle and could have very easily been getting on their bus and going back to Oklahoma with the boys championship. RNN Sports wishes the Woverines all the best in the remainder of their conference schedule.
So all in all, everyone had a great time at the Frye Classic. Fans were waving towels, dancing in the isles, and living on every point of each game. The fans came in all ages and sizes, but everyone seemed to be enjoying a night of great high school basketball!
So Happy New Year from RNN Sports! It has been both our pleasure and privilege to bring you regional and statewide sports coverage in 2022, and we look forward to doing it again in 2023! May your new year be a happy and fulfilling one for you and your loved ones. We will see you next week as high school and Razorbacks basketball resumes in January.
