Pictured is Kynslee Ward
For their second basketball match of the week and the season, the Mansfield Jr High Tigers and Lady Tigers traveled to Hackett to take on the Hornets and Lady Hornets Thursday night. “The Jr Lady Tigers had a great game yesterday against Hackett,” expressed coach, Joshua Bryan. Although Mansfield was down a starter for the game and another one after halftime, the Lady Tigers still got the job done with a 43-17 win over Hackett keeping them undefeated 2-0.
Freshman, Kynslee Ward, lead the team in points with 18 and steals with 11 earning her first double-double of the season. Bringing in 6 points apiece were Kaylee Ward, Alyson Edwards, and Ambria Whittaker. Presley Curry made 3 points. And Raine Hecox and Kaylie Lowery each earned 2. “Our girls really stepped up in last night’s game knowing we had two of our key players out. I’m very proud of their effort, hustle, and determination to win. The Junior High Lady Tigers’ future is looking very bright!”
The Jr Tigers finished the night a few points short of a win with a final score of 27-24 Hackett. “I thought the defense was lights out for the night, particularly in the 2nd half,” explained coach, Keith Stovall. “We struggled with our open shots in the paint throughout the game. In the 1st half, we lost approximately 10 points on open shots in the lane. Mental mistakes also took its toll. And we committed 3 turnovers.”
Tyler Turnipseed led the team with 10 points trailed by Dakota Langford and Peyton Martin with 6 points each and Travis Tobey with 2. “Overall, I was pleased with our performance. We did a great job executing our man offense but struggled at the free-throw line. One week out of football and we go on the road to Hackett to play at a tough place with a well-coached athletic team.” On Monday, November 16, Mansfield will play the Bearcats at Booneville with a 4:30 pm start time.
