On Monday night, the Mansfield high school gym was jam-packed with fans from both Mansfield and Waldron who were filled to the brim with anticipation as they prepared to watch a Scott County showdown. Everybody has their own opinion on who each town’s rivals are but let me tell you, Mansfield vs Waldron is where it’s at. On January 27, as expected, the Mansfield Jr High Lady Tigers and the Mansfield Jr High Tigers were in rare form and ready to run the court.
The Lady Tiger JV squad was up first to get the party started. Mansfield exploded onto the court with an energetic passion which was used to pull in the 11-7 win against the Lady Bulldogs. Although offensively it was a low scoring game, the defense was where it was. Playing with an unstoppable aggression, the Lady Tigers were Rim Reapers with almost every player snaggin’ and baggin’ the ball right out of the Lady Bulldogs grasp. Earning a total of 16 rebounds was Eden Mounts in the lead with four followed by Serenity Brunson and Brooklyn Adams with three apiece and Seven Sanderson, Lita Hecox, and Cassidy Carlton finishing with two each.
When it came to stealing, the Lady Tigers had no problem taking a misdemeanor theft charge as they ended the night with 12 steals. Mounts took that lead as well with four while Raine Hecox landed three, and Sanderson, Brunson, Adams, and Carlton combined for five. Offensively, Sanderson ended the evening with four points, Brunson and Adams took home three each, and Lita Hecox secured one.
Next up was the Jr High JV Tigers who were out to prove that their awesomeness wasn’t just a myth but a reality. With every play that the Bulldogs attempted, the Tigers matched them step for step never backing down. Mansfield put everything they had into this game and although they took a 12-11 loss, they have nothing to be ashamed of. Dakota Langford, Peyton Martin, Travis Tobey, Tommy Phang, and Jaxon Heydenreich racked up points for the Tigers and did it with an intensity unlike any other.
Defensively, the Tigers were a sea of relentless strength as they were able to consistently keep the Bulldogs on high alert. With a team total of nine rebounds, Reegan Emery led with three trailed by Zach Hayslip and Martin with two each and Brandon Segura and Phang acquiring one apiece. Mansfield was also fast and furious with their steals and they finished the night with eight. Martin led with two, and Langford, Hayslip, Emery, Toby, Phang, and James Jenkins each landed one.
The Mansfield Jr High Tigers will get back to it on Friday, January 31 as they head to Elkins to take on the Elks and Lady Elks starting at 4 p.m.
