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Don’t Leave Your IRA to the IRS

Tammy Teague
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Don’t Leave Your IRA to the IRS

If you’ve invested in an IRA for many decades, it may well turn into a key source of income for your retirement. Still, you might not deplete your IRA in your lifetime, especially if you also have a pension or a 401(k) and other investment income. So, if your IRA still has sizable assets after your passing, it would likely end up in your estate plan. If you leave your IRA to grown children or other family members, could they be hit with a big tax bill?

Here’s a little background: Up until the Secure Act of 2019, those who inherited traditional IRAs could extend their required withdrawals over their lifetimes, which stretched out the annual taxes due on these withdrawals. But the Secure Act changed the provisions for non-spouse beneficiaries who inherited an IRA after 2019, meaning that beneficiaries of inherited IRAs had only 10 years (beginning the year after death) to withdraw the entire balance. For some beneficiaries, this could potentially create a tax burden. (Inheritors of Roth IRAs are also required to follow the 10-year distribution rule but are not subject to income taxes on account earnings if the Roth IRA’s five-year holding period has been met).

However, not all beneficiaries were affected by the new rules. Spouses can stretch their inherited IRA distributions over their lifetimes and exceptions exist for certain non-spouse beneficiaries. Minor children of the IRA owner (until the age of majority), chronically ill or disabled individuals, and beneficiaries who are no more than 10 years younger than the IRA owner may opt to stretch their distributions.

The new 10-year requirement applies to IRAs inherited on or after Jan. 1, 2020. But due to confusion over changes to required minimum distribution (RMD) rules for some beneficiaries of inherited IRAs, the IRS waived penalties for individuals who failed to take RMDs in 2021 and 2022 and extended the RMD penalty waiver for 2023.

Although these rulings give beneficiaries — those not eligible for the exemptions listed above — more time to plan, they will eventually need to start taking RMDs, which could affect their tax situations. To help protect your heirs, consider these suggestions:

• Using permanent life insurance. A properly structured permanent life insurance policy could help you replace the assets your family might lose to the taxes resulting from an inherited IRA. You might even consider naming a charity as the beneficiary of an IRA, rather than your family members. The charity would receive the IRA proceeds tax free, and the life insurance could then provide tax-free benefits to your heirs.

• Leaving taxable investment accounts to your heirs. Apart from your tax-deferred IRA, you may own other, fully taxable accounts containing investments such as stocks or bonds.

Typically, these investments receive what’s known as a “step-up” in their cost basis once they are inherited. This means your heirs will essentially inherit all the gains your investments earned by the time of your passing — but they won’t be taxed on these gains if they sell the assets immediately. This type of sale could help offset the taxes your heirs will incur from the inherited IRA.

The tax and investment issues surrounding inherited IRAs can be complex, so consult with your tax and financial advisors before making any moves. And, as with many areas relating to inheritances, the sooner you start planning, the better.

This article is provided by Jeffrey O’Neal, Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
20 N Express St, Paris, AR 72855
479-963-1321
jeffrey.o’neal@edwardjones.com
edwardjones.com/jeffrey-o’neal
Edward Jones, Member SIPC

4 Entryway Seating Ideas To Welcome Guests

Resident News Network
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4 Entryway Seating Ideas To Welcome Guests

When we open our homes to family and friends, we want to extend kindness and hospitality to our guests. One way we can do this is with a comfortable and inviting entryway. Let’s explore four entryway seating ideas to welcome guests so coming over is a pleasure for everyone.

1. Embrace the Classic Bench

A classic bench in the entryway is an attractive and functional choice for welcoming ourselves and our guests. Benches provide a convenient and comfortable place for everyone to sit while removing their shoes, leaving both host and guest feeling at ease and relaxed. With a wide range of designs, from rustic wooden benches to sleek modern styles, there’s a perfect bench to suit any home aesthetic.

2. Incorporate Multifunctional Storage Seating

Multifunctional storage seating options, such as ottomans or storage cubes, offer practical and aesthetically pleasing solutions for entryway seating. In addition to providing places to sit, these clever furniture pieces also offer hidden storage. Hidden storage allows you to keep items like shoes, umbrellas, or hats neatly tucked away. This helps maintain an organized and clutter-free space, which is kind for your own mental health and a way to prioritize comfort and hospitality for your guests.

3. Opt for an Elegant Settee or Loveseat

For those with larger entryways, a small settee or loveseat can make a bold design statement while adding an extra touch of elegance and comfort. These refined seating options invite everyone to sit and relax upon entering your home. Creating a cozy and inviting entryway with this seating option sets the tone for a warm, sophisticated gathering or some pleasant alone time. With a myriad of designs and fabrics to choose from, you can effortlessly incorporate a settee or loveseat into your existing decor, making your entryway reflect your personal style.

4. Consider Individual Accent Chairs

Another option to consider for inviting entryway seating is incorporating one or two accent chairs. You can pair these charming chairs with a small side table, establishing a mini seating area for you or your guests to relax before moving into the heart of your home. Accent chairs offer versatility in design, and you can easily update them with new cushions or fabric. You’ll be able to refresh your entryway’s look seasonally or whenever the mood strikes.

These four entryway seating ideas to welcome guests are thoughtful ways to extend hospitality and kindness to everyone who enters your home, including yourself. By creating a warm and inviting entryway space, you’re nurturing a sense of comfort and belonging for all who pass through your doors.

Quirky pack animals aid public land experiences

Tammy Teague
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Quirky pack animals aid public land experiences

Randy Zellers Assistant Chief of Communications

SPRINGDALE — Thanks to a decades-old partnership, the U.S. Forest Service and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are able to offer over a million acres of public hunting opportunity in the Ouachita and Ozark/St. Francis National Forests. Getting the most out of remote portions of these rugged lands, however, takes a little extra effort. Arkansas outfitter Casey Brewster has discovered the therapeutic power of hunting and relaxing in these out-of-the-way public lands, thanks to some ingenuity and a few surefooted assistants. He and his organization lead veterans and first responders on special multiple day hunting trips using pack goats to get their supplies where they need to go.

ATVs and other motorized forms of transit are not allowed in most of the forest due to the damage they can cause if left unchecked on public land. Many hunters have learned the value of animals, such as horses, mules and even goats, to help them set up camp in Arkansas’s public wilderness. The animals cause much less disturbance and add more to the experience for many hunters and outdoors enthusiasts. 

Brewster is a part-time worker with the AGFC and research scholar for the University of Arkansas who was one of the project leads in the AGFC’s effort to reintroduce collared lizards in restored habitat in the Ozarks. He also founded Snake Mountain Pack Goats, a nonprofit organization that uses specially bred goats to carry the gear necessary for multiple-day getaways, guiding his clients and friends on deer hunts, bear hunts, smallmouth fishing trips and campouts, all at no charge.

“I get some strange looks leading a string of goats on hunting trips and plenty of questions from curious hikers,” Brewster said with a smile when we caught up with him at the World Champion Squirrel Cook Off in September.

Brewster was wounded in combat in Iraq before his current career with the AGFC and the University of Arkansas. While he had loved the outdoors before his deployment, engaging in the outdoors and focusing on his education were pivotal in his adjustment back to civilian life.

“When my former spouse and I first got our farm out in West Fork, the property was overrun with non-native invasive weeds,” Brewster said. “I’d wanted goats for a long time, and using them to clean up that area of invasives was a great excuse to get a few. Then I started seeing some videos of people using goats for elk hunts out West, and I started making contacts to learn more. When I learned I could incorporate the goats and the outdoors into helping veterans and first responders, it just sort of all came together. ”

The goats aren’t just pack animals on the journeys. Working with them often becomes part of the experience for his guests.

“We call it, ‘mountain therapy,’ Brewster said. “We take people who may be having some difficulties and let them get away from everything, relax and just immerse themselves in the experience.”

The goats even help raise funds to continue the group’s mission. Staff lead day hikes and participate in other events to raise funds. 

“Yes, some of our staff lead some goat yoga experiences to help with fundraising, too,” Brewster said.

Goats may not be for everyone, but they are essential to Brewster’s style of outdoor adventure.

“If you hunt or hike on leased or private land where you could get a side by side or ATV or only spend an hour or two on your hunts, maybe a string of goats isn’t for you,” Brewster said. “But a lot of public land in Arkansas has terrain and regulations that prevent the use of those things. If you’ve ever looked at some of those remote places and just knew that you could have the place to yourself if you could figure out how to get in there, goats can be a real game changer.”

In addition to their go-anywhere abilities, goats are much more agreeable than llamas, mules and other pack animals. The larger pack animals often require more effort to stay on lead, but goats are much more dependent on their owners. Brewster says most goats won’t wander out of sight of their team, and practically any tame goat will want to follow you, so they can be used without much training.

“They’re just a lot easier,” Brewster said. “I don’t really have to bring in food because they’ll eat pretty much whatever is available, and they don’t need much water. Even then, they’ll drink water right out of a bottle I carry and dip down in puddles and creeks to collect along the way.”

The standard rule for any pack animal, or people for that matter, is to keep any loads around 20 percent of their body weight. Where mules may carry 150 to 300 pounds of gear, most pack goats top out at 40 pounds of added baggage. An extra 80 pounds of gear distributed between two goats can make for a nice small camp, but Brewster’s team often works with a string of a dozen happy animals to create a full-blown base camp in their adventures.

Visit Snake Mountain Pack Goats for more information on Brewster and his team’s mission. To contact Brewster directly, email snakemountainfarms@gmail.com.

Obituary – Billy Joe Cross (1947-2023) 

Tammy Teague
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Obituary – Billy Joe Cross (1947-2023) 

Billy Joe Cross, 76, of Boles, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Saturday, September 16, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Billy was born April 2, 1947 in Waldron, Arkansas to William Weaver and Meora (Andry) Cross.

Billy loved fishing, going to the casino and spending time with friends and family. He will be remembered forever in the hearts of those that loved him.

A memorial service will take place Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Birdsview Cemetery. Cremation arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

You may leave words of remembrance for Billy’s family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com

Hackett Hosts Charleston Friday in 3A-1 Conference Play

Jim Best
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Hackett Hosts Charleston Friday in 3A-1 Conference Play

HACKETT- Conference play continues this Friday when Charleston travels to Hackett for an important 3A-1 game. Kickoff in Hackett is scheduled for 7 p.m.

At press time for this story, the Charleston Tigers were getting ready to host the Mansfield Tigers in a 3A-1 showdown that would give the winner a leg up in finishing in the top two places in the conference standings. Mansfield is hosting Booneville this Friday making this week’s game for Charleston even more important in the conference standings. Charleston will host Booneville next week, October 20, at Alumni Field.

Charleston defeated Cedarville on September 29 by the score of 37-16 to improve their conference record to 2-0. At press time, the Hackett Hornets, off of their 42-35 conference win over Lavaca, were sitting in fourth place behind Booneville, Charleston, and Mansfield who were all 2-0 in the conference. The log jam has started to break with last week’s games and will continue this week. Only conference schools West Fork and Greenland had yet to win a conference game as of September 29.

After this week’s home game with Charleston, the Hackett Hornets will host West Fork on October 20. Charleston, as mentioned earlier, will return home for their big show down with Booneville.

The Hackett offense is a big play offense that is capable of scoring a lot of points. The Hornets scored 53 in their win vs. Centerpoint, and 42 points vs Lavaca. As of September 29, the Hornets were 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference. Hackett’s conference win was against Lavaca, and the lone conference loss was a 46-14 loss at Booneville. The Hornets were preparing to take the field at Cedarville on October 6 at deadline time.

The Hackett offense is led by senior quarterback Cole Ketchum who passed for over 1600 yards a season ago to lead the conference in passing. In doing so, Ketchum also threw for 17 touchdown passes, also leading the conference. In the 2022 game against Lavaca, Ketchum threw for 203 yards and a touchdown.

Ketchum will be throwing to his talented junior wide receiver, Brycen Hamilton. Hamilton is an athletic receiver who has a height advantage over most defensive backs and is a threat to score in the red zone. Hamilton was the third-leading receiver in the conference a year ago, hauling in 39 receptions for 665 yards and seven touchdowns.

Senior Aden Elmore anchors the defensive line for Hackett. Elmore is also a force offensively at right tackle. The defense struggled a year ago, finishing last in the conference by giving up an average of 36.4 points per game.

The Charleston Tigers have played very well in the first two weeks of the conference season. The Tigers are young and talented and appear to be gaining confidence with each game. The Tigers were 2-3 overall as of September 29 and will have to be focused on a dangerous Hackett team, not overlooking them for their October 20 date with Booneville. The current three game stretch for Charleston that includes Mansfield, Hackett, and Booneville will ultimately determine the order of playoff seeds for the state playoffs from the 3A-1 conference. Two of those three games will be played in the friendly confines of Alumni Field.

RNN Sports photographer Ronni Tate Young will be in Hackett on Friday to bring you all of the action in pictures! Watch for her action shots next week on RNN Sports’ “Team Press Pass” page!

RNN Sports Stone Cold Lock Of The Week: Week 7

Ross Fujibayashi
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RNN Sports Stone Cold Lock Of The Week: Week 7

A few huge matchups this week.

Shocker at Alumni Field, an average of 50 points in the first 5 games only 7 points on Friday. If our readers were surprised about the Hackett comeback against Lavaca. Charleston winning over Mansfield for sure sent shockwaves. But! this sets up a very interesting next few weeks. Lets dive right in as conference titles and playoff seeding is right around the corner.

RNN Sport Stone Cold Lock Of The Week

Booneville @ Mansfield

After the first few games, I circled this game on the schedule. It’s what has started this column and it is what Friday Night Football was made of. Does the loss last week affect how I feel about this game… Nope. Two of the best teams in 3A doing battle in Mansfield, it’s a Heavyweight match with still two potent offenses and very tough defenses. Dax Goff went over 4000 Career Yards on his first run against Greenland last week. If Mansfield does what they did last week and keep it on the ground, the Bearcat defense will keep them grounded. If they throw…. it will make it a very interesting game. With former teammates of my son on both squads I wish I could watch this one in person, but we’re in Lake Hamilton tonight so I will have to settle for checking in on the Arkansas Sports Network Live Stream. Mansfield could play the spoiler in this one, but I feel Booneville has the upper hand in this one. Hope I’m wrong.

The Rest

Charleston @ Hackett

Could Hackett do it again? Could they surprise Charleston? After the Tigers big win last week against Mansfield, they have absolutely turned a corner on the season. A win this week and a Booneville win means next week could be decider for the 3A Region 1 Conference Championship when the Bearcats and Tigers tangle at Alumni Field in Charleston. BUT! That’s next week! This week Hackett could throw a wrench into the Conference with a win. Charleston pulls this one out and rides an undefeated Conference record into next weeks showdown.

Lavaca @ Greenland

The Pirates of Greenland have been getting beat up this season and it will not slow down this week. Lavaca still has a lot to play for in the 3A Region 1 Conference with Mansfield, Booneville, and Charleston left on the schedule. It’s a tough onslaught of games to go for the Golden Arrows and this might be a trap game if they are looking to far ahead in the schedule. I still think they bring home the W in this one and we will see if they corrected what ailed them in the Hackett game over the next three weeks.

Cedarville @ West Fork

Well, I have a very strong feeling that West Fork gets into the conference win column this week. Cedarville is struggling defensively this season, and West Fork has a few offensive weapons waiting to be unleashed after being throttled the past three conference games. I expect there to be some fireworks from the Tiger offense.

Bigelow @ Magazine

Bigelow is really good and has been leaving a swath of teams in it’s wake. Magazine is looking to finish out the rest of their schedule. Short summary, Bigelow will do what they have done the past 6 games.

Two Rivers @ Paris

While the uniforms look like the Florida Gators, the Two Rivers Gators do not have the record to go with the shared team name. The Eagles just like West Fork will get their first conference win against Two Rivers. The rest of the schedule may bounce Paris’ way. A win tonight will be a confidence builder down the stretch. The conference out look for the 3A Region 4 could get very interesting. Paris looks to have already played the toughest part of the conference schedule and could very well win out on paper. Currently they are sitting in last in conference but could get the 4th or 5th spot out of Region 4 in the 3A playoff race with how the schedule is. For example, Centerpoint is in 2nd with a 3-0 record but still has to play Jessieville, Paris, and conference heavyweights Glen Rose and Bismarck.

Ozark @ Gentry

So last week I thought Ozark and Lincoln was going to be a game, sorry about that. My son even told me “Make Charleston vs Mansfield the Lock”. Next time the 16 yr old gives me advice I might take it. In the Lock Of The Week, Ozark shut down Lincoln, down to 7 points kind of like how Charleston did to Mansfield. Oof. This week Ozark has Gentry and their Sophomore QB Talan Williams. The Pioneer QB has 1077 yards with 10 TD’s while completing 71% of his passes. The Hillbilliy defense will get tested this week. Adam and I are split on this, I’m saying Gentry he’s saying Ozark. We’ll see who is right later tonight.

Greenwood @ Lake Hamilton

When I was leaving the GMAC at Greenwood two Fridays ago, I saw Head Coach Chris Young just outside the Locker Room and said “Did you see Van Buren beat Lake Hamilton?” I was shocked. Lake Hamilton has been a perennial contender in the 6A and the 6A West. Three seasons ago they had Greenwood on the ropes with a punishing clock control running offense, then made it to the State Championship game jumping out to a 10-0 lead on Greenwood in the first few minutes. The game would end 49-24 with Greenwood getting their 10th State Championship in Football. That would also be the last points they would score on the Bulldogs. In the 2021 and the 2022 seasons the would get shutout both of those being at Greenwood. This year the Wolves are sitting at 3-4 on the season and trying to get through the last few games of the season. Greenwood is coming off a bye week and gearing up for 4 games that could make a difference on the season. It’s a slightly long drive through the Ouachitas to play at one of my favorite stadiums.

Arkadelphia @ Waldron

Arkadelphia took on a tough non-conference schedule and is undefeated in conference. Waldron is still tracking to find traction. The Badgers take this one.

The Others

Conway @ Fort Smith Northside

The Buck James led Wampus Cats stroll into Fort Smith to take on the Grizzlies. Northside dropped a close one against Jonesboro that looked to go back and forth. The Wampus Cats are rolling this year and are the top team in the state. A few more games until the showdown between Conway and Bryant, pretty sure that’s the one everyone has circled as the must-see matchup of 2023.

Fort Smith Southside @ Rogers Heritage

Oh my gosh I could not wait to bring this up. Rogers Heritage last Friday took on Bentonville, the Tigers beat Rogers 84-0. Yes…. Eighty-Four to Zero. It left me speechless Friday Night. New week, new opponent. Granted the Mavericks probably will not put up 84 points but this will not be good for the War Eagles. Southside is playing really well right now even with previous 3 losses. But those losses will dictate playoff seeding and who they will meet out of the 7A Central.

For Funsies

Bentonville @ Fayetteville

Bentonville played a tough non-conference schedule that included Broken Arrow, OK, Kansas City Rockhurst, and Conway. They took two losses doing so, but they are on pace to meet Conway again in December. Fayetteville is bringing in a undefeated record into the game. They are putting up points but not in the north of 70 fashion that Bentonville has. I’d say keep an eye out for this score but every news outlet in NWA will have this as their lead in.

GamesRoss’s PicksAdam’s Picks
Booneville @ Mansfield (LOTW)BoonevilleMansfield
Charleston @ HackettCharlestonCharleston
Lavaca @ GreenlandLavacaGreenland
Cedarville @ West ForkWest ForkWest Fork
Bigelow @ MagazineBigelowBigelow
Two Rivers @ ParisParisParis
Ozark @ GentryGentryOzark
Greenwood @ Lake HamiltonGreenwoodGreenwood
Arkadelphia @ WaldronArkadelphiaArkadelphia

Break-in at Cardinals’ Dominican Academy

Jim Best
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Break-in at Cardinals’ Dominican Academy

BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic- This morning, between 12:30 am and 4:00 a.m., Atlantic Time, a group of armed thieves penetrated the St. Louis Cardinals Dominican Republic complex. The thieves stole money, cell phones, jewelry, and baseball equipment.

“This was scary on many fronts. Our players and staff were shaken up but not harmed. No
one was injured, and we will reassess our security provisions immediately, “said St. Louis
Cardinals President of Baseball Operations, John Mozeliak,

Local authorities were called as soon as possible and convened on the premises to
investigate.

RNN Sports will have more on this story as soon as details are available.

Note to Our Readers: Portions of this story were sourced directly from the St. Louis Cardinals baseball organization.

The Booneville / Charleston Rivalry: Dax Goff

Jim Best
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The Booneville / Charleston Rivalry: Dax Goff

BOONEVILLE- RNN Sports is highlighting this week’s conference showdown between the Booneville Bearcats and the Charleston Tigers. As an added feature for our readers, RNN Sports is sharing stories from two seniors from both schools who will play on Friday. We asked each what the rivalry means to both them and their communities. The players highlighted in separate stories are Dax Goff of Booneville and Reese Merechka of Charleston.

Just after the end of the Bearcats’ practice on Wednesday of last week, Booneville’s All-State running back and linebacker, Dax Goff, visited with RNN Sports on the Bearcats’ upcoming game at Charleston.

Goff has been a man among boys for the past three seasons for the Bearcats. He continues to break both school and state rushing records while looking forward to continuing his playing career next fall at Harding University. Against Greenland, Goff went on to eclipse more than 4,000 yards rushing in his career. With several games left, including what should be a deep playoff run for the Bearcats, Goff may set records that will stand for many years to come.

We began our telephone conversation by visiting about the season he is enjoying in 2023. Dax commented, “It has been a fun season, a fun senior season. I’m healthy and have been doing all of the ice baths, protein, and extra recovery things.”

In our previous interview with Dax this summer, he indicated that he wanted to break the all-time rushing record at Booneville. When I asked him last week how many yards he had remaining to break the record, he said, “I think it is 286 yards.”

The Bearcats, at deadline time, were facing two tough road trips that will more than likely determine the top three seeds in the conference for the state playoffs in November. Booneville was traveling to Mansfield on October 13, and will travel to Charleston on October 20. Commenting on the match up at Mansfield, Dax shared, “I feel really good going into Mansfield. We have watched a lot of film on them, studied a lot, and I think we can go in there and play like I know we can. I know they will have a few tricks up their sleeves for us.”

Our conversation quickly turned to the upcoming game with Charleston, and Dax began by saying, “Since we lost to Charleston last year, the rivalry has just blown up. So, like this year, we have been saying, “Take Pride” all year. Last year, it was like “Unfinished Business” because of that game and the rivalry between us. That rivalry is big now, and we want to take it home. It means more than any game we will play this year.”

I asked Dax if he thought the Bearcats were at risk of looking past Mansfield due to the next week’s match-up with Charleston, and Dax said, “We have not talked much about Charleston at all this week because of Mansfield. We want to beat them (Mansfield). So, we are hard core Mansfield this week. We have been really good this season at focusing on one team at a time. We don’t have the experience this year that we had last year to look past anyone.”

So, undoubtedly, as big of a game this week’s match-up with Charleston is, Dax Goff and the other Bearcats seniors are showing their leadership in keeping the team focused going into the Mansfield game before turning their full attentions to the Charleston Tigers.

The Booneville / Charleston rivalry is a little unique due to the close geographical proximity of the schools, and the past and current relationships among the coaches and players from both schools. There is a strong sense of mutual respect between both schools, no matter how badly they want to defeat each other. Dax added, “I played drums at Coach May’s church for three years. The rivalry between the two schools and communities is there, but as players, both teams don’t talk about it much. The chirping starts (between players) on game week and it is intense. This game means a lot to me because it is my last time to play them in Charleston.”

So, I asked Dax to tell me what it will be like in the Booneville locker room just before they take the field on Friday night at Charleston. Dax said, “One thing I like about this team is that we don’t have to have a coach get us fired up to play. We are always ready to go. We always have a little of swagger to us on Friday nights. We (seniors) probably will say something that night because its Charleston, but like we will just go out there and play.”

And that is what champions do…they just go out and play.

Friday’s game will be an epic showdown between two champions, and it will be a battle.

The Charleston / Booneville Rivalry: Reese Merechka

Jim Best
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The Charleston / Booneville Rivalry: Reese Merechka

CHARLESTON- RNN Sports is highlighting this week’s conference showdown between the Booneville Bearcats and the Charleston Tigers. As an added feature for our readers, RNN Sports is sharing stories from two seniors from both schools who will play on Friday. We asked each what the rivalry means to both them and their communities. The players highlighted in separate stories are Dax Goff of Booneville and Reese Merechka of Charleston.

On a Wednesday evening last week, we had the opportunity to visit with Charleston wide receiver and safety Reese Merechka. Merechka was a key player a year ago in the Tigers’ state championship run, and with the heavy graduation of players from that team a year ago, he has been counted upon even more to provide both experience and senior leadership for a young Tigers team in 2023.

Reese has played on Charleston teams that have been very successful. I asked Reese what growing up in Charleston means to him with respect to the Booneville rivalry. Reese explained, “Since I have been in Charleston it has always been a big game, and everyone knows that it is always going to be two powerhouse teams and it is going to be a physical football game. It is always known that it is going to be a tough, physical game. I know that in order to play well, we have to have a good week of practice. We have to give a 100% in practice, following up with 100% in the game. Booneville is by far the toughest team in our conference, and we have to do everything that we can to be prepared for them.”

Since the start of conference play, the Tigers have won three straight games to be undefeated as of October 6. Reese and the other seniors on the team have done a good job in providing leadership for a young Tigers team. Reese continued, “I think we have a lot of young people, a lot more young people than seniors. We knew that we (seniors) had to step up. We have just made sure that if the younger players had questions, then we would just try to do the best we could to help them. We know that we really need them; we are a young team and we have just tried to help them in every way that we can.”

Charleston is playing a lot of sophomores on their team this year. I asked Reese if he thought the young players fully understood the importance of the Booneville game. He replied, “I think they understand it’s a big game, but they have not yet had the chance to play in one. I don’t think they fully understand how good this senior class at Booneville really is. I guess we will find out.”

Reese is self-admittedly not a vocal leader on the team. But, on Friday night, in the locker room just before the Tigers take the field, Reese feels like because of the importance of the game, he will be more vocal with the younger players. “Me and a couple of others (seniors) need to do that in the locker room.”

The Booneville senior class is awesome. The Bearcats have been picked by many to return to the state championship game and compete for the 3A state title. But first things first. The Booneville / Charleston rivalry will continue with its next chapter on Friday at Alumni Field.

And it should be a classic that many will talk about for years.

Paris Sweeps Green Forest on Senior Night to Finish Season as 3A West Runners-up

Jim Best
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Paris Sweeps Green Forest on Senior Night to Finish Season as 3A West Runners-up

PARIS- The game was all but a foregone conclusion, but the real celebration was for four seniors on Paris Senior Night.

Lady Eagles seniors Kendri Martines, Abbi Walker, Carsyn Johnson, and Stephanie Arredondo were celebrated for their contributions to the Paris volleyball program. In fact, all four seniors played extensive minutes during their final home game of their high school careers.

The win capped the regular season for Paris that saw the Lady Eagles win all of their conference matches with the exception to the conference champions, the Hackett Lady Hornets. Hackett swept Paris in the regular season to win the regular season championship and the top seed in this week’s conference tournament. The 3A West district tournament is currently being held at Elkins High School. The top four finishers in the tournament will receive berths in next week’s state tournament.

By virtue of their first and second place finishes in the regular season, the Hackett Lady Hornets and the Paris Lady Eagles have byes to the district tournament semifinals on Wednesday. A win in the semifinals by either or both teams will guarantee them no worse than a two seed in next week’s state tournament. The championship final of the district tournament will be held on Thursday.

The 3A state tournament will be hosted next week by Valley Springs High School. The first three rounds of the tournament will be played in Harrison starting on Tuesday, October 24. The state final in Class 3A will be held in Hot Springs on Saturday, October 28.

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