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Thanksgiving is a Time for Family…

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Thanksgiving is a Time for Family…

Each year, I attempt to write a reflective Thanksgiving story that has a sports connection. As a sports writer, I feel a sense of obligation to try to connect the holiday to the world of sports.

It is easy to connect sports to Thanksgiving. I have written stories in past years about, for example, the November 22, 1963 day of tragedy when President John F. Kennedy was asassinated, and how a controversial decision to go ahead and play the annual Army / Navy football game that weekend was made, in part, to help the nation move forward with a brief break from the grief of the sudden loss of a president.

Sports have helped us cope with numerous tragedies and periods of grief. In the early part of this decade, sports helped our nation move past the 9/11 terrorists’ attacks on New York City, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

But this year is a little different for me as a writer. As I am writing this story, I am on vacation with my wife, mom, and dad. We are enjoying a rare opportunity to go out of town and enjoy five days together. It has been a great trip, and it has reminded me of how precious our time is and how we must remember that of everything we have going on in our lives, the most valuable thing we have is our love of each other and as a family. For the past few days, we have enjoyed life in “the bubble”, away from home and all of the problems, issues, work, etc, that dominate each of our lives.

But as we all know, we don’t live in a bubble. Life can be cruel and can affect us in the most harsh and uncaring ways at anytime. Family illness, hardships, disappointments, and even conflicts among us test our relationships every day.

But one thing I have always known, and always will, is that there is nothing more important than family. A beautiful and devoted wife, and a caring, loving, and always supportive mother and father are the biggest blessings in my life. And on this Thanksgiving holiday, as we spend time together, our trip has reminded me of how valuable my family is, and how much I dearly love each and every one of them.

But being thankful and appreciative is one thing; showing it every day is quite another. One of my biggest regrets in life is that I have always had the tendency to focus too much on work and career, while simultaneously not devoting enough attention to family. It has not been an intentional thing, but it has been a fact of life for me. Everyone is different, and we all live in different circumstances, but if I had one thing I could do differently in my life…if I could start all over and do one thing differently…it would be balancing my life more and making a better effort in being a better family member and showing the people around me whom I love so much, that I too love them. Not that I haven’t done that in the past, but, as much as my family means to me, I could have done much better than I have.

So, I am baring my soul to our readers to make just one point; on this Thanksgiving holiday, when our country pauses to give thanks for all of our blessings, take a moment, in your own way, to silently reflect, pray, or give an extra hug to the ones whom you love and count on the most. It doesn’t matter what else is going on around you, family is the one thing that is the most valuable asset in your life. For me, the lesson I have learned is that along with feeling appreciation for your family, it is equally important to be a good family member…being there for them, and being willing to admit shortcomings. Love is love, and if it is real, love can be forgiving, because the most important things is to love your family and to appreciate the love they show you. It has taken me well into my 60s to realize this, but, I guess I am just grateful that it finally dawned on me, regardless of my age.

So, on behalf of my family, and my extended family at the Resident News Network, whom I also love and am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with and to know as close friends, I wish you and your family a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving Day. And as my token of thanks and appreciation to all of you as readers and followers on our website, newspaper subscriptions, and on social media, I want to express to all of you how thankful, grateful, and appreciative I am of your kind comments and reactions to our work at RNN Sports. I hope you enjoy the photo of my family in this story and that it may serve as a reminder to you of your own family and their importance to each of you.

Happy Thanksgiving! May you have love and peace within you and your family on this very special holiday.

Return to the Outdoors

Tammy Teague
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Return to the Outdoors

By Dr. Curtis Varnell

After an absence of a couple of years due to covid, students are again returning to the outdoors and field trips to experience real world science, history, and geography.  Guy Fenter Science specialists, Amber Cobb, Curtis Varnell, along with Dr. Bret Stone of ATU have been busy assisting teachers in arranging and conducting the workshops.

One of the favorite places for area kids is the trip to Bear Gap on Magazine Mountain.  Not one of the more frequented trails, it offers the opportunity for kids to observe fault lines, explore a small cave, and to look at some unusual rock formations. In addition, the students learn about the early settlers and the development of the mountain as a tourist attraction.  As an added bonus, students from Lavaca were able to watch huge aircraft from Jackson air force base practice parachute drops on the narrow west end of the mountain.

Park interpreter Don Simons often does his mountain man act, complete with muzzle-loading rifle demonstration.  Most groups end the day at the amphitheater to look off the cliffs, take group pictures, and to take in the panoramic view from 2,800 foot.  Paris 8th grade spends two days on the mountain top exploring science, history, math, literacy, and the arts using a lesson developed by retired educator June Gilbreath.

In addition, students from Magazine and Hackett have visited Petit Jean Mountain where they toured the various trails and discovered the Native American art in Rock House cave.  Students from Magazine, Paris, Hackett and Waldron have visited the Fort Smith National Park.  While there, they toured the first fort, the trail of tears landing, Judge Parker Court, rode the trolley, and tried out the ice cream in the old museum drug store.  

Nine area school districts and over 450 students traveled to the Arkansas Air and Space museum in Greenland.  Visiting in four hangers, they were able to learn about the history of aviation while touring actual air and military equipment from the 1930’s to the present.  What better way to learn history than to sit in the B-17 cockpit, walk through a MASH ambulance, or to sit in a tank.  

The Janet Huckabee Nature Center works closely with area schools in providing students the opportunity to explore all facets of natural and environmental education.  Every Fort Smith 5th grader spends a day at the center and other area schools bring student in daily.  There they can experience everything from kayaking, hunting, fishing, trail hikes as well as learn the science behind nature.

Most area schools allow students in each grade to have one or more field-trip per year.  These trips afford students the opportunity for real-world experiences and develops an appreciation of the world around us. For many students, it is the first opportunity to really see the beauty, learn the history, and to explore the Natural State.

Pictured: Rock House Cave- Hackett, Magazine
Bear Cave- Hacket but also Paris, Magazine, Lavaca, County Line, Scranton, Mulberry
Air museum- Alma, Fort Smith, Greenwood, Paris, Booneville, Hackett, Waldron, Mulberry, Clarksville
Chad Lowe- JHRVNC
Coal Miners- St. Josephs Paris

Outdoor Decorating Tips for Your Home in the Fall

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Outdoor Decorating Tips for Your Home in the Fall

Fall is the time for cold weather and warm drinks. The pumpkin spice lingers in the air as people enjoy fresh slices of pie with loved ones. Chasing cozy vibes is something that many aim for. Luckily, you can stay comfortable with a few small changes to your home. Having a warm home is easy with a few of these outdoor decorating tips for your home in the fall.

Mimic Fall Colors

The best way to bring the fall theme to your home is to use some colors you naturally see outside. Warm reds, yellows, and browns can enhance various parts of your front and back areas. Outdoor throw pillows are simple additions that blend the surrounding area with your home. If you’re willing to take it further to scratch your creative itch, consider changing your garden décor to complement the natural colors around it.

Prop Lanterns

If you love cozy cabin vibes, consider repurposing some prop lanterns and fitting in some LED lights. The warm glow around your home will make it feel more intimate and relaxed. Whether you want to surround yourself with them or accent certain areas, lanterns are charming for bringing extra light to your home’s outdoor space. Setting the mood is an important part of embracing the fall, and using lanterns is an easy way to achieve it.

Add New Rugs

Rugs are underappreciated aspects of home design that help pull together the entirety of the rooms they’re in. Choosing the right one means looking into the material, color, and length you want. However, there are some limitations when decorating with rugs outside. It’s worth knowing the dos and don’ts of choosing the best rug for your outdoor area. For example, you should decide where you’ll place the rug before buying one.

The fall season is a time to take advantage of the weather before it gets too cold to lounge in. By decorating your outdoor area in subtle ways, you heavily influence the impact it has on guests. These outdoor decorating tips for your home in the fall are worth considering when trying to make your home cozier.

Timepiece: Madstones

Tammy Teague
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Timepiece: Madstones

By Dr. Curtis Varnell

Don’t walk under a ladder!  Beware of black cats!  Don’t touch anything dead while pregnant! Carry a buckeye in your pocket for good luck!  Receive good luck by eating black-eye peas on New Year! The list goes on and on, superstitions that are passed down from generation to generation.

One of the strangest superstitions or beliefs of the River Valley concerns the mad stone. The mad stone is a stony concretion taken from the stomach of an albino deer.  The common description is that is slightly oval and measures about three or four inches in circumference.  The mad stone was believed to have curative powers and was relied upon in times of dire need.  The stones, when used correctly, are reported to cure rabies, rattlesnake and spider bites, and many other maladies.  Several people, including the Cox family (Cox Valley), have owned and used mad stones in this region.  The stones are passed from generation to generation and, for them to work, must follow a strict regimen of rules.  These included that the service must be provided by the owner free of charge, must be used only in very serious situations, and must be applied directly to the afflicted area only after being boiled in warm milk.

Velma Ezell, formally of the Mount Salem community, once described the process as follows: after being boiled in milk, the stone is placed directly upon the wound or bite.  The wound must be fresh and bleeding; if not the skin is scraped until blood flows.  Placed on the wound, the stone will adhere to the flesh and not fall off until the poison or affliction has been “pulled” from the body. When the mad stone has done its’ job, it falls off naturally and then is again placed in warm milk and boiled until the milk turns green. The procedure is repeated until the stone will no longer attach to the raw flesh, indicating that all the poison is gone. People throughout the region swore to its effectiveness and, in a period when rabies and snakebites more often than not lead to death, mad stones and their owners were much in demand.

Some of the stories from the Logan County Historical Society include one from 1922 in which Artis Carter was visiting at the home of Buford Redding near Greasy Valley.  While there, he was bitten by a rabid dog.  His father Otis Carter had heard about a stone owned by Mr. Arch Aydellot of Havana.  In a panic and worried for the life of his son, he travelled the twenty-five miles over the mountain to get help.  The Aydellot family had three of the stones that had been handed down in the family for generations.  The stone was immediately attached to the boy and clung to the opening left by the dog bite. After cleaning, he attempted to attach it again but it failed to attach meaning the poison was gone.   The young man survived without any other problem. 

On another occasion, a resident of Harkey Valley was bitten by a rabid dog and was not treated for 13 days.  Having no other recourse, Dr. Heffington brought the man to Mr. Aydellot who applied the stone to the afflicted area. The stone clung to the wound for 16 hours.  After cleaning, it clung for 12 more house, was cleaned, and failed to reattach.  Again the man survived. 

Stories of the ability of the mad stone ability to cure snake bits, spider bites, and other maladies abound across America yet doctors and scientists say there is no good reason for them to work and they are grounded in useless superstition.  Myself, I am not sure but if bitten by one of those huge Magazine Mountain timber-rattlers or an area rabid dog, I personally grant you permission to apply it to the wound should I be comatose and dying of fright.

Advantages of Driving a Low-Speed Vehicle

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Advantages of Driving a Low-Speed Vehicle

If you have a large enough property, whether a business, farmland, or residential area, you may want to get a cart or a similar utility vehicle to get around. Many people choose a golf cart, but there are some distinct advantages of driving a low-speed vehicle. Consider some of these benefits before you decide which vehicle is best for you.

The Mechanics

One of the most significant differences between a golf cart and a low-speed vehicle is that the latter has far more features and mechanics that make it like a traditional vehicle. Many low-speed vehicles have turn signals, seat belts, and rearview mirrors.

Because of these features and the inclusion of a vehicle identification number, low-speed vehicles typically require registration, and the driver must possess a driver’s license to operate it. Different states and counties may have specific rules regarding the registration and operation of a low-speed vehicle, so it’s essential to ensure you’re following local laws.

Increased Speed

One of the advantages of driving a low-speed vehicle is that they offer more speed and horsepower than a traditional golf cart. A low-speed vehicle may be the best utility vehicle for your property if you live in an area with more slopes that golf carts might struggle to climb. Low-speed vehicles can often operate above 20 miles per hour. These vehicles are ideal for groundskeeping work thanks to heightened speeds and additional power that helps them cover steeper terrain.

Street Legal

Since low-speed vehicles require a license and registration to operate, they gain street-legal status. Many low-speed vehicles are limited to roads where the speed limit does not exceed 35 miles per hour, but they may be a great option if you use the vehicle to run to the store for supplies or wish to take it camping or hunting.

Compared to golf carts, many low-speed vehicles have more seating for carrying passengers, improved storage, and higher weight limits for transporting cargo. Low-speed vehicles are an excellent option for rural areas where a standard vehicle may not be necessary.

Tips for Cleaning the Most Common Household Stains

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Tips for Cleaning the Most Common Household Stains

Whether you have children or live alone, stains are an inevitable part of life. If you need some extra tips for cleaning the most common household stains, continue reading below.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a versatile cleaning product that can get rid of a variety of household stains.

Stains in the Oven

The inside of the oven is an area every homeowner avoids cleaning because it can feel like a daunting task. Baking soda is an effective tool for the job!

Sprinkle baking soda over the stains, then spray lightly with water or a water and white vinegar solution. After waiting for about 30 minutes, you can wipe up the stains with a paper towel. If you have some tough stains, consider letting the solution sit for an additional 30 minutes to an hour.

Stains in the Microwave

Another area that falls victim to food stains is the inside of the microwave. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with one cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Next, put the bowl in the microwave and run it for 5 minutes. After the time is up, take the bowl out of the microwave. Then, you can start easily wiping down the stained area. This will help remove stains and any lingering odors.

Dish Soap

Dish soap is specially designed to break down grease stains on dishes, but it’s also very effective on clothing fabrics.

Grease Stains

You can get a grease stain from butter, cooking oils, mayonnaise, grease from different types of meats, and even lotions! Simply washing your favorite piece of clothing with water and laundry detergent won’t do the trick since oil and water don’t mix. But you must act quickly.

Clothing Items

Grab a gentle dish soap that is popular for removing grease stains from dishes. Apply the dish soap directly to the grease stain on the fabric, then rub it in using your fingers. There’s no need to aggressively scrub the area; the dish soap will work well with just a gentle rub.

Afterward, place the clothing item in the washing machine and run the cycle like normal. Take the clothing item out of the washer once it’s finished and check to make sure the stain is gone before placing it in the dryer.

Upholstery Fabrics

Perhaps you accidentally get a small grease stain on your couch. Dish soap can help remove the stain. Place a couple of drops of dish soap on the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes. Next, use a damp, cool cloth to gently rub the stain.

Removing Melted Candle Wax

Have you ever knocked over a candle filled with melted wax? It’s not as complicated as you might think to remove wax from your carpet and upholstery items. The best way to remove melted candle wax from any surface is by filling a sealable plastic bag with ice to freeze the wax. Another method is to use an iron on low heat. Place a towel over the stain, then lightly place the iron on it for a short time.

Spills and stains happen! Implementing these tips for cleaning the most common household stains will help you have a clean and satisfying space.

A Brief Guide to Planning Your Farm Fence

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A Brief Guide to Planning Your Farm Fence

People on a farm always have something to do because they need to keep the livestock fed, safe, and corralled. It’s for these reasons that they need a place for themselves. The way that you can provide this for them is by putting in a fence. So you will need a brief guide to planning your farm fence to help you start this project.

Taper and Measure

As you may know, you have to measure and taper fences. You have to do this to ensure that you put them on a flush and measured plane so that the structure can naturally have the highest potential strength. So you’ll need to measure out everything from your wire to your posts and how deep your holes are. Everything counts in this build to make the fence work functionally.

Space Your Posts

Starting from all four corners, walk out your posts and set them on the ground. Before this, you should have predrilled and dug your holes in the spaces where your posts will go. Measuring things out ahead of time will ensure that you perfectly space out everything. It also allows you to flush and level the posts before erecting the rest of the fence. This will take out some of the stress and pressure you feel when finishing up.

Add the Wire

Now, you’ll want to unroll the wire. As you’re doing so, you’ll need to ensure that you keep the corner of the panel flush with the fence to ensure you put the lag screws and fasteners in the right place. It’s important that you have the right lag screws and fasteners as well before moving forward.

This will make a difference every time you come up to the next post and prepare to fasten the wire. What you’re looking for here is consistency in your fastening skills and the tension of the wire. Added to that will be how evenly you place things around the perimeter. Do this correctly, and all you have left to do is add a gate. And that’s all you need to know about planning your farm fence.

It’s alright not to know things so long as you’re open to listening and learning. That’s why we provided a brief guide to planning your farm fence so that you could learn how to make it happen for yourself. So enjoy the reading, and we hope you learned something valuable.

The Dogs Stay Hot

Tammy Teague
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The Dogs Stay Hot

The Waldron Bulldogs stayed hot Tuesday, November 15 in their matchup up in Logan County as they spoiled the season opener for the Magazine Rattlers 65-42. Jumping out to a 13-0 lead behind a tremendous defensive effort, the Bulldogs saw their advantage as the first quarter ended with a score of 21-10. Ethan Mayberry scored eleven points in the first half, and fellow senior Trenton Hunt added ten as well. Up only eight points with around two minutes left in the opening half, Waldron used a 10-0 run to close out the half. The run was capitalized with three straight forced turnovers from the Dogs. 

The 2nd half saw more of the same for Waldron as the trio of Lidge Stinson, Hunt, and Mayberry combined for ten steals that each led to fast break opportunities. Sophomore Roky Avila stepped out to add an exclamation point to the quarter with a three-point bucket of his own. Waldron improved their record to 3-0 on the young season with a defensive masterpiece. As a team, the Bulldogs forced 36 turnovers with 26 steals to go along with a pair of blocks. Trenton Hunt finished the night with 20 points, 4 assists, and 12 steals. The 12 steals ties a state record for steals in a game. Lidge Stinson added 12 points with a 6 of 11 shooting night, and Ethan Mayberry threw in 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 steals. 

The Bulldogs ended their week by traveling to Mansfield to take on Tigers in the opening round of the inaugural FCA Turkey Week Shoot-Out. The classic format pitted the rival against each other in prime time on Friday night in front of a large crowd. Scoring was at a premium in the first quarter as Waldron held on to a 10 to 7 lead. The Dogs came out firing in the 2nd, with Trenton Hunt throwing in three triples to push the advantage to double digits going into half, 26-16. That lead quickly disappeared as Mansfield used an early ten to nothing run to tie things back up in the opening three minutes of the second half. Once the dust settled from the early Tiger’s run, senior Ethan Mayberry took over. Going on a personal six point run, Mayberry kept Mansfield from ever leading in the game. 

The fourth quarter was all about the free throw line and the Bulldogs went 11 for 15 at the charity stripe in the final quarter of play. With only five points going into the fourth, Lidge Stinson led the way in crutch time as he scored twelve points to put the game out of reach for Mansfield, 55-47. Waldron showed their range on the night making seven three-pointers, and forced the Tigers into turning the ball over 31 times. When asked about his squad’s performance, Coach Atchley had this to say, “Gosh dog I can’t say enough about my dudes. They all worked their tails off every day and they don’t care who gets the credit as long as they get the W. Petey Justice and Forest Efurd did a ton of things that won’t show up on the stat sheet but they stepped up, especially on the defensive end, in a big big way. I appreciate Bulldog nation traveling up 71 to do their part in helping us fly the W!” Trenton Hunt finished with 19 points and 4 steals, Lidge Stinson added 17 points to go along with his 6 assists, and Ethan Mayberry scored 12 with 2 steals and 2 blocks. 

Waldron’s second round opponent will be the Cedarville Pirates Monday at 4:00 back at Tiger Arena. Cedarville and Waldron have shared some battles over recent years , meeting up in back to back regional semi-finals the last two years. Let’s hope this game is also one to remember.     

Thompson Unselfish In Support of Tigers

Tammy Teague
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Thompson Unselfish In Support of Tigers

When it comes to projects in support of Mansfield, Roger Thompson has been available for nearly a half century. Since graduating Mansfield High School 44 years ago, the former Tiger quarterback has been more than generous with his time and money to help area youth activities and civic organizations.

Just last week, Thompson stopped by MHS to deliver a hefty donation to the school’s cross country program. This latest gift of generosity was targeted to offset the costs of hosting the 2022 Farm Bureau River Valley All-Star Cross Country Meet. Laney Wood, a two-time All-State distance runner from Mansfield, was there to accept Thompson’s personal check. 

“Roger Thompson has been involved in this particular project for the past several seasons,” offered Wood’s cross country coach and Mansfield athletic director John Mackey. “I think it’s wonderful that we can have a current student-athlete be present when these types of gifts come our way. It’s a treat for both parties to see real Tiger Pride in action.”

Thompson, who is in his 29th year as an agent of Farm Bureau Insurance, has been willing to invest in the Mansfield community for generations. It was a decision he consciously crafted while growing up in the same place of his grandparents, parents, and eventually his own children.

“I’m proud to be a lifelong Mansfield Tiger,” said Thompson in a recent email correspondence to Mackey. “I attended all 12 years of schooling at Mansfield and graduated MHS in 1978. My grandparents, parents, and children all attended Mansfield schools. My grandfather, Lester Nixon, is in the Mansfield Hall of Fame.”

This recent example of giving back is just the latest in a long ledger of occurrences that have played out over decades in the community. In the last few months alone, Thompson has contributed in some way to at least four different MHS sports teams. This is on top of lending a helping hand to academic and civic organizations as well.

From an athletic perspective, Mansfield’s AD outlined the Thompson effect in just the past four months. The following summarizes those moments.

In August, Thompson joined the Lady Tiger track team in celebration of their 2022 indoor state championship as a ring sponsor. 

In September, the insurance agent committed to offering “player of the game” footballs to the Mansfield football squad as part of the Farm Bureau recognition program. 

In October, he added commemorative laptop carry cases to team gift bags for every coach in the Mansfield hosted class 2A state volleyball tournament. 

Then in November, Thompson assisted the local All-Star cross country meet with enough support to pay for medals and uniforms for 53 athletes from 35 schools. 

That was exactly 8 days after serving as an honorary captain at the Mansfield versus Hackett senior night football contest. As you may recall, that game played out in the aftermath of a damaging storm that hit the area on Friday, November 4. Suffice it to say, Thompson excused himself a bit early to go serve his insured clients that very night.

Service and sponsorship have been a part of Thompson’s track record since the early 1980’s. He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion in 1982. Soon after, he spent some 23 years as a high school basketball official. He was president of the Suburban Youth Baseball League for 20 years even after his kids had aged out of the association. He was a local District Commissioner of Babe Ruth Baseball for 5 years, and served on the Mansfield School Board for another 5 years. 

“Roger played quarterback and defensive safety at Mansfield High School some forty years ago,” stated Mackey. “Those were valuable lessons he learned way back then. I think he has been quarterbacking and defending for the sake of kids ever since.”

SR Lady Tigers Take The Fast Track Past Waldron

Adam Hecox
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SR Lady Tigers Take The Fast Track Past Waldron

It’s safe to say that the Mansfield Lady Tigers program came into its 2022 season as the favorite to win the 2A-4. The Lady Tigers finished their 2021 season as Conference, District, and Regional Champions before losing to England in the first round of the State Tournament. To top it off, Mansfield only lost two seniors from last year’s roster and their former 2A-4 rivals, Acorn, were shuffled to the 2A-7 conference for the 2022 season. Teams across the state at every level of the game would love to have that kind of setup. But Mansfield is looking for something bigger than past accolades to show off this season. They want to bring home a State Championship. To win big you have to play big though so the Lady Tigers scheduled their first three-game against bigger 3A programs to test their might. After downing Charleston and Booneville by a combined score of 122-72, the Lady Tigers set their sights on their Scott County rivals, the Waldron Bulldogs.

Kynslee Ward takes to the for a shot at the first-quarter buzzer.

As the Lady Tigers stepped onto the court, a familiar face would be on the opposing bench as former Mansfield Coach, Joshua Bryan, was suited up in Waldron orange and black. With an opponent’s coach knowing everything about their team, Mansfield might have some struggles and they surely did in the first quarter as Waldron held the Lady Tigers to a slim 12-5 lead early on. It could have been cobwebs, rust, or emotions that slowed Mansfield down early, but whatever it was, Lady Tigers Head Coach Ethan Bowman found a way to dust it off his team and it was off to the races as soon as the second quarter started. The Lady Tigers scored six unanswered points behind the S&K Railroad of Seven Sanderson and Kaylee Ward. As Waldron began to focus on derailing the Lady Tigers “bigs”, Kynslee Ward set the court ablaze with three straight steals and a score. Natalie Allison then stepped up and drained a three-point shot from downtown and followed it up with a steal and score forcing a Waldron time-out. The time-out might have given Waldron’s players a break, but the Lady Tigers didn’t give the scoreboard that same courtesy. Kynslee Ward took the inbound after Waldron’s time out and screamed the full court’s length for a quick layup. With Waldron empty on ideas to stop Mansfield, the Lady Tigers seemed to only be getting “Fuller”, as in Harlie Fuller. Fuller entered the court and dropped an immediate three-pointer upon entry and then took down the Lady Bulldogs with some fierce defense to close the half. Mansfield went to the locker room at halftime with a commanding 38-10 lead.

Alyson Edwards crosses over past a Waldron defender.

When halftime ended and the teams returned to the court, it was clear that the Lady Tigers are more than merely a hype, they are downright legit. Kaylee Ward scored the first points of the second half with a smooth layup to jumpstart Mansfield’s offense. The train kept on rolling as Ward and Seven Sanderson continued dominating the smaller Lady Bulldogs at the boards. Although she was relatively quiet in the first half, Allison Edwards picked up the microphone in the second half and made sure everyone knew she was there. Edwards opened up with an arsenal of layups, and rebounds, and drew fouls for free throws to overhead the lights on the scoreboard taking the Lady Tigers to the end of the third quarter ahead of Waldron 56-18. There were no brakes on this runaway Lady Tigers train as they steamed forward through the fourth quarter holding the Lady Bulldogs to just two points to defeat Waldron with a 61-20 final score. Seven Sanderson powered her way to lead the Lady Tigers in points as she dominated by scoring 16 points at the baselines. Coming right behind Sanderson was freshman Kaylee Ward who rolled up 12 points on the night. Natalie Allison and Alyson Edwards combined for 19 points in the game while Kynslee Ward knocked down 7 points on the Lady Bulldogs. Closing out the scoring spree for Mansfield was Harlie Fuller with 5 points and Trinity Triska with 2 points. Although scoring is always a good thing, Mansfield’s stiff defense held Waldron to an average of just five points per quarter in the victory. In their first three games, the Lady Tigers have outscored their opponents 183-92 proving that can sweep, mop, and even wax the floor on both offense and defense against larger programs.

Seven Sanderson tightly grips a rebound to make sure no one gets the ball from her.

“Mansfield versus Waldron is always a big deal,” said second-year Head Coach Ethan Bowman. “The game’s crowd and the atmosphere are everything you want as a player and coach. After the way we finished against Booneville, it was important for us to play our game for four full quarters against Waldron. I thought the girls played very hard and well, but there are still some details that we have to continue to work on and get right as the season continues. Overall, I thought we played much better in this game. The girls made the extra passes, established their presence inside, and ran their transitions well. It was a good win in front of our home crowd.”

Head Coach Ethan Bowman and Assistant Coach Keith Stovall coaching up the Lady Tigers ready for another quarter of basketball.

The Mansfield Lady Tigers are proving everyone right so far by starting out 3-0 in nonconference play. While nonconference play doesn’t count to some spectators, a win is a win to the Lady Tigers. Once they hit conference play, Mansfield will face 2A-4 opponents such as Magazine, JC Westside, Mountainburg, Lavaca, Future School, and a challenging new opponent in the Hector Wildcats. With all of the conference games, nonconference games, and tournaments that lie ahead of Mansfield, the only the Lady Tigers are focused on right now is who’s next. Well, that would be none other than the Cedarville Lady Pirates. The Lady Tigers will face Cedarville on Tuesday, November 22nd for their Game2 of the FCA Turkey Week Shootout hosted by Mansfield.

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