After having their last six games canceled due to Covid protocol, other teams might have buckled under the weight of such a disadvantage. The Waldron Jr Lady Bulldogs, on the other hand, strapped on their big girl pants and said bring it on! They spent every day of the two-week hiatus building up their basketball knowledge and strengthening their skills in preparation for their big comeback on December 14th. The Jr Lady Tigers played better in their match against the Mulberry Lady Yellowjackets than most teams would have who had sat cold for twelve days. The outcome of the game wasn’t in the Lady Bulldogs’ favor, but with a single point loss in a final score of 24-23 Mulberry, everyone saw a vast improvement. Two particular players stepped up big scoring 17 of Waldrons points. Katie Stringer led in scoring with 10 followed closely by Reagan Adams with 7.
On the next night, December 15, Waldron hosted the Danville Jr Lady Little Johns. With a slip from their achievement in their previous game, Waldron fell 23-9 to Danville. The loss wasn’t a total downer though as the Jr Lady Bulldogs played in tip-top shape defensively keeping Danville from having the opportunity to run away with the score as they have against other opponents. Jumping in offensively with 2 points apiece were Reagan Adams, Katie Stringer, Daileigh Hunt, and Kayle Redmon. To wrap up gameplay before enjoying Christmas Break, the Jr Lady Bulldogs will host the Lavaca Jr Lady Golden Arrows on Monday, December 21. Waldron will go into this match with a 3-3 total season play record.
In season that will remembered by all fans for both good and not-so-good reasons, the Class 3A state football championship was won by the Harding Academy Wildcats by the score of 71-44 over the McGehee Owls. Saturday’s championship game was held at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, the same place where the season started in August. Governor Asa Hutchinson had just cleared the way for the season to start when he participated in the ceremonial coin flip prior to the Salt Bowl game between Benton and Bryant High Schools. The Salt Bowl began the high school football season that began under a cloud of uncertainty all summer as to if it would be played and would remain in doubt for much of the season.
The season began with the cancellation of spring football practices and the start of summer workouts in June. Traditional off-season practices, along with academic classes and all spring sports were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. High school athletes, especially seniors, were immediately cast into doubt as to if the season would be played.
As the summer moved into the month of July, sports were able to have highly-restricted workouts that were full of modifications and precautions. The July workouts gave way to eventual helmet and shorts workouts and finally into preseason scrimmages. When the season started in late August, everyone held their collective breaths to see how long the season would actually last. Schools moved up their senior night ceremonies, usually reserved for the last home game, to their first home games to ensure that seniors would be recognized before the season was prematurely interrupted or even cancelled.
The pandemic created controversy in all fall sports as to how schools would make up games, or, qualify for the playoffs if games had to be missed due to COVID reasons. In an unprecedented move by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA), the Association ruled that if a team or teams from a conference were forced to cancel a game due to COVID reasons, then every team in that conference would become automatically eligible to participate in the state playoffs. As I spoke with area coaches throughout the season, the consensus of opinion of those coaches was that the AAA regretted making the ruling, as it became very difficult to determine how a bracket could be devised that would include the teams who would have normally not qualified for the playoffs but chose to do so in this year. Outside of the five qualifying teams from each conference, there were just three non-qualifying schools across the state who eventually chose to participate in the play-in round that forced the entire playoffs to be pushed back one week. One of the three teams was from the River Valley region; the Hackett Hornets. Hackett chose to play in the play-in round before week one of the state playoffs. The Hornets won their play-in game and lost the next week in round one of the playoffs at Booneville.
And with respect to the River Valley area, there were three teams that had great years and played well in the state playoffs. The Charleston Tigers, coached by second year head coach, Ricky May, won the 3A-1 conference by going undefeated in conference play. Playing with a very young team, the Tigers defeated Mayflower in the first round and lost to eventual state semifinalist Glen Rose in the second round. The future is very bright for the Tigers as they will return the majority of this season’s team along with a very talented freshman team that will move up to play in 2021.
Resident Press File Photo / Ronni Tate Young
The Booneville Bearcats suffered through multiple opponents who cancelled games, but were able to go undefeated in conference play to win the 3A-4 conference. Booneville lost in the second round of the state playoffs to eventual state champion Harding Academy. The Bearcats defeated Paris in Week 9 of the regular season in a showdown with the Eagles for first place in the conference.
Resident Press File Photo
The Paris Eagles, losing to Booneville in week nine, finished their season as the conference runner-up in 3A-4. The Eagles defeated Salem and Greenland in the state playoffs before losing at Hoxie in the quarterfinals. Coach Tyler Clark’s team broke many school records with respect to wins and consecutive wins, and advanced the team to its furthest point in the state playoffs ever.
Resident Press File Photo
So as Saturday night’s final came to an end, it was difficult for me not to reflect back on what a crazy and “up and down” season it had been. But in this season to be thankful for so many things and also in a season of so many tragedies with respect to the pandemic and many of us not being able to be with family members during the holidays, I am thankful that so many high school student athletes had the chance to play the games they love and had worked so hard for the opportunity to play. It would have been a tragedy for them not to have had the opportunity to play.
Thanks to all of the players, coaches, and administrators for doing a great job in protecting everyone concerned and still giving the kids a chance to play. For the fans of each community, the opportunity to go to the stadium and cheer for their hometown teams was therapy in itself.
Congratulations to all of the teams this year, and congratulations to the Harding Academy Wildcats for being ranked number one for most of the season and for completing the journey by winning the state championship on the field last Saturday.
Resident Press has enjoyed bringing you all of the action, and we look forward to seeing you at high school football stadiums across the state again next year!
The Cedarville Jr High Pirates are gearing up to take on the Big 1-0. In other words, their tenth game of the season. The Jr Pirates wrapped up last week with conference games against Charleston and Waldron. Cedarville took a loss in each match as they went 21-48 against the Tigers on Tuesday night and 23-38 against the Bulldogs on Thursday. The Jr Pirates may have lost a couple of games, but it wasn’t due to lack of effort.
Colton Arnold
Although points on the board is what wins games, fans and coaches love to see a squad give it all they have and that’s exactly what these Jr Pirates put on the court. Coach Frank Cluck explained, “I am proud of their effort so far. We need to polish up on our aggressiveness though. I would like to see us play with more toughness. We need to win a high percentage of the 50/50 loose balls in order to compete with teams that are much bigger than us. These boys will get there, it’s just taking some time”
Paden Knight
For their tenth game, the Jr Pirates will battle the Tigers at Green Forest tonight, December 21st. On December 22, Cedarville will jump on the bus again, but this time to face for the second time this season, the Lincoln Wolves. In their first go-round, the Jr Pirates pillaged the win 18-15 and in this upcoming round Coach Cluck is hoping that the boys will step up their rapid in-your-face skills. “We really need to focus on defense and rebounding against Lincoln. Their size advantage makes it that much more important for us to win the battles for loose basketballs.”
On Friday, December 11th, the Waldron Sr High Bulldogs traveled to Paris to take on the Eagles in their conference opener. The Bulldogs came home with a 73-56 win. The Bulldogs turned the Eagles over 21 times, which led to 30 points for the Bulldogs. A great shooting night also helped the Dogs on the offensive end. Waldron ended the night shooting 50% from the field, including 8/19 from 3-point land. The Bulldogs worked inside out, as they scored 40 points in the paint. Waldron had three players in double-figures, led by Isaac “The Real” Villarreal with 22 points, Gada Wagner with 20, and Caden Fuller with 10. From this match, the Bulldogs moved to 1-0 to begin the conference season.
Box Score:
Team
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
Final
Waldron
18
18
22
15
73
Paris
6
16
17
17
56
Waldron: Gada Wagner (22), Isaac Villarreal (20), Caden Fuller (10), Jaden Hutchens (6), Bryson Bailey (4), Braden Williams (4), Trenton Hunt (4), Trevor Hunt (2), Lidge Stinson (1)-73
The Bulldogs’ first home conference game came against Danville on Tuesday, December 15th. The Dogs raced out to a 16-4 lead before Danville used an 8-0 run to pull within 4 points to end the first quarter up 24-12. Waldron was red hot in the first half of the battle as they took the halftime lead 50-29. The first half saw the Bulldogs shoot 69% from the field including 64% (9/14) from beyond the arc. The scoring slowed for both teams in the second half as the Bulldogs outscored the Little Johns 18-7 to take the 68-36 victory and move to 2-0 in conference. The Bulldogs ended the night shooting 61% from the field and used 20 Danville turnovers to convert into 22 points. The Bulldogs saw three guys in double figures. Isaac Villarreal led the way with 11 points followed by Lidge Stinson and Trenton Hunt both with 10 points.
Danville: Solomon Gilkey (15), Tarrel Macon (8), Ayden Hilton (6), Alex Tippin (3), Ethan Shewmake (2), Talon Hefner (2)-36 points
Gada Wagner
Then on Thursday, December 17th, Waldron took to the court to play the Pirates of Cedarville. The Bulldogs came out firing on all cylinders in the first quarter as they built an 18-8 lead to end the first quarter. The Bulldogs would see their lead get to as many as 18 with the score shining 33-15 at about two minutes to go in the half. The Pirates used an 8-1 run in the final two minutes to cut the lead to 11 for the Bulldogs going into halftime. The second half saw the Pirates get within 6 but that was the closest they would get on the night. Cedarville never went away in this game as they hit 11-3s to keep this face-off a close one. The Bulldogs finished the night shooting 46% from the field which included 30 points in the paint. Waldron also had 15 offensive rebounds that led to 17 second-chance points. The Bulldogs had three guys in double figures led by Jaden Hutchens with 22 points, Gada Wagner with 18, and Isaac Villarreal with 10. “The Real” Villarreal completed the double-double as he led all rebounders with 10. These victories moved the Bulldogs to 8-3 overall and 3-0 in conference play. Waldron will play again Monday, December 22 at home versus Lavaca, before resuming conference play on January 5th at Cossatot.
Box Score:
Team
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
Final
Waldron
18
16
12
23
69
Cedarville
8
15
13
23
59
Waldron: Jaden Hutchens (22), Gada Wagner (18), Isaac Villarreal (10), Bryson Bailey (6), Braden Williams (6), Caden Fuller (5), Camdon Holcomb (2) -69
Arresting Agency – Mansfield Police Department: Amanda Anhalt of Magazine was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 19 at 3:25 p.m. and released on signature bond December 19 at 6:49 p.m. Anhalt was charged with failure to pay fine, and overdraft/violation of the Arkansas Hot Check Law – Misdemeanor.
Arkansas Parole Tammy Lee Branham of Bonanza was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 18 at 3:40 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Branham was charged with failure to appear – class C felony, and drug court sanctions.
Arresting Agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office: Lana Kaye Miller of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 17 at 3:10 p.m. and remains as a commitment hold for the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
Gary Eugene Shelley of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 15 at 1:35 p.m. and released to the Arkansas Department of Corrections on December 17 at 9 a.m.
Arresting Agency – Fort Smith Police Department: Jeremiah Lee Slavens of Bonanza was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 16 at 3:15 p.m. and remains without bond as a fugitive from justice (out of state.) Slavens was also charged with failure to appear – class B misdemeanor.
*The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**
Eugene Jackie Scott, known by his grandchildren as Papa Scott, peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior in Paradise on December, 15 2020. He was born on February 19, 1935 in Boles, Arkansas to Johnny and Trilba Scott. Gene was a down to earth humble man who had a heart of gold and a smile that was contagious. He loved telling jokes and stories about his past while reminiscing with his family. His was a life full of faith in which he spent serving God. He loved sharing his faith with others and teaching the Gospel. One of his favorite quotes in the Bible was “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthews 17:20) He also spoke a lot about “Joy” in that a person should love Jesus first, others second and, lastly yourself. Gene believed the real value of a good person had nothing to do with monetary wealth or earthly possessions, but rather the gentleness and kindness in their heart and soul.
Gene was a highly skilled carpenter by trade, and took great pride in his work. If he built something, it was done right and built to last. He took great pride in his work and providing for his family. He also had several hobbies that included tinkering with just about any kind of project, listening to country music and gardening. He had several pets throughout the years, all of which he loved dearly but his all time favorite was a Border Collie named Buck that used to help him on the farm.
Gene has earned a place in Heavenly Paradise for all of his good works here on earth. There should be no doubt or worry in anyone’s mind who knew him, for we are certain he will be honored in Heaven for the pureness and kindness in his heart.
He was so loved by his entire family and all of his friends and will be deeply missed. Our earthly lives have changed forever without him but Heaven is rejoicing because he is home.
Gene leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Irene Scott, two daughters from a previous marriage, Cindy Grubb and husband John, Jeanie Black and husband Kenny, two step daughters, Judy Caldwell and Connie Palmer, several grandchildren and great grandchildren and his brother Harold Scott and wife Ann.
Gene was preceded in death by his infant brother, Sherman Scott, sister Betty Scott, father Johnny Scott, mother Trilba Scott and brothers Charles Scott and C.L. Scott.
Graveside services will be held at Dooley Cemetery on Monday, December 21, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in Boles, Arkansas with Rev. Rieiko Cothran and Rev. Randy Cothran officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be John Grubb, Kenny Black, Charlie Scott, Terry Scott, Gary Scott, Zerek Stewart, Kaleb Stewart, Glen Stafford and Brayden Stafford.
We would like to take a few minutes and recognize our December 8th grade students of the month!
Each month teachers nominate a male and female student for their hard work and the positive attitude that they have displayed throughout this school year.
The young man that has been selected as the 8th grade student of the month is Braeden Woodard. Braeden is a dedicated, and conscientious student. During his free time he likes playing video games and his guitar. He hopes to one day become a musician. He enjoys eating sushi and watching “Nightmare before Christmas.”
Hallie Oliver is the 8th grade female student of the month. Hallie is a creative and animated student who is always looking to help others. She aspires to become an artist. Her hobbies include playing softball and working on art projects. During her free time she loves watching “Frozen 2” and eating pizza.
We are extremely proud to have such great students at Mansfield Middle School, and we are even more encouraged by the presence their parents are making in their life. Each student continues to lead their peers by positive examples, and we will be saddened by the day these two young people move to the high school.
Few people today realize that Christmases of the past had little similarity to the ones we celebrate today. The combination of Santa Claus, Christmas trees, carols, presents, and cards are recent additions to our society. The great national division caused by the Civil War created and intensified many of our feelings and traditions about Christmas. Everyone needed a time of peace, a time to reflect on God’s blessings, and a time to be with and enjoy the families that they were so often separated from during the great war.
Many of our customs were derived from other countries, especially some of the German traditions such as decorating a tree and enjoying feasts of fruit, nuts, and candy. Commercialism and consumerism soon lead to the expansion of Christmas to include our other traditions.
The Christmas’s of my youth were much simpler. Our trees looked more like that acquired by Charlie Brown than those tinseled or well-groomed trees of today. We simply went out into the pasture as a group and picked out a cedar tree that looked like it would fit within our home. Often the limbs were unbalanced, the bottom boughs brown and dry, and the tree tilted sharply on the wooden base we constructed. We had great fun using red and green construction paper to make strands that encircled the tree. Adding more fun, although not necessary appealing to the eye, we added strands of popcorn we strung together with thread and then threw silver icicles randomly about the tree. I mentioned icicles to my children this year and received blank looks. Noticing they were busy texting their friends on personal telephones, I decided not to suggest making the popcorn strands.
My grandmother would cook for days before, preparing cakes, pies, and dessert for the huge but scattered Varnell clan. These would include my favorite jam cake, made from an entire pint of blackberry jam and cups of black walnuts, to huge bowls of banana or pineapple pudding. She would hit Sterlings, Ben Franklin, and other stores. Although she was limited on money, she would purchase some small gift for each of her ten boys and the forty-three grandchildren.
Everyone in the community where I was raised attended the same church and many of the holiday functions was centered around church Christmas parties and gatherings which culminated with the annual Christmas play. We had preschoolers singing three different carols, all at the same time. Sheep, cows, and shepherds running everywhere across the stage and cousins playing the angels that were anything but. Once the entire manger backdrop fell to the floor right in the middle of the production. What a great and memorable time!
As you rush around this year buying those last minute gifts of hand sanitizer, face masks, and toilet tissue, take time to remember the original reasons for the things we celebrate; peace, family, and most of all, God’s gift of his son to the us.
Iva (Hutchens) Darling of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life, Thursday, December 17, 2020 in Waldron, Arkansas. Iva was born December 25, 1926 to Arch and Lola (Ballard) Hutchens. She was 93 years, 11 months and 23 days old.
While visiting family in Wyoming Iva met the love of her life, Robert Darling. They married and set up a homestead. They lived in Wyoming and raised their children their until they relocated to Waldron in the early 1970’s. Iva was a woman of many talents. She loved to garden and can the fruits of her labor, she could cook a meal fit for a king and she was known for her strawberry perserves and made the best cherry phosphates in town. When she wasn’t in the kitchen, she loved to dance and listen to music. She especially loved to listen to her good friend Bob Shores. Iva was a kind and loving woman and more than anything, she treasured time spent with her family.
Iva leaves behind to cherish her memory, her children: Jane Hood and husband Walter of Henderson, Texas and Janet Burris and husband Steven of Kansas City, Missouri and Robert Darling Jr. and wife Cheryl of Cody, Wyoming. Grandma will forever remain in the hearts of her 6 grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren. Iva is also survived by her siblings: Darvin Hutchens and wife Glenda of Waldron, Arkansas, JT Hutchens and wife Josephine of California, Bill Hutchens and Shirley Johnson both of Waldron, Arkansas. Iva will be missed by all who knew her and the many whose lives she impacted, including numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and neighbors she loved dearly.
Iva was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Robert Darling, her parents, Arch and Lola Hutchens, and her siblings, Vester Hutchens, Jerry Hutchens and Doris Ferguson.
Iva’s graveside life celebration will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 21, 2020 at Pilot Prairie Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Doyle Reynolds officiating. Interment will follow. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Hackett Lady Hornet senior, Kayla Richardson, has dreamt of playing softball at the college level since she was six years old and on Thursday, December 17, those dreamscame true. Kayla, along with her proud parents and little brother, committed to Jefferson College located in Hillsboro, MO just south of St. Louis, and is ready for a different set of wings as she prepares for life as a Lady Viking. “I absolutely loved the campus at Jefferson and knew that I was going to end up going there the second I stepped foot onto campus. I also loved the softball program at Jefferson as well and that the campus felt as if everyone was one big family,” expressed Richardson. Kayla has plans to major in Marine Biology.
Dad Jeff, Kayla, Mom Debbie, and Brother T.J.
“I knew accomplishing my dream wasn’t going to be easy and that I had to work just as hard every day to get to that point. I strive to be the best player on and off the field, and I knew if I just kept working hard then at some point it would eventually pay off!” Kayla is pretty much the jack of all trades when it comes to softball positions but her favorite would be outfield. “Growing up with the sport I love and the people I love has made me the person I am today and I wouldn’t change that for the world. So I’d like to say thank you to everyone who has gotten me to this point such as my family, friends, teachers, and coaches. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without all of you and I am lucky enough to have had this many people push me to achieve my dreams!”
