Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has declared May 4-8 as Teacher Appreciation Week.
In his proclamation, Hutchinson declared: “WHEREAS: Many roles are filled by teachers, including those of educator, listener, explorer, role model, motivator and mentor. Teachers work to open students’ minds to ideas, knowledge and dreams, and to make our public schools successful; and WHEREAS: Excellent teaching is a labor of love, and our dedicated professionals often use their own resources to enhance and enrich the daily learning experiences of students with innovative and individualized lessons; and WHEREAS: Teachers often make many sacrifices as they fulfill their responsibilities both in and out of the classroom; and WHEREAS: The relationships forged between teachers and students can change the lives of our children and unlock a brighter future for them; and WHEREAS: Teachers use their skills to help ensure that our children have resources necessary to become productive citizens and future leaders; and WHEREAS: Teacher Appreciation Week affords us an opportunity to recognize the great contributions and sacrifices given by education to our children, schools and communities; NOW, THEREFORE, I, ASA HUTCHINSON, Governor of the State of Arkansas, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim May 4th through May 8th, 2020, as TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK IN ARKANSAS.
For all the teachers who have made a difference in the lives of students, we say thank you!
On Monday, May 4, senior Jacob Brown was awarded the Mansfield Alumni Scholarship.
Randall Sanderson, President of the Mansfield Alumni Scholarship Association, presented the award. The scholarship totals $4,000 or $500 per semester for up to four years. Recipients can choose either a four year college or technical school.
Brown, 18, plans to attend the University of Arkansas Fort Smith and pursue his bachelor’s degree in Biology before transferring to the University of Central Arkansas. There, Brown plans to enroll in UCA’s physical therapy program. While at Mansfield, Brown was involved in the Beta Club, Student Council, FCA, Quiz Bowl and International Club. He also played football from third grade until his senior year, and track from grades seven through 12. Brown will graduate from MHS with honors.
Jacob Brown is the son of Lonnie and Elizabeth Brown of Mansfield. He has two brothers, Andrew and Shawn, and one sister, Meghan Johnson. Other family includes sister-in-law, Jamie Brown and brother-in-law, Kolt Johnson. Proud grandparents are Karen Brown of Mansfield, Jim Costello and Becky Correa of Roseville, CA. He is also the grandson of the late Delbert and Rosemary Brown.
The Magazine Lady Rattlers softball team had no idea when they stepped onto the field in Danville on March 12 to take on the Lady Little Johns, that it would be their last. The 2020 season barely had time to get off the ground before it was canceled due to Covid-19. The Lady Rattlers had two players hit the hardest with the loss of the season and that was seniors Taryn Leslie and Hope Canada. The girls along with their teammates did manage to get four games in before news broke of the cancelation. Magazine finished with a 1-3 record in the 2A-4 conference. Their win came from a 15-0 blowout against County Line.
“I felt like we had a good chance to make the top four this year along with making Regionals and a chance to go on to State,” expressed coach, Buck Chappell. “There are a few eighth-graders moving up that may make an impact on our 2021 softball season. With this athletic dead period, I am hoping that the girls continue to work at home just throwing with parents or siblings. If they have the means to do some hitting that makes all the difference.”
With Hackett, Danville, and Hector leaving the conference, the 2A-4 will be adding Mansfield, Acorn, and New School to the mix. “It will be a tough conference next year but I feel like we will have enough experience to do something great. We knew Hackett was going to be the team to beat this season and we should have won the Danville conference game but a few too many errors cost us the victory.”
From here, the Lady Rattlers will continue making the best of this situation while also staying focused on next season’s goals. “I told the girls when this happened that it is what it is and now is the time to be safe and spend time with family. Go outside, do things together, and enjoy the time you have with your loved ones.” As for how Coach Chappell is handling the downtime, “With the nice weather, I’ve had time to work on my honey-do list. My place hasn’t looked this good in years! We are continuing to pray for those that are sick and hope this goes away soon.”
The Cedarville Pirates football program has been that “dangerous” team opponents have talked about for the past couple of years. The Pirates have always been in the hunt for a breakout year, but they never really got the chance to break free. If you look at their past couple of seasons though, you’d notice something that stands out. Growth. The Pirates went four consecutive seasons with only two victories. Then in 2017, they won three games. In 2018 they jumped to four wins. And last season, the Pirates hoisted their colors to a 6-4 season. That’s right, the tide is turning on Cedarville’s stormy seas of the past.
#24 Bruce Turney
Going 6-4 in a conference that consisted of perineal powerhouses such as Booneville, Charleston, and Lamar isn’t anything to shake a stick at for any program. But with the 2019 Pirates beating Lamar and pulling Charleston into a nail biter, it should tell their upcoming 2020 opponents that they are no longer merely dangerous. They’re an absolute threat. Cedarville head coach, Max Washausen, stated “We started the 2019 football season out well with a 6-1 start and a win over Lamar which was also my favorite game of the season. That night we had a great game plan offensively and defensively and the boys executed perfectly. The Warriors are a very talented team that finished second in the conference and are bumping up to 4A this upcoming 2020 season. So to pull out a big victory over them let us know our boys could hold their own against anyone. And they did just that. We finished with the sixth winning season in the school’s history. Week 8 against Greenland we had five starters injured and we struggled to recover from that. We ended the season with a 6-4 record and just shy of the playoffs.“
#57 Alex Ascenio holding the Treasure Chest Trophy
Cedarville will be losing senior key talents in Kevan Jones, Alex Ascencio, Kolbye Beals, and Brayden Russell. Losing true team leaders as such could demolish a team for the next season, but the Pirates are transitioning from merely just a team, into a program. Playing with a young team last season gives them experience and places an important feather in their hat. The Pirates will still return seven starters on both sides of the ball including all of their running backs on offense. Now take all of that previous information and tack it on to a conference shake-up where the 3A-1 conference is losing three big-time teams in Booneville, Paris, and Lamar and gaining Hackett, Lavaca, and Lincoln. That ladies and gentlemen is a recipe for the makings of a conference championship run.
#52 Brayden Russell and #7 Kelin Mitchell
“I’m very optimistic about being able to get back with the guys and practice but I won’t speculate when that will happen,” said Washausen. “All we can do is our best today. This group of players are winners. I think we will really surprise the Conference this year!” The only iceberg in the Pirates path right now is the notorious COVID-19 pandemic. With such a serious issue in the wake of the 2020 season, Ceadrvilles coaching staff has had to count on players to put the wind into their own sails. “We have been putting daily workouts on social media and I have been keeping in contact daily with parents and players. It has been tough but the silver lining is that I have seen a lot of players doing things on their own who are intrinsically motivated and that makes a coach really proud.”
Coach Max Washausen and wife Charis
The players have shown through their home work ethic, that they know what this 2020 season could mean. The coaching staff knows what their players are capable of. All the Pirates need now is for this horrible virus to disappear so that they can prove what they already know. The Cedarville Pirates football program has plugged up holes in their boat, mended the sails, loaded the cannons, and is ready to take aim at a 2020 Championship.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the traditional Mansfield Tiger Booster Club Banquet to honor the athletic award winners of the 2019-2020 sports seasons were canceled. To publicize the athletes that won either conference, state, or local awards, this publication is offering a series of articles related to those participants that earned athletic accolades this school year. This article will recognize the Freshmen Rising Stars.
2019-2020 Rising Star Awards:
(contributions by MHS Coaches)
The Rising Star Awards are given to one male and one female freshman that have demonstrated outstanding qualities related to athletic ability, leadership, and character. It’s an award established by the Mansfield coaches as a means to motivate up and coming players to continue the skills and attitude necessary for Tiger athletics. Nominations and a rigorous ranking system established several top tier candidates in this year’s freshmen class. The following athletes finished atop those final tallies to win the Rising Star Awards.
The 2019-2020 Female Rising Star Award:
This year’s female rising star goes to a player that excelled in nearly every possible sport offered at Mansfield. She made contributions to golf, volleyball, basketball, indoor track, outdoor track, softball, and cheer. Along with shuffling practice and athletic competition sometimes within the same seasons, this player also navigated a strong academic course load.
No doubt team accomplishments of all the programs of which she was associated with, benefited from her play. She made high-level athletic contributions. She offered exemplary leadership skills and gave unwavering focus to each task at hand.
These qualities were evident in many of the female players considered for this award. Varied sports participation, contributions to team accomplishments, individual talent level, and leadership skill was a common thread among the many. In fact, a very strong list of worthy players fit exactly this same mode.
With so many worthy candidates, the selection process came down to intangibles. This athlete demonstrated the type of self-confidence, responsibility, and a positive attitude towards practice that gave her the edge.
This year’s Female Freshman Rising star is Natalie Allison.
Natalie Allison
The 2019-2020 Male Rising Star Award:
This player made an impact player from the moment he started with us in the 7th grade. He has an incredible sports IQ and works and plays hard at a high level. He has started every game that he was physically able to play in football. He played a variety of positions and could be trusted with any task.
In the classroom, he represented himself and his family well. His academics, as well as his athletic abilities, are well above par. Currently ranked first academically in his class, he has proven that you can be a champion in athletics as well as academics. He has been a two-year starter on the junior high boys’ basketball team. A true shooting guard in every sense of the word. He is money from mid-range and has proven to be a clutch player in close games.
As an 8th grader, he knocked down a three-point shot that gave Mansfield the edge in the last seconds of the junior high district basketball tournament semifinal game. He did it again this year as a ninth-grader with a last-second three-pointer against Lincoln. As a freshman, this well-rounded player had to take on the job of point guard for the basketball team and proved his skill as a ball handler. For football, his toughness and skill level stood out. Among a freshmen class of boys that has star power, this player’s combination of athleticism and academic success makes him a clear cut winner.
This year’s Male Freshman Rising Star is Clint Stovall.
Have you ever remodeled a house? Not a just room, the whole house. Inside and out. If you have, you know you start first by checking the foundation. If there’s cracks, settling, or damage to the foundation, then nothing else matters until that is fixed. When the Waldron Bulldogs head football coach, Doug Powell, accepted the job in Waldron a couple of months ago, he knew that he’d have to do a lot more than a mere remodel of the program. He’d have to tear it down to the foundation. Powell was walking into a program that hadn’t had a winning season in over a decade. But just as he prepared to demo the old foundation and start pouring a brand new structured one, the world was struck by something that superseded football.
Although COVID-19 has put a pause on Powell’s building plans, it has given him time to review his blueprints and gather up the proper “tools” for the job. Those tools happen to be the players he’s been in contact with via social media over the past couple of months. “We lost several good players to graduation this year. To some programs, that could be a nail in the coffin. But I don’t think we’re “some programs”. We’re overflowing with a great talent pool. We have a very talented sophomore bunch who seem to be very eager to step up. We’re also returning a lot of talent and experience with this upcoming year’s juniors and seniors. The bottom line is, our outlook for the 2020 football season looks to be very hopeful. We have a lot of players that have the ability to do well” Powell said.
Last season, the Bulldogs lost 13 seniors from their roster. But with up and coming sophomores such as Leo Lopez, Trenton and Trevor Hunt, Brice Isom, Lidge Stinson, Matt Brigance, and Trevor Bates, joining the senior high team, these newcomers are ready to take on any obstacle that might stand in their way. This sophomore group coupled with the returning junior and senior talents of Gabino Grano, Bryson Bailey, Caden Fuller, Matthew Tegtmeyer, Braden Williams, Isaac Villarreal, and Patrick Poor, are about to turn the world of 4A football upside down.
So with a full crew ready to pick up a hammer and help Powell start building, the Bulldogs are primed for success on paper. But what about on the field? The COVID-19 pandemic has all programs in the nation on pause. That means no workouts, practices, or even any in-person team meetings. When you’re a new coach in a new program, you have got to build a relationship with everyone in that program. Powell knows that. So he has been working hard to create and adapt to a new way of the process. “COVID-19 has been a whole new world for everyone everywhere. Right now we are trying to use social media to help build our team, but there is no replacement for being onsite and working together. We are presenting things to work on and trying to make the most of it by watching film and keeping in contact. At this point, our success is in the hands of our players more than ever. If they want a chance to win, they have to dig deep and find their self-discipline and a hardcore work ethic. They could even show some leadership by reaching out to teammates and pushing them to work hard. We have a lot of work to accomplish and we need our players to develop as a team.”
If having a new head coach, the epidemic, and trying to bring Waldron’s program back from the ashes isn’t hard enough for the Bulldogs, they will also be squaring off against a schedule full of 4A heavyweights. The powerhouses of Mena, Dardanelle, Elkins, Ozark, and others will look to push Waldron around like they have in the past. But Powell believes the Bulldogs can push back this year and in years to come. “We are looking to lay a foundation this season on which to build in the future. We feel good about it and are going to work hard to achieve our team goals. With all that being said, we know what we’re up against. If anything thas makes our coaching staff and players want to get after it. We don’t want our wins to be upsets anymore. We not only want to but are going to work our tails off to make winning just as common as seeing someone walking around wearing orange and black in Waldron.“
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the traditional Mansfield Tiger Booster Club Banquet to honor athletic award winners of the 2019-2020 sports seasons were canceled. To publicize the athletes that won either conference, state, or local awards, this publication is offering a series of articles related to those participants that earned athletic accolades this school year. Mansfield coaches submitted narratives pertaining to their specific teams and are being released in chronological segments.
It should be noted that all 2020 spring sports seasons were canceled by the Arkansas Activities Association just as those events were getting underway. Those athletic events had but a few weeks of competition before the statewide shutdown. For this reason, typical end of season awards were not available because of limited events in the regular season as well as no district or state competition. Awards for these sports were generally limited to senior recognition.
2019-2020 Senior Girls Track Awards:
(contributions by Coach John Mackey)
Mansfield’s track and field team was able to compete at the ATCA Indoor State Championship and a few weeks of outdoor season before Covid-19 shut down their season. At the indoor finals, the Lady Tigers brought back finishes reminiscent of their glory days when winning state titles was a yearly occurrence. Mansfield had two competitors win individual gold. Sophomore, Sadie Roberts, and freshman, Skylynn Harris both took state titles in their respective events.
Sadie Roberts
Skylynn Harris
Roberts won the high jump with a season-best five-foot jump and Harris outdistanced all throwers at the shot put ring by almost a foot with a winning mark of 33’ 8.75”. Overall, the girls’ indoor team climbed to fifth place in the class 3A standings. Interestingly enough, had Mansfield competed in the class 2A finals as they will next school year, their score would have won the small school state championship. Due to entry limitations, Mansfield took only 19 active players to indoor. That roster was set to have 31 players available by districts had the season continued. From grades seventh through twelfth, the Lady Tigers carried 58 players this outdoor season.
Sr High Lady Tigers
The high school team ran one complete outdoor meet this season. That resulted in 148.5 points and the team championship at Booneville. They also went to a runner’s only meet in Van Buren for a fifth-place finish. The only other senior high meet was a trip to Mena. That event was cut short due to lightning and rain. Mansfield was sitting in second-place when the meet was called with five events remaining. The junior high girls and seventh-grade girls each got to experience two track meets before their seasons ended prematurely. Neither group had been beaten by a conference foe. The junior girls were the meet champions at Booneville.
Jr High Lady Tigers
Freshmen girls that moved up to the senior high indoor team and scored in the top eight at state included: Natalie Allison, Cassidy Carlton, Skylynn Harris, Madelen Jones, and Jadelynn Wood. Additional ninth graders that either competed at indoor state or were ready to move up to the senior high team by district included: Brooklyn Adams, Lita Hecox, Alyssa James, Magean Newman, Seven Sanderson, and Alayna Turner.
Individual Awards for Senior Girls Track and Field:
Skylynn Harris – Class 3A Indoor All-State, and Class 3A State Champion – shot put 33’ 8.75”
Sadie Roberts – Class 3A Indoor All-State, and Class 3A State Champion – high jump 5’ 0”
Sadie Roberts
Skylynn Harris
Senior Recognition Awards:
Janna Coplin – discus thrower
Addison Goetz – sprints and sprint relays
Delilah McKusker – hurdles and sprint relays
Lennon Woods – hurdles and sprint relays
Lennon Woods
Janna Coplin
Addison Goetz
The 2019-2020 Female Track Athlete of the Year Award…
With no real statistical data from an unexpectedly shortened season, this year’s award could have gone unclaimed. However, a winner was selected based upon a slightly different criteria. Six years in the program with accolades to back up an award-winning past lead to this unprecedented conclusion. Leadership, integrity, and value to the program have set this player apart. Athleticism and academics also lent a strong nod. Summed up, these were overriding factors for this year’s honoree.
Add being a student coach to both the girls and boys seventh-grade track teams this season, her credentials make even more sense. As a student coach for nearly the entire school year, this senior spent countless hours offering sport-specific demonstrations. She led warmups, taught workout routines, and gave first-hand awareness to program values. Two years ago, this player was identified by an outgoing senior and a track liaison as the player that should be responsible for the “golden baton”. This special relay stick was used by members of all of the Lady Tiger championship runs. To be chosen as it’s keeper automatically sets this player on a different playing field.
Soon, when social distancing norms return, she’ll be responsible for passing on the “golden baton” to a well thought of underclassmen with similar characteristics. For some, it may seem a fraction of a season wasn’t enough to determine a player of the year. That may be true. This decision was based upon a senior’s entire career. One that embraced the Lady Tiger track traditions through her multiple contributions. This year’s Female Track and Field Player of the Year is Delilah McKusker.
Delilah McKusker
2019-2020 Boys Track and Field Awards:
(contributions by Coach Mark Tolton)
The foundation for the senior boys’ track team was based upon the heavy lifting of the throws team and the youthful experience of the cross country core. Experienced sprinters, the talent of new faces, and the enthusiasm of a young freshmen four made it a team on the rise. Like the girls’ team, this group only competed at the ATCA indoor meet and less than three full outdoor meets. One of the biggest highlights for the men’s team came at the Van Buren Runner’s Festival. Mansfield cobbled together their first 4x200m relay team in decades.
Jr High Tigers
The AAA had deleted the event years ago but decided through actions of their advisory board to bring it back next season. In anticipation of the renewed relay, Van Buren ran it as an exhibition event. The combination of John Branche, Codi Chick, Austin Carlton, and Jaicy Griffin squeaked past a field of big school teams for first place. The winning time of 1:41.16 was four-hundredths of a second faster than the likes of Southside, Van Buren, and Clarksville.
Bri Sanderson was regaining his discus form of a year ago. In 2019, he was a top-five thrower in all of class 3A. Jacob Brown, Shawn Brown, and Shaddon Moore were moving up the discus and shot put ranks as well. Ethan Chapman broke his personal record and junior high school record in the 1600m run in two consecutive outdoor meets. He also established a new PR in the 800m run. Randall Claude, Chick, Carlton, and Griffin shored up a solid sprints team. Renden Emery and Victor Steffen advanced the hurdles and jumps team. And Ashton Hinkle was establishing himself as the top junior high pole vaulter through the early conference standings.
Sr High Tigers
Mansfield’s senior boys were just outside the top 10 at the state indoor finals. They were fourth at Booneville in the only complete outdoor meet. They were eighth at Van Buren using only relays, hurdles, and some distance events. They were sitting third at Mena before the storms stopped the meet and the AAA canceled the season a few days later.
Senior Boys Recognition Awards:
Jacob Brown – discus and shot put thrower
Jaicy Griffin – sprints, sprint relays, and long jump
Jaicy Griffin
Jacob Brown
2019-2020 Softball Awards:
(contributions by Coach Erica McKay)
While the Mansfield softball season was cut short, the Lady Tigers were able to compete in five games before the pandemic. For those five games, multiple Lady Tigers were able to stand out and make a name for themselves.
This year’s Lady Tigers consisted of young talent that was able to contribute to the growth of the team in a short amount of time. That included freshmen Brooklyn Adams, Skylynn Harris, and Natalie Allison. Adams, who defensively was a threat at third base, also had led the team with 12 hits and seven RBIs with 16 at-bats. Harris made a name for herself on the mound and consistently provided hits in a time that was needed. Asking a freshman to step up in a key spot on the field (center field) is a challenge in itself but Allison took on the role and excelled.
Lady Tigers Softball
The returning players who stepped up in their role to lead the team were: Sophomore, Kiara Thomas, who stood solid as a middle infielder and our lead off with consistently finding herself on base. Junior, Hailey Walker, worked hard in the offseason to come off the bench and truly stepped up as our right fielder. Junior, Amber Elmore, took on the challenge playing multiple positions as a first baseman and second baseman based on the rotation of pitchers and excelled. A junior move-in, Chloe Creekmore, proved to be a threat as the starting catcher and four-hole in the lineup coming in having the second most RBIs and tying with the second most hits.
Senior, Abby Morgan, has been known for her timely hits and that was no exception this year. Kyli Davidson, a senior, has been the most improved in her position as a left fielder. Her reading on the ball has grown tremendously and I never worried when she would have to make a play on the ball. Our last senior, Maggie Strunk, was the leader on the team. She stepped up as our starting pitcher and threw the ball really well with 25 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched. When she wasn’t pitching, she stood solid as our shortstop and was also an offensive threat with tying at second with the most hits.
While only being able to play limited games, this team grew a tremendous amount and we were all looking forward to seeing how far they would go. For this year’s awards, we are honoring our seniors, who we wish could have had a true senior season. We are truly proud of their past, present, and future accomplishments in sports and school.
Senior Recognition Awards:
Abby Morgan – First Baseman/DP
Kyli Davidson– Starting Left Fielder
Maggie Strunk – Starting Pitcher/Shortstop
Abby Morgan
Kyli Davidson
Maggie Strunk
2019-2020 Baseball Awards:
(contributions by Coach Tim Cothran)
The Tiger baseball team was able to play four games before the season was cut short. With lots of youth on the team, the future certainly looks bright. The young Tigers competed well in an early-season tournament in Dequeen, finishing fourth. With the prospects of heading into a new conference next year and the potential we have with our young pitchers, Tiger baseball appears to be poised for some great days ahead.
Tigers Baseball
As a coaching staff, we hate the way this all had to happen. We regret not being able to see what our two seniors could have accomplished this season. There is no doubt, with their abilities and work ethics, that Clay James and Isaac Cothran would have been considered for postseason honors, but alas we will never know. We had a total of 14 on the roster, some of which had been working hard since the first day of school.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the traditional Mansfield Tiger Booster Club Banquet to honor athletic award winners of the 2019-2020 sports season was canceled. To publicize the athletes that won either conference, state, or local awards, this publication will offer a series of articles related to those participants that earned athletic accolades this school year. Mansfield coaches submitted narratives pertaining to their specific teams which will be released in chronological segments. This article will highlight the winter sports award recipients.
2019-2020 Girls Basketball Awards:
(contributions by Coach Josh Bryan)
Before we move on to the Senior High awards, we would like to take a moment and recognize the Junior High Lady Tigers basketball team for their outstanding season. The Junior High Lady Tigers went 20-3 this year clinching their conference championship with a 38-22 win over West Fork back on February 7th. They moved into the District Tournament as the #1 seed to take on rival Waldron in the opening round. The Lady Tigers had a decisive victory against the Lady Dogs 43-16. In the second round, we would see the Lady Elks of Elkins. After losing to the Lady Elks not a month earlier, the Lady Tigers had to prove that they earned the #1 seed.
The Lady Elks gave the Lady Tigers everything they had and with exceptional defense, the Lady Tigers won 29-23. The finals were decided in an almost similar fashion. The Lady Tigers faced off against the Cedarville Lady Pirates. There wasn’t a moment in this game where anyone could say it was one-sided. Again, the Lady Tigers had to prove that they deserved their spot on top. With excellent commitment and confidence down the stretch, the Lady Tigers took the lead and didn’t give it back winning 37-31. We would like to recognize the Junior Lady Tigers for winning not only the conference but their District Tournament as well!
Record breaking performances this season include:
Brooklyn Adams for charges in a season.
Skylynn Harris for assists in a season and tied 3-pointers made in a season.
Kynslee Ward for steals in a game and in a season, and deflections in a game and in a season.
Excellent job Junior Lady Tigers!
Jr High Lady Tigers
SENIOR HIGH RECAP:
The Sr High Lady Tigers ended 6-18 for the 2019-2020 season, improving by two wins from last season. Even though we didn’t increase in the win column as we wanted, we showed improvement in many areas this season. During the 2019-2020 season, we missed three wins by less than five points including a double-overtime loss at Cedarville. From where we were a year ago, that’s a nice leap forward from last season. Our outside scoring went from 41 made 3-pointers in 2018, to 85 only one season later, proving that we have grown in our outside scoring ability.
We had four different Lady Tigers score over 100 points this season, and two of them had over 200. Another improvement with only having two score 100 last season and one over 200. We scored just 45 points shy of 1000 points for the season after only scoring 627 points in the previous year. Another area of improvement was our ability to steal the ball. We had a total of 240 steals for the season; an increase of 91 from last year.
Our greatest growth was something we stressed a lot during the season; rebounds. We rebounded much better this season, increasing our rebounding total for the season by 208 total rebounds from 2018. These areas of increase in a single season speak volumes about the hard work our Lady Tigers put in since last year. We will continue to grow and get better for the 2020-2021 season.
Sr High Lady Tigers
Some stand out performances this season are:
Brooke Wright set the single-game record for blocked shots with seven in our game against Hackett. She ended the season with 33 blocked shots.
Makayla Strutton ended with 233 points and 120 rebounds.
Danielle Lillie ties the single-game record for steals in a game with nine against Hackett. She ended the season with 50 total steals and 243 points; including 40 made 3-pointers.
Chloe Creekmore ended with 107 points and 106 rebounds.
Sadie Roberts ended with 71 deflections, 54 steals, and 145 points.
The Lady Tigers will be moving into a new conference and division next season. We will join 2A next year with the following conference opponents: Lavaca, Acorn, Mountainburg, JC Westside, Magazine, and The Future School of Fort Smith.
Leader board this season:
Points: Danielle Lillie
2-pointers: Makayla Strutton
3-pointers: Danielle Lillie
Field Goal %: Brooke Wright
Free Throws: Makayla Strutton
Free Throw %: Haylee Helms/Mikayla Harrison
Assists: Danielle Lillie
Offensive Rebounds: Makayla Strutton
Turnover %: Makayla Strutton
Defensive Rebounds: Makayla Strutton
Deflections: Sadie Roberts
Steals: Sadie Roberts
Blocked Shots: Brooke Wright
Charges: Mikayla Harrison
Defensive Player of the Year goes to junior, Brooke Wright
Offensive Player of the Year Award and All-District Honorable Mention goes to junior, Danielle Lillie.
All-District and Player of the Year goes to Makayla Strutton.
Danielle Lillie
Brooke Wright
Makayla Strutton
2019-2020 Basketball Season Recap:
(contributions by Coach Keith Dake)
Our 2019 team came into the year with high expectations returning four out of our five starters from the previous season and having five seniors to lead the charge. Even with the senior leadership and experience we would have on the hardwood, we fully understood the challenge we had in front of us if we planned on competing within our conference.
Competing in what was regarded as one of the states’ toughest basketball conferences, we matched up against some of Arkansas’s most talented 3A schools and athletes each night. With an overall record of 9-15, the Tigers walked away from this season with key victories over teams such as West Fork, Greenland, Cedarville, and Lincoln. The Lincoln win was a hard-fought victory that came during the first round of the District Tournament.
Jr High Tigers
The best attribute of this team was knowing that on any given night they could go out and compete with whichever team lined up across from them. Every team we faced understood our potential, sometimes even more so than ourselves. Throughout the season we encountered several hardships including multiple starters missing games due to illness or injuries. Those obstacles seemed to plague the team throughout the season. But through those hardships, several young players made the absolute most of their minutes, shining a bright light on the future of Mansfield basketball for the upcoming seasons.
Sr High Tigers
And now for the 2019-2020 Basketball Individual Awards:
Offensive Player of the Year: Senior Guard, Layton Howard
Arguably the best athlete on the court each night, Layton was able to score at will. Shooting 47.5% from the field, averaging 13 points per game, and scoring over 280 points this season. This is Howard’s second consecutive season scoring over 250 points.
Defensive Player of the Year: Junior Guard, Codi Chick
Chick led the team in steals, pass deflections, and blocked shots. He was also third on the team in charges taken. He accumulated 34 steals, 37 pass deflections, eight blocked shots, and four charges. The true scoring guard has made strides in balancing his game and has become a player making a true impact on both ends of the floor.
6th Man Award: Junior Forward, Jonathan “Jojo” Bailey
Through the injuries and illness, Jojo was one of the underclassmen who stepped up and was able to take a huge leap in production this season. Coming into the game and becoming a true defensive stopper and recording three consecutive games with double-digit scoring. His heart and intensity on the court are hard to match.
Tiger Pride Award: Senior Forward, Tyler Holmes
This is an award that is given to an athlete who not only shows improvement but has been dedicated and puts in the hard work and effort on and off the floor that makes every person in the gym proud to call him a Tiger. I can’t think of anyone more deserving. Tyler is an exemplary student and athlete, and puts his full heart into everything he does in life. This season Tyler was able to amass his first 100 point season, while also coming in second in both steals and pass deflections. He is a player that has sacrificed his life and limb for every loose ball for the past six years, never giving up on a single play. He was the type of player that should make anyone watching or playing proud he represented the Tigers.
Honorable Mentions: Senior Guard and Forward, Jaicy Griffin and Isaac Cothran
These two players have shown dedication throughout their tenure at Mansfield High School, playing basketball each of their six seasons. They have been relentless competitors each year, willing to sacrifice their bodies for the good of their team, great work ethic, and often referred to as the “Bash Brothers” due to their brute physicality.
All-District and this year’s Basketball Player Of The Year: Senior Forward, Ethan Stovall
Shooting 52% from the field, 72% from the free-throw line, averaging 14.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Ethan was the team’s leader in points, rebounds, and assists. Ethan surpassed 300 total points this season for the third straight year.
The Abbott community came together on Thursday evening to honor one of their own, Ida Hawthorne. Around 30 vehicles lined up for a drive-by parade in celebration of Hawthorne’s 90th birthday.
Northwest Scott Fire Department led the parade, which began at Calvary Baptist Church on Highway 378. The procession made its way to Abbott Road, where Hawthorne resides.
Hawthorne’s daughter, Cheryl, organized the parade. “She is a feisty, ornery, southern Christian woman with a heart of gold. Her family and friends mean everything to her. Everyone loves her spunky, ornery personality.” Her daughter added that an over the top birthday parade was right up her alley.
Hawthorne was married to her late husband Billie Joe Hawthorne for 61 years. Together, they had six children, nine grandchildren, 19 great- grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. Soon, she will add to that total with the addition of another great-grandchild!
“She loves and adores her church family and her church grandkids,” Cheryl Hawthorne concluded. “Everyone calls her grandma! Her favorite thing is spending Sunday afternoon on the farm with all her family. She still cooks for everyone and takes pride in that. She doesn’t let being 90 slow her down one bit. She still gets dressed up and goes to the big city (Fort Smith) at least once a week to shop and go out to lunch with any family that can meet her. She is the rock to the family and so very loved.”
Rickey Earnest Trozzi of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Monday, April 27, 2020, in Waldron, Arkansas. Rickey was born February 12,1947, in Waldron, Arkansas. He was 73 years old. Rickey was a member of Hon Baptist Church in Hon Arkansas where he had served as a deacon. He was a Godly man. His faith and love for the Lord was undeniable.
Rickey enjoyed gardening, working with honey bees and looking at older model cars. He drove a semi truck for a long time. Rickey was genuinely an all around happy person. He loved his family and spending time with them.
Rickey leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife, Norene of the home, two children: Stacy James and husband Ronny and Maverick Trozzi both of Waldron, Arkansas and one brother, Nick Trozzi of Greenwood, Arkansas. Rickey is also survived by his step children: Gwen Vaughn, Denise Lambert, and Mclaine McEntire all of Waldron, Arkansas and Murphy McEntire of Abbott, Arkansas. Grandpa will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren: Amber Randle, Blaine McCullah, Braiden James, Jamie Trozzi, Shelbie Trozzi and Hayden Trozzi, 2 great grandchildren: Palin Randle and Cadderly Randle and 9 step grandchildren: Brittany Long, Bryant Long, Caitlin Lambert, Miranda Lambert Vasquez, Maverick McEntire, Clayton McEntire, Makenzie McEntire, Teagan McEntire, and Ryland McEntire. Rickey will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of extended family, friends and neighbors.
Rickey was preceded in death by his parents.
Rickey’s graveside life celebration will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 1, 2020, at the Hon Cemetery in Hon, Arkansas with Bro. Ken Boyd officiating. Interment will follow. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
During these trying and difficult times, we must limit public gatherings to 10 persons and do our part to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Family and friends are welcome to attend the service but must remain in their vehicles. Therefore, Rickey’s graveside service can be heard from the comfort of your vehicle at radio station 87.9 FM.
