Resident News Network

Class 3A-1 Boys & Girls Regional Basketball Tournament Preview

Sports

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11:33 am

Class 3A-1 Boys & Girls Regional Basketball Tournament Preview

After an exciting week of district tournament championships, eight teams, four boys and four girls teams from each district now move on to the regional tournaments held around the state. The regionals are the next step toward each team’s ultimate goal of winning a state championship. Four teams, two boys and two girls teams from each region will qualify for the state tournament that will be held next week at Charleston High School. Teams will ultimately advance to the state finals for boys and girls that will be held a week later at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs on Friday, March 13.

This week, four regional tournaments will be held in Waldron, Jessieville, Searcy (Harding Academy), and in Monticello (Drew-Central). In this article, Resident Press will preview the teams and match-ups in the Waldron regional. The Waldron regional will feature teams from the Class 3A-1 (West) conference and the Class 3A East.

In the boys brackets, Elkins and Valley Springs are the number one seeds in the tournament. The number two seeds are Bergman and the host school, Waldron Bulldogs. The number three seeds are Charleston and Clinton. Rounding out the boys field are number four seeds Mountain View and Greenland.

The boys side of the Waldron regional brackets include two teams from the top five ranked teams in the state in Class 3A: number one ranked Valley Springs, and number five ranked Elkins, Just outside of the state’s top five is number six ranked Bergman. So, the boys brackets in this regional will feature a tough field, just as on the girls side of the regional brackets. Teams that can survive and advance to the state tournament will be heavily regarded as teams to beat next week in Charleston.

The boys tournament will open on Wednesday, February 26 with the following games:

BOYS

Game 1: #1 Elkins vs. #4 Mountain View, 5:30 p.m.

Game 3: #1 Valley Springs vs. #4 Greenland, 8:30 p.m.

February 27

Game 2: #2 Bergman vs. #3 Charleston, 5:30 p.m.

Game 4: #2 Waldron vs. #3 Clinton, 8:30 p.m.

For a copy of the Class 3A-1 boys regional brackets, click here to be re-directed to Max Preps to view or download your copy.

In the girls bracket, play will begin on February 26. Charleston and Valley Springs are the number one seeds in the tournament. The number two seeds are Mountain View and Elkins. The number three seeds are West Fork and Rose Bud, and the four seeds are Waldron and Bergman.

GIRLS

February 26

Game 1: #1 Charleston vs. #4 Bergman, 4 p.m.

Game 3: #1 Valley Springs vs. #4 Waldron, 7 p.m.

February 27

Game 2: #2 Mountain View vs. #3 West Fork, 4 p.m.

Game 4: #2 Elkins vs. #3 Rose Bud, 7 p.m.

For a copy of the girls Class 3A-1 regional brackets, click here to be re-directed to Max Preps to view or download your copy.

The Class 3A-1 regional girls tournament features three of the top four teams in the state in Class 3A: Number one-ranked Mountain View, number three-ranked Valley Springs, and number four-ranked Charleston. Bergman is ranked just outside the group at number six. Any team that survives the Waldron regional will be a strong contender in the state tournament, having already faced in regional play several of the top five ranked teams in the state.

Charleston First Round Games in Boys and Girls Regional

The Charleston Lady Tigers will open the tournament with a 4 p.m. game on Wednesday versus the Bergman Lady Panthers. Bergman’s colors are blue and gold and their school is located just northeast of Harrison. Bergman will travel 3 hours and 20 minutes to play in the Waldron regional. Bergman’s conference includes Mountain View, Rose Bud, Valley Springs, Marshall, Clinton, and Green Forest. The Lady Panthers finished the regular season 26-11 overall and 7-5 in conference play. Bergman averages 53.5 points per game shoots approximately 34% from the field. The Lady Panthers average 28 rebounds per game, as well as 7.3 steals per game. Bergman is ranked 33rd in Arkansas across all classifications, and 6th in Class 3A, according to Max Preps. Bergman and Charleston both played one common opponent, that being Lincoln on November 11. Bergman played Lincoln as a non-conference game in the Green Forest Queens of the Court Tournament where they defeated Lincoln 59-48.

The Charleston boys will also open the tournament versus Bergman. The Tigers will play the Panthers on Thursday, February 27 at 5:30 p.m. The Panthers are 30-7 overall and finished the regular season 9-3 in conference play. Bergman finished their conference regular season in third place behind first place Valley Springs who was 11-1, and second place Clinton who was 10-2. The Bergman boys are ranked 40th in Arkansas across all classifications and are ranked 6th in Class 3A. In common opponents with Charleston, Bergman lost to Waldron on December 8 in the UARM Classic by the score of 62-55. On December 11, the Panthers won a non-conference game against Greenland, 64-47. As of the publication time of this article, stats were not available with Max Preps for Bergman.

Every team in the Waldron regional has had a good season and has hopes of moving on to the state tournament. The top objective for every team is to win their first game in the regional tournament. A first round victory will ensure a team’s qualification to advance to next week’s state tournament. Two victories in the tournament will seed a team higher in the state tournament and give them a more favorable path in the tournament. But one thing is for sure, from this point on, there are no weak teams or easy games. Every team has had a winning season, and every team is a tough out.

It is the time of year where players enter each game knowing that it could be their last. Everyone wants to keep playing. No one wants to feel the sudden loss of defeat and know that they will be cleaning out their lockers for the last time this season. And for seniors on each team, it is that much more important to every senior who has invested their high school careers to get to this point.

It is the stuff that lifelong memories are made from; it can be the greatest time of a player’s life, and it can also be one that a player remembers for the rest of his or her life for all the wrong reasons. It is these anxious moments and circumstances that motivates each player and coach to give it every thing they have. It is what makes post-season play so special.

Congratulations to all of the teams in this year’s regional tournament, and best of luck in your quest to make the state tournament. And Resident Press will be there to tell the story.

Walker Passes League Certification Program

News

Tammy Teague

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7:28 pm

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Walker Passes League Certification Program

The Arkansas Municipal League congratulates Becky Walker, who has achieved or maintained their status as a Certified Municipal Official through the League’s Voluntary Certified Continuing Education Program.

The certified municipal officials were honored during the opening night banquet at the League’s 2020 Winter Conference, held February 12-14 in Little Rock.

Numerous municipal officials representing cities and towns from across the state completed 15 core Level 1 hours and six continuing education hours of study in subjects such as budgeting, personnel management and methods of effective leadership. To maintain certification, graduates must complete six hours of continuing education workshops each year.

The program continues in 2020 with workshops held throughout the year at the League’s North Little Rock headquarters and in June at the League’s Annual Convention in Little Rock. The League is also expanding its certification program this year, offering Advanced Level 2 workshops for those who have achieved Level 1 status in addition to offering a new Certified Municipal Personnel designation for key municipal personnel such as department heads and finance directors.

The Arkansas Municipal League is a service and advocacy organization for the municipalities of Arkansas. The League offers its programs and services to 500 cities and towns in Arkansas and was created in 1934 to assist cities with information and representation in the public affairs of our state and nation. To find out more, please visit www.arml.org.

Fishing News From Around the State

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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7:07 pm

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We’re still battling the elements in many places around Arkansas. The Arkansas River is running fast and high still. Another big rain on Tuesday put a rise to lake levels. Little Red River wade-fishing regulars are still waiting for the generation to slow down at Greers Ferry Dam. Fish can’t figure out the wide-ranging temps anymore than the anglers can.
Here are some news items worth nothing, though:
* Ralph Donnangelo, superintendent at Lake Fort Smith State Park, says the park’s new courtesy dock is completed and ready for use.
* Guide Austin Kennedy said Wednesday that the Corps of Engineers were able to shut the gates at Beaver Lake Dam. Until then, with flood gates open a foot at the dam, fishing had been “kinda tricky,” he said, in the Beaver Lake tailwater. One of his clients landed a nice 19.5-inch rainbow, though. “If you hit the right area with the right baits, you could catch some fish,” Austin said. “Most of the trout were caught between the Highway 62 bridge and Spider Creek, and on light terminal tackle.” The walleye spawn is getting close there, he added.
* Guide Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that open flood gates and extremely high generation flows have continued for another week as heavy rainfall plagues the Carpenter Dam tailwater at the upper end of Lake Catherine. Fishing has stopped below Carpenter Dam in the treacherous conditions, he said. Entergy has scheduled this discharge pattern in an attempt to keep area lakes at the winter drawdown levels and to draw Lake Ouachita out of flood pool. Muddy water and very fast flows have been the norm for weeks on Lake Catherine and all anglers are advised to remain off the water until conditions return to normal. The drawdowns at lakes Hamilton and Catherine end on March 1. When the rain ends is another matter altogether.

Charleston Completes Undefeated Conference Season as Lady Tigers Win District Tournament

Sports

Resident News Network

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1:04 pm

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Charleston Completes Undefeated Conference Season as Lady Tigers Win District Tournament

As sports fans, it is not often that we get the opportunity to witness perfection. Perfection; if it were easy to obtain, it would be meaningless. But that is exactly what the Charleston Lady Tigers have achieved this year. Charleston completed an undefeated conference regular season last week in Elkins, and last night, the Lady Tigers put the cap on a perfect overall conference season with their two wins in the district tournament to win the Class 3A-1 district tournament championship.

The Lady Tigers defeated the Elkins Lady Elks by the score of 33-17. But unless your were at the Waldron Activities Center last night to witness this historic event, you cannot appreciate the performance of the Lady Tigers. The game ended in the second half with the Lady Tigers holding Elkins to just two points for the entire second half. And once again, the disciplined, experienced, and very talented Lady Tigers methodically dismantled Elkins on the way to the tournament championship.

As the game began, it appeared that both baskets had lids on them as both teams struggled to score. This was the third meeting between the two teams this year, and both teams knew a great deal about each other. Coaches make adjustments with each game, and it was evident that both teams wanted to plug the middle and not allow the other teams’ scorers to have room inside the lane. Charleston again began the game with a low shooting percentage from the field. Elkins eventually managed to get their inside game going, and the result was a halftime lead of 15-11 for the Elks as the two teams went to the locker room. As the Lady Tigers left the floor at half, they appeared to be unphased by the score; the business as usual attitude of this very experienced team.

But as the second half began, the Lady Tigers made adjustments and regrouped. The result was a torrent run in which Charleston held Elkins to just two points in the second half, outscoring the Lady Elks 22-2. Charleston’s defense that had been good in the first half, became even better in the second. The Lady Tigers forced Elkins in to several turnovers and prevented the Lady Elkins from seldomly getting more than one shot on their offensive end of the court. Often times, when it seemed Elkins was finally able to get the ball down low into scoring position, a Charleston guard would sweep in for support and steal the ball.

Elkins, the tournament’s #2 seed, is a very good basketball team and will make noise in next week’s regional tournament. The Lady Elks have had the misfortune of playing in conference with a Charleston team that may be one of the best in its school’s history. In fact, this year’s Lady Tigers may be the best in school history. If they are, remains to be seen. This team is clearly not finished. They have much work to do next week in the regional tournament.

Next week’s regionals will again be hosted by Waldron High School. As soon as the final brackets are known, Resident Press will publish an update for our readers. We do know that to advance to the following week’s state tournament in Charleston, teams must win their first game in the regional tournament. A first round win in the regional will guarantee a spot in the state tournament to continue their fight to a state championship. And of course, the more games that a team can win in regional the higher their state tournament seed will be. This is extremely important for not only their state tournament match-ups in Charleston, but also who they would be opposite of in the brackets and potentially face in Hot Springs for the state championship game.

Charleston is now 27-2 overall and 16-0 in conference play (includes regular season and two district tournament wins). They will enter the regional tournament next week as a #1 seed. This seems to be a team of destiny. But it is much more than that. The team that we have the privilege of watching today is a product of many years of playing together and buying into Charleston coach Jason Rucker’s system of detail, discipline and fundamentally sound basketball. Coach Rucker has pushed them to be the best they can be, and the team’s record this year is not only a testament to the team’s athletic abilities and good teamwork, but also to the true character and work ethic that each player possess. This is truly a very special team, and if you have not had the chance to see them play, you need to do so over the next two weeks. There may never be a Lady Tigers team in the near future that is this talented and is as special as this one.

The final chapter for this team has not been written. The fruit of their labor is just around the corner. Most coaches would worry about a team this good keeping their focus in the final two weeks of post-season play. But from my observation, this special group of Lady Tigers is too disciplined to have a lapse in concentration or effort in the post-season. The Lady Tigers are too disciplined and have worked too hard to let this opportunity slip by. I look for Charleston to come out strong next week in the regional tournament to secure their pathway in the state tournament, and to move toward their team goal of winning a title in Hot Springs while doing so on their home court and in front of their beloved fans.

It is a very special time for the Lady Tigers and the Charleston community. This team deserves a big turnout in Waldron next week from the Charleston fans to cheer them on to the state tournament. And as always, Resident Press will be there all the way to provide coverage of this very special group of Lady Tigers and their drive to a state championship!

RP and Arkansas Liberty Coalition Co-Host Meet the Candidates Town Hall

Tammy Teague

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10:47 am

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RP and Arkansas Liberty Coalition Co-Host Meet the Candidates Town Hall

Voters packed out the venue on Saturday, February 22, eager to hear from candidates on issues important to them.

The highly anticipated event, Meet the Candidates night, was co-sponsored this year by Resident Press and the Arkansas Liberty Coalition.

This year’s meeting was a town hall style forum, with the following candidates present: Judge Emily White, candidate for Arkansas Court of Appeals; District 74 State Representative (I) Jon Eubanks, District 74 Representative candidates Curtis Varnell, and Shawn Bates; Scott County JP candidate Dee Parker; District 21 State Representative Marcus Richmond (I), District 21 State Representative candidate Jim Reynolds; Circuit Judge Division VI candidates Phil Milligan, Rita Howard Watkins, and Greg Magness; Circuit Judge Division VII candidate Dianna Ladd.

Serving as moderator, Don Cloud Davis, and Timekeeper, Dan Borum, both members of the ALC.

Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black opened the forum with a welcome. An invocation followed, and lastly, the Pledge of Allegiance led by VFW Post 1345 Commander Bill Coben.

Several elected officials were also present, including Waldron Mayor David Millard, Scott County Sheriff Randy Shores, State Representative Charlene Fite, and Scott County Judge James Forbes.

The night went well-over the two hour alloted time, with pointed questions from the audience. Members listened intently as candidates and incumbents explained their position and record.

One audience member inquired about teacher pay, and the fact that small districts like Mansfield loose good teachers to other schools. Representative Eubanks responded that every year they have allocated increasingly more monies for education. Varnell followed up and stated that multiple assistants to administrators is unnecessary, and that their salaries could fund teacher raises.

Judge Forbes closed out the evening by asking, “what do we expect from our leaders? We need integrity, honesty, compassion, confidence and flexibility…The most important thing that you can do to preserve our rights and freedoms is vote.”

Election Day is Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

Obituary- Roger Dale Locke, Sr. (1949-2020)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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9:33 am

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Obituary- Roger Dale Locke, Sr. (1949-2020)

Roger Dale Locke Sr., 70, of Waldron Arkansas passed away February 20, 2020, with his loving wife by his side. He was born September 5, 1949, to the late Joseph Marvin Locke and Doris Maureen Caroll (Johnny) in Tahoka, Texas. He married his true love Linda Faye Merryman on March 17, 1973, for a fabulous 46 years. They were blessed with three amazing sons. Denver Harlis Locke, Roger Dale Locke Jr., and Marvin Gabe Locke.

Roger was known for so many things in his life, he was an amazing mechanic, a little league baseball coach, and an avid teacher to so many future mechanics. He had a huge heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand. If you knew nothing else of Roger Locke you knew he absolutely loved to fish, loved his wife, and loved his family. And Possibly in that VERY ORDER! There is a plaque that hangs in their humble home that says: “I have two licenses, my fishing license and my marriage license but I only carry one of them in my wallet” This explains it all! Probably the only thing he might have loved more than fishing was fishing with his grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Roger leaves behnd to cherish his memory, his wife: Linda Faye Locke of the home, son Denver Harlis Locke and wife Patricia of New Burn, North Carolina, son Roger Dale Locke Jr. and wife Melody Locke of Waldron, Arkansas and son Marvin Gabe Locke and wife Amanda Locke of Lubbock Texas. Papa will forever remain in the hearts of his 8 Grandchildren: Landon Locke, Vincent Cowan, Elizabeth Dotson and husband Dillon Dotson, Nathaniel Locke, Carol Locke, Marvin Locke, Kaleb Locke, Kayleigh Locke, and one great granddaughter Mary Elizabeth Dotson. Roger is also survived by one brother, Tommy Locke of Pie, Texas. Roger will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a large extended family, friends and neighbors he loved dearly.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Roger’s life celebration will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jerry Isham officiating. Interment will follow in the Duncan Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Roger’s pallbearers will be Jonathan Taylor, Dylan Staggs, Denver Loyd Merryman Jr., Denver Loyd Merryman Sr., Dillo Dotson, James Morgan, Warren Davis and Stewart Staggs. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Quisenberry, Jerry Edwards and Tommy Locke.
Roger’s visitation will be Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home.
You may leave words of remembrance for Roger’s family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com.

Charleston Lady Tigers Advance to District Tournament Final with 41-19 Win Over West Fork

Sports

Resident News Network

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1:41 pm

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Charleston Lady Tigers Advance to District Tournament Final with 41-19 Win Over West Fork

The Charleston Lady Tigers once again ran to a methodical win over a conference opponent in the semi-finals of the senior high district tournament being held this week at Waldron High School. This time the opponent was the West Fork Lady Tigers. With the win, Charleston advances to the tournament final and is assured no worse than a #2 seed in next week’s regional tournament. Charleston will play a rematch with the Elkins Lady Elks on Saturday at 6 p.m. for the district tournament championship and the top seed in the regional tournament.

Charleston has not lost to a conference opponent this season. Elkins will be the last opportunity for any conference school to beat Charleston this year before the regional and state tournaments begin. With the win, Charleston improves their overall record to 24-2 and to 15-0 in conference play (includes their district tournament semifinal win). According to Max Preps, Charleston entered this week ranked 29th overall in Arkansas across all classifications, and moved up to 4th in Class 3A in Arkansas. The Lady Tigers have now moved past Lamar who is ranked 5th in Class 3A. Charleston’s last loss was on December 13 at Class 6A Hot Springs Lake Hamilton.

With Charleston now being either a #1 or #2 seed in the regional tournament, it is possible that the Lady Tigers will not face the top one or two teams in Class 3A until the state tournament. The Lady Tigers will play the first three rounds of the state tournament on their home floor in two weeks, and this could set up a potential blockbuster state final in Hot Springs between Charleston and either Mountain View or Hoxie for the state championship title. But that is still a ways down the road, and before any of that is possible, the Lady Tigers must find a way to get off to a faster start that it has their past two games at the Waldron Activities Center. In yesterday’s semifinal, the Lady Tigers shooters started the game cold, forcing their defense to control the game early. The Charleston defense stymied the West Fork Lady Tigers for the entire game, giving Charleston a ten point lead at half and eventually buying time for the offense to click and stretch the game out of reach for West Fork. In the district tournament final against Elkins, and beyond, Charleston will have to get their fast break offense going early, along with their great defense to win games against the best teams in Class 3A over the next two weeks.

Charleston will face the Elkins Lady Elks who had an easy time with the host Waldron Lady Bulldogs in the other girls semifinal game played on Thursday. Elkins is the only team that has had a competitive game against Charleston this year. The Lady Elks lost to Charleston at Tiger Center on January 21 by the score of 50-44. In their last meeting in Elkins, Charleston defeated the Lady Elks 47-25. Elkins will have teams in both the boys and girls final on Saturday, and they should bring a big crowd to Waldron. Charleston will have to be ready to play from the opening tip-off against a team that badly wants to give Charleston their first loss in front of a big crowd in the district tournament championship.

Elkins will enter Saturday’s final with an overall record of 21-6 and 12-3 (includes their semifinal win on Thursday). Max Preps has Elkins ranked 72nd in Arkansas across all classifications and 16th in the state in Class 3A. The Lady Elks will be a formidable opponent for not only Charleston on Saturday night, but in the regional tournament next week. The Elkins fan base travels well, and the team will play an inspired brand of basketball Saturday against the Lady Tigers.

In the first boys semifinal of the night, the home standing Waldron Bulldogs defeated a determined Greenland Pirates team to advance to Saturday’s tournament championship final. In front of a packed Waldron Activity Center Crowd, the Bulldogs responded to the energy in the arena with a strong second half to overcome Greenland. Waldron is the top seed in the boys bracket, and they will be tough to beat playing on their home floor on Saturday night.

Waldron entered the district tournament as a tri-champion of the regular season, and by point differential among the three schools who tied for the conference regular season title, the Bulldogs were placed as the #1 seed in the district tournament. Overall, the Bulldogs are 25-5 and 13-2 in conference play (includes their semifinal win on Thursday). Max Preps has Waldron ranked 53rd in Arkansas across all classifications, and 9th in the state in Class 3A. Elkins, the Bulldogs’ opponent in Saturday’s final, is ranked 5th in Class 3A. Saturday’s district championship game should be one for the ages as two top-ten teams will clash for the tournament title and the #1 seed in next week’s regional tournament. Waldron will be playing again on their home floor next week in the regional tournament, making Waldron one of my favorites to go on to Tiger Center in two weeks and compete for a state championship.

There are four very good teams in the conference, all of which played in Thursday’s semifinals. Only two could advance to Saturday’s final. By order of conference finish, Greenland will go into next week’s regional tournament as the #4 seed. That left Charleston as the tournament’s #3 seed playing Elkins in the last game of the Thursday session for a final birth in the finals to play Waldron. Waldron awaited the winner of the Charleston vs. Elkins game following their win over Greenland; three teams that had split on the season against each other.

Charleston and Elkins played in Thursday’s semifinals and were facing each other for the second time in less than one week. Last Friday, the Tigers traveled to Elkins and were defeated by the Elks, forcing a three way tie for the conference championship along with the Waldron Bulldogs. Again, in front of a packed WAC that included large numbers of fans from both Elkins and Charleston, the two teams hooked up for another hard fought, intense, game that featured physical inside play and great defense.

Elkins entered the semifinal as the district regular season tri-champion and the tournament’s #2 seed. Max Preps ranks Elkins as 37th overall in all classifications across Arkansas, and #5 in Class 3A. On Thursday night, the Elks looked every bit the part of a top five team as they focused on containing Charleston’s great guard, Brayden Ross, and harassed its point guard, Brandon Scott. The game was physical and produced many interesting moments as the tension in the building arose between both the players and the crowd. Charleston played hard but could not overcome the early lead of the Elks.

With the loss, Charleston will now move on to the regional tournament next week as a #3 seed in the tournament. It will mean another trip to Waldron to play next week to win enough games to qualify for the state tournament that will be hosted by Charleston High School. Elkins will face Waldron on Saturday night in what should be a blockbuster final to wrap up the district tournament. The winner of that game will enter the regional as a top seed, and the loser will move on as a #2 seed in the tournament.

The semifinals were a display of great basketball on both sides of the boys and girls brackets. The district should have strong representation in the regional tournament as eight teams will move on with their dreams of a state title that is still within reach. After Saturday night, the next step will be to qualify in regionals for the following week’s state tournament. We wish all eight teams the best of luck as they pursue a state title.

Stay with Resident Press as we bring you all of the action over the next two weeks as district teams compete for a state title.

Sr Hornets Prepare to Face Hector In District Semi-Finales

Sports

Megan Hecox

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10:54 am

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Sr Hornets Prepare to Face Hector In District Semi-Finales

“It was a gut checking win.” Those were the words spoken by head coach, Kent Elmore when talking about the Hackett Sr Hornets and District play. The #3 seeded Hornets stole the 49-44 win from the #6 seeded Westside Rebels in round two of the Sr High District Tournament on Tuesday night. Hackett upgrades their total play record to 9-14. “I couldn’t be more proud of my guys. They knew how difficult it was to be able to beat a team three times and they stepped up to the challenge.” The Hornets had overpowered the Rebels in both of their previous conference match-ups.

“All of the hard work and preparation behind closed doors has led to this outcome. We got down early and in foul trouble but our bench production was phenomenal and that was one thing that I thought put us on top.” Zach Gragg and Dylan Kats earned 10 points each followed by Cash Oliver with eight, Jake Fisher with seven, Tyler Satterfield with six, Ethan Slavens and Austin Cowell with three apiece, and Jesse Esparza with two.

In the semi-final round of District play, Hackett will take on the #2 seeded Hector Wildcats on Thursday, February 20 at 7:45 p.m. in Hector. “We are going to have to defend very well and outwork Hector in every possession. The turnover category will need to be in our favor for tonight’s game.”

Magazines Buck Chappell Stepping Down To Step Up

Sports

Megan Hecox

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10:11 am

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Magazines Buck Chappell Stepping Down To Step Up

When it comes to deeply rooted hometown pride, Buck Chappell is as close as it gets! Born in downtown Fort Smith at the old St. Edwards hospital, Chappell was raised in the quiet town of Magazine, Arkansas and has lived there all but five years of his life. Buck graduated from Magazine in 1988 and went on to college at Arkansas Tech. He attended college for three years before deciding to join the workforce and make a little money. Later he met his wife Christal while he was student teaching at Booneville. After getting married, the two moved to Greenwood. Life was a little hectic during this time because Buck was working at Hartford and Christal was working at Booneville. But God always has a plan and his was to get the Chappell family back to Magazine.

With Buck’s entire family in Rattler country, the young couple was given plenty of help in raising their five beautiful children, Brett, Andrea, Deven, Ainslee, and Everlee. Today, Brett is a Booneville police officer, Andrea is a teacher at Scranton and Deven works for a construction company. Ainslee and Everlee are in school at Magazine in the fourth and sixth grades.

Buck Chappell is the perfect example of the saying “it’s never too late to live your dreams”. Sixteen years after high school graduation, and working at places like Coca Cola, Tom’s Potato Chips, construction and delivering ice, Buck decided it was time for a change. Drawing inspiration from his high school coach, Geral Holloway, who also married Buck and his wife, Chappell decided to follow his dreams of becoming a teacher and coach.

“I always felt like I should work with kids and the desire to be a coach was still there and it was the best decision I made for a career choice,” expressed Chappell. “My first teaching job was at Hartford in 2006 and I went to Waldron in 2008 for four years before coming home to Magazine. I have coached football, basketball, golf, baseball, softball, track, and volleyball so far in my career.”

“I lived my entire childhood and most of my adulthood in Magazine. My family owned the Do Drop In for over 50 years and I worked there on weekends through high school and college. I started a video rental store and it did well for many years. My family is in its sixth generation of living in Magazine starting with my great-grandma down to my grandkids. I grew up in the backwoods of town, going to Blue Mountain Lake and Mount Magazine and just hitting the backroads with friends when we were in school.”

“My favorite thing to do is to spend time with my family. When we get together for after church dinner there can be close to 40 people there at any given time. We spend every major holiday together or just a quick let’s get together this weekend and there is always a birthday party going on. Christal and I love to take our family camping when the weather is nice. I also enjoy working around the house. I always have a building project going on. My daughters are involved in multiple athletics and 4H so we are on the move at all times. During basketball season, I coach two little league girl teams, and 7^th grade, junior high and senior high boy teams. Basketball season is a rough time but we manage and I have a great support system at home.”

“I still have many high school friends but Randy Loyd, the Lady Rattlers basketball and baseball coach, was my best friend growing up. Now we have been coaching basketball together for the last six years.” At the end of the 2019-2020 basketball season, Coach Chappell gave his notice that he would be stepping down as the boys’ basketball coach. With only fourteen years of teaching under his belt, Buck Chappell doesn’t have any plans of slowing down in the other areas of his work. He will continue to teach, coach golf and coach softball. “I am also the ALE director which takes a lot of time and needs a lot of attention. I plan to retire from the Magazine School District and stay close to home. My main goal is to get at least 28 years in the school system and try to do some t-drop!”

Former Players Respond to Announcement of New Head Coach

Tammy Teague

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9:30 am

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Former Players Respond to Announcement of New Head Coach

Chris Young is no stranger to the Greenwood Bulldogs football team and their incredible run the last 20 years. In fact, he has been a part of that success with the last three head coaches to serve Greenwood football. During that time, Greenwood has seen one of the most dominant sustained runs of success in Arkansas high school football history. Coach Young will assume the head coaching duties of the Greenwood Bulldogs after Coach Rick Jones announced his resignation last week.

Coach Young expressed his excitement and honor of being named the head coach. “I appreciate the confidence the Greenwood School Board and the district administration have in me as well as our coaching staff. We look forward to the challenge of finding ways to improve our football program and are excited about the future. Go Bulldogs!”

Coach Young, who is a 1995 graduate of Northside High School, played soccer at the University of Central Arkansas and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1999, and later earned his master’s degree from Harding University in 2010. He started his tenure with Greenwood Schools in 2000 as a math teacher, a junior high football coach and head boys/girls soccer coach. In 2002, Coach Young was moved to the high school football staff , was promoted to Offensive Coordinator in 2009 and began calling plays. In 2011, Coach Young was given additional duties for the school district as the Assistant High School Principal.

Coach Young has been an integral part of the Greenwood success with 12 state title game appearances, 9 state titles, a 50-game win streak, and appearances in the state semifinals 15 times in 20 years. As an offensive coordinator, Young has directed a high-powered offensive attack. He has had numerous wide receivers earn college scholarships. Lucas Miller and Drew Morgan (Arkansas), Stephen Hogan (Arkansas State), Spencer Harris (Illinois), Austin Harris (University of Arkansas-Monticello), Jansen Stein (Harding), Garrett Collins (Arkansas tech) and Treyton Dawson (Henderson State University) all earned college scholarships as wide receivers under Coach Young.

“Coach Young is extremely familiar with the standard of excellence that has been established in the Greenwood football program,” stated Greenwood Athletic Director Dr. Dustin Smith. “He had a front row seat and has been instrumental in helping to build that standard. What I really respect about Chris is that he understands what it means to be a Bulldog. Coach Young will not allow the standard to shift. Excellence is the standard at Greenwood, and he embraces that standard whole-heartedly.”

As an administrator, Coach Young has handled discipline for the high school. High School Principal, Dr. Cody Chatman praised the job Chris has done as an administrator.

“Chris has played a vital role in our administrative staff for many years. His ability to form meaningful relationships with our students, staff, parents, and community have enabled him to become successful both on and off the field. He is extremely driven, passionate, and a great communicator of goals and expectations. I am excited to continue working with Chris in this new role,” commented Dr. Cody Chatman, Principal of Greenwood High School.

“Chris is a competitor and loves to see our kids compete. Not just on the football field, but he loves to see anyone wearing the ‘G’ compete. It doesn’t matter the sport, Coach Young cheers on our kids and supports our kids,” Dr. Smith stated. “Chris knows our football program inside and out and we believe he will continue the rich tradition of Greenwood football.”

Quotes from former players…..

“When I think of great coaches, the first two people that pop into my head are Rick Jones and Chris Young. When I think back to when I was having the most fun playing football, it was with Chris Young as my position coach. He has played a huge role in shaping me into what I am today. He not only understands the Bulldog way, but he LIVES the Bulldog way. If I could play one more snap for him, I would. He is the only coach I would do that for.” – Drew Morgan

“Chris Young is a great hire. I have been around a lot of head coaches in various sports and Coach Young carries and exhibits the same qualities and leadership they bring.” – Connor Noland

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