It’s tournament time in the 2A-4, and the Lavaca Junior Arrows and Junior Lady Arrows are ready to bring home the championship trophies. The Junior Lady Arrows are the two seed going into the tournament, while the Junior Arrows boys team is the one seed. This will give both teams a bye until Wednesday while the wait to see who they will play. Both these Arrow teams are playing at a high level lately and expectations are high.
2A-4 Junior High Girls Bracket
The tournament kicks off tonight at JC Westside. The girls will tip off first with Danville playing Magazine at 5 p.m. followed by Magazine boys vs Hector at 6:15 p.m.. Wednesday, Hackett girls will play Westside girls at 4 p.m., while Hector will play at 6:30 p.m. against the winner of the Monday night game. Also on Wednesday, Mountainburg boys will play Westside boys at 5:15 p.m., followed by the Danville boys playing the winner of Monday nights boys game at 7:45 p.m.
2A-4 Junior High Boys Bracket
For the girls, Mountainburg is the one seed and will play the winner of the Hackett vs Westside game on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. The Lady Arrows will play the winner of the Hector game at 6:30 p.m., Thursday night. For the boys Lavaca has the one seed and will play Thursday at 7:45 p.m. against the winner of the Magazine Hector game. Hackett has the two seed and will play the winner of the Danville game at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday. See attached brackets.
The Waldron Bulldogs Track team competed over the weekend in the Indoor Track State competition held at the Randal Tyson Indoor Track in Fayetteville. Teams from all over the state in the 1A-4A conference showed up to showcase their talents and try to win big. The Waldron Bulldogs superseded that goal and broke some school records in the process.
Competing in 14 different events, the Lady Bulldogs dominated their division and come out the 3A State Indoor Champions, that by the way, is the Lady Bulldogs first State win since 2011. In another incredible fete, the boys’ team snagged their very first Indoor State win. Waldron Coach, Toby Hollin, exclaimed, “I can’t begin to describe the determination, hard work, and pure heart that each of our kids poured into last night. They gave it everything they had, and it paid off immensely!!! Coach Bailey and I could not have asked for a better group of girls to share this win with!”
Waldron Lady Bulldog Champions
Winning a State Championship Title for the Lady Bulldogs in the 4×800 relay was: Ryleigh Anschutz Madison Patrick Stephanie Sexton Kentucky Spence
Winning All-State in the 4×400 relay for the girls’ team was: Ryleigh Anschutz Desiree Hunt Kaylie Martinez Stephanie Sexton
Jaden Kirkendoll won a State Championship in the high jump. Erica Davis won a State Championship in 60 hurdles. Hannah Jeffries won All-State in 60 hurdles. And Alyssa Byford won All-State in the shot put.
Waldron Bulldog Champions
Winning for the boys’ team was Bryson Bailey in the long jump with a State Championship and an All-State win in the 60 meter. Levi Hayden made All-State in the long jump, high jump, and the 200 meter. Gabino Grano won a State Championship in the 200 meter. And Mason Ford got a State Championship win in the triple jump.
The Hackett Sr High Hornets had it twice as nice in last Friday nights basketball game against the Magazine Rattlers. The senior players from both Hornet and Lady Hornet teams celebrated Hackett style with a big ceremony mid-game, only made better by the high energy school spirit delivered by the Hackett community.
Senior Lady Hornet Audrie Chaney
The (5-5) Hornet boys’ team then turned around and delivered a smackdown to the Rattlers, leaving their mark and snagging a 75-60 signature win. The game started with both teams using a strong interior play and suffocating defensive skills. At halftime, the scoreboard read 33-24 Hackett. The game continued to be a nerve wreaking back and forth wonder but never one to disappoint, the Hornets were able to pull away and score the win.
Football Coach Lonnie Hester with Hornet basketball seniors, manager Matthew Carter, #15 Brady Hester and #10 Anthony Collins
As usual, its always exciting to watch as the (3-7) Lady Hornets take to the court and skillfully dominate the paint. The girls always play with a plethora of energy thats hard to match. After a high octane battle, the Lady Rattlers stole the Lady Hornets win 50-39.
Senior Lady Hornets #20 Taylor Glass and #12 Bonnie Harwood
The remaining Hackett seniors not pictured are Christian Woods, Bryce Brown, Luke Patterson, Bradley Martin, and Megan Black.
On February 2, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a man needing assistance in the 1200 block of Lilac Place, near Greenwood.
Upon arrival, the caller directed deputies to the goat pen, where two pit bulls appeared to be eating several goats. The man said the pit bulls belonged to a neighbor and were often running loose in the neighborhood.
Additionally, the caller told deputies the goats were raised to be his grandchildren’s pets, named Stormy, Bonnie, and Clyde. The two female goats, Stormy and Bonnie, were pregnant.
The man said his grandchildren play on the property and he was fearful for them with the dogs running loose. Another neighbor also reported to deputies the dogs had to be chased off of his property as they were trying to harm a calf.
The man said there was another dog that ran off when the man approached the goat pen. He further reported the dogs still in the pen became aggressive towards him also.
A deputy went to the pen hoping to run the dogs off.
However, the pit bulls became aggressive and growled at the deputy.
The deputy stated the dogs had no intent of retreating or
leaving the property. The deputy fired several rounds and both dogs were
killed.
Arkansas Code 20-19-102 allows for the killing of dogs that
are catching, injuring, or killing a domesticated animal. The law also
states the owner of the dogs have no liability against the one who puts the
vicious dogs down.
Contact was made by deputies with the owner of the dogs. SCSO is currently investigating the matter with the possibility of citations being issued for allowing vicious dogs to run at large. The dogs’ owners also may stand as defendants if the goats’ owners choose to pursue damages.
The Arkansas Activities Association is throwing its hat in the ring in regards to eSports. In January the AAA Board of Directors voted to enter a partnership with PlayVs, an online gaming provider based out of Los Angeles, California. PlayVs has worked directly with the NFHS and NFHS Network to become the sole eSports league of member state associations.
“PlayVs is committed to high schools,” said Derek Walter, Assistant Executive Director of the AAA. “We are excited to partner with a company like PlayVs. They are committed to introducing eSports to our member schools in the most efficient way possible.” PlayVs partners with game developers to make sure games are team based, appropriate for students, and capable of being played on school computers to keep operating cost down. “Starting eSports in Arkansas is first and foremost about increasing participation in schools,” said Walter. “Our goal is for eSports to target students who don’t currently participate in activities like football, basketball, band, or drama.”
Currently PlayVs has three games available to students: League of Legends, Smite, and Rocket League. These games will have teams of three to five students. Each school can have multiple teams for each game. eSports will be structured into a fall and springs season.
he deadline to sign your school up for the spring season is February
8th. The spring season will run from February 25th through April 22nd.
The cost to play eSports is $64.00 per student per season. For more
information on eSports go to ahsaa.org/media.
On Saturday, February 2, Polar Plunge participants dove into frigid waters, freezing for a reason! Funds raised through the plunge benefitted the Arkansas Special Olympics.
The team “Peacemakers and Educators” consisted of Sebastian County deputies, dispatchers, a nursing student, a Fort Smith Police Officer and a Fort Smith Public School Assistant Superintendent.
“We’ve been active partners in Special Olympics Arkansas for three years,” stated long time participant SCSO deputy Mike Burcham. “Our team grows in numbers each year. The majority of our plungers are deputy’s from the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Runion and Chief Deputy Nickson are super supportive of this charity and they allow me the time needed to coordinate our efforts, such as forming teams and fundraising.”
His team raised $1,400 this year. Overall fundraising from all teams totaled $8,000.
Burcham said the water temp was a chilly 34 degrees and that he was subject to what he jokingly called a “pool safety violation,” after being pushed into the water by another participant. Burcham vowed that paybacks were coming!
Fun fundraising, and a worthy cause! A special thanks to Burcham, his team and to all who participated!
Its go time for the Mansfield Jr High Tigers as they prepare to play in the biggest battle of the season. The 3A-1 Jr District Tournament starts today and runs through the weekend.
The Mansfield Tigers had to walk away with two tough losses against the West Fork Tigers in last Friday’s final conference game of the year. The Lady Tigers end their 2018-2019 basketball season with a 6-8 conference play record while the Tigers finish 7-7.
Natalie Allison, Sadie Roberts, and Haylee Helms
Kicking things off first will be the #5 Lady Tigers as they face the #4 Elkins Lady Elks on Wednesday, February 6th at 6:30 p.m. Following the girls’ game will be the #3 Tigers against the #6 Waldron Bulldogs at 7:45 p.m. The Jr High tournaments will be played at Mansfield High School. All ticket prices will be $5 and will go to the 3A-1 conference. Local and student passes will not be accepted. Only AAA passes and senior citizen passes will be honored.
The Waldron Jr High Bulldogs wrapped up their 2018-2019 season playing in their final conference game of the year, against Charleston last Friday night. The boys’ team finished conference play with a 36-32 win over the Tigers.
Head Coach for the Bulldogs, Josh Atchley, says “We are playing our best basketball at the right time. Hopefully, we will continue that trend at District.”
#11 Drew Owens and #33 Camdon Holcomb
The #8 Lady Bulldogs are up first to play in the 3A-1 Jr District tournament against the #1 Charleston Lady Tigers. Their game is on Monday, February 4th at 4 p.m. All games will be played at Mansfield High School. The #6 Bulldogs will take on the #3 Mansfield Tigers on Wednesday, February 6th at 7:45 p.m. All ticket prices will be $5 and that will go to the 3A-1 conference. Local and student discount passes will not be accepted. Only AAA passes and senior citizen passes will be honored.
Fort Smith Symphony String Quartet made it’s annual visit to Mansfield Middle School on Thursday, January 31st.
The quartet featured two violinist, one viola, and one cello. The quartet performed for multiple composed music from Russian, Europe, and the United States.
They played four musical numbers for the captive 5th grade audience, but was highlighted by their rendition of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida.
The 5th graders were attentive and excited about the quartet’s ability to calm anyone down, the teacher’s enjoyed the calming affect of the music as well.
As a member of the Southeastern Conference, the University of Arkansas holds strict policies as to the entrance procedures for events held in its facilities. As such, the 2019 ATCA high school indoor track and field state championships held at the Randal Tyson Track Complex in Fayetteville was slow to begin and late to run.
Over 800 athletes and 1500 entires were greeted Friday, Feb 1 for the running of the class 1A-4A state indoor track titles. Doors to the championship sight opened at 4 PM with meet events to follow at 5 PM. That was the plan anyway.
According to University policy ever bag must be checked for security purposes before admission is allowed. A good policy indeed with today’s climate of crazy leaking into everyday life. However, it was impossible for 800 athletes and hundreds of fans to pass inspection by 4 security checkers within that small window of time provided to the ATCA officials.
Consequently, start times for the first events were delayed by at least an hour and with the long enter list the meet lasted until 1 AM.
“I’m glad the policy is exists,” stated Mansfield head coach John Mackey. “The safety of our kids is important. But, the late start and the extremely large entry pool made for a really long night.”
“Our kids and parents knew it was gonna be a late night,” expressed the coach. “Late nights are expected for the state finals in track. This was just the longest our indoor meet has ever taken since we started going about 15 years ago.”
The long hours didn’t bother Scott County neighbor Waldron. The class 4A football school that dropped down to run 3A track, won the class 3A state indoor championship for both the girls and boys divisions.
Mansfield’s girls were 10th this indoor season. Since 2014, they have won 7 indoor state titles and have a pair of runner-up trophies as well. The Mansfield men finished 11th.
Despite the long hours and Waldron’s dominating performance, Mansfield had it’s share of success at the track meet.
Renden Emery runs 4x800m relay.
Sophomore Renden Emery and freshman Faith Rainwater scored the highest among the 33 athletes Mansfield took to compete.
Emery finished with a bronze medal in the boys high jump. The tenth grader also competed in the 4x800m relay, triple jump, 60m hurdles, and 4x400m relay.
Faith Rainwater
Rainwater captured bronze as well as the third place distance runner in the women’s 3200m run. She was also part of a 4x800m relay team that registered a DNF.
“We did not finish the race because of a fall,” shared Mackey. “Our lead leg, Faith’s twin sister Hope, fell on the second lap in a big pile up.” A tight crowd on the curve pushed her to the inside where she stepped on the raised curb and went down.
“It’s disappointing for her and the team,” continued the coach. “Hope worked really hard to make that team and build it for success. Unusual things happen sometimes.”
The relay squad that coach referred to included both Rainwater sisters, McKenzie Griffin, and Josefin Lofving.
Delilah McKusker, Shelby Cole, Harleigh Mars, and Lennon Woods just missed the top three medal stand in the women’s 4x400m relay. They came in fourth by a few seconds despite Woods’ valiant close as anchor.
Brooke Wright reached top 8 status at the women’s shot put ring. The sophomore arrived at the U of A campus to throw the implement after playing a MHS basketball game earlier in the evening at West Fork.
Freshman Sadie Roberts managed the same maneuver by playing in the junior girls basketball game at West Fork and making it to the high jump venue to compete on the senior girls track team. Roberts cleared the same height as the bronze medalist but ended her performance with a tie for fifth place because of misses.
Mansfield senior teammate Haylee Buckner was the player Roberts tied with at a clearance of 4’ 8” in the high jump.
“Because of the timing of certain events, those two were the only basketball players that could do both,” said Mackey. “We just couldn’t get it worked out for others so most of the dual sports kids remained at basketball.”
Newcomer Sara Willadsen surprised in the sprints for the Lady Tigers by winning her heats in the 60m dash and 200m dash. Although the times did not make the top 8, it gave the squad an idea of her abilities.
Shawn Brown throws indoor shot.
Shawn Brown from the men’s squad posted the highest result for the Tigers in the shot put. Again, the results were not up to top 8 state standards but were significant in the freshman thrower’s progress towards the future.
Will Meadows gave the Tigers a spark by scoring in the triple jump. He showed flashes in the 60m dash, and 200m dash as well as did teammate Randal Claude.
Freshman Ethan Chapman ran the fastest leg on the 4x800m relay. Artem Zirka was solid leading the way for the Tiger distance core.
Blayne Bryant and Victor Steffen both set personal records in their runs at the 400m dash. The pair also joined Emery and Chapman in the concluding “after-midnight mile relay”.
