Best of the River Valley Preps 2017

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KEEPSAKE EDITION | SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2017 AND WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

# r i v e r va l l e y p r e p s

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a night to remember

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hey wore dress coats. Some dazzled their teammates with ties, nice dresses and new shoes. They came from Hartford, .YLLU^VVK 4HUZÄLSK 6aark and Van Buren. Then there was Northside’s basketball team. They were everywhere. Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Player of the Year. The Best of River Valley Preps event at the Fort Smith Convention center drew the area’s best athletes in an event that included a half hour Question and Answer session with former University of Arkansas great and current Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden. McFadden answered a set of questions from moderator Greg Hale. Then Hale juggled several questions from the audience, a number of which

JHTL MYVT Z[\KLU[ H[OSL[LZ ^OV LHYULK ÄYZ[ VY second all-area. Cedarville’s Dakota Hopewell wanted to know if McFadden would consider playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Northside’s Topazia Hawkins wanted advice to give to her younger brother. There were light moments, laughter and tears were shed. Former Sallisaw football standout Clay Glass was remembered with a video interview of family, friends and his coach in Memoriam — Never Forget. Glass had the word ‘relentless’ tattooed on one of his arms. The Black Diamonds’ leading tackler had his life cut short in an ATV accident on Feb. 11. Northside lineman Tanner Cross earned an

Academic Achievement honor for carrying a 4.6 grade point average and earning a chance to play in the Ivy League for Dartmouth College. Paris earned two distinguished awards, with coach Wes Davis nabbing the volleyball ‘Coach of the Year’ award. The Lady Eagles’ Lycia Peevy was named the overall Female Athlete of the Year. Northside’s Tre Norwood earned the Male Athlete of the Year for his stellar senior season with the Grizzlies. He excelled in football, where OL LHYULK H ZJOVSHYZOPW [V 6RSHOVTH Later, Greenwood standout Connor Noland was awarded the River Valley’s Athlete of the Year for his monster seasons with the Bulldogs’ football and baseball teams.

Clockwise from left: UAFS Director of Athletics Curtis Janz, Darren McFadden and Delaney Janz. Top left: Moderator Greg Hale talks with McFadden. Top right: Bryan Penniman, executive director of operations for Orr Chevrolet, and Jessica Romano visit with McFadden in the VIP room. Bottom, right: Alma cheerleaders accept state championship medals from Crystal Costa.

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connor NOLAND

river valley athlete of the Year junior | greenwood high school

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onnor Noland knows at some point he will have to decide between football and baseball, but it won’t be any time soon. For now, the biggest challenge for the two-sport star is balancing the two.

It’s hard to play two sports and compete at a high level. Most kids nowadays, they specialize and just play one sport. So just trying to compete at the highest level and being the best player I can be is the biggest challenge.

In baseball, he finished the regular season 6-1 on the mound with an earned run average of 0.80 and a batting average of .354 with a pair of homers for the Bulldogs, who won the 6A/5A-1 conference championship and went to the state tournament. In football, he threw for 2,073 yards and 18 touchdowns with just three interceptions and ran for six scores for the Bulldogs, who were 12-1 and played in the state championship game.

the offseason, switching from football to baseball and baseball to football,” Noland said. “It’s two different mechanics, and it’s a challenge every year. It takes me two weeks to get translated to the next one, but it’s a good challenge. It’s a lot of fun.” Noland is so good at both that Arkansas football coach Bret Bielema and baseball coach Dave Van Horn agreed to let him play both sports. It was a major step in Noland’s decision to commit to the University of Arkansas. “It was a very big part of my decision,” Noland said. “Coach Bielema and coach Van Horn said they’d work together, and they were very open to me playing both sports.” “Coach Jones and I talk, and if he’s throwing footballs that day then he won’t throw baseballs that day during baseball season,” Coach Trey Holloway said. “For his age and the feel he has is what’s incredible,” Holloway said. “I can say try this or do this, and he can do it immediately. When you learn to get feel of being able to throw your pitch and do this with this that’s when you become pretty special. Doing that as a sophomore or a junior is pretty remarkable.”

“The mechanics of both challenge me in

—CONNOR NOLAND

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CONNOR NOLAND OF GREENWOOD with the 2017 Preps guest speaker, Darren McFadden.

academic achievement honors

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anner Cross, a senior linebacker at Northside, will get to chance to play college football at the next level. He’s a also going to do so playing for one of the m more prestigious universities in the nation.

tanner cross

northside high school, Senior

He had a 4.6 grade-point average at Northside, and he plans to study business ÄUHUJL

In February, Cross signed to play a Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. at D Dartmouth is a member of the Ivy League.

Academics was everything to me growing up; I found pleasure in competing in the classroom as much as I did in the ÄLSK

*YVZZ UV[LK OL HJ[\HSS` ZPNULK H ÄUHUJPHS a based scholarship with Dartmouth, as aid 0] 3LHN\L PUZ[P[\[PVUZ KV UV[ VќLY H[OSL[PJ 0]` s scholarships.

“Their scholarship in words is a spot in a admissions because it’s such a tough school to get into,” he said. “Their football program c get me into the education part of it, so can th that’s really the scholarship (part) of it.”

Cross (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) primarily p played inside linebacker for the Grizzlies. As a senior, he ranked third on the team in total ta tackles with 69, including 35 solo stops and MV MVY SVZZ /L KLÅLJ[LK MV\Y WHZZLZ HZ MV\Y w well.

But Cross is just as proud of another statistic HUK [OH[»Z H^H` MYVT [OL ÄLSK

—tanner cross Tanner Cross with Cowboys Running Back Darren McFadden

“Having that high GPA just allowed me to be recruited by every level of university and ultimately enabled me to attend Dartmouth.”

*YVZZ PZ Q\Z[ HZ JVTTP[[LK Vќ [OL ÄLSK He is a volunteer coach with the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club, volunteer coaching a ÄYZ[ HUK ZLJVUK NYHKL IHZRL[IHSS [LHT HZ well as a baseball team. He also volunteers in the Lean On Me mentoring program at the Club.

“I feel my role in the community is to be a good role model and example for our youth because being a kid not long ago, I \UKLYZ[HUK [OL PUÅ\LUJL [OH[ WYVTPULU[ OPNO school athletes hold over the kids that come and watch them play every Friday night,” Cross said.

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never forget — in memoriam clay glass

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sallisaw high schooL, senior

lay Glass had the word “Relentless� tattooed on one of his arms.That word was used to describe the way the Sallisaw senior linebacker played, and despite being undersized, Glass was able to lead the Black Diamonds in tackles his last three seasons.

I think our guys understand that if you follow in his footsteps and the way he was on and VŃœ [OL Ă„LSK `V\ÂťYL NVPUN [V IL H WYL[[` NVVK MVV[IHSS WSH`LY 5V[ VUS` PU MVV[IHSS I\[ PU SPML

Even when he wasn’t playing in an actual game, Glass still had a full speed ahead mentality.

“When we were in passing league doing 7-on-7, with helmets only, we were on KLMLUZL HUK [OL VWWVULU[ÂťZ VŃœLUZL ^HZ doing real good and were getting real close to the goal line,â€? Sallisaw football coach Scott Bethel said. “Then this receiver runs a drag route across the middle, and (Glass) [HRLZ OPZ OLHK VŃœ ;OLYL ^HZ UV WHKZ VY anything.

—scott bethel, head coach

Glass had just as big a presence in the locker room.

.SHZZ Ă„UPZOLK OPZ :HSSPZH^ JHYLLY with 372 tackles, which ranked third in school history.

Tragically, Glass’ life was cut short on Feb. 11, when he passed away in an ATV accident.

“He was always showing (teammates) the right way, always showing up on time, how to put in the ^VYR OV^ [V ^H[JO Ă„ST HUK ^OH[ [V look for,â€? Hawkins said. “He didn’t not just play his own position, he made sure he knew how to play others, and to get their mind up and correct them on the Ă„LSK

“It was just a freak accident. ... I don’t know a lot of the details and I really don’t want to get into them, but (the ATV) rolled over and he fell out and he died,� Bethel said.

>OLU OL Ă„YZ[ OLHYK VM .SHZZÂť WHZZPUN Bethel felt the inevitable initial shock.

“He enjoyed the challenges of trying [V Z[VW HU VŃœLUZL HUK [OL JOHSSLUNL VM taking things on without a coach there to help him out, and he put it on his own shoulders.â€?

“It was tough on us, and I started getting phone calls from players,� Bethel said. “As soon as I found out about it, I got a phone call from a player, and he wanted to talk because he didn’t know what was going on, this and that, and that was the tough part of it, just the players, how they were going to take it and what we needed to do with them.

Bethel said he has no plans to retire Glass’ number, which was 36. In fact, Bethel noted other players want to wear that number for Sallisaw’s upcoming season and beyond.

“We brought them down here to the MVV[IHSS Ă„LSK HUK ^L ZWLU[ HSS KH` OLYL HUK all night. They were able to mourn and get a lot out of their system. ... The main thing was just shock; you can’t believe something like that would happen.â€?

“It was tough on them, because he meant so much to not only the players but our

“He could talk to anybody, he was friends with everybody in school, he was a leader not only on the football Ă„LSK I\[ PU [OL ZJOVVS OL JV\SK YLSH[L to anybody whether they were playing in the band or playing basketball. ... Everybody looked up to him, so it was tough on them but I think how they dealt with it is they had each other and they knew they could turn to each other.â€?

“When he walked in, everybody just kind of looked at him for an answer or see how the day was going to be with his demeanor. ... He also knew how to break the ice; if there was tension in the YVVT PM [OLYL ^HZ H JVUĂ…PJ[ NVPUN VU he could settle it,â€? defensive coordinator Matt Hawkins said.

¸0ÂťT VŃœ [V [OL ZPKLSPUL HUK 0 IYPUN OPT V]LY and say, ‘Hey Clay, you know we only have helmets on, why are you doing that?’ He said, ‘Coach, I’ll guarantee you one thing, he will not be doing that again.’ So it was little things like that.â€?

But Bethel said Glass was more than just a football player, saying the linebacker was able to relate to his fellow students, whether they played sports or not.

community and our high school kids,� Bethel said. “He was their best friend.

“A lot of people want to wear that jersey, and that’s how I want him remembered instead of putting (that jersey) up on the wall and never seeing that number again,� Bethel said. “I want his number to be remembered and I think the kids want to wear his jersey.� ABOVE, DEBBIE GLASS (from left) mother of Clay Glass, along with Darren McFadden, his father, Damon Glass, and his sister McKenzie Glass after accepting an In-Memoriam honor in honor of his legacy in the Sallisaw community. Below, friends of Glass back stage with McFadden.

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It’s also a way for other Black Diamonds to play the way Glass did, relentless.

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onnor Noland knows at some point he will have to decide between football and baseball, but it won’t be any time soon. For now, the biggest challenge for the two-sport star is balancing the two. 0U IHZLIHSS OL ÄUPZOLK [OL YLN\SHY season 6-1 on the mound with an earned run average of 0.80 and a batting average of .354 with a pair of homers for the Bulldogs, who won the 6A/5A-1 conference championship and went to the state tournament. In football, he threw for 2,073 yards and 18 touchdowns with just three interceptions and ran for six scores for the Bulldogs, who were 12-1 and played in the state championship game. “The mech-anics of both challenge me PU [OL VќZLHZVU Z^P[JOPUN MYVT MVV[IHSS [V baseball and baseball to football,” Noland ZHPK ¸0[»Z [^V KPќLYLU[ TLJOHUPJZ HUK P[»Z

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tre norwood

male athlete of the Year

senior | northside high

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re Norwood had quite a charmed senior season for Northside. He helped guide the Grizzlies’ football team to an appearance in the 7A quarterfinals, punctuated by the school’s first win against rival Southside in more than a decade. Norwood also won a state championship as a member of the Grizzlies’ basketball team. He also was a top five individual finisher in track. After initially committing to the University of Louisville, Norwood eventually decided to attend OU on a football scholarship. He said he wanted to find another school that would offer a bit more stability in its staff. Norwood didn’t have to go very far to look. “It was (OU defensive backs) coach (Kerry) Cooks and (both head coach Bob and defensive coordinator Mike) Stoops; they’re great coaches and great guys,” Norwood said. “It’s a winning program, and it’s a place I felt comfortable with and it’s closer to home. I just felt like it was the best opportunity for me.”

of the final commitments for the Sooners, whose class ranked among the top 10 nationally, including No. 7 by Rivals and No. 8 by ESPN. He is the first high school player from Arkansas to sign with OU coach Bob Stoops since he took over the program in 1999. As a senior for Northside, Norwood recorded 35 total tackles, intercepted two passes and broke up six more. He also played quarterback during the second half of the season, helping the Grizzlies earn a trip to the 7A quarterfinals as Norwood rushed for 785 yards and nine touchdowns while passing for 281 yards and a TD. In the team’s annual rivalry game with Southside, Norwood rushed for 239 yards on 13 carries and scored four touchdowns in a 52-13 win, Northside’s first in the series since 2005. He also played guard on the Northside basketball team, which won the 7A championship in March. Norwood was fifth on the team in scoring, averaging five points a game to go with 3.2 rebounds. His season high for points was 13, which he had in two ballgames. This spring, Norwood competed on the Northside track team, where he finished third in the 7A state 100-meter dash.

Norwood (5-foot-11, 168 pounds) was ranked the No. 4 player in the state of Arkansas and the No. 53 cornerback in the country by 247Sports. He was o n e

TRE NORWOOD OF NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL with the 2017 Preps banquet guest speaker, Darren McFadden.

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lycia peevy

FEmale athlete of the Year senior | paris high school

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very exceptional athlete isn’t without its footnotes. For Paris’ Lycia Peevy, her footnotes began as an eighth grader. “I couldn’t even jump off one foot,” remembers Peevy, a two-time volleyball MVP and the Times Record ‘Female Athlete of the Year.’

An outstanding basketball player who has signed a letter of intent to compete at Arkansas State, Peevy had a great volleyball mentor from the very first time she stepped on the volleyball court. Wes Davis would be there at the end, too. “He was there to help me all the way and get me to where I wanted to be,” Peevy said. “He gave me a chance in the eighth grade and tried to push me. (But) back in the eighth grade I wasn’t very coordinated at all.”

even with the pressure of trying to repeat, the Lady Eagles were able to dispatch Conway Christian (31) for a second, much sweeter championship. Beating Conway Christian was much more difficult than the previous year’s opponent. “In the state tournament we talked about a couple of teams that were really good, and they were one of them,” Peevy said. “We knew it would be a battle.” Fittingly, Peevy’s final kill — which clinched the victory — gave her 1,200 for her career. An amazing feat for someone who isn’t planning to play at the next level. Peevy said she’s especially privileged to have her banners on the wall next to many of the Paris alums who supported her throughout her career. “It’s a really good feeling, especially since Paris hasn’t won a state title since the 1990s,” she said. “We had the community there supporting us all the way. To be on the wall with some of the people supporting us is a really good feeling.”

All athletes have dreams. Peevy saw herself winning a state basketball championship. Instead, she helped the Lady Eagles win two straight 3A volleyball titles. “If anything, I was hoping to win one in basketball,” Peevy said. “Playing volleyball in the eighth grade, and not being very good, I could never imagine it.” Oh, dare to dream. Peevy and the Lady Eagles narrowly missed out on winning three straight titles. The favored Eagles were beaten by a more veteran and determined group of Mansfield Tigers in 2014. Paris, however, didn’t miss a beat in ‘15. The team swept Atkins (3-0) in the finals. Then last year, LYCIA PEEVY OF PARIS with the 2017 Preps guest speaker, Darren McFadden.

2017 best of river valley preps |

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lionheart award lexie castillow

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greenwood high school, JUNIOR

exie Castillow is entering her senior season at Greenwood as a three-year starter for the Lady Bulldog volleyball team, mainly playing libero. She loves the sport, and enjoys the competition.

They told TL 0 JV\SKU»[ play sports HU`TVYL HUK [OH[ ^HZ [OL ÄYZ[ [OPUN [OL` [VSK TL HM[LY Z\YNLY` :V 0 Q\Z[ OHK [V NV IHJR in to physical therapy and learn how to walk HNHPU

But seven years ago, after experiencing pain playing softball, she and her family learned she had a tumor in her right kneecap. They took out all but 10 percent of her original kneecap and burn grafted a new one.

Nearly a year after her original diagnosis, Castillow decided to pick up volleyball and experienced a similar pain with her knee, so she went back to the doctor to have it treated. The tumor had returned and destroyed her kneecap.

Castillow learned that with this form of cancer there was also a small possibility it could spread to her lungs.

—lexie cross

As part of a routine screen, they learned it had indeed spread. Castillow said there were g, which was a lot of little tumors on her lung,

diagnosed as giant cell sarcoma, a cancerous blood disorder. She was also given more bad news: Doctors recommended that she not play any more sports.

But Castillow was more than determined to not only walk again, but also to play sports once more. Gradually, Castillow was able to recover and she was able to return to the court, but not without still undergoing constant chemotherapy sessions.

“There’s not been any issues, ever,” Greenwood volleyball coach Jennifer Golden ZHPK ¸0 [OPUR LHYS` VU ^OLU ZOL ÄYZ[ Z[HY[LK getting her chemo treatments, we almost OHK [V RPJR OLY Vќ [OL JV\Y[ ¹

As a junior, Castillow recorded 596 digs, 515 serve receptions and 21 aces for a Greenwood squad which reached the 6A ZLTPÄUHSZ *HZ[PSSV^ UV^ OHZ HUV[OLY NVHS entering her senior season with the Lady )\SSKVNZ :OL ^HU[Z [V ÄUPZO OLY ]VSSL`IHSS JHYLLY H[ .YLLU^VVK ^P[O [OL ZJOVVS»Z ÄYZ[ state title since 2011.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD STEVE PEOPLES

COACHING CAREER: 1973-2017

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or 44 years, Steve Peoples was a coach and mentor to athletes from Fort Smith to Clinton.

His Southside track program won three consecutive state championships between 2009-2011.

A Southside graduate, he started in Fort Smith and ended in Fort Smith.

Coach Peeps was also on the Southside MVV[IHSS JVHJO Z[Hќ MVY [OL HUK state championships.

/L JVHJOLK H[ *OHѝU -H`L[[L]PSSL Woodland and Ramey, and then at Clinton, 1LZZPL]PSSL .YLLU^VVK IHJR [V *OHѝU HUK then the last 15 years at Southside.

7LVWSLZ ^HZ VU :V\[OZPKL»Z ÄYZ[ MVV[IHSS team to win 10 or more games (1966). Peoples initially set out to become a high school baseball coach following a four-year playing career at Ouachita Baptist.

“Coach (Jim) Rowland gave me opportunity to come back (1996) to Fort Smith,” Peoples said. “Being able to come back to Fort Smith, that was such a blessing.” He has also been heavily involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Program. The man known by “Peeps” left his IPNNLZ[ JVHJOPUN THYR PU [YHJR HUK ÄLSK

However, because high school baseball OHK `L[ [V ILJVTL HU VѝJPHS (YRHUZHZ Activities Association sport in the 1980s, he migrated toward football and track. COACH STEVE PEOPLES accepts the 2017 All-Star Preps Lifetime Achievement Award from Times Record Publisher Crystal Costa. Peoples went on to share a few words (right) about his career with an audience of more than 1,000 at the Fort Smith Convention Center.

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“I’m going to miss seeing their development, not only with their athletic development but also growing as a person. Hopefully, I had a little bit of help in that.”

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uafs.edu | 479-788-7120 | 888-512-5466 2017 best of river valley preps |

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true grit award race taylor

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paris high school, senior

ace Taylor was one of the most perplexing basketball players Mike Foster has ever coached. Quiet, OHYK ^VYRPUN HUK ZLSM Z\ѝJPLU[ HYL Q\Z[ H ML^ VM [OL HKQLJ[P]LZ [OH[ KLÄUL [OL 7HYPZ» basketball star. Taylor works 20 hours a week at the local McDonald’s to help pay for his car insurance, phone and whatever new clothes he buys. He’s an honor student, loyal as a good bird dog and he believes LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of all time.

;V TL ^PUUPUN JVTLZ ÄYZ[ 0[»Z UV[ HIV\[ VUL WSH`LY 0[»Z HIV\[ H [LHT LќVY[ ^PU VY SVZL

His coach is impressed with his all-around focus and drive for the entire game. “I’ve had kids average 25 points a game but couldn’t play a lick of defense,” Foster said. “I’ve coached hundreds of players between here and Lavaca and Harrisburg. I’m going to put him in the top three, four VY Ä]L V]LYHSS WSH`LYZ 0»]L L]LY JVHJOLK /L averages 18 points, six rebounds and four

assists, and he always guards the other team’s top scorer.”

MELISSA VITALE, (left), owner of True Grit Running presented the True Grit award for Race Taylor, which was accepted by coach Mike Foster (right). They are pictured behind stage with Darren McFadden during the 2017 Preps banquet.

WRESTLER OF THE YEAR

JET TAYLOR SALLISAW

—WHY HE WON— :HSSPZH^ ZLUPVY 1L[ ;H`SVY JHWWLK VɈ H perfect 34-0 season with his third consecutive wrestling championship, winning it in the 126-pound weight class at the 4A state ^YLZ[SPUN [V\YUHTLU[ PU 6RSHOVTH *P[`

Who is Race Taylor? The Eagles’ senior was born in Clarksville in the fall of 1998, was raised by a single mom and learned to fend for himself at an age when most kids were just learning to get by without their sippy cups.

“A lot of kids these days are spoon-fed, and he’s earned what he’s gotten,” Foster said. “He’s very respectful to his peers. He works for the things he gets.”

A routine non-basketball game day means up at 7 a.m. for school, basketball practice, then the 4-to-11 shift at McDonald’s.

“It’s pretty tiring,” Taylor said. “It was pretty tough last year, but it’s a lot easier this year.”

—RACE TAYLOR

;OL ,HNSLZ ÄUPZOLK K\YPUN [OL three seasons No. 22 toiled for the Eagles.

WRESTLING COACH OF THE YEAR

JOHN KINCADE GREENWOOD

¸0[ ^HZ KLÄUP[LS` H KYLHT JVTL [Y\L ;OL harder that I worked, the more that it became a dream come true and it started turning into reality,” Taylor said. Taylor won his third state title in his third KPɈLYLU[ ^LPNO[ JSHZZ (Z H ZVWOVTVYL OL won state in the 113; then as a junior last season, won the 4A 120 class title. Entering the 4A state tournament, Taylor did have one main concern in his bid to three-peat. “My big concern going in was that somebody could take me out without actually beating me,” he said. “I just had to let my wrestling ^VYR W\[ P[ZLSM [V [OL [LZ[ HUK 0 ÄN\YLK [OH[ P[ would take care of itself if I put everything else under control.” ;H`SVY ÄUPZOLK OPZ )SHJR +PHTVUK ^YLZ[SPUN career with a 136-13 record. He will continue his wrestling career at the next level as Taylor has signed to wrestle at national powerhouse 6RSHOVTH :[H[L <UP]LYZP[` MVY UL_[ ZLHZVU

WHY HE WON Greenwood wrestling coach John Kincade came to the school several years ago wanting to establish the program. This past season, two of Kincade’s wrestlers, Austin Collins and Jon Womack, captured individual 6A/7A state titles. Collins won the 195 weight class title, and Womack did the same in the heavyweight class. Greenwood also had a state runner-up, Dylan Wilson, who ÄUPZOLK ZLJVUK PU [OL JSHZZ Kincade said his team is in position to compete for more state championships in the coming seasons. “We have a lot of youth,” he said. “We have a real bright future ahead of us, we’ve got some good younger kids coming up through the ranks.”

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2017 best of river valley preps |

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comeback kid award

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yan Wallace learned a lot about himself during the two years he was sidelined with a rare case of aneurysmal bone cyst. With his parents dutifully by his side, through the hard times of 2014, when he ^HZ ÄYZ[ KPHNUVZLK \U[PS [OPZ ZWYPUN ^OLU he made a triumphant return to sports, participating in sports, Wallace is the true KLÄUP[PVU VM H *VTLIHJR 2PK

ryan wallace

Once I started [OYV^PUN P[ HSS JHTL IHJR [V TL I had to relearn my technique and some VM [OL MVV[^VYR 0»]L HS^H`Z ILLU WYL[[` NVVK ^P[O T` IVK`

¸0[ ^HZ YLHSS` KPѝJ\S[ MVY TL ¹ YLJHSSZ Angela Wallace, Ryan’s mom. For two years, and seemingly out of nowhere, Wallace’s athletic career was put on hold as he recovered from a rare cyst that, it was discovered in 2014, was eating at the bone in his right tibia. “Growing up, I played Church League IHZLIHSS [YH]LS IHZLIHSS [YH]LS IHZRL[IHSS · I played everything,” says Wallace, a junior. “My dad (Mark) wanted me to say active, and it (sports) just grew into my childhood. “Ever since I was little, my parents have pictures of me holding any kind of ball.” “I don’t know if all of his buddies know the entire situation, but I’m glad to see him out there doing something,” Southside track coach Brad West said. “I was sad to see him give football up, but understandably with his situation, you never know what could happen.” Wallace, a discus thrower on the Mavericks’ track team, was always involved in multiple sports: basketball, baseball, football, track. “Ryan was involved in a lot of sports,” Mark Wallace said. “He played up a grade in junior high (football). He was playing travel baseball, and when that was over he was playing travel basketball.” Toward the end of the summer of 2014, as Wallace was preparing for his ninth-grade `LHY H[ *OHѝU 1\UPVY /PNO >HSSHJL JV\SKU»[ seem to shake a nagging ankle issue. “I thought I had growing pains,” Wallace said. “I would ice it down every day, and it didn’t get any better. He (Southside trainer )YLU[ .YPѝZ ZHPK 0 OHK HJ[\HSS` MYHJ[\YLK P[ H couple of times during football.” Wallace went to the doctor for an X-ray. “The X-ray showed that a cyst had eaten away part of my bone,” Wallace said. 3VVRPUN V]LY [OL ? YH` H MYHaaSLK .YPѝZ

pulled out his cellphone and called Ryan’s parents.

southside high school, junior

CHUCK COMBS, (left), president of Shoppers Value Foods, presented Ryan Wallace (right) with the Comeback Kid award at the River Valley Best of Preps awards banquet, featuring Darren McFadden (center).

—RYAN WALLACE

“It was a little bit doom and gloom at ÄYZ[ ¹ 4HYR >HSSHJL ZHPK ¸;OL` JHSSLK P[ H [\TVY H[ ÄYZ[ HUK P[ OHK LH[LU H^H` HIV\[ 45 percent of the bone. They said it could be cancerous; he may not walk right ... he WYVIHIS` ^VU»[ WSH` ZWVY[Z HNHPU · [OH[»Z kind of the information we got at right at ÄYZ[ ¹

¸0[ ^HZ Q\Z[ H YLK ÅHN [V TL" P[ KPKU»[ ZLLT SPRL H UVYTHS WYVISLT ¹ YLTLTILYZ .YPѝZ ¸0 had never seen that; I had never had one of the athletes come up with that. “If I remember, the bone was practically gone.”

X-rays concluded that Wallace had developed an aneurysmal bone cyst.The Wallaces were devastated. He was referred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Dr. Richard Nicholas.

“Thank goodness we were referred to (Arkansas) Children’s (Hospital),” Mark Wallace said. “The doctor down there was a little more used to seeing this type of injury. Although it’s not real common, (Dr. Nicholas) had seen it quite a bit.”

;OL HUL\Y`ZTHS IVUL J`Z[ \Z\HSS` HќLJ[Z kids in the second decade of their life cycle. And it’s not picky, either. Aneursmal bone cyst may occur in any bone in the body. It can be aggressive and can cause extensive weakening of the bony structure and impinge on the surrounding tissues.

“He’s very fortunate that he’s recovered MYVT [OH[ ¹ .YPѝZ ZHPK ¸/L ^HZ Y\UUPUN VU it, and he’s fortunate he didn’t break it (leg).”

In May 2015, Wallace returned to Little Rock for a checkup. The news wasn’t good.

“They found that the cyst had come back,” Mark Wallace said. “Then he had to go through it again.” Wallace had a second and successful surgery to remove his cyst on June 1, 2015.

Earlier this spring, Wallace received a JSLHU IPSS VM OLHS[O MYVT OPZ KVJ[VY )\[ ÄYZ[ he had to shed a few pounds. Wallace said he put on “about 25 to 30 pounds” during his freshman and sophomore years. Wallace, who is down to 212 pounds, has gained the muscle he lost.

“I was really nervous getting back out there,” Wallace said. “But once I started throwing, it all came back to me.”

2017 best of river valley preps |

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15

northside high school team of the year

2017 boys basketball team

COACH ERIC BURNETT celebrates with his team after securing the win in the 2017 7A state championship final game against North Little Rock.

I spent all season trying to get these guys to bond and love each other as a team. It eventually happened and paid off. —ERIC BURNETT

E

arly on in their season, the Northside Grizzlies struggled to get wins. However, they got plenty of wins as the season moved along. They also got the biggest win possible, the 2017 7A state championship.

a win against fellow conference foe Bryant in the quarterfinals. Then in the semifinals against Springdale Har-Ber, Northside trailed at halftime and was down by double digits in the second half before storming back to a 69-56 win.

The Grizzlies started the season 2-4 before reeling off 10 straight wins. They lost three games in 7A-Central play, two of those to North Little Rock, including one in triple overtime.

That set up the rematch with NLR, this time for the 7A championship.

It wouldn’t be the last time Northside and North Little Rock squared off, however.

Then with 12.8 seconds left, Northside senior guard Tevin Brewer made a foul shot to give the Grizzlies a 50-49 lead. Brewer then helped force a turnover on NLR’s final possession to preserve the one-point win.

Northside finished second in the 7A-Central behind NLR and drew a first-round bye at the 7A State Tournament in Van Buren. The Grizzlies then opened postseason play with

16 | 2017 best of river valley preps

In a tight, back-and-forth affair, Northside trailed early in the fourth quarter before rallying to tie the score.

It was the 10th state title for Northside basketball and the Grizzlies’ first since 2007.

eric burnett

jim rowland coach of the year northside high school boys basketball coach

E

ric Burnett was unable to win a state championship as a standout basketball player at Northside. Then as a coach, he was on the losing end of the Grizzlies’ last state championship squad in 2007.

)\[ PU 4HYJO )\YUL[[ ^HZ Ă„UHSS` HISL [V ^PU H ring with his alma mater, as he guided the Grizzlies to the 7A state championship. “That is an unbelievable opportunity to be able to do that, and that’s one of the reasons why, in 2010, I took this job, to go back home and coach at Northside, because I felt back in 1989 when I was a senior, I felt like we had the best team in the state and we didn’t get that opportunity; we got beat in [OL ZLTPĂ„UHSZ š )\YUL[[ ZHPK “And so I’ve always wanted to come back here and bring a state championship to Northside and I tell you, it feels great for these guys to get it done for Northside, for Fort Smith, the community. “There’s so many people behind these guys and what they did this year and not only basketball; [OPZ PZ H NYLH[ NYV\W VM N\`Z VU HUK VŃœ [OL JV\Y[ in school, and I think they deserve this state championship.â€? The Grizzlies got the job done for Burnett in a 50-49 win against North Little Rock for the 7A title Saturday at Bank of the Ozarks Arena. It was also Northside’s 10th state title in school history.

COACH ERIC BURNETT (LEFT), the 2017 Jim Rowland Coach of the Year, with Darren McFadden (center) and retired coach Jim Rowland.

^P[OPU [OL Ă„YZ[ OHSM TPU\[L VM [OL [P[SL NHTL HZ 539 OP[ H HUK NV[ H K\UR VŃœ H Z[LHS )\[ )\YUL[[ and his players showed no signs of panic, and the .YPaaSPLZ X\PJRS` YLLSLK VŃœ ZL]LU Z[YHPNO[ WVPU[Z VM their own before both teams dueled for the lead.

But this March, Burnett was able to celebrate winning a title.

¸>L ^LYL Ă„UL š )\YUL[[ ZHPK ¸,]LY`IVK` OHZ jumped out on us in the beginning of a game, it’s seemed like all year long. ... We just had to settle down and relax and go out and do what we do best and we did that. ... I never really worried about us being down points; I was just worried about us getting stops because once these guys get to going, there’s no stopping them.â€?

It looked as if Burnett wouldn’t be able to celebrate early on, as the Grizzlies fell behind 5-0

Northside opened the season winning just [^V VM P[Z Ă„YZ[ ZP_ NHTLZ ILMVYL [\YUPUN P[ HYV\UK

Northside’s ninth state title came at the expense of Burnett, in 2007, when the Grizzlies defeated Burnett, who at the time was the coach at Springdale Har-Ber.

beginning with a 10-game win streak. The Grizzlies LUKLK \W ^PUUPUN VM [OLPY Ă„UHS NHTLZ ^P[O two of those losses coming to North Little Rock in the regular season, each by three points. Now comes the hard part for the Grizzlies. They must replace a large senior class, although they do return shooting guard Isaiah Joe, a University of Arkansas commit who led all scorers with 20 points in the title game win. “I’m going to miss them a whole bunch, I really am,â€? Burnett said of his seniors. “When it comes to looking at the word leaders in the dictionary, you’ll see these guys because they are picture perfect in what a leader should be.â€?

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orr unlimited award

I

jon womack

n February, Greenwood wrestler Jon Womack rode a wave of emotion to win the 6A/7A 285-pound weight class state championship.

greenwood high school, JUNIOR

He did so just two weeks after his father, James, passed away from a heart attack. Five years before that, Jon Womack lost his mother, who passed away from injuries sustained in a car accident.

“I thought about my mom every day for Ă„]L `LHYZ HUK UV^ 0 [OPUR HIV\[ T` TVT and dad every day,â€? Jon Womack said. “I don’t think it’s ever going to go away.â€?

Despite dealing with his father’s unexpected passing, as well as still grieving over the loss of his mother, it gave Womack even more determination to win state.

“He used to call every day, like during tournaments and I knew what he wanted me to do and I knew that he was there with me. ... I knew what I was there to do and I got it done until the last match,� Womack said.

The week after his father’s passing, Womack returned to the wrestling mat, competing in the conference tournament, ^OLYL OL ÄUPZOLK ZLJVUK ;OH[ NH]L OPT more fuel to go for a title the following week at state, which was held in Little Rock.

BRYAN PENNINGTON, SLM[ +PYLJ[VY VM 6WLYH[PVUZ MVY 6YY *OL]YVSL[ WYLZLU[LK [OL 6YY <USPTP[LK H^HYK [V 1VOU >VTack (right). The two are pictured here with Cowboys running back Darren McFadden back stage.

We have [OL ILZ[ community and coaches in the Z[H[L HUK WYVIHIS` [OL UH[PVU 7LVWSL JHTL together and I started seeing people I had UL]LY ZLLU PU T` SPML I\[ [OL` RUL^ who I was and T` MHTPS` —jon womack

Kincade helped counsel Womack in the days following his father’s passing. The two talked constantly, with wrestling the furthest thing from either’s mind.

“It’s just like the bottom had fell out. ... Just knowing the pain they (Womack and his siblings) were going to go through and understanding with the loss of both of my parents and what you go through when you lose parents, but to lose them at such a young age, I just can’t imagine that,� Kincade said. “I knew it was going to be a tough deal, but his courage and his responsibility that he took through that, of being able to take on responsibility and saying, ‘Hey, I’ve got to step up here,’ and he did that.�

Jon, who also has an older brother J.R., felt even greater responsibility to take care of his siblings.

“Even though I wasn’t the oldest, I felt it was my place to be the strong person out of all four of us, so I took the role and I made sure I would check on them every day. ... I JV\SK OH]L ^LU[ VŃœ HUK SP]LK ^P[O ZVTLVUL else, but I decided I was going to stay with Bryce and I made sure he was taken care of,â€? Jon said.

>VTHJR ^OV ÄUPZOLK HZ [OL Y\UULY \W at last year’s state meet, entered February’s state tournament as the second seed, but WYVJLLKLK [V ^PU Ä]L Z[YHPNO[ TH[JOLZ [V JSHPT [OL [P[SL >VTHJR ^OV ÄUPZOLK OPZ season with a record of 38-3, was also honored after the title match by being named an outstanding wrestler for 6A/7A, as well as being given the Victory with Honors award for sportsmanship.

He also got support from his extended family, including his school and community.

In April, Womack was part of the Greenwood team that won the 6A/7A state weightlifting title, with Womack also setting a meet record with a 385-pound power clean.

0U [OL ÄUHSZ OL NV[ H KLJPZPVU HNHPUZ[ Rogers Heritage’s DeAndrea Martinez, who had defeated Womack the previous week in the conference tournament.

A defensive tackle on the football team, Womack’s next goal is to win another state [P[SL HZ [OL )\SSKVNZ ÄUPZOLK HZ [OL Z[H[L runner-up in his sophomore and junior seasons.

“I knew that I was going to have to be more aggressive going into this match, and I think that was the turning point,� Womack said. “I just knew what I wanted and I pushed myself to be able to accomplish (winning state).�

He’ll continue to carry the memory of his mother and his father when doing so.

In the aftermath of his state title win, Womack then became overcome with emotion.

¸;OL Ă„YZ[ [OPUN 0 KPK 0 [OYL^ T` HYTZ \W but I was too tired, I couldn’t keep my arms

up for long,â€? Womack said. “I was tired and I looked up in the stands and I think I caught Austin (Collins, his wrestling teammate who HSZV ^VU Z[H[L PU [OL JSHZZ Ă„YZ[ HUK then I looked up at (younger brother) Bryce and my sister was there, too, and I caught Baylea. ... Then I went over to (Greenwood coach John Kincade) and gave him a hug.â€?

JON WOMACK after his state championship title win for the 6A/7A heavy weight division.

18 | 2017 best of river valley preps

“My dad believed that I could do anything I did and he told me I was going to be able to do it (win state in wrestling),� Jon Womack said. “He’s the only reason I’ve ever done any sports.�

H E R E ’ S TO A N A L L- S TA R

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Rheem.com

2017 best of river valley preps |

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SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

MCKENNAH SIKES

BRADY BRASHER

VAN BUREN

BOONEVILLE

—WHY SHE WON—

—WHY HE WON—

Regardless of venue, Van Buren softball coach Andy Williams said senior 4J2LUUHO :PRLZ JHU THRL HU PTTLKPH[L PTWHJ[ PU [OL ÄYZ[ PUUPUN VM NHTLZ :PRLZ was the team’s pitcher, so she was capable of producing a shutdown inning right out of the gate at Lady Pointer home games. Then on the road, if there are runners on base, Sikes – batting fourth in the lineup – has the ability to drive them in. Sikes – who hit .410 as a junior – bettered that as a senior and led the Pointers PU ZL]LYHS VɈLUZP]L JH[LNVYPLZ [OYV\NO [OL LUK VM [OL YLN\SHY ZLHZVU HZ =HU )\YLU ÄUPZOLK [OPYK PU [OL ( >LZ[ :OL SLK [OL [LHT PU H]LYHNL OVTL Y\UZ RBIs (46), on-base percentage (.547), slugging percentage (1.090), on-base plus slugging percentage (1.636) and hits with runners in scoring position (16). A straight-A student, Sikes will get to continue her softball career at the next level as she has signed with Jones County Junior College in Mississippi.

WHY HE WON Entering their state tournament, Greenwood had a record of 23-6, which included a run of four straight shutout wins before falling in the 6A-West championship game to Sheridan.

20 | 2017 best of river valley preps

Big numbers don’t mean much to Booneville right-hander Brady Brasher. 6O OL HWWYLJPH[LZ [OL Z[H[Z HUK ^PUZ OL HUK OPZ [LHTTH[LZ HJJ\T\SH[LK [OL last two seasons. The Bearcats won 50-plus games during his junior and senior seasons. Brasher has compiled video-type numbers this spring for the Bearcats, winning ZL]LU VM OPZ LPNO[ KLJPZPVUZ HUK IH[[PUN ^P[O OP[Z 9)0Z HUK Y\UZ scored. )VVUL]PSSL ^VU VM NHTLZ ILMVYL Z[\TISPUN HNHPUZ[ /VYH[PV PU [OL ( ÄUHSZ With most of their 2016 roster back in ‘17, Brasher and the Bearcats expected to WPJR \W ^OLYL [OL` SLM[ VɈ ¸>L [HSRLK HIV\[ NL[[PUN IHJR [V [OL ÄUHSZ I\[ ^L HSZV [VVR [OL ºVUL NHTL H[ H [PTL» HWWYVHJO ¹ )YHZOLY ZHPK ¸>L [OV\NO[ PM ^L KPK [OH[ ^L ^V\SK IL 62 ¹

SOFTBALL COACH OF THE YEAR

BASEBALL COACH OF THE YEAR

RONNIE SOCKEY

TREY HOLLOWAY

GREENWOOD

GREENWOOD

*VHJO 9VUUPL :VJRL` SLM[ IHJRZ[HNL ^P[O +HYYLU 4J-HKKLU 9PNO[ *VHJO ;YL` /VSSV^H` YLJPL]LZ OPZ *VHJO VM [OL @LHY (^HYK MVY )HZLIHSS MYVT ;PTLZ 9LJVYK 7\ISPZOLY *Y`Z[HS *VZ[H

WHY HE WON Trey Holloway led the Bulldogs to a 26-7 record and a berth in the 6A ZLTPÄUHSZ this year. They enjoyed a 17-game winning streak this spring, outscoring their opponents 136-33 during the streak.

2017 best of river valley preps |

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GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

JAMILYN KINNEY

TEVIN BREWER

VAN BUREN

NORTHSIDE

—WHY HE WON— ;L]PU )YL^LY H WVPU[ N\HYK ÄUPZOLK OPZ JHYLLY H[ 5VY[OZPKL HZ [OL ZJOVVS»Z HSS [PTL SLHKPUN ZJVYLY ^P[O WVPU[Z (Z H ZLUPVY )YL^LY SLK [OL .YPaaSPLZ PU IV[O scoring (20.3 points per game) and assists (5.2 per game).

—WHY SHE WON— Jamilyn Kinney always seems to have a basketball in hand. Her consistent desire to play and love for the sport shows on the court. What makes her a standout player is that her presence helps those around her play better too. Playing in the toughest conference in the state, Kinney led the Pointers to 22 wins and a 12-2 conference record. She also led the Pointers in scoring and 3-point shooting percentage. Just a Junior, expect to see more stellar performances from Van Buren’s Kinney.

WHY HE WON In just three short years, Chris Bryant has helped transform Van Buren from an also-ran to a state contender. Bryant led Van Buren to a 22-6 record in 2017 with the team losing to North Little Rock PU [OL ( ZLTPÄUHSZ

22 | 2017 best of river valley preps

However, perhaps his biggest play as a Grizzly didn’t come by making a basket. Instead, it came on defense. With time running out and Northside hanging on to a one-point lead in the 7A championship game against North Little Rock, Brewer instinctively went after a steal and proceeded to knock the ball loose. Brewer then dove near the sideline to keep the ball in bounds, which went to teammate Isaiah 1VL ^OV OHK P[ PU OPZ OHUKZ HZ [PTL L_WPYLK W\[[PUN [OL ÄUPZOPUN [V\JOLZ VU 5VY[OZPKL»Z ^PU HUK ÄYZ[ Z[H[L [P[SL ZPUJL Brewer said, without a doubt, his performance at the 7A State Tournament helped boost his stock and made him reconsider his college plans.

GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH OF THE YEAR

BOYS BASKETBALL COACH OF THE YEAR

CHRIS BRYANT

ERIC BURNETT

VAN BUREN

Chris Bryant with Times Record 7\ISPZOLY *Y`Z[HS *VZ[H

NORTHSIDE

WHY HE WON Eric Burnett led the Northside Grizzlies to the 2017 state championship title with a win over North Little Rock.

Eric Burnett shares a few words HM[LY HJJLW[PUN OPZ H^HYK

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2017 best of river valley preps |

23

GIRLS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

BOYS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

NANCY MENDOZA

CESAR RAMIREZ

SOUTHSIDE

NORTHSIDE

—WHY SHE WON—

—WHY HE WON—

( `LHY HM[LY [HSS`PUN NVHSZ 5HUJ` 4LUKVaH Ă„UPZOLK [OL YLN\SHY ZLHZVU VM OLY senior year with seven. Not bad numbers for a sweeper who was also counted on to play strong defense each match.

Cesar Ramirez wasn’t a starter for the Northside Grizzlies soccer team until his ZLUPVY ZLHZVU /L HSZV TV]LK MYVT YPNO[ IHJR [V MVY^HYK [OPZ `LHY >OLU OL ÄUHSS` became a starter this season, Ramirez made the most of his opportunity. He led the Grizzlies with 16 goals through the regular season, a season in which Northside entered the 7A State Tournament with 11 straight wins, including the outright 7A-Central championship.

:OL HSZV OLSWLK THRL [OL 4H]LYPJRZÂť VɈLUZL L]LU TVYL VM H [OYLH[ LZWLJPHSS` with the 1-2 punch of juniors Kelly Carson and Rachel Smith, each of whom had 11 YLN\SHY ZLHZVU NVHSZ 0U OLY Ă„UHS YLN\SHY ZLHZVU TH[JO H[ OVTL HNHPUZ[ 5VY[O 3P[[SL 9VJR VU 4H` 4LUKVaH YLJVYKLK [^V HZZPZ[Z HZ [OL 4H]LYPJRZ ^VU As one of the few seniors on the Southside roster, Mendoza realized she was going to be counted on even more in a leadership role. She answered the challenge. ¸0 WLYZVUHSS` OHK H SV[ VM YLZWVUZPIPSP[` š 4LUKVaH ZHPK ¸6UL HZ H SLHKLY VM [OPZ team and two, just being the one to push everybody else.â€?

WHY HE WON The Mavericks went 9-5 in league play in a tough 7A-Central conference. They Ă„UPZOLK PU H [OYLL way tie for second with Little Rock and Mount Saint Mary. Southside also opened the season winning seven of its Ă„YZ[ LPNO[ TH[JOLZ

24 | 2017 best of river valley preps

“I think I’ve been helping the team out, but for me it’s mostly about the results that we get as a team rather than the goals,â€? Ramirez said. Northside coach Mauricio Maciel also likes how Ramirez took advantage of his new role. ¸/L ^HZ VU [OL ]HYZP[` SHZ[ `LHY JVTPUN VɈ [OL ILUJO HUK NP]PUN \Z NVVK TPU\[LZ I\[ [OPZ PZ H `LHY ^OLYL OL YLHSS` OHZ ZVSPKPĂ„LK OPTZLSM HZ H WSH`LY š 4HJPLS ZHPK

GIRLS SOCCER COACH OF THE YEAR

BOYS SOCCER COACH OF THE YEAR

JEREMY DAVIS

MAURICIO MACIEL

SOUTHSIDE

NORTHSIDE

*VHJO 1LYLT` +H]PZ SLM[ HUK *VHJO 4H\YPJPV 4HJPLS YLJPL]L [OLPY *VHJO VM [OL @LHY (^HYKZ MVY :VJJLY MYVT ;PTLZ 9LJVYK 7\ISPZOLY *Y`Z[HS *VZ[H

WHY HE WON Even though they lost 16 players, instead of rebuilding, the Grizzlies reloaded. ;OL` Ă„UPZOLK [OL regular season 19-2, riding an 11-game winning streak going into the 7A State Tournament. They captured the outright 7A-Central Championship.

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\o¦Øof í¦oÔA Ôo\â«ÔØ 2017 best of river valley preps |

25

VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

MADI PFEIFFER

SEAN MICHAEL FLANAGAN

GREENWOOD

CHARLESTON

—WHY SHE WON—

—WHY HE WON—

Madi Pfeifer, who has been a starter for the Lady Bulldogs since her freshman ZLHZVU YLJVYKLK RPSSZ PU OLY JHYLLY PUJS\KPUN [OPZ WHZ[ ZLHZVU HZ .YLLU^VVK YLHJOLK [OL ( ZLTPĂ„UHSZ :OL HSZV OHK ISVJRZ MVY [OL ZLHZVU Ă„UPZOPUN OLY JHYLLY ^P[O

1\UPVY :LHU 4PJOHLS -SHUHNHU Ă„UPZOLK ^P[O [V\JOKV^UZ ZJVYPUN ;+Z almost every way possible. He caught 17 touchdowns, ran for seven more, and then there was his play on special teams. Flanagan returned four punts for touchdowns HUK YHU H RPJRVɈ IHJR MVY H ;+ 1\Z[ MVY NVVK TLHZ\YL OL YL[\YULK [^V VM OPZ MV\Y interceptions for scores as well. Flanagan accounted for nearly half of the Tigers’ 72 touchdowns. He would have had more had he and Rowland and others played more in blowout wins.

As a 6-foot-4 senior hitter, Pfeifer said there were times she felt her height was not an asset, but has since embraced it. “I remember my freshman year at state, I walked in and one of my seniors looked at me and as we were walking into the gym and I sat down and (the opposing team) was talking about it,� Pfeifer said. “She told me, ‘They’re intimidated. Use it (the height advantage).’ Pfeifer will now take her talents to the next level, as she signed to play at Southern Arkansas University.

WHY HE WON Paris celebrated its second state championship in as many years. Wes Davis has built a serious volleyball program in Paris and is already 172111 as the team’s head coach.

26 | 2017 best of river valley preps

Flanagan said he’ll remember 2016 for the team’s defensive play. “I think it was the defense, honestly,â€? he said. “I really love playing defense.â€? ;OL MVV[ WV\UK -SHUHNHU ZHPK OL RUL^ MYVT [OL Ă„YZ[ NHTL [OL ;PNLYZ had something special. The team’s season opening win over Dardanelle set the tone as they blazed their way to 13 wins and a berth in the 3A title game.

VOLLEYBALL COACH OF THE YEAR

FOOTBALL COACH OF THE YEAR

WES DAVIS

GREG KENDRICK

PARIS

CHARLESTON

*VHJO >LZ +H]PZ SLM[ HJJLW[Z OPZ =VSSL`IHSS *VHJO VM [OL @LHY (^HYKZ MYVT ;PTLZ 9LJVYK 7\ISPZOLY *Y`Z[HS *VZ[H

WHY HE WON The Tigers football coach has compiled a 49-6 record since taking over in 2010, and led the Charleston team to the 3A state championship game in 2016. The [LHT Ă„UPZOLK ^P[O just one loss in 2016.

FEMALE GOLF PLAYER OF THE YEAR

MALE GOLF PLAYER OF THE YEAR

SYDNEY STATON

EVAN GRIFFITH

SOUTHSIDE

GREENWOOD

—WHY SHE WON—

—WHY HE WON—

With any sport, there are peaks and valleys; good days, bad days. That’s LZWLJPHSS` [Y\L MVY :V\[OZPKL NVSMLY :`KUL` :[H[VU :OL HKTP[Z OLY JVUÄKLUJL began to fail her toward the end of Southside’s fall run last September. With the help, and advice from Southside’s Pedro Sadler, and her personal coach, Phillip Walker of Bentonville, Staton is working to get back to form.

,]HU .YPɉ[O ÄUPZOLK ZLJVUK PU [OL V]LYHSS PUKP]PK\HS YHURPUNZ PU SHZ[ `LHYZ ( state golf tournament. With that, he is the River Valley Preps Male Golfer of the Year.

¸0 ^HZUÂť[ JVUĂ„KLU[ H[ [OL LUK VM SHZ[ `LHY š ZOL ZHPK ¸0 NV ZLL 7OPSSPW >HSRLY L]LY` other Saturday. When I went there, he didn’t help with swing a whole lot. Like a lot of golfers, Staton picked up the bug at an early age. She was four when her dad, Greg, got her involved in Fort Smith’s First Tee program. Staton, who hopes to play college golf, eventually came full circle at First Tee. “When I worked at First Tee I had kids following me around,â€? she said. ¸)LPUN H YVSL TVKLS [V [OL `V\UNLY RPKZ OHZ ILLU H O\NL JVUĂ„KLUJL IVVZ[ š

WHY HE WON 6UL ZWVY[Z PZ OLJ[PJ ;OL V[OLY MHY TVYL SLZPLYS` But that doesn’t mean Pedro Sadler isn’t capable of doing both — and excelling. Sadler earned River Valley Preps Golf Coach of the Year last fall, a year after the Mavericks captured the second of their back-to-back state 7A golf titles. Southside obliderited the competition in the 2014 state tournament, beating runner-up Bentonville by 33 strokes. Again in 2015, the Mavericks beat Conway by 13 strokes to win the [P[SL 3HZ[ MHSS :V\[OZPKL ÄUPZOLK ÄM[O V]LYHSS ^P[O Sydney Staton posting a two-round score of 160. He and current Mavericks’ basketball coach

27 | 2017 best of river valley preps

)\[ Ă„UPZOPUN ZLJVUK KVLZUÂť[ TLHU .YPɉ[O OHZ WSHUZ [V ZSV^ KV^U Like his older brother, Christian, Evan is a product of Fort Smith’s successful First Tee program. He’s been hitting golf balls since he was a toddler. ;OPZ ZWYPUN HZ .YPɉ[O WYLWHYLZ MVY OPZ ZLUPVY `LHY VM OPNO ZJOVVS .YPɉ[OÂťZ NVSM schedule was about to kick into high gear. “We play in Arkansas to get started with the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association),â€? he said. “They have (tournamnets) around the states and in other countries. I have a tournament down in Louisiana (June) and one coming up in 6RSHOVTH š

Charlie Cooper began working together at the start of the 2005-06 season. But many might not know of a very important behind-the-scenes task that he also manages. “He does all the laundry,â€? Cooper said. “He W\[Z HSS [OL Z[\Ɉ PU [OLPY WSH`LYZÂť SVJRLY /L THRLZ all the travel and food arrangements.â€? And as the school’s golf coach? He doesn’t over do it. I love my coach (Sadler); he’s been a good role model for me,â€? Staton said. “He’s inspired to go beyond high school golf. My coach doesn’t put all this pressure on me. “He knows if he lets me be I can do things.â€?

GOLF COACH OF THE YEAR

PEDRO SADLER SOUTHSIDE

FEMALE TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

MALE TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

OLIVA GASTON

ANDREW ANDERSON

GREENWOOD

GREENWOOD

—WHY SHE WON—

—WHY HE WON—

0U OLY ÄYZ[ ZLHZVU WSH`PUN ]HYZP[` [LUUPZ 6SP]PH .HZ[VU L_JLLKLK L]LU OLY V^U expectations. The Greenwood freshman ended up going undefeated in the regular ZLHZVU HUK ^HZ HISL [V THRL P[ HSS [OL ^H` [V [OL ( ÄUHSZ ;OV\NO ZOL SVZ[ PU [OL ÄUHSZ .HZ[VU ZHPK ZOL Z[PSS MLS[ H NYLH[ KLHS VM WYPKL H[ ^OH[ ZOL HJJVTWSPZOLK

Senior Greenwood tennis player Andrew Anderson claimed the 6A individual state championship last fall in Jonesboro. At the same time, Anderson’s triumph ^HZ WHY[ VM [OL )\SSKVNZ ^PUUPUN [OL [LHT [P[SL [OL ÄYZ[ IV`Z» Z[H[L [LUUPZ [LHT [P[SL in school history.

“Yes (I exceeded expectations); I never even imagined going undefeated in the YLN\SHY ZLHZVU VY THRPUN P[ [V [OL Z[H[L ÄUHSZ ¹ .HZ[VU ZHPK She added a main reason why she was able to achieve immediate success was practice, lots of it.

To win the individual title, Anderson actually defeated his Greenwood teammate, +H]PK >VVKYPUN PU [OL ÄUHSZ ^P[O (UKLYZVU ^PUUPUN PU Z[YHPNO[ ZL[Z ;OH[ ^PU ^HZ (UKLYZVU»Z ÄYZ[ Z[H[L [P[SL HM[LY OH]PUN ÄUPZOLK HZ Y\UULY \W OPZ MYLZOTHU `LHY HUK ILPUN LSPTPUH[LK PU [OL X\HY[LYÄUHSZ HZ H Q\UPVY

“(It was) lots of practice and great coaching from my private coach, Bobby Banck,” Gaston said. “My previous tournament experience also helped a lot. Coach (Ken) Hamilton and I also seemed to have a connection right away. I really enjoy playing for him and had fun.”

Anderson will now continue his tennis career in college as he signed to play at UAFS.

WHY HE WON Greenwood tennis in 2016 was highlighted by a team state title, won by the Bulldogs. Coach Ken Hamilton also had two of his boys’ WSH`LYZ ZX\HYL VɈ PU [OL ( ÄUHSZ HUK VUL VM OPZ NPYSZ» WSH`LYZ HSZV YLHJOLK [OL ( ÄUHSZ

Greenwood tennis coach Ken Hamilton said Anderson’s title was a result of his relentless dedication and sportsmanship.

;OL )\SSKVNZ ^VU [OLPY ÄYZ[ IV`Z Z[H[L championship in school history. Andrew Anderson also claimed the 6A individual boys title, defeating OPZ [LHTTH[L +H]PK >VVKYPUN PU [OL ÄUHSZ

But Hamilton added Greenwood could have easily added more.

“The boys all played to the best of their abilities and all contributed to the district and state championship,” Hamilton said. “By sending all 6 members of the boys team to state, it gave an excellent chance to do well.”

“Had not one of our number one girls doubles members gotten sick, Greenwood would have had a very good chance for a 2016 girls state championship in 2016 also,” Hamilton, selected as the All-Star Preps Tennis Coach of the Year, said.

6U [OL NPYSZ» ZPKL MYLZOTHU 6SP]PH .HZ[VU ^VU [^V matches in straight sets at state to reach the 6A ÄUHSZ ;OL 3HK` )\SSKVNZ» KV\ISLZ [LHT VM 4HYPH .LVS` HUK 3PUKZH` .PSSPZ YLHJOLK [OL ( ZLTPÄUHSZ ending up in fourth place.

28 | 2017 best of river valley preps

TENNIS COACH OF THE YEAR

KEN HAMILTON GREENWOOD

2017 best of river valley preps |

29

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD PLAYER OF THE YEAR

BOYS TRACK & FIELD PLAYER OF THE YEAR

KAYLEIGH SHANKLE

ELI HOWELLS

POTEAU

ALMA

—WHY SHE WON—

—WHY HE WON—

Junior Kayleigh Shankle is proof that you don’t have to be the biggest kid on the block when it comes to heaving the discus.

,SP /V^LSSZ LUQV`LK H IPN ZWYPUN MVY [OL (PYLKHSLZ JVTWL[PUN PU [^V ÄLSK L]LU[Z and two running events. He also started for coach Doug Loughridge’s football team.

“ I remember one time last year I got into the ring to warm up, and I threw it pretty far. There were a bunch of bigger girls, and everybody got really quiet. I felt like everyone was staring at me. You don’t have to be the biggest to throw the discus.�

Howells competed in four events for coach Lenn Hall’s Airedales — the long jump, triple jump, and the 200 meters and 4X100 relay.

Shankle throws the discus and shot put the Poteau Lady Pirates. She also JVTWL[LZ VU [OL ZJOVVSÂťZ ? HUK ? YLSH` [LHTZ /LY MH]VYP[L L]LU[ PZ [OL discus, though. “The discus is more about technique than strength.â€? “I like track because it’s both a team and individual sport,â€? she said. “You always KV PUKP]PK\HS L]LU[Z I\[ `V\ ILULĂ„[ [OL [LHT ^P[O WVPU[Z š

WHY sHE WON Mandy Kimmons started as a volleyball coach for Alma, but stepped up to lead the track program four years ago. This year she led the team to a ZLJVUK WSHJL Ă„UPZO at the 5A-West Meet. Her team also broke eight school records this year.

30 | 2017 best of river valley preps

He enjoyed a breakout senior season by helping break four school records in the TL[LYZ [OL SVUN Q\TW [OL [YPWSL Q\TW HUK [OL YLSH` /V^LSSZÂť LɈVY[ OLSWLK (STH [V H ZLJVUK WSHJL Ă„UPZO PU [OL ( >LZ[ [YHJR TLL[ “For me, track is a good sport, because I have to rely on myself to get my job done,â€? Howells said. “That really helps me improve my distances and my times. I don’t have to rely on anyone else; I know my times will get better and better every week.â€?

GIRLS TRACK COACH OF THE YEAR

BOYS TRACK COACH OF THE YEAR

MANDY KIMMONS

LENN HALL

ALMA

ALMA

*VHJO 4HUK` 2PTTVUZ SLM[ YLJLP]PUN OLY H^HYK MVY .PYSZ ;YHJR *VHJO VM [OL `LHY MYVT ;PTLZ 9LJVYK 7\ISPZOLY *Y`Z[HS *VZ[H

WHY HE WON Lenn Hall has carried on a strong tradition in boys [YHJR I` Ă„UPZOPUN second at the 5A-West Track Meet, extending [OL ZJOVVSÂťZ Ă„YZ[ or second-place JVUMLYLUJL Ă„UPZO to 21 straight. Alma boys also broke six records in individual events.

girls track georgia battles

RAE SMITH

Alma Girls Track First Team

EDEN JONES

KAICI PHILIPS

BAILEY MCCORKLE

Waldron Girls Track First Team

4HUZÄLSK Girls Track First Team

Spiro Girls Track First Team

Greenwood Girls Track First Team

LAUREN SUTHERLAND

KAYLEIGH SHANKLE

MADISON WILLIAMSON

MARTA WOLCZYNSKA

Southside Girls Track First Team

Poteau Girls Track First Team

Poteau Girls Track First Team

Alma Girls Track First Team

2017 TRACK all stars ARIEL WALKER

MAKENA TURNER

MARTIE SHOCKLEY

LOREN HERNANDEZ

Ozark Girls Track Second Team

Ozark Girls Track Second Team

Alma Girls Track Second Team

Southside Girls Track Second Team

AUDREY WALKER

KYLANNA HARDAWAY

ASHTAN SWANSON

ALLIE FREEMAN

SOUTHSIDE’S LAUREN SUTHERLAND clears 9-06 to win ÄYZ[ WSHJL PU [OL WVSL ]H\S[ K\YPUN [OL 3LVUHYK +HUPLS 4LTVYPal Airedale Relays. TOP, RIGHT: ALMA’S MARTA WOLCZYNSKA, center, wins the 100 meter hurdles during the Leonard Daniel Memorial Airedale Relays. WOV[VZ I` )90(5 + :(5+,9-69+ ;04,: 9,*69+

CHLOE AULDRIDGE

Van Buren Girls Track Second Team

4HUZÄLSK Girls Track Second Team

Poteau Girls Track Second Team

Paris Girls Track Second Team

Alma Girls Track Second Team

2017 best of river valley preps |

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ETHAN DOBBS

Keagan Fuselier

Alex Her

Eli Howells

Conner Huff

Sirvante Knauls Roland Boys Track First Team

Southside Boys Track First Team

Alma Boys Track First Team

Caleb Draper

Miguel Hernandez

Adam Pierce

Booneville Boys Track First Team

Alma Boys Track First Team

Waldron Boys Track First Team

Alma Boys Track First Team

Alma Boys Track First Team

Aaron Testerman

DAKOTA HOPEWELL

Gavin Boudreaux

Lukas Carnley

Caleb Christensen

Greenwood Boys Track Second Team

Cedarville Boys Track Second Team

Hartford Boys Track Second Team

Waldron Boys Track Second Team

Van Buren Boys Track Second Team

Booneville Boys Track Second Team

Hunter Moreton

Southside Boys Track Second Team

2017 TRACK all stars

32 | 2017 best of river valley preps

Caleb Worst

Southside Boys Track Second Team

BOYS track

golf

EVAN GRIFFITH

GREENWOOD’S EVAN GRIFFITH accepts his award for Male Golfer of the Year, presented by Crystal Costa, publisher of the Times Record.

SYDNEY STATON

SYDNIE GAMBLE

ANTHONY DAVIS

Ryan Ward

Greenwood Golf First Team

Southside Golf First Team

Greenwood Golf First Team

Olivia Faught

Brooklyn Cook

Will Gibson

Alma Golf Second Team

Scranton Golf Second Team

Southside Golf Second Team

Roland Golf First Team

Poteau Golf Second Team

Cassidy Pettigrew Muldrow Golf First Team

Kirsten Matlock Muldrow Golf First Team

Journey Perdue

Heavener Golf Second Team

SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT Local school Visa® debit cards are available at Arvest Bank. Obtain your card by opening a new checking account, or by ordering a replacement card on an existing account. Stop by today to get your school’s debit card! Available for use with checking accounts only; Deposit Agreement Addendum must be signed by parent or guardian if under the age of 18 years; $50 minimum deposit required to open account; Existing customers will be charged a replacement fee.

arvest.com/style

Member FDIC 2017 best of river valley preps |

33

boys basketball Tevin Brewer

Isaiah Joe

Beau Beckner

Brandon Fenner

Khalil Morris

Northside Boys Basketball First Team

Northside Boys Basketball First Team

Van Buren Boys Basketball First Team

Charleston Boys Basketball First Team

Roland Boys Basketball First Team

Nathan Corder

ETHAN BOWMAN

MASON WIGGINS

GARRETT ECK

JUAN HERNANDEZ

Alma Boys Basketball Second Team

Ozark Boys Basketball Second Team

Roland Boys Basketball Second Team

Lavaca Boys Basketball Second Team

Clarksville Boys Basketball Second Team

CHARLESTON’S ALL STAR Brandon Fenner moves around Cedarville’s Justin Shelly.

)90(5 + :(5+,9-69+ ;04,: 9,*69+

2017 BASKETBALL all stars GIRLS basketball JAMILYN KINNEY

LEXI MCCLELLAN

TOPAZIA HAWKINS

Van Buren Girls Basketball First Team

Ozark Girls Basketball First Team

Northside Girls Basketball First Team

SIERRA BAILEY

SADIE CARTER

SAMANTHA CHILDERS

Alma Girls Basketball Second Team

Roland Girls Basketball Second Team

34 | 2017 best of river valley preps

Clarksville Girls Basketball Second Team

JALEI OGLESBY

Howe Girls Basketball First Team

HALIE JENNEN

Van Buren Girls Basketball Second Team

TATEN HYDE

Sallisaw Girls Basketball First Team

LANI SNOWDEN

Van Buren Girls Basketball Second Team

ROLAND’S ALL STAR Sadie Carter drives past defenders on a fast break.

9<)@ +,(5 :7,*0(3 ;6 ;/, ;04,: 9,*69+

2017 best of river valley preps |

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VOLLEYBALL

LEXIE CASTILLOW Greenwood Volleyball First Team

Emilee Aaron

Van Buren Volleyball First Team

Hannah Johnston Greenwood Volleyball First Team

MADI PFEIFER

Greenwood Volleyball First Team

Lycia Peevy

Paris Volleyball First Team

KATIE HARRISON Lavaca Volleyball First Team

Michaela Knoles Paris Volleyball First Team

EMMA KATE FITZGERALD Northside Volleyball First Team

Mikayla Dietz

Southside Volleyball First Team

GREENWOOD’S ALL-STAR Lexie Castillow, also the winner of the River Valley Preps Lionheart award, sets the ball for teammates. )90(5 + :(5+,9-69+ ;04,: 9,*69+

2017 river valley all stars Alexa Scott

Northside Volleyball Second Team

Kylie Morris

Paris Volleyball Second Team

Ryliegh Hardwicke Paris Volleyball Second Team

Southside Volleyball Second Team

Alyssa Hoyle

Paisley Templeman

Alex Dupree

Brooke Shortes

Alma Volleyball Second Team

36 | 2017 best of river valley preps

Booneville Volleyball Second Team

Van Buren Volleyball Second Team

Madison Teal

Greenwood Volleyball Second Team

MaKenzie Presley

Greenwood Volleyball Second Team

Lady Eagles State Volleyball Champions Lycia Peevy, Female Athlete of the Year

Paris

Eagles Football Honors: 2nd Team Offense: NATE DAVIDSON TREVERTON BRYANT CASEY RICE Honorable Mention RAECE TRUSTY

Race Taylor, True Grit Award

Girls Track & Field: 2nd Team ASHTAN SWANSON

Coach Wes Davis, Lady Eagles Volleyball

2017 best of river valley preps |

37

JACKSON ROWLAND

BRAYDEN JOHNSON

DEVIN DAVIS

MASON WISDOM

SEAN MICHAEL FLANAGAN

KENNY WOOD

ALLEN MCCULLERS

Chuy Parga

Charleston Football -PYZ[ ;LHT 6ќLUZL

Alma Football -PYZ[ ;LHT 6ќLUZL

Booneville Football -PYZ[ ;LHT 6ќLUZL

Charleston Football -PYZ[ ;LHT 6ќLUZL

Charleston Football -PYZ[ ;LHT 6ќLUZL

Greenwood Football -PYZ[ ;LHT 6ќLUZL

Muldrow Football -PYZ[ ;LHT 6ќLUZL

Northside Football -PYZ[ ;LHT 6ќLUZL

HAYDEN BROWN

HUNTER JACKSON

HUNTER CAPEHART

TERRON MOSES

Nate Davidson

TREVERTON BRYANT Paris Football

Casey Rice

Paris Football

ANDRE FERREIRA

UK ;LHT 6ќLUZL

UK ;LHT 6ќLUZL

UK ;LHT 6ќLUZL

UK ;LHT 6ќLUZL

Northside Football -PYZ[ ;LHT 6ќLUZL

Ozark Football -PYZ[ ;LHT 6ќLUZL

Sallisaw Football -PYZ[ ;LHT 6ќLUZL

Vian Football -PYZ[ ;LHT 6ќLUZL

Paris Football

Spiro Football

2017 footBall all stars DAWSON BARGER Stigler Football

CONNOR NOLAND

Greenwood Football

CALEB STOCKTON

UK ;LHT 6ќLUZL

JANSON GRAVES Lavaca Football

UK ;LHT 6ќLUZL

Cedarville Football

LUKE HALES

Greenwood Football

GARRETT LOUGHRIDGE

MICHAEL BLYTHE

MATTHEW ANDERSON

ROBERT COLLINS

UK ;LHT 6ќLUZL

UK ;LHT 6ќLUZL

UK ;LHT 6ќLUZL

UK ;LHT 6ќLUZL

UK ;LHT 6ќLUZL

UK ;LHT 6ќLUZL

UK ;LHT 6ќLUZL

CHRIS ORTEGA

CLINTON LEWELLING

DREW YOUNG

JON WOMACK

CODY KOCH

Tanner Cross

Robert Wilkerson

Sallisaw Football First Team Defense

Charleston Football First Team Defense

38 | 2017 best of river valley preps

Charleston Football First Team Defense

Charleston Football

Greenwood Football First Team Defense

Alma Football

Greenwood Football First Team Defense

Hackett Football

Northside Football First Team Defense

Hackett Football

Northside Football First Team Defense

Tre Norwood

Clay Glass

Daeveon Johnson

Hunter Moreton

GARRISON JENSEN

MICHAEL HOWARD

ALEX ESPINOSA Van Buren Football

Greenwood Football 2nd Team Defense

Northside Football First Team Defense

Sallisaw Football First Team Defense

Southside Football First Team Defense

Southside Football First Team Defense

Alma Football

Charleston Football

2nd Team Defense

2nd Team Defense

2nd Team Defense

Dylan Vota

Greenwood Football

DREW DUNDEE

Greenwood Football

ELY STORMES

PRESTON STINNETT

GUNNAR THOMPSON

DAYLON DUNCAN

KYLE CHANDLER

2nd Team Defense

2nd Team Defense

2nd Team Defense

2nd Team Defense

2nd Team Defense

2nd Team Defense

2nd Team Defense

Hackett Football

Paris Football

Poteau Football

Poteau Football

HUNTER HELLER

Muldrow Football

river valley all stars SETH KEY

Shane Rye

Trey Rodgers

Daniel Richard

Raece Trusty

Arkoma Football Honorable Mention

Mountainburg Football Honorable Mention

Spiro Football Honorable Mention

Ozark Football Honorable Mention

Paris Football Honorable Mention

Garret Brooks

Walter Green

Shelton Skaggs

JAEDON MITCHELL

Joseff Buccella

Stigler Football Honorable Mention

Van Buren Football Honorable Mention

Vian Football Honorable Mention

Alma Football Honorable Mention

4HUZÄLSK Football Honorable Mention

2017 best of river valley preps |

39

Lydia Weidman

Nancy Mendoza

Ali Moose

Rachel Smith

KINLEY PAIR

KELLY CARSON

KAITLYN GILKEY

DIANA GUERRERO

Northside Girls Soccer First Team

Southside Girls Soccer First Team

Greenwood Girls Soccer First Team

Southside Girls Soccer First Team

Greenwood Girls Soccer First Team

Southside Girls Soccer First Team

Northside Girls Soccer First Team

Southside Girls Soccer First Team

Sadee Masterson

Courtney Meyers

Willow Mendez

Melanie Rice

Citlali Aceves

Leslie Martinez

Emma Sandstoe

Morrea Kleck

Northside Girls Soccer Second Team

Greenwood Girls Soccer Second Team

Northside Girls Soccer Second Team

Southside Girls Soccer Second Team

Northside Girls Soccer Second Team

Northside Girls Soccer Second Team

Poteau Girls Soccer Second Team

Southside Girls Soccer Second Team

2017 SOCCER all stars JASON MENDOZA

AYE PAW

CESAR RAMIREZ

JESUS RODRIGUEZ

YUSAY WATANABE

Alfredo Centeno

Derek Gutierrez

KAREEM IHMEIDAN

Northside Boys Soccer First Team

Clarksville Boys Soccer First Team

Northside Boys Soccer First Team

Northside Boys Soccer First Team

Subiaco Boys Soccer First Team

Northside Boys Soccer First Team

Southside Boys Soccer First Team

Northside Boys Soccer First Team

BRET PLUNKETT

DUSTIN LOPEZ

ARIC MCKINNEY

KADE ORLICEK

RIGGIO RESENDEZ

LUIS PAREDES

LUKE LANCASTER

RICKY ITURRIAGA

Van Buren Boys Soccer Second Team

Southside Boys Soccer Second Team

Greenwood Boys Soccer Second Team

40 | 2017 best of river valley preps

Greenwood Boys Soccer Second Team

Clarksville Boys Soccer Second Team

Northside Boys Soccer Second Team

Poteau Boys Soccer Second Team

Northside Boys Soccer Second Team

2017 best of river valley preps |

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42 | 2017 best of river valley preps

BRADY BRASHER Booneville Baseball First Team

BRANDON ULMER Booneville Baseball First Team

LANDREY WILKERSON Van Buren Baseball First Team

COLE LEAVELL

CONNOR NOLAND

HAYDEN FENNELL

County Line Baseball First Team

Greenwood Baseball First Team

Booneville Baseball First Team

PEYTON HOLT

BEN KLUTTS

ETHAN HOLMES

Greenwood Baseball First Team

Poteau Baseball First Team

Van Buren Baseball First Team

2017 baseball all stars JANSON GRAVES

Lavaca Baseball Second Team

Connor Noland

CONNOR CATRON

Van Buren Baseball Second Team

HUNTER WILLSEY 4HUZÄLSK Baseball Second Team

DRU DIDWAY

TREVOR JOHNSON

EDDIE GRAHAM

Sallisaw Baseball Second Team

Van Buren Baseball Second Team

Ozark Baseball Second Team

PACYN REAMES

DOUGAN PHILLIPS

GARRETT WILSON

County Line Baseball Second Team

Ozark Baseball Second Team

4HUZÄLSK Baseball Second Team

2017 best of river valley preps |

43

McKennah Sikes Van Buren Softball First Team

Sydney Parker

Greenwood Softball First Team

Kaila Cartwright

Whitney Tatum Booneville Softball First Team

Van Buren Softball First Team

Abbye Ostrander

Kirklyn Kremers

Sydney Green

Lexi McClellan

Makayla Bolton

Alma Softball First Team

Scranton Softball First Team

Greenwood Softball First Team

Northside Softball First Team

Ozark Softball First Team

Baylor Miles

4HUZÄLSK Softball First Team

ALMA CATCHER ANDREA GRIFFIN tags out Van Buren junior Hanah Brewer at the Van Buren Softball Field.

((965 :/(--,9 :7,*0(3 ;6 ;/, ;04,: 9,*69+

2017 softball all stars SYDNI CASTO

NORTHSIDE PITCHER SYDNEY GREEN throws in the third inning against Southside at Grizzly Field. )90(5 + :(5+,9-69+ ;04,: 9,*69+

44 | 2017 best of river valley preps

Lacey McKenzie

MARIAH HAMILTON

PAXTYN HAYES

MADISON BAILEY

Ozark Softball Second Team

Charleston Softball Second Team

Greenwood Softball Second Team

Greenwood Softball Second Team

Hackett Softball Second Team

PIPER MORGAN

ZOIE LUNSFORD

Mariah Reagan

Mairady Dempsey

Stormy French

Southside Softball Second Team

Alma Softball Second Team

Booneville Softball Second Team

Lavaca Softball Second Team

Charleston Softball Second Team

tennis Andrew Anderson Greenwood Tennis First Team

Olivia Gaston

Greenwood Tennis First Team

David Woodring

Ethan Eddleman

Maria Geoly

Lindsay Gills

Andrew Eveld

ROBERT REMY

Greenwood Tennis Second Team

Greenwood Tennis First Team

Greenwood Tennis First Team

Subiaco Tennis Second Team

Southside Tennis First Team

Subiaco Tennis Second Team

ANDREW ANDERSON OF GREENWOOD accepts the award for 2017 River Valley Male Tennis Player of the Year from Times Record Publisher Crysta Costa at the Preps All Star banquet on June 1.

2017 river valley all stars wrestling JON WOMACK

AUSTIN COLLINS

JET TAYLOR

RIVER SIMON

Greenwood Wrestling First Team

Greenwood Wrestling First Team

Sallisaw Wrestling First Team

Vian Wrestling First Team

DYLAN WILSON

BRANDON WILLIAMS

THAI TA

MASON HAYES

Greenwood Wrestling Second Team

Northside Wrestling Second Team

Southside Wrestling Second Team

Van Buren Wrestling Second Team

SALLISAW’S JET TAYLOR completed a perfect 34-0 season winning the WV\UK ^LPNO[ JSHZZ K\YPUN [OL 6RSHOVTH OPNO ZJOVVS ^YLZ[SPUN [V\YUHTLU[ PU 6RSHOVTH *P[`

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river valley 16/17 state champions In honor of all those who represented their school and the River Valley region at the very top of the competitive stage for high school athletes in Arkansas, the Times Record recognized athletes and teams who claimed state titles in the 2016/2017 school year. This list was an attempt to include sports with local athletes who truly compete on a statewide level. More categories may be added in future years.

NORTHSIDE BOYS BASKETBALL Jeremiah Watson, Tevin Brewer, Tre Norwood, DeMichael Whitfield, Isaiah Joe, Gary Johnson, Kourtland Mondier, Javion Perkins, Daniel Myers, Kentrell Jacobs, Kendall Myers, Tyrell Perry, Jackson Forsey, Kwashea Taylor, Stevie Young, Peyton Carver, Kedrick Thomas, Ladajia Coleman, Coach Eric Burnett, Coach Matt Mondier, Coach Greg Scott

Paris volleyball Eliciah Kury, Brittany Fulmer, Morgan Johnson, Alyssa Cunningham, Rain Clements, Lexi Oldham, Katilyn King, Riley Owen, Jenna Lowery, Claire Tober, Kylie Morris, Ryliegh Hardwicke, Yolonda Garcia, Joni Inman, Caroline Hart, Macy Keen, Brianna Hamilton, Angel Stinnett, Brynn Simmons, Alanna Jones, Michaela Knoles, Hanna Alderson, Lycia Peevy, Kaylor Braswell, Shyann Johnson, Eliza Vincent, Lexi Hatcher, Coach Wes Davis, Coach Jerry Fulmer, Coach Jordan Devine

cheerleading ALMA TEAM: Olivia Battles, Taylor Blair, Landi Bowen, Anna Chapen, Jordyn Johnson, Kate Keener, Ariel, Lewis, Amanda O’Neal, Peyton Owen, Jaden Petree, Kaytlin Ray, Bradi Rogers, Kenzie Sindle, Shealynn Stanard,

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Kennedy Stockburger, Abby Wilson, Sara Wilson, Coach Christy Law, Coach Kenra Newton

track & field

LAVACA TEAM: Sammie Phillips, Shea Lockridge, Tripp Lile, Morgan Taylor, Ashley Sawyer, Kalista Vissage, Brooklyn Sharp, Riley Brewer, Lane Waterbury, Allyson Coclasure, Landry Dockery, Hannah Hutchins, Makensi Jeffcoat, Shayla Smithson, Ryleigh Neal, Coach Danielle Overton

Oklahoma 3A State Track & Field Champions: Spiro Girls Track & Field Team Long Jump: Gavin Boudreaux, Hartford Boys Shot Put: Hunter Moreton, Southside Girls 100 and 200 Meter Dash: Kaici Phillips, Spiro Girls 200 Meter Dash: Ashtan Swanson, Paris Girls 3200 Meter Run: Megan Rose, Mansfield High School

Greenwood bowling

GREENWOOD tennis

Madison Zollicoffer, Coach Trey Holloway, Coach Barbara Brown

Wrestling SALLISAW: Jet Taylor GREENWOOD: Jon Womack; Austin Collins VIAN: River Simon

6A Individual State Champion: Andrew Anderson Greenwood Team Championship: Andrew Anderson, Woody Woodring, Paxton Evans, Kenny Sweeny, Carson Loyd, Johnny Tammaranth, Coach Ken Hamilton

northside basketball champions

GREENWOOD tennis champions

lavaca cheerleading champions

paris volleyball champions

alma cheerleading champions

2017 best of river valley preps |

47

2017 best of river valley preps |

48

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