Article contributed by Mansfield Middle School student, Raine Hecox
The Mansfield Jr High Tigers took to the hardwood and forced the Cedarville Pirates to walk their own plank during Monday nights basketball madness. On January 20, the Mansfield Tigers strolled onto the Pirates ship with nothing but victory on their minds. Denying all penetrating Pirate passes the Tigers were quick on their defensive foot. With the first quarter finishing with a 3-1 score, many would have thought the boys were asleep at the wheel but they were only getting started.
Good enough was not good enough for the Mansfield Tigers though. At halftime, Mansfield was up 10-7 and ready to send Cedarville to the check-out lane. Walking back onto the court with their heads held high and in it to win it, the Tigers went into the second half ready to steal the loot. Each steal for the Tigers was rewarding and with four total, Mansfield was one step closer to victory. Some wish for greatness but the Tigers worked hard and achieved it by taking home the treasure with a final score of 25-17.
Helping the Tigers master glory was Darton Hoopengarner as he sailed to the rim with an immense amount of speed earning one rebound. Aiming high with his expectations and points, Drew Elmore led the team scoring nine points total along with 14 rebounds. Tyler Turnipseed helped mop up the mess that the Pirates left by netting five points, one rebound, and two steals. Clint Stovall was soarin’ and explorin’ the Pirates ship ending the night with five points, six rebounds, and one steal. And the savage duo themselves, Braxton Byers and Austin Quinalty, definitely had some unfinished business with the Pirates scoring a combined total of six points, seven rebounds, and one steal.
The Mansfield Jr High Tigers will be back on the court again on Monday, January 27, against an always entertaining face-off with the Waldron Bulldogs starting at 4:30 p.m.
