Former Lady Panther, 93, honored at game
CABOT — During a recent Cabot Lady Panthers basketball game, a former player, who is believed to be the oldest living former Cabot girls basketball player, was honored at halftime.
Elsie Burks, 93, was given a standing ovation as she walked to center court with her son Steve and grandson Drew during the CabotBryant game Feb. 17 at Panther Arena. She played for the Lady Panthers from 1938-42.
A video produced by the students at Cabot High School was shown on the video screens in Panther Arena.
“During one of the seasons, 1940, I made 590 points for that season,” Burks said. “For the opponents, they made 551 points. It was an average of 19 points a game.”
According to the video that was played that night, Burks still keeps up with Cabot sports, especially the girls basketball team. She offered some advice for those athletes.
“I think whatever your dreams are, your high points, … go for it because you won’t get that chance again,” she said. “Go, Panthers.”
After the video presentation, Burks was presented with an award by current Lady Panthers Morgan Westbrook and Hannah Chandler.
Brian Evans, president of the Cabot Panther Foundation, also made a presentation to Burks.
Cabot coach Carla Crowder said it was a humbling experience to have an opportunity to honor Burks.
“It was an honor to have someone here who helped start the
program,” Crowder said. “She still cares about our Cabot Lady Panthers. We were just grateful to have her here.
“For the kids, it was really humbling to see her and see what she’s done for our program and how it’s grown. She was one of the pioneers to start this program.”
According to some newspaper clippings Burks provided, during the season in which she scored 590 points, she had a run during the Lonoke County Tournament when she scored 53, 35, 24 and 28 points during a four-game stretch.
Basketball wasn’t Burks’ only sport at Cabot. She also ran track for the Lady Panthers. During the Lonoke County track meet, she scored 19 points in her events, winning the high-point award.
During high school , Burks was honored as the top girls athlete at Cabot High School.
Burks’ son Steve is one of the best athletes to ever play at Cabot High School. He played football at Arkansas State University and was drafted by the New England Patriots, where he played 34 games over three seasons. He also won the high school decathlon in 1971.
Burks’ grandson Drew played baseball for the Panthers, then went on to play baseball at Arkansas State University.
Cabot beat Bryant 57-32 the night Burks was honored.