Sheridan seniors lead victory
When Sheridan let all four of its seniors start their final boys basketball home game Tuesday night, one who doesn’t often start took full advantage.
Hank Singley led the Yellowjackets to a 69-42 victory over Texarkana at Yellowjacket Arena, and it didn’t take him long to excite the crowd.
Singley scored a career-high 20 points in his final home game. He said he was only thinking about helping his team.
“I love my guys, and I felt like tonight, I could go out there [and] help them,” Singley said. “Go out there and just play my role. Tonight, they just allowed me to play my role, and I excelled at that. I would just like to thank my team, because really, it’s them. They did that for me, and I’m grateful.”
Sheridan (14-14, 3-12 in 5A-South) trailed 3-0 early but responded with a 16-0 run to take a lead the Yellowjackets never relinquished. Noah Romine and senior Canon Crosswhite started it with 3-pointers, but Singley followed with a pair of shots, leading to a Razorback timeout.
After another 3-pointer from Romine, Singley hit three 3-pointers to finish the first quarter with 13 points and a 22-8 lead.
Sheridan coach Joe Scott said Singley has been about the eighth man in the rotation this season but took advantage of his start to have a career night.
“If you know anything about Hank, Hank’s a great kid,” Scott said. “Everybody in the school loves him. Straight-A student. He’s striving to be a top-10 graduate for GPA. Just phenomenal kid. He got teammate of the year as a sophomore, so it’s just one of those kids that you couldn’t be happier for on a night like this.”
Texarkana (6-23, 1-14) never recovered from the first quarter as Sheridan cruised to victory. The typical starters got into the game in the second quarter, but the seniors came back in the second half.
Junior Noah Romine followed Singley with 13 points, but all four seniors scored. Crosswhite scored 8 points, Addison Reynolds scored 7, and Dylan George finished with 5.
Reynolds nailed a 3-pointer with 1:38 remaining to a huge cheer just before Scott called timeout to bring the seniors out. Singley called it an amazing moment.
“He was talking today to me, and he was like, ‘I’ve never shot a 3-pointer in a conference game,’” Singley said. “I was like, ‘Today’s that day. You’re going to get one today.’ Time’s winding down, we’re worried. I hit him in that corner, he knocks it down, and it was the highlight of the game. It was the best moment. I love that guy, and I’m so happy for him.”
Singley had 18 points when the seniors left, but Scott let him reenter for the final moments to get to 20, which he did with Sheridan’s last score.
GIRLS SHERIDAN 59, TEXARKANA 36
Every senior scored Tuesday as Sheridan cruised to a senior-night victory.
Sheridan (20-8, 11-4 in 5A-South) sophomore Lilly Reid led the way with 23 points, with senior Kayden Porter scoring 14 and senior Emma Goodman scoring 13.
Seniors Marissa Nevens and Graci Norris also started the game. It took until the fourth quarter, but both hit late shots to ensure they got on the scoresheet.
Lady Jackets coach Jamison Ingram said it was a big deal, especially for Norris.
“She’s done everything we asked,” Ingram said. “Moved here as a sophomore, and it’s just a big deal to let her get some playing time, and then see her teammates appreciate what she does for us, feed her the ball like they did.”
Sheridan honored its seniors with a pregame ceremony. After Nevens and Norris scored, all four seniors exited the game to applause from the home fans.
Goodman said the seniors didn’t let themselves get distracted by the fanfare.
“We were just excited the whole time and ready to beat them and come out and try our best, and that’s what we did,” Goodman said. “It was so special to end our last home game with everyone and playing my last home game with four of my best friends.”
Texarkana (3-19, 2-13) hung around for the first few minutes as both teams came out shooting 3-pointers. Sheridan took a 12-9 lead before either team attempted a shot inside the arc. Reid broke the streak by making a free throw, which began a 10-0 Lady Jacket run. Both teams scored 12 points in the second quarter, and Sheridan led 34-21 at halftime.
The second half went by quickly with few stoppages. Both teams got reserve players in by the end after Sheridan pulled its seniors.
Sheridan will face the Razorbacks again Thursday night in Texarkana in a weather-makeup game. Afterward, the Lady Jackets will turn their attention to the 5A state tournament in Searcy.
Ingram said the Lady Jackets must get through Thursday before worrying about state.
“We’ll do everything we can to prep and plan and be as ready as we can be and go over to Searcy with intent of winning a ballgame,” she said.