Elks cruise in new, spacious arena

ELKINS — The logo of a large trophy buck illuminated with purple lights near large windows at the front entrance are the first indication you’re about to be impressed.

This is the new gymnasium at Elkins, home of the Elks. Add Colors Day festivities on Groundhog Day and Friday night at Elkins was indeed special. The new facility attracted the attention of the Arkansas Activities Association, which selected Elkins as the host of the Class 3A state tournament that begins Feb. 27.

“Our community is excited because this was five years in the making,” Elkins Athletic Director Steven Fein said. “Mr. [Jeremy] Mangrum, our superintendent, and I had a dream to make this happen. We did a bond restructuring and that paid for this arena.”

On the court, the Elks made sure the large crowd enjoyed Colors Day with a 58-52 comeback victory over Valley Springs. Senior Jaeden Newsom led all scorers with 28 points.

“Jaeden is a next level player the way he can create for himself and his teammates,” Elkins Coach Jared Porter said. “When you need a big bucket, he’s the guy who rises up.”

Nate Helams scored 18 points for Valley Springs (24-9, 5-5 3A-1), while Xavier McDowell added 11 for Elkins (21-3, 8-2).

Elkins rallied from a 10-0 deficit to take a 51-46 lead following a three-pointer and a steal and layup from Newsom. The Elks’ left-hander beat the shot clock with another basket then stole a pass with 5.3 seconds left to secure the victory over Elkins.

“We’ve had a lot of adversity this year, so I knew a double-digit deficit wasn’t going to stop us,” Porter said of his team, whose only home loss this season is to Bergman. “I knew we’d regroup and find a way to have success.”

Success has become the norm at Elkins Arena where 1,800 fans can watch comfortably in mostly chair back seats. Capacity is 600 more than the cramped gym on campus where the Elks began to play in 1995. Elkins Arena has two levels that includes student sections at opposite ends of the court and office space on the lower levels.

“We also have film rooms, locker rooms, weight rooms and storage rooms. Every- thing here is top of the line,” Fein said.

Valley Springs won the girls game 58-48 to remain in second place in the conference standings. Camie Moore scored 15 points for Valley Springs (20-8, 9-1), while Lakyn Shofner had 20 to lead Elkins (14-10, 4-6).

Elkins and Valley Springs each have two league games remaining before the district tournament begins at Valley Springs. It’s on to Booneville for the regional tournament then back to Elkins as a firsttime host for a state tournament.

Coaches and players will take remaining games one at a time. But that won’t stop Elkins fans from dreaming of a state tournament with the Elks competing in it.