Mauldin earns another shot at college basketball
TEXARKANA, Texas — It is rare to get a second chance in life.
Former Fouke standout basketball player Hannah Mauldin signed with Texas A&M University-Texarkana to play college basketball.
Mauldin graduated from Fouke in 2018 and went to play college basketball at Crowley’s Ridge College in Paragould, Ark. Her first try at college basketball did not pan out.
“When I first went down to Crowley’s Ridge College, I was not expecting any playing time,”
Mauldin said. “But a part of me was expecting playing time at the same time. I have a great work ethic, and I thought I would get to play a lot. We lost a lot of players along the way because our record was bad.
“The coach asked if I was comfortable starting. I was comfortable so I started and played. We won some games, but we finished with a bad record. I decided to come home because of family issues, and Crowley’s Ridge wasn’t where I wanted to be. I finished the year, and my former high school coach, Mo Williams, texted me that A&MTexarkana was going to start a women’s basketball program.”
Mauldin got in contact with Lady Eagles’ head coach Kevin Dobbs. Dobbs wanted the former Fouke star to come play for him.
“I had to enroll at Texarkana College for a year and earn more credits,” Mauldin said. “Not all of my credits from Crowley’s Ridge transferred over to A&MTexarkana. I also had to improve my GPA. Coach Dobbs is caring, and his system is run-and-gun. He likes determined players. Coach Dobbs is highly involved with his players.”
Mauldin’s family took custody of three of her nephews along with fostering another child. Mauldin helps her parents take care of the children.
The newest Eagle basketball player’s goal is to be a physical therapist assistant.
“Hannah was the best offensive player that I have coached at Fouke,” Williams said. “She will drive to the goal and is an excellent free-throw shooter. Three possible things will happen when she drives to the basket: she will get fouled, she will make the shot, or someone is going through a wall. Hannah is a tremendous leader and is one of the best kids that I’ve known.
“I am so proud of her and how hard she has worked to get back to her dream of playing college basketball. I’m happy for her.”