Tigers Retain Plenty Of Fight

Keep Playing Until Lights Come On

PRAIRIE GROVE — When a team is down, they need support and now is an optimal time for fans of Prairie Grove girls basketball to rise to their feet and shout.

Statistically, the Lady Tigers have suffered woeful ice cold shooting and there’s only thing for them to do. Keep shooting. Prairie Grove’s record stands at 5-10 overall and 0-6 in the 4A-1, not exactly the kind of numbers that concern opponents jockeying for position in the upcoming District 4A-1 tournament in February.

By the time this issue is published, Prairie Grove will have faced on Tuesday the 4A’s former top-ranked Berryville (20-1, 5-1), undoubtedly still smarting over its first loss of the season, 46-43, at Pea Ridge Friday. That game may not have went well for Prairie Grove.

But for those thinking about giving up on the Lady Tigers, these photographs offer visual images as proof of their fighting spirit.

Several years ago I stepped onto the outdoor basketball court of my hometown at midnight to clear my mind shooting baskets while praying and meditating.

I was having trouble connecting on my shots when I felt prompted to measure the distance so I stepped it off and discovered I was shooting from 35-feet — way beyond my range.

“Get closer,” was the internal prompting.

On another occasion I hit the same court, which at the time was lighted so one could play all night if they were so inclined. Suddenly a cold north wind blew in sheets of rain causing the lights to go off.

I never allowed rain to interfere with my shooting baskets, but experienced increased difficulty finding the hoop with the lights off.

Just as I was thinking about quiting and going home these words came, “Keep playing until the lights come on.”

PHOTOS BY MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Gravette senior Jessica Bookout crashes to the hardwood after being jostled by Prairie Grove seniors Lexie Madewell (left) and Larisha Crawford during a struggle over possession of a loose ball. Gravette emerged from the 4A-1 girls basketball showdown victorious by a 48-40 score over the Lady Tigers on Jan. 8.

Prairie Grove seniors Lexie Madewell (left) and Larisha Crawford attempt to wrest the ball away from Gravette senior Jessica Bookout, who alertly grabbed a loose ball following a deflection by Gravette sophomore Kaylan Chilton, shown picking herself up after a collision with Madewell.

Gravette senior Jessica Bookout grabs a loose ball as Prairie Grove seniors Lexie Madewell (left) and Larisha Crawford (right) converge on her.