Lady Warriors finish runners-up at district, clinch No. 2 seed for regionals
The Ouachita Lady Warriors are turning their attention to postseason hoops competition this week after finishing runners-up to Kirby (66-38) in the finals of the 1A-7 District Tournament for senior high girls basketball. The Lady Warriors will claim the No. 2 seed in the 1A Region-4 Tournament and scheduled to play Bradley Thursday night in Emerson.
Prior to the district tourney finals match-up, the Lady Warriors provided a dominating victory at home against the Mount Ida Lady Lions 6032 in the semifinals round at Ouachita High School Gymnasium.
The Lady Warriors stormed out productively in the first quarter and maintained an 13-point lead against the Lady Lions—18-5 at the conclusion of the first period. Lizzy Rowton started the spark for Ouachita to nail the first bucket of the contest and give the Lady Warriors a 2-0 lead at the 7:01 mark. Then Emma Williams drilled a trifecta from beyond the arc and Rowton and Linsey Sirratt followed with key buckets from the field that led to a Lady Warriors 12-0 advantage over Mount Ida.
The Lady Lions eventually found a way to post on the scoreboard and stopped the Lady Warriors’ run at the 2:32 mark by converting a threepoint play with a made freethrow—but trailed Ouachita 12-3.
In the final two minutes of play in the first quarter, Rowton and Sirratt both made trips to the foul line and connected on a pair of free-throws, while Lauren Daniell closed out the period’s scoring by scoring basket from the field that had Ouachita in a comfortable position in double-digits.
In the second period, Ouachita and the Lady Lions both posted double-digit scoring, but the Lady Warriors outscored Mount Ida 18-15. At the break, the Lady Warriors led Mount Ida, 36-20.
In the third, the Lady Warriors put the game out of reach by a dynamic shooting display from Sirratt dropping one triple from beyond the arc, then knocking down three buckets from the field. Williams also drained a triple from downtown, with Rowton and Tessa Kuykendall both contributing buckets from the perimeter. Ouachita outscored Mount Ida 19-7 in the period. After three periods of action, the Lady Warriors led Mount Ida, 55-27.
In the fourth quarter, the Lady Warriors went into cruise control with the sportsmanship rule in effect at the 6:15 mark from Rowton and Williams making consecutive baskets that pushed Ouachita’s margin to a 30-point lead—59-29.
In the final minutes of action, the Lady Lions went 3-for-4 at the foul line and while Allison McIntosh, for Ouachita split a pair of freethrows at the charity stripe to finish out the game competition on the Ouachita High School AllCare Pharmacy Court.
For the game, Lady Warriors’ Sirratt led all scorers with a big 23 points for a career-high, including two triples while Rowton finished with 15 points and Williams provided 13 points with two triples to complete a triple-threat of double-figure scoring. Kuykendall finished with four points, Lauren Daniell and Delaney Daniell each contributed two points apiece with McIntosh chipping in one point from the foul line.
The Lady Warriors concluded their season of hoops at home with two huge backto-back victories heading into the region tournament. The
Lady Warriors remain with a plus .500 overall record and a consecutive 20 plus win season under the direction of head coach Corey Brown.
Laura and Scott Anderson fell in love with Big Catch Sporting Goods Store located at 221 S. Main St. when their family would visit the store often. The couple would bring their youngest son into the store frequently. After the couple learned that the man who owned the business at the time was planning to sell it, they decided to buy it in October of 2019.
Scott is originally from the Pacific Northwest and Laura grew up in Malvern. The two met while in the military. The couple share four sons, but they both agree that the youngest is the most interested in fishing.
At the business they sell a variety of items including fishing tackle and sporting goods supplies such as hunting calls and knives.
The Andersons plan to move out older inventory as they make room for locally made products.
They currently sells Ocean Logic lures made in Springdale, soft baits that are made by Nathaniel Cagle in Saline County and Rhodes Calls that are made in Sheridan.
They said they often receive calls about live bait, but they are currently unable to offering those items because of the upkeep.
Along with the storefront, they are also working to start offering products online.
Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 they experienced a drop in traffic at the store, but with spring around the corner they are optimistic about the future.
With the business, the couple also wants to get better connected with the communi
ty.
A family member currently offers a men’s Bible study at the shop on Thursday afternoons and during the holi
days, the couple was also able to help local families. They hope to use their business as a way to continue connecting and serving the community through their church outreach.
“The most difficult thing I realized in reaching the community and finding those needs in the community is that people aren’t in the know,” Scott said. “(Business owners) they see what is going on in their community.”
Laura said the caring nature of this community is something she loves about her hometown.
“My parents instilled that in me…. that’s one thing I love about Malvern. I remember the people who showed up to help somebody who lost their house in a house fire or lost a family member,” she said adding that a benefit of living in a small town is having people come together to help each other.
Outside of owning the store, Scott who retired from the military after 24 years also works in cyber security.
The Anderson make their home in Malvern.
The store is currently open from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays or by appointment.
The Andersons can be reached by phone at 501-2404195 or they also have a Big Catch Sporting Goods Facebook page