Matt Vines

North DeSoto Wrestling Academy grabs four All-American honors at Deep South Duals
The North DeSoto Wrestling Academy battled its way to two top-10 finishes at the Deep South Duals this past weekend.

NDWA’s K-8th grade team took home third place in the silver pool, which consisted of 31 teams.
The high schoolers finished 10th in the gold pool, which featured 58 teams.

The K-4th grade squad didn’t place but gained valuable experience on a competitive stage.
North DeSoto High’s Dalton Compton and Caiden Burns were named All-Americans in their respective weight classes.

At the K-8th-grade level, Nicholas Griffith and Sy Stoute captured All-American honors.

Former basketball pro part of Mansfield High open gym
Former basketball professional Zeek Woodley was part of an open gym at Mansfield High that attracted nearly 50 local youth and father figures.

There was an old school vs. new school feel as the younger folks often suited up against the old heads.
Woodley, a Pelican High product who played his college ball at Northwestern State before making stops in the NBA D-League and multiple overseas leagues, can be found at gyms around the parish since his professional career ended.

The informal event is a way for Mansfield basketball under second-year coach Reginald Williams to engage with the community.

Youth basketball team looking for first and second grade girls
Ryan Bates is looking for a few more first- and second-grade girls interested in playing basketball for the 2024-25 school year. In a post to his Facebook account, Bates said he is seeking mostly first-graders but it also filling the last few spots on his second-grade team. Contact Dr. Bates via Facebook.