Sports

Mulerider women saddled in for Clark County clash

Published

2 years ago

December 18, 2024

Staff Reports

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Mulerider Women’s Hoops is back in action for one final outing before the Christmas break as Southern Arkansas is set for its final venture to Clark County this season to take on the defending Great American Conference Tournament champions, the Henderson State Reddies. The two groups have split their series over the past three seasons, each claiming victory over the other at home for all three campaigns (SAU vs HSU | Magnolia: 3-0 | Arkadelphia: 0-3).

Last season, the Muleriders had begun GAC play against the Reddies in Magnolia after starting the 2023-24 year 5-0. SAU would advance their record to 6-0 after defeating HSU 61-55 in a defensive battle. Following that contest, Southern Arkansas dropped its next four matchups while Henderson State improved each week, with losses only to teams ranked nationally or those that received national recognition. When the Reddies met the Muleriders for the second time last season, Henderson State handled the Blue and Gold with a final score of 60-81.

The two groups are set to begin another season series with the Muleriders looking to break the pattern on the road as SAU enters Arkadelphia on Thursday 7-3 and 2-2 in the GAC after defeating Ouachita Baptist on the road and Arkansas Tech at home. If anything, Southern Arkansas’ contest with ATU seems to be proof of patterns being disrupted as the Muleriders’ triumph against the Golden Suns was the first for the unit since the 2019-2020 season and the first since the 2014-2015 campaign that SAU defeated them at home.

Both the Muleriders and the Reddies have had similar beginnings to the 2024-25 GAC schedule after both teams fell twice while in Oklahoma in a similar fashion. The following week, Henderson State went to Russellville where they defeated Tech much like Southern Arkansas (83-70). The only difference between the programs’ week two of conference play was the loss the Reddies received at home against preseason favorite Harding in a tightly-contested overtime battle (88-94).

In that contest with the Bisons, sophomore guard Natalie Cardenas led the game in scoring with 32 points after she made 9-20 from the field, 4-8 from three-point range, and a very impressive 10-12 at the free throw line. Cardenas also acquired six rebounds and tied for the second-most on the team that game. Three other Reddies also had an impressive game, which were Brynlee Huggins, Sam Basson, and Marlee Raby. Basson and Raby both accounted for 17 points while Huggins was second in scoring for the Reddies with 18 points.

Last week for the Muleriders, the Matthews Era truly began to set in as the first-year head coach for Southern Arkansas claims a second defensive player of the week honor with Elena Lijo-Rodriguez winning the honor for the first time in her career, which marks the first time SAU Women’s Hoops have been rewarded multiple GAC POTW honors for two or more players in the same season.

The Muleriders have been dominating teams on defense with the most points surrendered all season being 70 points against the Golden Suns on Saturday. Nationally, the Southern Arkansas defense ranks 13^th, allowing just 52.0 points per game. The group is leading the Great American Conference defensively in scoring, defensive field goal percentage (35.0% | 32^nd nationally), and steals per game (11.9 | 33^rd nationally). Because of SAU’s defense, the team also leads the league for their scoring margin of 18.4, which is 18^th nationally.

Three different Muleriders have accounted for 100+ points on the season. Leading the team in scoring is Addy Tremie with 126 so far (12.6 ppg). The Sulphur, Louisiana native has made 48-117 (41.0%) and is also leading the team in three-point shots made with 25, and is second in the conference for her three-point attempts (67), percentage (37.3%), makes, and made per game (2.5).

Leading the team, the conference, and the Central Region in steals is Marlee Bright as the junior averages 4.00 steals per game and has accounted for 40 on the season. Those numbers rank her average fourth in Division II and her total fifth in Division II. Finally, the native of Amity, Arkansas is also the team’s, the conference’s, and the Central Region’s leader for total assists with 64 assists this season, which ranks third in Division II.

Southern Arkansas will face Henderson State inside the Duke Wells Center on Thursday at 5:30 PM with live links to streaming and live stats available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com/coverage.

Featured

“5th & Goal” Returns Tonight, Bringing Local Coaches and Football Fans Together

Published

6 days ago

September 1, 2026

Jax Sanford

South Arkansas Now will once again bring local high school football coaches and fans together tonight with the return of “5th & Goal,” the weekly coaches show highlighting football across South Arkansas.

The show goes live at 6 p.m. tonight from Mystic Creek Grill and will feature coaches from Parkers Chapel, El Dorado, Junction City, and Smackover as they look back at last week’s games and preview the matchups ahead.

For 13 years, local football fans were without the weekly program that had become a familiar part of the South Arkansas football season. Now, “5th & Goal” has returned, with Jax Sanford picking up the torch from his father, B.A. Sandy Sanford, who created and hosted the original program for more than a dozen years.

The response since the show’s return has been overwhelmingly positive, with feedback from coaches, fans, school administrators and sponsors reinforcing the decision to bring the program back.

Each week, Jax Sanford will sit down with area coaches to discuss the previous Friday night’s action, key moments from their games, what their teams are working on during the week, and what fans can expect when they take the field next.

Tonight’s show will offer an opportunity for fans to hear directly from coaches representing four area programs as they prepare for another week of high school football.

“5th & Goal” will be streamed live every Tuesday at 6 p.m. during the football season, live from Mystic Creek Grill.

Fans can tune in tonight at 6 p.m. through South Arkansas Now’s online platforms for the latest edition of “5th & Goal” and hear from the coaches who are leading local teams through another exciting football season.

Kickoff may be Friday night, but football talk starts Tuesday on “5th & Goal.”

Sports

El Dorado Cross Country Opens Season With Three Team Titles in Perryville

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Jax Sanford

The El Dorado High School cross country team opened its 2026 season with an impressive showing Wednesday at the Perryville Mustang Invitational, competing against 16 other programs from across the state.

The Wildcats went toe-to-toe with several strong programs, including fellow conference opponents Sheridan and Hot Springs, as well as Conway, DeQueen, Searcy and Conway St. Joseph.

El Dorado brought home three team trophies, with both junior high squads claiming championships and the senior boys finishing as the overall runner-up.

The senior boys placed second with 76 points, finishing behind Conway’s 28 points. DeQueen followed in third with 104 points, while Searcy finished fourth with 120. Maumelle and Conway St. Joseph tied with 134 points, and Sheridan finished with 164.

The senior girls finished fourth overall, trailing Conway, DeQueen and Searcy.

Coach John Koonce said the team’s performance was a strong way to begin the season, with Wildcats runners competing against some of the state’s established cross country programs.

El Dorado’s medalists included Jackson Smith, Oscar Garcia, Abby Mitchell, Julianna Ayres, Cali Ayres, Milani James, Priscilla Martinez, Matthew Morgan and Caleb Ayres.

The nine medalists, pictured from left to right, are Priscilla Martinez, Milani James, Abby Mitchell, Oscar Garcia, Matthew Morgan, Caleb Ayres, Cali Ayres, Julianna Ayres and Jackson Smith.

With both junior high teams earning championships and the senior boys narrowly missing the top spot, the Wildcats opened the season with plenty of momentum as they continue toward the heart of the 2026 cross country season.

Complete individual times and placements are being handled by McDonald Timing and will be updated on the Arkansas MileSplit meet page as results become available.

Sports

Lady Cats Claim Team Victory at Mystic Creek; Wildcats Boys Finish Fourth

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Jax Sanford

EL DORADO, Ark. — The El Dorado Lady Cats continued their strong start to the golf season Wednesday at Mystic Creek Golf Course, earning a team victory while placing all four golfers in the top four individually.

El Dorado posted a team score of 286 to win the girls competition, finishing ahead of Nashville at 355. Sylvan Hills did not qualify a team score.

Lucy Whitten led the way for the Lady Cats, earning medalist honors with an 83. El Dorado dominated the top of the leaderboard, with all four of its golfers finishing among the top four.

Emma Cheatham finished as the runner-up with a 98, followed by Carolina Sneed with a 105 and Avelyn Chen with a 106.

On the boys side, the El Dorado Wildcats finished fourth with a team score of 366.

Tate Meadows paced the Wildcats with a sixth-place finish, carding an 84. Brett Nash followed with a 91, while Tanner Smart shot a 92 and Zane Walker finished with a 94. Mason Moore carded a 97, followed by Ford Wilson with a 98.

Bryant captured the boys team title with a score of 333, followed by Sylvan Hills at 337 and Nashville at 350.

Sylvan Hills’ Cooper Harris earned boys medalist honors after shooting a 74.

El Dorado JV Competes in Nine-Hole Match

El Dorado’s junior varsity teams also competed Wednesday, taking part in a nine-hole match against Parkers Chapel and Junction City.

The El Dorado JV boys finished second with a team score of 212, behind Parkers Chapel’s 193. Junction City finished with a 242.

JD Carelock earned individual medalist honors with a 45, while El Dorado’s Levi Grieff finished as the runner-up with a 48.

The remaining El Dorado golfers finished with Cooper Wilson at 52, Zachery Tissue at 53, Jackson Lee at 55, Canyon Wilson at 57, Carson Mills at 59 and Liam Beebe at 64.

The strong showing from the Lady Cats, including four golfers occupying the top four spots, highlighted another successful day on the course for El Dorado’s golf program.

News

FALL SPORTS REGISTRATIONS GOING ON NOW

Published

2 weeks ago

August 24, 2026

Sandy Sanford

EL DORADO, AR – The Boys & Girls Club of Union County is gearing up for another season of youth athletics, with registration now open for its 2026 Flag Football League and Girls Volleyball Season. Both programs are designed to give local children an opportunity to participate in organized sports while developing teamwork, sportsmanship and other skills that extend beyond the playing field.

Flag Football Registration Open

The Boys & Girls Club’s 2026 Youth Flag Football League will feature three co-ed age divisions:

Kindergarten through 2nd grade
3rd and 4th grade
5th and 6th grade

The registration fee is $80 per player, and registration closes September 19, 2026. The regular season is scheduled to run from October 12 through November 19, with playoff dates to be announced. The league offers young athletes the opportunity to get on the gridiron in a non-contact environment while building skills and learning the fundamentals of football.

Girls Volleyball Season

Registration is also underway for the Boys & Girls Club’s 2026 Girls Volleyball Season. Volleyball will be offered in three age groups:

Kindergarten through 2nd grade
3rd and 4th grade
5th and 6th grade

The registration fee is $80, with registration also closing September 19, 2026. The regular volleyball season is scheduled for October 12 through November 19, with playoff information to be announced at a later date. The program gives girls an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of volleyball while developing teamwork, confidence and sportsmanship in a competitive but youth-focused environment.

How to Register

Parents and guardians can register their children using the QR codes included on the Boys & Girls Club promotional materials. For additional information about either program, contact Club Athletic Director Dominique Turner at (870) 863-8753, ext. 106. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County – Arkansas is an equal opportunity provider.

Sports

El Dorado Girls Golf Wins Relyance Bank Classic; Boys Finish Fifth

Published

4 weeks ago

August 13, 2026

Jax Sanford

El Dorado Girls Golf Wins Relyance Bank Classic; Boys Finish Fifth

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The El Dorado High School girls golf team continued its strong start to the 2026 season Thursday, winning the Relyance Bank Classic at Pine Bluff Country Club.

The tournament provided an early-season look at the 5A South, with every team from the conference competing.

El Dorado finished atop the girls leaderboard with a team score of 271, a 19-stroke difference from second-place Benton, which finished with a 290. Lake Hamilton placed third at 309, followed by Lakeside at 312 and Sheridan at 316.

Senior Lucy Whitten led the way for the Lady Wildcats, earning individual medalist honors after shooting an 83.

El Dorado also had two golfers finish tied for fifth individually. Senior Avelyn Chen and sophomore Carolina Sneed each carded a 94.

The victory continues what has been an impressive early stretch for the El Dorado girls team and provides an encouraging early measuring stick against the rest of the 5A South.

The El Dorado boys team also competed Thursday, finishing fifth with a team score of 353.

Senior Tate Meadows paced the Wildcats, shooting an 80 to finish seventh individually.

Benton claimed the boys team title with a 310, followed by Lakeside at 323. Lake Hamilton finished third at 348, while Sheridan placed fourth at 351 and El Dorado finished fifth at 353. White Hall rounded out the field with a 357.

With the Relyance Bank Classic bringing the entire 5A South together early in the season, both El Dorado teams got an opportunity to see where they stand within the conference. The Lady Wildcats emerged as the top team Thursday, while the boys will look to build on their fifth-place finish as the season continues.