KENTUCKY LAKE, TN – The first day of the Bassmaster Junior National Championship is in the books, and South Arkansas anglers Ben Langley and Preston Phillips have put themselves in position to make a run at a national title.

The Arkansas duo brought three bass, the tournament limit, to the scales Friday, posting a total weight of 6 pounds, 10 ounces. At the time of this writing, that performance places the team inside the Top 40 among more than 150 of the nation’s best young anglers.

Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that more than 60 teams failed to weigh a single fish on a day that proved to be every bit as challenging as tournament officials and professional anglers predicted.

After several days of difficult practice, Ben and Preston said they had located a handful of productive areas and planned to rely on those spots once competition began.

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That strategy paid off.

On a lake where every bite has been hard-earned, simply finding three keeper bass proved to be an accomplishment. Their opening-day catch keeps them well within striking distance heading into the tournament’s final day.

The boys’ success comes as no surprise to those who have followed their journey.

Just six weeks ago, Ben and Preston punched their ticket to the national championship with an impressive performance at Millwood Lake near Ashdown, Arkansas. Their five-fish limit weighing 20.75 pounds secured a second-place finish and earned them the opportunity to represent Arkansas on one of youth bass fishing’s biggest stages.

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Now, with one day remaining, the dream is still very much alive.

If they can build on Friday’s momentum and capitalize on the productive areas they discovered during practice, Ben and Preston could climb even higher in the standings before the final fish is weighed.

No matter where they finish, the two young anglers have already represented Arkansas with determination, composure, and the kind of grit that championship fishing demands.

Saturday will decide the final standings, but after surviving one of the toughest opening days of the tournament, Ben Langley and Preston Phillips have earned the chance to keep chasing a national championship.

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KENTUCKY LAKE, TN – On the eve of the biggest fishing tournament of their young lives, 12-year-old Ben Langley and 13-year-old Preston Phillips lean over the speaker of Ben’s mother’s iPhone, their voices carrying a mixture of excitement, confidence, and just a hint of nervousness.

In just a few hours, the two South Arkansas anglers will launch their boat onto Kentucky Lake to compete against the best youth bass fishermen in the country at the Bassmaster Junior National Championship. It’s a moment they have dreamed about, and one they earned with determination, skill, and a memorable day on the water six weeks ago.

That day began like so many others on Millwood Lake near Ashdown, Arkansas.

The boys were casting lures into lily pads when everything changed.

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Even now, they can replay every detail. They remember the exact spot. The exact lure. The exact strike. And the exact moment they realized they had done enough to qualify to represent the State of Arkansas on the national stage.

Their five-fish limit weighed an impressive 20.75 pounds, nearly three pounds ahead of the third-place team. The second-place finish secured their ticket to Kentucky Lake and a chance to compete for a national title.

Now, standing on the doorstep of that opportunity, they know nothing will come easy.

“We’ve had a hard time,” Preston admitted after several days of practice. “But we have a couple of spots locked in where we know we can catch some fish.”

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Ben echoed his partner’s optimism.

“Yeah, it’s been tough, but we found a couple of places where the fish are. We’ll definitely catch some out of there.”

That confidence will be tested on one of the nation’s premier bass fisheries.

Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series professional angler John Garrett said Kentucky Lake is fishing well, but success won’t come from simply following one pattern.

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“A little bit of everything is going to be going on,” Garrett said. “There isn’t going to be one obvious pattern to catch sizable bass. A three-pounder is going to be great, and anything over that is a big one.”

Garrett explained that summer bass are holding deeper than many anglers are accustomed to.

“Normally we fish from 12 to 20 feet of water. In July, they like to be in 20 to 30 feet. They’re harder to find because they sit on the edges of the breaks. The teams who find that will be well off.”

For Ben and Preston, the challenge is exactly what they’ve spent countless hours preparing for. Their countless days on Arkansas lakes have led them here, to a tournament where every cast could change their lives and where they have the chance to bring a national championship back home.

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Before heading to the water, the boys made it clear they didn’t make this journey alone. They expressed heartfelt gratitude to the businesses and supporters who helped make this opportunity possible, including Langley Oil, Smackover Motors, Honey Hole Tackle Shop, RATS, 4R Marketing, Country Village Sporting Goods, Hooked Outdoors, and Murphy Sumac Mart.

When the first cast is made this weekend, two young anglers won’t just be fishing for trophies. They’ll be representing their families, their hometowns, and the entire State of Arkansas, carrying with them the hopes of everyone who has cheered them on from that unforgettable day at Millwood Lake to the bright lights of the Bassmaster Junior National Championship.

EL DORADO, Ark. — South Arkansas College sophomore third baseman Kenner Lauterbach has been named an NJCAA Division II Baseball Honorable Mention All-American following a standout season for the Stars.

Lauterbach, a native of Benton, Louisiana, completed his junior-college eligibility after serving as a two-year starter for SouthArk.

During his sophomore campaign, Lauterbach posted a .479 batting average, ranking second nationally among players with at least 100 at-bats.

His performance helped lead SouthArk to a 38-17 record during the season.

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Lauterbach becomes the second athlete in South Arkansas College history to earn NJCAA All-American recognition.

He joins former SouthArk teammate Justin Szymanski, who received the same honorable mention distinction last year after completing his junior-college eligibility with the Stars.

The recognition adds another milestone for the SouthArk baseball program as it continues building its presence on the national junior-college stage.

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EL DORADO, Ark. — Razorback fans and community supporters packed the First Financial Music Hall at the Murphy Arts District Thursday evening for Calling The Hogs – Stories from the Booth, an event that brought together Arkansas sports stories, dinner, fellowship and fundraising.

The evening featured Chuck Barrett, the well-known voice of the Arkansas Razorbacks, who shared stories from his years behind the microphone and offered guests an inside look at some of the most memorable moments in Arkansas sports. Longtime Arkansas broadcaster and storyteller Rex Nelson served as Master of Ceremonies, helping guide the evening with humor, insight and plenty of Hog spirit.

The catered event, with dinner provided by Madhouse 101, drew a strong turnout, with venue tables filled throughout the evening. In addition to the program, guests also took part in an auction, where every auction item was sold.

Organizers said the event was a great success, bringing together Razorback fans, local supporters and community members for an evening centered on storytelling, sports nostalgia and South Arkansas hospitality.

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Watch a quick highlight from the event!

MAGNOLIA — The Magnolia School District has announced the promotion of Jacob Richardson as the new head baseball coach at Magnolia High School.

Richardson takes over the Panther baseball program after serving as an assistant coach and helping guide Magnolia to a berth in the Class 4A State Semifinals during the 2026 season.

The new head coach brings seven years of coaching experience to the position, including stops at Southern Arkansas University, England High School and the Academies of West Memphis. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Southern Arkansas University in 2018 and completed a Master of Science degree in 2022.

Richardson is no stranger to success on the baseball field. As a player at Southern Arkansas University, he was named an All-American and the Great American Conference Player of the Year in 2018. As a coach, he helped lead England High School to the Class 2A State Semifinals in 2021 and was selected as head coach of the East All-Stars in the Arkansas Activities Association All-Star Game in 2024.

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Richardson said Magnolia’s tradition and community support made the opportunity especially meaningful.

“Magnolia Panther Baseball has a rich tradition built by the leadership of great coaches, strong administrative and community support, and exceptional talent,” Richardson said. “Although Magnolia is not my hometown, it has always felt that way. I am a Mulerider, and I am a Panther.”

He said the pride surrounding Magnolia athletics was evident from the moment he arrived on campus.

“From the first time I stepped on campus, I could see the pride the students, staff, and community take in wearing the Panther red,” Richardson said. “I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead Magnolia Panther Baseball and make a positive impact in the lives of young men through the game of baseball.”

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Richardson inherits a program coming off a strong season and said his goal is to continue building on the foundation established by previous coaches.

“We return a very talented group for 2027 that fell just short in 2026,” Richardson said. “Our goal is to build on that momentum and compete for a state championship. Long term, we want our program to be known for winning championships, building relationships, and earning high academic honors in the classroom.”

He also emphasized the culture he hopes to establish within the program.

“Attitude and effort are the two absolutes in our program,” Richardson said. “We want our student-athletes to be disciplined, respectful, hardworking individuals both in competition and in the classroom.”

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Outside of coaching, Richardson enjoys golf, bow hunting, fishing and maintaining Magnolia’s athletic facilities. He and his wife, Haley, a dentist in El Dorado and fellow Southern Arkansas University graduate, welcomed their daughter, Anniston, in January 2026. The family also includes their Australian Shepherd, Millie.

School officials said they look forward to the continued growth and success of Magnolia Panther Baseball under Richardson’s leadership as the program pursues its goal of competing for future state championships.