Harlem Globetrotter Returns to Former High School

Can't see the video? View it here.
Lili Thompson went from being a Lady Wolf to being on the world-famous Globetrotters, and she returned to where it started to encourage students to follow their dreams.

Thompson graduated from Timberview High School in 2013. During her tenure, she was the leading point guard on a winning team, member of the debate team and member of the student council. She went on to have a standout college basketball career at Notre Dame and Stanford University.

All the while, her eyes were set on something bigger—going pro. She accomplished that when she was drafted by the Harlem Globetrotters in November as one of only two female players to be selected.

“I always wanted to be a professional basketball player, and I always wanted to use basketball as a vehicle to take me places in life, both physically and in terms of opportunities, and it’s done that,” said Thompson. “The Globetrotters have an amazing legacy, and I’m really proud to step in and be part of it.”

Thompson, also known as Champ, made her way back to her former high school to motivate them to aspire for something greater and never give up. She said she also wanted to show her support of the Timberview girls basketball team for being top-ranked and undefeated in its district.

"Champ" shows students her basketball spin trick.

“I had so much fun at Timberview,” she explained. “It’s a great place, it’s a great school district and a great place to be in Texas. I’m really, really proud of them for how they’re doing, and it’s just great to be back.”

The rookie Globetrotter noted that her time at Timberview High School shaped a lot of habits that propelled her to success, such as working hard, being disciplined, having time management skills and utilizing good communication skills.

Head girls basketball coach Kit Martin was in attendance at the assembly. She said she wanted students to take Thompson’s story and apply it in their lives.

“You hope that they can see that there is going to be a future, regardless of what it is, once they walk out these doors and they’re done,” said Martin. “It should be limitless. It should be without a ceiling to dream for whatever they want. Lili is a perfect example of that, and coming back gives them that tangible goal that they can look out and say, ‘Hey, if she can come from here and do that, then I can do whatever it is that I set out to do.’”

Globetrotter teammate Zeus McClurkin accompanied Thompson to the assembly, where they both showed off their ball handling skills. The Harlem Globetrotters are in town through Nov. 25 as part of its Fan Powered World Tour.

MISD Community Heads North to Support Border Brawl Football Games

Can't see the video? View it here.
A battle over state lines kicked off the Mansfield ISD 2018-19 high school football season.

MISD football teams, bands, cheerleaders, drill teams and fans made the trip up north to celebrate the inaugural Border Brawl football competition on Aug. 31, in which five MISD teams faced five Oklahoma teams.

“This is something special for our school district and for our kids to experience,” said Legacy High School head coach Chris Melson. “It’s not just the football team. You got the bands, drill teams, cheerleaders, supporting staff… everybody gets to experience it.”

Border Brawl was brought to life by MISD Athletics Director Philip O’Neal and Superintendent Dr. Jim Vaszauskas.

Legacy High rush onto the field against Jenks.

The idea was to provide students with new opportunities while engaging in friendly competition.

“I think it’s important for us to create experiences for them,” said O’Neal. “The connections and lessons they learn from going beyond their region will help them in college and in life.”

“Our kids have never gotten to do something like this,” said Daniel Maberry, head coach at Mansfield High School. “You get to see games on T.V. all the time where teams sometimes travel to Florida or Nevada to play some of the private schools, but these are two quality programs coming together to experience something they never have before.”

The Oklahoma competition included teams from Union, Jenks, Broken Arrow, Bixby and Sand Springs.

Even though the games took place hours away, there was no shortage of MISD fans. Hundreds of people filled the stands to show their support.

“To be here at the Border Brawl is just showing that Texas and Oklahoma can come together and make something like this possible,” said Brandon Jones, junior at Summit High School.

O’Neal said that apart from the competition, Mansfield ISD being able to come together as a unit was priceless.

“This is an opportunity for Mansfield ISD to be unified in their effort to come to Oklahoma and compete against the Tulsa-area schools as one,” he said. “The benefits of that go way beyond the sports field.”

The same schools will face each other again in the Border Brawl track meet, which will take place at the start of the 2019 track season.

MISD Student Trainers Help from the Sidelines

Can't see the video? View it here.
They may be standing on the sidelines during game time, but they are the stars of the show when it comes to the health of Mansfield ISD’s student-athletes.

The MISD Student Athletic Trainer Program consists of high school students who help take care of student-athletes.

Students in the program treat injuries, keep athletes hydrated and serve as the eyes and ears on the field or court.

“All a fan sees or a parent sees when they come to a game is a student trainer holding a water bottle and a towel and standing there. That’s kind of our down time,” said district trainer Andy Starnes. “All of our action happens before the game and during the week during practice.”

Strength tapes a wrist before football practice begins.

There are approximately 30 student athletic trainers across MISD.

Starnes said having the trainers is essential to the district’s athletics program because they provide extra help to the thousands of students who participate in sports.

“Without those guys, we couldn’t do what we do. There’s no way,” he added. “We have almost 900 athletes here at Mansfield High School, and each of the campuses have a number of athletes.”

A day as a student athletic trainer can be time consuming. They tape injuries, lug coolers, fill water tanks and restock medical kits, just to name a few.

Despite the work, the students said their job is very rewarding.

“I like to help others, and that’s what I want to do as a living, so this is a way for me to be able to do that,” said Bailey Strength, a junior at Mansfield High.

“My favorite part is being able to spend time with the other trainers,” said sophomore Brianna Devito. “We’re like a family.”

Many of the student athletic trainers have gone on to pursue careers in sports medicine. Those interested in the MISD Student Athletic Trainer Program can contact one of the campus athletic trainers.

Inaugural Texas/Oklahoma Border Brawl Creates New Competition

Can't see the video? Watch it here.
There will be a battle over state lines in the upcoming track and football seasons. Five high schools from Texas and five high schools from Oklahoma will be competing with each other to see which teams are the best.

It was an idea that formed after a brainstorming session between Athletics Director Philip O’Neal and Superintendent Dr. Jim Vaszauskas.

“I wanted to find a new way to bring attention to our student-athletes,” O’Neal said. “After tossing some concepts around, Dr. V said that we should try to contact schools in Oklahoma to play against.”

The athletics director put in a few calls and knew he had made the right connection when the voice on the other line was just as excited as he was.

Steve Dunlap, assistant athletics director for Union Public Schools, accepted the challenge for the Sooner state. He is enthusiastic about this new relationship and friendly rivalry.

The competitors met each other for the first time on Feb. 27.

“I have no doubt it’s going to be a great event,” said Dunlap. “We start March 10 with the track meet, so I’m excited about that.”

The Border Brawl track meet will feature athletes from all of the Mansfield ISD high schools, along with Oklahoma high school athletes from Union, Jenks, Broken Arrow, Bixby and Sand Springs. It will take place at MISD’s Legacy High School.

The same schools will then compete throughout the 2018-19 school year in football and track.

Each region has a tradition of excellence; and although O’Neal said he looks forward to the intense competition, his favorite part of the Border Brawl is the experiences it will give students.

“I think it’s important for us to create experiences for them,” he continued. “The connections and lessons they learn from going beyond their region will help them in college and in life.”

The announcement of the inaugural Border Brawl was officially made Feb. 27 in Tulsa. Coaches and student-athletes from all participating schools attended the press conference.

Walk-On NFL Player Returns to Give Message of Resiliency

Can't see the video? Watch it here.
In his senior year at Mansfield High School, Lenzy Pipkins decided to quit basketball and start playing football—a move that would help define the rest of his life.

The football coach laughed at him, but allowed the 12th-grader to prove himself.

“I was like, ‘I can ball. Just trust me. Give me a chance. Give me a chance,” Pipkins recalled.

He was a natural at football. He got noticed for his talents and received an invitation to the Nike Combine. There, he ran a 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds.

Arizona State University offered the athlete a football scholarship. After his first season at the school, his scholarship was taken away.

Pipkins said he hopes his story can inspire anyone who wants to quit.

“The current staff got fired, so the new staff ended up taking my scholarship away,” he said. “They didn’t think I was ready.”

Pipkins later went to the University of Louisiana Monroe to continue playing football. He graduated and played another year at Oklahoma State University.

He was set on becoming a professional football player and declared for the NFL draft. The cornerback didn’t get drafted, but 10 teams invited him afterward to come to try outs. He signed with the Green Bay Packers.

The 24-year-old told his story of resiliency to the students at The Phoenix Academy on Friday. He advised the high schoolers to follow their passion no matter what naysayers may think.

Principal Regenia Crane said Pipkin’s message fell in line with the district’s Vision 2020 strategic plan.

“Resiliency is one of our values, and he is a great example of what happens when you don’t give up,” said Crane. “That’s something our students always need to hear.”

It is reported that less than 2 percent of college athletes reach the NFL, making Pipkins story even more remarkable as a walk-on. He starts his second year in the professional league in September.

Middle School Coaches Save Life of Student-Athlete

Can't see the video? View it here.

A day of afternoon recreation at Danny Jones Middle School turned into a terrifying moment last Friday after one of the players passed out on the football field.

“I didn’t think anything of it. I thought he just slipped and fell,” said eighth-grader Nathan Bennett. “But then he wasn’t responding, so we called the coaches over.”

A nearby coach had already noticed Jeffrey Cotton on the ground and knew something was not right.

“I immediately began checking for any vitals,” said Shawn Alsup, a teacher and coach at the school. “I was tapping him on the cheek and said, ‘Hey, Jeffrey. Jeffrey, can you hear me? Jeffrey, can you hear me?' And I wasn’t getting anything.”

That’s when the coaches sprang into action. David Sawyer rushed to call 9-1-1, Stephen Varcardipone alerted the crisis team, Shawn Alsup started conducting CPR chest compressions and Edward King ran in to get the automated external defibrillator (AED) in hopes of regaining the student’s vital signs.

Coaches routinely visited Cotton in the hospital.

The coaches said everyone seamlessly worked together to revive the 13-year-old.

The school nurse later helped to administer the AED, and the students blocked off traffic and guided the ambulance to the field.

“He was not with us,” said Coach King. “It shocked him, and his chest jumped, and Coach Alsup went back to compressions again. So it was like, ‘Is this machine going to work?’ And it gave him another shock. I think at that point, we started to feel the pulse.”

The ambulance arrived and transported Cotton to a local hospital. Doctors said the quick thinking of everyone involved is what helped save the eighth-grader’s life.

It’s something that Coach Sawyer said is making him more grateful for Mansfield ISD’s annual trainings that all coaches must attend.

“We have to give a shoutout to the district,” Sawyer added. “We are all well trained in AED use, CPR and first aid. We kind of scoff at it, and this is one of those times when you say, “I’ll never scoff at it again.’”

Sawyer said Cotton is recovering well. The student successfully underwent surgery to implant a defibrillator for is enlarged heart. Coaches said they are glad he is getting back to his normal self.

MISD Girls Basketball Teams Reflect on Long-Running Season

The Lady Broncos were excited to advance to the playoffs.

Even though there won’t be any Mansfield ISD teams at the UIL Girls Basketball State Tournament this weekend, the three teams that made it to the playoffs still have a lot to be proud of.

This season proved to be a record-breaking one for the Legacy High and Timberview High girls basketball teams. The Lady Broncos made it to the regional quarterfinals for the first time in its history. In addition, Timberview’s Lady Wolves were ranked number one in their division for a majority of the regular season, and remained undefeated until their unexpected loss in the regional tournament.

The Lady Wolves went into the playoffs undefeated.

The Lady Wolves finished the season with a record of 33-1. It’s the longest winning streak for the Timberview girls basketball program.

The Summit High School Lady Jaguars made it the furthest among the MISD teams as the regional runner-ups. The team had momentum at the start of the season, but hit a snag when their starting point guard and lead scorer, Amber Dixon, tore her ACL around Christmas.

“Our seniors brought a lot of team leadership during that time,” said Lady Jags head coach Dawn Mailloux. “They had the attitude to press on. Our goal was to get to the regional tournament and not let anything get in the way of that.”

Even without their starting point guard, the Lady Jags
were regional runner-ups.

The Summit girls met their goal, but it was still a hard blow for them when they ended their playoff run. With a record of 32-7, Mailloux said she told the team there was no reason to hang their heads.

“We achieved and surpassed our goal,” said Coach Mailloux. “They were dedicated, and each of them contributed to the team. Those girls left a legacy for the next group to build on and look forward to.”

Each of the teams are working to get even better next year, and they’ll have some time to perfect their skills. The first day of girls basketball practice for the 2016-17 season is Oct. 19.

Lake Ridge Football Makes District History by Going to State Championship

Coach Thor and quarterback Jett Duffey embrace after winning
the state semifinal game. Courtesy: Dallas Morning News.

For head coach Kirk Thor, the journey has been surreal. He went from starting Lake Ridge High School’s football program in 2012 with a record of 0-10 to going into the 5A Division I state championship game as an undefeated team three years later.

The 2015 matchup is the first time Mansfield ISD has reached a state championship game in football.

“I knew it would be a tough road, but it energizes me to build programs and people,” said Coach Thor.

“We have a tremendous coaching staff, and our focus is on the process and building a culture of acceptance. We love you for who you are, and we want you to do your best at all times. It’s not about the scoreboard.”

The Lake Ridge Eagles became runner-ups in the championship game against George Ranch Longhorns on Dec. 18, but Thor said he still has plenty to be happy about.

The 2016 senior class at Lake Ridge High School will be the first class that has been at the school all four years. Coach said it has been amazing to see his team grow throughout the years and accomplish so much.

The Lake Ridge football team gathers together after a victory.

“I’m like a proud dad,” Thor added. “It’s been fun as a coach to see these boys develop into the great young men they are today.”

Thor noted that senior quarterback Jett Duffey, who has committed to Texas Tech University, stays humble even after winning so many awards and recognitions for his athleticism. He said his entire team deserves the spotlight and there are plenty of unsung heroes.

Being able to make it all the way to the state championship game has been a great ride for coach. He said he is thankful for the community support he has received along the way.

“To be able to make it that far is exciting,” said Coach Thor. “It’s a neat experience, and we’re humbled and very grateful.”

MISD Basketball Team Looks to Continue Two-Year Undefeated Streak

Coach Alex Howard holding a trophy with his 2014-15 team
after being named tournament champions.

T.A. Howard Middle School basketball coach Alex Howard has been coaching for 20 years; but when he first came to Mansfield ISD three years ago, he said he knew there was something special about the group of boys who would later make up his eighth grade team.

“Those guys were really good and competitive,” said Howard. “They had natural talent, but they also had a relentless work ethic. They were always willing to get better, and you don’t see that all the time. Everyone who saw them play noticed it too.”

The team went undefeated as seventh graders in the 2013-14 school year, and continued to be unstoppable as eighth graders the following year. The boys dominated in all in-district games, out-of-district games, and tournaments. Howard said his eighth graders never shied away from tough teams all over the metroplex.

“Parents, referees, workers—people from everywhere we played would always stop and ask how I was able to get all of those highly skilled players on one team,” Howard continued. “It was a sight to see, and all of them were MISD-bred.”

Eighth graders Timi Efunboade and Jaedaun Slack after
a day of drills in basketball class.

With that type of notoriety, there’s a lot of pressure on T.A. Howard’s new eighth grade basketball team to carry on the tradition this season, but Jaedaun Slack says he’s up for the challenge.

“I want to keep it going,” said Slack, who looked up to the undefeated team as a seventh grader. “It’ll take hard work and teamwork, but I think we can do it.”

Timi Efunboade, who is also ready for a flawless season, said he thinks the 2015-16 team can do it again if they learn to cooperate on and off the court.

“On the court, last year’s team played every game with all their hearts like it was their last. Off the court, they were really good friends. I want to do an even better job of that this year,” said Efunboade.

The Howard Knights will get a chance to carry on that legacy in the coming weeks. Tryouts are Nov. 9-11, and the first game is Nov. 19.

Student Athlete Loses Vision, But Not Her Great Attitude

Jobe eighth grader Mady Walker

In the span of nine months, Jobe Middle School student Madelyn Walker went from being a volleyball player and competitive dancer to losing her vision and using a wheelchair for assistance.

“I couldn’t see peripherally in my right eye, and then it just started getting worse,” said the 14-year-old who goes by Mady.

“In August of 2013, she woke up one day and told me, ‘Momma, I can’t see,’” said Mady’s mother Kati Walker, the principal’s secretary at Jobe. “I said, ‘What do you mean you can’t see?’ and she said, ‘My vision’s really blurry.’”

After an MRI, doctors discovered that Mady had optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve that causes blurred or dimmed vision.

Later that month, Mady started losing feeling in her right leg. She now uses a brace to help her walk and utilizes a wheelchair for longer distances because she gets easily fatigued.

Doctors think she suffers from mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes—better known as MELAS syndrome. The disease affects many of the body’s systems, particularly the brain and nervous system.

The eighth grader has been given a life expectancy of mid-30s. Although the news shocked the Walker family, they said they try to always keep a positive outlook about it.

(L-R) Jobe girl's athletic coordinator Stephanie Upshaw,
Mady Walker, and mother Kati Walker

“I’m still in denial about the whole thing,” said Kati Walker. “Sometimes, I wake up and think she’ll be all better. But you just have to do what you have to do and take life one day at a time.”

Mady’s diagnosis hasn’t stopped her from staying active in school. She is student council president, bassoon player in the Honors Band, and member of the National Junior Honor Society.

Even with all of her activities, Mady said she misses being in sports.

“I was only able to play in one volleyball game last school year before my vision started getting worse, and I couldn’t even try out for basketball,” said Mady. “I never really got a chance to say goodbye to sports.”

That is, until Thursday night.

Jobe girl’s athletics coordinator Stephanie Upshaw wanted to give Mady one last chance to play on the court again. She coordinated with the coach at T.A. Howard Middle School to allow Mady to shoot the basketball one more time in a competitive game.

“Mady is an outstanding student and person with an outstanding attitude,” said Upshaw. “She might not have this opportunity again, so we wanted to make it happen for her.”

Mady Walker scoring two points for her team.

The play went as planned, and Mady made the shot—a move that finally brought her closure.

Mady still has big plans for the future. She wants to be a neonatal nurse and continue living life as usual. She hopes that her story can help people learn to always be grateful.

“Never take anything in life for granted because you could wake up one day, and it could be taken away from you.”