The best boys basketball team in Jonesboro Hodge Elementary School history recently completed a very successful inaugural season coming up just two shots short in the league championship tournament against stalwart Ruston Elementary.

“I could not be more proud of any group,” said J-HES head coach and Asst. Principal Jacob Barron. “This team fought hard all season and improved every game.”

Team members shown in the photo above are: (standing from right to left Jasen McNeil, Ayden Watkins, Cannon Tatum, Levi Martin, and Kemarion Heard. (Seated from right to left): John Turner, Kyrn Jackson, Andrew Watkins, Shan Stallings, and DJ Jones.

The J-HES team would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the community of Jonesboro-Hodge. First of all we would like to thank our principal Ms. Danielle Copeland, and our coaches Mr. Jordan Boston, Ms. Jessica Jackson and Ms. Kyana Jackson for their dedication and support of our students.

We would also like to thank Jonesboro Hodge High School Principal Chevonda Leonard, Coach Kris Cash and Coach Allen Tew, Jonesboro Hodge Middle School Principal Brent Carpenter, Coach Gromeika Palmer and Coach Trevaun Calahan for the use of their facilities in our endeavor.

Thanks also goes to Mrs. Debra Pagett for heading up our concessions and our fantastic parent and teacher volunteers: Ms. Bergholtz, Ms. Belton, Ms. Mason, Ms. Swafford, Ms. Leonard, Ms. McDonald, Ms. Blankenship, Ms. Malone, and Ms. Kohler. Our success would not have been possible without the tremendous support we have had from these ladies.

We would also like to thank our student athletes’ parents for helping in raising startup money for our team and our community sponsors: Mr. Ross Pullin, Diceybell’s Trading Post, Willy T’s, and Hodge Bank and Trust Co. who donated funds to buy uniforms, and pay officials, custodians and clock keepers.

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