Junior girls play M.A.Y.B. ball

These Berryville junior high girls raised money so they could compete in Mid-American Youth Basketball (M.A.Y.B.) tournaments this summer. Front, from left, Lyndsey Griffith, Courtney Moore, Katie Tennant, and Mackenzie Howerton. Back, from left, assistant coach Donna Griffith, Kim Whetsten, Heather Eaves, Kayla Grigg, Ivie Deweese, and head coach Jason Tennant. Not pictured, Morgan Myrick and Kaylin Armstrong. Contributed photo

BERRYVILLE ---- A group of Berryville junior high girls kept their basketball skills sharp this past summer by playing in the Mid-America Youth Basketball league.

The team played a lot of All-Star teams from 4A and 5A schools in five tournaments totaling 25 games in Springfield and Branson, Mo., and Alma, Fayetteville, and Siloam Springs, Ark.

The team finished with a 13-12 record, with coaches Jason Tennant and Donna Griffith saying the team improved every day, learned to work together, developed skills to help win the school conference this year, and most of all, worked hard and had fun.

Team members raised the money to travel to the tournaments with car washes and other fundraisers, with some dedicated parents taking them on weekends during July.

Team members included Ivie Deweese, Katie Tennant, Courtney Moore, Mackenzie Howerton, Kayla Grigg, Lynsey Griffith, Morgan Myrick, Kaylin Armstrong, Kim Whetsten, and Heather Eaves.

"These girls made us all very proud with their attitudes and commitment to the Bobcat program," the coaches said.