Buckaroo Nation Proud

10/14/2026

CROSS COUNTRY: Lady Buck Gearing up for end of season

Credit: Tony Burns / El Dorado News Times

Smackover’s Kyndal Bethany recently wrapped up her tennis season and will turn her entire focus toward the end of the cross country schedule.
The junior has competed in four races with first-year coach Raley Sullivan. She has a week or so off before the district and state meets.
“I feel like I’m in better shape now than last year thanks to Coach Raley’s strength training,” Bethany said. “I’ve very much enjoyed having her as a coach this season.”
Bethany finished first at the Lois Davis Invitational at SAU with a time of 22:54.86. She was sixth at the season-opening Bearden Invitational. She posted a time of 23:35.89 at the Bob Gravett Invitational at Ouachita Baptist University and ran 24:53.74 at Saturday’s Lake Hamilton Invitational.
Bethany also played doubles for the Lady Bucks’ conference champion tennis team.
“I love tennis and it’s one of my favorite sports I like to do other than running,” she said. “I think tennis definitely helps me improve on my running skills by training my mobility and endurance.”
Bethany hopes to reach her peak in the final two races.
“She has done a good job working on her pace throughout the season,” said Coach Sullivan. “The key for her in the final two races will be starting at a comfortable, consistent pace, staying controlled early, and having enough left in the tank to finish strong. If she trusts her training and doesn’t go out too fast, I think she can finish the season strong.”

10/14/2026

Local star commits to play division one baseball.

10/13/2026

We have always known how talented this young man is, now the rest of the world will get to see! Congratulations to the newest member of The Ohio State University Baseball Team! We are proud of young man!

10/13/2026

Calling all Smackover-Norphlet band alumni! Dust off your instruments and join the Battlin’ Buckaroo Band in the stands during Homecoming on Friday, October 16!

Alumni will have an opportunity to relive Friday nights, perform alongside current band members, and reconnect with the Battlin’ Buckaroo Band family. Participants are also invited to stay and enjoy the band’s 2026 halftime show, “Inspiration.”

Alumni should bring their own instruments, as only a limited number will be available for use. Scan the QR code on the flyer to access the stand tunes and begin preparing for the performance.

Come make music and celebrate Homecoming with B3!

10/12/2026

Bucks Kade Crawford ready for state tournament

Credit: Tony Burns / El Dorado News Times

Smackover’s Kade Crawford finished as the runner-up in the 3A 8 District Tennis Tournament. But, he’ll be going into Monday’s 3A State Tournament with momentum after winning the 18U boys singles title at the USTA Cockrell Fall Classic in Shreveport.
Crawford will meet Subiaco Academy’s Chris Regalado in the first round of the state tournament, which will be hosted by Harding University in Searcy.
“The goal at state is to play my best game and leave it all on the court,” said Crawford. “Some key things to remember are to play with complete confidence and not dwell on past points. Coming from a win at the USTA boys 18u tournament at the Cockrell Fall Classic in Shreveport, I have high hopes for state.”
Crawford posted a singles record of 11-2 on the season with both losses coming to Drew Central’s Trent Burton. In the conference championship match, Burton prevailed 6-2, 4-6, 7-6. The match lasted two hours and forty-five minutes.
“Our game at district lasted almost three hours long, one of the longest games I have ever played in tennis,” said Crawford. “Coming off a tough loss at district that’s only fuel for me to work harder, knowing that I’m not where I need to be.”
Crawford enjoyed a solid season but as he enters the state tournament, he said he’s not satisfied.
“This year I feel like I’ve played alright. I’ve had peers and mentors before me who did greater things that I wanted to live up to.”

10/08/2026

Way to Go Guys!!! Congrats to all, and congrats to Dax Preston on making All-State!!!

Congrats to the Buckaroos on a great season! The Bucks finished 3rd today at State, just 3 strokes off the lead! It was a difficult course today but they fought to the end! Congrats to Dax Preston who finished 6th overall with a score of 78 and earned All-State Honors.

10/06/2026

Congratulations and best of luck at state!!! Let’s GO!!!

10/05/2026

Congratulations to all!!!👏👏👏👏👏

The Buckaroo Choir High School competed at the All-Region Choir Competition today in Bryant, AR. Congratulations to the following students for winning spots in the Tenor/Bass Honor Choir: Mason McWilliams (Tenor 2), Evin Morgan (Bass 1), and Timothy Buzbee, Jr. (Bass 2); Also, Ethan McWilliams (4th Alternate).

10/05/2026

PREP VOLLEYBALL: SOPHOMORE HELPING PUT SPORT ON THE MAP IN SMACKOVER

CREDIT: Tony Burns / El Dorado News Times

Smackover’s volleyball program is still in its baby steps stage. The Lady Bucks won their first senior high match last year under Coach Nikki Skelton.
This season, Smackover has gone 4-10 with a young squad, led by a 5-foot-10 sophomore setter. Lunden Clark has Lady Bucks’ fans believing in the future of volleyball at the school.
“She has been running a 5-1 since I moved her up as a freshman last year. I’ve been playing since 1987 and coaching since 2008, and she’s one of the most naturally talented setters I’ve had the pleasure of teaching,” said Skelton. “She’s extremely coachable and takes critiquing in a positive manner. She plays with aggressive intensity but never lets her feelings control her game.”
This season Clark has recorded 29 aces, with 54 kills, 157 digs and 253 assists. She has an 89% serve percentage.
“She is definitely our quarterback and runs the team,” Skelton said. “Our team saw that first hand when she was sick and couldn’t play against Genoa Central. It took three other players to fill her role that night.”
Clark said she started playing volleyball in the seventh grade. Her skills started to develop last year.
“When Coach Skelton first came here, I was in the 9th grade and I had to definitely learn a lot,” said Clark. “At first it was quite a struggle but once she put me at setter, everything just kind of clicked.”
A natural athlete, Clark is a pitcher on the Lady Bucks’ softball squad that advanced to the 3A state semifinals last year. She is also a member of Smackover’s cheer squad.
“Volleyball is a sport I get to just have fun and play with my friends,” said Clark, who didn’t have to ponder which sport is her numero uno. “My number one sport will probably have to be softball just because I have been playing it my whole life but I have really enjoyed learning to play volleyball.”
Those feelings may change a bit in the future. Skelton believes Clark could play volleyball after high school some day.
Like the Lady Bucks’ program, that would take baby steps. Her coach said the setter looks like a natural.
“She’s not selfish with the ball and will set up her hitters even though I tell her to be more aggressive when she’s front row,” said Skelton. “Last year our team’s passing wasn’t great so she really had to learn to set on the run, literally. This year our team’s passing and defense has improved so much. All my players are serve-receive passing about a 1.8, which is way above the .75 from last season. Lunden has had more opportunities to run a different offense this season because of our improved passing.”
Smackover’s volleyball program is clearly headed in the right direction. Clark hopes to lead the way. Perhaps she could help volleyball become as successful as softball?
“For volleyball to become as good as softball I think it’s going to take dedication and commitment from all the girls on the team. However, I have already seen a big jump from where we were last year to where we are now,” said Clark.
“I’m excited to see where we finish the season and where the program is at in three years. Coach Skelton has done a great job with improving our program and I can’t wait to keep learning from her.”

10/05/2026

Congratulations!!!👏👏👏