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Lavaca's Renner Reed named among Arkansas coaches of the year for each sport

bryant roche, fort smith times record
·2 min read

The Arkansas Activities Association announced its coaches of the year for each of its sports Thursday, with Lavaca coach Renner Reed chosen for boys basketball.

The award winners were voted on by coaching peers from across the state.

Reed's Golden Arrows went 35-2 and won their first-ever state championship, defeating Magnet Cove 50-34 in the Arkansas Class 2A state finals on March 11. He was also named the Southwest Times Record Coach of the Year for a team that was ranked No. 1 in the Fort Smith area from Jan. 3 onward.

The Association also announced its most outstanding coach of the year for each boys and girls sport.

Benton softball coach Heidi Cox was named most outstanding girls coach after leading the Lady Panthers to a 32-0 record, its second straight undefeated season, that came with a 5A state championship. Benton was ranked No. 3 in the nation for the June 9 USA Today/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll.

The Lowell Manning Award, given to the most outstanding boys coach, went to Jonesboro boys basketball coach Wes Swift. The Hurricane went 27-4 as the 5A state champions.

The Curt King Award was presented to a coach who "is fair and impartial with his players and concerned about their total welfare and maintains friendly relations with his peers and assists in the professional growth of others."

The Joe Reese Award is given to "an individual who selflessly volunteers their time and those whose exceptional efforts as a volunteer has made a difference in the development of high school students throughout the state."

Here is the complete list of awards provided by the Association.

Lavaca basketball: Lavaca boys basketball wins its first state championship, beats Magnet Cove

State championship slate: Arkansas Activities Association releases football and volleyball state championship slate

Arkansas spring sports all-stars: Arkansas Activities Association releases baseball, soccer and softball all-star rosters

  • Lowell Manning Award: Wes Swift, Jonesboro

  • Outstanding Girls Coach: Heidi Cox, Benton

  • Curt King Award: David Bennett, Mineral Springs

  • Joe Reese Award: Leigh Ann Back, Bryant

  • Football: Steven Jones, El Dorado

  • Track: DeAnthony Curtis, El Dorado (Boys); Pat Summers, Kingston (Girls)

  • Baseball: Leighton Hardin, Conway

  • Softball: Heidi Cox, Benton

  • Golf: Scott Williams, Fayetteville (Boys); Matt Malham, Cabot (Girls)

  • Tennis: Darin Phelan, Fayetteville (Boys); Nikki Amos, Cave City (Girls)

  • Soccer: Matthew Page, Conway (Boys); Ron Teat, Valley View (Girls)

  • Basketball: Renner Reed, Lavaca (Boys); Eric Teague, Melbourne (Girls)

  • Cross Country: Brandon Smith, Lake Hamilton (Boys); Timothy Hooten, Quitman (Girls)

  • Bowling: Nathan Brown, Cabot

  • Volleyball: Laura Crow, Conway

  • Wrestling: Dustin Grimmett, Arkadelphia (Boys); Jerry Evans, Searcy (Girls)

  • Dance: Elizabeth Thomas-Gammill, Fayetteville

  • Cheer: Brooke Williams, Magnolia

  • Swimming: Kathleen Dingman, Magnolia

You can follow Bryant Roche on Twitter @BRocheSports and you can email him at BRoche@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Renner Reed named among Arkansas coaches of the year for each sport.