Compton says young Tigers are improving

The Green Forest Tigers lost three of their five games in a six-game span last week, but that doesn’t mean coach Shane Compton is disappointed in his team.

“We’re young,” Compton said. “Five of our top eight are sophomores, and we’ve had to play them quite a bit. They’ve really stepped up.”

The Tigers started the week off with back-toback wins, defeating Cedarville 45-42 on Monday, Dec. 2, and Thaden 49-47 on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Senior Mason Meador scored 13 points and classmate Zak Watson added 12 in the victory over Cedarville, while sophomore Grady Massengale grabbed 13 rebounds.

Against Thaden, Watson scored 18 points while sophomore Collin Atchison added 11 and Mason Meador had 10. Massengale had 11 rebounds.

West Fork defeated Green Forest 73-52 on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Atchison had a big game for Green Forest with 22 points, including six three-pointers. Classmate Jace Meador added 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

The Tigers lost to Mountainburg 51-47 on Thursday, Dec. 5, after leading 25-24 at halftime. Watson scored 15 points and Atchison added 11points and seven rebounds for Green Forest. Jace Meador had eight rebounds and Massengale grabbed seven.

The Tigers opened play in the Anstaff Bank Green Forest Holiday Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 7, losing to Lead Hill 57-51 after leading 4139 at the end of the third quarter. Watson scored 13 points and led the Tigers with nine rebounds, while Mason Meador and Jace Meador added 10 points apiece.

“We went 2-3 and we could have easily been 4-1,” Compton said. “We let two games slip away from us — the Mountainburg game and the Lead Hill game. We had nine-point leads in those games. I think we’re getting better. I think every game we’re getting better.”

Green Forest will face Kingston at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the Grim Gym in the consolation bracket of the Holiday Tournament.