SPRINGDALE — The only thing Mytaah Crawford ever wanted was an environment that felt like home.
He wanted a group of teammates that were like best friends and a coach that understood how important relationships can be, not only about the game of basketball, but for other situations in life.
Last September, Crawford found that home at Springdale High after spending the last six years in Bentonville. Crawford originally grew up in a suburb of Detroit before moving to Bentonville when he was in the fifth grade.
As a sophomore last season, Crawford was a standout guard for the Tigers, averaging 14 points per game. But early last fall, Crawford and his family decided it was best for him to have “a change of scenery” by transferring to nearby Springdale.
“Everybody thinks it was all about basketball, but that’s not true at all,” Crawford said. “I had a lot of friends here at Springdale and my parents liked the academic opportunities I could get at the school. It was a new opportunity and I didn’t want to pass up the chance to have a fresh start.
“And now that I’ve been here for several months, I really feel at home here.”
Since Crawford joined the Red’Dogs last September, his presence has been immensely beneficial, said Brad Stamps, Springdale boys basketball coach. Not only has Crawford helped Springdale total 15 wins this season, but he’s steadily improved as a player, Stamps said.
“The thing with (Crawford) is that when he got here, he fell right into place,” Stamps said. “All of our guys embraced him right away and he’s been great for this team. He’s got good leadership skills and he has the ability to make big plays when we need them.”
Crawford, who’s played basketball since he was 4 years old, said he’s worked on improving his shot this season, getting his hands higher in the air when he releases the ball from his grip.
As a guard this season, Crawford has excelled in driving the lane for open layups and even taking long-range shots from the perimeter when left unguarded by opponents.
However, Stamps said Crawford’s ability to pass the ball has generated several points for the Red’Dogs the last two weeks. Since 7A-West Conference play began in January, Crawford has averaged 9.4 points per game.
“Since he got here, that was a challenge I gave him, to pass the ball and get people the ball when their open,” Stamps said. “He’s got great vision on the court and can do a lot of things with the ball. We need him to be that kind of playmaker, especially when we’re battling in a conference as tough as the 7A-West.”
Crawford said working with Stamps this season — and playing with his new teammates — has led him to believe that his decision of transferring was a great idea. However, it wasn’t always that easy, as Crawford said he still has plenty of friends that he misses at Bentonville.
“(Stamps) is great about not only being our coach, but being somebody we can talk to or rely on,” Crawford said. “The relationship he has with all the players is something you can’t describe, but it’s something that has made me a better basketball player.”
Profile
Mytaah Crawford
SCHOOL: Springdale High
POSITION: Guard
CLASS: Junior
HEIGHT: 6-foot-1
NOTABLE: Crawford has excelled for the Red’Dogs this season at generating shots from the perimeter or driving the lane for open layups. In 7A-West Conference games, he’s averaged 9.4 points per game. ... He transferred from Bentonville to Springdale High last September after he and his family decided he needed “a change of scenery.”
Today’s Ticket
Springdale High at Fort Smith Southside
WHEN: 6 p.m.
COACHES: Springdale High girls, Scotty Person; Southside girls, Sherry White; Springdale High boys, Brad Stamps; Southside boys, Charlie Cooper.