Freshman Dixon Welcomed Into Tigers’ Fold

— When Tyrik Dixon joined Bentonville’s boys basketball team this season, the freshman could have faced animosity from older players who thought he was just taking time from them.

That was never the case.

PROFILE

Tyrik Dixon

SCHOOL: Bentonville

CLASS: Freshman

HEIGHT: 5-11

NOTABLE: He’s the only freshman on Bentonville’s roster and only one of three ninth-graders moved up in the 7A/6A-West Conference boys rosters this season. ... Started the Tigers’ first 15 games and averaged 6.6 points, with a season-high of 11 points on two occasions. ... Joins seniors Austin Heard and Austin Haggard to make up the three guards in Bentonville’s starting lineup.

He was welcomed by his elders, and it has allowed Dixon to be a solid contributor — something he relishes.

“It’s really fun,” Dixon said. “I like it because it makes me push myself harder than I would be if I played on the ninth-grade team. It’s really a great opportunity to be playing with the older guys.”

Dixon, a 5-foot-11 guard, was destined for a season with Bentonville Black’s team had it not been for Proposal No. 3. The measure, which was unanimously recommended by the Arkansas Activities Association’s board of directors and passed in early August, allowed Class 7A schools to move up ninth-graders for all sports.

It was something Bentonville coach Jason McMahan and his assistants carefully pondered for a long period of time, wondering if such a move was beneficial — both for Dixon and the team. One of the selling points, though, was when the Tigers’ seniors approached McMahan about the idea.

“Our seniors came and asked if this was something we were going to do,” McMahan said. “They wanted it, and they thought he was good enough to help us, so they asked us to do it.

“I think that signifies what Tyrik is like and how his basketball game fits with everybody. They think they get more open shots because he’s such a good passer and ball-handler. It also speaks about the seniors’ leadership and how committed they are to winning, to competing and doing the best we can.”

Dixon’s move to the high school ranks was made easier by the way Bentonville handles its offseason program. McMahan said it’s structured in a way where a lot of things the Tigers do during that time are integrated with Bentonville’s two ninth-grade teams.

Still, it didn’t keep Dixon from experiencing the butterflies when he had his first organized practice with his new teammates.

“I was a little nervous at first,” he said. “I really don’t know why. It was so shocking to me, but I was happy about it. It took me about a week until I started feeling more comfortable about it and playing.”

Dixon hasn’t disappointed McMahan or his teammates about the move. The freshman started Bentonville’s first 15 games and has averaged 6.6 points per game this season, including a season-high 11 points against defending state champion Little Rock Hall and Memphis (Tenn.) Sheffield at the Neosho (Mo.) Holiday Classic.

He’s also held his own with quality teams such as Clarksville, St. Joseph (Mo.) Lafayette and Wichita (Kan.) Sunrise Christian. It’s been a season of progression that McMahan likes to see from any player.

“From where he was at the first point to where is now, the improvement level has been drastic with his passing, his vision, his ball handling,” McMahan said. “His defense is one thing he’s greatly improved upon, and there’s the fact he can knock down open shots.

“He’s an all-around basketball player. I think his best attribute is his instincts for basketball and how smart a player he is. That’s what we love.”

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