Last week, I shared some stories from my first 30 years of covering high school and college sports in Arkansas. Today, I've listed some of the top players I've seen during that span.
I invite you to follow along.
THE GREAT AND POWERFUL
Shabazz. Basil Shabazz.
Any list of high school athletes in Arkansas has to start with this prep phenom from Pine Bluff. Shabazz rushed for 1,592 yards and 28 touchdowns in 1990, when he capped his football career by scoring five touchdowns in the Class AAAA state championship game against Texarkana.
I covered a football game at Pine Bluff when a running back, likely Shabazz, broke loose for a long touchdown run. But the score went mostly unnoticed because a fight had broken out in the stands and people were looking the other way.
I also remember when Shabazz smacked a Rogers fan who taunted him near the court at the state basketball tournament.
Shabazz wanted to play football at Arkansas, but he did not have the core grades to initially qualify. So, he turned to professional baseball, his third-best sport, and reached the Class AA level in the Cardinals' organization.
Former high school teammate Torii Hunter, who's been in the major leagues for 16 years, still calls Shabazz one of the greatest athletes he's ever seen.
WASTED TALENT
When anyone mentions wasted talent, I think of Keniko Logan, the former flash from Fort Smith Northside.
I've never seen a high school running back with better lateral moves than Logan, who led the state in rushing in 1994 with 1,994 yards and 24 touchdowns. Logan showcased his ability against powerful Tulsa Union when he rushed for 346 yards and scored on four runs of 70 yards or more.
Logan was listed as one of the top players in the South before he was kicked off the team his senior year. Today, he is serving life in prison at the Varner Unit in Grady for killing his girlfriend and wounding her mother in 2006.
What a waste.
'BIG NASTY' DUNK
I first saw Corliss Williamson at Bentonville when he was a sophomore playing for Russellville. At 16, 'Big Nasty' was already more physically developed than most seniors on the floor.
Early in the game, Williamson got behind the Bentonville defense and slammed the ball through the net with authority. A Bentonville fan sitting behind me yelled "He can't do that. That's a technical."
Oh, yes, m'am, he can. It's called a dunk and it's not illegal because your players can't do it.
Williamson led Arkansas to the national championship in 1994 and, 20 years later, Bentonville has its own star to provide entertainment. His name in Malik Monk, who is already one of the top college prospects in the nation halfway through his high school career.
DRAGON SLAYER
One of the best performances I ever saw came in 2011 during a Class 2A state playoff game at Mountainburg.
Mountainburg? Yes, and it was provided by Kenneth Dixon, who led Strong to a 35-28 victory over the Dragons. Dixon began the game at running back, where he rushed for 224 yards on 24 carries. He then moved to quarterback and completed 6 of 8 passes for 87 yards. Mountainburg was one play away from winning the game, but Dixon kept the drive alive on fourth down and scored on a two-point conversion to win the game.
Dixon is now draft eligible as a junior at Louisiana Tech. He ran for 1,194 yards and set an NCAA freshman record with 27 touchdowns his first year.
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
I had a flashback after watching Fayetteville guard Ronnie Brewer back down a Springdale defender, turned around, and hit a game-winning basket.
Where had I seen that shot before?
Oh, yes. It was in 1978 when Ronnie's dad, Ron Brewer, backed down a Notre Dame defender and hit a game-winning shot for the Razorbacks. Arkansas finished third in the NCAA Tournament after winning a consolation game that isn't played any more.
Ronnie Brewer also starred at Arkansas before following his father into the NBA.
LONG STRIDES, LONG GONE
If you're over 12 years old in Arkansas, you've heard of Matt Jones.
I watched Jones field a punt against Greenwood and laugh at defenders who gave chase. Before Northside, Jones played at Van Buren, where he moved from quarterback to receiver against Fayetteville and simply outran and outjumped defenders.
Jones, 6-foot-6, was one of the most exciting players ever at Arkansas and he'll always be remembered for victories at Texas and Ole Miss. He was just finding his groove at receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars when a drug bust ruined his career.
Jones is now co-host of a radio sports show which is ironic considering he disliked the media as much as defenders disliked trying to catch him. But, oh, he could play.
RICK FIRES IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR NWA NEWSPAPERS
Sports on 07/06/2014