Thursday, February 26, 2004

Jayroe resigns as FC coach

Says Lady Mustang program 'needs someone with more energy'

By FRED CONLEY

T-H Sports Editor

Sue Jayroe knows it is time for the Forrest City Lady Mustang basketball program to move to the next level.

That is why Jayroe resigned Wednesday from her coaching duties after four seasons as the Lady Mustang basketball head coach.

"The program needs someone who has a lot more energy than I do," Jayroe said during a tearful press conference at her office Wednesday. "I knew I couldn't get through this without crying. I'm a big baby."

Jayroe, who came to the Forrest City School District from the Palestine-Wheatley School District in June 1999, leaves one game shy of coaching her 100th game as Lady Mustangs coach.

She plans to stay on as a teacher.

"I want to stay with Forrest City," Jayroe said. "Just where I will be in the fall has yet to be determined, but I am willing to do whatever they want me to do."

Jayroe's announcement comes just five days after long-time Forrest City Coach Jimmy Williams coached his final game, leading the Junior Mustangs to the AAAAA-East Junior High district title last Friday. Williams is retiring.

Through four years and 99 games, Jayroe's Lady Mustang teams compiled a 35-64 overall record and a 17-39 mark in the AAAAA-East Conference.

"When I was given the chance to take over the Lady Mustang basketball program, one of my primary goals was to build a foundation for the program which was, at that time, struggling," Jayroe said. "I think I have done that. The won-lost column may not reflect that statement, but I think I have made a difference when you look at the overall program."

Jayroe took over the Lady Mustang program at the beginning of the 2000-01 season after spending the previous year coaching the junior high girls' basketball team. She also coached the Lady Mustang girls' softball team.

Her best two seasons came back to back.

Jayroe's Lady Mustangs finished 10-14 overall and 6-8 (fifth) in the conference during the 2001-02 season. The next year, her team finished 12-15 overall and 6-8, once again good enough for a fifth-place finish in the conference.

Each of those two teams finished just barely out of the running for a state tournament berth.

"I really wanted to get the Lady Mustangs into the state tournament when I took the job," Jayroe said. "I think if there is one regret I have about leaving, besides the players themselves, it is the fact that I didn't accomplish that goal. We were close those two years but close doesn't get it in this sport."

Jayroe said she had been thinking about stepping down as head coach for quite a while and at no time was she under any pressure from the administration.

"Everyone here at Forrest City has been very supportive of what I have been doing," Jayroe said. "In fact, they didn't want me to leave the program. I have nothing but good things to say about my superiors. That has never been a problem. It just got to the point of being more physically demanding than I knew I could handle, and I began to take a long look at that."

Before coming to Forrest City, Jayroe taught in the classroom for 11 years at Palestine-Wheatley.

Before her tenure at Palestine-Wheatley, Jayroe coached basketball in the Brinkley School District.

Jayroe said she will miss her girls, several of whom she has had since seventh grade.

"What I won't miss is that three-day drive to Mountain Home to play a basketball game," Jayroe said. "Well, maybe it's not a three-day trip, but on that bus it sure feels like it is."

During her four years as Lady Mustang coach, Jayroe speaks with pride when she talks of four former players who have gone on to the college level -- Deosha Agnew, Katrina Floyd, Kanetra Pendleton and Caronica Randle.

All but Pendleton, who withdrew from junior college on her own, are still in school.

Agnew is at Pratt, Kansas while Floyd is playing at Seminole College in Seminole, Okla. Randle is playing basketball at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

Jayroe said Randle, who graduated in 2003, was the overall best player that she has coached, calling the forward the "an athlete in the truest sense."

"I have one more to place before I leave," Jayroe said. "I have to find a place for Trina Wynne, Jayroe's starting two-guard who will graduate in May.

Jayroe sent her written resignation to Forrest City School Superintendent Lee Vent as well as Athletic Director Mike Bender and high school Principal Abbie Robinson.

"We will begin the process of finding the best qualified person we can find to take over the Lady Mustang program," Robinson said Wednesday. "But don't expect any announcement soon. We have a lot of time and we want to make sure we have the right person for the job."

Bender called Jayroe "an asset to not only the girls' basketball program but also to other school programs.

"We appreciate so much what she has meant to the girls' basketball program the past five years and what she has done for athletics as a whole at Forrest City," Bender said. "She will be missed as a coach."

Bender said the process of finding a replacement has already started but that it will be a lengthy process.

"We have two coaches to replace and we have a lot of time, so we will make sure we make the best choices," Bender said.

As to whether of not Jayroe will remain in some capacity wiithin the athletic program, Bender said only that "several options may be open" but that decision will be made by Vent and Alice Barnes.

Bay stings Hughes girls; P-W Pats play today

By FRED CONLEY

T-H Sports Editor

The Hughes Lady Blue Devils ran afoul of a solid Bay team Wednesday, losing to the Lady Yellowjackets 70-56 in the first round of the Class AA Region 4 Tournament at Marked Tree.

Victoria Doolittle led the Lady Blue Devils with 19 points while Yakita Johnson finished with 14.

Bay's Jessica Mcmasters led all scoreres with 20 points.

The Lady Yellowjackets improve to 20-5 for the year and advance to Friday's semifinal game against today's Earle-Maynard winner.

Bay was the No. 1 seed from the 3AA North while Hughes was the fourth seed from the 3A South.

*The Palestine-Wheatley Patriots, the No. 2 seed from the 6AA, will open play today at the Class AA Region 6 Tournament at Augusta.

The Patriots will face Harding Academy, the No. 3 seed from the 2AA South. today at 5:30 p.m.

In Wednesday's first-round games, the Carlisle Bison defeated Marvell and will face today's P-W-Harding Academy winner on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

In the girls' bracket Wednesday, Des Arc defeated Clarendon and Carlisle downed Marvell.

The Patriots lost to Altheimer in the district championship game last Saturday, but qualified for the regional tournament as the No. 2 seed.

Since the 1996-97 season, the Patriots have advanced to regionals seven times including this year's upcoming trip.

Today's matchup against Harding Academy is a repeat of last year's first-round regional matchup won by Harding.

In today's late game it will be Augusta going against Elaine.

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