VAN BUREN (KFSM) - Last season Van Buren made it all the way to the semifinal round at the Arkansas state tournament. This season they seem stronger than ever starting out 14-5 overall and 5-1 in league play.
Th Pointers are a force to be reckoned with this season, not only are they hitting buckets but also because they have already achieved two milestones this season. The first was head Coach Randy Loyd getting his 700th career win against Little Rock Catholic.
"It let me reflect back to the good players I have had through the 29-years of coaching high school basketball," said coach Loyd on reaching a coaching milestone.
One of those good players is senior Mitchell Smith who four-days after Loyd's 700th victory became the Pointers all-time leading scorer with 1,359 points.
"Whenever you hear that you are close to breaking a record you want to break it," said Smith on beating the record. "Everyone is going to know your name forever until somebody else comes and breaks it. At first I didn't think I would score the most points in history especially because I wasn't scoring that much at first but then I started to get buckets every night."
Loyd was instrumental in developing Mitchell into the Missouri commit he is now.
"He saw a lot in me, before I even saw [it] in myself and getting him that 700th win was big especially how our relationship began just him getting that 700th win is a milestone for any coach," said Smith on both him and Loyd reaching milestones together.
As Mitchell moves on to playing for the Tigers Loyd, even though he is a Razorbacks fan, will still be a big part of Mitchell's life and will always be there to support him.
"With him going to Missouri I will definitely be keeping up with him and try to get to as many games as I can", said Loyd when asked if he will visit Mitchell in college.
The day of the interview Loyd was wearing a Arkansas Razorbacks jacket at practice, but he says now because of Mitchell he is now a Tiger fan too.
"Yea, he's got the Arkansas jacket," said Smith with a grin. "But ,I'll have to hook him up with some Missouri gear".
Van Buren plays Russelville at home January 29th at 7:3O p.m.