News

South Arkansas Community College freshman forward Kylee Portilloz was selected as the women’s basketball NJCAA Division II Region 2 Player of the Week for the week ending Nov. 13 after averaging 23 points and 13 rebounds over a three-game stretch.

Portilloz, of Choudrant, Louisiana, also set a school record for rebounds in a game against Holmes Community College (Goodman, Mississippi) on Saturday at home, snagging 18.

For the season, Portilloz is averaging 22.3 points and 9.3 rebounds.

The Stars (0-5) still are seeking their first victory of the season. They next play at 2 p.m. on Saturday at home vs. Shorter College.

Work on your game and have a chance to show your talent in front of college baseball coaches this fall!

A prospect showcase for the South Arkansas Community College Stars NJCAA baseball program, presented by Stars head coach Cannon Lester and assistants, is set for October 15 at Field 4 of the El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex, 2409 Champagnolle Road in El Dorado. The event is open to uncommitted 2023-2026.

To register, complete the below form and make a payment of $75 through this online link:

https://bookstore.southark.edu/prospect-showcase-fee-credit

Additionally, print out and complete the linked Liability Waiver and present it on-site at the start of the showcase.

Itinerary:

10:30-11:00-Registration Pitchers/Catchers/2-Way Players
11:10-Meeting
11:15 - Stretch & Throw
11:30-12:30-Bullpens 12:30-Meeting with Pitchers Only
12:15-12:45-Registration Position Players
12:45-Meeting
12:50-Stretch & Throw
1:10-Outfield Defense & Throw-
RF-2 throws to 3rd, 3 to Home
1:30- Infield Defense & Throw
SS- 5 Total (2 at you, gloveside, backhand, slow roller)
All 1B only go take throws at 1st
2:00- Catcher Pop Times
2:10- 30 YD Timed 2X Hp-->1st
2:30-4:00 - Batting Practice
3 Rounds of 6 (Lester-6, Atec-6, Atec-6)
4:00-Meeting
4:20-Campus Tour (300 Southwest Avenue West Campus)
Remember your #, you will go in order all day
long. Yell your # before every Round

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The women’s basketball program at South Arkansas Community College recently learned that its 2021-2022 team was among the top 10 finishers for NJCAA Academic Team of the Year in its sport.

The Stars were seventh for the national honor, which is bestowed to the team with the highest mean grade-point average among all NJCAA teams across each sport, regardless of division of play. Their 3.65 grade-point average placed the Stars women second among all NJCAA Division II women’s basketball teams.

There are 135 NJCAA Division II women’s basketball programs and more than 400 total NJCAA women’s basketball programs across the country.

Additionally, four Star student-athletes received individual recognition as NJCAA All-Academic First Team. They were Darbee Forte of Monticello, Addison McNiel of Emerson, Lexi Pyle of Emerson and Christian Marshall of Hermitage. Each completed the academic year with 4.0 grade-point averages.

"I'm so proud of our girls on their academic achievement, both as a team and as individuals,” head coach Nate Evans said. “We take great pride within our program on being relentless in the classroom, and to see it be recognized on a national scale is incredible. These girls have raised the bar high for what it means to be a SouthArk student-athlete.”

Evans also applauded the work of SouthArk instructors and support staff in the academic effort.

“This achievement is also a testimony to the relentless efforts that our faculty and staff sows into our students here at SouthArk,” he said. “It's a great time to be a Star.”

Darbee Forte

Christian Marshall

Addison McNiel

Lexi Pyle

Newly-named SouthArk women’s basketball interim head coach Nate Evans, right, leads the Stars women through drills last fall.

South Arkansas Community College assistant basketball coach Nate Evans has accepted the role of interim head coach for the Stars women’s program after current women’s head coach Nate Davis this week announced his pending departure.

Evans, an El Dorado native, was an assistant for both the women’s and the men’s teams under Davis during the 2021-2022 season. Both programs improved during his tenure, the women from winless in the 2020-2021 season to 7-10, and the men from 5-15 in the 2020-2021 season to 12-12.

Evans was among the first group of players to suit up for the Stars, having played under Davis for the inaugural SouthArk men’s team in 2019-2020. He was a student assistant for the Arkansas Tech University men’s basketball program in 2020-2021.

Evans will assume duties officially later this month when Davis leaves for an assistant women’s basketball coaching position at the NCAA Division II level.

"I am extremely blessed to be in this position,” Evans said. “Being able to coach in my hometown at the school where I played is an incredible honor, and one I won't take for granted. The sky is the limit for SouthArk women's basketball." 

He was an accomplished player at the high-school level, having been selected as All-State once and All-Conference three times at Parkers Chapel High School. He currently is a university studies major at Southern Arkansas University, due to graduate with a bachelor’s degree next month.

“Nate Evans’ familiarity with SouthArk basketball runs deep,” SouthArk athletic director Dr. Derek Moore said. “During this past season, coach Evans served as head coach during times of coach Davis’ absence. Additionally, Coach Evans helped to recruit the incoming student athletes for the 2022-2023 season. Naming coach Evans as interim head coach provides the continuity needed as the women’s program prepares for the 2022-2023 season.”