South Arkansas College has named Jon Pigott as its next head coach of women’s basketball.

Currently the head coach of the Smackover High School girls’ basketball team, Pigott was the head coach of the girls’ team at South Side High in Bee Branch from 2019-2023, also serving as athletic director in his last two years there.

Before that, he was the head boys’ basketball coach at Harmony Grove High beginning in 2016.

Pigott has a specialist’s degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University, a master’s degree in teaching from Henderson State University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Arkansas.

Pigott said that he is “thrilled” to take over his new position from former head coach Nate Evans, who has stepped down to an assistant’s role.

"I'm excited to work with the talented players returning and welcome the incoming freshmen,” Pigott said. “I look forward to collaborating with Nate Evans, who has done an outstanding job with the program, to continue its success."

Four players already have signed in the 2024 class, but there still are roster spots open waiting to be filled by Pigott. Six players are expected to return from the current roster for the 2024-2025 season.

"I'm eager to hit the ground running and build something truly special here in south Arkansas,” Pigott said. “With dedication, hard work, and the support of our community, I'm confident we can achieve great things together on and off the court."

SouthArk freshman pitcher Ryan Ursery has received Player of the Week honors for NJCAA Region 2 for the week ending on Sunday (April 21).

The Pine Bluff left-hander is the first pitcher in SouthArk’s three-year history to claim NJCAA weekly honors. Over the week, he went the distance on the mound in a 4-2 victory over visiting Region 2 foe Rich Mountain.

On the season, Ursery is 8-3 with a 2.83 ERA. His wins put him top 10 in the region. He has started 13 games.

The Stars (27-19, 14-10 in region play) sit tied for fifth place in Region 2 with about a week and a half remaining in the regular season.

Congratulations to State FBLA winners Dana Francy and Heather Johnson.  Dana placed 3^rd in Job Interview.  Heather placed 1^st in Hospitality Management and 2^nd in Organizational Behavior and Leadership.  Both are now eligible to compete in these events in June at the National FBLA Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Students will be inducted into the South Arkansas College chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa academic honor society at 6 p.m. Thursday (April 4) at the Mahony Family Library Auditorium.

The Alpha Gamma Iota Chapter spring 2024 inductees are, from El Dorado, Courtney Adkins, Camillian Brown, Zachary Bubblis, April Cartwright, Eric Gonsalez, Jillian Gorman, Tavia Harrell, Anastasia Lamijan, Tess Monteith, Jalisia Norman, Cassundra Rester, Lillian Trujillo, Julia Upton; from Monticello, Kiya Blanks, Jamie Wall; from Smackover, Ashley Braswell; from Hamburg, Marialy Chavez; from Fordyce, Jaliyah Cooper; from Junction City, Michaela Gross; from Magnolia, Ashlynn Hinshaw, Norrissa Sharp; from Waldo, Landyn Huffman; from Hermitage, Britney Johnson; from Strong, Charles Johnston; from Fountain Hill, Bailey Melton; from Crossett, Patricia Owen; from Warren, Ashley Pascual-Cortez, Ana Romero; from Jersey, Diana Sullivan; from West Monroe, Louisiana, Jodi Allbritton, Candie Moore, Louie Ponce; from Spearsville, Louisiana, Patricia Crosby; from Lillie, Louisiana, Nancy Hargraves; from Farmerville, Louisiana, Noah Jones, Miranda Taylor; from Quitman, Louisiana, Lisa Renee Livingston; from Eros, Louisiana, Verennia Prestridge; from Minden, Louisiana, Patricia Sterling; from Ruston, Louisiana, Dawson Szymanski.