Smackover showed the utmost respect toward Ashdown during their final game of the high school basketball regular season in the state of Arkansas. He made sure everybody got to score.
It was a beautiful display of humanity and sportsmanship.
In an era of high school basketball that is often soured by brawls and disrespect, this kind of gesture serves as a great reminder of what really matters. The score is not always as important as the moment.
Smackover defeated Ashdown on Senior Night.
Both of these high schools are located in (the most) rural Arkansas. Smackover serves only ~400 students in Grades 9-12 in a town with a total population of just ~1,500. Ashdown serves about the same number of students in Grades 9-12 in a town with a total population of ~4,000.
They are separated by approximately 100 miles in the southwest corner of the Natural State.
The Panthers and the Buckaroos both compete on the Division 3A level of AAA sports. Neither team is very good. They both finished the regular season well under .500. They both missed out on the playoffs.
Even though Smackover technically closed out the regular season with a six-point victory over Ashdown, the final score is not what mattered. Nobody will remember who won or lost.
Kindness is greater than high school basketball!
Ashdown celebrated Senior Night prior to the game. A team manager was among those who got to dress on the final night of his high school basketball career. He was honored second during the ceremony. I believe his nickname is ‘Man Man’ Lewis.
Not only did Lewis get to suit up, he played! The Panthers got him in the game late in the fourth quarter.
His presence on the court led to one of the best moments of the year.
Smackover guard Bricen Askew (wearing No. 4) pulled down a rebound with less than a minute remaining. He started to bring the ball back up the court until, suddenly, he changed his mind.
Askew turned right back around and passed the ball out to Lewis— his opponent. Lewis took a wide-open three-pointer but he missed. The Buckaroos continued to pass him the ball.
— – (@Spicoli_____) February 15, 2026
Lewis ultimately scored the first and only points of his high school basketball career as time expired. Players, coaches and fans mobbed Lewis as if he won the state championship.
Lewis will remember that moment forever. The entire community cheered him on. Askew too. Shoutout to his parents for raising such a great young man.
In an era where it is “all about me,” this kind of thing is what restores faith in humanity. Kindness matters!