Fifteen-year-old Jarren Sorters was one of those rare impact players, who never set foot in a varsity arena, but left a lasting legacy.
Sadly, Sorter's high school basketball and baseball career was shortened by a foot amputation brought on by cancer. After suffering a broken foot in 2013, Jarren was diagnosed with Sarcoma in the spring of 2015 and died Aug. 11, one month before his 16th birthday.
Jarren never got to suit up in high school and take the field or the arena for the Tigers, but brought the community and various communities throughout northwest Arkansas together in a way few athletes could.
Prairie Grove athletic director Tommy Roy said the first thing he wanted to do upon receiving the news of the passing of Jarren Thursday was to hug his son and daughter, but neither were home at the time.
Jarren was the son of Joey and Donna Sorters, of Prairie Grove. Joey is assistant principal for the high school. Funeral services for Jarren were held Saturday at the Prairie Grove High School gym.
Roy said the whole Sorter family faced the ordeal with a lot of courage.
"It has taught our whole school and community how to face adversity," Roy said. "The Sorters found a way to look at life positively through it all."
In recent weeks, Jarren appeared on television speaking to raise awareness about Sarcoma. Roy said it was evident Jarren was ill, but made an effort to promote cancer research.
"He seemed to have faced it with a lot of courage," Roy said. "Even in the last couple of weeks he went on the news to be an advocate for research for the type of cancer he had. You could tell he wasn't feeling good."
Roy has been impressed by the overwhelming amount of support displayed throughout Prairie Grove and from other towns, who compete against the Tigers in high school and junior high athletics. Farmington, Lincoln, Gentry, Gravette, Huntsville and Shiloh Christian School in Springdale, are among various communities cheering for Jarren and his family through donations, making their own t-shirts and innovative means.
"Although we have some rivalries on the field, I think it says a lot about our community and the surrounding communities the way they rallied around the Sorters family, and the way they support each other in a time of need." Roy said.
Roy said Christian beliefs the Sorters family have clung to serve as a testimony. According to his obituary, Jarren was a competitive athlete with his passion playing basketball and baseball. He played on many teams in the Northwest Arkansas area. Jarren was a member of the First Baptist Church of Prairie Grove. He accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 7.
Donna Sorters maintained a Facebook page, Pray4Jarren, to keep family, friends and those concerned informed. In the last post before Jarren's passing, dated Aug. 6, Donna writes: "...Jarren hasn't felt as well the last week or so. We are praising God for answered prayers in that he really hasn't had any pain, but he has been really tired and just having overall weakness. He isn't really able to get out of the house but we are able to enjoy a little quality family time at home each day when he's awake, and for that we are grateful. We are continuing to pray Philippians 4:7 for the peace that passes understanding and trusting Him even if we don't understand. Please know how much your calls, texts and messages mean to us and how they help sustain our faith. We often are unable to respond because we are busy taking care of Jarren or simply enjoying family time. Then, honestly, we just forget, but please know we are encouraged by your support. We will continue to trust Him in the eye of the storm."
A caption accompanying a photo of Jarren being baptized was also posted. The caption reads: "Because of the day in 2008, when Jarren made Jesus his personal savior today is not goodbye."
"Their faith is really strong," Roy said. "They have been a great example of just how you handle adversity."
Their faith has been severely tested.
MARK HUMPHREY IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE ENTERPRISE-LEADER.
Sports on 08/17/2016