LINCOLN -- Senior maid Averi Massey, daughter of Allen Massey, and Kevin and Olivia Barenberg, succeeded her older sister, Ayden Massey (Lincoln High School Class of 2018) as Colors Day queen.
During the ceremony which showcased family, Averi was escorted by Barenberg, her stepfather, and her younger brother, Lincoln sophomore Weston Massey, a member of the boys basketball team.
A two-sport athlete, Averi participates in basketball and volleyball for the Lady Wolves. She also belongs to several clubs, including: FFA, FCA, Washington County Teen Leadership, Beta Club, Yearbook, and Library Club. Averi has been a Lincoln student for 7 years. In addition to the many clubs she participates in, Averi is also a scholar athlete. Next year she plans to attend Arkansas Tech University and major in pre-physical therapy.
Ayden Massey, who graduated from Lincoln High School last May after a standout career as a starting pitcher for Lincoln softball, returned to crown Averi. Ayden is also the daughter of Allen Massey; and Kevin and Olivia Barenberg. She is currently attending the University of Arkansas where she is majoring in History.
Escorting Averi as she was crowned 2019 Lincoln Colors Day queen were: senior Caleb Hale, son of Matt and Melissa Hale; and senior Sterling Morphis, son of Russell Morphis and Mandi Kester.
Averi has battled illness the last couple of weeks, yet has gamely continued to compete, helping the girls basketball team stretch its winning streak to 8 with a 49-23 blowout of Mansfield to cap Colors Day festivities on Friday. A week prior, Averi played a huge role despite not feeling her best in a critical 51-35 win at Greenland. Averi scored 8 points as the Lady Wolves took over sole possession of the No. 2 spot among 3A-1 West teams.
"That was a great win for us. Any win on the road is a good win, especially against my alma mater, especially against a coach that mentors me," said Lincoln coach Emilianne Slammons. "Our goal was to keep (Greenland superstar) Fiona (Wilson) to six points a quarter and we didn't do it the fourth quarter. She scored 24 still. I mean the kid's great. She reads the court well. You can tell that (Greenland coach) Alan Barton has been working with her. They're a great team. We just finished out with a win. My kids knew that was a big win for us especially on the road."
Averi played a huge role defensively with quick feet and quick hands. The Lady Wolves created a number of turnovers by Greenland by doubling down on Wilson, who was averaging 28 points-a-game, when the Lady Pirates tried to feed the ball to her in the paint.
"We scouted them. We knew what we were doing," Slammons said. "That's what you're supposed to do as a coach right? Scout the other team, figure out what your team can do to beat them."
As of Friday Lincoln's record stood at 17-4 overall and 7-1 in conference play.
Sports on 01/23/2019