Vilonia standout showcases basketball skills one last time at high school level

(EDITOR's NOTE: This is a continuation in a series of local players and coaches chosen for the Arkansas High School Coaches Association all-star games.)

Vilonia's Amanda Curtis can do it all.

Curtis is a multi-sport athlete, but she knew one sport may give her a scholarship. She could have received offers in the others, including softball, but it was basketball that she chose to play in college. Therefore, she signed with Arkansas Tech last fall to play basketball.

Curtis has been one of the mainstays of Vilonia sports programs these past couple over years, while excelling on the playing surface, in the classroom, and in the community. Curtis reached several other goals this past week during her stay in Fayetteville for Thursday's Arkansas High School Coaches Association all-star basketball game.

"Everything was just awesome," Curtis said. "It was a lot of fun, the whole week. It was good. My family was there, and coach Riley was there. Everything was perfect."

Curtis got her chance to show her stuff in front observers at Bud Walton Arena on the campus of the University of Arkansas. Curtis' group played the final seven minute quarter in the first half. She also logged some minutes in the second half, before finishing with three points, five rebounds, two steals and an assist in the West's 80-65 victory over the East. Riley, her former high school coach, was also an assistant on the West staff.

"I knew most of the players on my team and I knew the others that we played against, so it was a lot of fun," Curtis said. "Coach Riley is one of the greatest coaches in the Arkansas, and some of the greatest athletes were there. We all had a good time."

Riley won his first state championship with the Lady Eagles this past season, with Curtis leading the team in scoring. This past season was also the first time that Vilonia won the 5A-West Conference outright.

"It was really a fun time," Riley said. "I'm glad to have coached a kid like that. I would like to keep her around a little longer, but of course, they graduate and move on."

Curtis left her mark on the Vilonia basketball program because it didn't take Riley long at all to reel off what she left behind.

"Her leadership and dedication is outstanding," Riley said. "She loves to compete and she makes everyone else around her better. Hopefully all of that has rubbed off some of these current players, and hopefully it'll continue to rub off on years to come."

Denis Curtis, Amanda's father, said it was pretty neat watching her daughter run out there on Bud Walton Arena's floor.

"I tell you what, we've been in some nice gyms in high school, but as soon as you walk in Bud Walton Arena, you know that's the gym of Arkansas," Denis Curtis said. "It was a neat experience. We're really excited about Amanda going over to Tech. She has very hard and we're proud of her."