After just eight wins last season, the Beebe Lady Badgers have already matched that win total this season. Teighlor Farmer is just trying to keep the train rolling in the right direction. 

“Anything is possible if you work hard enough,” Farmer said. “I’m just trying to be the best I can be and be a leader on the team since I’m the oldest. It has been challenging being the leader [as a junior] of a team full of sophomores.

“We’re working to make it to the state tournament. We’re looking forward to playing everyone because we have a lot to prove.”

Farmer, a junior guard for Beebe, was selected to this year’s 501 Basketball Team — 41 players representing the best the 501 has to offer both on and off the court. The team is sponsored by Conway Regional Health System, First Security Bank and Conway Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Center. The junior was nominated by her head coach, Greg Richey. 

“Teighlor ended up starting quite a few games for us in the last half of her sophomore year, and she brought enthusiasm and intensity to the team and became one of our better defenders,” Richey wrote in his nomination. “Teighlor plays every play 100 percent in practice and in games. She is always an encouragement to others around her on the court.

“This year, we expect her to lead by example and be one of our top defenders and rebounders. Teighlor is expected to be a factor offensively for us and has worked her way into being a very good 3-point threat for us.”

Farmer spent her summer in the gym and on the road with her AAU team, putting in work to help get the Lady Badgers into a position to succeed this winter. 

“I want to be remembered as an amazing teammate and a hard worker,” Farmer said.

The Lady Badgers (8-6, 1-1) opened 5A West play with a 50-45 win over Siloam Springs, but fell to highly ranked Vilonia on Tuesday, 64-48. Next up, the Lady Badgers travel to Russellville on Friday. 

In addition to playing basketball for the Lady Badgers, Farmer also plays soccer in the spring. She volunteers to coach a pee wee basketball team, too. 

Outside of athletics, Farmer is very involved in clubs at Beebe High School, including National Honors Society, Key Club and HOSA – Future Health Professionals, formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America. 

“I plan to play college basketball somewhere and go into the medical field after high school,” Farmer said. 

Farmer and Beebe return to action at Russellville at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17.