ted box
Ted Box is one of the most respected coaches in Clay County athletics. Through a career spanning 35 years, Box earned recognition for his knowledge of basketball and baseball and his ability to work with his players.
His ability to get the most out of and bond with his players likely came from his background as a star athlete.
A native of the Greenway area, Box graduated from GHS in 1965. He was three-year letterman in basketball for the Tigers. Box scored 1,400 points at the varsity level, including over 700 points during his senior year. He also was a four-year starter for the baseball team.
In college, he lettered in basketball atCentral Baptist College in 1966 and 1967. He lettered in basketball and baseball at Arkansas College, now Lyon College, in 1970.
ln 1971, Box returned to Greenway, this time as coach for the basketball and baseball teams. While his start was a little slow, the rebuilding Tigers were downed by Marmaduke, 103-36, in his first game as coach.
Box didn't relent, though, working to instill a winning attitude and performance in the small school. Over the next five years, GHS showed consistent signs of improving. In 1976, the Tigers finished second in the highly-competitive Clay County Tournament, beating rival Piggott in the semifinals, 55-52, before falling to Rector in the finals, 75-70. That same year Greenway advanced to the district semifinals.
Box coached at Oak Grove High School from 1976-1981. At Oak Grove he took two high school basketball teams to the state toumament in 1980 and 1981, finishing with a 30-7 record during his final year at the school. His OGHS teams claimed championships in the NEA and Greene County Tournaments, as well as the 1981 conference title.
Box came back to Clay County for the 1981-1982 season, joining Piggott High School as basketball and baseball coach. Under Box, the Mohawks claimed a district basketball title in 1983, their first in 30 years. He aiso led the team to its first state tournament appearance in 18 years. PHS also won the 1985 and 1990 Clay County Toumaments.
In baseball, Box's Mohawks were district champs in 1987. The squad advanced to three state tournaments in 1987, 1988 and 1990.
Box coached at Batesville High School from 1991 through 2006, helming the boys basketball team throughout his tenure and taking over the girls softball program fromL999-2005. Box led the basketball program to 11 state tournaments, including appearances in one semifinal and two quarterfurals. His teams also won four Lyon College Toumzrments and one NEA Tournament. In softball, he led Batesville to state championships in 2001 and 2005 and was state runners-up in 2004. The squad took part in seven state toumeys. Box also won conference titles in 2000, 2001 and 2003. At Batesville, he was named
Conference Coach of the Year three times in basketball and three times in softball.
His ability to get the most out of and bond with his players likely came from his background as a star athlete.
A native of the Greenway area, Box graduated from GHS in 1965. He was three-year letterman in basketball for the Tigers. Box scored 1,400 points at the varsity level, including over 700 points during his senior year. He also was a four-year starter for the baseball team.
In college, he lettered in basketball atCentral Baptist College in 1966 and 1967. He lettered in basketball and baseball at Arkansas College, now Lyon College, in 1970.
ln 1971, Box returned to Greenway, this time as coach for the basketball and baseball teams. While his start was a little slow, the rebuilding Tigers were downed by Marmaduke, 103-36, in his first game as coach.
Box didn't relent, though, working to instill a winning attitude and performance in the small school. Over the next five years, GHS showed consistent signs of improving. In 1976, the Tigers finished second in the highly-competitive Clay County Tournament, beating rival Piggott in the semifinals, 55-52, before falling to Rector in the finals, 75-70. That same year Greenway advanced to the district semifinals.
Box coached at Oak Grove High School from 1976-1981. At Oak Grove he took two high school basketball teams to the state toumament in 1980 and 1981, finishing with a 30-7 record during his final year at the school. His OGHS teams claimed championships in the NEA and Greene County Tournaments, as well as the 1981 conference title.
Box came back to Clay County for the 1981-1982 season, joining Piggott High School as basketball and baseball coach. Under Box, the Mohawks claimed a district basketball title in 1983, their first in 30 years. He aiso led the team to its first state tournament appearance in 18 years. PHS also won the 1985 and 1990 Clay County Toumaments.
In baseball, Box's Mohawks were district champs in 1987. The squad advanced to three state tournaments in 1987, 1988 and 1990.
Box coached at Batesville High School from 1991 through 2006, helming the boys basketball team throughout his tenure and taking over the girls softball program fromL999-2005. Box led the basketball program to 11 state tournaments, including appearances in one semifinal and two quarterfurals. His teams also won four Lyon College Toumzrments and one NEA Tournament. In softball, he led Batesville to state championships in 2001 and 2005 and was state runners-up in 2004. The squad took part in seven state toumeys. Box also won conference titles in 2000, 2001 and 2003. At Batesville, he was named
Conference Coach of the Year three times in basketball and three times in softball.