The Southern Standard, partnering with Kevin Rhoton - Farm Bureau Agent, we will be honoring a Bronco of the month throughout the 2023-24 school year. Our honoree from December is Lady Bronco senior captain Paige Sweeten. 

While December finished with Paige Sweeten adding to her list of broken bones suffered doing the thing she loves, it’s still going to be a month she never forgets. Sweeten found out recently she can keep playing basketball for at least a few more years.

Sweeten, a standout point guard for the Lady Broncos, received college offers from Crowley’s Ridge College - a four-year NAIA program in Arkansas - and Cleveland State Community College just before Christmas. It would’ve been a perfect moment for a round of applause for the lifelong basketball fanatic, only she wouldn’t have been able to join in as she’s still recovering from a broken bone in her left hand.

Still, it was a great experience when her first official offer came in for Sweeten.

“We were about to play a game against Lancaster and she got the message from Crowley’s Ridge,” recalled coach Tim Page, who has seen two players sign in the last two seasons from Boyd. “She was ecstatic and we are so happy for her. She’s an absolute warrior for us - even with her latest injury she played a couple games before she realized the severity.

“She just wants to play basketball and we know she can help any team she plays on.”

Before her injury, Sweeten was orchestrating the Lady Bronco offense with precision. She started December with an eight-point, five-assist effort in a blowout win over TSIAA foe Dickson Christian. Sweeten also had seven points, three assists and three steals to help Boyd beat Smyrna, giving the team a win over a 4A opponent and avenging a loss to the Bulldogs from last season.

For the season, Sweeten has showed her all-around skills with 37 assists, 35 rebounds and 28 steals in 12 games. She also leads the team in charges taken, sacrificing her body to help the Lady Broncos.

“She’s the ultimate competitor, always unselfish and a great captain. We’re so fortunate to have Paige with our program,” said Page.

There’s hope Sweeten could return shortly after New Year’s to continue leading the Lady Broncos. Her ultimate goal is to lead Boyd to a championship before she graduates.

After that, she has her choice of what program she wants to lead for a few more years.