Former Muldrow Lady Bulldog basketball player, and current University of Arkansas-Fort Smith player, Hannah Boyett currently is in the biggest battle of her life — and this battle is off the court.

Boyett was diagnosed in July with thyroid cancer, but it hasn’t stopped her college playing career.

“Her numbers are going down,” Muldrow Lady Bulldogs coach Jana Armer said. “She’s back on the court playing. She’s still doing some treatment. She’s showing progress every day. She just hit a gamewinning shot for UAFS the other day. She knows how to win. She’s a winner.”

Boyett hit the gamewinning 3-point basket with seven seconds left to lift the UAFS Lions to a 75-73 win over Truman State on Nov. 27 in Springfield, Mo.

So far this season in 10 games for the Lions (8-2), Boyett is averaging 8.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. She has had four 15-point games so far this season for UAFS.

During Friday night’s home openers against Alma, Ark., there was a fundraising dinner to help raise funds for Boyett’s medical expenses. She also was recognized for her fight at half court prior to the Muldrow boys’ game with flowers.

“The way she has always faced adversity is hitting it head on with a positive attitude,” Armer said. “That’s what she’s done with this diagnosis. So, for our community to rally together (Friday) night and raise money for her to help with those expenses shows what an impact she had while she was here — and continues to have. Our community still goes over and watches her play and keeps up with her. She still comes around and is still a positive influence on our (current) kids. For our community to do what they did and come up big for her speaks volumes for the kind of person she is — and her family, too.”

Both Muldrow teams lost to Alma on Friday night, with the Lady Bulldogs suffering from a poor-shooting night. Armer said Boyette’s coaching instincts took over in the locker room after the game.

“She went back in the locker room with us after the game, and I asked her what would you have done had you shot the ball the way we shot it (Friday) night,” Armer said. “I would have asked you to be in the gym at 6 a.m. the next morning, and that’s the truth.”