Field set for Joe Mallett Classic at St. Joseph

November 26, 2019

2019 JOE MALLETT CLASSIC 
At Conway St. Joseph
December 2-7
SENIOR GIRLS
December 2
Game 1 - Shirley vs. South Side Bee Branch, 4:30 p.m.
Game 2 - Wonderview vs. Mayflower, 7 p.m.
December 3
Game 3 - Clinton vs. England, 4:30 p.m.
Game 4 - St. Joseph vs. Heber Springs, 7 p.m.
December 4
Game 5 - Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4:30 p.m.
Game 6 - Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7 p.m.
December 5
Game 7 - Game 2 loser vs. Game 3 loser, 4:30 p.m.
Game 8 - Game 1 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 7 p.m.
December 7
Game 9 - Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, noon
Game 10 - Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser, 2:40 p.m.
Game 11 - Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 5:20 p.m.
SENIOR BOYS
December 2 
Game 1 - Shirley vs. South Side Bee Branch, 5:45 p.m.
Game 2 - Wonderview vs. Mayflower, 8:15 p.m.
December 3 
Game 3 - Clinton vs. England, 5:45 p.m.
Game 4 - St. Joseph vs. Heber Springs, 8:15 p.m.
December 4
Game 5 - Game 3 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 5:45 p.m.
Game 6 - Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 8:15 p.m.
December 5 
Game 7 - Game 2 loser vs. Game 3 loser, 5:45 p.m.
Game 8 - Game 1 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 8:15 p.m.
December 7
Game 9 - Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 1:20 p.m.
Game 10 - Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser, 4 p.m.
Game 11 - Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 6:40 p.m.

 

Heber Springs drops Riverview in senior girls action

November 21, 2019

By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY

The Heber Springs Lady Panthers avoided a slow start and remained undefeated on the season with a 67-27 rout of Riverview in a non-conference basketball game at the Panther Den Thursday.

Heber Springs completed a 3-game homestand and appeared ready for its first road test when the Lady Panthers travel to Clinton on Tuesday.

“I told the players after the game not to be into a false sense of security from the last three games,” Heber Springs head coach Jamey Riddle said. “Our next game will not be like these games. It will be a new challenge at Clinton.”

The Lady Panthers came out firing and quickly gained control against Riverview. Libby Stutts started a 16-0 scoring run by making a 3-pointer and Ellie Riddle scored two field goals. Claudia Newberry converted a jumper and later sank 1-of-2 free throws. Jillian Herring capped the surge by making a pair of 3-pointers.

Riverview didn’t score until almost three minutes left in the first quarter.

Heber Springs finished the quarter strong as Ashley Spanel and Herring made 3-pointers for the 22-6 lead going into the second quarter.

“We fouled too much early in the game against Southside Bee Branch,” Jamey Riddle said. “We did a better job of trapping on the first pass and waiting to go for the steal on the second pass in this game. We converted our layups and made good things happen.”

Herring, who made three 3-pointers, led the Lady Panthers with 14 points. Ellie Riddle and Hailey Bresnahan each had 13 points. Newberry scored 12 points.

Heber Springs had its only scoring lull early in the second quarter. Riverview scored five consecutive points and held the Lady Panthers scoreless until midway through the quarter.

Newberry scored with 4:31 left in the first half, giving the Lady Panthers a 24-11 lead. The Lady Panthers closed out the quarter on a 17-7 scoring run and for a 41-18 halftime lead.

“We had that one cold period and couldn’t set up in our fullcourt press,” Riddle said. “When we can’t do that, it is more difficult for us to score.”

Heber Springs returned for the second half and left little doubt. The Lady Panthers outscored Riverview 18-4 during the third quarter and took a 59-22 lead into the fourth quarter.

“After the period when we couldn’t score, we picked up the pace late in the first half and played well in the second half,” Riddle said. “We got steals and kept rolling.”

The coach expects a tougher time against Lady Yellowjackets on Tuesday.

“We got good play from everyone,” Riddle said. “The players know the competition will be tougher at Clinton. We need to play well in our first road game and see how we will respond.”

Tuesday’s game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. following the junior high school games.


Riverview 6 12 4 5 -27
Heber Springs 22 19 18 8 -67
RIVERVIEW SCORING (27): Jonna Nicholson 7, Mackenzie Cook 5, Christa Bradley 4, Daisy Basinger 4, Riley Shanks 3, Annabelle Schmitz 3, Gabrielle Sullivan 1.
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (67): Jillian Herring 14, Ellie Riddle 13, Hailey Bresnahan 13, Claudia Newberry 12, Ashley Spanel 7, Libby Stutts 6, Olivia Norton 2.

HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR GIRLS 
2019-2020 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
RECORD: 3-0
November 12 - Heber Springs 55, Nemo Vista 31
November 19 - Heber Springs 70, South Side Bee Branch 45
November 21 - Heber Springs 67, Riverview 27
November 26 - at Clinton
December 2 - at Conway St. Joseph Tournament
December 10 - at Dover ^
December 13 - at Marshall
December 16 - at White County Central
December 20 - Ozark ^
December 26 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
December 27 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
December 28 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
January 7 - Pottsville ^
January 9 - at Newport
January 14 - Dardanelle ^
January 17 - at Clarksville ^
January 21 - Morrilton ^
January 24 - Dover ^
January 28 - at Pottsville ^
January 31 - at Ozark ^
February 4 - at Dardanelle ^
February 11 - at Morrilton ^
February 14 - Clarksville (Senior Night) ^
February 17 - 4A-4 District at Dardanelle

(^ - Denotes 4A-4 conference contest)

Panthers drop opener to Riverview

Heber Springs’ Dalton McCollum gets ready to shoot a free throw against Riverview during Thursday’s game at the Panther Den. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE McCARTY

November 21, 2019

By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY

Only positives came from Heber Springs head coach Chad Johnson following Thursday’s 68-36 loss to Riverview in the basketball season opener at the Panther Den.

“They were only four days out of football, but practiced hard to prepare for the first game,” Johnson said. “The result was larger than the final score. We battled throughout the game. We are not in basketball shape yet and ran out of gas in the fourth quarter.”

Heber Springs trailed 16-10 after the first quarter. Riverview increased its lead to 26-15 with a 10-5 scoring run. The two teams battled almost even for the remainder of the second quarter as the Raiders led 38-25 at halftime.

The Panthers went cold in the third quarter as Riverview capitalized. The Raiders blew the game open with a 10-0 scoring run and led 51-32 going into the fourth quarter.

Adam Martin led the Panthers with 15 points, followed by Dalton McCollum with eight points. Cahill Overstreet and Myles Arnett scored 15 points for Riverview. Kahlil Blackmon and R.J. McCall each added 11 points.

“Riverview got its running game going and that led to the gap in the final score,” Johnson said. “I’m proud how the players performed. They battled and played with a lot of grit.”
Johnson expects improvement with completion of the football season with the players concentrating on basketball.

“I love coaching players who want to be here and help the program,” he said. “They want to make the program successful.”

Clinton’s football season ended Friday and all players are expected to be available for Tuesday’s game.

“We will be playing a tough opponent for the second straight game,” Johnson said. “The players and I look forward to the challenge.”

The game will wrap up a four-game night, with the junior high girls starting the action at 4:30 p.m., followed by the junior boys and the two high school games.

Riverview 16 22 13 17 -68
Heber Springs 10 15 7 4 -36
RIVERVIEW SCORING (68): Cahill Overstreet 15, Myles Arnett 15, Ashton Williams 11, Kahlil Blackmon 11, R.J. McCall 5, Montrell Chatmon 4, Isaac Jiles 4, Jackson Thomas 3.
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (36): Adam Martin 15, Dalton McCollum 8, Wyatt Sanders 5, Garrett Hudspeth 4, Logan Monahan 2, Ryan Crocker 2.

HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL
2019-2020 SCHEDULE RESULTS
RECORD: 0-1
November 21 - Riverview 68, Heber Springs 36
November 26 - at Clinton
December 2 - at Conway St. Joseph Tournament
December 10 - at Dover ^
December 13 - at Marshall
December 16 - at White County Central
December 20 - Ozark ^
December 26 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
December 27 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
December 28 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
January 7 - Pottsville ^
January 10 - at Subiaco Academy ^
January 14 - Dardanelle ^
January 17 - at Clarksville ^
January 21 - Morrilton ^
January 24 - Dover ^
January 28 - at Pottsville ^
January 31 - at Ozark ^
February 4 - at Dardanelle ^
February 7 - Subiaco Academy ^
February 11 - at Morrilton ^
February 14 - Clarksville (Senior Night) ^
February 17 - 4A-4 District at Dardanelle

(^ - Denotes 4A-4 conference contest)


Heber Springs to host junior high tournament on Saturday

November 22, 2019

Heber Springs will host a a two-division, four-team, one-day tournament on Saturday (November 23) at the Panther Den.

The tournament kicks off at 10 a.m.

HEBER SPRINGS JUNIOR HIGH TOURNAMENT
Saturday, November 23
JUNIOR GIRLS
Game 1 - Batesville vs. Conway Blue, 10 a.m.
Game 2 - Heber Springs vs. Cabot South, noon
Game 3 - Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 3 p.m.
Game 4 - Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 5 p.m.
JUNIOR BOYS
Game 1 - Batesville vs. Conway Blue, 11 a.m.
Game 2 - Heber Springs vs. Cabot South, 1 p.m.
Game 3 - Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 4 p.m.
Game 4 - Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 6 p.m.

Field set for 2019 Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic

Sheridan senior Tyler Cacciatori blocks out for a rebound against Batesville in the 2018 Cowboy Chervolet Holiday Classic at Heber Springs. Cacciatori signed with the University of Arkansas baseball team this week. His Yellowjackets will open with Mayflower on Dec. 26 in the 2019 tournament. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

November 21, 2019

The field has been announced for the annual Steve Landers Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic which will take place from December 26 through December 28 at the Panther Den in Heber Springs.

Defending champions Greene County Tech (boys) and Sheridan (girls) will be returning to defend their 2018 tournament titles. Almost the entire field returns for the 2019 version of the tournament with the lone exception of 2018 runner-up Riverview in the senior girls division. The Raiders have been replaced by Pea Ridge.

The two eight team divisions (boys and girls) features a bracket-style format with each team playing three games over three day.

STEVE LANDERS COWBOY CHEVROLET HOLIDAY CLASSIC
at HEBER SPRINGS
DECEMBER 26-28
SENIOR GIRLS
December 26
Game 1 - Southside Batesville vs. Greene County Tech, 11 a.m.
Game 3 - Mayflower vs. Sheridan, 1:30 p.m.
Game 5 - Pea Ridge vs. Rose Bud, 4 p.m.
Game 7 - Heber Springs vs. DeWitt, 6:30 p.m.
December 27
Game 9 - Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 1, 11 a.m.
Game 11 - Loser Game 7 vs. Loser Game 5, 1:30 p.m.
Game 13 - Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 1, 4 p.m.
Game 15 - Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 7, 6:30 p.m.
December 28
Game 17 - Loser Game 9 vs. Loser Game 11, 11 a.m.
Game 19 - Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 11, 1:30 p.m.
Game 21 - Loser Game 15 vs. Loser Game 13, 4 p.m.
Game 23 - Winner Game 15 vs. Winner Game 13, 6:30 p.m.
SENIOR BOYS
December 26
Game 2 - Southside Batesville vs. Greene County Tech, 12:15 p.m.
Game 4 - Mayflower vs. Sheridan, 2:45 p.m.
Game 6 - Batesville vs. DeWitt, 5:15 p.m.
Game 8 - Heber Springs vs. Rose Bud, 7:45 p.m.
December 27
Game 10 - Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 4, 12:15 p.m.
Game 12 - Loser Game 8 vs. Loser Game 6, 2:45 p.m.
Game 14 - Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 2, 5:15 p.m.
Game 16 - Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 6, 7:45 p.m.
December 28 
Game 18 - Loser Game 12 vs. Loser Game 10, 12:15 p.m.
Game 20 - Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 10, 2:45 p.m.
Game 22 - Loser Game 16 vs. Loser Game 14, 5:15 p.m.
Game 24 - Winner Game 16 vs. Winner Game 14, 7:45 p.m.

Heber Springs cross country teams claim top 10 finishes in 4A

2019 Heber Springs Girls Cross Country Team
The 2019 Heber Springs Girls Cross Country Team. Pictured, front, from left, Allison Wildman, Katia Rubio, Waverlee Decker, Sydney Buffalo, McKenzie Becerra, and Natalie Buffalo. Back, from left, Taylor Hammons, Maddie Vowels, Sophie Lawrence, Maygan Jarvis, Ellie Riddle and Vallie Cantrell.

November 21, 2019

By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY

Heber Springs High School cross country teams capped a successful season by finishing among the top 10 at the Class 4A state meet in Hot Springs and two runners named to the all-state team.

The Lady Panthers, who were ranked third going into the state meet, finished third, with Sydney Buffalo selected to the all-state team. The Panthers, who were ranked 10th, claimed eighth place, with Nathan Poff named to the all-state team.

Poff finished 13th in the boys’ race, while Buffalo was 17th in the girls’ race.

“Our top five boys’ runners set personal bests,” Heber Springs head coach Dale Cresswell said. “The girls ran well. All I want every meet is for each runner go out and do their best.”

For the girls, Vallie Cantrell and McKenzie Becerra finished among the top 50 at 24th and 34th places, respectively. Taylor Hammons (52nd), Maygan Jarvis (54th), Sophie Lawrence (69th), Allison Wildman (89th) and Waverlee Decker (92nd) were in the top 100. Katherine Rojas was 120th.

Four boys’ runners finished among the top 100 — Parker Hill (57th), Gabe Tate (67th), Mason Harris (80th) and Brad Baker (90th). Reagan Buell (128th), Dalton Scoggins (168th), Scott Shatterly (168th) and Evan Burgess (192nd) also competed.

“Our standards at Heber Springs are always high,” Cresswell said. “We have a lot of good young runners, like Harris and Hill. Hill missed most of the season because of an illness. He ran at the conference meet and one of the reasons the team moved up two spots at the state meet.”

The future looks bright for both programs.

“We have a lot of good young runners coming up,” Cresswell said. “We have runners that will come up from the junior high team who can help us next year. Both teams worked hard all season. They will never hear any complaints from me when they work hard and do their best.”

Cresswell hopes momentum will carry over into the spring for track and field.

“All of them will be on the track team, but not just as distance runners,” he said. “We expect a few football players to compete. I expect us to have a successful track season. “

Heber Springs senior girls improve to 2-0

Heber Springs’ Hailey Bresnahan drives past at a South Side Bee Branch defender Tuesday night at the Panther Den. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE MCCARTY

November 19, 2019

By LARRY “SCOOP” MCCARTY

A week between games temporarily slowed down the Heber Springs Lady Panthers against South Side Bee Branch at the Panther Den Tuesday.

Heber Springs (2-0) tied the game at 13-13 late in the first quarter, then took and lead before pulling away to a 70-45 non-conference basketball game.

The Lady Panthers gained the lead on Ashley Spanel’s field goal with 49 seconds left in the first quarter. Ellie Riddle increased it to 17-13 before South Side connected on a 3-pointer and trailed 17-16 going into the second quarter.

Heber Springs went on a 25-7 scoring run during the second quarter and led 42-23 at halftime. The Lady Panthers took a 61-34 lead into the fourth quarter.

Claudia Newberry was one of four Heber Springs players who scored in double figures with 16 points. Hailey Bresnahan had 11 points, while Libby Stutts and Spanel each chipped in 10 points.

“That is why it’s important to practice with consistency,” Heber Springs coach Jamey Riddle said. “We worked on what was needed during practice, so we will play well in the next game. South Side played well in the first quarter.”

Riddle liked how his team recovered from its slow start.

“We played fine and consistent and I liked how the players responded,” he said. “It changed late in the first quarter when we changed our defense to put more pressure on South Side’s 3-point shooters. Ellie came off the bench and gave the team a spark, and we also picked up our tempo.”

Riddle praised Newberry for her performance.

“Claudia performed well and I hope that will continue,” Riddle said. “She has improved her offensive moves and did a good job of finishing drives to the basket.”

Heber Springs will host Riverview on Thursday  in four games starting with the junior high girls at 4 p.m., followed by the junior high boys. The senior girls’ game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m., followed by the Panthers’ home opener.

“We need to come out and play with the same intensity and fire,” Riddle said. “Riverview will be a good team and a new challenge.”

South Side 16 7 11 11 – 45
Heber Springs 17 25 19 9 – 70
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING: Claudia Newberry 16, Hailey Bresnahan 11, Libby Stutts 10, Ashley Spanel 10, Ellie Riddle 9, Mary Shearer 7, Jillian Herring 5, Kylie Carr 2.

HEBER SPRINGS 2019-2020 SENIOR GIRLS SCHEDULE
RECORD: 2-0
November 12 - Heber Springs 55, Nemo Vista 31
November 19 - Heber Springs 70, South Side Bee Branch 45
November 21 - at Riverview
November 26 - at Clinton
December 2 - at Conway St. Joseph Tournament
December 10 - at Dover ^
December 13 - at Marshall
December 16 - at White County Central
December 20 - Ozark ^
December 26 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
December 27 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
December 28 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
January 7 - Pottsville ^
January 9 - at Newport
January 14 - Dardanelle ^
January 17 - at Clarksville ^
January 21 - Morrilton ^
January 24 - Dover ^
January 28 - at Pottsville ^
January 31 - at Ozark ^
February 4 - at Dardanelle ^
February 11 - at Morrilton ^
February 14 - Clarksville (Senior Night) ^
February 17 - 4A-4 District at Dardanelle

(^ - Denotes 4A-4 conference contest)

Panther PostGame

Heber Springs’ season closes at Shiloh Christian

Heber Springs’ Landon Johnson running with the ball Friday night at Shiloh Christian. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

November 15, 2019

By PHILIP SEATON

SPRINGDALE – Shiloh Christian used a quick-strike, precision passing game and took advantage of four Heber Springs turnovers to end the Panthers season with a 62-27 victory Friday night in a first-round 4A playoff game.

The 27 points scored by Heber Springs was the most points Shiloh Christian (11-0) has allowed to an opponent all season.

Heber Springs finishes the season with a 4-7 record while Shiloh Christian advanced to the second round where the Saints will host Pocahontas Friday night.

It was the final game for 14 Panther seniors, who made three consecutive playoff appearances and won a share of a 4A-2 conference crown in 2017. Two of those seniors, Adam Martin (15 carries for 118 yards) and Julio Rubio (14 carries for 108), closed out their careers rushing for more than 100 yards on the night.

Senior Eli Reece was 26 of 32 for 395 yards passing with seven touchdowns for Shiloh Christian as the Saints needed only 36 seconds to take a 6-0 lead after Reece connected with Logan Raben for a 45-yard score. The 2-point conversion failed.

On the Panthers first possession, Heber Springs moved from their own 15 to their 49 after a pair of first-down runs by Rubio, the first for 23 and second for 11, but the drive fizzled at the Shiloh Christian 43 and the Panthers turned the ball over on downs.

The Saints didn’t waste much time going up 14-0 moving 57 yards on four plays in 39 seconds as Reece connected with Truitt Tollett for the score and Cam Wiedemann for the 2-point conversion.

Heber Springs responded as Rubio went 41 yards on second down to put the ball the Saint 18. Two players later Martin ran the ball in from the 14 with 6:44 to play in the opening quarter. Jackson Harrod’s kick made it 14-7 Shiloh.

The Saints drove to the Panther 14 before the Heber Springs defense stopped the Saints on a fourth-and-1 with 3:37 left in the first quarter.

The Panthers picked up a pair of first downs on their next drive, the second coming after Martin connected with Hunter Kent for eight yards on third-and-7 from the Heber Springs 28, but a holding penalty on a Landon Johnson run on the next play put Heber Springs in the hole for the series forcing the game’s only punt, a Martin 56-yarder on the first play of the second quarter.

From there Shiloh Christian marched 93 yards in 1:35 in five plays to go up 21-7 after Reece connected with Tollett again for a 34-yard score.

The Saints attempted an onside kick and recovered it after the ball after it bounced a Panther at the 50. Two plays and 20 seconds later the Saints would go up 28-7 after Reece found Tollett yet again for a 33-yard touchdown.

The Panthers pulled to within two scores on the ensuing drive after recovering the onside-kick attempt on their own 49. Martin rushed for nine yards for a first down at the Shiloh 32 and passed for another first down connecting with Nathan McKee for an eight-yard completion. Three plays later, Martin again connected with McKee, this time for a 16-yard touchdown with 5:45 left in the first half. The kick failed making it 28-13.

Shiloh Christian need only 90 seconds to respond as Reece found tight end Beau Cason for an eight-yard touchdown pass making it 35-13.

The Panthers kept it a two-score game on their next possession after Martin kept the snap, went off tackle and out ran a trio of Saint defenders for a 57-yard touchdown run to make it 35-20 with 2:12.

Shiloh Christian was driving for another apparent score before Kent stepped in front the Reece pass attempt at the Panther 20 for the interception, but after picking up 28 yards on the return, Kent had the ball knocked free and the Saints recovered. Seven plays later and with 16 seconds left in the half, Reece found Cason for a 17-yard scoring strike to make it 42-20 at the half.

Shiloh Christian put the game out of reach with a pair of third-quarter touchdowns and invoke the Arkansas Activities Association 35-point Mercy Rule. The Panthers did score a late touchdown as Rubio plunged in from the 3 to set the final score.

HEBER SPRINGS COACH WILL COX

GAME NOTES

LEGEND IN THE HOUSE: Heber Springs High graduate and former Panther head coach Dennis DeBusk, who also served as the first head coach in Shiloh Christian history, was on the Heber Springs sidelines for the first half Friday night. DeBusk is retired and lives in Springdale.

LEGEND IN THE HOUSE TOO: Heber Springs High graduate and former Arkansas Razorback Braylon Mitchell was at the game with his family Friday night to catch Heber Springs (see video).

RARE PICK: Hunter Kent’s second-quarter interception of Shiloh Christian Eli Reece was only the third time this season the senior has been picked off.

BOOK-END CENTURY MARKS: Seniors Julio Rubio and Adam Martin opened the season by both rushing for more than 100 yards against Clinton and only accomplished it one another time this season, in the season-ending loss at Shiloh Christian.

DEFENSIVE ACTION: Senior quarterback Adam Martin played on the defense for the first time this season against Shiloh Christian. With the Saints vaunted spread passing attack, Martin was in the secondary.

ADAM MARTIN

IT’S HEBER SPRINGS: The public address announcer at Shiloh Christian made the mistake before kick off by calling saying “Herber Springs Panthers.” It was the only time he made the mistake on the night.

LIGHTS OUT: The stadium at Shiloh Christian uses LED lights and before kick off, the lights were turned off right before the Saint football team ran throw a lighted entrance to come onto the field.

ROUGH NIGHT FOR THE 4A-2: Central Arkansas Christian was the only conference team to advance to the second round of the playoffs. Riverview fell to DeWitt for the second time this season, 44-15. Southside Batesville lost to Star City, 47-20. Pea Ridge downed Lonoke, 49-13, and Central Arkansas Christian topped Gentry, 49-20. The Mustangs will travel to Joe T. Robinson Friday night for a second-round match-up.

SCORING

Heber Springs (4-7)                 7  13   0   7  - 27    
Shiloh Christian (11-0)            14  28  14   6  - 62

FIRST QUARTER
Shiloh - Eli Reece to Logan Raben 45-yard pass (pass failed), 11:24
Shiloh - Reece to Truitt Tollett 2-yard pass (Reece to Cam Wiedemann pass), 8:06
Heber Springs - Adam Martin 14-yard run (Jackson Harrod kick), 6:44    
SECOND QUARTER    
Shiloh - Reece to Tollett 34-yard pass (Keaton Carter kick), 10:14
Shiloh - Reece to Tollett 33-yard pass (Carter kick), 9:53
Heber Springs - Martin to Nathan McKee 16-yard pass (kick failed), 5:45
Shiloh - Reece to Beau Cason 8-yard pass (Carter kick), 4:15
Heber Springs - Martin 57-yard run (Harrod kick), 2:12
Shiloh - Reece to Cason 17-yard pass (Carter kick), :16
THIRD QUARTER    
Shiloh - Reece to Tollett 1-yard pass (Carter kick), 8:19
Shiloh - Carter 40-yard interception return (Carter kick), 7:11
FOURTH QUARTER
Shiloh - Ben Baker 44-yard run (kick blocked), 10:49
Heber Springs - Julio Rubio 3-yard run (Harrod kick), 4:50

TEAM STATS

First Downs by Rush: Heber Springs 13, Shiloh 10
First Downs by Pass: Heber Springs 5, Shiloh 19
First Downs by Penalty: Heber Springs 2, Shiloh 1
Total First Downs: Heber Springs 20, Shiloh 30
Third-Down Conversions: Heber Springs 8/14, Shiloh 2/4
Fourth-Down Conversions: Heber Springs 1/4, Shiloh 0/1
Red-Zone Conversions: Heber Springs 2/2, Shiloh 4/5
Time of Possession: Heber Springs 29:39, Shiloh 18:21
Fumbles/Lost: Heber Springs 3/2, Shiloh 0/0
Turnovers: Heber Springs 4, Shiloh 1   
Points Off Turnovers: Heber Springs 0, Shiloh 28
Penalties: Heber Springs 9/75, Shiloh 7/65
Plays/Total Offense/YPP: Heber Springs 64/356/5.6, Shiloh 51/639/12.5
Rushing: Heber Springs 37/260/7.0, Shiloh 24/242/10.1
Passing: Heber Springs 13/27-96-1/2, Shiloh 27/33-397-7/1
Sacks/Yards Lost: Heber Springs 0/0, Shiloh 1/11
Punts: Heber Springs 1/56, Shiloh 0/0
Inside 20: Heber Springs 1, Shiloh 0

INDIVIDUAL STATS

OFFENSE 
RUSHING: Heber Springs, Adam Martin 15/118/7.9/2, Julio Rubio 14/108/7.7/1, Landon Johnson 3/20/6.7, Nathan McKee 2/8, Levy Phillips 2/7, Team 1/(-1). Shiloh Christian, Cam Wiedemann 10/110/11, Ben Baker 3/77/25.7/1, Truitt Tollett 3/31/10.3, Hayden Brasuell 2/18, Eli Reece 1/7, Logan Raben 1/6, Ben Walton 1/2, Jacob Solomon  Elias Hewitt 1/1,  1/(-1), Team 1/(-9).
RUSHING RUNS OF 50+: Heber Springs, Adam Martin (1) 
RUSHING RUNS OF 40+: Heber Springs, Adam Martin (1), Julio Rubio (1). Shiloh Christian, Ben Baker (1).
RUSHING RUNS OF 30+: Heber Springs, Adam Martin (1), Julio Rubio (1). Shiloh Christian, Ben Baker (1), Truitt Tollett (1).
RUSHING RUNS OF 20+: Heber Springs, Julio Rubio (2), Adam Martin (1). Shiloh Christian, Cam Wiedemann (3), Ben  Baker (1), Truitt Tollett (1). 
RUSHING RUNS OF 10+: Heber Springs, Julio Rubio (4), Adam Martin (3). Shiloh Christian, Cam Wiedemann (5), Ben Baker (3), Truitt Tollett (1), Hayden Brasuell (1).
PASSING: Heber Springs, Adam Martin 13/27-96-1/2, Shiloh Christian, Eli Reece 26/32-395-7/1, Kyle Cason 1/1-2-0/0 
RECEIVING: Heber Springs, Nathan McKee 5/70/1, Landon Johnson 4/8, Hunter Kent 2/10, Fate Berry 1/8, Matthew Cook 1/0. Shiloh Christian, Truitt Tollett 11/178/16.2/4, Cam Wiedemann 5/57, Luke Hutchinson 4/59, Beau Cason 4/37/2, Logan Raben 1/45/1, Hunter Mason 1/19, Sawyer Shankle 1/2  
TOTAL OFFENSE: Heber Springs, Adam Martin 214, Julio Rubio 108, Landon Johnson 20, Nathan McKee 8, Levy Phillips 7, Team (-1). Shiloh Christian, Eli Reece 402, Cam Wiedemann 110, Ben Baker 77, Truitt Tollett 31, Hayden Brasuell 18, Logan Raben 6, Ben Walton 2, Kyle Cason 2, Elias Hewitt 1, Jacob Solomon (-1), Team (-9).
PUNT RETURNS: None.
KICK RETURNS: Heber Springs, Diego Rubio 2/48, Jackson West 2/8, Matthew Cook 2/0, Nathan McKee 1/8, Adam Martin 1/6, Hunter Kent 1/0. Shiloh Christian, Keaton Carter 2/23, Beau Cason 1/36, Ben Baker 1/32. 
FUMBLE RETURNS: Heber Springs, Diego Rubio 1/4 (offensive)
INTERCEPTION RETURNS: Heber Springs, Hunter Kent 29. Shiloh Christian, Keaton Carter 40.
ALL-PURPOSE YARDS: Heber Springs, Adam Martin 124, Julio Rubio 108, Nathan McKee 86, Diego Rubio 52, Hunter Kent 39, Landon Johnson 28, Fate Berry 8, Jackson West 8, Levy Phillips 7. Shiloh Christian, Truitt Tollett 209, Cam Wiedemann 167, Ben Baker 109, Beau Cason 73, Keaton Carter 63, Luke Hutchinson 59, Logan Raben 51, Hunter Mason 19, Hayden Brasuell 18, Eli Reece 7, Ben Walton 2, Sawyer Shankle 2, Elias Hewitt 1, Jacob Solomon (-1).   

GAME SCENES

Larry “Scoop” McCarty joins MarkedTime.com

Larry “Scoop” McCarty

Larry McCarty, a Heber Springs native and recently retired, will be a contributor to MarkedTime.com according to MarkedTime.com publisher/owner Philip Seaton.

McCarty retired in March after 40 years, the last 15 years as sports editor of the Snyder Daily News in Texas.

A 1973 Heber Springs High School graduate, McCarty started his career at the Cleburne County Times before stops in West Virginia, Oklahoma and Texas. He also was the sports editor at The Daily Citizen in Searcy for six years during the 1990s.

McCarty received the 2018 Texas Girls Coaches Association Division 2 Sports Writer of the Year award.

Markedtime.com is a Heber Springs-based sports archives website that not only focuses on the present, but also the past, in honoring the athletic achievements of the residents of the state of Arkansas.

“We are delighted to add Larry ‘Scoop’ McCarty as a contributor to our upstart online publication,” publisher/owner Philip Seaton said. “I have known ‘Scoop’ for a long time. As a young reporter at the Heber Springs Sun-Times, Larry cast a long-shadow in following him as sports editor several years after he left. He only cast that shadow because of the excellent coverage he provided for Heber Springs, and Cleburne County, residents and one that I tried to emulate.

“I am excited to add ‘Scoop’ as contributor. His knowledge and passion for Heber Springs and the state of Arkansas is rivaled by a few.”

Contact Larry McCarty at @ScoopMcCarty on twitter or email heber1973grad@suddenlink.net.

Contact Philip Seaton at philip.seaton@markedtime.com, on twitter at @ARSportsArchive, or on Facebook at MarkedTime.com.

Experienced Panthers looking to reach postseason

Heber Springs Senior Girls Preview

Heber Springs coach Jamey Riddle gives some instructions during the Lady Panthers season-opening victory over Nemo Vista last week. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

November 19, 2019

By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY

The Heber Springs senior girls started the basketball season with a bang with a 55-31 win against Nemo Vista at the Panther Den last week.

Heber Springs will begin a busy week with home non-conference games against South Side Bee Branch at 6 p.m. tonight and Riverview on Thursday.

  • HEBER SPRINGS LADY PANTHERS
  • COACH JAMEY RIDDLE
  • CONFERENCE 4A-4
  • LAST SEASON: 13-12, lost to Ozark in conference quarterfinals
  • KEY LOSSES: Jesslyn Johnson
  • RETURNING STARTERS: Libby Stutts, Jillian Herring, Ashley Spanel and Ellie Riddle

The Lady Panthers have plenty of experience with four returning starters –  Libby Stutts, Jillian Herring, Ashley Spanel and Ellie Riddle – and a fifth player – Claudia Newberry – who played a key role off the bench during the past two seasons.

“Those players’ experience showed in the first game,” Heber Springs head coach Jamey Riddle said. “They showed a lot of leadership and played with continuity on offense and played well on defense. They made good things happen.”

Libby Stutts, who earlier signed to play for Lyon College next season, led the Lady Panthers in scoring last season and expected to be one of the top scorers this season.

“Claudia is like a fifth returning starter,” Riddle said. “She played a lot of minutes during the past two seasons. Libby scored three points in the first game. That was one of many positives.”

Ellie Riddle led the Lady Panthers with 14 points against Nemo Vista and Ashley Spanel scored 13 points.

“Libby and Jullian (who had 24 points in a senior night victory over Morrilton last season) will be two of our leading scorers in most games,” Janet Riddle said. “We need seven to 10 points  a game from Claudia.”

Heber Springs came within one win of qualifying for the regional tournament in each of the past two years. The coach said game experience will play an important role in the team’s success.

“We lost by three points (44-41) to Ozark on the road at last year’s conference tournament,” Riddle said. “One of our goals is to make the regional tournament.”

The coach said the team’s depth will lead to more success.

“We got good production from Mary Shearer coming off the bench at post against Nemo Vista,” Riddle said. “Hailey Bresnahan will give us depth at guard and post. LiLi Chaney is a very good defensive player. She will make good things happen and can make the other team play faster.”

Olivia Norton and Brandy Meredith are two players to watch on the inside.

“They will provide good minutes throughout the season,” Riddle said. “It was good to see all of the players playing well in the first game.”

Heber Springs will play non-conference games against Clinton and White County Central, plus the Conway St. Joseph tournament before the conference opener at Dover on Dec. 10.

“We will play at Clinton before the Thanksgiving break,” Riddle said. “The St. Joseph’s tournament will have a lot of good competition. We will use those non-conference games to work on different defenses and putting players in the best places on the court.”

Riddle believes the team is capable of finishing among the top half of the conference standings and make a run at the regional tournament.

“We need to play defense with more intensity,” he said. “We are not the talest team, but rebounding will be important. That can separate you against your opponent. We need to limit possessions of the other team and push the ball fast up and down the court.”

HEBER SPRINGS 2019-2020 SENIOR GIRLS SCHEDULE
November 12 - Heber Springs 55, Nemo Vista 31
November 19 - South Side Bee Branch
November 21 - at Riverview
November 26 - at Clinton
December 2 - at Conway St. Joseph Tournament
December 10 - at Dover ^
December 13 - at Marshall
December 16 - at White County Central
December 20 - Ozark ^
December 26 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
December 27 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
December 28 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
January 7 - Pottsville ^
January 9 - at Newport
January 14 - Dardanelle ^
January 17 - at Clarksville ^
January 21 - Morrilton ^
January 24 - Dover ^
January 28 - at Pottsville ^
January 31 - at Ozark ^
February 4 - at Dardanelle ^
February 11 - at Morrilton ^
February 14 - Clarksville (Senior Night) ^
February 17 - 4A-4 District at Dardanelle

(^ - Denotes 4A-4 conference contest)