Martin commits to Arkansas Tech

Heber Springs’ Adam Martin gets ready to throw a pass against Shiloh Christian in 4A playoff action in November. Martin recently committed to continue his football career at Arkansas Tech in Russellville. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

January 9, 2020

BY LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY

Heber Springs senior quarterback Adam Martin will not go too far away from home to play college football.

Martin, who was recently named to Class 4A all-state team, announced he will sign a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II letter of intent with Arkansas Tech.

In 2019, Martin completed 139-of-238 passes for 1,648 yards and 13 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He was the team’s second-leading rusher with 865 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. Martin ran for more than 100 yards four times.

Martin became the starting quarterback for the Panthers late in 2016 as a freshman. He started the next three seasons.

Martin will join former teammate, Julian Cameron, at Arkansas Tech. Cameron, a kicker, redshirted this past season for the Wonder Boys after signing last spring.

Players may sign letters of intent with NCAA schools beginning on Feb. 5.

Heber Springs senior girls fall to Apaches

Heber Springs’ Claudia Newberry dribbles downcourt against Pottsville during Tuesday’s game at the Panther Den. MICHELLE McCARTY PHOTO

January 7, 2020

BY LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY

Pottsville’s attempt for a higher-tempo game changed the momentum in the third quarter of Tuesday’s 4-4A Conference basketball game at the Panther Den.

The Heber Springs Lady Panthers built a 19-14 halftime lead, but Pottsville’s 14-4 scoring run during the third quarter proved too much to overcome in the 49-45 loss to the Lady Apaches.

The Lady Panthers, who trailed by eight points midway through the fourth quarter, reduced Pottsville’s lead to 44-42 on LibbyStutts’ 3-pointer with 31 seconds remaining.

The Lady Apaches answered by making 3-of-4 free throws before Heber Springs scored at the buzzer.

“We had good defensive intensity in the first half,” Heber Springs coach Jamey Riddle said. “Pottsville turned up the defensive pressure in the second half. They would score and then we would go to the other end of the floor and missed. Pottsville wanted to speed up the game and not let us get into our offense.”

Claudia Newberry led the Lady Panthers with 18 points. Jillian Herring scored 12 points and Ashley Spanel had 10 points. Lindsey Aday scored 12 points for Pottsville, while Abbie Cain contributed 10 points.

“We went cold in the fourth quarter,” Riddle said. “We got good shots. I was not worried trailing by three points going into the fourth quarter. \Ashley got in foul trouble and Ellie (Riddle) struggled shooting, but we kept working for good shots.”

Spanel’s 3-pointer broke a 4-4 tie  midway through the first quarter. Herring’s field goal increased it, but Pottsville didn’t go away and trailed 11-10 going into the second quarter.

Heber Springs built a three-point lead and maintained it throughout the second quarter. Newberry scored in the final seconds and gave the Lady Panthers a 19-14 halftime lead.

pulled even at 21-21 with a 7-2 scoring run to start the third quarter. The Lady Apaches increased their lead to five points before Newberry scored as Heber Springs trailed 32-29 going into the fourth quarter.

“We needed a turnover after reducing Pottsville’s lead to two points with 31 seconds left,” Riddle said. “We need to put this game behind us, be a little mad about losing and play like we did in the first half against Pottsville in our next game.”

Heber Springs (2-1 in confernce, 10-5 overall) will host Dardanelle in a conference game Tuesday.

POTTSVILLE 49, HEBER SPRINGS 45  
Pottsville    10 4 18 17 - 49  
Heber Springs 11 8 10 16 - 45  
POTTSVILLE SCORING (49): Lindsey Aday 12, Abbie Cain 10, Rilee Underwood 7, Tori Daniel 6, Julie Reynolds 5, Shannon Lasey 5, Kimbra Rhodes 4.    
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (45): Claudia Newberry 18, Jillian Herring 12, Ashley Spanel 10, Libby Stutts 3, Ellie Riddle 2.   
4A-4 STANDINGS
                 Conference Season
Clarksville          3-0      7-9
Morrilton            3-0     10-4
Heber Springs        2-1     10-5
Pottsvile            1-1      7-5
Dardanelle           0-2      2-14
Ozark                0-2     12-3
Dover                0-3      9-7 
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR GIRLS 
2019-2020 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
RECORD: 10-5
4A-4 RECORD: 2-1
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 - Heber Springs 56, Clinton 54 (OT)
December 3 - Conway St. Joseph 47, Heber Springs 44 #
December 5 - Heber Springs 53, South Side Bee Branch 34 #
December 7 - Heber Springs 44, Wonderview 43 #
December 10 - Heber Springs 59, Dover 56 ^
December 13 - Marshall 70, Heber Springs 52
December 16 - Heber Springs 51, White County Central 31
December 20 - Heber Springs 55, Ozark 42 ^
December 26 - Heber Springs 70, DeWitt 34 *
December 27 - Pea Ridge 49, Heber Springs 44 *
December 28 - Mayflower 58, Heber Springs 37 *
January 7 - Pottsville 49, Heber Springs 45 ^
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 Conway St. Joseph Tournament)
(^ - Denotes 4A-4 conference contest)
(* - Denotes Steve Landers' Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Tournament at Heber Springs) 

Heber Springs falls to Pottsville

Heber Springs senior Adam Martin makes a move against Pottsville during Tuesday’s game at the Panther Den. MICHELLE McCARTY PHOTO

January 7, 2020

BY LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY

Pottsville opened the game by scoring seven consecutive points and defeated the Heber Springs Panthers 59-26 in a 4-4A Conference basketball game at the Panther Den.

The Panthers trailed 18-4 after the first quarter and 41-15 at halftime. Pottsville led 50-18 going into the fourth quarter.

Adam Martin scored 12 points for Heber Springs. Zach Byrum led Pottsville with 15 points. Matthew Moore had 14 points and Kade Mainhart finished with 10 points.

“We got open shots, but we had too many turnovers,” Heber Springs coach Chad Johnson said. “The turnovers limited our scoring opportunities. Pottsville was quick and utilized its speed, which caused us problems.”
Heber Springs had eight healthy players available, and Johnson said that also was a factor.

“Our depth again was a problem,” he said. “Pottsville had 17 players and put in new five players throughout the games. The lack of depth prevents players from getting a break when they need one.”

Heber Springs (1-2 in conference, 1-12 overall) will look to even its conference record at Subiaco Academy on Friday. The junior high game will start at 5 p.m., followed by the senior boys.

“Subiaco Academy has good athletes,” Johnson said. “It will be a tough road test.”

POTTSVILLE 59, HEBER SPRINGS 26
Pottsville   18 23 9 9 - 59
Heber Springs 4 11 3 8 - 26
POTTSVILLE SCORING (59): Zach Byrum 15, Matthew Moore 14, Kade Mainhart 10, Trevor Lyles 6, Trey Thurman 4, Jan Francis 3, Drew Rust 2, Cache Linker 2, Quinn Lee 2, Ethan Bradley 1.
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (26): Adam Martin 12, Garrett Hudspeth 6, Dalton McCollum 5, Wyatt Sanders 3. 
4A-4 SENIOR BOYS STANDINGS
                 Conference Season
Pottsville           3-0      5-6
Morrilton            3-0     11-5
Dardanelle           2-1     15-1
Ozark                1-1      7-6
Heber Springs        1-2      1-12
Clarksville          1-2      5-10
Subiaco Academy      0-2      4-9
Dover                0-3      4-11  
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL
2019-2020 SCHEDULE RESULTS
RECORD: 1-12
4A-4 RECORD: 1-2
November 21 - Riverview 68, Heber Springs 36
November 26 - Clinton 71, Heber Springs 35
December 3 - Conway St. Joseph 44, Heber Springs 21 #
December 5 - South Side Bee Branch 50, Heber Springs 49 #
December 10 - Heber Springs 37, Dover 32 ^
December 12 - South Side Bee Branch 64, Heber Springs 53
December 13 - Marshall 69, Heber Springs 43
December 16 - White County Central 65, Heber Springs 43
December 20 - Ozark 69, Heber Springs 34 ^
December 26 - Rose Bud 68, Heber Springs 65 (OT) *
December 27 - Batesville 72, Heber Springs 60 *
December 28 - Mayflower 66, Heber Springs 41 *
January 7 - Pottsville 59, Heber Springs 26 ^
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 Conway St. Joseph Tournament)
(^ - Denotes 4A-4 conference contest) 
(* - Steve Landers' Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic at Heber Springs)