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.
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 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.
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL
2019-2020 SCHEDULE RESULTS
RECORD: 1-124A-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)
Mayflower’s Hailey Carney and Heber Springs’ Mary Shearer battle for a loose ball during the third-place game at the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
December 28, 2019
By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
A week of no games may be coming at the right times for the Heber Springs Lady Panthers.
The Lady Panthers finished the Steve Landers Cowboy Chevrolet-Heber Springs Holiday Basketball Classic with a 58-37 loss in the third-place game to Mayflower at the Panther Den Saturday.
Heber Springs (10-4) started the tournament with a win against DeWitt before Friday’s loss to Pea Ridge in the semifinals. The Lady Panthers will not play again until resuming 4-4A Conference play by hosting Pottsville on Tuesday.
“We played fairly well in the first tournament game, played well in the second game until a bad fourth quarter,” Heber Springs coach Jamey Riddle said. “It seemed we didn’t get over Friday’s loss.”
Heber Springs had a good start and stayed close throughout the first quarter. The Panthers trailed 8-7 midway through the quarter and took a 9-8 lead on Libby Stutts’ field goal. Mayflower then seized control and outscored Heber Springs 9-4 for a 17-13 lead going into the second quarter.
Ellie Riddle, who led the Lady Panthers with 21 points, made two jump shots and 1-of-2 free throws to reduce Mayflower’s lead to 19-18.
Kamiah Turner, who also had 21 points for Mayflower and playing with a broken nose, scored on an inside move and the Lady Eagles followed with a 6-1 scoring run and increased their lead to 27-19 by halftime.
Mayflower returned for the third quarter and maintained control with a 13-9 scoring run and led 40-28 going into the fourth quarter.
“We didn’t shoot well and forced a lot of shots,” Jamey Riddle said. “Mayflower played well, especially the big post girls, and got good guard play. We didn’t do that.”
Shooting will become one of the areas the team will work on in practice, but Riddle said rebounding must improve.
“We need Ellie to play that way, but our rebounding must get better and that is one of her roles,” he said.
Riddle believes the extra practice time will benefit the team as it prepares to resume conference play.
“Sometimes coming off a tough loss and a game you didn’t play well, practices are what you need,” he said. “We need to get back into the gym and work on things.”
Heber Springs is 2-0 against conference teams and will play one of the contenders for its next game.
“It’s conference games for the remainder of the season,” Riddle said. “Pottsville is one of the top teams. We can’t play this way against them. We need to play like the first three quarters against Pea Ridge.”
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR GIRLS
2019-2020 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
RECORD: 10-4
4A-4 RECORD: 2-0
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 - 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 ^
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 Conway St. Joseph Tournament)
(^ - Denotes 4A-4 conference contest)
(* - Denotes Steve Landers' Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Tournament at Heber Springs)
The 2019 Steve Landers Cowboy Chevrolet Heber Springs Holiday Classic Champions, the Greene County Tech Eagles. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
December 28, 2019
GAME 8 – SENIOR BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP
Greene County Tech 79, DeWitt 45
The defending Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic champions, Greene County Tech, used a barrage of 3-pointers to race past DeWitt and repeat as tournament champions with a 79-45 victory at the Panther Den.
Half of the Eagles points came from the behind the 3-point line as Greene County Tech knocked down 15 3-pointers.
GAME MVP Greene County Tech’s Peyton Laubach
Zane Butler, who had 22 points in the first half and 24 in limited second-half action, knocked down six 3-pointers while senior Peyton Laubach finished with 17 points and five 3-pointers.
Jayke Bolen and Dawson Greer each recorded a pair of 3’s and finished in double figures in scoring with 12 and 10 points each.
Greene County Tech (11-1) led 25-13 at the end of the first quarter and 46-30 at the half.
The Eagles didn’t get any points at the charity stripe, going 0-for-3 from the free-throw line, as they led 71-43 at the end of three quarters.
DeWitt (4-4) was 17-of-26 from the line and was paced by Caleb Brown’s 20 points.
The Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic runners-up, the DeWitt Dragons. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
GAME 7 – SENIOR GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP
The Pea Ridge Lady Blackhawks. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Pea Ridge 48, Southside Batesville 41
Blakelee Winn took over when her team needed it and helped lead Pea Ridge to 48-41 victory over Southside Batesville in the championship game of the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic Saturday in Heber Springs.
Winn, who finished with 29 points, watched her team jump out to an 11-0 advantage before Southside Batesville stormed back taking a 13-12 lead with 4:35 to play in the first half after a Reese Gardner 3-pointer.
But from there Winn would score the Blackhawks final 10 points of the second quarter as Pea Ridge (13-2) led 23-20 at the break.
She would then score the Blackhawks first six points of the third quarter to give Pea Ridge a 29-24 advantage with just over four minutes left in the third quarter.
The two teams traded 3-pointers and baskets before Pea Ridge would go on an 8-0 run that continued until just over five minutes to play.
From there, the Blackhawks slowed things down and held off a later Southerner charge.
London Cuzzort (12) and Shelby Warden (10) were both in double figures for Southside while Lauren Wright added 10 for Pea Ridge.
The Southside Lady Southerners. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
GAME 6 – SENIOR BOYS THIRD-PLACE GAME
Sheridan sophomore Ashton Branson attempts to hang onto the loose ball as Rose Bud’s Caden Heck reaches in during the second half of the third place game of the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Sheridan 84, Rose Bud 44
Future Arkansas Razorback baseball player Tyler Caccatori had a good night on the hardcourt scoring 28 first-half points as Sheridan disposed of Rose Bud, 84-44, to claim third place in the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic in Heber Springs.
Sheridan (6-4) led 28-11 at the end of the first quarter and 58-26 at the half as Caccatori was perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line in the half.
Heber Springs Farm Bureau agent Tracy Hudspeth presents the game MVP plaque to Sheridan’s Tyler Ciccatori
Another starter, Jairus Adams, also finished in double figures for the Yellowjackets with 11.
In the second half, Sheridan coach Joe Scott emptied his bench and Peyton Hill finished in double figures with 10 points.
Sheridan also led 71-33 at the end of three quarters.
Ian Bomar paced Rose Bud with (3-12) with eight points.
Sheridan (7-4) 28 30 13 13 - 84
Rose Bud (3-12) 11 15 7 11 - 44
SHERIDAN SCORING (84): Tyler Cacciatori 28, Jairus Adams 11, Peyton Hill 10, Chris Rowe 9, Chris Crew 6, Seth Alexander 6, Wyatt Register 6, Blake Morris 4, Jacob Hollinger 3, Alden Lucas 1
ROSE BUD SCORING (44): Ian Bomar 8, Dalton Gorham 7, Avery Orman 7, Kayden Sherwood 6, Keaton Bates 5, Kyle Hannah 3, Stetson Nix 2, Caden Heck 2, Michael Campbell 2, Steven Bradley 2
GAME 5 – SENIOR GIRLS THIRD-PLACE GAME
Mayflower’s Hailey Carney and Heber Springs’ Mary Shearer battle for a loose ball during the third-place game at the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Mayflower 58, Heber Springs 37
Heber Springs struggled on offense and on finding an answer to Mayflower post player Kamiah Turner.
Turner finished with 10 field goals and 21 points as Mayflower defeated the host, Heber Springs, 58-37, to claim third-place at the Steve Landers Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic.
Heber Springs Farm Bureau agent Tracy Hudspeth presents the game MVP plaque to Mayflowers’ Kamiah Turner
Mayflower (9-3) led 27-19 at the break and continued to feed Turner on the inside as the Panthers had no answer on the boards.
Despite playing with a broken nose, Ellie Riddle paced Heber Springs with 21 points.
Heber Springs falls to 10-4 on the season.
Kennedi Dawn had 8 points for Mayflower, who lost an opening round game in the tournament last season to Heber Springs.
Batesville’s J.P. Morgan fights for position in the paint against a pair of Southside Batesville defenders in the consolation championship of the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Batesville 49, Southside Batesville 28
Tied at 22-all midway through the third quarter, Batesville went on a 27-6 run to close the game and claim the consolation championship of the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic at Heber Springs with a 49-28 victory over Southside Batesville.
GAME MVP Batesville’s Caleb Anderson
Batesville (12-3) led 12-9 after the first quarter, but trailed at the half 20-17 before going on the second-half run.
The Pioneers led 34-24 at the end of three quarters.
Caleb Anderson paced the Pioneers with 15 points while J.P. Morgan scored 11 points in the paint.
Southside Batesville (4-10) was led by Trevor Longo’s 7 points.
Southside Batesville (4-10) 9 11 4 4 - 28
Batesville (12-3) 12 5 17 15 - 49
SOUTHSIDE BATESVILLE SCORING (28): Trevor Longo 7, Devan Halford 6, Blayne Bufford 5, Jonathan Shane 4, Brycen Sutton 2, Jake Painter 2, Rance Wagoner 2
BATESVILLE SCORING (49): Caleb Anderson 15, J.P. Morgan 11, Logan McSpadden 6, Caleb Blakely 3, Kyrese Johnson 3, Dawson McMahan 3, West Lange 3, Tevan Whitaker 2, J.T. Morgan 2, Gunner Shell 2
GAME 3 – SENIOR GIRLS CONSOLATION CHAMPIONSHIP
Greene County Tech’s Kylie Stokes attempts to dribble past Rose Bud’s Kelsey Taylor on Saturday during the consolation championship of the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic at Heber Springs. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Rose Bud 46, Greene County Tech 44
Rose Bud withstood a late Greene County Tech rally to claim the consolation championship with a 46-44 win at the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic at Heber Springs.
GAME MVP Rose Bud’s Hope Hartle
The Eagles has two possessions in the final 14.2 seconds with a chance to tie the game or win the game with a 3-pointer, but both possessions ended with one shot.
Rose Bud (10-5) trailed 23-22 at the half but outscored Greene County Tech 16-11 in the third quarter.
Hope Hartle led all scorers with 29 points. The senior, who has signed to play softball next season at Henderson State, hit six 3-pointers.
Kyndal Rooks finished with seven points for the Ramblers.
Kylie Stokes had 19 points in a losing effort for the Eagles.
Greene County Tech (3-8) 11 12 11 10 - 44
Rose Bud (10-5) 15 7 16 8 - 46
GREENE COUNTY TECH SCORING (3-8): Kylie Stokes 19, Carleigh Hollis 8, Hannah Foster 7, Sierra Floyd 5, Brooke Barnes 3, Emma Bates 2
ROSE BUD SCORING (46): Hope Hartle 29, Kyndal Rooks 7, Kelsey Taylor 4, Emily Norris 3, Briley Chandler 2
GAME 2 – SENIOR BOYS CONSOLATION
Heber Springs’ Dalton McCollum has a shot attempt stopped by a Mayflower defender Saturday afternoon at the Panther Den. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Mayflower 66, Heber Springs 41
Mayflower raced out to a 20-8 first quarter lead and didn’t look back in a 66-41 victory over the host, Heber Springs, at the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic.
GAME MVP Mayflower’s Braxtyn McCuien
Mayflower (9-4) led 42-28 at the half as Braxtyn McCuien had 17 first-half points, finishing with 25.
Westin Pickell was also in double figures for the Mayflower finishing with 10 points.
The Eagles outscored Heber Springs (1-11) 24-6 in the third quarter to take control.
Garrett Hudspeth paced the Panthers with 14 points.
Sheridan dominated from start to finish and claimed a 59-27 victory over DeWitt in a consolation contest from the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic in Heber Springs.
Cassidy Henry finished with 16 points while Lauren McGinley added 13 points for the Yellowjackets in the win.
Heber Springs junior Ellie Riddle looks to get past Pea Ridge’s Blakelee Winn during semifinal action of the Cowboy Chevrolet Heber Springs Holiday Classic. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
December 27, 2019
BY LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
The Heber Springs Lady Panthers appeared on path through three quarters for a berth in the Steve Landers Cowboy Chevrolet-Heber Springs Holiday Basketball Classic championship game.
But Pea Ridge regained its shooting eye and held the Lady Panthers without a field goal until two minutes remaining in the game and advanced to the finals with a 49-44 win at the Panther Den Friday.
The Lady Blackhawks (12-2) will play Southside Batesville for the tournament championship at 6:30 p.m. today. Heber Springs (10-3) will meet Mayflower in the third-place game at 4 p.m.
HUSTLE AWARD FOR PEA RIDGE/HEBER SPRINGS GAME: Heber Springs’ Jillian Herring
“Two good teams were playing and we came up one scoring run short,” Heber Springs head coach Jamey Riddle said. “We would make a scoring run, and then Pea Ridge would have a scoring run. We couldn’t get that scoring run in the fourth quarter and Pea Ridge did. We took good shots, but they would not go in.”
Libby Stutts and Jillian Herring each scored 16 points for the Lady Panthers. Blakelee Winn led Pea Ridge with 13 points. Aidan Dayberry scored 11 points and Allisa Short had 10 points.
Claudia Newberry and Stutts started the game with field goals. Herring made a 3-pointer as Pea Ridge, which trailed 7-0, took a timeout early in the first quarter. Heber Springs maintained the lead and took an 11-8 advantage into the second quarter.
The lead changed three times during the second quarter. A three-point play late in the quarter gave Pea Ridge the lead 21-20 at halftime.
Heber Springs dominated the third quarter. The Lady Panthers went on a 20-8 scoring run and led 40-29 going into the fourth quarter.
“We didn’t want to go ice cold late in the game,” Riddle said. “Ellie, Jillian and Ashley (Spanel) took good shots. We didn’t do a good job of rebounding the misses. I don’t believe we had a single offensive rebound in the fourth quarter. You can’t rely on one shot.”
Riddle anticipates a tough game against Mayflower.
“Mayflower didn’t play well against Southside (Batesville) in the semifinals,” he said. “I expect them to be ready for us. It should be a good game. I’m hoping we will come out and play with a lot of energy. We need to have a great game.”
Hailey Bresnahan, who is one of the first players off the bench, didn’t play because of an injured knee. Bresnahan will be examined again next week to determine when she may return.
“We held Hailey out because it’s important to her ready for the conference games,” Riddle said. “Hopefully, she will get healed by then.”
Wyatt Sanders’ 3-pointer pulled the Heber Springs Panthers within one point with less than five minutes left, but Batesville answered with an 18-7 scoring run and pulled away to a 72-60 win in the consolation bracket of the Steve Landers Cowboy Chevolet-Heber Springs Holiday Basketball Classic Friday.
Batesville led 17-7 after the first quarter. The Panthers closed the gap to 31-25 by halftime and 49-46 going into the fourth quarter.
“We responded well from the overtime loss to Rose Bud (Thursday),” Heber Springs coach Chad Johnson said. “The players are working hard to improve their skills. Our scoring is beginning to improve with 60-plus points in back-to-back games, instead of scoring 30 or 40 points.”
Martin led the Panthers with 21 points. Wyatt Sanders, who made four 3-pointers, scored 14 points and Garrett Hudspeth had 13 points.
“We need more than just Adam contributing in scoring,” Johnson said. “Hudspeth made 9-of-10 free throws and scored two field goals against Batesville. Sanders shot the three well in the second half. We need that type of scoring to become more competitive in future games.”
Johnson said the defensive game plan centered on containing guard Caleb Anderson (12 points) and post J.P. Morgan (26 points).
“Anderson is an excellent 3-point shooter,”Johnson said. “Adam did an excellent job of containing him. The other part of the plan was Morgan. We tried and double down on him. He got most of his points on second-chance opportunities.”
Heber Springs (1-10) will conclude the tournament against Mayflower at 12:15 p.m. Saturday.
“Mayflower is our next challenge,” Johnson said. “They have good guard play and a dominating center. It will be another challenge because of the difference in height.”
After the tournament, Heber Springs will not play for more than one week. Johnson said next week will be important before resuming conference play.
“We are moving in a positive way despite our season record,” Johnson said. “Hudspeth is gaining more confidence inside. Wyatt is becoming more confidence in shooting the three. We need that, along with the remainder of the team gaining confidence. That will lead to success.”
Rose Bud’s Ian Bomar attempts to drive past DeWitt’s Johnta Wright during semifinal action on Friday at the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic in Heber Springs. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
GAME 8 – SENIOR BOYS
DeWitt 50, Rose Bud 38
DeWitt trailed by nine at the half but rallied for a 50-38 victory over Rose Bud in the semifinals of the Steve Landers Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic at Heber Springs
GAME MVP DeWitt’s Cody Brown
DeWitt will meet Greene County Tech for the title while Rose Bud will play Sheridan in the third-place game on Friday.
The Dragons trailed the Ramblers 24-15 at the break before storming back in the third quarter to take a 38-34 lead into the final quarter.
In the fourth period, Rose Bud was held to a pair of Avery Orman field goals as DeWitt outscored the Ramblers 10-4 in the quarter.
DeWitt’s Caleb Brown led all scorers with 25 points, including 19 points in the second half.
Orman paced Rose Bud with 10.
DeWitt (4-4) 6 9 23 12 - 50
Rose Bud (3-11) 8 16 10 4 - 38
DeWITT SCORING (50): Caleb Brown 25, Seth Courtney 8, Johnta Wright 7, Tarence Ticey 4, Jamarian Kennedy 4, Dax Courtney 2
ROSE BUD SCORING (38): Avery Orman 10, Ian Bomar 9, Keaton Bates 7, Kyle Hannah 4, Robbie Reedy 3, Kayden Sherwood 3, Stetson Nix 2
GAME 7 – SENIOR GIRLS
Pea Ridge’s Aidan Dayberry drives past Heber Springs’ Libby Stutts in the semifinals of the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic Friday. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Pea Ridge 49, Heber Springs 44
Pea Ridge overcame a 11-point deficit at the end of the third quarter to claim a 49-44 victory over the host, Heber Springs, in the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic.
The Blackhawks trailed 40-29 heading into the final quarter but slowing chipped away at the deficit as the Panthers couldn’t buy a basket in the final quarter, going over six minutes without a field goal before Jillian Herring scored with under two minutes to play.
GAME MVP Centennial Bank Market Director Don Rodgers presents Pea Ridge’s Aidan Dayberry with her game MVP plaque.
Meanwhile Pea Ridge would get points from five players including 3-pointers by Ravin Cawthon and Aidan Dayberry.
Dayberry was one of three Blackhawks in double figures with 11. Blakelee Winn had 13 while Allisa Short finished with 10.
Heber Springs’ Libby Stutts, who has signed to play next season at Lyon College in Batesville, finished with a game-high 16 points along with Herring.
Pea Ridge will face Southside Batesville for the championship on Saturday while Heber Springs will tangle with Mayflower in the third-place game.
Greene County Tech’s Zane Butler drives past Sheridan’s Tyler Cacciatori in semifinal action at the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Greene County Tech 46, Sheridan 43
The defending tournament champion, Greene County Tech, punched its ticket to the finals of the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic with a hard fought 46-43 victory over Sheridan.
Sheridan led by a point at the half, 24-23, before the two teams traded the lead seven times in the third quarter and had one tie.
The Yellowjackets enjoy their biggest lead of the quarter at 32-28 after a Blake Morris 3-pointer with 5:02 left in the third, but Zane Butler responded for the Eagles.
The senior, who is being recruited as preferred walk-on by Eric Musselman’s Razorbacks – among other schools, scored on a putback of his own missed shot to make it 32-30 with 3:53 left and gave his team the lead at 33-32 with a 3-pointer on Greene County Tech’s next possession.
GAME MVP Greene County Tech’s Jayke Bolen
Sheridan re-took the lead on a Morris putback and increased it to 36-33 with a pair of Tyler Cacciatori free throws with 1:50 left in the third.
But the Eagles closed on a 6-0 run to close the quarter on top 39-36.
Greene County Tech held on the lead for most of the fourt quarter before Cacciatori’s bucket put the Yellowjackets back on ton top at 43-42 with 4:03 left.
A 3-pointer by Butler with 2:53 remaining would give the Eagles a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.
Sheridan had several attempts to tie the game or take the lead but couldn’t get a shot to fall.
Butler paced the Eagles with 19 points while Sheridan’s Cacciatori, who has signed by play baseball for Dave Van Horn’s Razorbacks, led all scorers with 20.
Greene County Tech will play the winner of Rose Bud/DeWitt in the title game on Saturday while Sheridan will play the loser for third place.
Southside Batesville’s Olivia Allen looks get past Mayflower’s Hailey Carney in semifinal action from the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic on Friday in Heber Springs. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Southside Batesville 54, Mayflower 32
Three Southside Batesville players finished in double figures as the Southerners advanced to the title game of the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic at Heber Springs with a 54-32 victory over Mayflower.
GAME MVP Southside Batesville London Cuzzort
Southside Batesville (11-2) led 30-14 at the break and 44-22 at the end of three quarters.
Kierra Fulton paced Mayflower (8-3) with nine points.
London Cuzzort led the way for Southside Batesville with 16 points, including four 3-pointers, while Brett Gardner added 12 and Reese Gardner 11.
Southside Batesville will face the winner of Heber Springs/Pea Ridge in the title game on Saturday. Mayflower will meet the loser of that match-up in the third-place game.
Heber Springs’ Garrett Hudspeth and Batesville’s J.P. Morgan battle for a rebound as Heber Springs’ Adam Martin (24) looks on. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Batesville 72, Heber Springs 60
J. P. Morgan scored 26 points as Batesville downed the host, Heber Springs, 72-60, in a consolation contest from the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic on Friday.
Batesville trailed only once at 2-0 and raced out to a 31-19 lead, but the Pioneers couldn’t quite shake the Panthers as Adam Martin finished with 21 points in a losing effort.
GAME MVP – Batesville’s J.P. Morgan
Caleb Anderson was also in double figures as Batesville (11-3) led 31-19 at the half and 49-40 at the end of three.
The Pioneers, who because of scheduling conflict with the mandated Arkansas Activities Association “Dead Day” period during the Christmas break, was knocked into the consolation bracket after not being able to play on the first day of the tournament.
Batesville will face conference foe, Southside Batesville, in the consolation championship on Saturday. Heber Springs will tangle with Mayflower in a consolation game.
Batesville (11-3) 17 14 18 23 - 72
Heber Springs (1-10) 7 18 21 14 - 60
BATESVILLE SCORING (72): J.P. Morgan 26, Caleb Anderson 12, J.T. Morgan 6, Kyrese Johnson 5, Dawson McMahan 5, Caleb Blakley 4, Logan McSpeddin 4, K.J. Cross 3, Ben Hopper 3, Gunner Shell 2, Austin Scott 2
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (60): Adam Martin 21, Wyatt Sanders 14, Garrett Hudspeth 13, Dalton McCollum 7, Ryan Crocker 3, Zach Thomas 2
GAME 3 – SENIOR GIRLS
DeWitt’s Sydney Dumond draws a foul from Rose Bud’s Kyndal Rooks after Dumond hauled in a rebound after missed Rambler shot on Friday at the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic in Heber Springs. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Rose Bud 51, DeWitt 22
Kyndal Rooks scored 31 points in helping lead Rose Bud to a 51-22 victory over DeWitt in consolation bracket action on Friday at the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic in Heber Springs.
GAME MVP Rose Bud’s Kyndal Rooks.
Rose Bud (9-5) only led by three at the end of the first quarter, 7-4, but outscored the Dragons, 14-1, in the second half to take control.
Rooks had 18 of 31 points in the second half and finished the night by hitting four 3-pointers.
Carrington Holliman paced DeWitt (4-5) with six points.
Rose Bud will face Greene County Tech on Friday in the consolation championship while DeWitt will tangle with Sheridan in an consolation game at 11 a.m.
Mayflowers’ Jaheim Cummings dribbles past a Southside Batesville defender in action on Friday at Heber Springs. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Southside Batesville 54, Mayflower 46
Southside Batesville’s Devan Halford scored 10 points in the first quarter to push the Southerners to a big lead early, hit the go-ahead shot late and sealed the game at the free-throw line as Southside downed Mayflower, 54-46, to advance at the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic.
Halford’s first quarter points helped the Southerners lead 21-7 at the first quarter, but Mayflower rebounded in the second quarter, thanks in part to 10 points by Braxtyn McCuien, to trail 28-26.
The game remained close throughout the second half as Southside Batesville clung to an advantage throughout most of the second half.
GAME 2 MVP Southside Batesville’s Trevor Longo
The Eagles trailed by as much as eight points late in the fourth quarter before making a run and even taking a 46-45 lead late in the contest after a three-point play by McCuien.
But the lead was short-lived as Halford hit the go-ahead basket and was 8-of-9 from the free-throw line in the final quarter, including hitting his final six, which also included a technical foul on Mayflower with 15.8 seconds left that stretched a 47-46 advantage to 51-46.
Southside Batesville will get the winner of Heber Spings/Batesville in the consolation championship on Saturday, while Mayflower will face the loser.
Greene County Tech’s Kylie Stokes shots over Sheridan’s Kylie Reed (4) and Sanaa Clegg (5). PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Greene County Tech 66, Sheridan 48
Greene County Tech took control early and cruised to a 66-48 victory over Sheridan in a consolation contest at the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic in Heber Springs.
Game 1 MVP Greene County Tech’s Emma Bates
The Eagles jumped out to 19-6 advantage in the first quarter and led 32-23 at the half.
Kylie Stokes (13) and Emma Bates (10) were in double figures for the Greene County Tech. The Eagles will face the winner of Rose Bud/DeWitt for the consolation championship on Saturday.
Meanwhile for Sheridan (3-6), they will face the loser of Rose Bud/DeWitt at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Cassidy Henry led all scorers with 19 points. Henry was 9-of-12 from the free-throw line, including a perfect 8-of-8 in the final quarter.
Greene County Tech (3-7) 19 13 18 16 - 66
Sheridan (3-6) 6 17 10 15 - 48
GREENE COUNTY TECH SCORING (66): Kylie Stokes 13, Emma Bates 10, Carleigh Hollis 9, Hannah Foster 9, Carly Dehart 8, Brooke Barnes 7, Sierra Floyd 6, Destiny Wegner 4
SHERIDAN SCORING (48): Cassidy Henry 19, Kaitlyn Howard 6, Carley Strawn 4, Claire Denney 4, Kylie Reed 4, Sanaa Clegg 4, Lauren McGinley 2, Zoie Autrey 2, Reaggan Harper 2, Emma Patrick 1
Heber Springs’ Ashley Spanel launches a 3-pointer against DeWitt Thursday night at the Panther Den. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
December 26, 2019
BY LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
The Heber Springs Lady Panthers dominated from the opening tip-off to the final buzzer and defeated DeWitt 70-34 in the quarterfinals of the Steve Landers Cowboy Chevorlet-Heber Springs Holiday Basketball Classic Thursday.
Heber Springs scored the game’s first 14 points and finished the opening quarter on a 15-7 scoring run. The Lady Panthers led 29-8 going into the second quarter and built their lead to 47-22 by halftime.
Heber Springs took a 64-32 lead into the fourth quarter.
Game MVP Heber Springs’ Claudia Newberry
Hailey Bresnahan came off the bench and scored 16 points for the Lady Panthers. Claudia Newberry and Jillian Herring each had 14 points.
Carrington Holliman led DeWitt with 12 points and Abby Noblin had 10 points.
“I told them before the opening tip not to do more than expected,” Heber Springs coach Jamey Riddle said. “They ran hard, played hard and let the game come to them and settled in. We got a good lead, but we didn’t want to play soft and did what was needed by playing good defense and making shots.” Riddle said he liked how the players came off the bench and contributed.
Game Hustle Award DeWitt’s Carrington Holliman
“The girls played well,” he said. “Hailey made shots and Mary (Shearer) got some rebound. It was good to see any rest from the time off.”
Heber Springs (10-2) will meet Pea Ridge in the semifinals at 6:30 p.m. today.
“Pea Ridge will be a tough game and one of the best teams we played so far,” Riddle said. “The five starters are capable of being the leading scorer in any game. We need to play good defense and shoot well to win.”
Heber Springs’ Dalton McCollum attempts to get the ball away from Rose Bud’s Caden Heck during action Thursday night at the Panther Den. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
December 26, 2019
BY LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
Rose Bud’s Keaton Bates inflicted the final dagger into the side of the Heber Springs Panthers in the quarterfinals of the Steve Landers Cowboy Chevorlet-Heber Springs Holiday Basketball Classic.
Bates made a 3-pointer to put the Ramblers ahead with 20 seconds remaining in overtime and Kayden Sherwood hit 1-of-2 free throws in Rose Bud’s 68-65 win at the Panther Den Thursday.
The Ramblers (3-10) advanced to play DeWitt at 7:45 p.m. today in the semifinals. Heber Springs (1-9) was scheduled to play Batesvile at 2:45 p.m. today in the consolation bracket.
Rose Bud’s Robbie Reedy attempts to drive past Heber Springs’ Ryan Crocker. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Adam Martin, who fouled out in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter, led Heber Springs with a game-high 26 points. Dalton McCollum scored 15 points and Garrett Hudspeth had 13 points.
Bates, who made six 3-pointers, scored 22 points for Rose Bud. Ian Bomar contributed 17 points and Avery Orman had 10 points.
Game MVP Rose Bud’s Keaton Bates.
“We switched our defenses throughout the game and tried to make him feel off-balanced,” Heber Springs coach Chad Johnson said. “No. 21 (Bates) is an outstanding 3-point shooter. We tried and play box-in-one on him, put a hand in his face, but he played outstanding.”
Rose Bud led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter. Heber Springs assumed control with a 17-10 second-quarter scoring run and held a 31-22 halftime lead. The Panthers led 41-35 going into the fourth quarter.
“Our defensive intenity helped us to get the lead early in the game,” Johnson said. “We stuggled in our halfcourt offense during the game. After Adam fouled out, Logan Monahan came into the game and contributed, but it’s hard for any player to fill Adam’s shoes.”
Bomar hit 2-of-4 free throws to give Rose Bud a 57-55 lead. Hudspeth made a jumper with 27 seconds remaining to tie the game at 57-57 to force overtime.
Hustle Award Heber Springs’ Adam Martin
Rose Bud rallied for a 55-54 lead with less than two minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Martin made 1-of-2 free throws to tie the game at 55-55.
The Ramblers regained the lead at the start of overtime on Bates’ 3-point. Bates and Dalton McCollum exchanged field goals. The Panthers answered on field goals from McCollum and Hudspeth for a 65-62 lead.
Orman’s field goal pulled Rose Bud within one point before Bates’ final 3-pointer.
“We had the lead late in overtime,” Johnson said. “We let No. 21 (Bates) get open and that shot tilted the game to Rose Bud.”
Rose Bud 14 8 13 22 11 - 68
Heber Springs 12 19 10 16 8 - 65
ROSE BUD SCORING (68): Keaton Bates 22, Ian Bomar 17, Avery Orman 10, Stetson Nix 8, Caden Heck 5, Kayden Sherwood 4, Dalton Gorham 2
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (65): Adam Martin 26, Dalton McCollum 15, Garrett Hudspeth 13, Ryan Crocker 5, Logan Monahan 4, Wyatt Sanders 2
Pea Ridge’s Blakelee Winn looks to get around Rose Bud’s Emily Norris in first-round action from the Heber Springs Holiday Classic on Thursday. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
A scheduling-conflict with the Arkansas Activities Association “dead-day” period during the Christmas break forced Batesville to miss the first day of the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic at Heber Springs.
In the Pioneers place, the Sheridan junior varsity team filled in for the first-round match-up with DeWitt and behind 12-point performance from Peyton Hill defeated DeWitt, 48-27.
The two teams played two, 20-minute periods, as Johnta Wright paced the Dragons with 9 points.
Despite the loss, DeWitt will move into the semifinals and play the winner of the Rose Bud/Heber Springs contest at 7:45 p.m. on Friday.
Batesville will play its first game of the tournament at 2:45 p.m. in the consolation bracket against the loser of Rose Bud and Heber Springs.
DeWitt (3-4) 11 16 - 27
Sheridan JV 21 27 - 48
DEWITT SCORING (27): Johnta Wright 9, Seth Courtney 7, Caleb Brown 5, Dax Courtney 3, Jamarian Kennedy 3
SHERIDAN JV SCORING (48): Peyton Hill 12, Caleb Patrick 10, Chris Crew 9, Chris Rowe 6, Wyatt Register 4, Ashton Branson 4, Ethan Odom 3
GAME 5 – SENIOR GIRLS
Pea Ridge 56, Rose Bud 45
Pea Ridge used a second-quarter run and 26 points from Blakelee Winn to advance to the semifinals of the Steve Landers Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic at Heber Springs.
Pea Ridge (11-2) will face the winner of Heber Springs and DeWitt at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Rose Bud will face the loser of Heber Springs/DeWitt at 1:30 p.m.
Against the Blackhawks, Rose Bud trailed 13-8 after the first quarter but rallied to take an 18-17 lead midway through the second quarter before Pea Ridge closed the quarter with a 17-1 run as Winn scored 11 points in the quarter.
The Ramblers closed the gap in the third quarter as Kyndal Rooks scored 10 in the quarter, but Pea Ridge stopped any chance at a Rose Bud comeback by hitting 11 of 18 free throws, lead by Winn going 9-of-12 at the line. Winn was 15 of 19 on the night from the line.
Josey Goldberg and Lauren Wright also finished in double figures with 11 and 10 points each. Rooks paced Rose Bud with 24 points.
Rose Bud (8-5) 8 11 14 12 - 45
Pea Ridge (11-2) 13 21 9 13 - 56
ROSE BUD SCORING (45): Kyndal Rooks 24, Kyanna Poole 10, Hope Hartle 6, Skylar Wise 3, Caitlyn Waggoner 2
PEA RIDGE SCORING (56): Blakelee Winn 26, Josey Goldberg 11, Lauren Wright 10, Allisa Short 8, Aidan Dayberry 1
GAME 4 – SENIOR BOYS
Sheridan 46, Mayflower 44
Sheridan’s Tyler Cacciatori finished with 31 points as the Yellowjackets downed Mayflower, 46-44, to advance to the semifinals of the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic on Thursday.
Sheridan will face Greene County Tech at 5:15 p.m. Friday. Mayflower falls into the consolation bracket and play Southside Batesville at 12:15 p.m.
Cacciatori hit a pair of free throws with just over a minute to play to give Sheridan a 4-point lead at 46-42, but a basket by Zak Fugatt cut the deficit to 2.
Cacciatori missed a pair of free throws with under 10 seconds to play giving Mayflower a final shot attempt of the buzzer to tie the game, but that shot hit the side of the rim spoiling the Eagles’ attempts to send the game into overtime.
Sheridan led 25-21 at the half but needed a Cacciatori putback with under a minute to play in the third quarter to take a 38-36 lead. Mayflower’s Braxtyn McCuin responded with a 3-pointer at the third quarter buzzer to give the Eagles a 39-38 advantage.
The score would remain that way until Seth Alexander’s bucket with 4:52 to play gave Sheridan a 40-39 lead.
The Yellowjackets increased their advantage to five at 44-39 before McCuin scored, drew a foul and converted the free throw to make a one-possession game with 3:02 left.
Mayflower had a chance to tie the game after a pair of missed free throws by Sheridan, but the Eagles were called for a charge and the Yellowjackets milked the clock setting up Cacciatori’s free throws.
Jenna McMillen hit six 3-pointers and finished with 26 points as Mayflower downed Sheridan, 53-37, to advance at the Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic in Heber Springs.
Mayflower led 20-13 at the half and 32-23 after three.
The Eagles (8-2) will face Southside Batesville at 4 p.m. on Friday in a semifinal contest.
Sheridan (3-5) was lead by Cassidy Henry 26 points. The Yellowjackets will face Greene County Tech at 11 a.m. on Friday in a consolation contest.
Greene County Tech’s Dawson Greer goes up for a lay-up against Southside Batesville on Friday at the Cowboy Chevrolet Heber Springs Holiday Classic. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Greene County Tech 53, Southside Batesville 46
Zane Butler finished with 21 points as the Eagles overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to down Southside Batesville, 53-46.
Greene County Tech (9-1) had defeated Southside Batesville, 68-42, on Nov. 12, but this contest would be close throughout.
The Eagles led 12-11 at the end of the first quarter and 26-22 at the half, but they couldn’t shake the Southerners.
Greene County Tech led 34-33 at the end of three quarters before a jumper by Southside Batesville’s Jonathan Shane gave the Southerners a 35-34 lead with 7:01 to play. A pair of free throws by Shane pushed the lead to 37-34 with 6:16, but from there the Eagles took control.
Game 2 MVP – Greene County Tech’s Zane Butler
A basket by Cade Cancilla, who finished with 17 points, pulled the Eagles to within a point a 37-36 with 6:01 left. A steal by Greene County Tech on the ensuing Southerners possession led to a three-point play by Cancilla and lead the Eagles wouldn’t relinquish.
Devan Halford paced the Southerners with 18 points. Southside Batesville will play the loser of Mayflower/Sheridan at 12:15 on Friday in a consolation contest. Greene County Tech gets the winner of Mayflower/Sheridan 5:15 p.m.
Reese Gardner and London Cuzzort each finished in double figures in helping lead Southside Batesville to a 54-38 victory over Greene County Tech in the opening game of the Steve Landers Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic at the Panther Den in Heber Springs.
Game 1 MVP – Southside Batesville’s Reese Gardner
Reese Gardner led the way with 14 points as the Southerners led 20-12 at the end of the first quarter and 32-22 at the break.
Cuzzort finished with 13 points as Southside Batesville improved to 10-2 on the season and will advance in the winner’s bracket to face the winner of Sheridan-Mayflower Friday at 4 p.m.
Greene County Tech (2-7) had three players with 7 points each. (Emma Bates, Brooke Barnes and Carleigh Hollis). The Eagles will face the loser of Sheridan-Mayflower at 11 a.m. Friday in a consolation contest.
