Greene County Tech, Pea Ridge claim Holiday Classic crowns

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.

Greene County Tech (11-1) 25 21 25 8 - 79
DeWitt (4-4)              13 17 13 2 - 45

GREENE COUNTY TECH SCORING (79): Zane Butler 24, Peyton Laubach 17, Jayke Bolen 12, Dawson Greer 10, Cade Cancilla 6, Cache Burnett 6, Kyler Morris 2, Brendan Chambers 2
DeWITT SCORING (4-4): Caleb Brown 20, Jamarian Kennedy 9, Dax Courtney 8, Johnta Wright 4, Tarence Ticey 2, Seth Courtney 2 
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.

Southside Batesville (11-3) 2 18 11 10 - 41
Pea Ridge (13-2)           11 12 18  7 - 48
SOUTHSIDE BATESVILLE SCORING (41): London Cuzzort 12, Shelby Warden 10, Reese Gardner 7, Olivia Allen 6, Kami Jenkins 4, Brett Gardner 2
PEA RIDGE SCORING (48): Blakelee Winn 29, Lauren Wright 10, Ravin Cawthon 5, Josey Goldberg 2, Allisa Short 1, Hayley West 1
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.

Mayflower (9-3)      17 10 13 18 - 58
Heber Springs (10-4) 13  6  9  9 - 37
MAYFLOWER SCORING (58): Kamiah Turner 21, Kennedi Dawn 8, Jenna McMillen 7, Kierra Fulton 7, Karley Brown 6, Avery Muse 5, Bailey Francis 2, Mason Otts 2
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (37): Ellie Riddle 21, Jillian Herring 7, Claudia Newberry 5, Libby Stutts 2, Mary Shearer 2

GAME 4 – SENIOR BOYS CONSOLATION CHAMPIONSHIP

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.

Mayflower (9-4)      20 22 24 0 - 66
Heber Springs (1-11)  8 20  6 7 - 41
MAYFLOWER SCORING (66): Braxtyn McCuien 25, Westin Pickell 10, Jaheim Cummings 9, Zak Fuggat 6, Tayshun Matthews 6, Trent Long 4, Arian King 3, Caleb Babb 3
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (41): Garrett Hudspeth 14, Adam Martin 8, Wyatt Sanders 8, Gus Hannah 5,  Dalton McCollum 2, Logan Monahan 2, Zach Thomas 2

GAME 1 – SENIOR GIRLS CONSOLATION

Sheridan 59, DeWitt 27

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.

Sheridan (5-6) led 32-8 at the half.

Kassie Padgett paced the Dragons with 9 points.

Sheridan (5-6)  18 14 11 16 - 59
DeWitt (4-6)     2  6 13  8 - 27
SHERIDAN SCORING (59): Cassidy Henry 16, Lauren McGinley 13, Claire Denney 8, Kylie Reed 8, Kaitlyn Howard 4, Carley Strawn 3, Zoie Autrey 3, Emma Patrick 2, Reaggan Harper 2
DEWITT SCORING (27): Kassie Padgett 9, Carrington Holliman 6, Abby Noblin 6, Ellie Cox 4, Kyla Wright 2

Cowboy Chevrolet Heber Springs Holiday Classic – Day One

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

December 26, 2019

GAME 8 – SENIOR BOYS

Rose Bud 68, Heber Springs 65 (OT)

GAME 7 – SENIOR GIRLS

Heber Springs 70, DeWitt 34

GAME 6 – SENIOR BOYS

Sheridan JV 48, DeWitt 27

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.

Sheridan (6-3)  14 11 13 8 - 46
Mayflower (8-3) 10 11 18 5 - 44
SHERIDAN SCORING (46): Tyler Cacciatori 31, Blake Morris 6, Jacob Hollinger 4, Jairus Adams 3, Seth Alexander 2
MAYFLOWER SCORING (44): Westin Pickell 14, Braxtyn McCuien 13, Trent Long 8, Jaheim Cummings 7, Zak Fugatt 2

GAME 3 – SENIOR GIRLS

Mayflower 53, Sheridan 37

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.

Sheridan (3-5)  6  7  10 14 - 37
Mayflower (8-2) 8 12  12 17 - 53
SHERIDAN SCORING (37): Cassidy Henry 26, Claire Denney 7, Kaitlyn Howard 3, Carley Strawn 1
MAYFLOWER SCORING (53): Jenna McMillen 26, Kamiah Turner 9, Karley Brown 7, Bailey Francis 6, Kierra Fulton 3, Kennedi Dawn 2

GAME 2 – SENIOR BOYS

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.

Greene County Tech (9-1)   12 14  8 19 - 53
Southside Batesville (3-9) 11 11 11 13 - 46
GREENE COUNTY TECH (53): Zane Butler 21, Cade Cancilla 17, Payton Laubach 5, Dawson Greer 3, Kyler Morris 3, Brendan Chambers 2, Jayke Bolen 2
SOUTHSIDE BATESVILLE (46): Devan Halford 18, Jake Painter 9, Trevor Longo 8, Jonathan Shane 7, Rance Wagoner 2, Blayne Bufford 2, 

GAME 1 – SENIOR GIRLS

Southside Batesville 54, Greene County Tech 38

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.

Greene County Tech (2-7)    12 10 6 10 - 38
Southside Batesville (10-2) 20 12 9 13 - 54
GREENE COUNTY TECH (38): Emma Bates 7, Brooke Barnes 7, Carleigh Hollis 7, Kylie Stokes 6, Hannah Foster 5, Carly DeHart 4, Destiny Wegner 2
SOUTHSIDE BATESVILLE (54): Reese Gardner 14, London Cuzzort 13, Brett Gardner 9, Shelby Warden 9, Olivia Allen 7, Kamie Jenkins 2