Heber Springs’ Ellie Riddle (left) drives past a Dardanelle defender during Tuesday action at the Panther Den. MICHELLE McCARTY PHOTO
January 14, 2020
By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
It didn’t take long for the Heber Springs Lady Panthers to establish control against Dardanelle at the Panther Den Tuesday.
Libby Stutts and Ashley Spanel each made 3-pointers during the opening two minutes as the Lady Panthers coasted past Dardanelle 47-29 in a 4-4A Conference basketball game.
Heber Springs (3-1 in conference, 12-5 overall) built a 15-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Dardanelle (0-4 in conference, 2-16 overall) didn’t score until 5:21 remaining in the first half.
The Lady Panthers led 29-8 at halftime and took a 38-14 lead into the fourth quarter.
Stutts paced a balanced Heber Springs attack with 13 points. Jillian Herring scored nine points and Spanel had eight points.
Abby Apple led Dardanelle with eight points.
“Dardanelle is not having a good year, but it can play and make the game ugly,” Heber Springs coach Jamey Riddle said. “I’m glad we played with a lot of intensity to start the game. The players knew Dardenelle’s record, but they didn’t play that way against them. We made more shots than our last game. We did a good job of running our offenses.”
Riddle said the team improved in two areas from previous games.
“We did a better job of rebounding and played good defense by holding them scoreless in the first quarter and eight points for the first half,” he said. “We used different presses to speed the game up. We wanted to keep the ball from getting inside.”
Riddle said Spanel’s shooting was a pleasant surprise.
“We don’t rely on Ashley to score a lot of points, but she is capable of making shots,” he said. “It was good to see her do that.”
Heber Springs will face one of its toughest challenges this season by playing conference leader Clarksville (5-0 in conference, 9-9 overall) on the road at 6 p.m. Friday.
“We welcome the opportunity to upset a team at the top of the conference standings,” Riddle said. “We can do that if we will play with the same intensity against Dardanelle.”
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR GIRLS
2019-2020 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
RECORD: 12-5
4A-4 RECORD: 3-1
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 9 - Heber Springs 70, Newport 51
January 14 - Heber Springs 47, Dardanelle 29 ^
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)
Dardanelle dominated from start to finish and defeated the Heber Springs Panthers 70-13 in a 4-4A Conference basketball game at the Panther Den Tuesday.
Heber Springs played without senior Adam Martin, the team’s leading scorer, who injured his shoulder last week.
Dardanelle built a 13-2 lead by the midway point of the first quarter. The Sand Lizards went on a 10-2 scoring run and took a 23-4 lead into the second quarter.
By halftime, Dardanelle increased its lead to 47-11.
Garrett Hudspeth led Heber Springs with five points. Blake Chambers scored 10 points for Dardanelle.
Heber Springs (1-4 in conference, 1-14 overall) will play at Clarksville starting at 7 p.m. Friday.
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL
2019-2020 SCHEDULE RESULTS
RECORD: 1-144A-4 RECORD: 1-4
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 47, Heber Springs 28 ^
January 14 - Dardanelle 70, Heber Springs 13 ^
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)
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’ 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)
A second round of interviews with Heber Springs High School head football coaching candidates will be held on Wednesday.
The five-member search committee met last week after the initial interviews of six candidates in December.
Assistant coach Will Cox was named interim head coach in July, replacing Darren Gowen, who resigned in June.
Heber Springs finished the season at 4-7.
Superintendent Dr. Alan Stauffacher earlier said he expected a recommendation for the school board’s January 20 meeting. Stauffacher said the recommendation may be delayed.
Athletic director Brad Reese, high school principal Marc Griffin, former school board member Richard Whybrew, current board member Dr. Ryan Buffalo, coach Jay Bishop and Stauffacher comprise the committee.
The 2019 Heber Springs Panther Volleyball Team. Front, from left, Jessica Blalock, Summer Brown, McKenzie Becerra, Abi Finkbeiner and Mayra Leal. Middle, from left, Pilar Monsivais, Cheyenne Bresnahan, Alaina Endicott, Mary May, Brieannen Cook, Divina Nixon, Summer Nolan, and Hope Gilchrist. Back, from left, head coach Andrea Riggs, Zoe Monroe, Ellie Skelton, Felicia Wildmon, Kiley Wilson, Katelyn Vanlandingham, Cheyenne Kent, Nichole Thayer and assistant coach Kim Johnson.
December 24, 2019
BY LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
Three Heber Springs players were named to the Class 4A-Central Conference all-conference volleyball team.
Seniors McKenzie Becerra and Katelyn Vanlandingham were selected to the first team. Becerra was also an nominee for the state all-star game. Zoe Monroe was an honorable mention selection.
Heber Springs (7-7 in conference, 10-15 overall) tied for fourth place with Lonoke, which qualified for the state tournament on a tiebreaker.
The Lady Panthers, who completed their eighth year of competition, attempted to earn back-to-back state tournament berths. Heber Springs qualified for the state tournament in 2018 for the first time in the program’s history.
“We came close to go back to the state tournament,” coach Andrea Riggs said. “We progressed throughout the year, but we were capable of doing better. The players played well when considering their level of overall experience compared to other teams. I wish we could have gotten back to state, but we will try and do that next year.”
Riggs said next season will be different with the graduation of six senior starters and searching for a new starting lineup.
“We served well for most of the season,” said Riggs when asked about areas of improvement. “The players developed more mental toughness. We will look to this year’s JV players and maybe some help from the junior high team. Offseason work will be very important in building next year’s team.”
Heber Springs had a junior high program for the first time in the program’s history, and Riggs said that will benefit future players.
“We had played ninth graders in the past, and they are important for the next year’s team,” she said. “Adding the upcoming eighth graders will help. The junior high school program will close the gap of players’ experience from other teams’ players. I’m looking forward in seeing what the younger players will do next season.”
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.”
