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. Â
“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.
2019 Heber Springs Panther Football Award winners, front, from left, Hunter Kent, Matthew Cook, Lawrence Baureis, Landon Johnson and Nathan McKee. Back, from left, Julio Rubio, Harley Hannah, Preston Jones, Adam Martin and Fate Berry. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
December 17, 2019
The Heber Springs High School football awards banquet was held at the Heber Springs High School cafeteria.
Head coach Will Cox and the coaching staff presented the following awards for the 2019 season:
All-State: Adam Martin
Honorable Mention All-State: Julio Rubio, Fate Berry and Landon Johnson
All-Conference: Nathan McKee, Hunter Kent, Matthew Cook and Harley Hannah.
Team MVP: Landon Johnson
Offensive MVP: Adam Martin
Defensive MVP: Fate Berry
Panther Award: Lawrence Baureis
Seth Decker Award (Outstanding Sophomore): Preston Jones
The 2019 Heber Springs football seniors, front, from left, Hunter Griffin, Adam Martin, Lawrence Baureis, Landon Johnson and Spencer Evans. Middle, from left, Nate Dearmond, Dalton McCollum, Levy Phillips, Brandon Tate, Julio Rubio. Back, from left, Kaden Hughes, Harley Hannah, Fate Berry. Not pictured: Jackson Harrod. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
VIDEO
Note: The video starts with Hunter Kent receiving his all-conference award.
2019 HEBER SPRINGS FINAL FOOTBALL STATS
Heber Springs 61 103 54 83 - 301 (27.4)
Opponent 60 125 104 73 - 362 (32.9)
TEAM First Downs by Rush: Heber Springs 113, Opponent 120
First Downs by Pass: Heber Springs 69, Opponent 73
First Downs by Penalty: Heber Springs 9, Opponent 12
Total First Downs: Heber Springs 191, Opponent 205
Third-Down Conversions: Heber Springs 64/135 (47.4), Opponent 44/117 (37.6)
Fourth-Down Conversions: Heber Springs 13/35 (37.1), Opponent 18/34 (52.9)
Red-Zone Conversions: Heber Springs 27/36 (75) (27 tds), Opponent 33/44 (75) (31 tds, 2 FG)
Fumbles/Lost: Heber Springs 19/10, Opponent 17/9
Turnovers: Heber Springs 20, Opponent 14
Points Off Turnovers: Heber Springs 48, Opponent 56
Penalties/Yards: Heber Springs 90/673, Opponent 78/764
Plays/Total Offense/YPP/PER GAME: Heber Springs 676/3883/5.7/353, Opponent 655/3909/6.0/355.4
Rushing: Heber Springs 432/2244/5.2, Opponent 458/2239/4.9
Rushing Per Game: Heber Springs 204, Opponent 203.6
Passing: Heber Springs 139/238-1648-13/10, Opponent 136/223-1708-24/5
Completion Percentage: Heber Springs 51.9, Opponent 61.0
Passing Per Game: Heber Springs 148.9, Opponent 155.3
Sacks/Yards Lost: Heber Springs 20/107, Opponent 13/75
Punts: Heber Springs 30/1176/39.2, Opponent 29/975/33.6
Blocked Punts: Heber Springs 1
INDIVIDUAL OFFENSE RUSHING (ATT/YARDS/PER ATTEMPT/PER GAME/TDS): Julio Rubio 185/1154/6.2/100.4/16, Adam Martin 176/845/4.8/76.8/11, Landon Johnson 55/259/4.7/23.6/5, Levy Phillips 6/28, Nathan McKee 3/14, Diego Rubio 1/2, Tri Johnson 1/(-2), Team 7/(-52)
RUNS OF 50+: Julio Rubio 2, Adam, Martin 2
RUNS OF 40+: Julio Rubio 4 Adam Martin 2
RUNS OF 30+: Julio Rubio 6, Adam Martin 3
RUNS OF 20+: Julio Rubio 12, Adam Martin 8, Landon Johnson 1
RUNS OF 10+: Julio Rubio 29, Adam Martin 23, Landon Johnson 4, Levy Phillips 1
100-YARD RUSHING GAMES: Julio Rubio 6, Adam Martin 4
PASSING (ATT/COMP-YARDS-TDS/INT): Adam Martin 139/238-1648-13/10
250-YARD PASSING GAMES: Adam Martin 1
RECEIVING (REC/YARDS/PER CATCH/TDS): Nathan McKee 30/350/11.7/4, Landon Johnson 25/269/10.8/2, Matthew Cook 23/198/8.6/1, Hunter Kent 18/221/12.3/3, Fate Berry 15/202/13.5/1, Julio Rubio 13/155/11.2, Tri Johnson 12/208/17.3/2, Jackson West 1/18, Dalton McCollum 1/9, Diego Rubio 1/8
100-YARD RECEIVING GAMES: Hunter Kent 1, Tri Johnson 1, Julio Rubio 1
TOTAL OFFENSE (OFFENSE/PER GAME): Adam Martin 2497/227, Julio Rubio 1154/104.9, Landon Johnson 259/23.6, Levy Phillips 28, Nathan McKee 14, Diego Rubio 2, Tri Johnson (-2), Team (-51)
KICKOFF RETURNS: Tri Johnson 8/170/21.3, Nathan McKee 7/87/12.4, Hunter Kent 7/52/7.4, Matthew Cook 6/62/10.3, Jackson West 6/47/7.8, Levy Phillips 4/37/9.3, Diego Rubio 4/85/21.3, Julio Rubio 3/44/14.7, Lawrence Baureis 1/10, Harley Bresnahan 1/ 6, Adam Martin 1/6, Tristan Thissen 1/0.
PUNT RETURNS: Nathan McKee 3/12, Tri Johnson 1/(-3)
INTERCEPTION RETURNS: Nathan McKee 3/54, Dalton McCollum 1/4, Fate Berry 1/2
FUMBLE RETURNS: Matthew Cook 1/4
ALL-PURPOSE YARDS (YARDS/PER GAME): Julio Rubio 1236/112.4, Adam Martin 851/77.4, Landon Johnson 527/47.9, Nathan McKee 483/43.9, Tri Johnson 373/57.3, Matthew Cook 264/26.4, Hunter Kent 302/27.5, Fate Berry 204/18.6, Diego Rubio 99/9, Jackson West 65/5.9, Levy Phillips 65/5.9, Dalton McCollum 13, Lawrence Baureis 10 Harley Bresnahan 6
DEFENSE TACKLES (ASST/SOLO/TOTAL): Fate Berry 75/30/105, Landon Johnson 75/28/103, Diego Rubio 47/14/61, Kaden Hughes 37/16/53, Nathan McKee 36/16/52, Hunter Kent 32/13/45, Lawrence Baureis 32/13/45, Matthew Cook 31/9/40, Nicholas Hitchcock 29/8/37, Levy Phillips 27/14/41, Jackson West 24/4/28, Julio Rubio 13/7/20, Dalton McCollum 11/7/18, Tri Johnson 9/5/14, Harley Bresnhan 7/4/11, Trevor Weathers 8/1/9, Preston Jones 3/2/5, Harley Hannah 3/2/5, Jackson Harrod 4/1/5, Hunter Griffin 3/1/4, Devon Doxey 3/1/4, Tristan Thissen 1/2/3, Trent Barnes 2/1/3, Adam Martin 3/0/3, Nate Dearmond 1/1/2, Spencer Evans 2/0/2, Gus Hannah 1/0/1.
TACKLES FOR LOSS: Fate Berry 15, Landon Johnson 15.5, Kaden Hughes 11.5, Diego Rubio 7, Nicholas Hitchcock 6.5, Julio Rubio 9, Lawrence Baureis 7, Levy Phillips 2, Jackson West 2, Tri Johnson 1.5, Hunter Griffin 1, Harley Bresnahan 1, Devon Doxey 1, Nathan McKee 1
SACKS/YARDS LOST: Fate Berry 4/28, Kaden Hughes 4/24, Tri Johnson 2.5/22, Diego Rubio 1.5/5, Levy Phillips 1/ 5, Harley Bresnahan 1/ 4, Julio Rubio .5/9, Landon Johnson 1/3, Matthew Cook .5/3, Nicholas Hitchcock .5/4.
INTERCEPTIONS: Nathan McKee 3, Dalton McCollum 1, Fate Berry 1
DEFENSIVE FUMBLE RECOVERIES: Hunter Kent 2, Diego Rubio 3, Nicholas Hitchcock 2, Nathan McKee 1, Landon Johnson 1,
BLOCKED PUNTS: Kaden Hughes 1
PUNTING (No./Yards/Avg./Inside20): Adam Martin 29/1143/39.4/8, Matthew Cook 1/33/33
SCORING: Julio Rubio 96 (16 tds), Adam Martin 66 (11 td), Jackson Harrod 37 (37-41 PAT, 0-1 FG), Landon Johnson 36 (6 tds), Nathan McKee 24 (4 td), Hunter Kent 18 (3 td), Tri Johnson 12 (2 td), Fate Berry 6 (1 td), Matthew Cook 6 (1 td)
Heber Springs’ Adam Martin defends against Ozark’s Wyatt Clauson in Friday night 4A-4 action at the Panther Den. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
December 20, 2019
By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
Ozark’s depth proved too much for the Heber Springs Panthers to overcome in Friday’s 69-34 loss at the Panther Den in a 4-4A Conference basketball game.
The Panthers stayed close throughout the first half. Heber Springs trailed 17-14 after the first quarter and 32-24 at halftime. Ozark blew the game open with a 20-4 scoring run and took a 52-28 lead into the fourth quarter.
“We played well during the first half,” Heber Springs assistant coach Dusty West said. “Our defensive effort was outstanding. Ozark pressed the entire game and played physical. It wore us down in the second half when we get a little winded and couldn’t make many shots.”
West stepped in for head coach Chad Johnson, who missed the game because of illness.
Adam Martin scored a game-high 19 points for Heber Springs. Garrett Schaffer led Ozark with 14 points, followed by Ethan Dorrough with 13 points. Corbin Pelts and Wyatt Clauson each scored 10 points.
Heber Springs (1-1 in conference, 1-8 overall) will seek to bounce back at the Steve Landers Chevrolet Heber Springs Holiday Tournament which begins Thursday. The Panthers will play Rose Bud at 7:45 p.m. in the opening round.
“We are excited about the tournament,” West said. “I believe if we play up to our capabilities, we can get to the championship game. The players have a good attitude and keep playing hard. We are looking forward to playing Rose Bud.”
On Dec. 16, Heber Springs traveled to White County Central and was handed a 65-43 setback. Martin led all scorers with 23 points for Heber Springs while Garrett Schaffer had 14 points for the Bears.
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR BOYS BOXSCORE
December 20 vs. Ozark
Ozark 17 15 20 17 - 69
Heber Springs 14 10 4 6 - 34
OZARK SCORERS (69): Garrett Schaffer 14, Ethan Dorrough 13, Corbin Pelts 10, Wyatt Clauson 10, Sebastian Ross 7, Javson Harris 5, Brock Burns 4, Kayden McAnally 2, Kirkland Quinton 2, Clayton Elmore 2.
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (34): Adam Martin 19, Wyatt Sanders 7, Garrett Hudspeth 4, Dalton McCollum 2, Zach Thomas 2.
December 16 at White County Central
White County Central 18 18 22 7 - 65
Heber Springs 6 10 10 17 - 43
WHITE COUNTY CENTRAL SCORING (65): Dillon Hopkins 12, Ethan Jones 9, Weslee Whitaker 9, Carson Brown 8, Weston Sherwood 7, Blake Dickerson 6, Drew House 4, Landon Swindle 3, Deklan Stevens 3, Grant Walker 2, John Shivers 2
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (43): Adam Martin 23, Wyatt Sanders 9, Garrett Hudspeth 6, Zach Thomas 3, Dalton McCollum 2
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL
2019-2020 SCHEDULE RESULTS
RECORD: 1-84A-4 RECORD: 1-1
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 - Heber Springs vs. Rose Bud *
December 27 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
December 28 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
January 7 - Pottsville ^
January 10 - at Subiaco Academy ^
January 14 - Dardanelle ^
January 17 - at Clarksville ^
January 21 - Morrilton ^
January 24 - Dover ^
January 28 - at Pottsville ^
January 31 - at Ozark ^
February 4 - at Dardanelle ^
February 7 - Subiaco Academy ^
February 11 - at Morrilton ^
February 14 - Clarksville (Senior Night) ^
February 17 - 4A-4 District at Dardanelle
(# - Denotes Conway St. Joseph Tournament)
(^ - Denotes 4A-4 conference contest)
(* - Steve Landers' Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic at Heber Springs)
Heber Springs’ Mary Shearer and Ozark’s Summer Joy fight for the basketball during 4A-4 action at the Panther Den on Friday. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
December 20, 2019
By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
Improved accuracy at the free-throw line paid dividends for the Heber Springs Lady Panthers at the Panther Den Friday.
The Lady Panthers made 14-of-18 free throws during the fourth quarter and defeated Ozark, 55-42, in a 4-4A Conference basketball game.
Libby Stutts hit 6-of-8 at the free-throw line during the fourth quarter. Ashley Spanel made 4-of-4 and Hailey Bresnahan converted 3-of-4 attempts. Ellie Riddle was 1-of-2 at the line.
The Lady Panthers made 25-of-33 free throws for the game. Jillian Herring led Heber Springs with 16 points. Ellie Riddle added 11 points and Stutts had 10 points. Carter Crane scored 17 points for Ozark and Mary-Grace Ree had 10 points.
“Our free-throw shooting was very big in winning the game,” coach Jamey Riddle said. “We had not been shooting free throws well. We also did what was needed during the final three games to win. We outplayed them in the last three quarters.”
Heber Springs switched its full-court press at the start of the second quarter and it led to success.
The Panther trailed 13-8 after the first quarter and reduced it to 22-19 by halftime.
“The full-court press we started was not working and I decided to make a change,” Riddle said. “We contained them better and kept the ball from Ozark’s big girl. We wanted to speed up the game.”
Heber Springs tied the game at 24-24 two minutes into the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Herring.
The Lady Panthers, who outscored Ozark 20-7 during the third quarter, gained a double digit lead and took a 39-29 lead into the fourth quarter.
Ellie Riddle and Claudia Newberry committed their fourth personal fouls late in the third quarter, but strong play off the bench helped to increase the lead. Riddle and Newberry returned with two minutes to play in the game.
“Mary Shearer has a lot of playing time and a senior that you can count on playing well,” Jamey Riddle said. “She goes hard for rebounds and does what we need to help the team succeed. Hailey gave us good minutes, made free throws and got defensive rebounds.”
Riddle also credited Herring and Stutts, especially for their play during the fourth quarter.
“Libby and Jillian waited for their time and got good shots in the fourth quarter,” Riddle said. “We were able to create one-on-one opportunities for them to drive.”
Heber Springs (2-0 in conference, 9-2 overall) is one of three teams (Morrilton and Clarksville) undefeated in conference play.
“We had to win at home because it will be tough at Ozark,” Riddle said. “We must win the home games. We got a big road win at Dover.”
Heber Springs will return to action at 6:30 p.m. Thursday against DeWitt at the Steve Landers Chevorlet-Heber Springs Holiday Tournament.
“We didn’t play well at the St. Joseph Tournament and hope to play well at our tournament,” Riddle said. “We will take the approach of a end-of-the-season tournament. We would like to win the tournament.”
On Dec. 16, Heber Springs traveled to White County Central and came away with a 51-31 nonconference victory.
Heber Springs led 30-14 at the half and 41-23 at the end of three quarters.
Ellie Riddle (13) and Claudia Newberry (11) each finished double figures in scoring for the Panthers.
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR GIRLS BOXSCORES
December 20 vs. Ozark
Ozark 13 9 7 13 - 42
Heber Springs 8 11 20 16 - 55
OZARK SCORING (42): Carter Crane 17, Mary-Grace Ree 10, Kelsee Barnett 5, Briley Burns 4, Summer Joy 3, Tanner Richard 3.
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (55): Jillian Herring 16, Ellie Riddle 11, Libby Stutts 10, Ashley Spanel 5, Hailey Bresnahan 5, Claudia Newberry 4, Mary Shearer 4.
December 16 at White County Central
White County Central 8 6 9 8 - 31
Heber Springs 21 9 11 10 - 51
WHITE COUNTY CENTRAL SCORING (31): Jaidyn Koerdt 6, Abigail Mullins 6, Makayla Baker 5, Hailey Jackson 4, Ashlyn Mullins 4, Destiny Clark 4, Kalista Altom 2
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (51): Ellie Riddle 13, Claudia Newberry 11, Jillian Herring 9, Ashley Spanel 7, Libby Stutts 6, Hailey Bresnahan 2, Kylie Carr 2, LiLi Chaney 1.
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR GIRLS
2019-2020 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
RECORD: 9-2
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 vs. DeWitt *
December 27 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
December 28 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
January 7 - Pottsville ^
January 9 - at Newport
January 14 - Dardanelle ^
January 17 - at Clarksville ^
January 21 - Morrilton ^
January 24 - Dover ^
January 28 - at Pottsville ^
January 31 - at Ozark ^
February 4 - at Dardanelle ^
February 11 - at Morrilton ^
February 14 - Clarksville (Senior Night) ^
February 17 - 4A-4 District at Dardanelle
(# - Denotes Conway St. Joseph Tournament)
(^ - Denotes 4A-4 conference contest)
(* - Denotes Steve Landers' Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Tournament at Heber Springs)
Heber Springs’ Conner Riddle gets past Ozark’s Kyle Archer as Heber Springs coach Dusty West looks on during junior boys action Friday night at the Panther Den. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
December 20, 2019
A sluggish start cost the Heber Springs junior boys basketball team Friday night at the Panther Den in a 4A-4 contest against Ozark in a 46-28 setback.
Ozark led 17-0 at end of the first quarter before a Xander Lindley free throw with 5:43 left in the second quarter put Heber Springs on the board.
Heber Springs would only manage Wyatt Winchester and Bauer Pruitt field goals in the first half as they trailed 29-9 at the break.
The Panthers would outscore the Hillbillies in the second half as Conner Riddle scored 16 of his game-high 19 points in the half
Cooper Watson paced Ozark with 18 points while Eli Masingale added 12.
Heber Springs (4-9 and 1-1 in the conference) will return to action on Jan. 7 when they host Pottsville in a 4A-4 contest at the Panther Den.
HEBER SPRINGS JUNIOR BOYS BASKETBALL
2019-2020 SCHEDULE/RESULTSCOACH: Chad Johnson
OVERALL RECORD: 4-9
4A-4 RECORD: 1-1
November 9 - Greenbrier 37, Heber Springs 17 ^
November 12 - Nemo Vista 45, Heber Springs 37
November 13 - Heber Springs 54, Yellville-Summit 50 ^
November 14 - Dover 43, Heber Springs 36 ^
November 19 - Heber Springs 44, South Side Bee Branch 38
November 21 - Riverview 51, Heber Springs 21
November 23 - Cabot South 8th 37, Heber Springs 33 *
November 23 - Conway Blue 71, Heber Springs 39 *
November 26 - Clinton 44, Heber Springs 27
December 10 - Heber Springs 45, Dover 33 #
December 13 - Marshall 46, Heber Springs 38
December 16 - Heber Springs 36, White County Central 35
December 20 - Ozark 46, Heber Springs 28 #
January 7 - Pottsville #
January 10 - at Subiaco Academy #
January 14 - Dardanelle #
January 16 - Mount Vernon-Enola
January 23 - Marshall
January 24 - Dover #
January 27 - at Mayflower
January 28 - at Pottsville #
January 31 - at Ozark #
February 3 - Quitman
February 4 - at Dardanelle #
Februaryr 7 - Subiaco Academy #
February 10 - District Tournament at Ozark
(^ - Denotes Marshall Tournament)
(* - Denotes Heber Springs Tournament)
(# - Denotes 4A-4 Conference Game)
