Pea Ridge Archives - Marked Time

HSHS All-Decade Team: 2010s

The 2010s era of Heber Springs football was the most successful decade in school history with one perfect regular season, an outright conference title and two more that were shared. The decade also saw the Panthers reach the playoffs nine out of 10 seasons.

The 2010 season saw Steve Janski’s Panthers open with wins over Mountain View and Harding Academy before falling to Bald Knob and, in the conference opener, to Lonoke. A win over Stuttgart would follow with a setback at Marianna-Lee, before the Panthers would win four straight to close the regular season. A loss at Joe T. Robinson ended Heber Springs’ season with a 7-5 mark.

History would be made in 2011 as the Panthers opened the season by dominating defending 4A state champion Shiloh Christian, 36-17, in the opener at Reynolds’ Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. Heber Springs would put 49 on Harding Academy, 55 on Bald Knob and 63 on Lonoke, before winning at Stuttgart 28-21. No team in the regular season would get to less than two touchdowns the rest of the way as the Panthers completed a perfect regular season and the school’s first outright conference title sine 1979. The second-ranked Panthers would defeat Shiloh Christian again in a first-round playoff match-up at Panther Stadium before falling to Farmington to finish at 11-1 on the year. The 11 wins are the most in school history.

The 2012 team, opened with a loss to Pottsville and had a week 2 game at Harding Academy canceled after weather delays in the first half. A win over Gentry would make the Panthers 1-1 heading into conference play. Heber Springs would not repeat as conference champions finishing 2-4A play at 4-3, closing the regular season with a loss to new conference member Pine Bluff Dollarway. The Panthers would rebound in the playoffs downing Star City and Pea Ridge to reach the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Highland ended the Panthers season leaving Heber Springs with a 7-5 mark.

Janski’s last season at Heber Springs, 2013, would see the Panthers claim wins over Marianna-Lee and Southside Batesville but finish with a 2-8 mark.

Assistant coach David Farr was promoted to head coach for the 2014 campaign. The Panthers would down Clinton and Harding Academy in nonconference play before finishing 5-2 in conference play. The Panthers would drop Crossett in first-round playoff contest before seeing their season at Warren the following week to finish 8-4.

The offseason would see Farr take a job at Maumelle and long-time assistant coach Darren Gowen promoted to head coach. Heber Springs would open the 2015 season with a win over Clinton before falling to Greenbrier and Harding Academy in nonconference play. The Panthers would finish conference play at 4-3 to earn a playoff spot, but Star City would end Heber Springs’ season at 5-6.

The 2016 season saw Heber Springs start 0-3 in nonconference play before bouncing back to finish 6-1 in the 2-4A and earning a share of the conference title and the number 1 seed. After a first-round playoff bye, Shiloh Christian would end the Panthers season at 6-5.

In 2017, Heber Springs would open at 1-2 before earning another share of the 2-4A crown with a 6-1 conference mark. The three-way tie left the Panthers as the No. 3 seed where they would win a thrilling playoff contest at Gravette before falling at Gosnell to finish at 8-4. With the Panthers earning a share of the conference title, it was the first time since the 1979-1980 seasons that the Panthers had won at least a share of the conference title in back-to-back seasons. Those two teams joined the 1975-1976 teams as the only ones to accomplish that feat in school history.

The 2018 team attempted to be the first to win at least of share of a conference title in three consecutive seasons. After starting the season 0-3, Heber Springs would finish conference play at 6-1 but Stuttgart would win the crown with a 7-0 conference mark. The Panthers dominated former conference foe Pocahontas in first-round playoff match-up before losing at Rivercrest to finish 7-5.

Gowen would step down as head coach in the spring of 2019 to take a position in northwest Arkansas and Will Cox was promoted for the upcoming season. Heber Springs would fall to Clinton and Harding Academy in the final seconds in nonconference play, as well to Greenbrier, to start 0-3. The Panthers would finish conference play at 4-3 and get the No. 5 seed in the playoffs, after a four-way tie at the top. Shiloh Christian would end the Panthers season in the playoffs.

(Editor’s Note: The teams were selected based upon a vote by former players and coaches. They were asked to fill a ballot based upon positions. Players were allowed to a put a player in multiple positions (i.e. WR/DB). Votes were recorded based upon on the number of ballots a particular player was listed on. If a player was listed a multiple positions, they were still counted as being on one ballot. As with past decades, positions were kept fluid in order to ensure those that were on the most ballots would make the team. In several cases, there were players that received more votes for one position than the person selected for the all-decade team, but were on fewer ballots, and therefore did not make the team. In the previous decades, I was able to create a limit amount of all-purpose positions to cover those that may have been squeezed out of one position but were on more ballots than those who did make it (though not all-purpose positions do not mean those players were on fewer ballots, in many cases it was because a player exceled at so many positions that their votes were scattered). When it came time to do the 2010s, there were more votes cast by former players than any other decade. The votes were more varied than other decade. It created a situation were I was going to have to create a larger number of “all-purpose” positions to get everyone on the team that was going to get squeezed out because of the position that they played. So for this decade only, I created a second team. There are several players on the second team that were on more ballots than those on the first team, but I could not put them at position that did not play (an example would be if someone played WR/DB, I could not put them on the offensive line even though they were on more ballots than someone on first-team offensive line). That is just an example. Also, there is no punter on the second team, because all of those who received votes were already on the team so an extra “all-purpose” position was created in its place. And with ALL of the all-decade teams, there are some very, very good football players that didn’t make it and this decade was no exception. The hardest part of doing this was leaving out those who have contributed so much to the Panther program over the years. Coming in October, all those on any all-decade will be eligible to be voted on the all-time team that will be selected by a vote by the public).

The 2010s HSHS All-Decade Football Team

(Position, Player and Last Season Played)

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

WR – Clint Ligon (2012)

WR – Pierce Mitchum (2016)

OL – Jimbo Bodron (2010)

OL – J.J. Bray (2018)

OL – Andrew Davis (2011)

OL – Derrik Fisher (2012)

OL – Joseph Tharp (2010)

QB – Adam Martin (2019)

RB – Chandler Marquardt (2014)

RB – Markeyvus Mays (2011)

RB – Blaze Nelson (2018)

K – Julian Cameron (2018)

AP – Michael Ludwig (2011)

DEFENSE

DL – Chris Hart (2017)

DL – Zach McCormick (2014)

DL – Luke McGowan (2016)

LB – Geoffrey Anderson (2011)

LB – Ethan Bly (2012)

LB – James Ketchum (2015)

LB – Mason Williams (2010)

DB – Jacob Bremmon (2017)

DB – Micah Dew (2012)

DB – Nate Dew (2016)

DB – Brooks Morgan (2012)

P – Landon Glover (2011)

AP – Hunter Chandler (2015)

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE

WR – Andrew Hill (2010)

WR – Rocky Finney (2018)

OL – Austin Childers (2011)

OL – Harley Hannah (2019)

OL – Nate Hills (2013)

OL – Ethan Lee (2012)

OL – Dylan Platt (2015)

QB – Michael Kramer (2013)

RB – Chandler Jones (2014)

RB – Julio Rubio (2019)

RB/WR – Gunner Nelson (2012)

K – Edgar Torres (2015)

AP – Joseph Stacks (2017)

DEFENSE

DL – Dalton Hall (2018)

DL – Harley Hooten (2012)

DL – Kody Youngblood (2014)

LB – Fate Berry (2019)

LB – Dustin Ervin (2012)

LB – Wade Gilbrech (2012)

LB – Landon Johnson (2019)

DB – Caleb Carmikle (2010)

DB – Cooper Lawrence (2013)

DB – Jesse Lawrence (2011)

DB – Dillon Spivey (2017)

AP – Brandon Loethen (2017)

AP – Ian Lowe (2013)

PREVIOUS DECADES

The 2000s HSHS All-Decade Team

The 1990s HSHS All-Decade Team

The 1980s HSHS All-Decade Team

The 1970s HSHS All-Decade Team

The 1960s HSHS All-Decade Team

The 1950s HSHS All-Decade Team

The 1940s HSHS All-Decade Team

The 1930s HSHS All-Decade Team

The 1910s/20s HSHS All-Decade Team

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.

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.

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.

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

Heber Springs falls to Pea Ridge in semifinals

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.”

Cowboy Chevrolet Heber Springs Holiday Classic – Day Two

December 27, 2019

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

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.

Pea Ridge (12-2)      8 13 8 20 - 49
Heber Springs (10-3) 11 9 20  4 - 44
PEA RIDGE SCORING (49): Blakelee Winn 13, Aidan Dayberry 11,  Allisa Short 10, Lauren Wright 8, Ravin Cawthon 5, Josey Goldberg 2
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (44): Libby Stutts 16, Jillian Herring 16, Ellie Riddle 5, Claudia Newberry 4, Ashley Spanel 3.

GAME 6 – SENIOR BOYS

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.

VIDEO

Greene County Tech (10-1) 14  9 16 7 - 46
Sheridan (6-4)            11 13 12 7 - 43
GREENE COUNTY TECH SCORING (46): Zane Butler 19, Payton Laubach 8, Jayke Bolen 7, Dawson Greer 6, Brendan Chambers 3, Jackson Carr 2, Cade Cancilla 1
SHERIDAN SCORING (43): Tyler Cacciatori 20, Blake Morris 12, Jacob Hollinger 5, Jairus Adams 3, Ethan Odom 2, Seth Alexander 1

GAME 5 – SENIOR GIRLS

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.

Southside Batesville (11-2)  16 14 14 10 - 54
Mayflower (8-3)               6  8  8 10 - 32
SOUTHSIDE BATESVILLE SCORING (54): London Cuzzort 16, Brett Gardner 12, Reese Gardner 11, Shelby Warden 9, Olivia Allen 6 
MAYFLOWER SCORING (32): Kierra Fulton 9, Kamiah Turner 8, Jenna McMillen 5, Karley Brown 4, Bailey Francis 2, Kennedi Dawn 2, Mason Otts 2

GAME 4 – SENIOR BOYS

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.

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.

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.

Rose Bud (9-5)  7 14 15 15 - 51
DeWitt (4-5)    4  1 10  7 - 22
ROSE BUD SCORING (51): Kyndal Rooks 31, Skylar Wise 9, Hope Hartle 6, Briley Chandler 3, Emily Norris 2
DeWITT SCORING (22): Carrington Holliman 6, Ellie Cox 4, Abby Noblin 4, Kyla Wright 4, Jessalyn Ahrens 2, Jami Fluker 2

GAME 2 – SENIOR BOYS

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.

McCuien led all scorers with 29 points.

Southside Batesville (4-9) 21  7 13 13 - 54
Mayflower (8-4)             7 19 12 15 - 46
SOUTHSIDE BATESVILLE SCORING (54): Devan Halford 23, Trevor Longo 11, Blayne Bufford 10, Jonathan Shane 6, Jake Painter 4
MAYFLOWER SCORING (46): Braxtyn McCuien 29, Trent Long 7, Zak Fugatt 5, Jaheim Cummings 2, Westin Pickell 2, Tayshun Mattison 1

GAME 1 – SENIOR GIRLS

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

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)

Rose Bud tops Heber Springs in overtime

GAME 7 – SENIOR GIRLS

Heber Springs 70, DeWitt 34

Heber Springs tops DeWitt in senior girls play

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

Field set for 2019 Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic

Sheridan senior **Tyler Cacciatori** blocks out for a rebound against Batesville in the 2018 Cowboy Chervolet Holiday Classic at Heber Springs. Cacciatori signed with the University of Arkansas baseball team this week. His Yellowjackets will open with Mayflower on Dec. 26 in the 2019 tournament. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

November 21, 2019

The field has been announced for the annual Steve Landers Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic which will take place from December 26 through December 28 at the Panther Den in Heber Springs.

Defending champions Greene County Tech (boys) and Sheridan (girls) will be returning to defend their 2018 tournament titles. Almost the entire field returns for the 2019 version of the tournament with the lone exception of 2018 runner-up Riverview in the senior girls division. The Raiders have been replaced by Pea Ridge.

The two eight team divisions (boys and girls) features a bracket-style format with each team playing three games over three day.

STEVE LANDERS COWBOY CHEVROLET HOLIDAY CLASSIC
at HEBER SPRINGS
DECEMBER 26-28
SENIOR GIRLS
December 26
Game 1 - Southside Batesville vs. Greene County Tech, 11 a.m.
Game 3 - Mayflower vs. Sheridan, 1:30 p.m.
Game 5 - Pea Ridge vs. Rose Bud, 4 p.m.
Game 7 - Heber Springs vs. DeWitt, 6:30 p.m.
December 27
Game 9 - Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 1, 11 a.m.
Game 11 - Loser Game 7 vs. Loser Game 5, 1:30 p.m.
Game 13 - Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 1, 4 p.m.
Game 15 - Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 7, 6:30 p.m.
December 28
Game 17 - Loser Game 9 vs. Loser Game 11, 11 a.m.
Game 19 - Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 11, 1:30 p.m.
Game 21 - Loser Game 15 vs. Loser Game 13, 4 p.m.
Game 23 - Winner Game 15 vs. Winner Game 13, 6:30 p.m.
SENIOR BOYS
December 26
Game 2 - Southside Batesville vs. Greene County Tech, 12:15 p.m.
Game 4 - Mayflower vs. Sheridan, 2:45 p.m.
Game 6 - Batesville vs. DeWitt, 5:15 p.m.
Game 8 - Heber Springs vs. Rose Bud, 7:45 p.m.
December 27
Game 10 - Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 4, 12:15 p.m.
Game 12 - Loser Game 8 vs. Loser Game 6, 2:45 p.m.
Game 14 - Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 2, 5:15 p.m.
Game 16 - Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 6, 7:45 p.m.
December 28 
Game 18 - Loser Game 12 vs. Loser Game 10, 12:15 p.m.
Game 20 - Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 10, 2:45 p.m.
Game 22 - Loser Game 16 vs. Loser Game 14, 5:15 p.m.
Game 24 - Winner Game 16 vs. Winner Game 14, 7:45 p.m.

Like Father, Like Daughter

Mooneyhan sets 4A state pole vault mark

April 30, 2019

By Philip Seaton

BATESVILLE – There has to be something about Pioneer Stadium at Batesville High School for the Mooneyhan family.

In 1987, then Heber Springs junior Walter Mooneyhan set a then personal best when he cleared 15-6 in the pole vault at the Pioneer Relays. Mooneyhan would go on to break the AA and state overall pole vault record a few weeks later at the AA state meet at Beebe when he cleared 15-4 and half inches. He bettered Heber Springs’ Mark Rezanka’s AA state record of 14-9 set in 1983 and Fort Smith Northside’s Greg Pickett’s overall mark of 15-4 set in 1975.

Flash forward to Tuesday at the 4A state track meet at Pioneer Stadium, Walter’s daughter, Pea Ridge junior Cassidy Mooneyhan, cleared 12-7 which is a new personal best but more importantly also set the new standard in 4A shattering the old mark of 11-6 set by Mena’s Staci Yahn in 2006.

She missed out on clearing 13-feet on three attempts.

“I have wanted to jump 13-feet since seventh-grade,” Cassidy said and though she didn’t get that height on Tuesday she was still elated to get the state record. “It think it’s so awesome.

“It’s something I’ve worked so long for and especially to get it my junior year instead of senior year really surprised me … that means a lot to me.”

The record also meant a lot to her vaulting coach, her father.

“I’ve been inside the ropes with her since she started in the seventh grade,” Walter said. “I have got to watch her progress all the way through. She’s incredibly coachable, incredibly aggressive, and incredibly competitive. On top of that she is a nice person. So that combination makes me incredibly proud.”

Walter, who works at the home office of Wal-Mart in Bentonville, has been a volunteer coach for the Pea Ridge track program since his daughter took an interest in the sport.

“I went through the registered volunteer program through the AAA (Arkansas Activities Association),” Walter said. “You have to specify a sport you are going to help with, and obviously I choose the vault, so I’ve gotten to be inside the ropes.”

Pea Ridge built a new track five years ago.

“The coaches didn’t have any experience in the vault, because they never had the vault,” Walter said. “Somehow everything just came together. (Pea Ridge) coach Heather Wade is the senior high girls track coach and she has been gracious enough to let me inside the ropes.”

While Walter’s vaulting exploits are legendary in the track and field circles, Cassidy was unaware of her father’s accomplishments.

“I didn’t even know he was a good vaulter,” Cassidy said. “He’s the most humble person ever. He rarely talked it, so I didn’t even know he was a good vaulter. All through the years, he slowly started talking about it more. I realized after the first year (that I was vaulting that) he was very good.”

If Cassidy didn’t know of her father’s exploits, how did she get started in the sport?

“A girl I knew in the was doing it when I was in seventh grade, so I tried it,” Cassidy said. “So I came home, told him I wanted to try it and he just came and helped us out.”

Cassidy’s also finished second in the 100 and 200, behind teammate Blakelee Winn in both races, to help her team accomplish something her father’s never did, win a state title.

“It means so much,” Cassidy said. “I think it’s so cool to follow in his footsteps and to have him here with me.”