Heber Springs sophomore Conner Riddle dribbles past a Searcy defender Tuesday night at the Panther Den. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
Ready or not, the Heber Springs Panthers will begin the 4-4A Conference basketball schedule at Subiaco Academy on Friday.
In a final tune-up, the Panthers (1-7) led 40-39 going into the fourth quarter against Class 6A Searcy at the Panther Den Tuesday before dropping a 60-55 decision to the Lions in a nonconference game.
“The guys competed hard,” Heber Springs coach Dusty West said. “We made a lot of big shots during the first half and cooled off in the second half. Our defense was scrambling, and we were out of position at times, but the players gave great effort.”
Sophomore Conner Riddle scored a game-high 24 points for the Panthers. Braden Watson led Searcy with 16 points. Cameron Hicks contributed 14 points.
West said Riddle continues in his development not only as a scorer, but running the team’s offense.
“Conner had another great game,” West said. “He is handling the pressure of running the offense. He generated a lot of offense not only with his scoring, but getting the ball to other players for open shots.”
Ryan Crocker had one of his best performances this season by scoring 20 points.
“I challenged Ryan to be that type of player before the game,” West said. “He handled the pressure, did a good job of rebounding, utilized his size on defense and gave the other team a lot of trouble. He also did a good job of driving to the basket. We need to get that every game from him to do well in conference.”
After a 12-12 tie at the end of the first quarter, Heber Springs pulled ahead by scoring scoring quickly during the next two minutes. Logan Monahan made a 3-pointer and Riddle’s basket built the lead to 17-12.
Searcy responded with three unanswered baskets, but the Panthers regained the lead on a 3-pointer by Riddle, 20-18.
Searcy rallied for a 23-18 lead, but the Panthers finished the second quarter strong, outscoring the Lions 9-1 and led 29-24 at halftime.
Heber Springs survived a charge by the Lions during the third quarter. Crocker scored at the buzzer, giving the Panthers a 40-39 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Searcy took the lead midway through the fourth quarter and held off Heber Springs’ late challenge.
“Searcy switched from a zone to a man-to-man defense in the second half,” West said. “That was the difference in the game. I told the players before the game that the pressure was not on us to win because Searcy is a 6A school. The games that matter are conference games. We just need to go out there and give it our best shot, and we did that.”
Five nonconference games remain, but West said the team’s focus will be to become successful during conference play and make a run for the regional tournament.
“Games like against Searcy will help get us ready for conference play,” West said. “Our last two games (Riverview and Searcy) are similar teams in playing style of most of the conference teams. We are excited about Friday’s game.”
Searcy 12 12 15 21–60 Heber Springs 12 17 11 15–55 Searcy scorers — Braden Watson 16, Cameron Hicks 14, Ckyler Tenger 7, Jack Stafford 6, A’mariyon Briscoe 5, Willie Bowser 4, Landon Hambrick 2, Daniel Perry 2, Zyron Williams 2, Eli Wilson 2. Heber Springs scorers — Conner Riddle 24, Ryan Crocker 20, Logan Monahan 7, Gus Hannah 2, Austin Winchester 2.
Heber Springs’ Conner Riddle runs into a Conway St. Joseph defender in action Tuesday night from the Panther Den. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
Heber Springs never successfully solved Conway St. Joseph’s change of defense during the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s nonconference basketball game at the Panther Den.
St. Joseph went on a 21-7 fourth quarter scoring run and defeated the Panthers, 43-33.
Heber Springs led 18-16 at halftime and took a 26-24 lead into the fourth quarter.
“St. Joseph made defensive adjustments against what we were doing in the first half at halftime,” Heber Springs coach Dusty West said. “They were playing a 2-3 zone and a soft man-to-man defense during the first half. They switched to a full-court man defense and forced us to play at a different pace during the second half. We took a lot of quick shots and were held to seven points in the fourth quarter.”
West said work remains on the team’s conditioning, so the players can maintain that pace for four quarters.
“We looked tired and fouled too much,” he said. “We have been working on our conditioning. St. Joseph’s man defense made a difference in the fourth quarter. We were getting good shots in the second quarter, but we didn’t do that during the second half.”
St. Joseph built an 11-5 lead and increased it to 14-5 by early in the second quarter.
Conner Riddle led the Heber Springs’ rally, scoring eight points, while Ryan Crocker made a 3-pointer and Austin Winchester scored as Heber Springs led 18-16 at halftime.
The Panthers kept the momentum at the start of the second half and led 26-22 going into the fourth quarter.
Riddle scored 17 points for Heber Springs. Luke Bruich led St. Joseph with 18 points.
“Conner had a good game,” West said. “He handled the ball and the pressure of bringing the ball up well. I’m proud of how he played. The team keeps improving overall, but we let this game get away from us. We led going into the fourth quarter and had a change at winning.”
Heber Springs (1-5) will play Riverview in Searcy at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
“Riverview will be a challenge,” West said. “It will be a different style of game because Riverview will play at a faster pace. We are giving a great effort, and that is all you can ask from them.”
Conway St. Joseph 11 5 6 21–43 Heber Springs 5 13 8 7–33 Conway St. Joseph scorers — Luke Bruich 18, Luke Pope 8, Jake Hill 7, Jacob Williams 6, Gage Kordsmeier 3, Matt Brorman 1. Heber Springs scorers — Conner Riddle 17, Ryan Crocker 6, Austin Winchester 4, Gus Hannah 3, Logan Monahan 3.
Heber Springs’ Ryan Crocker in action against Greenbrier. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
The Heber Springs never got the offense rolling, scoring in single digits during each of the first three quarters, and lost to Greenbrier 65-28 in a nonconference boys’ high school basketball game at the Panther Den Thursday.
Greenbrier built a 13-2 first-quarter lead and went on a 25-7 scoring run during the second quarter and led 38-9 at halftime. Heber Springs trailed 52-16 going into the fourth quarter.
Wyatt Winchester scored six points for Heber Springs. Logan Monahan and Conner Riddle each had five points. Reece Jones led Greenbrier with 13 points and Marques Robinson contributed 10 points.
Heber Springs (0-3) is scheduled to play at Guy-Perkins on Monday and will host Shirley on Tuesday in nonconference games. Both games are set to start at 6 p.m.
Greenbrier 13 25 14 13–65 Heber Springs 2 7 7 12–28 Greenbrier scorers — Reece Jones 13, Marques Robinson 10, Bryce Webb 9, Jack Runsick 7, Jace Dunlap 7, Hayes Johnson 5, Dax Caughern 4, Nate Barrentine 3, Spencer Melton 3, Thomas Kendall 2, Gavin James 2. Heber Springs scorers — Wyatt Winchester 6, Logan Monahan 5, Conner Riddle 5, Bent McClain 3, J.T. Spears 3, Trevor Myrick 2, Ryan Crocker 2, Bauer Pruitt 2.
Heber Springs couldn’t overcome Central Arkansas Christian’s 8-0 scoring run at the start of the fourth quarter as the Panthers lost their basketball season opener 52-46 to the Mustangs at the Panther Den Thursday.
CAC held a 38-37 lead going into the fourth quarter. Andrew Haughaboo started CAC’s scoring run by making back-to-back 3-pointers. Karsen Richard connected on a jumper, increasing the lead to 46-37 with five minutes to go.
J.T. Spear, who transferred from CAC to Heber Springs this year, pulled the Panthers within 46-40 by making a 3-pointer. The Panthers never pulled closer.
“We were winded at the beginning of the fourth quarter and let No. 3 (Andrew Haughaboo) get loose for 3-point shots,” Heber Springs coach Dusty West said. “The 3-pointers separated us. We kept battling and adjusting to CAC’s defense, and they were resilient and played with a lot of pride.”
Bauer Pruitt, Logan Monahan and Ryan Crocker each scored 11 points for the Panthers. Haughaboo (19 points) and Richard (16 points) scored 35 of CAC’s 52 points.
“Three guys scored in double figures and for the first game, that was encouraging,” West said. “We had great effort and kept competing. I told the players if we kept doing that, we would have a chance to win in the fourth quarter.”
Monahan and Crocker are the only two Panthers who played last year. West said those players’ experience benefitted the team.
“A senior point guard (Monahan) is important,” West said. “Logan can take control and doesn’t let the pressure get to him. We have a lot of positives. We started three sophomores (Pruitt, Spear and Bent McClain), and they played well.”
Heber Springs trailed 10-8 midway through the first quarter. CAC went on an 8-0 lead before Monahan made a 3-pointer as the Panthers trailed 18-11 going into the second quarter.
The Mustangs maintained the lead throughout the second quarter. Heber Springs trailed 24-18, but made a move late in the first half. Crocker started the scoring run with a 3-pointer and McClain had a field reducing CAC’s lead to 24-23.
The Mustangs increased the lead to 28-23, but Spear pulled the Panthers within two points on a 3-pointer by halftime, 28-26.
Heber Springs took the early in the third quarter, 32-31, on 3-pointers by McClain and Crocker. CAC regained the lead until Pruitt’s 3-pointer gave the Panthers a 37-36 advantage late in the third quarter. Haughaboo made 2-of-2 free throws as CAC led 38-37 going into the fourth quarter.
West also liked the crowd support for the first home game.
“We had a great student section and a loud crowd,” he said. “The team gained confidence. We had a lot of new faces, and we will get a few more players from football. We are excited to get those guys because they will make us better. But we need to get to the free-throw line more. We only shot seven free throws. This team has a lot of potential.”
Heber Springs will host Batesville in a nonconference game Tuesday.
CAC 18 10 10 14–52 Heber Springs 11 15 11 9–46 CAC scorers — Andrew Haughaboo 19, Karsen Richard 16, Levi Smith 9, Jeff Gilbrech 4, Jack Devitt 3, Eli Echols 1. Heber Springs scorers — Bauer Pruitt 11, Logan Monahan 11, Ryan Crocker 11, J.T. Spear 8, Bent McClain 4, Harley Bresnahan 1.
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’ 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
Heber Springs dropped a pair of nonconference contests to end the week.
On Friday, the Panthers traveled to Marshall and were handed a 69-43 setback to the Bobcats.
On Thursday, Heber Springs got 33 points from Adam Martin in a losing effort dropping a 64-53 decision to South Side Bee Branch – its second loss to the Hornets in a week after falling to South Side Bee Branch on December 5 at the St. Joseph tournament.
In the rematch, Martin was 16-of-18 from the free-throw line on the night and scored 23 of his 33 points in the second half. Martin had 21 when the two teams squared off in Conway.
South Side Bee Branch’s Sevan Hurt led scorers with 36 points.
Heber Springs will travel to White County Central tonight for a nonconference contest.
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR BOYS BOXSCORES
December 12 at South Side Bee Branch
South Side Bee Branch 20 14 15 15 - 64
Heber Springs 6 17 13 17 - 53
SOUTH SIDE BEE BRANCH SCORING (64): Sevan Hurt 36, Parker Knapp 7, Brody Smith 6, Parker Hutchins 6, Stephen Walthall 5, Gage Johnston 2, David Justus 2
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (53): Adam Martin 33, Wyatt Sanders 6, Dalton McCollum 6, Gus Hannah 2, Garrett Hudspeth 2, Logan Monahan 2, Ryan Crocker 2
December 5 at Conway St. Joseph Tournament
South Side Bee Branch 16 15 8 11 - 50
Heber Springs 9 18 8 14 - 49
SOUTH SIDE BEE BRANCH (50): Sevan Hart 27, Parker Knapp 6, Parker Hutchins 5, Stephen Walthall 3, Ayden Griffith 3, Reece Beard 2, Kyle Evans 2, Brody Smith 2
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (49): Adam Martin 21, Garrett Hudspeth 11, Logan Monahan 6, Ryan Crocker 5, Dalton McCollum 4, Wyatt Sanders 2
December 3 at Conway St. Joseph Tournament
Conway St. Joseph 8 13 11 12 - 44
Heber Springs 8 5 4 4 - 21
CONWAY ST. JOSEPH SCORING (44): Luke Pope 13, John McKenna 6, Hunter Watkins 6, Luke Briggler 6, Luke Bruch 5, Caleb Hiegel 4, Ryan Davis 2, Gage Kordsmeier 2
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (21): Adam Martin 6, Dalton McCollum 6, Wyatt Sanders 3, Logan Monahan 3, Ryan Crocker 2, Garret Hudsepth 1
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL
2019-2020 SCHEDULE RESULTS
RECORD: 1-64A-4 RECORD: 1-0
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 - at White County Central
December 20 - Ozark ^
December 26 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
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)
DOVER – Heber Springs answered the challenge, broke into the win column for the first time this season and started the boys’ Conference 4-4A basketball schedule with a 37-32 win against Dover Tuesday.
The Panthers (1-0 in conference, 1-4 overall) played without Ryan Crocker and Logan Monahan, who missed the game because of illness. An ankle injury sidelined Hunter Griffin.
Adam Martin, who made 3-of-4 free throws in the final 30 seconds to preserve the lead, led Heber Springs with 15 points. Dalton McCollum contributed 11 points. Josh Besterfeldt led Dover (0-1 in conference, 4-5 overall) with nine points.
“This was a total team effort without a doubt,” Heber Springs coach Chad Johnson said. “We faced a lot of adversity with a starter (Crocker) and our sixth man (Monahan) out because of the flu. We lost one of our posts (Griffin) to an ankle injury. It was a tough environment, but we pulled out the win. I could not be more proud of the team.”
Dover took a 2-0 lead early in the first quarter. Heber Springs responded as Martin scored to tie the game. McCollum made two field goals, giving the Panthers a 6-2 lead going into the second quarter.
Heber Springs scored seven consecutive points to start the second quarter. Johnson said that was his team’s response to the challenge of starting the game fast.
“We had to play with intensity from the beginning of the game,” he said. “We wanted to take the game to them. We played a tremendous defensive game. Besterfeldt is a good player and Caden Frazier a good post. We defended both players well. Defense won this game.”
Dover kept within striking distance throughout the remainder of the first half. Each team each scored eight points as the Panthers led 21-10 at halftime.
Heber Springs’ advantage slipped to four points during the third quarter The Panthers withstood Dover’s challenge and took a 24-17 lead into the fourth quarter.
Dover pulled to within 34-30 with less than two minutes left in the game. Martin made 3-of-4 free throws during the final minute.
“I knew Dover would not roll over in the second half,” Johnson said. “They kept battling until the end of the game. We responded with good defense.” Heber Springs will play three straight nonconference road games against South Side Bee Branch today (Thursday), followed by Marshall (Friday) and White County Central (Tuesday). The Panthers will return to conference play by hosting Ozarks on Dec. 20.
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL
2019-2020 SCHEDULE RESULTS
RECORD: 1-44A-4 RECORD: 1-0
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 - at South Side Bee Branch
December 13 - at Marshall
December 16 - at White County Central
December 20 - Ozark ^
December 26 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
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)
Heber Springs dropped a 44-21 decision to Conway St. Joseph in a first-round contest from the Joe Mallett Classic.
The Panthers (0-3) will face either Shirley or South Side Bee Branch in consolation contest Thursday night at 8:15 at the St. Joseph Family Activity Center in Conway.
Over the Thanksgiving break, Heber Springs traveled to Clinton on November 26 and was a 71-35 setback.
The Panthers were held scoreless in the first quarter and trailed 34-15 at the half. Senior Adam Martin, who finished with 19 points and four 3-pointers, scored 11 of the Panthers first-half points including three 3-pointers.
Clinton’s Kragen Bradley led all scorers with 26 points, including 19 in the second half.
Clinton also lost it’s first-round contest at the Joe Mallett Classic so if the Yellowjackets and Panthers both win on Thursday night, the two teams would meet in the consolation championship at 1:20 p.m. on Saturday.
Clinton 14 20 20 17 – 71 Heber Springs 0 15 14 6 – 35 CLINTON SCORING (71):Â Kragen Bradley 26, Jasper Burgess 13, Zac Alexander 9, Reid Hensley 8, Lathan Newland 6, Harrison Hall 6, Nick Eppley 3. HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (35):Â Adam Martin 19, Dalton McCollum 4, Gus Hannah 3, Garrett Hudspeth 3, Logan Monahan 2, Ryan Crocker 2, Zach Thomas 1, Wyatt Sanders 1.
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL
2019-2020 SCHEDULE RESULTS
RECORD: 0-3
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 - vs. SS Bee Branch/Shirley #
December 10 - at Dover ^
December 13 - at Marshall
December 16 - at White County Central
December 20 - Ozark ^
December 26 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
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)
Heber Springs’ Dalton McCollum gets ready to shoot a free throw against Riverview during Thursday’s game at the Panther Den. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE McCARTY
November 21, 2019
By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
Only positives came from Heber Springs head coach Chad Johnson following Thursday’s 68-36 loss to Riverview in the basketball season opener at the Panther Den.
“They were only four days out of football, but practiced hard to prepare for the first game,” Johnson said. “The result was larger than the final score. We battled throughout the game. We are not in basketball shape yet and ran out of gas in the fourth quarter.”
Heber Springs trailed 16-10 after the first quarter. Riverview increased its lead to 26-15 with a 10-5 scoring run. The two teams battled almost even for the remainder of the second quarter as the Raiders led 38-25 at halftime.
The Panthers went cold in the third quarter as Riverview capitalized. The Raiders blew the game open with a 10-0 scoring run and led 51-32 going into the fourth quarter.
Adam Martin led the Panthers with 15 points, followed by Dalton McCollum with eight points. Cahill Overstreet and Myles Arnett scored 15 points for Riverview. Kahlil Blackmon and R.J. McCall each added 11 points.
“Riverview got its running game going and that led to the gap in the final score,” Johnson said. “I’m proud how the players performed. They battled and played with a lot of grit.” Johnson expects improvement with completion of the football season with the players concentrating on basketball.
“I love coaching players who want to be here and help the program,” he said. “They want to make the program successful.”
Clinton’s football season ended Friday and all players are expected to be available for Tuesday’s game.
“We will be playing a tough opponent for the second straight game,” Johnson said. “The players and I look forward to the challenge.”
The game will wrap up a four-game night, with the junior high girls starting the action at 4:30 p.m., followed by the junior boys and the two high school games.
Riverview 16 22 13 17 -68 Heber Springs 10 15 7 4 -36 RIVERVIEW SCORING (68): Cahill Overstreet 15, Myles Arnett 15, Ashton Williams 11, Kahlil Blackmon 11, R.J. McCall 5, Montrell Chatmon 4, Isaac Jiles 4, Jackson Thomas 3. HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (36): Adam Martin 15, Dalton McCollum 8, Wyatt Sanders 5, Garrett Hudspeth 4, Logan Monahan 2, Ryan Crocker 2.
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL
2019-2020 SCHEDULE RESULTS
RECORD: 0-1
November 21 - Riverview 68, Heber Springs 36
November 26 - at Clinton
December 2 - at Conway St. Joseph Tournament
December 10 - at Dover ^
December 13 - at Marshall
December 16 - at White County Central
December 20 - Ozark ^
December 26 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic
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 4A-4 conference contest)
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