By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The 5A-East Conference race became clearer after just one game as Beebe clobbered Blytheville 48-26 in a lopsided battle between two projected league frontrunners at Badger Sports Arena on Friday.
The Badgers (10-3, 1-0) dominated in all phases and held the Chickasaws (8-7, 0-1) to four points through the second and third quarters combined. Beebe led 35-13 after three quarters before easing up on defensive chokehold that kept the normally sharp-shooting Chicks mostly paralyzed.
Junior Austin Burroughs led the Badgers with 18 points after an offensive performance that seemed effortless, while guards Brandon Fuller and Tanner Chapman kept the ball out of Blytheville’s hands for the most part in the second half.
“I just thought we played with great focus tonight,” Badgers coach Ryan Marshall said. “I thought we really focused in on their personnel, and their execution offensively. I don’t know the rebounding stats right now, but I don’t remember them getting any offensive rebounds. I thought we did a good job of checking them off the boards and then taking care of the ball for the most part.”
Beebe won the rebounding battle just as decisively at 29-16 and forced 15 Chickasaw turnovers while committing just six of its own. Senior forward Dayton Scott led on the boards with eight rebounds, five of which were defensive, and also added nine points.
“To be honest, they have a great ball club, but any time you’ve got that many athletes, you never really know what’s going to happen with them,” Marshall said. “We scouted them on Tuesday night, and I honestly felt like if we could take care of the ball and keep them off the boards, we had a chance to beat them. I never thought it would be that comfortable at the end, and they had one of their post players who didn’t play until the second half. He’ll make a difference when he’s healthy, and they’re going to shoot the ball a little bit better at times, but I thought we just really had a great game as far as overall basketball.”
Burroughs hit from all points on the floor with a number of shots that barely touched cord on their way through, while senior Zach May proved he could score with more than just three pointers as he drove into the paint for the majority of his 14 points.
“His confidence is just at another level,” Marshall said of Burroughs. “I watched tape on him from last year, and it’s funny to see the improvement he’s made since then, and I thought he showed leadership tonight from the standpoint that he was ready to take shots and knock them down.”
Burroughs did not get on the scoreboard until the 2:14 mark of the first quarter when he hit both ends of a two-shot foul to give the Badgers a 9-6 lead, but he owned the second quarter with 10 of Beebe’s 16 points.
The Badgers were working a second-quarter shutout on the Chickasaws until their sub point-guard made a jumper in the paint with 17 seconds left until halftime to make the margin 25-11.
Beebe hit Blytheville with an all out Zach attack to start the second half as May scored on a lay in before Zach Baker hit a jumper in the paint to give the Badgers a 29-11 lead with 6:52 remaining in the third quarter. May then scored again on another lay in off the glass to make it 31-11, and Burroughs finished the period with a basket and free throw that put Beebe’s advantage at 35-13 with 3:41 still left on the clock.
Chapman and Fuller played keep away from the Chickasaws defense the rest of the way while demonstrating their ball-handling skills, as Chapman also led defensively for Beebe with three steals. For Blytheville, Keandre Diamond led with eight points.
The Badgers were off on Tuesday and will return to 5A-East play at Paragould on Friday.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
SPORTS >> Madden becomes go-to guy
By Nate Allen
For some teams, one basketball court might not be big enough for two freshman guards used to scoring like Arkansas’ B.J. Young of St. Louis and Ky Madden of Lepanto.
Turns out, not only is the court big enough for both, but so is the bench.
Their latest off the bench venture, last Saturday night’s 98-88 SEC opening upset over No. 15 Mississippi State, former East Poinsett County star Madden, scored 11 points in 21 minutes and grabbed a team-leading six rebounds.
Young surged off the bench to tie starting junior point guard Julysses Nobles with a team-high 24 points, including 18 in the second half after Nobles sparked the first half with 15.
For his 24 points against Mississippi State and his 17-point outing Jan. 3 in the 83-66 victory over Savannah State, Young was named the SEC Freshman of the Week by the SEC Office in Birmingham, Ala.
Young doled out more thanks than an Academy Award winner.
“I was just notified about SEC Freshman of the Week,” Young said before the Razorbacks’ Monday afternoon practice. “I’m very thankful for that. I want to thank all my coaches and teammates for putting me in a good position to make plays for my team against Mississippi State. I want to thank everybody in the Arkansas fan base for helping me get here.”
Madden was thankful for his fellow freshman.
“I am very excited for him,” Madden said. “He works hard every day and it’s something he deserves.”
First-year coach Mike Anderson’s Razorbacks are 12-3 and 1-0 despite losing their best and most experienced player, junior two-year letterman Marshawn Powell, to a season-ending knee injury back in November.
Powell’s absence would have been all the more reason for any of the four touted freshmen, Young, Madden and big men Hunter Mickelson and Devonta Abron, to become spotlight hogs more than basketball Hogs, but none have.
All the rookies and all the upperclassmen have done things other than score.
“You know that’s something we have got to do,” Madden said. “Everybody can’t go out there and score. Somebody has got to go out there and play defense. Somebody has got to rebound. There are some things we have to do in order to win. And the main goal is to win.”
And for Arkansas to win, it often has meant Young scoring most and doing some other things. It’s meant Abron, 6-8, 250 banging inside and doing some other things, and Mickelson blocking shots and doing some other things, and Madden, maybe more than all, doing a little bit of everything.
His 6-5 height and skill makes him that tweener big guard/small forward who can rebound, handle the ball, defend and shoot. He maybe doesn’t do any one of these better than the rest, but none are better than him at doing all of them.
“I think guys are understanding the roles they’re going to play,” Anderson said. “Let’s say a guy like Ky Madden, a guy that’ s got to come off the bench and give us a big lift. His versatility is important for our basketball team.”
Never playing off the bench at East Poinsett County or in AAU ball for the vaunted Arkansas Wings, Madden said he’s learned to observe from the bench what’s most needed when summoned.
“That’s what Coach A has been on me to do, a little bit of everything,” Madden said. “And that would do a lot to help our team win. So that’s what I feel I need to bring into the game.”
For some teams, one basketball court might not be big enough for two freshman guards used to scoring like Arkansas’ B.J. Young of St. Louis and Ky Madden of Lepanto.
Turns out, not only is the court big enough for both, but so is the bench.
Their latest off the bench venture, last Saturday night’s 98-88 SEC opening upset over No. 15 Mississippi State, former East Poinsett County star Madden, scored 11 points in 21 minutes and grabbed a team-leading six rebounds.
Young surged off the bench to tie starting junior point guard Julysses Nobles with a team-high 24 points, including 18 in the second half after Nobles sparked the first half with 15.
For his 24 points against Mississippi State and his 17-point outing Jan. 3 in the 83-66 victory over Savannah State, Young was named the SEC Freshman of the Week by the SEC Office in Birmingham, Ala.
Young doled out more thanks than an Academy Award winner.
“I was just notified about SEC Freshman of the Week,” Young said before the Razorbacks’ Monday afternoon practice. “I’m very thankful for that. I want to thank all my coaches and teammates for putting me in a good position to make plays for my team against Mississippi State. I want to thank everybody in the Arkansas fan base for helping me get here.”
Madden was thankful for his fellow freshman.
“I am very excited for him,” Madden said. “He works hard every day and it’s something he deserves.”
First-year coach Mike Anderson’s Razorbacks are 12-3 and 1-0 despite losing their best and most experienced player, junior two-year letterman Marshawn Powell, to a season-ending knee injury back in November.
Powell’s absence would have been all the more reason for any of the four touted freshmen, Young, Madden and big men Hunter Mickelson and Devonta Abron, to become spotlight hogs more than basketball Hogs, but none have.
All the rookies and all the upperclassmen have done things other than score.
“You know that’s something we have got to do,” Madden said. “Everybody can’t go out there and score. Somebody has got to go out there and play defense. Somebody has got to rebound. There are some things we have to do in order to win. And the main goal is to win.”
And for Arkansas to win, it often has meant Young scoring most and doing some other things. It’s meant Abron, 6-8, 250 banging inside and doing some other things, and Mickelson blocking shots and doing some other things, and Madden, maybe more than all, doing a little bit of everything.
His 6-5 height and skill makes him that tweener big guard/small forward who can rebound, handle the ball, defend and shoot. He maybe doesn’t do any one of these better than the rest, but none are better than him at doing all of them.
“I think guys are understanding the roles they’re going to play,” Anderson said. “Let’s say a guy like Ky Madden, a guy that’ s got to come off the bench and give us a big lift. His versatility is important for our basketball team.”
Never playing off the bench at East Poinsett County or in AAU ball for the vaunted Arkansas Wings, Madden said he’s learned to observe from the bench what’s most needed when summoned.
“That’s what Coach A has been on me to do, a little bit of everything,” Madden said. “And that would do a lot to help our team win. So that’s what I feel I need to bring into the game.”
SPORTS >> Bears lose overtime game at Lexington
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Sylvan Hills got everything it wanted out of its trip to Lexington, Ky., except a victory. The Bears traveled to the town of senior Archie Goodwin’s future college home to take on the host team Lexington-Catholic in the Dunkin Donuts National Shootout.
The Bears took the 13-3 Knights to overtime on their home floor, but were outscored in the extra period 14-10 and fell 75-71 despite a 37-point performance by Goodwin.
“We certainly enjoyed it,” Sylvan Hills coach Kevin Davis said. “It would’ve been a lot more enjoyable if we’d have come out of there with a win. But it was a great experience.”
The Bears played a night game in the eight-team event, so they, along with Clarksville-Northeast of Clarksville, Tenn., got to take in the Kentucky-South Carolina basketball game that afternoon at Rupp Arena. Clarksville-Northeast features Goodwin’s future teammate at Kentucky, Alex Poythress.
Once in Catholic’s gym, the visiting team was surprised by the reception.
“It’s not often you’re the opposing team and you get cheered when they announce you,” Davis said. That was a neat experience. They definitely wanted to see their recruit and he answered the call for sure.”
The Bears played one of their better games of the season. Davis said of Lexington-Catholic, “besides probably Southwind out of Memphis, that’s the best team we’ve played this year.”
Davis’ squad dominated the stat sheet, but couldn’t overcome an extraordinary shooting night by the Knights. Catholic hit 10 three pointers, including six by Vanderbilt signee Jack Whitman, who finished with 25 points.
“We played really hard,” Davis said. “We out-rebounded them and we had a major size disadvantage. They had a 6-foot-9 and two at 6-6, and we beat them on the boards. We forced some turnovers and shot a higher percentage than they did at the free-throw line, which is something we’ve been waiting to happen.”
The Bears hit 15 of 17 foul shots, which is what Davis was used to.
“You look at our percentages this year and you’re thinking, this is not us,” Davis said. “We’re a 75-percent team and you just know that we’re not doing something right to be shooting that poorly from the line. We’ve worked hard on it. To come in here and shoot it like that is encouraging and hopefully we’ll keep that up.”
Free throws proved the difference in overtime. After four quarters, The Bears had taken 13 foul shots while the Knights had taken seven. In just the four minute overtime, the Knights’ free-throw total had tripled to 21.
“They cheered us but we were the visiting team,” Davis said. “That was a little odd for them to suddenly start getting to the line every trip, but you expect the home team to get most of the close calls in a game like that. We had some opportunities to put it away before the overtime.”
The Bears are now 10-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play. They take one more break from in-state play to travel to Springfield, Mo., this weekend to play in the 28th annual Bass Pro Shop Tournament of Champions. The Bears begin play in that tournament at 8 p.m. Thursday against Christ the King Academy of Queens, NY.
Leader sports editor
Sylvan Hills got everything it wanted out of its trip to Lexington, Ky., except a victory. The Bears traveled to the town of senior Archie Goodwin’s future college home to take on the host team Lexington-Catholic in the Dunkin Donuts National Shootout.
The Bears took the 13-3 Knights to overtime on their home floor, but were outscored in the extra period 14-10 and fell 75-71 despite a 37-point performance by Goodwin.
“We certainly enjoyed it,” Sylvan Hills coach Kevin Davis said. “It would’ve been a lot more enjoyable if we’d have come out of there with a win. But it was a great experience.”
The Bears played a night game in the eight-team event, so they, along with Clarksville-Northeast of Clarksville, Tenn., got to take in the Kentucky-South Carolina basketball game that afternoon at Rupp Arena. Clarksville-Northeast features Goodwin’s future teammate at Kentucky, Alex Poythress.
Once in Catholic’s gym, the visiting team was surprised by the reception.
“It’s not often you’re the opposing team and you get cheered when they announce you,” Davis said. That was a neat experience. They definitely wanted to see their recruit and he answered the call for sure.”
The Bears played one of their better games of the season. Davis said of Lexington-Catholic, “besides probably Southwind out of Memphis, that’s the best team we’ve played this year.”
Davis’ squad dominated the stat sheet, but couldn’t overcome an extraordinary shooting night by the Knights. Catholic hit 10 three pointers, including six by Vanderbilt signee Jack Whitman, who finished with 25 points.
“We played really hard,” Davis said. “We out-rebounded them and we had a major size disadvantage. They had a 6-foot-9 and two at 6-6, and we beat them on the boards. We forced some turnovers and shot a higher percentage than they did at the free-throw line, which is something we’ve been waiting to happen.”
The Bears hit 15 of 17 foul shots, which is what Davis was used to.
“You look at our percentages this year and you’re thinking, this is not us,” Davis said. “We’re a 75-percent team and you just know that we’re not doing something right to be shooting that poorly from the line. We’ve worked hard on it. To come in here and shoot it like that is encouraging and hopefully we’ll keep that up.”
Free throws proved the difference in overtime. After four quarters, The Bears had taken 13 foul shots while the Knights had taken seven. In just the four minute overtime, the Knights’ free-throw total had tripled to 21.
“They cheered us but we were the visiting team,” Davis said. “That was a little odd for them to suddenly start getting to the line every trip, but you expect the home team to get most of the close calls in a game like that. We had some opportunities to put it away before the overtime.”
The Bears are now 10-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play. They take one more break from in-state play to travel to Springfield, Mo., this weekend to play in the 28th annual Bass Pro Shop Tournament of Champions. The Bears begin play in that tournament at 8 p.m. Thursday against Christ the King Academy of Queens, NY.
SPORTS >> Buzzer beater sinks Panthers
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
No matter what happens the rest of the season, Cabot’s home conference opener against Conway on Friday will be remembered as the one, and hopefully for Cabot the only one, that got away. The Panthers blew a 10-point fourth quarter lead and fell 45-43 to the Wampus Cats for their first loss of the season.
“We missed the little bunnies (Cabot coach Jerry Bridges’ term for layups) and we missed free throws down the stretch,” Bridges said. “We gave this one away.”
While Cabot certainly played a role in giving up a double-digit lead, it wasn’t entirely a giveaway. Conway guard Tim Boyd, who nearly single-handedly kept his team in the game, swished a double-teamed three pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining that set the final margin. It was Conway’s first lead since 10-8 at the end of the first quarter.
“It was a very good player making a great play,” Bridges said of Boyd’s shot. “That was good defense. We knew they were probably going to him and we were on him. He just made a great play. But we’ve got to do a better job of putting teams away and not letting them be in position to win it when we have them down like that.”
Cabot made just one field goal in the fourth quarter and missed three of four free-throw attempts in the final 1:50 of the game. Leading 43-39, Sam Howe made one of two at the line. Seconds later, Conway’s Garan Davis nailed a three pointer to make it a one-point game. Conway fouled Adam Rock with 53 seconds to go and he missed both free throws. Conway lost it out of bounds on its next possession and Cabot called timeout with 14.7 seconds remaining.
On the inbounds play from underneath Conway’s basket, Cabot got Jordan Brunett loose on the runout, but Brunett missed a wide-open layup and Cabot knocked the ball out of bounds going for the rebound. The clock did not start on the play, and after the officials conferred, they put 14.3 seconds on the clock for Conway, setting up Boyd’s game winner.
Cabot got one final shot, and Arthur West barely missed a 30-plus-foot three pointer at the buzzer.
“They messed up on the clock,” Bridges said. “There’s no way that play only took four-tenths of a second, but there’s no excuses for this one. Like I said, we gave it away.”
Cabot (9-1, 0-1) got eight points from Howe and Josiah Wymer. Wymer also led the team in rebounds with nine. Boyd was the only player in the game to score in double figures. He finished with 21 points, including five three pointers in eight attempts.
Cabot was bad from the free-throw line. Conway was worse. The Panthers made six of 14 attempts while the Wampus Cats hit seven of 21. The Panthers won the rebounding battle 28-21.
Conway was better from three-point land than from two-point range. The Wampus Cats hit 41 percent of their three-point attempts (7 of 17), and were below 30 percent elsewhere (8 of 27).
Cabot was 18 of 44 from the field, including one of eight from three-point range.
The Panthers were at Catholic on Tuesday and travel to North Little Rock on Friday.
Leader sports editor
No matter what happens the rest of the season, Cabot’s home conference opener against Conway on Friday will be remembered as the one, and hopefully for Cabot the only one, that got away. The Panthers blew a 10-point fourth quarter lead and fell 45-43 to the Wampus Cats for their first loss of the season.
“We missed the little bunnies (Cabot coach Jerry Bridges’ term for layups) and we missed free throws down the stretch,” Bridges said. “We gave this one away.”
While Cabot certainly played a role in giving up a double-digit lead, it wasn’t entirely a giveaway. Conway guard Tim Boyd, who nearly single-handedly kept his team in the game, swished a double-teamed three pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining that set the final margin. It was Conway’s first lead since 10-8 at the end of the first quarter.
“It was a very good player making a great play,” Bridges said of Boyd’s shot. “That was good defense. We knew they were probably going to him and we were on him. He just made a great play. But we’ve got to do a better job of putting teams away and not letting them be in position to win it when we have them down like that.”
Cabot made just one field goal in the fourth quarter and missed three of four free-throw attempts in the final 1:50 of the game. Leading 43-39, Sam Howe made one of two at the line. Seconds later, Conway’s Garan Davis nailed a three pointer to make it a one-point game. Conway fouled Adam Rock with 53 seconds to go and he missed both free throws. Conway lost it out of bounds on its next possession and Cabot called timeout with 14.7 seconds remaining.
On the inbounds play from underneath Conway’s basket, Cabot got Jordan Brunett loose on the runout, but Brunett missed a wide-open layup and Cabot knocked the ball out of bounds going for the rebound. The clock did not start on the play, and after the officials conferred, they put 14.3 seconds on the clock for Conway, setting up Boyd’s game winner.
Cabot got one final shot, and Arthur West barely missed a 30-plus-foot three pointer at the buzzer.
“They messed up on the clock,” Bridges said. “There’s no way that play only took four-tenths of a second, but there’s no excuses for this one. Like I said, we gave it away.”
Cabot (9-1, 0-1) got eight points from Howe and Josiah Wymer. Wymer also led the team in rebounds with nine. Boyd was the only player in the game to score in double figures. He finished with 21 points, including five three pointers in eight attempts.
Cabot was bad from the free-throw line. Conway was worse. The Panthers made six of 14 attempts while the Wampus Cats hit seven of 21. The Panthers won the rebounding battle 28-21.
Conway was better from three-point land than from two-point range. The Wampus Cats hit 41 percent of their three-point attempts (7 of 17), and were below 30 percent elsewhere (8 of 27).
Cabot was 18 of 44 from the field, including one of eight from three-point range.
The Panthers were at Catholic on Tuesday and travel to North Little Rock on Friday.
SPORTS >> Lady Panthers control Conway
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Conway jumped out to a quick 8-4 lead on the Cabot Lady Panthers early in Friday’s 7A Central conference matchup, but the Lady Wampus Cats couldn’t handle Cabot’s early pressure and couldn’t contain their outside shooting as the Lady Panthers won 70-58 at Panther Arena.
With senior post player and leading scorer Melissa Wolff on the bench early with foul trouble, Cabot’s guards picked up the slack. Cabot forced eight Conway turnovers in the first quarter, including three steals by point guard Jaylin Bridges. Bridges also hit two three-pointers while guard Micah Odom came off the bench to nail another one as the Lady Panthers finished the first quarter with a 13-2 run and took a 17-10 lead into the second frame.
“We’ve had players step up all year when we’ve needed them to,” Cabot coach Carla Crowder said. “I thought we played really good defense and played pretty well overall tonight.”
Conway’s Claire Hobbs led the early assault that gave her squad the brief lead. She got back-to-back steals and layups and added a three pointer for a 7-0 streak on her own. McCall Wilkins scored the Lady Wampus Cats other three points in the quarter, but from that point, it was Enjonae Chambers that kept Conway in the game.
Chambers led a brief rally in the second quarter that gave the Wampus Cats a 26-24 lead with barely more than two minutes left in the half, but Cabot closed the half with another run and was in control the rest of the way.
Cabot got 10 of its 17 second-quarter points from the bench. Maddie Smith and Alexandra VanEnk contributed three pointers while Sarah Fowler and Smith added a basket apiece to the run. Elliot Taylor scored five, including an and-one play that gave Cabot back the lead for good at 29-26 with 1:50 left in the half.
VanEnk’s three pointer closed a 12-0 Cabot run at 36-26 with a minute left. Conway’s Madison Foster hit two free throws to make it 36-28 at halftime.
The pace dipped slightly in the third quarter, but three pointers from both teams kept it exciting. Bridges ripped off three more from behind the arc as Cabot’s lead grew to 49-36 by quarter’s end.
The Lady Panthers’ lead peaked at 55-39 with 5:02 remaining and Cabot threatened to run away with the win, but Chambers and Hobbs rallied again to keep the score respectable.
Bridges led Cabot (13-4, 1-0) with 17 points and seven steals and also had five rebounds. Wolff got back into the flow in the fourth quarter to finish with 13. She scored nine of those in the final frame. Taylor was a free throw away from a double-double. She finished with nine points and 11 rebounds.
Conway got all of its point production from the starting five, and all but 10 from Chambers, Hobbs and Foster. Chambers had a game-high 24 points while Hobbs scored 13 and Foster 11.
Cabot played at Mount St. Mary’s last night and go on the road again on Friday to face North Little Rock.
Leader sports editor
Conway jumped out to a quick 8-4 lead on the Cabot Lady Panthers early in Friday’s 7A Central conference matchup, but the Lady Wampus Cats couldn’t handle Cabot’s early pressure and couldn’t contain their outside shooting as the Lady Panthers won 70-58 at Panther Arena.
With senior post player and leading scorer Melissa Wolff on the bench early with foul trouble, Cabot’s guards picked up the slack. Cabot forced eight Conway turnovers in the first quarter, including three steals by point guard Jaylin Bridges. Bridges also hit two three-pointers while guard Micah Odom came off the bench to nail another one as the Lady Panthers finished the first quarter with a 13-2 run and took a 17-10 lead into the second frame.
“We’ve had players step up all year when we’ve needed them to,” Cabot coach Carla Crowder said. “I thought we played really good defense and played pretty well overall tonight.”
Conway’s Claire Hobbs led the early assault that gave her squad the brief lead. She got back-to-back steals and layups and added a three pointer for a 7-0 streak on her own. McCall Wilkins scored the Lady Wampus Cats other three points in the quarter, but from that point, it was Enjonae Chambers that kept Conway in the game.
Chambers led a brief rally in the second quarter that gave the Wampus Cats a 26-24 lead with barely more than two minutes left in the half, but Cabot closed the half with another run and was in control the rest of the way.
Cabot got 10 of its 17 second-quarter points from the bench. Maddie Smith and Alexandra VanEnk contributed three pointers while Sarah Fowler and Smith added a basket apiece to the run. Elliot Taylor scored five, including an and-one play that gave Cabot back the lead for good at 29-26 with 1:50 left in the half.
VanEnk’s three pointer closed a 12-0 Cabot run at 36-26 with a minute left. Conway’s Madison Foster hit two free throws to make it 36-28 at halftime.
The pace dipped slightly in the third quarter, but three pointers from both teams kept it exciting. Bridges ripped off three more from behind the arc as Cabot’s lead grew to 49-36 by quarter’s end.
The Lady Panthers’ lead peaked at 55-39 with 5:02 remaining and Cabot threatened to run away with the win, but Chambers and Hobbs rallied again to keep the score respectable.
Bridges led Cabot (13-4, 1-0) with 17 points and seven steals and also had five rebounds. Wolff got back into the flow in the fourth quarter to finish with 13. She scored nine of those in the final frame. Taylor was a free throw away from a double-double. She finished with nine points and 11 rebounds.
Conway got all of its point production from the starting five, and all but 10 from Chambers, Hobbs and Foster. Chambers had a game-high 24 points while Hobbs scored 13 and Foster 11.
Cabot played at Mount St. Mary’s last night and go on the road again on Friday to face North Little Rock.
Monday, January 09, 2012
TOP STORY >> Skating rink owner faces felony charges
By SARAH CAMPBELL
Leader staff writer
Skateworld in Jacksonville will try to salvage its reputation after its owner was arrested last weekend for the second-degree assault of a 5-year-old girl.
Robert Allen Borders, 47, of Lonoke, who owns the business but not the property, was arrested at 9:05 p.m. Dec. 30 after police responded to a report of an incident at Skateworld, 521 J.P. Wright Loop Road.
Borders did not respond to a phone call from The Leader.
The business has a new sign promoting its new management. Borders’ 22-year-old son, Robert “Bob” Borders, is now in charge. The son said he did not want to talk about the incident or about taking over the business.
According to the police report, the victim told officers, “Robert tried to get me to go to the bathroom with him. He rubbed my butt and touched my neck. I climbed under the table when he touched my neck.”
One of several witnesses said, “He was standing by the bathroom trying to get her to go with him. When she said no, he shook his head yes,” according to the report.
Another witness said he saw Borders touch the girl, and he moved her away from him.
Borders said the night of his arrest that he didn’t know why the police were at the business. When police asked if he had been alone with any small children within the past hour, he told them he had been with a black girl inside the DJ booth, which is not fully enclosed. When asked if it was secluded from the rest of the rink, Borders said, “There were people around.”
Borders was released at 1 p.m. Dec. 31 on a $5,000 bond. The rink still held its annual New Year’s Eve lock-in from 6 p.m. that day to 7 a.m. Jan. 1. Admission to the lock-in was $20 and that included drinks and pizza.
If he is convicted of the felony charge, Borders could be sentenced to 5 to 20 years in prison, unless he receives a plea bargain.
According to the Jacksonville District Court, the Pulaski County District Court and the Pulaski County Circuit Court, Borders has not been on trial for any offenses other than traffic violations since 1993. Capt. Kenny Boyd of the Jacksonville Police Department said they have heard similar complaints about Borders, but he could not comment on whether he had been arrested before on similar charges.
Whether he is convicted or not, the business has been suffering financially, and the incident has not helped its image.
Fights have been a common occurrence at the hangout.
Robert Vogel of Vogel Enterprises in Little Rock, the owner of the property rented to run Skateworld, is out of town for the next four weeks, according to his office.
Borders will be in district court at the Jacksonville police station at 9 a.m Thursday.
Boyd added that police would like any other possible victims or witnesses to come forward.
“It tends to be a pattern. Most cases, the first time they’re caught is not the first time it’s occurred,” he said.
Reactions to the accusations against Borders are mixed.
“I know a different side of Mr. Borders. The man I met wouldn't harm a child in any way, form or fashion. You know that creepy feeling you get around creeps? I never felt that way around him, ever. I have been going to that rink since he has owned it, and I have had nothing but good things to say about the way things were done. I was shocked when I heard of his arrest. Flabbergasted,” said a frequent customer.
“I can't for sure tell you that he is innocent, but I can share the fact that every time that I was in there we found some way to talk about God or church or how drinking and smoking was bad. I have never even heard this man cuss now that I think about it. I have heard that he has been accused of this before and that the person that called the complaint this time was the same as the last. Personal vendetta?” she continued.
Others say that the accusation doesn’t surprise them.
Another frequent Skateworld customer said, “Anytime I have ever been around him I would watch him when he was around kids because I saw how he looked at them, and the way he would touch them was very inappropriate.”
The customer said, when asked what she would like to see happen with the business, “I would like it if he had nothing to do with it. New owners definitely!”
Leader staff writer
Skateworld in Jacksonville will try to salvage its reputation after its owner was arrested last weekend for the second-degree assault of a 5-year-old girl.
Robert Allen Borders, 47, of Lonoke, who owns the business but not the property, was arrested at 9:05 p.m. Dec. 30 after police responded to a report of an incident at Skateworld, 521 J.P. Wright Loop Road.
Borders did not respond to a phone call from The Leader.
The business has a new sign promoting its new management. Borders’ 22-year-old son, Robert “Bob” Borders, is now in charge. The son said he did not want to talk about the incident or about taking over the business.
According to the police report, the victim told officers, “Robert tried to get me to go to the bathroom with him. He rubbed my butt and touched my neck. I climbed under the table when he touched my neck.”
One of several witnesses said, “He was standing by the bathroom trying to get her to go with him. When she said no, he shook his head yes,” according to the report.
Another witness said he saw Borders touch the girl, and he moved her away from him.
Borders said the night of his arrest that he didn’t know why the police were at the business. When police asked if he had been alone with any small children within the past hour, he told them he had been with a black girl inside the DJ booth, which is not fully enclosed. When asked if it was secluded from the rest of the rink, Borders said, “There were people around.”
Borders was released at 1 p.m. Dec. 31 on a $5,000 bond. The rink still held its annual New Year’s Eve lock-in from 6 p.m. that day to 7 a.m. Jan. 1. Admission to the lock-in was $20 and that included drinks and pizza.
If he is convicted of the felony charge, Borders could be sentenced to 5 to 20 years in prison, unless he receives a plea bargain.
According to the Jacksonville District Court, the Pulaski County District Court and the Pulaski County Circuit Court, Borders has not been on trial for any offenses other than traffic violations since 1993. Capt. Kenny Boyd of the Jacksonville Police Department said they have heard similar complaints about Borders, but he could not comment on whether he had been arrested before on similar charges.
Whether he is convicted or not, the business has been suffering financially, and the incident has not helped its image.
Fights have been a common occurrence at the hangout.
Robert Vogel of Vogel Enterprises in Little Rock, the owner of the property rented to run Skateworld, is out of town for the next four weeks, according to his office.
Borders will be in district court at the Jacksonville police station at 9 a.m Thursday.
Boyd added that police would like any other possible victims or witnesses to come forward.
“It tends to be a pattern. Most cases, the first time they’re caught is not the first time it’s occurred,” he said.
Reactions to the accusations against Borders are mixed.
“I know a different side of Mr. Borders. The man I met wouldn't harm a child in any way, form or fashion. You know that creepy feeling you get around creeps? I never felt that way around him, ever. I have been going to that rink since he has owned it, and I have had nothing but good things to say about the way things were done. I was shocked when I heard of his arrest. Flabbergasted,” said a frequent customer.
“I can't for sure tell you that he is innocent, but I can share the fact that every time that I was in there we found some way to talk about God or church or how drinking and smoking was bad. I have never even heard this man cuss now that I think about it. I have heard that he has been accused of this before and that the person that called the complaint this time was the same as the last. Personal vendetta?” she continued.
Others say that the accusation doesn’t surprise them.
Another frequent Skateworld customer said, “Anytime I have ever been around him I would watch him when he was around kids because I saw how he looked at them, and the way he would touch them was very inappropriate.”
The customer said, when asked what she would like to see happen with the business, “I would like it if he had nothing to do with it. New owners definitely!”
TOP STORY >> Middle school welcomes Crawford
By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
First District Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) toured Cabot Middle School North on Wednesday with state Sen. Eddie Joe Williams (R-Cabot).
They discussed plans to hold roundtable discussions with school districts on ways to help struggling schools in the congressional district.
Crawford said there is dissatisfaction with the No Child Left Behind Act, which is having an opposite effect of what it was supposed to do. Later this year legislators will be voting on re-authorization of the education bill.
The proposed meetings with school district administrators will be held at six to eight locations, including one in Cabot. Crawford said the discussions will allow for sharing ideas, voluntarily paring up schools that are achieving with struggling schools.
Last year Cabot Middle School North was re-designated as a Diamond School to Watch, a 19-state program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform.
As part of the Diamond School distinction, CMSN administrators were invited to Washington, visit Congress and tour the Capitol. While there, they invited Crawford to visit Cabot Middle School North.
The middle school was also honored last year with the Shannon Wright Award for the “Outstanding Middle Level Program in Arkansas.”
The award is presented to one middle school in the state each year during the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Educators Conference.
“The school is beautiful and state-of-the-art. What sticks in my mind the most is the enthusiasm of the students,” Crawford said.
The congressman said he noticed most of the children raised their hands when the teachers asked them questions.
Crawford said the classroom environments were soothing, not over-stimulating and did not let students’ attention wander.
CMSN Principal Tanya Spillane remarked that Crawford’s visit was very nice. She said the congressman appeared relaxed and comfortable while visiting the classrooms and meeting the students.
Spillane said Crawford displayed his human side when he played Nintendo Wii Tennis with the youngsters.
She said she was impressed on how Crawford listened to the students, making them view him as more approachable.
“I’m impressed with his concern with AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) status for our building. He seemed aware of the challenges we’re facing with the No Child Left Behind requirements,” Spillane said.
Superintendent Tony Thur-man said, “Congressman Craw-ford understands that there are concerns with the current accountability system and how schools are being labeled as “needing improvement” based on unreasonable criteria.
“Congressman Crawford has always been willing to listen when I've contacted him about concerns about education policy at the federal level and how it is impacting our local schools.
“We are appreciative that he took time from his busy schedule to visit with teachers and administrators and his willingness to consider options that we believe still provide the necessary accountability for every school in our state and nation,” Thurman said.
“I’m excited about the plan for roundtable discussions. It is a great honor for our building and the district,” Spillane added.
“Of all the schools in his district, (the congressman) chose us. It is an honor,” Assistant Principal Adam Koehler said.
Leader staff writer
First District Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) toured Cabot Middle School North on Wednesday with state Sen. Eddie Joe Williams (R-Cabot).
They discussed plans to hold roundtable discussions with school districts on ways to help struggling schools in the congressional district.
Crawford said there is dissatisfaction with the No Child Left Behind Act, which is having an opposite effect of what it was supposed to do. Later this year legislators will be voting on re-authorization of the education bill.
The proposed meetings with school district administrators will be held at six to eight locations, including one in Cabot. Crawford said the discussions will allow for sharing ideas, voluntarily paring up schools that are achieving with struggling schools.
Last year Cabot Middle School North was re-designated as a Diamond School to Watch, a 19-state program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform.
As part of the Diamond School distinction, CMSN administrators were invited to Washington, visit Congress and tour the Capitol. While there, they invited Crawford to visit Cabot Middle School North.
The middle school was also honored last year with the Shannon Wright Award for the “Outstanding Middle Level Program in Arkansas.”
The award is presented to one middle school in the state each year during the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Educators Conference.
“The school is beautiful and state-of-the-art. What sticks in my mind the most is the enthusiasm of the students,” Crawford said.
The congressman said he noticed most of the children raised their hands when the teachers asked them questions.
Crawford said the classroom environments were soothing, not over-stimulating and did not let students’ attention wander.
CMSN Principal Tanya Spillane remarked that Crawford’s visit was very nice. She said the congressman appeared relaxed and comfortable while visiting the classrooms and meeting the students.
Spillane said Crawford displayed his human side when he played Nintendo Wii Tennis with the youngsters.
She said she was impressed on how Crawford listened to the students, making them view him as more approachable.
“I’m impressed with his concern with AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) status for our building. He seemed aware of the challenges we’re facing with the No Child Left Behind requirements,” Spillane said.
Superintendent Tony Thur-man said, “Congressman Craw-ford understands that there are concerns with the current accountability system and how schools are being labeled as “needing improvement” based on unreasonable criteria.
“Congressman Crawford has always been willing to listen when I've contacted him about concerns about education policy at the federal level and how it is impacting our local schools.
“We are appreciative that he took time from his busy schedule to visit with teachers and administrators and his willingness to consider options that we believe still provide the necessary accountability for every school in our state and nation,” Thurman said.
“I’m excited about the plan for roundtable discussions. It is a great honor for our building and the district,” Spillane added.
“Of all the schools in his district, (the congressman) chose us. It is an honor,” Assistant Principal Adam Koehler said.
TOP STORY >> LRAFB backs up traffic
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
It wasn’t the billboard moratorium that took up most of the Jacksonville City Council’s time Thursday night. It was all the complaints the council and city received Wednesday morning when the air base initiated a new security-check system and had traffic blocked, stopped and parked from the front gate, down Vandenberg Boulevard, up the frontage road, back up Toneyville Road and Hwy. 67/167 almost to Cabot.
Delays for the same reason at the back gate had Hwy. 107 blocked north and south for most of the morning.
“
I live just a mile from work,” lamented Alderman Aaron Robinson, “and it took me an hour to get to work that morning.”
Mayor Gary Fletcher said the first complaint call came from his brother, who was stuck in the middle, and the mayor was inundated with calls once he got to the office.
He said the city’s director of administration, Jim Durham, took pictures of the stack up. “I wish we had a helicopter available to get a good aerial view of the backup,” the mayor said.
He plans to use the pictures and list of complaints when he meets with the Highway Department soon in his efforts to get an interchange at the nearby Coffelt Crossing.
“Even if we had just the exits and entrance ramps a lot of people would have been able to get on Hwy. 67/167 and bypass the base delays,” the mayor said.
Robinson asked for more communication and coordination and asked why more police weren’t out there. He was told they were there, but the traffic backed up so quickly and so densely that there wasn’t much they could do.
Col. Mike Minihan, 19th Airlift Wing commander, apologized to the mayor for the problems and modified the implementation of the system. The colonel also put a letter on the air base’s Facebook page.
“On Wednesday,” the colonel wrote, “we implemented a mandatory new security measure for entry onto the base. Despite our best efforts to make this as painless as possible, enormous delays occurred…please accept my apologies.”
He went on to write, “Please know my team has the best interests of the base and the community in mind. The last thing we want to do is cause delays. My priorities are to ensure the mission and security of the base, ensure the safety of those traveling onto and around the base, be a good neighbor to our community and expedite travel onto the base without compromising security.”
The mayor said he had a telephone conference call Friday afternoon with Police Chief Gary Sipes and base officials. “I believe all the kinks have been worked out, and there might be some minor delays and backups, but the worst is over,” Fletcher said.
Minihan, the mayor said, will be writing a letter for the mayor to take to the Highway Department explaining the backup issues and pushing for the Coffelt Crossing or other help.
Leader staff writer
It wasn’t the billboard moratorium that took up most of the Jacksonville City Council’s time Thursday night. It was all the complaints the council and city received Wednesday morning when the air base initiated a new security-check system and had traffic blocked, stopped and parked from the front gate, down Vandenberg Boulevard, up the frontage road, back up Toneyville Road and Hwy. 67/167 almost to Cabot.
Delays for the same reason at the back gate had Hwy. 107 blocked north and south for most of the morning.
“
I live just a mile from work,” lamented Alderman Aaron Robinson, “and it took me an hour to get to work that morning.”
Mayor Gary Fletcher said the first complaint call came from his brother, who was stuck in the middle, and the mayor was inundated with calls once he got to the office.
He said the city’s director of administration, Jim Durham, took pictures of the stack up. “I wish we had a helicopter available to get a good aerial view of the backup,” the mayor said.
He plans to use the pictures and list of complaints when he meets with the Highway Department soon in his efforts to get an interchange at the nearby Coffelt Crossing.
“Even if we had just the exits and entrance ramps a lot of people would have been able to get on Hwy. 67/167 and bypass the base delays,” the mayor said.
Robinson asked for more communication and coordination and asked why more police weren’t out there. He was told they were there, but the traffic backed up so quickly and so densely that there wasn’t much they could do.
Col. Mike Minihan, 19th Airlift Wing commander, apologized to the mayor for the problems and modified the implementation of the system. The colonel also put a letter on the air base’s Facebook page.
“On Wednesday,” the colonel wrote, “we implemented a mandatory new security measure for entry onto the base. Despite our best efforts to make this as painless as possible, enormous delays occurred…please accept my apologies.”
He went on to write, “Please know my team has the best interests of the base and the community in mind. The last thing we want to do is cause delays. My priorities are to ensure the mission and security of the base, ensure the safety of those traveling onto and around the base, be a good neighbor to our community and expedite travel onto the base without compromising security.”
The mayor said he had a telephone conference call Friday afternoon with Police Chief Gary Sipes and base officials. “I believe all the kinks have been worked out, and there might be some minor delays and backups, but the worst is over,” Fletcher said.
Minihan, the mayor said, will be writing a letter for the mayor to take to the Highway Department explaining the backup issues and pushing for the Coffelt Crossing or other help.
TOP STORY >> Air base gets set for new commander
Robinson is executive officer to Gen. Raymond Johns Jr., commander of Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB, Ill.
Minihan, who has been commander here since August 2010, will assume command of the 89th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., whose responsibilities include Air Force One and other planes assigned to top officials.
Minihan’s new assignment will include worldwide special airlift missions, logistics and communications support for the president, vice president, cabinet members, combat commanders and other senior military and elected leaders.
Robinson was previously assigned to the Pentagon and was vice commander at the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston, S.C.
He graduated from Philadelphia University in 1987 with a bachelor’s of science degree in computer science and re- received his commission from Air Force Officer Training School in December 1987 at Lackland AFB, Texas.
His career as a pilot began in 1989 after earning his Air Force pilot wings at Vance AFB, Okla., followed by a position as a T-38B instructor pilot.
At LRAFB, Minihan leads the world’s largest fleet of C-130 aircraft and is responsible for providing worldwide deployable C-130 aircraft, aircrews, support personnel and equipment for Air Mobility Command and Air Expeditionary Force missions.
He ensures support for combat, contingency and humanitarian requirements with 12,000 personnel and families at LRAFB.
Minihan entered the Air Force in June 1989 after receiving his commission through the ROTC program at Auburn University. He completed undergraduate pilot training in 1991 and served as an aircraft commander, instructor pilot and evaluator pilot in the C-130 Hercules.
Minihan commanded an airlift squadron and four deployed expeditionary airlift squadrons. Most recently, Minihan served as vice commander, 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis AFB, Calif.
Minihan is a command pilot with more than 3,200 flying hours in the C-130 and KC-10.
EDITORIAL >> Tamales for a new year
Like most American adults, my New Year’s resolution will be to eat lighter and move more. But as I have for years, I don’t make that resolution for about two weeks, which is about how long the New Year’s tamales last.
Josh, my youngest son, gave me a galvanized tamale pot for Christmas about 10 years ago. Inside was a sack of masa, a package of corn shucks and a bag of large, dried peppers. Apparently, he wanted tamales and I was the one who would make them for him whether I had any idea how to do it or not.
Lucky for me, the recipe was on the sack of masa. So on New Year’s Day, I made tamales for the first time. I’d always heard they were time consuming and a lot of work. But as it turned out, they were only multi-stepped.
Boil the meat until it’s falling off the bone; mix the masa with lard, baking powder and salt and meat broth according to the recipe on the bag; take the seeds out of the peppers; fry them in hot oil and blend them with meat broth into a sauce; shred the meat; mix with the pepper; spread the masa dough on corn shucks that have been soaked to make them pliable; put dollops of meat on top of the dough; roll them up; place the tamales in the pot and steam them for about two hours until the dough is set.
Josh helped me the first few years. My kitchen was small and there was barely room for the two of us. But I looked forward to the time with him.
After a couple of years, we added other dishes – salsa, guacamole, rice, refried beans, white cheese dip with chips, enchiladas… Our menu can’t compete with the local Mexican restaurant, but it’s pretty adventurous for a family of Delta transplants who are much more accustomed to the traditional New Year’s fare of black-eyed peas and hog jowl.
In 2010, we made tamales in the new kitchen that is three times larger than the original because we knocked out walls and took in two more rooms. And for the first time, there was room for everyone to help make the tamales.
My niece Jenny Holmes and her husband, Jeremy, helped roll, while Josh and my oldest son Jim alternated between rolling and trying to perfect dipping sauces made from the leftover peppers. My son Jason breezed in and out, helping a little, making suggestions and, as always, looking good. Those who love him say Jason’s motto is, “It’s not how good you do it, but how good you look doing it.”
They talked about their jobs, movies I had never heard of and childhood adventures that I had been blessedly unaware of until then.
When we were done, we had filled the galvanized pot and the new larger aluminum pot that was a gift from my husband.
We had tamales to eat, give away and freeze. And they were good. But it should be obvious if you’ve stayed with me this long; it’s really not the tamales I like as much as making them with the 30-year-old-plus adults that I still call the kids.
New Year’s Day 2011 was a little different. My mother-in-law died on Christmas Day and was buried on New Year’s Eve. But tradition is called tradition because you keep it up. So on New Year’s Day, we rolled tamales with the help of relatives from Pennsylvania, down for the funeral.
For us, 2010 was a hard year from beginning to end. There was a cancer scare with my husband, the death of my daughter-in-law’s dad from cancer and Rosemary McCoy, my favorite sister-in-law, had surgery for a brain tumor on her 58th birthday just days before Christmas.
The Pennsylvania relatives seemed to really enjoy helping out with the tamales but for most of us, there was a sense of carrying on because it needed to be done.
In our family, 2011 rivaled 2010 in difficulty. My mother and Rosemary’s dad died, and our oldest children divorced.
But on New Year’s Day, Rosemary was standing at my kitchen island wearing a hat to keep her regrown hair out of the masa. And my son’s half-Mexican girlfriend, who speaks little Spanish and cooks no Mexican, was trying to make tamales for the first time.
As usual, many hands produced tamales of varying sizes while Josh chopped meat, chicken and shrimp for tacos. Jim worked on fajitas and Jason looked good while making his fruit salsa.
It felt right. It looks like 2012 might be the good year we all hope it will be.
—Joan McCoy
Josh, my youngest son, gave me a galvanized tamale pot for Christmas about 10 years ago. Inside was a sack of masa, a package of corn shucks and a bag of large, dried peppers. Apparently, he wanted tamales and I was the one who would make them for him whether I had any idea how to do it or not.
Lucky for me, the recipe was on the sack of masa. So on New Year’s Day, I made tamales for the first time. I’d always heard they were time consuming and a lot of work. But as it turned out, they were only multi-stepped.
Boil the meat until it’s falling off the bone; mix the masa with lard, baking powder and salt and meat broth according to the recipe on the bag; take the seeds out of the peppers; fry them in hot oil and blend them with meat broth into a sauce; shred the meat; mix with the pepper; spread the masa dough on corn shucks that have been soaked to make them pliable; put dollops of meat on top of the dough; roll them up; place the tamales in the pot and steam them for about two hours until the dough is set.
Josh helped me the first few years. My kitchen was small and there was barely room for the two of us. But I looked forward to the time with him.
After a couple of years, we added other dishes – salsa, guacamole, rice, refried beans, white cheese dip with chips, enchiladas… Our menu can’t compete with the local Mexican restaurant, but it’s pretty adventurous for a family of Delta transplants who are much more accustomed to the traditional New Year’s fare of black-eyed peas and hog jowl.
In 2010, we made tamales in the new kitchen that is three times larger than the original because we knocked out walls and took in two more rooms. And for the first time, there was room for everyone to help make the tamales.
My niece Jenny Holmes and her husband, Jeremy, helped roll, while Josh and my oldest son Jim alternated between rolling and trying to perfect dipping sauces made from the leftover peppers. My son Jason breezed in and out, helping a little, making suggestions and, as always, looking good. Those who love him say Jason’s motto is, “It’s not how good you do it, but how good you look doing it.”
They talked about their jobs, movies I had never heard of and childhood adventures that I had been blessedly unaware of until then.
When we were done, we had filled the galvanized pot and the new larger aluminum pot that was a gift from my husband.
We had tamales to eat, give away and freeze. And they were good. But it should be obvious if you’ve stayed with me this long; it’s really not the tamales I like as much as making them with the 30-year-old-plus adults that I still call the kids.
New Year’s Day 2011 was a little different. My mother-in-law died on Christmas Day and was buried on New Year’s Eve. But tradition is called tradition because you keep it up. So on New Year’s Day, we rolled tamales with the help of relatives from Pennsylvania, down for the funeral.
For us, 2010 was a hard year from beginning to end. There was a cancer scare with my husband, the death of my daughter-in-law’s dad from cancer and Rosemary McCoy, my favorite sister-in-law, had surgery for a brain tumor on her 58th birthday just days before Christmas.
The Pennsylvania relatives seemed to really enjoy helping out with the tamales but for most of us, there was a sense of carrying on because it needed to be done.
In our family, 2011 rivaled 2010 in difficulty. My mother and Rosemary’s dad died, and our oldest children divorced.
But on New Year’s Day, Rosemary was standing at my kitchen island wearing a hat to keep her regrown hair out of the masa. And my son’s half-Mexican girlfriend, who speaks little Spanish and cooks no Mexican, was trying to make tamales for the first time.
As usual, many hands produced tamales of varying sizes while Josh chopped meat, chicken and shrimp for tacos. Jim worked on fajitas and Jason looked good while making his fruit salsa.
It felt right. It looks like 2012 might be the good year we all hope it will be.
—Joan McCoy
SPORTS >> Pressure lifts Cabot to win
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Pressure and patience were the key ingredients in Cabot’s 52-32 victory over Greene County Tech at Panther Arena on Tuesday.
The Panthers (9-0) finished their non conference schedule with a perfect record and made a statement to 7A-Central competitors with a stout defensive performance that kept the visiting Golden Eagles on the run to try and avoid the pressure. Offensively, Cabot worked the ball thoroughly and waited for the perfect shot, resulting in good scoring nights for several Panther players, including senior guard Sam Howe, who had game-leading 13 points.
“I thought in the second half, we played much better,” Panthers coach Jerry Bridges said. “That’s why we put this game here with our break like it was to try and get this one before we start off for real Friday. To be 9-0, I don’t know who we’ve played, but they work hard for us every day.”
Tech kept things close in the first half with a series of well-timed three-point baskets, but when the outside dried up for the Eagles in the second half, the hard-nosed play of scrappy senior guard Andrew Ferguson was all they seemed to have left for Cabot. Ferguson led the Eagles with 12 points.
Cabot held the ball nearly two minutes on some possessions in the second half, which opened up lanes inside for dumps into the post. Sophomore Josiah Wymer was the biggest beneficiary for the Panthers, scoring eight of his 10 points in the second half.
“One thing we do well is executing our high-low,” Bridges said. “First half, I thought we did a poor job of hitting our big men on the block. They were open, and we weren’t getting it to them. I looked up there in the second half. We were up 20, and I didn’t know where it came from.”
Arthur West added 10 points for Cabot, though two of those points were disputed most of the first half. West stole the ball from Tony Valdez in the closing seconds of the first quarter and made his way to the basket for a lay-in at the buzzer. One official called for the basket and a foul while another referee waved off the shot.
That was the start of a five-minute debate at the scorers table, which resulted in the basket not being counted to leave the score at 6-4. The basket was eventually counted, however, as the halftime margin of 17-14 mysteriously went to 19-14 just before the start of the third quarter.
Wymer’s only first-half points came with 2:04 remaining until the break with an assist from West to give the Panthers a 15-9 lead. He scored again inside at the 2:39 mark of the third quarter to make it 32-20 in favor of Cabot. He then scored on a put back following a missed free throw by Clayton Vaught for a 35-21 Cabot lead.
“We keep telling him, ‘Josiah, if you catch the ball down on the block, make them stop you,’” Bridges said. “As big as he is, when he gets that momentum going one direction, you can’t stop the kid, but man, he’s a good lift for us. We feel like we’ve got 10 guys that we can play.”
Ferguson never quit battling for Tech, though sometimes it appeared as if he was in the fight alone.
He converted a basket and free throw with 4:24 left to play in the first half to cut Cabot’s lead to 28-20, only to watch as the Panthers picked up a turnover and scored on a lay up by Howe to begin a 7-1 run that put Cabot at a comfortable 35-23 margin heading into the final period.
Junior guard Kyle Thielemier showed little signs of rust in his first game back from injury as he added eight points for the Panthers.
“I don’t know; we didn’t expect this – they work hard,” Bridges said of his team’s early success. “There’s a lot of basketball left, but I never thought we would be 9-0 now. They’re very unselfish. I think we’ve had four or five different leading scorers in every game.
What I like about tonight’s win is, we can shoot the ball a lot better than what we did tonight.”
The Panthers began league play at home against Conway last night after Leader deadlines. Look for details of that game in Wednesday’s Leader.
Leader sportswriter
Pressure and patience were the key ingredients in Cabot’s 52-32 victory over Greene County Tech at Panther Arena on Tuesday.
The Panthers (9-0) finished their non conference schedule with a perfect record and made a statement to 7A-Central competitors with a stout defensive performance that kept the visiting Golden Eagles on the run to try and avoid the pressure. Offensively, Cabot worked the ball thoroughly and waited for the perfect shot, resulting in good scoring nights for several Panther players, including senior guard Sam Howe, who had game-leading 13 points.
“I thought in the second half, we played much better,” Panthers coach Jerry Bridges said. “That’s why we put this game here with our break like it was to try and get this one before we start off for real Friday. To be 9-0, I don’t know who we’ve played, but they work hard for us every day.”
Tech kept things close in the first half with a series of well-timed three-point baskets, but when the outside dried up for the Eagles in the second half, the hard-nosed play of scrappy senior guard Andrew Ferguson was all they seemed to have left for Cabot. Ferguson led the Eagles with 12 points.
Cabot held the ball nearly two minutes on some possessions in the second half, which opened up lanes inside for dumps into the post. Sophomore Josiah Wymer was the biggest beneficiary for the Panthers, scoring eight of his 10 points in the second half.
“One thing we do well is executing our high-low,” Bridges said. “First half, I thought we did a poor job of hitting our big men on the block. They were open, and we weren’t getting it to them. I looked up there in the second half. We were up 20, and I didn’t know where it came from.”
Arthur West added 10 points for Cabot, though two of those points were disputed most of the first half. West stole the ball from Tony Valdez in the closing seconds of the first quarter and made his way to the basket for a lay-in at the buzzer. One official called for the basket and a foul while another referee waved off the shot.
That was the start of a five-minute debate at the scorers table, which resulted in the basket not being counted to leave the score at 6-4. The basket was eventually counted, however, as the halftime margin of 17-14 mysteriously went to 19-14 just before the start of the third quarter.
Wymer’s only first-half points came with 2:04 remaining until the break with an assist from West to give the Panthers a 15-9 lead. He scored again inside at the 2:39 mark of the third quarter to make it 32-20 in favor of Cabot. He then scored on a put back following a missed free throw by Clayton Vaught for a 35-21 Cabot lead.
“We keep telling him, ‘Josiah, if you catch the ball down on the block, make them stop you,’” Bridges said. “As big as he is, when he gets that momentum going one direction, you can’t stop the kid, but man, he’s a good lift for us. We feel like we’ve got 10 guys that we can play.”
Ferguson never quit battling for Tech, though sometimes it appeared as if he was in the fight alone.
He converted a basket and free throw with 4:24 left to play in the first half to cut Cabot’s lead to 28-20, only to watch as the Panthers picked up a turnover and scored on a lay up by Howe to begin a 7-1 run that put Cabot at a comfortable 35-23 margin heading into the final period.
Junior guard Kyle Thielemier showed little signs of rust in his first game back from injury as he added eight points for the Panthers.
“I don’t know; we didn’t expect this – they work hard,” Bridges said of his team’s early success. “There’s a lot of basketball left, but I never thought we would be 9-0 now. They’re very unselfish. I think we’ve had four or five different leading scorers in every game.
What I like about tonight’s win is, we can shoot the ball a lot better than what we did tonight.”
The Panthers began league play at home against Conway last night after Leader deadlines. Look for details of that game in Wednesday’s Leader.
SPORTS >> Red Devils roughed up by Warrirors
By GRAHAM POWELL
Leader Sportswriter
The Jacksonville Red Devils went into Thursday night’s game against the two-time defending state champion Little Rock Hall Warriors knowing they had to be the aggressor.
Unfortunately for the Red Devils, the Warriors were the more aggressive team from the start, and despite a late Jacksonville run in the third quarter, Hall managed to get the 65-52 win at Little Rock to win the 7A/6A East conference opener.
The Warriors’ basketball program has been beyond stellar over the past four years, winning three of the last four state championships in its class. The year they didn’t win state, they finished as the state’s runner-up in 2009, losing that championship game to Jacksonville.
Hall won the 6A state title the next year, and even though the Warriors moved up a class in 2011 and finished third in conference behind 6A Parkview and Jacksonville, they finished the season by winning the 7A state title.
Regardless of the Warriors’ elite reputation, Jacksonville coach Victor Joyner believes his team is on the same level and should’ve and could’ve played a lot better.
“They just came out and seemed to be more battle tested than we were,” Joyner said about the Warriors. “We didn’t come off of our screens tight. They pushed us away from screens. They were more aggressive than us early. It was obvious because of the point output.”
The Warriors out-rebounded the Red Devils 21-11 and had 12 steals to Jacksonville’s five. Hall was the dominant team early, scoring the first four points of the game with wide-open dunks that were the result of Jacksonville turnovers.
Hall was suddenly up 10-2 early in the first quarter, but Jacksonville regrouped and started to play defense. The Warriors only other point in the quarter came from the free-throw line, but the Red Devils could only manage four more points in the quarter, and Hall led 11-6 at the end of the first.
Hall dominated the second quarter, out-scoring Jacksonville 26-13 to take a 37-19 lead at the half.
“They were just more aggressive. We played timid, at least it looked like that to me,” Joyner said. “I wouldn’t say we were shell shocked, I just believe they were way more aggressive than our kids were.
“Even when we would drive to the bucket with open shots, they would come up and block it, because we weren’t attacking the bucket with any ferocity. We just weren’t aggressive.”
Jacksonville played with more aggression in the third quarter, and went on a 15-6 run to begin the quarter, cutting the Warriors’ to lead to single digits with 2:48 left in the third.
Hall out-scored Jacksonville 6-5 in the final minutes of the quarter to lead 49-39 going into the fourth. In the final quarter, Hall out-scored Jacksonville 16-13 to set the final margin.
Joyner was very disappointed with the team’s effort.
“Since I’ve been at Jacksonville, I’ve never had a team come out and be that passive, ever,” Joyner said. “Hall was just more physical and aggressive than our kids. That’s just the bottom line.”
Hall finished the night leading every statistical category, including free throw percentage. Hall shot 76 percent from the line as opposed to Jacksonville’s 61 percent. Both teams had more than 20 free throw attempts.
Jacksonville junior point guard Justin McCleary led the Red Devils with a game-high 17 points. 13 of those points came in the second half. Senior post player Tirrell Brown finished with 11 points and three blocks.
Senior guard Quan Jones and junior post player Bobby Portis led the Warriors with 15 points.
Jacksonville (10-3, 0-1) will try and earn its first conference win Tuesday, when the Red Devils face another aggressive and physical opponent in Little Rock Parkview.
Leader Sportswriter
The Jacksonville Red Devils went into Thursday night’s game against the two-time defending state champion Little Rock Hall Warriors knowing they had to be the aggressor.
Unfortunately for the Red Devils, the Warriors were the more aggressive team from the start, and despite a late Jacksonville run in the third quarter, Hall managed to get the 65-52 win at Little Rock to win the 7A/6A East conference opener.
The Warriors’ basketball program has been beyond stellar over the past four years, winning three of the last four state championships in its class. The year they didn’t win state, they finished as the state’s runner-up in 2009, losing that championship game to Jacksonville.
Hall won the 6A state title the next year, and even though the Warriors moved up a class in 2011 and finished third in conference behind 6A Parkview and Jacksonville, they finished the season by winning the 7A state title.
Regardless of the Warriors’ elite reputation, Jacksonville coach Victor Joyner believes his team is on the same level and should’ve and could’ve played a lot better.
“They just came out and seemed to be more battle tested than we were,” Joyner said about the Warriors. “We didn’t come off of our screens tight. They pushed us away from screens. They were more aggressive than us early. It was obvious because of the point output.”
The Warriors out-rebounded the Red Devils 21-11 and had 12 steals to Jacksonville’s five. Hall was the dominant team early, scoring the first four points of the game with wide-open dunks that were the result of Jacksonville turnovers.
Hall was suddenly up 10-2 early in the first quarter, but Jacksonville regrouped and started to play defense. The Warriors only other point in the quarter came from the free-throw line, but the Red Devils could only manage four more points in the quarter, and Hall led 11-6 at the end of the first.
Hall dominated the second quarter, out-scoring Jacksonville 26-13 to take a 37-19 lead at the half.
“They were just more aggressive. We played timid, at least it looked like that to me,” Joyner said. “I wouldn’t say we were shell shocked, I just believe they were way more aggressive than our kids were.
“Even when we would drive to the bucket with open shots, they would come up and block it, because we weren’t attacking the bucket with any ferocity. We just weren’t aggressive.”
Jacksonville played with more aggression in the third quarter, and went on a 15-6 run to begin the quarter, cutting the Warriors’ to lead to single digits with 2:48 left in the third.
Hall out-scored Jacksonville 6-5 in the final minutes of the quarter to lead 49-39 going into the fourth. In the final quarter, Hall out-scored Jacksonville 16-13 to set the final margin.
Joyner was very disappointed with the team’s effort.
“Since I’ve been at Jacksonville, I’ve never had a team come out and be that passive, ever,” Joyner said. “Hall was just more physical and aggressive than our kids. That’s just the bottom line.”
Hall finished the night leading every statistical category, including free throw percentage. Hall shot 76 percent from the line as opposed to Jacksonville’s 61 percent. Both teams had more than 20 free throw attempts.
Jacksonville junior point guard Justin McCleary led the Red Devils with a game-high 17 points. 13 of those points came in the second half. Senior post player Tirrell Brown finished with 11 points and three blocks.
Senior guard Quan Jones and junior post player Bobby Portis led the Warriors with 15 points.
Jacksonville (10-3, 0-1) will try and earn its first conference win Tuesday, when the Red Devils face another aggressive and physical opponent in Little Rock Parkview.
SPORTS >> Jackrabbits overcome mistakes, stay perfect
By RAY BENTON
Leader Sports Editor
The Jackrabbits had a 7-0 lead seemingly before you could blink, and it was pretty even from that point Tuesday at Lonoke High School. Lonoke went on to beat the Stuttgart Ricebirds 46-39 in a 4A-2 conference matchup.
“We did what we talked about and that was holding home court for conference,” Lonoke coach Dean Campbell said. “I thought we left some things out there, but we’re growing and getting some experience and we got a win.”
Lonoke’s Tarrale Watson hit a pull up jumper, Reid McKenzie got a shot from the post and Darrius McCall nailed a three pointer, giving the Jackrabbits a 7-0 lead, and forcing Stuttgart to call timeout with 6:32 left in the first quarter.
After the timeout, the game became a series of turnovers by both teams. Lonoke scored just two points over the next five minutes, while the Ricebirds didn’t get on the scoreboard at all until the 1:50 mark. Jordan Daniels’ bucket made it 9-2, but Lonoke scored the last four points of the frame to give the Jackrabbits a 13-2 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Ricebirds made a run midway through the period to pull within 20-15, and had three possessions at that score.
While Lonoke’s offense was struggling mightily with turnovers, the defense was playing hard and well enough to keep the Ricebirds at bay.
“I don’t know if it’s anything we stopped doing,” Campbell said. “I think they did a good job of changing the tempo and changing the pressure. It’s a credit to them because they were down 13-2 and had to do something, and they did.”
Stuttgart got to within 22-18 with 40 seconds left in the second quarter and had an opportunity to get even closer with two free throws. But Daniels missed both and Jackrabbit sophomore Blake Mack went the other way for a layup to set the score for halftime at 24-18.
Lonoke committed 17 turnovers in the first half, including 10 in the second quarter.
“The last few games we’re just getting sped up,” Lonoke coach Dean Campbell said. “We’re still trying to get comfortable with a new point guard and it’s definitely a work in progress. But we’re 3-0 right now and the more we play the more comfortable we’re going to get with what we’re trying to do.”
Lonoke made a small run to start the second half to get the lead back into double digits, but Stuttgart again made a run at the end. Daniels hit a three pointer with 50 seconds left in the third to make it 35-30, and that’s where it stood to start the fourth.
Neither team scored for a couple of minutes in the final frame, but senior guard Keli Bryant came off the bench to make one of the biggest plays of the game.
McKenzie missed the front end of a one-and-one, but Bryant battled and came up with the offensive rebound under the basket. In no-man’s land for a small guard, Bryant dribbled baseline out of the lane, turned and found Watson breaking to the basket for a bucket and a foul. Watson made the free-throw to make it 38-30.
About a minute later, Bryant was fouled attempting a three pointer and made two of three from the line to give Lonoke at 10-point lead that all but sealed the game.
“There wasn’t much there that’s going to jump off the stat sheet at you, but those were huge plays that (Bryant) made,” Campbell said. “Those are the things we talk about, just do the things you can when you get the opportunity. He really gave us a lift in the fourth quarter.”
McKenzie led the Jackrabbits with 13 points, and had a double double by adding 10 rebounds.
“Reid, I think, had his best game so far,” Campbell said. “I think we got away from going to him in the fourth quarter and we’ll have to work on that.”
Lonoke’s overall record improved to 10-4 while Stuttgart dropped to 2-9 overall and 0-5 in league play. The Jackrabbits played at home against Cave City on Friday and will host Marianna on Tuesday.
Leader Sports Editor
The Jackrabbits had a 7-0 lead seemingly before you could blink, and it was pretty even from that point Tuesday at Lonoke High School. Lonoke went on to beat the Stuttgart Ricebirds 46-39 in a 4A-2 conference matchup.
“We did what we talked about and that was holding home court for conference,” Lonoke coach Dean Campbell said. “I thought we left some things out there, but we’re growing and getting some experience and we got a win.”
Lonoke’s Tarrale Watson hit a pull up jumper, Reid McKenzie got a shot from the post and Darrius McCall nailed a three pointer, giving the Jackrabbits a 7-0 lead, and forcing Stuttgart to call timeout with 6:32 left in the first quarter.
After the timeout, the game became a series of turnovers by both teams. Lonoke scored just two points over the next five minutes, while the Ricebirds didn’t get on the scoreboard at all until the 1:50 mark. Jordan Daniels’ bucket made it 9-2, but Lonoke scored the last four points of the frame to give the Jackrabbits a 13-2 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Ricebirds made a run midway through the period to pull within 20-15, and had three possessions at that score.
While Lonoke’s offense was struggling mightily with turnovers, the defense was playing hard and well enough to keep the Ricebirds at bay.
“I don’t know if it’s anything we stopped doing,” Campbell said. “I think they did a good job of changing the tempo and changing the pressure. It’s a credit to them because they were down 13-2 and had to do something, and they did.”
Stuttgart got to within 22-18 with 40 seconds left in the second quarter and had an opportunity to get even closer with two free throws. But Daniels missed both and Jackrabbit sophomore Blake Mack went the other way for a layup to set the score for halftime at 24-18.
Lonoke committed 17 turnovers in the first half, including 10 in the second quarter.
“The last few games we’re just getting sped up,” Lonoke coach Dean Campbell said. “We’re still trying to get comfortable with a new point guard and it’s definitely a work in progress. But we’re 3-0 right now and the more we play the more comfortable we’re going to get with what we’re trying to do.”
Lonoke made a small run to start the second half to get the lead back into double digits, but Stuttgart again made a run at the end. Daniels hit a three pointer with 50 seconds left in the third to make it 35-30, and that’s where it stood to start the fourth.
Neither team scored for a couple of minutes in the final frame, but senior guard Keli Bryant came off the bench to make one of the biggest plays of the game.
McKenzie missed the front end of a one-and-one, but Bryant battled and came up with the offensive rebound under the basket. In no-man’s land for a small guard, Bryant dribbled baseline out of the lane, turned and found Watson breaking to the basket for a bucket and a foul. Watson made the free-throw to make it 38-30.
About a minute later, Bryant was fouled attempting a three pointer and made two of three from the line to give Lonoke at 10-point lead that all but sealed the game.
“There wasn’t much there that’s going to jump off the stat sheet at you, but those were huge plays that (Bryant) made,” Campbell said. “Those are the things we talk about, just do the things you can when you get the opportunity. He really gave us a lift in the fourth quarter.”
McKenzie led the Jackrabbits with 13 points, and had a double double by adding 10 rebounds.
“Reid, I think, had his best game so far,” Campbell said. “I think we got away from going to him in the fourth quarter and we’ll have to work on that.”
Lonoke’s overall record improved to 10-4 while Stuttgart dropped to 2-9 overall and 0-5 in league play. The Jackrabbits played at home against Cave City on Friday and will host Marianna on Tuesday.
SPORTS >> Bears trudge by Monticello
By JASON KING
Leader Sportswriter
There were dunks-a-plenty, but the 46 total combined turnovers and 21 trips to the free-throw line drug out an ugly 53-40 victory for Sylvan Hills over Monticello at the Sylvan Hills High School gymnasium on Thursday.
The Bears (9-3, 2-0) got an early boost from senior guard Archie Goodwin to help build a 9-2 lead, and withstood a Billies comeback to start the second period to pick back up on 5A-Southeast Conference play with another win after a layoff of nearly three weeks.
“Defensively, I thought we did a nice job,” Sylvan Hills coach Kevin Davis said. “I thought they were a unit defensively. I was a little concerned about the turnovers; we talked about it at half. We played a lot of guys, and sometimes when you play that many, finding chemistry can be a little difficult. I thought we found each other a little during that third quarter.”
The third quarter was by far the cleanest for the Bears, as Goodwin put his elite skills on display with seven of his game-high 26 points in the first 3:26 of the period before playing sporadically for the remainder of the game. Goodwin also pulled down five rebounds in his limited time on the court to lead the Bears along with Larry Ziegler and post player Devin Pearson, who also had five boards each.
“This is a kid that averages seven rebounds a game,” Davis said of Goodwin. “You’ve got Devin and David and Larry working in there, but if you can get a guard to come in there and get you those 7-10 boards, that’s nice.”
The Bears used nine players in the first half and 10 in the second half, and many of the personnel swaps led to turnovers initially. Sylvan Hills went most of the third quarter with just two turnovers before wholesale lineup changes eventually led to nine giveaways before the end of the game. It was their first game back from the Christmas break, but Davis was unwilling to use that as an excuse.
“Yeah, you could say it’s pretty typical, but I didn’t want it to be typical for my team,” Davis said. “I thought we would come out and play a little more solid than that. Turnovers – we’ve had a terrible problem all year, and that concerned me that we were just, I don’t think we were careless, we were just hurrying a little bit.
“It is typical, but I didn’t expect us to be that way tonight.”
Goodwin handled most of the point-guard duties while on the floor as well as leading the scoring, while Dion Patton took charge on defense. Patton had the green light to shoot from the perimeter, but finished with one point from a second-quarter free throw while making no shooting attempts in the second half.
“He’s been shooting the ball so well,” Davis said. “I moved him into the 2-slot with Archie at the 1 – kind of a floating system. But I’ve been riding Dion saying, ‘Man, you need to carry me a little bit, because you’re shooting the ball so well from the perimeter.’ You have to really be proud of what he has accomplished from a new position.”
Goodwin started the game with a dunk and drove the paint for a lay-in moments later to give the Bears and early 4-0 lead with 6:20 remaining in the opening quarter. He also ended the quarter big time with a steal and another dunk to give Sylvan Hills an 11-4 lead, with Goodwin responsible for nine of those points.
Pearson added nine points for the Bears while Jacob Gates had six and Ziegler finished with five. For Monticello (8-4, 0-1), junior guard Tony Butler led with 21 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
Leader Sportswriter
There were dunks-a-plenty, but the 46 total combined turnovers and 21 trips to the free-throw line drug out an ugly 53-40 victory for Sylvan Hills over Monticello at the Sylvan Hills High School gymnasium on Thursday.
The Bears (9-3, 2-0) got an early boost from senior guard Archie Goodwin to help build a 9-2 lead, and withstood a Billies comeback to start the second period to pick back up on 5A-Southeast Conference play with another win after a layoff of nearly three weeks.
“Defensively, I thought we did a nice job,” Sylvan Hills coach Kevin Davis said. “I thought they were a unit defensively. I was a little concerned about the turnovers; we talked about it at half. We played a lot of guys, and sometimes when you play that many, finding chemistry can be a little difficult. I thought we found each other a little during that third quarter.”
The third quarter was by far the cleanest for the Bears, as Goodwin put his elite skills on display with seven of his game-high 26 points in the first 3:26 of the period before playing sporadically for the remainder of the game. Goodwin also pulled down five rebounds in his limited time on the court to lead the Bears along with Larry Ziegler and post player Devin Pearson, who also had five boards each.
“This is a kid that averages seven rebounds a game,” Davis said of Goodwin. “You’ve got Devin and David and Larry working in there, but if you can get a guard to come in there and get you those 7-10 boards, that’s nice.”
The Bears used nine players in the first half and 10 in the second half, and many of the personnel swaps led to turnovers initially. Sylvan Hills went most of the third quarter with just two turnovers before wholesale lineup changes eventually led to nine giveaways before the end of the game. It was their first game back from the Christmas break, but Davis was unwilling to use that as an excuse.
“Yeah, you could say it’s pretty typical, but I didn’t want it to be typical for my team,” Davis said. “I thought we would come out and play a little more solid than that. Turnovers – we’ve had a terrible problem all year, and that concerned me that we were just, I don’t think we were careless, we were just hurrying a little bit.
“It is typical, but I didn’t expect us to be that way tonight.”
Goodwin handled most of the point-guard duties while on the floor as well as leading the scoring, while Dion Patton took charge on defense. Patton had the green light to shoot from the perimeter, but finished with one point from a second-quarter free throw while making no shooting attempts in the second half.
“He’s been shooting the ball so well,” Davis said. “I moved him into the 2-slot with Archie at the 1 – kind of a floating system. But I’ve been riding Dion saying, ‘Man, you need to carry me a little bit, because you’re shooting the ball so well from the perimeter.’ You have to really be proud of what he has accomplished from a new position.”
Goodwin started the game with a dunk and drove the paint for a lay-in moments later to give the Bears and early 4-0 lead with 6:20 remaining in the opening quarter. He also ended the quarter big time with a steal and another dunk to give Sylvan Hills an 11-4 lead, with Goodwin responsible for nine of those points.
Pearson added nine points for the Bears while Jacob Gates had six and Ziegler finished with five. For Monticello (8-4, 0-1), junior guard Tony Butler led with 21 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
TOP STORY >> County judge stresses efficiency
By JOAN McCOY
Leader staff writer
Doug Erwin, a Republican, became Lonoke County Judge in January 2011 after defeating Charlie Troutman, the Democratic incumbent, in November 2010.
The county judge is by state law the chief executive officer for county government in Arkansas. In that role, the judge authorizes and approves the disbursement of all appropriated county funds, administers ordinances enacted by the quorum court, has custody of county property, accepts grants from federal, state, public and private sources, hires county employees except those employed by other elected officials of the county, and presides over the quorum court without a vote but with the power of veto.
But county judges are perhaps best known for their responsibility for the county roads. They send out the crews that maintain the roads and they alone decide how the money in the road and bridge fund will be spent.
In Lonoke County, that fund contains about $5 million.
Erwin said this week in a prepared statement about his first year in office that it was a time of learning, challenge and change.
“This first year we have focused our attention on being more efficient with our taxpayers’ dollars,” Erwin said.
“We have used management techniques, transparency and accountability to improve efficiencies throughout the areas of the county the judge’s office is responsible for. And through the improved efficiencies we have been able to make the most use of every tax dollar spent.
“For example, by realigning duties and responsibilities and allowing our employees to work to their full potential we have saved over $140,000 this year in payroll cost as compared to the year before I took office.
“By allowing our county employees to utilize their skills, we have greatly reduced the use of outside contractors. That has saved the county over $1 million.”
Specifically, Erwin said in a phone interview that he cut road and bridge workers from about 30 to about 20 and the ones he has left are doing more than they did in the past.
“If the guys are going to work for me, they’re going to work,” Erwin explained.
“In the road department we have reduced monthly fuel bills by over $8,000 a month for almost $100,000 in savings this past year,” his said in his prepared statement.
How did he do that?
Erwin said that one of his first official acts on Jan. 3, 2011 was to stop his workers from driving their work trucks home at night. Then, he got rid of the bulk gas tank that all the workers had access to. Now the county buys gas from a local supplier one tankful at a time with gas cards that show who buys how much and when they buy it.
“Our decision to become a dues paying member of Metroplan has resulted in a net gain of almost $400,000 in additional revenue for the county,” Erwin said in his prepared statement.
Asked to elaborate, he said Lonoke County wasn’t paying its Metroplan dues when he took office and was not getting a share of the federal road money that Metroplan administers. He paid $14,000 for 2010 and $19,000 for 2011 and got $400,000 in exchange.
“I’ll trade that all day long,” he said.
Flooding from numerous storms damaged roads across the county and kept workers from concentrating on routine maintenance, he said in his statement.
But the county has secured more than $700,000 in federal aid to help pay some of the cost of repairing the storm damaged roads. And the hope is that routine maintenance will be the priority in 2012.
“I look forward to serving the citizens of Lonoke County in 2012,” he said in his statement. “This year I plan to continue the transparency and accountability that has given us the cost savings while still giving you the service you deserve. And as a major goal we plan to continue resurfacing of our roads, improving the shoulders and addressing the drainage issues throughout the county.
“Please feel free to offer me your thoughts for the county for the New Year,” he said.
Leader staff writer
Doug Erwin, a Republican, became Lonoke County Judge in January 2011 after defeating Charlie Troutman, the Democratic incumbent, in November 2010.
The county judge is by state law the chief executive officer for county government in Arkansas. In that role, the judge authorizes and approves the disbursement of all appropriated county funds, administers ordinances enacted by the quorum court, has custody of county property, accepts grants from federal, state, public and private sources, hires county employees except those employed by other elected officials of the county, and presides over the quorum court without a vote but with the power of veto.
But county judges are perhaps best known for their responsibility for the county roads. They send out the crews that maintain the roads and they alone decide how the money in the road and bridge fund will be spent.
In Lonoke County, that fund contains about $5 million.
Erwin said this week in a prepared statement about his first year in office that it was a time of learning, challenge and change.
“This first year we have focused our attention on being more efficient with our taxpayers’ dollars,” Erwin said.
“We have used management techniques, transparency and accountability to improve efficiencies throughout the areas of the county the judge’s office is responsible for. And through the improved efficiencies we have been able to make the most use of every tax dollar spent.
“For example, by realigning duties and responsibilities and allowing our employees to work to their full potential we have saved over $140,000 this year in payroll cost as compared to the year before I took office.
“By allowing our county employees to utilize their skills, we have greatly reduced the use of outside contractors. That has saved the county over $1 million.”
Specifically, Erwin said in a phone interview that he cut road and bridge workers from about 30 to about 20 and the ones he has left are doing more than they did in the past.
“If the guys are going to work for me, they’re going to work,” Erwin explained.
“In the road department we have reduced monthly fuel bills by over $8,000 a month for almost $100,000 in savings this past year,” his said in his prepared statement.
How did he do that?
Erwin said that one of his first official acts on Jan. 3, 2011 was to stop his workers from driving their work trucks home at night. Then, he got rid of the bulk gas tank that all the workers had access to. Now the county buys gas from a local supplier one tankful at a time with gas cards that show who buys how much and when they buy it.
“Our decision to become a dues paying member of Metroplan has resulted in a net gain of almost $400,000 in additional revenue for the county,” Erwin said in his prepared statement.
Asked to elaborate, he said Lonoke County wasn’t paying its Metroplan dues when he took office and was not getting a share of the federal road money that Metroplan administers. He paid $14,000 for 2010 and $19,000 for 2011 and got $400,000 in exchange.
“I’ll trade that all day long,” he said.
Flooding from numerous storms damaged roads across the county and kept workers from concentrating on routine maintenance, he said in his statement.
But the county has secured more than $700,000 in federal aid to help pay some of the cost of repairing the storm damaged roads. And the hope is that routine maintenance will be the priority in 2012.
“I look forward to serving the citizens of Lonoke County in 2012,” he said in his statement. “This year I plan to continue the transparency and accountability that has given us the cost savings while still giving you the service you deserve. And as a major goal we plan to continue resurfacing of our roads, improving the shoulders and addressing the drainage issues throughout the county.
“Please feel free to offer me your thoughts for the county for the New Year,” he said.
EDITORIAL >> If it bleeds, it sure leads
You’ve probably noticed that Little Rock television stations are airing more crime stories at the exclusion of serious reporting, which disappeared from local screens years ago.
Apart from some stories that the stations pick up from area newspapers and blogs, it’s pretty much the police gazette between the weather and sports.
TV viewership is dropping, so stations are desperate to keep what they have with a slew of crime stories, as many as a dozen in one evening. Some are just for titillation, while others perhaps are meant to keep viewers out of high-crime areas.
The recent spate of stories about crime at Park Plaza in Little Rock and McCain Mall in North Little Rock serve as warnings to suburban shoppers about the dangers of going to the big city, suggesting they might be better off shopping at home.
The Cabot mother and daughter who felt threatened at Park Plaza around Christmas will likely never shop there again, and who can blame them? The incident ended with an off-duty police officer shooting at the alleged troublemakers.
Outside consultants tell TV stations this is the formula the public wants, and they could be right.
Crime is down in most areas of Arkansas and around the nation. But Little Rock has seen a jump in its crime rate, so perhaps tabloid journalism on TV is a reflection of those sad statistics.
The evening news around Christmas was no different from other nights: Crime, mayhem and all-around depravity were the top stories on TV and hardly any coverage of local religious services or people preparing for the holidays.
TV news relies on local law-enforcement spokesmen to get the word out on the latest murders, rapes and arrests of child pornographers, so that crime buffs are always in the know. They can channel surf the four TV stations and see crime reports for most of the 30-minute broadcast. But keep the children out of the room.
Lt. Carl Minden of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office and Lt. Jim Kulesa of the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office are seasoned pros who provide timely information to the media and are almost always available for interviews. They’ve helped us over the years, and they’re ubiquitous on television.
Who needs reporters and anchors? Heard of citizen journalists? Law-enforcement journalists are the new wave. They don’t cost the stations a dime.
Lt. Kulesa and Lt. Minden and their counterparts around Arkansas can help fill a broadcast and deserve a modest stipend for their efforts. Razorback and high school sport highlights, along with the weather, should only briefly distract viewers from crime.
None of this stuff is suitable for children: Two nights before Christmas, one TV anchorman was handed a bulletin about a double murder in Ward, although it was closer to Cabot.
There would be more details, as they say on TV, as they became available the next day. The Lonoke County murders dominated the news, while Christmas stories had to wait till Sunday.
Crime stories dropped off on Christmas because even criminals take a day off, maybe because they’ve stolen enough presents and need a break like everyone else.
After Christmas, it was back to business as usual. Police and sheriff’s department spokesmen were back on the air to fill out the details about the latest shootings and holdups. These interviews could fill a newscast with crime news from around Arkansas.
The future of television news could evolve into something we’re seeing on Little Rock TV. No need for reporters — only one station had a reporter working Christmas weekend — and you might as well eliminate the anchors and even the weather people. Just keep airing the crime videos.
One station in Dallas is leading the trend: It broadcasts reports from the field without a studio staff. No need for reporters or meteorologists: A camera operator can run to crime scenes and accidents and tape meetings and seasonal stories about the homeless, toys for tots and missing pets.
They can fill the other 12 or minutes or so with annoyingly loud commercials.
For more serious reporting, we think newspapers can still provide an important service to their readers.
Apart from some stories that the stations pick up from area newspapers and blogs, it’s pretty much the police gazette between the weather and sports.
TV viewership is dropping, so stations are desperate to keep what they have with a slew of crime stories, as many as a dozen in one evening. Some are just for titillation, while others perhaps are meant to keep viewers out of high-crime areas.
The recent spate of stories about crime at Park Plaza in Little Rock and McCain Mall in North Little Rock serve as warnings to suburban shoppers about the dangers of going to the big city, suggesting they might be better off shopping at home.
The Cabot mother and daughter who felt threatened at Park Plaza around Christmas will likely never shop there again, and who can blame them? The incident ended with an off-duty police officer shooting at the alleged troublemakers.
Outside consultants tell TV stations this is the formula the public wants, and they could be right.
Crime is down in most areas of Arkansas and around the nation. But Little Rock has seen a jump in its crime rate, so perhaps tabloid journalism on TV is a reflection of those sad statistics.
The evening news around Christmas was no different from other nights: Crime, mayhem and all-around depravity were the top stories on TV and hardly any coverage of local religious services or people preparing for the holidays.
TV news relies on local law-enforcement spokesmen to get the word out on the latest murders, rapes and arrests of child pornographers, so that crime buffs are always in the know. They can channel surf the four TV stations and see crime reports for most of the 30-minute broadcast. But keep the children out of the room.
Lt. Carl Minden of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office and Lt. Jim Kulesa of the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office are seasoned pros who provide timely information to the media and are almost always available for interviews. They’ve helped us over the years, and they’re ubiquitous on television.
Who needs reporters and anchors? Heard of citizen journalists? Law-enforcement journalists are the new wave. They don’t cost the stations a dime.
Lt. Kulesa and Lt. Minden and their counterparts around Arkansas can help fill a broadcast and deserve a modest stipend for their efforts. Razorback and high school sport highlights, along with the weather, should only briefly distract viewers from crime.
None of this stuff is suitable for children: Two nights before Christmas, one TV anchorman was handed a bulletin about a double murder in Ward, although it was closer to Cabot.
There would be more details, as they say on TV, as they became available the next day. The Lonoke County murders dominated the news, while Christmas stories had to wait till Sunday.
Crime stories dropped off on Christmas because even criminals take a day off, maybe because they’ve stolen enough presents and need a break like everyone else.
After Christmas, it was back to business as usual. Police and sheriff’s department spokesmen were back on the air to fill out the details about the latest shootings and holdups. These interviews could fill a newscast with crime news from around Arkansas.
The future of television news could evolve into something we’re seeing on Little Rock TV. No need for reporters — only one station had a reporter working Christmas weekend — and you might as well eliminate the anchors and even the weather people. Just keep airing the crime videos.
One station in Dallas is leading the trend: It broadcasts reports from the field without a studio staff. No need for reporters or meteorologists: A camera operator can run to crime scenes and accidents and tape meetings and seasonal stories about the homeless, toys for tots and missing pets.
They can fill the other 12 or minutes or so with annoyingly loud commercials.
For more serious reporting, we think newspapers can still provide an important service to their readers.
TOP STORY >> Cypert releases agenda for 2012
By JOAN McCOY
Leader staff writer
Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert had a good first year in office based on a long list of accomplishments that he gave to The Leader last weekend. But one year leads into the next, and the mayor says he is ready with more projects that need to be addressed.
Top on that long list is a master street plan to control traffic as the city grows, a plan for financing important projects without additional taxes, better garbage and trash service and a district court that makes money.
Goals for 2012:
Seventy-six drainage improvement projects.
Continue to clean major drainage ditches and improve the ability for more cost effective maintenance.
Adoption of the master street and sidewalk plans by Metroplan and the city council. Primary goals are for corridor protection and planned and reasonable strategic growth.
Completion of a bond refinancing plan for infrastructure improvements in transportation, waste water, parks and recreation, fire station and engines. An election is planned for April 2013 and will simply refinance the current bond issue with no new sales tax.
Eight sidewalk improvement projects.
Forty-six street improvement projects.
Implement a seasonal banner program for street light poles in major areas winter, spring, summer and fall.
Review the productivity and cost effectiveness of the district court operation and consider improving security, also consider a night court.
Improve emergency lighting and fire protection in all city buildings.
Leader staff writer
Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert had a good first year in office based on a long list of accomplishments that he gave to The Leader last weekend. But one year leads into the next, and the mayor says he is ready with more projects that need to be addressed.
Top on that long list is a master street plan to control traffic as the city grows, a plan for financing important projects without additional taxes, better garbage and trash service and a district court that makes money.
Goals for 2012:
Seventy-six drainage improvement projects.
Continue to clean major drainage ditches and improve the ability for more cost effective maintenance.
Adoption of the master street and sidewalk plans by Metroplan and the city council. Primary goals are for corridor protection and planned and reasonable strategic growth.
Completion of a bond refinancing plan for infrastructure improvements in transportation, waste water, parks and recreation, fire station and engines. An election is planned for April 2013 and will simply refinance the current bond issue with no new sales tax.
Eight sidewalk improvement projects.
Forty-six street improvement projects.
Implement a seasonal banner program for street light poles in major areas winter, spring, summer and fall.
Review the productivity and cost effectiveness of the district court operation and consider improving security, also consider a night court.
Improve emergency lighting and fire protection in all city buildings.
Continue developing management access plans for all major corridors.
Continue developing corridor plans for all major corridors.
Prepare a cost, benefit for bringing solid waste, yard waste, and recycle pickup in house versus a third party, if not cost justified, rebid the solid waste contract.
Re-bid the software vendor for the city ordinance codification software arranging ordinances in a systematic form.
Re-bid the maintenance for citywide complex air conditioning and heating systems.
Review the employee salary and performance evaluation policies and administration.
Evaluate a more cost effective program for computer hardware, software, and technology maintenance.
Implement ability to pay advertising and promotion tax on-line.
Evaluate finance, payroll, and accounting software for cost effectiveness and state-of-the art status including consideration of a bi-weekly payroll.
Re-bid city cell-phone contract.
Consider cost / benefit migrating from a 14 day jail facility to a 24 hour facility using the Lonoke County jail facility.
Consider implementing a rental inspection program for existing (housing) units.
Re-bid the city property and casualty insurance after completion of an accurate inventory that is in progress of city property in terms of buildings and contents.
Bid the city checking account business.
Consider the annexation of the ford bottoms triangle bordered by Arkansas Highway 5, Arkansas Highway 89 and U.S. Highway 67/167.
Design and procure city pins and challenge coins for public relations and promote goodwill of the city as well as meet requests for such.
Design and implement a physical fitness program for police department.
Procure and implement a mobile adoption unit program (for animal control).
Continue to consider purchasing property adjacent to and for expansion of the city hall complex and community center.
Consider a state-of-the-art Christmas display for the community pond park that can be advertised statewide for visitor attraction.
Continue developing corridor plans for all major corridors.
Prepare a cost, benefit for bringing solid waste, yard waste, and recycle pickup in house versus a third party, if not cost justified, rebid the solid waste contract.
Re-bid the software vendor for the city ordinance codification software arranging ordinances in a systematic form.
Re-bid the maintenance for citywide complex air conditioning and heating systems.
Review the employee salary and performance evaluation policies and administration.
Evaluate a more cost effective program for computer hardware, software, and technology maintenance.
Implement ability to pay advertising and promotion tax on-line.
Evaluate finance, payroll, and accounting software for cost effectiveness and state-of-the art status including consideration of a bi-weekly payroll.
Re-bid city cell-phone contract.
Consider cost / benefit migrating from a 14 day jail facility to a 24 hour facility using the Lonoke County jail facility.
Consider implementing a rental inspection program for existing (housing) units.
Re-bid the city property and casualty insurance after completion of an accurate inventory that is in progress of city property in terms of buildings and contents.
Bid the city checking account business.
Consider the annexation of the ford bottoms triangle bordered by Arkansas Highway 5, Arkansas Highway 89 and U.S. Highway 67/167.
Design and procure city pins and challenge coins for public relations and promote goodwill of the city as well as meet requests for such.
Design and implement a physical fitness program for police department.
Procure and implement a mobile adoption unit program (for animal control).
Continue to consider purchasing property adjacent to and for expansion of the city hall complex and community center.
Consider a state-of-the-art Christmas display for the community pond park that can be advertised statewide for visitor attraction.
TOP STORY >> Birds pull town together
By JEFFREY SMITH AND JOAN McCOY
Leader staff writers
The number of dead blackbirds that fell in Beebe on New Year’s Eve was down dramatically from last year, about 450 instead of 5,000, but this time, officials say they have evidence that the birds were killed after fireworks were deliberately set, causing them to fly into each other.
Last year, someone reportedly shot a large rocket near the bird roost by accident. The birds flew up in such numbers that the flush was caught on weather radar and when they tried to return to the roost in the dark, they crashed into each other, buildings and trees and died from blunt-force trauma.
Milton McCullar, who works as the city’s code-enforcement officer, said he was helping Police Chief Wayne Ballew patrol the Windwood neighborhood near the roost in an attempt to stop the fireworks when someone set a large, multi-charge unit on a two-by-four in such a way that it angled into the trees where the birds roost.
The two-by-four and spent fireworks were found on Macy Lane in a section of Windwood that is under development, McCullar said.
McCullar said he had been at that location shortly before the fireworks were set off, but he left to try to locate fireworks from another part of the subdivision and ask those shooting them to stop.
Beebe Animal Control officer Horace Taylor spent Sunday morning picking up dead birds in the city like he did last year. He said the city began receiving calls about dead birds a little after 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Beebe has one of the largest blackbird roosts in the world.
Mayor Mike Robertson declared a temporary ban on fireworks soon after.
Taylor worked until 3 a.m. at the request of the mayor, who wanted the streets kept clean. Taylor said he picked up around 320 birds during the weekend. A game warden picked some of the birds up on Saturday for testing to determine the cause of death.
Last year, the city hired a hazmat team to pick up the dead birds at a cost of about $12,000.
Lula Ensign of 204 Pine Drive had five dead redwing blackbirds in her yard on Sunday. Last New Year’s Day she had 35 birds.
“I didn’t see them last night, but I found two this morning. I don’t understand. It is unusual. (The blackbirds) are just everywhere. The trees are full.”
During the fall and winter, an estimated 1.5 million blackbirds flock to Beebe to roost in the trees in the Windwood subdivision and in the field along West Center Street, soon to be developed into retail center.
Leader staff writers
The number of dead blackbirds that fell in Beebe on New Year’s Eve was down dramatically from last year, about 450 instead of 5,000, but this time, officials say they have evidence that the birds were killed after fireworks were deliberately set, causing them to fly into each other.
Last year, someone reportedly shot a large rocket near the bird roost by accident. The birds flew up in such numbers that the flush was caught on weather radar and when they tried to return to the roost in the dark, they crashed into each other, buildings and trees and died from blunt-force trauma.
Milton McCullar, who works as the city’s code-enforcement officer, said he was helping Police Chief Wayne Ballew patrol the Windwood neighborhood near the roost in an attempt to stop the fireworks when someone set a large, multi-charge unit on a two-by-four in such a way that it angled into the trees where the birds roost.
The two-by-four and spent fireworks were found on Macy Lane in a section of Windwood that is under development, McCullar said.
McCullar said he had been at that location shortly before the fireworks were set off, but he left to try to locate fireworks from another part of the subdivision and ask those shooting them to stop.
Beebe Animal Control officer Horace Taylor spent Sunday morning picking up dead birds in the city like he did last year. He said the city began receiving calls about dead birds a little after 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Beebe has one of the largest blackbird roosts in the world.
Mayor Mike Robertson declared a temporary ban on fireworks soon after.
Taylor worked until 3 a.m. at the request of the mayor, who wanted the streets kept clean. Taylor said he picked up around 320 birds during the weekend. A game warden picked some of the birds up on Saturday for testing to determine the cause of death.
Last year, the city hired a hazmat team to pick up the dead birds at a cost of about $12,000.
Lula Ensign of 204 Pine Drive had five dead redwing blackbirds in her yard on Sunday. Last New Year’s Day she had 35 birds.
“I didn’t see them last night, but I found two this morning. I don’t understand. It is unusual. (The blackbirds) are just everywhere. The trees are full.”
During the fall and winter, an estimated 1.5 million blackbirds flock to Beebe to roost in the trees in the Windwood subdivision and in the field along West Center Street, soon to be developed into retail center.
TOP STORY >> New year seen as turning point for area officials
By SARAH CAMPBELL
Leader staff writer
Most community leaders don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but their hopes for 2012 are bright.
State Sen. Eddie Joe Williams (R-Cabot) said he wants to see growth with jobs and a healthy family. He has 10 grandchildren, four daughters and four sons-in-law.
“For people who want to work, I want to work as hard as I can to give them an opportunity to succeed,” he said, adding that that it all starts with a good education.
He hopes to see improvement in the state’s education system over the next few years.
State Rep. Jane English (R-North Little Rock) echoed his sentiments. She said she wants Arkansas to have an excellent education system and she wants to find ways to bring jobs here.
English said she doesn’t make resolutions because “I just try to make the best of every day.”
Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher said, “I hope to get something strong going on the fair. I hope to get more of a commitment from the state to break up PCSSD so we can get our own district. On a personal level, I feel like I’m doing what I need to be doing.”
The state Education Department took control of the fiscally-distressed Pulaski County Special School District in June, dismissing the superintendent and dissolving the board. Many prominent Jacksonville residents considered the takeover to be an ideal opportunity for the city to get neighborhood schools.
Daniel Gray, a third-generation Jacksonville realtor and active member of the Jacksonville World Class Education Organization, said he’s still trying to get through 2011 and hasn’t thought of 2012 yet.
On Dec. 15, Jacksonville gave the state fair board 45 days to accept its revised two-year-old offer of 450 acres at South Hwy. 161 and I-440, plus a 200,000-square-foot events center.
Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert said, “My hope for Cabot is a prosperous and financially healthy 2012.”
Sherwood Mayor Virginia Hillman said she is looking forward to a fresh start.
Art Brooke, Ward’s mayor, said, “My resolution is to provide more quality services for our residents here in Ward.”
Jacksonville Police Chief Gary Sipes wrote in an e-mail, “As the police chief, I hope for the continued decline in our crime and improved safety for our citizens. In code enforcement, I am looking forward to cleaning the city up with the removal of all of the inoperable vehicles, trash, and other debris. We are also about to start a big push to have a lot of dilapidated houses/trailers torn down by the owners or condemned by the council.
“This is to improve the appearance and increase property values of our property.”
Code enforcement transitioned from the engineering department to Jacksonville police in November. The new proactive approach is aimed at cleaning up the city and to rid Jacksonville of eyesores.
Jacksonville transferred two code enforcement officers to police headquarters and will hire three more with funds set aside in its proposed 2012 budget.
A code enforcement officer will remain in the city engineer’s department to perform routine and permit inspections.
Instead of only responding to complaints, code enforcement officers will patrol a district, a section of the city, in the same way that policemen are assigned to a certain area.
Sherwood Police Chief Jim Bedwell said he will, “just try to keep everything peaceful,” and he hopes for a reduced crime rate.
Jacksonville Fire Chief John Vanderhoof wants a “fire-safe year.”
Sherwood Fire Chief David Teague said the coming would be a busy one for his department. There will be several new officers promoted and it will transition from part time to full time.
Larry Wilson, First Arkansas Bank and Trust president, said, “I typically try to look at how we might grow and prosper in the coming year. The last few years have been a challenge, but we’ve done it.”
Arkansas Federal Credit Union CEO Larry Bernacki said he doesn’t think about resolutions.
“This was a very good year. The organization grew and I want that to continue. By all measurements, this was a very successful year,” he said.
Leader staff writer
Most community leaders don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but their hopes for 2012 are bright.
State Sen. Eddie Joe Williams (R-Cabot) said he wants to see growth with jobs and a healthy family. He has 10 grandchildren, four daughters and four sons-in-law.
“For people who want to work, I want to work as hard as I can to give them an opportunity to succeed,” he said, adding that that it all starts with a good education.
He hopes to see improvement in the state’s education system over the next few years.
State Rep. Jane English (R-North Little Rock) echoed his sentiments. She said she wants Arkansas to have an excellent education system and she wants to find ways to bring jobs here.
English said she doesn’t make resolutions because “I just try to make the best of every day.”
Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher said, “I hope to get something strong going on the fair. I hope to get more of a commitment from the state to break up PCSSD so we can get our own district. On a personal level, I feel like I’m doing what I need to be doing.”
The state Education Department took control of the fiscally-distressed Pulaski County Special School District in June, dismissing the superintendent and dissolving the board. Many prominent Jacksonville residents considered the takeover to be an ideal opportunity for the city to get neighborhood schools.
Daniel Gray, a third-generation Jacksonville realtor and active member of the Jacksonville World Class Education Organization, said he’s still trying to get through 2011 and hasn’t thought of 2012 yet.
On Dec. 15, Jacksonville gave the state fair board 45 days to accept its revised two-year-old offer of 450 acres at South Hwy. 161 and I-440, plus a 200,000-square-foot events center.
Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert said, “My hope for Cabot is a prosperous and financially healthy 2012.”
Sherwood Mayor Virginia Hillman said she is looking forward to a fresh start.
Art Brooke, Ward’s mayor, said, “My resolution is to provide more quality services for our residents here in Ward.”
Jacksonville Police Chief Gary Sipes wrote in an e-mail, “As the police chief, I hope for the continued decline in our crime and improved safety for our citizens. In code enforcement, I am looking forward to cleaning the city up with the removal of all of the inoperable vehicles, trash, and other debris. We are also about to start a big push to have a lot of dilapidated houses/trailers torn down by the owners or condemned by the council.
“This is to improve the appearance and increase property values of our property.”
Code enforcement transitioned from the engineering department to Jacksonville police in November. The new proactive approach is aimed at cleaning up the city and to rid Jacksonville of eyesores.
Jacksonville transferred two code enforcement officers to police headquarters and will hire three more with funds set aside in its proposed 2012 budget.
A code enforcement officer will remain in the city engineer’s department to perform routine and permit inspections.
Instead of only responding to complaints, code enforcement officers will patrol a district, a section of the city, in the same way that policemen are assigned to a certain area.
Sherwood Police Chief Jim Bedwell said he will, “just try to keep everything peaceful,” and he hopes for a reduced crime rate.
Jacksonville Fire Chief John Vanderhoof wants a “fire-safe year.”
Sherwood Fire Chief David Teague said the coming would be a busy one for his department. There will be several new officers promoted and it will transition from part time to full time.
Larry Wilson, First Arkansas Bank and Trust president, said, “I typically try to look at how we might grow and prosper in the coming year. The last few years have been a challenge, but we’ve done it.”
Arkansas Federal Credit Union CEO Larry Bernacki said he doesn’t think about resolutions.
“This was a very good year. The organization grew and I want that to continue. By all measurements, this was a very successful year,” he said.
TOP STORY >> Invaders swoop in at sunset
By GARRICK FELDMAN
Leader editor
On Saturday afternoon, children and their parents were walking down the street in Beebe’s Windwood subdivision near where blackbirds roost at night on West Center Street.
A mother was walking her child in a stroller on the edge of the subdivision where some birds also roost, although not nearly as many as on Center Street.
It wouldn’t be long, she said, before thousands of birds showed up, as they do every night. A few birds landed on some trees inside the subdivision.
A man walking his dog said he might shoot off some firecrackers to scare away the birds.
The sun was setting behind them as more birds flew over the subdivision.
“They’ll be here as it gets dark,” the man said. “There will be more of them on Center Street.”
It was New Year’s Eve. The town’s residents were apprehensive about a repeat of last year, when some 5,000 blackbirds fell dead after powerful fireworks went off not far from their roost.
A crowd started to gather in the Beebe Church of Christ parking lot on Center Street before 5. The sun was setting on the right as the birds started swooping down toward an open field across from the church.
They landed up in the trees surrounding the field. There were a just a few hundred at first and then thousands of them. It’s called a murmuration: Huge flocks of birds flying together.
They blackened the sky as motorists on Center Street started honking. Somebody estimated a million birds were heading for the field.
They’d land and then take off. It was like a synchronized tornado sweeping up debris. Huge groups of them circled the field and then returned to the trees.
It was getting dark, and there were fireworks going off in the distance, which scared the birds.
An hour later, more fireworks went off near the roost. Beebe officials ordered them stopped, which prevented another massacre.
About 450 birds were killed Saturday, a tiny fraction of the disaster from a year ago, which a worldwide sensation.
As soon as the fireworks went off Saturday, Mayor Mike Robertson said Monday, “we asked them not to shoot.”
“This year, we didn’t have much trouble. A couple of pranksters shot off some fireworks,” he said. “We told them to stop it.”
Most people obeyed the order and no one has been charged.
“The event that killed the birds happened around 7:30,” Robertson said.
“We thought it was fireworks that killed the birds last year,” the mayor said. “This year proved it.”
“Last year, commercial-grade fireworks were set off,” he continued. “It was a like a sonic boom. Maybe it was accidental.”
He said the city council will consider banning fireworks on New Year’s Eve. The birds come through Beebe in the fall and winter and aren’t around on the Fourth of July.
Robertson thinks a shopping center that’s planned for Center Street will probably drive away the birds from there and move them out of town.
“I watch them in the morning when they fly away,” the mayor said. “There are so many of them trying to avoid each other.”
They’re tough birds.
Leader editor
On Saturday afternoon, children and their parents were walking down the street in Beebe’s Windwood subdivision near where blackbirds roost at night on West Center Street.
A mother was walking her child in a stroller on the edge of the subdivision where some birds also roost, although not nearly as many as on Center Street.
It wouldn’t be long, she said, before thousands of birds showed up, as they do every night. A few birds landed on some trees inside the subdivision.
A man walking his dog said he might shoot off some firecrackers to scare away the birds.
The sun was setting behind them as more birds flew over the subdivision.
“They’ll be here as it gets dark,” the man said. “There will be more of them on Center Street.”
It was New Year’s Eve. The town’s residents were apprehensive about a repeat of last year, when some 5,000 blackbirds fell dead after powerful fireworks went off not far from their roost.
A crowd started to gather in the Beebe Church of Christ parking lot on Center Street before 5. The sun was setting on the right as the birds started swooping down toward an open field across from the church.
They landed up in the trees surrounding the field. There were a just a few hundred at first and then thousands of them. It’s called a murmuration: Huge flocks of birds flying together.
They blackened the sky as motorists on Center Street started honking. Somebody estimated a million birds were heading for the field.
They’d land and then take off. It was like a synchronized tornado sweeping up debris. Huge groups of them circled the field and then returned to the trees.
It was getting dark, and there were fireworks going off in the distance, which scared the birds.
An hour later, more fireworks went off near the roost. Beebe officials ordered them stopped, which prevented another massacre.
About 450 birds were killed Saturday, a tiny fraction of the disaster from a year ago, which a worldwide sensation.
As soon as the fireworks went off Saturday, Mayor Mike Robertson said Monday, “we asked them not to shoot.”
“This year, we didn’t have much trouble. A couple of pranksters shot off some fireworks,” he said. “We told them to stop it.”
Most people obeyed the order and no one has been charged.
“The event that killed the birds happened around 7:30,” Robertson said.
“We thought it was fireworks that killed the birds last year,” the mayor said. “This year proved it.”
“Last year, commercial-grade fireworks were set off,” he continued. “It was a like a sonic boom. Maybe it was accidental.”
He said the city council will consider banning fireworks on New Year’s Eve. The birds come through Beebe in the fall and winter and aren’t around on the Fourth of July.
Robertson thinks a shopping center that’s planned for Center Street will probably drive away the birds from there and move them out of town.
“I watch them in the morning when they fly away,” the mayor said. “There are so many of them trying to avoid each other.”
They’re tough birds.
TOP STORY >> Several schools do well on test
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Arkansas students are smarter than more than half the country, according to information the University of Arkansas recently reported.
The school’s Office of Educational Policy said Arkansas students from kindergarten through the ninth-grade who took the Iowa Test of Basic Skills were in the 55th national percentile ranking, meaning they scored better than 54 percent of the students across the nation who took the test.
A percentile score of 50 is considered average, having half the nation score worse than that and half scoring better.
While the state average was in the 57th percentile, most Pulaski County Special School District students scored substantially lower, while those in Cabot and Searcy did much better.
The Iowa test is a standardized achievement test used to monitor year-to-year progress and can help supplement teachers in their observations about student capabilities, such as what a student’s most and least developed skills are. The test has been in use since 1935. It can also be used to compare students nationally.
The top schools in the region were Mountain Springs Elementary School in Cabot and PCSSD’s Arnold Drive Elementary, where students scored in the 74th percentile, meaning they did better than about three-fourths of the nation’s students.
Lonoke Primary School was in the 72nd percentile and Cabot’s Eastside Elementary was in the71st percentile and Magness Creek Elementary had a rating of 70th.
One the other end of the spectrum was Harris Elementary in PCSSD in the 30th percentile, meaning 69 percent of the nation’s students outscored them.
Also at that bottom rung were Jacksonville High School in the 31st percentile, Jacksonville Middle School in the 33rd percentile and North Pulaski High School in the 39th percentile, all far below the state average.
The overall percentile is based on what the students scored in reading, math, language and science portions of the test. Only certain grades took the science portion.
Here is a look at area districts.
Lonoke
While the primary school had an overall percentile of 72 and 77 in language (tops in the region), the other Lonoke schools fell below the state average.
Lonoke Middle School was in the 50th percentile, Lonoke Elementary in the 48th percentile and Lonoke High School in the 47th.
PCSSD
Besides Arnold Drive, three other PCSSD schools beat the state average, and two tied the average.
Clinton Elementary was in the 60th percentile, while Tolleson and Oakbrooke elementary schools were in the 58th percentile, and Sherwood and Cato elementary schools matched the state at the 55th percentile.
Among the district’s other elementary schools, Jacksonville Elementary, in its last year of existence, scored in the 42nd percentile, Murrell Taylor was in the 46th percentile , Pinewood had a rating of 48, Warren Dupree was in the 49th percentile and Sylvan Hills and Bayou Meto elementary schools were at 54.
Jacksonville’s Lighthouse Academy was also in the 54th percentile.
At the secondary level, Northwood Middle School was in the 44th percentile as was Sylvan Hills Middle School. Sylvan Hills High School had a rating of 43.
Beebe
All Beebe school scored higher than the state average except for Beebe Middle School, which missed the mark by one percent.
Beebe’s early childhood center scored in the 62nd percentile. Badger Elementary was in the 58th percentile, Beebe Elementary and Beebe Junior High were at the 57th percentile, Beebe High School was at 56 and Beebe Middle School came in with a rating of 54.
Cabot
Among its elementary schools, Stagecoach scored in the 68th percentile, Central Elementary was in the 66th percentile, Northside and Westside were in the 64th percentile and Ward Central was at 60.
At the secondary level, Cabot Middle School South scored in the 63rd percentile, Cabot Junior High North had a rating of 61, followed by Cabot Junior High South and Cabot Middle School North, both at the 59th percentile. The Academic Center for Excellence scored in the 51st percentile.
Searcy
In Searcy, Southwest Middle School was in the 66th percentile, Alhf Junior High scored in the 64th percentile, Sidney Deener Elementary had a rating of 62, McRae Elementary was in the 60th percentile and Searcy High School scored in the 58th percentile.
Leader staff writer
Arkansas students are smarter than more than half the country, according to information the University of Arkansas recently reported.
The school’s Office of Educational Policy said Arkansas students from kindergarten through the ninth-grade who took the Iowa Test of Basic Skills were in the 55th national percentile ranking, meaning they scored better than 54 percent of the students across the nation who took the test.
A percentile score of 50 is considered average, having half the nation score worse than that and half scoring better.
While the state average was in the 57th percentile, most Pulaski County Special School District students scored substantially lower, while those in Cabot and Searcy did much better.
The Iowa test is a standardized achievement test used to monitor year-to-year progress and can help supplement teachers in their observations about student capabilities, such as what a student’s most and least developed skills are. The test has been in use since 1935. It can also be used to compare students nationally.
The top schools in the region were Mountain Springs Elementary School in Cabot and PCSSD’s Arnold Drive Elementary, where students scored in the 74th percentile, meaning they did better than about three-fourths of the nation’s students.
Lonoke Primary School was in the 72nd percentile and Cabot’s Eastside Elementary was in the71st percentile and Magness Creek Elementary had a rating of 70th.
One the other end of the spectrum was Harris Elementary in PCSSD in the 30th percentile, meaning 69 percent of the nation’s students outscored them.
Also at that bottom rung were Jacksonville High School in the 31st percentile, Jacksonville Middle School in the 33rd percentile and North Pulaski High School in the 39th percentile, all far below the state average.
The overall percentile is based on what the students scored in reading, math, language and science portions of the test. Only certain grades took the science portion.
Here is a look at area districts.
Lonoke
While the primary school had an overall percentile of 72 and 77 in language (tops in the region), the other Lonoke schools fell below the state average.
Lonoke Middle School was in the 50th percentile, Lonoke Elementary in the 48th percentile and Lonoke High School in the 47th.
PCSSD
Besides Arnold Drive, three other PCSSD schools beat the state average, and two tied the average.
Clinton Elementary was in the 60th percentile, while Tolleson and Oakbrooke elementary schools were in the 58th percentile, and Sherwood and Cato elementary schools matched the state at the 55th percentile.
Among the district’s other elementary schools, Jacksonville Elementary, in its last year of existence, scored in the 42nd percentile, Murrell Taylor was in the 46th percentile , Pinewood had a rating of 48, Warren Dupree was in the 49th percentile and Sylvan Hills and Bayou Meto elementary schools were at 54.
Jacksonville’s Lighthouse Academy was also in the 54th percentile.
At the secondary level, Northwood Middle School was in the 44th percentile as was Sylvan Hills Middle School. Sylvan Hills High School had a rating of 43.
Beebe
All Beebe school scored higher than the state average except for Beebe Middle School, which missed the mark by one percent.
Beebe’s early childhood center scored in the 62nd percentile. Badger Elementary was in the 58th percentile, Beebe Elementary and Beebe Junior High were at the 57th percentile, Beebe High School was at 56 and Beebe Middle School came in with a rating of 54.
Cabot
Among its elementary schools, Stagecoach scored in the 68th percentile, Central Elementary was in the 66th percentile, Northside and Westside were in the 64th percentile and Ward Central was at 60.
At the secondary level, Cabot Middle School South scored in the 63rd percentile, Cabot Junior High North had a rating of 61, followed by Cabot Junior High South and Cabot Middle School North, both at the 59th percentile. The Academic Center for Excellence scored in the 51st percentile.
Searcy
In Searcy, Southwest Middle School was in the 66th percentile, Alhf Junior High scored in the 64th percentile, Sidney Deener Elementary had a rating of 62, McRae Elementary was in the 60th percentile and Searcy High School scored in the 58th percentile.
SPORTS >> Lady Badgers defeat Sacred Heart for third
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
It was all about Angelina Williams for Beebe in the Lady Badgers’ 50-30 victory over Sacred Heart in the third-place game of the Beebe Holiday Classic basketball tournament at Badger Sports Arena on Friday.
Williams, Beebe’s sophomore sensation post player who is listed between 6-3 and 6-4, upped her college profile once again with a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds while enjoying a tremendous size advantage over the Lady Rebels (17-4).
Teammates were happy to take a back seat offensively to Williams, who grabbed lob after lob for high-percentage shots on the low block against a Sacred Heart defense unable to stop her.
“We did a good job today,” Beebe coach Greg Richey said. “We came out, both teams were not playing with much intensity. But I thought it picked up, and our big girl just had an outstanding game. Of course, she had them outsized, but I liked it that our guards took advantage of it. Instead of shooting the ball, they wanted to make sure they got it in there to her.
“That was a big game for Angelina, and for the rest of the team.”
Williams established her dominance early with a putback off a miss by classmate Kalela Miller to make it 4-0 Beebe before taking an assist from junior guard Jamie Jackson for another easy basket to give the Lady Badgers a 6-0 lead at the 4:58 mark of the first quarter.
Jackson was not at full speed after a tough game against England in the semifinals the night before and finished with six points and four assists. Miller added 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.
But it was defense that carried the day for the Lady Badgers, as they denied Sacred Heart from scoring a field goal in the first quarter and led 11-4 heading into the second. Jackson led an 8-0 run for Beebe to start the second quarter before Crystal Wilson finally scored from the floor for the Lady Rebels with 1:10 remaining in the first half.
“Sacred Heart’s a good team – they’ve played a good tournament,” Richie said. “They just didn’t shoot very well today. It’s surprising that we were able to have the kind of night that we did, but the big girl affected a lot of the shots.”
Miller scored the first four points for Beebe in the second half with a pair of fast-break scores before Williams made it 33-14 on a bank shot off the glass at the 5:07 mark of the third quarter. Jackson then scored off a steal and Williams made a put back to give the Lady Badgers a 37-16 lead with 2:20 remaining in the third.
Beebe further put the odds in its favor inside with Williams and reserve post Miranda Spriggs on the floor at the same time in the second half. Richie normally uses Spriggs, a senior, in place of Williams in defensive situations, but the two shared the court to further hamper the Lady Rebels, who shot just 7 of 47 for the game while Beebe went 21 of 47.
Junior reserve Annlee Glass also saw significant minutes and scored her first varsity points with a 15-foot jumper at the third-quarter buzzer to give the Lady Badgers a 43-19 lead.
The Lady Badgers went 5-1 through the holidays, winning the Greenbrier tournament and finishing third in their own tournament to up their season record to 9-3.
“If somebody would have told me that, I would have turned cartwheels,” Richie said of his team’s performance during the Christmas break. “We’ve had a good two weeks.”
The Lady Badgers begin 5A-East Conference play at home against Blytheville on Friday.
Leader sportswriter
It was all about Angelina Williams for Beebe in the Lady Badgers’ 50-30 victory over Sacred Heart in the third-place game of the Beebe Holiday Classic basketball tournament at Badger Sports Arena on Friday.
Williams, Beebe’s sophomore sensation post player who is listed between 6-3 and 6-4, upped her college profile once again with a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds while enjoying a tremendous size advantage over the Lady Rebels (17-4).
Teammates were happy to take a back seat offensively to Williams, who grabbed lob after lob for high-percentage shots on the low block against a Sacred Heart defense unable to stop her.
“We did a good job today,” Beebe coach Greg Richey said. “We came out, both teams were not playing with much intensity. But I thought it picked up, and our big girl just had an outstanding game. Of course, she had them outsized, but I liked it that our guards took advantage of it. Instead of shooting the ball, they wanted to make sure they got it in there to her.
“That was a big game for Angelina, and for the rest of the team.”
Williams established her dominance early with a putback off a miss by classmate Kalela Miller to make it 4-0 Beebe before taking an assist from junior guard Jamie Jackson for another easy basket to give the Lady Badgers a 6-0 lead at the 4:58 mark of the first quarter.
Jackson was not at full speed after a tough game against England in the semifinals the night before and finished with six points and four assists. Miller added 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.
But it was defense that carried the day for the Lady Badgers, as they denied Sacred Heart from scoring a field goal in the first quarter and led 11-4 heading into the second. Jackson led an 8-0 run for Beebe to start the second quarter before Crystal Wilson finally scored from the floor for the Lady Rebels with 1:10 remaining in the first half.
“Sacred Heart’s a good team – they’ve played a good tournament,” Richie said. “They just didn’t shoot very well today. It’s surprising that we were able to have the kind of night that we did, but the big girl affected a lot of the shots.”
Miller scored the first four points for Beebe in the second half with a pair of fast-break scores before Williams made it 33-14 on a bank shot off the glass at the 5:07 mark of the third quarter. Jackson then scored off a steal and Williams made a put back to give the Lady Badgers a 37-16 lead with 2:20 remaining in the third.
Beebe further put the odds in its favor inside with Williams and reserve post Miranda Spriggs on the floor at the same time in the second half. Richie normally uses Spriggs, a senior, in place of Williams in defensive situations, but the two shared the court to further hamper the Lady Rebels, who shot just 7 of 47 for the game while Beebe went 21 of 47.
Junior reserve Annlee Glass also saw significant minutes and scored her first varsity points with a 15-foot jumper at the third-quarter buzzer to give the Lady Badgers a 43-19 lead.
The Lady Badgers went 5-1 through the holidays, winning the Greenbrier tournament and finishing third in their own tournament to up their season record to 9-3.
“If somebody would have told me that, I would have turned cartwheels,” Richie said of his team’s performance during the Christmas break. “We’ve had a good two weeks.”
The Lady Badgers begin 5A-East Conference play at home against Blytheville on Friday.
SPORTS >> Bears lose first game, close well in tourney
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Sylvan Hills boys’ team went 2-1 at the Poplar Bluff Showdown, which featured eight teams from four states, last week.
The Bears had a rough start on Wednesday, losing 65-60 to Tupelo, Miss., after leading by one point with a minute remaining in the game.
Tupelo was forced to begin fouling, and the Bears missed free throws. Sylvan Hills missed four free throws in the final minute to allow the Golden Wave to come back for the win. In all, the Bears missed 16free throws, hitting just 15 of 31 attempts in the game.
“You’re not going to win against any good teams shooting free throws like that,” Bears coach Kevin Davis said.
Sylvan Hills bounced back in the first round of the consolation bracket, crushing Memphis-Hillcrest 67-45 and earning a slot in the fifth-place game against fellow Arkansas 5A power Forrest City.
The Bears pulled that one out 69-57 in a game that could likely have been a preview of a postseason matchup.
The Mustangs are one of the favorites, along with Beebe, who played a close game with the Bears last month, to win the 5A East
Archie Goodwin led the Bears in scoring in both games. He had 24 against Tupelo and 18 against Hillcrest.
Forrest City lost to Memphis-Washington then beat host Poplar Bluff to advance to the consolation final.
Tupelo beat Memphis-Kirby in the third place game after losing to Maplewood-Richmond Heights, Mo., in the semifinals.
Memphis-Washington beat Maplewood-RH in the tournament final.
The Bears (8-3) return to action on Thursday, hosting Monticello in a 5A Southeast conference game. It will be the conference opener for the Billies while Sylvan Hills has one league game under its belt, a blowout win at home over White Hall.
The next day, the Bears leave for Lexington, Ky., to face Lexington Catholic in front of Goodwin’s future college hometown crowd. Goodwin signed with the Kentucky Wildcats in the early signing period.
The Bears then play one more league game before heading out of state again for the Bass Pro Shop tournament in Springfield. Mo.
Leader sports editor
Sylvan Hills boys’ team went 2-1 at the Poplar Bluff Showdown, which featured eight teams from four states, last week.
The Bears had a rough start on Wednesday, losing 65-60 to Tupelo, Miss., after leading by one point with a minute remaining in the game.
Tupelo was forced to begin fouling, and the Bears missed free throws. Sylvan Hills missed four free throws in the final minute to allow the Golden Wave to come back for the win. In all, the Bears missed 16free throws, hitting just 15 of 31 attempts in the game.
“You’re not going to win against any good teams shooting free throws like that,” Bears coach Kevin Davis said.
Sylvan Hills bounced back in the first round of the consolation bracket, crushing Memphis-Hillcrest 67-45 and earning a slot in the fifth-place game against fellow Arkansas 5A power Forrest City.
The Bears pulled that one out 69-57 in a game that could likely have been a preview of a postseason matchup.
The Mustangs are one of the favorites, along with Beebe, who played a close game with the Bears last month, to win the 5A East
Archie Goodwin led the Bears in scoring in both games. He had 24 against Tupelo and 18 against Hillcrest.
Forrest City lost to Memphis-Washington then beat host Poplar Bluff to advance to the consolation final.
Tupelo beat Memphis-Kirby in the third place game after losing to Maplewood-Richmond Heights, Mo., in the semifinals.
Memphis-Washington beat Maplewood-RH in the tournament final.
The Bears (8-3) return to action on Thursday, hosting Monticello in a 5A Southeast conference game. It will be the conference opener for the Billies while Sylvan Hills has one league game under its belt, a blowout win at home over White Hall.
The next day, the Bears leave for Lexington, Ky., to face Lexington Catholic in front of Goodwin’s future college hometown crowd. Goodwin signed with the Kentucky Wildcats in the early signing period.
The Bears then play one more league game before heading out of state again for the Bass Pro Shop tournament in Springfield. Mo.
SPORTS >> Warriors host JHS’ first East road test
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The real basketball season starts this week as conference play gets into full swing across the state. That means a bigger task for no other team in Arkansas than Jacksonville, which plays in the brutally competitive 6A East, along with perennial powerhouses Parkview, Hall, Jonesboro and West Memphis. Marion, Mountain Home and Searcy all have strong tradition as well and all three are coming off at least a quarterfinal appearance in last year’s state tournament.
It starts out tough for the Red Devils and Lady Devils as they begin league play on the road at Hall at 6 p.m. Thursday. The game was moved from Friday to accommodate Arkansas football fans who want to watch the Cotton Bowl.
Hall’s boys don’t have the big-time guards they usually do, but this year they have a big-time post player in junior Bobby Portis, who has already received scholarship offers from several Division I schools. Portis, 6 feet, 10 inches, can be a dominant inside force, but teams can’t just focus on him.
“The team is kind of built around him,” Jacksonville coach Vic Joyner said. “They have some veteran guards too though. They maybe haven’t been playing as well as they’d like, but they are veterans and they know how to turn it up when they need to turn it up.”
Hall, like most teams in the league, likes to press. While the Warrior guards haven’t yet been as impressive as usual in their play, they are impressive to look at. Hall features tall guards with long arms that disrupt passing lanes.
“They’re just so athletic,” Joyner said. “They’re tall, muscled up, just athletic. When you have athletes on the court anything is possible.”
Jacksonville will have some depth at guard and should be able to handle intense pressure better than it did early in the season with the addition of senior Joe Aikens. He returns this week after regaining his academic eligibility.
“He’s going to help tremendously,” Joyner said. “James just has a high basketball IQ. He takes pressure off Justin McCleary because he won’t have to handle the ball as much as he did before conference. It will get him off the ball and get him a rest mentally. Running point all the time, especially in this league, can wear on you.”
Jacksonville has no shortage of depth at any position, and Joyner doesn’t plan on setting a limit to the substitution rotation.
“The game will dicate the rotation,” Joyner said. “We kind of have a pecking order for the first nine, but if the game dicates we play 12 or 13 that’s what we’re going to do. We’ve been trying all year to get as many people ready as we can, so we just have to see how the games go.”
The girls league isn’t quite as deep with perennial powerhouses, but is very strong at the top, and does include the state’s top ranked team in Parkview, as well as several college-bound players.
The Jacksonville ladies have had an impressive pre-conference season, going 9-1. They weren’t quite as impressive this early last year, but they did have a winning record before things fell apart in a winless conference record.
This year’s team is better than last year’s, with more experience and depth, a true point guard in freshmen Shakyla Hill and the continued improvement of Division I prospect Jessica Jackson.
Hall also has a big-time guard in Tyler Scathe. The Lady Warriors offense will run through her.
“She’s running the show for them,” Lady Devil coach Katrina Mimms said. “They pretty much do what they did last year, where 95 percent of everything they do goes through her. It looks like their post game has improved this year too, so they should be better this year in that regard.”
Mimms’ roster doesn’t go quite as deep as Joyners, but she feels she has enough players to keep people fresh.
Hill, Jackson and defensive specialist Sascha Richardson are mainstays in the starting lineup, with six or seven more who can contribute quality minutes, including returning starter Tiffany Smith.
SPORTS >> Wildcats stall for win over ’Rabbits
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The old fable of the tortoise and the hare came to life on the floor of Badger Sports Arena during Harding Academy’s 45-35 victory over Lonoke in the third-place game of the Beebe Christmas Classic basketball tournament on Friday.
The Wildcats (8-6) held a slim advantage throughout and built a nine-point lead in the third quarter only to see the Jackrabbits (9-4) pull to within four early in the fourth quarter. Lonoke had a significant speed advantage, but a number of fast-break transition opportunities went by the wayside with rushed passes and mid-court turnovers that benefited the more patient Wildcats.
“We felt like we could do that,” Harding Academy coach Brad Francis said. “At the same time, we didn’t want to give up some easy baskets, which we did, but I thought we got more with them sped up and giving up turnovers.”
Lane Dailey put momentum on the Wildcats’ side for good with a three-point basket at the 5:32 mark of the fourth quarter to increase the Harding Academy lead to 35-28. Dailey then went to the foul line less than a minute later and hit both ends to make it 37-28.
Darius McCall scored on a lay-in to cut it back to seven for Lonoke, and a miss by Dailey on the other side ended up in ’Rabbit Dustyn Perkins hands for an opportunity to set up a close finish. But the Jackrabbits did not capitalize, and Jordan Spears took it to the rim for the Wildcats to give them a 39-30 lead with 1:59 remaining.
“We talked at the beginning about not using this as an excuse, but we have some younger guys who haven’t played at that speed,” Lonoke coach Dean Campbell said. “Blake Mack, a sophomore for us, who has done some really good things – didn’t play last year. Yeah, at times, we’re trying to play faster, and hopefully, the more practice we get, that we will eventually be able to play at that speed.”
Dailey came up big for the Wildcats again with 1:31 left to play when he converted an HA steal at midcourt with a lay-up to put the advantage at 41-30.
“We made a couple of good runs,” Lonoke coach Dean Campbell said. “We’re still not mature enough to understand time and score and the flow of the game, and understand that if we made a run to really lock down and get a stop.
“These three games here, I thought we did a horrible job of rebounding. You can’t really sugarcoat it.”
Junior Will Francis led the Wildcats with 17 points and seven rebounds while Dailey added 11 points. For Lonoke, Mack led the way with 14 points while senior and team captain Tarrale Watson led all rebounding with eight boards.
The 5:30 starting time came just before the two championship games, and the near-empty arena made for a slow start from both teams, ultimately leading to a low final score between two solid shooting teams.
“This is a hard day for teams who aren’t in the championship game,” Francis said. “You’ve played hard for two games, and now, you’re just kind of pushing through, so we talked about coming out and getting the lead early. We felt like that was a big advantage.”
The Jackrabbits opened 4A-2 Conference play last night at home against Stuttgart, and will host Cave City on Friday.
Leader sportswriter
The old fable of the tortoise and the hare came to life on the floor of Badger Sports Arena during Harding Academy’s 45-35 victory over Lonoke in the third-place game of the Beebe Christmas Classic basketball tournament on Friday.
The Wildcats (8-6) held a slim advantage throughout and built a nine-point lead in the third quarter only to see the Jackrabbits (9-4) pull to within four early in the fourth quarter. Lonoke had a significant speed advantage, but a number of fast-break transition opportunities went by the wayside with rushed passes and mid-court turnovers that benefited the more patient Wildcats.
“We felt like we could do that,” Harding Academy coach Brad Francis said. “At the same time, we didn’t want to give up some easy baskets, which we did, but I thought we got more with them sped up and giving up turnovers.”
Lane Dailey put momentum on the Wildcats’ side for good with a three-point basket at the 5:32 mark of the fourth quarter to increase the Harding Academy lead to 35-28. Dailey then went to the foul line less than a minute later and hit both ends to make it 37-28.
Darius McCall scored on a lay-in to cut it back to seven for Lonoke, and a miss by Dailey on the other side ended up in ’Rabbit Dustyn Perkins hands for an opportunity to set up a close finish. But the Jackrabbits did not capitalize, and Jordan Spears took it to the rim for the Wildcats to give them a 39-30 lead with 1:59 remaining.
“We talked at the beginning about not using this as an excuse, but we have some younger guys who haven’t played at that speed,” Lonoke coach Dean Campbell said. “Blake Mack, a sophomore for us, who has done some really good things – didn’t play last year. Yeah, at times, we’re trying to play faster, and hopefully, the more practice we get, that we will eventually be able to play at that speed.”
Dailey came up big for the Wildcats again with 1:31 left to play when he converted an HA steal at midcourt with a lay-up to put the advantage at 41-30.
“We made a couple of good runs,” Lonoke coach Dean Campbell said. “We’re still not mature enough to understand time and score and the flow of the game, and understand that if we made a run to really lock down and get a stop.
“These three games here, I thought we did a horrible job of rebounding. You can’t really sugarcoat it.”
Junior Will Francis led the Wildcats with 17 points and seven rebounds while Dailey added 11 points. For Lonoke, Mack led the way with 14 points while senior and team captain Tarrale Watson led all rebounding with eight boards.
The 5:30 starting time came just before the two championship games, and the near-empty arena made for a slow start from both teams, ultimately leading to a low final score between two solid shooting teams.
“This is a hard day for teams who aren’t in the championship game,” Francis said. “You’ve played hard for two games, and now, you’re just kind of pushing through, so we talked about coming out and getting the lead early. We felt like that was a big advantage.”
The Jackrabbits opened 4A-2 Conference play last night at home against Stuttgart, and will host Cave City on Friday.
SPORTS >> Beebe falls to young Bruins
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Pulaski Academy took the championship but also took its lumps during a 50-41 victory over host Beebe in the final round of the Beebe Holiday Classic basketball tournament at Badger Sports Arena on Friday.
Senior and Texas Tech signee Dusty Hannahs got the Bruins (7-0) off to a fast start in the first half before falling victim to the physical defensive play of Beebe senior guard Brandon Fuller, who went up to prevent a dunk by Hannahs at the 6:04 mark of the second quarter.
Hannahs came down under the goal hard and was sent to Little Rock for X-rays that determined injuries to his wrist and pelvis, which will keep him off the court for at least a month. The Bruins also suffered another setback when starting post player Hunter Henry was ejected from the game with 3:18 left to play in the third quarter for responding to a foul by Badger Zack Baker with what appeared to be a haymaker-type swing in the direction of Henry.
Bruins coach Roger Franks protested the ruling and was in danger of getting a technical of his own with the Bruins up 32-24. Hannahs made a brief appearance back on the court to shoot free throws in place of Henry. He hit both ends, but was in obvious pain as he was again assisted back to the PA bench.
“Beebe is really a good basketball team, and we knew we would have to play well to have a chance,” Franks said. “I’m really proud of the way our kids competed. To lose Dusty, and then to lose Hunter, I thought our young guys really stepped up.”
With Hannahs and Henry absent, the Badgers (8-3) tried to move inside offensively, but Bruin underclassmen Jeremy Brady and Tyler Colquett held their ground against the experienced Badgers, holding senior forward Dayton Scott and guard Zach May to eight and nine points respectively.
Junior forward Austin Burroughs had some nice shots in the lane, as well as a pair of three pointers for a game-high 13 points, but the high-percentage looks the Badgers wanted inside were simply not there.
“I thought they did a good job of doing that,” Franks said. “Our posts were undersized when Hunter left, and we didn’t do a very good job of getting around and we wanted to front that. But you have to give them credit for sealing and not letting us get around.”
Though diplomatic following the game, Franks did not exactly agree with Henry’s disqualification.
“I really can’t say anything about the situation with Hunter, because what I saw and what they saw were two different things,” Franks said. “But the film should show, and, I mean, the game was well officiated. I know they did what they believed was right, and I just didn’t see it. I can’t really say anything else until I look at it.”
Both teams struggled from the floor overall, as PA went 15 of 41 for 37 percent. The Bruins were just under 50 percent for the first half at 11 of 26 before losing Hannahs for the entire second half and Henry for most of it, going just 4 of 15 for the second half.
Beebe was 8 of 17 for the first half and 6 of 23 in the second half to finish 14 of 40 for 35 percent.
The biggest difference seemed to be outside shooting in the first half, in which the Bruins went 4 for 7 behind the three-point line while Beebe was 2 of 3 in the first quarter with no attempts in the second quarter.
“Offensively, we just didn’t make shots in the first half, and they did,” Beebe coach Ryan Marshall said. “That’s the difference in the game, really, we just couldn’t get going. They’re a good ball club – you get down 10 or 11, you’re going to get beat.”
The Bruins made their run that ultimately established the margin for the remainder in the middle of the second quarter with a three-point basket by Brandon Brady to give PA a 20-16 with 4:35 remaining in the half. Marcus Wallace added an inside basket before Hannahs hit a pull-up in the lane to make it 24-16 with 2:15 left to play in the second quarter.
Hannahs led the Bruins with 13 points before his early exit while Henry added nine points and eight rebounds.
Marshall acknowledged the spirited play throughout in a game played to a packed house heavily in the Badgers’ favor, but also commended his players for keeping their cool during some of the more tense moments.
“It was physical,” Marshall said. “The move Fuller made on Hannahs, that was a good foul – he tried to dunk, and he went for the ball, and instead took a tough spill. And then (Henry), you know, he throws a punch because he gets a hard foul, so our kids did a good job of being mature and not showing emotion. But unfortunately, that doesn’t always mean you’re going to be on top.”
Beebe begins 5A-East Conference play with a home game against Blytheville on Friday.
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