By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Sherwood Sharks and Cabot Piranhas each won their second meets of the season last Saturday, continuing a crash course for each other in July, when the two largest teams in the Central Arkansas Swim League will face one another in the regular-season finale.
The Sherwood Sharks went into Bryant for their second swim meet of the season last Saturday and won in dominant fashion, 1,034 to 432. It was the Sharks’ second win of the season, and continues their win streak that is now in season 12.
In the 6 and under boys’ division, Malik Hatcher won every event he swam.
Jacob Dunn, Doug Gaylor, Russell Lipsey and Noah Keen dominated the boys’ 7-8-year old division, trading wins amongst each other in each event. In the 9-10 age division, Meredith Lipsey continued her domination of the age group, recording a win in every performance. In the 11-12 year old age division, Ashley Jackson made a splash in her first year in the age group, winning the 100-yard individual medley.
In the 13-14 year old division Betsie Ponder made her season debut, sharing wins with Shelby Stanley.
In the 15-18 year old division, team veteran Ian Heye also made his season debut, recording two wins over older competitors.
“Despite having our normal practice schedule disrupted this week with the Harmon Center pool maintenance issues, the kids took advantage of the pool time we had available and are still improving despite the obstacles.” Coach Mary Jo Heye said.
The next swim for the sharks is June 25 against Conway in Sherwood, where they will have their first home meet of the season, looking to set new pool records in front of a friendly home crowd.
The Piranhas were in a much closer battle with Conway at the Lakewood pool in North Little Rock. Conway won most of the upper-level events in the younger age groups, while Cabot’s older swimmers made up the difference to lead the Piranhas to a 505-389 win. Lakewood finished with 285 points.
Kolton Fulcher recorded a platinum level time in winning the gold level 50-yard breaststroke in the boys’ 12-under division. In the same age group, Piranha Brock Godbee recorded a platinum level 34.61 in the 50-yard backstroke while Fulcher was second with a gold level 39.44.
Piranha veteran Abigail Breedlove won the platinum division 50-yard freestyle in the girls’ 18-under group.
Cabot will host Otter Creek on Saturday.
Thomas Heye contributed to this story
Friday, June 24, 2016
SPORTS STORY >> Gwatney falters late at home
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Since making a strong run to the championship game of the Wood Bat Classic last week, the Gwatney Chevrolet Senior American Legion team ran its losing streak to three with an 8-4 loss to White Hall-Relyance Bank on Thursday in the first round of the FDH Investments American Legion Classic at Dupree Park.
Jacksonville led at the end of the first four innings, but failed to capitalize on some prime scoring opportunities that would’ve given it more of a cushion.
Starting pitcher Mike Havard began to struggle finding the strike zone in the fourth inning, walking three of the first four batters, but was able to minimize the damage.
With one out, White Hall nine-hole hitter Remington Curtis singled to right field to drive in one run. Cade Canada rounded third as well, trying to score from second base, but Javan Wakefield’s throw beat him to the plate, and catcher Peyton Traywick applied the tag for the second out of the inning.
Havard then jammed leadoff hitter Chase Bryan with a curveball. Bryan’s check swing produced a weak grounder back to the mound where Havard fielded it and threw to first for the third out.
Leading 3-2, Havard got the first batter out in the top of the fifth, but the Relyance bats came to life after that. Caleb Carr and Lane Hartsfield hit back-to-back doubles to right field to tie the game.
Hartsfield then scored on an error in left field that left Zachary Harrison safe at second base. Bryce Kincaid singled to right to put runners on the corners.
Canada then hit a home run over the wall in left field that scored three, gave Relyance a 7-3 lead and ended Havard’s night on the mound.
Brandon Hawkins took the hill for Jacksonville and struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
The Chevy Boys (9-8) were setting up for a big inning in the bottom of the sixth when Caden Sample led off with a single to right and stole second base. But he was picked off by Carr for the first out.
It proved an important out because Traywick and Caleb Smith each walked and Tyson Flowers singled to right to drive in a run and leave the bases loaded with the meat of the lineup coming to the plate.
But Carr overcame the stumble. He struck out Havard and Caleb McMunn to get out of the jam.
Relyance added its last run in the bottom of the sixth with a walk and two errors, one each by Hawkins and Flowers.
Hawkins and Carr both struck out the side without a hit in the seventh inning.
Jacksonville grabbed the early lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning on two walks, an error and an RBI base hit by McMunn.
By the time McMunn got back to the plate in the second inning, the bases were loaded with two outs. He hit a hard shot to right field, but right to the fielder for the third out.
Caleb Smith scored Jacksonville’s third run after drawing a one-out walk in the fourth inning. He later scored on an error at first base.
Havard went 4 1/3 innings on the mound. He gave up eight hits and six earned runs, while striking out three and walking four. Hawkins threw 2 2/3 with no hits and no earned runs while striking out six and walking no one.
Carr went the distance for White Hall. In his seven innings of work, he gave up five hits and three earned runs while striking out 10 and walking seven.
Leader sports editor
Since making a strong run to the championship game of the Wood Bat Classic last week, the Gwatney Chevrolet Senior American Legion team ran its losing streak to three with an 8-4 loss to White Hall-Relyance Bank on Thursday in the first round of the FDH Investments American Legion Classic at Dupree Park.
Jacksonville led at the end of the first four innings, but failed to capitalize on some prime scoring opportunities that would’ve given it more of a cushion.
Starting pitcher Mike Havard began to struggle finding the strike zone in the fourth inning, walking three of the first four batters, but was able to minimize the damage.
With one out, White Hall nine-hole hitter Remington Curtis singled to right field to drive in one run. Cade Canada rounded third as well, trying to score from second base, but Javan Wakefield’s throw beat him to the plate, and catcher Peyton Traywick applied the tag for the second out of the inning.
Havard then jammed leadoff hitter Chase Bryan with a curveball. Bryan’s check swing produced a weak grounder back to the mound where Havard fielded it and threw to first for the third out.
Leading 3-2, Havard got the first batter out in the top of the fifth, but the Relyance bats came to life after that. Caleb Carr and Lane Hartsfield hit back-to-back doubles to right field to tie the game.
Hartsfield then scored on an error in left field that left Zachary Harrison safe at second base. Bryce Kincaid singled to right to put runners on the corners.
Canada then hit a home run over the wall in left field that scored three, gave Relyance a 7-3 lead and ended Havard’s night on the mound.
Brandon Hawkins took the hill for Jacksonville and struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
The Chevy Boys (9-8) were setting up for a big inning in the bottom of the sixth when Caden Sample led off with a single to right and stole second base. But he was picked off by Carr for the first out.
It proved an important out because Traywick and Caleb Smith each walked and Tyson Flowers singled to right to drive in a run and leave the bases loaded with the meat of the lineup coming to the plate.
But Carr overcame the stumble. He struck out Havard and Caleb McMunn to get out of the jam.
Relyance added its last run in the bottom of the sixth with a walk and two errors, one each by Hawkins and Flowers.
Hawkins and Carr both struck out the side without a hit in the seventh inning.
Jacksonville grabbed the early lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning on two walks, an error and an RBI base hit by McMunn.
By the time McMunn got back to the plate in the second inning, the bases were loaded with two outs. He hit a hard shot to right field, but right to the fielder for the third out.
Caleb Smith scored Jacksonville’s third run after drawing a one-out walk in the fourth inning. He later scored on an error at first base.
Havard went 4 1/3 innings on the mound. He gave up eight hits and six earned runs, while striking out three and walking four. Hawkins threw 2 2/3 with no hits and no earned runs while striking out six and walking no one.
Carr went the distance for White Hall. In his seven innings of work, he gave up five hits and three earned runs while striking out 10 and walking seven.
SPORTS STORY >> Old Shark makes trials
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Dramatic improvement since becoming a college swimmer culminated in Sherwood’s Christopher Heye qualifying for the Olympic Trials in the 200-meter breaststroke. Heye will be in Omaha, Neb., next week, competing for a spot on the United States Olympic team in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Heye met the qualifying standard just two weeks before the trials at the Columbia Swim Club Invitational at the University of Missouri. The Missouri State sophomore set the goal at the beginning of his college season. At the CSC meet, he beat the standard of 2:18.39 by eight one-hundredths of a second.
“It had been my goal all season,” said Heye, who started competitive swimming at 4-years old for the Sherwood Sharks. “My coaches and I talked about it. We knew that it was an attainable thing for me to do. We spent all year training for it, and I thought I had a pretty good chance.”
Not much was expected of Heye early in his career at MSU, but since getting to college, he has shaved five seconds off his time in the 200-yard breaststroke and seven seconds off his 400-yard individual medley.
He finished third in the Mid-American Conference meet in the 200 breast, and second in the 400 IM this year.
“I came in as someone who was expected to be a step swimmer, a kind of a role guy,” Heye said. “After two years I’ve improved to the point where I’m one of the key guys on the team. Typically when you get to college you don’t see huge improvements. I think they’re a little surprised at how well I did.”
Heye got to train alongside an Olympian all season, and says that helped tremendously. His MSU Bear teammate Uvis Kalnins competed for the Latvian national team in 2012.
Heye is a long shot to become an Olympian. The nation’s fastest swimmers are a few seconds faster than Heye’s personal best, but he’s going to soak in the experience.
“”It’s just an experience thing for me,” Heye said. “I’ll probably have to go around 2:09 to make the Olympic team. You have to finish in the top two in your event to make it. My goal is to go there, try to go up in places, swim a personal best, maybe win my heat and represent my club and my university the best I can.”
Trials will be a fun and invaluable experience, but Heye is looking forward to another, even better experience at the start of the next college season.
That’s when little brother Thomas will join him on the Bears’ swim team as a freshman.
“Him coming up there is going to be so nice,” Christopher Heye said. “I love having him around. We grew up swimming together all the time and training with him at this level him is going to be a lot of fun.”
Heye is a chemistry major at MSU. He holds a 3.7 GPA and was named an NCAA scholar athlete this past season. He is currently training with the Arkansas Dolphins swim team in Little Rock.
The Olympic trials begin on Sunday. Heye’s event will be on Wednesday.
All prelims and finals will be broadcast online at NBCSports.com/live, and available on the NBC Sports app.
Leader sports editor
Dramatic improvement since becoming a college swimmer culminated in Sherwood’s Christopher Heye qualifying for the Olympic Trials in the 200-meter breaststroke. Heye will be in Omaha, Neb., next week, competing for a spot on the United States Olympic team in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Heye met the qualifying standard just two weeks before the trials at the Columbia Swim Club Invitational at the University of Missouri. The Missouri State sophomore set the goal at the beginning of his college season. At the CSC meet, he beat the standard of 2:18.39 by eight one-hundredths of a second.
“It had been my goal all season,” said Heye, who started competitive swimming at 4-years old for the Sherwood Sharks. “My coaches and I talked about it. We knew that it was an attainable thing for me to do. We spent all year training for it, and I thought I had a pretty good chance.”
Not much was expected of Heye early in his career at MSU, but since getting to college, he has shaved five seconds off his time in the 200-yard breaststroke and seven seconds off his 400-yard individual medley.
He finished third in the Mid-American Conference meet in the 200 breast, and second in the 400 IM this year.
“I came in as someone who was expected to be a step swimmer, a kind of a role guy,” Heye said. “After two years I’ve improved to the point where I’m one of the key guys on the team. Typically when you get to college you don’t see huge improvements. I think they’re a little surprised at how well I did.”
Heye got to train alongside an Olympian all season, and says that helped tremendously. His MSU Bear teammate Uvis Kalnins competed for the Latvian national team in 2012.
Heye is a long shot to become an Olympian. The nation’s fastest swimmers are a few seconds faster than Heye’s personal best, but he’s going to soak in the experience.
“”It’s just an experience thing for me,” Heye said. “I’ll probably have to go around 2:09 to make the Olympic team. You have to finish in the top two in your event to make it. My goal is to go there, try to go up in places, swim a personal best, maybe win my heat and represent my club and my university the best I can.”
Trials will be a fun and invaluable experience, but Heye is looking forward to another, even better experience at the start of the next college season.
That’s when little brother Thomas will join him on the Bears’ swim team as a freshman.
“Him coming up there is going to be so nice,” Christopher Heye said. “I love having him around. We grew up swimming together all the time and training with him at this level him is going to be a lot of fun.”
Heye is a chemistry major at MSU. He holds a 3.7 GPA and was named an NCAA scholar athlete this past season. He is currently training with the Arkansas Dolphins swim team in Little Rock.
The Olympic trials begin on Sunday. Heye’s event will be on Wednesday.
All prelims and finals will be broadcast online at NBCSports.com/live, and available on the NBC Sports app.
SPORTS STORY >> Cabot run rules Searcy
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Centennial Bank Senior American Legion team has been a team of streaks this season, and it’s currently on a winning streak. The Cabot squad won its second-straight game on Thursday, hammering Searcy 8-0 in the opening round of the FDH Investments American Legion Classic at Jacksonville’s Dupree Park.
Before this week, Cabot was mired in a six-game losing streak, but beat Jacksonville at home on Monday before the big win on Thursday.
Cabot coach Casey Vaughan says the turnaround has been mostly about attitude.
“Our work ethic changed is the main thing,” Vaughan said. “We weren’t playing or acting like a team. We had some attitude problems. So we did some things off the field. We took them swimming and spent the day together like that. We started coming together, attitudes changed and we started working.”
Playing games three days apart allowed Cabot to put 6-foot-4 southpaw Gavin Tillery on the mound for the second time this week, which also helps.
“He’s our ace for sure,” Vaughan said. “We feel like we have a chance against anybody with him out there. But we’re hitting the ball a lot better than we were, too. Offense is coming around as well and that’s been a big part of it.”
Cabot’s first two batters reached base in the top of the first inning. Brian Tillery walked and Gino Germer singled to drive him home. Dillon Thomas then grounded to second base where the ball was mishandled, allowing Germer to give Cabot a quick 2-0 lead.
Logan Edmondson led off the second inning with a double to the wall in center field. He was still standing on second with two outs when Brian Tillery walked and Germer came through with his second RBI base hit to left field. Brian Tillery also scored on the play when the Searcy left fielder let the hop get past him and roll almost to the wall.
Searcy got two hits in the bottom of the second and one in the third, but was unable to produce any runs.
Searcy pitcher Mickey Ivey sat Centennial Bank down in order in the third and fourth innings, but the bats came alive in the fifth for Cabot. The four-run rally started with Brian Tillery taking a pitch to the hip. His stat line for the night was 0 for 0, a 1.000 on-base percentage and three runs scored.
Germer followed with his third single that put runners at first and second. Thomas hit an infield single that was fielded deep in the gap between shortstop and third base. With the bases loaded, Easton Seidl drew an RBI walk that made the score 5-0. Gavin Tillery then singled to right to score Germer. With one out, Edmondson singled to right field to drive in Thomas. Caleb Wilson also singled to right field to score Seidl to set the final margin.
Searcy got out of the jam when Nick Belden hit into a 4-3 double play.
Searcy needed one run to keep the game from ending on the eight-run-after-five-innings sportsmanship rule. It had an opportunity when Garrett St. Clair reached base on an error at second.
But Gavin Tillery coaxed him into leaving for second base too soon, and he became a 1-3-4 second out. Leadoff hitter Aaron Decker then hit a fly ball to right field to end the game after just an hour and seven minutes.
Cabot (4-6) got eight base hits and Germer led the way, going 3 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Edmondson went 2 for 3 with a double and scored one run.
Gavin Tillery threw all five innings, giving up four hits while striking out four. For the second-straight outing, he walked zero.
Leader sports editor
The Centennial Bank Senior American Legion team has been a team of streaks this season, and it’s currently on a winning streak. The Cabot squad won its second-straight game on Thursday, hammering Searcy 8-0 in the opening round of the FDH Investments American Legion Classic at Jacksonville’s Dupree Park.
Before this week, Cabot was mired in a six-game losing streak, but beat Jacksonville at home on Monday before the big win on Thursday.
Cabot coach Casey Vaughan says the turnaround has been mostly about attitude.
“Our work ethic changed is the main thing,” Vaughan said. “We weren’t playing or acting like a team. We had some attitude problems. So we did some things off the field. We took them swimming and spent the day together like that. We started coming together, attitudes changed and we started working.”
Playing games three days apart allowed Cabot to put 6-foot-4 southpaw Gavin Tillery on the mound for the second time this week, which also helps.
“He’s our ace for sure,” Vaughan said. “We feel like we have a chance against anybody with him out there. But we’re hitting the ball a lot better than we were, too. Offense is coming around as well and that’s been a big part of it.”
Cabot’s first two batters reached base in the top of the first inning. Brian Tillery walked and Gino Germer singled to drive him home. Dillon Thomas then grounded to second base where the ball was mishandled, allowing Germer to give Cabot a quick 2-0 lead.
Logan Edmondson led off the second inning with a double to the wall in center field. He was still standing on second with two outs when Brian Tillery walked and Germer came through with his second RBI base hit to left field. Brian Tillery also scored on the play when the Searcy left fielder let the hop get past him and roll almost to the wall.
Searcy got two hits in the bottom of the second and one in the third, but was unable to produce any runs.
Searcy pitcher Mickey Ivey sat Centennial Bank down in order in the third and fourth innings, but the bats came alive in the fifth for Cabot. The four-run rally started with Brian Tillery taking a pitch to the hip. His stat line for the night was 0 for 0, a 1.000 on-base percentage and three runs scored.
Germer followed with his third single that put runners at first and second. Thomas hit an infield single that was fielded deep in the gap between shortstop and third base. With the bases loaded, Easton Seidl drew an RBI walk that made the score 5-0. Gavin Tillery then singled to right to score Germer. With one out, Edmondson singled to right field to drive in Thomas. Caleb Wilson also singled to right field to score Seidl to set the final margin.
Searcy got out of the jam when Nick Belden hit into a 4-3 double play.
Searcy needed one run to keep the game from ending on the eight-run-after-five-innings sportsmanship rule. It had an opportunity when Garrett St. Clair reached base on an error at second.
But Gavin Tillery coaxed him into leaving for second base too soon, and he became a 1-3-4 second out. Leadoff hitter Aaron Decker then hit a fly ball to right field to end the game after just an hour and seven minutes.
Cabot (4-6) got eight base hits and Germer led the way, going 3 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Edmondson went 2 for 3 with a double and scored one run.
Gavin Tillery threw all five innings, giving up four hits while striking out four. For the second-straight outing, he walked zero.
EDITORIAL >> Our election and Brexit
The reaction, in America and around the world, to British voters’ narrow decision Thursday to depart the European Union befits the England of Shakespeare "this sceptered isle, this earth of majesty, this happy breed of men, this blessed plot, this realm, this England!", not the diminished power that is Great Britain today.
But the pound and the European currency instantly collapsed and the Dow, which had soared above 18,000 Thursday on the prospect the Brits would vote to stay in the union, fell 610 points when the returns came in. Fears of deep recessions and worse spread across Europe, the USA and Asia. Had the ugly nationalism creeping over continental Europe crossed the channel to merry England? Would it ford the Atlantic, too? All this over little Great Britain?
Only Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin were thrilled. Russia sees Brexit as a hopeful sign that the western alliance is weakening. Putin’s mutual admirer Trump has not been a fan of the Atlantic alliance either. Let Europe, he says, as well as Korea, Japan and rest of the phalanx against China and Russia, defend themselves, with their own nuclear weapons if they like, but don’t keep running to us.
We frankly don’t have a clue whether the market turmoil and instant gloom that followed the vote will have a grave long-term impact on the U.S. economy or our strategic global interests, and we don’t believe anyone else does. The immediate impact is obvious, from the exchange problem if nothing else. Weak European currencies and the robust dollar will hurt U.S. exports and jobs, but the pound and Euro collapse may be very short-lived. The Federal Reserve now clearly will stay with cheap money for a while to counter the jittery investor mood. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump must worry now that they will take office with a crumbling global economy, as Barack Obama did in January 2009. But even without Brexit, the candidates, especially Trump, need to find a way to talk sensibly and rationally about how to maintain our strength in an inevitably globalizing economy. Roaring about getting in everybody’s face except Putin’s won’t do it.
We do recognize and fear the dark omens in the British vote, the similarities of the anger quotient in Britain, the continent and, yes, the United States—wherever people are voting. When Trump landed in Scotland to gloat about the ritzy hotel and golf course at Turnberry that are now emblazoned with his name, he claimed he had encouraged and predicted the vote to dismember united Europe. People are angry in the isles just as his primary victories in the United States demonstrated a giant reservoir of anger in the United States against foreigners and the establishment. He twittered that the Scots, like him, were jubilant over the vote. Actually, the Scots voted against Brexit and now, owing to it, are likely to demand independence from Britain and fortify their union with the rest of Europe.
But Trump was not far off the mark. The polls showed a great divide among the voters. Young people—those between 18 and 35—heavily and passionately favored the union while older voters favored exit. Trump’s votes reflect the same cleavage—young voters, along with minorities and women, don’t like him but he is simpatico with older white men. Immigration is a big part of the anger in both countries, although in England it is not blacks, Hispanics or the swarthy Middle Easterners. There, the anger is with Europeans—principally, Romanians, Poles and southern Europeans, usually people with skills, who have swarmed into England and garnered jobs that Brit tradesmen thought were rightfully theirs. They resent the wage competition. Under Euro rules, there are no national boundaries for Europeans and England cannot keep them out. In the United States—well, you know, Trump will build a giant wall from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico and round up and deport 13 million aliens. He has flip-flopped on everything else, but not on getting rid of all the Latinos who don’t have papers.
President Trump will not build the wall, because the president does not have the power, and only a few Republican congressmen would ever vote to give him the money and authority to do it. He won’t deport 13 million aliens, most of whom have lived and worked here for many years. Nearly everyone knows that, but millions admire him for expressing it and so rudely, noisily and uncompromisingly. They like the bluster when every other politician they know pussyfoots around delicate matters. And then they like it that he treats every other question and everyone of a different mind with contempt and insults. They are crooks, liars, weaklings, weenies. Someone is finally telling it like it is.
According to the prints, many Brits who voted their frustration Thursday regretted it when they actually won and now must face the country’s uncertain future. It is equally clear that for millions of Americans, the presidential election, like the Brits’ Brexit vote, is a chance just to register a protest, long held inchoate in their breasts, against the world as it exists. While the electoral map makes a President Trump look nigh impossible, it does not consider the irrational—that millions may vote their frustrations rather than their knowledge of what the sane course ought to be. It is something that ought to weigh heavily on the Republican delegates who gather in Cleveland as well as on the Democratic nominee for president, who still relies on old political instincts that have not proved too reliable for her in the past.
But the pound and the European currency instantly collapsed and the Dow, which had soared above 18,000 Thursday on the prospect the Brits would vote to stay in the union, fell 610 points when the returns came in. Fears of deep recessions and worse spread across Europe, the USA and Asia. Had the ugly nationalism creeping over continental Europe crossed the channel to merry England? Would it ford the Atlantic, too? All this over little Great Britain?
Only Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin were thrilled. Russia sees Brexit as a hopeful sign that the western alliance is weakening. Putin’s mutual admirer Trump has not been a fan of the Atlantic alliance either. Let Europe, he says, as well as Korea, Japan and rest of the phalanx against China and Russia, defend themselves, with their own nuclear weapons if they like, but don’t keep running to us.
We frankly don’t have a clue whether the market turmoil and instant gloom that followed the vote will have a grave long-term impact on the U.S. economy or our strategic global interests, and we don’t believe anyone else does. The immediate impact is obvious, from the exchange problem if nothing else. Weak European currencies and the robust dollar will hurt U.S. exports and jobs, but the pound and Euro collapse may be very short-lived. The Federal Reserve now clearly will stay with cheap money for a while to counter the jittery investor mood. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump must worry now that they will take office with a crumbling global economy, as Barack Obama did in January 2009. But even without Brexit, the candidates, especially Trump, need to find a way to talk sensibly and rationally about how to maintain our strength in an inevitably globalizing economy. Roaring about getting in everybody’s face except Putin’s won’t do it.
We do recognize and fear the dark omens in the British vote, the similarities of the anger quotient in Britain, the continent and, yes, the United States—wherever people are voting. When Trump landed in Scotland to gloat about the ritzy hotel and golf course at Turnberry that are now emblazoned with his name, he claimed he had encouraged and predicted the vote to dismember united Europe. People are angry in the isles just as his primary victories in the United States demonstrated a giant reservoir of anger in the United States against foreigners and the establishment. He twittered that the Scots, like him, were jubilant over the vote. Actually, the Scots voted against Brexit and now, owing to it, are likely to demand independence from Britain and fortify their union with the rest of Europe.
But Trump was not far off the mark. The polls showed a great divide among the voters. Young people—those between 18 and 35—heavily and passionately favored the union while older voters favored exit. Trump’s votes reflect the same cleavage—young voters, along with minorities and women, don’t like him but he is simpatico with older white men. Immigration is a big part of the anger in both countries, although in England it is not blacks, Hispanics or the swarthy Middle Easterners. There, the anger is with Europeans—principally, Romanians, Poles and southern Europeans, usually people with skills, who have swarmed into England and garnered jobs that Brit tradesmen thought were rightfully theirs. They resent the wage competition. Under Euro rules, there are no national boundaries for Europeans and England cannot keep them out. In the United States—well, you know, Trump will build a giant wall from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico and round up and deport 13 million aliens. He has flip-flopped on everything else, but not on getting rid of all the Latinos who don’t have papers.
President Trump will not build the wall, because the president does not have the power, and only a few Republican congressmen would ever vote to give him the money and authority to do it. He won’t deport 13 million aliens, most of whom have lived and worked here for many years. Nearly everyone knows that, but millions admire him for expressing it and so rudely, noisily and uncompromisingly. They like the bluster when every other politician they know pussyfoots around delicate matters. And then they like it that he treats every other question and everyone of a different mind with contempt and insults. They are crooks, liars, weaklings, weenies. Someone is finally telling it like it is.
According to the prints, many Brits who voted their frustration Thursday regretted it when they actually won and now must face the country’s uncertain future. It is equally clear that for millions of Americans, the presidential election, like the Brits’ Brexit vote, is a chance just to register a protest, long held inchoate in their breasts, against the world as it exists. While the electoral map makes a President Trump look nigh impossible, it does not consider the irrational—that millions may vote their frustrations rather than their knowledge of what the sane course ought to be. It is something that ought to weigh heavily on the Republican delegates who gather in Cleveland as well as on the Democratic nominee for president, who still relies on old political instincts that have not proved too reliable for her in the past.
TOP STORY >> JNPSD continues its hiring spree
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
The Jacksonville-North Pulaski School Board will meet in special session at 6 p.m. Monday to consider more of Superintendent Tony Wood’s hiring recommendations as the district’s first-ever school year speeds closer.
Wood has recommended 31 more teachers for hire, most of them elementary school teachers, as well as a number of school bus drivers, cafeteria workers and people to fill other vacancies.
The elementary school teachers Wood will recommend are: Kayla Bar, Bruinna Bedford, Amanda Chapin (media specialist), Pam Childress, Angela Cooley;
Marissa Hawkins, Whitney Hillman, Kayla Jackson, Alicia Ketron and Belinda Lawrence (special education);
Amanda Lercher, Billie Molly Looney, Ashleigh Moore, Jana McWilliams and Alicia Williams (vocal music).
Wood will also recommend Paula Mannis, special education coordinator; Ron Atkinson, middle school math/science; Michael Boyd, middle school instructional facilitator; Paula Gentry, special education and Rodney Gilmore, alternative learning teacher;
Deborah Lutz, middle school English/math; Macy Pleis, middle school business education and Monica Ring, math instructional facilitator.
Recommended for secondary teaching positions: Rachael Beene, family consumer science; Melba Bartlett, special education; Michael Dean, social studies; Brandon Fenwick, math; Sheila Gilmore, math; Erica Harrod, marketing; Justin Huckaby, special education, and Amanda Mason, science.
Among recommended classified employees are a dozen bus drivers, 10 custodians and 27 cafeteria workers.
Recommended for bus driver jobs are Selena Adams, Shamika Boxley, Deeadria Cobbs, Glenda Fletcher, Johnny Hasan and Alfreda King, Jacoby Roark, Freddie Taylor, Junitha West, Bobbi Willhite, Robert Willhite and Travis Wright.
Custodians recommended are Rose Alvarado, Vanessa Austin, Jason Evans, Elizabeth Fowler and Larry Hamsher, Joyce Harris, Darrell Joes, Marilyn Jones, Doris Steele and Terry Waggoner.
Cafeteria workers recommended for hire are:
Yolanda Bell, Treva Bradley, Wilda Britt, Sherri Brown and Barbara Bures, Hermethia Eubanks, Rowena Gray, Kimberly Grimes, Heather Hambrick and Starla Henry, Michelle Holder, Jennifer Johnson, Guillermina Johnston, Better Meneses and Brenda Oginski, Valerie Pickens, Marilyn Seigrist, Robin Simmons, Yon Simmons, Katrina Simpson and Maria Slutts, Margaret Smith, Terry Strohm, Jacqueline Wallace, Heather Woodall, Ann Wudkewych and Amy Yagel.
Recommended for skilled maintenance jobs are David Buchart, Sean Calhoun and Lawrence Hendrix.
Six recommended for jobs as registered school nurses are Amber Abbott, Leslie Eagle, Rowena Lowe, Meredith McGinty, Adam Sodosky and Chastity Stephens.
Wood also recommended Lana Brooks, technology support specialist; Venisha Brown, attendance clerk; Karen Carney, counselor secretary; Tami Caswell, paraprofessional (special education); Scott Coleman, alternative-learning para-professional; Sharon Cousins, special education paraprofessional; Karen Gentry, school secretary and Thedra Hall, paraprofessional (special education), Carrie Helsley, paraprofessional (special education); Karrie Jarrett, para-professional (special education); Kristi Linkwiler, attendance clerk; Ebony McKinzy, attendance clerk; Dorothy Nunis, paraprofessional (special education) and Sharon Rodgers, school secretary; Tandrea Rogers, paraprofessional (special education); Amanda Self, secretary to the asstistant superintendent; Josalyn Tillman, paraprofessional (special education); Stephanie Whitfield, counselors’ secretary; Stephanie Wilkins, attendance clerk; Samantha Williams, school secretary and Elizabeth Beattie, bookkeeper/free and reduced lunch.
The board is expected to accept 16 resignations from former hires, including five elementary school teachers, Tiffany Brandon, Jonathan Gunsolus, LaSonya Hillard, Erica Mack, Rhiannon Sniffin and Richard Wrightner.
Other resignations include: Kaela Ake, special education; Morgan Collins, middle school social studies; Warren Max Hatfield, special education; NaToya Norwood, middle level; Jennifer Oakley, secondary English; Lamont Page, middle school social studies; Karen Ratliff, special education; Jeffrey Rion, secondary social studies; Derek Shaw, science/ninth-grade head boys basketball coach, and Jennifer Tauton, gifted and talented.
Leader senior staff writer
The Jacksonville-North Pulaski School Board will meet in special session at 6 p.m. Monday to consider more of Superintendent Tony Wood’s hiring recommendations as the district’s first-ever school year speeds closer.
Wood has recommended 31 more teachers for hire, most of them elementary school teachers, as well as a number of school bus drivers, cafeteria workers and people to fill other vacancies.
The elementary school teachers Wood will recommend are: Kayla Bar, Bruinna Bedford, Amanda Chapin (media specialist), Pam Childress, Angela Cooley;
Marissa Hawkins, Whitney Hillman, Kayla Jackson, Alicia Ketron and Belinda Lawrence (special education);
Amanda Lercher, Billie Molly Looney, Ashleigh Moore, Jana McWilliams and Alicia Williams (vocal music).
Wood will also recommend Paula Mannis, special education coordinator; Ron Atkinson, middle school math/science; Michael Boyd, middle school instructional facilitator; Paula Gentry, special education and Rodney Gilmore, alternative learning teacher;
Deborah Lutz, middle school English/math; Macy Pleis, middle school business education and Monica Ring, math instructional facilitator.
Recommended for secondary teaching positions: Rachael Beene, family consumer science; Melba Bartlett, special education; Michael Dean, social studies; Brandon Fenwick, math; Sheila Gilmore, math; Erica Harrod, marketing; Justin Huckaby, special education, and Amanda Mason, science.
Among recommended classified employees are a dozen bus drivers, 10 custodians and 27 cafeteria workers.
Recommended for bus driver jobs are Selena Adams, Shamika Boxley, Deeadria Cobbs, Glenda Fletcher, Johnny Hasan and Alfreda King, Jacoby Roark, Freddie Taylor, Junitha West, Bobbi Willhite, Robert Willhite and Travis Wright.
Custodians recommended are Rose Alvarado, Vanessa Austin, Jason Evans, Elizabeth Fowler and Larry Hamsher, Joyce Harris, Darrell Joes, Marilyn Jones, Doris Steele and Terry Waggoner.
Cafeteria workers recommended for hire are:
Yolanda Bell, Treva Bradley, Wilda Britt, Sherri Brown and Barbara Bures, Hermethia Eubanks, Rowena Gray, Kimberly Grimes, Heather Hambrick and Starla Henry, Michelle Holder, Jennifer Johnson, Guillermina Johnston, Better Meneses and Brenda Oginski, Valerie Pickens, Marilyn Seigrist, Robin Simmons, Yon Simmons, Katrina Simpson and Maria Slutts, Margaret Smith, Terry Strohm, Jacqueline Wallace, Heather Woodall, Ann Wudkewych and Amy Yagel.
Recommended for skilled maintenance jobs are David Buchart, Sean Calhoun and Lawrence Hendrix.
Six recommended for jobs as registered school nurses are Amber Abbott, Leslie Eagle, Rowena Lowe, Meredith McGinty, Adam Sodosky and Chastity Stephens.
Wood also recommended Lana Brooks, technology support specialist; Venisha Brown, attendance clerk; Karen Carney, counselor secretary; Tami Caswell, paraprofessional (special education); Scott Coleman, alternative-learning para-professional; Sharon Cousins, special education paraprofessional; Karen Gentry, school secretary and Thedra Hall, paraprofessional (special education), Carrie Helsley, paraprofessional (special education); Karrie Jarrett, para-professional (special education); Kristi Linkwiler, attendance clerk; Ebony McKinzy, attendance clerk; Dorothy Nunis, paraprofessional (special education) and Sharon Rodgers, school secretary; Tandrea Rogers, paraprofessional (special education); Amanda Self, secretary to the asstistant superintendent; Josalyn Tillman, paraprofessional (special education); Stephanie Whitfield, counselors’ secretary; Stephanie Wilkins, attendance clerk; Samantha Williams, school secretary and Elizabeth Beattie, bookkeeper/free and reduced lunch.
The board is expected to accept 16 resignations from former hires, including five elementary school teachers, Tiffany Brandon, Jonathan Gunsolus, LaSonya Hillard, Erica Mack, Rhiannon Sniffin and Richard Wrightner.
Other resignations include: Kaela Ake, special education; Morgan Collins, middle school social studies; Warren Max Hatfield, special education; NaToya Norwood, middle level; Jennifer Oakley, secondary English; Lamont Page, middle school social studies; Karen Ratliff, special education; Jeffrey Rion, secondary social studies; Derek Shaw, science/ninth-grade head boys basketball coach, and Jennifer Tauton, gifted and talented.
TOP STORY >> Thurman at leadership seminar
Ryane Thurman of Cabot recently attended the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia.
The program, held June 17-19, is known as HOBY and has a curriculum that draws inspiration from the social change model of personal, group and societal leadership.
She is the daughter of Cabot School Superintendent Tony Thurman and his wife, Tara.
Thurman represented Cabot High School, where she’ll be a junior next year, and joined 54 other high school sophomores from the southern Arkansas region who became HOBY Ambassadors at the seminar.
“Every year, I am amazed at how quickly these students form friendships with one another and the quality of the ideas that come from focused group discussions,” seminar chairman Justin Buck said.
The students learn through a personality assessment, hands-on group projects and a global-community perspectives exercise, which are designed to introduce them to the idea of leadership for social change.
They also take part in hands-on activities, meet state leaders, and explore their personal leadership skills while learning how to lead others and make a positive impact in their community.
This year, the southern Arkansas region HOBY Ambassadors dedicated more than 150 hours of community service at the Magale Library at SAU, the Columbia County Library and the Boys and Girls Club in Magnolia.
At the end of their seminars, HOBY Ambassadors are challenged to give back by serving at least 100 volunteer hours in their communities. Students who do so within a year are eligible for the HOBY L4S Challenge Award and the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Those who log 4,000 hours of service receive the President’s Call to Service Award from HOBY. To date, HOBY Ambassadors have performed more than three million volunteer hours in their communities.
The Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program began when the Hollywood actor, for whom the program is named, heard theologian and philosopher Albert Schweitzer speak during a trip to Africa in 1958.
Explaining why he was inspired to begin the program, O’Brian said, “One of the things Dr. Schweitzer said to me was that the most important thing in education was to teach young people to think for themselves. From that inspiration, and with the support of others who believe in youth and the American dream, I started HOBY to seek out, recognize and develop outstanding leadership potential among our nation’s youth.”
For 58 years, the program has helped cultivate leaders by inspiring a global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.
There are 70 leadership seminars across the country every year for more than 10,000 students.
The program, held June 17-19, is known as HOBY and has a curriculum that draws inspiration from the social change model of personal, group and societal leadership.
She is the daughter of Cabot School Superintendent Tony Thurman and his wife, Tara.
Thurman represented Cabot High School, where she’ll be a junior next year, and joined 54 other high school sophomores from the southern Arkansas region who became HOBY Ambassadors at the seminar.
“Every year, I am amazed at how quickly these students form friendships with one another and the quality of the ideas that come from focused group discussions,” seminar chairman Justin Buck said.
The students learn through a personality assessment, hands-on group projects and a global-community perspectives exercise, which are designed to introduce them to the idea of leadership for social change.
They also take part in hands-on activities, meet state leaders, and explore their personal leadership skills while learning how to lead others and make a positive impact in their community.
This year, the southern Arkansas region HOBY Ambassadors dedicated more than 150 hours of community service at the Magale Library at SAU, the Columbia County Library and the Boys and Girls Club in Magnolia.
At the end of their seminars, HOBY Ambassadors are challenged to give back by serving at least 100 volunteer hours in their communities. Students who do so within a year are eligible for the HOBY L4S Challenge Award and the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Those who log 4,000 hours of service receive the President’s Call to Service Award from HOBY. To date, HOBY Ambassadors have performed more than three million volunteer hours in their communities.
The Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program began when the Hollywood actor, for whom the program is named, heard theologian and philosopher Albert Schweitzer speak during a trip to Africa in 1958.
Explaining why he was inspired to begin the program, O’Brian said, “One of the things Dr. Schweitzer said to me was that the most important thing in education was to teach young people to think for themselves. From that inspiration, and with the support of others who believe in youth and the American dream, I started HOBY to seek out, recognize and develop outstanding leadership potential among our nation’s youth.”
For 58 years, the program has helped cultivate leaders by inspiring a global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.
There are 70 leadership seminars across the country every year for more than 10,000 students.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
EDITORIAL >> Let’s save that brain
A new summer series, “Brain Dead,” is being advertised on television about the brains of our Washington politicians being devoured by bugs.
As far as politicians go, that may not be far- fetched, but more importantly, there is some similar — brain drain — that affects nearly all students during the summer.
Why?
Because reading, math and science tend to disappear from their universe during the summer, replaced by sleeping until the crack of noon, staying up as late as possible and reaching new high scores on a variety of video games.
Nothing wrong with some of that, but a summer of that, and, oh my, it causes trouble when school starts up again.
According to a study by Dr. Harris Cooper, professor of psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, young brains often shift into reverse during the non-school months. The study found that when students return to school after the summer break, they’ve lost one to three months worth of learning.
That means if students leave school in early June “on-grade level,” they will start up in August “below-grade level.” For students who were promoted, but substantially behind...well, it sets them up for failure.
The decline is more detrimental for math than it is for reading. “All students lose math skills,” says Cooper.
Low-income children, by the end of fifth grade, are about 2-and-a-half years behind their more affluent peers, primarily from doing “nothing” during the summer.
Does that mean students have to be home-schooled five days a week through June, July and August? No, but they can’t sit, twiddle and eat bag after bag of chips during that time either.
Studies show that teachers spend an average of four to six weeks re-teaching material that students have lost during the summer. That’s more than a month of “new” material that won’t get covered, putting students even further behind.
Parents need to step up and make sure there is a balance. “Parents can help their kids retain educational skills,” says Cooper.
The library has hundreds of activities during the summer that are fun and educational, like Cabot’s reading to shelter animals program or the martial arts or anime groups at the Jacksonville and Sherwood libraries.
Plus, read at home. Parents need to read, the kids need to read. Everyone needs to read and discuss what they are reading. Reading just four to five books during the summer can prevent a decline in a child’s fall reading scores.
So instead of spending hours watching that latest Zombie show, take time to read about Zombies.
Just from reading a few pages of Max Brooks’ “Zombie Survival Guide” one will learn that humans turn into zombies from the Solanum virus, which travels through the bloodstream, from the initial point of entry to the brain. The virus causes all bodily functions to cease and mutates the brain into an organ that does not need oxygen. Thus, the essentially deceased person will become the living dead, with an insatiable drive to consume human flesh.
Wow, fun stuff.
Madden football video fans can read about the history of the sport. There was a time when there were no helmets and no forward passes.
“Call to Duty” fanatics can read about the Navy Seals or the Green Berets. There are books out there about the military at all reading levels.
Include learning into any family vacation. Test estimation skills. “How long before we get there? When might we run out of gas?” Then there’s the license plate game, naming and listing vehicles, and even identifying road kill.
On the way to the amusement park, stop at a battlefield site. And while at the amusement park, talk about what it takes for that rollercoaster to flip, twist and turn like that without sending riders to the moon.
Keep math in mind. Since kids lose more math skills than anything else over the summer, try to do some special planning to find math-related activities. For math, take kids shopping and have them calculate the cost of the groceries. Stop in front of the five different size cans of green beans and determine which one is the better deal.
Play board games, like Monopoly, Life or Payday in the evenings and let the child be the banker.
Everyone needs to enjoy the summer. It’s all right to let students sleep in some, stay up late a few times, but always look for the learning aspect.
Remember to keep it fun! You don’t want to sour your kids on learning during the summer break.
As far as politicians go, that may not be far- fetched, but more importantly, there is some similar — brain drain — that affects nearly all students during the summer.
Why?
Because reading, math and science tend to disappear from their universe during the summer, replaced by sleeping until the crack of noon, staying up as late as possible and reaching new high scores on a variety of video games.
Nothing wrong with some of that, but a summer of that, and, oh my, it causes trouble when school starts up again.
According to a study by Dr. Harris Cooper, professor of psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, young brains often shift into reverse during the non-school months. The study found that when students return to school after the summer break, they’ve lost one to three months worth of learning.
That means if students leave school in early June “on-grade level,” they will start up in August “below-grade level.” For students who were promoted, but substantially behind...well, it sets them up for failure.
The decline is more detrimental for math than it is for reading. “All students lose math skills,” says Cooper.
Low-income children, by the end of fifth grade, are about 2-and-a-half years behind their more affluent peers, primarily from doing “nothing” during the summer.
Does that mean students have to be home-schooled five days a week through June, July and August? No, but they can’t sit, twiddle and eat bag after bag of chips during that time either.
Studies show that teachers spend an average of four to six weeks re-teaching material that students have lost during the summer. That’s more than a month of “new” material that won’t get covered, putting students even further behind.
Parents need to step up and make sure there is a balance. “Parents can help their kids retain educational skills,” says Cooper.
The library has hundreds of activities during the summer that are fun and educational, like Cabot’s reading to shelter animals program or the martial arts or anime groups at the Jacksonville and Sherwood libraries.
Plus, read at home. Parents need to read, the kids need to read. Everyone needs to read and discuss what they are reading. Reading just four to five books during the summer can prevent a decline in a child’s fall reading scores.
So instead of spending hours watching that latest Zombie show, take time to read about Zombies.
Just from reading a few pages of Max Brooks’ “Zombie Survival Guide” one will learn that humans turn into zombies from the Solanum virus, which travels through the bloodstream, from the initial point of entry to the brain. The virus causes all bodily functions to cease and mutates the brain into an organ that does not need oxygen. Thus, the essentially deceased person will become the living dead, with an insatiable drive to consume human flesh.
Wow, fun stuff.
Madden football video fans can read about the history of the sport. There was a time when there were no helmets and no forward passes.
“Call to Duty” fanatics can read about the Navy Seals or the Green Berets. There are books out there about the military at all reading levels.
Include learning into any family vacation. Test estimation skills. “How long before we get there? When might we run out of gas?” Then there’s the license plate game, naming and listing vehicles, and even identifying road kill.
On the way to the amusement park, stop at a battlefield site. And while at the amusement park, talk about what it takes for that rollercoaster to flip, twist and turn like that without sending riders to the moon.
Keep math in mind. Since kids lose more math skills than anything else over the summer, try to do some special planning to find math-related activities. For math, take kids shopping and have them calculate the cost of the groceries. Stop in front of the five different size cans of green beans and determine which one is the better deal.
Play board games, like Monopoly, Life or Payday in the evenings and let the child be the banker.
Everyone needs to enjoy the summer. It’s all right to let students sleep in some, stay up late a few times, but always look for the learning aspect.
Remember to keep it fun! You don’t want to sour your kids on learning during the summer break.
TOP STORY >> Several schools beat state averages
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Beebe first and second graders, along with those from Jacksonville’s Arnold Drive Elementary and four Cabot schools beat the state averages across the board on the just-released state-mandated Iowa Test of Basic Skills.
Beebe Superintendent Belinda Shook said, “We are still looking at the scores and analyzing them, but at a first glance, we were very happy with the progress we made this past year.”
The state Department of Education released the scoring information earlier this week. Four types of scores are released: Raw scores, scales scores, national percentile rankings and normal curve equivalent scores.
Out of those four, the easiest to understand is the national percentile rankings (NPR). For example, first graders at Cabot’s Magness Creek had an NPR of 70 on the English-Language Arts portion of the exam.
A score of 70 means the Magness Creek students beat 70 percent of all the first graders across the country who took the test. Inversely, 30 percent beat Magness Creek.
On the other hand, Harris Elementary first graders scored in the 12th percentile in literacy, meaning almost 90 percent of U.S. first graders beat them. That score of 12 was 37 percentage points below the state average.
Magness Creek’s 70 percent score was 21 percentage points above the state average of 49. The first-grade average on the math portion was 52 percent, meaning about half the Arkansas students scored better than others across the country and about half scored worse.
Among second graders the state NPR average on the English-Language Arts section (which includes reading) was 54 and in math it was 62.
The Cabot schools beating both the first grader and second NPR averages were Magness Creek, Mountain Springs, Northside and Eastside elementary schools.
“We are pleased with our growth on the ITBS and especially in math,” said Dr. Tony Thurman, head of the Cabot School District, adding, “We use the data to determine programming that is specific to each child during the upcoming year. ITBS scores, along with other data from the previous year, is crucial in providing teachers with an understanding of where kids are when they arrive at school on August 15th.”
Beebe’s superintendent said, “We have spent the last year trying to get better aligned to standards and I believe it is paying off. The school board developed a strategic plan that centers around raising student achievement. Last year, we created a pre-K-6 Reading Leadership Committee to study data and make curriculum decisions about our reading program.”
Shook continued, “We are restructuring much of what we are doing next year based on the recommendations from the committee. The first- and second-grade Iowa scores show an increase in every sub test, with as much as 13 and 14 points in some areas. We expect, and hope, with the emphasis on reading, the training our teachers are going through this summer, and curriculum alignment, we will continue to see our student achievements increase.”
About 3 million students, from first grade through 12th grade, take the annual test.
Here is a breakdown of the first and second grade NPR scores in English-language Arts (literacy) and math from area schools.
Scores from the ACT Aspire test, which third through eighth grade took in April, are set to be released in mid-July.
CABOT
Out of Cabot’s nine elementary schools, only Ward Central and Stagecoach failed to beat the state averages
Ward Central first graders had an NPR of 31 in literacy (18 points off the state average) and 38 in math (12 points below the state. Second graders were at 46 in literacy, six points off the state pace and a 49 in math, 13 points under the state average.
Stagecoach first graders scored in the 45th percentile in literacy and 50th in math. Seconds graders were at the 48 percentile in literacy and the 58th in math.
Beating the state averages were Eastside, Northside, Magness Creek and Mountain Springs. Eastside first graders hit the 54th percentile in literacy and 57th in math. The second graders were in the 64th and 66th percentiles, respectively.
Northside first graders hit 60 in ELA and 58 in math. The second graders were in the 64th percentile in both literacy and math.
Magness Creek first graders had the top literacy score in the newspaper’s coverage area. The second graders tied with Carlisle for the best literacy scores.
Magness Creek first grades were in the 70th percentile in literacy and 65th in math. The second graders scored in 73rd percentile in literacy and 79 percentile in math. Carlisle was top in the area, hitting the 89th percentile.
Mountain Springs first graders had the best score in math in the area, scoring in the 70th percentile. It had a 63 in literacy The second graders were at the 60th percentile in literacy and 63rd in math.
In other Cabot schools, Westside first graders beat the state, but the second graders didn’t. Westside first graders score in the 51st percentile in literacy and the 60th in math. Second graders were at 41 in literacy and 50 in math.
Central first graders were in the 32nd percentile in literacy and 34th in math. The second graders beat the state scoring in the 62nd percent in literacy and 65th in math. Southside first graders hit the 55th percentile in literacy and 49th in math.
Second graders scored in the 47th percentile in literacy and the 56th in math.
JNPSD
Arnold Drive posted the best scores among the elementary schools that are part of the new Jacksonville North Pulaski School District. Arnold Drive beat the state, both at the first grade and second grade level. First graders scored in the 50th percentile in literacy and 57th in math. The second graders jumped to the 71st percentile in literacy and 79th percentile in math.
Bayou Meto second graders outscored the state with a score of 64 in literacy and 69 in math, The first graders were at the 40th percentile in literacy and 51st percentile in math. Tolleson second graders also bested the state averages.
The second graders were in the 64th percentile in literacy and the 65th in math. First graders hit scores of 47 in literacy and 46 in math.
Pinewood first graders scored in the 35 percentile in literacy and 47th percentile in math.
The second graders were in the 32nd percentile in literacy and 51st in math.
Warren Dupree first graders landed in the 25th percentile in literacy and 26th in math. Second graders did better, hitting the 40th percentile in literacy and the 47th percentile in math.
Murrell Taylor first graders hit the 22nd percentile in literacy and 28th in math. The second graders had an NPR score of 23 in literacy and 40 in math.
PCSSD
Out of the remaining PCSSD schools, Oakbrooke Elementary turned in the best results, beating or tying the state in three-of-four categories. The first graders in literacy came close scoring in the 47th percentile, two points shy of the state. In math they tied with the sate average with a score in the 52nd percentile second graders hit the 57th percentile in literacy and the 62nd in math.
Cato Elementary first graders scored in the 30th percentile in literacy and the 39th in math.
The second graders didn’t do quite as well, scoring in the 43rd percentile in literacy and the 55th in math.
Sylvan Hills first graders hit the 37th percentile in literacy and 4oth in math. The second graders were in the 43rd percentile for literacy and the 52nd percentile in math.
Harris Elementary first graders scored at the 12th percentile in literacy and 19th percentile in math. The second graders were at the 17th percentile in literacy and 30th percentile in math.
CHARTERS
Second graders at the Jacksonville Lighthouse Academy beat the state average in math, hitting the 63rd percentile.
Those same second graders scored in the 47th percentile in literacy. First graders hit 24th in literacy and 37th percentile in math.
The Lisa Academy North first graders did well in math besting the state average by 14 points, hitting the 66th percentile. In literacy, the first graders were in the 48th percentile. Second graders scored in the 47th percentile in literacy and 58th in math.
OTHERS
Beebe first and second graders bested the state averages. In literacy the first graders were in the 53rd percentile and the second graders were at 58.
In math, the first graders were in the 62nd percentile and the second graders were in the 67th.
Carlisle second graders had the top math percentage in the area and tied for the top literacy score.
In first grade, the students were at the 38th percentile in literacy and 45th in math, while the second graders hit 73 in literacy and 89 in math.
England first grades were in the 32nd percentile in literacy and 41st in math. The second graders were in the 47th percentile in literacy, but skyrocketed to the 74th percentile in math.
Lonoke first graders were in the 36 percentile in literacy and hit the 40th in math. Second graders reached the 37th percentile in both literacy and math.
Leader staff writer
Beebe first and second graders, along with those from Jacksonville’s Arnold Drive Elementary and four Cabot schools beat the state averages across the board on the just-released state-mandated Iowa Test of Basic Skills.
Beebe Superintendent Belinda Shook said, “We are still looking at the scores and analyzing them, but at a first glance, we were very happy with the progress we made this past year.”
The state Department of Education released the scoring information earlier this week. Four types of scores are released: Raw scores, scales scores, national percentile rankings and normal curve equivalent scores.
Out of those four, the easiest to understand is the national percentile rankings (NPR). For example, first graders at Cabot’s Magness Creek had an NPR of 70 on the English-Language Arts portion of the exam.
A score of 70 means the Magness Creek students beat 70 percent of all the first graders across the country who took the test. Inversely, 30 percent beat Magness Creek.
On the other hand, Harris Elementary first graders scored in the 12th percentile in literacy, meaning almost 90 percent of U.S. first graders beat them. That score of 12 was 37 percentage points below the state average.
Magness Creek’s 70 percent score was 21 percentage points above the state average of 49. The first-grade average on the math portion was 52 percent, meaning about half the Arkansas students scored better than others across the country and about half scored worse.
Among second graders the state NPR average on the English-Language Arts section (which includes reading) was 54 and in math it was 62.
The Cabot schools beating both the first grader and second NPR averages were Magness Creek, Mountain Springs, Northside and Eastside elementary schools.
“We are pleased with our growth on the ITBS and especially in math,” said Dr. Tony Thurman, head of the Cabot School District, adding, “We use the data to determine programming that is specific to each child during the upcoming year. ITBS scores, along with other data from the previous year, is crucial in providing teachers with an understanding of where kids are when they arrive at school on August 15th.”
Beebe’s superintendent said, “We have spent the last year trying to get better aligned to standards and I believe it is paying off. The school board developed a strategic plan that centers around raising student achievement. Last year, we created a pre-K-6 Reading Leadership Committee to study data and make curriculum decisions about our reading program.”
Shook continued, “We are restructuring much of what we are doing next year based on the recommendations from the committee. The first- and second-grade Iowa scores show an increase in every sub test, with as much as 13 and 14 points in some areas. We expect, and hope, with the emphasis on reading, the training our teachers are going through this summer, and curriculum alignment, we will continue to see our student achievements increase.”
About 3 million students, from first grade through 12th grade, take the annual test.
Here is a breakdown of the first and second grade NPR scores in English-language Arts (literacy) and math from area schools.
Scores from the ACT Aspire test, which third through eighth grade took in April, are set to be released in mid-July.
CABOT
Out of Cabot’s nine elementary schools, only Ward Central and Stagecoach failed to beat the state averages
Ward Central first graders had an NPR of 31 in literacy (18 points off the state average) and 38 in math (12 points below the state. Second graders were at 46 in literacy, six points off the state pace and a 49 in math, 13 points under the state average.
Stagecoach first graders scored in the 45th percentile in literacy and 50th in math. Seconds graders were at the 48 percentile in literacy and the 58th in math.
Beating the state averages were Eastside, Northside, Magness Creek and Mountain Springs. Eastside first graders hit the 54th percentile in literacy and 57th in math. The second graders were in the 64th and 66th percentiles, respectively.
Northside first graders hit 60 in ELA and 58 in math. The second graders were in the 64th percentile in both literacy and math.
Magness Creek first graders had the top literacy score in the newspaper’s coverage area. The second graders tied with Carlisle for the best literacy scores.
Magness Creek first grades were in the 70th percentile in literacy and 65th in math. The second graders scored in 73rd percentile in literacy and 79 percentile in math. Carlisle was top in the area, hitting the 89th percentile.
Mountain Springs first graders had the best score in math in the area, scoring in the 70th percentile. It had a 63 in literacy The second graders were at the 60th percentile in literacy and 63rd in math.
In other Cabot schools, Westside first graders beat the state, but the second graders didn’t. Westside first graders score in the 51st percentile in literacy and the 60th in math. Second graders were at 41 in literacy and 50 in math.
Central first graders were in the 32nd percentile in literacy and 34th in math. The second graders beat the state scoring in the 62nd percent in literacy and 65th in math. Southside first graders hit the 55th percentile in literacy and 49th in math.
Second graders scored in the 47th percentile in literacy and the 56th in math.
JNPSD
Arnold Drive posted the best scores among the elementary schools that are part of the new Jacksonville North Pulaski School District. Arnold Drive beat the state, both at the first grade and second grade level. First graders scored in the 50th percentile in literacy and 57th in math. The second graders jumped to the 71st percentile in literacy and 79th percentile in math.
Bayou Meto second graders outscored the state with a score of 64 in literacy and 69 in math, The first graders were at the 40th percentile in literacy and 51st percentile in math. Tolleson second graders also bested the state averages.
The second graders were in the 64th percentile in literacy and the 65th in math. First graders hit scores of 47 in literacy and 46 in math.
Pinewood first graders scored in the 35 percentile in literacy and 47th percentile in math.
The second graders were in the 32nd percentile in literacy and 51st in math.
Warren Dupree first graders landed in the 25th percentile in literacy and 26th in math. Second graders did better, hitting the 40th percentile in literacy and the 47th percentile in math.
Murrell Taylor first graders hit the 22nd percentile in literacy and 28th in math. The second graders had an NPR score of 23 in literacy and 40 in math.
PCSSD
Out of the remaining PCSSD schools, Oakbrooke Elementary turned in the best results, beating or tying the state in three-of-four categories. The first graders in literacy came close scoring in the 47th percentile, two points shy of the state. In math they tied with the sate average with a score in the 52nd percentile second graders hit the 57th percentile in literacy and the 62nd in math.
Cato Elementary first graders scored in the 30th percentile in literacy and the 39th in math.
The second graders didn’t do quite as well, scoring in the 43rd percentile in literacy and the 55th in math.
Sylvan Hills first graders hit the 37th percentile in literacy and 4oth in math. The second graders were in the 43rd percentile for literacy and the 52nd percentile in math.
Harris Elementary first graders scored at the 12th percentile in literacy and 19th percentile in math. The second graders were at the 17th percentile in literacy and 30th percentile in math.
CHARTERS
Second graders at the Jacksonville Lighthouse Academy beat the state average in math, hitting the 63rd percentile.
Those same second graders scored in the 47th percentile in literacy. First graders hit 24th in literacy and 37th percentile in math.
The Lisa Academy North first graders did well in math besting the state average by 14 points, hitting the 66th percentile. In literacy, the first graders were in the 48th percentile. Second graders scored in the 47th percentile in literacy and 58th in math.
OTHERS
Beebe first and second graders bested the state averages. In literacy the first graders were in the 53rd percentile and the second graders were at 58.
In math, the first graders were in the 62nd percentile and the second graders were in the 67th.
Carlisle second graders had the top math percentage in the area and tied for the top literacy score.
In first grade, the students were at the 38th percentile in literacy and 45th in math, while the second graders hit 73 in literacy and 89 in math.
England first grades were in the 32nd percentile in literacy and 41st in math. The second graders were in the 47th percentile in literacy, but skyrocketed to the 74th percentile in math.
Lonoke first graders were in the 36 percentile in literacy and hit the 40th in math. Second graders reached the 37th percentile in both literacy and math.
TOP STORY >> C-130J lands in good hands on base
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
Nearly a quarter century after Carlton D. Everhart II left Little Rock Air Force Base as a captain, he returned again Monday as general and commander of Air Mobility Com-mand, delivering the 28th and last scheduled C-130J from Lockheed Martin in Atlanta to the 19th Airlift Wing.
The base price for a C-130J, without options, is about $80 million, the general said.
While two more C-130Js are slated for the base’s 314th Air Education and Training Command on the base —that’s known as the C-130 school house — the arrival of tail number 45795 completes the transition of the 19th Air Mobility Wing to “all C-130J all the time.”
“This rounds us out as a C-130J wing,” said Col. Charles Brown, commander of the 19th Airlift Wing and of Little Rock Air Force Base.
Many of the other planes stationed at LRAFB are the older-model C-130H aircraft.
AMP UPGRADES ORDERED
Everhart said that after more than a decade, the Air Force will re-launch a program to retrofit those legacy airframes with Avionics Modernization Program kits.
The upgrade will allow them to continue flying after 2020 in domestic and foreign air space from which they would be otherwise barred.
The general said the money and the plans were on order.
Everhart said the number of C-130Hs still commissioned is about 300.
The AMP program was suspended in 2012 after the upgrade of five C-130Hs, which, after testing, have sat unflown on the LRAFB tarmac.
The AMP is “coming right now,” Everhart said, “part of my rapid global mobility initiative.”
He said the Air Force would meet the FAA mandate to update communications, navigation, surveillance and air-traffic management by Jan. 1, 2020.
Phase II would upgrade the cockpit from analog to digital, with heads up displays on transparent screens, making it nearly indistinguishable from the cockpit of the C-130J. It would begin after the completion of Phase I.
PERSONNEL SHORTAGES
The Air Force is currently short about 500 fighter pilots and 4,000 maintainers, and Everhart said it was trying to convince pilots leaving the active duty Air Force to sign on with the Air National Guard and the reserves.
“We are sitting down with industry partners, and spreading word to pilots,” Everhart said.
The decline has been variously blamed on budget restrictions, the economy and the retirement of a wave of Vietnam-era pilots and maintainers who are now retiring from the commercial airline industry and opening more lucrative positions that may lure Air Force personnel.
Everhart called it the perfect storm.
The Air Force has said that it has enough pilots and maintainers for current taskings and responsibility, but that it could be difficult if the Air Force had to fight on a second front.
TOTAL FORCE PARTNERS
Everhart thanked the base’s total force partners, which include not only the active duty host 19th Airlift Wing and 314th Air Education and Training Wing, but also the 189th National Guard and the 913th Airlift Group of the Reserves.
“There is no better team than Team Little Rock,” he said.
“Thank you total force partners, you rock,” he said.
Everhart noted that the 19th’s Airlift Wing’s 61st Airlift Squadron was honored last year as the Gen. Joseph E. Smith tactical airlift unit of the year.
Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher presented the general the key to the city.
Among those in attendance were Fletcher, Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert, Sherwood Mayor Virginia Young, state Sen. Jane English of North Little Rock and state Rep. Joe Farrer of Austin.
Also on hand were representatives of the state’s congressional delegation.
Leader senior staff writer
Nearly a quarter century after Carlton D. Everhart II left Little Rock Air Force Base as a captain, he returned again Monday as general and commander of Air Mobility Com-mand, delivering the 28th and last scheduled C-130J from Lockheed Martin in Atlanta to the 19th Airlift Wing.
The base price for a C-130J, without options, is about $80 million, the general said.
While two more C-130Js are slated for the base’s 314th Air Education and Training Command on the base —that’s known as the C-130 school house — the arrival of tail number 45795 completes the transition of the 19th Air Mobility Wing to “all C-130J all the time.”
“This rounds us out as a C-130J wing,” said Col. Charles Brown, commander of the 19th Airlift Wing and of Little Rock Air Force Base.
Many of the other planes stationed at LRAFB are the older-model C-130H aircraft.
AMP UPGRADES ORDERED
Everhart said that after more than a decade, the Air Force will re-launch a program to retrofit those legacy airframes with Avionics Modernization Program kits.
The upgrade will allow them to continue flying after 2020 in domestic and foreign air space from which they would be otherwise barred.
The general said the money and the plans were on order.
Everhart said the number of C-130Hs still commissioned is about 300.
The AMP program was suspended in 2012 after the upgrade of five C-130Hs, which, after testing, have sat unflown on the LRAFB tarmac.
The AMP is “coming right now,” Everhart said, “part of my rapid global mobility initiative.”
He said the Air Force would meet the FAA mandate to update communications, navigation, surveillance and air-traffic management by Jan. 1, 2020.
Phase II would upgrade the cockpit from analog to digital, with heads up displays on transparent screens, making it nearly indistinguishable from the cockpit of the C-130J. It would begin after the completion of Phase I.
PERSONNEL SHORTAGES
The Air Force is currently short about 500 fighter pilots and 4,000 maintainers, and Everhart said it was trying to convince pilots leaving the active duty Air Force to sign on with the Air National Guard and the reserves.
“We are sitting down with industry partners, and spreading word to pilots,” Everhart said.
The decline has been variously blamed on budget restrictions, the economy and the retirement of a wave of Vietnam-era pilots and maintainers who are now retiring from the commercial airline industry and opening more lucrative positions that may lure Air Force personnel.
Everhart called it the perfect storm.
The Air Force has said that it has enough pilots and maintainers for current taskings and responsibility, but that it could be difficult if the Air Force had to fight on a second front.
TOTAL FORCE PARTNERS
Everhart thanked the base’s total force partners, which include not only the active duty host 19th Airlift Wing and 314th Air Education and Training Wing, but also the 189th National Guard and the 913th Airlift Group of the Reserves.
“There is no better team than Team Little Rock,” he said.
“Thank you total force partners, you rock,” he said.
Everhart noted that the 19th’s Airlift Wing’s 61st Airlift Squadron was honored last year as the Gen. Joseph E. Smith tactical airlift unit of the year.
Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher presented the general the key to the city.
Among those in attendance were Fletcher, Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert, Sherwood Mayor Virginia Young, state Sen. Jane English of North Little Rock and state Rep. Joe Farrer of Austin.
Also on hand were representatives of the state’s congressional delegation.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
SPORTS STORY >> Jacksonville strong until last game of Wood Bat tourney
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
A fantastic tournament run ended with an equally abysmal finale for the Gwatney Chevrolet Senior American Legion team Sunday at the People’s Bank Wood Bat Classic in Sheridan.
The Jacksonville squad went undefeated in its pool, beating Monticello, Bryant AA and White Hall, to advance in the semifinals on Sunday.
They beat Magnet Cove 3-2 with a walk-off double by Caleb McMunn, but fell apart in the championship game, getting run ruled 9-1 by tournament host Sheridan in six innings.
“Just too many errors,” said Jacksonville coach Bob Hickingbotham of the championship game. “We didn’t do that most of the tournament. We got pretty good pitching the whole tournament. We didn’t hit it extremely well but we did all right. We played good defense up until the last one and that’s what got us here. Overall it was a pretty good run.”
The Gwatney squad committed five errors total. Sheridan’s leadoff hitter reached base on errors in three separate innings, and another Yellowjacket leadoff reached on a 0-2 hit-by-pitch.
Earlier on Sunday, Jacksonville held a 2-1 lead until the Black Cats’ Korey Wasson of Hot Springs High School, single-handedly got his team back into a tie.
Wasson took the mound in the fifth inning, retiring Jacksonville’s 2-3-4 hitters in order with two groundouts to third and a strikeout. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Wasson struck out the side in order.
In the top of the seventh, he hit a one-out single to center field. Moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, then stole third base and home plate on consecutive pitches to make the score 2-2.
But he couldn’t maintain the momentum in Gwatney’s final turn at bat. Jacksonville eight-hole hitter Jordan Wickersham hit a leadoff single to center field before catcher Randy Traywick struck out. During that at-bat, Wickersham moved to second base on a passed ball and to third on a wild pitch.
At the top of the lineup, Tyson Flowers battled to a nine-pitch walk to put runners on the corners. Mike Havard, who has the team’s highest batting average, was intentionally walked to load the bases and set up a force at home plate or a double-play ball.
The outfield moved in close for the chance to make a play at home in case of a base hit, but McMunn launched a hard line drive over the right fielder to give Jacksonville the win and berth in the championship game.
The Chevy Boys scored their first two runs in the bottom of the first inning, and did it without a base hit. Flowers drew a leadoff walk, and Havard laid down a sacrifice bunt that was thrown into foul territory down the right-field line. The ball rolled far enough for Flowers to score all the way from first base on the play while Havard stopped at third base.
McMunn grounded out to shortstop, where Havard was forced to hold his spot, but he scored on a groundout to first base by Brandon Hickingbotham. The next three Gwatney Chevrolet batters walked, but Wickersham struck out with the bases loaded.
Wasson also scored Magnet Cove’s first run. He led off the top of the second inning with a base hit to left field and stole second base. He later scored on a 4-6 groundout by Hunter Bolin.
The Jacksonville Senior team hosts its annual mid-season tournament on Thursday, beginning with Cabot vs. Searcy at 5:45. That game is followed by Jacksonville taking on White Hall.
On Friday, Jacksonville plays Conway at 5:45 while Magnet Cove faces Cabot afterwards. On Saturday, Searcy plays Magnet Cove at 4 p.m. and Conway plays White Hall at 7 p.m. The two third-place pool teams face each other in the final round at noon on Sunday, with second-place teams following and the tournament championship scheduled for approximately 5:30 p.m.
Leader sports editor
A fantastic tournament run ended with an equally abysmal finale for the Gwatney Chevrolet Senior American Legion team Sunday at the People’s Bank Wood Bat Classic in Sheridan.
The Jacksonville squad went undefeated in its pool, beating Monticello, Bryant AA and White Hall, to advance in the semifinals on Sunday.
They beat Magnet Cove 3-2 with a walk-off double by Caleb McMunn, but fell apart in the championship game, getting run ruled 9-1 by tournament host Sheridan in six innings.
“Just too many errors,” said Jacksonville coach Bob Hickingbotham of the championship game. “We didn’t do that most of the tournament. We got pretty good pitching the whole tournament. We didn’t hit it extremely well but we did all right. We played good defense up until the last one and that’s what got us here. Overall it was a pretty good run.”
The Gwatney squad committed five errors total. Sheridan’s leadoff hitter reached base on errors in three separate innings, and another Yellowjacket leadoff reached on a 0-2 hit-by-pitch.
Earlier on Sunday, Jacksonville held a 2-1 lead until the Black Cats’ Korey Wasson of Hot Springs High School, single-handedly got his team back into a tie.
Wasson took the mound in the fifth inning, retiring Jacksonville’s 2-3-4 hitters in order with two groundouts to third and a strikeout. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Wasson struck out the side in order.
In the top of the seventh, he hit a one-out single to center field. Moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, then stole third base and home plate on consecutive pitches to make the score 2-2.
But he couldn’t maintain the momentum in Gwatney’s final turn at bat. Jacksonville eight-hole hitter Jordan Wickersham hit a leadoff single to center field before catcher Randy Traywick struck out. During that at-bat, Wickersham moved to second base on a passed ball and to third on a wild pitch.
At the top of the lineup, Tyson Flowers battled to a nine-pitch walk to put runners on the corners. Mike Havard, who has the team’s highest batting average, was intentionally walked to load the bases and set up a force at home plate or a double-play ball.
The outfield moved in close for the chance to make a play at home in case of a base hit, but McMunn launched a hard line drive over the right fielder to give Jacksonville the win and berth in the championship game.
The Chevy Boys scored their first two runs in the bottom of the first inning, and did it without a base hit. Flowers drew a leadoff walk, and Havard laid down a sacrifice bunt that was thrown into foul territory down the right-field line. The ball rolled far enough for Flowers to score all the way from first base on the play while Havard stopped at third base.
McMunn grounded out to shortstop, where Havard was forced to hold his spot, but he scored on a groundout to first base by Brandon Hickingbotham. The next three Gwatney Chevrolet batters walked, but Wickersham struck out with the bases loaded.
Wasson also scored Magnet Cove’s first run. He led off the top of the second inning with a base hit to left field and stole second base. He later scored on a 4-6 groundout by Hunter Bolin.
The Jacksonville Senior team hosts its annual mid-season tournament on Thursday, beginning with Cabot vs. Searcy at 5:45. That game is followed by Jacksonville taking on White Hall.
On Friday, Jacksonville plays Conway at 5:45 while Magnet Cove faces Cabot afterwards. On Saturday, Searcy plays Magnet Cove at 4 p.m. and Conway plays White Hall at 7 p.m. The two third-place pool teams face each other in the final round at noon on Sunday, with second-place teams following and the tournament championship scheduled for approximately 5:30 p.m.
SPORTS STORY >> Eller glad to be in Bluefield
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Sylvan Hills High School and Ouachita Baptist University graduate Connor Eller had a whirlwind first week of professional baseball after being drafted in the 22nd round of the Major League Baseball Draft June 11 by the Toronto Blue Jays.
After a week of minicamp games in Dunedin, Fla., Eller flew to Bluefield, WV on Monday where he will play for the Bluefield Blue Jays in the Advanced Rookie Appalachian League. The season begins on Thursday.
“It’s just so exciting,” Eller told The Leader on Tuesday from Bluefield. “It’s a lot of work but it’s every little kid’s dream to play professional baseball. It’s a 5:45a.m. wakeup call and you get back to your room about 4 o’clock completely exhausted, but I’m still excited.”
Eller knows very little about how or as what he projects in the Blue Jays organization. He was a durable starting pitcher for the Tigers the last two seasons. He even had a complete-game, 10-inning win last season. But he’s uncertain whether the organization is looking at him as a starting pitcher, or a relief pitcher. He only threw one inning during minicamp. It was, despite its brevity, a successful outing.
Eller faced three batters and recorded two strikeouts. Sandwiched between the fannings was a broken-bat groundout to second base.
“It was fun and I felt really good about it,” Eller said. “I was a little nervous because it was my first time pitching live in about a month, but it all came back to me pretty quick and I think I pitched pretty well.”
Eller has five pitches in his reportoire, of which three he uses frequently. His favorite is a powerful fastball that averages between 89-93 miles per hour. He occasionally touched 94 throughout his senior season at OBU, and has topped out about a half-dozen times this season at 95 mph.
He says his second-favorite pitch is a cutter that only loses about 5 mph from his fastball.
“That’s my next-best pitch,” Eller said. “It’s a pitch I can throw into the zone and still throw pretty hard. I’m comfortable with it and I can use it as a wipe-out pitch.”
He also throws a hard slider, and breaks it up occasionally with a change-up or a sinker.
“I’m comfortable with the slider, and I’ll throw the other two every now and then,” Eller said. “Throwing the change-up and sinker, it really depends on the situation and who is at the plate. The other three I’m really comfortable with and I can command pretty well.”
Early indications are that almost all the Bluefield pitchers will work about the same amount. That gives the organization a chance to see who projects as a starter, who projects as a reliever and who, if any, fail to advance their careers further.
“Right now it looks like they’re going to go with about a 5-4 split for pitchers,” Eller said of innings for pitchers. “They have two lined up for each game, and that depends on how they do once they’re on the mound. It could be shorter, but it looks like two for each outing to start out with.”
The Bluefield season begins at 6:05 p.m. with a home game against Bristol, Conn. Interested fans can listen to Bluefield Blue Jays games by visiting milb.com/schedule/index.jsp?sid=t517, and clicking on the audio link provided inside the schedule.
Leader sports editor
Sylvan Hills High School and Ouachita Baptist University graduate Connor Eller had a whirlwind first week of professional baseball after being drafted in the 22nd round of the Major League Baseball Draft June 11 by the Toronto Blue Jays.
After a week of minicamp games in Dunedin, Fla., Eller flew to Bluefield, WV on Monday where he will play for the Bluefield Blue Jays in the Advanced Rookie Appalachian League. The season begins on Thursday.
“It’s just so exciting,” Eller told The Leader on Tuesday from Bluefield. “It’s a lot of work but it’s every little kid’s dream to play professional baseball. It’s a 5:45a.m. wakeup call and you get back to your room about 4 o’clock completely exhausted, but I’m still excited.”
Eller knows very little about how or as what he projects in the Blue Jays organization. He was a durable starting pitcher for the Tigers the last two seasons. He even had a complete-game, 10-inning win last season. But he’s uncertain whether the organization is looking at him as a starting pitcher, or a relief pitcher. He only threw one inning during minicamp. It was, despite its brevity, a successful outing.
Eller faced three batters and recorded two strikeouts. Sandwiched between the fannings was a broken-bat groundout to second base.
“It was fun and I felt really good about it,” Eller said. “I was a little nervous because it was my first time pitching live in about a month, but it all came back to me pretty quick and I think I pitched pretty well.”
Eller has five pitches in his reportoire, of which three he uses frequently. His favorite is a powerful fastball that averages between 89-93 miles per hour. He occasionally touched 94 throughout his senior season at OBU, and has topped out about a half-dozen times this season at 95 mph.
He says his second-favorite pitch is a cutter that only loses about 5 mph from his fastball.
“That’s my next-best pitch,” Eller said. “It’s a pitch I can throw into the zone and still throw pretty hard. I’m comfortable with it and I can use it as a wipe-out pitch.”
He also throws a hard slider, and breaks it up occasionally with a change-up or a sinker.
“I’m comfortable with the slider, and I’ll throw the other two every now and then,” Eller said. “Throwing the change-up and sinker, it really depends on the situation and who is at the plate. The other three I’m really comfortable with and I can command pretty well.”
Early indications are that almost all the Bluefield pitchers will work about the same amount. That gives the organization a chance to see who projects as a starter, who projects as a reliever and who, if any, fail to advance their careers further.
“Right now it looks like they’re going to go with about a 5-4 split for pitchers,” Eller said of innings for pitchers. “They have two lined up for each game, and that depends on how they do once they’re on the mound. It could be shorter, but it looks like two for each outing to start out with.”
The Bluefield season begins at 6:05 p.m. with a home game against Bristol, Conn. Interested fans can listen to Bluefield Blue Jays games by visiting milb.com/schedule/index.jsp?sid=t517, and clicking on the audio link provided inside the schedule.
SPORTS STORY >> Gwatney ties at Centennial
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Cabot-Centennial Bank Junior American Legion team avoided defeat for the second time this season, though it didn’t get its second win. Adhering to a strict time limit, the umpires called its home game with Jacksonville-Gwatney Chevrolet off after the sixth inning with the score tied at 5-5.
Despite the disappointing and surprise ending, Cabot coach David Smith was pleased with his very inexperienced team’s performance. It was the first game this season that his squad committed no errors.
“I think the improvement is showing,” said Smith. “We knew from day one we were going to have to do a lot of teaching, but they’re catching on. We’ve had a few games here and there when we’ve played pretty good, but we haven’t put any together so far. Hopefully we build on this game this week. No errors is big for this team. Jacksonville put the ball in play a lot.”
Cabot pitcher Austin Calhoon worked his way out of several jams during the game. Jacksonville’s first four batters in the top of the first inning reached base. Four-hole hitter Peyton Williams hit a two-RBI single to center field that left runners on first and second. Calhoon then got Quentin Stallard to hit into a 6-4-3 double play, and Joe Cummings grounded out to shortstop to end the threat.
Gwatney Chevrolet held that lead until the third inning, and failed to add to it in the top of the third when it loaded the bases with no outs.
With the bases loaded, Calhoon got Williams and Stallard to pop up in the infield, and struck out Cummings to escape the threat.
Gwatney starting pitcher Foster Rash threw two innings of no-hit ball, and had two strikeouts and one walk in the third inning when Centennial Bank rallied for all five of its runs.
Jack Broyles doubled to center field to put two runners in scoring position. Caleb Wilson walked to load the bases and Gino Germer doubled to center field to drive in Cabot’s first two runs.
Michael Crumbly got a base hit to center field, where Caden Sample misplayed the hop, allowing the ball to roll to the fence. Germer also scored on the play and Crumbly made it all the way to third base. Gage Morrow then reached on an error at third base that also allowed Crumbly to score Cabot’s fifth and final run of the inning.
Jacksonville tied the game in the top of the fifth inning. Robert Johnson was hit by Calhoon and Isaiah Cain walked to put two runners on with one out. Leadoff hitter Jonathan Smith struck out, but Jayden Loving hit a two-RBI double down the right-field line, and Sample followed with a triple to almost the same spot that tied the game.
Williams hit a fly ball to center field off reliever Jacob Caswell to end the inning.
Cabot then failed to capitalize on prime scoring opportunities in the final two innings. It loaded the bases with one out when Wilson flew out to center field. Randy Couch tried to score after tagging up. Stallard faked cutting off Sample’s throw, and let it roll under his glove. Loving stopped it right in front of the plate in time to tag Couch for the 8-2 double play.
Centennial Bank loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Cain struck out the next batter, Couch hit a hard grounder to first base. Stallard made the stop and threw home to get the force out. Loving then relayed back to first where second baseman Caleb Anderson was covering for the rare 3-2-4 double play.
Jacksonville’s Junior team (9-7-1) played at Heber Springs last night after Leader deadlines, and is off the rest of the week as the Senior team hosts its annual mid-season tournament. Cabot (1-10-1) hosted CAC last night and next plays at home against Maumelle next Tuesday.
Leader sports editor
The Cabot-Centennial Bank Junior American Legion team avoided defeat for the second time this season, though it didn’t get its second win. Adhering to a strict time limit, the umpires called its home game with Jacksonville-Gwatney Chevrolet off after the sixth inning with the score tied at 5-5.
Despite the disappointing and surprise ending, Cabot coach David Smith was pleased with his very inexperienced team’s performance. It was the first game this season that his squad committed no errors.
“I think the improvement is showing,” said Smith. “We knew from day one we were going to have to do a lot of teaching, but they’re catching on. We’ve had a few games here and there when we’ve played pretty good, but we haven’t put any together so far. Hopefully we build on this game this week. No errors is big for this team. Jacksonville put the ball in play a lot.”
Cabot pitcher Austin Calhoon worked his way out of several jams during the game. Jacksonville’s first four batters in the top of the first inning reached base. Four-hole hitter Peyton Williams hit a two-RBI single to center field that left runners on first and second. Calhoon then got Quentin Stallard to hit into a 6-4-3 double play, and Joe Cummings grounded out to shortstop to end the threat.
Gwatney Chevrolet held that lead until the third inning, and failed to add to it in the top of the third when it loaded the bases with no outs.
With the bases loaded, Calhoon got Williams and Stallard to pop up in the infield, and struck out Cummings to escape the threat.
Gwatney starting pitcher Foster Rash threw two innings of no-hit ball, and had two strikeouts and one walk in the third inning when Centennial Bank rallied for all five of its runs.
Jack Broyles doubled to center field to put two runners in scoring position. Caleb Wilson walked to load the bases and Gino Germer doubled to center field to drive in Cabot’s first two runs.
Michael Crumbly got a base hit to center field, where Caden Sample misplayed the hop, allowing the ball to roll to the fence. Germer also scored on the play and Crumbly made it all the way to third base. Gage Morrow then reached on an error at third base that also allowed Crumbly to score Cabot’s fifth and final run of the inning.
Jacksonville tied the game in the top of the fifth inning. Robert Johnson was hit by Calhoon and Isaiah Cain walked to put two runners on with one out. Leadoff hitter Jonathan Smith struck out, but Jayden Loving hit a two-RBI double down the right-field line, and Sample followed with a triple to almost the same spot that tied the game.
Williams hit a fly ball to center field off reliever Jacob Caswell to end the inning.
Cabot then failed to capitalize on prime scoring opportunities in the final two innings. It loaded the bases with one out when Wilson flew out to center field. Randy Couch tried to score after tagging up. Stallard faked cutting off Sample’s throw, and let it roll under his glove. Loving stopped it right in front of the plate in time to tag Couch for the 8-2 double play.
Centennial Bank loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Cain struck out the next batter, Couch hit a hard grounder to first base. Stallard made the stop and threw home to get the force out. Loving then relayed back to first where second baseman Caleb Anderson was covering for the rare 3-2-4 double play.
Jacksonville’s Junior team (9-7-1) played at Heber Springs last night after Leader deadlines, and is off the rest of the week as the Senior team hosts its annual mid-season tournament. Cabot (1-10-1) hosted CAC last night and next plays at home against Maumelle next Tuesday.
SPORTS STORY >> Cabot hurler quiets GC
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Centennial Bank Senior American Legion team got just two base hits, but it was enough for its third win of the season. Cabot got an outstanding performance on the mound in snapping a six-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over Gwatney Chevrolet on Monday at the Cabot City Park. Pitcher Gavin Tillery shut down the CCB rival for a complete-game three-hitter.
Tillery had a no-hitter going through four innings. Gwatney’s only two base runners in the first four innings were due to fielding errors, and so was its only run. Jacksonville catcher Kameron Whitmore led off the fifth inning with a grounder to third base. The throw was off target and pulled Brandon Jones off the bag.
Whitmore stole second base, and scored two batters later on an RBI base hit to right field by Caden Sample. The run tied the game, but Sample was doubled up at first base after a hard line drive back to the mound was caught by Tillery at his shoestrings. His relay to first base ended the threat.
Despite not giving up a hit, Tillery worked out of a jam in the third inning as well. Sample hit a line drive to right to start the inning. Right fielder Easton Seidl ran to his right, but overran the ball, letting it fly behind him and roll to the wall and leaving Sample safe at third with no outs.
The umpires would meet and rule Sample had to go back to second base because the ball rolled under the fence.
Tillery then got two pop-ups to second base and struck out Tyson Flowers to stand Sample.
Flowers applied a bit of pressure to Tillery in the next inning when he led off with an infield single to shortstop. Mike Havard’s sacrifice bunt moved him to second base. Caleb McMunn hit a line drive to right field where Seidl made up for his previous mistake.
After making the catch, Seidl fired a strike to third base to get Flowers on a 9-5 double play.
It was a Jacksonville error in right field that led to the game-winning run for Cabot (3-6).
Logan Edmondson walked with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jaylin Crumbly then hit a fly ball to right, where Javan Wakefield misplayed the ball, letting it roll to the fence and allowing Edmondson to score from first base. It was also the last play of the inning, as Crumbly was caught in a rundown trying to reach third base, and was thrown out in a 9-3-6 play when Flowers chased him down for the tag.
Cabot’s first run came in the bottom of the second inning on a double by Edmondson was followed by a Crumbly RBI single.
Tillery threw seven innings, giving up three hits and no earned runs. He finished with four strikeouts and no walks.
Brandon Hawkins started on the mound for Jacksonville (7-5) and threw four innings. He gave up just the two hits in the second inning, striking out five and walking three. Peyton Traywick threw the final two innings for Gwatney. He gave up no hits with no strikeouts and two walks.
Cabot and Jacksonville take part in the Jacksonville mid-season tournament that begins Thursday. Cabot opens play at 5:45 Thursday against Searcy. Jacksonville follows that game against White Hall.
Jacksonville plays Conway at 5:45 Friday and Cabot follows with a matchup against Magnet Cove.
Leader sports editor
The Centennial Bank Senior American Legion team got just two base hits, but it was enough for its third win of the season. Cabot got an outstanding performance on the mound in snapping a six-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over Gwatney Chevrolet on Monday at the Cabot City Park. Pitcher Gavin Tillery shut down the CCB rival for a complete-game three-hitter.
Tillery had a no-hitter going through four innings. Gwatney’s only two base runners in the first four innings were due to fielding errors, and so was its only run. Jacksonville catcher Kameron Whitmore led off the fifth inning with a grounder to third base. The throw was off target and pulled Brandon Jones off the bag.
Whitmore stole second base, and scored two batters later on an RBI base hit to right field by Caden Sample. The run tied the game, but Sample was doubled up at first base after a hard line drive back to the mound was caught by Tillery at his shoestrings. His relay to first base ended the threat.
Despite not giving up a hit, Tillery worked out of a jam in the third inning as well. Sample hit a line drive to right to start the inning. Right fielder Easton Seidl ran to his right, but overran the ball, letting it fly behind him and roll to the wall and leaving Sample safe at third with no outs.
The umpires would meet and rule Sample had to go back to second base because the ball rolled under the fence.
Tillery then got two pop-ups to second base and struck out Tyson Flowers to stand Sample.
Flowers applied a bit of pressure to Tillery in the next inning when he led off with an infield single to shortstop. Mike Havard’s sacrifice bunt moved him to second base. Caleb McMunn hit a line drive to right field where Seidl made up for his previous mistake.
After making the catch, Seidl fired a strike to third base to get Flowers on a 9-5 double play.
It was a Jacksonville error in right field that led to the game-winning run for Cabot (3-6).
Logan Edmondson walked with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jaylin Crumbly then hit a fly ball to right, where Javan Wakefield misplayed the ball, letting it roll to the fence and allowing Edmondson to score from first base. It was also the last play of the inning, as Crumbly was caught in a rundown trying to reach third base, and was thrown out in a 9-3-6 play when Flowers chased him down for the tag.
Cabot’s first run came in the bottom of the second inning on a double by Edmondson was followed by a Crumbly RBI single.
Tillery threw seven innings, giving up three hits and no earned runs. He finished with four strikeouts and no walks.
Brandon Hawkins started on the mound for Jacksonville (7-5) and threw four innings. He gave up just the two hits in the second inning, striking out five and walking three. Peyton Traywick threw the final two innings for Gwatney. He gave up no hits with no strikeouts and two walks.
Cabot and Jacksonville take part in the Jacksonville mid-season tournament that begins Thursday. Cabot opens play at 5:45 Thursday against Searcy. Jacksonville follows that game against White Hall.
Jacksonville plays Conway at 5:45 Friday and Cabot follows with a matchup against Magnet Cove.
Friday, June 17, 2016
SPORTS STORY >> Gwatney hurler throws one-hitter
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Monitcello’s American Legion players struggled to get their gloves on the ball, and could barely get their bats on it at all.
The result was an 8-0 victory for Gwatney Chevrolet on Wednesday in the first round of the Wood Bat Classic in Sheridan.
Brandon Hickingbotham was dominant on the mound while Monticello’s defense committed four errors that aided Jacksonville’s win.
Playing as the visiting team, the Senior Jacksonville squad jumped out to an early lead with a pair of unearned runs. With one out, three-hole hitter Caleb McMunn hit into what should’ve been an inning-ending double play after a Mike Havard single. But Monticello botched the relay, leaving McMunn safe.
Hickingbotham then singled to drive in one run, and Payton Traywick doubled to score Hickingbotham for a 2-0 lead.
Gwatney Chevrolet added another unearned run in the second after Jordan Wickersham led off with a fly ball to right field that Monticello flubbed. After two groundouts, Tyson Flowers’ grounder to third was also mishandled, allowing Wickersham to score the game’s third run.
Jacksonville went down in order in the third, but Wickersham got one base again in the fourth, this time by drawing a one-out walk. He stole second base and Caleb Smith singled for the RBI that made the score 4-0.
After a scoreless fourth, Jacksonville had its biggest inning, scoring four runs in the sixth.
The rally started with Monticello’s fourth and final error. Quentin Stallard’s one-out grounder to second base was mishandled.
Flowers drew a walk, and both runners scored on a base hit by Havard. McMunn then walked on four pitches and both runners moved around the bases on passed balls and wild pitches.
The Chevy Boys finished with five base hits. Two were by Havard, who also had two RBIs, while Hickingbotham, Traywick and Smith got one hit apiece.
Hickingbotham went the distance on the mound for Jacksonville for a one-hitter. He struck out five of the first seven batters he faced and finished with seven strikeouts and one walk.
Monticello had base runners in just two innings, the first and fourth. After an error put the first Monticello batter of the game on base, Hickingbotham picked him off at second.
The first nine batters went down in order before leadoff hitter Cade Clemons got a base hit to start the fourth.
A strikeout and groundout back to the mound followed before Hickingbotham walked the next batter to put runners on the corners with two outs.
He then fanned C.J. Lindsey to get out of the only jam of the game. The next nine batters went down in order to close out the phenomenal effort on the mound.
Leader sports editor
Monitcello’s American Legion players struggled to get their gloves on the ball, and could barely get their bats on it at all.
The result was an 8-0 victory for Gwatney Chevrolet on Wednesday in the first round of the Wood Bat Classic in Sheridan.
Brandon Hickingbotham was dominant on the mound while Monticello’s defense committed four errors that aided Jacksonville’s win.
Playing as the visiting team, the Senior Jacksonville squad jumped out to an early lead with a pair of unearned runs. With one out, three-hole hitter Caleb McMunn hit into what should’ve been an inning-ending double play after a Mike Havard single. But Monticello botched the relay, leaving McMunn safe.
Hickingbotham then singled to drive in one run, and Payton Traywick doubled to score Hickingbotham for a 2-0 lead.
Gwatney Chevrolet added another unearned run in the second after Jordan Wickersham led off with a fly ball to right field that Monticello flubbed. After two groundouts, Tyson Flowers’ grounder to third was also mishandled, allowing Wickersham to score the game’s third run.
Jacksonville went down in order in the third, but Wickersham got one base again in the fourth, this time by drawing a one-out walk. He stole second base and Caleb Smith singled for the RBI that made the score 4-0.
After a scoreless fourth, Jacksonville had its biggest inning, scoring four runs in the sixth.
The rally started with Monticello’s fourth and final error. Quentin Stallard’s one-out grounder to second base was mishandled.
Flowers drew a walk, and both runners scored on a base hit by Havard. McMunn then walked on four pitches and both runners moved around the bases on passed balls and wild pitches.
The Chevy Boys finished with five base hits. Two were by Havard, who also had two RBIs, while Hickingbotham, Traywick and Smith got one hit apiece.
Hickingbotham went the distance on the mound for Jacksonville for a one-hitter. He struck out five of the first seven batters he faced and finished with seven strikeouts and one walk.
Monticello had base runners in just two innings, the first and fourth. After an error put the first Monticello batter of the game on base, Hickingbotham picked him off at second.
The first nine batters went down in order before leadoff hitter Cade Clemons got a base hit to start the fourth.
A strikeout and groundout back to the mound followed before Hickingbotham walked the next batter to put runners on the corners with two outs.
He then fanned C.J. Lindsey to get out of the only jam of the game. The next nine batters went down in order to close out the phenomenal effort on the mound.
SPORTS STORY >> Sherwood native now coaching Razorbacks
By NATE ALLEN
Special to The Leader
FAYETTEVILLE – Soft-spoken Wes Johnson spoke with and about power Thursday in his first address as the Arkansas Razorbacks’ pitching coach.
The Dallas Baptist University pitching coach from 2011-2015 and the 2016 pitching coach for SEC champion Mississippi State, Johnson was announced Wednesday by Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn. He replaces Dave Jorn, who in May announced his retirement after 14 years of coaching Van Horn’s Arkansas pitchers.
Johnson’s first coaching position was as assistant at his high school alma mater Sylvan Hills. He then head coached nearby private school Abundant Life to a state championship appearance before embarking on a college career.
Asked his pitching philosophy in Thursday’s joint press conference with Van Horn, Johnson said, “My philosophy on pitching is real simple. I like power. I try to develop it. That’s what I want. I want power fastballs. I want power breaking balls. It’s pretty simple. We want guys bigger, faster, stronger on the mound. That’s what my track record shows and that’s what I have had success doing.”
Van Horn was asked how that fit with his philosophy given Jorn had plenty of powerpitchers but also some relying on slower stuff during their 14 years that included four College World Series teams and one staff leading the country in earned run average.
“Ideally, when you are talking right-handers, we want them all throwing in the 90s unless they do something different like maybe a submariner-slider type of guy,” Van Horn said. “Lefties, if you get lefties throwing in the 90s that’s pretty good. Not many of those guys make it to college. So you have to develop that. If we get a lefty and they are throwing 85 or 87 and a couple of years after that maybe with strength and a philosophy of coaching they bump it up into the 90s, that’s a good thing.
“Bottom line, we want to get good pitchers here and develop them. I feel like if you’ve got kids that are throwing hard, that makes it harder on that hitter because they have got to make decisions a lot earlier.”
Van Horn said he liked what Johnson developed at nationally prominent Dallas Baptist and his lone year at Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs burst from worst to first, a scenario the Razorbacks would like to emulate in 2017 after the 2016 season marked the only losing season (26-29 and 7-23 in the SEC) in Van Horn’s Arkansas tenure.
“I was really impressed with what was going on at Dallas Baptist a few years back,” Van Horn said, noting Jorn has considered retirement the last few years. “His name was getting out there and I knew that I would need to hire a pitching coach down the road that Coach Jorn was going to retire shortly.”
In fact, Van Horn recalled feeling “bummed out” when Johnson left Dallas Baptist for Mississippi State “because I thought that may have been one of the guys I might have really been interested in.”
“Looking back on it he has been through the SEC and gotten to see the league as good as it has ever been,” Van Horn said. “He gained some experience there.”
Johnson didn’t look back, leaving the SEC 2016 champion for the SEC’s in 2016 and not just because the 2015 Razorbacks advanced to the College World Series and were head coached by Van Horn who has taken them to Omaha four times and took Nebraska twice to the CWS.
With Arkansas ties by birth, he’s a native of Sherwood, a graduate of the University of Arkansas-Monticello and a former pitching coach at Southern Arkansas University and the University of Central Arkansas, and married to an Arkansan, Johnson said he’s “coming home” joining the Hogs.
“And obviously you look and who wouldn’t want to come here, right?” Johnson said. “It’s the University of Arkansas, the facilities are phenomenal. You get to work for a guy that, in my mind, is going to be in the Hall of Fame of college coaches. So to me it was a no-brainer.”
Johnson decided quickly as he and Van Horn met Monday following Mississippi State’s elimination from the Super Regional the Bulldogs hosted and by Wednesday Johnson was announced at Arkansas.
Van Horn said when he first started following Johnson at Dallas Baptist that Johnson’s Arkansas heritage hadn’t reached Van Horn’s radar.
“It’s just ironic that he is from Arkansas,” Van Horn said. “That was just a plus.”
Van Horn said Jorn “did an incredible job,” but that he always anticipates “new energy” with the hiring of a new coach and that Johnson brings that and a solid reputation that his players already know.
“They have heard many good things about him, whether it’s in summer ball or playing out in collegiate leagues,” Van Horn said. “Guys that he’s coached - he’s got a good reputation. And obviously that’s one reason we got him because there are a lot of kids that want to pitch for him.”
Special to The Leader
FAYETTEVILLE – Soft-spoken Wes Johnson spoke with and about power Thursday in his first address as the Arkansas Razorbacks’ pitching coach.
The Dallas Baptist University pitching coach from 2011-2015 and the 2016 pitching coach for SEC champion Mississippi State, Johnson was announced Wednesday by Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn. He replaces Dave Jorn, who in May announced his retirement after 14 years of coaching Van Horn’s Arkansas pitchers.
Johnson’s first coaching position was as assistant at his high school alma mater Sylvan Hills. He then head coached nearby private school Abundant Life to a state championship appearance before embarking on a college career.
Asked his pitching philosophy in Thursday’s joint press conference with Van Horn, Johnson said, “My philosophy on pitching is real simple. I like power. I try to develop it. That’s what I want. I want power fastballs. I want power breaking balls. It’s pretty simple. We want guys bigger, faster, stronger on the mound. That’s what my track record shows and that’s what I have had success doing.”
Van Horn was asked how that fit with his philosophy given Jorn had plenty of powerpitchers but also some relying on slower stuff during their 14 years that included four College World Series teams and one staff leading the country in earned run average.
“Ideally, when you are talking right-handers, we want them all throwing in the 90s unless they do something different like maybe a submariner-slider type of guy,” Van Horn said. “Lefties, if you get lefties throwing in the 90s that’s pretty good. Not many of those guys make it to college. So you have to develop that. If we get a lefty and they are throwing 85 or 87 and a couple of years after that maybe with strength and a philosophy of coaching they bump it up into the 90s, that’s a good thing.
“Bottom line, we want to get good pitchers here and develop them. I feel like if you’ve got kids that are throwing hard, that makes it harder on that hitter because they have got to make decisions a lot earlier.”
Van Horn said he liked what Johnson developed at nationally prominent Dallas Baptist and his lone year at Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs burst from worst to first, a scenario the Razorbacks would like to emulate in 2017 after the 2016 season marked the only losing season (26-29 and 7-23 in the SEC) in Van Horn’s Arkansas tenure.
“I was really impressed with what was going on at Dallas Baptist a few years back,” Van Horn said, noting Jorn has considered retirement the last few years. “His name was getting out there and I knew that I would need to hire a pitching coach down the road that Coach Jorn was going to retire shortly.”
In fact, Van Horn recalled feeling “bummed out” when Johnson left Dallas Baptist for Mississippi State “because I thought that may have been one of the guys I might have really been interested in.”
“Looking back on it he has been through the SEC and gotten to see the league as good as it has ever been,” Van Horn said. “He gained some experience there.”
Johnson didn’t look back, leaving the SEC 2016 champion for the SEC’s in 2016 and not just because the 2015 Razorbacks advanced to the College World Series and were head coached by Van Horn who has taken them to Omaha four times and took Nebraska twice to the CWS.
With Arkansas ties by birth, he’s a native of Sherwood, a graduate of the University of Arkansas-Monticello and a former pitching coach at Southern Arkansas University and the University of Central Arkansas, and married to an Arkansan, Johnson said he’s “coming home” joining the Hogs.
“And obviously you look and who wouldn’t want to come here, right?” Johnson said. “It’s the University of Arkansas, the facilities are phenomenal. You get to work for a guy that, in my mind, is going to be in the Hall of Fame of college coaches. So to me it was a no-brainer.”
Johnson decided quickly as he and Van Horn met Monday following Mississippi State’s elimination from the Super Regional the Bulldogs hosted and by Wednesday Johnson was announced at Arkansas.
Van Horn said when he first started following Johnson at Dallas Baptist that Johnson’s Arkansas heritage hadn’t reached Van Horn’s radar.
“It’s just ironic that he is from Arkansas,” Van Horn said. “That was just a plus.”
Van Horn said Jorn “did an incredible job,” but that he always anticipates “new energy” with the hiring of a new coach and that Johnson brings that and a solid reputation that his players already know.
“They have heard many good things about him, whether it’s in summer ball or playing out in collegiate leagues,” Van Horn said. “Guys that he’s coached - he’s got a good reputation. And obviously that’s one reason we got him because there are a lot of kids that want to pitch for him.”
SPORTS STORY >> Beebe splits home games
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Beebe and Jacksonville split their Junior American Legion doubleheader Wednesday at Gillam Fields, and both games were lopsided. The Post 91-O’Reilly Auto Parts team had a big sixth inning in game one en route to a 9-1 win, while the Gwatney Chevrolet Juniors cruised in game two to a 17-6 win in four innings.
In game one of the twinbill, Beebe scored a run in each of the first four innings while also holding Jacksonville scoreless to lead 4-0. Gwatney scored its lone run of the game in the top of the fifth on a two-out triple by Peyton Williams that drove in teammate Jayden Loving.
Williams’ RBI triple made it 4-1Beebe, but O’Reilly’s put game one away in the bottom of the sixth with five unanswered runs. Bryce Nance got things started with an infield single to second base and JT Nicholson reached on an error at second base the next at-bat.
Nance went to third on the error, and on the same play, Nicholson got caught in a rundown between first and second and Nance scored during the rundown. The throw home to get Nance got past home plate, allowing Nicholson to advance to third on the play.
Nicholson scored on a wild pitch the next at-bat to make it 6-1 Beebe. Two batters later, Randy Smith reached on another error at second base, and he scored on a standup double to left center by Dylan Lowe.
Lowe scored shortly after on a wild pitch. Catcher Alec Matlock then walked, went to second base on a passed ball and scored on an E1 – a bad throw to first after Jacob Rogers hit one back to the mound.
Matlock’s run set the final score of game one, and winning pitcher Blaine Burge got a strikeout to end the game with runners at second and third. Burge threw all seven innings of game one, finishing with nine strikeouts.
In game two, each team scored a pair of runs in the first inning to make it 2-2 going into the second. But Jacksonville began to separate itself on the scoreboard in the second inning.
The Chevy Boys scored four runs in the top of the second and held Beebe scoreless in the bottom half of the inning to take a 6-2 lead into the third, where Jacksonville all but put the game away.
Robert Johnson led off the third inning with a walk. He stole second base before scoring two batters later on a Jacob McCaa single to left field. McCaa’s RBI single was only Gwatney’s second base hit of game two.
Trent Toney walked the next at-bat and Williams loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch. With two outs, Joe Cumming walked to drive in McCaa and put Jacksonville up 8-2.
Branden McGwire followed with the play of the day.
McGwire drove in runs nine through 12 with a monster grand slam that sailed over the left-field fence and gave Gwatney a 10-run cushion and a 12-2 lead. Before that half of the inning was over, the Chevy Boys scored two more on a two-RBI single to left field by Jonathan Smith, putting Jacksonville on top 14-2 after 2 1/2 innings.
Beebe had its most productive inning of game two in the bottom of the third. Randy Smith scored Beebe’s third run of the game on a bases-loaded walk by Matlock. Smith led off the bottom of the third with a triple. With the bases still loaded, Lowe hit a bases-clearing double to center field to make the score 14-6.
Jacksonville scored the game’s final three runs in the top of the fourth – the highlight of which was a solo home run over left field by Williams.
Jacksonville outhit Beebe 7-4 in game two, but Jacksonville had far more free bases. Jacksonville walked 12 times in game two and had three other batters reach base via hit-by-pitch. Conversely, Beebe walked five times and had two hit batters.
McGwire and Cumming led Jacksonville at the plate in game two with two hits each. Lowe was the only Beebe player with multiple hits in game two, going 2 for 2 with four RBIs. McGwire’s four RBIs led Jacksonville.
Caleb Anderson earned the win on the mound in game two. He threw the first two innings, giving up two hits and two walks while recording one strikeout. In game one, Williams led all batters, going 3 for 4 with two singles and a triple.
Leader sports editor
Beebe and Jacksonville split their Junior American Legion doubleheader Wednesday at Gillam Fields, and both games were lopsided. The Post 91-O’Reilly Auto Parts team had a big sixth inning in game one en route to a 9-1 win, while the Gwatney Chevrolet Juniors cruised in game two to a 17-6 win in four innings.
In game one of the twinbill, Beebe scored a run in each of the first four innings while also holding Jacksonville scoreless to lead 4-0. Gwatney scored its lone run of the game in the top of the fifth on a two-out triple by Peyton Williams that drove in teammate Jayden Loving.
Williams’ RBI triple made it 4-1Beebe, but O’Reilly’s put game one away in the bottom of the sixth with five unanswered runs. Bryce Nance got things started with an infield single to second base and JT Nicholson reached on an error at second base the next at-bat.
Nance went to third on the error, and on the same play, Nicholson got caught in a rundown between first and second and Nance scored during the rundown. The throw home to get Nance got past home plate, allowing Nicholson to advance to third on the play.
Nicholson scored on a wild pitch the next at-bat to make it 6-1 Beebe. Two batters later, Randy Smith reached on another error at second base, and he scored on a standup double to left center by Dylan Lowe.
Lowe scored shortly after on a wild pitch. Catcher Alec Matlock then walked, went to second base on a passed ball and scored on an E1 – a bad throw to first after Jacob Rogers hit one back to the mound.
Matlock’s run set the final score of game one, and winning pitcher Blaine Burge got a strikeout to end the game with runners at second and third. Burge threw all seven innings of game one, finishing with nine strikeouts.
In game two, each team scored a pair of runs in the first inning to make it 2-2 going into the second. But Jacksonville began to separate itself on the scoreboard in the second inning.
The Chevy Boys scored four runs in the top of the second and held Beebe scoreless in the bottom half of the inning to take a 6-2 lead into the third, where Jacksonville all but put the game away.
Robert Johnson led off the third inning with a walk. He stole second base before scoring two batters later on a Jacob McCaa single to left field. McCaa’s RBI single was only Gwatney’s second base hit of game two.
Trent Toney walked the next at-bat and Williams loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch. With two outs, Joe Cumming walked to drive in McCaa and put Jacksonville up 8-2.
Branden McGwire followed with the play of the day.
McGwire drove in runs nine through 12 with a monster grand slam that sailed over the left-field fence and gave Gwatney a 10-run cushion and a 12-2 lead. Before that half of the inning was over, the Chevy Boys scored two more on a two-RBI single to left field by Jonathan Smith, putting Jacksonville on top 14-2 after 2 1/2 innings.
Beebe had its most productive inning of game two in the bottom of the third. Randy Smith scored Beebe’s third run of the game on a bases-loaded walk by Matlock. Smith led off the bottom of the third with a triple. With the bases still loaded, Lowe hit a bases-clearing double to center field to make the score 14-6.
Jacksonville scored the game’s final three runs in the top of the fourth – the highlight of which was a solo home run over left field by Williams.
Jacksonville outhit Beebe 7-4 in game two, but Jacksonville had far more free bases. Jacksonville walked 12 times in game two and had three other batters reach base via hit-by-pitch. Conversely, Beebe walked five times and had two hit batters.
McGwire and Cumming led Jacksonville at the plate in game two with two hits each. Lowe was the only Beebe player with multiple hits in game two, going 2 for 2 with four RBIs. McGwire’s four RBIs led Jacksonville.
Caleb Anderson earned the win on the mound in game two. He threw the first two innings, giving up two hits and two walks while recording one strikeout. In game one, Williams led all batters, going 3 for 4 with two singles and a triple.
SPORTS STORY >> Bears win three at 7-on-7
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
In pulsating heat, the Sylvan Hills Bears hosted the annual Pulaski Robinson 7-on-7 Tournament on Thursday because Robinson’s field is under construction for new turf. The Bears went 3-2, losing their first and last games, and winning three in a row in between.
The Bears’ coaching staff decided to give junior backup quarterback Ryan Lumpkin most of the playing time in the first two games. Lumpkin missed offseason as a starter on Sylvan Hills’ state runner up baseball team.
“One of the things we’re trying to do with this summer stuff is build some depth,” Sylvan Hills coach Jim Withrow said. “We played Lumpkin the whole game against Pine Bluff and he struggled. He hasn’t been here and it was just fast for him. He got better as it went along. We started him in the second game and things started to slow down for him. Jordan (Washington) finished it up and he looked really good.”
Sylvan Hills finished up its three games of pool play with a 30-19 win over LR Central.
The format gave teams seven points for a touchdown with the option of going for an eighth point with a play from the 10-yard line. Defenses could score two points for a stoppage on downs, and three points for an interception.
In the first game of bracket play, the Bears defeated Watson Chapel 26-17. The Bears’ defense only allowed five complete passes the entire game, and turned the momentum on Chapel’s third drive with an interception.
Chapel got the ball first and scored on 2 of 5 passing. The Bears were one play away from getting the ball back, but gave up a 25-yard completion on third down. After another incomplete pass, the Bears lost the Wildcats’ underneath man and he scored on a crossing route for a 7-0 lead.
It took just two plays for Sylvan Hills to answer. Washington found Young-blood for 15 yards, then hit Jamar Lane in the back of the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown that tied the game.
The Bears scored two points when it stopped Chapel on downs on the ensuing possession, but then fell behind when Chapel got three points by picking off a 40-yard pass attempt at the goal line.
The Chapel defensive back was beat on the throw down the middle, but made an acrobatic play to get the pick. In a horizontal dive, he got his hand on the ball just before it fell into the arms of receiver Jamar Porter, tipped it in the air and pulled it into his chest as he crashed to the ground.
“We told Jordan he maybe could’ve made that read a little earlier, but man, that was just a great play, probably the best play of the day,” said Withrow.
Chapel’s celebration didn’t last long. On the very next play, Sylvan Hills defensive back Anthony Duncan put the Bears back in the lead with his own goal-line interception of a 40-yard pass attempt.
Chapel’s pass was high and short and resulted in a jump ball between the Chapel receiver and the Sylvan Hills high-hurdles specialist, a jump ball Duncan won that put the Bears ahead 12-10.
Washington missed his first pass of the next possession, but connected with Jamar Lane for 17 yards on second down. On the next play, he found Payton Terry from 23 yards out for a touchdown and a 19-10 lead.
Chapel scored in four plays on the next possession to get back to within two points, but the Bears answered with the help of two dead ball penalties by the Wildcats.
The first was for taunting after a Chapel player ripped the helmet off running back Deion Youngblood. The second was for cursing at the official. Sylvan Hills only had 9 yards of offense on the 40-yard drive. Porter hauled in the touchdown pass from 4 yards out to make the score 26-17.
Chapel thought it had scored on the very next play, but the 40-yard completion was negated when it was ruled the pass was not thrown within the allotted four seconds of the snap – a sack in 7-on-7.
The Bears turned around and played Robinson without a break, and the energy level was low. Robinson won the game 30-21 to advance to the tournament championship, where it lost to Little Rock Christian Academy.
The key play was a third and 1 for Sylvan Hills while trailing 14-7. Washington rolled right as Youngblood cut across left to right.
The two were less than 5 yards apart and no defender within 10 yards. It would have been an easy first down, but Washington lobbed the ball over Youngblood’s head, resulting in a turnover on downs and a 16-7 Senator lead.
“He tried to put some touch on it instead of just throwing it,” Withrow said. “There’s a fine line between lobbing it up there and firing it 90 miles an hour. He has to find that middle ground on plays like that. But that was really his only bad throw of the whole day. He played extremely well, especially his deep ball. He’s getting some calls (from Division I colleges) right now, but he’s going to have a whole lot more if he does what I think he’s getting ready to do this year.”
Withrow is encouraged by what he’s seen so far this summer in one team camp and two 7-on-7 tournaments.
“Defensively, we’re going to be better (than last year). We’re still having some confusion on underneath stuff, crossing routes. We’ll get that cleaned up and make it better. The lineman played well at Ouachita team camp. We’re going to be bigger than we were last year. I don’t know if we’re as quick, but we’re going to be bigger. We have some sophomores that are going to play and they have to get stronger, but we’re seeing that happen.”
Leader sports editor
In pulsating heat, the Sylvan Hills Bears hosted the annual Pulaski Robinson 7-on-7 Tournament on Thursday because Robinson’s field is under construction for new turf. The Bears went 3-2, losing their first and last games, and winning three in a row in between.
The Bears’ coaching staff decided to give junior backup quarterback Ryan Lumpkin most of the playing time in the first two games. Lumpkin missed offseason as a starter on Sylvan Hills’ state runner up baseball team.
“One of the things we’re trying to do with this summer stuff is build some depth,” Sylvan Hills coach Jim Withrow said. “We played Lumpkin the whole game against Pine Bluff and he struggled. He hasn’t been here and it was just fast for him. He got better as it went along. We started him in the second game and things started to slow down for him. Jordan (Washington) finished it up and he looked really good.”
Sylvan Hills finished up its three games of pool play with a 30-19 win over LR Central.
The format gave teams seven points for a touchdown with the option of going for an eighth point with a play from the 10-yard line. Defenses could score two points for a stoppage on downs, and three points for an interception.
In the first game of bracket play, the Bears defeated Watson Chapel 26-17. The Bears’ defense only allowed five complete passes the entire game, and turned the momentum on Chapel’s third drive with an interception.
Chapel got the ball first and scored on 2 of 5 passing. The Bears were one play away from getting the ball back, but gave up a 25-yard completion on third down. After another incomplete pass, the Bears lost the Wildcats’ underneath man and he scored on a crossing route for a 7-0 lead.
It took just two plays for Sylvan Hills to answer. Washington found Young-blood for 15 yards, then hit Jamar Lane in the back of the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown that tied the game.
The Bears scored two points when it stopped Chapel on downs on the ensuing possession, but then fell behind when Chapel got three points by picking off a 40-yard pass attempt at the goal line.
The Chapel defensive back was beat on the throw down the middle, but made an acrobatic play to get the pick. In a horizontal dive, he got his hand on the ball just before it fell into the arms of receiver Jamar Porter, tipped it in the air and pulled it into his chest as he crashed to the ground.
“We told Jordan he maybe could’ve made that read a little earlier, but man, that was just a great play, probably the best play of the day,” said Withrow.
Chapel’s celebration didn’t last long. On the very next play, Sylvan Hills defensive back Anthony Duncan put the Bears back in the lead with his own goal-line interception of a 40-yard pass attempt.
Chapel’s pass was high and short and resulted in a jump ball between the Chapel receiver and the Sylvan Hills high-hurdles specialist, a jump ball Duncan won that put the Bears ahead 12-10.
Washington missed his first pass of the next possession, but connected with Jamar Lane for 17 yards on second down. On the next play, he found Payton Terry from 23 yards out for a touchdown and a 19-10 lead.
Chapel scored in four plays on the next possession to get back to within two points, but the Bears answered with the help of two dead ball penalties by the Wildcats.
The first was for taunting after a Chapel player ripped the helmet off running back Deion Youngblood. The second was for cursing at the official. Sylvan Hills only had 9 yards of offense on the 40-yard drive. Porter hauled in the touchdown pass from 4 yards out to make the score 26-17.
Chapel thought it had scored on the very next play, but the 40-yard completion was negated when it was ruled the pass was not thrown within the allotted four seconds of the snap – a sack in 7-on-7.
The Bears turned around and played Robinson without a break, and the energy level was low. Robinson won the game 30-21 to advance to the tournament championship, where it lost to Little Rock Christian Academy.
The key play was a third and 1 for Sylvan Hills while trailing 14-7. Washington rolled right as Youngblood cut across left to right.
The two were less than 5 yards apart and no defender within 10 yards. It would have been an easy first down, but Washington lobbed the ball over Youngblood’s head, resulting in a turnover on downs and a 16-7 Senator lead.
“He tried to put some touch on it instead of just throwing it,” Withrow said. “There’s a fine line between lobbing it up there and firing it 90 miles an hour. He has to find that middle ground on plays like that. But that was really his only bad throw of the whole day. He played extremely well, especially his deep ball. He’s getting some calls (from Division I colleges) right now, but he’s going to have a whole lot more if he does what I think he’s getting ready to do this year.”
Withrow is encouraged by what he’s seen so far this summer in one team camp and two 7-on-7 tournaments.
“Defensively, we’re going to be better (than last year). We’re still having some confusion on underneath stuff, crossing routes. We’ll get that cleaned up and make it better. The lineman played well at Ouachita team camp. We’re going to be bigger than we were last year. I don’t know if we’re as quick, but we’re going to be bigger. We have some sophomores that are going to play and they have to get stronger, but we’re seeing that happen.”
TOP STORY >> Keeping it fresh
 |
| Jay and Judy Chandler’s booth is popular at the Cabot Farmers Market. Their cinnamon rolls and fried pies sell out fast. |
Leader staff writer
“Are these your eggs?” Janice Main asks as she stops in front of a long table at the Cabot Farmers Market on South Second Street.
“They are,” answers Anne Carman as her husband, James, grabs a dozen eggs from the cooler—it has a big Razorback sticker on the side—for another customer.
At home in Lonoke County, the couple have about 100 hens of various varieties like Rhode Island Red and Plymouth Barred Rock, and they’re free range, she adds proudly.
Main says, “I like knowing the growers…I like fresh eggs.”
Their eggs, at $3 a dozen, are proving as popular as the Carmans’ pecan turtles.
The three women, including the market’s co-manager, Becky Boyett, working the entry booth, unanimously declare the turtles “awesome.”
Nearby Austin Talbert plays “Shuckin’ the Corn” on the banjo while his father, Jim Talbert, takes a break. Both are from Cabot.
Austin Talbert says he is raising money to pay for his future college education.
Besides, he explains that he doesn’t mind the early Saturday morning hours. “We like to jam,” he says.
“We try to have something for everyone,” says Matt Webber, Cabot Farmers Market co-manager, such as live entertainment or a freebie for the kids.
They often invite the Cabot Animal Shelter’s mobile adoption unit to the market.
GROW LOCAL
More than helping Webber with the operation, fellow co-manager Becky Boyett says she believes in eating locally.
She, too, wants to know who grows the food she’s putting on her table and adds, “I like knowing it’s as fresh as possible.”
In order to promote their vendors’ products she says once a month they draw a customer’s name and that person wins a “giveaway basket,” which is filled with a variety of wares.
Market rules encourage Arkansas grown produce. Venders are allowed to sell third-party produce, but it must be marked so.
Price gouging isn’t allowed and neither are flea market and automotive products.
Webber says, “We’re a friendly market, and all the vendors get along.”
The Cabot Farmers Market is unique because the vendors—today’s count is 20—make the rules and set the fees.
A booth space—most consist of pickup trucks with dropped tailgates serving as storage, cash register and additional display at the rear, a much-needed covering and a long table or three—costs a vendor $5.
For an extra $5, the market will throw in the canopy, Boyett says. Much less than rental fees at most central Arkansas markets.
BUY LOCAL
Jay and Judy Chandler’s old-fashioned cinnamon rolls attract a lot of attention.
“They’re a favorite,” Judy Chandler says and then adds, “So are our fried pies, our jellies…”
She says they used old recipes, like grandma’s, with real milk, real butter and yeast.
“You can taste the difference,” Jay Chandler says.
Loyal customer Lori Boever agrees.
The rolls “are amazing and you can’t beat their Coca-Cola cake,” Boever adds.
The Chandlers have been working the market for about five years while a few spaces down, Brandon Arnall, recently retired from the Air Force, and his wife, Karen, set up a booth for the first time. He has a half-acre garden at home, and his table is full of yellow squash and zucchini, cucumbers and new potatoes. His squash are five for $3, also priced less than most other farmers’ markets in central Arkansas.
Still, first-day sales are slow, he reports.
“But, hey, you build up business, right?” he asks optimistically.
A few booths over, Chuck DeSellems is selling D’s Beez Honey while Karen Bailey has a special on goat’s milk soap. Magness Creek Farm has red and white potatoes but sold out of onions by mid-morning.
James Langston, his farm is located south of Searcy but east of Beebe, grows seven varieties of tomatoes, including Bradley pink and German red strawberry.
The strawberry tomatoes really look like strawberries, says customer Duke Rex pointing to container. He loves Langston’s tomatoes and his preferred way of enjoying them: “I just slice ’em, salt ’em and eat ’em.”
THE FRESH ALTERNATIVE
The market was started in 2008 and runs from May 7 until Sept. 19. It’s open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday.
By day, Webber is a mailman but his passion is volunteer work. He’s past president of Cabot City Beautiful, a nonprofit that organizes the market. He’s been with the market since its first day.
Webber says it was originally located next to the railroad tracks, and of course, that didn’t work.
“It was impossible to have a conversation,” he half jokes.
The market’s vendors then moved to First Security Bank at the corner of Main and Second streets.
“The bank was wonderful and a great host, but we were busting at the seams. It was a good problem to have…We really needed to move,” Webber says.
Then about three years ago, the Renew Community Church offered their parking lot as a location.
Jay Chandler likes the new location and says, “There’s more space for the vendors and more parking for customers. It’s growing and that’s bringing in more customers.”
Boyett agrees, “This location is a good fit.”
Still, Webber says the long-term goal is to find a permanent home for the market, either on city property or through a donation.
Then he adds, “A pavilion would be nice.” It would offer vendors protection from the rain and the heat.
But no matter, Webber says happily, “We’re growing.
TOP STORY >> County holds active-shooter class
By DEBORAH HORN
Leader staff writer
“We’ve been in two incidents….We were on a construction site in Conway, and two guys got to arguing and one guy pulled out a gun. There were people running in every direction.”
That’s the way Tanya Donohue of Doyne Construction Co. of North Little Rock described one of the gun-related episodes to active shooter class instructor and Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office Detective James Hall. His response, “You’ve got to train.”
Donohue, who had attended the free three-hour class at the Lonoke County Courthouse Annex on Center Street in Lonoke, said about what she had learned, “It was awesome.”
The Wednesday class was sponsored by the Lonoke County Office of Emergency Management, and 42 people were listed on the sign-in sheet.
“We had hoped for 10,” said Rita Schmitz, Office of Emergency Management director and class organizer.
Schmitz believes that the mass shooting at the gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Fla., on Sunday may have motivated people to attend the class.
Schmitz said she decided to host the class because her office is “about disaster planning, and this is part of that. People don’t think it will happen here.”
But it has happened in Arkansas—the first mass school shooting, with deaths occurring, was at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro in 1998. It was one year after a shooting at Stamps when a 15-year-old fired on a group of students, wounding two, but a year before the shooting at Columbine High School near Littleton, Colo.
Time has done little to turn the tide but mass shootings have moved from the classroom to theaters, shopping malls, the workplace and beyond.
Schmitz said about the first active-shooter class, “I am pleased with the turnout.”
MORE THAN CARRYING A WEAPON
The audience was an equal mix of women and men, and Schmitz said she was delighted with the information Hall presented. She said the reason she asked him to lead the class was because he has had active shooter training.
During the class, Hall said, “I love it when citizens get armed, legally. It’s great.” But he cautioned the audience about open-carry weapons.
“If I’m going to rob a gas station, I’m going to shoot you first,” he stated.
He also admitted there were problems with citizens carrying guns, whether in plain view or concealed.
Most, Hall said, have only limited training—eight hours or less.
“Pointing a gun at someone is stressful,” but he adds shooting another human being is even worse.
He strongly suggested additional professional training and getting plenty of practice.
If ever in an active -hooter situation, and you’re not the bad guy, Hall said to follow law enforcement instructions to the letter.
“When the officer comes into a situation, he doesn’t know if you’re a good guy or a bad guy,” Hall explained. “He’s going to be yelling at you and you’re not going to know what he’s saying. The officer will probably say once to put the weapon down before shooting. If you don’t, you’ll get shot.”
Hall cautioned audience members, “Don’t go out and buy a gun today just because you had this class.”
There are local classes designed to train individuals. Hall recommended the Arkansas Armory Inc. on Landers Road in North Little Rock for shooting and concealed gun classes and the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office for self-defense classes.
The Arkansas Armory offers concealed handgun carry license courses for $110.
But it’s more than just carrying a gun.
Hall also talked about personal and workplace responsibility.
“Be aware of your surrounding,” he said.
Instead of getting the cheap locks or lightweight furniture, he suggested investing a little more upfront because it could pay off big when trying to keep a shooter out and your staff or family safe. Heavier furniture offers more protection from flying bullets, and good locks can keep a shooter out.
Have a plan in place, he said.
That’s exactly what Charles Gastineau, deputy operations director, and Jason McKee, code enforcement officer, both employed by Ward, took away from the session.
McKee said there’s a “need for planning” in Ward.
Kerry Koon, with the Cabot School District, and Megan Rudder and Patsy Lassiter, both with the Lonoke Exceptional Development Center, were spending a few hours of their summer vacation listening to Hall. They were especially attentive when Hall talked about the problem with school lockdowns.
Koon said they were there “to learn how to better be prepared in the event of an active-shooter event in our facilities.”
Lonoke County Assessor Jerrel Maxwell said the class was worth his time, and it’s definitely a conversation worth having at the Lonoke County Courthouse. Like many others who attended the class, he said, “I feel like we need to put a plan in place.”
Near the end of the class, Hall showed footage from the Aurora, Colo. theater shooting in 2012. Twelve people died, and it was eight minutes before police officers neutralize the shooter.
In an active-shooter situation, Hall said law enforcement’s first edict is “to stop the killer,” and only after the threat is dead or arrested, then they turn their attention to getting medical personnel to the wounded.
Often in those first minutes, people are on their own so Hall recommended learning a few basic medical skills, he advised. Take a CPR class and carry a medical kit in case of emergencies.
In the aftermath of the Orlando nightclub shooting, there are countless stories of civilians stopping the bleeding of victims and thus saving lives.
As people were leaving the class, Schmitz offered attendees copies of the “Terrorism: Preparing for the Unexpected” by the American Red Cross. It outlines a step-by-step guide to disaster preparedness, from establishing a plan and assembling a disaster kit to sheltering in place and first aid.
The stack of brochures quickly disappeared.
Schmitz said she plans to hold the active shooter class again soon.
Cynthia Moore of Lonoke was on her way out after the class when she said she might check out a gun class but that she was definitely going back to her office at LemTrek Inc. in Lonoke with self-defense and staff safety in mind.
“First, I’m going to look at the locks,” she said.
Leader staff writer
“We’ve been in two incidents….We were on a construction site in Conway, and two guys got to arguing and one guy pulled out a gun. There were people running in every direction.”
That’s the way Tanya Donohue of Doyne Construction Co. of North Little Rock described one of the gun-related episodes to active shooter class instructor and Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office Detective James Hall. His response, “You’ve got to train.”
Donohue, who had attended the free three-hour class at the Lonoke County Courthouse Annex on Center Street in Lonoke, said about what she had learned, “It was awesome.”
The Wednesday class was sponsored by the Lonoke County Office of Emergency Management, and 42 people were listed on the sign-in sheet.
“We had hoped for 10,” said Rita Schmitz, Office of Emergency Management director and class organizer.
Schmitz believes that the mass shooting at the gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Fla., on Sunday may have motivated people to attend the class.
Schmitz said she decided to host the class because her office is “about disaster planning, and this is part of that. People don’t think it will happen here.”
But it has happened in Arkansas—the first mass school shooting, with deaths occurring, was at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro in 1998. It was one year after a shooting at Stamps when a 15-year-old fired on a group of students, wounding two, but a year before the shooting at Columbine High School near Littleton, Colo.
Time has done little to turn the tide but mass shootings have moved from the classroom to theaters, shopping malls, the workplace and beyond.
Schmitz said about the first active-shooter class, “I am pleased with the turnout.”
MORE THAN CARRYING A WEAPON
The audience was an equal mix of women and men, and Schmitz said she was delighted with the information Hall presented. She said the reason she asked him to lead the class was because he has had active shooter training.
During the class, Hall said, “I love it when citizens get armed, legally. It’s great.” But he cautioned the audience about open-carry weapons.
“If I’m going to rob a gas station, I’m going to shoot you first,” he stated.
He also admitted there were problems with citizens carrying guns, whether in plain view or concealed.
Most, Hall said, have only limited training—eight hours or less.
“Pointing a gun at someone is stressful,” but he adds shooting another human being is even worse.
He strongly suggested additional professional training and getting plenty of practice.
If ever in an active -hooter situation, and you’re not the bad guy, Hall said to follow law enforcement instructions to the letter.
“When the officer comes into a situation, he doesn’t know if you’re a good guy or a bad guy,” Hall explained. “He’s going to be yelling at you and you’re not going to know what he’s saying. The officer will probably say once to put the weapon down before shooting. If you don’t, you’ll get shot.”
Hall cautioned audience members, “Don’t go out and buy a gun today just because you had this class.”
There are local classes designed to train individuals. Hall recommended the Arkansas Armory Inc. on Landers Road in North Little Rock for shooting and concealed gun classes and the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office for self-defense classes.
The Arkansas Armory offers concealed handgun carry license courses for $110.
But it’s more than just carrying a gun.
Hall also talked about personal and workplace responsibility.
“Be aware of your surrounding,” he said.
Instead of getting the cheap locks or lightweight furniture, he suggested investing a little more upfront because it could pay off big when trying to keep a shooter out and your staff or family safe. Heavier furniture offers more protection from flying bullets, and good locks can keep a shooter out.
Have a plan in place, he said.
That’s exactly what Charles Gastineau, deputy operations director, and Jason McKee, code enforcement officer, both employed by Ward, took away from the session.
McKee said there’s a “need for planning” in Ward.
Kerry Koon, with the Cabot School District, and Megan Rudder and Patsy Lassiter, both with the Lonoke Exceptional Development Center, were spending a few hours of their summer vacation listening to Hall. They were especially attentive when Hall talked about the problem with school lockdowns.
Koon said they were there “to learn how to better be prepared in the event of an active-shooter event in our facilities.”
Lonoke County Assessor Jerrel Maxwell said the class was worth his time, and it’s definitely a conversation worth having at the Lonoke County Courthouse. Like many others who attended the class, he said, “I feel like we need to put a plan in place.”
Near the end of the class, Hall showed footage from the Aurora, Colo. theater shooting in 2012. Twelve people died, and it was eight minutes before police officers neutralize the shooter.
In an active-shooter situation, Hall said law enforcement’s first edict is “to stop the killer,” and only after the threat is dead or arrested, then they turn their attention to getting medical personnel to the wounded.
Often in those first minutes, people are on their own so Hall recommended learning a few basic medical skills, he advised. Take a CPR class and carry a medical kit in case of emergencies.
In the aftermath of the Orlando nightclub shooting, there are countless stories of civilians stopping the bleeding of victims and thus saving lives.
As people were leaving the class, Schmitz offered attendees copies of the “Terrorism: Preparing for the Unexpected” by the American Red Cross. It outlines a step-by-step guide to disaster preparedness, from establishing a plan and assembling a disaster kit to sheltering in place and first aid.
The stack of brochures quickly disappeared.
Schmitz said she plans to hold the active shooter class again soon.
Cynthia Moore of Lonoke was on her way out after the class when she said she might check out a gun class but that she was definitely going back to her office at LemTrek Inc. in Lonoke with self-defense and staff safety in mind.
“First, I’m going to look at the locks,” she said.
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