By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Jacksonville baseball team got a nonconference victory Saturday at Greenbrier. The Red Devils got a good effort on the mound from freshman Derek St. Clair, and got a big fourth inning to earn the victory.
The hosting Panthers took an early lead with a single run in the first inning as St. Clair struggled with control early. The Panthers got two base hits and the freshman hurler walked two more batters. He was able to keep the damage to a minimum and get out of the inning with just one earned run allowed.
“St. Clair did a very good job for us,” Jacksonville coach Larry Burrows said. “He got us out of a couple of jams in the first and third innings. He kept his composure and did a really good job. He struck out their best hitter with one out in the first. He just froze him with a really good pitch. That was big for us.”
Jacksonville’s first nine batters went down in order through three innings. Burrows resorted to small ball to try and get some offense going.
Leadoff hitter D’Vone McClure started a rally with a double to start the fourth. That’s when Burrows began utilizing the bunt.
The first four batters of the inning scored for Jacksonville. After McClure’s double, Kaleb Reeves reached on an error at third base. Senior Jesse Harbin then doubled to score McClure and Reeves. Greg Jones singled on a bunt to drive in Harbin.
Walks by Ragan Jones and David Williams, followed by St. Clair getting hit by a pitch, allowed Greg Jones to walk in for the fourth run of the frame.
Greenbrier added a run in the bottom of the fourth to make it 4-2, but the Red Devils added a run in the fifth and another in the sixth to set the final margin.
McClure started it again for Jacksonville in the fifth with a single to centerfield. He scored two batters later on a single by Harbin.
Williams walked with one out in the sixth. St. Clair put down a bunt to drive him home.
McClure and Harbin got two base hits each. The other three Jacksonville base hits were on bunts.
St. Clair went the distance for Jacksonville, giving up seven hits and two earned runs while striking out seven.
The Red Devils have a big conference doubleheader against Parkview at 5 p.m. today at Dupree Park.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
SPORTS >> Lady Bears win inaugural event
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The Sylvan Hills Lady Bears came up big in the River City Rivalry Cup soccer tournament by taking the championship and placing four players on the all-tournament team at Burns Park over the weekend.
A coaches’ ballot determined player recognition, and Sylvan Hills sophomore forward Abigail Persson took the Outstanding Player award while senior Naomi Gregory was awarded as Outstanding Goalkeeper through the three-day tournament.
Sophomore forward Cayln “K.K.” Fulton and senior defender Kashima Wright were also named to the all-tournament team.
The Lady Bears had to fight hard to take the title in the championship game against a defensively-sound Maumelle team. The Lady Hornets fought the tourney hosts to a 2-2 draw in regulation before Hillside dominated the penalty-kick shootout period 3-0.
“We missed a lot of opportunities; things that are normally sure goals for us,” Lady Bears coach Nate Persson said. “Their midfield is so good, they wore us down, and it turned into a dogfight.
“I told them that we really didn’t want to go into a shootout with these people, because I didn’t think we had a chance, but they proved me wrong.”
Persson scored both of Sylvan Hills’ goals in regulation and added another in overtime, but it was Gregory’s work in front of the net that denied any more scores from Maumelle. Wright and Fulton put the Lady Bears up by two, and Persson’s kick into the lower right corner secured the crown.
“They were just exhausted, but they kept pushing,” Persson said. “That’s what made me very proud of them. The defense had to play really hard.”
Sylvan Hills defeated Vilonia 3-0 in the first round on Thursday, as all four winning teams advanced with shutout victories. Batesville downed White Hall 9-0, Maumelle beat North Pulaski 6-0 and eStem Charter got past Mills University Studies 3-0.
Sylvan Hills made it to the championship game with a 4-0 victory over eStem in Friday’s semifinal round and Maumelle shutout Little Rock Hall, which was playing in place of Batesville, 3-0 to set up the championship matchup.
The Sylvan Hills boys team took runner-up in the tournament, losing 2-0 to Maumelle in the final round on Saturday. The two teams battled to a scoreless tie at the end of regulation before the Hornets dominated the penalty-kick period to take the title.
Bears senior forward Jeremiah Persson received the Out-standing Player award while teammates Edwin Smith and David Johnson were also named to the all-tournament team. Chang Vang of Mills was named Outstanding Goalkeeper.
The Bears advanced through the first round with a 5-2 victory over e-Stem Charter on Thursday, and tied with Vilonia 0-0 through regulation in Friday’s semifinal match before pulling out the victory 4-3 in the shootout. Maumelle defeated Hall 3-2 in the first round and won a wild 11-10 shootout match with Mills in the semis after being tied 2-2 at the end of regulation.
The North Pulaski Lady Falcons recovered from a first-round loss to eventual runner-up Maumelle to win their next two games and finish fifth in the final overall standings.
The Lady Falcons beat 5A Southeast Conference rival White Hall 5-3 in wet conditions on Friday, and came up big against Vilonia 3-1 in the consolation finals on Saturday. Senior Mercedes Wilson was named to the all-tournament team for North Pulaski.
The Falcon boys lost all three games, including a close 3-1 heartbreaker to Hall on Saturday. Falcon forward Ulyses Aries was named to the all-tournament team.
Leader sportswriter
The Sylvan Hills Lady Bears came up big in the River City Rivalry Cup soccer tournament by taking the championship and placing four players on the all-tournament team at Burns Park over the weekend.
A coaches’ ballot determined player recognition, and Sylvan Hills sophomore forward Abigail Persson took the Outstanding Player award while senior Naomi Gregory was awarded as Outstanding Goalkeeper through the three-day tournament.
Sophomore forward Cayln “K.K.” Fulton and senior defender Kashima Wright were also named to the all-tournament team.
The Lady Bears had to fight hard to take the title in the championship game against a defensively-sound Maumelle team. The Lady Hornets fought the tourney hosts to a 2-2 draw in regulation before Hillside dominated the penalty-kick shootout period 3-0.
“We missed a lot of opportunities; things that are normally sure goals for us,” Lady Bears coach Nate Persson said. “Their midfield is so good, they wore us down, and it turned into a dogfight.
“I told them that we really didn’t want to go into a shootout with these people, because I didn’t think we had a chance, but they proved me wrong.”
Persson scored both of Sylvan Hills’ goals in regulation and added another in overtime, but it was Gregory’s work in front of the net that denied any more scores from Maumelle. Wright and Fulton put the Lady Bears up by two, and Persson’s kick into the lower right corner secured the crown.
“They were just exhausted, but they kept pushing,” Persson said. “That’s what made me very proud of them. The defense had to play really hard.”
Sylvan Hills defeated Vilonia 3-0 in the first round on Thursday, as all four winning teams advanced with shutout victories. Batesville downed White Hall 9-0, Maumelle beat North Pulaski 6-0 and eStem Charter got past Mills University Studies 3-0.
Sylvan Hills made it to the championship game with a 4-0 victory over eStem in Friday’s semifinal round and Maumelle shutout Little Rock Hall, which was playing in place of Batesville, 3-0 to set up the championship matchup.
The Sylvan Hills boys team took runner-up in the tournament, losing 2-0 to Maumelle in the final round on Saturday. The two teams battled to a scoreless tie at the end of regulation before the Hornets dominated the penalty-kick period to take the title.
Bears senior forward Jeremiah Persson received the Out-standing Player award while teammates Edwin Smith and David Johnson were also named to the all-tournament team. Chang Vang of Mills was named Outstanding Goalkeeper.
The Bears advanced through the first round with a 5-2 victory over e-Stem Charter on Thursday, and tied with Vilonia 0-0 through regulation in Friday’s semifinal match before pulling out the victory 4-3 in the shootout. Maumelle defeated Hall 3-2 in the first round and won a wild 11-10 shootout match with Mills in the semis after being tied 2-2 at the end of regulation.
The North Pulaski Lady Falcons recovered from a first-round loss to eventual runner-up Maumelle to win their next two games and finish fifth in the final overall standings.
The Lady Falcons beat 5A Southeast Conference rival White Hall 5-3 in wet conditions on Friday, and came up big against Vilonia 3-1 in the consolation finals on Saturday. Senior Mercedes Wilson was named to the all-tournament team for North Pulaski.
The Falcon boys lost all three games, including a close 3-1 heartbreaker to Hall on Saturday. Falcon forward Ulyses Aries was named to the all-tournament team.
SPORTS >> Lonoke wins top seed at district
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
With a final from one game still pending and a district tournament quickly approaching, the Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits made the most of a pressure situation with a 14-1 rout over Clinton on Monday to secure the No. 1 seed out of the 4A-2 Conference.
The Lady ’Rabbits (5-0 conf.) trailed Newport 2-1 on Friday when rain halted the game in the bottom of the second inning. They resumed play in that game last night with Lonoke still holding a chance to go through its league unbeaten, but the victory over the Lady Yellowjackets gave the Lady ’Rabbits the conference title and top seed. Lonoke will play the winner between seeds four and five at 8 p.m. Friday.
“It was an important ballgame because we went up to Newport Friday and played two-and-a-half innings, and we’re down 2-1 still,” Lady Jackrabbits coach J.D. Smith said. “We had to win one of these two to get the championship. It was good, now we can go up there relaxed and take care of business.”
Lonoke pitcher Hanna Murry took care of business with a no-hitter against Clinton, striking out five and walking one, while the Jackrabbit defense kept its visitor off the pads through the first three innings until an error in right field in the top of the fourth inning allowed the Lady Yellowjackets to score their only run.
“She’s a good one,” Smith said of Murry. “When she wants to throw, and she’s ready, she can put it where she wants it. She’s tough to hit.”
The Lady Jackrabbits built a 7-0 lead through the first two innings and doubled that advantage in the bottom of the third inning. In fact, Lonoke loaded the bases two different times and scored its first three runs in the frame without even making contact on the ball.
Kaley Dozier was walked from the bottom of the order to bring up lead-off batter Ashley James, who was walked along with two-hole Jaselye Truelove to load the bases with one out. Clinton’s starter then hit Katelyn James with a pitch to score Dozier. Another walk, this one for cleanup Alyssia Lewis, scored James to give Lonoke a 9-0 lead. That still left Lady Jackrabbits on every pad, and a fourth walk sent Truelove home and Courtney McGowen to first.
“That makes it a lot easier,” Smith said. “You don’t have to worry about it as much. But we’re playing together as a team, and we’re really excited about the district tournament.”
Amber James got the first hit in the bottom of the third when she beat the throw to first on a bunt to score Katelyn James. Courtesy runner Sydney Wheat then scored on a passed ball to make it 12-0. That brought eight-hole hitter Olivia Park back up to the plate. Park struck out to lead off the inning, but got her revenge with a single to left field that scored McGowan and Amber James.
Walks were also a big part of Lonoke’s early scores as Ashley James and Truelove led off with walks in the bottom of the first inning. James slid into a tag at first while stealing but Truelove scored on an error at third off a grounder by Alyssia Lewis, who later scored on a single to right by Murry.
Walks and errors hurt the Lady ’Jackets again in the bottom of the second as Lonoke added five runs off two hits, two walks and two errors, including singles by Park and Alyssia Lewis.
Park was technically the only Lady Jackrabbit to record multiple hits, going 2 for 3 with two RBI, but Ashley James and McGowen both reached base three times on walks, while Truelove made it on all four times she went up with two walks and two errors.
In all, Clinton walked Lonoke nine times and hit two other batters while the defense committed four errors.
Leader sportswriter
With a final from one game still pending and a district tournament quickly approaching, the Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits made the most of a pressure situation with a 14-1 rout over Clinton on Monday to secure the No. 1 seed out of the 4A-2 Conference.
The Lady ’Rabbits (5-0 conf.) trailed Newport 2-1 on Friday when rain halted the game in the bottom of the second inning. They resumed play in that game last night with Lonoke still holding a chance to go through its league unbeaten, but the victory over the Lady Yellowjackets gave the Lady ’Rabbits the conference title and top seed. Lonoke will play the winner between seeds four and five at 8 p.m. Friday.
“It was an important ballgame because we went up to Newport Friday and played two-and-a-half innings, and we’re down 2-1 still,” Lady Jackrabbits coach J.D. Smith said. “We had to win one of these two to get the championship. It was good, now we can go up there relaxed and take care of business.”
Lonoke pitcher Hanna Murry took care of business with a no-hitter against Clinton, striking out five and walking one, while the Jackrabbit defense kept its visitor off the pads through the first three innings until an error in right field in the top of the fourth inning allowed the Lady Yellowjackets to score their only run.
“She’s a good one,” Smith said of Murry. “When she wants to throw, and she’s ready, she can put it where she wants it. She’s tough to hit.”
The Lady Jackrabbits built a 7-0 lead through the first two innings and doubled that advantage in the bottom of the third inning. In fact, Lonoke loaded the bases two different times and scored its first three runs in the frame without even making contact on the ball.
Kaley Dozier was walked from the bottom of the order to bring up lead-off batter Ashley James, who was walked along with two-hole Jaselye Truelove to load the bases with one out. Clinton’s starter then hit Katelyn James with a pitch to score Dozier. Another walk, this one for cleanup Alyssia Lewis, scored James to give Lonoke a 9-0 lead. That still left Lady Jackrabbits on every pad, and a fourth walk sent Truelove home and Courtney McGowen to first.
“That makes it a lot easier,” Smith said. “You don’t have to worry about it as much. But we’re playing together as a team, and we’re really excited about the district tournament.”
Amber James got the first hit in the bottom of the third when she beat the throw to first on a bunt to score Katelyn James. Courtesy runner Sydney Wheat then scored on a passed ball to make it 12-0. That brought eight-hole hitter Olivia Park back up to the plate. Park struck out to lead off the inning, but got her revenge with a single to left field that scored McGowan and Amber James.
Walks were also a big part of Lonoke’s early scores as Ashley James and Truelove led off with walks in the bottom of the first inning. James slid into a tag at first while stealing but Truelove scored on an error at third off a grounder by Alyssia Lewis, who later scored on a single to right by Murry.
Walks and errors hurt the Lady ’Jackets again in the bottom of the second as Lonoke added five runs off two hits, two walks and two errors, including singles by Park and Alyssia Lewis.
Park was technically the only Lady Jackrabbit to record multiple hits, going 2 for 3 with two RBI, but Ashley James and McGowen both reached base three times on walks, while Truelove made it on all four times she went up with two walks and two errors.
In all, Clinton walked Lonoke nine times and hit two other batters while the defense committed four errors.
SPORTS >> Cabot pounds Pats with big fourth inning
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Cabot’s defense was sketchy early. Parkview’s was abysmal throughout a five-inning affair at Kanis Park in Little Rock. The Panther baseball team beat the Patriots 17-2 in a game marred by errors.
Both teams committed two errors in the first inning. Parkview ended the frame with a 2-1 lead, but it didn’t last. Cabot added another unearned run in the second thanks to another Patriot error.
The Panthers added one more unearned in the third, and the wheels fell off for Parkview in the fourth.
Cabot sent 12 batters to the plate and scored 10 runs in the top of the fourth before Parkview recorded a single out. Parkview committed four errors in the first three innings, but committed seven more in the fourth.
Cabot had only two base hits through three innings, but in the fourth the Panthers added several base hits and a few walks to go with all the errors.
Before fourth inning was over, 19 Panthers had batted, seven got base hits, five reached on errors and four walked.
“That’s pretty uncharacteristic for that team,” Cabot coach Jay Fitch. “They’ve struggled the past few years, but they’ve gotten better and really given some good teams a hard time. I liked that we were making good swings and making good contact.”
Parkview pitcher Patrick Yarberry struck out the side in the first inning, but two errors at second base allowed a run to score. He gave up one hit and one unearned run in each of the second and third innings.
Cabot’s eight-hole hitter Kason Kimbrell started the fourth inning by reaching on an error at second base. He got to second base on a passed ball and to third on a bunt single by Bryson Morris. Kimbrell then scored on a passed ball and leadoff hitter Hayden Vinson singled to left field to score Morris.
Cole Thomas reached when Yarberry fielded his bunt and hit Vinson in the back on his throw to first base. Vinson also scored on the play. Thomas then scored when Parkview’s catcher tried to pick him off at third and threw the ball high into left field. T.C. Carter reached on an error at shortstop and Casey Vaughan doubled down the third base line. That ended Yarberry’s day on the mound. He gave up six hits and walked one, and despite trailing 7-0, gave up no earned runs.
Parkview’s Evan Harris took the mound and walked the first two batters he faced to drive in Carter. Zach Patterson then singled to score another run and Kimbrell singled on his second at bat of the inning for two RBIs. Morris reached on another error at second base and Vinson popped up to first base for the first out of the inning.
Thomas walked and Carter doubled to left field to score Kimbrell. Morris scored on a passed ball and an error by the catcher. After the pitch got by, it bounced right back to home plate, giving the Parkview catcher plenty of time to apply the tag, but he dropped the ball while doing so.
Vaughan reached on an error at third base and Goffe grounded back to the pitcher for the second out. Scott Burnett singled to left to for two RBIs than ended the scoring in the inning. Kimbrell was robbed of a second base hit on his third at bat of the inning when Parkview centerfielder Mike Fitzgerald made a running, sliding catch of a fly ball behind second base for the final out of the inning.
Leader sports editor
Cabot’s defense was sketchy early. Parkview’s was abysmal throughout a five-inning affair at Kanis Park in Little Rock. The Panther baseball team beat the Patriots 17-2 in a game marred by errors.
Both teams committed two errors in the first inning. Parkview ended the frame with a 2-1 lead, but it didn’t last. Cabot added another unearned run in the second thanks to another Patriot error.
The Panthers added one more unearned in the third, and the wheels fell off for Parkview in the fourth.
Cabot sent 12 batters to the plate and scored 10 runs in the top of the fourth before Parkview recorded a single out. Parkview committed four errors in the first three innings, but committed seven more in the fourth.
Cabot had only two base hits through three innings, but in the fourth the Panthers added several base hits and a few walks to go with all the errors.
Before fourth inning was over, 19 Panthers had batted, seven got base hits, five reached on errors and four walked.
“That’s pretty uncharacteristic for that team,” Cabot coach Jay Fitch. “They’ve struggled the past few years, but they’ve gotten better and really given some good teams a hard time. I liked that we were making good swings and making good contact.”
Parkview pitcher Patrick Yarberry struck out the side in the first inning, but two errors at second base allowed a run to score. He gave up one hit and one unearned run in each of the second and third innings.
Cabot’s eight-hole hitter Kason Kimbrell started the fourth inning by reaching on an error at second base. He got to second base on a passed ball and to third on a bunt single by Bryson Morris. Kimbrell then scored on a passed ball and leadoff hitter Hayden Vinson singled to left field to score Morris.
Cole Thomas reached when Yarberry fielded his bunt and hit Vinson in the back on his throw to first base. Vinson also scored on the play. Thomas then scored when Parkview’s catcher tried to pick him off at third and threw the ball high into left field. T.C. Carter reached on an error at shortstop and Casey Vaughan doubled down the third base line. That ended Yarberry’s day on the mound. He gave up six hits and walked one, and despite trailing 7-0, gave up no earned runs.
Parkview’s Evan Harris took the mound and walked the first two batters he faced to drive in Carter. Zach Patterson then singled to score another run and Kimbrell singled on his second at bat of the inning for two RBIs. Morris reached on another error at second base and Vinson popped up to first base for the first out of the inning.
Thomas walked and Carter doubled to left field to score Kimbrell. Morris scored on a passed ball and an error by the catcher. After the pitch got by, it bounced right back to home plate, giving the Parkview catcher plenty of time to apply the tag, but he dropped the ball while doing so.
Vaughan reached on an error at third base and Goffe grounded back to the pitcher for the second out. Scott Burnett singled to left to for two RBIs than ended the scoring in the inning. Kimbrell was robbed of a second base hit on his third at bat of the inning when Parkview centerfielder Mike Fitzgerald made a running, sliding catch of a fly ball behind second base for the final out of the inning.
Monday, April 23, 2012
SPORTS >> Lady Devils blow away Pats
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Glancing at the box score, one would think there’d been a duplicate box score made of the same game. In fact, the Jacksonville softball team beat Parkview High School 17-0 twice Tuesday night at Interstate Park in Little Rock.
Not only did the Lady Devils win back-to-back games by the same score, they got 12 hits in each game, and the pitchers threw two no hitters while facing 10 batters each.
“It was kind of funny the way it worked out,” Jacksonville coach Kevin Sullivan said. “That’s the first time I’ve seen anything like that.”
And just to complete the strange set of coincidences, the two pitchers were twin sisters Whitney and Alexis House.
Whitney House threw the first game and was one hit batter away from a perfect game. She plunked the second batter of the game, but went on to strike out seven of the last eight batters she faced to end the three-inning game with the no-hitter.
Alexis House, pitching her first varsity since dislocating her kneecap before the season started, missed the perfect game by one error. A throw to first base was off the mark, leaving the Lady Patriot base runner safe.
She fanned four batters en route to her shutout win.
Mailani Walker led things offensively in both games. She went 2 for 3 with a double and a triple in game one, then went 3 for 3 with three singles in game two.
Bailea Jones got a triple and a single in game one. Keke Alcorn got two doubles while
Whitney House also had two base hits in the first game. Eight of the nine starters got base hits in the win.
Jacksonville got one run in the first inning, seven in the second and nine in the third to end the game on the 15-after-three sportsmanship rule.
Haley Hickingbotham got a double and a single in game two while Coyja Hood and Alex House got two singles apiece.
As the home team, Jacksonville only batted twice in game two. The Lady Devils got six runs in the first inning and 11 in the second.
“I was really pleased with how we handled the pitching,” Sullivan said. “Parkview’s pitching was bad. Time and again I’ve seen it happen where teams do one of two things when the pitching is coming that slow and off the mark. They either get impatient and start swinging at bad stuff, or they fall asleep up there and when they do get something to hit, they let it go by. We didn’t do that. We drew six walks in both games and we got 12 base hits in both games. So we were being patient but we weren’t lulled to sleep out there.”
The 6A East standings are jumbled up in the middle. Marion is undefeated and all but has first place wrapped up. Almost every other team has split with each other except for Parkview and Hall.
Jacksonville has split with Mountain Home and Jonesboro and plays its second game against Searcy next week.
“We really need that one,” Sullivan said. “We’re fighting for possibly as high as a two seed, but if we lose that one, we’re at six and fighting for a five. After Marion, two through six could go just about anywhere. Between us, Searcy, Mountain Home, Jonesboro, then you got Russellville and Van Buren coming in here for the tournament, it’s all up in the air.”
The Lady Red Devils have lost once to Searcy this season. They will host the Lady Lions at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Dupree Park.
Leader sports editor
Glancing at the box score, one would think there’d been a duplicate box score made of the same game. In fact, the Jacksonville softball team beat Parkview High School 17-0 twice Tuesday night at Interstate Park in Little Rock.
Not only did the Lady Devils win back-to-back games by the same score, they got 12 hits in each game, and the pitchers threw two no hitters while facing 10 batters each.
“It was kind of funny the way it worked out,” Jacksonville coach Kevin Sullivan said. “That’s the first time I’ve seen anything like that.”
And just to complete the strange set of coincidences, the two pitchers were twin sisters Whitney and Alexis House.
Whitney House threw the first game and was one hit batter away from a perfect game. She plunked the second batter of the game, but went on to strike out seven of the last eight batters she faced to end the three-inning game with the no-hitter.
Alexis House, pitching her first varsity since dislocating her kneecap before the season started, missed the perfect game by one error. A throw to first base was off the mark, leaving the Lady Patriot base runner safe.
She fanned four batters en route to her shutout win.
Mailani Walker led things offensively in both games. She went 2 for 3 with a double and a triple in game one, then went 3 for 3 with three singles in game two.
Bailea Jones got a triple and a single in game one. Keke Alcorn got two doubles while
Whitney House also had two base hits in the first game. Eight of the nine starters got base hits in the win.
Jacksonville got one run in the first inning, seven in the second and nine in the third to end the game on the 15-after-three sportsmanship rule.
Haley Hickingbotham got a double and a single in game two while Coyja Hood and Alex House got two singles apiece.
As the home team, Jacksonville only batted twice in game two. The Lady Devils got six runs in the first inning and 11 in the second.
“I was really pleased with how we handled the pitching,” Sullivan said. “Parkview’s pitching was bad. Time and again I’ve seen it happen where teams do one of two things when the pitching is coming that slow and off the mark. They either get impatient and start swinging at bad stuff, or they fall asleep up there and when they do get something to hit, they let it go by. We didn’t do that. We drew six walks in both games and we got 12 base hits in both games. So we were being patient but we weren’t lulled to sleep out there.”
The 6A East standings are jumbled up in the middle. Marion is undefeated and all but has first place wrapped up. Almost every other team has split with each other except for Parkview and Hall.
Jacksonville has split with Mountain Home and Jonesboro and plays its second game against Searcy next week.
“We really need that one,” Sullivan said. “We’re fighting for possibly as high as a two seed, but if we lose that one, we’re at six and fighting for a five. After Marion, two through six could go just about anywhere. Between us, Searcy, Mountain Home, Jonesboro, then you got Russellville and Van Buren coming in here for the tournament, it’s all up in the air.”
The Lady Red Devils have lost once to Searcy this season. They will host the Lady Lions at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Dupree Park.
SPORTS >> Panther girls beat Cyclones, stay alive
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Cabot Lady Panthers kept themselves in the thick 7A Central Conference race with a hard fought 3-2 victory on the road against Russellville on Tuesday.
Sophomore Jessica Souza scored the winning goal for the Lady Panthers (10-3, 6-2) in the final five minutes with a perfect setup and assist from freshman sensation Braxton Reed, who pulled defenders away to set Souza up for a one-on-one with the Lady Cyclones’ goalkeeper. Souza won the battle with a kick into the bottom right corner for the winner.
Cabot led 2-1 at the half before the Lady Cyclones tied the game midway through the second half on a free kick.
“We played the next 20-minute span brilliantly,” Lady Panthers coach Kerry Castillo said. “We controlled possession in their half and were patiently looking for the goal rather than forcing the ball into situations that would result in turnovers. Braxton Reed, Lexi Lewis, and Jessica Souza were wonderful for us in the attack by holding the ball up on the dribble to allow runs to be made behind their defense.”
Sophomore Codee Park tied the game 1-1 for Cabot in the first half when she converted a 25-yard free kick from the left side, and put the Lady Panthers in the lead later in the half with another free kick, this one from 18 yards out.
Park was a question mark coming into the game due to a nagging ankle injury, but told Castillo it felt fine prior to the start.
Cabot’s defense also came up big against Russellville, as freshman Taylor Brady, sophomore Devin Patterson and junior Leah Srebalus turned away many of the Lady Cyclones’ best chances to score in the second half.
The victory gives the Lady Panthers sole possession of third place in the 7A Central Conference standings.
A strong effort from a young Cabot boys team fell short against a veteran Russellville group in a 2-0 road loss on Tuesday.
The Cyclones scored their first goal in the opening 15 minutes with a pressured attack before Cabot’s defense settled in. Both teams struggled offensively the rest of the way.
When the Panthers had to get more aggressive on offense in the final minutes of the match, Russellville took advantage with a counter attack that led to the final goal in the 33rd minute.
“The boys played really hard tonight and left everything they had on the field,” Cabot coach Steve Porter said. “I’m proud of how well they did under the circumstances. Due to injuries we started four ninth-graders and one tenth-grader, and we played another two ninth-graders off the bench. By age we are more like a junior varsity team, but by ability we can compete with all the teams in our conference.”
The Panthers beat Russellville in the first meeting between the two 7A Central Conference teams last month. The Cyclones took advantage of their home-field advantage, and the momentum of defeating league-leading Little Rock Catholic four days prior. The Panthers are now 4-4 in the 7A Central Conference.
“We just need a touch of luck maybe to make up for our lack of size, strength and experience to take us over the edge,” Porter said. “We are not losing due to a lack of effort, or discipline or focus for sure. Our conference is tough, nine out of the 14 7A State Soccer Championships have been won by our conference including seven of the past eight. My goal is to help Cabot get to a position where we can compete for one. I think we are heading in the right direction.”
The Cabot Panthers and Lady Panthers played at Conway last night after The Leader deadlines.
Leader sports editor
The Cabot Lady Panthers kept themselves in the thick 7A Central Conference race with a hard fought 3-2 victory on the road against Russellville on Tuesday.
Sophomore Jessica Souza scored the winning goal for the Lady Panthers (10-3, 6-2) in the final five minutes with a perfect setup and assist from freshman sensation Braxton Reed, who pulled defenders away to set Souza up for a one-on-one with the Lady Cyclones’ goalkeeper. Souza won the battle with a kick into the bottom right corner for the winner.
Cabot led 2-1 at the half before the Lady Cyclones tied the game midway through the second half on a free kick.
“We played the next 20-minute span brilliantly,” Lady Panthers coach Kerry Castillo said. “We controlled possession in their half and were patiently looking for the goal rather than forcing the ball into situations that would result in turnovers. Braxton Reed, Lexi Lewis, and Jessica Souza were wonderful for us in the attack by holding the ball up on the dribble to allow runs to be made behind their defense.”
Sophomore Codee Park tied the game 1-1 for Cabot in the first half when she converted a 25-yard free kick from the left side, and put the Lady Panthers in the lead later in the half with another free kick, this one from 18 yards out.
Park was a question mark coming into the game due to a nagging ankle injury, but told Castillo it felt fine prior to the start.
Cabot’s defense also came up big against Russellville, as freshman Taylor Brady, sophomore Devin Patterson and junior Leah Srebalus turned away many of the Lady Cyclones’ best chances to score in the second half.
The victory gives the Lady Panthers sole possession of third place in the 7A Central Conference standings.
A strong effort from a young Cabot boys team fell short against a veteran Russellville group in a 2-0 road loss on Tuesday.
The Cyclones scored their first goal in the opening 15 minutes with a pressured attack before Cabot’s defense settled in. Both teams struggled offensively the rest of the way.
When the Panthers had to get more aggressive on offense in the final minutes of the match, Russellville took advantage with a counter attack that led to the final goal in the 33rd minute.
“The boys played really hard tonight and left everything they had on the field,” Cabot coach Steve Porter said. “I’m proud of how well they did under the circumstances. Due to injuries we started four ninth-graders and one tenth-grader, and we played another two ninth-graders off the bench. By age we are more like a junior varsity team, but by ability we can compete with all the teams in our conference.”
The Panthers beat Russellville in the first meeting between the two 7A Central Conference teams last month. The Cyclones took advantage of their home-field advantage, and the momentum of defeating league-leading Little Rock Catholic four days prior. The Panthers are now 4-4 in the 7A Central Conference.
“We just need a touch of luck maybe to make up for our lack of size, strength and experience to take us over the edge,” Porter said. “We are not losing due to a lack of effort, or discipline or focus for sure. Our conference is tough, nine out of the 14 7A State Soccer Championships have been won by our conference including seven of the past eight. My goal is to help Cabot get to a position where we can compete for one. I think we are heading in the right direction.”
The Cabot Panthers and Lady Panthers played at Conway last night after The Leader deadlines.
SPORTS >> Jacksonville drubs Hall twice
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The Jacksonville Red Devils have started a winning streak in their last three outings. The Red Devils swept Hall 9-0 and 13-0 Wednesday at Kanis Park in Little Rock.
The Warriors entered the game winless in conference play, but battled the Red Devils to a 2-0 score through five innings. In the sixth, their pitching and fielding fell apart and Jacksonville ran away with the game.
Jacksonville pitcher Jesse Harbin threw all seven innings, giving up just one base hit while striking out 10 and walking two.
Jacksonville got seven base hits, but no one had more than one. D’Vone McClure and Ragan Jones each had two RBIs in the victory. The Red Devils drew eight walks and left eight on base.
The Red Devils dominated from the outset of game two while Hall struggled to get pitches in the strike zone.
Three Warrior pitchers combined to walk 13 Red Devils, nine in the first two innings of the five-inning game.
“We just have to swing the bats better,” Jacksonville coach Larry Burrows said. “We did pretty well last week. Today I thought we could have done better than we did.”
Freshman James Tucker got the start on the mound in game two. He threw five innings, giving up four hits while striking out seven and walking no one.
Jacksonville got five base hits in game two.
Senior Ragan Jones reached on every at bat, getting one hit and walking three times.
Derek St. Clair got two RBIs to lead Jacksonville in that category. David Williams got the only extra-base hit, an RBI double to centerfield in the first inning.
A total of 15 different Jacksonville players got at least one at bat, and 13 of them reached base at least once.
The Red Devils (9-14, 4-6) are at Greenbrier at 2 p.m. today. They will travel to Parkview on Wednesday for another 6A East Conference doubleheader.
Leader sportswriter
The Jacksonville Red Devils have started a winning streak in their last three outings. The Red Devils swept Hall 9-0 and 13-0 Wednesday at Kanis Park in Little Rock.
The Warriors entered the game winless in conference play, but battled the Red Devils to a 2-0 score through five innings. In the sixth, their pitching and fielding fell apart and Jacksonville ran away with the game.
Jacksonville pitcher Jesse Harbin threw all seven innings, giving up just one base hit while striking out 10 and walking two.
Jacksonville got seven base hits, but no one had more than one. D’Vone McClure and Ragan Jones each had two RBIs in the victory. The Red Devils drew eight walks and left eight on base.
The Red Devils dominated from the outset of game two while Hall struggled to get pitches in the strike zone.
Three Warrior pitchers combined to walk 13 Red Devils, nine in the first two innings of the five-inning game.
“We just have to swing the bats better,” Jacksonville coach Larry Burrows said. “We did pretty well last week. Today I thought we could have done better than we did.”
Freshman James Tucker got the start on the mound in game two. He threw five innings, giving up four hits while striking out seven and walking no one.
Jacksonville got five base hits in game two.
Senior Ragan Jones reached on every at bat, getting one hit and walking three times.
Derek St. Clair got two RBIs to lead Jacksonville in that category. David Williams got the only extra-base hit, an RBI double to centerfield in the first inning.
A total of 15 different Jacksonville players got at least one at bat, and 13 of them reached base at least once.
The Red Devils (9-14, 4-6) are at Greenbrier at 2 p.m. today. They will travel to Parkview on Wednesday for another 6A East Conference doubleheader.
SPORTS >> Lady Bears win game, lose coach
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Lady Bears’ softball team remained perfect in conference with a drubbing of Helena-West Helena Central in a 5A Southeast doubleheader Thursday, but they’ll have to finish off what’s been a great season without their head coach.
Sylvan Hills coach Phil Bradley, 59, who has held the head coaching position for the last six years after starting his career as an assistant at Jacksonville, is stepping down for the rest of the season due to health concerns.
“It’s just been a trying, stressful season,” Bradley said. “There are other issues involved with my health, and the way the season has gone, it’s just made some of those things worse.”
The doctor’s orders stated, ‘it is medically necessary that the above patient may not work the rest of the school year due to stress pain and numbness.’ Bradley says stepping down was a difficult decision, especially given the success of the team so far. The Lady Bears are in first place in the conference race. They are 14-4 overall and 8-0 against 5A-Southeast teams.
“This team can beat anybody,” Bradley said. “These girls are state title contenders. I believe that. I’m just not willing to take any unnecessary risks when it comes to my health.”
Volunteer assistant coach Jeff Johnson will take over head-coaching responsibilities the rest of the season. Johnson has been helping Bradley for the last five years.
“Jeff knows these girls and knows what this team is about,” Bradley said. “He knows they have potential to go a long way and he’ll work hard to get the best out of them.”
In Thursday’s games, Sylvan Hills made the long road trip and pummeled the Lady Cougars 21-0 and 22-0, each game ending in three innings.
“It wasn’t pretty,” Bradley said. “They don’t have anything.
Tyra Williams pitched and faced the minimum nine batters in three innings of play.
Williams struck out seven batters in her first-career perfect game.
Sylvan Hills scored four runs in the first, eight in the second and 11 in the third inning as the visiting team.
Callie Cavender won game two on the mound for the Lady Bears, who took the role of home team for the nightcap.
They scored eight runs in the first and 14 in the second inning, batting around twice in the second frame. Cavender gave up one base hit while striking out seven batters.
Sylvan Hills has a big conference doubleheader next Thurs-day when it hosts Monticello at Sherwood Sports Complex.
Leader sports editor
The Lady Bears’ softball team remained perfect in conference with a drubbing of Helena-West Helena Central in a 5A Southeast doubleheader Thursday, but they’ll have to finish off what’s been a great season without their head coach.
Sylvan Hills coach Phil Bradley, 59, who has held the head coaching position for the last six years after starting his career as an assistant at Jacksonville, is stepping down for the rest of the season due to health concerns.
“It’s just been a trying, stressful season,” Bradley said. “There are other issues involved with my health, and the way the season has gone, it’s just made some of those things worse.”
The doctor’s orders stated, ‘it is medically necessary that the above patient may not work the rest of the school year due to stress pain and numbness.’ Bradley says stepping down was a difficult decision, especially given the success of the team so far. The Lady Bears are in first place in the conference race. They are 14-4 overall and 8-0 against 5A-Southeast teams.
“This team can beat anybody,” Bradley said. “These girls are state title contenders. I believe that. I’m just not willing to take any unnecessary risks when it comes to my health.”
Volunteer assistant coach Jeff Johnson will take over head-coaching responsibilities the rest of the season. Johnson has been helping Bradley for the last five years.
“Jeff knows these girls and knows what this team is about,” Bradley said. “He knows they have potential to go a long way and he’ll work hard to get the best out of them.”
In Thursday’s games, Sylvan Hills made the long road trip and pummeled the Lady Cougars 21-0 and 22-0, each game ending in three innings.
“It wasn’t pretty,” Bradley said. “They don’t have anything.
Tyra Williams pitched and faced the minimum nine batters in three innings of play.
Williams struck out seven batters in her first-career perfect game.
Sylvan Hills scored four runs in the first, eight in the second and 11 in the third inning as the visiting team.
Callie Cavender won game two on the mound for the Lady Bears, who took the role of home team for the nightcap.
They scored eight runs in the first and 14 in the second inning, batting around twice in the second frame. Cavender gave up one base hit while striking out seven batters.
Sylvan Hills has a big conference doubleheader next Thurs-day when it hosts Monticello at Sherwood Sports Complex.
SPORTS >> Bears sweep North Pulaski
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Errors were more frequent than points as Sylvan Hills swept host North Pulaski in a twin bill of 5A Southeast Conference games, 12-2 and 7-0 at Dupree Park in Jacksonville on Thursday.
The Bears (18-6, 9-1) dominated the first game and held the Falcons scoreless through four innings while steadily increasing their lead each frame. North Pulaski (4-17, 2-8) kept the second game scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when Sylvan Hills went through its entire lineup and scored five runs.
Defensively, Sylvan Hills went without an error in the first three innings of game one before committing a pair in the fourth and two more in the fifth, while committing two more in the fifth inning of game two.
“First game, we did okay,” Bears coach Denny Tipton said. “I’m not really pleased tonight with the way we played defensively. We play better than that. I think we had eight errors in two games – we probably haven’t made errors in 15 games. So I’m not real pleased with how we came out and played.
“I thought my pitchers threw well. I think they got one hit in two games, and that was there in the last inning. We’ll take the wins, but you’ve got to take care of yourself, and we didn’t play well defensively tonight.”
Senior Connor Eller earned the win in the first game with a no-hitter through four innings of work before classmate Lance Hunter relieved him for the final inning of the run-ruled contest.
Senior Dylan Boone threw a complete game one-hitter through seven innings to earn the victory in the nightcap. Eller struck out nine batters and walked two in the first game, while Boone had thrown a no hitter through six innings of the second game.
He had two batters out in the top of the seventh when North Pulaski right fielder Austin Allen played spoiler by hitting a double down the third base line. Boone also struck out 11 batters.
The Falcons shook off a dismal game one and kept Sylvan Hills in check until the bottom of the fourth, when the guests scored five runs on four hits, including a three-run home run over the left-field wall by J.D. Miller that also scored Hunter and Eller. Alex Broadwell started on the mound for North Pulaski in the second game before Allen relieved him in the bottom of the sixth inning.
He walked Miller and Brandon Baioni, who both scored off a single to right field by Hunter Heslep.
“We scored some runs – I’m pleased with that,” Tipton said. “I’ve got high expectations, and tonight I just didn’t think we came in here and played very well.”
Scoring came easier for the Bears in the first game as starting North Pulaski pitcher T.J. Waters walked four consecutive batters in the top of the first inning, giving two-hole hitter T.J. Burrows a free trip home before Boone tagged up on a sacrifice fly to left field from Dalton Freeling.
Sylvan Hills took control of the game in the top of the second. Miller was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, while Jacob White and Baioni reached on errors to load the bases with no outs. Miller scored on a passed ball, and Burrows scored the other two runs with a double to left field.
David Carrasquillo walked to set up a three-run home run by Hunter over the left-field wall to gave the Bears an 8-0 lead. Boone knocked in another run in the top of the third with a single to center, and Freeling cleared loaded bases in the top of the fifth with a double to left field.
The Falcons avoided being shut out when Josh Greg and Broadwell both reached on errors.
Greg scored on another error when Broadwell beat a rundown at second base, and Broadwell scored moments later on a passed ball.
“We just made errors,” Tipton said. “We played a game on Monday and didn’t make any errors. Last Thursday, we didn’t make any. Tonight, we made eight errors. Basically, every one of my infielders had an error. That won’t win you games in the tournament.”
For Sylvan Hills, Boone was 2 for 3 in game one. Eller struck out nine batters and walked two through four innings for a no-hitter.
Leader sportswriter
Errors were more frequent than points as Sylvan Hills swept host North Pulaski in a twin bill of 5A Southeast Conference games, 12-2 and 7-0 at Dupree Park in Jacksonville on Thursday.
The Bears (18-6, 9-1) dominated the first game and held the Falcons scoreless through four innings while steadily increasing their lead each frame. North Pulaski (4-17, 2-8) kept the second game scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when Sylvan Hills went through its entire lineup and scored five runs.
Defensively, Sylvan Hills went without an error in the first three innings of game one before committing a pair in the fourth and two more in the fifth, while committing two more in the fifth inning of game two.
“First game, we did okay,” Bears coach Denny Tipton said. “I’m not really pleased tonight with the way we played defensively. We play better than that. I think we had eight errors in two games – we probably haven’t made errors in 15 games. So I’m not real pleased with how we came out and played.
“I thought my pitchers threw well. I think they got one hit in two games, and that was there in the last inning. We’ll take the wins, but you’ve got to take care of yourself, and we didn’t play well defensively tonight.”
Senior Connor Eller earned the win in the first game with a no-hitter through four innings of work before classmate Lance Hunter relieved him for the final inning of the run-ruled contest.
Senior Dylan Boone threw a complete game one-hitter through seven innings to earn the victory in the nightcap. Eller struck out nine batters and walked two in the first game, while Boone had thrown a no hitter through six innings of the second game.
He had two batters out in the top of the seventh when North Pulaski right fielder Austin Allen played spoiler by hitting a double down the third base line. Boone also struck out 11 batters.
The Falcons shook off a dismal game one and kept Sylvan Hills in check until the bottom of the fourth, when the guests scored five runs on four hits, including a three-run home run over the left-field wall by J.D. Miller that also scored Hunter and Eller. Alex Broadwell started on the mound for North Pulaski in the second game before Allen relieved him in the bottom of the sixth inning.
He walked Miller and Brandon Baioni, who both scored off a single to right field by Hunter Heslep.
“We scored some runs – I’m pleased with that,” Tipton said. “I’ve got high expectations, and tonight I just didn’t think we came in here and played very well.”
Scoring came easier for the Bears in the first game as starting North Pulaski pitcher T.J. Waters walked four consecutive batters in the top of the first inning, giving two-hole hitter T.J. Burrows a free trip home before Boone tagged up on a sacrifice fly to left field from Dalton Freeling.
Sylvan Hills took control of the game in the top of the second. Miller was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, while Jacob White and Baioni reached on errors to load the bases with no outs. Miller scored on a passed ball, and Burrows scored the other two runs with a double to left field.
David Carrasquillo walked to set up a three-run home run by Hunter over the left-field wall to gave the Bears an 8-0 lead. Boone knocked in another run in the top of the third with a single to center, and Freeling cleared loaded bases in the top of the fifth with a double to left field.
The Falcons avoided being shut out when Josh Greg and Broadwell both reached on errors.
Greg scored on another error when Broadwell beat a rundown at second base, and Broadwell scored moments later on a passed ball.
“We just made errors,” Tipton said. “We played a game on Monday and didn’t make any errors. Last Thursday, we didn’t make any. Tonight, we made eight errors. Basically, every one of my infielders had an error. That won’t win you games in the tournament.”
For Sylvan Hills, Boone was 2 for 3 in game one. Eller struck out nine batters and walked two through four innings for a no-hitter.
EDITORIAL >> Levon Helm, 1940-2012
I pulled in to Nazareth, was feeling ‘bout half past dead
I just need some place where I can lay my head
“Hey mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?’’
He just grinned and shook my hand, “No’’ was all he said
Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And you put the load right on me.
—The Weight, 1968
Levon Helm, the drummer for The Band who passed away Thursday at the age of 71, helped open Alltel Arena in 1999 with Ronnie Hawkins, his longtime mentor, and a fellow Band member, the organist Garth Hudson.
The blues harmonica virtuoso James Cotton was also at the inaugural concert. Helm, with his propulsive drumming and downhome singing, was having a good time and appeared to be in charge, but in a good-natured way.
Like most singers from the Arkansas Delta — Levon was born in 1940 in Elaine in Phillips County — he was unassuming and a natural entertainer. He had a thin, sharecropper’s face—his father grew cotton in Turkey Scratch in Phillips County, where another blues legend, Robert Junior Lockwood, was born 25 years earlier.
Helm had been performing since the Eisenhower-Faubus years, when he was a teenager, not only backing Hawkins, but later Bob Dylan. Helm often came home and in the mid-1960s performed with the harmonica legend Sonny Boy Williamson around Helena before Williamson died in a boarding house there.
Sometime back in the 1960s, Levon even put on a show at his old high school in Marvell, where he sang “Up on Cripple Creek” to the delight of youngsters.
For many years, he lived unostentatiously in upstate New York, performing almost to the end. The Band had broken up decades ago — he was the only American in the group, the others were Canadian — so it was mostly because of Levon that they evoked 19th Century America with “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” “King Harvest Has Surely Come,” “The Weight,” “Ophelia” and so much more. Their sound influenced generations of musicians from Credence Clearwater Revival to Eric Clapton.
This weekend, watch The Band’s “Last Waltz” farewell concert or listen to their greatest hits CD. Levon Helm will take you back to the Delta and to another time. Rest in peace, Levon, a true son of the South.
I just need some place where I can lay my head
“Hey mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?’’
He just grinned and shook my hand, “No’’ was all he said
Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And you put the load right on me.
—The Weight, 1968
Levon Helm, the drummer for The Band who passed away Thursday at the age of 71, helped open Alltel Arena in 1999 with Ronnie Hawkins, his longtime mentor, and a fellow Band member, the organist Garth Hudson.
The blues harmonica virtuoso James Cotton was also at the inaugural concert. Helm, with his propulsive drumming and downhome singing, was having a good time and appeared to be in charge, but in a good-natured way.
Like most singers from the Arkansas Delta — Levon was born in 1940 in Elaine in Phillips County — he was unassuming and a natural entertainer. He had a thin, sharecropper’s face—his father grew cotton in Turkey Scratch in Phillips County, where another blues legend, Robert Junior Lockwood, was born 25 years earlier.
Helm had been performing since the Eisenhower-Faubus years, when he was a teenager, not only backing Hawkins, but later Bob Dylan. Helm often came home and in the mid-1960s performed with the harmonica legend Sonny Boy Williamson around Helena before Williamson died in a boarding house there.
Sometime back in the 1960s, Levon even put on a show at his old high school in Marvell, where he sang “Up on Cripple Creek” to the delight of youngsters.
For many years, he lived unostentatiously in upstate New York, performing almost to the end. The Band had broken up decades ago — he was the only American in the group, the others were Canadian — so it was mostly because of Levon that they evoked 19th Century America with “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” “King Harvest Has Surely Come,” “The Weight,” “Ophelia” and so much more. Their sound influenced generations of musicians from Credence Clearwater Revival to Eric Clapton.
This weekend, watch The Band’s “Last Waltz” farewell concert or listen to their greatest hits CD. Levon Helm will take you back to the Delta and to another time. Rest in peace, Levon, a true son of the South.
TOP STORY >> Deadly end on rural road
By CHRISTY HENDRICKS
Leader staff writer
The Arkansas State Police are continuing their investigation of a fatal shooting by a Lonoke County sheriff’s deputy on Thursdsy.
Lonoke County Prosecutor Chuck Graham said Friday that Deputy Jack Fitzhugh shot and killed Dustin Williamson, 32, after Williamson attacked him with a tire-jack stand, not the bed frame he was reportedly swinging at passing cars when a neighbor called 911.
A piece of an iron-bed frame and a broken windshield lay in a the driveway of a residence along Hwy. 294 between Jacksonville and Furlow as State Police special agents processed the scene.
Fitzhugh was in his car when he fired on Williamson who was pronounced dead at the scene.
“It appears he swung and hit the vehicle and the officer fired,” Graham said. “The damage was all on his side of the car so he was in close proximity. The indication is that the officer was attacked.”
Fitzhugh was the only officer on the scene when Williamson was killed, Graham said.
He is on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated by the State Police. Graham said that is standard procedure.
This is the second officer-involved shooting in less than a year. In November 2011, Eric Moore, a dispatcher and part-time deputy shot and killed his neighbor, Michael Perry, who had attacked him with a metal pipe.
The State Police investigation showed that Moore was justified in using deadly force. Moore, who had also been on administrative leave, went back to work. Some time later Graham decided that he would not file charges against Moore.
Spokesman for the state police Bill Sadler said there is no way to know how long the investigation will take. Investigators will interview all witnesses and others with knowledge about the chain of events that led to the shooting, he said.
Williamson’s body was taken to the state crime lab for autopsy.
Leader staff writer Joan McCoy contributed to this report.
Leader staff writer
The Arkansas State Police are continuing their investigation of a fatal shooting by a Lonoke County sheriff’s deputy on Thursdsy.
Lonoke County Prosecutor Chuck Graham said Friday that Deputy Jack Fitzhugh shot and killed Dustin Williamson, 32, after Williamson attacked him with a tire-jack stand, not the bed frame he was reportedly swinging at passing cars when a neighbor called 911.
A piece of an iron-bed frame and a broken windshield lay in a the driveway of a residence along Hwy. 294 between Jacksonville and Furlow as State Police special agents processed the scene.
Fitzhugh was in his car when he fired on Williamson who was pronounced dead at the scene.
“It appears he swung and hit the vehicle and the officer fired,” Graham said. “The damage was all on his side of the car so he was in close proximity. The indication is that the officer was attacked.”
Fitzhugh was the only officer on the scene when Williamson was killed, Graham said.
He is on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated by the State Police. Graham said that is standard procedure.
This is the second officer-involved shooting in less than a year. In November 2011, Eric Moore, a dispatcher and part-time deputy shot and killed his neighbor, Michael Perry, who had attacked him with a metal pipe.
The State Police investigation showed that Moore was justified in using deadly force. Moore, who had also been on administrative leave, went back to work. Some time later Graham decided that he would not file charges against Moore.
Spokesman for the state police Bill Sadler said there is no way to know how long the investigation will take. Investigators will interview all witnesses and others with knowledge about the chain of events that led to the shooting, he said.
Williamson’s body was taken to the state crime lab for autopsy.
Leader staff writer Joan McCoy contributed to this report.
TOP STORY >> Trophy goes to base and community
Little Rock Air Force Base and its community council have won the prestigious 2011 Abilene Trophy, the Air Mobility Command’s Community Support Award, which was announced Friday.
The base and community won the coveted trophy in 2009, and then in 2010 it went to Pope AFB.
“The relationship between Little Rock Air Force Base and the local community is truly incredible. This award says it all — we have the world’s best community support,” said Col. Thomas Crimmins, 19th Airlift Wing vice commander.
The Abilene Trophy, a sculpted eagle, is presented annually to a civilian community for outstanding support to a nearby AMC base and the winner is determined by a selection group of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee in Texas with final approval by AMC.
“The community’s unwavering support of our base, mission and people is unmatched. They genuinely care about our airmen and are driven to make a difference,” Crimmins said.
Community support has been strong all the way back to the base’s beginning when local leaders raised $1.2 million to buy 6,600 acres and gave it to the Air Force to create LRAFB in 1955.
Formally known as the Air Mobility Command Community Support Award, the Abilene Trophy has been awarded annaully since its establishment in 1998.
The award’s sponsor is the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. Abilene is home to Dyess Air Force Base, which has an AMC contingent, the 317th Airlift Group.
But the base’s main host, the 7th Bomb Wing, is under the Air Combat Command and thus Dyess would not be eligible for an award sponsored by its host city.
The award is a sculpture of an eagle with its wingtip touching the representation of a rock. It represents the partnership between the Air Force and the community, according to award officials, with the outstretched wings of the eagle representing the Air Force and all it does to extend freedoms across the world, and the base is a rock because the community is the foundation by which the eagle much be supported to take off into the air.
Charleston Air Force Base, N.C., has won the award three times. Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., Dover Air Force Base, Del., Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., McDill Air Force Base, Fla., and now Little Rock Air Force Base have each won twice.
The base and community won the coveted trophy in 2009, and then in 2010 it went to Pope AFB.
“The relationship between Little Rock Air Force Base and the local community is truly incredible. This award says it all — we have the world’s best community support,” said Col. Thomas Crimmins, 19th Airlift Wing vice commander.
The Abilene Trophy, a sculpted eagle, is presented annually to a civilian community for outstanding support to a nearby AMC base and the winner is determined by a selection group of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee in Texas with final approval by AMC.
“The community’s unwavering support of our base, mission and people is unmatched. They genuinely care about our airmen and are driven to make a difference,” Crimmins said.
Community support has been strong all the way back to the base’s beginning when local leaders raised $1.2 million to buy 6,600 acres and gave it to the Air Force to create LRAFB in 1955.
Formally known as the Air Mobility Command Community Support Award, the Abilene Trophy has been awarded annaully since its establishment in 1998.
The award’s sponsor is the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. Abilene is home to Dyess Air Force Base, which has an AMC contingent, the 317th Airlift Group.
But the base’s main host, the 7th Bomb Wing, is under the Air Combat Command and thus Dyess would not be eligible for an award sponsored by its host city.
The award is a sculpture of an eagle with its wingtip touching the representation of a rock. It represents the partnership between the Air Force and the community, according to award officials, with the outstretched wings of the eagle representing the Air Force and all it does to extend freedoms across the world, and the base is a rock because the community is the foundation by which the eagle much be supported to take off into the air.
Charleston Air Force Base, N.C., has won the award three times. Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., Dover Air Force Base, Del., Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., McDill Air Force Base, Fla., and now Little Rock Air Force Base have each won twice.
TOP STORY >> Cabot track told to share information with officials
By JOAN McCOY
Leader staff writer
The BMX track in Cabot, which got the attention of the city’s elected officials last year because it was supposedly part of the park system but was not open to the public, is now at the center of a controversy over finances.
The problem discussed Tuesday night at the Parks Commission was that no one, except possibly the volunteers who run it, knows how much money is raised from events held at the park or how it is spent.
But the commissioners acknowledged that they had never asked for it before. In fact, Shawn Bassinger currently leases the property and his lease says nothing about financial accountability except that the commission has approval rights over his requests for project funding from the Cabot Advertising and Promotion Commission.
Bassinger built the track on city property with help from the hamburger tax supplied by the A&P. But the city has never had any control over the facility until last year when Mayor Bill Cypert ordered it opened to the public.
Now the park commission says Bassinger must have a franchise agreement similar to the arrangements with the associations that run the ball programs and also give them a financial report on the track each month.
“When you’re dealing with public money, it’s an issue for everybody,” said commission chairman Stephen Tipton.
Ann Gilliam and Ed Long, members of the Cabot City Council who also serve on the Promotions Commission, attended the meeting.
“I’ve had a lot of questions asked me as a member of the city council,” Gilliam said. “There’s lots of tax money gone into that facility. But what has it brought in? Where did it go?”
Bassinger said he will sign the franchise agreement and accept control by the commission. He said the track is an asset to the city and all the money taken in is used to operate it.
“People from all over central Arkansas come here for races and buy food and gas in Cabot,” he said. “All the money we’ve ever made goes right back into the track.”
Work on the track began in January 2009. That was when Bassinger said State Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, the mayor at that time, went with him to the 200-acre site off Willie Ray Drive that was once the city dump and told him, “There you go. Build your track.”
The park is officially called the North Lonoke County Regional Park and it was Williams’ goal to build a park that would live up to that name. But the parks are under the control of the commission, which had different members with little interest in building on a dump site which was also used by the police department as a firing range.
With the help of city equipment, Bassinger built the track and started holding races in August 2009. Williams said at the time that it was a good start toward building the park.
But if it was a park, it was not acknowledged by the parks department and commission.
“No one really knew what to do with us in the beginning,” Bassinger told the commission while explaining the genesis of the track.
Then, in the summer of 2011 residents complained that the gate into the track was locked most of the time. They had no access to the park.
Whether Bassinger wanted it closed to protect the dirt track or the police chief wanted it closed because of the firing range was never clear. But the mayor ordered it opened after city council members said that it must be. Bassinger signed a short document that said he was leasing the track from the city with the stipulation that the park commission had approval rights over requests for Promotions Commission funding.
At that same time, park employees started mowing the track like they do other city parks.
Bassinger told the commission Tuesday that he doesn’t know how much money came in and went out from 2009 to Jan. 1, 2012, but the track bank account has $658.58 now.
The 200 acres has been considered as a site for new ball parks and a water park when funding becomes available. And plans are under now for a mountain bike trail that will be maintained by park employees, not Bassinger’s group.
So it’s possible that the North Lonoke County Regional Park that Williams wanted could be built. In the meantime, Parks Director Larry Tarrant says Bassinger’s efforts to get it started are praiseworthy.
“He’s done a great job out there. It’s been good for the city and it’s something different for the kids to do besides ball,” Tarrant said.
Leader staff writer
The BMX track in Cabot, which got the attention of the city’s elected officials last year because it was supposedly part of the park system but was not open to the public, is now at the center of a controversy over finances.
The problem discussed Tuesday night at the Parks Commission was that no one, except possibly the volunteers who run it, knows how much money is raised from events held at the park or how it is spent.
But the commissioners acknowledged that they had never asked for it before. In fact, Shawn Bassinger currently leases the property and his lease says nothing about financial accountability except that the commission has approval rights over his requests for project funding from the Cabot Advertising and Promotion Commission.
Bassinger built the track on city property with help from the hamburger tax supplied by the A&P. But the city has never had any control over the facility until last year when Mayor Bill Cypert ordered it opened to the public.
Now the park commission says Bassinger must have a franchise agreement similar to the arrangements with the associations that run the ball programs and also give them a financial report on the track each month.
“When you’re dealing with public money, it’s an issue for everybody,” said commission chairman Stephen Tipton.
Ann Gilliam and Ed Long, members of the Cabot City Council who also serve on the Promotions Commission, attended the meeting.
“I’ve had a lot of questions asked me as a member of the city council,” Gilliam said. “There’s lots of tax money gone into that facility. But what has it brought in? Where did it go?”
Bassinger said he will sign the franchise agreement and accept control by the commission. He said the track is an asset to the city and all the money taken in is used to operate it.
“People from all over central Arkansas come here for races and buy food and gas in Cabot,” he said. “All the money we’ve ever made goes right back into the track.”
Work on the track began in January 2009. That was when Bassinger said State Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, the mayor at that time, went with him to the 200-acre site off Willie Ray Drive that was once the city dump and told him, “There you go. Build your track.”
The park is officially called the North Lonoke County Regional Park and it was Williams’ goal to build a park that would live up to that name. But the parks are under the control of the commission, which had different members with little interest in building on a dump site which was also used by the police department as a firing range.
With the help of city equipment, Bassinger built the track and started holding races in August 2009. Williams said at the time that it was a good start toward building the park.
But if it was a park, it was not acknowledged by the parks department and commission.
“No one really knew what to do with us in the beginning,” Bassinger told the commission while explaining the genesis of the track.
Then, in the summer of 2011 residents complained that the gate into the track was locked most of the time. They had no access to the park.
Whether Bassinger wanted it closed to protect the dirt track or the police chief wanted it closed because of the firing range was never clear. But the mayor ordered it opened after city council members said that it must be. Bassinger signed a short document that said he was leasing the track from the city with the stipulation that the park commission had approval rights over requests for Promotions Commission funding.
At that same time, park employees started mowing the track like they do other city parks.
Bassinger told the commission Tuesday that he doesn’t know how much money came in and went out from 2009 to Jan. 1, 2012, but the track bank account has $658.58 now.
The 200 acres has been considered as a site for new ball parks and a water park when funding becomes available. And plans are under now for a mountain bike trail that will be maintained by park employees, not Bassinger’s group.
So it’s possible that the North Lonoke County Regional Park that Williams wanted could be built. In the meantime, Parks Director Larry Tarrant says Bassinger’s efforts to get it started are praiseworthy.
“He’s done a great job out there. It’s been good for the city and it’s something different for the kids to do besides ball,” Tarrant said.
TOP STORY >> State kills unions to cut costs in PCSSD
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
State Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell gave Puaski County Special School District officials Friday evening everything they proposed to balance the budget, while kicking the district’s two employee unions to the curb.
One on top of the other, the state piled two fiscal-distress designations on PCSSD over the past years, and both Kimbrell and district officials have concluded that $11 million needed to be cut from the budget, including some cuts already in effect and agreed to by the district and the unions.
Kimbrell, acting under the authority of the state Education Board, instructed PCSSD acting Superintendent Jerry Guess by letter Friday to “withdraw recognition of PACT (Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers) as the bargaining unit for classroom teachers and PASS (Pulaski Association of Support Staff) as bargaining unit for the support staff.”
In his instructions, which he called “binding,” Kimbrell told Guess to “terminate the professional negotiations agreement with PACT and PASS,” while continuing to observe the compensation/fringe benefit obligations of individual employee contracts until June 30.
He also told Guess to implement the district’s revised fiscal-distress plan and policies for employees.
“Public schools have to manage every dollar carefully,” Guess told The Leader.
Asked if he expected the unions to sue to maintain their contracts and bargaining authority, Guess said, “I would be imprudent if I didn’t anticipate that. We’re planning for all possibilities,” he said, including the elimination of state desegregation funds of about $20 million a year.
PACT president Marty Nix — as is her custom — failed to return The Leader’s calls to her work and cell phones or respond to an e-mail request for a comment.
With the dismissal of the unions, Guess said the void in employee representation would be filled--as per state law--with personnel-policy committees, which have been formed by teachers and noncertified staff. The committees have already been challenged in Pulaski Circuit Court. The district is paying for legal representation of those committees.
Guess declined to characterize Kimbrell’s decision as a win for the district and a loss for the unions, saying instead: “Our proposals provided the opportunity to reduce expenditures to the budget as we need them and PACT and PASS proposals were much less likely to produce the results needed.”
Many of the union-proposed cuts would have expired at the end of the next school year, which Guess and Kimbrell said was insufficient.
“They (would have) left unusual benefits protected,” Guess said, citing among them excessive leave, severance pay and an unusual, uncertified professional-growth program.
STEADY BELT TIGHTENING
“My goal is to return control of the PCSSD to whom it belongs — the district’s patrons and a locally elected school board,” said Kimbrell, who lives in Cabot. “This will require steady financial belt tightening wherever possible and operational efficiency. The focus must be on providing the best educational opportunities for the students of PCSSD.”
A press release that accompanied Kimbrell’s decision said, “Faced with declining fund balances, the district must cut $11 million from its fiscal 2013 budget. This includes $4 million in benefits provided for in the unions’ contracts. Some of these benefits are above what employees in other districts receive and are not required by state law. These cuts must be sustained in subsequent years in order for the PCSSD to remain financially solvent and provide an adequate and equitable education required by the Arkansas Constitution.”
$32 MILLION IN THE HOLE
Without cutting the budget as proposed, the district’s legal fund balance—sometimes called carryover—would be $32 million in the red by the end of the 2016-2017 school year, according to district and state projections.
The administration’s proposal included $6,667,680 in previously agreed upon reductions and additional reductions of $4,085,903 for 2012-2013, with additional cost reductions of $1,427,249 in 2013-2014 and $1,006,340 in 2014-2015.
The additional $4,085,903 includes cost savings from proposed modifications to the PACT and PASS Professional Negotiations Agreements.
The administration’s proposal projects cost reductions in the of $10.5 million in 2012-2013, $12.2 million in 2013-2014 and $13.2 million 2014-2015.
By law, a district’s school board has the authority to remove unions as bargaining agents. Since dissolving the PCSSD school board earlier this year, Kimbrell has acted as a one-man board who believes he has the authority to strip the unions of their bargaining role and to abrogate an existing contract
The unions have proven resilient in the past and quite litigious, so many observers expect them to sue to keep their contracts intact.
Guess said that Kimbrell’s instructions to implement his plan would result in cutting 77 teaching positions, of which 35 are already open due to retirement or resignations.
KIMBRELL’S GOAL
“My desired outcome,” Kimbrell wrote, “is that the (Arkansas Department of Education) and PCSSD be able to prove the following to the State Board:
“That PCSSD has corrected all indicators of fiscal distress;
“That PCSSD possesses a sufficient fund balance to operate in a fiscally secure and sustainable manner for years to come;
“That PCSSD can fully and completely fund its current desegregation obligations as set forth in Plan 2000 in pursuit of its efforts to attain unitary status; and
“That PCSSD can absorb a loss of, or significant reduction in, state desegregation funding.”
Action for the 2012-2013 school year is critical not only due to the requirements of Arkansas Code 6-20-1908, but because the district is projected to spend more than it takes in during the 2013-2014 school year, Kimbrell said.
The 2011-2012 ending legal balance includes one-time, nonrecurring property tax revenues of $15.1 million. Without this one-time infusion of revenues, the district would end this school year with a deficit of approximately $3 million.
WOULD DEFER ACTION
Kimbrell’s letter explained that PACT/PASS appear to request that PCSSD defer important decisions until a later date, arguing that beyond salary freezes for the 2012-2013 school year, “[t]here is no urgency for anything more at the present time.”
The PACT/PASS proposal overlooks two key considerations, Kimbrell said.
“First, PCSSD is required, through its Plan 2000, to meet its own desegregation obligations, with or without state desegregation funding. PCSSD remains under court supervision with regard to nine separate components of its desegregation plan,” the commissioner said.
“One of the nine plan components requires PCSSD to improve several of its facilities. The first priority for PCSSD must be to become unitary in all of its operations, not for the benefit of the state’s budget, but for the benefit of the district’s students and patrons. PCSSD must be able to satisfy the ADE and the State Board that it possesses the financial resources to carry out its own desegregation obligations.
“Second, whether state desegregation funding ends in one year or several years hence, sound budgeting practices dictate that PCSSD should not depend upon state desegregation funding in order to continue its operations.
“PCSSD must be able to show that it can continue its operations for the benefit of its students with or without state desegregation funding,” Kimbrell continued.
Leader senior staff writer
State Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell gave Puaski County Special School District officials Friday evening everything they proposed to balance the budget, while kicking the district’s two employee unions to the curb.
One on top of the other, the state piled two fiscal-distress designations on PCSSD over the past years, and both Kimbrell and district officials have concluded that $11 million needed to be cut from the budget, including some cuts already in effect and agreed to by the district and the unions.
Kimbrell, acting under the authority of the state Education Board, instructed PCSSD acting Superintendent Jerry Guess by letter Friday to “withdraw recognition of PACT (Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers) as the bargaining unit for classroom teachers and PASS (Pulaski Association of Support Staff) as bargaining unit for the support staff.”
In his instructions, which he called “binding,” Kimbrell told Guess to “terminate the professional negotiations agreement with PACT and PASS,” while continuing to observe the compensation/fringe benefit obligations of individual employee contracts until June 30.
He also told Guess to implement the district’s revised fiscal-distress plan and policies for employees.
“Public schools have to manage every dollar carefully,” Guess told The Leader.
Asked if he expected the unions to sue to maintain their contracts and bargaining authority, Guess said, “I would be imprudent if I didn’t anticipate that. We’re planning for all possibilities,” he said, including the elimination of state desegregation funds of about $20 million a year.
PACT president Marty Nix — as is her custom — failed to return The Leader’s calls to her work and cell phones or respond to an e-mail request for a comment.
With the dismissal of the unions, Guess said the void in employee representation would be filled--as per state law--with personnel-policy committees, which have been formed by teachers and noncertified staff. The committees have already been challenged in Pulaski Circuit Court. The district is paying for legal representation of those committees.
Guess declined to characterize Kimbrell’s decision as a win for the district and a loss for the unions, saying instead: “Our proposals provided the opportunity to reduce expenditures to the budget as we need them and PACT and PASS proposals were much less likely to produce the results needed.”
Many of the union-proposed cuts would have expired at the end of the next school year, which Guess and Kimbrell said was insufficient.
“They (would have) left unusual benefits protected,” Guess said, citing among them excessive leave, severance pay and an unusual, uncertified professional-growth program.
STEADY BELT TIGHTENING
“My goal is to return control of the PCSSD to whom it belongs — the district’s patrons and a locally elected school board,” said Kimbrell, who lives in Cabot. “This will require steady financial belt tightening wherever possible and operational efficiency. The focus must be on providing the best educational opportunities for the students of PCSSD.”
A press release that accompanied Kimbrell’s decision said, “Faced with declining fund balances, the district must cut $11 million from its fiscal 2013 budget. This includes $4 million in benefits provided for in the unions’ contracts. Some of these benefits are above what employees in other districts receive and are not required by state law. These cuts must be sustained in subsequent years in order for the PCSSD to remain financially solvent and provide an adequate and equitable education required by the Arkansas Constitution.”
$32 MILLION IN THE HOLE
Without cutting the budget as proposed, the district’s legal fund balance—sometimes called carryover—would be $32 million in the red by the end of the 2016-2017 school year, according to district and state projections.
The administration’s proposal included $6,667,680 in previously agreed upon reductions and additional reductions of $4,085,903 for 2012-2013, with additional cost reductions of $1,427,249 in 2013-2014 and $1,006,340 in 2014-2015.
The additional $4,085,903 includes cost savings from proposed modifications to the PACT and PASS Professional Negotiations Agreements.
The administration’s proposal projects cost reductions in the of $10.5 million in 2012-2013, $12.2 million in 2013-2014 and $13.2 million 2014-2015.
By law, a district’s school board has the authority to remove unions as bargaining agents. Since dissolving the PCSSD school board earlier this year, Kimbrell has acted as a one-man board who believes he has the authority to strip the unions of their bargaining role and to abrogate an existing contract
The unions have proven resilient in the past and quite litigious, so many observers expect them to sue to keep their contracts intact.
Guess said that Kimbrell’s instructions to implement his plan would result in cutting 77 teaching positions, of which 35 are already open due to retirement or resignations.
KIMBRELL’S GOAL
“My desired outcome,” Kimbrell wrote, “is that the (Arkansas Department of Education) and PCSSD be able to prove the following to the State Board:
“That PCSSD has corrected all indicators of fiscal distress;
“That PCSSD possesses a sufficient fund balance to operate in a fiscally secure and sustainable manner for years to come;
“That PCSSD can fully and completely fund its current desegregation obligations as set forth in Plan 2000 in pursuit of its efforts to attain unitary status; and
“That PCSSD can absorb a loss of, or significant reduction in, state desegregation funding.”
Action for the 2012-2013 school year is critical not only due to the requirements of Arkansas Code 6-20-1908, but because the district is projected to spend more than it takes in during the 2013-2014 school year, Kimbrell said.
The 2011-2012 ending legal balance includes one-time, nonrecurring property tax revenues of $15.1 million. Without this one-time infusion of revenues, the district would end this school year with a deficit of approximately $3 million.
WOULD DEFER ACTION
Kimbrell’s letter explained that PACT/PASS appear to request that PCSSD defer important decisions until a later date, arguing that beyond salary freezes for the 2012-2013 school year, “[t]here is no urgency for anything more at the present time.”
The PACT/PASS proposal overlooks two key considerations, Kimbrell said.
“First, PCSSD is required, through its Plan 2000, to meet its own desegregation obligations, with or without state desegregation funding. PCSSD remains under court supervision with regard to nine separate components of its desegregation plan,” the commissioner said.
“One of the nine plan components requires PCSSD to improve several of its facilities. The first priority for PCSSD must be to become unitary in all of its operations, not for the benefit of the state’s budget, but for the benefit of the district’s students and patrons. PCSSD must be able to satisfy the ADE and the State Board that it possesses the financial resources to carry out its own desegregation obligations.
“Second, whether state desegregation funding ends in one year or several years hence, sound budgeting practices dictate that PCSSD should not depend upon state desegregation funding in order to continue its operations.
“PCSSD must be able to show that it can continue its operations for the benefit of its students with or without state desegregation funding,” Kimbrell continued.
TOP STORY >> Students re-enact drunk driving
By SARAH CAMPBELL
Leader staff writer
Death made a dramatic entry upon the lives of area students Thursday.
The Every 15 Minutes Program designed to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving seems to have at least accomplished that goal with student actors involved in a simulation of what could happen after a poor decision.
“It was nerve-racking. A lot of things were going through my mind. It was a life experience. Something could have happened to me. I could have been med-flighted for real. Then I wouldn’t be able to see my parents,” said North Pulaski High School senior Alea Glassco.
She and her classmates were the actors in a film where a group of friends on their way to prom are involved in a two-vehicle crash because one of the boys partook of alcohol before getting behind the wheel.
Glassco played the character that was airlifted from the scene and taken to a hospital. A MedFlight helicopter was used for the movie and for the live demonstration held in front of the students at NPHS.
Her mother, Angel Glassco, said, “It’s given her a closeup of what not to do at prom, instead of me just telling her.”
Several Jacksonville police officers, EMTs, the fire department, the coroner’s office, parents, other volunteers and the NPHS drama department helped bring the demonstration and film to life.
Senior Austin Rodgers, one of the passengers, had the task of expressing his grief by yelling and pushing the mock drunk driver at the scene of the accident.
Rodgers said he hyperventilated on the set.
He said, “I think that is exactly how I would have reacted if it had really happened. I told the EMT that I couldn’t feel my face or my hands for real. We were telling her different things and she said, “oh, not part of your exercise.” And I said, ‘yes, for real, help me.”’
Senior Jordan Sereal played the character who died in the crash. In the film, she is the one person who doesn’t drink before leaving a restaurant and heading to the prom. She also chastises the driver for drinking.
Sereal was required to remain still for more than an hour in front of a car face down on the pavement, in the position a person would be in if they went headfirst through the windshield.
She said, “It was so hot. I was burning. Bugs everywhere. But I thought it went really well. “
Senior Abby Russell, another actor, said before the performance, “Sometimes, as teenagers, we don’t realize the repercussions of our actions. We just do what makes us happy. I think it (the demonstration and film) will have a huge impact because it’s not just actors on a screen. It’s people we know and love.”
The demonstration included the mock drunk driver, played by junior Nick McCracken, getting arrested after failing a sobriety test at the scene of the crash. The film showed him in a courtroom being told that he could receive three years in prison for manslaughter. The movie ends with a police officer escorting him to a jail cell.
NPHS drama teacher Jen-nifer Salazar said McCracken told her the roller-coaster-like restraints inside the police car were horrible and frightening.
Every 15 Minutes is a national program that was started by in 1995 by a California patrol unit, said school resource officer Jennifer Thrasher. She said the title is based on the 1995 statistic that someone dies in an alcohol-related crash every 15 minutes.
A student was removed from class at NPHS every 15 minutes, and the student’s obituary was read to the class.
Those “dead walking” students had their faces painted black and white. They didn’t speak for the rest of the day.
One of the “walking dead,” senior Portia Mullen, said as her makeup was being applied, “Death is not something you can undo. A lot of people think they’re indestructible. They shouldn’t.”
Danny Dutcher, a volunteer for the police department, played the grim reaper who took the “walking dead” students from their classes.
He said he feels close to this issue because a family member was pulled over for driving while intoxicated last year.
Senior Adam Lewis was the grim reaper who returned the “walking dead” students to class. He said, “It really makes the reality of it more tangible if they can actually see the consequences.”
An assembly with several speakers was held on Friday at Jacksonville High School to show the film to NPHS and JHS juniors and seniors.
Thrasher told the students at the assembly that the statistic the program was named for has changed from one death in every 15 minutes to one death in every 48 minutes for 2009. She said it is predicted that figure will be one death in every 60 minutes soon.
Jacksonville Police Chief Gary Sipes said, “I know you don’t think about the cost of this thing, but we’re speaking of over $20,000 for a 30-minute production for you all. Next week is prom. That is the time we really get concerned about drunk drivers. You’re going to be faced with a lot of challenges. The worst thing I had to do in my 37-year career as a police officer was knocking on someone’s door and telling them their teenager had just died in an accident because they were under the influence.”
Fire Capt. Dewan Walls said, “We’re selfish at times and think our poor decisions just affect us, but they don’t. We hate seeing you on an incident.”
Carolyn Whitley, a registered nurse at North Metro who spent 36 years working in the emergency room, explained that once a person is pronounced dead after a crash, like the one that was simulated, no one enters the room your body is in and no one sees you until the funeral.
Hayse Miller of Family Services Agency described how a drunk driver pinned him and broke both his legs while he was trying to have his car jumped. He said he thought he was cut in half and the leg would have been cut off, if not for the brace he wears. Miller suffers from polio.
The person who was helping Miller give Miller’s car a jump caught the driver. The driver had attempted to leave the scene but was stumbling around.
“He wasn’t concerned about anyone but himself,” Miller told the students. “It’s your life, and your life has an impact on others.”
Olivia Wilson of Arkansas Children’s Hospital said, “If you don’t make it home from prom, you parents will remember it as when you passed away, not as prom.”
Parent Christy Darrington had to write her son’s obituary because he was one of the “walking dead.”
She said, “You can choose not to drink and drive. You can choose not to put your parents through that agony (of losing a child).”
Parent Stacy Conrad said she got into a car with a drunk driver when she was 17. They ended up hitting a tree and she woke up in intensive care three days later with a broken back. She’s had four back surgeries since then.
Conrad said, “I wake up every day with pain and every night before I go to bed there is pain.” She told the students not to make the same decision she did.
Jacksonville High School also participated in the program Thursday.
Leader staff writer
Death made a dramatic entry upon the lives of area students Thursday.
The Every 15 Minutes Program designed to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving seems to have at least accomplished that goal with student actors involved in a simulation of what could happen after a poor decision.
“It was nerve-racking. A lot of things were going through my mind. It was a life experience. Something could have happened to me. I could have been med-flighted for real. Then I wouldn’t be able to see my parents,” said North Pulaski High School senior Alea Glassco.
She and her classmates were the actors in a film where a group of friends on their way to prom are involved in a two-vehicle crash because one of the boys partook of alcohol before getting behind the wheel.
Glassco played the character that was airlifted from the scene and taken to a hospital. A MedFlight helicopter was used for the movie and for the live demonstration held in front of the students at NPHS.
Her mother, Angel Glassco, said, “It’s given her a closeup of what not to do at prom, instead of me just telling her.”
Several Jacksonville police officers, EMTs, the fire department, the coroner’s office, parents, other volunteers and the NPHS drama department helped bring the demonstration and film to life.
Senior Austin Rodgers, one of the passengers, had the task of expressing his grief by yelling and pushing the mock drunk driver at the scene of the accident.
Rodgers said he hyperventilated on the set.
He said, “I think that is exactly how I would have reacted if it had really happened. I told the EMT that I couldn’t feel my face or my hands for real. We were telling her different things and she said, “oh, not part of your exercise.” And I said, ‘yes, for real, help me.”’
Senior Jordan Sereal played the character who died in the crash. In the film, she is the one person who doesn’t drink before leaving a restaurant and heading to the prom. She also chastises the driver for drinking.
Sereal was required to remain still for more than an hour in front of a car face down on the pavement, in the position a person would be in if they went headfirst through the windshield.
She said, “It was so hot. I was burning. Bugs everywhere. But I thought it went really well. “
Senior Abby Russell, another actor, said before the performance, “Sometimes, as teenagers, we don’t realize the repercussions of our actions. We just do what makes us happy. I think it (the demonstration and film) will have a huge impact because it’s not just actors on a screen. It’s people we know and love.”
The demonstration included the mock drunk driver, played by junior Nick McCracken, getting arrested after failing a sobriety test at the scene of the crash. The film showed him in a courtroom being told that he could receive three years in prison for manslaughter. The movie ends with a police officer escorting him to a jail cell.
NPHS drama teacher Jen-nifer Salazar said McCracken told her the roller-coaster-like restraints inside the police car were horrible and frightening.
Every 15 Minutes is a national program that was started by in 1995 by a California patrol unit, said school resource officer Jennifer Thrasher. She said the title is based on the 1995 statistic that someone dies in an alcohol-related crash every 15 minutes.
A student was removed from class at NPHS every 15 minutes, and the student’s obituary was read to the class.
Those “dead walking” students had their faces painted black and white. They didn’t speak for the rest of the day.
One of the “walking dead,” senior Portia Mullen, said as her makeup was being applied, “Death is not something you can undo. A lot of people think they’re indestructible. They shouldn’t.”
Danny Dutcher, a volunteer for the police department, played the grim reaper who took the “walking dead” students from their classes.
He said he feels close to this issue because a family member was pulled over for driving while intoxicated last year.
Senior Adam Lewis was the grim reaper who returned the “walking dead” students to class. He said, “It really makes the reality of it more tangible if they can actually see the consequences.”
An assembly with several speakers was held on Friday at Jacksonville High School to show the film to NPHS and JHS juniors and seniors.
Thrasher told the students at the assembly that the statistic the program was named for has changed from one death in every 15 minutes to one death in every 48 minutes for 2009. She said it is predicted that figure will be one death in every 60 minutes soon.
Jacksonville Police Chief Gary Sipes said, “I know you don’t think about the cost of this thing, but we’re speaking of over $20,000 for a 30-minute production for you all. Next week is prom. That is the time we really get concerned about drunk drivers. You’re going to be faced with a lot of challenges. The worst thing I had to do in my 37-year career as a police officer was knocking on someone’s door and telling them their teenager had just died in an accident because they were under the influence.”
Fire Capt. Dewan Walls said, “We’re selfish at times and think our poor decisions just affect us, but they don’t. We hate seeing you on an incident.”
Carolyn Whitley, a registered nurse at North Metro who spent 36 years working in the emergency room, explained that once a person is pronounced dead after a crash, like the one that was simulated, no one enters the room your body is in and no one sees you until the funeral.
Hayse Miller of Family Services Agency described how a drunk driver pinned him and broke both his legs while he was trying to have his car jumped. He said he thought he was cut in half and the leg would have been cut off, if not for the brace he wears. Miller suffers from polio.
The person who was helping Miller give Miller’s car a jump caught the driver. The driver had attempted to leave the scene but was stumbling around.
“He wasn’t concerned about anyone but himself,” Miller told the students. “It’s your life, and your life has an impact on others.”
Olivia Wilson of Arkansas Children’s Hospital said, “If you don’t make it home from prom, you parents will remember it as when you passed away, not as prom.”
Parent Christy Darrington had to write her son’s obituary because he was one of the “walking dead.”
She said, “You can choose not to drink and drive. You can choose not to put your parents through that agony (of losing a child).”
Parent Stacy Conrad said she got into a car with a drunk driver when she was 17. They ended up hitting a tree and she woke up in intensive care three days later with a broken back. She’s had four back surgeries since then.
Conrad said, “I wake up every day with pain and every night before I go to bed there is pain.” She told the students not to make the same decision she did.
Jacksonville High School also participated in the program Thursday.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
EDITORIAL >> Honoring volunteers
“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
National volunteer week is being observed this week and we wish to thank all our local volunteers for their time and effort and the blood, sweat and tears they sometimes put into their communities.
North Metro Medical Center in Jacksonville; St. Vincent North in Sherwood; local schools in Cabot, Jacksonville, Lonoke and Beebe, senior centers, chambers of commerce, the Boys and Girls Club, and food banks, such as Fishnet Missions and the Care Channel all depend on their altruistic volunteers.
According to research, volunteering has positive benefits for both the organization and for the volunteer, a win-win situation some would say.
The state health department has sent a thank you to its volunteers who support public health efforts in disasters and otherwise:
The Arkansas Department of Health thanks the many volunteers who support public health in our state during National Volunteer Week, April 15-21. Over the past year our volunteers have assisted in the Joplin tornado response, participated in health fairs and mass flu clinics, partnered with us during various 5K runs, hosted teddy bear clinics, had booths at preparedness fairs and participated in emergency preparedness exercises. Without volunteers, many of these activities would not have taken place.
Volunteers serve in the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The MRC program, established in 2002, is a system that identifies, trains, and organizes medical and public health professionals, as well as lay volunteers to supplement and support on-going emergency response systems and personnel. MRCs are made up of people who volunteer in order to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies as well as promote healthy living in their communities.
Arkansas is plagued by natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods and ice storms. MRCs have provided valuable support to communities during these events. The Arkansas Department of Health coordinates this effort and is available to provide guidance on the establishment of teams, tools, and training to MRC teams.
MRCs are made up of both medical and non-medical individuals. These can include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, social workers, EMT’s, and lay individuals who have a desire to serve their community.
A similar program, AR SERV, administered by the Arkansas Department of Health’s Preparedness and Response Branch, works to recruit, train, manage, and deploy volunteers (medical and non-medical) to assist during emergencies and day-to-day activities by providing additional staff to meet health and medical needs.
Volunteers participate in Hometown Health Improvement Coalitions in every county. HHI brings together a wide range of people and organizations including consumers, business leaders, health care providers, elected officials, religious leaders, and educators to identify community health problems and develop and implement ways to solve them.
With much gratitude we say, “thank you” for your continued support of the Arkansas Public Health Volunteer Programs.
— Martin Luther King Jr.
National volunteer week is being observed this week and we wish to thank all our local volunteers for their time and effort and the blood, sweat and tears they sometimes put into their communities.
North Metro Medical Center in Jacksonville; St. Vincent North in Sherwood; local schools in Cabot, Jacksonville, Lonoke and Beebe, senior centers, chambers of commerce, the Boys and Girls Club, and food banks, such as Fishnet Missions and the Care Channel all depend on their altruistic volunteers.
According to research, volunteering has positive benefits for both the organization and for the volunteer, a win-win situation some would say.
The state health department has sent a thank you to its volunteers who support public health efforts in disasters and otherwise:
The Arkansas Department of Health thanks the many volunteers who support public health in our state during National Volunteer Week, April 15-21. Over the past year our volunteers have assisted in the Joplin tornado response, participated in health fairs and mass flu clinics, partnered with us during various 5K runs, hosted teddy bear clinics, had booths at preparedness fairs and participated in emergency preparedness exercises. Without volunteers, many of these activities would not have taken place.
Volunteers serve in the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The MRC program, established in 2002, is a system that identifies, trains, and organizes medical and public health professionals, as well as lay volunteers to supplement and support on-going emergency response systems and personnel. MRCs are made up of people who volunteer in order to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies as well as promote healthy living in their communities.
Arkansas is plagued by natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods and ice storms. MRCs have provided valuable support to communities during these events. The Arkansas Department of Health coordinates this effort and is available to provide guidance on the establishment of teams, tools, and training to MRC teams.
MRCs are made up of both medical and non-medical individuals. These can include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, social workers, EMT’s, and lay individuals who have a desire to serve their community.
A similar program, AR SERV, administered by the Arkansas Department of Health’s Preparedness and Response Branch, works to recruit, train, manage, and deploy volunteers (medical and non-medical) to assist during emergencies and day-to-day activities by providing additional staff to meet health and medical needs.
Volunteers participate in Hometown Health Improvement Coalitions in every county. HHI brings together a wide range of people and organizations including consumers, business leaders, health care providers, elected officials, religious leaders, and educators to identify community health problems and develop and implement ways to solve them.
With much gratitude we say, “thank you” for your continued support of the Arkansas Public Health Volunteer Programs.
TOP STORY >> Sunday concert a benefit for three first-responders
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Former “American Idol” finalist and up-and-coming country star Bucky Covington will headline a concert Sunday at the Electric Cowboy in Little Rock to benefit the families of three Jacksonville first responders.
Fire Capt. Donnie Jones was killed and engineer Jason Bowmaster and police officer Daniel Dematteo were seriously injured when a car plowed into them March 19 while they were trying to rescue a woman who had driven off Hwy. 161 into a ditch.
Bowmaster has gone through a number of surgeries. He is improving and is expected to recover, but it will take time. Dematteo is also recovering from his injuries.
The driver, Bryce Allen, 47, has been charged in the incident.
The concert, which also features local bands: Dr. County and the Moses Tucker Band, will start at 4 p.m. Sunday at The Electric Cowboy, off I-30, in Little Rock.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at city hall, the central fire station or at www.helpthe goodguys.com, or $15 at the door.
The Help the Good Guys group, which is dedicated to easing the burden for wounded community heroes, contacted firefighter Leo Foster about doing the concert. Foster didn’t hesitate. “It’s a good thing to do.”
Foster worked with both firefighters. “Anyone who is a firefighter or police officer knows, in the back of their minds, that something bad can always happen. We try to prepare for it, but it’s not easy. But we have to keep on doing what we do, which is help the public,” Foster said.
But now it’s the public’s chance to help. “We just want everyone to come out to the concert and help these heroes.”
At Jones’ funeral two weeks ago fire chief John Vanderhoof noted, “A fire chief’s worst nightmare is the loss of a fellow firefighter who has been killed in the line of duty. He started his career with the Jacksonville Fire Department on Dec. 24, 1980. He served for 31 years of dedicated service with the Jacksonville Fire Department. He will be missed by his family as well as his firefighting family.”
Jones was the first Jacksonville firefighter to be killed in the line of duty.
Mickey Milam, a medically retired metro Nashville police officer, formed Help the Good Guys, which is offering the singing service of Covington.
He says that when a firefighter or law enforcement officer is injured, the family often suffers a devastating loss of income. Many cities and communities have limited funds to cope with these situations.
The organization raises funds through CD and merchandise sales as well as concerts.
Artists who have worked with the organization include Ronnie Milsap, Vince Gill, George Strait and others.
Currently, Covington has volunteered to headline shows for the group.
“I am honored to be a part of this organization. Firefighters and police officers risk their lives to protect our families and communities…running into burning buildings, chasing down wanted fugitives…they make what I do look easy. If I can sing a few songs and raise money for a family in need, I consider it a small thing compared to what they do every year.”
Covington’s current hit song is “I Want My Life Back.”
Leader staff writer
Former “American Idol” finalist and up-and-coming country star Bucky Covington will headline a concert Sunday at the Electric Cowboy in Little Rock to benefit the families of three Jacksonville first responders.
Fire Capt. Donnie Jones was killed and engineer Jason Bowmaster and police officer Daniel Dematteo were seriously injured when a car plowed into them March 19 while they were trying to rescue a woman who had driven off Hwy. 161 into a ditch.
Bowmaster has gone through a number of surgeries. He is improving and is expected to recover, but it will take time. Dematteo is also recovering from his injuries.
The driver, Bryce Allen, 47, has been charged in the incident.
The concert, which also features local bands: Dr. County and the Moses Tucker Band, will start at 4 p.m. Sunday at The Electric Cowboy, off I-30, in Little Rock.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at city hall, the central fire station or at www.helpthe goodguys.com, or $15 at the door.
The Help the Good Guys group, which is dedicated to easing the burden for wounded community heroes, contacted firefighter Leo Foster about doing the concert. Foster didn’t hesitate. “It’s a good thing to do.”
Foster worked with both firefighters. “Anyone who is a firefighter or police officer knows, in the back of their minds, that something bad can always happen. We try to prepare for it, but it’s not easy. But we have to keep on doing what we do, which is help the public,” Foster said.
But now it’s the public’s chance to help. “We just want everyone to come out to the concert and help these heroes.”
At Jones’ funeral two weeks ago fire chief John Vanderhoof noted, “A fire chief’s worst nightmare is the loss of a fellow firefighter who has been killed in the line of duty. He started his career with the Jacksonville Fire Department on Dec. 24, 1980. He served for 31 years of dedicated service with the Jacksonville Fire Department. He will be missed by his family as well as his firefighting family.”
Jones was the first Jacksonville firefighter to be killed in the line of duty.
Mickey Milam, a medically retired metro Nashville police officer, formed Help the Good Guys, which is offering the singing service of Covington.
He says that when a firefighter or law enforcement officer is injured, the family often suffers a devastating loss of income. Many cities and communities have limited funds to cope with these situations.
The organization raises funds through CD and merchandise sales as well as concerts.
Artists who have worked with the organization include Ronnie Milsap, Vince Gill, George Strait and others.
Currently, Covington has volunteered to headline shows for the group.
“I am honored to be a part of this organization. Firefighters and police officers risk their lives to protect our families and communities…running into burning buildings, chasing down wanted fugitives…they make what I do look easy. If I can sing a few songs and raise money for a family in need, I consider it a small thing compared to what they do every year.”
Covington’s current hit song is “I Want My Life Back.”
TOP STORY >> Academy touts achievement
By SARAH CAMPBELL
Leader staff writer
Phillis Anderson, Lighthouse Academies vice president for the southern region, touted achievements made by the students and staff of the Jacksonville campus despite its high teacher turnover rate of 44 percent.
Anderson said last week that 14 of the 25 teachers at Jacksonville Lighthouse Academy have been employed for one year or longer. That means 11 teachers left the school after a year.
The charter school has also been criticized for frequent changes in leadership. That campus has seen three principals in the three years since it opened in 2009.
Anderson said the school is addressing the high turnover rate. “As much as possible, those things that are within our control. We can’t control if somebody gets (military) orders. We can’t control if somebody moves out of the area. Because we do know that (our teachers) work harder, we do try to reward them,” she said.
At their weekly town hall meeting Friday in the school’s cafeteria, the academy’s scholars chanted, “We will, we will, work hard, get smart” to the tune of Queen’s “We will rock you.”
A class is chosen every week to present information to the rest of the school on a college, and last week’s pick was the University of Miami.
Anderson said the mission of the charter school is to move each student up 1.5 grade levels each academic year. It has done that with 70 percent of the students.
Their scores on the Northwest Evaluation Association exams, which are given to the students twice every year, measure this growth.
The North First Street campus was recently recognized for that progress by the Arkansas Public School Resource Center with the annual $2,500 School Academic Growth Award, which is sponsored through a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.
The school’s Benchmark scores aren’t much better than those of Pulaski County Special School District students. Anderson said the charter school does get students from PCSSD and other districts that may be lagging when they arrive.
She said it is possible that, for some teachers, a year is not enough time to instill the Lighthouse way in those students and bring them up to par.
Any student in the state can enroll at the charter school if there is space. When there are more applications than spaces, then a lottery is held.
TEACHERS RELOCATE
Anderson said teachers:
Relocate because they are military spouses.
Relocate for family reasons. Anderson said, “A lot of times, people just make the best decisions for their families. Whatever that may be, it may be closer to home, a shorter day. We just respect the fact that people have to make decisions that are right for their families. Whoever we lose, we’re sorry to lose them and we wish them well.”
Lighthouse provides 160 hours of professional development as opposed to the 60 hours public schools provide and the state requires. Teachers also work eight hours and 10 additional days a year.
– Seek jobs in the Cabot School District because it offers salaries the charter school can’t compete with, although the Lighthouse offers teachers the opportunity to earn merit pay based on student growth each year and is giving about $18,000 in teacher bonuses this year. Anderson said the school also pays at least $1,000 a year per teacher for professional development.
“We feel like that ($1,000) is an investment,” she said.
All certified Lighthouse teachers, excluding administrators, make between $30,000 and $39,000.
Most Cabot teachers, excluding administrators, earn between $40,000 and $60,000.
– Leave because they find the high standards the Lighthouse expects aren’t for them.
– Find jobs elsewhere after they are certified because no one, except a charter school, can hire staff members who have expertise in their fields but haven’t been certified or don’t have previous experience with teaching.
After one year at the charter school, teachers become fully certified, Anderson said. “Sometimes that happens (they leave after that year). But we haven’t had too many incidences of that,” she said.
– Discover teaching doesn’t suit them.
– Are let go because they do not meet Lighthouse standards after one year.
Anderson said, “We have a rigorous teacher selection process. The teachers don’t just come in for an interview. They have to do a model lesson and then we get feedback from the scholars and how they thought the lesson went. If you’re not mission-minded like we are, it’s going to be evident early on.”
She said the school anticipates less than a 5 percent change in its teaching staff and no changes in leadership. Anderson also said six new teachers are joining the school because they will add a ninth grade next year.
EVALUATIONS
Whitfield said teachers are evaluated twice a year. A green teacher is an instructor who is on target concerning the year and a half growth for each student. A yellow teacher is one that is approaching that goal while a red teacher is not meeting Lighthouse standards.
A teacher who is categorized as red twice could be dismissed.
The first time a teacher is designated as red or yellow, administrators work with them to develop an action plan they can follow to become green.
Whitfield also said, “The majority of our staff members have children. It’s a very family-oriented atmosphere. We have a potluck next week for birthdays. We go off to summit every year as a group. You take some people from Arkansas to Chicago, you become close.”
Anderson said, “Sharing a heart for this mission brings people together. When you get the right people on the bus, it’s an amazing ride because everybody realizes that what we’re trying to do is no ordinary thing.
We’re trying to do something extraordinary, what the school systems that have been in place for years have not done. The expectations for our performance are so much. It seems to be so much higher and it also seems to be a much higher level of accountability for us.”
She also said the University of Central Arkansas is placing student teachers at the academy and this is the first time UCA has partnered with a charter school for that.
GRATITUDE
Anderson expressed the school administration’s gratitude toward the city too.
“I cannot say enough about this community and that is what makes this school so special. This school came about as a result of the desires of the parents of this community to have another option, to have another choice. Parents really are our partners. They make up our board. They’re here every day.
“They are so much a part of who we are. This school couldn’t be what it is without the parents in this community. I think Jacksonville is such a model community. You just don’t see people saying we want a sound, great educational system and then going to work to get it,” she said.
PRINCIPALS
The first principal was Nigena Livingston, who had been the principal of a Lighthouse community school in Cleveland.
She moved back to Ohio because she was planning to marry and her fiancé lived there.
The second principal was Ryan Dean, a Harvard graduate from a military family. He previously worked at a private school in Virginia and at a charter school in Massachusetts, but he had second cousins living in Arkansas.
Anderson said Dean got married mid-year and moved to San Francisco, where his new wife lives.
Whitfield is a Fort Smith native who worked at Teach for America in Mississippi as a program director in the Mississippi Delta.
He was hired as a first-grade teacher in the second semester of the 2009-10 school year and then was promoted to director of instruction for the upper academy – or vice principal – last school year.
Whitfield said, “One of the first things I told those scholars and their families is that I would be around until they graduated. I don’t make promises to kids that I can’t keep.”
Felicia Kelly of Forrest City was hired last fall to help start up the College Prep Academy, which will open in 2012-13 with the addition of a ninth grade at the First Street campus. Lighthouse opened two other campuses, the Flightline Academy on Little Rock Air Force Base and one in Pine Bluff last year.
A new high school building is planned for 2013-14 and the charter school will add one grade level each year until 2016, when it will see the first graduating class.
Anderson said Kelly didn’t stay on as principal because the commute was too far and she wasn’t successful in relocating closer to Lighthouse.
Chris Carter has been selected for the position. He worked with Whitfield in the Mississippi Delta and is an Indiana native. He has lived in Helena for the past seven years.
Anderson said changing leadership isn’t a problem that is unique to Lighthouse.
Jacksonville High School has seen four principals in the past two years. Jacksonville Middle School, Northwood Middle School and Pinewood Elementary School all had new principals this year too. But none of them were new to PCSSD.
Adkins Elementary, Arnold Drive Elementary, Cato Elementary, Warren Dupree Elementary, Taylor Elementary and North Pulaski High School have had the same principal for the past three years.
Bayou Meto and Tolleson Elementary schools have had the same principal for two years. Jacksonville Elementary had the same principal for two years before it closed this year.
Tolleson’s principal re-tired and the principal from Jacksonville Elementary took over there.
Leader staff writer
Phillis Anderson, Lighthouse Academies vice president for the southern region, touted achievements made by the students and staff of the Jacksonville campus despite its high teacher turnover rate of 44 percent.
Anderson said last week that 14 of the 25 teachers at Jacksonville Lighthouse Academy have been employed for one year or longer. That means 11 teachers left the school after a year.
The charter school has also been criticized for frequent changes in leadership. That campus has seen three principals in the three years since it opened in 2009.
Anderson said the school is addressing the high turnover rate. “As much as possible, those things that are within our control. We can’t control if somebody gets (military) orders. We can’t control if somebody moves out of the area. Because we do know that (our teachers) work harder, we do try to reward them,” she said.
At their weekly town hall meeting Friday in the school’s cafeteria, the academy’s scholars chanted, “We will, we will, work hard, get smart” to the tune of Queen’s “We will rock you.”
A class is chosen every week to present information to the rest of the school on a college, and last week’s pick was the University of Miami.
Anderson said the mission of the charter school is to move each student up 1.5 grade levels each academic year. It has done that with 70 percent of the students.
Their scores on the Northwest Evaluation Association exams, which are given to the students twice every year, measure this growth.
The North First Street campus was recently recognized for that progress by the Arkansas Public School Resource Center with the annual $2,500 School Academic Growth Award, which is sponsored through a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.
The school’s Benchmark scores aren’t much better than those of Pulaski County Special School District students. Anderson said the charter school does get students from PCSSD and other districts that may be lagging when they arrive.
She said it is possible that, for some teachers, a year is not enough time to instill the Lighthouse way in those students and bring them up to par.
Any student in the state can enroll at the charter school if there is space. When there are more applications than spaces, then a lottery is held.
TEACHERS RELOCATE
Anderson said teachers:
Relocate because they are military spouses.
Relocate for family reasons. Anderson said, “A lot of times, people just make the best decisions for their families. Whatever that may be, it may be closer to home, a shorter day. We just respect the fact that people have to make decisions that are right for their families. Whoever we lose, we’re sorry to lose them and we wish them well.”
Lighthouse provides 160 hours of professional development as opposed to the 60 hours public schools provide and the state requires. Teachers also work eight hours and 10 additional days a year.
– Seek jobs in the Cabot School District because it offers salaries the charter school can’t compete with, although the Lighthouse offers teachers the opportunity to earn merit pay based on student growth each year and is giving about $18,000 in teacher bonuses this year. Anderson said the school also pays at least $1,000 a year per teacher for professional development.
“We feel like that ($1,000) is an investment,” she said.
All certified Lighthouse teachers, excluding administrators, make between $30,000 and $39,000.
Most Cabot teachers, excluding administrators, earn between $40,000 and $60,000.
– Leave because they find the high standards the Lighthouse expects aren’t for them.
– Find jobs elsewhere after they are certified because no one, except a charter school, can hire staff members who have expertise in their fields but haven’t been certified or don’t have previous experience with teaching.
After one year at the charter school, teachers become fully certified, Anderson said. “Sometimes that happens (they leave after that year). But we haven’t had too many incidences of that,” she said.
– Discover teaching doesn’t suit them.
– Are let go because they do not meet Lighthouse standards after one year.
Anderson said, “We have a rigorous teacher selection process. The teachers don’t just come in for an interview. They have to do a model lesson and then we get feedback from the scholars and how they thought the lesson went. If you’re not mission-minded like we are, it’s going to be evident early on.”
She said the school anticipates less than a 5 percent change in its teaching staff and no changes in leadership. Anderson also said six new teachers are joining the school because they will add a ninth grade next year.
EVALUATIONS
Whitfield said teachers are evaluated twice a year. A green teacher is an instructor who is on target concerning the year and a half growth for each student. A yellow teacher is one that is approaching that goal while a red teacher is not meeting Lighthouse standards.
A teacher who is categorized as red twice could be dismissed.
The first time a teacher is designated as red or yellow, administrators work with them to develop an action plan they can follow to become green.
Whitfield also said, “The majority of our staff members have children. It’s a very family-oriented atmosphere. We have a potluck next week for birthdays. We go off to summit every year as a group. You take some people from Arkansas to Chicago, you become close.”
Anderson said, “Sharing a heart for this mission brings people together. When you get the right people on the bus, it’s an amazing ride because everybody realizes that what we’re trying to do is no ordinary thing.
We’re trying to do something extraordinary, what the school systems that have been in place for years have not done. The expectations for our performance are so much. It seems to be so much higher and it also seems to be a much higher level of accountability for us.”
She also said the University of Central Arkansas is placing student teachers at the academy and this is the first time UCA has partnered with a charter school for that.
GRATITUDE
Anderson expressed the school administration’s gratitude toward the city too.
“I cannot say enough about this community and that is what makes this school so special. This school came about as a result of the desires of the parents of this community to have another option, to have another choice. Parents really are our partners. They make up our board. They’re here every day.
“They are so much a part of who we are. This school couldn’t be what it is without the parents in this community. I think Jacksonville is such a model community. You just don’t see people saying we want a sound, great educational system and then going to work to get it,” she said.
PRINCIPALS
The first principal was Nigena Livingston, who had been the principal of a Lighthouse community school in Cleveland.
She moved back to Ohio because she was planning to marry and her fiancé lived there.
The second principal was Ryan Dean, a Harvard graduate from a military family. He previously worked at a private school in Virginia and at a charter school in Massachusetts, but he had second cousins living in Arkansas.
Anderson said Dean got married mid-year and moved to San Francisco, where his new wife lives.
Whitfield is a Fort Smith native who worked at Teach for America in Mississippi as a program director in the Mississippi Delta.
He was hired as a first-grade teacher in the second semester of the 2009-10 school year and then was promoted to director of instruction for the upper academy – or vice principal – last school year.
Whitfield said, “One of the first things I told those scholars and their families is that I would be around until they graduated. I don’t make promises to kids that I can’t keep.”
Felicia Kelly of Forrest City was hired last fall to help start up the College Prep Academy, which will open in 2012-13 with the addition of a ninth grade at the First Street campus. Lighthouse opened two other campuses, the Flightline Academy on Little Rock Air Force Base and one in Pine Bluff last year.
A new high school building is planned for 2013-14 and the charter school will add one grade level each year until 2016, when it will see the first graduating class.
Anderson said Kelly didn’t stay on as principal because the commute was too far and she wasn’t successful in relocating closer to Lighthouse.
Chris Carter has been selected for the position. He worked with Whitfield in the Mississippi Delta and is an Indiana native. He has lived in Helena for the past seven years.
Anderson said changing leadership isn’t a problem that is unique to Lighthouse.
Jacksonville High School has seen four principals in the past two years. Jacksonville Middle School, Northwood Middle School and Pinewood Elementary School all had new principals this year too. But none of them were new to PCSSD.
Adkins Elementary, Arnold Drive Elementary, Cato Elementary, Warren Dupree Elementary, Taylor Elementary and North Pulaski High School have had the same principal for the past three years.
Bayou Meto and Tolleson Elementary schools have had the same principal for two years. Jacksonville Elementary had the same principal for two years before it closed this year.
Tolleson’s principal re-tired and the principal from Jacksonville Elementary took over there.
TOP STORY >> Next House speaker sets agenda
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Education will be the top priority at the state legislature, Rep. Darren Williams (D-Little Rock) said Tuesday.
Williams, an attorney, is the House speaker-elect for 2013. He spoke at the third annual joint meeting of the Cabot and Jacksonville chambers of commerce at the Jacksonville Community Center.
“Education is our number one priority,” he told the crowd of about 200. “Forty-six percent of our budget goes to education and in our last fiscal session we added about $56 million to the education total. Every dollar we spend in education is truly important.”
He said the state spends more than $6,000 per student per year. Add in the state lottery scholarships for students wanting to attend college—that’s $4,500 for 320 Pulaski County students and 240 Cabot-area students—which Williams said was all good news.
The bad news is that the state is spending $20,000 a year per inmate and the state’s prison system is jammed with around 16,000 prisoners.
“There is a relationship between a lack of education and prison time. We are one of the top five states in sending people to prison and for lengths 196 percent above the guidelines,” Williams explained.
“What we do in education will have a significant impact on our prison numbers,” he said. “What we do in education will have an important role in the prison numbers.”
He said he’s proud of his recent prison-reform bill that tackles the problem from a number of sides. “Financially, we can’t sustain what we were doing,” he warned.
Williams said Arkansans should be proud that the state has a balanced budget. “Yes, I get told that all states are supposed to have a balanced budget, but we are one of the few that actually do it,” he said.
He added that in this year’s 19-day fiscal session, legislators approved 287 financial bills and increased the overall state budget by 3.5 percent, but did not raise taxes.
“We’ve not raised taxes since 2004. Also last year 46 states had to cut services. We didn’t,” he pointed out.
The speaker-to-be added that shortfalls in Medicaid are looming. “The estimates are between $250 and $390 million, and that will have a significant impact on the budget.
The governor and others are looking at innovative ways to cut down the shortfall, and we have to look at changing our model—the way we handle costs and expenditures in Medicaid.”
Williams said the state is initiating pilot programs in six Medicaid areas to see if they’ll curb expenses without cutting services.
He took time to salute the military for its service and dedication and told everyone that Little Rock Air Force Base was not just a strong part of the community, but also a strong part of the state.
He also said state Representatives Mark Perry (D-Jacksonville) and Jim Nickels (D-Sherwood) were outstanding leaders and would play an active role in state leadership in the coming year.
That said, there is a slight chance that House leadership could change in January.
His peers, mostly Democrats, elected Williams in the last session, but after November’s election, Republicans could control the House.
The House has to reaffirm the Speaker choice in January.
“We’ve never had a change, but it is possible. But we are less about partisanship and more about what’s best for the people,” Williams told The Leader.
A change could be costly to the state because it might add days to the session, he said.
“Each day we are in session cost about $30,000 and to have someone in January to learn everything that I’m still learning would cause delays and disruptions,” he said.
Leader staff writer
Education will be the top priority at the state legislature, Rep. Darren Williams (D-Little Rock) said Tuesday.
Williams, an attorney, is the House speaker-elect for 2013. He spoke at the third annual joint meeting of the Cabot and Jacksonville chambers of commerce at the Jacksonville Community Center.
“Education is our number one priority,” he told the crowd of about 200. “Forty-six percent of our budget goes to education and in our last fiscal session we added about $56 million to the education total. Every dollar we spend in education is truly important.”
He said the state spends more than $6,000 per student per year. Add in the state lottery scholarships for students wanting to attend college—that’s $4,500 for 320 Pulaski County students and 240 Cabot-area students—which Williams said was all good news.
The bad news is that the state is spending $20,000 a year per inmate and the state’s prison system is jammed with around 16,000 prisoners.
“There is a relationship between a lack of education and prison time. We are one of the top five states in sending people to prison and for lengths 196 percent above the guidelines,” Williams explained.
“What we do in education will have a significant impact on our prison numbers,” he said. “What we do in education will have an important role in the prison numbers.”
He said he’s proud of his recent prison-reform bill that tackles the problem from a number of sides. “Financially, we can’t sustain what we were doing,” he warned.
Williams said Arkansans should be proud that the state has a balanced budget. “Yes, I get told that all states are supposed to have a balanced budget, but we are one of the few that actually do it,” he said.
He added that in this year’s 19-day fiscal session, legislators approved 287 financial bills and increased the overall state budget by 3.5 percent, but did not raise taxes.
“We’ve not raised taxes since 2004. Also last year 46 states had to cut services. We didn’t,” he pointed out.
The speaker-to-be added that shortfalls in Medicaid are looming. “The estimates are between $250 and $390 million, and that will have a significant impact on the budget.
The governor and others are looking at innovative ways to cut down the shortfall, and we have to look at changing our model—the way we handle costs and expenditures in Medicaid.”
Williams said the state is initiating pilot programs in six Medicaid areas to see if they’ll curb expenses without cutting services.
He took time to salute the military for its service and dedication and told everyone that Little Rock Air Force Base was not just a strong part of the community, but also a strong part of the state.
He also said state Representatives Mark Perry (D-Jacksonville) and Jim Nickels (D-Sherwood) were outstanding leaders and would play an active role in state leadership in the coming year.
That said, there is a slight chance that House leadership could change in January.
His peers, mostly Democrats, elected Williams in the last session, but after November’s election, Republicans could control the House.
The House has to reaffirm the Speaker choice in January.
“We’ve never had a change, but it is possible. But we are less about partisanship and more about what’s best for the people,” Williams told The Leader.
A change could be costly to the state because it might add days to the session, he said.
“Each day we are in session cost about $30,000 and to have someone in January to learn everything that I’m still learning would cause delays and disruptions,” he said.
TOP STORY >> Department hears ideas from PCSSD
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
The state education commissioner met with two factions of the Pulaski County Special School District on Tuesday to determine how to shave $13 million or more from the beleaugered district’s budget.
Tom Kimbrell met in the morning with representatives of the Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers and the Pulaski Association of Support Staff.
Then later that afternoon, he met with the district’s superintendent, Dr. Jerry Guess, and other district officials.
If the cuts can’t be worked out, then the state Board of Education has the authority to make other plans for the district, from a range of options that include dissolution, consolidation, reconfiguration and even assignment to management by a charter organization.
Negotiating for most of this year, the two sides fairly quickly agreed to about $7 million in cuts, but then the give-and-take stalled.
Negotiations and mediation between district officials and the unions came to an impasse about a month ago. Kimbrell acted after a final mediation attempt failed to make progress.
“If there’s not something that happens to get this into balance by the end of the month, we have concerns about the ability to get the district out of fiscal distress,” he said.
Changes must be made by May 1, when there is otherwise an automatic renewal of employment in contract terms, according to Guess.
According to paperwork submitted to Kimbrell by PACT president Marty Nix, the district superintendent is painting the unions in a negative light. Nix wrote that Guess is trying to convey to the Arkansas Department of Education that “we are unwilling to collaborate with him and his surprisingly single race negotiation team.
“It was even a greater surprise that a district consistently criticized for its exorbitant attorney fees has a negotiations team composed of two district-paid outside attorneys and one district-paid outside consultant.”
Nix said the union has been asked to cut the teachers work contract from 192 to 190 days, but the administrators’ 244-day contracts aren’t being cut. “Teachers can account for every single one of their 192-work days; can the 244-day administrators account for every single one of their work days?” Nix wrote.
District officials claim the unions are ignoring the fact that $15.1 million in property tax revenue for this school year was a one-time payment and without cuts the district will still have a multimillion dollar deficit. “Doing nothing is not an option,” Guess wrote in his letter to Kimbrell.
To date, district administrators and union leaders have agreed to forego pay raises or experience step increases, not replacing buses, eliminating 77 positions through attrition or reduction in force, changes in benefits, eliminating 19 bus routes and keeping a number of unfilled positions vacant.
The administration wants to cut teacher contracts by two days, cut pay for non-instructional duties, revamp how teachers get credit for professional growth for raises, cut severance pay, cut incentive pay for national board certification, cut longevity pay, cut attendance incentive pay and have employees pay a larger share of their health benefits’ costs.
Earlier, Kimbrell said he would review the proposals, but the district must “build a plan that we can recommend to the state board that can allow its release from the fiscal-distress designation.”
Because the district is currently bound by the terms of a desegregation agreement, federal District Judge Brian Miller would have to sign off on some sort of reconfiguration, Kimbrell said earlier.
Leader staff writer John Hofheimer contributed to this report.
Leader staff writer
The state education commissioner met with two factions of the Pulaski County Special School District on Tuesday to determine how to shave $13 million or more from the beleaugered district’s budget.
Tom Kimbrell met in the morning with representatives of the Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers and the Pulaski Association of Support Staff.
Then later that afternoon, he met with the district’s superintendent, Dr. Jerry Guess, and other district officials.
If the cuts can’t be worked out, then the state Board of Education has the authority to make other plans for the district, from a range of options that include dissolution, consolidation, reconfiguration and even assignment to management by a charter organization.
Negotiating for most of this year, the two sides fairly quickly agreed to about $7 million in cuts, but then the give-and-take stalled.
Negotiations and mediation between district officials and the unions came to an impasse about a month ago. Kimbrell acted after a final mediation attempt failed to make progress.
“If there’s not something that happens to get this into balance by the end of the month, we have concerns about the ability to get the district out of fiscal distress,” he said.
Changes must be made by May 1, when there is otherwise an automatic renewal of employment in contract terms, according to Guess.
According to paperwork submitted to Kimbrell by PACT president Marty Nix, the district superintendent is painting the unions in a negative light. Nix wrote that Guess is trying to convey to the Arkansas Department of Education that “we are unwilling to collaborate with him and his surprisingly single race negotiation team.
“It was even a greater surprise that a district consistently criticized for its exorbitant attorney fees has a negotiations team composed of two district-paid outside attorneys and one district-paid outside consultant.”
Nix said the union has been asked to cut the teachers work contract from 192 to 190 days, but the administrators’ 244-day contracts aren’t being cut. “Teachers can account for every single one of their 192-work days; can the 244-day administrators account for every single one of their work days?” Nix wrote.
District officials claim the unions are ignoring the fact that $15.1 million in property tax revenue for this school year was a one-time payment and without cuts the district will still have a multimillion dollar deficit. “Doing nothing is not an option,” Guess wrote in his letter to Kimbrell.
To date, district administrators and union leaders have agreed to forego pay raises or experience step increases, not replacing buses, eliminating 77 positions through attrition or reduction in force, changes in benefits, eliminating 19 bus routes and keeping a number of unfilled positions vacant.
The administration wants to cut teacher contracts by two days, cut pay for non-instructional duties, revamp how teachers get credit for professional growth for raises, cut severance pay, cut incentive pay for national board certification, cut longevity pay, cut attendance incentive pay and have employees pay a larger share of their health benefits’ costs.
Earlier, Kimbrell said he would review the proposals, but the district must “build a plan that we can recommend to the state board that can allow its release from the fiscal-distress designation.”
Because the district is currently bound by the terms of a desegregation agreement, federal District Judge Brian Miller would have to sign off on some sort of reconfiguration, Kimbrell said earlier.
Leader staff writer John Hofheimer contributed to this report.
SPORTS >> Lady Devil bats better in road win at WMHS
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Lady Red Devil softball team pulled even in league play on Monday with a 9-0 road win over West Memphis. The 6A East victory followed a 1-2 performance at a tournament in Woodlawn over the weekend.
“We didn’t play badly, but we didn’t play lights out,” Jacksonville coach Kevin Sullivan said. “I think we have improved throughout the year. West Memphis made us earn our runs this time. We run ruled them earlier because they were messing up routine plays. They didn’t do that this time. They’ve gotten a lot better, but so have we. We’re hoping to be playing our best ball right at the end. That’s what you shoot for.”
The Lady Devils (6-10, 5-6) got three runs in three different innings, starting in the bottom of the first. Haley Hickingbotham doubled to reach in the first. Cojya Hood and Mailani Walker got RBI base hits and Bailey Mallison got an RBI on a sacrifice grounder to make it 3-0.
In the third inning, Bailea Jones, Alexis Goodman and Whitney house were responsible for Jacksonville’s three runs that made it 6-0.
In the top of the seventh, Keke Alcorn singled, Shyrel McKinney and Walker then picked up RBI base hits, and House came through with another run-scoring double that set the final margin.
House was also good on the mound. She went the distance, giving up just four hits while striking out six and walking one.
“The good thing is we’re getting good at bats up and down the lineup,” Sullivan said. “Earlier in the year, if we didn’t get it at the top, we were in trouble. We struck the ball very well, we just hit it right at people a lot and like I said, West Memphis wasn’t making the mistakes they made the first time. But I’m very pleased with how we’ve improved down the lineup.”
One constant for Jacksonville has been Hickingbotham, who is hitting for a .560 average this season. She went 1 for 5 against West Memphis and the Lady Devils scored nine runs.
“I know she was about as frustrated as I’ve ever seen her,” Sullivan said of Hickingbotham. She even struck out for the first time all year. Everyone has bad games now and then, but for us it was a good sign. For her to struggle like that and we still score nine runs is good for us. It’s real evidence that we are getting more production from other people. I’m encouraged by the way we swung the bats.”
In Friday’s games at Wood-lawn, Jacksonville beat McGehee 10-0 then lost 8-0 to Woodlawn. The loss put them in the third place game against Rose Bud on Saturday. Jacksonville lost that game 8-5.
“McGehee just wasn’t very good to be honest,” Sullivan said. “Against Woodlawn I was very disappointed in the fact that I just didn’t feel like we competed. There was no energy. Woodlawn is a good team, but I just didn’t feel like they got our best, and that’s disappointing as a coach.
“I was very pleased with how they came back on Saturday and played Rose Bud. Rose Bud was an impressive team. They’re going to compete in their classification. We really battled in that game. We didn’t win, but I at least felt like we gave our best effort and competed well with a very good team.”
Jacksonville also got Whitney House’s twin sister Alexis House back on the field in JV action on Monday.
She missed the last two seasons with two separate knee injuries. She returned on Monday, pitching three innings in junior varsity action and getting one hit on one at bat.
“We don’t know exactly how much she’s ready to contribute, but it’s a good start,” Sullivan said. “Having her would help us. It gives us more pitching depth and she adds a pretty good stick to the lineup. She’s been very frustrated not being able to play, so we’re all really hoping she can come back and be a part of things this year.”
Jacksonville played Searcy at home on Tuesday, and will host Hall next Tuesday in another conference matchup.
Leader sports editor
The Lady Red Devil softball team pulled even in league play on Monday with a 9-0 road win over West Memphis. The 6A East victory followed a 1-2 performance at a tournament in Woodlawn over the weekend.
“We didn’t play badly, but we didn’t play lights out,” Jacksonville coach Kevin Sullivan said. “I think we have improved throughout the year. West Memphis made us earn our runs this time. We run ruled them earlier because they were messing up routine plays. They didn’t do that this time. They’ve gotten a lot better, but so have we. We’re hoping to be playing our best ball right at the end. That’s what you shoot for.”
The Lady Devils (6-10, 5-6) got three runs in three different innings, starting in the bottom of the first. Haley Hickingbotham doubled to reach in the first. Cojya Hood and Mailani Walker got RBI base hits and Bailey Mallison got an RBI on a sacrifice grounder to make it 3-0.
In the third inning, Bailea Jones, Alexis Goodman and Whitney house were responsible for Jacksonville’s three runs that made it 6-0.
In the top of the seventh, Keke Alcorn singled, Shyrel McKinney and Walker then picked up RBI base hits, and House came through with another run-scoring double that set the final margin.
House was also good on the mound. She went the distance, giving up just four hits while striking out six and walking one.
“The good thing is we’re getting good at bats up and down the lineup,” Sullivan said. “Earlier in the year, if we didn’t get it at the top, we were in trouble. We struck the ball very well, we just hit it right at people a lot and like I said, West Memphis wasn’t making the mistakes they made the first time. But I’m very pleased with how we’ve improved down the lineup.”
One constant for Jacksonville has been Hickingbotham, who is hitting for a .560 average this season. She went 1 for 5 against West Memphis and the Lady Devils scored nine runs.
“I know she was about as frustrated as I’ve ever seen her,” Sullivan said of Hickingbotham. She even struck out for the first time all year. Everyone has bad games now and then, but for us it was a good sign. For her to struggle like that and we still score nine runs is good for us. It’s real evidence that we are getting more production from other people. I’m encouraged by the way we swung the bats.”
In Friday’s games at Wood-lawn, Jacksonville beat McGehee 10-0 then lost 8-0 to Woodlawn. The loss put them in the third place game against Rose Bud on Saturday. Jacksonville lost that game 8-5.
“McGehee just wasn’t very good to be honest,” Sullivan said. “Against Woodlawn I was very disappointed in the fact that I just didn’t feel like we competed. There was no energy. Woodlawn is a good team, but I just didn’t feel like they got our best, and that’s disappointing as a coach.
“I was very pleased with how they came back on Saturday and played Rose Bud. Rose Bud was an impressive team. They’re going to compete in their classification. We really battled in that game. We didn’t win, but I at least felt like we gave our best effort and competed well with a very good team.”
Jacksonville also got Whitney House’s twin sister Alexis House back on the field in JV action on Monday.
She missed the last two seasons with two separate knee injuries. She returned on Monday, pitching three innings in junior varsity action and getting one hit on one at bat.
“We don’t know exactly how much she’s ready to contribute, but it’s a good start,” Sullivan said. “Having her would help us. It gives us more pitching depth and she adds a pretty good stick to the lineup. She’s been very frustrated not being able to play, so we’re all really hoping she can come back and be a part of things this year.”
Jacksonville played Searcy at home on Tuesday, and will host Hall next Tuesday in another conference matchup.
SPORTS >> Jacksonville earns victory on road trip to West Fork
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Jacksonville got a needed win over the weekend at West Fork. The team makes a near annual trip for a weekend game in northwest Arkansas every year and takes in a Razorback baseball game while there.
This year’s trip went well for the Red Devils, they beat the West Fork Tigers 13-3, invoking the 10-run sportsmanship rule in the sixth inning.
It was the first win for Jacksonville in nearly two weeks, but the most important thing was that the bats were sharper.
“We’re swinging better,” Jacksonville coach Larry Burrows said. “We weren’t seeing the kind of pitching we’ve been seeing, but we were swinging better in practice all week. I thought our preparation for this game was good. We improved last week in practice and it showed on the field in that game.”
Jacksonville got a quick lead with two runs in the top of the first inning. They were held scoreless in the second and West Fork got on the board in the bottom of the second frame.
That set the stage for the turning point of the game, a five-run rally by Jacksonville in the top of the third.
Kaleb Reeves started things off by reaching on a hit-by-pitch and Jesse Harbin walked. Both runners advanced on stolen bases to set up an RBI groundout by Greg Jones. Harbin then scored on a single by Cole Bredenburg and David Williams walked to put runners on first and second base. A passed ball advanced both runners into scoring position, and freshman Derek St. Clair singled to drive in both runners for the third and fourth runs of the inning.
Tanner Burks then singled to put runners on the corners for Razorback signee D’Vone McClure. He doubled to centerfield to score St. Clair and give Jacksonville a 7-1 lead.
Jacksonville’s Blake Perry started on the mound and got the win. He gave up just four hits in four innings. One was a two-run home run in the bottom of the third that made it 7-3, but that’s all West Fork was able to muster.
St. Clair pitched the fifth and sixth innings for Jacksonville, striking out four batters and giving up just one hit in his two innings of relief work.
“We pitch good enough and we get enough defense most of the time to stay in it,” Burrows said. “We just have to get the sticks going a little bit more. We execute pretty well, we just haven’t been able to get anybody on. With the bats the way they are this year, the key is to throw strikes. We’ve done that. I think our hitting improved last week so hopefully we can keep improving and start getting some more wins.”
McClure and Harbin led Jacksonville offensively. Each senior got two hits and one double. Ragan Jones, Burks and St. Clair each had two RBIs in the win.
The Red Devils (7-14, 2-6)will resume conference play on Wednesday when they travel to play a doubleheader against Little Rock Hall.
Leader sportswriter
Jacksonville got a needed win over the weekend at West Fork. The team makes a near annual trip for a weekend game in northwest Arkansas every year and takes in a Razorback baseball game while there.
This year’s trip went well for the Red Devils, they beat the West Fork Tigers 13-3, invoking the 10-run sportsmanship rule in the sixth inning.
It was the first win for Jacksonville in nearly two weeks, but the most important thing was that the bats were sharper.
“We’re swinging better,” Jacksonville coach Larry Burrows said. “We weren’t seeing the kind of pitching we’ve been seeing, but we were swinging better in practice all week. I thought our preparation for this game was good. We improved last week in practice and it showed on the field in that game.”
Jacksonville got a quick lead with two runs in the top of the first inning. They were held scoreless in the second and West Fork got on the board in the bottom of the second frame.
That set the stage for the turning point of the game, a five-run rally by Jacksonville in the top of the third.
Kaleb Reeves started things off by reaching on a hit-by-pitch and Jesse Harbin walked. Both runners advanced on stolen bases to set up an RBI groundout by Greg Jones. Harbin then scored on a single by Cole Bredenburg and David Williams walked to put runners on first and second base. A passed ball advanced both runners into scoring position, and freshman Derek St. Clair singled to drive in both runners for the third and fourth runs of the inning.
Tanner Burks then singled to put runners on the corners for Razorback signee D’Vone McClure. He doubled to centerfield to score St. Clair and give Jacksonville a 7-1 lead.
Jacksonville’s Blake Perry started on the mound and got the win. He gave up just four hits in four innings. One was a two-run home run in the bottom of the third that made it 7-3, but that’s all West Fork was able to muster.
St. Clair pitched the fifth and sixth innings for Jacksonville, striking out four batters and giving up just one hit in his two innings of relief work.
“We pitch good enough and we get enough defense most of the time to stay in it,” Burrows said. “We just have to get the sticks going a little bit more. We execute pretty well, we just haven’t been able to get anybody on. With the bats the way they are this year, the key is to throw strikes. We’ve done that. I think our hitting improved last week so hopefully we can keep improving and start getting some more wins.”
McClure and Harbin led Jacksonville offensively. Each senior got two hits and one double. Ragan Jones, Burks and St. Clair each had two RBIs in the win.
The Red Devils (7-14, 2-6)will resume conference play on Wednesday when they travel to play a doubleheader against Little Rock Hall.
SPORTS >> Tourney title goes to Beebe
By GRAHAM POWELL
Leader sportswriter
After handling Trumann 7-0 and squeaking by Jonesboro Westside 1-0 in the semi-finals of the Beebe/Searcy Softball Invitational Saturday at Beebe High School, the Lady Badgers edged 5A East foe Nettleton 1-0 in the championship game with another shutout performance from standout freshman pitcher Ellie Reaves.
Reaves threw three complete games for the Lady Badgers, and showed nothing but consistency and resiliency as she didn’t allow a single walk or run all day.
“She said she was a little tired there at the end,” said Beebe coach Eric Chambers about Reaves after the championship game. “She did real well today. She stayed focused, and she didn’t bat today for us so I think that might have helped her a little bit. But she’s just a freshman, and she’s going to be pitching for someone at the DI level.”
Beebe scored the game’s only run in the bottom of the first. Calah Hill normally bats in the leadoff spot for the Lady Badgers, but was out for the remainder of the tournament after being hit in the arm during her first at bat against Westside.
Madelyn Poe, Beebe’s two-hole hitter, moved into the leadoff spot for the title game and started things off with an infield single.
Makenzie Bingham followed with a sacrifice bunt to advance Poe to second.
Brittany Gentry then grounded out to short, but picked up the game-winning RBI as Poe scored on a close play at the plate after rounding third and sliding home to give the Lady Badgers the 1-0 lead.
Reaves kept Nettleton at bay for the remainder of the game, allowing just four hits.
Beebe’s defense was stellar as well, but the Lady Badgers had as hard a time as the Lady Raiders did connecting at the plate, something Chambers would like to see improve before postseason tournament play begins.
“We’re not really stroking the ball very well,” Chambers said. “We’re not hitting it like we should be, and I think they’re just a little young and indecisive. Other teams come in here against Ellie, and they swing the bat, because they know she’s going to pitch it at them, and they come in swinging. We need to get that way also, but we’re young and we’re getting better.”
Poe, Sarah White, Lannie Reaves and Courtney Shepard all singled for the Lady Badgers. In the semi-final game against Westside, Beebe had the same formula for success, scoring a run early and allowing Reaves to take control of the game while providing defense when needed.
Bingham had a huge impact in helping the Lady Badgers advance to the title game as she scored the game’s only run and prevented Westside from scoring late.
After singling to start the bottom of the second, Lannie Reaves put down the sacrifice bunt to move Bingham to second. Shepard grounded out, but that allowed Bingham to advance to third. Bingham then scored on a passed ball at home plate to give the Lady Badgers the lead.
Beebe’s only scare came in the fifth when Westside’s Sharon Bishop hit a triple to start the inning. Tosha Geror followed with a long fly ball to center. Bingham caught the fly ball, and hurled it home as Bishop tagged from third.
Gentry caught the ball inside the left batter’s box, and dove at the plate to tag out Bishop just as she was sliding in.
“I thought they really played well,” Chambers said about the team’s overall performance in the tournament. “I thought we pitched well the whole day, and we beat a really good Westside team that beat Benton earlier.
“Those two teams were probably picked to win the whole thing, and for us to play as well as we did, I was proud of them, and they did a good job.”
The Lady Badgers (17-6, 6-2) will see the Lady Raiders (12-5, 4-2) again tomorrow, as they’ll travel to Nettleton for a doubleheader starting at 5:00 p.m.
Leader sportswriter
After handling Trumann 7-0 and squeaking by Jonesboro Westside 1-0 in the semi-finals of the Beebe/Searcy Softball Invitational Saturday at Beebe High School, the Lady Badgers edged 5A East foe Nettleton 1-0 in the championship game with another shutout performance from standout freshman pitcher Ellie Reaves.
Reaves threw three complete games for the Lady Badgers, and showed nothing but consistency and resiliency as she didn’t allow a single walk or run all day.
“She said she was a little tired there at the end,” said Beebe coach Eric Chambers about Reaves after the championship game. “She did real well today. She stayed focused, and she didn’t bat today for us so I think that might have helped her a little bit. But she’s just a freshman, and she’s going to be pitching for someone at the DI level.”
Beebe scored the game’s only run in the bottom of the first. Calah Hill normally bats in the leadoff spot for the Lady Badgers, but was out for the remainder of the tournament after being hit in the arm during her first at bat against Westside.
Madelyn Poe, Beebe’s two-hole hitter, moved into the leadoff spot for the title game and started things off with an infield single.
Makenzie Bingham followed with a sacrifice bunt to advance Poe to second.
Brittany Gentry then grounded out to short, but picked up the game-winning RBI as Poe scored on a close play at the plate after rounding third and sliding home to give the Lady Badgers the 1-0 lead.
Reaves kept Nettleton at bay for the remainder of the game, allowing just four hits.
Beebe’s defense was stellar as well, but the Lady Badgers had as hard a time as the Lady Raiders did connecting at the plate, something Chambers would like to see improve before postseason tournament play begins.
“We’re not really stroking the ball very well,” Chambers said. “We’re not hitting it like we should be, and I think they’re just a little young and indecisive. Other teams come in here against Ellie, and they swing the bat, because they know she’s going to pitch it at them, and they come in swinging. We need to get that way also, but we’re young and we’re getting better.”
Poe, Sarah White, Lannie Reaves and Courtney Shepard all singled for the Lady Badgers. In the semi-final game against Westside, Beebe had the same formula for success, scoring a run early and allowing Reaves to take control of the game while providing defense when needed.
Bingham had a huge impact in helping the Lady Badgers advance to the title game as she scored the game’s only run and prevented Westside from scoring late.
After singling to start the bottom of the second, Lannie Reaves put down the sacrifice bunt to move Bingham to second. Shepard grounded out, but that allowed Bingham to advance to third. Bingham then scored on a passed ball at home plate to give the Lady Badgers the lead.
Beebe’s only scare came in the fifth when Westside’s Sharon Bishop hit a triple to start the inning. Tosha Geror followed with a long fly ball to center. Bingham caught the fly ball, and hurled it home as Bishop tagged from third.
Gentry caught the ball inside the left batter’s box, and dove at the plate to tag out Bishop just as she was sliding in.
“I thought they really played well,” Chambers said about the team’s overall performance in the tournament. “I thought we pitched well the whole day, and we beat a really good Westside team that beat Benton earlier.
“Those two teams were probably picked to win the whole thing, and for us to play as well as we did, I was proud of them, and they did a good job.”
The Lady Badgers (17-6, 6-2) will see the Lady Raiders (12-5, 4-2) again tomorrow, as they’ll travel to Nettleton for a doubleheader starting at 5:00 p.m.
SPORTS >> Searcy rallies to beat Cabot
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Cabot Panthers dropped a nonconference baseball game Monday at Searcy, losing 8-2 to the Lions. Timely hitting and excellent defense lifted Searcy to the victory. The loss came three days after the Panthers snapped a seven-game conference losing streak. On Friday Cabot beat Van Buren 4-3 to get its first win in 7A Central play.
“We did some really good things against Van Buren,” Cabot coach Jay Fitch said after the Searcy game. “We have a couple of players that are starting to hit the ball pretty good. But we’re just playing so-so baseball right now. You can see we made some errors in this game and we’re still not getting the sticks working up and down the lineup like we need to.”
In Monday’s game, Cabot grabbed an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Cole Thomas walked with one out and scored two batters later on a double off the wall in centerfield by Casey Vaughan. The knock should’ve been a triple but Vaughan lost his footing rounding second base and had to retreat back to the bag.
Searcy put runners at second and third with one out in the bottom of the first but failed to produce any runs.
Searcy’s Conner Carlisle led off with a double that also should have been a triple, but he tripped at second base. Cabot pitcher Cason Kimbrellthen struck out Corey Webb be-fore walking Reed Haggard. The runners advanced on a passed ball, but Kimbrell fanned Brandon Zomant and Joey Davis to end the threat and strike out the side.
The Lions tied it in the bottom of the second. After Kimbrell’s third-straight strikeout put away Jay Bona, Justin Holtz singled to left field. He advanced to second when the throw back to the infield was fielded by no one. Will Dunavan bunted back to Kimbrell, which caught Holtz between second and third.
Kimbrell’s throw to second wasn’t in time and left everyone safe. Kimbrell got his fifth strikeout in two innings when he fanned nine-hole hitter Colby Crossen, but gave up an RBI single to Carlisle. The hit was also the last at bat of the inning. After a throw to home was not in time to get Holtz, Cabot catcher T.C. Carter threw to third and Justin Goffe applied the tag to get Dunavan trying to sneak an extra base.
Searcy took control of the game in third with four runs, three on one swing. Webb led off with a walk and Haggard flew out to left field.
Zomant grounded to short, but the throw got by first base, leaving everyone safe. Joey Davis then walked to load the bases and Bona tripled to centerfield to score three runs. Holtz then hit a fly ball to centerfield that was deep enough to score Bona. Dunavan then walked, but was thrown out on the base paths for the second time when he was caught stealing.
Cabot’s final run came in the top of the fourth. Scott Burnett reached on an error at second base and Bryson Morris singled to right field to bring him home.
The Panthers got just two base runners in the final three innings, an infield single by Thomas and a walk by Burnett, who reached base on all three at bats without getting a hit.
Searcy got its final three runs in the bottom of the fifth off relief pitcher Zach Patterson.
The Lions led off with a single and a bunt single, then loaded the bases on an error by Patterson on another bunt attempt. Holtz then walked to bring home one run.
Dunavan hit a sacrifice grounder to second and Crossen hit a sacrifice fly to center to set the final margin. Cabot got just four hits, but had 11 base runners in the game. The Panthers drew six walks and Searcy committed one error, but they left seven runners on base.
“We showed pretty good discipline at the plate,” Fitch said. “We walked a lot. We’re just not getting that timely base hit.”
Fitch’s team did get that timely hit in Friday’s victory. Vaughan, who went 2 for 3 with two doubles against Searcy, came up huge on Friday.
The Panthers and Pointers were tied at three when Vaughan hit what turned out to be the game-winning home run in the bottom of the fifth.
“He’s swinging it really well right now,” Fitch said of Vaughan. “He had two doubles today and had that big hit against Van Buren. That’s proof that if you keep plugging away good things can happen. He hasn’t been swinging like this all year. Hopefully we’ll have some other guys that’ll find that swing and get things going for us.”
Cabot 4, Van Buren 3
Friday’s game wasn’t without some controversy. Trailing 3-0 in the third with runners on first and second, Van Buren hit a looping line drive down the first base line.
The ball landed fair, but rolled under the fence on the baseline in right field. Vaughan threw his arms up to indicate the ball was out of play, but the umpire made no call. Vaughan then reached underneath the fence and managed to retrieve the ball.
By the time his throw came in, it was an inside-the-park home run. After some objection by Fitch, the call was changed to a ground-rule double and only one run was allowed. That brought objection from the Van Buren coach and a long delay ensued. Cabot won the argument, but Van Buren got the runs across anyway.
On the next at bat, a dink hit to shallow left field scored both base runners to tie the game, setting up Vaughan’s game winner in the fifth.
Junior pitcher Chipper Morris was outstanding on the mound. The two hits in the third were the only ones he allowed in seven innings of work. He also struck out 13 Pointers while walking three.
Cabot (7-13, 1-7) has two conference road games later this week on successive days. The Panthers travel to first-place Russellville on Thursday, then take on Conway on Friday.
Leader sports editor
The Cabot Panthers dropped a nonconference baseball game Monday at Searcy, losing 8-2 to the Lions. Timely hitting and excellent defense lifted Searcy to the victory. The loss came three days after the Panthers snapped a seven-game conference losing streak. On Friday Cabot beat Van Buren 4-3 to get its first win in 7A Central play.
“We did some really good things against Van Buren,” Cabot coach Jay Fitch said after the Searcy game. “We have a couple of players that are starting to hit the ball pretty good. But we’re just playing so-so baseball right now. You can see we made some errors in this game and we’re still not getting the sticks working up and down the lineup like we need to.”
In Monday’s game, Cabot grabbed an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Cole Thomas walked with one out and scored two batters later on a double off the wall in centerfield by Casey Vaughan. The knock should’ve been a triple but Vaughan lost his footing rounding second base and had to retreat back to the bag.
Searcy put runners at second and third with one out in the bottom of the first but failed to produce any runs.
Searcy’s Conner Carlisle led off with a double that also should have been a triple, but he tripped at second base. Cabot pitcher Cason Kimbrellthen struck out Corey Webb be-fore walking Reed Haggard. The runners advanced on a passed ball, but Kimbrell fanned Brandon Zomant and Joey Davis to end the threat and strike out the side.
The Lions tied it in the bottom of the second. After Kimbrell’s third-straight strikeout put away Jay Bona, Justin Holtz singled to left field. He advanced to second when the throw back to the infield was fielded by no one. Will Dunavan bunted back to Kimbrell, which caught Holtz between second and third.
Kimbrell’s throw to second wasn’t in time and left everyone safe. Kimbrell got his fifth strikeout in two innings when he fanned nine-hole hitter Colby Crossen, but gave up an RBI single to Carlisle. The hit was also the last at bat of the inning. After a throw to home was not in time to get Holtz, Cabot catcher T.C. Carter threw to third and Justin Goffe applied the tag to get Dunavan trying to sneak an extra base.
Searcy took control of the game in third with four runs, three on one swing. Webb led off with a walk and Haggard flew out to left field.
Zomant grounded to short, but the throw got by first base, leaving everyone safe. Joey Davis then walked to load the bases and Bona tripled to centerfield to score three runs. Holtz then hit a fly ball to centerfield that was deep enough to score Bona. Dunavan then walked, but was thrown out on the base paths for the second time when he was caught stealing.
Cabot’s final run came in the top of the fourth. Scott Burnett reached on an error at second base and Bryson Morris singled to right field to bring him home.
The Panthers got just two base runners in the final three innings, an infield single by Thomas and a walk by Burnett, who reached base on all three at bats without getting a hit.
Searcy got its final three runs in the bottom of the fifth off relief pitcher Zach Patterson.
The Lions led off with a single and a bunt single, then loaded the bases on an error by Patterson on another bunt attempt. Holtz then walked to bring home one run.
Dunavan hit a sacrifice grounder to second and Crossen hit a sacrifice fly to center to set the final margin. Cabot got just four hits, but had 11 base runners in the game. The Panthers drew six walks and Searcy committed one error, but they left seven runners on base.
“We showed pretty good discipline at the plate,” Fitch said. “We walked a lot. We’re just not getting that timely base hit.”
Fitch’s team did get that timely hit in Friday’s victory. Vaughan, who went 2 for 3 with two doubles against Searcy, came up huge on Friday.
The Panthers and Pointers were tied at three when Vaughan hit what turned out to be the game-winning home run in the bottom of the fifth.
“He’s swinging it really well right now,” Fitch said of Vaughan. “He had two doubles today and had that big hit against Van Buren. That’s proof that if you keep plugging away good things can happen. He hasn’t been swinging like this all year. Hopefully we’ll have some other guys that’ll find that swing and get things going for us.”
Cabot 4, Van Buren 3
Friday’s game wasn’t without some controversy. Trailing 3-0 in the third with runners on first and second, Van Buren hit a looping line drive down the first base line.
The ball landed fair, but rolled under the fence on the baseline in right field. Vaughan threw his arms up to indicate the ball was out of play, but the umpire made no call. Vaughan then reached underneath the fence and managed to retrieve the ball.
By the time his throw came in, it was an inside-the-park home run. After some objection by Fitch, the call was changed to a ground-rule double and only one run was allowed. That brought objection from the Van Buren coach and a long delay ensued. Cabot won the argument, but Van Buren got the runs across anyway.
On the next at bat, a dink hit to shallow left field scored both base runners to tie the game, setting up Vaughan’s game winner in the fifth.
Junior pitcher Chipper Morris was outstanding on the mound. The two hits in the third were the only ones he allowed in seven innings of work. He also struck out 13 Pointers while walking three.
Cabot (7-13, 1-7) has two conference road games later this week on successive days. The Panthers travel to first-place Russellville on Thursday, then take on Conway on Friday.
SPORTS >> Bears get two in seventh to beat Central
By GRAHAM POWELL
Leader sportswriter
Sylvan Hills and Little Rock Central had a difficult time putting any runs on the board in their nonconference game Monday due to excellent pitching and defensive play. The Bears took advantage of Central’s lone error in the final inning to put two runs on the board in the seventh to beat the Tigers 2-0 at Buddy Coleman Field in Little Rock.
David Carrasquillo picked up the hard-earned win for Sylvan Hills (16-6, 7-1) with a complete game shutout performance. Carrasquillo struck out two and walked just one in the outing, and the defense behind him was just as solid as the Bears didn’t commit a single error, and made play after play through all seven innings.
“If we don’t walk anyone and we don’t make errors, we’re going to win. That’s the key to the game,” said Sylvan Hills coach Denny Tipton. “They’re (Central) good. They were the hottest team to start, and started the year 9-0. They’re senior-laden and very good.”
Central (10-11, 3-5) proved to be a much more competitive team than its record indicates as the Tigers have a stable of pitchers, three of whom are expected to play major college ball after they graduate. Central’s Achilles heel this year has been its inability to score. In this game the Tigers left seven runners stranded on the bases.
“They have been struggling a little bit,” Tipton said of Central’s troubles this season. “They’ve been struggling a little bit getting guys home, but we knew it was going to be a good ball game. I knew we’d see a good quality guy on the hump.
“Our varsity hasn’t gotten to play since last Tuesday, and I didn’t really know how we’d be after a little layoff. I was pleased with our pitcher. David (Carrasquillo) pitched a great game, and I thought our defense played really well.”
University of Central Arkansas signee Clayton Booth, Central’s number three pitcher, made it very difficult for Sylvan Hills to get anything going at the plate. Booth didn’t allow a run, and gave up only three hits while striking out six and walking one through six innings of work.
However, Sylvan Hills showed some signs of life at the plate in the sixth when leadoff hitter Brandon Baioni doubled off the wall in left field to start the inning. The Bears couldn’t capitalize on the base hit, but gained a little momentum going into the final inning.
Carrasquillo was hit by a pitch from Booth to start the seventh, and Lance Hunter followed with a well-executed sacrifice bunt. As Hunter sprinted to first, Central’s third baseman, Joey Abraham, rushed the throw and overthrew it to first.
The wild throw allowed Carrasquillo’s courtesy runner, Nathan Thomas, to advance to third, and kept Hunter at first with no outs. After singling his last at bat, Dalton Freeling grounded out to third, and Abraham held Thomas on the base to prevent the go-ahead run, but Hunter advanced to second on the throw to first.
Connor Eller then came to the plate and hit a one-out double that drove in both Thomas and Hunter to set the final margin. Baioni, Freeling, Eller and Dylan Boone each had a base hit for Sylvan Hills.
Leader sportswriter
Sylvan Hills and Little Rock Central had a difficult time putting any runs on the board in their nonconference game Monday due to excellent pitching and defensive play. The Bears took advantage of Central’s lone error in the final inning to put two runs on the board in the seventh to beat the Tigers 2-0 at Buddy Coleman Field in Little Rock.
David Carrasquillo picked up the hard-earned win for Sylvan Hills (16-6, 7-1) with a complete game shutout performance. Carrasquillo struck out two and walked just one in the outing, and the defense behind him was just as solid as the Bears didn’t commit a single error, and made play after play through all seven innings.
“If we don’t walk anyone and we don’t make errors, we’re going to win. That’s the key to the game,” said Sylvan Hills coach Denny Tipton. “They’re (Central) good. They were the hottest team to start, and started the year 9-0. They’re senior-laden and very good.”
Central (10-11, 3-5) proved to be a much more competitive team than its record indicates as the Tigers have a stable of pitchers, three of whom are expected to play major college ball after they graduate. Central’s Achilles heel this year has been its inability to score. In this game the Tigers left seven runners stranded on the bases.
“They have been struggling a little bit,” Tipton said of Central’s troubles this season. “They’ve been struggling a little bit getting guys home, but we knew it was going to be a good ball game. I knew we’d see a good quality guy on the hump.
“Our varsity hasn’t gotten to play since last Tuesday, and I didn’t really know how we’d be after a little layoff. I was pleased with our pitcher. David (Carrasquillo) pitched a great game, and I thought our defense played really well.”
University of Central Arkansas signee Clayton Booth, Central’s number three pitcher, made it very difficult for Sylvan Hills to get anything going at the plate. Booth didn’t allow a run, and gave up only three hits while striking out six and walking one through six innings of work.
However, Sylvan Hills showed some signs of life at the plate in the sixth when leadoff hitter Brandon Baioni doubled off the wall in left field to start the inning. The Bears couldn’t capitalize on the base hit, but gained a little momentum going into the final inning.
Carrasquillo was hit by a pitch from Booth to start the seventh, and Lance Hunter followed with a well-executed sacrifice bunt. As Hunter sprinted to first, Central’s third baseman, Joey Abraham, rushed the throw and overthrew it to first.
The wild throw allowed Carrasquillo’s courtesy runner, Nathan Thomas, to advance to third, and kept Hunter at first with no outs. After singling his last at bat, Dalton Freeling grounded out to third, and Abraham held Thomas on the base to prevent the go-ahead run, but Hunter advanced to second on the throw to first.
Connor Eller then came to the plate and hit a one-out double that drove in both Thomas and Hunter to set the final margin. Baioni, Freeling, Eller and Dylan Boone each had a base hit for Sylvan Hills.
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