By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
A breakout game for sophomore point guard Ilycia Carter came at the perfect time as the North Pulaski Lady Falcons got their first conference win on Thursday, beating Helena-West Helena Central 64-59 at the Falcon’s Nest in Jacksonville.
The Lady Falcons have been on the cusp on getting their elusive first conference win, and finally put it together on Thursday, avenging a 56-37 loss at West Helena in early January.
Carter scored a career-high 25 points, grabbed nine rebounds, dished out five assists and picked up three steals.
“We talked about her just shooting more,” North Pulaski coach Stacey Dalmut said. “She said before the game she was going for 10 points. She obviously did a lot better than that. She shot the ball well tonight when really no one else was.”
Indeed both teams shot poorly in the fast-paced game. There were 152 shots taken between the two teams. The Lady Cougars made just 34 percent on 25 of 72 shooting, but North Pulaski was even worse. The Lady Falcons were just 23 of 79 from the floor, but won the rebounding battle 51-44 and made nine more free throws than their opponent. They only made 16 of 26 attempts, but were 9 of 12 in the fourth quarter to seal the game. Carter made 5 of 6 in the final frame.
The game saw several lead changes, but North Pulaski trailed most of the way. Carter hit a three pointer with 33 seconds left in the first half to give the Lady Falcons their first lead of the game at 26-25, a score that held until intermission.
Central (4-8, 2-5) took control of the inside and of the game in the first quarter when North Pulaski center Cathy Waylan picked up her third foul in less than three minutes.
Central’s Shadaezha Baker came off the bench and dominated inside and the Lady Cougars took a 14-9 lead into the second quarter, largely on the strength of a 21-14 rebounding advantage. North Pulaski (4-11, 1-6) began to reverse that trend in the second quarter, outrebounding Central 16-5 as it gained its first lead.
The Lady Falcons pushed their lead to 30-26 early in the third quarter, but Central went on a 10-2 run for a 36-32 lead with 2:54 remaining in the third quarter.
That deficit grew to six at 44-38 with 15 seconds left in the quarter, but Carter scored four points before the end of the frame to make it 44-42 and send the Lady Falcons into the final period with the momentum. Carter hit two free throws with 14 seconds on the clock. Central then rushed a shot at the other end. Carter got the rebound with five seconds left and went the distance of the floor to hit a floater as the buzzer sounded.
The run kept going in the fourth. Raigen Thomas made one of two free throws to make it a one-point game. Talisha Nation then got a layup to put the Lady Falcons back in front with 6:45 remaining. Freshman Kiarra Evans then got a steal and an assist to Waylan, who was playing with four fouls, for a 47-44 lead and forcing a Central timeout. The break did the Lady Cougars some good. They scored the next four points after the timeout to reclaim the lead at 48-47 with 5:10 remaining. Waylan then hit one of two free throws to tie the game and it was back and forth from there.
Neither team got more than two points of separation, including one series where the lead changed hands on four consecutive baskets. Carter scored with 50 seconds left to put the Lady Falcons up 59-58. Central missed at the other end. Thomas got the rebound and the outlet to Carter, who was again fouled, and again hit two free throws for a three-point lead.
Waylan picked up her fifth foul with 15 seconds left and Baker hit one of two free throws for the Lady Cougars’ final point. Carter was fouled. This time she missed her second shot.
Central got the rebound and called timeout trailing 62-59 with 11 seconds left on the clock.
But a huge mental lapse cost the visitors a chance at winning the game. The official handed the ball to Central’s inbound passer, but no one moved or broke for the pass.
Finally Kymberlee Collier broke towards the half-court line, but it was too late and Central was called for a five-second violation.
Again Central fouled Carter and again Carter hit both free throws to set the final margin.
Evans finished with 14 points and six rebounds for the Lady Falcons. Thomas, also a freshman, scored seven points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Collier led Central in scoring with 22 points.
Delana Bedford scored 13 while Baker scored 11 and grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds.
Friday, February 01, 2013
SPORTS STORY >> North Lady Panthers beat South, take first
By GRAHAM POWELL
Leader sportswriter
A solid third quarter on both ends of the floor helped the Cabot Junior High North Lady Panthers beat Cabot Junior High South 39-30 Thursday at Panther Arena to improve to 14-5 overall and 5-1 in the Central Arkansas Junior High Conference.
Cabot South entered the game unbeaten in conference play with a 5-0 record. The North Lady Panthers’ only loss in conference play came against Conway White on Monday. According to North coach Jeremy Halbrook, slowing down South playmakers Anna Sullivan and Leighton Taylor was what needed to happen in order for his team to be successful.
“We had to stop number three for them (Taylor) and number 25 (Sullivan),” said Halbrook. “They’re their best two players. We did an excellent job. They were undefeated coming into this game and we had one loss. This was a tiebreaker for the conference. Our focus was to try to win all four quarters. I think we won three out of the four. They maybe outscored us by two in the last quarter.
“Last time when we played them we had a 10-point lead going into the half, but our third quarter was bad. But we outscored them tonight 10-2 in the third quarter. I’m proud of them. We had a good week of practice. It was a good win.”
The two respective teams went back and forth in the first quarter, but North ended the quarter with a 9-8 lead. North opened the second quarter with a 5-0 scoring run, capped off by a three pointer by Lily Sinclair with 1:45 to play in the half.
North led 16-11 in the final seconds, but Sullivan stole the ball on North’s end of the court and took it the distance for a contested layup, but missed. However, South’s Heather Hill was there for the rebound and putback to cut the deficit to 16-13 at halftime.
Sullivan scored the only basket for South in the third quarter. Rachel Allgood, CoCo Calhoon, MaKenzie Sexton and Sinclair combined to score 10 points in the quarter to give South a 26-15 advantage heading into the final frame.
The South Lady Panthers were able to cut North’s lead to seven twice in the final six minutes, but that was as close as they’d get. Allgood made two free throws with 4.9 seconds to set the final score.
North finished the game 18 for 27 at the free-throw line (67 percent) and made 3 of 8 three pointers (38 percent). South outrebounded North 19-16, but shot 58 percent at the free-throw line and 17 percent from three-point range. South finished with 17 turnovers. North committed 13.
“We’re a second-half team and I really felt like we could overcome the turnovers,” said South coach Lori Harmon, “but when we went to the line and didn’t finish, I think that hurt significantly. And the strategy of having to foul at the end, they stepped up there and knocked them all down, and that continued to make us sink further and further behind.”
Sinclair led all scorers with 14 points. Allgood scored seven. Sexton scored six. Calhoon added five and Maddie Rice scored four. For South, Sullivan led the way with 10 points. Sarah Davis and Hill scored five apiece. Taylor finished with four.
In the boys’ game, the South Panthers improved to 10-8 overall and an even 3-3 in conference play with a 40-25 win over North. South’s Holdyn Barnes led all scorers with 14 points. Teammate Hunter Sutherland also had a solid game, scoring 10 points, seven of which came in the first six minutes.
The freshmen North teams host North Little Rock’s Ridgeroad on Monday at the North gym. South’s freshmen teams also play Monday at Benton.
Leader sportswriter
A solid third quarter on both ends of the floor helped the Cabot Junior High North Lady Panthers beat Cabot Junior High South 39-30 Thursday at Panther Arena to improve to 14-5 overall and 5-1 in the Central Arkansas Junior High Conference.
Cabot South entered the game unbeaten in conference play with a 5-0 record. The North Lady Panthers’ only loss in conference play came against Conway White on Monday. According to North coach Jeremy Halbrook, slowing down South playmakers Anna Sullivan and Leighton Taylor was what needed to happen in order for his team to be successful.
“We had to stop number three for them (Taylor) and number 25 (Sullivan),” said Halbrook. “They’re their best two players. We did an excellent job. They were undefeated coming into this game and we had one loss. This was a tiebreaker for the conference. Our focus was to try to win all four quarters. I think we won three out of the four. They maybe outscored us by two in the last quarter.
“Last time when we played them we had a 10-point lead going into the half, but our third quarter was bad. But we outscored them tonight 10-2 in the third quarter. I’m proud of them. We had a good week of practice. It was a good win.”
The two respective teams went back and forth in the first quarter, but North ended the quarter with a 9-8 lead. North opened the second quarter with a 5-0 scoring run, capped off by a three pointer by Lily Sinclair with 1:45 to play in the half.
North led 16-11 in the final seconds, but Sullivan stole the ball on North’s end of the court and took it the distance for a contested layup, but missed. However, South’s Heather Hill was there for the rebound and putback to cut the deficit to 16-13 at halftime.
Sullivan scored the only basket for South in the third quarter. Rachel Allgood, CoCo Calhoon, MaKenzie Sexton and Sinclair combined to score 10 points in the quarter to give South a 26-15 advantage heading into the final frame.
The South Lady Panthers were able to cut North’s lead to seven twice in the final six minutes, but that was as close as they’d get. Allgood made two free throws with 4.9 seconds to set the final score.
North finished the game 18 for 27 at the free-throw line (67 percent) and made 3 of 8 three pointers (38 percent). South outrebounded North 19-16, but shot 58 percent at the free-throw line and 17 percent from three-point range. South finished with 17 turnovers. North committed 13.
“We’re a second-half team and I really felt like we could overcome the turnovers,” said South coach Lori Harmon, “but when we went to the line and didn’t finish, I think that hurt significantly. And the strategy of having to foul at the end, they stepped up there and knocked them all down, and that continued to make us sink further and further behind.”
Sinclair led all scorers with 14 points. Allgood scored seven. Sexton scored six. Calhoon added five and Maddie Rice scored four. For South, Sullivan led the way with 10 points. Sarah Davis and Hill scored five apiece. Taylor finished with four.
In the boys’ game, the South Panthers improved to 10-8 overall and an even 3-3 in conference play with a 40-25 win over North. South’s Holdyn Barnes led all scorers with 14 points. Teammate Hunter Sutherland also had a solid game, scoring 10 points, seven of which came in the first six minutes.
The freshmen North teams host North Little Rock’s Ridgeroad on Monday at the North gym. South’s freshmen teams also play Monday at Benton.
SPORTS STORY >> LR Central takes two game lead in the East
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Little Rock Central successfully put some distance between itself and the rest of the league with the way it ended the first round robin of play in the 7A/6A East girls division. The Lady Tigers beat Cabot 51-41 Tuesday in Little Rock to move to 7-0 and take a two-game lead over three teams tied for second place at 5-2. Cabot, North Little Rock and West Memphis are those three teams, and the Lady Tigers beat them all in succession.
Central’s Taylor Lewis started the game against Cabot the same way she started the game against North Little Rock the Friday before, on fire from three-point range.
Lewis hit a pair of three pointers in the middle of the first quarter that pushed a 6-5 game into a 12-5 Lady Tiger lead over the Panthers. But it would take until the final three minutes of the game before Central could seal the game against the hard-nosed Cabot squad.
Every time Central (15-4, 7-0) pushed out to a decent margin, Cabot stormed back. Lewis hit two more three in succession in the second quarter to give her team a 25-18 lead, but Cabot sophomore Alyssa Hamilton scored six-straight points. Central’s Amy Ruffin then scored and Cabot hit one of two free throws.
The Lady Panthers had three possessions to tie or take the lead, but missed the front end of a one-and-one and committed two turnovers. Central’s Chloe Washington then scored to make it 29-25 and Cabot was never within three points again.
Turnovers and missed free throws plagued Cabot from beginning to end, especially at the beginning of the first and third quarters. Cabot had five turnovers before it took a shot from the floor in the first quarter, then committed four-straight turnovers to start the second half.
After Central led 29-25, Cabot (12-5, 5-2) missed three consecutive free throws in the final 90 seconds of the first half. Lewis then converted a three-point play at the buzzer for a 32-25 halftime lead.
The third quarter was very physical with little offense by either team. Cabot’s four turnovers allowed Central to stretch its lead to 36-25. Cabot closed the margin to seven by the end of the quarter when Ally Van Enk hit a shot at the buzzer that made it 40-33.
A long weather delay with 39 seconds left in the third quarter allowed both teams to rest, and it seemed to favor the Lady Panthers once play resumed.
Cabot’s defense made things difficult for Central early in the fourth quarter. The Lady Tigers didn’t score a point until the 2:54 mark and didn’t score a basket until 2:37. But Cabot had only managed four points in that time and still trailed 40-37 when things fell apart.
The foul at 2:54 was the fifth on Taylor. Washington made one of two, but Cabot lost the rebound out of bounds. Alaysia Ready scored on the ensuing possession to make it 43-37. Ruffin then got a steal and hit two free throws after being fouled. After being held scoreless for more than five minutes, Central scored five points in 24 seconds to take an eight-point lead with 2:30 remaining and regain control of the game.
Cabot continued to struggle from the line, missing the front end of two more one-and-one free-throw attempts. Central capitalized on the poor shooting and stretched its lead to as much as 49-37.
Lewis led all scorers with 17 points while Ruffin scored 10 for Central. Hamilton led the Lady Panthers with 15 points while Taylor scored 12 despite the foul problems.
Leader sports editor
Little Rock Central successfully put some distance between itself and the rest of the league with the way it ended the first round robin of play in the 7A/6A East girls division. The Lady Tigers beat Cabot 51-41 Tuesday in Little Rock to move to 7-0 and take a two-game lead over three teams tied for second place at 5-2. Cabot, North Little Rock and West Memphis are those three teams, and the Lady Tigers beat them all in succession.
Central’s Taylor Lewis started the game against Cabot the same way she started the game against North Little Rock the Friday before, on fire from three-point range.
Lewis hit a pair of three pointers in the middle of the first quarter that pushed a 6-5 game into a 12-5 Lady Tiger lead over the Panthers. But it would take until the final three minutes of the game before Central could seal the game against the hard-nosed Cabot squad.
Every time Central (15-4, 7-0) pushed out to a decent margin, Cabot stormed back. Lewis hit two more three in succession in the second quarter to give her team a 25-18 lead, but Cabot sophomore Alyssa Hamilton scored six-straight points. Central’s Amy Ruffin then scored and Cabot hit one of two free throws.
The Lady Panthers had three possessions to tie or take the lead, but missed the front end of a one-and-one and committed two turnovers. Central’s Chloe Washington then scored to make it 29-25 and Cabot was never within three points again.
Turnovers and missed free throws plagued Cabot from beginning to end, especially at the beginning of the first and third quarters. Cabot had five turnovers before it took a shot from the floor in the first quarter, then committed four-straight turnovers to start the second half.
After Central led 29-25, Cabot (12-5, 5-2) missed three consecutive free throws in the final 90 seconds of the first half. Lewis then converted a three-point play at the buzzer for a 32-25 halftime lead.
The third quarter was very physical with little offense by either team. Cabot’s four turnovers allowed Central to stretch its lead to 36-25. Cabot closed the margin to seven by the end of the quarter when Ally Van Enk hit a shot at the buzzer that made it 40-33.
A long weather delay with 39 seconds left in the third quarter allowed both teams to rest, and it seemed to favor the Lady Panthers once play resumed.
Cabot’s defense made things difficult for Central early in the fourth quarter. The Lady Tigers didn’t score a point until the 2:54 mark and didn’t score a basket until 2:37. But Cabot had only managed four points in that time and still trailed 40-37 when things fell apart.
The foul at 2:54 was the fifth on Taylor. Washington made one of two, but Cabot lost the rebound out of bounds. Alaysia Ready scored on the ensuing possession to make it 43-37. Ruffin then got a steal and hit two free throws after being fouled. After being held scoreless for more than five minutes, Central scored five points in 24 seconds to take an eight-point lead with 2:30 remaining and regain control of the game.
Cabot continued to struggle from the line, missing the front end of two more one-and-one free-throw attempts. Central capitalized on the poor shooting and stretched its lead to as much as 49-37.
Lewis led all scorers with 17 points while Ruffin scored 10 for Central. Hamilton led the Lady Panthers with 15 points while Taylor scored 12 despite the foul problems.
SPORTS STORY >> Beebe boys dominant in blowing out Forrest City
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Forrest City entered Badger Arena without star 6-foot-9 junior Trey Thompson, but still no one would have imagined the Badgers would dominate the first-place Forrest City Mustangs the way they did. Beebe controlled every phase of the game, especially in the second half, in cruising to a 60-35 win over what was the league’s only remaining unbeaten team.
“We were just totally out of sync and weren’t getting anything accomplished in the second half,” Forrest City coach Dwight Lofton said. “We went a long stretch there in the third quarter where we didn’t make a basket at all, and you’re not going to accomplish anything like that. Beebe was very intense and played excellent defense, and we just did nothing to answer it.”
Forrest City’s best run was right after the opening tip off. The Mustangs ran out to a 6-0 lead, but Beebe answered with a 14-3 run before Forrest City scored at the buzzer to make it 14-11 heading into the second frame.
The two teams traded baskets for most of the second quarter and the Badgers took a 27-21 lead into intermission. After that is when things began to go wrong for the visiting team.
Forrest City made the first basket of the third quarter at the 7:34 mark. Its next basket was a wild one from well beyond the three-point line by Trey Hutchison that banked in at the buzzer. There were just three made free throws in between. Beebe didn’t run away with it, but was solid enough to push out to a 42-29 lead by the start of the fourth quarter.
Beebe senior Austin Burroughs led the Badgers most of the game, but junior Tanner Chapman took over in the fourth quarter. Chapman scored the first points of the final frame with 6:21 left. Almost all of the next four minutes of play took place at the Badgers’ end of the floor as Forrest City’s frustration began to manifest.
Forrest City turned it over at half court. Chapman was then fouled by Terion Smith, who also drew a technical for angrily protesting the call. Chapman hit three of four free throws for a 47-29 lead. Beebe then held onto possession until the 4:37 mark when Hutchison clotheslined Chapman at midcourt, drawing a flagrant foul.
This time Chapman hit them both, then got open on the inbounds pass for a layup and another foul. With 4:33 left in the game, Beebe led 52-29 and the ball had scarcely been on Forrest City’s end of the court.
The Mustangs finally scored when Hutchison made a pair of free throws. Their first basket of the fourth quarter, and only their third of the second half, came on a Dwain Whitfield layup with 2:59 left in the game that made it 57-33.
“I thought our defensive intensity was great and our offense executed really well late when we got the lead,” Beebe coach Ryan Marshall said. “We shot free throws really well. Chapman stepped up big at the line tonight.”
Chapman finished with 21 points. He scored 15 in the fourth quarter with 11 of those coming on 13 free-throw attempts. Burroughs finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
“He’s the guy teams and coaches around this league talk about trying to stop when they talk about Beebe,” Marshall said of Burroughs. “He’s making a name for himself as one of the best players in the conference.”
Hutchison and Gervove Barton led Forrest City with seven points each.
Leader sports editor
Forrest City entered Badger Arena without star 6-foot-9 junior Trey Thompson, but still no one would have imagined the Badgers would dominate the first-place Forrest City Mustangs the way they did. Beebe controlled every phase of the game, especially in the second half, in cruising to a 60-35 win over what was the league’s only remaining unbeaten team.
“We were just totally out of sync and weren’t getting anything accomplished in the second half,” Forrest City coach Dwight Lofton said. “We went a long stretch there in the third quarter where we didn’t make a basket at all, and you’re not going to accomplish anything like that. Beebe was very intense and played excellent defense, and we just did nothing to answer it.”
Forrest City’s best run was right after the opening tip off. The Mustangs ran out to a 6-0 lead, but Beebe answered with a 14-3 run before Forrest City scored at the buzzer to make it 14-11 heading into the second frame.
The two teams traded baskets for most of the second quarter and the Badgers took a 27-21 lead into intermission. After that is when things began to go wrong for the visiting team.
Forrest City made the first basket of the third quarter at the 7:34 mark. Its next basket was a wild one from well beyond the three-point line by Trey Hutchison that banked in at the buzzer. There were just three made free throws in between. Beebe didn’t run away with it, but was solid enough to push out to a 42-29 lead by the start of the fourth quarter.
Beebe senior Austin Burroughs led the Badgers most of the game, but junior Tanner Chapman took over in the fourth quarter. Chapman scored the first points of the final frame with 6:21 left. Almost all of the next four minutes of play took place at the Badgers’ end of the floor as Forrest City’s frustration began to manifest.
Forrest City turned it over at half court. Chapman was then fouled by Terion Smith, who also drew a technical for angrily protesting the call. Chapman hit three of four free throws for a 47-29 lead. Beebe then held onto possession until the 4:37 mark when Hutchison clotheslined Chapman at midcourt, drawing a flagrant foul.
This time Chapman hit them both, then got open on the inbounds pass for a layup and another foul. With 4:33 left in the game, Beebe led 52-29 and the ball had scarcely been on Forrest City’s end of the court.
The Mustangs finally scored when Hutchison made a pair of free throws. Their first basket of the fourth quarter, and only their third of the second half, came on a Dwain Whitfield layup with 2:59 left in the game that made it 57-33.
“I thought our defensive intensity was great and our offense executed really well late when we got the lead,” Beebe coach Ryan Marshall said. “We shot free throws really well. Chapman stepped up big at the line tonight.”
Chapman finished with 21 points. He scored 15 in the fourth quarter with 11 of those coming on 13 free-throw attempts. Burroughs finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
“He’s the guy teams and coaches around this league talk about trying to stop when they talk about Beebe,” Marshall said of Burroughs. “He’s making a name for himself as one of the best players in the conference.”
Hutchison and Gervove Barton led Forrest City with seven points each.
SPORTS STORY >> Comets shoot down Devils
By GRAHAM POWELL
Leader sportswriter
Mills University Studies handed Jacksonville its first loss in 5A Central Conference play this season with a 50-44 upset win Tuesday at the Galaxy in Little Rock.
The Red Devils trailed the majority of the game and managed to make a run late, but the Comets had an answer for nearly every Jacksonville basket, especially in the fourth quarter. A lack of poise and execution in the game plan is what Jacksonville coach Victor Joyner said determined the outcome of the game.
“Poise,” said Joyner. “Poise and patience – we didn’t have any, point blank. That’s what lost the game. We never shot like that. Like I said, poise, even at the free-throw line. Poise and patience – that’s the bottom line. They came out in the first half and just forced it and didn’t do anything. This is the first time all season they didn’t follow the game plan that I put up. That wasn’t my game plan.”
Mills (10-8, 4-3) started the game with an 8-2 scoring run, but Jacksonville (14-4, 7-1) battled back to take its first and only lead with 55.6 seconds to play in the opening quarter on a free throw by Aaron Smith. Smith’s free throw put the Red Devils up 13-12, but Shaquon Fletcher and Omar Avance scored the final four points of the frame to give Mills a 16-13 lead.
Fletcher led all scorers with 20 points. Twelve of those points came at the free-throw line. Mills made 17 of 24 shots at the line (71 percent) and made 42 percent of its shots beyond the arc.
Jacksonville had a less than stellar night at the line, going 12 for 23 (52 percent), and had an off night from three-point range, making just 2 of 12 attempts (17 percent).
Nykel Worthern made the first Jacksonville three pointer at the 6:28 mark of the second quarter that tied the game at 16-16. But turnovers hurt the Red Devils in the next two minutes.
Mills scored four straight points off of Jacksonville turnovers to take a 20-16 lead midway through the quarter, and by halftime the Comets led 26-21.
Mills pushed its lead to double digits with 5:06 to play in the third quarter on a rebound and putback by Devin Campbell, making the score 36-26. Jacksonville trimmed the deficit to five as the quarter wound down, but with four seconds on the clock, Avance drained his fifth three pointer of the game in as many attempts to give the home team a 41-33 lead.
A pair of free throws by Fletcher put Mills back up by double digits at the start of the fourth, but Jacksonville steadily chipped away at the lead from there. After Fletcher’s free throws, the Red Devils outscored the Comets 11-4 to make it a three-point game with 49 seconds to play.
Unfortunately for the Devils, they weren’t able to score again. Fletcher made 3 of 4 free throws in the final seconds to set the final score.
“The first time we played them we executed and got the best shot possible, made them play a little defense on their end,” Joyner said of his team’s win over Mills earlier in the season. “Well, the first half, there was a lot of forcing. No poise, no patience. They’re a running team. They weren’t getting turnovers to get extra possessions. We were giving it to them with quick shots and forcing the ball.”
Jacksonville and Mills each finished the game with 18 rebounds, but the Red Devils’ 16 turnovers were three more than the Comets committed.
Justin McCleary led Jacksonville with 10 points. Sergio Berkley scored nine and Smith added seven.
The Red Devils played host to Little Rock Christian yesterday after deadlines. Look for details of that game in Wednesday’s edition of The Leader.
Leader sportswriter
Mills University Studies handed Jacksonville its first loss in 5A Central Conference play this season with a 50-44 upset win Tuesday at the Galaxy in Little Rock.
The Red Devils trailed the majority of the game and managed to make a run late, but the Comets had an answer for nearly every Jacksonville basket, especially in the fourth quarter. A lack of poise and execution in the game plan is what Jacksonville coach Victor Joyner said determined the outcome of the game.
“Poise,” said Joyner. “Poise and patience – we didn’t have any, point blank. That’s what lost the game. We never shot like that. Like I said, poise, even at the free-throw line. Poise and patience – that’s the bottom line. They came out in the first half and just forced it and didn’t do anything. This is the first time all season they didn’t follow the game plan that I put up. That wasn’t my game plan.”
Mills (10-8, 4-3) started the game with an 8-2 scoring run, but Jacksonville (14-4, 7-1) battled back to take its first and only lead with 55.6 seconds to play in the opening quarter on a free throw by Aaron Smith. Smith’s free throw put the Red Devils up 13-12, but Shaquon Fletcher and Omar Avance scored the final four points of the frame to give Mills a 16-13 lead.
Fletcher led all scorers with 20 points. Twelve of those points came at the free-throw line. Mills made 17 of 24 shots at the line (71 percent) and made 42 percent of its shots beyond the arc.
Jacksonville had a less than stellar night at the line, going 12 for 23 (52 percent), and had an off night from three-point range, making just 2 of 12 attempts (17 percent).
Nykel Worthern made the first Jacksonville three pointer at the 6:28 mark of the second quarter that tied the game at 16-16. But turnovers hurt the Red Devils in the next two minutes.
Mills scored four straight points off of Jacksonville turnovers to take a 20-16 lead midway through the quarter, and by halftime the Comets led 26-21.
Mills pushed its lead to double digits with 5:06 to play in the third quarter on a rebound and putback by Devin Campbell, making the score 36-26. Jacksonville trimmed the deficit to five as the quarter wound down, but with four seconds on the clock, Avance drained his fifth three pointer of the game in as many attempts to give the home team a 41-33 lead.
A pair of free throws by Fletcher put Mills back up by double digits at the start of the fourth, but Jacksonville steadily chipped away at the lead from there. After Fletcher’s free throws, the Red Devils outscored the Comets 11-4 to make it a three-point game with 49 seconds to play.
Unfortunately for the Devils, they weren’t able to score again. Fletcher made 3 of 4 free throws in the final seconds to set the final score.
“The first time we played them we executed and got the best shot possible, made them play a little defense on their end,” Joyner said of his team’s win over Mills earlier in the season. “Well, the first half, there was a lot of forcing. No poise, no patience. They’re a running team. They weren’t getting turnovers to get extra possessions. We were giving it to them with quick shots and forcing the ball.”
Jacksonville and Mills each finished the game with 18 rebounds, but the Red Devils’ 16 turnovers were three more than the Comets committed.
Justin McCleary led Jacksonville with 10 points. Sergio Berkley scored nine and Smith added seven.
The Red Devils played host to Little Rock Christian yesterday after deadlines. Look for details of that game in Wednesday’s edition of The Leader.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
EDITORIAL >> Congratulations, Col. Robinson
Col. Brian S. Robinson, the 19th Airlift Wing commander at Little Rock Air Force Base, has been nominated by President Obama for promotion to brigadier general and should be confirmed by the Senate soon. He’s a strong leader who has proved himself here at the Rock and in the Middle East. In 2003, Robinson inserted into Iraq an entire aviation brigade of C-17s — the 173rd of Italy — which had never been done before. He was awarded the bronze star, pinned on by Vice President Cheney.
Robinson, who has been commander at LRAFB since last January, came here from Scott AFB in Illinois, where he was executive officer to Gen. Raymond Johns Jr., commander of Air Mobility Command there. The Air Force gives us their best.
Robinson joins a long list of commanders at the base who became generals while serving here or at their next assignments. Gen. Gregory Otey, who previously commanded the 19th Airlift Wing and is now at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, and Gen. Charles Hyde, former commander of the 314th Airlift Wing now at Ramstein AFB in Germany, were recently promoted to general. We’re certain that Col. Mike Minihan, who commanded the 19th Airlift Wing, and Col. Mark Czelusta, who lead the 314th AW, are in line for promotion. They’re great men who deserve their first star.
Robinson, who has been commander at LRAFB since last January, came here from Scott AFB in Illinois, where he was executive officer to Gen. Raymond Johns Jr., commander of Air Mobility Command there. The Air Force gives us their best.
Robinson joins a long list of commanders at the base who became generals while serving here or at their next assignments. Gen. Gregory Otey, who previously commanded the 19th Airlift Wing and is now at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, and Gen. Charles Hyde, former commander of the 314th Airlift Wing now at Ramstein AFB in Germany, were recently promoted to general. We’re certain that Col. Mike Minihan, who commanded the 19th Airlift Wing, and Col. Mark Czelusta, who lead the 314th AW, are in line for promotion. They’re great men who deserve their first star.
EDITORIAL >> Democrats’ best hope
Dustin McDaniel’s political career crashed to the bedroom floor last week, leaving the Democratic Party to contemplate an uncertain future without an anointed candidate for the 2014 election. Parties nowadays like to go into election years with the nominations for major offices pretty settled, thus husbanding money for the big race in the fall.
It was supposed to be the popular attorney general vs. Republican Asa Hutchinson, a three-time loser in statewide races who thinks his time has finally come. But McDaniel announced last week that he was withdrawing from the race to concentrate on rebuilding his life after a highly publicized adulterous affair with a Hot Springs lawyer. McDaniel revealed the affair—a brief one, he said—in December when people in the media started inquiring about it. The Hot Springs lawyer’s ex-husband accused her of an affair with McDaniel in legal custody pleadings and got the media interested. His whole family having now experienced the pitiless glare of the political strobe lights, the husband regrets the whole thing.
McDaniel soldiered on for a few weeks, emphatically assuring everyone that, affair or not, he was in the governor’s race to stay. Voters have sometimes overlooked politicians’ philandering, and sometimes they have not. Arkansas voters forgave U.S. Rep. Wilbur D. Mills’ cavorting with the nightclub stripper Annabella Battistella—for one election—but they didn’t forgive their old hero, Gov. Orval E. Faubus, for dumping his wife for a tart with a beehive hairdo, although he gave them three chances, in 1970, 1974 and 1986. In McDaniel’s case, it became clear that his dalliance was not going away in voters’ minds, perhaps because it was complicated by a killing in the Hot Springs woman’s driveway.
The attorney general won’t be re-entering the race next year after time has healed the wounds—voters would not overlook such hypocrisy—but we would not be surprised to find him running for Congress in the district centered in his hometown of Jonesboro.
McDaniel’s withdrawal is not necessarily bad for the Democratic Party, which now has a chance to find a perfectly new leader, as it did in 1970 when the voters plucked young Dale Bumpers, totally unknown, from a field of seven better-known politicians.
Who could it be? Handsome Bill Halter, the former lieutenant governor who took on Sen. Blanche Lincoln in her own primary two years ago, is running. So is John Burkhalter, a rich businessman who is close to Gov. Beebe. So might Mike Ross, who left Congress this month for a career as an energy lobbyist and executive. There is talk that young Chris Thomason of Hope, a former legislator and prosecuting attorney who now runs a community college, will run. Shane Broadway, a former state legislator who lost a race for lieutenant governor in the Republican landslide of 2010 and who now directs the state Department of Higher Education, is entertaining the idea.
The Democrats’ best hope, we believe, would be Will Bond, who accepted Gov. Beebe’s plea two years ago to command the moribund state party in the face of a Republican financial onslaught and an intensely hated (in Arkansas) national standard bearer, Barack Obama. Alas, it will take a draft to get the reluctant Bond into a race that he does not care to make.
What a refreshing contrast Bond, unscarred by scandal or defeat, would make to Hutchinson, who lost big three times, in 1986, 1992 and 2006, but who would be bankrolled this time by the gun makers, the Koch brothers and the billionaires club. Voters deserve such a choice, but they aren’t likely to get it.
It was supposed to be the popular attorney general vs. Republican Asa Hutchinson, a three-time loser in statewide races who thinks his time has finally come. But McDaniel announced last week that he was withdrawing from the race to concentrate on rebuilding his life after a highly publicized adulterous affair with a Hot Springs lawyer. McDaniel revealed the affair—a brief one, he said—in December when people in the media started inquiring about it. The Hot Springs lawyer’s ex-husband accused her of an affair with McDaniel in legal custody pleadings and got the media interested. His whole family having now experienced the pitiless glare of the political strobe lights, the husband regrets the whole thing.
McDaniel soldiered on for a few weeks, emphatically assuring everyone that, affair or not, he was in the governor’s race to stay. Voters have sometimes overlooked politicians’ philandering, and sometimes they have not. Arkansas voters forgave U.S. Rep. Wilbur D. Mills’ cavorting with the nightclub stripper Annabella Battistella—for one election—but they didn’t forgive their old hero, Gov. Orval E. Faubus, for dumping his wife for a tart with a beehive hairdo, although he gave them three chances, in 1970, 1974 and 1986. In McDaniel’s case, it became clear that his dalliance was not going away in voters’ minds, perhaps because it was complicated by a killing in the Hot Springs woman’s driveway.
The attorney general won’t be re-entering the race next year after time has healed the wounds—voters would not overlook such hypocrisy—but we would not be surprised to find him running for Congress in the district centered in his hometown of Jonesboro.
McDaniel’s withdrawal is not necessarily bad for the Democratic Party, which now has a chance to find a perfectly new leader, as it did in 1970 when the voters plucked young Dale Bumpers, totally unknown, from a field of seven better-known politicians.
Who could it be? Handsome Bill Halter, the former lieutenant governor who took on Sen. Blanche Lincoln in her own primary two years ago, is running. So is John Burkhalter, a rich businessman who is close to Gov. Beebe. So might Mike Ross, who left Congress this month for a career as an energy lobbyist and executive. There is talk that young Chris Thomason of Hope, a former legislator and prosecuting attorney who now runs a community college, will run. Shane Broadway, a former state legislator who lost a race for lieutenant governor in the Republican landslide of 2010 and who now directs the state Department of Higher Education, is entertaining the idea.
The Democrats’ best hope, we believe, would be Will Bond, who accepted Gov. Beebe’s plea two years ago to command the moribund state party in the face of a Republican financial onslaught and an intensely hated (in Arkansas) national standard bearer, Barack Obama. Alas, it will take a draft to get the reluctant Bond into a race that he does not care to make.
What a refreshing contrast Bond, unscarred by scandal or defeat, would make to Hutchinson, who lost big three times, in 1986, 1992 and 2006, but who would be bankrolled this time by the gun makers, the Koch brothers and the billionaires club. Voters deserve such a choice, but they aren’t likely to get it.
TOP STORY >> Cabot chamber honors its top members
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
At its 52nd annual banquet, the Cabot Chamber of Commerce had a tie—the first one anyone can recall—in the voting for its person of the year, so the group honored two Friday night.
A firefighter and a National Guard sergeant were both recognized as the member of the year and an interior decorating firm was selected as the business of the year.
Fire Capt. David Walton, 33, who has lived in Cabot since he was four, was nominated by Vikki Parker. In her nomination letter, Parker said Walton exhibits what she believed “to be the example of what a Member of the Year is. David has been at all our events in the city to serve in any way that he can in whatever capacity he is needed. He truly has a servant’s heart.”
Parker went on to say that Walton “helps at Cabot Fest, hands out our Air Force fliers, is always there to help with Relay for Life and so many times he helps maintain our chamber sign by cleaning it and keeping it in working order. In my opinion David Walton is Member of the Year hands down.”
Walton was shocked when his name was announced. “All of us who were nominated were told to be there, but I didn’t know what I was nominated for or who nominated me. I don’t do these things I do for publicity, I do them because I enjoy them and I love Cabot,” Walton said.
The fire captain, who is celebrating his 15th year with the local department, firmly believes Cabot is the place to be. “I work two jobs and they are both in Cabot and anything someone wants to do can be done right here in Cabot,” he said. Walton is so strongly connected to Cabot that he married a Cabot girl. They have one daughter.
Walton said he really enjoys being an ambassador for Cabot and has put together a “Best of Cabot” display for the last four air shows, meaning nearly a million people have seen what Cabot was to offer. “We have a permanent invite to the air show and I plan to be there as long as possible,” he said.
Walton added that as a firefighter he sees a lot of tragedies but says no community comes together and helps others like Cabot. “You should have seen the outpouring of help and donations after the Cabot Junior High North fire a few years ago or even the recent round of storms and the damage they caused. It ties in with what outgoing chamber president Teresa Durham said repeatedly during the evening, “Our motto through actions and deeds is ‘Cabot Cares.’”
But Walton wasn’t the only member to be honored, as judges decided, and the chamber agreed, that Sgt. First Class Robbie McDonald was also member of the year.
Billye Everett, the chamber’s executive director, said it’s the first time since she’s been connected with the chamber that there’s been a tie and she couldn’t be prouder. “And no one else can recall a time before that,” she said.
McDonald was nominated by Gina Quattlebaum. She said McDonald, a member of the Army National Guard, “truly has a heart to serve.”
She went on, “Not only is he the first to volunteer for any Chamber event, but also volunteers and participates in many other civic events. Sergeant McDonald, a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist, is always willing to help in whatever capacity needed whether that is taking out the trash or participating in planning the event, nothing is too big or too small.”
McDonald, who lost his wife a few years ago to cancer, said he’s always had a giving heart and enjoyed helping others, but has stepped it up since her death. “Losing her just made me look at life more preciously,” he said.
The sergeant is a newcomer to Cabot, arriving in town in 2009 to run the armory. But it didn’t take him long to get active in the church and the community. His church involvement spread to civic involvement and working at the armory got him involved with the chamber. “People here are really military friendly. We have lots of retirees in the area and with the base nearby, the city has just treated me like I’ve always lived here,” McDonald said.
As the father of two boys, he is excited about the strong school district and its relationship with the community. “The school district here is just awesome,” he said.
Accepting the award Friday night, McDonald simply said, “I just like to help. Thanks a lot.”
The chamber’s business of the year award went to Nina Butler Interiors.
Nina Butler, who will celebrate her 27th wedding anniversary later this year, started her interior design business in 1981. It is a full service decorator shop.
“I have been blessed to see my small business grow over the years by striving to offer superior customer service,” Butler said.
As busy as it keeps her, Butler finds time to stay active in the community. She serves on the Cabot Scholarship Foundation committee, Centennial Bank advisory board and the Cabot Panther Foundation advisory board.
Like McDonald, she is very active with First Baptist Church and served two terms on the State of Arkansas Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board.
Butler said, “Cabot is my home town and I find it rewarding to work and volunteer with the fine people of this community. It is special to know that my son was the third generation in my family to graduate from Cabot Public Schools. The Cabot Chamber of Commerce, area churches and our Cabot Public Schools have always networked to build our community. She added, “I am thrilled to be able to work in my hometown with contractors and customers who I think of as friends.”
Besides recognizing the member and business of the year, the chamber also had a changing of the guard, with Durham turning over the gavel to new president Karen Madding.
Other chamber officers for 2013 include Mark Stocks as president-elect, Jeff Spann as vice president and Kenneth James as treasurer. Board members are James Hertzog, Karen Knight, Stephanie May, Priscilla Morris and Vikki Parker.
Leader staff writer
At its 52nd annual banquet, the Cabot Chamber of Commerce had a tie—the first one anyone can recall—in the voting for its person of the year, so the group honored two Friday night.
A firefighter and a National Guard sergeant were both recognized as the member of the year and an interior decorating firm was selected as the business of the year.
Fire Capt. David Walton, 33, who has lived in Cabot since he was four, was nominated by Vikki Parker. In her nomination letter, Parker said Walton exhibits what she believed “to be the example of what a Member of the Year is. David has been at all our events in the city to serve in any way that he can in whatever capacity he is needed. He truly has a servant’s heart.”
Parker went on to say that Walton “helps at Cabot Fest, hands out our Air Force fliers, is always there to help with Relay for Life and so many times he helps maintain our chamber sign by cleaning it and keeping it in working order. In my opinion David Walton is Member of the Year hands down.”
Walton was shocked when his name was announced. “All of us who were nominated were told to be there, but I didn’t know what I was nominated for or who nominated me. I don’t do these things I do for publicity, I do them because I enjoy them and I love Cabot,” Walton said.
The fire captain, who is celebrating his 15th year with the local department, firmly believes Cabot is the place to be. “I work two jobs and they are both in Cabot and anything someone wants to do can be done right here in Cabot,” he said. Walton is so strongly connected to Cabot that he married a Cabot girl. They have one daughter.
Walton said he really enjoys being an ambassador for Cabot and has put together a “Best of Cabot” display for the last four air shows, meaning nearly a million people have seen what Cabot was to offer. “We have a permanent invite to the air show and I plan to be there as long as possible,” he said.
Walton added that as a firefighter he sees a lot of tragedies but says no community comes together and helps others like Cabot. “You should have seen the outpouring of help and donations after the Cabot Junior High North fire a few years ago or even the recent round of storms and the damage they caused. It ties in with what outgoing chamber president Teresa Durham said repeatedly during the evening, “Our motto through actions and deeds is ‘Cabot Cares.’”
But Walton wasn’t the only member to be honored, as judges decided, and the chamber agreed, that Sgt. First Class Robbie McDonald was also member of the year.
Billye Everett, the chamber’s executive director, said it’s the first time since she’s been connected with the chamber that there’s been a tie and she couldn’t be prouder. “And no one else can recall a time before that,” she said.
McDonald was nominated by Gina Quattlebaum. She said McDonald, a member of the Army National Guard, “truly has a heart to serve.”
She went on, “Not only is he the first to volunteer for any Chamber event, but also volunteers and participates in many other civic events. Sergeant McDonald, a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist, is always willing to help in whatever capacity needed whether that is taking out the trash or participating in planning the event, nothing is too big or too small.”
McDonald, who lost his wife a few years ago to cancer, said he’s always had a giving heart and enjoyed helping others, but has stepped it up since her death. “Losing her just made me look at life more preciously,” he said.
The sergeant is a newcomer to Cabot, arriving in town in 2009 to run the armory. But it didn’t take him long to get active in the church and the community. His church involvement spread to civic involvement and working at the armory got him involved with the chamber. “People here are really military friendly. We have lots of retirees in the area and with the base nearby, the city has just treated me like I’ve always lived here,” McDonald said.
As the father of two boys, he is excited about the strong school district and its relationship with the community. “The school district here is just awesome,” he said.
Accepting the award Friday night, McDonald simply said, “I just like to help. Thanks a lot.”
The chamber’s business of the year award went to Nina Butler Interiors.
Nina Butler, who will celebrate her 27th wedding anniversary later this year, started her interior design business in 1981. It is a full service decorator shop.
“I have been blessed to see my small business grow over the years by striving to offer superior customer service,” Butler said.
As busy as it keeps her, Butler finds time to stay active in the community. She serves on the Cabot Scholarship Foundation committee, Centennial Bank advisory board and the Cabot Panther Foundation advisory board.
Like McDonald, she is very active with First Baptist Church and served two terms on the State of Arkansas Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board.
Butler said, “Cabot is my home town and I find it rewarding to work and volunteer with the fine people of this community. It is special to know that my son was the third generation in my family to graduate from Cabot Public Schools. The Cabot Chamber of Commerce, area churches and our Cabot Public Schools have always networked to build our community. She added, “I am thrilled to be able to work in my hometown with contractors and customers who I think of as friends.”
Besides recognizing the member and business of the year, the chamber also had a changing of the guard, with Durham turning over the gavel to new president Karen Madding.
Other chamber officers for 2013 include Mark Stocks as president-elect, Jeff Spann as vice president and Kenneth James as treasurer. Board members are James Hertzog, Karen Knight, Stephanie May, Priscilla Morris and Vikki Parker.
TOP STORY >> Cabot schools in drill for shooting scenario
By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
Cabot school officials are preparing students and staff for the worst hide-and-seek scenario ever.
The classrooms at Cabot Junior High South on Tuesday went dark for a lockdown drill. Teachers locked the doors and students worked at keeping silent for 10 minutes. They kept away from windows as if an intruder was stalking the hallways.
The practice could save lives if an armed gunman decided to attack a school.
With the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut still fresh on their minds, school administrators, police, fire and emergency first responders reviewed crisis management plans with lockdown drills at Cabot High School, Junior High South, Middle School South and Stagecoach Elementary.
“The variables are different at all 15 sites. Each building presents unique challenges. It’s not a one size fits all,” Superintendent Tony Thurman said.
Thurman said students of different age groups have different demeanors. Students need to understand the seriousness of the drill. “This is your life at stake here,” Thurman said.
Junior High South Principal John West said the school annually reviews the crisis emergency plan, but the Connecticut school shooting brought school safety and security into the limelight.
“Some think it could happen tomorrow. Some think it could never happen,” West said.
Law enforcement and school officials reviewed building maps and communication methods. They jiggled door locks and noted where a person could hide inside and outside the building. They looked at securing the school office and the electrical supply closets.
West said one of the challenges for a lockdown plan is at least 75 students have to go outside the main building to the activity building or to the career and technical building.
After the drill, officials discussed ways to improve safety. The intercom can only be heard in the classrooms not in the hallways or outside the building. That needs correction, they agreed.
A severely disabled student in a special education class cannot be in the dark. The staff must devise a way to blacken a window without turning off the lights in the special education classroom.
Police Chief Jackie Davis said the lockdown plan allows different agencies to work together and get feedback. Cabot police, along with Austin and Ward police departments, Cabot and Ward fire departments, MEMS emergency medical technicians and the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office attended the lock down drills.
“Everybody is a willing participant,” Davis said. He said the police department plans to hold more tactical drills.
Leader staff writer
Cabot school officials are preparing students and staff for the worst hide-and-seek scenario ever.
The classrooms at Cabot Junior High South on Tuesday went dark for a lockdown drill. Teachers locked the doors and students worked at keeping silent for 10 minutes. They kept away from windows as if an intruder was stalking the hallways.
The practice could save lives if an armed gunman decided to attack a school.
With the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut still fresh on their minds, school administrators, police, fire and emergency first responders reviewed crisis management plans with lockdown drills at Cabot High School, Junior High South, Middle School South and Stagecoach Elementary.
“The variables are different at all 15 sites. Each building presents unique challenges. It’s not a one size fits all,” Superintendent Tony Thurman said.
Thurman said students of different age groups have different demeanors. Students need to understand the seriousness of the drill. “This is your life at stake here,” Thurman said.
Junior High South Principal John West said the school annually reviews the crisis emergency plan, but the Connecticut school shooting brought school safety and security into the limelight.
“Some think it could happen tomorrow. Some think it could never happen,” West said.
Law enforcement and school officials reviewed building maps and communication methods. They jiggled door locks and noted where a person could hide inside and outside the building. They looked at securing the school office and the electrical supply closets.
West said one of the challenges for a lockdown plan is at least 75 students have to go outside the main building to the activity building or to the career and technical building.
After the drill, officials discussed ways to improve safety. The intercom can only be heard in the classrooms not in the hallways or outside the building. That needs correction, they agreed.
A severely disabled student in a special education class cannot be in the dark. The staff must devise a way to blacken a window without turning off the lights in the special education classroom.
Police Chief Jackie Davis said the lockdown plan allows different agencies to work together and get feedback. Cabot police, along with Austin and Ward police departments, Cabot and Ward fire departments, MEMS emergency medical technicians and the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office attended the lock down drills.
“Everybody is a willing participant,” Davis said. He said the police department plans to hold more tactical drills.
TOP STORY >> Amidst fears, firearm sales spike in area
By SARAH CAMPBELL
Leader staff writer
Local gun-shop owners are having trouble keeping weapons on their shelves because customers are up in arms about proposed federal legislation to regulate their sale.
The gun-control debate was sparked by the December shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., when 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed 20 children and seven adults.
One of the guns he used was a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle. Lanza committed suicide as police were closing in on him at the school.
Tom Denniston, the owner of Fort Thompson in Sherwood, said, “We’ve been totally swamped ever since the shooting. People are worried about new laws. It’s putting them in a frenzy or panic.”
J.D. Beldon, owner of Cabot Gun and Ammo, agreed. But he said this started the day after the November election when guns from two of his distributors were sold out.
Beldon said, “The biggest thing is it’s created a frenzy. We have so many people buying up all they can.”
He added, “Prices have skyrocketed.” Beldon said people are selling a $700 gun for $2,000 because of the increased demand.
According to Beldon, most of the recent customers want AR-15 rifles and high-capacity handguns. “I can’t replace the stock I’m selling,” he said. Beldon has 40 percent less inventory than he would typically have.
Denniston said the panicked customers are people he sees regularly — stay-at-home moms, schoolteachers, farmers and others.
He continued, “Customers are saying, ‘It’s our Second Amendment right. Why are they penalizing me? What did I do? I pay my taxes.’”
President Barack Obama executive actions that do not need congressional approval. They give current gun-control laws more teeth as well as address school safety and mental health.
Obama also asked Congress to require background checks on all gun sales, reinstate a ban on “military-style assault weapons,” ban magazines with capacities of more than 10 rounds and levy higher penalties on straw purchasers.
Private sellers are not required to run background checks on buyers. Straw purchasers are people who buy guns for individuals who wouldn’t be allowed by law to own a gun.
But Arkansas legislators are moving in the opposite direction, toward less gun control.
The state Senate on Monday voted 28-4 for a proposal that would allow people with concealment licenses to bring their guns into places of worship. The proposal has been sent to the House for approval.
The House voted to support a resolution asking that the federal government not encroach on the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.
Jan. 19 was Gun Appreciation Day. Beldon, of Cabot Gun and Ammo, said his store had an above average turnout — more than 100 people compared to between 70 and 80. But he said the range part of his business has been slow lately because people don’t want to waste their ammunition in case a federal law is passed that limits how much of it they can buy.
Denniston, of Fort Thompson, dis-agrees with most of the federal government’s push to strengthen gun control, but supports making private sellers run background checks on buyers. Beldon feels the same way.
Beldon explained that gun dealers like him have to apply to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for a three-year license. Every licensed dealer uses the same federal form to conduct a background check on each customer. The penalties for putting the wrong information on that form include fines and jail time, Beldon said.
He added, “Universal background checks is not a bad thing.”
Denniston said, “You can’t fix crazy. Any kind of gun legislation isn’t going to stop (mass shootings). I think we’re fine. If you can’t keep guns out of criminals’ hands, a law-abiding citizen should be able to have them.”
Denniston said gun sellers are trying to rename what people refer to as “assault rifles” like the AR-15 to better reflect how most owners use them. He calls them “modern sporting rifles.”
“They’re great to shoot. They’re fun at the range. It’s not the gun that is the problem. It’s the people,” Denniston said.
Beldon said the AR in “AR-15” was never supposed to translate to “assault rifle.” He said the “AR” is an abbreviation for “ArmorLite,” the company that produced the first M-16.
Beldon said ammunition for the AR-15 rifles “used to be reasonably priced” and they have collapsible stocks. That means that a 6-year-old could use the same gun as his dad, Beldon explained.
He said the collapsible stock allows people to adjust the gun according to their height.
Beldon said, “Ninety-nine percent of Americans are good gun owners.”
Denniston said gunlocks and safes are popular items at his store. Denniston suggested that people who feel strongly about not having any more restrictions join the National Rifle Association.
“That is our voice in Congress. They carry a big stick,” Denniston said.
He added that having an armed police officer at school is “probably a good idea.”
Beldon said, “I don’t know if it’s going to stop anything from happening.” He added that if armed guards are placed at schools they should be “true trained professionals.”
Beldon’s store also provides concealed carry classes. He said the classes are booked for two months, which is not the norm.
He said the instructors have had an average of 200 students when they normally teach about 60.
Leader staff writer
Local gun-shop owners are having trouble keeping weapons on their shelves because customers are up in arms about proposed federal legislation to regulate their sale.
The gun-control debate was sparked by the December shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., when 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed 20 children and seven adults.
One of the guns he used was a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle. Lanza committed suicide as police were closing in on him at the school.
Tom Denniston, the owner of Fort Thompson in Sherwood, said, “We’ve been totally swamped ever since the shooting. People are worried about new laws. It’s putting them in a frenzy or panic.”
J.D. Beldon, owner of Cabot Gun and Ammo, agreed. But he said this started the day after the November election when guns from two of his distributors were sold out.
Beldon said, “The biggest thing is it’s created a frenzy. We have so many people buying up all they can.”
He added, “Prices have skyrocketed.” Beldon said people are selling a $700 gun for $2,000 because of the increased demand.
According to Beldon, most of the recent customers want AR-15 rifles and high-capacity handguns. “I can’t replace the stock I’m selling,” he said. Beldon has 40 percent less inventory than he would typically have.
Denniston said the panicked customers are people he sees regularly — stay-at-home moms, schoolteachers, farmers and others.
He continued, “Customers are saying, ‘It’s our Second Amendment right. Why are they penalizing me? What did I do? I pay my taxes.’”
President Barack Obama executive actions that do not need congressional approval. They give current gun-control laws more teeth as well as address school safety and mental health.
Obama also asked Congress to require background checks on all gun sales, reinstate a ban on “military-style assault weapons,” ban magazines with capacities of more than 10 rounds and levy higher penalties on straw purchasers.
Private sellers are not required to run background checks on buyers. Straw purchasers are people who buy guns for individuals who wouldn’t be allowed by law to own a gun.
But Arkansas legislators are moving in the opposite direction, toward less gun control.
The state Senate on Monday voted 28-4 for a proposal that would allow people with concealment licenses to bring their guns into places of worship. The proposal has been sent to the House for approval.
The House voted to support a resolution asking that the federal government not encroach on the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.
Jan. 19 was Gun Appreciation Day. Beldon, of Cabot Gun and Ammo, said his store had an above average turnout — more than 100 people compared to between 70 and 80. But he said the range part of his business has been slow lately because people don’t want to waste their ammunition in case a federal law is passed that limits how much of it they can buy.
Denniston, of Fort Thompson, dis-agrees with most of the federal government’s push to strengthen gun control, but supports making private sellers run background checks on buyers. Beldon feels the same way.
Beldon explained that gun dealers like him have to apply to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for a three-year license. Every licensed dealer uses the same federal form to conduct a background check on each customer. The penalties for putting the wrong information on that form include fines and jail time, Beldon said.
He added, “Universal background checks is not a bad thing.”
Denniston said, “You can’t fix crazy. Any kind of gun legislation isn’t going to stop (mass shootings). I think we’re fine. If you can’t keep guns out of criminals’ hands, a law-abiding citizen should be able to have them.”
Denniston said gun sellers are trying to rename what people refer to as “assault rifles” like the AR-15 to better reflect how most owners use them. He calls them “modern sporting rifles.”
“They’re great to shoot. They’re fun at the range. It’s not the gun that is the problem. It’s the people,” Denniston said.
Beldon said the AR in “AR-15” was never supposed to translate to “assault rifle.” He said the “AR” is an abbreviation for “ArmorLite,” the company that produced the first M-16.
Beldon said ammunition for the AR-15 rifles “used to be reasonably priced” and they have collapsible stocks. That means that a 6-year-old could use the same gun as his dad, Beldon explained.
He said the collapsible stock allows people to adjust the gun according to their height.
Beldon said, “Ninety-nine percent of Americans are good gun owners.”
Denniston said gunlocks and safes are popular items at his store. Denniston suggested that people who feel strongly about not having any more restrictions join the National Rifle Association.
“That is our voice in Congress. They carry a big stick,” Denniston said.
He added that having an armed police officer at school is “probably a good idea.”
Beldon said, “I don’t know if it’s going to stop anything from happening.” He added that if armed guards are placed at schools they should be “true trained professionals.”
Beldon’s store also provides concealed carry classes. He said the classes are booked for two months, which is not the norm.
He said the instructors have had an average of 200 students when they normally teach about 60.
SPORTS STORY >> Carlisle stuns No. 1 Lions
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Carlisle’s recent success was enough to carry over into a huge upset over top-ranked Clarendon, as the Bison leaned on their strong outside shooting in a 77-69 victory at Bison Arena on Friday.
The Lions (14-2, 9-2) came into the contest as the No. 1 team in Class 2A, but needed a victory over Carlisle to fend off Hughes for the 2A-6 Conference championship. But foul trouble, combined with an off night from the floor offensively, hampered the visitors, who spent the entire night trying to play catch-up after falling behind 38-29 at the half.
For the Bison (10-6, 8-4), the victory marked their fifth straight in league play after a difficult start to the season for the William Rountree-coached squad. They now have a chance to finish as high as third in theinal 2A-6 season standings.
“I thought we would play well,” Rountree said. “I thought we had an opportunity playing at home. They’re very good, but that’s our fifth conference win in a row. We’re playing better, and I said last year when we were mediocre that I liked this team. I just had a feeling we would play well.”
The triumph did not come without its share of hard feelings, however, as emotions ran high on the court for both teams at times – including the post-game greet, and the significant Clarendon crowd began to jeer in the fourth quarter as three of its top players exited the game early with five personal fouls.
Tensions elevated at the 3:24 mark of the third quarter when Bison forward Deron Ricks and Clarendon guard Jamen Jackson tangled up while fighting for a loose ball. Ricks ended up on top of Jackson during the fray, and Jackson got back to his feet aggressively after taking exception to the tie-up situation.
“I didn’t think we ever let it get away from us,” Rountree said. “We’re not going to back down. We’re pretty high spirited ourselves. Every once in a while you’ll take a guy out of the game, but we held our own.”
The biggest story for the Bison was their 47 percent three-point shooting (8 of 17). They stood just 2 of 6 at the half, but went over 50 percent in the second half at 6 of 11. Overall, Carlisle shot 52 percent (24 of 46) from the floor while holding the Lions to just below 50 percent at 30 of 62.
The most important of the threes for Carlisle came during a stretch in the third quarter. Clarendon closed the gap to 40-37 by the 5:46 mark, but the Bison responded with four consecutive three pointers. Senior point guard Chris Hart started the run with a three from the left wing with 5:06 left in the period, followed by a three from the other side by leading scorer Dathan Hill to make it 46-42.
The Lions finally pulled even with 3:07 remaining in the third with a lay-in by sophomore Richard Knox to make it 46 all, but Austin Reed responded for Carlisle with a trey at the 2:46 mark to give the lead back to the host at 49-46. Hill closed out the three-point run for the Bison with 2:05 remaining with a shot from the corner to boost the lead to 52-48.
Shot selection proved to be the biggest difference throughout the game for Carlisle, which hit its first six shots of the second quarter, with the first miss not coming until the 2:32 mark when Hart was just off on a three-point attempt. The Bison went 7 of 11 in the second quarter and 12 of 23 in the first half.
“We’ve got a lot of guards,” Rountree said. “To be fair, the guy who has probably improved the most over this stretch that we’ve been playing pretty good has been Edwards inside. And Clayvon, just by his presence in there, opens it up.”
Hill led the Bison with 19 points while Hart added 17 points and five rebounds. Austin Reed had 16 points and four rebounds while his brother Braden Reed finished with 12 points. Edwards rounded double-digit scorers for Carlisle with 11 points and five rebounds.
For Clarendon, Knox led all scorers with 21 points while Styleen Tyler added 19 points.
The victory marked the first time in four seasons that Carlisle has knocked off a top-ranked team, dating back to a regional-tournament victory over Abundant Life back in 2009.
“We haven’t done that in a while,” Rountree said. “It tells you how good our league is. I told the guys we’ve set the bar now to where if we go into the district tournament and stub our toe, or can’t make our way out of regionals, people are just going to say, ‘that win over Clarendon was just a fluke.’”
Carlisle played at Palestine-Wheatley last night after Leader deadlines.
Leader sportswriter
Carlisle’s recent success was enough to carry over into a huge upset over top-ranked Clarendon, as the Bison leaned on their strong outside shooting in a 77-69 victory at Bison Arena on Friday.
The Lions (14-2, 9-2) came into the contest as the No. 1 team in Class 2A, but needed a victory over Carlisle to fend off Hughes for the 2A-6 Conference championship. But foul trouble, combined with an off night from the floor offensively, hampered the visitors, who spent the entire night trying to play catch-up after falling behind 38-29 at the half.
For the Bison (10-6, 8-4), the victory marked their fifth straight in league play after a difficult start to the season for the William Rountree-coached squad. They now have a chance to finish as high as third in theinal 2A-6 season standings.
“I thought we would play well,” Rountree said. “I thought we had an opportunity playing at home. They’re very good, but that’s our fifth conference win in a row. We’re playing better, and I said last year when we were mediocre that I liked this team. I just had a feeling we would play well.”
The triumph did not come without its share of hard feelings, however, as emotions ran high on the court for both teams at times – including the post-game greet, and the significant Clarendon crowd began to jeer in the fourth quarter as three of its top players exited the game early with five personal fouls.
Tensions elevated at the 3:24 mark of the third quarter when Bison forward Deron Ricks and Clarendon guard Jamen Jackson tangled up while fighting for a loose ball. Ricks ended up on top of Jackson during the fray, and Jackson got back to his feet aggressively after taking exception to the tie-up situation.
“I didn’t think we ever let it get away from us,” Rountree said. “We’re not going to back down. We’re pretty high spirited ourselves. Every once in a while you’ll take a guy out of the game, but we held our own.”
The biggest story for the Bison was their 47 percent three-point shooting (8 of 17). They stood just 2 of 6 at the half, but went over 50 percent in the second half at 6 of 11. Overall, Carlisle shot 52 percent (24 of 46) from the floor while holding the Lions to just below 50 percent at 30 of 62.
The most important of the threes for Carlisle came during a stretch in the third quarter. Clarendon closed the gap to 40-37 by the 5:46 mark, but the Bison responded with four consecutive three pointers. Senior point guard Chris Hart started the run with a three from the left wing with 5:06 left in the period, followed by a three from the other side by leading scorer Dathan Hill to make it 46-42.
The Lions finally pulled even with 3:07 remaining in the third with a lay-in by sophomore Richard Knox to make it 46 all, but Austin Reed responded for Carlisle with a trey at the 2:46 mark to give the lead back to the host at 49-46. Hill closed out the three-point run for the Bison with 2:05 remaining with a shot from the corner to boost the lead to 52-48.
Shot selection proved to be the biggest difference throughout the game for Carlisle, which hit its first six shots of the second quarter, with the first miss not coming until the 2:32 mark when Hart was just off on a three-point attempt. The Bison went 7 of 11 in the second quarter and 12 of 23 in the first half.
“We’ve got a lot of guards,” Rountree said. “To be fair, the guy who has probably improved the most over this stretch that we’ve been playing pretty good has been Edwards inside. And Clayvon, just by his presence in there, opens it up.”
Hill led the Bison with 19 points while Hart added 17 points and five rebounds. Austin Reed had 16 points and four rebounds while his brother Braden Reed finished with 12 points. Edwards rounded double-digit scorers for Carlisle with 11 points and five rebounds.
For Clarendon, Knox led all scorers with 21 points while Styleen Tyler added 19 points.
The victory marked the first time in four seasons that Carlisle has knocked off a top-ranked team, dating back to a regional-tournament victory over Abundant Life back in 2009.
“We haven’t done that in a while,” Rountree said. “It tells you how good our league is. I told the guys we’ve set the bar now to where if we go into the district tournament and stub our toe, or can’t make our way out of regionals, people are just going to say, ‘that win over Clarendon was just a fluke.’”
Carlisle played at Palestine-Wheatley last night after Leader deadlines.
SPORTS STORY >> Cabot earns eight medals at wrestling tournament
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The Cabot Panther wrestling team fared well in their first invitational-tournament appearance of the season with a third-place overall finish at the Central Baptist College Invitational hosted by Greenbrier High School over the weekend.
The host Panthers and North Pulaski High School were the only 5A schools participating in the 16-team event with the rest of the bracket made up of 7A/6A programs.
Cabot ended up with eight medalist performances in the light and middle weight classes, including a first-place finish for Tyler Kurz in the 182-pound division. Kurz went 4-0 over the span of two days, including three victories by fall and the championship win by decision over the top seed from Little Rock Catholic.
“Tyler wrestled really well,” Panthers coach Jason Rogers said. “His first three wins were all by falls, and he won 10-2 on points in the championship match.”
Other top performances for Cabot included a third-place finish for Austin Dye in the 106-pound division, second place for Hayden Mills in the 113-pound class and a third-place finish for Michael Morgan at 126-pounds.
Erik Cooley took third place in the 132-pound weight class, Bryce Mitchell finished second in the 145-pound class and Cody Pugh finished third in the 152-pound division. In the 160-pound class, Kyle Wheeler finished second.
“We wrestled well,” Rogers said. “We lost some I thought we should have won, but we also won a few I was concerned about. It was a good tournament for us, and we have some big tournaments coming up.”
Cabot hosted Beebe and Riverview last night, and will take part in the 7A/6A East Conference tournament at Searcy this Saturday.
Leader sportswriter
The Cabot Panther wrestling team fared well in their first invitational-tournament appearance of the season with a third-place overall finish at the Central Baptist College Invitational hosted by Greenbrier High School over the weekend.
The host Panthers and North Pulaski High School were the only 5A schools participating in the 16-team event with the rest of the bracket made up of 7A/6A programs.
Cabot ended up with eight medalist performances in the light and middle weight classes, including a first-place finish for Tyler Kurz in the 182-pound division. Kurz went 4-0 over the span of two days, including three victories by fall and the championship win by decision over the top seed from Little Rock Catholic.
“Tyler wrestled really well,” Panthers coach Jason Rogers said. “His first three wins were all by falls, and he won 10-2 on points in the championship match.”
Other top performances for Cabot included a third-place finish for Austin Dye in the 106-pound division, second place for Hayden Mills in the 113-pound class and a third-place finish for Michael Morgan at 126-pounds.
Erik Cooley took third place in the 132-pound weight class, Bryce Mitchell finished second in the 145-pound class and Cody Pugh finished third in the 152-pound division. In the 160-pound class, Kyle Wheeler finished second.
“We wrestled well,” Rogers said. “We lost some I thought we should have won, but we also won a few I was concerned about. It was a good tournament for us, and we have some big tournaments coming up.”
Cabot hosted Beebe and Riverview last night, and will take part in the 7A/6A East Conference tournament at Searcy this Saturday.
SPORTS STORY >> Badgers right the ship, top Raiders
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The Beebe Badgers boys and girls teams both picked up important 5A East Conference road victories at Nettleton on Friday. The Lady Badgers remained undefeated in league play with a 48-31 rout over the Lady Raiders while the Badger boys team got back on track with a close 54-51 decision over a talented Raiders squad.
The hard-fought victory for the Badgers (13-5, 5-1) could not have come at more crucial time following a tough, 40-point blowout loss at Wynne three days prior.
Nettleton took an early lead in the first quarter before Beebe came back to take control in the second quarter to lead 32-26 at halftime, a lead that turned out to be the biggest advantage of the game.
The Raiders briefly overtook their guest early in the third quarter, but a time out by Beebe coach Ryan Marshall to rally the troops was effective in getting momentum back on the Badgers’ side.
“It was by far our best team effort,” Marshall said. “I don’t want to say that was a must-win for us, but after what happened in Wynne, it was kind of a character check. They all played extremely well. I told them afterward that with the exception of the Alma game in the state tournament last year, that was probably our biggest win as a program.”
Junior point guard Tanner Chapman and senior forward Austin Burroughs shared leading-scorer honors with 19 points each. Marshall also noted the strong defensive effort of senior guard Vann Kersey.
“We took charge about the middle of the second quarter,” Marshall said. “We really started to find a good rhythm. I think going up by five with two or three minutes to go, and especially with the ball in Tanner’s hands, we started to feel pretty good about things at that point.”
Following the Badgers’ first mercy-ruled loss in nearly three seasons at the hands of Wynne last Tuesday, Marshall was pleased to see his team turn things around quickly as the first round-robin of 5A East play comes to a close.
“I don’t know if it was a relief as much as it was a satisfaction,” Marshall said. “I thought I knew what we were made of, and to see them respond was kind of a confidence boost in knowing that we were spot on with what we believed about them. It was also a confidence boost for the kids.”
The Lady Badgers improved to 15-5 overall and 5-0 in the 5A East as Jamie Jackson led the way with 23 points while junior guard Kalela Miller added 10 points. Madison Richey had five points, with four points for Mackenzie Bingham and three points each for seniors Kelsie Brockway and Whitney Emison. The victory marked the ninth straight for Beebe.
The Beebe teams hosted Forrest City last night in a pair of 5A East Conference make-up games that were canceled back on Jan. 15.
Leader sportswriter
The Beebe Badgers boys and girls teams both picked up important 5A East Conference road victories at Nettleton on Friday. The Lady Badgers remained undefeated in league play with a 48-31 rout over the Lady Raiders while the Badger boys team got back on track with a close 54-51 decision over a talented Raiders squad.
The hard-fought victory for the Badgers (13-5, 5-1) could not have come at more crucial time following a tough, 40-point blowout loss at Wynne three days prior.
Nettleton took an early lead in the first quarter before Beebe came back to take control in the second quarter to lead 32-26 at halftime, a lead that turned out to be the biggest advantage of the game.
The Raiders briefly overtook their guest early in the third quarter, but a time out by Beebe coach Ryan Marshall to rally the troops was effective in getting momentum back on the Badgers’ side.
“It was by far our best team effort,” Marshall said. “I don’t want to say that was a must-win for us, but after what happened in Wynne, it was kind of a character check. They all played extremely well. I told them afterward that with the exception of the Alma game in the state tournament last year, that was probably our biggest win as a program.”
Junior point guard Tanner Chapman and senior forward Austin Burroughs shared leading-scorer honors with 19 points each. Marshall also noted the strong defensive effort of senior guard Vann Kersey.
“We took charge about the middle of the second quarter,” Marshall said. “We really started to find a good rhythm. I think going up by five with two or three minutes to go, and especially with the ball in Tanner’s hands, we started to feel pretty good about things at that point.”
Following the Badgers’ first mercy-ruled loss in nearly three seasons at the hands of Wynne last Tuesday, Marshall was pleased to see his team turn things around quickly as the first round-robin of 5A East play comes to a close.
“I don’t know if it was a relief as much as it was a satisfaction,” Marshall said. “I thought I knew what we were made of, and to see them respond was kind of a confidence boost in knowing that we were spot on with what we believed about them. It was also a confidence boost for the kids.”
The Lady Badgers improved to 15-5 overall and 5-0 in the 5A East as Jamie Jackson led the way with 23 points while junior guard Kalela Miller added 10 points. Madison Richey had five points, with four points for Mackenzie Bingham and three points each for seniors Kelsie Brockway and Whitney Emison. The victory marked the ninth straight for Beebe.
The Beebe teams hosted Forrest City last night in a pair of 5A East Conference make-up games that were canceled back on Jan. 15.
SPORTS STORY >> Cabot girls shoot out lights, beat Lady Lions
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Cabot Lady Panthers couldn’t miss early in Friday’s home game against Searcy, and the result was a lop-sided 59-31 victory in a 7A/6A East Conference game. The Lady Panthers hit 10 of 12 field-goal attempts in the first quarter including 5 of 6 three-point attempts. Point guard Jaylin Bridges hit four of those three pointers on four attempts.
Cabot coach Carla Crowder was excited about her team’s shooting performance.
“It makes everything easier for sure,” Crowder said. “It’s amazing how much smoother everything else goes when you’re making all your shots.”
Cabot led 25-10 by the end of the quarter, but the rout had to wait for the second half. Foul trouble suddenly began to plague the Lady Panthers. Starting post player Alyssa Hamilton picked up her third foul with just two minutes elapsed in the second quarter. Less than two minutes later, leading scorer Elliot Taylor committed her third foul. With their two leading scorers for the season on the bench for most of the second quarter, Cabot scored only nine points and the lead grew by just one point to 34-18 by halftime.
While Cabot (12-4, 5-1) enjoyed success from outside in the first half, hitting 6 of 7 attempts from three-point range, they went inside in the third quarter to blow the game open. The Lady Panthers started the third quarter with a 6-2 run for a 40-20 lead in a minute and a half.
Taylor then picked up her fourth foul with 5:35 left in the third quarter and never re-entered. That hurt Cabot’s press, but the Lady Panthers continued to shoot lots of layups thanks to excellent ball movement in the half-court offense.
“I thought we executed really well,” Crowder said. “We moved the ball around and created open shots. We work on that in practice and we executed it well tonight.”
Hamilton stayed out of further foul trouble in the third quarter, and she was the prime beneficiary of Cabot’s offensive execution. She scored 14 of her game-high 18 points in the third quarter, mostly on open jumpers in the lane or layups. Cabot had 18 assists in the victory with Bridges leading the way with five.
Searcy had no foul trouble at all. In fact, Cabot didn’t shoot a free throw until near the end of the third quarter. Cabot hit 5 of 6 attempts in the game while Searcy made just 6 of 13.
The Lady Panthers finished the game hitting 24 of 46 shot attempts for 43 percent. They were 6 of 10 from three-point range.
Searcy made 12 of 46 attempts for 26 percent. The Lady Lions were 1 of 13 from behind the arc.
Hamilton led all players in scoring and rebounding. She had nine boards to go with her 18 points. Bridges scored 15 while senior post Ally Van Enk scored nine points and had seven rebounds.
Searcy’s 6-4 post player Angelina Williams finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots.
Cabot played a big game at Little Rock Central on Tuesday to close out the first round robin of league play. Central was undefeated heading into that game and was a game ahead of the second-place Lady Panthers.
Details of that game will be in Saturday’s edition of The Leader. Cabot stays on the road on Friday with another big game at North Little Rock, the only league team to beat Cabot so far.
Leader sports editor
The Cabot Lady Panthers couldn’t miss early in Friday’s home game against Searcy, and the result was a lop-sided 59-31 victory in a 7A/6A East Conference game. The Lady Panthers hit 10 of 12 field-goal attempts in the first quarter including 5 of 6 three-point attempts. Point guard Jaylin Bridges hit four of those three pointers on four attempts.
Cabot coach Carla Crowder was excited about her team’s shooting performance.
“It makes everything easier for sure,” Crowder said. “It’s amazing how much smoother everything else goes when you’re making all your shots.”
Cabot led 25-10 by the end of the quarter, but the rout had to wait for the second half. Foul trouble suddenly began to plague the Lady Panthers. Starting post player Alyssa Hamilton picked up her third foul with just two minutes elapsed in the second quarter. Less than two minutes later, leading scorer Elliot Taylor committed her third foul. With their two leading scorers for the season on the bench for most of the second quarter, Cabot scored only nine points and the lead grew by just one point to 34-18 by halftime.
While Cabot (12-4, 5-1) enjoyed success from outside in the first half, hitting 6 of 7 attempts from three-point range, they went inside in the third quarter to blow the game open. The Lady Panthers started the third quarter with a 6-2 run for a 40-20 lead in a minute and a half.
Taylor then picked up her fourth foul with 5:35 left in the third quarter and never re-entered. That hurt Cabot’s press, but the Lady Panthers continued to shoot lots of layups thanks to excellent ball movement in the half-court offense.
“I thought we executed really well,” Crowder said. “We moved the ball around and created open shots. We work on that in practice and we executed it well tonight.”
Hamilton stayed out of further foul trouble in the third quarter, and she was the prime beneficiary of Cabot’s offensive execution. She scored 14 of her game-high 18 points in the third quarter, mostly on open jumpers in the lane or layups. Cabot had 18 assists in the victory with Bridges leading the way with five.
Searcy had no foul trouble at all. In fact, Cabot didn’t shoot a free throw until near the end of the third quarter. Cabot hit 5 of 6 attempts in the game while Searcy made just 6 of 13.
The Lady Panthers finished the game hitting 24 of 46 shot attempts for 43 percent. They were 6 of 10 from three-point range.
Searcy made 12 of 46 attempts for 26 percent. The Lady Lions were 1 of 13 from behind the arc.
Hamilton led all players in scoring and rebounding. She had nine boards to go with her 18 points. Bridges scored 15 while senior post Ally Van Enk scored nine points and had seven rebounds.
Searcy’s 6-4 post player Angelina Williams finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots.
Cabot played a big game at Little Rock Central on Tuesday to close out the first round robin of league play. Central was undefeated heading into that game and was a game ahead of the second-place Lady Panthers.
Details of that game will be in Saturday’s edition of The Leader. Cabot stays on the road on Friday with another big game at North Little Rock, the only league team to beat Cabot so far.
SPORTS STORY >> Red Devils slip past Lions
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Jacksonville took a big step towards a conference championship on Saturday, barely escaping a home game with Little Rock McClellan with a 63-60 victory and finishing the first round robin of the 5A Central competition in first place with a 7-0 record. The Red Devils and Crimson Lions entered the game with 6-0 conference records, and played like two teams equally matched.
Jacksonville never trailed, but never had complete control of the game either. The Red Devils stretched out double digit leads three times. McClellan battled back to within a point each time, but was never able to take a lead.
“That was just toughness,” Jacksonville coach Vic Joyner said. “They just battled. They were facing a team with some strengths we don’t have. They were facing a team making a charge and threatening to take over the game, and they fought them off. That game was won with mental toughness.”
Senior guard Kevin Richardson only scored two baskets coming off the bench, but they were back to back and they were two of the biggest buckets of the game.
The Lions had battled back from a 12-point deficit to pull within 57-56 with 2:33 left in the game. After a defensive stop they had possession with a chance to take the lead, but Richardson flashed into the passing lane on a McClellan skip pass, leaped high into the air for the steal then took it the distance for a layup at the other end.
McClellan’s Tronsayne Ellis hit two free throws to again make it a one-point game with 1:17 to play. Jacksonville missed its first attempt at the other end, but Richardson went high for a tip in that bounced high off the backboard and fell in for a 61-58 Jacksonville lead with 39 seconds remaining.
Ellis missed at the other end and Jacksonville’s Sergio Berkley got the rebound. Berkley got trapped on the baseline immediately after coming down with the long rebound, and Jacksonville caught a break.
Two whistles almost blew simultaneously at the 12-second mark. One official was going to call jump ball, but the other had just signaled timeout for Joyner, who was calling it from the bench.
Aaron Smith was fouled with 10 seconds left after the timeout and hit them both. McClellan scored and called timeout with three seconds remaining. Jacksonville got the inbounds pass in to Justin McCleary, who simply turned and threw high into the air and towards and open spot on the floor to run out the clock.
One of the strengths Mc-Clellan has that Jacksonville doesn’t is size, but that didn’t show up in the final statistics. The Red Devils (13-4) dominated the inside, outrebounding the Lions 35-15 and getting a combined 27 points from its post players while holding McClellan to just 14 points in the paint.
McClellan coach Chris Threatt zeroed in on the rebounding totals, but with a positive spin.
“When you consider we rebounded that poorly and only lost by three points on their home court, it means we were successful at taking some things away from them that they’re used to getting,” Threatt said. “If we can correct that and not let any other part of our game suffer, it should put us in good position to have a different outcome next time.”
The loss snapped a 10-game winning streak for the Lions (12-6, 6-1), after starting the season 2-5 against a brutal schedule.
Jacksonville got its first double-digit lead with an 11-3 run early in the second quarter that made it 24-14. A few minutes later the lead grew to 30-19, but McClellan closed the first half with a 7-0 run to make it a four-point game. Jacksonville opened the second half with a 9-1 run to take its biggest lead of the game at 39-27 with 5:20 left in the third quarter.
McClellan answered immediately with an 8-2 run and never trailed by more than six the rest of the way.
The Lions were sparked by their bench. Davion Givens led the comeback in the third quarter by hitting four of his five three pointers. He finished with a team-high 15 points. Ellis led the charge for the Lions in the fourth, scoring nine of his 11 points in that final frame.
Aaron Smith led Jacksonville with 18 points, including hitting all three of his three-point attempts. Sophomore post player Kanaan Jackson and senior post Khaleel Hart each scored 10.
Saturday’s game was a makeup for the two team’s scheduled Jan. 15 game that was postponed due to bad weather. It was Jacksonville’s second win in two days. The night before the Red Devils put an emphatic end to Sylvan Hills’ brief winning streak, punishing the Bears 78-34 at the Devils’ Den.
McCleary led the Red Devils with 16 points in very limited minutes. Jackson scored 13 and Douglas Matthews added 11. A total of 13 Red Devils scored in the game.
Leader sports editor
Jacksonville took a big step towards a conference championship on Saturday, barely escaping a home game with Little Rock McClellan with a 63-60 victory and finishing the first round robin of the 5A Central competition in first place with a 7-0 record. The Red Devils and Crimson Lions entered the game with 6-0 conference records, and played like two teams equally matched.
Jacksonville never trailed, but never had complete control of the game either. The Red Devils stretched out double digit leads three times. McClellan battled back to within a point each time, but was never able to take a lead.
“That was just toughness,” Jacksonville coach Vic Joyner said. “They just battled. They were facing a team with some strengths we don’t have. They were facing a team making a charge and threatening to take over the game, and they fought them off. That game was won with mental toughness.”
Senior guard Kevin Richardson only scored two baskets coming off the bench, but they were back to back and they were two of the biggest buckets of the game.
The Lions had battled back from a 12-point deficit to pull within 57-56 with 2:33 left in the game. After a defensive stop they had possession with a chance to take the lead, but Richardson flashed into the passing lane on a McClellan skip pass, leaped high into the air for the steal then took it the distance for a layup at the other end.
McClellan’s Tronsayne Ellis hit two free throws to again make it a one-point game with 1:17 to play. Jacksonville missed its first attempt at the other end, but Richardson went high for a tip in that bounced high off the backboard and fell in for a 61-58 Jacksonville lead with 39 seconds remaining.
Ellis missed at the other end and Jacksonville’s Sergio Berkley got the rebound. Berkley got trapped on the baseline immediately after coming down with the long rebound, and Jacksonville caught a break.
Two whistles almost blew simultaneously at the 12-second mark. One official was going to call jump ball, but the other had just signaled timeout for Joyner, who was calling it from the bench.
Aaron Smith was fouled with 10 seconds left after the timeout and hit them both. McClellan scored and called timeout with three seconds remaining. Jacksonville got the inbounds pass in to Justin McCleary, who simply turned and threw high into the air and towards and open spot on the floor to run out the clock.
One of the strengths Mc-Clellan has that Jacksonville doesn’t is size, but that didn’t show up in the final statistics. The Red Devils (13-4) dominated the inside, outrebounding the Lions 35-15 and getting a combined 27 points from its post players while holding McClellan to just 14 points in the paint.
McClellan coach Chris Threatt zeroed in on the rebounding totals, but with a positive spin.
“When you consider we rebounded that poorly and only lost by three points on their home court, it means we were successful at taking some things away from them that they’re used to getting,” Threatt said. “If we can correct that and not let any other part of our game suffer, it should put us in good position to have a different outcome next time.”
The loss snapped a 10-game winning streak for the Lions (12-6, 6-1), after starting the season 2-5 against a brutal schedule.
Jacksonville got its first double-digit lead with an 11-3 run early in the second quarter that made it 24-14. A few minutes later the lead grew to 30-19, but McClellan closed the first half with a 7-0 run to make it a four-point game. Jacksonville opened the second half with a 9-1 run to take its biggest lead of the game at 39-27 with 5:20 left in the third quarter.
McClellan answered immediately with an 8-2 run and never trailed by more than six the rest of the way.
The Lions were sparked by their bench. Davion Givens led the comeback in the third quarter by hitting four of his five three pointers. He finished with a team-high 15 points. Ellis led the charge for the Lions in the fourth, scoring nine of his 11 points in that final frame.
Aaron Smith led Jacksonville with 18 points, including hitting all three of his three-point attempts. Sophomore post player Kanaan Jackson and senior post Khaleel Hart each scored 10.
Saturday’s game was a makeup for the two team’s scheduled Jan. 15 game that was postponed due to bad weather. It was Jacksonville’s second win in two days. The night before the Red Devils put an emphatic end to Sylvan Hills’ brief winning streak, punishing the Bears 78-34 at the Devils’ Den.
McCleary led the Red Devils with 16 points in very limited minutes. Jackson scored 13 and Douglas Matthews added 11. A total of 13 Red Devils scored in the game.
Friday, January 25, 2013
EDITORIAL >> Dismang plan will cost more
Avoiding the appearance that they are collaborating in any way with President Obama and his despised health-insurance reforms is forcing a few Republicans into painful circus contortions. They may need a doctor.
Take our neighbor, state Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy), who swore to fight Obamacare however he could. But there were few opportunities for people like Dismang once the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that the law was fully constitutional in all but one aspect. (The senator and fellow Republicans did succeed last year in stopping the state of Arkansas from overseeing the insurance market for Arkansas policy buyers, which means they will have to shop for insurance on a national exchange supervised largely by the federal government. If an Arkansas policy holder has a grievance against his insurance provider next year, he will have to take it up with bureaucrats in Washington, not a state office run by the governor.)
But the Supreme Court gave the Republicans one opening. The final part of the Obamacare package to insure all Americans shifts the poorest working adults—those whose family incomes are below 138 percent of the federal poverty line (about $15,000 a year for an individual)—into Medicaid, the joint federal-state program that pays for medical care for children, the disabled, the elderly in nursing homes and a few other groups that cannot afford medical care or insurance. Their incomes are so low they cannot afford insurance premiums at any price.
The Supreme Court said Congress could not require states to participate in Medicaid, so any state could opt not to participate in the program for poor adults, leaving everyone insured but those. From 215,000 to 250,000 Arkansans would be left out.
Republicans leaped at the chance en masse last summer, vowing to keep their states and the working poor out of that program. But that soon became logically nonsensical, no matter how much you hated Barack Obama. For three years, from 2014 until 2017, the federal government will pay 100 percent of the medical costs of the working poor, minus small copays and deductibles the states might charge the patient who gets care. Billions of dollars will flow into the state, pulsing through the economy and lifting state tax receipts by millions of dollars a year. And, of course, low-income workers will have better health and security, and hospitals — including those in Jacksonville and Searcy — and other providers will be saved all the charitable care they now provide and avoid passing those costs on to people who are already insured.
If they participate, states will begin shouldering a small part of government costs in 2017. After 2020, the state will bear 10 percent, Uncle Sam 90 percent. So Republicans—or at least many of them—leaped at that opening. Even if it’s only 10 percent, the state budget cannot stand the extra Medicaid costs starting in 2020, they said, so it is better not to take Medicaid and to leave the 250,000 stranded without insurance.
But the state Human Services Department, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Rand Corporation in separate studies all concluded that the state budget would be better served by taking Medicaid and eventually paying 10 percent than by not taking it. Obamacare shifts part of the state’s costs under the children’s health insurance program to Washington, and the state will lose that huge saving if it foregoes the Medicaid expansion for adults.
What to do? Arkansas Republican leaders early this month came up with another possibility. Maybe we ought to allow the government to cover those working poor, or at least the poorest of them, those under the poverty line, but not those up to 138 percent of the poverty line. That group—the not quite desperately poor—could buy private insurance on the Obamacare market and get federal help paying for it. That way, Republicans could say they blocked a part of Obamacare and didn’t do too much harm.
But the federal government said the obvious. The law doesn’t allow states to write their own Medicaid programs. The Supreme Court said a state could take the Medicaid expansion or leave it.
Enter Sen. Dismang with another contortion. If the state rejects Medicaid or if it can somehow get the federal government to let it take Medicaid only for the desperately poor, he said, the state could pay the individual share of the private-insurance premiums on the Obamacare market for those between 100 and 138 percent of poverty while the federal government paid the rest.
Wait! Wasn’t the whole idea to avoid additional state costs, not enlarge them? Under Dismang’s notion, starting next January and forever thereafter, the state (that is, Arkansas taxpayers) would pay up to $300 a year in private premiums for those Arkansans who bought insurance (and more as premiums inevitably rise) plus the millions of dollars it would cost the state to administer the premium program. It should be mentioned that Dismang’s plan would raise overall health-care costs because private insurers pay more to doctors, hospitals, pharmacists and other providers than does Medicaid even while insurance companies take greater profits. Dismang’s plan would make one group much happier: the insurance industry. It’s hard to imagine any other group, including taxpayers, being happier.
That seems also to include Jonathan Dismang. He was not sure he would support Medicaid even if his ideas were adopted.
Take our neighbor, state Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy), who swore to fight Obamacare however he could. But there were few opportunities for people like Dismang once the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that the law was fully constitutional in all but one aspect. (The senator and fellow Republicans did succeed last year in stopping the state of Arkansas from overseeing the insurance market for Arkansas policy buyers, which means they will have to shop for insurance on a national exchange supervised largely by the federal government. If an Arkansas policy holder has a grievance against his insurance provider next year, he will have to take it up with bureaucrats in Washington, not a state office run by the governor.)
But the Supreme Court gave the Republicans one opening. The final part of the Obamacare package to insure all Americans shifts the poorest working adults—those whose family incomes are below 138 percent of the federal poverty line (about $15,000 a year for an individual)—into Medicaid, the joint federal-state program that pays for medical care for children, the disabled, the elderly in nursing homes and a few other groups that cannot afford medical care or insurance. Their incomes are so low they cannot afford insurance premiums at any price.
The Supreme Court said Congress could not require states to participate in Medicaid, so any state could opt not to participate in the program for poor adults, leaving everyone insured but those. From 215,000 to 250,000 Arkansans would be left out.
Republicans leaped at the chance en masse last summer, vowing to keep their states and the working poor out of that program. But that soon became logically nonsensical, no matter how much you hated Barack Obama. For three years, from 2014 until 2017, the federal government will pay 100 percent of the medical costs of the working poor, minus small copays and deductibles the states might charge the patient who gets care. Billions of dollars will flow into the state, pulsing through the economy and lifting state tax receipts by millions of dollars a year. And, of course, low-income workers will have better health and security, and hospitals — including those in Jacksonville and Searcy — and other providers will be saved all the charitable care they now provide and avoid passing those costs on to people who are already insured.
If they participate, states will begin shouldering a small part of government costs in 2017. After 2020, the state will bear 10 percent, Uncle Sam 90 percent. So Republicans—or at least many of them—leaped at that opening. Even if it’s only 10 percent, the state budget cannot stand the extra Medicaid costs starting in 2020, they said, so it is better not to take Medicaid and to leave the 250,000 stranded without insurance.
But the state Human Services Department, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Rand Corporation in separate studies all concluded that the state budget would be better served by taking Medicaid and eventually paying 10 percent than by not taking it. Obamacare shifts part of the state’s costs under the children’s health insurance program to Washington, and the state will lose that huge saving if it foregoes the Medicaid expansion for adults.
What to do? Arkansas Republican leaders early this month came up with another possibility. Maybe we ought to allow the government to cover those working poor, or at least the poorest of them, those under the poverty line, but not those up to 138 percent of the poverty line. That group—the not quite desperately poor—could buy private insurance on the Obamacare market and get federal help paying for it. That way, Republicans could say they blocked a part of Obamacare and didn’t do too much harm.
But the federal government said the obvious. The law doesn’t allow states to write their own Medicaid programs. The Supreme Court said a state could take the Medicaid expansion or leave it.
Enter Sen. Dismang with another contortion. If the state rejects Medicaid or if it can somehow get the federal government to let it take Medicaid only for the desperately poor, he said, the state could pay the individual share of the private-insurance premiums on the Obamacare market for those between 100 and 138 percent of poverty while the federal government paid the rest.
Wait! Wasn’t the whole idea to avoid additional state costs, not enlarge them? Under Dismang’s notion, starting next January and forever thereafter, the state (that is, Arkansas taxpayers) would pay up to $300 a year in private premiums for those Arkansans who bought insurance (and more as premiums inevitably rise) plus the millions of dollars it would cost the state to administer the premium program. It should be mentioned that Dismang’s plan would raise overall health-care costs because private insurers pay more to doctors, hospitals, pharmacists and other providers than does Medicaid even while insurance companies take greater profits. Dismang’s plan would make one group much happier: the insurance industry. It’s hard to imagine any other group, including taxpayers, being happier.
That seems also to include Jonathan Dismang. He was not sure he would support Medicaid even if his ideas were adopted.
TOP STORY >> Death penalty sought for pair
Lonoke County Prosecutor Chuck Graham will seek the death penalty for two men arrested this week in the shooting death of Hurbert Dewayne Jackson, whose body was found on the side of Bevis Road off Hwy. 15 last Saturday.
Jeremy Deshaun Davis, 29, of Lonoke was arrested Monday. Nicholas Ryan Holloway, 23, of Beebe was arrested Thursday. Graham said both will be charged with capital murder. Davis will also be charged as a felon in possession of a firearm.
Kayla Nicole Miller, 22, of Beebe, Davis’ girlfriend, was also arrested Monday.
She is charged with hindering apprehension, a Class B felony.
Davis and Miller appeared before Circuit Judge Sandy Huckabee on Friday morning for a bond hearing. Davis was denied bond. Miller’s bond was set at $250,000.
A bond hearing for Holloway is set for Tuesday morning.
All three are held in the Lonoke County Detention Facility.
Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley said all three arrests were in Beebe with the assistance of the Beebe Police Department and the Arkansas State Police.
Staley won’t release the motive for the shooting of Jackson, 27, of Little Rock because the case is still under investigation.
The case was investigated by Capt. Steve McCoy, Cpl. Steve Morgan and Investigator Matt Edwards of the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office.
Jeremy Deshaun Davis, 29, of Lonoke was arrested Monday. Nicholas Ryan Holloway, 23, of Beebe was arrested Thursday. Graham said both will be charged with capital murder. Davis will also be charged as a felon in possession of a firearm.
Kayla Nicole Miller, 22, of Beebe, Davis’ girlfriend, was also arrested Monday.
She is charged with hindering apprehension, a Class B felony.
Davis and Miller appeared before Circuit Judge Sandy Huckabee on Friday morning for a bond hearing. Davis was denied bond. Miller’s bond was set at $250,000.
A bond hearing for Holloway is set for Tuesday morning.
All three are held in the Lonoke County Detention Facility.
Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley said all three arrests were in Beebe with the assistance of the Beebe Police Department and the Arkansas State Police.
Staley won’t release the motive for the shooting of Jackson, 27, of Little Rock because the case is still under investigation.
The case was investigated by Capt. Steve McCoy, Cpl. Steve Morgan and Investigator Matt Edwards of the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office.
TOP STORY >> Colonel will be named general
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
Just a year after Col. Brian S. Robinson assumed command of the 19th Airlift Wing, President Barack Obama has nominated him for promotion to the rank of brigadier general.
Such nominations are made by the president after consultation with the secretary of defense, and must be confirmed by the Senate.
“I am truly honored to be nominated for promotion to brigadier general,” said Robinson. “This would not be possible without the support of my wonderful wife, Maureen, my family and the tremendous airmen I am privileged to serve with here at Team Little Rock.”
As host wing commander at the primary C-130 base in the world, Robinson is responsible for organizing, training and equipping the personnel who operate, maintain and sustain more than 90 C-130 aircraft.
The wing provides combat-ready forces to meet the combatant commanders’ requirements globally. He ensures support for combat, contingency, and humanitarian requirements while providing for the health and welfare of more than 12,000 personnel and families at Little Rock Air Force Base.
Typically, an Air Force commander at LRAFB serves for two years before rotating out to a new assignment. Although previously brigadier generals have commanded at the base, in recent years colonels have commanded. If Robinson is confirmed by the Senate, the actual promotion may not occur until his next posting. If the past is any indication, that would occur in about a year.
There is no information about either the timing or the nature of Robinson’s next assignment, according to Arlo Taylor, public information officer for the 19th Airlift Wing.
When Robinson assumed command from Col. Mike Minihan last January, he said, “I embrace the opportunity to serve and lead, and to ensure that the Black Knights and their families are adequately prepared to for the task ahead.
“We will continue to exercise our mission safely, effectively and professionally. with an eye on innovation, to be as efficient as operationally feasible and to face many challenges that are before us of us.”
At that ceremony, Minihan warned, “Smokey, every day of your command we’ll be in combat. Every hour, every minute, every second for the next two years, you will have somebody in harms way.
Lt. Gen. Mark F. Ramsay, commander of the 18th Air Force, spoke of Robinson’s success in southwest Asia.
“Smokey epitomizes combat airlift,” Ramsay said.
He started in C-130s and transitioned to the larger C-17 Loadmaster.
“Robinson literally wrote the book on combat tactics and deployment of the C-17,” Ramsay said. “He is the first weapons instructor course graduate in the history of C-17 to command a squadron.”
Robinson’s most noteworthy accomplishment was when his wing got the daunting task in 2003 of figuring out how to insert an entire aviation brigade — the 173rd of Italy — into Iraq. It had never been done before with the C-17s.
“The mission was textbook,” Ramsay said.
He was awarded the bronze star, pinned on by former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Before taking command at Little Rock, he was executive officer to Gen. Raymond Johns Jr., commander of Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base.
Robinson was previously assigned to the Pentagon and was vice commander at the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston, S.C.
His operational assignments represent the full range of tactical and strategic airlift and aerial delivery, according to his official Air Force biography. He commanded an airlift squadron and a deployed expeditionary airlift squadron.
He also held staff assignments at Air Mobility Command, U.S. Central Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Robinson graduated from Philadelphia University in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and received his commission after graduating from Air Force Officer Training School in December 1987 at Lackland AFB, Texas.
He has master’s degrees in military operational arts from Air University and in human-resource development from Webster University and a master’s degree in national resource strategy from National Defense University.
His career as a pilot began in 1989 after earning his pilot wings at Vance AFB, Okla., followed by a position as a T-38B instructor pilot.
Robinson is a command pilot and weapons officer with more than 4,300 hours in airlift and trainer aircraft.
Leader senior staff writer
Just a year after Col. Brian S. Robinson assumed command of the 19th Airlift Wing, President Barack Obama has nominated him for promotion to the rank of brigadier general.
Such nominations are made by the president after consultation with the secretary of defense, and must be confirmed by the Senate.
“I am truly honored to be nominated for promotion to brigadier general,” said Robinson. “This would not be possible without the support of my wonderful wife, Maureen, my family and the tremendous airmen I am privileged to serve with here at Team Little Rock.”
As host wing commander at the primary C-130 base in the world, Robinson is responsible for organizing, training and equipping the personnel who operate, maintain and sustain more than 90 C-130 aircraft.
The wing provides combat-ready forces to meet the combatant commanders’ requirements globally. He ensures support for combat, contingency, and humanitarian requirements while providing for the health and welfare of more than 12,000 personnel and families at Little Rock Air Force Base.
Typically, an Air Force commander at LRAFB serves for two years before rotating out to a new assignment. Although previously brigadier generals have commanded at the base, in recent years colonels have commanded. If Robinson is confirmed by the Senate, the actual promotion may not occur until his next posting. If the past is any indication, that would occur in about a year.
There is no information about either the timing or the nature of Robinson’s next assignment, according to Arlo Taylor, public information officer for the 19th Airlift Wing.
When Robinson assumed command from Col. Mike Minihan last January, he said, “I embrace the opportunity to serve and lead, and to ensure that the Black Knights and their families are adequately prepared to for the task ahead.
“We will continue to exercise our mission safely, effectively and professionally. with an eye on innovation, to be as efficient as operationally feasible and to face many challenges that are before us of us.”
At that ceremony, Minihan warned, “Smokey, every day of your command we’ll be in combat. Every hour, every minute, every second for the next two years, you will have somebody in harms way.
Lt. Gen. Mark F. Ramsay, commander of the 18th Air Force, spoke of Robinson’s success in southwest Asia.
“Smokey epitomizes combat airlift,” Ramsay said.
He started in C-130s and transitioned to the larger C-17 Loadmaster.
“Robinson literally wrote the book on combat tactics and deployment of the C-17,” Ramsay said. “He is the first weapons instructor course graduate in the history of C-17 to command a squadron.”
Robinson’s most noteworthy accomplishment was when his wing got the daunting task in 2003 of figuring out how to insert an entire aviation brigade — the 173rd of Italy — into Iraq. It had never been done before with the C-17s.
“The mission was textbook,” Ramsay said.
He was awarded the bronze star, pinned on by former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Before taking command at Little Rock, he was executive officer to Gen. Raymond Johns Jr., commander of Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base.
Robinson was previously assigned to the Pentagon and was vice commander at the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston, S.C.
His operational assignments represent the full range of tactical and strategic airlift and aerial delivery, according to his official Air Force biography. He commanded an airlift squadron and a deployed expeditionary airlift squadron.
He also held staff assignments at Air Mobility Command, U.S. Central Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Robinson graduated from Philadelphia University in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and received his commission after graduating from Air Force Officer Training School in December 1987 at Lackland AFB, Texas.
He has master’s degrees in military operational arts from Air University and in human-resource development from Webster University and a master’s degree in national resource strategy from National Defense University.
His career as a pilot began in 1989 after earning his pilot wings at Vance AFB, Okla., followed by a position as a T-38B instructor pilot.
Robinson is a command pilot and weapons officer with more than 4,300 hours in airlift and trainer aircraft.
TOP STORY >> Mayor emphasizes people
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher emphasized people over buildings in his four-page state-of-the-city address to the city council Thursday night.
“In reviewing 2012, rather than brick-and-mortar projects coming to the forefront as accomplishments, and there were some, they tend to take a back seat to the difficulties we experienced with the deaths and tragedies at the beginning of the year,” he said.
The mayor cited the death of Mike Simpson, the head of the water department, the fire deaths of a family of five, the death of a first responder and the injuries suffered by two others when they were struck by a vehicle.
Fletcher called Simpson’s death a shock that left a void.
“Mike greatly served the city through his leadership as Jacksonville Water superintendent. The ease with which he led the water department as it secured the future water sources for Jacksonville for years to come is even more appreciated today,” he told the council.
The mayor then recalled the events of March 19 when “in response to an emergency run on Hwy. 161 three of Jacksonville’s finest were run down, resulting in the tragic loss of Capt. Donnie Jones, who was a 32-year veteran with our fire department. “
Fletcher went on, “Fire engineer Jason Bowmaster and police officer Daniel DiMatteo were both critically injured. Officer DiMatteo fought through the pain of his own broken body to locate and retrieve his radio to call for help. His heroic action has been credited for saving Fire Engineer Bowmaster.”
The mayor also told the council that in that same week, the city lost a family of five — a young mother and her four children — to a home fire that deeply affected and touched everyone in the city.
“This past year we also saw the end of service of three great citizens of Jacksonville in their elected position as aldermen. Marshall Smith with 31 years of service, Robert Stroud with 12 years of service and Linda Rinker with eight served the citizens of Jacksonville unselfishly and honorably. Their only motive was the betterment of this great city and the city is better because of their service,” the mayor said.
“We tend, as leaders, to get caught up with projects and sometimes have to be reminded that our job is about people and 2012 certainly brought us to that point,” he added.
The mayor then quickly went on to highlight achievements during the year, including the reopening of the Community Center pool after it had been closed for almost a year for repairs.
“The city saw our fire rating decrease from a three to a two after much hard work by our fire department under the leadership of Chief John Vanderhoof. This decrease provides more savings on fire rates through reductions in insurance rates for citizens,” Fletcher said.
He also talked about the growth of single family homes construction. Permits tripled from 2011 to 2012. He was also pleased to announce that the city police, fire and emergency communication system had been switch over to digital and was now a part of the Arkansas Wireless Information Net-work. “This system will provide us coverage statewide for our first responders and for he first time our departments will be able to talk to other agencies such as the air base, emergency management and other cities,” the mayor explained.
The mayor was also proud of the soon-to-be opened public safety building. “It will house the 911 communications operations, the Jacksonville Police Department, Jacksonville code enforcement and Jacksonville training office for fire and police, three large classrooms and a 3,000-square-foot safe room. This facility will serve as a source of pride not just for the departments housed there, but the entire community,” Fletcher said.
The mayor also made a strong push for Jacksonville’s continued effort to get its own school district.
“For the first time this past year, the state of Arkansas Board of Education and the Pulaski County Special School District together publicly stated their support for an independent Jacksonville/north Pulaski school district. Many things make this proposal attractive as it is definitely a win/win situation for all involved,” he said.
Fletcher added that the preliminary figures for a nearly-completed feasibility study show that Jacksonville can more than adequately support its own schools.
He added that in September ground was broken for Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School’s new College Preparatory Academy on North First Street. It is set for completion by the next school year.
In the area of economic development, Fletcher said the city was poised for great things.
“Due to Jacksonville’s central location and amenities, as well as being the home of Little Rock Air Force Base and benefiting from its annual economic impact of around $780 million, there is much attraction to our city that other cities don’t benefit from,” the mayor explained.
He added, “We need to be wise in promoting our assets including the fact that our city is also home to six universities that one can get everything from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree.”
Fletcher told the council that the shooting range is moving forward and should have major economic impact on the city.
Plus, he added that the city is still working on plans for the Wooten Road property, better recognized as the 445 acres the city wanted to donate to bring in the state fair.
Fletcher closed by quoting President Lincoln, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
He added, “Our service will not be to burn or bide time, but to use it to build a thriving, healthy city with opportunities for those who want better for themselves.”
Leader staff writer
Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher emphasized people over buildings in his four-page state-of-the-city address to the city council Thursday night.
“In reviewing 2012, rather than brick-and-mortar projects coming to the forefront as accomplishments, and there were some, they tend to take a back seat to the difficulties we experienced with the deaths and tragedies at the beginning of the year,” he said.
The mayor cited the death of Mike Simpson, the head of the water department, the fire deaths of a family of five, the death of a first responder and the injuries suffered by two others when they were struck by a vehicle.
Fletcher called Simpson’s death a shock that left a void.
“Mike greatly served the city through his leadership as Jacksonville Water superintendent. The ease with which he led the water department as it secured the future water sources for Jacksonville for years to come is even more appreciated today,” he told the council.
The mayor then recalled the events of March 19 when “in response to an emergency run on Hwy. 161 three of Jacksonville’s finest were run down, resulting in the tragic loss of Capt. Donnie Jones, who was a 32-year veteran with our fire department. “
Fletcher went on, “Fire engineer Jason Bowmaster and police officer Daniel DiMatteo were both critically injured. Officer DiMatteo fought through the pain of his own broken body to locate and retrieve his radio to call for help. His heroic action has been credited for saving Fire Engineer Bowmaster.”
The mayor also told the council that in that same week, the city lost a family of five — a young mother and her four children — to a home fire that deeply affected and touched everyone in the city.
“This past year we also saw the end of service of three great citizens of Jacksonville in their elected position as aldermen. Marshall Smith with 31 years of service, Robert Stroud with 12 years of service and Linda Rinker with eight served the citizens of Jacksonville unselfishly and honorably. Their only motive was the betterment of this great city and the city is better because of their service,” the mayor said.
“We tend, as leaders, to get caught up with projects and sometimes have to be reminded that our job is about people and 2012 certainly brought us to that point,” he added.
The mayor then quickly went on to highlight achievements during the year, including the reopening of the Community Center pool after it had been closed for almost a year for repairs.
“The city saw our fire rating decrease from a three to a two after much hard work by our fire department under the leadership of Chief John Vanderhoof. This decrease provides more savings on fire rates through reductions in insurance rates for citizens,” Fletcher said.
He also talked about the growth of single family homes construction. Permits tripled from 2011 to 2012. He was also pleased to announce that the city police, fire and emergency communication system had been switch over to digital and was now a part of the Arkansas Wireless Information Net-work. “This system will provide us coverage statewide for our first responders and for he first time our departments will be able to talk to other agencies such as the air base, emergency management and other cities,” the mayor explained.
The mayor was also proud of the soon-to-be opened public safety building. “It will house the 911 communications operations, the Jacksonville Police Department, Jacksonville code enforcement and Jacksonville training office for fire and police, three large classrooms and a 3,000-square-foot safe room. This facility will serve as a source of pride not just for the departments housed there, but the entire community,” Fletcher said.
The mayor also made a strong push for Jacksonville’s continued effort to get its own school district.
“For the first time this past year, the state of Arkansas Board of Education and the Pulaski County Special School District together publicly stated their support for an independent Jacksonville/north Pulaski school district. Many things make this proposal attractive as it is definitely a win/win situation for all involved,” he said.
Fletcher added that the preliminary figures for a nearly-completed feasibility study show that Jacksonville can more than adequately support its own schools.
He added that in September ground was broken for Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School’s new College Preparatory Academy on North First Street. It is set for completion by the next school year.
In the area of economic development, Fletcher said the city was poised for great things.
“Due to Jacksonville’s central location and amenities, as well as being the home of Little Rock Air Force Base and benefiting from its annual economic impact of around $780 million, there is much attraction to our city that other cities don’t benefit from,” the mayor explained.
He added, “We need to be wise in promoting our assets including the fact that our city is also home to six universities that one can get everything from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree.”
Fletcher told the council that the shooting range is moving forward and should have major economic impact on the city.
Plus, he added that the city is still working on plans for the Wooten Road property, better recognized as the 445 acres the city wanted to donate to bring in the state fair.
Fletcher closed by quoting President Lincoln, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
He added, “Our service will not be to burn or bide time, but to use it to build a thriving, healthy city with opportunities for those who want better for themselves.”
SPORTS STORY >> North Little Rock takes two at the Hangar
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
North Little Rock got a 7A/6A East Conference sweep at Mountain Home on Tuesday. The Bombers stayed with the Charging Wildcats for a little more than a half, but couldn’t find an answer when North Little Rock got hot from the outside in the third quarter. The end result was a 69-51 victory for the Wildcats. North Little Rock’s long-range shooting forced Mountain Home (7-10, 2-3) to extend its defense in the third quarter, and that’s when the Wildcats also began to find room inside for easy baskets.
North Little Rock (17-1, 5-0) pushed a 31-26 lead at halftime into a 52-36 lead by the end of the third quarter. Senior guard Gary Vines sparked a quick run to begin the period. Mountain Home scored the first bucket of the second half, but Vines then scored three-straight baskets, including a three pointer, followed by a transition bucket by Nick Scott that made it 38-28 in less than a minute. The two teams played evenly from there until senior forward Thomas Alexander hit two deep three pointers to spark an 8-0 run to end the frame.
Alexander led North Little Rock with 16 points while Dayshawn Watkins scored 13 and Kevaughn Allen 10. Mountain Home’s Jack Schmitt led all scorers with 24 points.
The Lady Wildcats turned a one-point deficit with two minutes left in the first half into a 15-point lead midway through the third quarter in their 56-49 win. Trailing by 26-25, North Little Rock ended the second quarter with a 6-0 run to go into halftime with a five-point lead. The Lady Wildcats then opened the third quarter with a 14-4 run to go up 45-30 with three minutes remaining.
Mountain Home pulled to within 51-47 with two minutes left in the game, but could only manage one more bucket and had to foul to extend the game. North Little Rock (11-4, 4-1) hit 5 of 7 free throws in the final 90 seconds to seal the victory.
Nine Lady Wildcats scored with senior point guard Sasha Giles leading the way with 11. Jasmin Mays and Kyra Collier scored nine each for North Little Rock.
Katie Kapler led Mountain Home (12-6, 2-3) with 19 points while Briana Leonard added 13 for the Lady Bombers.
North Little Rock hosted Little Rock Central last night after The Leader deadlines. The boys and girls will play their makeup game at Searcy on Tuesday.
Leader sports editor
North Little Rock got a 7A/6A East Conference sweep at Mountain Home on Tuesday. The Bombers stayed with the Charging Wildcats for a little more than a half, but couldn’t find an answer when North Little Rock got hot from the outside in the third quarter. The end result was a 69-51 victory for the Wildcats. North Little Rock’s long-range shooting forced Mountain Home (7-10, 2-3) to extend its defense in the third quarter, and that’s when the Wildcats also began to find room inside for easy baskets.
North Little Rock (17-1, 5-0) pushed a 31-26 lead at halftime into a 52-36 lead by the end of the third quarter. Senior guard Gary Vines sparked a quick run to begin the period. Mountain Home scored the first bucket of the second half, but Vines then scored three-straight baskets, including a three pointer, followed by a transition bucket by Nick Scott that made it 38-28 in less than a minute. The two teams played evenly from there until senior forward Thomas Alexander hit two deep three pointers to spark an 8-0 run to end the frame.
Alexander led North Little Rock with 16 points while Dayshawn Watkins scored 13 and Kevaughn Allen 10. Mountain Home’s Jack Schmitt led all scorers with 24 points.
The Lady Wildcats turned a one-point deficit with two minutes left in the first half into a 15-point lead midway through the third quarter in their 56-49 win. Trailing by 26-25, North Little Rock ended the second quarter with a 6-0 run to go into halftime with a five-point lead. The Lady Wildcats then opened the third quarter with a 14-4 run to go up 45-30 with three minutes remaining.
Mountain Home pulled to within 51-47 with two minutes left in the game, but could only manage one more bucket and had to foul to extend the game. North Little Rock (11-4, 4-1) hit 5 of 7 free throws in the final 90 seconds to seal the victory.
Nine Lady Wildcats scored with senior point guard Sasha Giles leading the way with 11. Jasmin Mays and Kyra Collier scored nine each for North Little Rock.
Katie Kapler led Mountain Home (12-6, 2-3) with 19 points while Briana Leonard added 13 for the Lady Bombers.
North Little Rock hosted Little Rock Central last night after The Leader deadlines. The boys and girls will play their makeup game at Searcy on Tuesday.
SPORTS STORY >> Cabot shoots well in fourth league victory
By GRAHAM POWELL
Leader sportswriter
Valuing each possession was the key in the Lady Panthers’ 48-37 conference win over Jonesboro on Tuesday at Panther Arena.
Cabot (12-4, 4-1) and Jonesboro (2-18, 0-5) each finished the 7A/6A East contest with a total of 38 shots from the floor, but the Lady Panthers made 53 percent of those shots, bettering the Lady Hurricane’s 34 percent.
“Yeah, it was pretty good,” said Cabot coach Carla Crowder about her team’s shot selection. “We just wanted to focus on doing things right and getting on the boards and rebounding. I thought we did a pretty good job. Our defense did a pretty good job. We just have to execute better.”
Cabot began the game with an 8-2 scoring run, but the Lady Hurricane scored the next six points to knot it up at 8-8. Senior point guard Jaylin Bridges drained the first of her five three pointers with 1:04 to play in the opening quarter to put the Lady Panthers back up 11-8.
Jonesboro got another basket in the final minute, but Elliot Taylor scored on a highly-contested layup with 3 seconds to go, putting Cabot up 13-10 at the end of the first. The Lady Hurricane trimmed Cabot’s lead to one on a free throw by Susannah Kelley 33 seconds into the second quarter, and the score remained at 13-11 until the 5:15 mark.
Senior two-guard Ally Van Enk scored the first points of the second quarter for the Lady Panthers after a Jonesboro turnover, giving Cabot a 15-11 advantage. The Lady Hurricane responded with a 5-0 scoring run to take a 16-15 lead with 4:12 to play in the half.
However, Cabot closed the half with an 8-0 run, capped off by a last-second layup by sophomore post player Alyssa Hamilton which gave the Lady Panthers a 23-16 lead at the break. Hamilton, Taylor and Abbey Allgood combined for five steals in the second quarter that led to easy buckets for Cabot at the other end.
The Lady Panthers pushed their lead to 10 in the second half on another three pointer by Bridges, but Jonesboro made another run. The Lady Hurricane cut Cabot’s lead down to 29-24 as the third quarter wound down, but the Lady Panthers closed the quarter with a 4-0 run to take a 33-24 lead into the final frame.
Cabot carried its late third quarter run into the fourth by scoring the first five points of the quarter, pushing the lead to its largest of the evening at 38-24. Jonesboro trimmed it back down to single digits with consecutive threes by Morgan Malugen and Terrica Steele. But by the 2:00 mark, the Lady Panthers held a 46-32 lead.
Jonesboro cleaned up the score as the final seconds ticked away, and Taylor scored the final basket of the game inside the paint with five seconds to play.
“Every game is closer than I want it to be,” Crowder said when asked if the game was closer than she had anticipated. “I always like to win big if we can. (Jonesboro’s) a good team, well-coached. We need to work on our turnovers and getting better passes. We need to get to the line more. We only got to the line nine times.”
Cabot made 3 of 9 shots (33 percent) from the free-throw line and missed its first six attempts. Jonesboro was 5 of 8 from the line (63 percent). Both teams made 38 percent of its threes and committed 18 turnovers in the game. All of Cabot’s three pointers were made by Bridges, who led all scorers with 15 points.
Taylor put together a solid game, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. Hamilton scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds. Van Enk and Allgood scored four points apiece.
Leader sportswriter
Valuing each possession was the key in the Lady Panthers’ 48-37 conference win over Jonesboro on Tuesday at Panther Arena.
Cabot (12-4, 4-1) and Jonesboro (2-18, 0-5) each finished the 7A/6A East contest with a total of 38 shots from the floor, but the Lady Panthers made 53 percent of those shots, bettering the Lady Hurricane’s 34 percent.
“Yeah, it was pretty good,” said Cabot coach Carla Crowder about her team’s shot selection. “We just wanted to focus on doing things right and getting on the boards and rebounding. I thought we did a pretty good job. Our defense did a pretty good job. We just have to execute better.”
Cabot began the game with an 8-2 scoring run, but the Lady Hurricane scored the next six points to knot it up at 8-8. Senior point guard Jaylin Bridges drained the first of her five three pointers with 1:04 to play in the opening quarter to put the Lady Panthers back up 11-8.
Jonesboro got another basket in the final minute, but Elliot Taylor scored on a highly-contested layup with 3 seconds to go, putting Cabot up 13-10 at the end of the first. The Lady Hurricane trimmed Cabot’s lead to one on a free throw by Susannah Kelley 33 seconds into the second quarter, and the score remained at 13-11 until the 5:15 mark.
Senior two-guard Ally Van Enk scored the first points of the second quarter for the Lady Panthers after a Jonesboro turnover, giving Cabot a 15-11 advantage. The Lady Hurricane responded with a 5-0 scoring run to take a 16-15 lead with 4:12 to play in the half.
However, Cabot closed the half with an 8-0 run, capped off by a last-second layup by sophomore post player Alyssa Hamilton which gave the Lady Panthers a 23-16 lead at the break. Hamilton, Taylor and Abbey Allgood combined for five steals in the second quarter that led to easy buckets for Cabot at the other end.
The Lady Panthers pushed their lead to 10 in the second half on another three pointer by Bridges, but Jonesboro made another run. The Lady Hurricane cut Cabot’s lead down to 29-24 as the third quarter wound down, but the Lady Panthers closed the quarter with a 4-0 run to take a 33-24 lead into the final frame.
Cabot carried its late third quarter run into the fourth by scoring the first five points of the quarter, pushing the lead to its largest of the evening at 38-24. Jonesboro trimmed it back down to single digits with consecutive threes by Morgan Malugen and Terrica Steele. But by the 2:00 mark, the Lady Panthers held a 46-32 lead.
Jonesboro cleaned up the score as the final seconds ticked away, and Taylor scored the final basket of the game inside the paint with five seconds to play.
“Every game is closer than I want it to be,” Crowder said when asked if the game was closer than she had anticipated. “I always like to win big if we can. (Jonesboro’s) a good team, well-coached. We need to work on our turnovers and getting better passes. We need to get to the line more. We only got to the line nine times.”
Cabot made 3 of 9 shots (33 percent) from the free-throw line and missed its first six attempts. Jonesboro was 5 of 8 from the line (63 percent). Both teams made 38 percent of its threes and committed 18 turnovers in the game. All of Cabot’s three pointers were made by Bridges, who led all scorers with 15 points.
Taylor put together a solid game, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. Hamilton scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds. Van Enk and Allgood scored four points apiece.
SPORTS STORY >> Red Devils escape PA
By DREW VAN PATTER
Special to The Leader
Intensity was high all night in the Alex Hugg Gymnasium, but the Jacksonville Red Devils (12-3, 5-0) found themselves victorious on the road against the Pulaski Academy Bruins (6-5, 3-2) at the end of overtime with a final score of 68-65.
Despite Jacksonville’s victory, Coach Victor Joyner was not pleased with the team’s performance. “[We] didn’t come out with any fire or any grit. Got out-hustled, got out-scrapped,” Joyner said.
There were many lead changes throughout the game, and the biggest lead of the night was the five points Jacksonville scored immediately following tip-off. That lead was quickly topped by Pulaski Academy hitting back-to-back threes. The Bruins continued to rain down threes all night long, hitting 4 of 6 in the first quarter and 10 of 18 on the night.
The Red Devils didn’t fare as well from beyond the arc, hitting only 3 out of 10, and those three all came from senior Aaron Smith. However, their inaccuracy from deep was counter-balanced with their success in the paint.
Senior Justin McCleary led the Red Devils’ scrappy, fast-paced offense from point guard almost all game long. He had assists to nearly every Red Devil who scored from the field.
When senior Khaleel Hart drove to the basket, there was a good chance it was going in. He led the team in points with 15, followed closely by senior Brandon Brockman with 12. McCleary had 11, junior Sergio Berkley had 10, and Smith scored 9.
Jacksonville out-rebounded the Bruins throughout, but missed many second and third chance shots which could’ve given them much better control over the flow of the game.
The Red Devils had an opportunity to wrap things up in regulation. Senior Kevin Richardson was subbed in during the fourth quarter and made a clutch steal which led to a layup that put Jacksonville ahead by three.
But a costly foul at the buzzer from the otherwise reliable McCleary sent Bruin Chase Snider to the line for three shots and a chance to tie the game.
Snider hit all three to lock the score at 57 and send the game into overtime.
The Red Devils began overtime with a 5-point run, but Bruins senior Brandon Brady answered quickly with a deep three. Jacksonville put two more on the board from the free-throw line, but Brady hit yet another three. McCleary went to the line for the last time and hit both free throws to put Jacksonville’s lead at three with just 12.1 seconds left in overtime. The Bruins missed the at-the-buzzer three-point attempt to give The Red Devils the 68-65 win.
Joyner was not pleased with the officiating throughout the night, which he said leaned heavily in favor of the Bruins.
“When you’re not getting any calls or any help and you have a game with that much diversity. You have to work that hard to get one foul,” Joyner said. “But my kids fought with some adversity, and they came out and did what they needed to do. Because that [officiating] was ridiculous.”
Joyner added that his team has some work to do before it continues conference play.
“Everything. We have to work on everything. We have to work on their mental focus, mental toughness.”
The Red Devils hosted Sylvan Hills on Friday, and they play a makeup game against Little Rock McClellan this evening with the Lady Red Devils tipping off at 3 p.m.
Special to The Leader
Intensity was high all night in the Alex Hugg Gymnasium, but the Jacksonville Red Devils (12-3, 5-0) found themselves victorious on the road against the Pulaski Academy Bruins (6-5, 3-2) at the end of overtime with a final score of 68-65.
Despite Jacksonville’s victory, Coach Victor Joyner was not pleased with the team’s performance. “[We] didn’t come out with any fire or any grit. Got out-hustled, got out-scrapped,” Joyner said.
There were many lead changes throughout the game, and the biggest lead of the night was the five points Jacksonville scored immediately following tip-off. That lead was quickly topped by Pulaski Academy hitting back-to-back threes. The Bruins continued to rain down threes all night long, hitting 4 of 6 in the first quarter and 10 of 18 on the night.
The Red Devils didn’t fare as well from beyond the arc, hitting only 3 out of 10, and those three all came from senior Aaron Smith. However, their inaccuracy from deep was counter-balanced with their success in the paint.
Senior Justin McCleary led the Red Devils’ scrappy, fast-paced offense from point guard almost all game long. He had assists to nearly every Red Devil who scored from the field.
When senior Khaleel Hart drove to the basket, there was a good chance it was going in. He led the team in points with 15, followed closely by senior Brandon Brockman with 12. McCleary had 11, junior Sergio Berkley had 10, and Smith scored 9.
Jacksonville out-rebounded the Bruins throughout, but missed many second and third chance shots which could’ve given them much better control over the flow of the game.
The Red Devils had an opportunity to wrap things up in regulation. Senior Kevin Richardson was subbed in during the fourth quarter and made a clutch steal which led to a layup that put Jacksonville ahead by three.
But a costly foul at the buzzer from the otherwise reliable McCleary sent Bruin Chase Snider to the line for three shots and a chance to tie the game.
Snider hit all three to lock the score at 57 and send the game into overtime.
The Red Devils began overtime with a 5-point run, but Bruins senior Brandon Brady answered quickly with a deep three. Jacksonville put two more on the board from the free-throw line, but Brady hit yet another three. McCleary went to the line for the last time and hit both free throws to put Jacksonville’s lead at three with just 12.1 seconds left in overtime. The Bruins missed the at-the-buzzer three-point attempt to give The Red Devils the 68-65 win.
Joyner was not pleased with the officiating throughout the night, which he said leaned heavily in favor of the Bruins.
“When you’re not getting any calls or any help and you have a game with that much diversity. You have to work that hard to get one foul,” Joyner said. “But my kids fought with some adversity, and they came out and did what they needed to do. Because that [officiating] was ridiculous.”
Joyner added that his team has some work to do before it continues conference play.
“Everything. We have to work on everything. We have to work on their mental focus, mental toughness.”
The Red Devils hosted Sylvan Hills on Friday, and they play a makeup game against Little Rock McClellan this evening with the Lady Red Devils tipping off at 3 p.m.
SPORTS STORY >> Lonoke’s boys top Cardinals, take first
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
It was business as usual in 2-4A Conference play for Lonoke on Tuesday as the Jackrabbits mopped up the floor with Stuttgart in a 66-31 mercy-ruled victory at the LHS gymnasium. It wasn’t business as usual on Thursday. The Jackrabbits toppled top-ranked Dollarway 59-55 on the road to snap the Cardinals’ 17-game winning streak and move into a tie for first place.
Junior Jamel Rankin scored 18 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Jackrabbits back from a nine-point deficit at the end of three. Lonoke went to a full-court trap and forced several turnovers, including four steals by Rankin.
Rankin finished with 26 points, with Blake Mack adding 13 and Reid McKenzie 10 for the Jackrabbits.
Dollarway (17-2, 9-1) holds the tiebreaker over the Jackrabbits by virtue of its 65-39 win over Lonoke in early December.
In Tuesday’s game, Lonoke (13-4, 8-1) marched out to a fast 7-0 lead and led by as much as 13-2 in the first quarter before Stuttgart came back early in the second period with a 9-2 run that briefly made it a game. The Jackrabbits shut out their guests over the final 3:13 of the first half while racking up 16 unanswered points to take a commanding 35-18 lead at the break.
The mercy rule was finally reached with mostly subs on the floor for Lonoke with 6:24 remaining when Zack Risner scored inside to give the Jackrabbits a 60-29 lead.
“We jumped on them early and then kind of relaxed,” Jackrabbits coach Dean Campbell said. “Against good teams, you can’t do that. It’s frustrating, but at the same time, we did some good things. We turned up the pressure in the second quarter and got some turnovers. We continue to try and work on our press a little bit.
“I wasn’t overly excited at halftime even though we had made a run. We do that way too much. We still have way too many valleys on our play.”
Some might rule a coach being so upset following a blowout win as slightly nit picky, but for Campbell, it’s all about staying focused on the big picture.
“It is, but we expect to try and make a run into the state tournament,” Campbell said. “If you don’t have extremely high expectations, it’s kind of hard to do that. All along, we’ve talked about it, and our expectations are a lot higher than they think they can really do at times.”
Junior guard Blake Mack did all the damage for Lonoke in the early going with a three-point basket to start the game, followed by three trips to the free-throw line that generated four more points to give the Jackrabbits a 7-0 lead with 5:54 remaining in the opening quarter. Mack hit another three to start the second quarter, and closed out the half in show-stopping fashion with a transition dunk with 33 seconds remaining on his way to a game-high 17 points.
“He does that,” Campbell said. “He plays in spurts and can score in bunches, but with what he does for us offensively, he has to improve defensively, because he could be unbelievable for us defensively. Once he matures into that role of being a defensive-minded guy, then all that other offensive stuff comes easier.”
The Ricebirds cut Lonoke’s lead to 19-17 with 3:45 left to play in the first half following a three-point basket for guard Kenneth Avery, but Risner got the Jackrabbits going on a scoring run that went unanswered for the remainder of the second quarter with a putback and a free throw, followed by a basket for Mack at the 2:49 mark that made it 24-17. Senior Dra Offord then hit his second three pointer of the night to put Lonoke back up by double digits.
Darrius McCall added a basket with 1:34 left in the half to make it 31-18, and hit another shot just before the buzzer for a 35-18 ’Rabbit lead at the break.
Lonoke shot 43 percent from the floor (22 of 51) and held the visiting Ricebirds to 25 percent (13 of 53).
Offord added 14 points for Lonoke while McCall finished with nine points and Risner seven. Risner, Mack and post player Reid McKenzie shared top-rebounding honors with six boards each. For Stuttgart, Avery led with 12 points while post player Chris Hooks finished with nine points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
The Jackrabbits played a Southside Batesville last night after deadline. They will take on Marianna at home on Tuesday. Lonoke won the first meeting with the Trojans 53-37.
Leader sportswriter
It was business as usual in 2-4A Conference play for Lonoke on Tuesday as the Jackrabbits mopped up the floor with Stuttgart in a 66-31 mercy-ruled victory at the LHS gymnasium. It wasn’t business as usual on Thursday. The Jackrabbits toppled top-ranked Dollarway 59-55 on the road to snap the Cardinals’ 17-game winning streak and move into a tie for first place.
Junior Jamel Rankin scored 18 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Jackrabbits back from a nine-point deficit at the end of three. Lonoke went to a full-court trap and forced several turnovers, including four steals by Rankin.
Rankin finished with 26 points, with Blake Mack adding 13 and Reid McKenzie 10 for the Jackrabbits.
Dollarway (17-2, 9-1) holds the tiebreaker over the Jackrabbits by virtue of its 65-39 win over Lonoke in early December.
In Tuesday’s game, Lonoke (13-4, 8-1) marched out to a fast 7-0 lead and led by as much as 13-2 in the first quarter before Stuttgart came back early in the second period with a 9-2 run that briefly made it a game. The Jackrabbits shut out their guests over the final 3:13 of the first half while racking up 16 unanswered points to take a commanding 35-18 lead at the break.
The mercy rule was finally reached with mostly subs on the floor for Lonoke with 6:24 remaining when Zack Risner scored inside to give the Jackrabbits a 60-29 lead.
“We jumped on them early and then kind of relaxed,” Jackrabbits coach Dean Campbell said. “Against good teams, you can’t do that. It’s frustrating, but at the same time, we did some good things. We turned up the pressure in the second quarter and got some turnovers. We continue to try and work on our press a little bit.
“I wasn’t overly excited at halftime even though we had made a run. We do that way too much. We still have way too many valleys on our play.”
Some might rule a coach being so upset following a blowout win as slightly nit picky, but for Campbell, it’s all about staying focused on the big picture.
“It is, but we expect to try and make a run into the state tournament,” Campbell said. “If you don’t have extremely high expectations, it’s kind of hard to do that. All along, we’ve talked about it, and our expectations are a lot higher than they think they can really do at times.”
Junior guard Blake Mack did all the damage for Lonoke in the early going with a three-point basket to start the game, followed by three trips to the free-throw line that generated four more points to give the Jackrabbits a 7-0 lead with 5:54 remaining in the opening quarter. Mack hit another three to start the second quarter, and closed out the half in show-stopping fashion with a transition dunk with 33 seconds remaining on his way to a game-high 17 points.
“He does that,” Campbell said. “He plays in spurts and can score in bunches, but with what he does for us offensively, he has to improve defensively, because he could be unbelievable for us defensively. Once he matures into that role of being a defensive-minded guy, then all that other offensive stuff comes easier.”
The Ricebirds cut Lonoke’s lead to 19-17 with 3:45 left to play in the first half following a three-point basket for guard Kenneth Avery, but Risner got the Jackrabbits going on a scoring run that went unanswered for the remainder of the second quarter with a putback and a free throw, followed by a basket for Mack at the 2:49 mark that made it 24-17. Senior Dra Offord then hit his second three pointer of the night to put Lonoke back up by double digits.
Darrius McCall added a basket with 1:34 left in the half to make it 31-18, and hit another shot just before the buzzer for a 35-18 ’Rabbit lead at the break.
Lonoke shot 43 percent from the floor (22 of 51) and held the visiting Ricebirds to 25 percent (13 of 53).
Offord added 14 points for Lonoke while McCall finished with nine points and Risner seven. Risner, Mack and post player Reid McKenzie shared top-rebounding honors with six boards each. For Stuttgart, Avery led with 12 points while post player Chris Hooks finished with nine points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
The Jackrabbits played a Southside Batesville last night after deadline. They will take on Marianna at home on Tuesday. Lonoke won the first meeting with the Trojans 53-37.
SPORTS STORY >> Bears thwart Falcon rally
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Sylvan Hills picked up its first conference win of the season Tuesday, holding off a fierce comeback attempt and beating nearby rival North Pulaski 62-57 in Sherwood.
“I told my guys I needed some fighters,” Sylvan Hills coach Kevin Davis said. “When they started coming back on us, I could see it in their faces. In games past, we’d be right in it until late and then just sort of fade away. I told my guys I need to see fighters that won’t give in when it gets to those final minutes. I think we saw some guys grow up a little bit today.”
The Falcons charged back from down 34-15 at halftime to within 43-37 less than a minute into the fourth quarter. Then came the turning point in the game. The Falcons had the ball with the chance to get closer, but turned it over.
Sylvan Hills (5-8, 2-4) got a five-point possession thanks to aggressively attacking the offensive glass. Ronnie Hinton missed a baseline jumper, but David Johnson got the rebound. He missed his first attempt; Darius James got the rebound and missed. Johnson got another rebound, hit the bucket and was fouled. He missed the free throw, but James got the rebound, found Hinton on the wing, who nailed a three pointer to make it 48-37.
“Absolutely that was a key possession for us,” Davis said. “You see the life come back to us. They got it close a few more times after that. The difference was now we know we can fight them off. That was a huge possession.”
The Falcons were shorthanded in the first half. Starting forward Aaron Williamson missed the entire game after the senior was ejected from the Little Rock Christian game the previous Friday. Junior guard and the team’s leading scorer Joe Aikens was suspended for the first half by coach Roy Jackson for undisclosed reasons. Whether due to the absence of two every-day starters, or to some other reason, the Falcons were terribly out of sync on offense the whole first half. Freshman RaShawn Langston scored over half the team’s points with eight. Only one other North Pulaski starter scored a basket in the first half.
Sylvan Hills wasn’t much better in the first quarter, but the Bears caught fire from three-point range in the second. Sylvan Hills made five threes in just six attempts in the second period.
Hinton went 3 for 4 in the second while DeMonte Davidson came off the bench and drained two attempts. Hinton finished the game 5 of 6 from three-point range and the Bears hit 8 of 13 combined.
They were 9 of 36 from two-point range for a total of 42 points from the field. The Falcons hit 22 of 53 two pointers and 2 of 8 threes. The scoring difference came at the line.
North Pulaski (8-8, 2-3) played aggressive defense throughout. It created some points but it also sent the Bears to the line 39 times, where they made 20. The Falcons were just 7 of 10 on free throws.
Many of Sylvan Hills’ free throws came late in the fourth quarter when the Falcons were forced to foul in an attempt to lengthen the game.
The Bears could have put the game away earlier, but made just 9 of 22 free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter.
Aikens sparked and led the Falcons comeback attempt and finished as the game’s leading scorer despite not playing the first half. He finished with 21.
Langston scored 16 and grabbed nine rebounds while Eric Mouton added nine points for the Falcons.
Hinton led the Bears with 17 points while Johnson and Trajan Doss scored nine each. Johnson led all players with 11 rebounds while Darius James finished with eight boards.
Sylvan Hills out rebounded North Pulaski 38-28.
Leader sports editor
Sylvan Hills picked up its first conference win of the season Tuesday, holding off a fierce comeback attempt and beating nearby rival North Pulaski 62-57 in Sherwood.
“I told my guys I needed some fighters,” Sylvan Hills coach Kevin Davis said. “When they started coming back on us, I could see it in their faces. In games past, we’d be right in it until late and then just sort of fade away. I told my guys I need to see fighters that won’t give in when it gets to those final minutes. I think we saw some guys grow up a little bit today.”
The Falcons charged back from down 34-15 at halftime to within 43-37 less than a minute into the fourth quarter. Then came the turning point in the game. The Falcons had the ball with the chance to get closer, but turned it over.
Sylvan Hills (5-8, 2-4) got a five-point possession thanks to aggressively attacking the offensive glass. Ronnie Hinton missed a baseline jumper, but David Johnson got the rebound. He missed his first attempt; Darius James got the rebound and missed. Johnson got another rebound, hit the bucket and was fouled. He missed the free throw, but James got the rebound, found Hinton on the wing, who nailed a three pointer to make it 48-37.
“Absolutely that was a key possession for us,” Davis said. “You see the life come back to us. They got it close a few more times after that. The difference was now we know we can fight them off. That was a huge possession.”
The Falcons were shorthanded in the first half. Starting forward Aaron Williamson missed the entire game after the senior was ejected from the Little Rock Christian game the previous Friday. Junior guard and the team’s leading scorer Joe Aikens was suspended for the first half by coach Roy Jackson for undisclosed reasons. Whether due to the absence of two every-day starters, or to some other reason, the Falcons were terribly out of sync on offense the whole first half. Freshman RaShawn Langston scored over half the team’s points with eight. Only one other North Pulaski starter scored a basket in the first half.
Sylvan Hills wasn’t much better in the first quarter, but the Bears caught fire from three-point range in the second. Sylvan Hills made five threes in just six attempts in the second period.
Hinton went 3 for 4 in the second while DeMonte Davidson came off the bench and drained two attempts. Hinton finished the game 5 of 6 from three-point range and the Bears hit 8 of 13 combined.
They were 9 of 36 from two-point range for a total of 42 points from the field. The Falcons hit 22 of 53 two pointers and 2 of 8 threes. The scoring difference came at the line.
North Pulaski (8-8, 2-3) played aggressive defense throughout. It created some points but it also sent the Bears to the line 39 times, where they made 20. The Falcons were just 7 of 10 on free throws.
Many of Sylvan Hills’ free throws came late in the fourth quarter when the Falcons were forced to foul in an attempt to lengthen the game.
The Bears could have put the game away earlier, but made just 9 of 22 free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter.
Aikens sparked and led the Falcons comeback attempt and finished as the game’s leading scorer despite not playing the first half. He finished with 21.
Langston scored 16 and grabbed nine rebounds while Eric Mouton added nine points for the Falcons.
Hinton led the Bears with 17 points while Johnson and Trajan Doss scored nine each. Johnson led all players with 11 rebounds while Darius James finished with eight boards.
Sylvan Hills out rebounded North Pulaski 38-28.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
EDITORIAL >> Is it the end for PCSSD?
The state Education Department will supervise the Pulaski County Special School District for three more years if the state Legislature extends the current law from two years to five years of state control.
According to an exclusive report in The Leader last weekend by veteran staff writer John Hofheimer, the state Education Department and the district’s interim superintendent claim PCSSD is still too sick to stand alone. Let’s just say the district is on life support.
According to state law, if PCSSD is not out of fiscal distress by July, the state can disband the district, annex it to another or move various schools to other districts. The state Education Department would rather wait three more years before it decides to break the district up once and for all. You won’t hear much sympathy for preserving the Pulaski County district in the Legislature or anywhere else.
State law now allows only two years of supervision by the Education Department, but Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell of Cabot told us he will ask the Legislature to give him three more years — a total of five — to fix ailing school districts in fiscal distress. There are three such districts around the state.
Besides PCSSD, Dollarway and Helena-West Helena school districts are in fiscal distress and being run by the state, with Kimbrell acting as a one-man school board. Even after two years of state oversight, it doesn’t appear that any of those districts will solve their financial problems at the end of the school year, as had been hoped, especially the Pulaski County district.
Kimbrell and Jerry Guess, now in his second year as acting superintendent, believe their work is far from over.
“At this point, I’m not convinced the district is ready to be turned loose,” Kimbrell said.
Here’s one state bureaucrat who has earned his pay, although we would prefer local control of our schools, especially in Jacksonville. The Cabot, Beebe and Lonoke districts are doing just fine without the state breathing down their necks. Sherwood, too, is doing well, but its future remains uncertain if Pulaski County is broken up.
A death sentence for the county district might make it easier for Jacksonville to end up with its own district, depending on when the state Education Department releases PCSSD from oversight. The state should disband the county district anytime before 2016 and move its various parts into Little Rock, North Little Rock and Jacksonville.
Five years of state supervision is not exactly a rosy scenario, although it does improve Jacksonville’s chances of getting its own district. Kimbrell said breaking up PCSSD won’t necessarily lead to the creation of a new Jacksonville district. The courts have the final say on that matter, but that’s what both the state and district have said is the eventual goal: Let Jacksonville start with a clean slate. The other areas of PCSSD would do just fine in Little Rock and North Little Rock.
Kimbrell told Hofheimer that in addition to asking legislators to amend state law to give the state five years to correct fiscal problems at troubled school districts, he would seek other changes, such as a law requiring the training of school board members in proper administration of their offices.
The PCSSD school board, before it was disbanded almost two years ago, was sadly lacking in leadership. The board was divided between pro- and anti-union members. Neither faction knew how to help run a school district or hire competent superintendents.
PCSSD failed to adhere to a good set of fiscal policies and procedures as required by the state Bureau of Legislative Audit. What’s more, the troubled district has not built a healthy and sustainable budget carryover in several years. It’s amazing they didn’t shut down the district a long time ago.
In 2011, a state audit uncovered serious fiscal problems at PCSSD, but there’s no reason to expect much progress since then. A new audit is being reviewed and could be published as early as Feb. 13, according to Larry Hunter, deputy legislative auditor for educational institutions.
The likelihood of the district losing $20 million a year in state desegregation funding will complicate the district’s financial problems, Kimbrell said.
He is hoping that when the state does stop its $20 million infusion of desegregation money to the district, the money will be phased out over at least two or three years. Otherwise, expect the district’s finances to worsen.
According to an exclusive report in The Leader last weekend by veteran staff writer John Hofheimer, the state Education Department and the district’s interim superintendent claim PCSSD is still too sick to stand alone. Let’s just say the district is on life support.
According to state law, if PCSSD is not out of fiscal distress by July, the state can disband the district, annex it to another or move various schools to other districts. The state Education Department would rather wait three more years before it decides to break the district up once and for all. You won’t hear much sympathy for preserving the Pulaski County district in the Legislature or anywhere else.
State law now allows only two years of supervision by the Education Department, but Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell of Cabot told us he will ask the Legislature to give him three more years — a total of five — to fix ailing school districts in fiscal distress. There are three such districts around the state.
Besides PCSSD, Dollarway and Helena-West Helena school districts are in fiscal distress and being run by the state, with Kimbrell acting as a one-man school board. Even after two years of state oversight, it doesn’t appear that any of those districts will solve their financial problems at the end of the school year, as had been hoped, especially the Pulaski County district.
Kimbrell and Jerry Guess, now in his second year as acting superintendent, believe their work is far from over.
“At this point, I’m not convinced the district is ready to be turned loose,” Kimbrell said.
Here’s one state bureaucrat who has earned his pay, although we would prefer local control of our schools, especially in Jacksonville. The Cabot, Beebe and Lonoke districts are doing just fine without the state breathing down their necks. Sherwood, too, is doing well, but its future remains uncertain if Pulaski County is broken up.
A death sentence for the county district might make it easier for Jacksonville to end up with its own district, depending on when the state Education Department releases PCSSD from oversight. The state should disband the county district anytime before 2016 and move its various parts into Little Rock, North Little Rock and Jacksonville.
Five years of state supervision is not exactly a rosy scenario, although it does improve Jacksonville’s chances of getting its own district. Kimbrell said breaking up PCSSD won’t necessarily lead to the creation of a new Jacksonville district. The courts have the final say on that matter, but that’s what both the state and district have said is the eventual goal: Let Jacksonville start with a clean slate. The other areas of PCSSD would do just fine in Little Rock and North Little Rock.
Kimbrell told Hofheimer that in addition to asking legislators to amend state law to give the state five years to correct fiscal problems at troubled school districts, he would seek other changes, such as a law requiring the training of school board members in proper administration of their offices.
The PCSSD school board, before it was disbanded almost two years ago, was sadly lacking in leadership. The board was divided between pro- and anti-union members. Neither faction knew how to help run a school district or hire competent superintendents.
PCSSD failed to adhere to a good set of fiscal policies and procedures as required by the state Bureau of Legislative Audit. What’s more, the troubled district has not built a healthy and sustainable budget carryover in several years. It’s amazing they didn’t shut down the district a long time ago.
In 2011, a state audit uncovered serious fiscal problems at PCSSD, but there’s no reason to expect much progress since then. A new audit is being reviewed and could be published as early as Feb. 13, according to Larry Hunter, deputy legislative auditor for educational institutions.
The likelihood of the district losing $20 million a year in state desegregation funding will complicate the district’s financial problems, Kimbrell said.
He is hoping that when the state does stop its $20 million infusion of desegregation money to the district, the money will be phased out over at least two or three years. Otherwise, expect the district’s finances to worsen.
TOP STORY >> Medicaid issue still undecided
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
With legislators settling into committee assignments, many of them learning the ropes for the first time, Medicaid expansion is on everyone’s minds, but not yet on the agenda.
It seems likely that some form of Medicaid expansion — part of President Obama’s controversial Affordable Care Act — could be passed this session.
Expansion would add 250,000 people to Arkansas’ Medicaid rolls, but with initial federal help, would save the state $100,000 in 2015, growing to $500,000 a year by 2021, according to Dr. Andy Allison, state Medicaid director.
That’s largely because the state Medicaid match, currently 30 percent, would be reduced at first to zero percent, then growing to 10 percent over time.
Half of Arkansas’ pregnancies are covered by Medicaid, so the state pays 30 percent of those costs. But under the new plan, the federal government would pay 100 percent the first three years of the plan, and then gradually up to 10 percent of that cost would be borne by the state.
Republican opponents to the expansion say those projections are incorrect and some suggest that changing the income eligibility, the expansion would be available to fewer people and more affordable.
Dr. Joe Thompson, the state health director, spoke to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Tuesday. Members heard about the amount of uncompensated care at UAMS and the amount of help it would get from so-called Obamacare and Medicaid expansion.
The Medicaid expansion is part of the president’s Affordable Care law and would serve four currently unserved, uninsured pools of clients —Medicaid coverage for pregnant women, increased hospital benefit coverage, limited coverage for 19- to 64-year-olds and a limited package of benefits for those 65 or older not served by Medicare.
State Rep. Mark Perry, D-Jacksonville, says Medicaid expansion is currently as-signed to the House Public Health Committee to which he is assigned.
He said that so far he’s not seen evidence that Republicans would seek to alter or replace the bill.
“I’m sure other options and variables will come out of that,” Perry said. “They will probably start taking shape over the next two or three weeks.”
Perry said that reducing eligibility for the program would reduce the cost, “but how many other underserved people would be left (uninsured).”
The state owes the federal government about $300 million in Medicaid matching money, and the state will have to use surplus general revenue funds to pay that off, according to state Rep. Walls McCrary, D-Lonoke.
Some legislators want a special session to deal with Medicaid expansion, according to Rep. Patti Julian, D-North Little Rock. They have asked to governor to get a ruling from Washington on whether partial Medicaid expansion is an option. She said early indications are that it is not.
They also are trying to get the numbers nailed down better. Some have challenged the numbers put forward by the state.
Otherwise, legislators have just been taking care of a bunch of housekeeping appropriation bills.
McCrary, who is on the House Transportation Committee, said a bill to include the White County portion of U.S. Hwy. 67 as part of Arkansas’ Rock ’n’ Roll Highway was voted out of committee Tuesday with a “do-pass” recommendation.
Several area legislators had not returned calls by deadline.
Leader senior staff writer
With legislators settling into committee assignments, many of them learning the ropes for the first time, Medicaid expansion is on everyone’s minds, but not yet on the agenda.
It seems likely that some form of Medicaid expansion — part of President Obama’s controversial Affordable Care Act — could be passed this session.
Expansion would add 250,000 people to Arkansas’ Medicaid rolls, but with initial federal help, would save the state $100,000 in 2015, growing to $500,000 a year by 2021, according to Dr. Andy Allison, state Medicaid director.
That’s largely because the state Medicaid match, currently 30 percent, would be reduced at first to zero percent, then growing to 10 percent over time.
Half of Arkansas’ pregnancies are covered by Medicaid, so the state pays 30 percent of those costs. But under the new plan, the federal government would pay 100 percent the first three years of the plan, and then gradually up to 10 percent of that cost would be borne by the state.
Republican opponents to the expansion say those projections are incorrect and some suggest that changing the income eligibility, the expansion would be available to fewer people and more affordable.
Dr. Joe Thompson, the state health director, spoke to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Tuesday. Members heard about the amount of uncompensated care at UAMS and the amount of help it would get from so-called Obamacare and Medicaid expansion.
The Medicaid expansion is part of the president’s Affordable Care law and would serve four currently unserved, uninsured pools of clients —Medicaid coverage for pregnant women, increased hospital benefit coverage, limited coverage for 19- to 64-year-olds and a limited package of benefits for those 65 or older not served by Medicare.
State Rep. Mark Perry, D-Jacksonville, says Medicaid expansion is currently as-signed to the House Public Health Committee to which he is assigned.
He said that so far he’s not seen evidence that Republicans would seek to alter or replace the bill.
“I’m sure other options and variables will come out of that,” Perry said. “They will probably start taking shape over the next two or three weeks.”
Perry said that reducing eligibility for the program would reduce the cost, “but how many other underserved people would be left (uninsured).”
The state owes the federal government about $300 million in Medicaid matching money, and the state will have to use surplus general revenue funds to pay that off, according to state Rep. Walls McCrary, D-Lonoke.
Some legislators want a special session to deal with Medicaid expansion, according to Rep. Patti Julian, D-North Little Rock. They have asked to governor to get a ruling from Washington on whether partial Medicaid expansion is an option. She said early indications are that it is not.
They also are trying to get the numbers nailed down better. Some have challenged the numbers put forward by the state.
Otherwise, legislators have just been taking care of a bunch of housekeeping appropriation bills.
McCrary, who is on the House Transportation Committee, said a bill to include the White County portion of U.S. Hwy. 67 as part of Arkansas’ Rock ’n’ Roll Highway was voted out of committee Tuesday with a “do-pass” recommendation.
Several area legislators had not returned calls by deadline.
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