Archive - Sports Article
November 21st, 2012
The Benton Panthers got off to their second consecutive 8-0 scoring start in defeating the Searcy Lions 59-39 at Benton Arena on Tuesday night. The Panthers also got off to an 8-0 start in their 68-43 win against Beebe in the first game of the year last week.
The 2012 high school basketball season could not have gotten off to a much better start for the Harmony Grove Lady Cardinals. Sitting at 3-1 heading into the Thanksgiving break, the Lady Cardinals have put together stellar shooting nights while play excellent defense on the other end.
Senior guard Lauren Dempsey has been a huge spark in the starting role for the team, averaging 15 points per game including a 19 and 21point showing so far this young season.
November 19th
A Benton Panther tournament team made up of all sixth graders had an impressive run in a tournament at Lake Hamilton High school on Saturday, Nov. 10. From the Future Panthers program, the team of 20 total kids ran through the tournament, playing three games in one day, without surrendering a point.
The Benton sixth graders took down Hot Springs in the morning game 52-0, blew out Sheridan 40-0 in the afternoon game, and shut out Star City in the championship game 20-0 to take the first-place trophy.
November 10th
BAUXITE – The Bauxite Lady Miners hosted the England Lady Lions in a benefit game at Fred Dawson Gym on Thursday night and turned a close game into a 56-41 blowout. The Lady Miners led 24-22 at the half before increasing their lead the next two quarters.
The scoring for Bauxite was evenly distributed as three players each scored 12 points in senior Mary Crow, junior Allison Tackett, and senior Morgan Case. Tackett hit 2 of 4 from the 3-point line, Case had eight rebounds and two assists, and Crow had nine assists, five rebounds and four steals.
Behind a steady running attack and stingy play on defense, the Cabot Panthers upset the Bryant Hornets in the opening round of the Arkansas 7A state tournament by a score of 28-21 Friday night.
“We just didn’t capitalize,” Bryant Coach Paul Calley said. “We had too many chances we didn’t capitalize on. Our defense made stops in the second half and we didn’t take advantage of it.
November 8th
The Bryant Hornets had a very successful season a year ago when theymade it to the semifinals of the 7A state tournament and lost to a loaded Little Rock Hall team which won the state title. With a semifinal appearance, one would expect high expectation the next year, but the Hornets have a totally different team this year.
While many may feel that the high school football season just started, for us journalists, it has been a long, but exciting year. With Bryant, Benton and Sheridan automatically in the playoffs before the season even starts, the special rule leave many with a "huh?" look on their faces. I’m one of those people.
How in the world does an 0-10 Little Rock Fair team get in the postseason while a 4-6 Harmony Grove team sits at home or in the stands and watches Round 1? But, I didn’t make the rules and instead, it gives the Saline County area more chances to bring home a trophy.
November 6th
The Harmony Grove senior boys basketball program took enormous leaps after the 2007 season, making the state tournament in 2008 and 2009 under the helm of Head Coach Richard Moore. Since then, the Cardinals have been on a bit of a downward spiral, finishing under .500 after losing most of the 2008 and 2009 core to graduation.
But now the Cardinals are back in the history books at the start of the 2012 season. After being the lead man for four seasons, Moore elected to resign his position on the basketball court to concentrate on football and soccer.
With a new basketball season set to get under way, Miners head basketball Coach Mark Smith is stressing two things to his team as they prepare for their first game.
“We talk about it all the time in practice – effort and execution,” Smith said. “No matter what sport you play, those are the two key works that everyone looks to try and find. “
Last season, Bauxite finished one game under .500 with an overall record of 14-15.
Earlier this year Lady Miners head basketball Coach Joshua Harrison gave each girl on his basketball team one piece of a puzzle. As his team looked at him with confusion, Harrison explained how it would all make sense in the end.
“We all are individuals, we all have unique and different skills, but when we come together and we lock those pieces together, we can make up a very strong team,” Harrison said.
With a new basketball season on the horizon, Harrison is hoping this visual motivates his team.
