By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Finally, the Forrest City Mustangs will come back to their home court -- Mustang Arena.
Nine days after completing the regular season and after watching two full days of Class AAAAA State Tournament action on their home floor, the Mustangs get a chance to take center court when they tip off against Camden-Fairview today at 5:30 p.m.
There is a strange little twist, however.
The Mustangs will be playing the role of the visitors -- on the scoreboard and on the sidelines.
The third-seeded Mustangs will play the the second-seeded Cardinal in the final first-round boys' game.
Forrest City drew the bottom half of the bracket against Camden-Fairview. The team designated the home team in state tournament play always rests on the top edge of the playoff game bracket.
The Mustangs will even be using the visitors dressing room instead of their own.
It's down to a one-game season for all of the teams. The winner advances to play Conway on Friday.
Conway, the No. 4 seed from the AAAAA-Central, upset top-seeded and eighth-ranked Fort Smith Northside Wednesday 74-66.
"Camden-Fairview played well during the year, and I know that all of the teams from the South conference have good tradition," said Forrest City Coach Dwight Lofton.
The South is 2-1 so far in the boys' bracket with Pine Bluff and El Doardo both advancing to second-round play and Lake Hamilton, the four seed falling to Little Rock Mills on Tuesday.
Lofton said it is tough to compare Camden-Fairview to any of the East Conference teams.
"One coach describes them and I think of West Memphis and then another coach describes them and I think of Blytheville, so all we can do is get on the floor and get the true feel," Lofton said.
All of Lofton's troops are healthy and have utilized the nine-day layoff to maintain the team's conditioning.
"We've had some spirited workouts and we've taken the time to go back and tinker with some of our defenses, adding little things here and there," Lofton said. "Things that people haven't seen from us this year. We brushed up on a lot of things."
Lofton doesn't think the state tournament atmosphere will affect his team.
"We've played before big crowds all year, we're comfortable on our home floor, even though we will be the designated visitors tonight," Lofton said. "What I think might be the biggest factor is the do or die nature of this game. One loss and you go home. I think the kids will take a great deal of pride in today's game and I think this is where you see the benefits of our experience in the Rumble on the Ridge to come to the forefront."
Lofton said at game time, however, those things can all be tossed out of the window.
"I think that by drawing the final first-round game was a benefit to us, because the kids have been able to sit and watch the intensity of the teams on the floor and have watched several good teams come in here and fall," Lofton said. "It has helped us in practice because the kids have been practicing with a higher intensity level. It couldn't have worked out better, as far as I'm concerned."
The Mustangs are making their third appearance in five seasons in the AAAAA state tournament and second straight.
They lost to LR Central in last year's first-round game played at Pine Bluff.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Conway pulled the upset of the day Wednesday at the Class AAAAA State Tournament by knocking off eighth-ranked and top-seeded Fort Smith Northside 74-66 in a first-round game played at Mustang Arena.
Conway outscored Northside by 10 points in the third quarter and went on to claim the victory.
Conway returns to action Friday night at 8:30 p.m. to face tonight's Forrest City-Camden-Fairview winner.
Conway led 28-26 at the half, but outscored the Grizzlies 26-16 in the third period.
T.J. Jenkins scored 22 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for Conway. Jenkins made 9-of-15 shots. Justin Caldwell paced Northside with 21.
El Dorado 77, Fayetteville 60
El Doardo, the third seed from the AAAAA-South built a 16-point lead in the opening period and matched Fayetteville the rest of the way for a 77-60 victory.
El Doardo will take on No. 2 ranked Little Rock Central today at 8:30 p.m. in a second-round game.
Central held off Jonesboro on Tuesday 42-37 to advance.
Will Boyer led the Wildcats' scoring with 17 points, while Justin Dansby added 15 and Curtis Clark had 13.
Fayetteville sophomore Ronnie Brewer, son of former Arkansas Razorback great Ron Brewer, led all scorers with 25 points, and Jack Taylor added 12 for the Bulldogs.
LR Parkview 52, Blytheville 34
The day's final boys' game saw Tauarys Blanchard and Bryson Harris combine for 25 points to lead Little Rock Parkview over Blytheville, 52-34. Blanchard had 13 points, Harris 12.
Parkview led 22-17 at the half.
Curtis Smith was the only Chickasaw player who scored in double digits, with 14 points.
Parkview will hook up against Pine Bluff on Friday at 2:30 p.m.
Pine Bluff defeated Russellville Tuesday to get to the second round.
Today's action puts Little Rock Hall against Van Buren at 2:30 p.m. and Camden-Fairview against Forrest City at 5:30 p.m.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
The West Memphis Lady Blue Devils joined Jonesboro in the second round of the Class AAAAA State Tournament Wednesday by completely dominating North Little Rock from start to finish.
Through two days, the East girls' teams are 2-1 at the state tournament.
Jacksonville lost to Mount St. Mary Tuesday and Blytheville plays today at 4 p.m. against Pine Bluff.
Jocelyn Love led West Memphis with 16 points, Amber Geen added 14 and Kim Turner had 11.
West Memphis was on top 31-12 at the half.
West Memphis will play Springdale Friday at 1 p.m.
FS Northside 75, LR Parkview 44
Top-ranked Fort Smith Northside opened a big halftime lead and coasted to a 75-44 victory over Little Rock Parkview.
After making 16-of-33 shots in the first half, Northside led by 16. The margin was 28 after three quarters.
Redd Coleman led Northside with 19 and Tamika Kursh added 14.
Camila Pittman scored 15 for Parkview and Renita Dobbins contributed 14.
Northside will face tonight's Pine Bluff-Blytheville winner Friday at 7 p.m.
FS Southside 58, Bryant 34
Fort Smith Southside made almost half of its shots and routed cold-shooting Bryant 58-34 on Wednesday in the first round of the Class AAAAA girls state high school basketball tournament.
Southside made 23-of-50 from the field. The Lady Rebels led 25-17 at the half and outscored the Lady Mustangs 21-4 in the third quarter. Bryant made only 13-of-46 shots.
Melissa Thompson led the winners with 17 points and Miranda Moreton added 13. Jennifer Slack paced Bryant with 14 points.
Southside returns to the floor today at 7 p.m. to take on Mount St. Mary.
Also today, Mountain Home and Fayetteville will play at 1 p.m. while Pine Bluff and Blytheville tip at 4 p.m.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
DANVILLE -- The Palestine-Wheatley Lady Patriots are set to play a second-round Class AA State Tournament game Friday at 1 p.m. at Danville.
That much they know. By late this afternoon, they will know if their opponent will be Marmaduke or Valley Springs.
In girls' AA action Wednesday, Charity Smith hit a last-second shot as Mammoth Spring beat Union 58-57 in overtime and Harding Academy defeated Centerpoint 41-30.
"We are practicing each morning and trying to stay focused," said P-W Coach Beverly Bass. "They know what we're here for and they are taking it one game at a time."
Right now, the game for the Lady Patriots will be Friday's quarterfinal game -- probably against Marmaduke.
"That will be our toughest game," Bass said. "We watched Greenland play Tuesday and they are good but I don't think they are as strong as they have been the past two years we've played them."
The Lady Patriots have lost to Greenland in the AA state final each of the past two years. This year, the meeting between the two, should both teams advance that far, would be in Saturday's semifinal.
Both Greenland and Palestine-Wheatley hit the 80-point mark in Tuesday's first round as the No. 2 ranked Lady Patriots beat Lewisville 80-42 and Greenland, ranked ninth, turned away Magnet Cove 82-39.
In other games today, Kingsland and newark will play at 4 p.m. and Riverside and Harding Academy will take the floor at 7 p.m.
At Greenbrier, Harrison opened a 20-point halftime lead and went on to a 78-50 victory over North Pulaski on Wednesday in the first round of the Class AAAA girls state tournament.
Siloam Springs followed a similar path on its way to a 66-51 victory over Monticello.
The last game of the day went into double overtime before Marianna-Lee pulled out an 84-81 victory over Greenwood. The score was tied at 61 at the end of regulation time.
At Riverview High School in Searcy, Ozark built a huge first-half lead and coasted to a 54-42 victory over Highland on Wednesday in the Class AAA girls state tournament.
Ozark led 29-13 at the half. Sarah Pfeifer led the winners with 18 points.
In the second girls' game Wednesday, Mindy Larson and Dandra Burnett combed for 14 points to lead Gravette to a 60-48 win over England.
In the last girls' game of the day, Fordyce edged Cave City 34-33.
Andrea Coulton scored 32 points to lead Rural Special to a 66-61 victory over Plainview on Wednesday in the Class A girls state tournament.
Sloan-Hendrix defeated Kirby 60-57 to advance and St. Joseph eliminated Nemo-Vista 53-47.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
The seventh-ranked Hughes Blue Devils will face Hamburg Friday, at 2:30 p.m., in second-round action at the Class AAA state tournament at Riverview High School in Searcy.
Hughes defeated Dardanelle Tuesday to advance while Hamburg turned back Valley View 53-50 in overtime Wednesday.
Dontreil Pippen's three-pointer at the buzzer was the game-winner for Hamburg.
Hamburg had a chance to win the game in regulation, but Kevin Moseby's 25-foot shot rimmed out to send the game to overtime.
Hamburg tied the score 50-50 in overtime with 39 seconds remaining.
In other AAA games played Wednesday, Clarksville held off Piggot 60-54 and Ozark eliminated defending champ Lonoke 63-50.
Clarksville's Gavin Ludgood scored 27 points in the win over Piggott.
Zack Hutchins scored 17 points and Jared Chisolm added 14 as Norfork beat Fort Smith Christian 59-44 Wednesday in the first round of the Class A boys state tournament at Harrison.
Houston Evans and Craig Gentry scored 11 each for the losers.
Norfork advances to Friday's round and will play Fayetteville Christian at 5:30 p.m.
In other games Wednesday, River Valley rolled up Kirby 92-60 and will face Emerson tonight at 8:30 p.m.
Vilonia rallied in the fourth quarter to beat White Hall 40-36 in the first round of the Class AAAA state tournament, Wednesday at Greenbrier.
Brad Cowger led Vilonia with 14 points and Josh Hardin added 10. Marc Stringer led White Hall with 14.
In other games Wednesday, Searcy beat Marianna 54-48 and Monticello defeated Alma 68-61.
Today, Wynne takes on Hope at 2:30 p.m.; Nettleton faces Hot Springs at 5:30 p.m. and top-ranked Osceola will square off against Monticello at 8:30 p.m.
At Danville, Melbourne ousted Parker's Chapel 59-52 in the Class AA state tournament.
Melbourne will face Greenland, a 66-54 winner over Arkansas Baptist, on Friday in second round action.
Also Wednesday, Stephens defeated Clarendon 57-48 in a game that featured standout players Antonio Glover and Cedric Houston.
Turrell faces Stephens today at 8:30 p.m. while Harmony Grove will face Maynard at 5:30 p.m. and Marked Tree and Cotter will tip at 2:30 p.m.
The opening round of the North Little Rock Invitational High School baseball tournament, scheduled for today, has been cancelled due to wet fields which leaves the Forrest City Mustangs with their second rain out of the week.
Forrest City (1-1) was scheduled to play North Little Rock today at 6:30 p.m. while Searcy was set to take on Vilonia.
Tournament organizers said they will try to start the tournament on Friday. That decision will be made early Friday morning.
Forrest City will host Blytheville in a varsity conference doubleheader on Tuesday, March 6, at 4 p.m.