By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Forrest City senior forward Caronica Randle has made her decision.
Randle, a three-year starter for Sue Jayroe's Lady Mustang basketball team, will accept a full scholarship offer to attend and play basketball at Arkansas State University.
Randle is expected to sign a letter-of-intent Wednesday, the national college signing day for high school athletes.
Randle selected Arkansas State over a lengthy list of both in-state and out of state schools which included UCA at Conway, Ouachita Baptist, Lyon, UA-Fort Smith, Huntsville, Ala., and Baylor.
"I hope she goes up there (to ASU) and breaks every one of my records," Jayroe, who played her college basketball with the Lady Indians said. "I was hoping she would choose ASU. I couldn't tell her that because the decision had to be hers, but I'm very happy that she is going to Jonesboro."
She is the first player under Jayroe to sign with a Division I school. Last year Deosha Agnew signed with a Pratt Community College, a two-year school in Kansas. Earlier this year, Katrina Floyd singed with Crowley's Ridge College.
Randle was named to the Arkansas Prep Hoops All-Academic and All-Arkansas teams this year as well as being recognized as one of the Players of the Week during the 2002-03 high school basketball season.
Last year, as a junior, Randle was named to the Arkansas prep Hoops Future Stars team.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
MARION -- The Lady Mustangs played five games at the 16-team Marion Invitational Tournament Friday and Saturday, winning two and losing three.
But, it was the West Memphis Lady BLue Devils' softball team who won five straight games on Saturday to win the tournament.
West Memphis improves to 19-4 for the year. Junior righthander Rachel Waggener hurled 21 innings on Saturday and won four of the five decisions.
Forrest City opened the tournament Friday afternoon with a 10-8 win over Raleigh before losing the second game of the night to White Station 15-1.
Forrest City Coach Amber Main used several junior varsity players in the two opening games brought about by the annual prom held Friday.
On Saturday, Forrrest City lost to Wynne10-4 in the final game of the pool play round.
In the bracket round, the Lady Mustangs defeated Raleigh 8-3 and ended their stay at the tournament with an 8-5 loss to Millington, Tenn.
The Lady Mustangs improve to 7-18 for the year and will get back into AAAAA-East Conference play today when they travel to Jonesboro.
The Palestine-Wheatley Lady Patriots picked up two conference victories Friday when Clarendon was forced to forfeit a doubleheader.
P-W is 8-1 overall, 7-1 in the league and is scheduled to play at Hazen today.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
The 2003 Rumble on the Ridge tournament field is in place.
The field for the seventh annual Thanksgiving weekend basketball tournament includes three Arkansas teams and for the first time will feature a girls' contest.
The Rumble will be played Nov. 27, 28 & 29, at Mustang Arena, and organizer Bill Baxter feels number seven may be the best one yet.
"From top to bottom, this Rumble field will have some of the best teams and players we have had come through here," Baxter said.
The Forrest City Mustangs will once again be the host team for the tournament and Forrest City's neighbor to to east, West Memphis returns to the event.
The third Arkansas team involved this year is Pulaski Academy, the AAA state champs.
Hoover, Ala. returns for a second visit along with first-timers Denim Springs, La., Provine from Jackson, Miss., John Carrol from Birmingham, Ala., and Bradley Central from Cleveland, Tenn.
"We have three state champions in the mix this year and we will have the Sophomore of the Year from Louisiana in the house as well as the Player of the year from Alabama.
Hoover played in the second Rumble tournament, held at Wynne High School and lost to Grissom, Ala. in the championship game
West Memphis played in the first Rumble in 1997 and finished third, defeating LeFlore, Ala.
Baxter said he is working on scheduling a girls' game between the Forrest City Lady Mustangs and the Pulaski Academy Lady Bruins this year.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Fresh off a solid spring football, University of Arkansas Razorback football coach Houston Nutt makes his way to Forrest City for the annual Razorback Rally set for Wednesday night (April 16) at the Forrest City Civic Center.
The rally begins at 6 p.m. and a catered dinner by Corky's Barbeque will be served at 7 p.m.
Nutt will once again be the featured speaker at the Rally sponsored by the East Central Arkansas Razorback Club. It is Nutt's second appearance at the annual event.
Also on hand will be former Forrest City Coach Harold Horton and former UA Razorback baseball coach Norm DeBriyn.
The fourth annual Harold Horton Award will be presented at the banquet as it has been for the past three years.
Palestine-Wheatley basketball standout carl Baker, who just completed a four-year career with the University of Arkansas Razorback basketball team, will be recognized at the rally for his efforts and contributions.
Tickets for the Rally are available from local merchants and are $15 for adults and $7.50 for kids ages 12 and under. Tickets will be available at the door on the night of the banquet as well.
"We are looking forward to a good crowd," said Buddy Billingsley, who has helped organize each of the past rallies. "Everyone is invited to meet Coach Nutt and the others who will be coming to Forrest City."