By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Palestine-Wheatley Coach Terry Clardy has apparently fixed the problem that had his Patriots mired in a three-game slump after the team opened the season with 10 consecutive victories.
"We are getting the right personnel on the floor at the right time and everyone is playing well right now," Clardy said after Tuesday's 68-32 win over the Barton Bears.
The win leaves the Patriots at 12-3 for the year and 3-1 in the 6AA Conference.
Friday night, the Patriots have a chance to take control of their postseason destiny and the season when they host Altheimer.
The Red Devils have lost just one time this season and are unbeaten in the conference.
"This is the big game for us," Clardy said. "We can help our own cause with a win over Altheimer."
What Clardy will need once again, is consistent scoring from his starters and solid bench support.
Against Barton, Vince Jones and Quentin Mason finished with 13 points each while DeVille Pickett added 12 points.
The P-W starting five played very sparingly. That may not be the case Friday.
Jones and Quentin Mason finished with 13 points each while DeVille Pickett added 12 points. Clardy also acknowledged the play of center Chris Huckaba, who transferred to P-W last year.
"Chris is playing with much more intensity this season," Clardy said. "He is playing more aggressive and beginning to contribute when we need him too."
The P-W starting five played very sparingly. That may not be the case Friday but Clardy says he intends to stick with his rotation which at times, includes subbing five for five.
The Patriots will be seeking to erase the memory of last year's 90-53 loss against Altheimer in the finals of the 6AA district tournament and maybe even more than that, last year's embarrassing 100-54 loss in regular season.
Altheimer has won nine of the last 10 meetings against the Patriots. P-W's last win over the Red Devils came in the first meeting of the 1998-99 season.
Friday's three-game set will tip at 5 p.m. when the P-W Junior Lady Patriots take the floor.
The homecoming activities will be held at halftime of the junior girls' game.
The senior Lady Patriots will take the floor following the conclusion of the junior girls' game.
Tonight's scheduled junior high basketball games between Forrest City and Jonesboro have been cancelled according to Forrest City Athletic Director Mike Bender.
Due to heavy snowfall in the Jonesboro area today, all schools were closed which, under Arkansas Activities Association rules, forced the district to cancel the games.
Forrest City White was scheduled to host Jonesboro MacArthur tonight while the White Junior Mustangs were scheduled to travel to Annie Camp.
The conference games will be rescheduled.
The Forrest City senior Mustang and Lady Mustang teams will host Searcy Friday night at Mustang Arena.
Briarcreeks Bad News Amy placed first in show and field at the Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi Beagle Club show held just before Christmas in Millington, Tenn. It was the eighth win for Amy in competition on the field trial circuit. Amy is owned and trained by Keith Jordan of Staro Kennels of Forrest City.
* PREP BASKETBALL
High School
Friday, January 17
Searcy at Forrest City
Altheimer at Palestine-Wheatley (HC)
Marked Tree at Hughes
Junior High
Thursday, January 16
Forrest City Blue at Jonesboro Annie Camp
Jonesboro MacArthur at Forrest City White