Stories from Friday, December 23, 2016

During their regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, the Lepanto City Council approved an ordinance increasing water rates. Mayor Dale Dunlap said the new rates, which go into effect Jan. 1, are still cheaper than most cities in the state and that the reason for increase is to keep up with the expense of maintenance and repairs. "Everything's got so expensive that we're so far behind on everything," Dunlap said...

Trumann Police Chief Chad Henson was among 222 law enforcement officers who graduated from the FBI National Academy Program on Dec. 16. The FBI National Academy is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads because of demonstrated leadership qualities. ...

Olivia Ferguson scored 24 point to lead Bay past Marked Tree last Thursday night in junior high basketball action in Bay. Bailee Kirby got Bay on the board first with a three-pointer from the right corner to make it 3-0 as Marked Tree's Shira Hendrix went coast to coast for a lay up to make it 3-2 Junior Lady 'Jackets. ...

Bay outscored Marked Tree 21-0 in the third quarter as the Lady Yellowjackets the Lady Indians 82-24 last Thursday at Bay. Tullia Tull's turn-around jumper gave Marked Tree the early 2-0 lead before Bay reeled off the next 14 points. Mallory Hartley netted a three-pointer, Sarah Blackman scored off the fast break, Hartley hit a jumper in the lane, Blackman canned a three-ball from the right wing, as Whitlee Layne and Abby Frisby both got lay-ups off the fast break to make 14-2 Bay with 3:59 left. ...

Bay (11-4) jumped out to big lead after the first quarter and cruised to a 63-17 win over the Junior Indians this past Friday in junior high basketball action in Bay. Braison Morris opened the scoring for Bay with a three-pointer before BJ Marshall answered for Marked Tree with a score inside to make it 3-2. ...

Bay (11-8) used a 19-8 fourth quarter to erase a five point deficit as they beat Marked Tree (6-4) 56-50 in basketball action this past Friday in Bay. Taylor Layne hit a three-pointer for Bay to open the scoring as Nolan Smith added two free throws for the Yellowjackets to give Bay an early 5-0 lead. ...

By ANTHONY COSSEY, DT Sports Staff EPC had to play catch up all game long getting to within one point in the fourth quarter before falling to Sloan-Hendrix 51-47 in girls' Division I NEA Invitational Tournament play this past Saturday at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro...

Trumann (3-6) couldn't find a way to stop the inside or outside game of the Westside Warriors as the Wildcats lost 78-47 in the opening round of the boys' Division II NEA Invitational Tournament being held in Jonesboro. Trumann jumped out to a 4-0 lead on back to back baskets from MJ Barnes before Westside got a score inside to make it 4-2. ...

Harrisburg (6-7) could find no answer for a red hot Valley View team as the Blazers inside and outside game was clicking as the Hornets fell 70-48 in boys' Division II action this past Monday at the Convocation Center. Gavin Casebier hit one of two free throws and scored inside around three Valley View free throws to make it 3-3 early in the game. ...

Marked Tree (7-6) took the early lead and never looked as they downed Rector (3-9) 77-43 in the opening round of Division I boys' play this past Monday in Jonesboro. Kirk Beshears got the Cougars on the board first with a basket inside as Marked Tree got a three-pointer and fast break lay-up from Colby Malone and a stick basket from Nick Andrews to make the score 7-2 Indians. ...

Marked Tree (4-9) let BIC go on an 18-0 run in the third quarter blowing open a close game as the Lady Indians fell 61-45 to the Lady Mustangs in the girls' Division I bracket at the NEA Invitational Tournament this past Tuesday in Jonesboro. BIC got on the board first with a basket inside as CJ Barnes hit one of two free throws for Marked Tree to make it 2-1 Lady Mustangs. ...

Trumann (4-6) led at the end of each quarter, building their each time as they took 48-31 win over Rivercrest in the Division II girls' bracket of NEA Invitational Tournament at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro. The Lady Colts got on the board first with a basket inside as Star Simmons answered for Trumann with a basket inside to make the score 2-2. ...

Bay (12-8) built a double digit lead over Armorel by halftime before going on to post a 58-40 win over the Tigers in an opening round game in the boys' Division I bracket of the NEA Invitational Tournament being played in Jonesboro. Bay opened the game with a 9-0 run as Dustin Utley scored inside, Caleb Hartgen converted an old-school three-point play and Tyler Harrell and Utley both had easy lay-ups off the fast break. ...

EPC (9-3) had 11 different players get in the scoring column as the Warriors beat CRA 71-52 this past Tuesday to advance to the quarter-final round of the boys' Division I bracket in the NEA Invitational Tournament being played at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro...

EPC (8-3) lost to Pine Bluff 44-43 on a last second shot by the Zebras in the Natural State Hoopfest his past Saturday in Jonesboro. Xzavier Reed scored 16 points to lead the Warriors as J'Sebian Brown added 11 points. Marked Tree (6-5) lost to Arlington, TN 53-50 this past Saturday in the Natural State Hoopfest that was help at Jonesboro High School. Colby Malone scored 20 points to lead the Indians...

Harrisburg (7-5) jumped out to a 12-2 lead over the Lady Lions and never looked back as they rolled to a 51-19 win in the opening round of the girls' Division II bracket of the NEA Invitational Tournament being held in Jonesboro. Emily Armstrong got Harrisburg on the board first with a lay-up off the break before Manila answered with a jumper to make it 2-2. ...