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The

Daily Citizen WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2012

SPORTS

SECTION B Sports Editor Harrison Keegan 501-268-8621 hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

Raiders hope 3rd time a charm

BY HARRISON KEEGAN hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

One fifth of Isaac Howard’s senior season is over and the senior running back and linebacker has not even played one half of football.

“When you work all week, Monday to Thursday, and then Friday you don’t even get to play, it’s heartbreaking,” Howard said after the team’s game with Hoxie Friday night was canceled due to lightning.

Riverview’s season opening

Lady Bisons Volleyball Who: senior Amber Schinzing What: named Great American Conference Setter of the Week.

Why: Schinzing had 186 assists last week

28-0 win over Cedar Ridge was called in the second quarter because of lightning, and the Raiders never even got on the field Friday night in Hoxie.

“We get on the bus and it’s about an hour-and-a-half ride up there, and once we get there, we look over the field and it’s just really dark,” Howard said.

“A big storm came through and then it cleared up around 7:30, but there was still lightning going off every second so they called the game after that.”

game but he believes he made the best decision possible in Raiders Football canceling last week’s game.

“Everyone has radar on their Record: 1-0 phones these days, and we could Last result: The Raiders’ tell it was going to hit us,” Hill game at Hoxie Friday night said. “It’s very disappointing, was canceled the kids have worked so hard for Next up: The Raiders play at Harrisburg Friday at 7 p.m. this. We have the biggest group of seniors we’ve ever had and I Riverview has 17 seniors on just feel for those guys. their roster this season, and Here we are, going into Week Head Coach Stuart Hill said it 3, and we haven’t even played a made him sick to see his upperclassmen miss out on another Please see RAIDERS | 2B

LIONS, LADY LIONS FALL TO JONESBORO

Harding Academy girls gain momentum hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

The Harding Academy girls tennis team will go into Monday’s contest against Fairfield Bay with momentum.

The Lady Wildcats recorded a sweep of conference foes Piggott and Corning, while their male counterparts recorded a split. The girls defeated Piggott 3-2 and Corning 3-2 while the Wildcats beat Corning 5-0 but fell to Piggott 4-0.

Harding Academy coach Rees Lloyd said Monday’s matches were good tests for his teams.

“The kids gave great effort,” Lloyd said. “This was an important day for us because we got a chance to see how we measure up against two conference opponents. Now we know what we have to do to get ready for district.”

For the Wildcats, Ronnie Smith and Steven Clancy each went 1-1 in singles while Sam Klein and Austin Gurchiek went 1-0.

In boys doubles, Andrew Diles and Taylor Barber went 1-1 and Klein and Gurchiek were 0-1.

For the Lady Wildcats, Angela Eichorn was 1-0 in singles, Rachel Swann was 1-0, Nichole Swann was 1-1, Amanda Abbud was 0-1, and Holly Brukardt was 0-1.

In girls doubles, Anna Grace Kirkman and Mary Margaret Kirkman were 2-0, Abbud and Eichorn were 1-0 and Rachel Swann and Brukardt

BY NATHAN LOONEY Special to The Daily Citizen

Harding volleyball player Amber Schinzing received her first Great American Conference Setter-of-the-Week award Tuesday.

Schinzing, a senior from Orlando, Fla., had 186 assists on the week (10.94 aps), including a season-high 59 against Pittsburg State last Saturday. She also had 40 digs (2.35 dps) and four blocks for the Lady Bisons Schinzing who went 4-1 last week.

It is the second straight week a Harding player has been named GAC player of the week. Junior defensive specialist Lisa Copeland was the first recipient. Since joining the conference last season, Schinzing is the second Harding player to receive the award as sophomore setter Taryn Eubank received the honor last season.

The Lady Bisons will open Great American Conference action last night at Henderson State.

Lady Bisons Volleyball Record: 7-3 Last result: 3-0 win at Henderson State Tuesday night Next up: The Lady Bisons play at Lyon on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Bama showing bigger knack for forcing turnovers

Lady Bisons win conference opener

BY JOHN ZENOR Associated Press

Please see BAMA | 2B

What: 3-team match against Piggott and Corning Results: Wildcats lose to Piggott 4-0 and defeat Corning 5-0. Lady Wildcats defeat Piggott 3-2 and defeat Corning 3-2

BY HARRISON KEEGAN

Harding senior earns conference honor

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — This Alabama defense is oneupping last year’s dominant group in one regard: Forcing turnovers.

The top-ranked Crimson Tide (2-0) has shown a penchant for knocking balls loose and intercepting passes, forcing seven turnovers in the first two games. It was a big goal for a defense that led the nation in just about every major stat category en route to a championship last season, but was 77th in turnovers forced.

Alabama’s three fumble recoveries — all against Western Kentucky — is already nearly halfway to last year’s total (7).

Linebacker C.J. Mosley said defensive coordinator Kirby Smart harps on that number “all the time.”

“He kept telling us we’re one of the lowest teams, as far as ranking in fumbles,” Mosley said. “So to get three in one game, which hasn’t happened since I’ve been here, he may applaud us on it. I don’t know. We’ll take it either way it goes.”

The Tide intercepted Michigan’s Denard Robinson three times in the opener, and Mosley returned one for a touchdown. Alabama has scored 35 of its 76 points after inducing turnovers, easily the highest percentage (46.05) of any SEC team. Next up is No. 8

Harding Academy tennis

BY NATHAN LOONEY Special to The Daily Citizen

Associated Press

Searcy’s Conner McClellan jumps to return a serve against Jonesboro Tuesday afternoon. McClellan and his partner Jared Dietz won their set but the Lions fell to Jonesboro 9-2.

Lions, Lady Lions fall to Jonesboro

BY HARRISON KEEGAN hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

Searcy tennis coach Miles Watson knew his boys and girls teams would have their hands full with visiting Jonesboro Tuesday afternoon, but he was pleased with how they responded.

The Lady Lions lost a tight match, 7-5 and the Lions lost 9-2.

“Regardless of the scores, I think we played pretty well,” Watson said. “Jonesboro has been one of our toughest opponents in conference and we won some top matches and were competitive all day long.”

The Lady Lions got a big boost from their top player, defending 6A state singles champion Arielle Butler, who won both of her singles matches Tuesday.

Searcy girls No. 1 doubles team of Morgan Stanley and Sydni Woodard also won two sets, and the doubles team of Emma Howard and Cydney Lynch won a set.

The Jonesboro match was the Lady Lions’ first team loss of the season, but Woodard said the team would still get confidence from coming so close against one of the top teams they will face all season.

“Jonesboro always has great people who play tennis and they always bring it,” Woodard said. “We have the skill level so we just try to make sure that we match them and give them a run for their money.”

Butler said since the Lady Lions came so close this time around, she thinks the team will have a good shot when

Searcy tennis Last results: The Searcy girls team lost to Jonesboro 7-5 and the Searcy boys lost 9-2 Tuesday Next up: The Searcy boys and girls play at Marion on Tuesday at 4 p.m. they travel to Jonesboro at the end of the month.

“There were a lot of close matches today that hopefully will go the other way for us when we play there,” Butler said.

The boys got wins from their No. 1 doubles team of Conner McClellan and Jared Dietz and from the doubles team of Jordan Jones and Tyler Phillips.

Please see LIONS | 2B

The Harding volleyball team captured its first Great American Conference win Tuesday as it swept Henderson State 3-0. The Lady Bisons improve to 7-3 on the season.

Since joining the NCAA in 1997, Harding is 14-2 in conference openers.

The Harding defense forced Henderson State (2-7, 0-1 GAC) into hitting .080 in the match as it forced 12 hitting errors and nine service errors. Junior defensive specialist Lisa Copeland led Harding with 13 digs.

Junior middle blocker Alyssa Short led the Harding offense, hitting a season-high .643 with a team-high nine kills. As a team, the Lady Bisons hit .212.

Harding struggled out of the gate, but went on a 10-3 run to take a 15-9 lead in the first set. The Lady Reddies then had four hitting errors to give Harding the set 25-17.

Henderson State jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the second set until the Lady Bisons came alive going on a 10-0 run on nine kills with four by sophomore outside hitter Marindia

Please see BISONS | 2B

SPORTS

The

Daily Citizen WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

NEA Invitational Today Izard County vs. Augusta, 4:30 p.m.

Westside vs. Cedar Ridge, 6 p.m.

Marked Tree vs. Manila, 9 p.m.

Girls Rector vs. Augusta 10:30 a.m.

Manila vs. Cedar Ridge, noon Marked Tree vs. Walnut Ridge, 1:30 p.m.

Buffalo Island Central vs.

Nettleton, 3 p.m.

Bulldogs quintet leads Super Team

SECTION B Sports Editor Harrison Keegan 501-268-8621 hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

Rose Bud puts it together Ramblers feeling confident after upset win

BY HARRISON KEEGAN hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

Nine days ago, the Rose Bud boys basketball team was sitting at a disappointing 2-5.

The Ramblers came into the season with high expectation, but they had yet to put everything together.

Suddenly, it clicked.

Ramblers basketball Record: 4-5 Last result: 63-51 win against White County Central on Thursday Next up: The Ramblers play Nemo Vista in the first round of the Greers Ferry Lake Classic on Thursday at 6:45 p.m.

In a home matchup against red-hot 2-3A Conference rival

Riverview on Dec. 17, the Ramblers hit their stride.

Rose Bud defeated Riverview 58-52 behind 29 points from senior Dillon Reesnes.

Three days later, the Ramblers avenged an early season loss as Reesnes poured in 17 points to lift Rose Bud over White County Central.

Rose Bud is now carrying strong momentum into Thursday’s 6:45 p.m., matchup against Nemo Vista in the Greers Ferry Lake Classic.

“We are finally starting to turn it around,” Reesnes said.

“Riverview was definitely a huge win for us. They have always been a rival and we were able to pull that one off after a couple of losses early in the season.”

Reesnes said he hasn’t felt any extra burden to put points on the board, he has simply had the hot hand.

“I have never been much of a 3-point shooter in the past, but they have been going in lately which has surprised me,” Reesnes said. “I just hope that we

Please see RAMBLERS | 3B

LIONS LOOK FOR TURNAROUND

BY KURT VOIGT Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE — Daryl Patton sat in his office in the Fayetteville fieldhouse in August and marveled at what he was watching take place outside on Harmon Field.

Bulldogs quarterback Austin Allen was zipping passes across the field, while all-purpose threat Jordan Dennis tiptoed along the sidelines to stay in bounds. The two were just a part of a Fayetteville team overflowing with talent, one that went on to repeat as Class 7A champions — the school’s third state championship since 2007.

“I’m very blessed and fortunate,’’ Patton said. “Coaching these guys was a privilege and an honor.’’

That talent is once again on display on this year’s Associated Press Arkansas Super Team, a squad led by the Bulldogs’ teamhigh five selections.

Allen, who has committed to play at Arkansas next season, was once again the centerpiece this season for Fayetteville and Please see SUPER TEAM | 2B

Optimistic offseason for O’Brien, Penn State

BY GENARO C. ARMAS Associated Press

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Star linebacker Michael Mauti’s college football career had just come to an end in November when he spotted the next generation of Penn State football players.

So, he decided to do what Mauti had done time and again during his Nittany Lions career: He helped others, and imparted some inspirational words along the way.

Adam Breneman, one of the top tight end prospects in the country, is one of them, and he listened intently. Mauti indeed passed the torch of leadership to Breneman and some other high school seniors on recruiting trips to Happy Valley that day, setting the tone for a critical offseason at Penn State.

Indeed, there is no bowl game to rally around this season.

No sunny destination dancing around in the Nittany Lions’ heads. No fun-filled reward for all of their hard work in this season of recovery at Penn State.

But there is hope. There is optimism. And there is Year 2 of the Coach Bill O’Brien era to sculpt.

No better time than the present.

Under O’Brien, Penn State finished an overachieving 8-4 with a second-place finish in the Big Ten Leaders Division. The Nittany Lions went 6-2 in conPlease see PENN ST. | 2B

Harrison Keegan/hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

Searcy junior forward Emaje Young drives into the teeth of the Paragould defense during the Lions’ loss on Friday.

Searcy plays Russellville on Thursday in the Greenbrier Tournament.

Searcy hopes to build momentum

BY HARRISON KEEGAN hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

Madison Wright knows it won’t be easy.

The Searcy guard knows it will be tough for the Lions to snap their fourgame losing streak this week, but he said one big win could lead to a domino effect.

The Lions (2-7) will play in the Greenbrier Tournament this week beginning with a game against Russellville on Thursday.

“We are looking to get off this losing streak,” Wright said. “We have Russellville Thursday so hopefully we can get a W there and then pick up a couple more and keep it going into

Lions basketball Record: 2-7 Last result: 56-54 loss against Paragould on Friday night Next up: The Lions play Russellville in the first round of the Greenbrier Tournament on Thursday. conference.”

Searcy played a strong game on Friday, knocking down 11 3-pointers in a 56-54 loss against the same Paragould team that beat the Lions by 23 earlier in the season.

Wright scored 9 points on Friday, 8

of which came in the final three minutes of the game.

He said Friday’s performance gives the Lions something to build on.

“We hit a lot of shots,” Wright said.

“We played really well, so we just have to bounce back on Thursday.”

Bouncing back against Russellville will not be an easy task. The Cyclones bring back almost all of their key performers from a team that won the 6A Central conference a year ago.

Today was the Lions’ first practice this week.

“We have to come back in on Wednesday and try, in one day, to get Please see LIONS | 3B

Manning, Peterson, Pagano: a year to remember

BY ARNIE STAPLETON Associated Press

DENVER — From Peyton Manning overcoming four neck surgeries to Adrian Peterson’s rebound from a shredded knee to Chuck Pagano’s fight with leukemia, this has been the Year of the Comeback in the NFL. A season besmirched by tragedies, replacement officials and a bounty scandal also will go down as one

in which some of the game’s greats not only regained their old form but somehow surpassed it.

There are always feel-good stories about those who overcome long odds and broken bodies to regain at least a sliver of their past glory. This season provided an abundance of them.

When the season started, who could have expected Manning to recapture his MVP play so quickly

with a new team? Or for Peterson to come back less than nine months after shredding his left knee. Or for Jamaal Charles to return better than ever after suffering a similar injury.

Then there’s Pagano beating the biggest opponent of his life.

A year ago, Manning was in the midst of four neck operations to fix Please see COMEBACK | 3B

Peterson

Avant rose from gang life to a man of Christ

BY ROB MAADDI Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — Jason Avant raises his hands to the sky after every reception in celebration for much more than catching a ball.

Playing football for the Philadelphia Eagles doesn’t define Avant. After everything he’s endured, the 29-year-old wide receiver is not your ordinary professional athlete.

Avant was 12 when he started selling drugs. He went to elementary school drunk and high. As a teenager, he belonged to one of Chicago’s notorious

“She would pray for me every night.

‘Lord, let him be different. Let his life change.’ ... She would lay her hands on me for an hour at night and just pray for me.”

Jason Avant gangs called the “Gangsters Disciples.” Dodging bullets and running from the police were common for him.

Yet somehow Avant escaped that life and avoided ending up dead or in jail like some of

his friends. Now he’s one of the most respected players in the NFL. “When I lift my hands up, it’s me saying ‘Lord, I know where I could be and I thank you for where I am,’” Avant recalled

last week. “There were times when I was growing up when I didn’t have enough to scrounge up a quarter to get an ICEE. I remember the times our house was shot up. I remember when I didn’t have any avenues, when I sold drugs. So I lift my hands up and thank the Lord for all He has done for me.”

Avant grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a neighborhood riddled with gangs, drugs and violence. He was abandoned by his mother as a kid and was raised by his grandPlease see AVANT | 2B

SPORTS

The

Daily Citizen WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012 Lady Wildcats volleyball Record: 21-3, 14-0 Last result: 3-0 win against St. Joseph on Tuesday Next up: The Lady Wildcats play at Perryville on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Lady Cats stay perfect in conference The Daily Citizen

Shelby Gowen had her best passing game of the season to lift the Harding Academy volleyball team to a dominant win over St. Joseph on Tuesday.

Harding Academy Head Coach Michal Giboney said Gowen’s performance was the key to the Lady Wildcats’ 25-8, 25-16, 25-13 win.

“Everything was good whether she was digging or on servereceive,” Giboney said. “She did a great job passing tonight.”

With the win, Harding Academy improves to 21-3 overall and a perfect 14-0 in conference play.

Ally Newby and Katelyn Holt led the Lady Wildcats with 8 kills apiece. Emily Giboney, Kami Adams and Rosemary Michael each had 4 kills.

Harding Academy’s next match is Thursday at Perryville at 4:30 p.m.

SECTION B Sports Editor Harrison Keegan 501-268-8621 hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

Raiders looking to get even

BY HARRISON KEEGAN hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

Riverview senior running back McKenzie Jones remembers last year’s 47-6 loss at Harding Academy.

All of the Raiders who played in that game remember it. This year, they are hoping things go differently.

Jones’ Raiders are 3-2 and coming off a dominant 48-27 win against Mayflower on Friday night. A win against perennial conference power Hard-

2-3A Football Matchup: Harding Academy at Riverview on Friday at 7 p.m.

Records: Harding Academy is 5-0 (3-0), Riverview is 3-2 (1-2) ing Academy this week would not only get the Raiders to 2-2 in conference play but it would also give them momentum for the rest of the season.

“I think it would be real big

for us even though we are back in the playoff race,” Jones said.

“We feel like the underdogs right now but if we can beat Harding Academy, we would feel like we’re at the top of the conference.”

Upsetting the Wildcats will be no easy task. Harding Academy is 5-0 and has outscored its opponents 187-28 this season.

Harding Academy Head Coach Roddy Mote said, from what he’s seen on tape, the Raiders look much improved from a

year ago.

He said the Wildcats will focus on stopping Jones and Riverview quarterback Cole Butler.

Jones and Butler combined to rush for six touchdowns against Mayflower.

“They have a senior pulling the trigger for them and he’s gotten a lot better at throwing the ball,” Mote said. “Jones is getting better and better, you can tell that he’s matured as a player.”

Please see RAIDERS | 2B

SEARCY GIRLS TIE FOR CONFERENCE TITLE

Bisons tennis Record: 1-1 Last result: 9-0 win against Hendrix on Monday

Bisons tennis team feeling confident

BY SCOTT GOODE Special to The Daily Citizen

The Harding University men’s tennis team will enter the offseason with high hopes after a convincing win in what was likely the team’s final match of the fall season.

Harding men’s tennis lost only four games in sweeping Hendrix 9-0 on Monday at the Harding Tennis Courts. The Bisons moved their record to 1-1 after suffering a 5-4 loss to ArkansasFt. Smith in its season-opener.

Harding shutout Hendrix (02) in two of the three doubles matches. Jon Mark Rowden and Kittibodee Singnil won their second doubles match of the season at No. 1 by an 8-2 score. Caleb McReynolds and Alex Ford teamed to win 8-0 at No. 2, and Helio Hashimoto and Germans Uglovs played together for the first time and won 8-0 at No. 3.

Harding continued its dominance in singles play, winning four of the six matches without giving up a game. Singnil improved to 14-1 in his Harding singles career with a 6-0, 6-1 victory at No. 1. Rowden moved to 17-1 in his career with a 6-0, 6-1 victory at No. 2.

Hashimoto is Harding’s active leader in career wins, he captured his 35th career victory 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3. Alex Ford, Caleb McReynolds, and Germans Uglovs each won their first singles match of the season.

Arkansas eyes winning streak after Auburn

BY KURT VOIGT Associated

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — John L. Smith’s positive outlook has never wavered this season, even as Arkansas’ preseason hopes crumbled under the weight of a four-game losing streak.

The Razorbacks coach’s eternal optimism spread to his players on Monday, two days following the team’s streak-snapping 24-7 win over Auburn.

A win, any win, was exactly what Arkansas (2-4, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) needed in the worst way. That it was the Razorbacks’ first this season against an FBS opponent didn’t matter in the least for a team that’s fallen from the preseason top 10 to one just hoping to earn a bowl berth.

Harrison Keegan/hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

Searcy’s Zach Villemez slices a backhand over the net during the 6A East conference tournament on Tuesday. Villemez advanced to Monday’s state tournament.

Searcy players advance to state

BY HARRISON KEEGAN hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

The Searcy girls team tied with Jonesboro for the 6A East conference title on Tuesday at Searcy High School.

Senior Arielle Butler defended her conference championship in girls singles and was one of three Lady Lions to advance to Monday’s state tournament in Russellville.

Four Searcy boys players also advanced to state as the Lions finished fourth overall in conference.

Searcy Head Coach Miles Watson said he was happy for the seven players who will play on this season but the other five Searcy players lost heartbreakers on Tuesday.

“Today went well and then,

Searcy Tennis What: 6A East conference tournament Results: The Searcy girls tied for first, the Searcy boys finished fourth on the flip side, it didn’t go quite as well as we would have hoped,” Watson said.

“We lost several in the third set so it broke my heart today that we fell short in a few matches because we played really hard.”

Searcy had five players qualify for state after Monday’s action, Butler, the girls doubles team of Morgan Stanley and Sydni Woodard and the boys doubles team of

Jared Dietz and Connor McClellan.

On Tuesday, two boys singles players, Zach Villemez and Tanner Scarbrough, won a match and advanced to state.

Stanley and Woodard finished second overall in conference. They, along with Butler, will have a first-round bye at state.

Butler lost the first set of the conference championship match, but when Watson reminded her that it would be her last match on the Searcy courts she was able to will herself to the win.

“There was definitely some pressure,” Butler said. “I went undefeated through the whole season so I didn’t want

my first loss to be in the conference tournament.”

Butler said she was able to dictate the pace of the game on her opponent in the final two sets and come away with the win.

She said the wind made it hard to generate points from her serve so she was forced to take risks with her ground strokes.

“When my serve wasn’t there for me I kind of turned to my forehand and it came through for me,” Butler said. “I think I went for bigger shots and played a little more aggressively than I have been.”

Butler said she is excited to defend her 6A state singles title next week in Russellville.

Harding volleyball racks up conference honors

BY NATHAN LOONEY Special to The Daily Citizen

Lady Bisons volleyball

H a r d i n g What: Great American ConUniversity vol- ference Player of the Week leyball junior honors outside hitter Who: Mollie Arnold was Mollie Arnold named Offensive Player of and senior setter the Week and Amber SchinzAmber Schinz- ing was named Setter of the ing each earned Week.

Great American Conference Schinzing Player of the It’s the third time in her caWeek honors. It’s the first hon- reer Mollie Arnold, a Bono naor for Arnold this season and tive, has been named GAC Ofthe second for Schinzing. fensive Player of the Week. It’s

also the first time this season a Harding player has been named offensive player of the week.

Arnold averaged 4.37 kills per set in five matches last week.

She also averaged 3.42 digs per set and hit for a .312 hitting percentage. Arnold had more than 20 kills in two matches 21 against Truman State and 20 against No. 4 Washburn.

Amber Schinzing, a native of Orlando, Fla., averaged 11.06 assists per set last week. In the Washburn Fall Classic she averaged more than 40 assists per

set in the four-match tournament. Schinzing had 52 assists against No. 4 Washburn. She also had seven service aces last week. It was the second time this season Schinzing has received the award.

Harding went 3-2 last week.

Arnold The Lady Bisons defeated Henderson State 3-0,

Please see HARDING | 2B

Harding University men’s golf team takes 5th place

BY SCOTT GOODE Special to The Daily Citizen

Harding men’s golf fired its best round of the season Tuesday and finished in a tie for fifth among 10 teams at the Indian Bayou Classic. The University of North Alabama hosted the two-round tournament at Indian Bayou Golf Course in Destin, Fla. The Bisons shot 303 on Monday in round one, and topped that with a season-best 300 in Tuesday’s second round. Har-

ding’s 603 total was six strokes better than its 609 total at last season’s Indian Bayou Classic.

Harding junior Lucas Collins followed an even-par 72 in round one with a 2-over 74. His 146 tied him for seventh place at a career-best 146. It was his second straight top-10 finish and the fourth of his career.

The Bisons’ best round Tuesday came from freshman Dillon Board, who shot a 2-under 70.

It was his best collegiate round and tied for the best round by a

Bison this season. Board tied for 25th at 152.

Host North Alabama won the team event by one stroke over second-place Columbus State.

UNA shot 587, with Columbus State at 588 and third-place Montevallo at 592.

Austin Grey of Saint Leo won a three-player playoff to take individual medalist honors. Grey, North Alabama’s Ricky Stimets and Montevallo’s Connor Godsey each finished at 2-under 142.

Harding’s other team mem-

bers included freshman Alex Williamson who tied for 31st at 153, junior Jordan Perry who tied for 43rd at 156 and freshman Todd Williams who tied for 45th at 157.

Three other Bisons played as individuals. Sophomore Brandon Clark tied for 31st at 153, sophomore Nathan Kannenberg tied for 41st at 155, and senior Lewis Jackson was 59th at 174.

Harding’s next action is Monday and Tuesday at the Bison Fall Golf Classic in Cabot, Ark.

The

Daily Citizen SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Local Roundup Harding Academy boys basketball picks up win The Harding Academy boys basketball team defeated Drew Central 71-62 on Friday in the Arkansas Baptist Classic.

Will Francis scored 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, and Locke Adair scored 17 points, dished out 6 assists and came up with 7 steals for the Wildcats.

Harding Academy improved to 6-4 overall with the win.

The Wildcats will play against Arkansas Baptist tonight at 8 p.m.

Harding Academy Head Coach Brad Francis said he was pleased with his team’s effort on Friday, but there is still room for improvement.

“Our consistency of execution is not where we want it to be,” Brad Francis said. “We are going to have to do that for sure tomorrow night.”

Nine players scored for Harding Academy on Friday.

SPORTS

SECTION B Sports Editor Harrison Keegan 501-268-8621 hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

Senior outfielder is coach’s dream Searcy’s Parish signs to play with Williams Baptist

BY HARRISON KEEGAN hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

When Matt Long took over the softball program at Searcy this offseason he knew he had big shoes to fill.

The Lady Lions have built a winning tradition in recent years, and it was suddenly his responsibility to keep it going.

Searcy softball Who: Senior outfielder Diane Parish What: Parish signed her letter of intent Friday to play softball at Williams Baptist College.

He said he quickly saw why Searcy has been so successful — leadership.

Long said one player in particular has helped make the transition as smooth as pos-

sible, senior outfielder Diane Parish.

“She takes care of calling all the girls to make sure they are where they need to be,” Parish Long said. “She handles the communication side of it for me.”

Parish’s strengths as a communicator also helped her land a college scholarship. The standout outfielder was relent-

BEEBE LOSES IN DOUBLE-OVERTIME

Bald Knob girls basketball team stays unbeaten The Bald Knob girls basketball team stayed undefeated with a win against Midland on Friday night.

Please see ROUNDUP | 2B

Record: 3-4 Last result: 72-60 loss against Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday Next up: The Lady Bisons host Missouri Southern State today at 2 p.m.

BY NATHAN LOONEY Special to The Daily Citizen

Searcy boys bowling ties, girls lose

The Beebe girls basketball team rolled to a 60-12 win against Little Rock Fair on Friday night.

The Lady Badgers improved to 6-4 overall. Their next game is against Little Rock Christian on Friday.

Jamie Jackson led Beebe with 11 points, Sydney Guner had 8 points, Madison Richey had 7 points, Kalela Miller had 7 points, Annelee Glass had 6 points, Katie McGraw had 5 points, Natalie Henley had 4 points, Jabria Coleman had 3 points, Whitney Emison had 3 points, McKenzie Bingham had 2 points, Kaley Fanguy had 2 points and Payton Sims had 2 points.

Lady Bisons basketball

Lady Bisons have dropped 2 straight

The Harding Academy girls basketball team met little resistance against Drew Central’s pressure defense and cruised to a 62-39 win on Friday night at the Arkansas Baptist Classic.

The Lady Wildcats (7-2) will play Arkansas Baptist tonight at 7 p.m.

In her first game back from injury, Riley Rose led the Lady Wildcats with 18 points.

Haley Smith added 15 points and Shelby Gowen scored 12 points.

“Drew Central, they really rely on their press,” said Rusty Garner, Harding Academy head coach. “We were able to break their press and finish shots in the back end.”

Harding Academy led 31-11 at halftime.

Beebe girls basketball cruises to win

Please see PARISH | 3B

Harding looks to end skid

Harding Academy girls basketball wins big

It is not every day that two high school bowling teams tie a match, but the Searcy and Hot Springs Lakeside boys teams accomplished that rare feat on Friday, tying 6.5 to 6.5 at the All Fam Bowling Center in Cabot.

Jed Stracener led Searcy with a game of 185, and Garrett Kayrouz and Chris Szafranski each bowled 175 for the Lions.

The Searcy girls lost 12-1 against Hot Springs Lakeside, but freshman Aspin Pedder led all bowlers with a game of 152.

less in promoting herself to college coaches, and it paid off.

On Friday, she signed her letter of intent to play softball at Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge next year.

“She is going to be a great kid for our program,” said Eric Newell, Williams Baptist head coach. “She was very proactive in the recruiting process. Once she advertised herself to us, we took notice. It worked out for

Harrison Keegan/hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

Beebe senior forward Jared Gowen goes up for a rebound during the Badgers’ 76-72 loss against Star City in the Riverview Classic. Beebe plays against Heber Springs tonight at 5:40 at Riverview.

Badgers erase late deficit, can’t hold on

BY HARRISON KEEGAN hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

Beebe Head Coach Ryan Marshall has seen his team run it once a week in practice.

But when his late-game desperation play works out with the lights on, that’s a completely different feeling.

Down by three points with 2.9 seconds on the clock against Star City on Friday, Beebe junior Austin Burroughs stood under his own basket and switched to baseball-mode, hitting junior guard Tanner Chapman on the money with a fastball from 60

just made the shot,” Chapman said.

Record: 5-2 The Badgers erased a 5-point Last result: 76-72 loss deficit in the final 4 seconds of against Star City on Friday regulation, but they couldn’t Next up: The Badgers complete the comeback and take on Heber Springs tolost 76-72 in double-overtime night at 5:40 in the Riverat the Riverview Classic view Classic.

Marshall said he was happy to see his team pull off the last-second play in a pressure feet away. situation, but overall he wasn’t Burroughs set his feet and pleased with Friday’s effort. swished a 3-pointer as the “I was very disappointed in buzzer sounded to send the us,” Marshall said. “It is just game to overtime. carryover from our practice “(Zach) Baker set the screen, Burroughs hit me with it and I Please see BADGERS | 2B

Badgers basketball

Razorbacks hope to bounce back tonight

BY ROBBIE NEISWANGER Special to The Daily Citizen

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas freshman Jacorey Williams understands why he only played one minute in last Saturday’s loss at No. 3 Michigan.

The forward realizes why his fellow freshmen — Dee Wagner, Michael Qualls and Anthlon Bell — watched most of the game with him on the Arkansas bench.

“To adapt to that type of environment, you kind of need to

have been there before,” Williams said. “So it’s kind of hard to adapt when it’s your first time being there on the road, especially in that type of environment at Michigan. It was pretty crazy.”

But Williams and his classmates, who combined to log just 10 minutes in the 8067 loss in Ann Arbor, Mich., aren’t planning to be spectators tonight when the Razorbacks (4-4) play Alcorn State (2-6) in Bud Walton Arena.

Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said tonight’s game — which kicks off the final five-game portion of nonconference play — is the starting point of an important stretch for his youngsters with Southeastern Conference games approaching.

He wants to see the group, which struggled through much of Arkansas’ difficult five-game test against Arizona State, Please see HOGS | 2B

The Harding women’s basketball team looks to snap a twogame losing streak today as it hosts Missouri Southern State in non-conference action at 2 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House.

The Lady Bisons head into the game with a 3-4 record.

Harding is coming off a disappointing trip to Oklahoma last week. The Lady Bisons fell to East Central 53-46 and Southeastern Oklahoma State 72-60 in Great American Conference action.

Harding was led by sophomore guard Shana Holmes who had 18 points in each game.

Holmes leads the Lady Bisons on the season averaging 15.4 points per game. She also averages 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

Holmes is shooting 45.2 percent from the field this season.

Sophomores Montana Lewis and Arielle Saunders have been a strong rebounding duo the last couple of games. Both players have averaged more than 11 rebounds in the last three games.

Saunders has grabbed 52 rebounds this season (7.4 rebounds per game) and Lewis has 51 (7.3 rebounds per game).

In Harding’s three wins this season, the Lady Bisons are shooting better than 43 percent from the field. In the losses, the Lady Bisons are shooting less than 37 percent. Harding has shot less than 33 percent in its last two games.

Harding shot 35.7 percent (30of-84) from behind the 3-point line in the first five games but has shot 17.5 percent (7-of-40) in the last two games.

The Lady Bisons have scored more points than their opponent in the first half averaging 32.5 points per game but have been outscored in the second half, giving up 33.2 points.

Arielle Saunders leads Harding in blocks with nine. She averages 1.3 blocks a game which ranks 95th in Division II. Missouri Southern State heads into the game with a 6-2 record but is coming off a 72-62 loss at Truman State last Saturday in their Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association opener.

The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for MSSU. Today’s game will be the final nonconference game for Missouri Southern State this season.

The Lions are led by Shonte Clay who averages 9.9 points per game and 6 rebounds per game.

MSSU is shooting 46.3 percent from the field. It is also shooting 72.0 percent from the free throw line and are averaging 14.1 made free throws a game.

The two teams met for the first time last season in Joplin. Harding defeated the Lions 51-45.

SPORTS

The

Daily Citizen THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012

SECTION B Sports Editor Harrison Keegan 501-268-8621 hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

Ramblers anxious to play again blers, who beat Quitman 47-0 in their opener on Aug. 30, Rose Bud Head Coach Record: 1-0 have logged more time on the Steve Rose was worried his Last result: 47-0 win field than conference rivals Ramblers would be behind against Quitman on August Riverview and Harding Acadthe curve coming into Fri- 31 emy, both of whom had their day’s game against Conway Next up: The Ramblers games either shortened or Christian. host Conway Christian Fricanceled due to weather.

The Ramblers’ Week 2 op- day at 7 p.m.

“We told our kids, we’ve ponent, Marshall, canceled played four quarters so we its football program after don’t feel like the layoff is schedules were made so Rose week. going to hurt us,” Rose said.

Bud was left with an open As it turns out, the Ram- “We’ve had as many snaps

BY HARRISON KEEGAN

Ramblers football

hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

as everyone else. We really haven’t lulled much. Probably the biggest complaint I’ve heard from the kids is they don’t want any more open dates, because they want to play.”

Rose Bud senior wide receiver and linebacker Brett Caples said he and his teammates enjoyed going to HarPlease see RAMBLERS | 2B

FEMALE PLAYER MAKING HER OWN PATH

Associated Press

Riverview sophomore wide receiver and defensive back Kaitlyn Reeves takes instruction from Wes Rowland, Raiders assistant coach, during practice Tuesday afternoon. Reeves is the only female varsity football player in White County.

Riverview’s Reeves trades pompoms for shoulder pads

BY HARRISON KEEGAN

Riverview football

hkeegan@thedailycitizen.com

It was tough for Kaitlyn Reeves to watch football games last year.

Yes, the Riverview sophomore was in uniform last season, but it was the wrong one.

So in January, the 5-foot5 Reeves ditched her cheerleading uniform and decided to follow her true passion — football.

Nine months later, as the Raiders prepare to take on Harrisburg Friday night, the sophomore wide receiver and cornerback is an established member of the team and the only varsity girl football player in White County.

Who: Sophomore Kaitlyn Reeves What: Reeves is the only female varsity football player in White County Next game: The Raiders play at Harrisburg Friday at 7 p.m.

“I’ve always wanted to do it,” said Reeves, whose first time playing football was during sixth-grade physical education class. “I love the sport, just like everyone else.”

When Reeves approached Riverview Head Football Coach Stuart Hill about joining the team, it was unchart-

ed territory for the fifth-year Raiders head coach and father of two boys. But Hill gave Reeves a shot and he said he’s been impressed with her work ethic.

“I think it’s safe to say we were surprised,” Hill said.

“She’s stayed with it. You have to give her credit to stay with it in a tough sport.”

Reeves didn’t see any action in the Raiders’ rainshortened season opener against Cedar Ridge, and there’s a chance the sophomore wide receiver might not see any meaningful playing time, but she has impressed her friends at school as well as local football fans.

“It was pretty exciting,” Reeves said. “I had one lady come up to me afterward and say she was so proud of me and I didn’t even know who she was.”

Reeves changes clothes in a separate locker room, but other than that, she doesn’t receive any special treatment from the coaching staff.

“You’ve got sensitive situations and things you have to plan out a head of time,” Hill said. “We’re just trying to treat her as an equal. We’re trying to treat her like everyone else.”

Reeves doesn’t look the part Please see REEVES | 2B

Harding volleyball travels to Lyon today

BY NATHAN LOONEY Special to The Daily Citizen

The Harding University volleyball team travels to Batesville today to take on Lyon in non-conference action at 7 p.m.

The Lady Bisons head into the match with a 7-3 record.

Harding is coming off a 3-0 Great American Conference win over Henderson State on Tuesday.

Junior outside hitter Mollie

Arnold leads the Harding attack averaging 3.83 kills per set.

Setter Amber Schinzing, reigning GAC Setter of the Week, averages 10.42 assists per set.

The Harding defense is led by junior defensive specialist Lisa Copeland who averages 4.51 digs per set.

The Lady Bisons are averaging 1.7 blocks and are led by junior middle blocker Alyssa Short who averages 0.83 blocks

per set.

Lady Bisons Volleyball Lyon, a NAIA member of the American Midwest Conference, Record: 7-3 has a 2-7 record after falling to Last result: 3-0 win GAC member Ouachita Baptist against Henderson State 3-0 Monday in Batesville. The Tuesday Scots are led by Suzanne FinNext up: the Lady Bisons cham who averages 3.61 kills play at Lyon tonight at 7 p.m. per set.

Harding leads the series against Lyon, 20-0. The last ing won 3-0. meeting between the two teams Check HardingSports.com came in 2010 in Searcy. Hard- for the live stat link.

Bisons Soccer Record: 2-2 Last result: 4-0 loss at Lyon Wednesday Next up: The Bisons play at Notheastern State Saturday at 1 p.m.

Bisons suffer shutout loss to Lyon

BY SCOTT GOODE Special to The Daily Citizen

Lyon men’s soccer scored three first half goals, including one only 23 seconds into the game and defeated Harding University 4-0 Wednesday at the Lyon Soccer Field.

The goal in the first minute of play by senior midfielder Jack Hayes was the fastest goal ever scored against Harding. The previous record was 36 seconds

by Igor Goncalez of West Florida in 2000.

Lyon (2-1-1) added two more first half goals by freshman forward Edin Campara less than two minutes apart in the 12th and 14th minutes.

Senior midfielder Lance Alpuerto scored the Scots’ final goal in the 83rd minute. It was the first goal scored against Harding in the second half this season.

Harding (2-2-0) went scoreless for the first time this season. The Bisons had scored in 10 consecutive games dating to last season, the second-longest streak in program history.

Lyon outshot Harding 14-6 overall and 9-2 on shots on goal.

Sophomore forward Shea McGee and sophomore defender Jona Amssoms had Harding’s shots on goal. The Bisons had outshot their previous three opponents 31-7 in the second half of games, but the Scots held a 6-1 shot advantage in the second half Wednesday.

The game was the first of four straight road games for Harding. The Bisons play their first Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association conference game Saturday at Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla.

Lady Bisons cross country Who: Sophomore Ewa Zaborowska What: Zaborowska named Great American Conference Runner of the Week

Sophomore wins Runner of the Week The Daily Citizen

Harding University sophomore Ewa Zaborowska was named Great American Conference Women’s Runner of the Week Wednesday.

Zaborowska, the 2011 GAC Freshman of the Year, claimed the second Runner of the Week award of her career after finishing second overall and first among non-Division I comZaborowska petitors at the University of Arkansas LIttle Rock Invitational Friday night.

The Poland native was also the top non-Division I finisher in the Lady Bisons’ first meet, the University of Memphis Brooks Twilight Classic on September 1.

The Lady Bisons’ next meet is Sept. 29 at in Stillwater, Okla.

Wilson’s injury leaves Arkansas with quarterback questions

BY KURT VOIGT Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Brandon Mitchell’s move from backup quarterback to wide receiver was great while it lasted at Arkansas.

Times have changed for the worst and where he ends up at this point is

anybody’s guess following the head injury suffered by starting quarterback Tyler Wilson.

After their shocking and possibly season-derailing loss in overtime to Louisiana-Monroe, the Razorbacks don’t have much time to wallow in misery:

They host No. 1 Alabama (2-0) on Saturday, a team that has beaten them five straight times.

Arkansas (1-1) faces the very real possibility of facing the defending national champion and its nasty defense with either Mitchell or redshirt freshman

Brandon Allen under center after a dismal showing against the Warhawks on Saturday.

“You’ve just got to throw that behind you,” Mitchell said. You can’t forget what happened because you’ve got to stay hungry, but we’re not even thinking

about (Louisiana-Monroe) now. It’s like it never happened for us.”

Wilson made his first Southeastern Conference start in last season’s loss to the Crimson Tide, a game in which he was battered and bruised after being on the receiving end of

hit after hit by Alabama’s swarming defense.

The first-team All-SEC quarterback took a similar beating in the first half of last week’s loss to the Warhawks. He didn’t play after halftime and RazorPlease see WILSON | 2B