Mount Ida Lions 1A State runners-up

By Ethan Nahté

The Mount Ida Lions made it to the 1A State Finals championship for the first time in school history on Thursday, May 18. Their opponents were the Taylor Tigers, who are the defending state champs, winning the 2022 AHSAA Centennial State Baseball Championships in Class 1A baseball.

In 2022, Taylor beat Mount Ida in the semi-finals 11-1, then went on to beat Nemo Vista 10-4.

This year, Mount Ida won their previous seven games, taking the 7-1A District Championship in the process, then beating Bearden and Hampton in Regionals, only to lose to Taylor 13-2. The Tigers won the Regional Championship and Mount Ida placed as runners-up.

In the semi-finals, The Lions took out County Line, West Side (Greers Ferry) and Viola to make it to the finals, where they once again faced their nemesis, Taylor.

The Lions came out swinging at UCA’s Bear Field in Conway, ready to play. They got runners on with bases loaded in the first inning, but could not capitalize, only scoring a single run.

The next inning, Taylor scored a run with Caleb White pitching. White would pitch the entire game for a to- picked up by Cane McCullough, who threw it home to Carter Rowton. Committing a rare error, Rowton missed the throw, which allowed two more runs. The third ended 5-1 in Taylor’s favor.

Still time to enter Tri-Lakes Big Bass Festival this Saturday

By Patrick Massey

tal of 106 pitches. Taylor, on the other hand, went through a couple of pitchers.

The third inning was where things went awry. Mount Ida still only had one on the scoreboard. Between the Tigers hitting a stand-up double to outfield, and walks, the bases were loaded. A line drive down the left field line plated two. Another hit to third base was

With Tyler Petty and Chandler Perkins were on base with walks in the fourth. With Jacob Woodfield up to bat, Petty managed to steal third then home on a wild pitch. Perkins made it to third. Jacob fouled out, ending the inning with Mount Ida trailing 5-2. White hit the next two batters, walking them. The bases were soon loaded. A fly to center field plated another run before the fourth inning closed 6-2.

Rowton was walked at the beginning of the fifth. McCullough hit a single, then Ramsey Gilbert slammed a ball to center field, allowing Rowton to score. The Lions held the Tigers through the fifth, ending it 6-3.

The Lions wouldn’t score again, despite getting on base, stealing bases and some hard hits. Taylor plated three more in the sixth, making it 9-3. With Mount Ida runners on first and third, Lane Nolan was the last at bat, hitting a ball straight down the first base line, ending the Lions’ season, as well as ending the high school careers of seven players who are all graduating.

Coach T.J. Wilson and his Mount Ida Lions ended their stellar season 17-9, coming in as the 2023 1A AHSAA Centennial State Baseball Runners-up.

The 33rd annual Judge Greg Ray Memorial Tri-Lakes Big Bass Festival is scheduled for this Saturday on De Queen, Dierks and Gillham Lakes.

The event is scheduled for 6 a.m. - 1 p.m. on May 27 at all three lakes. The early registration fee is $65 and enters each angler into a chance to win some of the more than $20,000 in cash prizes for this year’s bass tournament. On-site registration is $70. Anglers can take advantage of the $75 registration bundle which includes the chance to win an extra $50 if your catch takes first place during the hourly weigh-in.

This year’s cash awards include the $10,000 Snag the Bass presented by De Queen Auto Group. The prize will go to whoever catches the tagged bass during the event. The bass will be released secretly before the tournament at one of the three featured lakes.

This year’s cash award for the overall biggest bass has been increased to $2,000. Organizers are also offering a $200 bonus for hourly winners.

The tournament is hosted each year by the Sevier County Chamber of Commerce. Last year, the chamber renamed the event in honor of the late Sevier County Judge Greg Ray. Ray, who passed away in 2022, was an instrumental organizer of the annual fishing tournament.

Registration forms can be obtained by calling the chamber at 870-584-3225. Also, call the chamber if you or someone you know would be interested in serving as a volunteer for this weekend’s tournament. Volunteers are needed to help register anglers, perform boat checks and conduct the hourly weigh-ins.

For more information, contact Jarod Lyon at 870-582-5719 or the Sevier County Chamber of Commerce at 870-584-3225.