Slow start for Cougars

It's been a sluggish start to the season for the Cougars, but coach Matt Mills has his team working hard to be ready down the stretch.

"We're working hard and getting better every day," Mills said. "We've got all the tools; it's just a matter of putting it all together."

Rector fell to Batesville-Southside, 49-33, at the Highland Classic on Saturday. The teams were tied at 9-9 after the opening frame. Cold shooting hurt the blue and white team in the second and third, as the Cougars managed just eight points total in those periods, falling behind 35-17 going into final frame.

Tyler Kirklin finished with 10 points in the loss. Also scoring for Rector were Kirk Horton 8, Brandon Stevens 7, Zach Burleson 6 and Zach Gilbee 2.

With the loss, Rector moved to 0-3 on the season.

Loss to Pocahontas

Stevens worked like a man on a mission last Friday at Pocahontas, scoring a game-high 23 points and snagging 14 rebounds for a double-double, but the Cougars fell just short, losing to the hosting Redskins, 58-52.

Pocahontas led throughout: 15-10; 27-17 and 40-28.

"That's as good a game as he's ever played," Mills said of the tall sophomore. "He's doing a good job of making the transition to the senior high game. Unfortunately, we didn't shoot the ball well enough to capitalize on it."

Also scoring for Rector were Horton 7, Kirklin 7, Burleson 6, Dan Blackshare 5 and Clinton Haley 4.

Juniors Downed

The Junior Cougars were downed, 46-24, in their meeting with Pocahontas. Rector trailed after each frame: 13-2; 23-11 and 35-17.

Daniel White led the young Cougars with 10 points. Also scoring were Mitchell Weber 7, Adam Dinkins 4 and Alec Scott 3.

Seventh Grade Falls

The seventh graders were downed 45-7 at Pocahontas.

Still adjusting to the speed at this level, the young team is working hard.

"We're going over the basics and trying to learn the game," Mills said.

Mason McCluskey led Rector with three points. Skyler Shockley and Landon Crancer finished with two points each for the seventh grade squad.

Loss to Manila

Rector was downed 68-29 in their season opener at Manila. The hosts led throughout: 19-4; 30-18 and 54-32.

Stevens led the way with 14 points in the loss. Also scoring were Kirklin 8, Horton 5, Cory Hager 4, Burleson 3, Zach Trayler 3 and Haley 2.

Junior High

The junior boys played a hard-fought game to start their season, falling to Manila, 44-41. Rector led 15-9 after the first quarter, but the hosts tied it up at intermission, 21-21. Manila led 33-31 going into the fourth.

Mitchell Weber led all scorers with 18 points. Also scoring were Scott 8, White 8, Dillon Shelton 5 and Ryan Jackson 2.

Rector will host Armorel beginning at 6 p.m. Friday. The Cougars will visit CRA on Tuesday.