Sports

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Game 1 Rector vs Acorn Rector Cougars began their state basketball tournament run on Wednesday, March 1, against the Acorn Tigers from Ouachita River School District located just north of Mena in western Arkansas. The basketball dominance of the northeast region teams was evident in this contest as the Rector Cougars ran up an eleven point lead in the first quarter.

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The Lady Cougars state tournament run ended Tuesday, Feb. 28, in a furious rally that fell just short against a larger, taller Fordyce Lady Redbug (Lady Bugs) team. The Lady Bugs size and speed had the Lady Cougars stymied in quarter one as the Lady Cougars scored no baskets, every shot closely contested. Mattie McClung, Carly Rodden, and Madison Wolfenbarger struggled to find their shots but posted numbers for the Lady Cougars while Kayeleigh Steward drew the task of guarding Lady Bug #42 Jadie Hines, a formidable post player. The Lady Cougars managed ten points in the half, the Lady Bugs doubling that score.

Game 3 Rector vs Bigelow Rector Cougars advanced to the Final Four of the 2A State Basketball Tournament played Feb. 28 – March 4 at Cougar Arena on the campus of Rector High School.

2A State Basketball Tournament games played at CougarArena on the campus of Rector High School filled the gym with cheering fans from across Arkansas. How can it be more exciting for the Rector Cougars than to play a second round game before a home crowd. The electric atmosphere was sparked with Cougar victory over reigning state champion and number one seed Lavaca Golden Arrows from the Ft. Smith area of western Arkansas.

The contest between Rector Cougars and Barton Bears in the Region 2A North saw Rector in their home white uniforms, seeded ahead of the Bears. Solid defense marked the first moments of the game though Barton Bears showed their shooters and performed a few steals.

The time of year that basketball fans love, tournament time, is what all the practices and non-conference games build toward. The season’s constant competition, the wins and losses, records go out the window when two teams bring it all to the floor for a bracket position in the Arkansas 2A State Basketball Tournament. Hosted by Rector High School for 2023, the State Tournament is what it’s all about for perennial topperforming teams. The 2A North Region is traditionally tough and teams “beat up on each other” all season. The stakes were especially high for the Lady Cougars of Rector. “Stayin’ Alive” became the name of the game.

Piggott High School head baseball coach Shawn Hearn is looking forward to the season starting. “What we are doing this season we are practicing giving back what is given to us. Every home game will have a first pitch with Cody Knight of Piggott State Bank starting out at the first game on Monday, March 6 at 4:30. The others throwing out the first pitch will be Rodney Rouse of First National Bank on March 9, on March 27 will be a representative from the food places in town, March 28 will be the school board and administrators and March 31 will be boosters who have helped in the past. On April 11 the first pitch will be thrown by anyone who has served in the military and has played for the Mohawk team, April 14 will be back-to-back regional championships from several years ago and April 20 will be Billie Joe Seal Appreciation Day,” Hearn stated.