Lady Jackrabbits beat Carlisle to win Goldfish Classic

The Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits and Carlisle Lady Bison gather at center court of the Gina Cox Center to say a prayer following the finals of the Goldfish Classic on Thursday night. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

LONOKE — The Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits got off to a quick start and never trailed in beating Carlisle 54-45 in the finals of the Goldfish Classic on Thursday at the Gina Cox Center.

Lonoke improves to 10-5 overall while the Lady Bison fall to 11-3. 

Lonoke scored the game’s first six points on two three-pointers by Mia Brown. The Lady Bison cut the deficit to 6-5 on five consecutive points by Kylie Warren. Lonoke then outscored Carlisle 12-5 the remainder of the quarter to lead 18-10 after one.

Carlisle cut the deficit to seven points on three different occasions in the second quarter but trailed 30-21 at halftime. 

Lonoke’s Keiunna Walker scored the first four points of the second half to push the lead to 34-21 and the Lady Jackrabbits led 42-28 after three quarters. 

Lonoke pushed the lead to 20 points at 48-28 with 5:01 left in the game. Walker, Kennedy White and Kaley Woodruff each scored two points during the quick 6-0 run.

Carlisle then went on a 12-1 run to pull to within nine at 49-40 with 2:30 left. That was as close as Carlisle got the remainder of the game.

Walker led Lonoke with 26 points. Brown had nine. Woodruff scored seven. White and Gracie Hyde had five points each. Hannah Moseley had two.

Warren led Carlisle with 19. DeShaye Ricks and Kayla Golleher had seven points each. Ashley Harbison and Ashby Terry had three points each. Heather Bowlan, Blakely Ellis and Kiara Miller scored two points each.

Lonoke advanced to the finals with a 49-21 win over Stuttgart in the semifinals. 

Walker led Lonoke with 26 points. Brown had seven. Maddie Pool scored six. Woodruff had five. White scored four. Mickenzie Williams had one. 

Lonoke beat Hazen 53-21 in the first round. 

Walker led Lonoke with 29 points. Williams and White had eight points each. Moseley had five. Woodruff had three.

Carlisle advanced to the finals with a 51-22 win over Malvern. 

Warren led Carlisle with 27 points. Terry scored six. Miller had five. Ricks, Golleher, Bowlan, Ellis and Taylor Cullum had two points each. Morgan Brazeal had one. 

Carlisle beat Des Arc 51-38 in the first round. 

Warren led Carlisle with 20 points. Miller had nine. Golleher scored eight. Bowlan and Harbison had four points each. Ricks and Ellis had three points each. 

Carlisle's Ashby Terry guards Lonoke's Keiunna Walker during first-half action. 

Jackrabbits rout Bison

Lonoke's Isaac Toney is fouled by Carlisle's Garnell Harris during the first half of Saturday's game at the Gina Cox Center (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits bounced back from a loss to Little Rock Episcopal to beat Carlisle 72-43 on Saturday night at the Gina Cox Center.

Lonoke is now 4-7 overall while the Bison fall to 2-7 on the season. 

Lonoke took a 3-0 lead on a three-point basket by Kylan Branscomb. The Bison cut the deficit to 3-2 on a short jumper by Zach Caviness. From there, Lonoke went on an 8-0 run to lead 11-2. Tyriqe Jackson and Haven Hunter both hit three pointers while Tony Bryant scored off a steal.

The Bison tried to keep it close in the first quarter and trailed 15-9 following two free throws by Garnell Harris with 1:14 left. 

Lonoke outscored Carlisle 19-8 in the second quarter to lead 36-17 at halftime. The Jackrabbits led 52-30 after three quarters.

Jackson and Hunter led Lonoke with 16 points each. Tony Bryant and Jackson had 11 points each. Will Armstrong scored six. Braidon Bryant had five. Isaac Toney finished with four. Tyler Spencer had two while Jayden Johnson had one.

Harris led the Bison with 11 points. Devon Kendrick and Caviness had eight points each. Darrien Brown had four. Jamarious Harper and Tayvion Metcalf had three points each. Gray Amaden, Baylor Craig and Jalen Kirk had two points each.

Lady Bison rally past Lonoke for 37-31 win

Lonoke's Maddie Pool [30] and Carlisle's Heather Bowlan [3] battle for a rebound during the Lady Bison's win over the Lady Jackrabbits on Saturday night at the Gina Cox Center. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

LONOKE — The Carlisle Lady Bison overcame a slow start to beat Lonoke 37-31 on Saturday night at the Gina Cox Center.

Carlisle is now 9-2 on the season for the first time in 10 years. The Lady Jackrabbits are now 7-4.

Lonoke, playing without two starters, Keinna Walker and Kennedy White, got off to a great start, leading 11-0 with 1:47 left in the first quarter. Mia Brown hit two three-pointers during the run.

Carlisle finally got on the board with 1:16 left when Ashley Harbison drained a three-pointer. 

The Lady Bison pulled to within four at 13-9 following a steal and layup by Kayla Golleher but Lonoke scored the final five points of the second quarter to lead 18-9. Kaley Woodruff hit a short jumper and Mickenzie Williams hit three free throws.

Carlisle opened the second half with a 14-2 run to lead 23-20 with 1:24 left in the third quarter. Kylie Warren hit a three-pointer while Kiara Miller scored six in a row during the run. Golleher also hit a three-pointer to give the Lady Bison their first lead of the game at 23-20 with 1:24 left.

Lonoke tied it at 23-23 on a three-pointer by Gracie Hyde with 23 seconds left. 

Lonoke reclaimed the lead briefly on a basket by Williams early in the fourth quarter. Carlisle then went on a 10-0 run to lead 33-25 with 3:57 left in the game. Heather Bowlan scored four points during the run. Golleher, Blakely Ellis and Miller scored two points each during the run.

The Lady Jackrabbits cut the deficit to 35-31 with 1:41 left in the game on a basket by Brown. Miller scored the game’s final basket on a short jumper off an assist by Golleher with 1:15 left. 

Carlisle coach Jonathan Buffalo was proud of his team’s comeback.

“I thought my team came out in the second half and played really hard,” he said. “They bought into the adjustments we made at halftime, defensively and offensively. I told them after the game that we have to play with this type of effort in the first half. 

“There are big things to come. We’ve just got to keep working.”

Miller and Warren led Carlisle with 10 points each. Golleher had seven. Bowlan scored four. Harbison had three. Ellis and DeShaye Ricks had two points each. Miller led Carlisle with eight rebounds. Golleher had Ricks had five boards each. Golleher had four assists. 

Williams led Lonoke with 10 points. Woodruff and Brown had eight points each. Hyde had five. Pool led Lonoke with 14 rebounds. Williams had seven rebounds, four steals and three assists. 

Carlisle also won the junior girls game 37-16. The Junior Lady Bison ended the game on a 25-8 run.

Lonoke's Hyde runs her way to state title

Gracie Hyde is the 2016 Class 4A state champion in cross country.

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

LONOKE — Distance runner Gracie Hyde had an outstanding season for the Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits cross-country team.

Hyde, a junior transfer from Brookland High School, won the Class 4A state championship back in November at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs. She won the race with a time of 19 minutes, 47.5 seconds. Bekah Bostian of Prairie Grove was second with a time of 19:51.2. 

Hyde ran the race, felling the affects of mononucleosis for weeks. Hyde didn’t run cross country at Brookland, because the school did not have a team. However, she won the 800 and 1,600 at the Class 4A state meet last year.

“I started running in the seventh grade,” Hyde said. “However, it wasn’t until last track season that I became really involved. My dad took me to the state indoor meet, and having not ran since the previous outdoor season, I lapped everyone in my heat, earning third place in the 1A-4A. I would say that is when I began to realize my true potential in running.”

Hyde said she plans to run all the distance races this year for the Lady Jackrabbits, including the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters.

“I am ecstatic as I will be the returning 800 and 1,600 meter state champion,” she said. “I know that we have the opportunity to win the team championship title.”

A year ago at Brookland, Hyde won the high-point award at the conference track meet. She won the 400, 800, 1600, 3200 and high jump.. 

“I am certain running will play a major factor in my future,” she said. “While I’m undecided, several Division I schools have begun to recruit me. I’d like to compete collegiately and possibly past that and become a college track coach.”

Hyde is also a member of the Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits basketball team.

“Basketball is a sport I love but running is who I am,” she said. “It dictates my life, my friends, what I do, where I am, how I eat, etc. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

In fact, Hyde ran in an 800-meter race Saturday at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She sent a personal record with a time of 2:18. 

Hyde said she has a goal of breaking a 5-minute mile this year.

“That is something only three girls have done in the history of Arkansas,” she said. “I also hope to qualify for the New Balance National Indoor and the Brooks PR Outdoor Invitational, two prestigious national meets only an elite group of girls to get to compete in. 

“In cross country, I plan to improve off the past season and great the state record in the 5K.”

Bison rout Bears for first win

Carlisle's Ty Golleher makes a wraparound pass against Woodlawn on Friday night. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

CARLISLE — The Carlisle Bison were in need of a victory after starting the season 0-3. They got one in a big way Friday night at Bison Arena. 

Carlisle jumped out to a 20-9 lead against Woodlawn en route to a 76-58 victory over the Bears.

Carlisle pushed its lead to 35-19 at halftime and 56-37 after three quarters.

Woodlawn had a chance to cut the deficit to single digits several times midway through the fourth quarter but the Bison had an answer every time. 

Devon Kendrick led the Bison with 34 points. Ty Golleher scored 12. Jamarious Harper had 11. Gray Amaden scored six. Zack Caviness had four. Braiden Wakefield scored three. Tayvion Metcalf and Braiden Jenkins had two points each. Caleb Jones and Tristan Seidenschwarz scored one point each. 

“My boys finally fell into sync and started taking on the roads our team need them to,” Carlisle coach Jayson Lowery said. “We played a formidable opponent and defeated them soundly by playing our style of basketball.

“It took us four games to do this but I think the boys feel like we are starting to come together.”

Carlisle's Devon Kendrick is fouled while making a move to the basket against Woodlawn. 

Lady Bison push Jessieville but fall in finals of tourney

Carlisle's Kiara Miller is fouled while attempting a shot against Woodlawn on Friday. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

HASKELL — The Carlisle Lady Bison gave Class 3A power Jessieville all it wanted in the finals of the Bill Gibbs Memorial Tournament on Saturday at Harmony Grove High School. Jessieville beat Carlisle 60-54. 

The Lady Bison are now 5-2 on the season. 

Jessieville, led by future Harding University player Kellie Lampo, led 15-14 after one quarter and 28-24 at halftime. Carlisle’s Kylie Warren picked up two fouls in the first quarter and did not play in the second quarter.

Carlisle trailed 43-33 entering the fourth quarter.

The Lady Bison outscored the Lady Lions 21-17 in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit, at one point, to five points late in the fourth quarter. 

Warren led Carlisle with 22 points. DeShaye Ricks had 12. Kayla Golleher had 9, all in the first half. She sat out most of the second half with a back injury. Ashley Harrison scored five. Kiara Miller had four. Heather Bowlan scored two.

Lampo led Jessieville with 23 points. 

“I”m so very proud of my players,” Carlisle coach Jonathan Buffalo said. “They battled and worked so hard. They showed so much heart. It is going to be a great year if we keep improving at this rate and keep working as a family. They are building the foundation of something special for years to come.”

Lady Bison 57, Woodlawn 40

Carlisle scored early and often in beating Woodlawn 57-40 on Friday at Bison Arena. 

Carlisle led 23-12 after one quarter. Woodlawn cut the deific to 25-15 before the Lady Bison went on a 17-0 run to lead 42-15 late in the first half. 

Woodlawn outscored Carlisle 22-15 in the second half. 

Kylie Warren led Carlisle with 19 points. DeShaye Ricks had 14. Morgan Brazeal had six points on two three-pointers. Ashby Terry and Kiara Miller both had six points. Mattie Staggs scored three. Heather Bowlan and two while Ashley Harbison added a free throw.

Lady Bison 66, Poyen 57

The Lady Bison avenged their first defeat of the season by beating Poyen 66-57 in the semifinals of the Bill Gibbs Memorial Tournament. 

Carlisle led 15-10 after one quarter and 27-24 at halftime. 

The difference was the third quarter when the Lady Bison outscored the Lady Indians 21-14 to lead 48-38 heading into the final eight minutes.

Kylie Warren led Carlisle with 26 points. DeShaye Ricks had 16. Kayla Golleher scored 11. Blakely Ellis and Heather Bowlan had four points each. Kiara Miller scored three. Ashby Terry added two. 

Lady Bison 46, Harmony Grove 17

Carlisle opened the Bill Gibbs Memorial Tournament with a 46-17 win over host Haskell Harmony Grove. 

Carlisle led 16-5 after one quarter and 30-11 at halftime. 

DeShaye Ricks led the Lady Bison with 15 points. Kayla Golleher had 14. Kylie Warren had seven. Kiara Miller scored six. Blakely Ellis had two while Ashby Terry added a free throw. 

Carlisle's Morgan Brazeal follows through on a jump shot.