Tyler Shaw is new Junior Jackrabbits coach

Tyler Shaw gives instructions to players during the Junior Jackrabbits' 22-18 win over Helena-West Helena Central last fall. Shaw is the new Lonoke Junior Jackrabbits head coach, replacing Nick Smith, who was promoted to offensive coordinator for the high school squad. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

LONOKE — Assistant football coach Tyler Shaw is the new Lonoke Junior Jackrabbits head coach.

Shaw was promoted by the Lonoke School Board during its meeting Monday night. The hiring was confirmed via text message with Lonoke Athletic Director Marc Sherrell. Shaw replaces Nick Smith, who was promoted to offensive coordinator for the high school team. 

Shaw, 25, is in his second year of teaching at Lonoke, the only school he’s worked at. He student taught and helped with football and baseball at Bauxite prior to coming to Lonoke. 

“I’m excited about it,” Shaw said Wednesday afternoon. “I feel like it’s a great opportunity at a school that has a lot of tradition and a program that has a lot of tradition.”

Shaw said he’s excited about working under Taggart Moore, who is the head football coach for the high school team. 

“He brings a lot to the program,” Shaw said of Moore. “A lot of the morals, character and his characteristics … I’m excited about being a part of that.”

Moore is also excited to continue working with Shaw.

“Tyler is the perfect fit to lead the junior high program,” Moore said. “He is young, energetic and hard working. He is excited to build on the success they had last season. Tyler will also be a huge asset to the senior high team.”

Among his other duties, Shaw serves as assistant coach for the Lady Jackrabbits softball team. He also teaches E.A.S.T at Lonoke Middle School. 

Shaw is a graduate of Joe T. Robinson High School in Little Rock where he played football, basketball, baseball and golf. He received his bachelor’s degree from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. 

Shaw and his wife Megan live in Maumelle. 

Smith promoted to offensive coordinator for Jackrabbits

Lonoke Junior Jackrabbits football coach Nick Smith has been promoted to offensive coordinator for the high school team under new coach Taggart Moore. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

LONOKE — Lonoke Junior Jackrabbits head football coach Nick Smith has been promoted to offensive coordinator for new Jackrabbits coach Taggart Moore.

Smith, 25, is in his second year at Lonoke. He was an assistant junior high football coach in 2015 before being promoted to head junior high coach before the 2016 season. Smith is also the assistant coach for the Lonoke Jackrabbits baseball team under head coach Chris Foor. Smith served as interim head coach for the end of the 2016 baseball season, helping the Jackrabbits to the Class 4A state tournament. 

“It is with great honor and joy the I will be the next offensive coordinator for the Lonoke Jackrabbits,” Smith said on his personal Facebook page. “I cannot express the excitement I have to be a part of this team, coaching staff and community. I want to thank my new head coach Taggart Moore for giving me this opportunity.”

Moore was interim head coach the last six weeks of the 2016 season. He was given the job full time earlier this month. 

“I’m really excited about what Nick brings to the table,” Moore said of Smith. “There is no doubt that he has a great offensive mind. He grew up around the game of football and knows what it takes to be a successful coach.”

Moore said no decision has been made on who will replace Smith as head junior high coach.

Smith is the son of Dover head football coach Greg Smith. 

Nick Smith is a 2009 graduate of Prescott High School. He played one year of college football at NCAA Division III East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. He then transferred to Henderson State University in Arkadelphia where he received his bachelor’s degree. 

Smith and his wife Trisha live in Lonoke. 

Taggart Moore is new Lonoke Jackrabbits football coach

Lonoke football coach Taggart Moore talks to his players during his first game as interim coach last season at Baptist Prep. Moore was hired as Doug Bost's permanent replacement by the Lonoke School Board during a special meeting Monday night. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

LONOKE — The Lonoke School Board removed the interim tag from coach Taggart Moore during a special school board meeting Monday night.

Moore was officially hired as the new Lonoke Jackrabbits football coach. He served as interim coach following the resignation of former coach Doug Bost after the fourth game of the 2016 season. The hiring was confirmed by Lonoke School director of athletics Marc Sherrell.

“We had a lot of great applicants,” Sherrell said of those who applied for the Lonoke job. “We think Taggart will do an outstanding job.”

This year was Moore’s fourth season at Lonoke. He served as the defensive coordinator the last two years. 

“I’m just really excited about the opportunity, … I’m very blessed to have the opportunity,” Moore said Monday night. “I’ve already had the opportunity to work with the kids the last few months. We’ve built the program up. We’ve doubled the numbers. We’ve worked really hard to get in the weight room and add weight and to get bigger, faster and stronger than they’ve ever been and we’re just excited to see what is to come.”

During the season in 2016, Lonoke had players that numbered in the mid-30s. Moore said he currently has 57 in the program, which a good bit of those playing baseball. 

“Only 42 of those are in offseason right now,” Moore said. “We’ve got 15 coming back out of baseball. We’ve got the biggest numbers we’ve had since I’ve been here and probably recently, honestly.”

Moore said they have 14 players back who weren’t in the program last fall. He’s also got 21 seniors if they all stay in the program.

“It’s going to be huge,” he said. “They’ve all bought in. They’ve all been working their tails off.”

Moore said the Jackrabbits will run multiple sets on offense under his leadership.

“Our personnel has changed dramatically from last year with all of the new players,” Moore said. “That means we’re going to have to have a drastic change in the offense and defense. That means going to some things that will be more multiple and getting different personnel groups onto the field. 

“If we have to, we’re going to be in the shotgun. And when we get down on the goal line and we need to be under center, we’re going to be under center. We’re going to have a lot of different formations because we have a ton of new athletes out there and we’ve got to get them the ball in space.”

Moore said defensively the Jackrabbits will run a 3 front, switching from the 4 front they ran in 2016. 

“We’re the biggest we’ve been up front since I’ve been here,” he said. “We’re going to be able to have a little bit more speed and athleticism over there since we’ve got these other players out.”

Moore said he’s looking forward to working with assistant coaches Jack Keith and Tyler Tarrant, as well as the rest of the junior high staff. 

“I’m really excited,” he said. “The first thing we’re going to do is move those junior high guys up. We’re all going to be football coaches. We’re going to build the program 7-12th grade.”

Moore and his wife Anna, who is a teacher at Lonoke High School, are both excited to be in a “great district with so much support.”

“The parents, teachers, kids have supported me all through this,” he said. “We’ve extremely excited and super blessed to be in this position. We know that getting all these new kids out will be exciting. We’re just ready to hit the ground running and get this thing going.”

Lady Bison pull away from Harmony Grove in 2A state tourney

Carlisle's DeShaye Ricks, left, and Camden Harmony Grove's Sidney Piggot go after a loose ball in the first half. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

QUITMAN — For the first time in nine years, the Carlisle Lady Bison have won a state tournament game.

Carlisle (28-4) pulled away from Camden Harmony Grove for a 57-42 victory in the first round of the Class 2A state tournament Wednesday at the Bulldog Sports Complex. The Lady Bison will play host Quitman on Thursday night at 7 p.m. in the quarterfinal round.

Carlisle never trailed in the game but did not have it easy in the second half. 

The Lady Bison led 36-26 with 3:57 left in the third quarter. Harmony Grove went on a 10-0 run to tie the game at 36-36 with 1:12 left in the third quarter. During that run, Carlisle’s Kylie Warren picked up her second, third and fourth fouls in a span of 1 minute, 9 seconds.

Carlisle reclaimed the lead at 40-36 heading in the fourth quarter. DeShaye Ricks scored all four points. 

The Lady Bison scored the first five points of the fourth quarter. Kiara Miller hit a free throw. Blakely Ellis got a layup off a pass by Ricks, who also scored two points in the run.

Harmony Grove scored four in a row to cut Carlisle’s lead to 45-40 with 3:32 left. The Lady Bison put the game away by scoring 12 consecutive points to lead 57-40 with 27.3 seconds left. Harmony Grove scored the game’s final points with 18 seconds left.

“We talked about before the game and at halftime that it’s all about survival,” Carlisle coach Jonathan Buffalo said. “It’s winning and moving on. It doesn’t have to be pretty. Just get the W and move on.”

Buffalo thought his team made enough plays to secure the victory. 

“I was proud of them,” he said. “They did a great job. I couldn’t ask for any better effort. There are a few things we could have changed. I told them that 28 wins ties for the second most in school history but we’re going to try to get three more [and win state title].”

Ricks led Carlisle with 12 points. She also had four rebounds. Warren and Miller had 11 points each. Warren had nine rebounds. Kayla Golleher had eight points and nine rebounds. Ellis had seven points. Heather Bowlan had three points. Ashley Harbison had two while Ashby Terry added a free throw. 

Sidney Piggot led Harmony Grove with 19 points. 

Buffalo said Quitman will present a tough challenge for his squad in the quarterfinals. 

“They are an excellent basketball team,” he said. “They are playing in their own gym. 

“I told them that if they had won this game tonight that they were making memories that they will never forget.”

Lady Rabbits get third in regional, face Pottsville in state tourney

Lonoke's Keiunna Walker attempts a shot against CAC on Jan. 27. Lonoke beat the Lady Mustangs 40-29 in the third-place game of the region tournament on Saturday. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

CAVE CITY — The Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits are headed back to the state basketball tournament for the first time since 2014.

Lonoke beat Highland 54-44 in the first round of the Class 4A East Region Tournament on Thursday at Cave City High School to qualify for this week’s Class 4A state tournament. Lonoke then lost to Pocahontas 47-40 in the semifinals of the regional before beating Central Arkansas Christian 40-29 in the third-place game Saturday.

Lonoke is now 22-10 on the season. The Lady Jackrabbits will play Pottsville in the first round of the state tournament this Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Nashville High School. The winner will play Star City on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Pottsville is the third seed from from the North region. The Lady Apaches are 18-11 on the season, according to Max Preps. They beat Gravette 67-51 in the first round; lost to Berryvillle 38-35 in the semifinals then beat West Fork 40-38 in the third-place game.

In the win over Highland, Lonoke led 15-6 after one quarter and 27-18 at halftime. The Lady Rebels got back into the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Jackrabbits 11-8. Lonoke outscored Highland 21-15 in the fourth quarter to get the victory.

Keiunna Walker led Lonoke with 31 points. Mickenzie Williams added 13. Kaley Woodruff had six. Mia Brown scored four. Gracie Hyde added two. 

In the loss to Pocahontas, Lonoke trailed 10-7 after one quarter and 24-18 at halftime. 

Walker led Lonoke with 28 points. Kennedy White had four. Hyde scored three. Scoring two each were Woodruff, Williams and Maddie Pool.

Against CAC in the third-place game, Lonoke led 17-4 after one quarter and 20-9 at halftime. CAC was playing without All-American Christyn Williams, who sustained a shoulder injury in her team’s loss to EStem in the semifinals. 

Walker led Lonoke with 15 points. Brown and eight. Mickenzie Williams had six. Hyde and Woodruff scored four points each. White added two while Hannah Moseley hit a free throw. 

Lady Bison bounce back for 27th win

Carlisle's Kiara Miller makes a move to the basket against Marmaduke on Friday. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

CARLISLE — The Carlisle Lady Bison bounced back from their first loss in 15 games by beating Brinkley 50-44 in overtime in the third-place game of the Class 2A North Region Tournament at Bison Arena on Saturday. 

Carlisle lost to Marmaduke 62-44 in the semifinals on Friday night.

The Lady Bison will play Camden Harmony Grove in the first round of the Class 2A state tournament Wednesday at Quitman High School. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.

In Saturday’s win, Carlisle led 32-37 after Ashby Terry hit 1 of 2 free throws with 1:25 left in the fourth quarter. 

Brinkley chipped away and hit a three-pointer with five seconds left to send the game into overtime with the score tied at 40-40.

Brinkley took a 42-40 lead in overtime. Carlisle’s Kylie Warren tied it at 42-42 then Kayla Golleher hit a three-pointer to give the Lady Bison a 45-42 lead. 

Warren hit a jumper to give her team a 47-42 lead with 1:09 left. 

Brinkley finally scored again to cut the deficit to 47-44 with 41 seconds left. That would be as close as the Lady Tigers would get as Carlisle scored the game’s final three points. 

Warren led Carlisle with 20 points. DeShaye Ricks had 11. Kiara Miller added eight. Golleher scored seven. Terry had three. Heather Bowlan scored one. 

Kennedy Reinhart led Brinkley with 14 points. 

Carlisle is now 27-4 on the season. The 27 wins is the third most in school history and is the most since the Lady Bison went 34-2 in winning the 2007 Class 2A state title. The 2008 team, which repeated as state champions, finished 26-7.

In Friday’s loss to Marmaduke, Carlisle never led but played it close in the first half, trailing 14-11 after one quarter and 22-19 at halftime.

The Lady Greyhounds outscored Carlisle 14-6 in the third quarter. Carlisle tried to foul Marmaduke in the fourth quarter in an attempt to get back into the game but the Lady Greyhounds made 21 of 25 free throw attempts in the final eight minutes as they pulled away. 

Miller led Carlisle with 18 points. Warren had 10. Bowlan scored eight. Blakely Ellis and Golleher had three points each. Ricks scored two. 

Clay Acord contributed to this story.

Lady Bison qualify for state tourney, beat Sloan-Hendrix

Carlisle's Ashby Terry is fouled while making a shot in the first half against Sloan-Hendrix in the first round of the Class 2A North Region Tournament at Bison Arena on Wednesday night. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

CARLISLE — It wasn’t pretty but the Carlisle Lady Bison are headed back to the state tournament for the first time in four seasons.

Despite missing 18 free throws, Carlisle beat Sloan-Hendrix 53-35 in the first round of the Class 2A North Region Tournament on Wednesday night at Bison Arena. With the win, Carlisle improves to 26-3 on the season and guarantees it will play at least three more games this season, including at least one game in next week’s Class 2A state tournament at Quitman High School.

Carlisle will play the winner of Marmaduke and McCrory on Friday night at 7 p.m. in the semifinals at Bison Arena. Those two teams play their first-round game on Thursday.

In Wednesday’s win, the Lady Bison got off to a slow start but led 10-6 after one quarter and 25-12 at halftime.

Sloan-Hendrix made a run in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to eight points at 29-21 and 31-23. Carlisle used a 12-0 run in the second half to go up 46-25 with 6:41 left in the game.

The Lady Greyhounds made a run, cutting the deficit to 14 points but never got any closer.

Carlisle coach Jonathan Buffalo was proud of his team for winning its biggest game of the season.

“We made the plays we had to make to get the win,” he said. “Our goals are still in front of us.”

Kayla Golleher led Carlisle with 15 points. DeShaye Ricks had 10. Heather Bowlan added eight. Ashby Terry and Kiara Miller scored seven points each. Blakely Ellis scored four while Ashley Harbison had two.