Ricks, Bears garner attention

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SYLVAN HILLS 53, BEEBE 42

It’s easy to see why college scouts know their way to the Bears Den.

Sophomore forward Jalen Ricks scored 23 points to lead Sylvan Hills to a 53-42 victory over Beebe at the Bears’ Den in Sherwood on Tuesday.

Sylvan Hills Coach Kevin Davis said Ricks has been recruited by 10 or more NCAA Division I schools, including the University of Arkansas, Auburn, Indiana and Oklahoma State.

“For a sophomore to have that many schools on him, that’s really a credit to Jalen,” Davis said. “He’s a shooter, but he doesn’t just shoot the ball. He helps his team however he can help his team.”

The game had typical earmarks of early season basketball. In the first 2:50, the teams combined for four turnovers and five missed shots. Ricks missed two free throws, but his slam dunk broke the scoring drought with 5:10 left in the first quarter.

A 19-foot jump shot by senior forward E.J. Smith pulled Beebe within 4-2, but the Bears (8-1) scored with three-pointers on three consecutive possessions. Freshman Nick Smith hit the first, and Ricks the next two. The latter gave Sylvan Hills a 13-2 lead, and Beebe Coach Ryan Marshall called timeout with 3:13 left in the first quarter.

“I told them [to] just calm down and do what we do every day,” Marshall said. “Their pace had us sped up a little bit, and we were getting out of what we need to do.”

Smith led Beebe (2-6) with 13 points.