East Poinsett finding its groove

CARLISLE — East Poinsett County didn’t look like a 13-13 basketball team during its 59-50 victory Thursday over Yellville-Summit at Carlisle High School.

And EPC Coach Stephen Brown didn’t sound like the coach of a 13-13 team when talking about his team’s performance in the Class 2A first-round matchup.

Brown, for one, is neither surprised nor intimidated to reach the quarterfinals of the state tournament, even with a .500 record.

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no,” he said. “Once we get it all clicking we’ll be tough. It didn’t all click tonight. We shot the ball well because they gave us a little cushion. Once we get everything going, we’ll be fine.”

Brown said the Warriors, by virtue of playing in the 2A6, are battle-tested.

“We’ve seen it all,” Brown said. “Big, fast, shooters.”

EPC’s victory gave the 2A-6 a 4-0 record in the tournament, and it’s possible all four could advance to Saturday’s semifinals.

EPC plays Quitman (25-8) at 5:30 p.m. today in the quarterfinals.

Two other teams from EPC’s conference — Clarendon and Marked Tree — won first-round games earlier in the week, and Earle defeated Mountainburg in the final first-round game Thursday.

“We have a brutal conference,” he said. “We probably have the toughest conference out of all the classes.”

Brown said the difficult nature of the conference prepared the Warriors to deal with just about anything or anybody, including 6-8 Yellville-Summit center JT Frazier.

“That big kid is a load,” Brown said of Frazier, who finished with 20 points before fouling out early in the fourth quarter. “He clogs the middle up.”

Jamarrio Burris had 18 points and Jonathan Gilmore had 14 for EPC.

EARLE 66, MOUNTAINBURG 47

Earle became the fourth team for Class 2A-6 to reach the state quarterfinals, turning a one-point first-quarter advantage into a large victory over Mountainburg.

The Bulldogs (20-11) led from the start and advanced to today’s 8:30 p.m. quarterfinal against England.

Clarendon, Marked Tree and East Poinsett County advanced previously from the same conference.

Kevon Smith and Diviria Smith led the Bulldogs with 17 points each. Donnie Warren scored 13.

Mountainburg (16-15) was led by Jacob Ortlieb’s 21 points. Ethan Gregory added 12 points for the Dragons.