Marion runs past Sheridan

MARION 79, SHERIDAN 61

WEST MEMPHIS — Knowing his team averaged more than 70 points per game in the regular season, Marion Coach Nathan Clayborn said he didn’t think the Patriots would have trouble scoring against Sheridan in the first round of the Class 6A boys state tournament.

Clayborn’s worry was figuring out a way to stop Sheridan guard Tyler Cleveland. Although Cleveland scored a game-high 33 points, the Patriots still ran away for a 79-61 victory Thursday.

“[Cleveland] was the guy I knew we had to stop, or at least try and slow down,” said Clayborn, whose team improves to 15-14. “I watched his last four or five games and he was hitting 30, 33, 35 … all of the ones I saw he scored more than 30. He was good again today.”

The difference in the game was Marion had more weapons than Sheridan (15-15). The Patriots connected on 26 of 48 field-goal attempts, including 13 of 16 in the second half.

Marion placed three players in double figures, led by sophomore Detric Reeves with 20 points.

Marion took 10 three-point attempts in the first quarter and rolled to a 22-11 lead after the first eight minutes. By halftime, Marion was cruising comfortably with a 42-23 lead.

Senior Martinez Harper and Trystan Haymon scored 12 and 11 points, respectively. Reeves, who played most of the second half with four fouls, scored 12 of his 20 points in the first half.

JONESBORO 71, JACKSONVILLE 56

The defending Class 6A state champions led nearly the entire game as senior guard Tony Hutson scored a game-high 21 points.

The Hurricane (24-5) trailed only briefly in the first quarter, 6-2, before settling into a comfortable double-digit lead the rest of the game.

Jonesboro blew out Jacksonville in the first round of the 6A-East tournament, but the Titans (14-17) played without sophomore standout Gerald Doakes.

Jonesboro led 31-16 at halftime and never led by less than 13 the rest of the game.

Senior guard Desi Sills contributed 15 points while Chris Rufus had 10.

Joining Doakes with 10 points apiece for Jacksonville were H.D. Martin and Caleb Kendrick.