Lee Trojans grab top seed into Class 2A state tourney
The Marianna Lee Trojans, for the second consecutive year, are regional champions and head coach Emmanuel Wade was honored as the outstanding 2A-6 Conference Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.
The Trojans defeated Earle 6450 Saturday night in the finals of the Class 2A North regional to earn a top seed into the upcoming Class 2A state tournament, set to be played at Melbourne. Marianna will play a first round game tonight taking on Cedar Ridge at 7 p.m.
The Trojans were eliminated in last year's semifinal game against Earle, who eventually lost to England in the finals.
Earle defeated Buffalo Island Central 69-44 in Friday's semifinals, while Marianna defeated Rector 59-38. BIC defeated Rector in the tournament consolation game and will wear the No. 3 seed into the state tournament. Earle will play Tuckerman Thursday at 7 p.m.
••••• Marmaduke rallied past Rector 47-40 Friday in the girls' semifinals at the Class 2A North Region tournament.
The Lady Greyhounds (29-5) trailed 17-16 after the first quarter and 29-23 at halftime. The teams were tied at 31 to end the third quarter.
Heidi Robinson scored 17 points and Makenzie Hampton added 14 for Marmaduke (29-5). Ellie Ford finished with 17 points and five rebounds, while Chloe Baugh scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds for Rector (17-11).
Marmaduke will play Des Arc in the championship game today at 4 p.m. The teams met in January, with Des Arc claiming a 55-48 victory on its home court.
Riverside and Rector will play for third place at 10 a.m.
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In Class 4A regional action, Jakari Livingston scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for Little Rock Mills (22-4), which rebounded from a 24-17 halftime deficit to move past Blytheville.
Mills the outright 4A-5 conference champion, will open play in the Class 4A state tournament on Friday at Morrilton against either Farmington or Camden Fairview.
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The Forrest City Lady Mustangs softball team are scheduled to play a varsity/junior varsity doubleheader today vs Cross County at the Wynne Sports Complex.
The Forrest City Mustang baseball team will also be at the Wynne Sports Complex, playing the Cross County Thunderbirds.
The Palestine-Wheatley Lady Patriots softball team will travel to DeWitt today to play a varsity/junior varsity conference doubleheader beginning at 4:30 p.m.
The P-W Patriots baseball team will also make the trip.