Jessieville teams fall in regional semis

ROSE BUD -- Both second-seeded Jessieville teams fell in the semifinals of the Class 3A Region 2 tournament Sunday at Rambler Arena. The Lions lost to No. 4 seed Haskell Harmony Grove 73-65 while the Lady Lions lost to top-seeded Harding Academy 52-39.

Harmony Grove remained aggressive with Jessieville (22-9) throughout the contest, leading 14-11 after one quarter, 31-26 at halftime and 54-44 after three quarters. The Lions were playing without one injured starter, sophomore Steven Benson, and senior Zyshonne Neal hobbled with a foot injury suffered during the last week of the regular season.

Desani Neal led the Lions with 21 points. Jessieville guard Hunter Daley, averaging 29 points per postseason game heading into Sunday, was held to 15.

Jessieville swept the regular-season series but needed a last-second three-point heave to beat the Cardinals at their place. The Lions now face Mayflower for the fourth time this year for third place at 4:45 p.m. today, Jessieville owning a 2-1 lead in the season series.

In the first semifinal of the day, both teams fought toe-to-toe in the first half before Harding Academy took control in the second. Leading 20-15 at halftime, the Lady Wildcats extended the lead to 35-27 by the end of the third.

In their first meeting of the year, Jan. 2 in the Spa City Classic at Bank of the Ozarks Arena, Harding Academy overcame a 10-point, second-half deficit to stun the Lady Lions 35-34 on a last-second jumper. The Lady Wildcats eliminated the drama Sunday with a 32-24 second half.

Madison Hair led the Lady Lions (20-9) for the second straight outing, scoring 11 points. Faith Bratton and Kellie Lampo added eight points apiece.

Jessieville faces Cedar Ridge, the second seed from the 3A-2, at 3:30 p.m. today for third place.

Registration open

for senior softball

The Hot Springs Senior Softball League is preparing to start its 18th year of providing softball for men 50 years and older. The league plays its games Tuesday nights from April to August at Kimery Park.

The league uses a draft to place players on teams, with the first practices at 5 p.m. March 10 at Kimery fields one and three. For more information and signing up, call Milton Raabe at 501-262-0517 (Hot Springs), Don Haney at 501-337-2853 (Malvern) or Dick Sippel at 501-209-9844 (Hot Springs Village).

Sports on 03/02/2015

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