MOUNT IDA -- Before noon Monday, one game in the Class 1A basketball tournament was in the books and a second in progress here at Jeanne Smith Arena.
They were just getting started in what through Saturday will comprise a geographic melting pot of Arkansas' smallest high schools.
Three boys teams and three girls teams advanced to second-round games today while two other winners drew return engagements here Wednesday. Semifinal winners Saturday (girls' games at noon and 6 p.m., boys' games at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) proceed to championship games next week at Bank of the Ozarks Arena in Hot Springs.
Bay is two-time defending 1A boys champion and, as No. 2 seed from Region 2, plays Region 3 third seed Marvell at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Bay lost to Izard County in the region final Saturday night.
Nemo Vista's girls are three-time defending state champions and, after winning Region 3 last week, oppose Bay at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Nemo Vista downed region host Mt. Vernon-Enola Saturday night.
Sophomore Whitlee Layne, carrying on a family tradition, scored 19 points Monday as the Bay Lady Yellowjackets routed Bradley 72-24. Her brother, Taylor, is a senior on Bay's boys team, and their father, Chip Layne, superintendent at Bay Schools, starred on the 1993 Buffalo Island Central team that topped undefeated Cutter Morning Star in a double-overtime state final at Little Rock's Barton Coliseum.
Alpena won the first girls game, 49-40 over County Line, and Wonderview later routed Maynard under the mercy rule, 81-39. Alpena, fourth from Region 1, plays Region 5 winner Strong at 1 p.m. today. Wonderview, third from Region 3, plays Region 1 champion Jasper at 4 p.m.
Early boys winners were Mulberry, Dermott and Shirley with only Mulberry's 49-46 game with Omaha not decided by double digits. Mulberry, seeded fourth from Region 4, faces Region 5 winner Nevada at 2:30 p.m. today.
Shirley, third from Region 3, plays Region 1 winner Deer at 5:30 p.m. today while Dermott, fourth from Region 5, returns against Region 3 champion Guy-Perkins at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Three Shirley seniors teamed for 45 points against Ridgefield Christian, Jed Prvitt leading with 18 while Joe Owen scored 14 and Easton Freeman added 11.
Monday's late games pitted the Scranton and Concord girls and the Mineral Springs and Sacred Heart boys. Concord rode a 22-5 run in the fourth to take a 69-62 win over Scranton.
Kirby plays back-to-back games Thursday after Region 4 runner-up finishes at County Line High. Both games are against Region 5 third-place teams, the girls against Nevada at 1 p.m. and the boys against Hampton immediately afterward.
Sports on 02/28/2017