Sports

Osceola got a huge defensive effort and got enough offense to get a rare road win at Manila.

MARIE - Rivercrest picked up an important conference victory Tuesday as the Lady colts knocked off visiting Piggott 63-54. Senior guard Railee Powell poured in a game-high 24 points to pace the Rivercrest offense. Sophomore Brineka Taylor added 16 points, while senior Carlisha Barfield scored 9 points...

Rivercrest won its second consecutive game as the Lady Colts defeated Gosnell, 49-34,Thursday at Rivercrest Gym. The Lady Colts got a game-high 21 points from senior point guard Railee Powell and 13 points from senior Carlisha Barfield. Fellow senior Tatiunna Burks added 8 points, while sophomore Brineka Taylor had 5 points and junior Jansia Thomas had 2 points...

Osceola won its third straight conference 3-3A game Wednesday as the Lady Seminoles got a road win holding off Manila, 40-38. The Lady Seminoles (7-2 overall, 4-2 in conference play) moved in to third place in the conference with the victory. Osceola charged to a 12-7 lead after one period. The Lady Lions would tie the game at 18 at the break. Osceola opened up a 29-25 advantage after three periods, then held off a late Manila surge to get the win...

OSCEOLA - Osceola overcame a sluggish start and would go on to defeat visiting Gosnell 61-36 in girls basketball action Friday at Seminole Arena. Osceola got out to an early nine-point lead and would take a 15-11 lead to the second quarter. Osceola would extend its lead to as many as 14 points in the second period before Gosnell made a late surge to cut the Lady Seminoles lead to 27-18 at the break...

The sites for the regional basketball tournaments were announced Thursday by the Arkansas Activities Association. In Class 3A, Manila will host the Region 2 event which will have boys and girls squads from Conference 3A-2 and Conference 3A-3. In Class 4A, Blytheville will host the 4A East events in the Chickasaws new arena...

MARIE - The Rivercrest Colts got back to their winning ways by bouncing the visiting Piggott Mohawks 72-41 Tuesday at Rivercrest Gym. The Colts (4-2, 3-2) got a game-high 18 points from junior Clay Burks and senior Jaylan West added 14 points and seven rebounds as the Colts picked up an important conference victory. Senior guard Kamron Turner added 9 points and had six steals...

MARIE - Rivercrest raced to a double digit lead in the first period and went on to defeat visiting Harrisburg 84-51 Saturday at Rivercrest Gym. The Colts came out hot and poured it on as the game went on. Senior guard Kamron Turner led the Colts with 21 points. Junior wing Clay Burks added 18 points, while seniors Alex Askew and Jaylan West scored 13 and 11 points respectively...

Osceola went on the road and picked up a pair of Conference victories over Manila and Walnut Ridge to improve to 9-2 overall and 8-0 in the 3-3A. Seminoles 68, Manila 56 Osceola pulled away in the second half to pick up a key conference win over defending conference champion Manila...

Osceola raced to a 26-6 halftime lead and would go on to gain a 50-point victory over Harrisburg Thursday at Seminole Arena. Osceola was paced by double digit scoring of Richard High and Jeriyan Long as they won by a final score of 63-13.

OSCEOLA - Osceola opened up an early lead and would go on to defeat visiting Harrisburg 63-32 in Conference 3-3A action Thursday at Seminole Gym. Osceola was tough on the Lady Hornets both inside and outside senior forward Shacorreya Weatherspoon dominated the rebounding scoring six points in the paint early in the period. Then senior guard Destiny Dyson hit three first quarter three-pointers as she scored 11 first period points as Osceola took a 20-6 lead...

PIGGOTT - Osceola junior Daylon Love poured in a game-high 34 points as the Seminoles cruised past the Piggott Mohawks, 111-53 Tuesday at Piggott. Love scored 28 of his points in a 60 point first half by the Seminoles. Osceola used its pressure defense to take a 12-1 lead and would push the lead to 25-10 after one period. Osceola kept the pressure on as they cruised to a 60-23 halftime advantage...

OSCEOLA - Osceola raced to a 38-point halftime lead and would go on to blow out visiting Harrisburg 90-27 Thursday at Seminole Arena. Osceola’s superior depth and deadly three-point shooting helped the Seminoles open up a 34-11 lead after one period. Osceola head coach Vernon Wilson played all 15 players who dressed out, substituting five at a time. The Seminoles pressure defense forced turnover after turnover as they continued to wear down the Hornets...

BAY - Rivercrest, propelled by a 24 point effort from sophomore forward Brineka Taylor, defeated Bay 60-31 in non-conference basketball action Thursday at Bay High School. The Lady Colts never trailed after the opening minute of the game and took a double-digit lead at the end of the first quarter as they snapped a three-game losing streak...

MARIE - Rivercrest won its second consecutive conference 3-3A contest Thursday as they topped visiting Gosnell 69-48 at Rivercrest Gym. The Colts got double figure scoring from three players, led by junior Clay Burks, who scored 19 points. Seniors Jaylan West and Alex Askew added 17 and 16 points respectively...

Prior to the Seminoles and Colts senior boys game, Osceola and Rivercrest junior boys squads squared off. In a tight, low scoring first half, both teams struggled to score the ball. Osceola would lead it 14-9 at the half. In the second half, the junior Seminoles superior size and length came into to play. Osceola would eventually pull away for a 41-25 victory...

OSCEOLA - Osceola used an 8-0 game ending run to rally past visiting Rivercrest, 73-70 Saturday at Seminole Arena. Osceola got a basket by Jerry Long, followed by a steal and layup by Don Littleton to get within one-point at 70-69. Long then put the Seminoles ahead to stay hitting a pair of free throws with just over a minute to play...

BLYTHEVILLE - The Blytheville Chickasaws raced to a 21-4 first quarter lead against visiting Osceola in their New Year’s eve clash at the Chickasaws new arena. But unlike the game between the two teams played a week earlier in Osceola, the Seminoles were unable to chip away at the Blytheville lead and the Chicks would go on to post a 62-33 non-conference win over the Seminoles...

Record setting Rivercrest quarterback/safety Kamron Turner has been named the Farm Bureau Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year. Turner learned of his selection during the live virtual awards ceremony Monday. Turner who edged out Keystan Durning , of Ozark and Joe T. Robinson’s James Jordan had a tremendous season on both sides of the football...

Sixteen members of the 2020 Rivercrest football team earned post season honors, by being named all conference or all state. The list is led by the record setting duo of quarterback Kamron Turner and wide receiver/running back Keshawn Scott. Turner and Scott, who hold just about every Rivercrest passing or receiving record, were both named to the Arkansas Activities Association Class 4A all-state squad...

By STEVE KNOX Times Sport Editor OSCEOLA – The Blytheville Chickasaws scored the first 18 points in their game at Osceola Tuesday and would go on to post a 72-63 non-conference victory over the Seminoles in senior boys basketball action. Blytheville roared to an 18-0 first quarter advantage over the Seminoles and led by as many as 20 points (22-2) before settling for a 22-4 lead after one period of play...

LITTLE ROCK - Rivercrest’s dream of another state title and unbeaten season ended Saturday as the Shiloh Christian Saints overwhelmed the Colts in a 58-20 Class 4A state title game victory at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The Colts had high hopes entering the game after rolling to a 20-point win over Warren in the state semifinals but those hopes quickly faded on the rain soaked turf of the historic stadium...

Rivercrest fell to 2-4 overall on the season, 1-1 in Conference 3-3A play with a 61-38 road loss at Manila. The Lady Lions (8-2, 2-2) led from the outset and the final margin of 23 points was their largest advantage. Senior guard Railee Powell led the Lady Colts with 13 points. Junior post player Thalia Jones added 10 points for Rivercrest. Sophomore Brineka Taylor scored 6 points, while senior Carlisha Barfield had 6 points and senior Tatiunna Burks added 5 points for the Lady Colts...

Osceola used a fast start to build a double digit first quarter lead and went on to defeat the visiting Paragould Rams 77-65 in non-conference basketball action Monday at Seminole Arena. Osceola raced to a 10-1 lead and built their lead to as many as 13 points (20-7) late in the first period...

MARIE - Rivercrest got a huge game from senior running back Keshawn Scott and sophomore back Jaden Stovall scored three times as the Colts rallied past Warren 55-35 on a rainy Friday night at Cortez Kennedy Field. The win placed Rivercrest (13-0) in the Class 4A state championship game Saturday at 12:10 p.m. against Northwest Arkansas power Shiloh Christian (11-1)...

University of Arkansas Little Rock track athlete, and Osceola High School graduate, Rondaisha McNeal had a strong showing for the Trojans in the A-State Kickoff Classic in Jonesboro. Competing in the long jump, McNeal had the fifth best effort in school history, a leap of 17 feet, 8.75 inches. McNeal also finished in fourth place in the high jump with a 5 foot, 2.5 inch effort and was second in the triple jump posting a 36 foot, 1.5 inch distance...

Rivercrest quarterback/safety Kam Turner and Colts head coach Johnny Fleming are both Farm Bureau Award finalists. Turner, who is having one of the finest years in state history as a quarterback is also having a stellar year on the defensive side of the football. Turner is third in tackles with 74, 12 of them for a loss. He has recovered three fumbles, returning two of those for a score and has six deflected passes and four interceptions...

Osceola broke open a tight game with a dominant second and third quarters and went on to defeat visiting Corning Tuesday, 59-37. Osceola led it 14-12 after one period but outscored the visitors 41-15 in the middle two periods to take a 55-27 lead to the final quarter. The Seminoles led 34-22 at the half and used a 21-5 third quarter run to improve to 2-0 in conference 3-3A play...

Osceola overcame a first half deficit with a strong second quarter and went on to defeat visiting Corning 61-47 Tuesday at Seminole Arena. Osceola trailed 16-11 after one period but outscored the Lady Bobcats 20-10 in the second period to open up a five point halftime lead (31-26)...

The Lady Colts game against Osceola set for Thursday and the Colts game against the Seminoles scheduled for Friday have been cancelled. The games will be rescheduled. The new dates and times will be set and published in a future edition of The Times...

Osceola picked up its third win of the season against one loss with a 62-32 non-conference win over Forrest City and a narrow 67-65 loss at defending 3-3A champion Walnut Ridge. Lady Bobcats 67, OHS 65 Despite placing four players in double figures the Lady Seminoles opened conference play with a 67-65 loss at pre-season conference favorite Walnut Ridge Thursday...

OSCEOLA - Defending Class 3A boys state champion Osceola opened the 2020-2021 season with an impressive 86-71 victory over the visiting Walnut Ridge Bobcats Friday at Seminole Arena. Osceola scored 22 points in the first quarter and 21 in the second. After a 17 point third period, the Seminoles ran away from the Bobcats in the final frame scoring 26 points to bet the 15 point victory and open Conference 3-3A play with a victory...

Rivercrest won a pair of road games defeating Newport and opening conference 3-3A play with a win at Gosnell. Lady Colts 60, Lady Greyhounds 43 The Rivercrest Lady Colts improved to 3-3 on the season with a 60-43 non-conference road win over the Newport Lady Greyhounds Monday...

MARIE - Rivercrest scored 42 unanswered points over the first, second and third periods and went on to defeat visiting Crossett, 61-27 Friday in Class 4A football action at Cortez Kennedy Field. The win not only placed the Colts in the state semifinals but earned one last home game, as the Warren Lumberjacks upset the Nashville Scrappers 48-40. The Colts will host the Lumberjacks next Friday...

BOONEVILLE - The Booneville Bearcats used a fourth quarter goal line stand to hold off visiting Osceola 10-7 Friday in Class 3A Playoff action at Booneville. Osceola would get into position to take the lead with about four minutes to play in the game, but on a fourth and goal play from the one-yard line, Seminole quarterback Dontaven Littleton was stopped short. The Bearcats (11-2) would then be able to run out the clock to preserve their narrow victory...

MARIE - Rivercrest ran 435 yards, with quarterback Kam Turner gaining 253 yards, in a 48-23 victory over the once beaten Prairie Grove Tigers Friday at Cortez Kennedy Field. The Colts were never headed as their big play offense gained 574 yards while the Rivercrest defense held the “run heavy” Tigers 100 yards under their season average...

PINE BLUFF - Osceola (5-4) rode the backs of its stifling defense to post a 17-0 Class 3A State Playoff victory Friday on the road at Pine Bluff Dollarway. The Seminoles defense was dominant all night, after allowing the Cardinals 59 yards on their opening possession, Osceola surrendered only 18 yards the rest of the way...

WILSON - Rivercrest overcame a slow start with a third quarter touchdown barrage and would go on to defeat visiting Pottsville 38-6 Friday in Class 4A Playoff action at Cortez Kennedy Field. “Anytime some recovers an onside kick to start the game, it throws you off,” said Colts head coach Johnny Fleming. “It got us off our game but I was proud of the way my kids responded.”...

The Rivercrest cheer squad kept there perfect record going winning the Game Day Grand Champions award at the Southern Spirit Federation cheer competition held Nov. 8 at Brookland High School. The cheer squad took first place in the 1-3A Game Day division and brought home the Judges’ Choice award in both Crowd Leading and Fight Song. Rivercrest has won every in-state competition they have entered over the last four years...

Four members of the Rivercrest football team have been nominated for the 2020 Farm Bureau offensive player of the year award. Seniors Connor Gray, Gunnar McCullar, Kamron Turner and Keshawn Scott are all on the Class 4A list. In addition to the athletes, Colts head coach Johnny Fleming is also on the coach of the year list...

MANILA - Osceola (4-4, 4-1 in Conference 3-3A) broke open a tight game with 25 second quarter points and went on to defeat the Manila Lions 39-7 Friday at Lion Field. Osceola led 7-0 after one period but took advantage of excellent field position to score on four consecutive possessions in the second period ...

BLYTHEVILLE - Rivercrest scored 25 unanswered points across the first, second and third quarters and would go on to romp past the Blytheville Chickasaws 45-21 Friday at Haley Field. The win secured the Colts (9-0, 5-0) first unbeaten regular season since 2010 when the Colts went 15-0 and won the Class 3A State Title...

WILSON - Rivercrest overcame a slow start, losing three first quarter fumbles, but would have more than enough in the tank to take down the Trumann Wildcats, 35-6 Friday at Cortez Kennedy Field. The fifth ranked Colts rode the arm of senior quarterback Kamron Turner to improve to 8-0, 4-0 in Conference 3-4A)...

OSCEOLA - Osceola took the early lead but Hoxie would score 35 unanswered points over the second and third quarters and would go on to claim a 55-21 Conference 3-3A victory Friday at Seminole Stadium. The Mustangs (8-0, 5-0) seized the top-seed from the conference in the upcoming state playoffs which begin Nov. 13...