The Batesville Pioneers would head to Greene County Friday night for another 5A East doubleheader as they would look to exact a little revenge and even of the season series with the Paragould Lady Rams and Rams.
In the opener, the Lady Pioneers offense would struggle to get going early as the Lady rams offense came out firing knocking down four three-pointers and opening up a sizable 20 to 8 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The offensive woes would continue in the second for Batesville as the Lady Rams would increase their lead to 33 to 15 at the halftime break. Every time the Pioneers would begin to close in the second half, the Lady Rams would counter and would ultimately defeat the Lady Pioneers 57 to 37.
Leading the way in scoring for the Lady Pioneers was senior Taylor Rush with a game-high 24 points. Following her in scoring was senior Emily Harrison with six, senior Anna Clair Ezell with three, and junior Abby Hurley with two points.
In the nightcap, the Pioneers would see an early deficit brought about by offensive woes just like the ladies as they would muster just four points in the first quarter. From then on it was a gradual comeback from the Pioneers as they would erupt for 19 points in the second quarter and would close the deficit to 33 to 23 at the half behind ten Logan McSpadden points in the second quarter. From there, the Pioneers would methodically close the deficit to five heading into the fourth quarter outscoring the Rams by five in the third quarter. A back and forth affair would ensue in the final eight minutes as the Pioneers would pull to within a basket several times, before several costly mistakes and big baskets by the Rams would lead them to a 60 to 49 win over the Pioneers.
Leading the Pioneers in scoring were seniors Logan McSpadden and JT Morgan with 17 points apiece, sophomore Will Hendrix would add five points, freshman Talen Foree also added five points, senior Wes Lange would tack on three, and junior Cory Cothrine would add two points.
Both Pioneer teams now return home to Pioneer Gymnasium Tuesday night as they will host the Marion Patriots in another conference doubleheader.
Senior girls action will tip off around 6 p.m. with the senior boys to follow and can be heard on 93 KZLE, online at WhiteRiverNow.com, and on the White River Now mobile app.
Article by Wes Gwaltney, The Voice of Pioneer Basketball on 93 KZLE
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
