State sports briefs

— BASKETBALL UAM’s Forge honored by GAC

Arkansas-Monticello senior guard Kori Forge has been named the Great American Conference men’s basketball player of the week after breaking the league’s single-game scoring record of 36 points in last Monday’s 79-71 nonconference victory over Southwest Baptist at home.

Forge made 12 of 19 field goal attempts, including 6 of 12 from threepoint range. Forge also had a career-high eight assists.

Throughout 10 games this season, Forge is currently leading the Great American Conference in scoring with an average of 22.3 points per game.

FOOTBALL Former SAU coach Whittington dies

Former Southern Arkansas University assistant football coach and longtime director of admissions James “Sonny” Whittington died Friday at the John R. Williamson Hospice House in El Dorado. He was 73.

Born March 4, 1939 in Rison, Whittington first came to Southern Arkansas as a freshman from Rison in the fall of 1957 when the school was Southern State College. He finished his Mulerider career as an All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) cornerback in 1960.

As a sophomore, he was the starting quarterback for the football team. When Mulerider All-America quarterback Calvin Neal returned from military service, Whittington was shifted to play other positions, including tight end. He finished his football career at defensive back and being named All-AIC in 1960.

After coaching stints at Fordyce and Pine Bluff, Whittington joined the SAU coaching staff in December 1968. While Whittington was on the staff, the Muleriders went 62-38-2 (.618) in 10 seasons in 1969-1978.

Whittington left coaching in 1979 and was named director of admissions and recruiting at SAU. He served in that position for 23 years before retiring in 2001.

Whittington is survived by his wife Sherry of Magnolia, son Mike and daughter Whitney, and two grandchildren.

Funeral services are scheduled at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Central Baptist Church in Magnolia.

Sports, Pages 21 on 12/25/2012

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