High School: ARKANSAS PRIDE CLASSIC

Hurricane hold on behind guard play

Jonesboro had its hands full with Little Rock Christian on Thursday, but the defending Class 6A state champions eventually accomplished what they wanted.

Senior forward Marcedus Leech scored 12 of his team-high 15 points in the second half as the Hurricane broke free late to come away with a 56-44 victory in the Arkansas Pride Classic at North Little Rock's Charging Wildcat Arena.

Senior guard Shamari Milton had 13 points and sophomore guard Keyln McBride scored 9 points and had 3 steals for the Hurricane, which had a tough time shaking the Warriors who were playing without all-everything guard Justice Hill. Hill has decided to skip the basketball season and head to the University of Arkansas as an early enrollee.

Jonesboro Coach Wes Swift wasn't feeling too sorry for Little Rock Christian, which gave the Jonesboro all it wanted.

"I know that team probably expected to have Justice this year, but his decision to head on up to Fayetteville put a big hole in that team," he said. "Those guys are still trying to figure out their roles this year. But I tell you what, if they listen to [Little Christian] Coach [Clarence] Finley, they're gonna figure out ways to win.

"That's a tough bunch and they're gone fight to the end, but we'll take a win any way we can right now."

Senior forward Lamar Washington also had nine points for Jonesboro (5-2). Senior forward Kyle Moore added 14 rebounds.

Junior guard Luke Grawer had 18 points for Little Rock Christian (3-3). The Warriors also got an eight-point, 11-rebound effort from senior guard Cortez Finley.

Jonesboro, which will play again today at 1 p.m. against the winner of Thursday's late game between Jacksonville and Texarkana, finished 18 of 45 compared to 15 of 44 for Little Rock Christian.

JACKSONVILLE 79, TEXARKANA 56

Jacksonville had a strong rebounding advantage and placed four players in double figures to rout Texarkana.

T.J. Stewart had 17 points for the Titans, who will face Jonesboro at 1 p.m. Joseph Phillips had 13 points, Jordan Maxwell added 12 and Jaden Cope finished with 10 for Jacksonville (3-2), which outrebounded the Razorbacks 51-24.

Micah Yarber scored 15 points and Jaylon Randle had 12 for Texarkana (1-6).

MILLS 80, CAMDEN FAIRVIEW 46

Senior guard Branton McCrary finished with 20 points as Mills (9-3) blew past Camden Fairview. Senior forward Kevin Cross had 19 points and his classmate, Robert Shelton, chipped in with 11 for the Comets. Mills will play El Dorado at 12:30 p.m. today.

Demarcus Morgan and Chris Strahan had 11 points each for Camden Fairview (4-5).

NORTH LITTLE ROCK 78, DUMAS 60

North Little Rock forced Dumas into 21 turnovers and got 19 points and 12 rebounds from senior forward Collin Moore in its 18-point victory.

Senior forwards Shawn Fudge and Kylon McCollough had 15 and 11 points, respectively, for the Charging Wildcats, who trailed 34-33 early in the third quarter. North Little Rock (7-1) hit 29 of its 57 shots but held a 37-22 cushion on the glass. The host will play Little Rock Fair at 11:30 a.m. today.

Junior guard D.J. Russell led Dumas (3-3) with 15 points. Senior guard Otha Phillips had 14 points and junior guard Chris Harris ended with 10. Sophomore forward Kylin James also had 10 points.

LR FAIR 51, MAUMELLE 47

Senior guard Earlon Boose made two free throws with 10.1 seconds left to give Little Rock Fair the space it needed to fend off a late charge from Maumelle.

Boose finished with 10 points for Fair, which held on despite a miserable third quarter. The War Eagles led 30-22 at halftime but shot 2 of 14 in the third quarter and trailed 39-34 heading into the fourth. But Fair (3-3) scored the first 11 points of the final quarter before holding on for the victory.

Senior guard Braylon Haynie scored 16 points and junior center Jailon Tyson finished with 11 for Fair.

Senior forward Brahm Harris had 20 points and 10 rebounds for Maumelle (3-4).

At Mills High School

OKLAHOMA CITY 62, LITTLE ROCK McCLELLAN 51

Senior guard Cyrus Harmon scored 13 points as Oklahoma City erased a six-point halftime deficit to beat Little Rock McClellan.

Freshman guard Jarrett Grisham had 12 points and junior guard Andrew Lewis had 10 for the Storm, who were down 27-21 at the break and 44-40 at the start of the fourth quarter before holding McClellan to just seven points over the final eight minutes. Oklahoma City will play Southwest Christian Academy at 1 p.m. today.

Senior guard Demetrius Torrence had 19 points to lead McClellan (5-3).

EL DORADO 69, WATSON CHAPEL 63

Senior guards B.J. Johnson (23) and Jo Ramey (22) accounted for 45 points for El Dorado (4-5), which hung on to beat Watson Chapel.

Junior guard Brendan Simmons added 10 points for the Wildcats. Junior guard Jordan Tillman had a game-high 24 points and senior guard Kavon Mitchell finished with 13 for Watson Chapel (2-5).

Sports on 12/21/2018

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