Stories from Friday, February 1, 2019

Denise Corkran Johnson, 57, of Blytheville, passed away Jan. 29, 2019, at her home. Born to Jimmy and Doris (White) Corkran in Osceola, she was the Ministerial Assistant at Calvary Baptist Church in Osceola, employee of Dr. Scott Johnson and a member of the First Baptist Church in Luxora. ...

Johnny Wayne Andrew, 67, of Osceola, died Jan. 30, 2019, at NEA Baptist in Jonesboro. He was a retired truck driver for Fed-Ex. Mr. Andrew was born March 13, 1951, in Tyronza to Johnny Junior and Betty Lou Vannatter Andrew. He was preceded in death by his parents; one stepson, Mallory "Kip" Terry; and two sisters, Pam Brister and Judy Andrew...

On Jan. 29, 2019, Larry Gene Coursey passed away. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Ethel Johnson, who raised him; his mother, Caranada Chamberlain; his father, Ernest Coursey; his sisters, Janice Taylor and Pamela Harmon; and his brothers, Tommy and Brian...

Gosnell head football coach Brandon Barbaree had accepted the Fountain Lake head coaching job. “I accepted a job at Fountain Lake High School in Hot Springs,” Barbaree told the NEA Town Courier. “I think it’s a good opportunity for my family and me. ...

Sedric D. Wesson was born August 21, 1934 to Hardy and Eunice Wesson in Fountain Hill, Arkansas. He died January 31, 2019 in New Braunfels, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara White, and sons Jim (Susan) and David and four grandchildren, Taylor, Hannah, Abbie, and Bryce...

The Manila Middle School (MMS) robotic program has reached a new high as one of Manila's six teams will be representing Arkansas at an international robotic event in May. MMS team, Builder Pro, recently won the Champions Award at state and received an invitation to the Razorback International Competition...

Walnut Ridge sophomore Bailey Augustine pumped in 36 points, including the game winning bucket with just 11 seconds remaining, lifting the Lady Bobcats to a stirring 45-44 victory over Manila Monday night at Walnut Ridge. The Lady Bobcats held a slim 13-11 edge after the first quarter before increasing their lead to 24-19 at the half. Walnut Ridge carried a 37-31 advantage into the fourth period...

MANILA— The Gosnell Lady Pirates advanced their win streak to two games after defeating the Manila Lady Lions 52-36 Thursday night on the road in a 3A-3 conference matchup. The Lady Pirates led 20-14 at the half after jumping out to a 13-7 lead. GHS outscored the Lady Lions 32-22 in the second half...

Melbourne defended its home court, and in the process wrapped up at least a share of the 2A-3 conference championship with a 58-46 victory over Riverside Wednesday night. The Lady Bearkatz sank 14-18 foul shots and held off a late Lady Rebel charge in the final quarter to preserve the victory. Melbourne grabbed a 16-11 lead after the first break and took a 31-25 advantage into the dressing room at intermission...

Manila clinched the outright 3A-3 conference championship with a 56-38 victory over Walnut Ridge Tuesday night at Lion Gymnasium. The Lions got off to a sluggish start, falling behind 14-11 after the first quarter. Manila rallied in the second period, outscoring the...

Buffalo Island Central completed a regular season sweep of rival Riverside, defeating the Rebels 50-38 Tuesday night at Lake City. Riverside took a 10-9 lead after the first quarter when Gage Crews dropped in a short jumper on the baseline. The second stanza belonged to the Mustangs. Eli Cordero drained a three pointer at the 6:06 mark to tie the game at 14-all. Riverside took a brief two-point edge on its next possession when Ethan Boatman powered his way for an inside bucket...

The Blytheville ChickaBsaws posted another key conference win Friday night, sweeping Batesville Southside on the road, 65-50. The win improves the Chicks’ record to 15-5 overall and 10-3 in the 4A-3. “Great game & atmosphere,” Chickasaw head coach McKenzie Pierce wrote on Facebook.  “Lost our poise for a little while in the 4th quarter but were able to regroup & make clutch FTs down the stretch. Have to execute better down the stretch. Brookland at home Tuesday for Senior night!”...

ARMOREL — The Maynard Tigers jumped out to a big lead Friday night in the first quarter on Armorel’s Senior Night, but Armorel clawed back into the game and was a three-pointer away from possibly sending the game into overtime. However, the pass was intercepted, and the Maynard Tigers completed the sweep as they defeated Armorel, 57-52...

With the Pirates trailing 3A-3 Conference champion Manila by one with 8.2 seconds left in overtime, Gosnell’s Brett Barbaree snatched the defensive rebound on missed free throw and pushed it ahead to Cadarius Young who sprinted upcourt. Young handed off to sharpshooter Cody Keene who fired a pass to an open Brayden Burcham in the left corner. However, Burcham couldn’t get the shot off in time and Manila hung on for the 55-54 overtime win...