Blytheville Courier News
BATESVILLE -- Since the two began playing league games in the 2004-05 season, Blytheville has swept Batesville six straight seasons.
The Chicks take a 12-game winning streak over the Pioneers into tonight's 5A-East contest at Pioneer Gym.
Blytheville has won those meetings by an average of 16.9 points per game, though the Pioneers have played the Chicks close in two of the last four games.
Blytheville won last year's home game, 51-47, and escaped with a 63-61 overtime win at Pioneer Gym in 2009.
The Chicks would love to make it 13 straight wins over Batesville tonight.
Blytheville (7-3, 1-0) enters the game with some momentum, riding a four-game winning streak, including last Friday's 62-46 conference opening victory against 10-3 Beebe.
Meanwhile, Batesville (2-11, 0-1) has gotten off to a rocky start as football standout Matthew Showalter tried to get into basketball shape.
Junior guard Tanner Ring has been the go-to guy for the Pioneers, leading them in scoring.
This year, Blytheville has overcome a lack of size with its quickness.
Teams have struggled with the Chicks' athleticism.
In past seasons, that is where Blytheville has had an advantage over the Pioneers as well.
The game will follow the Blytheville-Batesville girls game, which tips off at 5:30 tonight.
The Lady Chickasaws (5-6, 1-0 5A-East) are coming off a thrilling 45-43 win over Beebe, while the Lady Pioneers (7-6, 0-1 5A-East) will try to bounce back from a 49-41 loss to Paragould in their conference opener.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com