Earle hands Lions first conference loss, 70-54

Earle slipped into Manila Friday night and handed the Lions their first conference loss of the season with a convincing 70-54 victory in 3A-3 conference play.

Lion senior Kam Ashabranner skies to the rim in senior boys basketball action Friday night at Manila.

The Lions took a 14-12 lead after the first quarter, but the Bulldogs used their quickness to take control in the second period, pulling ahead 28-23 at the half. Earle continued to build on its lead in the third quarter and took a 43-31 advantage into the final frame.

Dalvin Kimble poured in a game high 22 points to lead the Bulldogs while teammates Robert Marshall and Autry Allen pitched in 16 and 13 points respectively. The 'Dogs connected on 21-36 free throws and forced the Lions into 21 turnovers.

Levi Wallace led the Lions with 19 points while Kam Ashbranner added 17 and J.J. Helton pitched in 10 points. Garrett Scott scored eight points for Manila, who hit 12-17 foul shots.

Taylor Morgan (21) and Levi Wallace (25) battle an unidentified Bulldog for the ball.

The Lions got back on the winning track Saturday night, thrashing Harrisburg 93-25 to improve to 18-6 overall and 11-1 in conference play. Levi Wallace led four Lions in double figures with a game high 16 points. Dylan Bogle tallied 14 points, J.J. Helton netted 11 while Garrett Scott added 10.

In junior high action, Manila won a pair of conference match-ups, defeating Earle 50-27 before downing Harrisburg 67-55.

Thomas Davis scored 16 points to lead the junior Lions over the Bulldogs. Kyle Joyner also hit double digits, scoring 13 points. Scott Eubanks tallied seven, Caleb Reinhart contributed six, Kyle Williams tallied four while Tanner Platz and Seth Grissom added two points apiece. The Lions connected on 14-22 foul shots and hit four three pointers.

Manila led 12-2 after the first period, 28-15 at the half and 38-20 heading into the fourth quarter.

Junior high Lion Caleb Reinhart plays defense against the junior Bulldogs Friday night.

Manila will return to action Tuesday night when they travel to Wilson to take on Rivercrest in a key 3A-3 conference battle. The Lions will close out conference play Friday night, hosting Piggott.

Lady Lions

The Lady Lions split a pair of conference contests, losing Monday night 69-58 to Corning before bouncing back for a 53-41 victory over Hoxie Thursday night at Manila.

Emily Cook pumped in a team high 22 points in Manila's loss to Corning. Kirsten Adcock scored 13 while Shelby Wallace added 11. Cortney Craine tallied eight while Taylor Teague and Jordan Robertson pitched in two points apiece. Manila hit 16-23 free throws and made four three pointers.

Sierra Scheffler led all scorers, pouring in 23 points for the Lady Bobcats. Whitney Woodard added 22 more. Corning hit 13-18 free throws and drilled four treys on the night.

The Lady Bobcats held a 15-12 advantage after the first period and took a 34-31 edge into the dressing room at the half. Corning led 55-50 after three quarters.

Kirsten Adcock scored 19 points to lead Manila over Hoxie. Shelby Wallace also hit double digits, scoring 10 points. Emily Cook scored nine, Taylor Teague netted eight while Cortney Craine added seven to round out the Lady Lion scoring attack. Manila hit 18-29 free throws and made three treys.

In junior high action, Manila outscored Corning 38-23 behind Deven Burrow's 24 point performance, which included six three pointers. Kailen Shelton had six points, Bailey Towell tallied four, Haley Hicks netted three while Charlie Smith added one point. Manila hit seven of 10 free throws and drained seven three pointers.

Alix Hampton led Corning with 12 points. The Lady Bobcats hit seven of 12 foul shots and made two treys.

Courtney Sears and Brandy Alls scored 14 and 12 points respectively to lead Hoxie to a 42-32 win over Manila Thursday night. Hoxie jumped to a 17-5 lead after the first period and held a 25-17 advantage at the half. The Lady Mustangs took a 35-25 lead into the final frame.

The Lion cheerleaders ready to take the court at halftime.

Deven Burrow drilled four three pointers to finish with 12 points in leading the Lady Lions in scoring. Charlie Smith tallied nine, Haley Hicks netted six, Taylor Harmon contributed three while Heather Hollis added two points. Manila attempted just one free throw on the night while hitting six three pointers.

The Lady Lions return to the hard-court Monday night when they travel to Wilson to take on Rivercrest in 3A-3 conference play. Manila will close out the conference season hosting Piggott Thursday night at home.