Scott Eubanks poured in a game high 21 points to lead the Manila Lions to a 60-48 3A-3 conference victory over Rivercrest Friday night at Wilson. Brady Jones also hit double digits, scoring 15 points, while Zack Day added nine more for the Lions, who upped their overall record to 8-3 and conference mark to 5-1.
The Lions began the week, dropping their first conference game of the season, 74-56 to Earle at Manila on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 23-11 lead after the first quarter and stretched its advantage to 44-26 at the half. Earle took a 57-42 lead into the final frame.
Autry Allen led Earle with 22 points while Alrico Knighten added 20 more. Carlton Mitchell also hit double digits, scoring 13 points as Earle improved to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in league play.
Brady Jones led the Lions with 16 points while Dillon Burrow scored 11 more. Zack Day and Dylan Bogle tallied eight points apiece, Scott Eubanks scored six, Garrett Baker and Dustin Sirmon netted three points each while Zack Reinhart added one point.
In junior high action, Manila defeated Earle 56-40 behind Thomas Davis' game high 26 points. Davis ripped the nets, drilling four three pointers on the night. Kyle Joyner scored 15 points. Daniel Dees tallied seven, Caleb Reinhart netted four while Alldonn Skelton and Gavin Parker added two points apiece.
Lady Lions
In senior girls action, Manila split a pair of conference games, losing 54-52 Monday night at Rivercrest before bouncing back to defeat Piggott 47-39 Thursday night at home.
Shelby Wallace scored a game high 20 points in Manila's loss to Rivercrest while Kirsten Adcock added 17 more, including five three pointers. Kailen Shelton netted eight, Kristen Wise scored five while Taylor Teague added two points. Manila connected on 14-20 free throws and drilled eight treys on the night.
Dominique Brown led the Lady Colts with 19 points. Rivercrest hit five of nine free throws and made three treys.
Manila held a 19-18 edge after the opening quarter before Rivercrest rallied to take a 33-25 advantage at the half. The Lady Colts built their lead to 48-37 entering the final period of play.
In Thursday night's win over Piggott, Shelby Wallace led Manila with a game high 15 points. Deven Burrow scored eight, Kirsten Adcock and Kristen Wise netted seven points apiece, Kailen Shelton tallied six while Taylor Teague added four points.
Mallory Wright led Piggott with 12 points.
The Lady Mohawks held a 12-7 lead after the first quarter of play but Manila rallied to take a 20-18 edge at the half. The Lady Lions increased their lead to 34-26 after three quarters of play.
In junior high action, Manila lost to Rivercrest 47-37 Monday night before bouncing back to take a 46-43 win Thursday night over Piggott.
Alexis Graham scored 11 points while Mercedes Elliott and Kayla Jarrett added 10 points apiece to lead the Lady Colts, who led 9-3 after the first quarter, 20-16 at the half and 32-30 after three periods of play.
Haley Hicks pumped in a game high 20 points to lead Manila in scoring while Taylor Harmon scored nine. Laura Woody and Heather Hollis netted three points apiece while MacKenzie Tate and Sarah Pentecost pitched in one point each.
Taylor Harmon scored 18 points to lead Manila over Piggott while Haley Hicks added 16 more. Laura Woody and Heather Hollis tallied five points apiece while Sydney Wagner and Katlyn Boatman contributed one point each. Manila hit 19-35 free throws and made five three pointers.
Bailey Pollard led Piggott with nine points. The Lady Mohawks hit eight of 17 free throws and also hit five treys on the night.
The senior boys will open NEA Tournament play Wednesday, Dec. 21, as the number eight seed. The Lions will battle ninth seeded Buffalo Island Central in a 4:30 p.m. tipoff.
The Lady Lions will enter the NEA Tournament as the number nine seed and will take on eighth seeded Highland in a 10:30 a.m. contest Wednesday, Dec. 21.