Rebels and Lions fall in NEA Tournament quarterfinals

Rico Mayo poured in a game high 30 points to propel Westside to a 76-59 victory over Riverside in the quarterfinals of the Northeast Arkansas Invitational Tournament Monday at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro.

The Rebels jumped to a 15-9 lead in the opening quarter, capped off by Luke Baker's three pointer. But the Warriors charged back behind Caleb Price, who scored seven straight points, including a triple at the buzzer to give Westside a 16-15 edge at the break.

Riverside began the second quarter with a 10-2 run to grab a 25-18 advantage, but the Warriors bounced back once again, outscoring the Rebels 16-9 to square things at 34-34 late in the first half. Kollin Stone put the Rebels on top with a free throw at the 38 second mark, but Zac Preston drained a trey just before the halftime horn sounded, giving Westside a 37-35 lead at intermission.

The Warriors opened the second half with a 6-0 run to stretch their advantage to 43-35. Riverside fought back, pulling to within one, 45-44, but Westside closed the period going on a 10-2 spurt, sparked by seven Mayo points to claim a 55-46 lead heading into the final frame.

The Warriors pulled away in the fourth quarter, advancing to the semifinals.

Chase Mickelson and Preston joined Mayo in double figures for the Warriors, scoring 16 and 13 points respectively.

Lion sophomore Matthew May (2) drives the lane while Valley View's Alexander Gorton (14) defends. The Blazers defeated Manila 79-56 in NEA Tournament quarterfinal action. (Town Crier photos/Anthony Cossey

Manila's Jake Helton shoots over Valley View's Matt Owens (24) in NEA quarterfinal action at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro.

Baker topped the Rebels with 14 points. Brandon Sain chipped in 13 while Kollin Stone added a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Valley View defeated Manila for the third time this season, posting a 79-56 victory over the Lions in the NEA quarterfinals Monday night.

Matt Owens pumped in 27 points, including five three pointers, to lead the Blazers, while teammate Alexander Gorton chipped in 19 more.

Valley View began the game with a 9-0 spurt, and led 16-6 before the Lions outscored the Blazers 10-2 to chop the lead to 18-16. Caleb Reinhart and Seth Grissom sparked the Manila comeback. Valley View closed the half on a 23-7 run to grab a 41-33 halftime lead.

The Blazers led by as many as 27 in the fourth quarter, 70-43, and coasted in to the tournament semifinals with the win.

Reinhart led the Lions with 18 points.

All NEA Tournament selections included Caleb Reinhart of Manila, Kollin Stone and Luke Baker from Riverside and Austin Pike and Seth Eatmon from Buffalo Island Central.