Rams beat Chicks at the line

By AARON FITZPATRICK

Blytheville Courier News

BLYTHEVILLE-The Blytheville Chickasaws are still searching for their first conference win over the year after a disappointing 71-59 loss to the visiting Paragould Rams Tuesday night at Chickasaw Gym.

The Rams (11-2, 2-0 5A-East) scored 31 of their 71 total points in the fourth period outscoring the Chicks, 31-13, over the final eight minutes. Brandon Clifford and Colin Kingston combined for 51 of the Rams 71 points and 18 in the fourth to lead Paragould.

A.J. Love's basket with just over six minutes to play in the game gave Blytheville a 50-45 lead. From that point Paragould embarked on a 16-2 run over the next five minutes of play and outscored Blytheville, 26-9 down the stretch.

"I really thought we had control early in the fourth," said Blytheville head coach, Bill Tyer. "We got some break aways and I thought we'd worn them down and they had lost their legs. But then we rushed some possessions. We took some ill-advised shots and didn't play good defense. We just shoot ourselves in the foot. The next time we get a lead like that late, we're shutting it down. Plus, they hit their free throws."

The Rams didn't just hit their free throws, they made all 17 attempts in the fourth period and 28 of their 29 attempts on the night.

"How many times do you see a team hit 28 free throws. We outscored them from the field but they hit 28 free throws.

Conversely, the Chicks shot just nine free throws all night and made only four. Paragould enjoyed a 12-4 foul advantage in the second half.

Prior to the Rams fourth period explosion, the game was a back and fourth affair. Over the first three and a half periods, there were seven ties and 15 lead changes with no team having more than a six point advantage at any time.

"They had two real quality players," said Tyer. "That hurt us defensively because if you help on one, that left the other one open for a three."

Clifford and Kingston combined for five three pointers. Kingston, the center and biggest player on the court, extended the Chicks defense with his outside shooting prowess.

Clifford hit a bomb as tire expired in the first as Blytheville led 12-0 at the end of the one period. John Allen Guyton hit a basket as time ticked down in the second period and Blytheville took a 23-22 lead into the locker room.

Mike Williams hit a layup as time expired in the third giving Blytheville a 46-40 lead heading into the fourth period.

The loss drops the Chicks to 6-7 overall and 0-2 in the 5A-East with Batesville coming to Chickasaw Gym Friday night.

"We're right back where we were last year," said Tyer. "0-2 and now we have to get back to work and regroup."

The Chicks were led by Mahlik Lewis who scored 16 points, Issac Kelly added 15 and Williams chipped in eight.

Clifford led all scorers with 26 points for Paragould and Kingston added 25.

Friday night's action begins with girls varsity at 5:30 p.m.

GIRLS

Paragould 55, Blytheville 35

The Blytheville Lady Chickasaws remained winless in conference play after a 55-35 loss to the Paragould Lady Rams Tuesday night.

Paragould led from start to finish Tuesday night. They led 14-7 at the end of the first, 30-21 at halftime and 39-25 heading into the fourth.

Dawn Anderson led the Lady Chicks with 12 points and Timara Rogers added 11.

Zoey Beasley led the Lady Rams with 12 points.

Blytheville drops to 3-12 on the year and 0-2 in the 5A-East with Batesville coming to town on Friday night.