Clay County Democrat: Sports

Cougars notch vitories over Bobcats, Warriors (03/10/10)
The Cougars picked up their first conference win Monday, topping host East Poinsett County 13-1 in Lepanto. Rector imposed their will upon the hosting club, dominating the game in the field and at the plate...

Lady Cougars downed by late-inning heroics (03/10/10)
The Lady Cougars opened up their softball season with a heartbreaker Monday, falling to host Walnut Ridge, 4-3, in the final frame. Rector moved ahead 2-0 in the top of the second on an RBI double by Rebecca Dodd. After the hosts scored a run on the bottom of the second, Rector's Amanda Bradford came home on passed ball, moving the Blue Crew ahead, 3-1...

Cougars downed in regional by tough Melbourne squad (03/04/10)
Rector boys basketball coach Matt Mills knew several weeks ago that a fourth-seed coming out of the District 2A-3 Tournament would be tough. That was because it was likely it would lead to a regional matchup...

Baseball team opens at Walnut Ridge (03/04/10)
It was a slow start to the season for the Cougars, as they fell to host Walnut Ridge, 5-1, to begin the 2010 baseball campaign. The first inning was rough for the Rector defense, as Walnut Ridge managed a 4-0 lead on four errors. The hosts led off with a walk, securing no hits in the frame...

Cougars headed to regional for first time in 10 years (02/24/10)
The Cougars had a daunting task ahead of them in last Thursday's district tournament semifinal game with East Poinsett County, matching up against the top team in 2A-3. In the end, the Warriors of EPC not only claimed the game, 57-27, but would go on to take the district crown during Friday night's final...

Lady Cougars battle EPC in second round meeting (02/24/10)
The Lady Cougars closed out their season in the second round of the district tournament a week ago Tuesday, falling to eventual runner-up East Poinsett County, 68-54. The first half was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams...

Cougars advance in tourney with win over Marked Tree (02/17/10)
The Cougars moved one step closer to a regional tournament berth Monday night, posting a 46-32 win over Marked Tree in the first round of the 2A-3 District Tournament in Rector. Rector took an 8-0 lead over the first three minutes of the game, collecting three-point baskets from Brandon Stevens and Zach Burleson and a bucket in the low post from Tyler Kirklin...

Lady Cougars dominant in win over Corss Co. (02/17/10)
The Lady Cougars eased their way through the first round of the 2A-3 District Tournament Monday evening in Rector, imposing their will upon the hapless Lady Thunderbirds of Cross County, 79-27. The Lady Cougars went to work early and often, utilizing their full-court press to cause severe difficulties for the Cross County offense and key numerous scoring opportunities in transition...

Cougars net key wins over BIC, Riverside (02/10/10)
The Cougars added to their momentum Friday night in Rector, coming away with a 38-37 win over Buffalo Island Central for the homecoming victory. Sophomore Brandon Steven had a huge night for the Cougars. Stevens made a potentially game-saving block in the paint an instant before the final buzzer sounded, keeping the one-point margin of victory secure...

Shooting woes hinder girls in pair of conference losses (02/10/10)
Thursday evening's Senior Night matchup with BIC was a difficult one for the Lady Cougars, as they were downed in Rector by their conference foe, 62-43. The guests took control early, starting the game with a 13-0 run over the opening 3:30...

Cougars and 'Hounds battle in classic rivalry matchup (02/03/10)
Another page was written in the Cougar-Greyhound basketball rivalry Thursday night in Rector. The evening, which featured junior and senior high boys and girls games, looked to belong to the visitors from Marmaduke, as the red and white warriors claimed the first three games in the set, coming away with victories in the junior girls, junior boys and senior girls contests...

Lady Cougars fall short in meeting with Marmaduke (02/03/10)
The Lady Cougars came up short in a methodically-paced meeting with Marmaduke Thursday night in Rector, falling 34-24. The first quarter saw the teams the teams examine each other for openings, coming to a 6-6 close...

Cougars scalp Mohawks in return of rivalry game (01/27/10)
The Cougars posted three wins over county rival Piggott in a series of games between the senior high, junior high and junior B teams which were only recently added to the schedule. The Cougars and their fans made a strong impression during their first official visit to the Mohawks home court since they completed their new gym in 2008...

Lady Cougars split conference outings (01/27/10)
The Lady Cougars came away with a 1-1 split in two crucial conference meetings last week. Friday night, Rector journeyed to Lepanto to face the talented Lady Warriors of East Poinsett County. The game proved to be a difficult challenge for the visitors, as Rector fell 62-50 on the night...

Cougars rout Cross County to earn key conference win (01/21/10)
The Cougars broke free from their holiday slump in front of their home crowd, topping the visiting Cross County Thunderbirds, 54-30. Rector led 12-7 after the first quarter, then really took over to start the second frame, rattling off 12 unanswered to move ahead 24-7 midway through the period. ...

Lady Cougars cruise to victory (01/21/10)
The Lady Cougars capped off an abbreviated week of action Friday, routing the visiting Cross County Lady Thunderbirds, 65-18, in their only contest. Rector got off to a quick start, using the full-court press to create havoc for their guests and cause a plethora of turnovers. ...

Lady Cougars battle Riverside and BIC (01/13/10)
Rector's senior girls couldn't quite overcome a woeful start and fell 47-44 to Riverside in conference basketball action Friday night at Lake City. Rector fell behind 8-5 in the early going but got closer on a three-pointer by Rebecca Dodd. After that it was all Riverside for a telling stretch in the first half...

Lady Cougars drop game at Marmaduke (01/07/10)
Democrat Sports Staff The Rector Lady Cougars started the New Year with a visit to Marmaduke Monday night, and despite taking an eight point lead into the fourth quarter, dropped a four point loss to the Lady Hounds...

Cougars ignore underdog role, hang with Rivercrest at NEA (12/30/09)
Rector's Cougars gave the heavily-favored Rivercrest Colts all they could handle on Wednesday of last week before eventually bowing out, 59-44, in a second-round game of the NEA Invitational Tournament at Jonesboro...

Lady Cougars battle BIC in tough tourney action (12/30/09)
Casual observers at the NEA Tournament at Arkansas State university's Convocation Center learned something most people in the local communities have been aware for some time: 2A girls high school basketball provides some of the most competitive, hard-fought games of any sport. ...

Lady Cougars blast Marked Tree to advance in NEA Tournament (12/24/09)
As expected, Rector's Lady Cougars came through with a solid performance to dispatch Marked Tree, 61-39, in first round action Monday night in the annual NEA Invitational Tournament at Jonesboro. After a somewhat sluggish start, Rector rolled off 17 straight points to move ahead 20-4 late in the first quarter. ...

Horton's big shot elevates Cougars in thrilling NEA win over Riverside (12/24/09)
Kirk Horton's driving layup with 1.5 seconds left proved to be the game-winner for the Rector Cougars in a 47-45 victory Monday afternoon over Riverside in the first round of the annual NEA Invitational Tournament at Jonesboro...

Girls' big lead turns into struggle (12/24/09)
The Lady Cougars hung on for a 64-61 win over the Lady Rockets of Turrell last Thursday night in Rector. The Lady Cougars looked to be in command early, rattling off 14 unanswered to close out the first quarter with a strong 20-6 lead. Chelsea Drope spurred the charge in the frame, connecting on back-to-back-to-back three-pointers...

Tough conference games yield two Rector losses (12/24/09)
For three quarters, the Cougars hung right with 2A-3 powerhouse Turrell Thursday night in Rector. Unfortunately, it was a difficult fourth quarter in which the 70-41 loss was determined. The Cougars began the night by giving the visiting Rockets, the number two ranked team in the conference, all they wanted in the opening frame. ...

Tough defense yields big win over Marked Tree and Cross Co. (12/17/09)
The Cougars cruised to a 56-28 win over Marked Tree on the hardwood Friday night in Rector. The game opened with a sluggish pace offensively, as neither team was able to manufacture much in the way of points, resulting in a 6-4 Marked Tree lead after the first period...