Bulldogs advance in 2A State Tourney
Earle boys roll over Junction City to open playoffs in Rector
From the Paxton Sports Bureau
Paxton Media Group
RECTOR — The Earle Bulldogs basketball program has a long tradition of excellence, including a pair of back-to-back state championships in 2017 and 2018.
Here in 2023, the Bulldogs and Coach Carl Miller are looking to add to that legacy as the 2A State Boys’
See EARLE, page A10
Photo courtesy of Arkansas Activities Association EARLE
From page A2
Basketball Tournament got underway on Wednesday at Rector High School.
Although the Bulldogs had a subpar regular season (59 in 2A Region 3 play, 1514 overall), the team seemed to gel at just the right time, running the table in the 2A North Conference Tournament and rattling off victories over Lee County (70-45), Rector (59-47) and Bay (68-53) to win the tourney and qualify as the top seed from the 2A North in the State Tournament.
That hot streak continued on Wednesday as the Bulldogs faced the Junction City Dragons (7-4 in 2A Region 8 play, 18-16 overall) who came in as the No. 4 seed from the 2A South.
The Bulldogs took control early, running up a 36-20 lead by halftime, and they did not look back, cruising to a 77-54 win and a spot in the second round.
Earle will be back in action tonight in the quarterfinals of the the tournament, although their opponent has yet to be decided. They will be taking on the winner of the Cedar Ridge vs.
Ozark Mountain match-up.
A win could set up a showdown with divison rivals East Poinsett County out of Lepanto. The Warriors (1413 overall, 7-7 in 2A Region 3 play) are the No.
3 seed from the 2A North.
Earle and EPC faced off twice in the regular season, splitting the series with both teams winning at home.
The Warriors beat the Bulldogs 60-58 on Dec. 6 in Lepanto, with Earle turning the tables and getting the win on their home court on Jan. 20, by a score of 48-44 to even the series.
With a spot in the 2A State Championship on the line, the two teams could be set to settle the score, as one will move on and the other will go home.
Tip-off tonight for the Bulldogs is set for 8:30 p.m. in Rector.
