Sunday, February 3, 2013

Tuesday Promotion; Sr. Night on Friday Highlight Final Week of Regular Season



The Last week of the regular season for Arkadelphia basketball is shaping up to be an exciting one as the 9th grade and varsity Badger and Lady Badger programs are gearing up for post-season play. The teams play their final regular season games this week and then turn their attention toward their respective tournaments.
This week will see the final home games for the junior and senior high teams, the undefeated CAC boys’ team which is ranked No. 6 in the state in 4A in town on Tuesday, and Senior Night Festivities on Friday. 

Below is this week’s schedules for Arkadelphia basketball:
MONDAY: 8th grade boys, 9th grade girls, and 9th grade boys at HS Lakeside – 5:00 p.m.
TUESDAY: AHS vs. Central Arkansas Christian at AHS
THURSDAY: 8th grade boys, 9th grade girls, and 9th grade boys vs. Magnolia – 5:00 p.m.
FRIDAY: AHS Senior Night vs. Bauxite at AHS

VARSITY BADGERS AND LADY BADGERS
The Badgers currently sit in second place in the 7-4A conference at 9-3, one game ahead of Arkansas Baptist which enters the final week with a record of 8-4. Central Arkansas Christian has clinched the first seed in next week’s District Tournament at Bauxite as the Mustangs will come to AHS sporting a 12-0 record in league play and a No. 6 ranking in the state in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Class 4A Super Six.

Tuesday night will feature a couple of promotions from Chicken Express of Arkadelphia in which fans can take part. Coupons for a free 32-ounce tea from Chicken Express will be passed out to the first 65 people who sign up to enter the halftime contest for the evening.

During halftime of the boys’ game against CAC, Chicken Express is offering a $20 gift card to a lucky fan who can beat APSD Athletic Director Chris Babb in a shooting contest. Names will be drawn from those who purchase a ticket at the Chicken Express table located in the main entrance hall leading into Badger Gymnasium.

When they face the Mustangs, the Badgers will be looking to solidify the second seed in next week’s District Tournament at Bauxite. The District Tournament and Regional Tournament format for selecting State Tournament participants is different for Badgers fans who have been used to 5A play in the past.


The final four teams in the District Tournament will advance to the 4A South Regional which will be hosted by Arkadelphia at Ouachita’s Bill Vining Arena Feb. 20-23. The second-place finish in regular season play is important because the first and second seeds in the District Tournament automatically qualify for the Regional Tournament without playing a game. However, the teams will be playing for a 7-4A Championship and seeding in the Regional.

The Badgers are one game ahead of Arkansas Baptist which stands in third place right now at 8-4 with two games to play. The Badgers would have an advantage in a tie-break as the Badgers swept Arkansas Baptist in the two regular-season match-ups.

The task will be a tall one against CAC which defeated the Badgers last month in North Little Rock, handing AHS its second conference loss with a 54-34 decision. CAC has wrapped up the first seed and is playing for an undefeated regular season conference record. Friday night on Senior Night, the Badgers will play Bauxite which began the conference slate at 7-2 before hitting a tough spot in the schedule.

The Lady Badgers have a particularly tough task this week as they will be facing two of the top three girls’ teams in the 7-4A in CAC and Bauxite. The Lady Badgers will need to win two games in the District Tournament to qualify for the 4A South Regional. As of now, the Lady Badgers would face either Nashville or Arkansas Baptist in the first round with the winner facing Ashdown for the right to qualify for the Regional Tournament. The Lady Badgers have wins over both Nashville and Arkansas Baptist so far this season, so the task – although tall – wouldn’t be impossible.

Senior Night activities will take place Friday night between the girls’ and boys’ varsity games. AHS will recognize seniors from the Lady Badger and Badger teams as well as spirit squad members who have done their part in supporting AHS this season.


9th GRADE BADGERS AND LADY BADGERS
The season is also winding down for Arkadelphia’s junior high teams as Lakeside and Magnolia are the two final regular season opponents. Monday’s game at Lakeside will be followed by the home finale Thursday night against Magnolia.

The junior high conference tournament will begin Saturday, February 9, at Magnolia High School with first-round games. The semifinals will be played Monday, February 11, with the championship games taking place on Thursday, February 14. 

Admission to high school games is $5 for adults and $4 for students and admission to junior high games is $4 for adults and $3 for students.