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Basketball

Girls

Class 2A state tournament

Howe 54, Fairview 51

Baseball

Pocola 11, Arkoma 1

Arkoma 5, Heavener 4

 Pocola 5, Heavener 1

Cameron 10, Valliant JV 0

Cameron 5, Asher 3

Panama 5, Buffalo Valley 0

Talihina 8, Oktaha 5

Slow pitch softball

Panama 7, Wilburton 0

Kiowa 12, Talihina 3

Crowder 4, Wister 3

To make a correction, addition or suggestion, email [email protected].

Howe’s girls defeated the Fairview Yellowjackets 54-51 in the OSSAA Class 2A girls basketball state semifinal on Friday at Yukon High School to advance to Saturday’s championship game.

The Lady Lions improved to 28-3 (ranked #2), while Fairview finished 25-3 (ranked #7).Howe built an early 17-12 lead after the first quarter but trailed 28-23 at halftime. They outscored Fairview 20-9 in the fourth quarter to pull ahead.

Howe scoring

This victory advances Howe to their first state championship game since 2023 (fourth of the decade).

They face Vanoss (28-2, ranked #5) in the Class 2A final on Saturday at 11:45 a.m. at the OG&E Coliseum in Oklahoma City. Vanoss advanced with a 33-28 semifinal win over Latta ranked Dale in the quarterfinals, 44-39.

 NASHVILLE, Tennessee. – Darius Acuff Jr. backed up his SEC Player of the Year honors with 37 points – the second-most by a Razorback in the SEC Tournament - to lead #17 Arkansas to an 82-79 victory over #11 seed Oklahoma in the SEC Quarterfinals Friday night at Bridgestone Arena. 

Arkansas, the #3 seed, advances to play #15 seed Ole Miss in the semifinals on Saturday at 2:30 pm. The game will be televised on ESPN. 

As it did in a win in Norman earlier in the year, Arkansas trailed at halftime and the second half was a back-and-forth affair. 

The Razorbacks were down four with 9:38 to play. The Hogs tied the game and, over the next four minutes, there were three ties. The last tie was 67-67 with 5:38 to play before Arkansas went on a 9-2 run to lead by seven (76-69) with 2:27 to play. 

Oklahoma kept battling and was down two with 53 seconds left. With 29 ticks left, Oklahoma’s Mohamed Wague blocked a shot but Arkansas retained possession. With five seconds left on the shot clock, Acuff took the inbounds pass and made a tough jumper on the right baseline to give Arkansas some breathing room. Meleek Thomas sank two free throws with 18 seconds left to put Arkansas up four. After a basket by the Sooners, Acuff went 1-of-2 at the line with 10 seconds left. Oklahoma had one last 3-point attempt but came up empty. 

Trevon Brazile added sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Acuff added five rebounds and five assists. 

Oklahoma was led by Nijel Pack’s 19 points. However, he scored 16 first-half points and was just 1-of-7 from the field in the second half. Tae Davis and Derrion Reid each scored 17 points and Wague added 13. 

The Rebels defeated Texas in the opening round, Georgia in the second round and #2 seed Alabama in the quarterfinal. 

FIRST HALF: ARK: 37 – OKLA: 39

• Arkansas scored first but only led for 6:06 in the half.

• The Sooners only shot 43.8% from the field and were just 1-of-7 from deep and out-rebounded the Razorbacks, 22-14.

• Arkansas was led by Darius Acuff Jr.. The freshman scored 21 points (7-of-10 FG – 4-of-7 3PT). He was his second-most points in the first half this season, getting 22 at Alabama. It was the sixth time Acuff has scored at least 20 in a half this season.

• However, other than Acuff, Arkansas was just 6-of-21 (28.6%) from the field.

• Nijel Pack led the Sooners with 16 points (5-of-8 FG – 5-of-5 FT).

• Oklahoma only had five assists and the Razorbacks forced six turnovers thanks to five steals. 

SECOND HALF: ARK: 45 – OKLA: 40

• Arkansas out-rebounded the Sooners, 23-14, in the second half.

• Acuff scored 16 second-half points and Brazile had 10 points with 9 rebounds (five offensive).

• Derrion Reid led Oklahoma with 12 points.

• Oklahoma had 11 assists on 15 made baskets, compared to Arkansas getting 6 assists on 15 baskets.

SEC Semifinal Preview: Arkansas vs Ole Miss

Who: #17/17 (#3 seed) Arkansas Razorbacks (24-8, 13-5 SEC) vs (#15 seed) Ole Miss Rebels (15-19, 4-14 SEC)
What: The Razorbacks have advanced to the SEC Semifinals for the 20th time in its 34th SEC Tourney.
When: Saturday – Mar. 14 – approx. 2:30 pm (CT) 
Where: Nashville, Tenn. • Bridgestone Arena (19,295)
How (to follow):
- TV/Stream: ESPN / Watch ESPN (Karl Ravesh, Jimmy Dykes and Alyssa Lang)
- Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)
- SEC Network on Sirius/XM: 106 or 190 || SXM App/Online Channel 960   

- Live Stats    

- Arkansas Game Notes   
- Ole Miss Game Notes     
- SEC Men’s Basketball Release/Stats       

NASHVILLE – After a late-night quarterfinal win in the SEC Tournament on Friday, the #17 Arkansas Razorbacks return to action about 14 hours later to face Ole Miss in the semifinals. Tipoff Saturday (Mar. 14) is set for approximately 2:30 pm (CT) at Bridgestone Arena and the game will be televised on ESPN. 

Arkansas tied for second in the SEC standings and is seeded third. The Razorbacks earned a double bye into the quarterfinal and advanced to the semis with an 82-79 victory over #11 Oklahoma Friday night. 

Ole Miss is seeded 15th after posting a 4-14 SEC record, which included a 10-game losing streak from Jan. 20 to Feb. 28. However, the Rebels have defeated #10 seed Texas in the first round, #7 seed Georgia in the second round and #2 seed (15th-ranked) Alabama in the quarterfinals. 

Earlier this season (Jan. 7), Trevon Brazile made two clutch 3-pointers late in the first half and two late in the second half while Darius Acuff Jr. scored 26 points with nine assists and Billy Richmond III did not miss a shot to lead Arkansas to a 94-87 victory at Ole Miss at The Pavilion. It was the second SEC game for both programs this season. 

Arkansas used two runs in the first half to lead by 10 at the break. In the second, Arkansas never relinquished the lead but also just steadily kept the Rebels at bay.

 Brazile hit 3-pointers with 5:07 left and 4:20 left to put the Hogs up 13 (88-75. However, the Rebels did use a 7-0 run inside the final minutes to work their deficit to six (88-82). A 3-pointer by Koren Johnson with 1:59 remaining and a 3-pointer by Ilias Kamardine with 1:01 got the Rebels to within four twice. 

Acuff made a floater in the lane with 35 seconds left and Brazile wade a free throw with 24 seconds left to provide the 94-87 final. 

Acuff only had six first-half points on 3-of-8 shooting with three assists. In the second half, Acuff took over with 20 points, making 11-of-12 free throws, with six assists. 

Brazile finished with 18 points (4-of-7 from 3-point) with six rebounds. Richmond was 5-of-5 from the field, 1-of-1 from 3-point and 2-of-2 at the line in scoring 13 points. Meleek Thomas added 13 points and Karter Knox scored 10. 

Ole Miss was led by Malik Dia and Kamardine, each with 16 points. 

The winner of Arkansas-Ole Miss will face the winner of Vanderbilt-Florida in the SEC championship on Sunday (Mar. 15). Tipoff is set for Noon (CT) and the game will be televised on ESPN.

Sooners Complete Comeback, Take SEC Opener Over A&M 

NORMAN – No. 9 Oklahoma erased a four-run deficit to come back and beat No. 22 Texas A&M, 8-7, Friday night in the SEC opener. 

After the Aggies (15-2, 0-1) put up four runs at the top of the first, the Sooners (16-2, 1-0) clawed their way back, capped by a go-ahead sacrifice fly from Dasan Harris in the bottom of the eighth.  

OU was powered by six extra-base hits on the night, including back-to-back home runs from Brendan Brock and Jaxon Willits to tie the game in the sixth.  

Texas A&M put up five runs (three earned) on OU starting left-handed pitcher Cameron Johnson, who allowed just one hit but walked seven to go with two strikeouts in 2.1 innings. The Oklahoma bullpen allowed just two runs the rest of the way on five hits.  

Freshman Xander Mercurius was the first Sooner out of the pen and fanned a season-high four batters in 1.2 scoreless innings. Lefty Gavyn Jones surrendered a pair of runs on two hits with two K’s and a walk before giving way to Kadyn Leon (0.2 IP) who struck out one with one hit and one walk.  

Veteran junior Jason Bodin earned his second win of the season in relief, hurling the final 2.1 innings and striking out four with no hits allowed and one walk.  

Cowboy Baseball Falls In Conference Opener 

ORLANDO, Fla. – Oklahoma State’s comeback fell short in Friday’s Big 12 Conference opener as the Cowboys dropped a 12-11 contest to UCF at John Euliano Park. 

With the loss, the Pokes fell to 12-5, while UCF improved to 10-6. 

Alex Conover led OSU with three hits on the night, while Kollin Ritchie, Aidan Meola and TP Wentworth all homered. 

Brennan Phillips took the loss on the mound, falling to 1-1 on the season. The lefty was one of seven pitchers used by the Cowboys in the contest. 

Starter Ethan Lund lasted 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on five hits and adding five strikeouts to his Big 12 leading season total.

 OSU jump;ed out to a 6-0 lead after two innings. In the first, Campbell Smithwick delivered a two-out, two-RBI double before an RBI single off the bat of Remo Indomenico brought home the Cowboys’ third run.

 In the second, Meola provided a two-run homer, his seven of the season, to help extend the lead. 

The Knights did the majority of their damage in the middle innings, striking for four runs in the fourth before rallying for a seven spot in the fifth to go up 11-6. 

OSU mounted a rally of its own in the seventh. Conover plated the first of four runs in the inning with a single, and after Brock Thompson picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice, Ritchie blasted his 12^th home run of the season, a two-run shot to right-center field that made the score 11-10. 

UCF added a key insurance run in the eighth before OSU mounted a rally in the ninth. 

Down to their final three outs, the Cowboys got a leadoff homer from Wentworth to trim their deficit to one. After a strikeout, a pair of walks put the tying and go-ahead runs on base, but Ritchie fouled out and Meola struck out to end the game.

The two teams return to action Saturday at 5 p.m. (CDT).

Pompey's Walk-Off Homer Powers Hogs to Win over Bulldogs on SEC Opening Day

Online version

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas– TJ Pompey’s walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth powered No. 5 Arkansas (13-5, 1-0 SEC) to a 5-4 win against No. 3 Mississippi State (12-3, 0-1 SEC) Friday night at Baum-Walker Stadium on SEC Opening Day. 

Due to anticipated rain and thunderstorms in the forecast Sunday, March 15, Arkansas and Mississippi State will play a doubleheader Saturday, March 14. First pitch in game one of tomorrow’s twin bill is set for 1 p.m. on SEC Network with Dave Neal (play-by-play) and Chris Burke (analyst) on the call. At the conclusion of game one of the doubleheader, Baum-Walker Stadium will be cleared. Game two will be played approximately one hour after game one’s conclusion. 

Saturday’s tickets remain valid for the 1 p.m. game, while Sunday’s tickets will be valid for the following game. Season ticket holders must download their ticket for Saturday’s game two separately as there will not be "all-in-one" tickets. 

The Razorbacks can clinch their ninth consecutive SEC Opening Weekend series with a win in tomorrow’s doubleheader. Arkansas has won eight consecutive series against Mississippi State inside the friendly confines of Baum-Walker Stadium (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022 & 2024), with the last series loss in Fayetteville coming in the 2007 season. 

Pompey’s walk-off homer to lead off the bottom of the ninth capped a thrilling SEC opener between the fifth-ranked Razorbacks and third-ranked Bulldogs. Arkansas jumped out to a 2-0 lead on RBI groundouts from Zack Stewart and Camden Kozeal in the first and third inning, respectively, before Mississippi State evened the game at two in the fifth.

 Gabe Gaeckle started on the mound for Arkansas and fired 5.2 innings of two-run ball with four strikeouts before giving way to Cole Gibler, who inherited a pair of runners in the top of the fifth but escaped without further damage. The Hogs retook the lead in the bottom half of the fifth inning on Nolan Souza’s RBI fielder’s choice before Stewart belted his fourth home run of the season – a 115-mph solo shot to right field – in the sixth to extend the advantage to 4-2. 

Down to their final out in the top of the ninth, the Bulldogs swatted a game-tying two-run home run to even the score at 4-4. Pompey, however, wasted no time sending the Hogs home happy, homering to right center on a 3-2 pitch to lead off the bottom half of the ninth inning and put the exclamation point on a memorable 5-4 win in front of an announced crowd of 10,464 fans – the largest SEC Opening Day attendance at Baum-Walker Stadium in program history.  

Souza (2-for-3, 2B, RBI) was the lone Razorback to record multiple hits in Friday’s series opener. Stewart, meanwhile, is now slashing a team-leading .400/.472/.833 with four home runs and eight RBI through 10 games played this season.

Cowgirls drop extra-inning contest to Arizona State, 3-2 

TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State’s Kaylee Pond hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the No. 25/RV Sun Devils past No. 21/15 Oklahoma State, 3-2, Friday evening at Farrington Stadium.

The Cowgirls fell to 17-8 and 1-3 in conference play, while the Sun Devils improved to 21-6 and 1-3 in the Big 12.

It was a pitcher’s duel for most of the game in a battle between 2025 NFCA All-Americans, with each team’s starting pitcher throwing more than 100 pitches and working seven innings. Kenzie Brown started for Arizona State but was relieved in the top of the eighth by Meika Lauppe (7-2), who earned her seventh win of the season after tossing a scoreless eighth inning. Brown notched 14 strikeouts to go with six walks in 7.0 innings of work. Ruby Meylan (7-6) started in the circle for Oklahoma State and threw a complete game with eight strikeouts. 

OSU struck first in the top of the fifth following Rosie Davis’ fourth home run of the season to give the Cowgirls a 2-0 lead. The Sun Devils responded in the bottom half of the inning with a two-run blast of their own by Brooklyn Ulrich, her second of the season, to tie the game at 2-2.

The Cowgirls got two runners on in the top of the eighth after a base hit from Claire Timm and a walk from Audrey Schneidmiller, but a pickoff attempt on Schneidmiller ended the frame. Pond, the leadoff batter in the bottom of the eighth, took the first pitch she saw over the center field wall to give ASU the victory.

Game two of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. CT. The contest will be streamed on ESPN+, and fans can listen on KGFY 105.5 FM or the Varsity Network app with Ryan Breeden on the call.

Hogs Fall to Alabama, 4-1 in Series Opener

: https://bit.ly/3OVkts8 

BOX SCORE: PDF | SEASON STATS: Season Stats 

TUSCALOOSA, Alanama. – Despite a two-hit performance from OF Dakota Kennedy, the No. 8/9 Arkansas Razorbacks fell to No. 4/6 Alabama, 4-1, during the series opener on Friday evening at Rhoads Stadium on the campus of the University of Alabama.

After four scoreless innings, Arkansas took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Atalyia Rijo that brought home Dakota Kennedy, who led off the inning with a double off the right-field wall. Alabama then responded in the bottom of the fifth by plating three runs on a one-out bases-clearing double from Alexis Pupillo. The Crimson Tide followed with an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Lauren Johnson, making it the final, 4-1.

Dakota Kennedy led the Razorbacks at the plate by going 2-3 with a double and a run scored, while Karlie Davison (1-1, HBP) also added a single in the loss.

Robyn Herron took the loss in the circle, falling to 9-2 on the season despite allowing just one earned run in her 4.1 innings of work while striking out five and allowing three hits and three walks.

Jocelyn Briski went the distance for Alabama to earn the win. She improved to 9-0 after allowing one earned run and three hits while striking out 14 and surrendering no walks.

With the loss, Arkansas moved to 22-3 overall and 2-2 in SEC play while Alabama moved to 25-0 and 4-0 in league contests.

How it Happened

Both teams rolled out their aces as Robyn Herron of Arkansas and Jocelyn Briski of Alabama both made their ninth starts of the season. 

Briski opened the game by striking out the side in the top of the first inning. In the bottom half, Herron struck out her first two batters before the Crimson Tide’s Alexis Pupillo singled through the right side for the game's first hit. Pupillo’s single would be all Alabama would get, however, as Herron issued a flyout to right field for the final out of the frame.

In the second inning, Briski made it six consecutive batters retired by way of a groundout, flyout, and strikeout. In the bottom of the second, Ana Roman led off the inning with a single up the middle, then moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Following Herron, issuing her third strikeout of the night, Roman stole third and then tried to advance home on a throw that rolled into left field, but Dakota Kennedy threw her out at the plate for the final out of the frame.

Karlie Davison became the Hogs’ first baserunner of the night by being hit by a pitch with two outs in the top of the third inning. Davison's hit-by-pitch would be all the Hogs would get as Briski completed the inning with a strikeout. 

Alabama threatened in the bottom of the third inning. Lauren Johnson reached on a one-out walk and stole second. Following Herron’s fourth strikeout of the night, Arkansas elected to walk Brooke Wells to put two runners on with two outs. Herron then registered a huge punchout for the final out of the inning.

Briski used a flyout, strikeout, and groundout to retire the Hogs in order in the top of the fourth inning. 

Herron issued a lineout to Reagan Johnson in center field for the first out of the home half. Roman followed with a single with one out in the frame before Herron issued a flyout to shallow center field for the second out of the frame before completing the scoreless inning with a popout to third base.

Dakota Kennedy doubled off the right-field wall to lead off the fifth inning. She then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kailey Wyckoff before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Atalyia Rijo, giving Arkansas a 1-0 lead.

Mari Hubbard drew a pinch-hit walk to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning. She would later advance to second on a sacrifice bunt, then take third on an error that also allowed Audrey Vandragriff to reach first. Following the error, Arkansas made a pitching change and brought in Payton Burnham before electing to intentionally walk Wells. Pupillo then gave Alabama a 3-1 lead with a bases-clearing double into right-center field. Following Pupillo’s double, Burnham issued a flyout and a strikeout to end the frame.

Davison led off the top of the sixth inning with a ground ball single through the left side of the infield. Briski would keep the Hogs at bay, however, by striking out the next three batters faced.

Alabama added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Lauren Johnson, increasing the hosts' lead to 4-1.

With one out in the top of the seventh inning, Kennedy smashed a single through the left side for her second hit of the night. Following Kennedy’s single, Briski struck out her next two batters faced to finish the complete game performance.

Warmer temperatures continue Saturday

Weather forecast for Saturday is for clear skies early with cloudy conditions in the afternoon and overnight for Heavener and LeFlore County.

The high is forecast to be 79 with a low of 62 degrees.

Sunrise was 7:29 a.m. Sunset is 7:25 p.m.

See our live weather radar

Friday’s high was 78 with a low of 52. No rain was recorded, leaving the monthly total at 4.09 inches. Average rainfall for March is 5.40 inches.

Average temperatures for March 13 are a high of 64 and low of 36. Records for the date were a high of 82 in 1977 and a low of 17 in 1975.

Calendar of events for the next week for Heavener, LeFlore County, southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. The calendar is a free service for our readers. If you know of an event coming up, please CONTACT me.

Saturday

Memorial service for Bobby Ray Phillips

Funeral services for Brenda Sue (Garner) Petersen

High school basketball: Howe vs. Vanoss

High school baseball: Heavener Wood Bat Festival; Cameron at Battiest Tournament; Roland at Poteau; Whitesboro at McCurtain

Monday

LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.

High school baseball: Howe at Wilburton Festival; Eufaula at Poteau; Whitesboro at Buffalo Valley

High school softball: Whitesboro at Rattan Festival; Howe, Talihina at Broken Bow Festival

High school track: Heavener at Booneville meet

Tuesday

St. Patrick’s Community resource fair

High school baseball: Cameron southeast shootout in Broken Bow; Howe at Wilburton Festival

High school softball: Whitesboro at Rattan Festival; Howe,Talihina at Broken Bow Festival

Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC

Wednesday

Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC

High school baseball: Cameron southeast shootout in Broken Bow

Thursday

Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon EOMC

High school baseball: Heavener at Navajo Festival; High school baseball: Cameron southeast shootout in Broken Bow; Howe at Haskell

HUA-City Council meet 6 p.m.

Heavener VFW bingo 6

Friday

High school baseball: Heavener at Navajo Festival

Today, March 14, is a date defined by the intersection of scientific revolution and the celebration of the mathematical constants that shape our world. Most notably, it is celebrated globally as Pi Day, a nod to the first three digits of $\pi$ ($3.14$), but the history of this day stretches from the patenting of revolutionary technology to the loss of some of the greatest minds in human history.

March 14 is famously the birthday of the man who redefined physics, alongside legends of sport and screen:

The world has also said goodbye to several giants on this day:

Funeral services for Brenda Sue (Garner) Petersen, 67, of Bokoshe, are 11 a.m. on Saturday at Mallory-Martin Funeral Home Chapel in Spiro with Reverend Vernon Stone officiating.

Burial will follow at Old Bokoshe Cemetery, under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home of Spiro.

Brenda was born July 26, 1958, in Saratoga, California to Wanda Raye (Self) Garner and Chester Lee Garner, and passed away March 11, 2026,in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Brenda loved football, especially cheering for the Oklahoma Sooners and the San Francisco 49ers. She was a very proud Nana and rarely missed any of Lane and Rilee’s activities. She especially enjoyed watching them play baseball and swim meets and supporting them in everything they were involved in. Brenda was also a very dedicated employee at Atwoods in Poteau, where she worked for many years.

Survivors include her son Charles Petersen and wife Stormy; grandsons Lane Petersen and Rilee Petersen; her beloved dogs, Bella and Buddy; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and loved ones

She married Charles LeRoy “Chuck” Petersen on May 14, 1988, in Reno, Nevada. He preceded her in death on Dec. 9, 2016. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Ron Garner; and two sisters Sandra Buchholz and Kimberly Davis..

Pallbearers are David Buchholz, Keith Pierson, Jeff Ralls, Tim Pierson, Eddie Beckham, and Junior Beckham.  Honorary pallbearers will be Lane Petersen and Rilee Petersen.

You may leave an online message at www.MalloryMartinFuneralHomeSpiro.com.