LITTLE ROCK — FOOTBALL
UCA picked to finish fifth in Southland
The University of Central Arkansas was picked to finish fifth in the Southland Conference in the coaches’ and sports information directors’ polls Wednesday at the conference’s media day in Lake Charles, La.
The Bears received 27 points in the coaches’ poll and 29 in the sports information directors’ poll. Stephen F. Austin, the co-defending league champion, was first in both polls, receiving 49 points in each. McNeese State was second in both polls, while Southeastern Louisiana and Texas State tied for third in the coaches’ poll. SLU was third and Texas State fourth in the SID poll.
The coaches had Northwestern State sixth, Sam Houston State seventh and Nicholls eighth. In the SID poll, Sam Houston was sixth, Nicholls seventh, and Northwestern State eighth.
UCA, which finished 5-7 overall and 2-5 in the conference last season, opens the 2010 season at home against Elizabeth City State on Sept. 2 at Estes Stadium.
UCA lands seven on All-Southland team
The University of Central Arkansas had seven players selected to the preseason All-Southland Conference team Wednesday.
UCA’s first-team selections were senior kicker Eddie Carmona, senior offensive lineman Austin Emerson, senior fullback/tight end Rico Moss, senior wide receiver Willie Landers, senior defensive end Markell Carter and sophomore running back Jackie Hinton.Senior cornerback Henry Minor was named to the second team.
Carter, also a second-team All-American, finished with 11 1 /2 tackles for loss and 6 1 /2 sacks last season. He recorded 47 tackles and recovered two fumbles.
Landers was voted to the first team despite missing the entire 2009 season after injuring his knee on the first day of practice last fall. He was the Bears’ third-leading receiver in 2008 with 44 receptions for 735 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Carmona, a first-team selection last season, led the Southland Conference in extra points (37 of 37) and field goals (12). Emerson was an honorable mention selection last season. Moss caught 10 passes for 110 yards last season and Minor had 39 tackles, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.
Arkansas State season tickets on sale
Season tickets for Arkansas State’s 2010 season are on sale through the ASU Box Office.
The Red Wolves’ five-game home schedule includes a game against Louisville and a nationally-televised game on ESPN with Middle Tennessee.
General admission tickets are $55, and the family plan (four general admission tickets) is $150.
Call the ASU Box Office at (870) 972-2781 or 1-888-278-3267, or go to astateredwolves.com.
FOOTBALL
Team Arkansas Elite wins AAU title
Team Arkansas Elite won the girls eighth-grade AAU state championship last weekend in Frisco, Texas.
Team Arkansas Elite went undefeated in the 48-team tournament. Earlier in the summer it won the eighth-grade Prime Time National Championship.
The players are from Little Rock, Searcy, Conway, Greenbrier and Memphis.
Hawks 8th at 10-under tournament
The Arkansas Hawks finished eighth in the AAU Division I 10-under national tournament in Detroit.
The Hawks earned an automatic bid for the AAU 11-under Division I national tournament next year.
Team members are Jalan Nichols, Grehlon Easter, JT Smith, Lawson Howard, Isaiah Joe, Terrell Curtis, Jr., Kevin Cross, Jr., Curtis White, Jr., Isiah Woods III, Kaevon Jones, Ethan Henderson, Kalin Bennett and Deion Dobbins.
BASEBALL
LR Junior Deputy team wins regional
The Little Rock Junior Deputy All-Star team defeated Benton 8-4 to win the Cal Ripken Southwest Region 7-year-old tournament in Kenner, La.
Junior Deputy team members are Parker Gordon, Will Black, Brett Gastman, Miles Schluterman, Grant Jones, Jack Cline, Reece McWilliams, Bryce Stine, Eli Garrison, Roshan Ranaraja, Zach Fry and Cade Barnett.
Sports, Pages 21 on 07/29/2010