BASKETBALL
Report: Reid leaving UALR
It looks as though UALR Coach Chris Beard has his first player departure.
An Idaho newspaper reported Wednesday that guard James Reid will leave UALR after one season and transfer to Boise State, which is closer to his hometown of Bend, Ore., and where he played junior college basketball at College of Southern Idaho before arriving at UALR last year.
The Idaho Statesman reported that Reid will join Boise State as a walk-on, citing a source after Reid posted as much on his Facebook page Wednesday.
Text messages and a phone call to Beard were not immediately returned Wednesday night.
Reid started 18 games for the Trojans last year, averaging 7.9 points per game and leading them in three-pointers made (52).
Reid is the first known departure since Beard was hired April
- His departure leaves UALR with 10 known scholarship commitments for next season. The NCAA limit for Division I men’s teams is 12.
— Troy Schulte
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Harrison’s Harbison headed to Russellville
Harrison Coach Chad Harbison will be the new co-offensive coordinator at Russellville along with his former Goblins assistant J.D. Plumlee.
Harbison was hired Tuesday night at the Russellville School Board meeting while Plumlee has been in Russellville since March.
Russellville Coach Billy Dawson, who was hired in December after three seasons at Nashville, had an opening on his staff as of a week ago and talked with Harbison, who worked for him previously at Siloam Springs.
“They bring good offensive minds,” Dawson said of Harbison and Plumlee.
Harrison averaged 36.6 points per game last season under Harbison, who led the Goblins to the first round of the Class 5A playoffs, losing at Camden Fairview 61-54.
Harbison said the opportunity to go to Russellville felt right.
“It was a good experience to go to Harrison to get the head coaching experience,” Harbison said. “In this profession, it’s getting harder and harder to stay at a place for long. I worked for Billy before. I feel really good about going to Russellville.”
— Jeremy Muck
CYCLING
Joe Martin Races take off today
More than 700 cyclists from all 50 states and more than 20 countries are expected to compete this weekend in the 38th Joe Martin Stage Races in Northwest Arkansas.
The event is a four-day, four-stage competition with categories for men, women, pros, amateurs and seniors and is in its 13th year on the National Race Calendar. It also has been added to the Union Cyclists International American Tour this year.
Races begin today with uphill time trials at Devil’s Den. Racers are timed over a 2.7-mile course with a 6.8 percent grade.
“That is one of the toughest events,” race director Bruce Dunn said. “It is a test for even the most experienced riders.”
On Friday, the pro men’s road race will cover 110 miles over country roads and the women’s race will cover 64 miles. Saturday will feature an afternoon road race at Devil’s Den, and Sunday will feature criterium races in downtown Fayetteville.
“The criterium is really the most spectator-friendly event and kind of the highlight of the week,” Dunn said. “It’s a short course with a lot of turns and climbs around downtown and the spectators can come out and watch some great racing up close.
“They will be running full speed right down Dickson Street and up and around the square.”
— NWA Democrat-Gazette
BASEBALL
ESPN3.com to air ASU game
ESPN3, the network’s internet-only streaming site, will broadcast Arkansas State’s baseball game against Appalachian State at 6:02 p.m. Saturday at Tomlinson Stadium in Jonesboro, the school announced Wednesday.
ASU (16-22, 5-15) opens the three-game Sun Belt Conference series at 6 p.m. Friday night and will play the finale against Appalachian State (11-29, 4-16) at 11 a.m. Sunday.