BASKETBALL
NLR’s Allen nearing decision
North Little Rock guard KeVaughn Allen will soon decide whether to ask Florida for a release from his national letter of intent. North Little Rock Coach Johnny Rice spoke to John Curry, Allen’s stepfather, and was told that Allen talked to Florida Coach Michael White on Tuesday and will decide Thursday whether to ask for a release.
Jeff Goodman of ESPN reported Tuesday that Allen was expected to request a release.
Allen, 6-3, 170 pounds, signed with Florida on April 15, choosing the Gators over offers from Arkansas, Memphis, Kansas, Connecticut, Baylor, Mississippi State and others. ESPN rates Allen the No. 18 shooting guard and No. 54 prospect in the nation.
Allen averaged 21.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists as a junior and was named the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s All-Arkansas Preps Player of the Year after leading the Charging Wildcats to the Class 7A state title.
Should he seek a release and the Gators deny the request, Allen can appeal to the national letter of intent review committee.
— Richard Davenport
Jackson signs with UALR
UALR Coach Chris Beard announced Tuesday the signing of West Memphis native Jalen Jackson.
Jackson, a 6-6 guard, started his career at the University of Central Arkansas. He is transferring to UALR from Northwest Florida State College, which he helped lead to the National Junior College Athletic Association national championship last season.
Jucorecruiting.com first reported Jackson’s transfer Monday.
Jackson averaged 18.3 points a game and shot 56.4 percent from the floor for the Raiders. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
The addition of Jackson gives UALR 10 scholarship players for next season. The NCAA Division I limit is 13.
BASEBALL
ASU’s Schrimpf honored by Sun Belt
Arkansas State sophomore second baseman Joe Schrimpf was named the Sun Belt Conference’s player of the week Tuesday. Schrimpf hit .412 last week for the Red Wolves, who finished 4-0 against Texas State and Central Arkansas. He tied a team high in RBI with seven over four games. Schrimpf drove in five runs and hit a triple and a home run Friday against Texas State. Schrimpf entered Tuesday hitting .263 with 5 home runs and 36 RBI. He’s also scored 39 runs.
TRACK AND FIELD
Harding duo honored, earn invites
Harding senior Ewa Zabrowska and sophomore Josh Syrotchen received invitations Tuesday to compete in the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, which will be held May 21-23 in Allendale, Mich.
They also earned All-Central Region honors from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Zaborowska will compete in the 1,500 meters, where she ranks second among the 20 competitors with a time of 4 minutes, 22.30 seconds, a school record. Syrotchen broke his own record with a discus throw of 181 feet, 10 inches at the Harding Invitational. It was the third-longest throw this season in Division II.