Beard gets 2 from in stats

Chris Beard's first early signing period class has a local favor.

Little Rock Parkview guard Ryan Pippins and Malvern guard Andre Jones signed letters of intent to play for UALR on Wednesday, the first day of the fall signing period.

Pippins, 6-0, 200 pounds, averaged 11.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists last season for the Patriots, who are coached by Al Flanigan, the father of current Trojans assistant coach Wes Flanigan.

"I think a lot of people overlooked him," Al Flanigan said in a news release from UALR. "But I think Little Rock is getting a good player that is going to give the program four good years."

Jones will play his senior season at Malvern after having played for Class 5A state champion Little Rock McClellan as a junior. Jones scored 24 points in three of the Lions' four games in the Class 5A state tournament last season, including the championship game against Maumelle.

UALR women's class included a local product, too.

North Little Rock guard Kyra Collier signed with UALR Coach Joe Foley after averaging 18.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists last season for the Charging Wildcats.

"Kyra is a player with great fundamentals," Foley said in a release. "She can put the ball on the floor for pull-up jumpers or shoot the three."

Collier joins guard Alex Murry from Bearden, Emily Lytle, a guard from Evangelical Christian in Memphis, and Anna Hurlburt, a 6-2 forward from Southlake (Texas) Carroll High School.

Murray averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists while shooting 40 percent from three-point range for Bearden. Lytle averaged 20.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists, and Hurlburt averaged 10.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

Sports on 11/12/2015

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