February 20, 2008 Edition

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The Hoxie Mustangs were district and 3A-3 conference champions. Team members include (front, from left): Randy Coggins, Jonathan Quesada, Morgan Puckett, Cody Harper. Cade Crisler, Jayce Matthews; (back) special assistant Josh Herring, assistant coach Braden Watson, Kevin Johnson, Justin Weitkamp, Beau Sisco, Tanner Jarrett, Tyler Thompson, Ray Volner, Blaine Middlecoff, Nate Ragsdell, Jake Hitt and head coach Darrel Crisler.
Submitted Photo ~ David Dobbs

Mustangs are district champs

Mustang Nate Ragsdell takes a shot under the goal during a semifinal matchup with Harrisburg. Hoxie won the game 82-70 to advance to the finals.
Submitted Photo ~ David Dobbs

Debbie Richey
Staff Writer
The Hoxie Mustangs added a 3A-3 District Basketball Tournament title to their regular season conference championship with a 63-58 win over East Poinsett County Friday night at Corning. Hoxie moves on to the Class 3 Region 3 Tournament at Marmaduke. The Mustangs will play Flippin tonight at 8:30.
The title game proved to be a nail-biter from the outset. The first quarter ended with Hoxie holding a 17-14 lead. The teams continued trading baskets in the second period, as the Mustangs took a 24-23 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Mustangs began hammering the boards in the third quarter and were able to put some distance between themselves and EPC, carrying a 42-34 lead into the final period. Morgan Puckett converted four free throws in the game's final minute, as Hoxie held off EPC in the fourth quarter to record their fourth win against the Warriors this season.
Ray Volner recorded a double double for the Mustangs with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Beau Sisco scored 13 points, and Tanner Jarrett had 10 points and eight blocks.

Semifinals
Hoxie defeated Harrisburg 82-70 in a semifinal game on Thursday.
The contest was never in doubt, as the Mustangs exploded out to a 22-5 first-quarter lead.
Hoxie led 43-30 at halftime and 63-40 after three quarters.
Volner led Hoxie in scoring with 24 points, and Nate Ragsdell added 11. Beau Sisco and Cade Crisler each had 10 points. Tanner Jarrett and Justin Weitkamp had nine points each.

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