Class 7A-CentralStandings

Conf. All

x-NLR 10-0 23-2

x-Bryant 9-1 18-2

x-Cabot 8-2 17-8

Russellville 5-5 12-9

Van Buren 3-7 8-13

LR Central 3-8 11-11

Conway 2-8 3-15

Mount St. Mary 1-10 2-13

By Rob Patrick

LITTLE ROCK — Comeback victories — they’re thrilling, they’re nerve-racking and, for a coach that’s trying to challenge a very good team to maximize its considerable potential, they can be downright aggravating.

The Bryant Lady Hornets, in a hastily scheduled game at Arkansas Baptist on Tuesday, never led until the last inning when they rallied for three runs to erase a 3-2 deficit then escaped a bases-loaded threat in the bottom of the inning to claim a 5-3 victory over a quality opponent.

Editor’s note: This is a regular feature profiling senior athletes at Bryant High School.

NAME: Jonathan Lowery

DATE OF BIRTH: June 5, 1992

PARENTS: Jon and Tara Lowery

SIBLINGS: Allison is 20, Josh is 15, Anna is 12.

FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Math

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? I enjoy lacrosse.

FAVORITE FOOD: Steak

FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST OR GROUP: Aerosmith

By Rob Patrick

Jay Pickering, an assistant principal and athletic director at Little Rock Central High School, has been hired by the Bryant School District to serve as the new principal of Bryant High School.

Pickering, 38, was chosen from among around 10 applicants by a search committee, chaired by assistant superintendent Don McGohan.

“Mr. Pickering was very much a standout candidate for the position,” said McGohan who mentioned that three finalists were interviewed. “He has experience. He’s obviously familiar with the current operations of a high school. He’s very assured. He has an excellent personality for working with staff, with kids. He’s knowledgeable and confident.

“We had good interviews with the other candidates as well but Mr. Pickering was definitely at the head of the list,” he added. “I checked with the other panel members and everyone had him at the top of their list.

The committee included most of the high school department heads, assistant principal Dr. Debbie Bruick and athletic and transportation director Tom Farmer.

The Bryant Lady Hornets will make their third consecutive trip to the Class 7A State Soccer Tournament, opening this Friday, April 29, at 7 p.m., Rogers High School against Springdale Har-Ber.

Bryant secured the No. 3 seed from the 7A-Central Conference with a 3-0 win over North Little Rock that completed a season sweep of the Lady Charging Wildcats. Har-Ber is the No. 6 seed from the 7A-West. The two teams played on March 6 and the game went to a shootout before Har-Ber managed a 4-3 win. It was Bryant’s only shootout loss this season.

In his Senior Profile on BryantDaily.com, Sean Sobba made it clear, his mind is always on scoring goals for the Bryant Hornets.

And he’s good at it.

But, on Senior Night at Bryant Stadium on Monday, April 26, Sobba was the Master of Assists, setting up teammates for all three of the team’s goals in a 3-1 win that capped the regular season and completed a series sweep against North Little Rock.

By Diane Winiecki

Through no fault of their own, children often find themselves in state custody due to child abuse, neglect, or some other safety concern in the home. According to The C.A.L.L., there are about 7,000 children in foster care in Arkansas within a year, and there are only about 950 foster families available to care for those children. Plus, there are over 500 children available for adoption through foster care in the state.

Saline County has a very special couple who are the coordinators for the Saline County C.A.L.L., Jess and Tonia Griffin.

By Rob Patrick

Brady Butler wasn’t thinking about the 90-mile-per-hour fastball that Van Buren pitcher Brandon Moore can serve up. He wasn’t thinking about a sharp, late-breaking slider from the Pointers’ ace.

He said he was just looking to hit the ball.

And did he ever.

On a 1-2 delivery from Moore, Butler belted a shot that sailed beyond Van Buren right fielder Brant Ramsey and went to the fence. Marcus Wilson, who was running for Chris Joiner, and Brennan Bullock flew around the bases after starting at second and first, respectively. Both scored as Butler rolled into third with a triple that gave the Hornets a 2-1 lead over Moore and the 7A-Central Conference-leading Pointers.

And senior right-hander Ben Wells, in perhaps his finest performance as a Hornet, closed the door in the top of the seventh as Bryant won its second game in a row in dramatic fashion Monday night.

LOUISVILLE — Left-hander Travis Wood of Bryant turned in another solid outing without picking up a win for the Louisville Bats on Monday night.

The Bats, the Class AAA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, eventually lost the game in 15 innings, 7-6, to the Indianapolis Indians. Wood, who came in 0-3, got no decision.

He faced the minimum over the first four innings, allowing just two singles. Both baserunners were erased by doubleplays.