by Rob on Jul 13, 2009 at 4:32 PM The Bryant 9-year-old Cal Ripken All-Stars have advanced to the winners bracket finals of their State tournament in Magniolia. They were set to play Benton this afternoon for a spot in the championship round of the tourney. The 9s opened with a 18-0 win over El Dorado on Friday. They knocked off Marion 12-2 on Saturday then drubbed Sylvan Hills 10-0 on Sunday to reach today's game. Details of the tournament will be forthcoming upon its conclusion. * * * The Bryant 7-year-old All-Stars, playing in the 8-year-old Cal Ripken State Tournament received a rugged draw opening against a pair of strong 8-year-old teams. A 4-1 loss to Little Rock Junior Deputy's 8s on Friday was followed by a 9-1 loss to the Sylvan Hills Bombers, another 8-year-old team. In the second loss, Bryant was within 3-1 through three innings before a six-run fourth put Sylvan Hills in control.
by Rob on Jun 16, 2009 at 2:01 PM The 2008 Babe Ruth World Series champions for 13-year-olds are now 14. This year, they will be the host team for the Southwest Regional Tournament at Bryant High School field, with a chance to return to World Series play. The 14-year-old All-Stars and all the other squads from the Bryant Athletic Association are now set for the post-season with expectations for the continued success at District, State, Regional and National levels.Several of the Cal Ripken League teams (ages 6 through 12) begin District Tournament play on Friday, June 26.Here are the teams:
by Rob on Apr 6, 2009 at 3:13 PM  Arkansas Finest, a seventh-grade boys basketball team featuring four players from Bryant recently won the Hoopfest USA State Championship in Hot Springs. Team members include, front from left, Justice Bryant of England, Hunter Holder of Bryant, Larry Stephens of Little Rock Christian, Trenton Deloach of Little Rock Episcopal and Caleb Strain of Bryant; back row, coach James Scoggins of Bryant, Luke Vincent of Benton, Blake Bowlin of Benton, Mitch Scoggins of Bryant, Samonte Wallace of Benton and Brian Reed of Bryant.
by Rob on Mar 27, 2009 at 3:54 PM  
By Kirk Stewart Overheard at the ballpark…  “Stand in there, son” “Now you know what it looks like!” “You’re dipping your shoulder” “My son forgot his hat already” “That’s my grandson… right there” “If we lose, do we still get ice cream?” And my personal favorite, “Rub some dirt on it!” Wet conditions shut down two of the four fields at Ashley Park on Thursday night, the opening night of the preseason tournament for all divisions of the Bryant Athletic Association’s baseball season. The makeup games will be held Sunday afternoon.
by Rob on Mar 18, 2009 at 8:56 PM  By Kirk Stewart
Springtime in Bryant means that youth baseball teams are preparing for opening day. It seems that the Thompson Electric Rangers are more than ready. The Rangers entered the Little Oaks 9-and-under live arm tournament and came back home with a championship. They defeated Union Bank 5-2 in the championship game to wrap up the tournament a perfect 4-0. Team members include Austin Dulling, Garith East, Reese Graham, Logan Grant, Sawyer Holt, Matthew Sandidge, Noah Southard, Ethan Thompson and Cooper Wright.
by Rob on Mar 17, 2009 at 8:46 AM 
By Kirk Stewart A trip to Memphis resulted in a high intensity soccer thrill ride for members of the Bryant Soccer Association. The coed U12 team, the Bryant Bad Dogs, made their way into the finals of the 8v8 Gold Division in Blues City Blowout 2009 in Memphis, March 13-15. The final game pitted the Bad Dogs against Bartlett SC 97 from Tennessee. The game ended in regulation with a 2-2 tie. At the end of the first 5-minute overtime, the game was still tied which forced another overtime.  The score remained locked at the end of the second overtime period as well. The tournament rules state that at the end of the second overtime period, a kicks-from-mark penalty-type shootout. A champion still could not be crowned as the game remained knotted. Finally, the game went into a sudden death shootout. Bryant goal keeper Alex Denker made several dramatic bid saves in sudden death and, at last, Jack Buck made the goal that sealed the victory and the tournament championship for the Bad Dogs.
by Rob on Mar 10, 2009 at 8:18 PM 
By Kirk Stewart The 2009 Little Oaks tournament in Mabelvale came down to two 9-and-under teams from Bryant. In the pitching machine tournament, the Diamond Sports Diamondbacks and River Valley Pool White Sox squared off in the finals of the winner's bracket on Saturday, March 7. Diamond Sports' first baseman Brandon Hopkins hit a solo homer over the left field fence to break a 3-3 tie, but River Valley rallied to win 8-4 and advance to the championship game. The Diamondbacks then faced the Heartland Bank Cardinals, who earlier had posted a 9-7 win over the Thompson Electric A's, in the finals of the loser's bracket. Diamond Sports held on for an 11-8 win as they survived a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the fifth inning by getting consecutive force outs at the plate to end the game, each going from pitcher Will McEntire to catcher Ryan Lessenberry. In a rematch with River Valley Pools in the finals, Diamond Sports jumped to a 5-0 lead heading into the third inning. The White Sox rallied for two runs in the third and then got three more, all with two outs, in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game. Still tied heading to the bottom of the fifth, River Valley claimed the championship by a score of 6-5 when Kale Kimbrough singled and then scored when Jessie Windemaker lined a ball up the middle that eluded the centerfielder and rolled all the way to the fence. Thanks to Madison McEntire for the tournament update.
by Rob on Mar 9, 2009 at 9:59 AM  By Kirk Stewart
Each year the popularity of competitive swimming in Bryant grows. The Bryant Barracudas offer age divisions for swimmers 6 and under; 7-8; 9-10; 11-12; 13-14; 15-18. Events include 6 and under kickboard, relays, free style, back stroke, 7 and up breast stroke and a 100 meter individual medley. The Barracudas compete against other area swim teams and have meets each week on Saturdays and/or Monday evenings. Other teams include Cabot, Lonoke, Lakewood, Maumelle, Otter Creek and Sherwood. Each age division is broken down into gold, silver and bronze divisions to ensure that the swimmers are competing against others who are at similar levels. Parent representative Jill Dabbs said, "This is a great opportunity for any swimmer that would like to someday be on their high school swim team. The summer league will prepare athletes for high school tryouts."  Registration for the team is now under way. To register go to www.salinecountyswimteam.com. New this year is a second practice pool in the Midtown area in Bryant. This pool will be used in conjunction with the pool at Longhills Golf Club. Coach Todd Hunter will be returning from Houston, Texas to coach the Barracudas again this summer.
by Rob on Mar 5, 2009 at 2:27 PM 
By Kirk Stewart Bryant baseball and softball are gearing up to begin very soon. Arrangements are currently being made, schedules are being devised, rosters are being finalized and preseason tournaments are being planned. The Bryant Athletic Association has announced a baseball players’ clinic put on by Bryant Hornets head coach Kirk Bock, BHS assistants and players to be held Saturday, March 7. The cost is $25 and will be at the Bryant High School baseball field. The BAA preseason tournament will begin March 26. Opening ceremonies and team photos are scheduled for Saturday, April 18. For more information visit www.bryantbaseball.org. Also, the Bryant Softball Association has scheduled opening day for March 30 with the season running through May. Teams range from ages 6 and under through 16. The Association’s preseason tournament will be held March 20-21 and is open to all ages. Teams are shaping up and practices are beginning for an exciting 2009 season. For more information visit www.bryantsoftballassociation.com/index.htm.
by Rob on Mar 1, 2009 at 10:44 PM
 By Kirk Stewart
 The Bryant Soccer Club's kickoff weekend was a rousing success despite cold temperatures, sloshy fields, drizzle and even some snow! Children from ages 4 and up participated in the first weekend. Many were wrapped up to withstand the elements; many parents huddled, coffee in hand; but nothing could dampen or freeze the excitement of opening weekend. The Bryant Soccer Club has over 600 participants.
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