T-Birds' defense stout in walloping Wildcats

KINGDOM CITY - The ease with which North Callaway's Logan Robinette banked in a midcourt 3-pointer would indicate that the Thunderbirds had an easy night shooting against the visiting New Bloomfield Wildcats.

The junior forward tossed up a successful shot with time running out at the end of the third quarter, lengthening North Callaway's lead to 51-28.

But neither team shot particularly well. In fact, the Thunderbirds' opportunistic defense joined forces with New Bloomfield's horrible shooting luck Friday night, resulting in North Callaway's 77-33 runaway victory.

"Once you get that offense going and you play defense, basketball becomes real easy," Thunderbirds head coach Tim Turlington said.

North Callaway (2-0) netted the game's opening nine points and 11 of the first 13 between the two squads. Wildcats junior forward Greg Bedsworth hit the front end of a 1-and-1 with 33.5 seconds left in the first quarter to make the score 18-3 in favor of the Thunderbirds.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.