Maumelle Flexes Depth and Dominance in 79-41 Win Over Beebe

In their first 5A Central conference matchup of the season, the Maumelle Hornets (8-4) extended their winning streak to five games with a decisive 79-41 victory over the Beebe Badgers (4-4) at the Hornets Nest. After a competitive opening stretch, the Hornets’ relentless pace and sharp execution proved too much for the rebuilding Badgers, led by new head coach Lee Wimberley.

First Half Domination

The Hornets set the tone early, lighting up the scoreboard for 46 first-half points while locking down Beebe defensively. Maumelle’s aggressive play led to seven first-half steals, three of which culminated in thunderous slam dunks by standout Markalon Rochell. Rochell and Cedric Jones Jr. shared the scoring spotlight at halftime with 12 points apiece, showcasing their efficiency as Rochell shot a flawless 100% from the field the entire game, including four long-range bombs.

Despite the lopsided halftime score of 46-23, Beebe’s Kaleb Overstreet stood out with his scrappy effort, tallying 8 points, 5 rebounds, and an assist. Overstreet’s rebounding instincts and court vision provided a glimmer of hope for the Badgers as they worked to find their footing against a well-oiled Maumelle machine.

Depth on Display

Maumelle’s depth was on full display in the second half. While the starters saw limited action, the Hornets’ bench took over and continued to apply pressure. The reserves accounted for a significant portion of Maumelle’s 33 second-half points, highlighted by contributions from Talan Poyner (10 points), Ashton Shelton (8 points), and Jonathan Williams (6 points).

In total, 13 Hornets scored, with all players contributing across the stat sheet. Maumelle’s versatility was further evident as they sank 12 three-pointers in the game, a testament to their balanced offensive attack.

Bright Spots for Beebe

Although the Badgers struggled to keep up with Maumelle’s tempo, individual performances offered promise for the future. Overstreet finished with a team-high 14 points, 7 rebounds, and an assist.

Emmanuel Lancaster added spark to the entire game, finishing with 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 steals, showcasing his defensive instincts. Off the bench, Jacob Scott contributed 4 points and a steal in the fourth quarter, while Caleb Langston chipped in with 6 points, 5 rebounds, and a block.

Final Thoughts

Maumelle’s commanding performance reinforced their status as the team to beat in the 5A Central. Rochell’s perfect shooting night (21 points on 8-of-8 from the field, including 4-of-4 from beyond the arc) headlined an all-around team effort that left little doubt about their conference aspirations. Beebe, meanwhile, showed flashes of potential as they navigate their rebuilding phase under Coach Wimberley.

What’s Next?

Maumelle will face their next test in a conference showdown against the Parkview Patriots next Friday at 7:30 p.m. on the road. Meanwhile, Beebe will look to bounce back in a non-conference matchup against Scott Charter on Monday at 5:00 p.m.