PEA RIDGE — Senior Blackhawks Kip Kelly and Brandon Easterling signed letters of intent this week to play college ball. Kelly signed with Lyon College. Easterling signed with Williams Baptist College.

Kelly, the son of Mike Kelly and Kerry Smith, received a full scholarship to the same school where his elder brother, Alex, went four years ago.

“We’re very excited to have Kip. We’re looking forward to him being a part of our program,” Lyons’ head coach Kevin Jenkins said. “He’s a quality person and a fine basketball player. We look for him to be a very valuable asset. He’s our first signee.”

Kelly is the grandson of Dot and the late Hugh Webb Jr. of Pea Ridge and Howard and Nancy Johnson of Rogers.

Easterling, the son of Joel and Cindy Easterling, was offered an academic scholarship to Williams, as well as a future athletic scholarship after the first semester. He has played baseball since he was 4 years old, he said. Easterling was the Hooters’ athlete of the week in the fall of 2009 and received an honorable mention for all-district for 2009-2010.

He pitches and plays third base.

Easterling is the secondgeneration to play ball for Pea Ridge head baseball coach John King.

“Joel played for me,” King said, when the Blackhawks won the 1989 state championship.

Easterling is the grandson of Inetha and the late Mark Easterling and Brenda Mask, all of Pea Ridge.

Sports, Pages 7 on 04/28/2010