LOCAL
Pine Bluff ties Texarkana in tennis opener
TEXARKANA — Ajia Richardson won singles and doubles matches for Pine Bluff, which tied Texarkana 4-4 in its high school tennis season opener Thursday.
Richardson won her match 8-6 and teamed with sister Kye Richardson for an 8-1 win, both against unnamed Texarkana opponents. Trey Harris also scored an 8-6 singles victory and Brian Donald and Jmarloes Johnson won a doubles match 8-1 for Pine Bluff.
Pine Bluff will host El Dorado and Sheridan on Tuesday.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
STATE
Red Wolves to play Braves on ESPN3.com
JONESBORO — The Sept. 22 Alcorn State at Arkansas State football game will be webcast on ESPN3.com, Arkansas State announced Thursday.
The Braves will visit Jonesboro a week after hosting Arkansas-Pine Bluff in SWAC play. The home game for the Red Wolves will be one of three that airs on ESPN3.com.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
NATIONAL
Report: Mississippi State probed by NCAA
An NCAA investigation into “potential recruiting violations” is ongoing at Mississippi State, according to ESPN.com.
The school told the website the investigation is “nearing an end.” ESPN.com reported the investigation is related to former wide receivers coach Angelo Mirando’s recruitment of at least one player. Mirando resigned earlier in the week and Mississippi State on Thursday announced the hire of former Minnesota coach Tim Brewster as his replacement.
Harrington off to early lead in Barclays
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Irishman Padraig Harrington shot a 7-under 64 and holds on one-shot lead over Nick Watney and Brian Harman at the Barclays after Thursday’s opening round.
Pat Perez, Sergio Garcia, Gary Christian and Jimmy Walker are tied at 5-under, with six others at 4-under. Tiger Woods is tied for 14th at 3-under.