HELENA-WEST HELENA — Jalen Wilkins has returned to the basketball court for White Hall.
Wilkins scored 17 points in only his second game back, but it was not enough to help the Bulldogs overcome a 14-point, first-quarter deficit in a 71-65 defeat to Helena-West Helena Central on Friday night.
Wilkins was cleared to play before Tuesday’s loss at Little Rock Mills, The Commercial learned Friday night. He was ruled ineligible before a Jan. 20 loss to Watson Chapel because he transferred from a non-member of the Arkansas Activities Association, Ridgway Christian School, to an AAA member outside his home school district at the time, Pine Bluff. He missed only two more games after that.
His participation before Jan. 20 caused White Hall to forfeit seven victories, the AAA ruled. The Bulldogs (1-16, 1-8) have won once since then.
White Hall trailed Helena-West Helena Central 25-11 after one period and pulled within 42-32 at halftime.
Jeremy Sprinkle scored 24 points and Percy Arnold added 11 for White Hall. Central was led by Anthony Lewis with 13, Jalen Walker with 12 and Kendall Honeycutt with 11.