ROGERS — Cody Lay played basketball at Rogers High School and last season at North Arkansas Community College, but he decided to transfer to the University of Arkansas this year and just be a student.

On Oct. 13, the former Mountie went from being a student to a student-athlete. Lay, a 6-foot-5 forward, will be added to the Arkansas Razorbacks basketball roster for the upcoming season, he said . The Hogs began official practices Oct. 16 and Lay said he should join the team in a couple of weeks once his eligibility is cleared through the NCAA Clearinghouse.

“That should take about 10 days and shouldn’t be a problem at all,” he said. “I’m glad to be a Hog.”

Arkansas held open tryouts for walk-ons Oct. 13. Approximately 15 hopefuls showed up and went through workouts for 90 minutes.

“I heard about two weeks ago they would be having tryouts for some walk-on spots,” Lay said. “Thought I might as well give it a shot.”

Lay averaged 13.7 points while shooting 54.4 percent from the field during his senior season in 2007-08, earning All-Conference honors in the 7A-West and helping the Mounties finish 21-8

He led Rogers in rebounding (5.1 per game) and free-throw shooting (84.3 percent).

Lay was one of three players chosen to add to the Razorbacks’ 2009-10 roster. One is from Carroll High in Southlake, Texas.

The other is 6-4 forward John Ukadike, who was the Most Valuable Player of the Class 7A state tournament in 2008 after leading Little Rock Catholic to the title. Ukadike and the Rockets beat Lay and the Mounties in the state quarterfinals 36-34 at Conway High School.

Ukadike, like Lay, is also a transfer. He signed with Lyon College in Batesville after high school.

Lay, who played in 29 games and averaged 5.1 points per game last year at North Arkansas, said he’s kept in pretty good shape by playing pickup games at the HPER Building in Fayetteville three times a week.

“But it’s probably a good thing I’ve got a few extra days before I’m allowed to practice,” he said. “I’ve got to get back in some basketball shape for sure.”

SPORTS NOTES

Youth basketball registration

Registration for the Rogers Community-School Recreation Association youth basketball program is currently being taken at the Rogers Activity Center and online at www. rogersarkansas.com/parks . Programs are open to boys and girls grades kindergarten to twelve.

• Kindergarten and first grade: Lil’ Hoopsters Instructional Class. Cost for registration is $40*. Registration will be taken through Jan. 4 and the class begins Jan. 9.

• Grades 2-5: Youth recreational league, focusing on fundamentals and player participation. Cost for registration is $50*. Registration will be taken through Nov. 13.

• Grades 6-8: Competitive middle school league. Cost for registration is $50*. Registration will be taken through Nov. 13.

• Grade 9-12: New 3-on-3 High School Basketball League. Cost for registration is $50*. Registration will be taken through Dec. 14. Players sign up individually and form their own teams.

* RAC membership required.

For further information, call Lena Sneary at 631-0336 ext. 450 or e-mail: lsneary@rogersark.org.

Rogers Youth Wrestling

Rogers Community-School Recreation Association registration for the 2009 Youth Wrestling Program is currently being taken at the Rogers Activity Center and online at www. rogersarkansas.com/parks.

Boys and girls ages six (6) to eighteen (18) are eligible to participate. Practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Nov. 3.

Cost for registration is $50 and includes USA wrestling membership card and a T-shirt. Each participant must have a current RAC membership ($20.00). The membership is current for one (1) year from the date of purchase.

For more information, contact Lena Sneary at 631-0336 ext. 450 or e-mail: lsneary@rogersark.org.

Sports, Pages 9 on 10/21/2009

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