News-Times Staff
EMERSON - The third time was the charm for Strong.
Amaya Smith scored on a putback with 3.8 seconds left in regulation, as Strong upended Emerson 52-50 in the opening round of the 5-1A Regional Tournament on Thursday night, avenging two losses to the Lady Pirates during the regular season.
The win not only sends the Lady Bulldogs, the No. 3 seed from the 8-1A East, into a semifinal showdown with Bradley tonight, it also qualifies them for next week's 1A State Tournament, which is being hosted by Mount Ida.
"I'm very happy to get this win and qualify for state," said Strong coach Jason Porter. "I couldn't be happier for the girls and the towns of Strong and Huttig."
Even more impressive about Strong's win is that they defeated the host school with their season at stake.
"It was a very hostile environment," Porter said. "They are a very knowledgeable crowd over there, and they knew what this game was for. We never let Emerson get any big runs, so the crowd never really cut loose. We had to outplay them to get to state, and that's how it should be."
The game was close throughout with the largest lead being only four points for either side.
The game was tied 26-all at intermission.
Dynasty Davis, a freshman who was recently moved up to the varsity and led the team in scoring in the district tournament, had a terrific performance by scoring 27 points to lead Strong.
Smith had 11 points, and Ladasia Williams had a double-double with 10 points and 18 rebounds.
Strong will take on Bradley in the semifinals tonight at 7 p.m., and Porter expects another hard-fought contest.
"I expect another tightly contested game," Porter said.
Strong's win wasn't the only nail-biter of the day at Emerson.
Hampton's boys basketball team is headed to the state tournament thanks to Brian Williams, who hit a game-winner at the buzzer to lead the Bulldogs to a 70-68 win over Emerson.
In the other boys game, Bradley cruised to a 65-38 win over Woodlawn.
In the first girls game of the day, Nevada outlasted Hermitage 44-38.
In addition to the aforementioned contest between Strong and Bradley, Ouachita and Nevada will meet in the other girls semifinal, which begins at 4 p.m.
In the boys semifinals, Nevada takes on Hampton at 5:30 p.m., while Bradley will square off with Dermott at 8:30 p.m.
Junction City 49,
Cossatot River 43
PRESCOTT - The Lady Dragons finally got over that hump Thursday, rallying past Cossatot River in the 3A Region 4 Tournament. The win qualified Junction City for the 3A State Tournament, which will be held in Bald Knob.
“It was big, first time in 20 years. It feels real good,” said Junction City coach Henry Harrell. “The girls competed. We were down 11 going into the fourth quarter. They had that never-give-up attitude. We found a way to pull it out in the end. It was a team effort, a team win.”
Jyrezhia Nathan led the team with 14 points, including two big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Nikayla Fisher scored 12, including a free throw down the stretch. Khadijah Webster also scored 12 for the Lady Dragons, who improved to 21-4 on the season.
“We just kept fighting,” said Harrell. “We were down nine with five minutes to go. We just kept saying, ‘We can do this.’ And, they just kept fighting. I think we kind of wore them down.”
Junction City takes on Fouke today at 7 p.m. Fouke, a No. 4 seed, upset Fordyce 64-57 on Wednesday.
Boys
Junction City 52,
Prescott 38
PRESCOTT - Junction City is back in the state tournament, and they have their defense to thank for it.
The Dragons (19-8), the No. 3 seed from the 8-3A, held the Curley Wolves scoreless for the first six minutes of the game, which allowed the Dragons to take a 12-4 lead at the end of the opening period.
Junction City then pushed its lead to 23-10 at halftime and 35-26 after three quarters before winning by the final margin.
Jalen Davis had 18 points and Hishmma Taylor finished with 10 points for the Dragons, who will face McGehee, the 8-3A's top seed, tonight at 8:30 p.m.
"Defensively, we played well," said Junction City coach Kendall Hutcheson. "The goal is to take them one at a time."
Foreman 66,
Parkers Chapel 60
MALVERN - Parkers Chapel's season came to an end in the opening round of the 2A South Regional Tournament.
Tucker Hall had 21 points for the Gators, who jumped to a 21-14 lead after the first period before extending their lead to 35-23 at intermission.
Kyren Batey was also in double figures with 11 points for Foreman.
Dawson Goodwin was one of three players in double figures with 17 points for the Trojans, who end the season with a 22-7 record.
Bryce Coke had 16 points and Nate Garrett-Evans added 13 points for Parkers Chapel.