TEXARKANA - The rivalry between El Dorado and Texarkana has been one filled with games that have gone down to the wire.
That was no different on Friday, as the Wildcats held off the Razorbacks 86-85 in 5A South play.
The Wildcats (8-15, 5-7), who sank nine 3-pointers, led 40-34 at halftime, but the Razorbacks rallied to take a 63-61 lead into the final stanza before the visitors staged a rally of their own in the fourth quarter.
Brendan Simmons posted a double-double, drilling four 3-pointers en route to scoring 28 points along with 11 rebounds and five assists.
Jarmel Love also had a double-double with 15 points, 17 rebounds and four assists. Love, who sank three 3-pointers, sealed the win with a steal on Texarkana’s final possession.
Despite the win, the Wildcats were eliminated from qualifying for the state tournament after Lake Hamilton upended J.A. Fair earlier this week.
“The kids talked before the game, and they wanted to finish the season on a high note,” said El Dorado coach Gary Simmons. “You could see it. They competed at a high level.”
G’savion Levingston delivered off the bench, scoring 15 points while adding seven rebounds.
Jordan Tubbs was also in double figures with 11 points for the Wildcats.
David Ayree had nine points and 10 rebounds, while Isaiah Ramey chipped in with eight points and six assists in the win.
El Dorado will play at Lake Hamilton on Tuesday before returning home to host Benton on Friday.
Texarkana (8-14, 1-10) will play at Hot Springs Lakeside on Tuesday.