4A Blackhawks slip past Highlanders

Eureka's Robert Lawler took a charge from a Jasper Pirate during action earlier this season, then battled in the middle against Pea Ridge on Tuesday when fouls sent two Highlanders to the bench. David McNeal / CCN [Order this photo]

EUREKA SPRINGS -- The Pea Ridge Blackhawks wrestled two victories away from the Highlanders on Tuesday, taking advantage of their two-classification difference.

Pea Ridge, in the 1-4A Conference, won the boys game 71-39, and the girls matchup 45-37 from Eureka, a Class 2A member.

"These games will help us when we get into our conference play," Athletics Director Aaron Hall said.

Senior High Boys

7-16, 20-42, 32-58, 39-71

Team captains Jacob Worley and Nick Bower, the inside game and height for the Highlanders (2-4), got in foul trouble early in the second quarter, giving Pea Ridge a chance to make a run, and they did.

"Defensively we didn't do a good job blocking out," Coach Nolan Helder said. "The whole game we probably only threw the ball inside five times. Instead we shot quick threes and that didn't work.

"Our three inside players, Jacob, Nick and Robert Lawler, did a good job scoring when they got the ball. Pea Ridge is big and athletic and we didn't match up well.

"Dustin Morrell did a good job driving to the rim, but their press and halfcourt 1-3-1 trap hurt us."

Scoring- ES- Worley- 13, 1 3s, 2/3 Fts; Bower- 8; Morrell- 6; Jonathan Waite- 4, 4/6 Fts; Peyton Troillett- 3, 3/4 Fts; Lawler- 3, 1/3 Fts; Briar Sebby- 2. Team- 10/20 Fts. PR- Kip Kelly- 23, 2 3s; Cameron- 16.

Senior High Girls

10-11, 18-24, 25-32, 37-45

"The first half it was back and forth, then in the last minute we gave up back-to-back easy baskets and Pea Ridge's lead went from two to six," Coach Hall said. "We were only one point down each of the other three quarters."

Post Miranda Smith scored 15 points compliments of some excellent passes from teammates while she was triple teamed, earning praise from Coach Hall.

"Miranda did an outstanding job protecting the ball. It was rough, very physical. The kids got the ball to her, and five other players scored four or five points. That's encouraging," Hall said. "I was proud of the kids' efforts, but we made just 9 of 20 free throws. That hurts."

Scoring- ES- Smith- 15, 3/6 Fts; 5's- Laura Winters, 2 3s, Mariah Sanchez, 3/6 Fts; 4's- Emily Payne, 1 3s, 1/3 Fts, Tanisha Morrell, Tabitha Willard, 2/5 Fts. PR- Paryzek- 16; Bains- 12.