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The Berryville Bobcats will be making their fourth consecutive appearance in the 4A-North Regional Tournament.
The Bobcats clinched a spot in the regional tournament with a 51-29 victory over Gravette in the second round of the 4A-1 district tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Bobcat Arena.
Berryville lost to Farmington by a score of 89-43 in the district tournament semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 16, and will be a No. 4 seed in the regional tournament.
The Bobcats (22-8) will play Dardanelle (27-4) at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Devil Dog Arena in Morrilton.
“We’re really excited,” Berryville coach Brent Compton said Monday. “We’re super proud of our kids. We’ve had a great year and we’re looking forward to Wednesday night.”
Dardanelle won the 1A-1 district tournament on Saturday, Feb. 18.
Wednesday’s game will be a rematch of last season’s first-round regional game at Farmington, which Berryville won 58-52 to clinch its second consecutive state tournament bid. The Bobcats went on to reach the state semifinals for the first time in more than 50 years.
In 2021, Dardanelle survived a second-half comeback by the Bobcats to take third place in the regional tournament in Ozark when Berryville missed a threepoint shot in the final seconds that would have sent the game to overtime.
“We’re 1-1,” Compton said of the Bobcats and Sand Lizards. “So we hope to win the rubber match Wednesday night.”
Dardanelle has won 13 of its past 14 games, avenging the only loss in that span with its victory over Morrilton in the district championship game.
“I think all the pressure is on them, given the situation that they’re a one seed and we’re a four,” Compton said. “Their size is going to be an advantage for them. We’ve got to figure out a way to neutralize them on the boards.”
Last Wednesday’s game against Gravette in the district tournament was drama- free for the Bobcats. Berryville led 11-2 at the end of the first quarter. After the Lions got within five at halftime, the Bobcats put the game away by outscoring Gravette 17-4 in the third quarter.
Senior guard Nate Allen led Berryville with 22 points, including five three-pointers. Senior Jake Wilson added 14 points and senior D.J. Colbert scored 10 for the Bobcats.
“Our kids were ready,” Compton said. “They’ve been there and done that. The kids executed extremely well and took care of business and got that regional berth and got that out of the way.”
Against unbeaten Farmington, Berryville fell behind 26-10 by the end of the first quarter. Wilson led the Bobcats with 13 points.
“They’re just a different level,” Compton said of Farmington. “They’re the frontrunner to win the whole thing. Our kids did their best. Honestly, Farmington probably played the best game they’ve played all year. And when they do that, there’s not much anybody can do. I don’t care who they play, any classification.”
The Cardinals went on to win the tournament, defeating Huntsville 112-46 in the championship game on Saturday, Feb. 18.
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