'Hawks lose to Cards

Thursday, February 25, 2010

— Farmington (26-2) led 36-23 at halftime, but Pea Ridge rallied in the second half and cut the lead to 46-45 early in the fourth quarter on a basket by Cameron Thompson.

Thompson led the Blackhawks (18-10) with 18 points, while Ethan Rhine added 16 and Kasey Cooper 12.

The final score was Pea Ridge 55, Farmington 67.

Pea Ridge is scheduled to compete in the Regional Tournament Thursday.

Another twisting layup by Rhine got the ’Hawks back to within 4, but Pea Ridge missed their next five shots while the Cards were striking from 3-point range as well as from the free throw line as they expanded their lead to 57-49 with four minutes left.

In the game’s last three minutes, Rhine and Cooper made layups with Cooper also tossing in a pair of free throws but the ’Hawks missed their other seven shots as the Cards’ acumen from the free throw line iced the contest for Farmington.

The ’Hawks will now have to wait for regional action to play again. They will be up against the loser of Subiaco/Clarksville, finalists in the 4A-4 district championship game.

Subiaco has been ranked as high as No. 1 in the state this year with Clarksville a top five state-ranked team.

Six of the eight teams in the region (to be played at Farmington) are ranked in the state’s top 10, by far the toughest region in the state in 4A.

The game is set for Thursday with the winner of that contest advancing to the region semi-finals and to the state tournament as well. The loser of that battle will see their 2009-2010 season come to a close.

Sports, Pages 7 on 02/24/2010