Lady ’Hawks beat Highlanders in Holiday Tournament

— The senior Lady Blackhawks took seventh in the Berryville Holiday Hoops Tournament after loosing two and winning one game last week.

Starting Tuesday, Dec.

28, the Pea Ridge Lady ’Hawks battled their way through the tournament, with their first game against Charleston.

In what was sure to be a pretty evenly matched game, the Lady ’Hawks took the first quarter out scoring Charleston 15 to 13. Pea Ridge got to the line early in the game shooting six free throws while Charleston shot none. The back and forth battle had Charleston over Pea Ridge 31- 28.

With Charleston having a 3-point lead, the second half was going to be as intense as the first. Charleston outshot Pea Ridge in the third quarter, forcing the Lady ’Hawks to foul in the fourth quarter. Charleston finished the game with 52-45 victory. This sent Pea Ridge into the consolation bracket.

The Lady ’Hawks took on the Berryville Bobcats Wednesday, Dec. 29. Afraid that Berryville would have the upper hand playing in their home gym during the tournament, Pea Ridge came out ready to play, but the Lady ’Hawks hit a disadvantage. Early in the first quarter, player Shantel Morgan injured her leg and was out the rest of the tournament. Pea Ridge went to the line early.

With Winn being the only source of points, the first quarter ended Pea Ridge 11 - Berryville 12. During the second quarter the scoring flip-flopped. This left the game tied 23-23 at the half. Coming out into third quarter, the Lady ’Hawks missed vital free throws that could have otherwise changed the outcome of the game. Pea Ridge out scored Berryville by one point leaving the score37-36. The Bobcats took the lead which forced Pea Ridge to foul once again.

Missing only 4 of 13 free throws the Bobcats took the victory leaving the final score 41-51.

For the last game, the Lady ’Hawks faced the Lady Highlanders. Eureka Springs started in a box and one on junior Jordan Winn (23). Because Winn had been a threat from the first game, Eureka’s mission was to not let her touch the ball. This defense shook up the already exhausted Lady ’Hawks and left the first quarter 6-18. Waking themselves up and putting on the pressure, the Lady ’Hawks went into half time with only a 9-point deficit, 15-24. Coming out into third quarter the Lady ’Hawks had a few tricks up their sleeves. Coach Heather Wade devised a plan to place Winn at half court and keep her there. Because Eureka was running a box and one, this would take a player from both teams out of the mix, making the game four on four.

There were fouls left and right and attempts at many fast breaks. With just a few seconds left on the clock Eureka 42, Pea Ridge 41, Winn got fouled. Heading to the free throw line, Winn was to shoot two. If both were made, the game was over. First shot went up - missed. You could literally feel the tension in the air. Second shot went up - made! The game was going into double overtime.

Again four minutes were put on the clock, but Eureka could only put four on the flour. Having a small team and three players fouling out, Eureka was unable to supply a whole team. So using this to their advantage, Pea Ridge took the lead and were the ones being sent to the free throw line. The Lady ’Hawks out scored the Lady Highlanders 5 to 0 and won the game 47-42.

Because of the win, the Lady ’Hawks took seventh place in the tournament.

Sports, Pages 7 on 01/05/2011