’Hawks rock Ozark, set up showdown

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

— Charley Clark’s varsity Blackhawks dominated Ozark 84-63 in the first cage clash between the teams since the Hillbillies joined the 4A-1 District.

The win kept the ‘Hawks undefeated in league play to keep pace with the Farmington Cardinals who have also posted an unblemished conference mark.

“While we didn’t shoot particularly well from the outside,” Clark said, “we did manage to drive for a lot of layups. We also scored a lot of free throwsand it was good to see that.

“Ozark has several talented players, but they really haven’t gotten their skills where they could be just yet. They have the potential to be a really good team in the near future.”

Pea Ridge took charge from the beginning and was never seriously threatened in their last game before traveling to Farmington this week where they played the states’ No.

5-ranked team in Class AAAA. The victory ran their seasonal standard to a sterling 15-3.

All five starting ’Hawks tallied points in the firstquarter as Pea Ridge took an early lead. Dakota Woodward and Cameron led the way with 6 points each. Thompson scored three field goals in the paint with Woodward scoring in a more varied fashion as he sank a 3-pointer, scored on a layup and also ripped a free throw for his half-dozen. Copper hit three free throws along with a field goal with Levi Roughton converting two free throws. Ethan Higgins rounded out the scoring with a free throw and field goal as the first quarter buzzer went off with the ’Hawks ahead 22-14.

The second period was a great deal similar to the events of the first quarter as Cooper and Woodward again ran a fast paced offense. Both athletes piled 8 points with Woodward hitting a pair of free throws and a couple of 3-point shots. Cooper got his 8 points by scoring a pair of regular field goals to go with a single free throw and a lone 3-point shot.

Roughton, Higgins and Joe Adams also scored a deuce apiece with Jacob Hall converting a free throw as Pea Ridge rode into haltime sporting a 47-28 lead.

Woodward scored hisfourth 3-pointer in the third period with Cooper racking up 7 points via two throws and a pair of field goals.

Roughton made two of two free throws for the third straight quarter with Thompson adding a field goal to keep Ozark at bay as the ’Hawks led the ’Billies 61-44 at the end of the third period.

Ozark may have decided to try and foul the ’Hawks to get back into the game as the ’Billies sent Pea Ridge to the line 13 times in the final quarter. Roughton and Cooper each sank three of their offerings with Thompson ripping a pair himself. The threesome allstruck from the field two times apiece with Higgins and Pitts rounding out the scoring with 1 and 2 points, respectively. Pea Ridge outscored their hosts 23-19 in the final eight minutes to take a final 21-point margin of victory, 83-64.

Last night’s victor in the Farmington/Pea Ridge game won sole possession of first place with the Cards slated for a return match in Pea Ridge later into the season. This week’s games, on the road at Farmington and Shiloh, loom large as the outcome may very well indicate the final outcome of the district standings.

Sports, Pages 7 on 01/19/2011