The Blackhawk boys jumped out in front of the Gravette Lions and never looked back in their 58-38 shellacking of their top conference foe.
The 'Hawks, winners of the first match between the two schools 10 days ago, as much as iced the conference crown with four games left. The Lions are two games back of the 'Hawks with a 12-2 mark, while the 'Hawks remain undefeated at 14-0.
"We had maybe our best game of the year defensively," head coach Trent Loyd said, "and we were very unselfish on offense, making the extra pass to get a better shot."
Cole Wright got the game off on the right foot with a reverse layup to start the game. Kobe Rose ripped a trey for the corner with Matt Thomas driving for a layup followed by a Britton Caudill power move inside for a 9-0 lead in the game's first 2 minutes.
Gravette began to show some offensive when they scored a jump shot and layup back to back. However, Hayden Holtgrewe flashed through the lane for a layup with Wright stealing the ball, flipping to Holtgrewe who scored off the play, and the 'Hawks led 27-11.
If the Lions hoped they could make a second half comeback, they were deprived of that possibility when the homeboys exploded for 10 points in the first four minutes.
The visitors managed to score the first two field goals of the fourth quarter, but whatever faint hopes the Lion faithful held was quickly dashed. Hall dropped in two shots from beyond the arc with Thomas adding two charity shots as the game was essentially over with the 'Hawks owning a 56-33 lead. Caudill and Hall hit lone free throws to round out the Pea Ridge scoring and the Lions settled for a bucket in the paint and a 3-pointer to round their offense for the evening.
Hall led all scorers with 19, followed by Thomas with 11, Rose 9, Caudill 7, Church 6, Holtgrewe 5, and Wright 2.
The 'Hawks had another game last night at Lincoln. They host Haas Hall Friday. Both Lincoln and Hass Hall have 1-13 conference records.
Lady Blackhawks 45, Lady Lions 58
The Lady Blackhawks made a vast improvement from their mercy ruled game against Gravette 10 days ago, but turnovers and a lack of height were too much to overcome as they lost a 58-45 contest to the Lions.
Alli Whatley was a force inside as she scored the 'Hawks' first 6-point from in the paint. The Lady Lions used their size effectively as they scored all nine of their first points from underneath to lead the 'Hawks 9-6 with 3 minutes left in the first period.
A Gravette field goal and free throw increased their lead to 12-6 but a free throw by Whatley and a driving score in the lane by Jennifer Anthony reduced the lead back to 3 at 12-9 in the last minute. However, the Lions made good on a last second long shot to take a 15-9 lead at the buzzer.
The visitors outscored the Blackhawks 8-1 in the early going of the final period with Fletcher's free throw the only point recorded. Fearing a Blackhawk comeback, the Lions went to a stall game and burned most of the clock until the final minute when they added a field goal and free throw. Sunny Olson closed out the 'Hawks scoring with a finger roll shot over the defenders with 37 seconds to go.
Anthony led the 'Hawks in scoring with 15 with Whatley having 12, Dayberry 5, Landis 4, Fletcher 3 and Olson 2.
The Lady 'Hawks played last night in Lincoln and play Hass Hall at home Friday. They close out the regular season with a road game at Prairie Grove Tuesday then host Elkins a week from Friday.
Sports on 02/01/2017