FORT SMITH — Fort Smith Northside overcame a sluggish performance to win its opening game Monday at the annual Coca-Cola Classic.
Corey Copeland scored 16 points, including two three-pointers in the fourth quarter, to lead Northside to a 55-50 victory over Pulaski Academy at the Stubblefield Center at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Ian Carter added 14 points for Northside (7-5), which will play Subiaco Academy (9-2) today at 7:45 p.m.
Copeland made his only two three-pointers of the game after Pulaski Academy pulled ahead 41-38 after three quarters. The Bruins fought back to tie the game before Denzel Releford scored five consecutive points to secure the victory for Northside.
Dusty Hannahs finished with 15 points for Pulaski Academy ( 5 - 4 ) , w h i c h missed its last five shots.
“ We didn’t execute down the stretch,” Pulaski Academy Coach Roger Franks said. “We had the people we wanted shooting the ball, but we rushed a little bit and you have togive Northside some credit for that.”
Northside Coach Johnny Mason was pleased to get the victory, but he was not happy with the overall effort by the Grizzlies. Mason called timeout after Northside fell behind 5-2, and the Grizzlies responded by taking a 17-13 lead early in the second quarter. But Northside couldn’t put away the Bruins, who hustled on defense and were accurate with their midrange jumpers.
“We had an extremely poor effort for most of the game,” Mason said. “We were slow-footed, and we didn’t play the type of defense we’ve been playing.”
Copeland made sure Northside didn’t lose with two three-pointers and two free throws in the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies alsoreceived help off the bench from Trevon Good, who hit a key three-pointer and finished with seven points.
“Our people off the bench did some good things out there,” Mason said. “[Good] hit a big shot for us and had a couple of assists that helped.”
FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE 60, PRAIRIE GROVE 39
Fort Smith Southside outscored Prairie Grove 22-8 in the third quarter to advance to today’s winner’s bracket game at 6 p.m. against Little Rock Hall.
Cameron Adams scored 16 points for Southside (8-3), which pulled its starters after taking a 48-29 lead with 59.6 seconds left in the third. Tanner Gallman and Nathan Eilerts each finished with 10 points for Prairie Grove (5-3).
SUBIACO ACADEMY 47, CABOT 41
Marquis Walters scored 18 points to lead Subiaco Academy over Cabot (5-4). The Trojans made 5 of 10 threepointers while Cabot was 4 of 20 on three-pointers.
Cabot got to within four with under a minute to play, but Subiaco Academy was able to hold on. Seth Romberg led the Panthers with 14 points.
LITTLE ROCK HALL 80, CLARKSVILLE 53
Raheem Dickerson and David Rivers scored a combined 38 points to lead Little Rock Hall (10-1) past Clarksville (7-5)
Dickerson finished with 20 points and Rivers 18 for Hall, the defending tournament champion. C.J. Lee scored 20 and Dederick Lee had 19 for Clarksville.
Coke Classic MONDAY’S RESULTS Little Rock Hall 80, Clarksville 53 Subiaco Academy 47, Cabot 41 Fort Smith Northside 55, Pulaski Academy 50 Fort Smith Southside 60, Prairie Grove 39 TODAY’S GAMES Clarksville vs. Prairie Grove, 2:30 p.m.
Cabot vs. Pulaski Academy, 4:15 p.m.
Little Rock Hall vs. Fort Smith Southside, 6 p.m.
Fort Smith Northside vs. Subiaco Academy, 7:45 p.m.
Sports, Pages 21 on 12/29/2009