Farmington Seniors Enjoy Payback
CARDINALS SINK HALF OF THEIR 3-POINTERS TO DEFEAT CLASS 7A WILDCATS
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
SPRINGDALE — Farmington coach Beau Thompson said his seniors could remember the last time they played at Springdale Har-Ber. And they ensured Tuesday night that Farmington’s bus ride back down Interstate 540 would be more festive this season than two years ago.
The seniors accounted for all but seven of Farmington’s points, and the Cardinals nailed 50 percent of their 3-pointers (10 of 20) in a 58-49 nonconference victory in Wildcat Arena.
Three-year starters Collin Woodward and Blake Albrecht combined for 34 points.
“This is a big win for our program,” Thompson said. “Two years ago, we brought this exact group over here as sophomores and got beat by (15). I think we’ve come a pretty long way since then. We’re real happy with this win. We needed to win a close game like this.”
The Cardinals (2-0) nearly turned this contest into a blowout several times, but Har-Ber (0-2) fought back until the end.
Woodward and senior Evan Yochum nailed consecutive 3-pointers to start the game, and senior Tyler Haskins’ 6-foot jumper made it 8-0. But spurred by 6-foot-5 junior Chris Bayles, who returned from an ankle injury, the Wildcats used an 18-9 run to take their only lead at 18-17.
Farmington stormed to a 51-38 advantage with 4 minutes, 30 seconds left when Woodward drained his fourth 3 of the night. His fifth and fi nal trey halted another Har-Ber rally. The Wildcats ripped off nine straight points, drawing to within 51-47 on a 14-footer by Bayles, who scored a team-high 15.
Woodward sank a 21-footer with 47 seconds left, and Har-Ber didn’t get any closer.
“I was thinking, ‘It’s a good shot if it goes in,’” Thompson said. “I’ve seen him shoot that shot a lot, and we have a lot of confidence in him. I wouldn’t have minded if he didn’t shoot it, but he’s made a lot of shots for me in three years.”
Har-Ber coach Eric Burnett said the Cardinals’ shooting ability impressed him, but he also said he couldn’t ignore his team’s lagging defensive intensity.
“(Farmington’s) tallest guy was 6-2, but those guys are scrappy,” Burnett said. “They played hard. I thought several times they outhustled us to balls. We just didn’t guard like we’re capable of guarding.”
Chase Leichner scored a game-high 12 points, and the Farmington junior varsity outscored Har-Ber 14-3 in the first quarter en route to a 54-33 victory. Leichner drained three 3-pointers in the second half.
Jacob Berry paced Har-Ber with seven points.
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