JUNIOR HIGH REPORT: Black, Gold Set For County Tournament

By Paul Nielsen

Posted: November 30, 2009 at 4:19 a.m.

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BENTONVILLE — Bentonville Gold coach John Mackey is not taking anything for granted as the Tigers prepare for this week’s Benton County Tournament.

No. 3 seed Gold (3-1) will face No. 6 seed Gravette at 5:15 p.m. today in the first round of the county tournament at Siloam Springs High School.

Two years ago, Gravette stunned Gold in a county matchup and Mackey said there would be no overlooking Gravette.

“We are not looking past them; we can’t afford to do that,” Mackey said.

Gold’s only loss is to Fayetteville Woodland at the Cat Classic and the Tigers opened Northwest Arkansas Conference play with a 40-32 victory against Springdale Southwest.

Gold played without two of its top players — Johnny Drechny (6-foot-4) and Garrett Kaufman (6-1) — against Woodland but both should be back for tonight’s game.

“We are not making excuses. They might not play the next time we play them (Woodland),” Mackey said.

The Gold offense has struggled the first four games but Mackey said that forward Aaron Ward has been a bright spot. Ward is averaging 14 points a game.

“(Ward) gets a lot of his points by getting in the passing lanes (on defense),” Mackey said. “I have been pleased with his effort on both ends of the court. Offensively, we have struggled early. But that will come with more practice.”

Defensively, Mackey said that Drechny has caused problems for opposing teams.

“Johnny has been a big, physical presence,” Mackey said. “He contests shots and he goes and gets rebounds on the defensive end.”

Bentonville Black is the No. 2 seed at the county tournament and faces No. 7 Pea Ridge on Tuesday. First-round wins by the two Bentonville schools will set up a semifinal showdown Thursday.

Black (3-2, 2-0) has had a different leading scorer almost every game, said coach Brian Ward. Center Nick Smith (6-5) is averaging 14 points a game while Collin Roberts came off the bench and scored 18 points in a victory against Fayetteville Ramay.

“(Smith) is also doing a good job of rebounding,” Ward said.

Black’s two losses have been to Fayetteville Woodland and Fort Smith Kimmons. Ward said the difference between the losses and the wins has been turnovers.

“We had 20-plus turnovers in the losses,” Ward said. “When we don’t turn the ball over, we have been successful.”

Rogers Teams Square Off

ROGERS — Rogers High and Rogers Heritage will face off in the first round of the junior high division at the Benton County Tournament Tuesday at 6:15 p.m.

Rogers is the No. 3 seed while Heritage is seeded sixth. The winner will face either No. 2 seed Bentonville Gold or No. 7 seed Pea Ridge in the semifinals on Wednesday.

“It’s not the best draw but we will have to face each other eventually,” said Lady Mounties coach Jamie Rains. “Heritage is much improved this year. We will have to play a good game.”

Rogers is 3-2 after victories over Prairie Grove, Stilwell, Okla. and Gentry. The Gentry girls are the No. 5 seed at the county tournament and will play No. 4 seed Siloam Springs on Wednesday.

Rains said move-in Taylor Strickland has been a big addition to the Rogers lineup. Strickland (5-10) is averaging 15 points a game for the Lady Mounties. She moved to Rogers from Springdale.

“(Strickland) can shoot the three, she can play the post and she can handle the basketball,” Rains said. “She will be a tough matchup for other teams and she will help us defensively by applying pressure and clearing the boards. She could play all positions for us.”

Rains also said that Hannah Hawley and Sam Warren have played well for the Lady Mounties.

“They have really come through for us,” Rains said.

Woodland’s Size A Big Advantage

SPRINGDALE — No Northwest Arkansas Conference team can match up with the size of Fayetteville Woodland, but Springdale Central probably comes closest.

Woodland (3-0, 0-0 NWAC) and Central (3-1, 0-1) face off tonight in a pivotal conference game in Springdale.

Woodland has four players 6-foot-4 or taller and coach Jeff Boogaart said the Cowboys go 10 deep. Tyler McCullough leads the potent Woodland inside attack at 6-7 while Caleb Waitsman and Brandon McCall are both 6-4.

“Not only is our size an advantage inside, but our guards are 6-1, 6-2,” Boogaart said. “That gives us a wing span all over the court.”

Boogaart said he didn’t know if he would go with all his big players tonight, however.

“We don’t have starters, we have 10 guys,” Boogaart said. “We have used different lineups in our three games and we will probably have a different lineup (tonight).”

Central will counter with 6-4 post Alex Rice and 6-3 post-forward Nick Byrne. Rice is averaging 15 points a game.

“We work inside-out,” said Central coach Van Stewman. “(Rice) is a 6-4 post with great touch and finesse around the basket. We have six guys that can play post. They are all effective and play well. Nobody completely matches up with Woodland but we are as big as anybody else in the conference.”

Three-year player Tucker Lee keys the Central attack at point guard.

“(Lee) is real strong and never turns the ball over,” Stewman said. “He is one of the most solid guards in the conference.”

Woodland started the year with three wins at the Bentonville Cat Classic where the Cowboys defeated two league opponents. But Boogaart said tonight’s game will be Woodland’s biggest challenge to date because both Bentonville teams were without starters at the Cat Classic.

“They (Central) are very well coached and are very athletic,” Boogaart said. “They won the Popeye (tournament) and they have a three-year starter (Lee) at point guard. They will be tough to beat and it’s always tough to play at Central.”

Stewman tabs Woodland as the team to beat.

“Woodland should be considered the favorite to win conference with their size, skill and athleticism,” Stewman said. “The conference (race) is going to be very tough this year.”

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