SPRINGDALE — Rogers Heritage and Springdale Har-Ber appeared to have little to play for Friday.
With both teams in a battle to stay out of the bottom of the 7A-West Conference standings, though, it was the War Eagles who looked like the team that wanted the win just a little more in a 42-35 decision in Wildcat Arena.
For Heritage, Friday’s victory guarantees at least no worse than a tie with Har-Ber for seventh place in the final conference standings, with both teams already eliminated from postseason contention.
A win at Bentonville today would assure the War Eagles (10-17, 2-11) of a seventh-place finish all to themselves.
“They’ve been a great team to coach all season long, and we’ve had a lot of close games where if they went the other way, we’re right there in the middle of the playoff race,” Heritage boys basketball coach Tom Olsen said.
“But (Friday) I thought we defended real well and rebounded well. We got a double-digit lead and then were able to withstand a late run there at the end of some of our own missed free throws, but I’m proud of our guys.”
The War Eagles used their stingy defense to spark an 11-0 run in the second half to turn a 24-23 lead into a 35-23 advantage with 7 minutes, 4 seconds to play.
But just when the lead appeared safe, Heritage became its worst enemy at the free-throw line, missing six attempts in the final two minutes as the Wildcats (3-25, 2-12) pulled to within 38-35 on a Nac Williams 3-pointer with 38 seconds left.
Har-Ber could get no closer, though, as its final three 3-point attempts missed, while Heritage was able to knock down just enough free throws to put the game away.
“We obviously had some struggles from the foul line,” Olsen said. “We haven’t been in that position that many times late in the game, and you need that experience with the game on the line.”
For Har-Ber, the loss puts an end to a frustrating season filled with numerous disappointments capped by a six-game losing streak.
“You hate to see the seniors go out like that,” Har-Ber coach Adam Simmons said. “For our seniors, I hate it for them and for our juniors and sophomore I hope it leaves a bad taste in their mouth going into the offseason.”
Mac Olinger scored 15 points to lead Heritage and Thomas Moreland added 10, while Jason Holmstrom scored 12 points and Matt Bradley added for Har-Ber.
Boys Prep Basketball
7A-West Conference
ROGERS HERITAGE 42
SPRINGDALE HAR-BER 35
Heritage 10 9 12 11 — 42
Har-Ber 7 7 9 12 — 35
Heritage (10-17, 2-11): Olinger 15, Moreland 10, Macy 8, Warner 6, Shaw 2, Stewart 1.
Har-Ber (3-25, 2-12): Holmstrom 12, Bradley 10, Vaughn 6, Williams 5, Berry 2.