COCA-COLA CLASSIC BOYS

Stark’s all-around play big spark for Springdale

— Dashuan Stark did a little bit of everything for the Springdale Bulldogs, and that was more than enough to ensure an openinground victory Thursday at the Coca-Cola Classic.

Stark finished with 11 points, but his post game, passing skills and defense helped the Bulldogs overpower Subiaco Academy 66-34 at the Stubblefield Center on the campus of Arkansas-Fort Smith.

“He’s a guy for us that we lean on,” Springdale Coach Brad Stamps said. “He does a lot of things in different areas for us. It wasn’t his best ballgame, but he did a lot for us.”

The Bulldogs (7-4) used their post game early, working primarily through Stark, to build an 18-8 lead in the first quarter. Then Springdale took over in the second quarter with a big run.

The Bulldogs outscored Subiaco Academy 16-4 to start the second quarter, with Stark’s dunk in transition making it 32-12 with 5:18 left in the half. The scoring stretch helped Springdale build a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

“He is a big guard that sees the floor very well,” Stamps said. “We like the ball in his hands. We are very happy with his role and what he does on the floor.”

Alex Scharlau led the Bulldogs with 16 points. Springdale also received plenty of scoring help off the bench with Jordan Johnson scoring 10 points and Josiah Wymer finishing with nine.

“He’s a senior that has played a lot of games for us,” Stamps said of Scharlau. “He’s a kid who needs to be in double figures for us each night.”

Cash Krueger led Subiaco Academy (4-7) with 12 points and Chris Reed had 11.

Stamps said Springdale was a bit sluggish at first after taking off a few days for the holidays.

“It was one of those games you grind it out,” he said. “It’s something to build off.”

The Trojans used a 9-5 run to cut the lead to 41-21 going into halftime, but the Bulldogs pulled away by limiting the Trojans to four points in the third quarter and nine in the fourth.

“We didn’t want to scoreboard watch,” Stamps said. “We wanted to play hard at all times. Overall, I wasn’t pleased with our intensity level, but I think we will be able to play better as the tournament goes forward.”

Springdale will play either Fort Smith Southside or Arkadelphia in the second round at 7:45 tonight.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK 81,

BRYANT 60

Dayshawn Watkins scored 20 points and Kevaughn Allen had 19 as the Charging Wildcats’ offense heated up early and often to beat the Hornets in a first-round game.

Bryant’s KJ Hill scored a game-high 26, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Watkins and Allen.

All five North Little Rock starters scored in the first quarter as the Wildcats took a commanding 25-9 lead.

Bryant came back strong in the second quarter and cut the lead to 35-26 going into halftime. The Hornets used a 13-4 run and held the Charing Wildcats to just 10 points in the quarter. But North Little Rock put together another solid scoring effort with a 24-point third quarter that helped extend its lead to 59-40 heading into the final quarter.

The Charging Wildcats finished off Bryant with a 24-point fourth quarter to advance to the second round, where they will play either Fort Smith Northside or Texarkana, Texas, today.

Watkins scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half for North Little Rock. Gary Vines added 16 points for the Charging Wildcats.

Sports, Pages 18 on 12/28/2012

Upcoming Events