SPRINGDALE — Siloam Springs was better on offense Friday in a 64-48 win at Springdale Har-Ber, and a big part of it was the Panthers being active on the defensive end.
That Figures
12 — Consecutve points to start Friday’s game for the Lady Wildcats
2,025 — Career points for Siloam Springs’ Payton Henson after his 31-point performance against Har-Ber
“We had a little better identity on offense and we were active,” said Siloam Springs boys basketball coach Tim Stewart. “What we preached tonight was not offense. It was defense. Until late in the fourth quarter, I thought we were pretty active. I thought we rebounded well, and we didn’t let Har-Ber get a lot of threes.
“Defensively, our energy was very good, and that’s fun to see.”
Stewart said he felt the Panthers (16-3, 6-2 7A/6A-West Conference) won the majority of 50-50 battles for rebounds led by 6-foot-8 post man Payton Henson, who had 31 points and 16 rebounds, along with junior 6-foot-5 forward Dylan Gray.
“When Payton and Dylan are outworking their guys, we’re going to be pretty good,” Stewart said. “If one of them would miss, the other one would tip it. Austin Comiskey got in there and made some plays.
“That energy and that work ethic, if we can keep it up down the stretch we’re going to have some fun.”
PLAY OF THE WEEK: With less than 30 seconds left before halftime, Austin Comiskey went for a steal, missed the ball and his momentum sent him sailing down the court. It turned out to be a good thing anyway. The Panthers got the turnover of Har-Ber just a second later and passed down court to a wide open to a wide open Comiskey, who scored just before the buzzer for a 17-12 lead.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Henson’s 31 points and 16 rebounds led the Panthers against Springdale Har-Ber. Sophomore Bailee Owens had 15 points against Har-Ber, while Ashlin Stock’s 12 points tied a career-high.
NOTABLE: Siloam Springs’ two leading scorers, Morgan Miller and Baily Cameron, who combine to average 27 points per game, were held to a combined seven points against Springdale Har-Ber. ... Panthers senior Austin Van Poucke did not play against Har-Ber because of an illness. ... Instead of playing a game last Tuesday, the Panthers had a little fun instead on their scheduled night off. The team went out for a night of bowling and pizza.
THE LINGO: “We have a chemistry that’s really fun to be around. When you add that energy to that chemistry, it’s a fun thing.”
Tim Stewart
Siloam Springs boys coach
UP NEXT: Siloam Springs hosts Rogers High on Tuesday. The Panthers defeated the Mounties 68-49 on Jan. 8. The Lady Panthers lost to Rogers 64-54.