Har-Ber Holds Off Heritage

— Brandon Bucceri tipped the ball into the air and grabbed it with both hands and smiled as time expired Friday night.

Springdale Har-Ber now has a good grasp on a state tournament berth as well.

The junior intercepted a length-of-the-court pass to help Har-Ber hold on for a 53-50 win over Rogers Heritage in 7A/6A-West Conference boys basketball at War Eagle Arena.

Har-Ber (9-17, 4-8 7A/6A-West) now enjoys a two-game lead over Rogers High with two games to play, and the Wildcats close the regular season at Rogers.

Alex Rice, a 6-foot-6 senior, enjoyed a big night for Har-Ber and came up with some key baskets with 10 fourth-quarter points. But the Wildcats had to overcome a lackluster performance at the free-throw line to come away with the win.

Har-Ber made just 8 of 17 free throws in the fourth quarter and just 14 of 31 for the game.

But Har-Ber coach Adam Simmons was pleased with his team’s mettle, particularly in the fourth quarter. Rice came up big in the fourth quarter.

“When we had to have a play, our guys came up with a play,” Simmons said. “It was a credit to our guys. Bottom line is our kids played hard and came up with a win.

“Alex is our leader and he’s growing with every game.”

Justin Malott’s 3-pointer with a little more than two minutes left gave Har-Ber a 47-44 lead it would never relinquish.

Heritage coach Tom Olsen said Rice was the difference late, but his team hung in after trailing 13-2 four minutes into the game.

“He was the difference, but even though he scored 10 in the fourth quarter we were still right there,” Olsen said. “It’s been a rough year. But that’s just the way athletics is and you just have to keep your chin up and keep bucking.”

Xavier Thomas led Heritage (9-15, 0-12) with 10 points, while Crist Olsen added nine.

The War Eagles grabbed a three-point lead in the fourth quarter on two free throws by Connor Hirsh. Heritage also had a potential game-tying 3-pointer from Wyatt Kinnamon bang off the rim with five seconds left.

Har-Ber 17 10 11 15 — 53

Heritage 10 13 15 12 — 50

Springdale Har-Ber (9-17, 4-8): Rice 20, Buccheri 9, Jester 6, Malott 6, L. Jones 5, R. Jones 3, Fox 3, Davis 1.

Rogers Heritage (9-15, 0-12): Thomas 10, Olsen 9, Fryauf 8, Kinnamon 7, Hirsh 6, Greenway 5, Jones 3, Robbins 2.

Junior Varsity score: Rogers Heritage 38, Springdale Har-Ber 37.

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