LITTLE ROCK — Host Maumelle rode the 23-point performance of freshman guard Shawn Williams to a 74-66 victory over the Gravette Lions in the first round of the Class 4A North Regional Tournament on Friday night.
Williams scored his team’s first eight points and he hit six of seven free-throw attempts in the game’s final 1:37 to help preserve the Hornets’ victory.
Maumelle (19-11) trailed 55-51 with 4:07 to play, but the Hornets scored the next 11 points.
“Our guys just took care of the ball,” Maumelle Coach Michael Shook. “In the second half we cut our turnovers in half and that helps a lot.”
Sophomore Tyshun Robinson handed out assists on three consecutive possessions during the Hornets’ key run.
“I thought he played well,” Shook said of Robinson. “Earlier in the quarter he had a turnover and he missed a wide-open layup but I said ‘hey, I’ve got confidence in you. Just make up for it.’ I thought he did a lot of good things after that.”
Friday’s victory assured the Hornets of a spot in next week’s state tournament. Maumelle plays Booneville in today’s semifinals.
Kendall Donnerson added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Hornets, who led 49-47 entering the final quarter. Senior Cole Thomas scored 13 points and had two huge steals in the fourth quarter.
“At the most unopportune times we gave up an offensive rebound or we committed a turnover,” Gravette Coach Dustin Peters said. “Those things you just can’t do because they turn into quick, easy points for them.”
Junior Terence Pierce hit six three-pointers, was six of six from the free-throw line and finished with 26 points. Sophomore Jonathan Pollreis added 14 points and senior Matthew Vanotterloo 10.
Maumelle out rebounded Gravette 38-30. The Hornets committed 15 turnovers, but only five in the second half. Gravette was guilty of 17 for the game.
Trailing 55-51, Maumelle started its rally when Robinson found Donnerson for a three-footer with 3:47 to play. Forty seconds later, Robinson passed to Thomas, who hit a three-pointer from the top of the arc for a 56-55 lead, and the Hornets never trailed again.
Pierce hit a 30-footer with 21.2 seconds to play to pull the Lions (15-12) to within 69-66, but two free throws from Williams with 19.7 seconds left pushed the game back to a two-possession game and the Lions never scored again.
POTTSVILLE 60, PEA RIDGE 43
Michael Perry scored 19 points and the Apaches outscored the Blackhawks 16-8 in the second quarter to run away with a first-round victory.
Pottsville advances to play Lincoln in today’s semifinals.
Pottsville led 17-12 after one quarter and 33-20 at the half.
Chris Albin added 14 points and Travis Cole 11 for Pottsville. Evan Tillman scored 18 and Jacob Hall 10 for Pea Ridge.
Sports, Pages 24 on 02/23/2013