SEARCY — Freshmen Brogan Jones and Gia Hayes each scored 16 points, helping make E Stem’s first foray into state tournament play a successful one.
E Stem, a Little Rock charter school in its first year as a sanctioned Arkansas Activities Association school, defeated Rivercrest 66-49 on Tuesday afternoon in the Class 3A girls state tournament at the Riverview High School Activity Center.
Jones, a 6-2 post player, scored 14 of her points in the first half. She also pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds and blocked four shots.
“Our philosophy all year has been preparation and being ready for anything,” E Stem Coach Johnecia Howard said. “I’m a first-year coach with a lot of first-year players, so we’re all doing this for the first time. Our preparation and hard work is the reason why we didn’t look scared out there.”
The teams traded leads five times in the opening five minutes, but the Lady Mets (20-7) grabbed a 20-13 advantage after the first quarter and was never threatened again.
Rivercrest (23-9) picked up a game-high 26 points from junior guard Damonique Brown, but the Lady Coltsgot no more than six points from any other player. Senior Tianna Smith grabbed 11 rebounds for Rivercrest, which was outrebounded 37-28 and committed 26 turnovers. E Stem was guilty of 22 turnovers but made only three in the first half as the Lady Mets built a 38-24 halftime advantage.
E Stem junior Olivia McWilliams scored 11 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, handed out 6 assists and made 4 steals.
The Lady Mets will play Charleston or Centerpoint in Thursday’s quarterfinals.
JESSIEVILLE 51, MANILA 38
Unbeaten Jessieville picked up 18 points from senior Peyton Herrell in a victory over Manila.
The game was tied at 20-20 at the half,but Jessieville (31-0) scored the first eight points of the second half - six of them coming on two three-pointers by senior Carson Lamb - and the Region 2 champions never trailed again.
Payton Lamb added 11 points for Jessieville.
Junior Deven Burrow scored 13 to lead Manila (28-7), while senior Shelby Wallace and junior Emily Cook each added nine.
GREENLAND 51, BISMARCK 22
Senior guard Morgan Miller hit four three-pointers and finished with 14 points as the Lady Pirates defeated the Lady Lions.
Greenland (17-13) picked up nine three-pointers from five players. Sophomore Kelsey Vaughn added 12 points and five rebounds for Greenland, while reserve Kiana Thompson added 11 points.
Bismarck (16-10) was led by junior Addison Crow’s 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Sports, Pages 26 on 02/27/2013