GREENWOOD — Little Rock Parkview used its full-court pressure early and often against Texarkana, and it took its toll Wednesday in the first round of the Class 6A girls state tournament.
Roshunda Johnson had a game-high 27 points, 8 steals and 6 rebounds as the Lady Patriots defeated the Lady Razorbacks 88-34 at H.B. Stewart Bulldog Arena.
“It’s always nice to win in the state tournament,” Little Rock Parkview Coach Lahoma Howard said. “If you lose, you are done, so we talked about playing from start to finish. We wanted to play our style of game and we came out with a win.”
The Lady Patriots (15-5) started a little slow on offense, and the Lady Razorbacks (6-14) were still within11-4 early in the first quarter before Parkview turned up the pressure.
Parkview’s pressure forced Texarkana into numerous turnovers - the Lady Patriots finished with 21 steals in the game - as it built a 56-20 lead going into halftime.
“That’s a tough team to play,” Texarkana Coach Venture Watson said. “Johnson is a great player and was everywhere we went. She played very well. We’ll take this as experience for next year.”
Johnson led the way, scoring 17 first-half points and sparking a 14-6 run to end the first quarter that extended the lead to 25-8.
“She did a good job with the steals and crashing the boards on defense,” Howardsaid. “It doesn’t matter if you are a guard.”
Christyal Holloway added 21 points and Derriel Banyard had 14 for the Lady Patriots. Sausha Davey provided a spark off the bench with 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Shaquenda Cooper finished with a team-high 10 points for Texarkana. Keondra Flemons added four points and a teamhigh six rebounds.
The Lady Razorbacks played without one of their best post players, junior Stacey Manley, who left with an injury with 7:32 remaining in the second quarter.
“We stayed with them early, but when Stacey went out it throws things off,” Watson said. “She keeps everyone organized and in sync. I was hoping she would be able to play, but she got hit there and left.”SHERIDAN 56, SEARCY 40
The Lady Yellowjackets (16-9) used a huge push to take control of the game in the fourth quarter against the Lady Lions (5-17).
Sheridan scored 22 points in the final quarter after leading by only five heading into the final quarter. Searcy cut Sheridan’s lead to 31-29, but Hannah Schultz made a three-pointer to push the lead to 34-29 going into the fourth quarter.
Kadesha Cooper scored a game-high 18 points, including 11 in the second half, to help Sheridan take control. Josey Love made 7 of 8 free throws in the fourth and finished with 11 points. Schultz added 11.
Brittnee Broadway scored 15 points to lead Searcy.
MOUNTAIN HOME 41, LAKE HAMILTON 34
Katie Kapler scored a game-high 13 points as the Lady Bombers advanced to the second round with a victory over the Lady Wolves.
Mountain Home led 19-15 going into halftime and never could shake Lake Hamilton.
Kori Bullard scored 11 points and Kylie Frazier had 10 for Lake Hamilton.
Sports, Pages 21 on 02/28/2013