Lady ’Cats Building

Har-Ber Completes Back-To-Back 20-Win Seasons

Samantha Weber, Springdale Har-Ber junior guard, takes a shot in the lane against West Memphis on March 1 during the Class 7A State Basketball Tournament in Fayetteville. The Lady Wildcats won 20 games for the second consecutive season.

Samantha Weber, Springdale Har-Ber junior guard, takes a shot in the lane against West Memphis on March 1 during the Class 7A State Basketball Tournament in Fayetteville. The Lady Wildcats won 20 games for the second consecutive season.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

— Springdale Har-Ber fell one game short of playing for a state championship, but winning 20 games for the second consecutive year shows increasing stability in the young program.

The Lady Wildcats reached the semifinals before losing 61-55 to Fort Smith Southside in the Class 7A State Tournament at Fayetteville High School. Har-Ber (20-11) won seven of its final nine games, including a first-round victory over West Memphis. Har-Ber also beat West Memphis in the state tournament last year when the Lady Wildcats finished 22-10.

Fort Smith Southside eliminated Har-Ber in a game that saw the teams combine to shoot 60 free throws. Southside was 21 of 34 from the line while Har-Ber was 17 of 26. Calli White had 17 points for Southside, which led 27-20 at halftime.

“Having a 20-win season was one of our goals and we’ve done that now two years in a row,” Har-Ber coach Sandy Wright said. “Any time you win 20 games and get to the final four, you’ve got to be pleased with that. We’re building tradition.”

SEASON HIGH POINT: Har-Ber finished strong down the stretch to earn the No. 2 seed from the 7A/6A-West. The Lady Wildcats won six of their final seven conference games, including road wins at Van Buren, Rogers Heritage, and Rogers.

SEASON LOW POINT: Har-Ber coach Sandy Wright called for a Saturday morning practice after the Lady Wildcats lost 56-38 on their home court to Rogers Heritage. The girls got the message and won 53-48 at Rogers Heritage in the rematch.

THE “WHAT IF?” FACTOR: Springdale Har-Ber was mostly a balanced scoring team this season with four players averaging between 12 and eight points per game. But only Bailey Schalk shined in the state semifinal game with 21 points. Had the others played their normal game and avoided foul trouble, the outcome could’ve been much closer. Tayleah Neal was particularly frustrated with foul trouble and finished with six points.

MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE: Tayleah Neal made great strides but the feel-good story for Har-Ber involved senior guard Ashley Gray. Gray got to play in the state tournament after missing much of the previous two seasons because of a serious knee injuries.

THE LINGO: “Our younger players should be hungry (for success) after watching what the older girls were able to accomplish this season. Hopefully, we can get back there (state semifinals) and then some.”

— Springdale Har-Ber coach Sandy Wright

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Har-Ber got a boost when sophomore Bailey Schalk transferred from a high school in Ohio last spring. The 5-foot-10 forward averaged 12 points per game, including a season-high 27 points in a victory over Rogers Heritage.

LOOKING AHEAD: Har-Ber will take a hit by losing six seniors, including Neal and Caylee Wright. Neal provided toughness underneath while Wright distributed the ball and was a capable scorer from her guard position. Har-Ber will built its team next year around Bailey Schalk and guard Samantha Weber, an aggressive player who likes to attack the basket. Marleeya Montgomery will help inside while sophomore guard Carlye Bohannan showed fearlessness with two 3-pointers in the semifinal game with Southside.