ROGERS -- Rogers Heritage got off to the best start in school history thanks in large part to a tough match-up zone defense this season. Waynesville, Mo., turned the tables on the War Eagles on Friday.
The Tigers kept Heritage out of sync with their mix of size and quickness, rolling to a 57-29 victory, advancing to the finals of the 10th annual Arvest Hoopfest at War Eagle Arena.
Waynesville, Mo. 57, Rogers Heritage 29
Waynesville^16^10^17^14^—^57
Heritage^8^6^13^2^—^29
Waynesville (4-0): Johnson 23, Morgan 13, Williams 8, Walker 7, Swanson 6.
Rogers Herirage (7-1): Hobbs 15, Jensen 4, Hirsh 2, Belnap 2, Breedlove 2, Coover 2, Stanley 2.
At A Glance
Arvest Hoopfest
at War Eagles Arena, Rogers Heritage
Friday
Game 5: Tulsa Edison 53, Webb City, Mo. 52
Game 6: Fort Smith Southside 49, Pea Ridge 33
Game 7: Mount Vernon, Mo. 62, Rogers High 53
Game 8: Waynesville, Mo. vs. Rogers Heritage, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday
Game 9: Webb City, Mo. vs. Pea Ridge 1 p.m.
Game 10: Tulsa Edison vs. Fort Smith Southside, 2:30 p.m.
Game 11: Rogers High vs. p.m.
Game 12: Mount Vernon, Mo. vs. 5:30 p.m.
Waynesville (4-0) will take on Mount Vernon, Mo., in the finals at 5:30 p.m. today. Heritage will face crosstown rival Rogers High in the third-place game at 4 p.m.
Heritage coach Tom Olsen said his team team struggled to cover Waynesville's good outside shooters and also combat their size. Senior guard Joe Johnson poured in a game-high 23 points, while 6-foot-8 Juwan Morgan chipped in 13 points and six blocked shots.
"We had to pay so much attention to Morgan, then Joe Johnson just kills us," Olsen said. "They hit three 3-point shots right off the bat and put us back on our heels. They make threes and we've still got to pack it in and try to keep the ball from around the basket. They are just so balanced."
The War Eagles (7-1) put together a 10-2 run early in the second half to get within 29-24, but Waynesville responded with a 12-2 spurt to regain control.
Heritage could never get into a rhythm offensively in the first half, even Morgan, who already signed to play at Indiana next year, got in early foul trouble and managed just five points. The Tigers limited Heritage to just one field goal in the second quarter and led 26-14 at halftime.
Olsen said Waynesville's length gave his team a false read.
"They kinda get out there a little bit and make you think you can penetrate," Olsen said. "And then when you get in there amongst the big kids there's no place to go. Our kids were seeing gaps and they were attacking, but those gaps closed quickly."
Fort Smith Southside 49, Pea Ridge 33
The Rebels started the game with a 10-0 run, then took command with a 12-0 spurt to start the third quarter en route to the blowout victory.
Seth Hawley poured in a game-high 18 points, while Alex Foree chipped in 10 for Southside (4-4). The Rebels led 25-15 at halftime. Sophomore Joey Hall led the Blackhawks (3-5) with nine points.
Southside will take on Tulsa Edison at 2:30 today in the fifth-place game. Pea Ridge faces Webb City, Mo. for seventh place at 1.
Sports on 12/13/2014