HARRISON - After two snowstorms, three months, three holidays and a year change, the 40th annual North Arkansas College Senior Girls Invitational Tournament finally came to a close Saturday night at Pioneer Pavilion when Kingston edged Valley Springs 54-48 for its second consecutive tournament championship.
Kingston (28-3) built a 38-25 lead on Valley Springs (25-2) midway through the third quarter, but the Lady Tigers rallied to within 42-36. Kingston took a 45-36 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Lady Tigers scored the first five of the final quarter, and when sophomore Payton Tennison converted a three-point play with 4:55 left, Valley Springs had cut the lead to 47-44. The Lady Yellowjackets made two free throws for a 49-44 lead.
With 1:25 left, the Lady Jackets hit two free throws to go up 51-44, but Valley Springs scored the next four points to close within 51-48 with 50 seconds left. Kayla Smith made 1 of 2 from the line with 29.9 seconds left for a 52-48 Kingston lead, and Tina Davidson hit a jumper with 12 seconds left for the final score.
Smith finished with 19 points for Kingston. Tennison led Valley Springs with 17 points.
THIRD-PLACE GAME BERGMAN 31, FLIPPIN 30 Kenley Bonham’s off-balance shot with 12 seconds to play lifted the Lady Panthers (20-8) over the Lady Bobcats (18-9) for third place. Bonham led Bergman with nine points.
Sports, Pages 23 on 02/02/2014