7A/6A-EAST GIRLS

West Memphis holds off Cabot

WEST MEMPHIS - Junior Alexis Hamlet scored 11 of her team’s final 15 points to lead the West Memphis girls to a 29-28 victory over Cabot at Lehr Arena on Friday night.

In a mistake-laden game, the Lady Devils (18-7, 10-2 7A/6A-East) overcame problems solving the Cabot full court press and early foul trouble to Hamlet, their leading scorer.

Hamlet picked up her second foul only 3:48 into the game and logged only five minutes on the floor in the first half. She picked up her third foul just three minutes into the second quarter.

“I looked up and saw Lex had two fouls, and I don’t think I’d even gotten in my seat yet,” West Memphis Coach Shelia Burns. “That threw us off and then we had trouble breaking Cabot’s press.”

Cabot forced eight West Memphis turnovers in the first half.

West Memphis led 29-28 with 1:06 remaining after a layup by Cabot’s Anna Sullivan. The Lady Devils held for the final shot, but Cabot’s Jeri McWilliams fouled West Memphis’ Keona Stinson with17.1 seconds to play.

Stinson missed her first shot and Sullivan rebounded. Cabot’s Kim Calhoun had a free lane to the basket with 2.1 seconds to play, but Hamlet blocked her shot out of bounds.

West Memphis’ Jasmine Patterson fouled McWilliams with 1.6 seconds to play. McWilliams missed her first free throw and Patterson claimed the rebound to secure the victory for the Lady Devils.

Cabot (13-13, 4-8) was led by Calhoun’s 11 points and Alyssa Hamilton added seven.

Hamlet led all scorers with 16 points and Patterson added six.

Sports, Pages 23 on 02/22/2014

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