MORRILTON - Morrilton survived a scare before rallying to defeat Greenbrier 61-57 on Tuesday, another indication that the 5A-West might not be as top heavy as the Class 5A rankings indicate.
Morrilton, No. 4 in the latest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette rankings, had to come from behind to beat Greenbrier (9-8, 1-3) after trailing by five points at halftime and entering the fourth quarter tied.
Morrilton (13-1, 4-0) is one of three 5A West teams in the top four of the rankings, along with No. 1 Harrison, which lost at Alma on Tuesday, and No. 3 Clarksville.
“It’s a tremendous league,” Morrilton Coach Trent Tipton said. “I really believe there’s going to be two or three good teams not make the state tournament. I’m not sure it’s not the best it’s ever been. We haven’t really been tested too much, so it was good for us to face some adversity and finish the ball game.”
The game was tied entering the fourth quarter, but Morrilton’s Marcus Polk hit two three-pointers in the first 90 seconds of the final period, and the Devil Dogs (13-1, 4-0) never trailed again. Juwan Calvin added several key baskets in the fourth quarter for Morrilton. Calvin scored 17 of his team-high 19 points in the second half.
Malik Wright’s basket on an inbound play with 4:22 remaining got Greenbrier within 46-44, but Mickey Donald scored on a put back. Calvin came up with his biggest basket of the night, slicing through the defense for a left-handed layup to make it a six-point game with 3:23 left.
Tyler Simmons kept Greenbrier close in the final minutes, driving the lane for three baskets and making two free throws, but the Devil Dogs made 11 of 16 free throws in the final period and were able to hang on. Simmons scored a game-high 29 for Greenbrier.
Greenbier led 26-19 at the half. Justin Tims’ basket on a spin and finger-roll gave the Panthers a 19-18 lead. Morrilton’s Shawn Brockman made it 21-19 on a three-pointer, but Dustin Tims answered with a three from the corner for the Panthers.
Dustin Tims followed that up with two free throws, and Gerrell Williamson made a steal and fed Tyler Simmons for a basket, giving the Panthers a five-point halftime lead.
“Greenbrier handled our pressure really well for most of the game,” Tipton said. “We couldn’t stop Simmons. They played really well.”
Sports, Pages 21 on 01/22/2014