HASKELL - J.P. Perry and the Mayflower Eagles sent Harding Academy to its first postseason loss in more than a year Friday night.
Perry, a junior point guard, scored 28 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, handed out 6 assists and made 4 steals while leading Mayflower to a 68-46 victory in the Class 3A Region 2 semifinals at Benton Harmony Grove High School.
Friday’s game was tied at 24 at the half, but the Eagles (23-6) scored the first six points of the third quarter and outscored the Wildcats 17-2 in the final 3:46 of the quarter to take a 45-31 into the final eight minutes.
Perry either scored or assisted on six of the Eagles’ nine field goals in the third quarter.
“He’s a great point guard, and I hope people are hearing his name because he’s going to be able to help some [college],” Mayflower Coach Brent Stallings said. “He can take that ball to the hole and he’s a great passer, a real strong passer. He will throw the ball the length of the court on a dime.”
Harding Academy (20-8) hit 3 three-pointers in the fourth but was never any closer than 14. The loss broke a 12-game postseason winning streak for the defending state champions.
Lloyd Lasker added 13 points for Mayflower, while Hayden Long finished with 11 and Drew Duncan 10. Hayden Matthews scored 19 points to lead Harding Academy.
Sports, Pages 24 on 03/01/2014