CONWAY — Olivia Hanson made her way to the bench and stopped to high-10 Fort Smith Northside coach Rickey Smith.
Her performance Monday in the Class 7A state semifinals was worthy of more than just a high-5.
How They Scored
Girls
FS NORTHSIDE 58, BENTONVILLE 40
Bentonville^6^10^12^12^—^40
FS Northside^6^22^^16^14^—^58
Bentonville (19-8): Coleman 12, Adkins 9, Johnston 4, Taylor 4, Hargus 4, Whidbee 4, Martin 3.
FS Northside (25-3): Hanson 27, Myers 8, Knight 6, McDonald 6, Bunch 4, Jackson 2, Shepard 2.
Hanson scored a career-high 27 points, and Northside advanced to its fourth consecutive state final with a 58-40 win over Bentonville in Buzz Bolding Arena.
"She played outstanding," Smith said. "I've been on her all year -- a lot -- about rebounding and getting some offensive boards and stickbacks. That's what you ask for out of a senior."
Hanson had a double-double with 11 rebounds to go with her 27 points. She was equally effective inside and outside with a pair of 3-pointers and 7-of-8 free throws.
"I didn't shoot the ball well, but I kept hitting the boards," she said. "When my shot is not falling, I have to find other ways to score."
Bentonville (19-9) was hurt early in the game when Peyton Taylor picked up two fouls in the first quarter then her third to start the second quarter.
Without Taylor, Bentonville coach Tom Halbmaier said the Lady Tigers struggled at both ends of the floor.
"We thought we could attack with her speed and athleticism," Halbmaier said. "We thought maybe we could get Hanson out on the perimeter and hopefully get her in foul trouble. If that plan had worked out, great, because Hanson dropped about 30 on us or whatever she had."
Even with Taylor in foul trouble, the game was tied 12-12 when Kindal Coleman drained a 3-pointer from the left wing with 5 minutes, 12 seconds left in the third quarter. Coleman led Bentonville with 12 points.
Northside senior guard Jill Myers answered with a 3-pointer, and the Lady Bears went on a 16-4 run and posted a 28-16 lead at halftime. Northside forced 11 Bentonville turnovers in the first half to seize control.
"Eleven turnovers, we don't deserve to win," Halbmaier said. "That's all our fault. Northside was a step quicker than we were today."
Hanson scored nine points in the third quarter, and Northside dominated from there.
The win was Northside's fifth in a row after a rare two-game losing streak before the start of the state tournament.
"We lost a couple of games, and everybody jumped off the bandwagon," Smith said. "First time in a decade we've lost two games in a row. All of a sudden everybody's asking, 'What's wrong with Northside?' But we played two very, very good teams. From that point on, these girls, it kind of relieved a little pressure. The last five ballgames we've won by double figures."
Despite the loss, Bentonville enjoyed a solid season after losing a number of starters from last year's conference champion team.
Northside will take on Conway in the state title game later this week in Hot Springs.
Sports on 03/11/2014