FIRES: Springdale's Strong Effort Not Enough

HOT SPRINGS -- North Little Rock completed a journey in Hot Springs on Thursday that many had predicted before the basketball season started.

The Charging Wildcats won the Class 7A state basketball championship, their second in a row. The runner-up this year is the Springdale High Bulldogs, who displayed a lot of grit before losing 89-81.

Summit Arena was an appropriate setting for North Little Rock (26-2), whose game plan was simply to meet at the Springdale basket as quickly as possible.

The Charging Wildcats were led by Anton Beard, who attacks the basket like a truck driver attacks an afternoon buffet. Springdale had trouble guarding Beard, who'll likely take over point guard duties in November for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

He finished with 29 points on 12 of 23 field goal attempts. Juniors Kevaugh Allen and K.J. Hill, a Division I prospect in football, followed with 28 and 13 points, respectively.

But Springdale (22-6) is not a loser ... far from it. The 2013-2014 basketball season may be remembered as a turning point in the history of Springdale athletics. Until recently, the perception was that Springdale Har-Ber was headed on the way up and Springdale High was headed on the way down.

But the Springdale boys and girls put the dog back in the Bulldogs, who overtook their west side rivals and most everyone else in basketball this season.

Springdale teams played their best down the stretch, when the Bulldogs won the 7A/6A-West Conference and the Lady Bulldogs finished third. The Springdale girls finished 16-11 after beating Fort Smith Southside and losing to West Memphis on a buzzer-beater in the state tournament.

Springdale beat Fayetteville and Fort Smith Northside in the state tournament before falling to North Little Rock.

"It's been a process and each year we've taken it a step further," Springdale coach Brad Stamps said. "We had to fight to win four in a row and get a conference championship. Our school has been starving for a winner, so this is big for Springdale. I'm very proud of these guys."

The Springdale boys played in a state championship game for the first time since 1998, when the Bulldogs lost 47-40 to Little Rock Parkview. That Springdale team was coached by Charlie Smith and led by Jeremy Price, an all-state player.

Springdale was in trouble early against North Little Rock, after a 3-pointer by Beard late in the first quarter. But Springdale got to within three points after outscoring the Charging Wildcats 23-16 in the second quarter.

Springdale was led by junior Chris Owens, who had 17 points at halftime and finished with a game-high 30. Junior guard Tereke Eckwood scored 14 points while establishing himself as one of the top recruits for next year.

There were other highlights for the Bulldogs, including consecutive blocks by Josiah and Drake Wymer on scoring attempts by Khalil Gulley.

Springdale had a final surge when Owens opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer to cut the North Little Rock lead to 63-56. Beard quickly countered with a 3-pointer and pointed to himself as he trotted back downcourt.

Yes, you're the man, Anton, and your Most Valuable Player award is much-deserved. But Beard, if he's humble enough, will remember the challenge his talented team received from a tough Springdale team in his final high school game.

Springdale was good, but North Little Rock was superb.

RICK FIRES IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR NWA MEDIA

Sports on 03/14/2014

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