CLASS 3A REGION 2 BOYS

Wildcats hold off pesky Cardinals

ROSE BUD -- Mahlon Martin hit 6 of 6 free-throw attempts in the final 39.4 seconds to help Episcopal Collegiate hold off Benton Harmony Grove 62-57 in Monday's Class 3A Region 2 Tournament championship game

Harmony Grove, which suffered a 42-point loss to the Wildcats on Feb. 20, connected on seven three-pointers in the second half Monday to put a scare into Episcopal, but Martin's free throws kept the Cardinals from pulling off their third consecutive upset.

While Martin's free-throw efforts shooting Episcopal (23-5) to earn its 16th consecutive victory, the Wildcats' overall fourth-quarter free throws were nothing to brag about. The Wildcats missed 7 of 10 free-throw attempts in the final eight minutes.

"Benton Harmony Grove is a dangerous team," Episcopal Coach Micah Marsh said. "They hit some shots to stay in it. They are always right there because they are such a great three-point shooting team."

Episcopal handed Harmony Grove (19-11) a 71-29 loss during the 3A-5 district tournament semifinals on the Cardinals' home court. The Cardinals, however, bounced back with a come-from-behind victory over 3A-2 champion Harding Academy in the first round of the regional tournament and then posted a victory over 3A-5 runner-up Jessieville in Sunday's regional semifinals.

"It's been a wild ride this week," Harmony Grove Coach Jeff Hogue said. "Coming in, no one even thought we'd be playing in the finals and no one thought we'd have a chance to win this one. I just can't be more proud of my kids."

Episcopal guard Kelvin Robinson scored 16 of his team-high 21 points in the first half. Martin finished with 16 points and senior post player Justin Gooseberry collected 12 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists.

Harmony Grove's Drake Wilks led his team with 21 points while Kuper Swaims added 14 points and Christian Brown 10.

Episcopal scored the final nine points of the first quarter and never trailed again. The Wildcats led 35-25 at the half, but they never held more than an 11-point lead in the second half.

Harmony Grove, which was 11 of 21 from the floor in the second half, got as close as three points in the final minute. Brown banked in a 22-footer with 24.3 seconds remaining. After two free throws by Martin, the Cardinals again pulled to within three (60-57) with 17.3 second left when Wilks hit two free throws.

GIRLS

HARDING ACADEMY 39,

PERRYVILLE 28

Senior Riley Rose scored 15 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and blocked 3 shots as the Lady Wildcats (27-3) defeated the Lady Mustangs (28-4) in the girls championship game.

Perryville scored the game's first point but trailed 10-1 after the first quarter. The Lady Mustangs were 0 of 9 from the floor in the first eight minutes and were only 9 of 32 for the game.

Haley Smith added 10 points and nine rebounds for Harding Academy, which outrebounded Perryville 32-26.

Cali Lankford, Kate Smith and Whitney Woods led Perryville with six points each. Smith brought down a team-high seven rebounds for the Lady Mustangs.

Harding Academy was 11 of 38 from the floor and made 14 of 17 free throws. Perryville was 7 of 16 from the line.

Sports on 03/03/2015

Upcoming Events