A Monday makeup game with Bentonville has allowed Fayetteville to keep the schedule close to normal leading into the Class 7A state tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs open the tournament at 4 p.m. Friday after receiving a bye as the No. 2 seed from the 7A-West. With a game under their belt Monday, a 50-43 win against Bentonville to wrap up a share of the conference title, the Lady Purple'Dogs (21-6, 13-1) can now rest a bit before postseason play begins.
"We're treating (Tuesday) like a normal Sunday, with our weightlighting," Fayetteville coach Vic Rimmer said. "To be honest, I'm glad it worked out that we played on Monday."
Fayetteville will face the winner of the 7A-Central No. 2 seed Van Buren vs. 7A-West No. 5 seed Fort Smith Southside. The Lady Bulldogs won at Van Buren, 62-46, on Dec. 15 and swept the season series with Southside. Fayetteville won at Southside, 54-43 before narrowly escaping the Lady Rebels at home in the rematch, 49-46.
"We know both of those teams lately are playing well," Rimmer said. "Van Buren has played really well the last couple of weeks and Southside nearly beat us last time, so we'll have our hands full."
Springdale High
Tough test awaits
Last year, Springdale High wound up with a good draw at the 7A state tournament and won its first playoff game since 2003.
This season, the Lady Bulldogs (13-14) face a tough task in the first round with a matchup against 7A-East No. 2 seed North Little Rock (24-3) at 1 p.m. today.
"They have really quick, fast guards," Springdale coach Heather Hunsucker said. "They love to run transition and get to the rim. They have a couple kids that can shoot it outside, kind of like Northside. But their inside players are just bigger. Now, not more skilled than Northside, but they're bigger, taller."
North Little Rock's size, the Lady Wildcats' frontline consists of 6-foot-4, 6-3 and 6-0, 5-11 and 5-10 players, combined with its quickness in the backcourt presents a unique challenge for Springdale, a team that has thrived on crashing the offensive glass. The Lady Bulldogs have grabbed 49 percent of possible offensive rebounds, an incredibly high rate, but may have to focus on getting back on defense and preventing transition opportunities.
"I think that's the key question," Hunsucker said. "To me, I think it's a give and take. We're going to still crash the boards, because that's a strength. But, at the same time, I think you have to have a plan B. We've practiced rebounding with three-and-a-half kids, not four like we normally do."
-- Jimmy Carter • @NWAJimmy
Bentonville
Lady Tigers ready
Bentonville coach Tom Halbmaier acknowledged Monday's loss at Fayetteville has an effect on a team, but the Lady Tigers will shift their focus forward.
"Anytime you have a loss like that, it's tough emotionally," Halbmaier said. "But everyone's healthy and I think we're in a good spot mentally and physically. The kids know it's a new season. I'm pleased with where we're at."
The Lady Tiger (17-10) will be the No. 3 seed from the 7A-West and they will take on Bryant, the No. 3 seed from the Central, at 1 p.m. Thursday in the state tournament at Springdale Har-Ber.
Jordan Martin and Peyton Taylor have formed a nice combination for Bentonville. Martin leads the team, averaging 14.3 points per game, followed by Taylor at 11.5. Martin has also made 53 3-pointers and shooting at 37.5 percent clip from beyond the arc to go with four rebounds and 2.6 assists. Maren Johnston has also been solid inside, averaging 6.7 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game.
Halbmaier said the Lady Tigers and Bryant (14-12) are very similar on paper.
"We will have to take care of their penetration and just play a complete game," Halbmaier said. "We're equal as far as size, shooting. Nothing really stands out. We kind of mirror each other. We'll just have to strap it on and be able to go."
-- Paul Boyd• @NWAPaulB
Springdale Har-Ber
Har-Ber seeks consistency
Har-Ber will need consistent play from its three senior starters if the Lady Wildcats are to make a run in the Class 7A state tournament.
Har-Ber is a senior-dominated team that slid to a No. 4 seed after a fast start in conference play. But the Lady Wildcats (20-9) reversed course with a 64-48 victory over Rogers Heritage last week to end a four-game losing streak.
Senior forward Bailey Schalk scored 20 points and senior guard Paige Redmond added 16 to lead Har-Ber, which will play Cabot (24-5) today at 4 p.m.
"We're a much better team when Bailey plays like she did against Heritage, when she scored 20 points," Har-Ber coach Sandy Wright said. "We need her and Paige step to the forefront and lead the way. They're both capable."
Cabot enters the game as a No. 3 seed from the 7A-East after defeating Jonesboro 70-57.
"Cabot is a very patient, very fundamental team that doesn't beat themselves," Wright said. "We need to set the tempo and get them to go faster than they're used to playing."
-- Rick Fires• @NWARick
Boys
Siloam Springs
Seniors leading way
Siloam Springs knew going into the season it was going to lean on seniors Baily Cameron, Bailee Owens and Mayse Pippin.
Those three are turning their game into high gear at just the right time.
Cameron, Owens and Pippin have combined to score 95 of the Lady Panthers' last 121 points in their final two games of the regular seaon.
Cameron had 21 points in a 64-59 loss at Alma on Feb. 25, while Pippin had 16 and Owens 14.
The next night, in a 62-53 win at home against Van Buren, Pippin led with 19 points, while Cameron had 13 and Owens 12.
On the season, Pippin leads the Lady Panthers in scoring at 12 points per game. Cameron is averaging 10.8, while Owens is averaging 7.7 a game.
The 6A State Tournament opens today at 1 p.m. at the Panther Activity Center in Siloam Springs. The Lady Panthers (15-11) are the No. 3 seed from the 7A/6A-Central and are scheduled to play at 1 p.m. on Thursday against Pine Bluff.
-- Graham Thomas • @NWAGraham
Sports on 03/04/2015