LITTLE ROCK -- The Class 7A girls' basketball state title defense got off to an exciting -- and successful -- start for Fayetteville on Friday.
While much of the game was filled by several first-game miscues, the Lady Bulldogs overcame the early jitters. And like a state champion and strong title contender often does, Fayetteville showed plenty of poise in the closing minutes to fight off North Little Rock 47-43 at the Rachel Rutherford Turkey Crossover Classic at Alex Hugg Gym on the Pulaski Academy campus.
How They Scored
Fayetteville 47, North Little Rock 43
North Little Rock^14^12^16^20^—^43
Fayetteville^7^14^13^18^—^47
North Little Rock (3-2): Collier 16, Morris 10, Jones 8, Sadler 7, Hawkison 1, Kimble 1,
Fayetteville (1-0): B. Jones 16, Coulter 10, P. Jones 8, Morgan 4, Spangler 3, Mayberry 3, Rachliff 2, Holmes 1.
"That was a (state-tournament) type game," Fayetteville coach Vic Rimmer said. "It's huge because we get to see what gets do at the end of a game. Maya Mayberry hit some big free throws to ice it, just like she did at times for us last year. And Pink Jones got a huge rebound on the other end.
"One thing about this game, we missed some easy shots and struggled with out three's. But our kids kept playing hard."
Fayetteville (1-0) never trailed by more than six, and that was only for a brief stretch in the second period at 19-13. But most of the game the Lady Bulldogs stayed either right with North Little Rock or right ahead thanks to aggressive defense and timely rebounding.
The Lady Charging Wildcats had big size advantage with Brogan Jones and Yo'Myris Morris both going over 6-feet against a Fayetteville lineup all below 5-11. But it didn't hurt Fayetteville's chances as the Lady Bulldogs used a quick, attacking style to stay within striking distance on the boards.
"We're very athletic and every time a shot goes up, we're going up after it," Rimmer said.
Both teams struggled from the field at at the free throw line, where Fayetteville was 20 of 31 and North Little Rock was 15 of 29. But Mayberry's two free throws with nine seconds left came at just the right time, giving Fayetteville a 47-43 lead after the Lady Wildcats had committed a costly turnover on their previous possession.
Following Mayberry's free throws, a last 3-pointer fell short as Fayetteville held on for the season opening win.
"Vic has been around enough and won enough state championships, he knows sometimes when you win and come into a big game you just walk in with a little swag and confidence," North Little Rock coach Daryl Fimple said. "You expect to win and expect to make the plays. And his team is experienced and they have that.
"We're trying to get to that."
Blu Jones scored 16 for Fayetteville and Kylee Coulter added 10. Kyra Collier led North Little Rock with 16 points and Yo'Myris Morris added 10.
Fayetteville plays Little Rock Central in the Rutherford Classic at 7 p.m. today.
Springdale Har-Ber 32, Cabot 20
Karrington Whaley scored a game-high 14 points and the Lady Wildcats used tough defense throughout the contest to improve to 2-0 on the season with a win Friday at the Rutherford Turkey Classic at Pulaski Academy.
Cabot was held to just four first-half field goals and Springdale Har-Ber got nine second half points from Whaley to put the game well out of reach.
"I'm pleased with that (defense), but you could tell that we're young and we haven't been there much," Lady Wildcats coach Sandy Wright said. "We still have a lot of work to do."
Springdale Har-Ber is without Caroline Werner at this weekend's tournament. Werner stayed home after having her wisdom teeth pulled.
Har-Ber plays Brookland at 5:30 p.m. today.
Sports on 11/28/2015