ROGERS -- Rogers Heritage kept its composure despite a slow start, and it helped the War Eagles win the 12th annual Arvest Hoopfest on Saturday in War Eagle Arena.
The War Eagles didn't score for the first six minutes but put together a huge 14-0 third-quarter run to pull away for a 65-51 win over Webb City, Mo., in the finals.
Prep Basketball
Boys
Webb City, Mo. ??, Rogers Heritage
Webb City^11^16^23^16^—^65
Rogers Heritage^8^18^9^15^—^51
Webb City (2-1): Gibson 19, Kabala 8, Pickett 8, Ellis 5, Berlin 4, Nichols 3, Carpenter 2, Gaskill 2.
Rogers Heritage (5-3): Stanley 29, Breedlove 9, Olsen 8 , Peek 6, D. Kenny 6, Lowrey 3, Cooper 2, Moss 2.
Junior Seth Stanley scored 19 of his game-high 29 points in the second half, but the game turned when Webb City freshman Terrell Kabala picked up his third and fourth fouls in the first two minutes of the second half. The athletic 6-foot guard went to the bench with the Cardinals trailing 35-32, but Heritage quickly took control. He finished with just eight points, seven in the first half.
Dawson Peek started Heritage's big 14-0 spurt by converting a three-point play, and Dustin Kenny drained a step-back 3-pointer. Stanley, who was Heritage's lone player in double-figures, followed with six straight points, and Kenny closed the run with two free throws with 34 seconds left in the quarter for a 49-32 advantage.
Heritage coach Tom Olsen acknowledged if Kabala hadn't been in foul trouble the game could have played out differently. But he was pleased with how his team responded, especially in the second half.
"I thought defensively we controlled the gaps a little better in the second half, and that got them a little frustrated," said Olsen, whose team won for the first time in four trips to the Arvest finals. "Then offensively, we were patient enough for them to kind of break down and give us some easy chances.
"Seth's gonna make some shots that even good defenders aren't gonna stop. Winning this tournament is a big deal for me personally because me and coach (Marty) Barnes started this thing 12 years ago because we thought we needed to have a tournament to promote our program. We worked hard to get it going, and I think it's one of the best tournaments in the state of Arkansas with all the things that come with it."
Webb City coach Jason Horn said his team must learn to adjust to the flow of the game better.
"We lost focus, I think, is the main thing," said Horn, whose team led 27-26 at halftime. "Heritage is a very smart team, very well-coached. They are methodical with their sets. I thought we did a good job taking some things away and taking them out of their rhythm, but that third quarter we just didn't adjust to the adversity, and that was the tell-tale of the game."
Trey Gibson, Webb City's lone senior, finished with a team-high 19.
Rogers High 53, Carl Junction, Mo. 44
The Mounties got off to a fast start and held off a late charge by the Bulldogs to win the consolation bracket.
Rogers (4-4) led 14-2 early and never trailed, but Carl Junction (1-2) charged back throughout the game. The Mounties led 46-36 with 2:56 left, but Keynan Wade's 3-pointer pulled the Bulldogs within 49-44 with under a minute left.
However, Rogers broke full-court pressure, and A-ron Jones made a layup to put the game away.
Sophomore R.J. Roberson led a balanced attack with 11 points for Rogers, while Jake Benninghoff chipped in nine and Tony Casey eight. Trent Smith, a 6-5 sophomore, led all scorers with 21 for Carl Junction.
Clarksville 79, Waynesville, Mo. 62
Trace Thomas and Bobby Hurley poured in 28 points apiece to help the Panthers claim third place.
Clarksville (5-5) led 36-24 at halftime and held off a late charge by Waynesville (2-2). Hurley, a 5-9 sophomore, hit six 3-pointers in the game and four in the fourth quarter to help the Panthers hold on. Tahja Stewart led Waynesville with 24.
Fort Smith Southside 62, Mt. Vernon, Mo. 55
The Mavericks built a big lead but had to hold off a furious rally to pick up their first win in the tournament to take seventh.
Kyle Bushman led Mt. Vernon (0-6) with 20 points, including 16 in the second half. Jordan Jackson led the Mavericks (4-4) with eight.
Sports on 12/11/2016