Christian Brown is "consistently streaky."
Brown, a 6-1 senior guard for Benton Harmony Grove, hit 26 three-pointers in a three-game span during a holiday tournament at Ouachita High School. He connected for 11 three-pointers -- and finished with 36 points in a 56-28 victory -- in the championship game against Bismarck.
Two days earlier, Brown made 10 three-pointers in a victory over Sparkman.
"In both games, he had five threes in the first quarter, none in the second and then made five threes in the third," Harmony Grove Coach Jeff Hogue said.
Hogue said Brown has made 66 three-pointers this season, an average of five per game. Brown is shooting 43 percent (66 of 153) from three-point range.
"He's been able to spot up for a lot of his shots, but in his last game, he was facing a box-and-one," Hogue said. "He had to work to get his shots off."
Hogue said Brown's three-pointers often come in rapid order, saying Brown once hit five three-pointers in a span of 1:53 of one quarter and that he also had another streak of four three-pointers in 1:40.
"When they come, they come in bunches," Hogue said. "He's a great shooter and great kid. It helps that he's got a quick trigger."
Hogue also complimented Brown's unselfish play.
"Even though he takes a lot of shots, he's a team-first player," Hogue said. "If he missed three in a row, I have to make him shoot again."
Harmony Grove, which entered Monday's game against Poyen with an 11-3 record, is scheduled for a home game tonight against two-time defending Class 3A state champion Episcopal Collegiate. Wildcats senior guard Kelvin Robinson scored 35 points in Episcopal's previous outing, a two-point loss to Bartlett, Tenn., in the Lendel Thomas Invitational at Harrison.
CEDAR RIDGE BOYS
No slowing down
Since scoring 73 points in a triple-overtime victory over Forrest City of the Hurricane Classic a month ago, Cedar Ridge senior Austin Reaves continues to impress with his scoring ability.
Reaves set a Northeast Arkansas Tournament record by scoring a combined 191 points in four games, an average of 47.8 points per game. He scored 56 points in the championship game, an 89-84 triple overtime victory over Valley View.
The Timberwolves (15-3) enter tonight's 2-3A Conference game against Rose Bud on a nine-game winning streak.
LAST-SECOND SHOTS
Two long-time coaches hit major milestones in December. Nemo Vista boys coach Len Harris earned his 800th career victory. Harris, who spent the majority of his career at Wonderview, has said this will be his final season. Poyen girls coach Mickey Shaffer earned victory No. 700. Shaffer is in his 27th year as a head coach, all at Caddo Hills and Poyen. ... Gravette sophomore Kelton Trembly went 5 for 9 on three-pointers during a 57-52 consolation-round victory over Fountain Lake in the Alma Classic. ... According to Russellville Athletic Director Johnny Johnson, last week's Hoops for Hunger Tournament raised more than $30,000 for its two charities -- The Manna House and the River Valley Food for Kids Organization.
Sports on 01/05/2016