BENTONVILLE -- The officials briefly stopped Bentonville High's girls basketball game against Clarksville at the outset so a Clarksville player could tie her shoe.
That was the only way to slow down Bentonville, which sped to a 63-30 victory Thursday over Clarksville in the second round of the Crabtree Invitational. The victory continued a string of lopsided games in the tournament with Bentonville improving to 5-0 after beating Clarksville and Huntsville by wide margins.
Crabtree Invitational
At Tiger Arena, Bentonville
Thursday
Girls: Bryant 44, Huntsville 40
Boys: Bryant 70, Clarksville 18
Girls: Bentonville 63, Clarksville 30
Boys: Bentonville 73, NWA Hornets 57
Today
Girls: Clarksville vs. Huntsville, 4 p.m.
Boys: Clarksville vs. NWA Hornets, 5:15 p.m.
Girls: Bentonville vs. Bryant, 6:30 p.m.
Boys: Bentonville vs. Bryant, 7:45 p.m.
Bentonville High 63, Clarksville 30
Clarksville^7^8^13^2—^30
Bentonville^18^13^12^20—^63
Clarksville: Dougan 10, Tibbs 7, Phillips 5, Rieder 5, Harvey 3
Bentonville: Hughes 19, Cochran 15, Hawkins 8, Sanders 8, Dauda 6, Skidmore 4, Hernandez 2, Baum 1
Junior guard Avery Hughes was again the catalyst for Bentonville, which led 18-7 after one quarter and 31-15 at halftime. Hughes had 14 points at halftime and finished with 19 before leaving early in the fourth quarter. She was supported in the backcourt by senior Courtney Cochran, who scored 15. Fess Hawkins and Emily Sanders added eight apiece.
The two Bentonville guards were fast on the break and accurate with their shots, mostly on drives inside. Hughes, the Lady Tigers' lone returning starter, scored eight consecutive points to give Bentonville a 14-5 lead in the first quarter.
She began the surge with a 3-pointer from the corner and followed with a driving layup. Hughes then showcased her ability with a three-point play that began when she drew a defender in for a foul and shot high off the backboard for the basket.
"In the last year or so, she has really done a great job," Bentonville coach Tom Halbmaier said of Hughes, who led Bentonville with 18 points in a 49-29 win over Huntsville on Monday. "She's continued to work on her game in the open court and, this year, she's found ways not only to get to the rim, but to get the 'and-ones.' She's done the work and I'm really proud of her."
Bentonville increased its margin to 35-15 before settling for a 43-28 lead over Clarksville after three quarters. Grace Dougan scored 10 points to lead Clarksville, which managed only two points in the fourth quarter.
Bentonville continues tournament play against Bryant at 6:30 p.m. today.
Bryant 44, Huntsville 40
Bryant scored the final seven points of the game to complete a comeback victory over the Lady Eagles.
Bryant took advantage of some late turnovers by Huntsville and tied the game 40-40 following a three-point play by Tierra Trotter. Bryant took the lead on a layup by Tyianna Robinson and Trotter added two free throws to put Bryant ahead 44-40.
Trotter finished with 17 points for Bryant, which trailed 33-28 after three quarters. Josie Sisk had 17 and Kara Drewyer 10 to lead Huntsville.
BOYS
Bryant 70, Clarksville 18
Bryant never trailed after jumping to a 10-1 lead against the Panthers.
Devon Canada finished with 19 points for Bryant, which led 39-16 at halftime and 66-18 after three quarters. Bobby Hurley scored nine points for the Panthers, who did not score in the fourth quarter.
Bentonville High 73, NWA Hornets 57
Michael Shanks scored 24 points and Josh Smith 18 to lead Bentonville.
Smith scored 15 points on five 3-pointers in the first half to help the Tigers to a 39-29 lead. Aaron Sanders finished with 23 points for the NWA Hornets, a team comprised of home-school players in the area.
Sanders converted a three-point play in the third quarter to cut the Bentonville lead to 45-41. But Connor Deffebaugh answered with two 3-pointers and a layup to help the Tigers pull away again.
Sports on 12/01/2017