SPRINGDALE -- Josh Beyer didn't have time to set his feet or get much of a look at the basket.
By the time Beyer got his hands on the basketball deep in the left corner, the second quarter clock was almost out. So Beyer threw up a desperation shot that swished as the horn sounded, then picked himself off the floor as he was also fouled.
Springdale Har-Ber 84, Ashdown 62
Ashdown^22^12^13^15^—^62
Har-Ber^25^17^29^13^—^84
Ashdown (4-2): Wilkerson 20, Hunter 18, Smith 13, Nutt 4, Dunn 4, Montue 1.
Har-Ber (5-3): Perry 21, Garrett 16, Buchanan 14, Ezell 10, Dugger 9, Peck 8, Beyer 6.
Junior Varsity
Springdale Har-Ber 38, Ashdown 27
Beyer hit the free throw to complete a rare four-point play, turning a narrow four-point lead into a comfortable eight-point cushion that kick-started Springdale Har-Ber to an 84-62 win against Ashdown on Saturday in a nonconference game played at Central Junior High.
"I thought that was big," said Har-Ber coach Scott Bowlin. "It sort of woke us up a little bit, to be honest. It's Saturday afternoon and not a lot of noise. And I really liked the way we came out in the second half after that."
Har-Ber (5-3) was playing its first home game of the regular season, but the game was moved to Central because of a conflict with Wildcat Arena. The change of scenery did not affect the Wildcats' shooting as Har-Ber scored 25 points in the first quarter and 29 in the third to win going away against the Class 4A Panthers.
Ashdown coach James Smith's team was missing several expected starters who are out with injuries, something Bowlin said the Wildcats are also dealing with. Har-Ber's depth, especially off the bench, was the difference, especially since junior Tylor Perry came off the bench Saturday and led all scorers with 21 points.
"We just need to play and try and get better, we don't care who it is," said Smith, whose team edged Bauxite on Friday before making the long trip to Springdale. "I think we played alright. We're not making excuses. We came up here to play. They were more athletic and just more physical."
Har-Ber, who will host Little Rock Christian and University of Arkansas, Fayetteville commit Justice Hill at home on Tuesday, had four players score in double figures. Senior guard Tyler Garrett and sophomore guard Nick Buchanan carried the offensive load for the Wildcats early. Each scored eight points in the first quarter to help Har-Ber take a 25-22 lead.
Perry did not enter the game until the 1 minute, 43-second mark of the first quarter, but made his presence felt almost immediately as he backed his defender down on the low block and hit a layup while drawing a foul. His free throw gave Har-Ber a 23-18 lead.
Ashdown (4-2) hung close as sophomore guard Lamar Wilkerson scored 14 first-half points and finished with 20 for the game. Har-Ber led 33-32 when Perry hit a pair of free throws, then Garrett knocked down a 3-pointer and later found 6-foot-9 senior Josh Ezell for a one-handed dunk and a 38-32 lead.
After Ashdown pulled within 38-34, Beyers hit his buzzer-beater and free throw to give the Wildcats an eight-point cushion going into halftime, and Har-Ber cruised in the second half.
"I thought in the second half we played a lot better," Bowlin said. "I thought we played with more energy and with a little bit more of a purpose. And we guarded a lot better, but you have to give (Ashdown) some credit. They made some tough shots. That No. 12 (Wilkerson) is a really good player.
"Right now we've got so many injuries and people out. But those guys that came in did a good job."
Har-Ber suited out just eight players, but seven scored. Jibran Dugger finished with 11 and Ezell 10 for the Wildcats.
Kaiden Hunter scored 18 for Ashdown and John Smith added 13.
Sports on 12/10/2017