SPRINGDALE -- Webb City, Mo., faced the problem many teams in Arkansas will experience this season -- how to stop Marquesha Davis.
Davis scored 19 to lead Springdale High to a 43-35 over Webb City on Tuesday in the home opener for the Lady Bulldogs. It was the first game for Webb City, which finished 14-11 last season.
Webb City^8^8^4^15—^35
Springdale^9^11^12^11—^43
Webb City: Roy 8, Woodcock 8, Brownfield 6, Vanzant 5, Darby 3, Dixon 2, Cristy 2, Darnell 1.
Springdale: Davis 19, Vogel 8, Sysavanh 6, Pegue 5, Gause 2, Minchew 2, Turner 1.
Davis scored the first three baskets of the game and had 10 points at halftime when Springdale led 20-16. The Lady Bulldogs maintained their lead with help from senior guard Sarah Vogel, who made two 3-pointers and finished with eight points for Springdale, which won two of its three games last week in the First National Bank Tournament at Paragould.
Davis was again the difference after scored the winning basket against Van Buren and had 32 points in a victory over Hoxie. The 6-foot junior played well Tuesday despite feeling ill.
"She came into the office before the game and said 'Coach, I really don't feel good,'" Springdale coach Heather Hunsucker said. "I said 'Baby, you've got to get through one game and then you've got a break. She said 'OK, coach."
Springdale (3-1) will take some time off before playing in a tournament in Hot Springs beginning Dec. 1.
Webb City fell behind 9-2 then got back in the game with its ability to drive and finish with close shots at the rim. Abby Brownfield made two layups and Sydney Dixon scored off a bank shot to put Webb City ahead 12-9 in the second quarter. But Springdale regained the lead seconds later when Davis went up four times at the rim and scored to put the Lady Bulldogs ahead 14-12.
Ashley Pegue contributed five points off the bench in the third quarter and the Lady Bulldogs increased their lead to 32-20 after two free throws from Davis, who later returned to the game following a collision where she was knocked to the floor.
"She showed her toughness after taking this ridiculously hard spill," Hunsucker said. "It was head-to-head and knocked her breath out. But she got up, guarded their best one, then came down and hit free throws at the stretch. That's what I expect of her and I was real proud of our team. We were pretty tired."
Sports on 11/22/2017