GREENWOOD -- Make it a six-game winning streak heading into postseason play for the Greenwood Lady Bulldogs.
Greenwood used a nearly perfect second quarter from the field to get back in the game and didn't look back after that Thursday night at H.B. Stewart Bulldog Arena.
After falling behind 16-7 in the initial quarter, Greenwood picked up the pace after that in a 61-51 victory against Russellville in a 5A/6A District 1 matchup.
"Our kids were being more aggressive instead of settling for outside shots," Greenwood coach Clay Reeves said. "We shoot it well out there, but it just wasn't falling. If it's not falling, it's great to have other options scoring."
Greenwood's balanced offense was led by Ally Sockey coming off the bench to score a game-high 16 points. Kinley Fisher added 14 points, while Kyiah Julian had 13 for the Lady Bulldogs.
Carter Murphy scored a team-high 13 points for Russellville (13-12, 8-4). Anna Myers also chipped in 10 for the Lady Cyclones.
Julian provided an offensive spark in a big second quarter for the Lady Bulldogs to get back into the game. Julian scored a team-high nine points in the quarter. That included the closing points of the half to take a 32-31 lead into the break.
Greenwood (17-9, 10-2) made just three of 12 shots to open the first quarter. Russellville took advantage, using an early 8-0 run to take a 16-5 lead in the first quarter.
"This was the last game of the season, so it's good to see us play well early," Russellville coach Sherry White said. "We didn't play too well earlier in the week, so it was good to see us bounce back. I loved our effort throughout the game."
The Lady Bulldogs were able to heat up quickly after that. Greenwood made its first seven shots in the second quarter that helped fuel a 10-0 run to tie the game at 23-23.
"Any time you play Greenwood here, it will be tough," White said. "Those kids are good. It felt like they were shooting 100 percent in the second quarter. We allowed some shots in the paint after they settled for some shots."
Greenwood was able to take a 45-40 lead heading into the final quarter and pushed its advantage out with a 7-0 run to open the period.
Julian left the game with an injury with 3:09 left in the game, but the deep and talented Lady Bulldogs were able to keep up the pace down the stretch.
"She has had a lot of good games for us lately," Reeves said of Julian. "She and Kaila (Cartwright) have played the most for us so we look to them at the end of the games. Kyiah wanted to be out there, but we hope to have her back soon."
Greenwood now takes a six-game winning streak into postseason play and avenged its last loss in the regular season when Russellville won 49-47 at home last month.
Russellville 16 15 9 11 -- 51
Greenwood 7 25 13 16 -- 61
Russellville (13-12, 8-4): Murphy 13, Myers 10, McAlister 9, Ealy 9, Davis 8, Shields 2.
Greenwood (17-9, 10-2): Sockey 16, Fisher 14, Julian 13, Stein 7, Goodwin 5, Glass 4, Terry 2.
Boys
Greenwood 65, Russellville 63
Russellville was able to keep it close down the stretch with some outside shots, but it was Greenwood that was able to pull away with a victory Thursday night to end the regular season.
Greenwood was led by Zane Harmon and Josh Teeter each scoring a game-high 13 points to lead the way. Ronin Stewart also chipped in 10 for the Bulldogs (14-11, 9-3 5A/6A District 1).
Javion White had a team-high 13 points for Russellville. Ryan Talley also added 11 for the Cyclones.
The Bulldogs were down 32-31 heading into the break, but they were able to open up a 58-50 lead in the fourth quarter behind an 8-0 run.
"This is the third time we've played them this season," Greenwood coach Greg Nichols said. "We got off to a fast start the previous two games. But this time, they got off to the quick start. We worked hard to make a game of it."
Russellville (9-17, 4-8) was able to make three 3-point baskets in the final 1:30 of the game, but the come-from-behind attempt fell short.
Greenwood seniors Harmon, Stewart, Neil Rice, Jordan Sheppard and Easton Barrett combined to score 43 of the team's 65 points on senior night.
"We got some fantastic seniors," Nichols said. "They don't always play the way I want them to play. But all seven of the seniors play hard. They might make mistakes, but they are always trying their best. I love them for that."
Greenwood now heads into postseason play after winning four of its last five games in a bounce-back season for the Bulldogs.
"We got to be feeling good heading into postseason play right now," Nichols said. "We've doubled the number of wins that we had last year. We feel good about where we are at."
Russellville 21 11 10 21 -- 63
Greenwood 16 15 13 21 -- 65
Russellville (9-16, 4-7): George 13, Talley 11, Shaffer 9, Mathis 8, George 7, Adkins 5, Sitkowski 4, Terry 3, Carter 3.
Greenwood (13-11, 8-3): Teeter 13, Harmon 13, Stewart 10, Barrett 9, Sheppard 9, Holt 9, Rice 2.
Preps Basketball on 02/16/2018