Layoff doesn't hurt Conway

Conway’s Myla Yelder (left) puts up a shot over Van Buren’s Rylee Ryan (21) during the Lady Wampus Cats’ 60-38 victory over the Lady Pointers on Friday at the Class 7A girls state tournament in North Little Rock. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/galleries
Conway’s Myla Yelder (left) puts up a shot over Van Buren’s Rylee Ryan (21) during the Lady Wampus Cats’ 60-38 victory over the Lady Pointers on Friday at the Class 7A girls state tournament in North Little Rock. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/galleries

CLASS 7A

CONWAY 60, VAN BUREN 38

Conway was a little tight to start Friday's Class 7A state tournament quarterfinal. The Lady Wampus Cats were also a little stingy.

Junior Asiyha Smith scored 23 points and Conway held Van Buren to 13 first-half points on its way to a 60-38 victory over the Lady Pointers at the North Little Rock High School arena.

With seven days between games, the top-seeded Lady 'Cats were anxious to get back on the court. Conway Coach Ashley Nance said she attempted to find some creative ways to keep her girls focused for the tournament.

"We had our last conference game last Friday, took Saturday and Sunday off, and then we had to figure out something to do from Monday to Friday," Nance said. "We really had to think of some team-building things. We wanted to keep them off the road and from coming here to watch some games."

Conway (26-3) will play Fort Smith Northside in tonight's semifinal game.

If the Lady Wampus Cats were nervous, it did not show from the three-point line. Conway hit 4 of 7 three-point attempts in the first quarter for a 17-10 advantage.

Conway's 1-3-1 zone became even more effective in the second quarter. Van Buren was 1 of 6 from the floor and was limited to one offensive rebound in the second quarter. Conway's lead at the half grew to 28-13.

"Honestly, it wasn't so much of an offensive game as it was a good defensive effort," Nance said. "They are so good with their 2-3 matchup, but I thought our 1-3-1 was really good today. I knew it would be won on the defensive end because they usually hold teams to a low number.

"We're used to scoring in the 60s and sometimes 70s, but with them, it's tough. You've really got to make shots."

"They're very good," Van Buren Coach Chris Bryant said. "They put a lot of pressure on you, and they came out and hit those deep threes on us early. It kind of put us on our heels. They can get away from you in a hurry."

Smith hit 3 three-pointers in the first half and had 14 points by halftime. She scored all of her points from the free-throw line in the second half, hitting 9 of 10.

Junior Myla Yelder added 14 points, made 4 steals and handed out 4 assists. Six of her points in the second half came on either layups or free throws after intercepting passes near midcourt.

Senior post player Cardrina Nolen scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds for Conway.

Junior Rylee Ryan led Van Buren with nine points and four assists. Senior Irasema Sandoval grabbed a team-high six rebounds.

FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE 63, BENTONVILLE 53

The Lady Bears (26-3) ensured a 7A-Central matchup in next week's championship game by clipping the Lady Tigers (22-6) in Friday's late quarterfinal.

Northside junior Sara Bershers scored 30 points, including a 10 of 10 performance from the free-throw line, to send the Lady Bears to their fifth consecutive victory. Northside was 23 of 26 from the line overall.

The Lady Bears took control by outscoring Bentonville 17-6 in the second quarter for a 29-15 halftime lead. Bentonville got as close as eight points late in the game.

Freshman Jersey Wolfenbarger added 15 for Northside while freshman Tracey Bershers added nine.

Junior Avery Hughes scored 9 of her team-high 17 points in the fourth quarter to lead Bentonville. Senior Fess Hawkins added 10 for the Lady Tigers.

photo

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Conway’s Cardrina Nolen (33) pulls down a rebound between Van Buren defenders during the second quarter of Friday’s game at the Class 7A girls state tournament at North Little Rock High School. Conway won 60-38 to advance to today’s semifinals.

Sports on 03/03/2018

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