FORT SMITH -- When Fort Smith Northside needed a basket Friday night, it went to junior forward Jaylin Williams. He delivered early and often for the Grizzlies at the Stubblefield Center.
Williams finished with a game-high 35 points, including 20 in the second half, to help lead Northside past Fort Smith Southside in a 67-57 victory in a 6A-Central Conference matchup.
"He is an unselfish guy," Northside coach Eric Burnett said of Williams. "I'll be honest, I hate that sometimes. I want him to get us two points instead of passing to people. But he did a good job stepping up hitting big shots for us tonight."
Northside (17-11, 8-6) held just a 48-47 lead heading into the final quarter. But that's when Williams and the Grizzlies took over. He helped close out the game with a team-high 13 fourth-quarter points.
Southside (5-21, 1-13) took the lead at 49-48 with the opening basket of the final quarter from senior Taye Gatewood, who finished with a team-high 19 points.
The Mavericks were later able to tie the game at 54-54 with a three-point play from Gatewood, but the Grizzlies took over the rest of the way. Northside after that used a 13- 3 run to secure the rivalry game down the stretch.
"We told them it has been going back and forth," Burnett said. "We were scoring at a good pace. But we weren't getting stops. I think after a timeout that changed. We were able to take control of the game."
Southside was able to take a 22-17 lead after the initial quarter of the game with hot shooting from Gatewood and Mykale Franks, who finished with 15 points. The Mavericks made eight of 11 shots to start the game.
"We weren't expecting that," Burnett said. "But in this rivalry game, you have guys step up. That's what happened. They had some guys that played really well and caused us problems."
The Mavericks closed out the first quarter with an 11-0 run helped out by a technical foul by the Grizzlies. Gatewood knocked down four foul shots and scored on the extra possession during the scoring stretch.
Northside was able to take back the lead heading into halftime with a 37-34 edge. The Grizzlies had 12 of their 20 second-quarter points come of the bench with Jacob Joe, Noah Gordon and Semonte Henderson helping the offense.
The Grizzlies head into next week's state tournament by snapping a two-game losing streak after dropping games to North Little Rock and Cabot.
Burnett said he challenged his senior class in the rivalry game that means so much to the crosstown schools.
"It is always pretty even in this rivalry," Burnett said. "It doesn't matter really what happens in basketball that year. But in Fort Smith the question always is did you beat Southside your senior year? I told these guys this is your last time for the seniors. I'm proud of the guys stepping up at the end."
Northside^17^20^11^19^--^67
Southside^22^12^13^10^--^57
Northside (16-11, 8-6): Williams 35, Joe 7, Norwood 6, McKinley 6, Thorne 4, Gordon 4, Henderson 3, Releford 2.
Southside (5-21, 1-13): Gatewood 19, Franks 15, Soloman 9, Thomas 7, York 3, McBride 2, Merrill 2.
Girls
Fort Smith Northside 58, Fort Smith Southside 35
Fort Smith Northside was able to cap its regular season on a high note and in a historic fashion Friday night at the Stubblefield Center.
Sophomore guard Jersey Wolfenbarger led the way scoring a game-high 17 points for Northside (25-1, 13-1). Senior forward Tiya Douglas also added 10 points for the Lady Bears.
Fort Smith Southside's Reagan Graham had a team-high 11 points, including making three 3-point baskets.
The Lady Bears finished the regular season picking up their 25th win and closed out league play as the 6A-Central Conference champions.
It was the 16th time Northside has won 25 or more games in a season. It was also the 16th time the Lady Bears have won their conference under coach Rickey Smith.
"We felt good getting a chance to play a lot of people," Smith said. "We won the conference championship outright. I'm proud of the kids because they made the extra passes tonight. It was a good night."
Northside was able to jump out to a 23-7 lead with the aid of an 11-0 run early to take a 16-2 lead. Wolfenbarger capped the run with a behind the back pass to Douglas.
Southside (0-24, 0-14) was able to open the second quarter with a pair of free throws but didn't score after that. Northside then scored 13 unanswered points to hold a 36-9 edge heading into the break.
The Lady Bears were able to find efficient shots early and often, making nine of 16 first-quarter shots then five of 11 in the second quarter.
Northside^23^13^15^7^--^58
Southside^7^2^11^15^--^35
Northside (25-1, 13-1):
Wolfenbarger 17, Douglas 10, S. Bershers 8, Shelly 6, T. Bershers 4, Tillery 4, Coleman 3, Stewart 2, Ford 2, Flemming 1, West 1.
Southside (0-24, 0-14): R. Graham 11, E. Graham 9, Rice 7, Lareno 3, Clark 3, Jaladeen 2.
Sports on 02/23/2019