Fort Smith Northside built a big early lead then withstood a furious North Little Rock surge to advance to the Class 6A state title game in a 53-46 win Saturday.
Northside (25-2) took a double-digit lead in the first quarter and carried that into a 32-20 halftime lead. But the Charging Wildcats (19-9) came charging back in the second half to tie the game at 46-46 behind the stellar play of point guard Erin Freeman. Freeman’s driving layup with 3:50 left tied the score.
Northside retook the lead at 48-46 on a pair of free throws and held on the rest of the way to secure the program’s 13th state championship game appearance, and 12th under coach Rickey Smith.
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Haitiana Releford had a double-double for the Lady Bears with 16 points and 13 rebounds. University of Arkansas signee Jersey Wolfenbarger scored 15 and Tracey Bershers, who has signed with Oklahoma State, scored 13.
Freeman finished with a game-high 19 points for North Little Rock and Kalina Foster scored 10.