Fitting end

Conway St. Joseph and Guy-Perkins have been longtime rivals in Faulkner County.

So it was fitting that

St. Joseph was the final school Guy-Perkins Boys and Girls Coach John Hutchcraft faced in his last two home games with the Thunderbirds on Friday night in Guy.

St. Joseph Coach Jessie Ross, who played for the Lady Bulldogs under former coach Chris Kordsmeier from 2002-2005, told her team before Friday’s game it was not going to be a normal game between the two schools.

“There were going to be a lot of people there supporting Hutchcraft,” Ross said. “But if we just played our game, we would be just fine.”

The game was tied at 48-48 entering the fourth quarter, but St. Joseph outscored Guy-Perkins 27-12 in the fourth quarter to earn a 75-60 victory. Brooklyn Kordsmeier led St. Joseph with 22 points. Piper Mullaney finished with 20 points, Alexis Roach had 14 and Emily Briggler added 11.

“St. Joe’s always had a good rivalry with Guy,” Ross said.

“I love it. I love the atmosphere. There’s always good basketball when we play each other.”

Hutchcraft is retiring after a 42-year career in which he’s won 10 state championships (five boys titles, five girls titles).

“He’s a great coach,” Ross said. “He’s changed a lot of Arkansas basketball, not just Guy-Perkins. It’s been fun watching him throughout the years. Good luck to whoever takes his place.”