Titans use press to take over

JACKSONVILLE 92, EL DORADO 71

WEST MEMPHIS — Jacksonville and interim head coach Brandon Weems pulled out their full-court press at the right time Wednesday.

The Titans forced 8 El Dorado turnovers in the final 8 minutes, leading to a 31-point fourth quarter in their 92-71 victory over the Wildcats in a Class 6A boys state tournament first-round game.

“Getting into our … fullcourt press really helped us,” said Jacksonville’s H.D. Martin, who scored 15 points. “Coach told us to execute and hustle. I believe we wanted it more than [El Dorado] did in the second half.”

Jacksonville (14-16) pulled out to a double-digit lead in the first half but saw El Dorado (12-15) rally to make it a 38-37 Titans’ lead at halftime.

After building a 61-54 lead at the end of three quarters, Jacksonville scored the first nine points and kept El Dorado scoreless from the field for more than half of the quarter.

Sophomore Gerald Doakes led all scorers with 27 points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter. Teammate Jordan Maxwell chipped in 11.

Jaterrio Ramey led El Dorado with 25 points while B.J. Johnson had 16.

PINE BLUFF 54, TEXARKANA 43

Pine Bluff broke open a tight game with a 21-point fourth quarter led by Kaleb Higgins.

After Texarkana (16-12) battled to a 33-33 tie at the end of three quarters, Pine Bluff and Higgins took over. Higgins scored 8 of his team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Pine Bluff’s Harris Martin, a senior, gave the Zebras (17-10) a three-possession cushion when he weaved his way through the lane for a basket to make it 48-41 with just over a minute to play.

Kendrick Thorn added 13 points for Pine Bluff, which will face Benton tonight at 8 in a quarterfinal game. Martin fired in 11 for the Zebras.

The Razorbacks got a team-high 14 points from Fabian Phillips.

LITTLE ROCK HALL 60, GREENWOOD 48

Ke’von Cooper scored a game-high 19 points to lead Little Rock Hall (23-8) to victory.

Hall bounced back from a 13-12 deficit in the first quarter to take a 22-19 lead at halftime, then coasted in the second half. Greg Johnson added 13 points for the Warriors while Xavier Madison chipped in 9.

Greenwood (16-12) got 17 points apiece from Jordan Sheppard and Easton Barrett.