UConn signee helps CAC beat Ozark
CLASS 4A
CENTRAL ARK. CHRISTIAN 64, OZARK 54
BROOKLAND — Central Arkansas Christian turned to the best player in the state to get it to the Class 4A semifinals.
Senior guard Christyn Williams, a University of Connecticut signee, finished with 34 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Lady Mustangs to a 64-54 victory over Ozark in the Class 4A girls quarterfinals Thursday at Bearcat Arena.
“That’s a typical game for her,” CAC Coach Steve Quattlebaum said. “She did well.”
CAC (34-1) will play Pottsville at noon Saturday in the semifinals.
Williams made 12 field goals and hit a three-pointer Thursday. She was 7 of 10 from the free-throw line.
Also for CAC, freshman guard Bethany Dillard had 16 points, including four three-pointers.
The Lady Mustangs shot 22 of 44 from the floor.
Senior guard Ariel Walker led the Lady Hillbillies (27-3) with 19 points. Hannah Ladd, a senior guard, added 14 points.
Williams scored nine of CAC’s first 15 points to take a 15-6 lead midway through the first quarter.
“It was real big,” said Quattlebaum of his team’s start. “Our kids were ready to play. That’s a good basketball team we beat. They won a lot of games. They play with a lot of confidence.”
CAC led 15-10 at the end of the first quarter, but Ozark cut the lead to 18-16 early in the second quarter on Walker’s three-pointer. Dillard hit a three-pointer to spark at 13-3 run to end the first half for CAC. Williams was fouled by Ladd behind the three-point line with no time remaining in the second quarter, then made three free throws to set the halftime score at 31-19.
Williams’ layup extended the Lady Mustangs’ lead to 40-23 with 4:10 left in the third quarter. Dillard hit her fourth three-pointer of the game late in the third quarter to stretch her team’s lead to 47-34.
With 1:46 remaining, Williams exited with the game in hand.
GRAVETTE 64, ASHDOWN 39
Despite committing 33 turnovers, Gravette defeated Ashdown.
The Lady Lions will face Riverview at 7 p.m. today in a quarterfinal game.
Gravette (25-7), which shot 18 of 40 from the floor, had three players score at least 10 points. Junior guard Jessica Bookout scored a team-high 13 points. Sophomore guard Cally Kildow finished with 11 points while freshman guard Shylee Morrison added 10 points.
Senior guard Lark Wilkerson led Ashdown (17-13) with 14 points, including four three-pointers. Zakiyah Rhone, a senior guard, added 10 points for the Lady Panthers, who shot 13 of 53 from the floor and committed 32 turnovers.
It was 13-13 entering the second quarter, then Gravette went on a 18-2 run to take a 31-16 lead with 2:08 left in the first half. Senior guard Kyrstin Branscum’s three-pointer capped the run for the Lady Lions. Gravette outscored Ashdown 24-7 in the second quarter to lead 37-20 at halftime.
POTTSVILLE 54, MONTICELLO 31
Aspen Campbell scored 22 points as Pottsville (27-6) took care of Monticello (27-8).
Skylar Campbell had 13 points for the Lady Apaches.
The Lady Billies were led by Shania Smith with 11 points. Mariah Austin added 10 points.
Pottsville trailed 11-5 at the end of the first quarter, but outscored Monticello 18-4 in the second quarter to lead 23-15 at halftime. In the final three quarters, the Lady Apaches outscored the Lady Billies 49-20.