Jackson sparks Jacksonville into second round

JACKSONVILLE 58, SHERIDAN 43

RUSSELLVILLE — There was no first-round exit this season for the Jacksonville girls basketball team.

Behind Lia Jackson’s 34 points, the Lady Titans defeated Sheridan 58-43 on Wednesday in the Class 5A girls state basketball tournament at Cyclone Arena.

Jacksonville (18-9), the 5A-Central Conference champions, will face Greenwood or Jonesboro at 7 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals.

The Lady Titans lost as a No. 1 seed last season to Russellville. They avoided that same fate against the Lady Yellowjackets on Wednesday.

“Our focus was to get over this hurdle,” Jacksonville Coach Marian Kursh said. “It’s huge. I’m super proud of them. This is my fourth year here. It’s a big milestone, for sure.”

Jacksonville is one of two No. 1 seeds left after 5A-West champion Vilonia and 5A-South champion Lake Hamilton lost on Tuesday.

Jackson, a sophomore, scored 15 points in the first half as the Lady Titans held a 27-25 halftime advantage.

Sheridan tied the game at 27-27 early in the third quarter, but Jacksonville responded by scoring 10 of the next 16 points for a 37-33 lead entering the final quarter.

Jackson hit two three-pointers to extend Jacksonville’s lead to 43-36 early in the final quarter. Her third three-pointer of the fourth quarter made it 50-38 with 3:30 left. She scored 16 of her 34 points in the fourth quarter.

Cassidy Henry and Kaitlyn Howard each had 10 points for Sheridan (14-12).

WATSON CHAPEL 41, HOT SPRINGS 35

The Lady Wildcats (19-9) scored the game’s final eight points to fend off Jaylia Reed and the Lady Trojans (15-12).

Reed scored 30 for Hot Springs, which held a 33-31 advantage entering the final quarter.

Ky’aria Ginger had 11 points and nine rebounds for the Lady Wildcats. Taylor Whitted added 10 points.

Watson Chapel will meet Mountain Home in a quarterfinal game at 7 p.m. today.

Hot Springs jumped out to a 13-3 lead, but Watson Chapel pulled within 15-8 by the end of the first quarter and led 20-19 at halftime.

Reed scored all 13 points for Hot Springs in the third quarter to help the Lady Trojans hold a 33-31 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Lady Trojans led 35-33 with 3:05 remaining but did not score again. Whitted’s basket with 1:42 left to play gave Watson Chapel a 37-35 lead. SYLVAN HILLS 64,

HOT SPRINGS LAKESIDE 56

Jianna Morris scored 20 points to lead the Lady Bears (22-7) past the Lady Rams (23-6).

Sylvan Hills will play Nettleton in the quarterfinals at 1 p.m. Friday.

Daniya Cartwright finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Bears. Jayla Stirgus had 12 points, while Shayla Golden chipped in with 10 points.

Chloe Porter had 24 points to lead the Lady Rams. Ronni Fornby finished with 14 points and Maddie Trusty scored 10.

Sylvan Hills never trailed Wednesday. The Lady Bears led 16-10 at the end of the first quarter, 29-23 at halftime and 47-38 at the end of the third quarter.

Lakeside cut the lead to 53-50 with 3:05 left, but the Lady Bears extended their lead to 59-52 on Cartwright’s basket.