Fast start helps send Maumelle to victory

MAUMELLE 65, LR PARKVIEW 60

Riding the momentum from a strong opening quarter, the Maumelle Hornets held on for a 65-60 victory over the Little Rock Parkview Patriots on Tuesday night at Charles Ripley Arena in Little Rock.

The Hornets led 21-10 to start the second quarter. Parkview, which led briefly at 2-0, never regained the lead but was able to get even in the second half and were within a shot of a tie several times.

With 44.3 seconds left, Parkview (8-8, 3-1 5A-Central) trailed 61-60 and Hornet sophomore Jacob Lanier was at the line shooting two free throws. He missed both, but Malik McGuire grabbed the offensive rebound and the Hornets (9-8, 4-1) reset their offense. The 6-7 McGuire wound up with a stickback with 18.1 seconds left and added a free throw for a 6460 lead.

After Parkview missed a three-point attempt, McGuire, who had all 12 of his points in the second half, grabbed the rebound and was fouled. He converted a final free throw with 4.6 seconds left.

“Any time you can come over here and get a win, that is a big deal,’’ Maumelle Coach Michael Shook said. “That is what we talked about before the game. We have played a lot of showcases and tournament and neutral site stuff, and we have not had any real on-the-road environments. We have challenged these guys and their mental toughness all year, and we told them this is your first test.

“So to come in here — people don’t get many wins here — that is really big for these guys.”

Lanier led the Hornets with 16 points, while Darren Fleming and 6-7 sophomore Jordan Harris 13 each.

Kolby Bell added 10 points for Parkview and Khylin Porchia had nine.