Cards cut down Warriors, net 1st victory
HASKELL – After suffering a 59-52 overtime defeat to Southwest Christian in a benefit game earlier this week, the Harmony Grove Cardinals picked up their first win of the season in a 56-39 victory over the Ouachita Warriors Thursday at Daniel Henley Fieldhouse in Haskell.
The Cardinals took a 17-12 lead after one quarter before extending it with a 15-7 showing in the second frame for the 32-19 lead at the half.
Things did not go well for Harmony Grove in the third quarter as the Cardinals managed just four points, with Ouachita doubling it with eight for the 36-27 game after three.
“We had some mistakes and turnovers and in the third quarter we didn’t execute very well at all,” HG Coach Andy Brakebill said.
But, the Cardinals would get back to their scoring ways in the fourth, putting up a 20-spot, to pull away for the 17-point victory.
“They came back out and we executed better,” Brakebill said of the fourth quarter.
“We were more patient on offense and we defended better, which allowed us to push it out.”
Junior 6-8 post player Blake Ammons led the Cardinals with 17 points Thursday (13 points vs. SW Christian) after averaging 5.0 as a sophomore.
“Blake Ammons has improved a ton since last year,” Brakebill said. “He’s
6-8, so if he’ll continue to work and get better, he’ll provide us with a post presence. He’s a tough matchup when he’s playing well.
“His biggest development right now is just getting tougher, being more physical inside. We hired Mitch Scoggins, who was the junior high coach at Benton, and he’s done a good job working with him. He’s gotten better.”
Harmony Grove staple and now All-conference senior Carson Withers followed with 15 points Thursday (10 Monday) a year after averaging 10.3 PPG.
After scoring a team-high 17 vs. SW Christian, senior Cash Parker, also an Allconference selection averag
ing 11.3 PPG last year, scored 10 on Thursday vs. the Warriors.
Senior Garrett Britt followed
with eight points, junior Luke Whitley had four and senior Drake Brown had two.
“We do have a lot of seniors on our team, but we have a lot of kids playing with not much experience, too,” Brakebill said of his season
outlook. “Garrett Britt is getting a lot of minutes this year. Luke Whitley and Drake Brown.
“We played well in spurts, and then we played bad at times. Our effort is really good, playing hard. We have a chance to have some success
when we continue to get better.”
Brakebill led the Cardinals to a 13-8 record last season, his first with the Cardinals, getting the Cardinals off the schneid of five previous losing seasons before that. It will not be easy this year year in
the 7-3A Conference.
“The conference is going to be tough again,” the Coach said. “You have Prescott, Ashdown … Glen Rose was really good last year. Centerpoint is good again. It’s going to be a lot like last year, a battle every night. It’s probably
wide open. Prescott won it last year and they’re going to be athletic. It’s a pretty tough league.”
The Cardinals played Marshall on Friday and play next on Tuesday hosting Abundant Life.