Wildcats' rally falls short at Lake Hamilton

PEARCY – El Dorado almost completely dug its way out of an 18-point hole Friday. But Lake Hamilton's Zac Pennington came up with a late steal and the Wolves hit six free throws in a row down the stretch to preserve a 72-65 victory.

The Wildcats dropped to 5-9 overall and 2-1 in league play. Lake Hamilton improved to 9-3, 3-1.

El Dorado trailed 49-34 heading into the fourth quarter. The Wildcats turned up the defensive pressure and exploded for 32 points in the final eight minutes.

El Dorado's Torenzo Dunn's floater in the lane cut the deficit to 64-62 with 1:20 left to play. The Wildcats had a chance to tie or take the lead after the Wolves missed two free throws.

But Lake Hamilton's Pennington flashed for a steal and then hit two free throws after he was fouled. Ethan Watson and Pennington each added two free throws apiece before E.J. McDaniel scored on a lay-up as the Wolves pulled away down the stretch.

“Came out really flat and settled for some bad shots versus their zone,” said El Dorado coach Jimmy Porter. “We were not aggressive enough on offense early. Defensively we allowed too many middle drives which put us in a tough position. We were late on close outs, which allowed them to go into their lifts in rhythm for 3-pointers.”

James Hartsfield led El Dorado with 16 points. Mario Ganter scored 13 with Jarmel Love adding 10. Lavonte McHenry chipped in with eight while Bryce Boulden and Dunn notched seven points apiece.

Pennington led Lake Hamilton with 24 points while McDaniel added 17. Cade Robinson scored nine.

El Dorado trailed 17-6 after one quarter. The Wolves built a 28-10 cushion midway in the second quarter and led 32-19 at the half. The deficit was 15 heading into the final period.

“We turned up the pressure and battled back in the game,” Porter said.

Ganter sparked a 10-1 spurt. After McHenry hit two free throws, Ganter scored and was fouled. The junior missed the free throw but grabbed the rebound and scored. Ganter scored again on an offensive rebound to close the gap to 55-48 midway in the quarter. After Lake Hamilton hit a free throw, David Aryee scored for the Wildcats, who trailed 56-50 with 3:56 remaining.

El Dorado's defensive pressure intensified. Hartsfield canned a 3-pointer before the Wildcats came up with a steal. Hartsfield's lay-up cut the lead to 60-57.

Lake Hamilton beat the press for a lay-up, but Hartsfield drained another 3-pointer to pull the Wildcats to within 62-60 with 1:58 remaining.

El Dorado's varsity girls fell to the Lady Wolves 55-31. Lake Hamilton led 42-20 at the half and 55-21 going into the final period.