Leopards looking to regroup, refocus following tough conf. loss to Fountain Lake
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK — In their first outing to tip-off the new year on the hardwood, the hometown Malvern Leopards had a tough visit in Cobra Country Tuesday in 4A-7 Conference play against the Fountain Lake Cobras. The Leopards stayed within a reach in the first half, but the Cobras sparked from their home-court advantage with three double-digit scoring quarters that led to Fountain Lake’s 55-29 victory against Malvern. The Leopards are still aiming for their first victory in league action with defeats by Nashville, De Queen and Fountain Lake.
Fountain Lake’s Michael Moore led all scorers with 17 points as the long player to post in double-figures for the game.
Malvern had a nine-point deficit after the first eight minutes of action to the Cobras at the end of the opening quarter—17-8. In the second, the Leopards were held under double-digits with the Cobras adding 10 points to their side of the scoreboard. At the break, the Leopards headed into the locker room with a 15-point deficit and trailing the Cobras 27-12.
In the second half, the Leopards sparked with 17 points scored but the Cobras overmatched their conference opponents scoring with 28 for third and fourth quarters combined.
For the game, Leopard hoopster Carter Martin led the hometown team with eight points. Kealon Juniel followed with seven key points from the field. Tyler Francis added four points, Dyelon Caradine and Jacoby Lock each chipped in three points apiece, while Robert Grisby and CJ Williams contributed two points apiece.
The Leopards were ready to return to the court for conference hoops against Hope tonight, but their match-up has been postponed and scheduled for a later date.
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The Leopards look to regroup and refocus for their huge conference showdown against arch-rival Arkadelphia Badgers next week. The ranked Arkadelphia Badgers are unbeaten in conference with the Cobras at 3-0. According to the Arkansas Sports Media High School Basketball Boys rankings this week, Arkadelphia is currently the No. 4 ranked team in the state, while Fountain Lake nabs the No. 5 ranking spot in Class 4A.
The Leopards look for a huge challenge next Tuesday January 11 when the Badgers roll into the Leopard Center for a showdown as the evenings featured nightcap game in conference play.