Stanley, War Eagles soar in Arvest Hoopfest

ROGERS — Tom Olsen had just told his Rogers Heritage boys to slow things down and look for layups, only to have Seth Stanley come out of a timeout and connect on a 3-pointer in front of his team’s bench.

It was that kind of game for the senior forward, who scored a season-high 29 points and led the War Eagles to a 73-53 victory over Carl Junction, Mo., during Thursday’s opening-round action in the 13th annual Arvest Hoopfest in King Arena.

“We talked at the end of the third quarter that we had a lead and we wanted things that were obvious and easy,” Olsen said. “We didn’t want to take questionable shots or quick shots, then Seth gets wide open. When he’s that wide open, it’s kind of like a layup.”

The 6-foot-6 Stanley scored from both inside and outside early in the game and

already had 13 points in the first quarter as Heritage (3-2) jumped out a 24-14 lead. Carl Junction then turned to its 6-7 forward Will Bebee, who scored eight straight points and pulled the Bulldogs within 26-24 with 4 minutes, 54 seconds left in the first half.

Stanley, however, couldn’t be cooled off. He scored 10 straight points in less than 2 minutes, then the War Eagles completed a 14-0 run with two free throws by Dawson Peek and a bucket by Ethan Carpenter and extended their lead to a 40-24 margin with 2:24 before halftime.

“My teammates did a really good job of getting me the ball,” Stanley said. “We were flowing pretty well, and I got open shots that were going in. I think I was struggling early on in the season, but I was able to get back in the flow.

“I tried to make my game complete at all three levels. That was my goal — to be hard to guard. It wasn’t all me, though. Not at all.”

Heritage, which enjoyed its highest offensive production this season, enjoyed a 55-38 cushion at the end of the third quarter and took its biggest lead when Ty Olsen’s 3-pointer made it a 67-44 game with 3:41 left to play.

Peek added 12 points and Olsen 11 for Heritage, which advances to today’s 7 p.m. semifinal game against Webb City, Mo. The Cardinals opened Thursday’s play with an 81-63 victory over Clarksville.

Trent Smith led Carl Junction with 22, while Bebee added 17.

Carl Junction ..... 14 14 10 15 — 53 Heritage ........... 24 18 13 18 — 73 Carl Junction: Smith 22, Bebee 17, Hoberecht 4, Frazier 3, Warren 3, Armentrout 2, Ludders 2.

Heritage (3-2): Stanley 29, Peek 12, Olsen 11, Carpenter 6, Breedlove 5, Kimball 4, Fincher 4, Clines 2.