Free throws carry Harding Academy

HARDING ACADEMY 59, ROSE BUD 51

ROSE BUD — Rose Bud and Harding Academy shared one common denominator in Friday’s semifinal girls game at the 3A-2 Region tournament.

Neither could hit the three-point shot.

Rose Bud missed 14 from long range, while Harding Academy missed 12, but managed to make enough free throws to advance to today’s championship game with a 59-51 victory.

Senior Elaine Helpenstill led Harding Academy with 25 points and got help from Audrey Laird with 10 points.

Harding Academy led 6-2 early in the opening quarter before Rose Bud took the lead at 10-9 and led 15-10 to start the second quarter, where the Lady Wildcats pushed their advantage to 21-12.

Harding Academy cut the lead to 21-20 but got no closer as Rose Bud held a 30-24 lead at the half.

Rose Bud continued to hold the lead into the third quarter, pushing its advantage to 34-26. Rose Bud finished the third leading 39-37.

Harding Academy forced a 48-48 tie on two free throws by Caroline Citty and a spin move for an inside layup by Helpenstill gave Harding Academy a 50-48 lead with two minutes left.

Harding Academy closed out the victory by outscoring Rose Bud 9-3 over the final two minutes and out- scored the Lady Ramblers 22-12 in the quarter.

Savannah Lacy led Rose Bud with 18 points, eight of that coming in the fourth quarter, while Hope Hartle finished with 11 points.

While the three-point shooting went south for Harding Academy, the Lady Wildcats did their job at the foul line, hitting 23 of 27 free throws. Citty made five of six free throws in the fourth.

BALD KNOB 38, MARIANNA 34

Bald Knob held off Marianna to advance to today’s championship game.

Forward Madi Pierce led Bald Knob with 24 points, 11 in the second quarter and nine in the fourth. Kinlee Varnell added 12 points and the Lady Bulldogs went 10 for 12 at the foul line.

Tionna Martin finished with 13 points for Marianna.

3A-2 BOYS BARTON 57, GLEN ROSE 47

Barton’s boys punched their ticket to today’s championship by defeating Glen Rose.

Hakeem Hancock led Barton with 17 points, hitting 6 of 8 free throws in the fourth quarter.

Jaylon Johnson finished with 12 points while Wanya Wilkins finished with 11 for the Bears.

Noah Ellis led Glen Rose with 15 points, eight coming in the second quarter while Zane Hardage added 9 points.

4A EAST GIRLS ESTEM 63,

CENT. ARKANSAS CHRISTIAN 54

LONOKE — Christyn Williams suffered a vicious hit and landed hard on the Gina Cox Center floor during the third quarter of Friday night’s Class 4A East Region semifinal game.

Otherwise, it was a pretty good day for the nation’s best high school girls basketball player.

Williams, a 5-11 guard and UConn signee, scored 33 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as Central Arkansas Christian overpowered eStem 63-54 to advance to tonight’s championship game against Riverview.

Earlier in the afternoon, Williams accepted her jersey to next month’s McDonald’s All-American Game during a ceremony at the high school.

“They’re both big, but winning the game is bigger because I want to win a state championship,” said Williams, who was rated as the No. 1 girls recruit for the Class of 2018 by ESPN’s HoopGurlz.

Williams’ collision with eStem junior guard Makayla Miller came with 1:12 left in the third quarter. Williams crashed to the floor and Miller was called for an intentional foul.

The foul brought back some bitter memories from last season, when Williams suffered a shoulder injury that also came during a regional semifinal game against eStem. Williams played injured the remainder of the season, and CAC was bounced from the state tournament in the second round.

“That [hit] was crazy,” Williams said. “I thought she was going to speed up and cut in front of me, but she just ran straight into me.”

Williams, however, recovered from Friday’s blow and hit the two free throws. And in the game’s final minute, after the Lady Mets had closed to within 60-54 on a basket by senior Mariah Adams (20 points, 6 rebounds), Williams traveled the length of the court for what turned into a three-point play.

Williams got plenty of support from her teammates as the Lady Mustangs claimed their 23rd consecutive victory.

RIVERVIEW 52, LONOKE 39

Abbie Jiles scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Lady Raiders (24-8) defeated the host team in Friday’s first semifinal game.

Riverview led 21-17 at the half and outscored the Lady Rabbits (23-10) in the third quarter to take control.

Ebonee Whitley added eight points for Riverview, while Alexia Broadway collected 10 rebounds.

Keiunna Walker scored nine of her 20 points in the fourth quarter for Lonoke. Kenneon White led Lonoke with 10 rebounds.