Wildcats making progress

Springdale Har-Ber coach Scott Bowlin likes the direction his team is headed as the second half of conference play kicks into high gear this week.

The Wildcats (8-11, 4-5 6A-West) returned only one player that saw varsity time at Har-Ber a year ago, and the inexperience showed early as they started just 2-6. But Har-Ber has showed more consistency lately, particularly on the defensive end, Bowlin said.

“We’ve been playing pretty well with nothing to show for it, playing Bentonville and Fayetteville,” Bowlin said. “I think we’re a team on the rise.”

Har-Ber got over the hump with a big road win at Rogers Heritage on Tuesday night. Juniors Nick Buchanan and Lawson Jenkins enjoyed big nights offensively with 22 and 15, respectively. But senior Cole Bishop’s 15 points on five 3-pointers was that third scoring option his team needed, Bowlin said.

“Lawson and Nick, everybody expects them to produce,” Bowlin said. “But we’ve had more guys become consistent scoring threats. Cole’s one of those guys. They have gotten more confident, and that’s been our biggest thing is team confidence. Guys like Garrett Pieroni, Charlie Bockelman and Errington McRae are starting to settle in, too.

“I’m proud of what this team’s accomplished to this point. I think Buchanan’s one of the better players in the league, but Nick’s a very good defensive player, too. He’s taken 17 charges this year.”

Har-Ber also finished with 11 assists to just 10 turnovers in the win over Heritage.

Bowlin has tried to remain patient with his young, inexperienced group.

“It’s a cliche, but it’s true,” Bowlin said. “It’s a process. You can’t push it. You can’t rush it. Be patient and hope somewhere down the line it clicks. I have to be patient because it takes time to mature.”

The Wildcats host crosstown rival Springdale High tonight, and they will be looking for revenge. The Red Bulldogs edged Har-Ber 39-36 in the first meeting.