Lady Highlanders clinch league title

Eureka Springs was eager for another shot at Cotter after losing 57-52 in the first game between the leaders in the 2A-1 Conference.

“It was at their place, and we had 19 turnovers and missed 18 free throws,” Eureka Springs coach Ryan Sanchez said.

Eureka Springs dominated the rematch Monday and won 55-32 to clinch the regular season championship in the 2A-1 Conference.

“We pounded the ball inside to our big girls and took care of the basketball,” Sanchez said. “I always tell our girls ‘give me attitude and a great effort and we’ll be alright’ and that’s what they’ve done.”

Shelby Little (13.2 ppg) and Megan Holloway (11.3) are the leading scorers for Eureka Springs, which improved to 22-12 overall and 8-2 in league play after a victory over Haas Hall on Tuesday. That’s quite a turnaround from the three previous years when the Lady Highlanders were 7-77, including 6-23 last season.

“We haven’t been to the state tournament since 2009,” said Sanchez, who graduated from Eureka Springs in 2014 and was hired last June to take over the girls program. “We hope to change that this year.”

Eureka Springs received a first-round bye for the district tournament at Yellville-Summit. The regional tournament is at Danville, and the Class 2A state tournament will be played at Carlisle.