Hot Springs takes advantage of Nettleton miscues

“... did I think we would have 18? Probably not. … I’m satisfied with that number.”

PEARCY — Hot Springs pounded Nettleton in a variety of ways Thursday afternoon.

The Trojans had four players score 10 or more points and forced the Raiders into 18 turnovers in a 69-54 victory in a first-round game of the Class 5A boys state tournament at Wolf Arena.

Junior forward Santiair Thomas scored eight of his team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter. Caleb Campbell added 14 points and dished out seven assists and the Trojans (25-4) hit 28 of 41 shots to advance to today’s

Hot Springs Coach Antoni Lasker, on turnovers the Trojans forced

quarterfinal round against Little Rock Hall.

“That’s always our game plan,” Hot Springs Coach Antoni Lasker said of the turnovers. “We want to create turnovers to give ourselves extra possessions … but did I think we would have 18? Probably not. … I’m satisfied with that number.”

The Trojans jumped out to a 9-2 lead, led 14-8 after one quarter and 33-21 at the half. Nettleton (16-8) got no closer than eight points in the second half despite a 18-point, 12-rebound, 3-steal performance from 6-5 senior Jarquavious Cain.

Nettleton suffered from long-range woes, hitting only 2 of 16 three-pointers. The Raiders were only 17 of 41 shooting overall.

“I thought we did a good job on the glass,” Lasker said. “We made a conscious effort to block out and hold them to one shot.”

Sophomore Jaydn Walker added 12 points and made five steals. Freshman Jabari West scored 6 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter. Campbell scored nine of his points in the first half; he handed out four of his seven assists in the fourth quarter.

“We’ve been on him and Walker all year about expanding their games to the point that we know those guys can score but we’ve talked to them about creating for others,” Lasker said. “They’ve made those other guys out there better and that’s made our team better.”

Nettleton senior Kevin Fulton added 10 points and senior Marion McFadden scored 8.

WEST MEMPHIS 63, EL DORADO 52

Junior Chris Moore scored 32 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and blocked 6 shots as the Blue Devils (24-5) posted a firstround victory over the Wildcats (12-14).

West Memphis scored the game’s first 12 points and led 17-4 after the first quarter. El Dorado got as close as seven, 48-41, during the fourth quarter.

El Dorado senior Brendon Johnson scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half. Mason Lockhart added eight points for the Wildcats, who were 18 of 43 shooting.

Senior Cavin Page added 12 points for West Memphis, which was 20 of 36 from the floor and held a 36-31 advantage on the boards.

CLASS 1A BOYS AT BROCKWELL DEER 72, CALICO ROCK 66, OT

The Antlers (29-10) held a 50-23 lead in the final minute of the third quarter but squandered that entire advantage as the Pirates (29-10) fought their way back into the contest, tying the score at 63-63 on a three-pointer by Cole Whiteaker to end regulation.

The Pirates took their first lead since early in the first quarter when Whiteaker opened overtime with a free throw. The team teams traded the lead, and Whiteaker put the Pirates up 66-65 with 1:07 left. But Calico Rock did not score again, as Deer finished on a 7-0 run, the last five on free throws

Caden Young scored 31 points to pace Deer.

Whiteaker led Calico Rock with 25 points and Logan Dickerson had 15.

HILLCREST 62, NEW SCHOOL 53

The Screamin’ Eagles (27-9) picked up their first state tournament victory in six years despite almost blowing a 20-point lead.

Hillcrest led 46-26 late in the third quarter and took an 18-point lead into the fourth.

The Cougars (28-9) began chipping away at that lead until they got within 55-53 with 46.8 seconds left to play. But New School did not score again, while Hillcrest hit six free throws in the final 40 seconds. — Scott McDonald