Wayman picks up Bulldogs’ slack

6A-WEST BOYS CHAMP. FAYETTEVILLE 74, BENTONVILLE 60

BENTONVILLE — In the span of two minutes, Fayetteville’s top two scorers were relegated to the bench after picking up their fifth fouls early in the fourth quarter.

It didn’t matter. Matthew Wayman made sure of it.

Wayman scored eight of his team-high 19 points in the fourth quarter to help the Bulldogs claim the 6A-West Conference tournament championship in a 74-60 win against Bentonville on Friday in Tiger Arena.

“He was huge, no doubt about it,” said Fayetteville coach Brad Stamps. “He’s kind of evolved into the guy that we want the ball in his hands. It’s not an easy feeling when both CJ (Williams) and Landon (Glasper) are sitting and you have to finish the last four minutes without them.

“I’m just so proud of our kids. They are playing their best basketball at the right time.”

Fayetteville (22-5) had lost to Bentonville twice prior to Friday’s game. But the third time was the charm for the Purple’Dogs, who locked up the West’s No. 1 seed for next week’s Class 6A state tournament.

Senior guard Matthew Wayman scored eight of his team-high 19 points in the fourth quarter to lead Fayetteville to a 74-60 victory over Bentonville in the 6A-West Conference Tournament boys championship game in Bentonville. (Special to the NWA Democrat-Gazette/David Beach)

Because of covid-19 issues this season, the conference elected to hold a season-ending tournament to determine seeding. Fayetteville and Bentonville each had byes to the semifinals and both took care of business on Thursday to set up Friday’s winner-takeall game.

A packed house saw Fayetteville punch the undefeated conference champion Tigers in the mouth in the first quarter, scoring 25 points in the opening eight minutes and a 25-13 lead. And although Bentonville (20-2) made a serious run late, Fayetteville never relinquished control.

Glasper (16 points) and Williams (14 points) constantly attacked the Bentonville middle. Both were especially effective with a mid-range game and Williams knocked down three 3-pointers to help the Bulldogs take a double-digit lead.

But that advantage appeared in jeopardy when Williams picked up his fifth foul with 5 minutes, 29 seconds left in the game, and Williams followed him to bench with 4:24 left.

Enter Wayman, a senior combo guard who has been a varsity player for three years.

“To sum it, it, I just wanted to help my teammates out any way I could,” said Wayman. “So when I saw CJ and Landon go out, I was like man, it’s my time. I’ve got to carry this team. I’m just glad I could do that tonight.”

Bentonville had cut a onetime 18-point lead to 9, 61-52, when Glasper fouled out. Over the final 3:37, Wayman hit a driving layup, two free throws and another layup that sealed the game for the Purple’Dogs.

Jaylen Lee scored a gamehigh 26 points for Bentonville and Hayden Shanks added 12.

Fayetteville will not play until Friday in the state tournament and Bentonville is off until Thursday, but the Bulldogs carry the momentum of a huge win, said Stamps.

“A lot of teams start peaking in December and January and then their seasons are over,” said Stamps. “We’re peaking at the right time. I believe in this team. They are buying in and I can’t wait for the state tournament.”

ROGERS HIGH 57, BENTONVILLE WEST 51

Will Liddell scored 17 points, including two go-ahead free throws with 3:40 remaining, as Rogers defeated West and made the most of playing four games in as many days.

Liddell’s free throws gave the Mounties (12-10) a 49-47 lead, but West made it a one-point game on Dawson Price’s free throw moments later. Rogers, however, outscored the Wolverines 8-3 over the last 21/2 minutes to secure the win.

Alonzo Porchia added 13 points for the Mounties, while Price finished with 11 and was the only West player in double figures.

SPRINGDALE HAR-BER 34, SPRINGDALE HIGH 32

The Wildcats managed just enough offense in the fourth quarter to claim a two-point win against crosstown rival Springdale High on Friday.

Har-Ber rallied from a first-quarter deficit to claim a 15-14 lead at halftime. The game was close the entire way, but the Wildcats outscored Springdale 11-8 in the fourth quarter to pull out the win.

Jermaine Tilford scored six points in the fourth quarter for Har-Ber.

Miles Rolfe led Har-Ber in scoring with 10. Domnique Hertin led the Bulldogs with 11 points.