SSHS teams lose 6A-West openers

BENTON — The Siloam Springs boys basketball team got off to a good start Saturday in its opening round game of the 6A-West Tournament, but it didn’t last as Benton won the final three quarters in a 55-32 victory in a battle of maroon Panthers.

The loss to No. 3-seed Benton forced No. 6-seed Siloam Springs to play in a consolation game at home Tuesday night against Greenwood with the winner advancing to the Class 6A State Tournament and the loser’s season being over. It’s the fourth time Greenwood and Siloam Springs have played this season with Siloam Springs victorious in each of the previous three games.

Siloam Springs defeated Greenwood 61-47 in the seventh-place game of the Siloam Springs Holiday Classic on Dec. 30 and then defeated the Bulldogs 57-48 in Siloam Springs on Jan. 20. The Panthers got a 3-pointer from Noah Karp at the buzzer to win at Greenwood 4039 on Feb. 14.

Results from Tuesday’s game were not available at presstime.

Siloam Springs led Benton 11-8 after the first quarter on Saturday, but Benton outscored Siloam Springs 19-9 to take a 27-20 lead at halftime.

Benton pulled ahead 4027 going into the fourth quarter and finished off Siloam Springs with a 15-5 fourth quarter.

Jai Peters led Benton with 21 points, while Fred Harris had 18. Harrison Kretzer scored 11 points to lead Siloam Springs (10-18), while Spencer Lashley had eight, Josh Hunt six, Noah Karp five and Charlie Jones two.

Sheridan 43, Siloam Springs 37

SHERIDAN — The Siloam Springs girls led Sheridan at halftime and entering the fourth quarter, but the Lady Panthers were unable to hold on as the Yellowjackets rallied for an opening round victory of the 6A-West Conference Tournament.

The No. 7-seed Lady Panthers (5-23) trailed 11-9 after the first quarter but came back to take a 22-19 lead at halftime.

Siloam Springs remained ahead 33-30 entering the fourth quarter, but the No. 2-seed Lady Yellowjackets outscored the Lady Panthers 13-4 in the fourth quarter.

Raney led Sheridan with 23 points,

Morgan Vaughn led Siloam Springs with 11 points, while Sidney Henry had nine, Kenlie Noel and Chloe Price each with five, Hadlee Hollenback three and Hailey Dorsey and Abby Vaughn each with two.

Siloam Springs played an elimination game Tuesday afternoon at Benton. Results were not available at presstime.