AHS teams sweep Hope

What is not a rivalry yet seems to have evolved into one.

Arkansas High’s boys and girls teams defeated Hope, 63-56 and 50-40, respectively, Friday at Razorback Gym.

The Hogs went into the locker room on even keel with the Bobcats, 37-37, but Arkansas High had the momentum after outscoring Hope 18-11 in the second quarter.

The Lady Backs fell behind by six points early, but rallied in the second quarter as they won the quarter, 12-4. Arkansas High finished with a 29-21 edge in the second half over Hope.

Boys

Kyndal Martin scorched the

nets for 22 points for Arkansas High, and teammate Taviron Oliver poured in 17 points.

Dakota Campbell enjoyed visiting 3-point land as he hit on three treys and added 15 points for the Razorbacks’ cause.

Hogs’ head coach Ronnie Burns is thoroughly enjoying the season thus far.

“I like the way they are playing,” Burns said. “They are playing together and hard. You have to give Hope credit for gaining the early lead, but you have to give our kids credit for fighting back through that and tying it up.”

Hope came out with guns-a-blazin’. The Bobcats outscored the Razorbacks 26-19 in the opening quarter. Campbell scored eight points in the second period, and Arkansas High earned its way back into the game.

The Hogs’ defense, which was already playing with quickness and speed, turned it up a notch and held Hope to just six third-quarter points.

Oliver put on a show and the crowd erupted when he slashed his way into the paint, hit a layup, and was fouled. Oliver connected on his charity shot to give the Hogs a 34-33 lead late in the second.

“When you are hitting shots and things seem to be going your way, it is easier to have more energy,” Burns said. “They played smart tonight.”

Jacobie Brown lit up the scoreboard for 15 points to pace Hope. C.J. Briggs chipped in 12 points for the Bobcats.

Makayla Henry had a game-high 16 points for the Lady Backs, while Tierra Holliman hit two treys and finished with 13 points.

Hope took an early six-point, first-quarter lead, but Arkansas High didn’t like being behind. Henry scored six points in the second quarter, and the Lady Backs went into the half with a slight 21-19 edge.

Venture Watson, Arkansas High’s head coach, was pleased with the way her team hung in the game and pursued Hope would-be scorers on defense.

“The third quarter has been the quarter that has been getting to the girls,” Watson said. “The girls were ambitious and excited about playing. They maintained throughout the game. We ran the floor well, and I was very proud with the way they played.

“I think defensively the girls did a great job of holding the Lady Bobcats to 40 points. Offensively, we weren’t scared to shoot the ball.”

Aubreyonia Sanders scored six of her eight points in the third quarter to lift the Lady Backs to a 35-22 advantage.

Hope won the fourth quarter 18-15, but Arkansas High’s 13-point lead held. Holliman paced the Lady Backs with six fourth-quarter points.

The Lady Backs shot 38 percent from the field, while the Lady Bobcats shot 36 percent.

Kaiyla Welch was the top scorer for the Lady Bobcats with 10 points.

Arkansas High’s girls host LibertyEylau on Tuesday starting with the 9th-grade team at 4:30 p.m. The Lady Backs and Hogs travel to New Boston to play in the Lions tournament on Dec. 10-12.