Arkansas High falls to Lake Hamilton on Tuesday
Sometimes it’s just how the cookie crumbles.
Arkansas High fell to Lake Hamilton in a Conference 6A nail-biter at Razorback Gym Tuesday night.
The Hogs held a tight command of the tempo from the opening tip. AHS led the Wolves by as many as seven, before Lake Hamilton made a slight push at the end of the quarter by Razorback fouls and making their free throws.
AHS led Lake Hamilton, 11-10, to end the first period.
The second quarter saw both squads up the ante offensively.
Lake Hamilton was able to match Arkansas High’s athleticism and also matched buckets with the Hogs throughout most of the second quarter.
Fabian Phillips took over for AHS offensively in the second quarter. Phillips fin-
ished with 15 points on the night, with seven of those coming in the second period.
The Wolves took their first lead of the game, 16-14, with 4:30 remaining before intermission.
Arkansas High trailed Lake Hamilton going into halftime, 28-25.
Lake Hamilton came out of the locker rooms defensive minded to begin the third. The Wolves active hands caused six turnovers in the third quarter.
Hog senior Ajon Gray did most of his damage to the Wolves after halftime. Gray finished with eight in the third. The Razorback post finished the night with a teamhigh 16 points, adding 10 rebounds.
AHS edged Lake Hamilton to end the third quarter, 40-39.
Both squads upped their defensive prowess in the latter quarter.
Gray knocked down two attempts from the charity stripe to cut into the Wolves led, 44-43.
After Mondo Watkins knocked down both of free throws for Lake Hamilton and a Micah Yarber basketball for the Hogs, the contest was gridlocked at 45 apiece.
Yarber finished with 10 points for the Hogs.
Watkins led the Wolves offense, scoring a game-high 22 points.
The Wolves were able to cause an AHS turnover and returned the ball to midcourt, where they called timeout to draw up the last play of the game.
A Lake Hamilton player took an ill-fated shot, but Kanaan Williams weaved his way to the basketball for the tip-in as the time expired.