Hutson, Hurricane realize 6A repeat
Trailing by as many as 13 points in the first half, Jonesboro’s senior boys rode a hot third quarter to victory over West Memphis Saturday afternoon.
Behind six points from University of Arkansas signee Desi Sills and four points from Lamar Williams, the Hurricane (27-5) outscored the Blue Devils (29-5), 17-7, in the third period, pulling away for a 55-49 win in the Class 6A state championship game at Bank of the Ozarks Arena.
“That is something we talk about all the time,” Jonesboro coach Wes Swift said. “We talk about winning the third quarter in every game from the start of the season to the end of the season. I think the third quarter is what separates championship teams from good teams.”
While Sills, Williams and Tony Hutson carried the offense in the second half, Swift credited big man A.J. Aycock and other members of the supporting cast for the defensive pressure down the stretch.
The Hurricane held West Memphis to 6 of 26, 23.1 percent, shooting from the field in the second half, including 1 of 15, 6.7 percent, from behind the 3-point line.
“You have your star players, and then you have your role players that have to learn how to star in their role,” said Swift. “A.J. Aycock averages 1.2 points per game, and we don’t win tonight without him. It’s a team effort, and those role players have really starred down the stretch.”
A basket by Zachary Byrd had West Memphis within 49-47 with four minutes to play in the fourth quarter, but the Blue Devils were unable to break through and regain the lead they lost in the third period.
West Memphis missed its last six shots from the field, and converted on just two of its last seven attempts from the free throw line in the