Hornets cruise, ladies lose at home

BRYANT – The Bryant Hornets used a big second quarter to distance themselves from Conway on their way to a 65-43 win Friday.

Bryant performing well late in the first half led to the host building a 13-point halftime lead. The Hornets led by only one at the end of the first quarter.

“We made a few shots,” Bryant Coach Mike Abrahamson said about his team’s second quarter. “But defensively, we wanted to make it hard for Conway to get it to (Jaden) Williams inside. That’s what they like to do. We also limited them to one shot. We blocked out well and rebounded well. Also, when a team is not scoring, the defense sometimes drops. We were able to get guys loose to make 3-point shots (in the second quarter).

“We didn’t get off to a super-fast start but we adjusted as the game went along. Guys were freed up and stepped up to make shots. They were definitely keying on Cam (Hunter).”

In the second half, Bryant (14-3, 5-3) never allowed Conway to make a run in this 7A Central contest.

The Wampus Cats trailed 47-28 at the end of the third. In the fourth, the Hornets cruised to the victory.

“We kinda handled everything they threw at us” Abrahamson said. “They tried to press. They tried to half-court trap. They tried keying on Cam and he made good reads and guys stepped up and made shots. It was a physical game and our guys were able to play very business-like.

“We just kinda sticked to what we believe in. So that’s sharing the ball, making more passes. Guys were able to make shots.”

Hunter led Bryant with 18, Will Diggins scored 10, while Kade Ruffner and

Drake Fowler had nine points apiece.

Fowler – a freshman guard – was solid in his first varsity start.

“He has a very bright future for us. I thought he did well,” Abrahamson said. “He stepped up and made some shots, made some plays. We’re excited about him.”

As for the Bryant Lady Hornets (8-6, 1-4), they had a tough outing against Conway, one of the top teams in Class 7A.

The Lady Wampus Cats topped Bryant 72-39 after taking a 46-20 lead at the half.

Bryant’s Parris Atkins was the game-high scorer with 25 points. Meanwhile, Conway (14-3, 6-1) got 16 points from Jaiden Thomas and 15 from Savanna Scott.

Bryant hits the road next week to Fort Smith to take on the Northside Grizzlies in more Central action.

RICK NATION/SPECIAL to The Saline Courier Bryant junior Kade Ruffner, 3, drives in a 65-43 rout over the Conway Wampus Cats Friday at Hornet Arena in Bryant. Ruffner finished with nine points on the night as the Hornets improve to 14-3 overall, 5-3 in 6A Central Conference play.

RICK NATION/ Special to The Saline Courier Bryant junior Parris Atkins, 10, drives in a 72-39 loss to the Conway Lady Wampus Cats at Hornet Arena Friday in Bryant. Atkins led all scorers with 25 points in the loss.