Burgess, OT sends Panthers to state semis
SEARCY — The
Benton Panthers are one step closer to their dreams of a 5A state title after Thursday’s 72-66 overtime thriller with Maumelle at Searcy High School.
Despite junior Terrion Burgess showing out with a game-high 30 points for the Panthers, the Hornets were not going anywhere in the quarterfinals battle.
Benton would take control early in the game, leading the Hornets 18-10 after the first quarter.
Leading 24-13 with 3:47 left in the half, Benton looked to be cruising to a decent lead at the break.
Maumelle had other plans.
In the last nearly 4 minutes of action, the Hornets would climb back to within three with 35 seconds to go. Benton, though, would drive the lead out to 33-26 at the break.
Playing tough and backand-forth most of the third quarter, Maumelle would not be able to figure out the Panthers as Benton led 53-44 with a quarter to play.
The fourth would be a totally different atmosphere, however.
Maumelle pulled back within four with 49 seconds to go. With freethrows hitting nothing but net, the Hornets were within 61-59.
The play of the game would occur next as the Hornets stole the Benton in-bound attempt and quickly put it up for the game-tying score, knotting things at 61-61 with 43 seconds to go.
Steals would be the highlight the next several seconds.
As Benton was trying to break the press, a wideopen man inside looked to have clearance for the lead but a mishandled pass would lead to another Maumelle steal.
Benton would miss three attempts to take the lead after offensive rebounds on the possession, leading to a timeout from Head Coach Dexter Hendrix with 19 seconds to go and the ball on the baseline.
Benton would have the ball on their end for the remaining 29 seconds of regulation, missing sevenstraight
attempts inside the paint for the lead as the game went to overtime tied at 61-61.
The overtime period was the first of the tournament thus far and Benton would make a statement, controlling the entire quarter for the win.
Burgess would finish as the game’s top scorer, also adding six rebounds, six blocks and an assist to his resume.
Ab Gray followed with 10 points, six boards, three assists and three steals as well.
Maumelle sophomore
Jacob Lanier led the Hornets with a doubledouble, scoring 23 while also grabbing 15 rebounds to go with his four assists, two blocks and a steal.
With the win, the Panthers will return to Searcy High School on Saturday to take on the
winner of No. 1 Alma and No. 3 Parkview. Opening tip is set for 1:30 p.m.
Winner will advance to the 2024 5A State Championship game in Hot Springs. Games are set for March 8 at the
Hot Springs Convention Center.