NLR takes early meeting with Central

ROGERS — Daryl Fimple said North Little Rock’s girls have reached the part of their season where they need to play good basketball teams — even if that means playing a conference rival during a tournament.

The Lady Charging Wildcats ran into Little Rock Central, a 6A-Central Conference foe, a month earlier than expected, but it was for the best as North Little Rock claimed the Great 8 Tournament title with an 81-58 victory Saturday afternoon in War Eagle Arena.

“They’re a good team and in the finals of a tournament,” Fimple said of Central. “We always tell our kids there are four seasons that we are trying to play out. Any chance you get to play right now, it’s a chance to play somebody and get better every time.”

North Little Rock ( 7- 0) took control of the game as it outscored Central 26-9 in the second quarter and broke a 17-17 deadlock. The Lady Tigers (6-3) took a brief 22-21 lead on an Alivia Montgomery 3-pointer, but Madison Hatley’s three- point play moments later put the Lady Charging Wildcats ahead to stay en route to a 43-26 halftime cushion.

The tournament also allowed Fimple to try something a little different as North Little Rock utilized a zone defense in its game plan.

“We have a veteran group that a lot of people don’t understand,” Fimple said. “We have a lot of kids back from last year, and that’s what has been fun this week. We can make adjustments on the fly because we’ve been around each other so much.

“We don’t ever play zone, and we just made that adjustment (Friday) night after watching film. We thought it would keep us out of foul trouble, which it didn’t, but it enabled us to be even with them on the boards and keep them out of the lane.”

Jocelyn Tate, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player, had 24 points to lead North Little Rock, which will open conference play a month later at Central. Ja’Mya Brown was next with 17 points, while April Edwards added 15 of her 16 points in the first half and Hatley chipped in 11.

Jordan Marshall finished with 19 points to lead Central, followed by Montgomery and Taylor Day-Davis with 10 apiece.

ROGERS HERITAGE 49, OZARK, MO. 40

Carlee Casteel and Brooklyn Simmons scored the game’s last 15 points as Heritage rallied to defeat Ozark and take third place.

Macey Sult’s 3-pointer gave Ozark a 40-34 lead with 5:52 remaining, but that proved to be the Lady Tigers’ final points. Casteel, who led Heritage (51) with 24 points, scored the next five points, then Simmons hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Lady War Eagles a 45-40 lead before Casteel added four free throws.

Ruthie McCain added 15 points for Heritage. Jordyn Foley led Ozark with 13.

ROGERS 54, CAMDENTON, MO. 30

Rogers bolted to an 18-4 lead in the first quarter and cruised past Camdenton to earn its first win of the season

Brooklyn Owens had 20 points and Aubrey Treadwell added 11 for the Lady Mounties (1-3), who led 24-12 at halftime and 41-20 after three quarters. Jacee Peterson had 12 for Camdenton.