Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Jonesboro blows past Bentonvill­e

- RICK FIRES

ROGERS — Jonesboro couldn’t have been more impressive in its first appearance in the boys Class 6A state tournament.

Jonesboro took control from the outset and roared past Bentonvill­e 61-28 in the quarterfin­als Thursday at Mountie Arena. Eleven players scored at least two points points for Jonesboro (28-3), which bumped up to Class 6A at the start of the school year because of reclassifi­cation.

Jonesboro advanced to Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. semifinal game against Cabot.

Bentonvill­e was held to a season-low 28 points after managing 36 in a loss to Cypress Fall, Texas, during a December tournament. Jonesboro, which extended its winning streak to 13 consecutiv­e, took the court for the first time in six days after receiving a first-round bye for the state tournament. But there was no rust in the Hurricane, who rolled to leads of 19-4 after one quarter and 32-8 at halftime.

Jonesboro (28-3) displayed superior athleticis­m and depth against Bentonvill­e. Devarius Montgomery finished with 13 points to lead a parade of scorers from Jonesboro. Isaac Harrell had one more point (9) in the first half for Jonesboro than Bentonvill­e (8) had after two quarters.

“It was a little easier to sub out when you get that lead in the first quarter, but we definitely wanted to go nine deep tonight,” Jonesboro Coach Wes Swift said. “We got a lot of people some minutes. You never know when you’re going to need them.”

Bentonvill­e (21-9) could not get going offensivel­y after beating Bryant 52-50 in a first-round game behind 21 points by Jaylen Lee. Bentonvill­e was already behind 13-4 when Xander Collins managed the Tigers’ first field goal with 3:17 left in the second quarter. During one stretch, Jonesboro turned consecutiv­e steals into fast-break points and Montgomery prompted “ooohs” and “aaahs” from the crowd at Mountie Arena when he drove past two defenders and dunked the basketball to give the Golden Hurricane a 13-2 lead.

“That’s what we’ve hung our hats on all year long,” Swift said of Jonesboro’s ability to get its hands on the basketball in the passing lanes. “Defense keeps us in basketball games and it’s why we’re giving up about 41 points a game.”

Jonesboro maintained its lead with four players off the bench before the starters returned and quickly increased its lead to 30-8 following a turnaround jumper and threepoint basket from Harrell, a 6-8 senior forward.

Aden Waller had six points to lead Bentonvill­e.

CABOT 44, SPRINGDALE HAR-BER 38

Cabot built a huge lead then held off a late rally to eliminate Springdale Har-Ber.

Jermaine Christophe­r scored 16 points to lead Cabot (21-8), which led 41-20 after three quarters. Har-Ber got to within 43-38 after two free throws from Jaxon Coley, who led the Wildcats with 14 points.

Christophe­r made two three-pointers and added a breakaway slam dunk to help the Panthers to a 22-11 lead at halftime. Har-Ber got to within 13-11 before Cabot answered with a 9-0 surge that ended on a three-pointer from Grant Goodard to end the second quarter.

 ?? (Special to NWA Democrat-Gazette/Brent Soule) ?? Bentonvill­e’s Xander Collins (2) looks to pass as Jonesboro’s Deion Buford-Wesson (left) and Devarius Montgomery defend during a Class 6A second-round boys state tournament game Thursday at Mountie Arena in Rogers. Jonesboro won 61-28.
(Special to NWA Democrat-Gazette/Brent Soule) Bentonvill­e’s Xander Collins (2) looks to pass as Jonesboro’s Deion Buford-Wesson (left) and Devarius Montgomery defend during a Class 6A second-round boys state tournament game Thursday at Mountie Arena in Rogers. Jonesboro won 61-28.

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