Brown’s quick start ignites Fayetteville

ROGERS — Fayetteville didn’t waste any time in taking control at Rogers Heritage.

Fayetteville grabbed to a 15-point lead in the first quarter and rolled to a 64-31 victory over Heritage on Friday night in 6A-West Conference boys action at the War Eagles’ gym. The win capped a 2-0 week for Fayetteville (15-2, 3-0), which defeated Springdale 62-50 at home Wednesday night.

Xavier Brown ignited Fayetteville’s win Friday when he scored 11 of his 16 points in the first quarter. Brown was also a distributor at point guard and he displayed all-out hustle throughout, including on one possession when he dove out of bounds to keep a ball in play.

“He’s a natural born leader and a kid who others respond to,” Fayetteville Coach Brad Stamps said. “He’s a high energy guy, an every day guy, who shows up every day to compete and he never complains.”

DJ Hudson added 10 points for Fayetteville, which led 2712 after one quarter and 39-19 at halftime. Bryson Jackson finished with 14 points to lead Heritage.

Heritage (9-8, 1-2) got off to another slow start after falling behind 21-14 in the first quarter at Fort Smith Southside on Wednesday night. Heritage rallied to win that game in a rout, 82-51, but the War Eagles didn’t get close to a comeback against Fayetteville.

Brown opened the second half with a three-pointer, followed by a slam dunk from DJ Hudson to give the Bulldogs a 46-22 lead. Fayetteville emptied the bench in the second half and 12 players contributed at least one point for the Bulldogs.

“We played Wednesday night and with legs [fatigued], it’s going to take all of us,” Stamps said. “We used our depth and it feels good to win a road game and everybody played.”

FAYETTEVILLE 54, ROGERS HERITAGE 35

Maiesha Washington scored 12 of her 15 points in the first half in Fayetteville’s win.

Whitney Brown added 14 points for Fayetteville (11-6, 2-1 6A-West), which led 37-24 at halftime and 45-30 after three quarters.

Sophie Sarratt finished with 13 points to lead Heritage (7-9, 1-2).

Fayetteville took control in the first half after falling behind by 13 points in a 57-55 loss to Springdale on Tuesday.

Washington controlled the inside against Heritage, while Lily Crone provided a spark off the bench with a three-point play and an assist to Whitney Brown on a fastbreak to give Fayetteville a 20-10 lead.

Mariyah Moss added a three-point play before Washington made consecutive baskets to put Fayetteville ahead 27-14.