Bulldogs enjoy victory

Springdale’s boys got to enjoy their win against Fayetteville a little longer than normal.

Because of the 6A-West Conference’s nine-team league, one team is off every Tuesday or Friday, and it just so happens to be Springdale’s turn today.

That means for Coach Jeremy Price’s team, there was no 24-hour rule after handing Fayetteville its first league loss 56-49 in front of a packed Bulldog Gymnasium last Tuesday.

“We get to enjoy this one a little bit,” Price said.

Springdale improved to 15-10 overall and 8-4 in league play, sitting in third place in the 6A-West.

Springdale has had some ups and downs so far, but the win Tuesday was huge, Price said.

“We know what we’re capable of,” Price said. “We’re still kind of working it out. Fayetteville’s a great program and having an awesome year. To be the first team in conference play to beat them, that really is going to help our confidence, and I think that’s going help some of our buy-in from some of our guys. And that’s what we want this time of year. Move forward and continue to get a little better with each day.”

With Arkansas Coach Eric Musselman in attendance, Isaiah Sealy scored 19 points and Cy Bates scored 18 as Springdale took a 32-26 lead at halftime and never trailed in the second half. Fayetteville did tie the game at 48-48, but Bates scored inside to give Springdale the lead for good.

“He’s our energy,” Price said of Bates. “When he’s grabbing rebounds and he’s directing traffic and getting us extra possessions and playing defense and sharing the ball, he just makes the job easier for everybody else.”