Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Valley Springs’ Carey, Greenwood’s Trusty pile up points
Valley Springs Coach Jarred Osnes sensed Levi Carey might have a hot hand after Carey made a three-pointer on the first possession of the game against Green Forest.
“We won the tip and Levi made a three when Green Forest opened with a zone against us,” Osnes said. “Levi is our zone-buster. When he made that first one, I knew he had a chance to have a big night.”
Carey kept firing and made a school-record 11 three-pointers to finish with 33 points during a 70-41 victory over Green Forest. The 5-9 senior guard also surpassed 1,000 career points in the same game against Green Forest.
For his effort, Carey is the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Boys Player of the Week. Anna Trusty of Greenwood is the NWADG Girls Player of the Week.
With 11 threes, Carey broke the school record he previously set during a tournament game at North Arkansas Community College in December. Carey scored the first 12 points for Valley Springs against Green Forest on four three-pointers and he had six three-pointers by halftime of the game.
The win provides Valley Springs (25-10, 6-6 3A-1 Conference) momentum when the Tigers take their home court today to begin conference tournament play against West Fork at 5:15 p.m.
“He’s a good shooter,” Osnes said. “Hopefully, he can keep it up.”
Trusty is accustomed to dominating play for Greenwood (20-4, 9-1 5A-West), the two-time defending state champion which is still ranked No. 1 in Class 5A. But she ruled on and off the court during Greenwood’s 84-38 victory over Harrison.
Trusty had 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 steals in the victory over Harrison after scoring 18 points, with 7 rebounds and 4 steals in a 59-34 win over Van Buren earlier in the week.
If those numbers weren’t enough, Trusty was also selected as the Colors Day Queen when Greenwood defeated Harrison last Friday.
“It was a busy week for Anna on and off the floor,” Greenwood Coach Clay Reeves said. “Anna led us in scoring and rebounding in our victories last week and did a tremendous job leading our team. She was also voted our Colors Day Queen, which kept her busy throughout the week. Anna represented our team and school with class and character as she always does.”