Blackhawks, Lady ’Hawks sweep Saints
SPRINGDALE — Pea Ridge passed its first test of 3A/4A District 1 play during Monday’s 80-54 win against Shiloh Christian at Champions Gymnasium.
“Any time you face teams that are going to come get you like that, it’s only going to make you better,” Blackhawk coach Trent Loyd said.
Joey Hall, Pea Ridge’s senior guard, said they welcomed the extra pressure. He finished with 20 points while Matt Thomas poured in 33, including 18 in the first half.
“We pretty much have the mindset that if people want to come get us, they can come get us,” Hall said. “We’re just going to keep going right around them and get layups all day.
Pea Ridge (7-1 overall) never buckled under the pressure despite the Saints’ jumping out to a 4-0 lead. The Blackhawks used an 11-0 run in the first quarter and a 14-0 run in the second quarter to take a 39-18 lead into halftime. They managed to keep the Saints (3-5) at bay despite multiple rally attempts to get back in it.
Lady Blackhawks 60 Lady Saints 48
The Lady Blackhawks (8-2) used 3-point shooting to overcome an early deficit and hold off a late rally to defeat the Lady Saints (3-7).
Blackhawk senior Avery Dayberry hit three of her team’s six 3-pointers in the first half on her way to a team-high 17 points. Classmate Jennifer Anthony scored five straight points, including a 3-pointer, to help thwart Shiloh Christian’s comeback attempt early in the fourth quarter. Anthony finished with 12 points.
“We came out shooting, and the rim felt like it was as big as the ocean,” coach Heath Neal said. “We shot it really well early, and it had a lot to do with getting our feet set and our girls setting good screens.”