Fouke girls fall; Hooks boys win in 2 OTs

Fouke’s girls basketball season came to an abrupt halt and Hooks boys season continues on in the Arkansas and Texas state playoffs Friday.

The Lady Panthers (32-5) completed one of their most successful seasons ever, but they closed with a 67-52 loss at the hands of regional champion Salem at Lamar High School in Lamar, Ark.

The Hornets (31-5) meanwhile, had to go two overtimes to defeat Ponder, 52-50, in the Region II semifinals at Prosper High School in Prosper, Texas.

Two area teams having 30-win seasons is uncommon.

HOOKS 52, PONDER 50 (2 OT)

PROSPER, Texas — The Hooks Hornets picked up their 31st victory over the season with a 52-50 double-overtime regional semifinal win against Ponder.

The Hornets (30-5), coach by Michael Jackson, will face Mineola (25-9) at 1 p.m. today for the Region II championship and a trip to the Class 3A state basketball tournament in San Antonio. Mineola defeated Whitesboro, 55-45, in its semifinal game Friday.

Ponder, which knocked off defending state champion Dallas Madison, ends its season at 22-2.

Hooks came up with clutch shots against Ponder. Rod Bailey hit a 3-pointer to tie the game in regulation. Jatavious Johnson then scored a floated in the lane to send the game into the second overtime.

With the Hornets trailing by 3 poins with about a minute remaining, Nate Campbell ripped a 3-pointer from the corner to knot the score. Keyshawn Walls then nailed the game-winning buzzer-beater on a mid-range jumper, giving Hooks a trip to today’s regional finals.

“What’s didn’t happen?” said Hornet coach Jackson. “The game was back-and-forth. Big shot after big shot. It was pretty amazing.”

The pressure didn’t get to Jackson or his team, he said.

“I enjoyed games like these that are fun, exciting and down to the wire,” Jackson said. “Some people feel the pressure, but I enjoy fun games, especially if we win.”

SALEM 67, FOUKE 41

LAMAR, Ark. — Fouke’s highly successful girls basketball season

came to an abrupt halt in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state tournament Friday at Lamar High School.

The Lady Panthers were defeated for only the fifth time this year, a 67-41 loss to regional champion Salem.

If Fouke had won, it would have equaled the school record for most victories (33) in a single season. The Panthers finished with a 32-5 mark.

Salem (28-4) advances to the semifinals behind a game-high 19 points from Marleigh Sellars and 16 points from Chelsea Hamilton.

Salem surged out of the gates for a 22-5 lead after the initial quarter and didn’t look back after that. They led 39-13 at the break and 64-24 entering the fourth quarter.

Fouke was led by 10 points from Logan Smith. Kinley Smith added 9 points and Connie Ross 8.

“Salem is a really good team, they have played a tough schedule that includes some of the best teams in the state,” said Fouke coach Mo Williams. “I wish we had a better showing, but our kids got to see and experience firsthand what it takes to win a state championship.

“If they really work hard this offseason we will be back and may could be better next season. I have high hopes for this group. Now they know how hard it is to win at state. That is experience you can’t replace. I’m proud of the girls. We had an amazing season and a ton of great support.”

Salem will face the winner of Friday night’s matchup between Little Rock Episcopal and Glen Rose. Defending state champion Bergman and host Lamar will clash in the other semifinal at noon today.

The only other regional team remaining, Nashville, advanced to the Class 4A semifinals with an 85-62 victory over Gravette.

The defending state champion Lady Scrappers (28-3) will face Gentry (25-10) in the semifinals at 6 p.m. today at Hot Springs National Park. Farmington (34-1) and Morrilton (30-4) will clash in the other semifinal at noon today.

BASEBALL LEOPARDS WIN PAIR

LONGVIEW, Texas — Liberty-Eylau posted a pair of victories in Texas High’s Border Battle baseball tournament that was moved to Longview’s Field because it has a turf field and it withstood all the heavy rains of the last two days.

The Leopards beat Ashdown, 10-0, in 5 innings. Briton Pipes got the win in relief from starter Ritchie Plant.

L-E’s leading hitters were Ayden Easter, W.T. Jones, Cal Jones, Tristan Haugh and Dylan Garton.

The Leopards also rolled to an impressive 12-2 win over Atlanta. Plant was the winning pitcher, with Haugh supplying relief help.

Liberty-Eylau’s leading hitters were Garton, Dylan Nabors, W.T. Jones, Cal Jones and Haugh.

Texas High defeated Ashdown, 12-4, in its early game Friday. The Tigers outhit the Panthers 10-5.

The Tigers were led by Kameron Wrightner, Jacob Yowell and Tanner Ross with two hits each. Wrightner drove in 3 runs, and Yowell, Ross, Knox Pilgreen and Ean Crite knocked in 2 runs each. Crite had a triple and Yowell, Ross and Wrightner had doubles.

Ross went 5 innings to pick up the pitching win.

The Border Battle is scheduled to move back to Texarkana today at Tiger Field. Today’s schedule pits Texas High vs. Fort Smith Northside at 11 a.m.; Longview vs. Camden Fairview at 1 p.m.; Liberty-Eylau vs. Fort Smith Northside at 3 p.m.; and Texas High vs. Camden Fairview at 5 p.m.

TRACK & FIELD DORSETT PLACES 9TH

BROOKINGS, S.D. — Texas A&M University-Texarkana’s track star Charles Dorsett III placed ninth after the running of the 600 meters prelims Friday in the NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships at Dakota State University.

Dorsett was clocked in 1:20.43 and qualified ninth for today’s finals. Jacob Ulrich of Life College was the fastest 600 meter qualifier with a 1:18.31 timing.

Dorsett did not qualify in the 800 meter prelims Friday.

His teammate, Vincent Nchogu, was expected to compete in the 3000 meters, but his name was not included in any of the three heats Friday.

SIBLEY RELAYS LIONS PLACED THIRD

NAPLES-OMAHA, Texas — New Boston, Queen City and host Paul Pewitt placed third through fifth in the varsity boys division of the Doug Sibley Relays track and field meet Friday at Pewitt’s stadium.

Pittsburg won the boys title with 108 points, followed by Winnsboro (90), New Boston (88), Queen City (85) and Pewitt (56).

Complete results will be published in Sunday’s Gazette.