Mustangs drop first conference game but continue to hold first
Forrest City's bid for an undefeated conference season fell by the wayside Friday in Little Rock.
Playing their final lengthy road game of the season, the Mustangs were unable to overcome eStem Academy, losing to the Mets by five points 57-52.
"Our shots just weren't falling," Forrest City head coach Marcus Britt offered.
The loss dropped the Mustangs 4A-5 conference mark to 7-1 for the season and 12-7 overall after seven consecutive conference victories, five of those coming on the road.
The loss did not, however, drop the Mustangs out of first place in the conference. The Mustangs defeated eStem in their first conference meeting of season back on Jan. 4.
The Mustangs led by four points into the fourth frame, but according to Britt, eStem had all of the momentum on their side.
"Our guys were trying their best to respond, but were just not able too," Britt said. "You know, we'd get a stop, attack the rim, miss the layup and had some unforced turnovers of our own. We missed some very easy layups and missed some key rebounds. Down by three, eStem missed a free throw and we missed the rebound and they got the putback and that really hurt. It just wasn't our night. It became evident it wasn't once we got into the game. The guys played a great first quarter but then eStem grabbed the advantage and we didn't answer."
Melvin Shaw led the Mustangs with 14 points, Robert Echols helped with 11 and Britt Jr. had nine on three, three pointers and Kesean Washington finished with seven. The Mustangs will make the short road trip to Wynne Tuesday night to take on the Yellowjackets in the second conference matchup of the season between the two teams. Forrest City won the first meeting played Jan. 7 at Dwight Lofton Mustang Arena.
Forrest City will close out their final five conference games of the season on their home floor beginning Friday, Feb. 4, when Stuttgart comes to Mustang Arena.
By winning the last six conference games, the Mustangs could finish at 13-1 for the fourth time in the past 16 seasons. Forrest City teams posted 13-1 conference marks in 2006-07, 2008-09 and 2011-12 and perfect 14-0 seasons in 2013-14 and 2015-16 both state title seasons.
Britt is just hoping his guys don't get too comfortable during the final run.
"We have to get back to just playing and let everything come to us and fall into place," Britt said. "All I can say is that eStem was just a better ball club Friday night than we were. My job from now on is to keep our guys uncomfortable and that began Sunday when we hit the practice floor. It's going to be a long practice."
Especially when it comes to rebounding.
"We did not rebound against eStem like we have been," Britt said.
Britt is just hoping for the outright conference title.
"I really don't want the conference title to come down to points," Britt added.
The Helena-West Helena junior boys took a 48-38 win over the Palestine-Wheatley Junior Patriots, dropping P-W to 11-7 for the season in a game played Thursday, while the senior boys' game was cancelled due to P-W covid 19 concerns.
Palestine-Wheatley will be on the road Tuesday at Lisa Academy West.
In a junior high game played Friday, Brody Bass sank three free throws in the final 20 seconds to give the Junior Patriots a conference win over Little Rock Episcopal Collegiate and pushing their season mark to 12-7. Bass led all scorers with eight points.
Varsity Girls
The Forrest City Lady Mustangs remained solid in their side of the 4A-5 conference standings Friday at 4-4 in the league and 9-6 overall.
The Lady Mustangs dropped the eStem Lady Mets, sitting in sixth place in the conference, but no final score or individual stats for Friday's game were available.
Zahryia Baker had 13 points, seven rebounds and three steals to lead Wynne (15-5, 7-0 4A-5) past Stuttgart Friday night 53-23.
The Lady Yellowjackets lead the girls side of the 4A-5 conference with a perfect 7-0 mark.
Darienne Carter finished with 11 points, 5 rebounds and three steals, while Shay Lewis added seven points and five steals for the Lady Jackets, who led 43-19 at the end of three quarters.
In a makeup conference game from earlier this season, HelenaWest Helena made the short drive to take on Palestine-Wheatley at Patriot Arena Thursday.
Katelyn Donalson poured in 29 points to lead the Lady Cougars past Palestine-Wheatley 55-17 in the varsity girls game.
Brooklyn Collier and Kirston Long helped with eight points each.
The Lady Cougars opened a quick 11-3 lead over the Lady Patriots and pushed their lead to 23-13 at the half.