Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Regional Champions
PRAIRIE GROVE DOMINATES AGAINST BERRYVILLE IN FRONT OF RECORD CROWD
PRAIRIE GROVE — A standing ovation in the closing seconds of Prairie Grove’s 35-27 win against Berryville in the 4A North Regional Championship gave Taylor Hartin chills.
The record crowd — estimated at more than 1,500 — at Tiger Arena was showing its appreciation for the top-seeded Lady Tigers’ dominance after they overcame an early deficit to take over control of the final three quarters. Hartin, a Prairie Grove senior, praised the crowd’s effort as well.
“When everyone was standing up cheering there, it was amazing,” she said. “This was our last game in this gym, so it’s kind of emotional, but it was great the way it ended.”
Taylor and her fraternal twin sister, Mattie Hartin, will make their fourth consecutive trip to the state tournament, which starts Wednesday in Malvern.
“It feels great to win districts and regionals and now maybe even state,” Mattie said. “Just to remember this later on, in 10 years or whatever, will be something special to look back on.”
The Hartin twins combined for 20 points and four 3-pointers during a first-half run to help the Lady Tigers build an 18-11 halftime advantage after they fell behind 5-0 early. Camree Bartholomew, who finished with 9 points, kept the momentum going with a quick steal and layup that ignited a 9-0 run to start the second half.
Prairie Grove took the air out of the ball the rest of the way.
Taylor Hartin literally dribbled circles around Berryville’s Hannah Morrell while playing keep away to milk the clock.
“When they get a lead, they’re going to sit on the basketball,” said Berryville coach Daniel Cornelison. “I told our girls we’ve got to play from ahead if we want to have a chance.”
That’s how Berryville became the only 4A-1 team to defeat Prairie Grove with a 38-31 home win on Feb. 19, but the Lady Bobcats lost all three meetings in Tiger Arena.
“You try to beat a team as good as they are three times on their home floor, it’s tough,” Cornelison said. “I would like to play them again. I know it’s not going to be here if we play them again.”
The home-court atmosphere was a welcome sight for Prairie Grove coach Kevin Froud, who said he tried to get long- time assistant Shelley Dougan’s attention and have her check out the crowd during pregame introductions.
“This is what coach Dougan and I dreamed of for a long time, having a crowd like this,” Froud said. “That’s what you love to see as a coach because you want to build something. That’s what the young ladies in the past built and these young ladies now are
building on that tradition.”
Froud said Saturday’s win was one of the Lady Tigers’ best all- around games of the season.
“We can shoot better, but as far as effort, defense and offensive rebounding, this was our best game,” Froud said. “I thought we did a great job. we just weren’t hitting any ( shots), but finally we hit a few and good things happen.
“The girls just have a big heart and just play so hard. They came in focused with the right attitude and you saw the result.”