Washington County Enterprise-Leader
FOXES: Farmington Fights Diligently Against Harrison, Alma
did they win. The Panthers led by 10 points, at 36-26, as the first half wore down, but Wilson got free for an instant, knocking down a deep 3- pointer to cut the lead to seven. He added another trifecta out of the gate to start the third quarter which ended in a 41-41 deadlock.
“We picked up the pressure in the third quarter, coming out at halftime,” Thompson said. “By the end of the third quarter we had erased their lead. Once we got it down to a possession game, either two points ahead or two points, one basket behind, we like our chances in those kinds of games.”
Farmington eventually built a 7-point lead which Siloam Springs was unable to overcome although the Panthers closed the gap late. Thompson credited Montez and Jacob Gray with getting big buckets down the stretch and Wilson with dribbling the clock out. After a missed free throw, Siloam Springs had a chance but Thompson said the Cardinal defense didn’t allow them to get a good look from 3-point land.
“They only make three field goals in the second half on us,” Thompson said. “They did make some free throws, but we did a good job defensively. That was the difference in the game.”
Harrison 70, Farmington 58
The Farmington boys basketball team lost at home, 70-58, to Harrison in a 5A West conference game Jan. 24. The Goblins (15-4) were led by Tanner Curry’s 21 points. Farmington (14-5) got 18 points from Montez, 15 from Wilson and 10 by Xavier Staten.
Alma 61, Farmington 56
Wilson had an off-night, making just 11 of 31 field goal attempts, as Farmington (13-3) lost 61-56 on the road at Alma (10-3, 1-0) Jan. 17. As a team Alma shot 50 percent ( 19- of-38) and out-rebounded Farmington by more than 10 on the battle of the boards. Yet, Farmington stayed in the game even after five straight Airedale points put Alma ahead, 48-37, with 4:15 elapsed in the fourth quarter. Wilson led the Cardinal charge, notching 13 of his gamehigh 30 points in the final frame. Wilson’s production pulled Farmington within five points, at 56-51, but the Cardinals couldn’t quite catch up as Alma made 11-of-12 fourth quarter free throws.
Christian Stahler had 20 and Nathan Corder scored 16 points for Alma. Montez chipped in 13 points for the Cardinals.
“Wilson the last three games he’s hardly crossed half-court that he hasn’t had two or three guys on him, we knew that was coming,” Thompson said. “If they want to have a chance to win that’s what you have to do. He’s just too good. Not many kids around can stay between him and the basket.”