First Half Dooms Tigers

PRAIRIE GROVE — A subpar first half put Prairie Grove in a hole trailing by 17 points at halftime and the Tigers weren’t able to make up the difference losing, 62-46.

The Blackhawks ( 18- 4, 10-0) are still without a loss in 4A-1 Conference play as Pea Ridge swept the season series in boys basketball on Friday, Feb. 7, with three Blackhawks reaching double figures, including Hunter Rains with 17 points, Wes Wales with 15 and Noah Peterson adding 10.

Brandon Whatley scored 6 early points helping the Blackhawks build an early 13- 3 lead. Alex Edmiston broke the run with a basket for Prairie Grove (11-11, 5-5). The 6-foot-5 senior scored all of the Tigers’ points in the first period, but Pea Ridge added 3- pointers by Greydon Edwards and Wales in jumping out to a 19-7 first quarter lead.

Pea Ridge scored the first five points of the second quarter stretching its lead to 17. Prairie Grove tried to keep pace. Sloan Smith and Carl Von Bergen combined to make 3-of-4 free throws, but Rains equaled that with a 3- pointer keeping the Blackhawks ahead by 17, at 27-10. A 4-point play by John Mayers helped but the Tigers could only trade baskets the rest of the half and the Blackhawks were up 35-18 at halftime.

Prairie Grove wasn’t able to reduce Pea Ridge’s lead in the third and trailed 49-31 going into the fourth quarter. Things were no different down the stretch and Pea Ridge went on to a 62-46 win.

Alex Edmiston was the only Tiger who scored in double figures. He led the Tigers with 10 points.

Prairie Grove played host to the District 4A-1 tournament last week Feb. 17-22 at Tiger Arena.

ANNETTE BEARD/ PEA RIDGE TIMES Tiger Carl Von Bergen (No 15) drives down the court as Pea Ridge Blackhawk seniors Brandon Whatley (No. 24) and Wes Wales (No. 23) guard him Friday, Feb. 7, in Pea Ridge High School Blackhawk gym during the Colors Day game.