Watkins, Lady Troy continue mastery of Lakeside, 52-39

Hot Springs senior Tiaunna Watkins made sure her class remained undefeated against Lakeside.

Watkins had 23 points, eight rebounds and eight steals Tuesday night in the Lady Trojans' 52-39 home victory, their 20th consecutive in 5A-South and sixth this season. Hot Springs is 14-4 overall.

"She's had a couple of games like that," Hot Springs coach Mark Upshaw said. "Sometimes in the past, she's gotten overshadowed by some things, but Tiaunna is a terrific ballplayer. She's one of the best players around, and the great thing is she's got a 28 on her ACT so she can do whatever she wants."

Trey Lenox scored 32 points as Hot Springs' varsity boys walloped Lakeside 81-36. See Thursday's edition of The Sentinel-Record for a complete report.

Lakeside (12-6, 4-2) pulled within 37-33 early in the fourth quarter before three straight steals by Watkins on the press led to six straight points. Hot Springs (14-4 overall) went up 49-35 on a 6-0 run.

"Our kids are going to play hard, and they're going to compete," Lakeside coach Chris Brock said. "They're ready to compete night in, night out with whoever, wherever. I didn't know what we would get it back to, but I knew our kids would play hard and compete, and that's what they did."

Hot Springs led 15-6 after a 10-1 run before Tatum Rice's three-point basket at the buzzer ended the quarter on a high note for Lakeside. Hot Springs led 28-17 at halftime, an 8-0 run included.

Lakeside struggled with foul trouble all night, Hot Springs getting into the bonus with 2:10 to play in the opening quarter. Lady Ram leading scorer Madeline Perrigo (13 points) and point guard Karli Herron (five assists) fouled out in the fourth quarter.

"It's called how it's called," Brock said. "We have plenty of good girls, and they need to step up and play. Obviously, we were on the short end there, but we have to step up and find a way to get through it. That's not an excuse for us."

Beriezha Tidwell added 19 points for the Lady Trojans. Kiki Hunter was unstoppable on the boards with a season-high 19 rebounds.

"She's had almost 20 in four different games this year," Upshaw said. "She's a rebounding phenomenon. That's all I can say."

Rice finished with 12 points, hitting three treys.

Both teams play at home Friday, Hot Springs against Hope and Lakeside against Camden Fairview. Lakeside plays Hot Springs at home Feb. 17.

Lakeside 9 8 14 8 -- 39

Hot Springs 15 13 9 15 -- 52

Lakeside: Perrigo 13, Rice 12, Herron 7, Tejcek 4, Igbokidi 3.

Hot Springs: Watkins 23, Tidwell 19, Hunter 7, Clayborn 3

Sports on 01/28/2015

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