PEARCY -- A Centerpoint team without its starting backcourt struggled to match up with Prescott on Saturday in the third place game of the senior high girls' bracket of the Kameron Hale Invitational at Lake Hamilton Wolf Arena.
The Lady Knights (6-6) were without their leading scorer, junior guard Jaide Vavra, and starting point guard, sophomore Kaylee Dougan for a 61-30 . Head coach John Bright said Vavra suffered a high ankle sprain in a 42-27 loss in the tournament semifinals on Friday against Hot Springs. He said she is expected to miss at least 7-10 days.
Dougan also sprained an ankle she previously injured several weeks ago. Bright said her ankle was still swollen on Saturday and he did not want to risk her causing further harm to the injury.
Prescott (9-4) dominated the first quarter and raced to a 19-0 lead to start the second quarter. The Lady Knights were 0-for-10 from the field, 0-for-4 from 3-point and 0-for-2 on free throws to open the game.
A basket by Prescott senior Haleigh Wiley pushed the margin to 21-0. Centerpoint senior forward Cortney Samuel finally got her team on the board with a two-pointer a minute into the second quarter. She led her team with 16 points in the game.
"She knew there was going to be pressure on her," Bright said. "I told her, 'There is pressure on you and Keasha (Owens)' because they are two of the more scoring types for us. I said, 'Don't let it get to you where you try to rush it and push it.' She did fine."
The Lady Knights were able to keep pace until halftime. Six points from Samuel and five points by sophomore Jasmine Keener helped Centerpoint trail just 37-16 at halftime.
"She is a sophomore, she is still growing, had to be out there and handle the ball a little bit more today for a little bit of pressure on her as well," Bright said.
All five starting Lady Curley Wolves scored in the first quarter. Wiley and senior guard Lacie Nolan combined for 16 of Prescott's 18 points in the second quarter. They finished the first half with 12 and 14 points, respectively.
"We did not come out, defensively, hard enough," Bright said. "We stood around and they out-hustled us. I can live with the offensive mishaps or missed shots, because we were lacking some scorers, but the defense is what I was aggravated by."
Wiley paced Prescott with seven more points in the third quarter to push the margin to 49-24. She led all scorers with 19 points and Nolan finished with 17. The clock ran in the final two minutes when Prescott went ahead by 30 points for the first time at 59-29.
The Lady Knights will be on the road again Tuesday to face Haskell Harmony Grove (5-8). Prescott will travel to face Fouke (11-4) on Tuesday.
Sports on 12/31/2017