Lakeside's junior high girls' basketball team held off Magnolia, 30-29, Thursday night at Hot Springs' Trojan Fieldhouse to win the 5A-South district championship in head coach Gary Don Smith's final game.
"My defensive philosophy tonight was the minute they got the ball, we all go pack it in around the 3-point line and in," Smith said. "There were several times we didn't and we let them out run us down the floor
"That's where they were getting those easy layups. I told the team that if we give them easy layups, then we've got a good chance of getting beat. We made a few good plays at the right time and pulled it off."
Smith has been a coach for 42 years, including 15 at Lakeside.
"I've been coaching for over 40 years and it's time for me to get out," said Smith. "It's sad because I wouldn't have been in it for 42 years if I didn't love the kids, and the game.
"This being my last game, I'm sad. I will miss it, but I'll be able to take my grandson to his golf tournaments this spring. So, I'm looking forward to that, as well as what lies ahead."
Kennedy Brock hit a 3-pointer with 1:25 remaining in the final period to tie the score at 29-all. Catriona Morcan later made 1 of 2 free throw attempts for the winning point. Morcan also helped preserve the win with a block on Magnolia's final shot attempt.
Lakeside (19-3) started off slow in the opening quarter. Madeline Goodson shot 1-for-4 from the free throw line. Goodson and Ronni Formby added on layup apiece at the junior Lady Rams trailed, 10-5, to start the second quarter.
Mady Davenport and Morcan combined for nine points in the second quarter. Lakeside pushed ahead, 18-16, by halftime.
"I've been worried about the game all week because I knew Magnolia had the quickness on us," Smith said. "I was worried about not getting the lead at first, which happened, and then that makes you struggle the whole game."
While both teams traded buckets throughout the third quarter, Formby set the tone early as she knocked down a shot from the inside the paint, stretching Lakeside's lead to 20-16.
With one minute remaining in the third period, the Lady Panthers tied the game, 22-22. Lakeside regained the lead with just moments left as Goodson converted on both attempts from the free throw line for a 24-22 lead to start the final quarter.
"You think about having them down nearly 20 points in the first quarter at their place," Smith said. "I tried to tell my girls all week that they were going to be a lot better, and they were.
"They had us playing too fast with them. After a while, we finally made enough plays and hit a few free throws that gave us that lead. All in all, we didn't give up."
Sports on 02/16/2019