A second look at defending state champion England's varsity boys gave the Cutter Morning Star Eagles a clearer picture where they belong in Class 2A.
A 63-54 victory Friday night at Eagle Fieldhouse opened new vistas for CMS, now 17-2 overall and 7-1 in 2A Region 5-South.
Some of the best basketball in Matt Carter's 13 years as a Garland County coach were responsible for the Eagles' biggest victory in Carter's three seasons at his alma mater. Not only did CMS avenge a 71-46 road loss to England Dec. 10 but tied for the conference lead in handing the Lions their first loss to a 2A team.
"Our kids responded in the right way," Carter said. "I'm so proud of the kids for stepping up. They learned a lot about themselves tonight."
Chris Kennedy, a 6-4 senior post, stepped outside for his team's first two baskets and went low to pull CMS, once down 16-7, within 22-21. No one could guess that the Eagles would not trail again after junior Mitchel Herron's basket from the left wing made it 23-22. Junior Ke'Shawn Blevins' high arching shot from under the basket went in for a 28-22 halftime lead, Kennedy with a team-high 8.
Senior Ryan Brown, a freshman starter on CMS alum Jesse Slick's team of 2016-17, towered over the second half with 14 of his team-high 22 points. Capable of shooting a team into submission but broadening his skills on this night against a team that feasts on mistakes, the 6-1 guard dominated the last two quarters virtually from the throw-in after halftime.
Brown fed Kennedy for a quick basket, then followed Kennedy's open 3-pointer with a driving 3-point play. Senior guard Colby Heaton, rehabbing from injury when the teams first met, worked inside for a 42-32 lead. Brown had a basket and two sets of free throws to suppress an England mini-run, and Herron, shooting with confidence, hit a 3 to end the quarter 51-44.
Herron's 3 from the corner in a 3-point game might not have been Carter's first option, but it went in for a 57-51 advantage. Kennedy then scored the last 2 of his 17 points and Brown the last 4 of the game, sending a Homecoming night crowd home happy.
Of Brown, Carter said, "He's played a lot of big games since I've been here, but tonight's game was the best because he did it in all phases."
Said Brown: "Obviously, they're one of the best teams in 2A, but we played a lot better on defense against them tonight and kept them from getting out on the break so much."
Kennedy, giving CMS a strong inside presence to go with Brown's overall artistry, proved the night's real find for the Eagles. "If he can keep doing that," Carter said, "it just opens up how far we can go forward."
England won the varsity girls' game 48-34, jumping ahead 21-6 in the first quarter and outscoring the Lady Eagles 11-4 in the third. Senior Kara Kinkaid scored 17 points and classmate C.J. Burks 8 for Carter-coached CMS (8-10, 3-5), which played England within 62-56 in their first meeting. England improved to 7-11 (4-4 in conference) in the second-half league opener for both schools.
CMS has conference games Tuesday night at home against Hazen and Thursday at Maumelle Charter.
Sports on 01/19/2020