Head Coach Greg Nichols and his Bulldogs have shown definite signs of improvement in recent weeks, having already won two more games (6) than all of last season (4). But Nichols and his staff and players won't be happy unless they qualify for the post-season.
After an open date this Friday, the final two games left on the regular season schedule are next Tuesday at home against Siloam Springs and next Thursday on the road at Russellville.
The results of those games against Class 6A opponents will affect Greenwood's seeding in the 6A West conference tournament starting next Saturday. The Bulldogs need to win at least one game in the double-elimination tournament to qualify for the state playoffs.
Over the past two weeks the 'Dogs have been busy, playing four games against Harrison, Farmington, Clarksville, and Alma, winning one of those four contests.
Harrison
This past Tuesday the Bulldogs made the long trip to Crooked Creek to face probably the best team in the conference in the Harrison Goblins. Big winners over the Bulldogs earlier this year, the Goblins (17-4) completed the season sweep with a 70-52 victory.
Trailing 13-6 early in the game, Coach Nichols called a timeout and the Bulldogs responded with a 9-4 run to trim the deficit to 17-15. Harrison led 20-15 after eight minutes, but extended that lead to 13 points at the half, 38-25.
The Goblins were very effective at beating the GHS defense down the floor, getting numerous easy lay-ups while building a 57-39 lead after three periods. Up by as much as 23 points early in the fourth quarter, Harrison held on for the 18-point win as both teams freely substituted.
The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Zane Harmon's 13 points. Fellow junior Ronin Stewart added 11 points, while senior Alec Armstrong and sophomore Peyton Holt both scored eight points. Armstrong also grabbed eight rebounds.
Farmington
Last Friday the Bulldogs made their first ever trip to Farmington in Washington County in Northwest Arkansas. The game was nip-and-tuck all the way, although the home-standing Cardinals outscored Greenwood in each of the first three quarters. The Bulldogs managed to win the fourth period, but it wasn't enough to prevent the 63-56 Farmington win.
The Cardinals led 17-14 after eight minutes and 32-28 at the intermission. But the game was likely won in the third quarter when Farmington outscored the GHS boys 14-9 to build a 46-37 advantage after three periods.
The Bulldogs won the fourth quarter, 19-17, and trimmed the Farmington lead to just one possession with under 2:00 left. But costly turnovers plagued the 'Dogs late in the game and the Cardinals pulled away at the free throw line.
Greenwood junior guard Jordan Sheppard had a big game, leading the team with 29 points. Zane Harmon also reached double digits with 10 points, while Peyton Holt scored seven points.
Clarksville
Led by junior Zane Harmon, the Bulldogs had a season-high offensive output against the Panthers, putting up three 20-point quarters in the 76-66 home victory. Less than two weeks earlier, Greenwood needed double-overtime to squeeze out a 67-63 win.
Harmon netted 32 points, a career high, including 26 points in the second half. He was also active on the boards, grabbing 13 rebounds. Jordan Sheppard had 21 points and Ronin Stewart contributed 11 points for the Bulldogs.
Except for a brief two-point deficit early in the game, Greenwood led throughout the game. When Clarksville did make a run, trimming the margin to 56-54, Stewart hit two free throws to spark an 8-0 GHS run. Sheppard added two more free throws, and Harmon scored a pair of buckets to push Greenwood back up by 10 points with 3:04 left.
Greenwood led 21-13 lead after one quarter, 32-27 at the half, and then scored 22 points in each of the final two quarters.
Alma
On Friday, January 27th, the Bulldogs hosted the Class 5A Airedales at H.B. Stewart Arena, their second meeting of the season. After defending its home court earlier in the month, visiting Alma completed the season sweep with a 62-56 road victory.
Greenwood senior guard Devin Gilbert hit a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter to cut Alma’s lead to 47-39, but the Airedales were able to hold off the Bulldogs in 6A/5A West conference play.
The Bulldogs trailed 13-12 after one period and were behind 30-19 at the break. But Greenwood scored the last five points of the third quarter to trim Alma’s lead to 40-32 going into the fourth period.
Jordan Sheppard had a team-high 17 points for Greenwood.