Dogfight ends in split between Greenwood, Alma
The Alma Airedales came to Greenwood's H.B. Stewart Arena last Tuesday night and left with a split in 5A West Conference basketball action. The GHS girls topped the visitors in the opener to solidify their position in the league standings and further cement their chance to qualify for the state tournament, which will be played in Alma. In the second game, the Alma boys broke open a close game just before halftime and cruised to a double-digit win over the Bulldogs, whose post-season prospects are dwindling fast. Three games remain in the regular season for both GHS teams, but only one of those contests will be at home, the season finale against Central Arkansas Christian. The GHS boys and girls travel to Vilonia this coming Friday and then to Harrison next Tuesday. Donald, Evans, and Moudy lead Lady 'Dogs to victory
A big first half by sophomore guard Haley Donald and a solid performance by sophomore forward Endsley Evans and junior forward Jessicah Moudy helped lead the GHS girls to their seventh conference win against four losses. The trio combined for 45 points and 25 rebounds. After a close first quarter, the game was tied at 14-all with six minutes left in the second period. But the Lady Bulldogs went on a 5-0 scoring run that quickly became a 10-2 run as Greenwood ran out to a 24-16 lead with 2:20 left in the quarter. A pair of Alma three-pointers helped keep them in the game at the half, trailing 32-24.
The Lady Bulldogs continued to build their advantage early in the second half. Moudy scored inside at the 5:15 mark of the third period to move the lead to double digits at 39-29. Just 15 seconds later, senior guard Lynsey Turner hit a three-pointer to push the score to 42-29. Baskets by Evans, Moudy, and senior guard Rebel Clay helped Greenwood to a 51-36 lead by the end of the quarter. Alma trimmed the lead slightly in the fourth quarter, scoring at the buzzer to make the final tally, 57-46.
Haley Donald scored 19 points in the game - 16 of which came in the first two quarters. Endsley Evans added 13 points, as did Jessicah Moudy. Lynsey Turner also scored eight points. Head coach Clay Reeves spent a long time in the locker room with his players after the game. When he emerged and spoke with the media, he gave the distinct impression that he thought his team could have played better.
"We pretty well got good shots the whole night," said the coach. "We got tons of great shots - some of the best shots we've had all year. We didn't shot a very high percentage, but we still scored 57 points. But we missed too many easy shots that we would normally make, and we had too many careless turnovers. All we had to do was to be a little bit more patient and take care of [the ball]. We gave a pretty good effort, but we [also] allowed them too many threes. We're still pushing and trying to stress defensive rebounding. I'm happy that we won, but I just want [us] playing to [our] potential whether we win or lose. They know I'm not going to be satisfied with just a win. I believe you've got to push yourself to be the best you can be," said Reeves.
Turnovers doom Bulldogs
The GHS boys held their own for 14 of the first 16 minutes of the game against the league's top team, but two critical turnovers in the final two minutes before halftime helped Alma build a 5-point lead at the break. Turnovers continued to plague the Bulldogs throughout the second half as well as Alma's dynamic duo of Isaac McCoy and Mikai Williams had their way with the home team.
Greenwood senior forward Spencer Harris won the opening tip and the 'Dogs got a three-pointer from sophomore guard Ryan Lensing and a layup from Harris to go up 5-0. But a pair of turnovers helped Alma go on a 7-0 run to take a 7-5 lead, an advantage they increased slightly by the end of the period, 14-11. After the Airedales went up 16-11, Greenwood began a gradual comeback, beginning with a driving layup by senior guard Brandon Brewer. Sophomore guard Hayden Smith also scored inside to trim the deficit to 18-16 moments later. A Ryan Lensing trey tied the game at 21-all at the 3:00 mark and another three by junior forward Billyjack Freeman put Greenwood up 24-23 with two minutes left in the first half. But all of that hard work was nullified by turnovers on two consecutive possessions, both of which were turned into points by the visitors. When the buzzer sounded ending the half, Alma led 29-24.
There was no scoring in the first two minutes of the third period. Greenwood junior guard Shawn Hankins broke the scoring ice with a three-pointer to trim the Alma lead to 29-26, but that's as close as the Bulldogs would get the rest of the way. Alma's Isaac McCoy made a steal and a dunk at the 5:06 mark, and the Airedales went on to lead 44-33 after three periods of play. Despite a big difference in fouls favoring Greenwood in the second half, the Bulldogs couldn't get to the free throw line often enough to make a difference, and when they did they missed several charity shots. Ryan Lensing did sink two free throws at the 2:17 mark to get the deficit back to nine points at 54-45, keeping hope alive, but only briefly. Alma went on to win, 59-45, dropping Greenwood to 4-7 in league play.
Ryan Lensing led the Bulldogs with 11 points, while Spencer Harris added 10, as the only two GHS players in double digits. McCoy had 21 for the Airedales and Williams added 18. Afterward, GHS head coach Brian Martin agreed that Alma probably has the best duo in the conference in McCoy and Williams. The coach also tried to remain positive regarding his team's future, but acknowledged that turnovers were their downfall against the Airedales.
"If we don't turn the ball over, we give ourselves a really good chance to beat teams, and any time you're playing a team like Alma, you've got to limit your turnovers that turn into points. A lot of our turnovers tonight ended up in two points the other way and you can't beat a good team by doing that." Alma finished the game with an impressive 16 of 22 on two-point field goals, and 21 of 44 overall.
"They dictated a lot on the defensive end with [McCoy and Williams]," said Martin. "But it's inexcusable with unforced turnovers. But with three games left, we definitely got better tonight, I thought, in some areas. So we're going to finish the season, and through it all we've still got a chance to compete in the playoffs." Greenwood likely must win its remaining three games to finish 7-7, and then hope for a tie and a possible playoff berth through the tie-breaking system.