The Greenwood boys’ basketball team hosted the H.B. Stewart Classic over three days before the Thanksgiving holiday, November 18-21. The event was held at the arena named for the late great former Greenwood coach and athletic director. His wife, Barbara, was honored with flowers during the tournament in memory of her husband.
As for the games themselves, the Bulldogs were playing shorthanded pending the end of football season. There were perhaps three potential starters still on the gridiron at the time.
Despite that fact, the ‘Dogs acquitted themselves well, though they did lose two of the three games by a total of only four points. However, the game they won was against the tournament’s best team, Clarksville.
The GHS boys opened their season with an exhibition loss (50-42) to Lavaca in a benefit game on November 9th. The H.B. Stewart Classic began nine days later on the 18th. Besides Greenwood and Clarksville, the other teams were DeQueen and Gravette. There were two games played each night.
Up first for the Bulldogs was DeQueen, and the contest was close throughout. Tied at 12-all after one period, DeQueen led 19-17 at the end of a low-scoring first half.
The scoring picked up in the second half, with Greenwood winning the third quarter 16-15 and DeQueen winning the game, 50-48.
Senior forward Jayce Garnes led the ‘Dogs in scoring with 17 points, followed by junior Evan Bartlett with 11 points and sophomore Sam Forbus with nine.
Greenwood’s game two opponent was Gravette, and again the score was close throughout, or at least until the fourth quarter when the Bulldogs went cold from the floor and the free throw line, losing a 35-29 lead after three quarters.
The Bulldogs led 11-8 after one period and were tied 19-all at the half before a 16-10 run in the third period put Greenwood in position to win the game. However, a four-point fourth quarter performance by the ‘Dogs allowed Gravette to come from behind for the victory, 41-39.
Jayce Garnes (14) and Sam Forbus (13) led Greenwood in scoring, while Evan Bartlett contributed seven points.
While both losses were disappointing, Head Coach Donnie Husband was pleased that his players kept themselves in both games with a chance to win in the fourth quarter. But things got better against Clarksville.
Unbeaten in their previous two tournament games, the Panthers fell behind Greenwood early, 14-8, after one period, but rallied to tie the score at the intermission, 21-21.
The two teams then matched points throughout the second half. Clarksville led 35-33 after three quarters, but the Bulldogs managed to tie the score in the final minute and force overtime, 42-42.
In front of a friendly home crowd, the ‘Dogs then pulled away in the extra period, outscoring Clarksville 10-7 for the much-needed 52-49 victory.
Jayce Garnes led his teammates in scoring with 21 points, followed by Sam Forbus with 13.
Coach Husband talked about his team’s play during the tournament. “There was a lot of disappointment the first two nights because we felt like we were better than DeQueen, but came up short there.
“The Gravette game was tough because we got beat at the buzzer and we missed some free throws that could have made a big difference.
“Clarksville was probably the best team in [the tournament], and we beat them in overtime, but probably should have won in regulation. Free throws bit us again. If we just put the game away at the line we win in regulation,” said the coach.
“But it ended up real positive. It was a big win for us,” he added. “It shows a lot about their character and that we are getting mentally tougher. All in all, it was a positive week for us, but we had a great chance that night to be playing for 3-0. But hopefully it’s another step forward leading into the rest of the season.”
The coach also talked about the need to build a winning attitude among his players. “These kids playing right now have never won,” admitted Husband. “Maybe eight wins in a junior high season, and that’s a big obstacle to overcome. But they show up every day and work at it and try to get better, and that’s all you can ask for. They just need to be more consistent.”
He also addressed the arrival of the footballers after their semifinal loss to Searcy last Friday. “We’re not happy that happened, but we’ll work them in and get them going. They will be able to help us eventually.”
It will take at least a couple of weeks for those players to make the transition to basketball, plus senior Aaron Ligon, the coach’s son and a potential starter at guard, is nursing a foot injury that may slow down his progress.
Besides Ligon, presumed starting center Braden Stein, the tallest player on the team at 6’5”, also joined the team this week, along with possible starting point guard, sophomore Luke Brewer. Footballers Jayden Jasna and Jase Strozier could also contribute in time.
The Bulldogs hosted Rogers Heritage this past Tuesday, but results were not available at press time. They travel to Bentonville on Thursday this week.
Next week the GHS boys have two home games, against Van Buren on Tuesday the 10th and Springdale on the 13th. They will also play in a tournament in Sperry, Oklahoma the week before Christmas, December 19-21.