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Stuttgart simply doesn’t have enough skill to play an up-tempo game with the Panthers.
At least they know it. The Ricebirds employed a slow-tempo strategy until Heber Springs broke open a lead and made them play catch-up, which they never could as the No. 4 ranked Panthers routed the Ricebirds 46-31 on Friday night in 2-4A conference play at the Panther Den.
Heber improved to 17-3 overall and 9-1 in conference play heading into Tuesday’s home game against Cave City. The first-place Panthers are looking to avenge their last loss, a one-point decision at Cave City. Since then, Heber has won five straight.
The Ricebirds, who fell to 2-7 in 2-4A play, took the game’s first lead on a hook shot in the lane from post player Waymon Johnson. Heber forward Michael Kramer responded with a three-pointer from right corner before both teams hit a scoring drought, primarily because Stuttgart milked the clock on each possession.
Heber extended its lead to 6-2 when power forward Austin Brown dropped a hanger, plus contact, and he completed the three-point play. On the Panthers’ next possession, Brown chalked up a pair of free throws but Stuttgart closed the first period with a 6-0 run, including two consecutive baskets from forward Glenn Herron. Jassen Smith added two free throws, leaving the game tied at 8-all.
Kramer pushed Heber in front with a free throw early in the second quarter but Stuttgart forward Alante Stewart scored inside before Brown used a power dribble for a bucket and Kramer nailed a three-pointer from left corner, giving the Panthers a 14-10 advantage.
Herron retaliated with a midrange jumper from right baseline but Heber closed the first half with three treys, starting when point guard John Price ripped a deep three-pointer from right wing off an assist from Kramer.
Heber guard Austin Adkins gave the Panthers a huge boost with a pair of three-pointers in the final two minutes of the first half, including one off an assist from Brown, as Heber pushed its lead to 23-12 at halftime.
The Panthers picked up where they left off in the third quarter as Brown hit Price cutting to the hoop for a layup off a sideline inbound play but Stewart scored inside off an assist from Smith.
Heber countered with a 7-0 run, ignited by Price, who drilled a three-pointer from right wing off an assist from Brown, who moments later scored in the paint off a no-look assist from Price.
Brown added a bucket in transition off another dime from Price as the Panthers’ lead grew to 32-14 before Jordan Daniels and Johnson each made a free throw for the Ricebirds. In the closing seconds of the third stanza, Brown threw down a two-handed slam off a baseline inbound play as the Panthers took an 18-point advantage to the final eight minutes of play.
Brown tight-roped left baseline and scored early in the fourth quarter but Daniels dropped a hanger while absorbing contact and he completed the three-point play. Following a pair of free throws by Brown, including one following an offensive rebound, Stewart connected from the line and Herron scored off an assist from Daniels.
Heber extended its lead to 40-22 on a pair of free throws from Price. From that point, the Ricebirds outscored Heber 9-6 during the final three minutes as the Panthers began to run down the clock – taking a page out of Stuttgart’s game plan.
Heber guard Waren Thomas Olmstead made two free throws to set the final at 46-31. Heber forward Mason Schroeder also gave the Panthers a lift down the stretch with four points, including a 16-foot jumper from right elbow.
Herron led Stuttgart with 11 points and Stewart had nine.
Brown, who finished 6-of-10 shooting from the field, paced Heber with 17 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Price added 10 points and eight assists, while Kramer chipped in seven points.
Stuttgart simply doesn’t have enough skill to play an up-tempo game with the Panthers.
At least they know it. The Ricebirds employed a slow-tempo strategy until Heber Springs broke open a lead and made them play catch-up, which they never could as the No. 4 ranked Panthers routed the Ricebirds 46-31 on Friday night in 2-4A conference play at the Panther Den.
Heber improved to 17-3 overall and 9-1 in conference play heading into Tuesday’s home game against Cave City. The first-place Panthers are looking to avenge their last loss, a one-point decision at Cave City. Since then, Heber has won five straight.
The Ricebirds, who fell to 2-7 in 2-4A play, took the game’s first lead on a hook shot in the lane from post player Waymon Johnson. Heber forward Michael Kramer responded with a three-pointer from right corner before both teams hit a scoring drought, primarily because Stuttgart milked the clock on each possession.
Heber extended its lead to 6-2 when power forward Austin Brown dropped a hanger, plus contact, and he completed the three-point play. On the Panthers’ next possession, Brown chalked up a pair of free throws but Stuttgart closed the first period with a 6-0 run, including two consecutive baskets from forward Glenn Herron. Jassen Smith added two free throws, leaving the game tied at 8-all.
Kramer pushed Heber in front with a free throw early in the second quarter but Stuttgart forward Alante Stewart scored inside before Brown used a power dribble for a bucket and Kramer nailed a three-pointer from left corner, giving the Panthers a 14-10 advantage.
Herron retaliated with a midrange jumper from right baseline but Heber closed the first half with three treys, starting when point guard John Price ripped a deep three-pointer from right wing off an assist from Kramer.
Heber guard Austin Adkins gave the Panthers a huge boost with a pair of three-pointers in the final two minutes of the first half, including one off an assist from Brown, as Heber pushed its lead to 23-12 at halftime.
The Panthers picked up where they left off in the third quarter as Brown hit Price cutting to the hoop for a layup off a sideline inbound play but Stewart scored inside off an assist from Smith.
Heber countered with a 7-0 run, ignited by Price, who drilled a three-pointer from right wing off an assist from Brown, who moments later scored in the paint off a no-look assist from Price.
Brown added a bucket in transition off another dime from Price as the Panthers’ lead grew to 32-14 before Jordan Daniels and Johnson each made a free throw for the Ricebirds. In the closing seconds of the third stanza, Brown threw down a two-handed slam off a baseline inbound play as the Panthers took an 18-point advantage to the final eight minutes of play.
Brown tight-roped left baseline and scored early in the fourth quarter but Daniels dropped a hanger while absorbing contact and he completed the three-point play. Following a pair of free throws by Brown, including one following an offensive rebound, Stewart connected from the line and Herron scored off an assist from Daniels.
Heber extended its lead to 40-22 on a pair of free throws from Price. From that point, the Ricebirds outscored Heber 9-6 during the final three minutes as the Panthers began to run down the clock – taking a page out of Stuttgart’s game plan.
Heber guard Waren Thomas Olmstead made two free throws to set the final at 46-31. Heber forward Mason Schroeder also gave the Panthers a lift down the stretch with four points, including a 16-foot jumper from right elbow.
Herron led Stuttgart with 11 points and Stewart had nine.
Brown, who finished 6-of-10 shooting from the field, paced Heber with 17 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Price added 10 points and eight assists, while Kramer chipped in seven points.
