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The 2-4A conference champion Heber Springs Lady Panthers beat out Southside Batesville last week for their second consecutive league title. But, the Lady Southerners flipped the seeding going into this week’s regional tournament with a 39-31 victory over Heber on Saturday at the Panther Den.
Southside improved to 23-5 overall and will face fourth-seeded Highland in the first round of the 4A East Regional tournament on Wednesday. Heber fell to 20-8 overall and will play third-seeded Brookland at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Cave City.
The Lady Southerners, who beat Marianna 59-26 in Thursday’s semifinal round, ended Heber’s nine-game winning streak, which dated back to a Jan. 13 home loss to Lonoke.
Heber Coach Jamey Riddle said he knew his team had the potential to make a run at conference and district. “I always knew we were capable of playing the way we have been playing. It’s just unfortunate we played the way we did in the finals. I feel like for the most part they have gelled together throughout the year and have played well together as a team. Being a young team, sometimes that is hard to do...To get in that groove and I think that is the biggest thing that has helped us out this year.”
Heber beat Southside by three on the road Jan. 24 after falling to the Lady Southerners by three at home on Jan. 3. In Saturday’s rubber match, Southside jumped out to a 14-4 lead through one quarter of play, starting when forward Maggie Carlile hit a baseline jumper from left side.
Heber post player Magen LaRosa responded with a fall away shot inside right elbow but the Lady Southerners scored the next four, including a three-pointer from right wing by guard Jordan Hicks.
With Southside leading 6-2, Heber guard Skylar Johnson sank a 19-foot jumper from right elbow but the Lady Southerners closed out the first period with an 8-0 run, sparked by Carlile, who slashed down right baseline and finished while absorbing contact. After Carlile completed the three-point play, reserve guard Lynsey Ellis made a free throw for a 10-4 lead.
In the closing minute of the first quarter, Carlile followed her own miss for two and forward Alex Burroughs added a rebound bucket, giving Southside a 10-point advantage going into the second stanza.
Heber guard Devrie Attendorn opened the second quarter with a heavily defended three-pointer from left wing but Carlile drove right baseline and hit a short pull up jump shot and reserve forward Jennifer Wyatt made a free throw.
The Lady Panthers used a 5-0 spurt to close within five as forward Janae Long made a pair of free throws and Skylar Johnson canned a three-pointer from right wing off a crosscourt assist from Attendorn.
With 3:13 remaining until halftime, Carlile sank a pair of free throws and Hicks turned a steal into another foul shot as Southside pushed its lead to 20-12 before Heber scored six straight, starting when Long made a smooth spin move into the lane for a layup.
Guard Hannah Johnson followed with a 19-foot jumper from left wing then LaRosa pulled down a rebound and scored, trimming the Lady Southerners’ lead to a bucket.
Southside forward Jessica Robertson sank a free throw with 20.2 seconds left until halftime for a 21-18 lead, which the Lady Southerners carried into the locker room.
Carlile scored deep in the paint on Southside’s opening possession of the third quarter but LaRosa answered with a turnaround jumper from left elbow. During the final seven minutes of the third stanza, Southside held the Lady Panthers scoreless while pushing its lead to eight.
After Carlile made a free throw, Hicks found reserve post player Candace Smith inside for a layup off a baseline inbound play. With 10.6 seconds left in the third period, Carlile added two more from the stripe as Southside took a 28-20 lead to the fourth quarter.
Heber’s scoring drought reached nearly 10 minutes before Long recorded a putback near the 5:00 mark. LaRosa added a pair of free throws as the Lady Panthers sliced their deficit to four but Carlile made 3-of-4 from the line and Ellis added another.
Trailing 32-24, LaRosa attacked the basket and finished with a tough shot off the glass, plus a foul. LaRosa completed the three-point play but Robertson slithered down right baseline for a layup.
During the final minute, Southside made 5-of-6 free throws while limiting Heber to four points, including a pair of free throws from LaRosa and driving layup by Skylar Johnson. Hicks sank two free throws to set the final at 39-31.
Carlile tossed in a game-high 17 points for Southside and Hicks added six. LaRosa paced Heber with 13 points and Skylar Johnson followed with seven.
The 2-4A conference champion Heber Springs Lady Panthers beat out Southside Batesville last week for their second consecutive league title. But, the Lady Southerners flipped the seeding going into this week’s regional tournament with a 39-31 victory over Heber on Saturday at the Panther Den.
Southside improved to 23-5 overall and will face fourth-seeded Highland in the first round of the 4A East Regional tournament on Wednesday. Heber fell to 20-8 overall and will play third-seeded Brookland at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Cave City.
The Lady Southerners, who beat Marianna 59-26 in Thursday’s semifinal round, ended Heber’s nine-game winning streak, which dated back to a Jan. 13 home loss to Lonoke.
Heber Coach Jamey Riddle said he knew his team had the potential to make a run at conference and district. “I always knew we were capable of playing the way we have been playing. It’s just unfortunate we played the way we did in the finals. I feel like for the most part they have gelled together throughout the year and have played well together as a team. Being a young team, sometimes that is hard to do...To get in that groove and I think that is the biggest thing that has helped us out this year.”
Heber beat Southside by three on the road Jan. 24 after falling to the Lady Southerners by three at home on Jan. 3. In Saturday’s rubber match, Southside jumped out to a 14-4 lead through one quarter of play, starting when forward Maggie Carlile hit a baseline jumper from left side.
Heber post player Magen LaRosa responded with a fall away shot inside right elbow but the Lady Southerners scored the next four, including a three-pointer from right wing by guard Jordan Hicks.
With Southside leading 6-2, Heber guard Skylar Johnson sank a 19-foot jumper from right elbow but the Lady Southerners closed out the first period with an 8-0 run, sparked by Carlile, who slashed down right baseline and finished while absorbing contact. After Carlile completed the three-point play, reserve guard Lynsey Ellis made a free throw for a 10-4 lead.
In the closing minute of the first quarter, Carlile followed her own miss for two and forward Alex Burroughs added a rebound bucket, giving Southside a 10-point advantage going into the second stanza.
Heber guard Devrie Attendorn opened the second quarter with a heavily defended three-pointer from left wing but Carlile drove right baseline and hit a short pull up jump shot and reserve forward Jennifer Wyatt made a free throw.
The Lady Panthers used a 5-0 spurt to close within five as forward Janae Long made a pair of free throws and Skylar Johnson canned a three-pointer from right wing off a crosscourt assist from Attendorn.
With 3:13 remaining until halftime, Carlile sank a pair of free throws and Hicks turned a steal into another foul shot as Southside pushed its lead to 20-12 before Heber scored six straight, starting when Long made a smooth spin move into the lane for a layup.
Guard Hannah Johnson followed with a 19-foot jumper from left wing then LaRosa pulled down a rebound and scored, trimming the Lady Southerners’ lead to a bucket.
Southside forward Jessica Robertson sank a free throw with 20.2 seconds left until halftime for a 21-18 lead, which the Lady Southerners carried into the locker room.
Carlile scored deep in the paint on Southside’s opening possession of the third quarter but LaRosa answered with a turnaround jumper from left elbow. During the final seven minutes of the third stanza, Southside held the Lady Panthers scoreless while pushing its lead to eight.
After Carlile made a free throw, Hicks found reserve post player Candace Smith inside for a layup off a baseline inbound play. With 10.6 seconds left in the third period, Carlile added two more from the stripe as Southside took a 28-20 lead to the fourth quarter.
Heber’s scoring drought reached nearly 10 minutes before Long recorded a putback near the 5:00 mark. LaRosa added a pair of free throws as the Lady Panthers sliced their deficit to four but Carlile made 3-of-4 from the line and Ellis added another.
Trailing 32-24, LaRosa attacked the basket and finished with a tough shot off the glass, plus a foul. LaRosa completed the three-point play but Robertson slithered down right baseline for a layup.
During the final minute, Southside made 5-of-6 free throws while limiting Heber to four points, including a pair of free throws from LaRosa and driving layup by Skylar Johnson. Hicks sank two free throws to set the final at 39-31.
Carlile tossed in a game-high 17 points for Southside and Hicks added six. LaRosa paced Heber with 13 points and Skylar Johnson followed with seven.
