HOT SPRINGS -Clarksville’s chances of repeating as the Spa City Shootout champion and its chances of winning a third consecutive tournament title at Summit Arena looked in jeopardy early in the third quarter Friday.
Thanks to its defense and the scoring of Freddie and Kendrick Lee, the Panthers kept their winning streaks in Hot Springs alive.
Clarksville, winner of the 2012 Class 4A state tournament played at Summit Arena, forced Maumelle into six turnovers while slicing a 12-point deficit to one by the end of the third quarter, then scored the first 12 points of the fourth quarter as it held on for a 61-55 victory.
Freddie and Kendrick Lee combined to score 18 of their 31 total points after Maumelle took a 39-27 lead on Kendall Donnerson’s layup at 5:46 of the third. Freddie Lee finished with 17 points, while and Kendrick Lee chipped in 14. Bailey Patton and Jerron Thompson added nine each, with Thompson scoring five in the go-ahead 12-0 run.
“We finally made some shots and set up our press,” Clarksville Coach Tony Davis said. “We’re like any other team. Our defense sets up our offense.”
Clarksville (5-2) will play Hot Springs at 5:30 p.m. today in the semifinals.
The Panthers’ comeback began with a 9-2 run, with Kendrick Lee sinking a three-pointer and Freddie Lee dropping in a runner and scoring on a contested layup. Tyshun Robinson’s driving jumper put Maumelle up 43-38 before Clarksville scored six of the final eight points in the quarter, all on free throws.
Donnerson led Maumelle with 11 points and Robinson scored nine before fouling out. Seven Hornets scored in the second quarter, with Donnerson and Nick Ingram leading the way with four each.
Sports, Pages 25 on 12/28/2013