Ashleigh Guthrie has proven to be one tough player to stop this season.
The 5-10 senior is averaging 23 points and seven rebounds a game for Valley View. She's also hitting free throws at an 81 percent rate (129 of 159).
"It's hard to get in front of her," Valley View Coach Tim Hawkins said. "Everybody knows they have to guard the three against her, but she's really good at getting to the rim. She's a finisher with contact. She gets a lot of and-ones."
In Friday's 63-38 victory over Blytheville, Guthrie scored 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting and also collected eight rebounds. She has compiled 2,207 points and 935 rebounds in her career.
"She scores as easy as any kid I've ever coached," Hawkins said. "She's laid back and not very vocal, but she's a great kid with a lot of talent. She's been our go-to girl for the last three years."
Valley View (13-7, 6-2) is currently tied for second in the 5A-East, one game behind Greene County Tech (16-5, 7-1). The two teams will play Friday at Tech.
CABOT GIRLS
Making passes
Cabot made 17 field goals in Friday's 47-45 victory at North Little Rock, eight of them came via assists from junior guard Leighton Taylor.
"People don't realize how good she is," Cabot Coach Carla Crowder said. "She's smart. She understands the game. She knows who to get the ball to."
Cabot (18-5, 6-2) was limited to two field goals in the fourth quarter, but Taylor had assists on both baskets. She also hit two free throws with 25 seconds to play to help the Lady Panthers hold on to the victory.
5A-WEST
Leaders take a tumble
The 5A-West boys race got a little tighter Friday night when both Maumelle (15-5, 7-1) and Morrilton (15-6, 5-3) lost.
Farmington (12-8, 3-5) rallied from a 14-point deficit in the game's final 12 minutes to post a 59-56 victory over Maumelle. Greenbrier (11-11, 2-6) broke away from a 22-22 halftime tie to claim a 59-46 victory over Morrilton. Justin Tims and Tyler Williams each had 14 points for Greenbrier.
Vilonia (14-7, 5-3), which won at Harrison on Friday, will host Maumelle on Tuesday.
In the girls race, Vilonia (17-4, 7-1) suffered its first league loss Friday, but remains a game in front of Farmington (16-4, 6-2), Harrison (14-6, 6-2) and Greenbrier (17-5, 6-2).
In Greenbrier's 42-38 victory over Morrilton, Kenzie Batterton scored 13 points and Ali Skudiark added 11.
EPISCOPAL COLLEGIATE BOYS
Controlling the paint
Seniors Cori and Justin Gooseberry both signed national letters of intent to play football for Ouachita Baptist last week, but the brothers are also enjoying a standout season for Episcopal's basketball team.
"I feel comfortable when a rebound comes up that one of those two will come down with it," Episcopal Coach Micah Marsh said. "They are such good rebounders and they have a knack for it. They have timing. They are big and strong. They get good position."
In Tuesday's home victory over Mayflower, Justin Gooseberry scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds. Cori finished with seven points and a game-high 11 rebounds, six of which came in the opening quarter as the Wildcats (15-5, 11-0) jumped out to a 25-11 lead.
Episcopal held a 40-23 advantage on the boards against Mayflower.
MONTICELLO/MCGEHEE
No longer unbeaten
Monticello (17-1, 9-1) and McGehee (16-1, 7-1) both lost for the first time of the season Friday night.
Hamburg picked up 16 points from Trey Miller and another 13 points from Kavion Pippen to end Monticello's 37-game conference winning streak. The Lions (13-9, 8-2) rallied from a 41-35 deficit to start the fourth quarter to defeat the Billies 56-53.
D.J. Franklin led Monticello with 17 points while Tyree Nolen added 15.
Drew Central's K.J. Griddine hit a three-pointer with :02 left to give the Pirates a 50-49 road victory over the Owls. McGehee had won 38 of 39 previous games coming into Friday's game with Drew Central.
Griddine finished with 21 points. Keanis Henry led McGehee with 22 points.
IZARD COUNTY GIRLS
50-point effort
Scoring 20 or more points has been the norm for Kennedy Cooper this season, but the 6-0 sophomore from Izard County was anything but normal Tuesday.
Cooper scored 50 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in Izard County's 84-47 victory over Guy-Perkins.
"She was hot from the outside," Izard County Coach Tony Booth said. "And what shots she missed, it seemed like she got the rebound and put it back in."
Cooper's 50-point effort was the second 50-plus output by a sophomore in the last eight days. Kevonshaye Stackhouse of Helena-West Helena scored 52 points in a victory over Lonoke on Jan. 27.
Cooper scored at least 10 points in all four quarters. Cooper's scoring line included 14 two-pointers. She also was 4 of 6 on three-point attempts and connected on 10 of 13 from the free-throw line. She also grabbed 16 rebounds and made four steals.
Booth said he was forced to play his high-scoring sophomore a lot longer than he usually allows.
"We're down to six players," Booth said. "And we got into foul trouble early in the game. I couldn't take her out like I normally have done this season."
Booth said, in a game earlier this season, Cooper scored 27 points in the game's first 12 minutes.
Cooper followed Tuesday's effort with a 28-point, 17-rebound game in Thursday's 65-50 victory over Salem.
Izard County (28-7) has already captured the 2A-North Conference title and has qualified for the regional tournament later this month.
LAST-SECOND SHOTS
Bay's Colton Watson also produced a 50-point game on Tuesday. Watson scored 31 points in the first half in a 78-62 victory over Buffalo Island Central. ... Pulaski Academy's girls trailed McClellan 17-11 at the half, but bounced back for a 45-31 victory. Alex Otwell scored all 14 of her points in the second half. ... There were only two points scored during the overtime of Warren's 55-53 victory over visiting Star City. Ryan Clary led Warren (7-8, 5-5) with 15 points while Darveon Brown added 11. Trevon Jackson paced Star City with 14 points. ... Jasper's boys completed the 1A-1 East season with a perfect 16-0 record. The Pirates (29-4) knocked off Alpena 54-34 on Friday behind 14 points from both Wade Keef and Trevor Jeanes. ... Jasper's girls (28-5) also finished league play with a 16-0 mark, but had a much tougher time Friday. The Lady Pirates outlasted Alpena 40-38, getting 13 points from Bailey Pruitt and 12 points from Brittany Langdon. ... After starting 5A-West play with five consecutive losses, Clarksville is now on a three-game winning streak. Logan Wood connected on seven three-pointers and finished with 23 points in Friday's 78-75 victory over Little Rock Christian. Casey Benton added 20 points in the Panthers' victory. ... Bauxite (20-3, 10-2) earned its eight consecutive victory Friday, holding off Fountain Lake 45-44. Ben Madison led the Miners with 19 points. Tate McKellar led Fountain Lake (12-11, 7-5) with 24 points. ... LaKendra Radford scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Ashdown's 65-52 victory over Nashville. Radford also had 3 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Jada Beth Fricks scored 19 points and made eight steals for Ashdown.
Sports on 02/08/2015