ROGERS -- Webb City, Mo., rode the shooting of its lone senior and some solid fourth-quarter defense to pull way for a 53-39 win over Rogers High on Thursday evening in the opening round of the 12th annual Arvest Hoopfest at War Eagle Arena.
The Cardinals held Rogers to just one goal over the final six minutes, 12 seconds of the fourth quarter to take control late.
Arvest Hoopfest
At War Eagle Arena, Rogers Heritage
Thursday’s Games
Game 1: Clarksville 82, Fort Smith Southside 70
Game 2: Waynesville, Mo.58, Carl Junction, Mo. 52
Game 3: Webb City, Mo. 53, Rogers High 39
Game 4: Rogers Heritage 49, Mt. Vernon, Mo. 33
Today’s Games
Game 5: Fort Smith Southside vs. Rogers High, 4 p.m.
Game 6: Carl Junction, Mo. vs. Mt. Vernon, Mo., 5:30 p.m.
Game 7: Clarksville vs. Webb City, Mo.,7 p.m.
Game 8: Waynesville, Mo. vs. Rogers Heritage, 8:30 p.m.
Prep Basketball
Boys
Webb City, Mo.53 Rogers High 39
Webb City^17^9^18^9^—^53
Rogers^9^10^13^7^—^39
Webb City (2-0):Gibson 16, Gaskill 12, Ellis 10, Kabala 5, Pickett 4, Bertin 4, Carpenter 2.
Rogers (2-4): Casey 15, Benninghoff 12, Dake 10, Greaer 2,
Jake Benninghoff pulled the Mounties (2-4) within 47-39, but Rogers would not score again.
Webb City coach Jason Horn said Rogers did a good job of slowing the pace of the game, but his team didn't finish well at the basket.
"We wanted to get out and run and they were able to take away our transition opportunities," Horn said. "I thought we had a lack of focus when we were going to the basket. They have some big, strong athletic guys and we weren't focused going to the rim and couldn't finish a play.
"I think our guys did a good job of grinding it out and doing what it takes to win a game. We weren't bad defensively. We didn't play very clean."
Trey Gibson, a 6-1 senior, scored a game-high 16 points, including 13 in the second half and three 3-pointers in the third quarter, for the Cardinals (2-0). Sophomore Alex Gaskill added 12 and Grant Ellis 10.
Rogers coach Wayne Herren said scoring droughts have been something his team has suffered through at times already this season. However, another key was 28 Mounties turnovers.
"Credit Webb City for turning us over, our guard play has got to improve," Herren said. "We knew what they were going to try to do and to their credit, they were able to rattle us. I thought we had an advantage tonight in the paint when we were able to get it there. That's the hart part of it."
Tony Casey led Rogers with 15, while Benninghoff was also in double figures with 12 and Garrett Dake added 10.
Rogers Heritage 49, Mt. Vernon, Mo. 33
The War Eagles held the Mountaineers scoreless for more than 12 minutes in the second half to claim the win.
Heritage (3-3) used a 16-0 run to start the second half to take control from a 21-21 halftime tie. Seth Stanley led all scorers with 26 points for the War Eagles. Will Moss added 11. Jarrett Massie led Mt. Vernon with 14.
Clarksville 82, Fort Smith Southside 70
The Panthers shook off a slow start and pulled away to the first-round win.
Sophomore guard Bobby Hurley poured in a game-high 23 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead four Panthers in double figures. Senior Juan Hernandez added 20 to help Clarksville (4-4) extend a 39-27 halftime lead to as many as 28 in the second half. Mikhi Burnett (14) and sophomore Trace Thomas (12) were also in double figures for the Panthers.
Zion Releford led Southside (3-2) with 17 points, including three 3-pointers, while Ike Moore chipped in 11. The Mavericks led 11-3 early, but trailed 18-14 after one quarter and never led again.
Waynesville, Mo. 58, Carl Junction, Mo. 52
The Tigers hit 3-pointers to end the third quarter and begin the fourth to pull away for the win.
Sophomore Gunner Rees led Waynesville (2-0) with 16 points, while Tavon Diplama added 14, including four 3-pointers. Kenan Wade led all scorers with 18 for Carl Junction (0-1) and Will Bebee added 17.
Carl Junction pulled within 40-36 with a 3-pointer of its own late in the third, but Diplama answered with a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Shaq Fregiste then opened the fourth with a 3-pointer to give Waynesville (2-0) a 46-36 lead with seven minutes left and it never looked back.
Sports on 12/09/2016