FORT SMITH -- A late flurry by the North Little Rock boys made the difference Friday night.
The Charging Wildcats used an 8-2 run in the game's final 2:30 to down Fort Smith Northside 41-37 at Kaundart Fieldhouse.
The victory forced a tie between the teams at the top of the 7A-Central standings. The Charging Wildcats (22-5, 10-2) swept Northside, so two victories next week clinch the conference's top seed for North Little Rock. Both teams now have first-round byes in the 7A state tournament, which North Little Rock will host in two weeks.
"Even after we lost to Conway, I told them that we controlled our destiny," North Little Rock Coach Johnny Rice said. "It made the road tougher, but we could still accomplish our goal [of winning the conference]."
Both teams struggled offensively -- mainly finishing shots whether it was open three-pointers or layups under the basket. North Little Rock, though, got the offensive burst at the right time to put the game away.
The Grizzlies (19-7, 10-2) took their first lead of the fourth quarter at 35-33 on a three-pointer by Javion Releford with 3:10 left. The Wildcats, though, tied the game with 2:30 left on a layup by Ray Fresh.
After a Northside miss, Moses Moody scored with 1:25 left to give North Little Rock a 37-35 lead. The Grizzlies then missed a jumper and began to foul in the final minute of the game. The Charging Wildcats made 4-of-6 free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.
"Tonight was one of those nights when the shots didn't fall and I am glad to have that now rather than in the state tournament," Northside Coach Eric Burnett.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK (41)
Moody 5 1-2 13, Moore 4 0-1 8, Simes 2 2-4 6, Watkins 1 3-4 5, Fresh 2 0-0 4, Jordan 1 0-0 3, Fudge 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 6-11 41.
FS NORTHSIDE (37)
Joe 5 3-4 16, Williams 4 2-2 10, Releford 2 0-0 5, Jacbos 1 0-0 2, Myers 1 0-0 2, McKinley 0 2-2 2, Watson 0 0-0 0, Gordon 0 0-0 0, Perkins 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 7-8 37.
North Little Rock (22-5);13 7 13 8 -- 41
FS Northside (19-7);8 13 9 7 -- 37
Three-point goals -- NLR 3 (Moody 2, Jordan), Northside 4 (Joe 3, Releford). Team Fouls -- NLR 13, Northside 13. Fouled out -- Travis.
Sports on 02/17/2018