Friday’s night Class 4A-5 matchup between Forrest City and host eStem ran like a windshield wiper on a misty evening for more than three quarters at the Arkansas School for the Deaf in Little Rock.
“Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth,” Forrest City Coach Dwight Lofton said.
Then eStem poured it on at Houston Nutt Sr. Gymnasium, outscoring the Mustangs 18-8 over the final 3:30 to turn a 55-51 deficit into a 69-63 victory.
EStem junior point guard Jacob Sanders spearheaded the Mets’ 26-point fourth quarter, scoring 15 of his game-high 20 points in the final eight minutes.
EStem (16-9, 5-3) led 11-4 early, 29-28 at the half and never trailed by more than 3 points until JuJuan Whitby completed a three-point play to put the Mustangs (11-6, 7-2) up 55-51 with 3:30 to play.
“Normally, we get there and we go to the next level,” Lofton said, “but they hit some big shots.”
A three-pointer by Dylan Sewell with 3:12 to play made it 55-54, and Sanders followed with a basket and a three-point play with 2:33 to play to give eStem a 59-57 lead, an advantage it would not relinquish.
“I’ve been talking to our guys about digging deep,” eStem Coach Josh Hayes said. “And they fought. And they fought. And they grinded it out.”
Hayes said the Mets’ tenacity on defense, stopping the Mustangs on three consecutive possessions, was the key to the rally.
Sanders, who has been transitioning from shooting guard to point guard, did exactly what Hayes wanted.
“He’s sticking to the script, and it’s working for him,” Hayes said. “Point guards get everybody involved first, and then they get going when it’s time. And he did.”
Sanders said Hayes emphasized defense to the Mets at halftime, especially after starting guard Keith Martin Jr. picked up two fouls in the game’s first 1:42 and sat out the rest of the half.
Ta ’ Darious Dale’s 19 points led Forrest City.