FORT SMITH -- After missing most of the first half of conference play, Fort Smith Northside Coach Eric Burnett returned to the sideline after taking a leave of absence.
His Grizzlies welcomed him back with a victory.
Northside used a strong third quarter to down Conway 71-57 on Tuesday in a 7A-Central game at Kaundart Fieldhouse.
The victory keeps the Grizzlies (15-6, 6-1 7A-Central) in a first-place tie in the 7A-Central with North Little Rock.
Tuesday was Burnett's first day back at Northside.
"I'm so excited to be back, and I think the kids were excited to see me back," Burnett said. "Now we got to try and put everything together and try to win a conference championship. Everything's great, and I am glad to be back with these kids."
Burnett praised assistant coach Greg Scott, who took over the team in Burnett's absence and guided them to a 7-2 record, including a 5-1 conference mark.
"Coach Scott really did a great job," Burnett said. "We would talk after every ballgame. The kids responded to him and play well."
Northside led 28-24 at halftime but used a 19-9 third quarter to pull out to a 47-33 lead. Conway (13-6, 4-3) got the lead back to 10 points in the final period but could not get any closer.
Isaiah Joe and Kentrell Jenkins each scored a game-high 21 points to lead Northside. Jaylin Williams added 12.
Kylen Milton paced Conway with 14 points, while Christian Williams and Terry Clardy each added 13.
Both teams are on the road to start the second half of conference. Northside is at Bryant while Conway comes back to Fort Smith to take on Southside on Friday.
"We now have to play four conference games on the road in the second half," Burnett added. "Anytime you go on the road it is always tough. What I like about this conference is that is prepares us for postseason play."
BOYS BOX
CONWAY (57)
Milton 6 2-5 14, Williams 5 0-0 13, Clardy 5 2-3 13, London 4 0-2 8, Bradshaw 2 1-2 5, Lowe 2 0-0 4, Ashby 0 0-0 0, Kaiser 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 5-12 57.
FS NORTHSIDE (71)
Joe 5 8-11 21, Jenkins 8 2-2 21, Williams 6 0-0 12, Travis 2 1-2 5, Gordon 2 0-0 4, Releford 1 0-0 3, Myers 0 2-4 2, McKinley 1 0-0 2, Watson 0 1-2 1. Totals 25 14-21 71.
Conway (13-6)^15^^9^^9^24^--^57
FS Northside (15-6)^15^13^19^24^--^71
Three-Point Goals -- Conway 4 (Williams 3, Clardy), Northside 7 (Joe 3, Jenkins 3, Releford). Team Fouls -- Conway 16, Northside 8. Fouled out -- none.
Sports on 01/31/2018