Publication:El Dorado ;

Date:Feb 20, 2015;

Section:Sports;

Page Number:1B

Bears top Bulldogs to reach regional

By Kev Moyé News-Times Staff



    STRONG – Considering what was at stake, and that the Strong Bulldogs were the host team, what unfolded Thursday was the epitome of a colossal disappointment.

    The three seed from the South Division was dominated in a 78-57 loss to the Bearden Bears in round two of the 7-2A East District Tournament Thursday.

    Strong actually held a 1-point advantage after the opening quarter of play. However, in the latter stages of the first half, the wheels fell off for the Bulldogs. But, Bearden had a lot to do with that. The Bears began the second quarter with a 13-3 run to claim control of the game.

    Bearden’s spurt was keyed by its tenacity on both ends of the floor.

    As for Strong, it wilted under the attack. Additionally, matters were made worse for the Bulldogs as they went ice cold from the field. Whether Strong attempted a short-range shot, or a heave from the perimeter

– there was not much that fell through the goal. As the Bulldogs were mired in a struggle offensively, Bearden got hot as it received contributions from several individuals in the second period.

    The Bears’ post player Randy Hempstead amassed eight points, and two blocks. Devontae Ross scored nine while Javorie Simmons led the way in scoring during the second stanza with 10 points.

    Strong didn’t help itself much as it was twice called for a technical foul in the second quarter due to debating a call made by the officials. When halftime arrived, Bearden led 41-31.

    Early in the third, as expected, Strong went on a run and sliced the Bears’ lead to 41-37 when Malik Lee made a layup. Recognizing that the Bulldogs were beginning to build momentum, Bearden requested a timeout with 6:38 left in the third.

    Once play resumed, Bearden responded accordingly as it increased its advantage to nine before Strong made another minirun.

    When Le’Andre Rucks drained a jump-shot just inside the three-point line, the Bulldogs were back to within five of Bearden. But, the Bears were determined not to let this contest slip away. Bearden asserted itself and began to do much of what led to it building the comfortable lead late in the first half.

    The Bears – a long, athletic, and well-seasoned squad – once again became the aggressor. Offensively, they easily penetrated Strong’s zone defense, and consistently made shots from the perimeter. When Bearden missed, it often grabbed the rebound receiving several easy second-chance scoring opportunities.

    Defensively, the Bears’ trapping defense frustrated Strong. The Bulldogs were limited to one shot and many of those scoring attempts were tightly contested by Bearden. When the third was complete, the Bears – a two seed from the North Division – led 59-47.

    Bearden dominated the fourth quarter, and when time finally expired it had earned a 78-57 victory.

    The Bears were led by Ross who had 24. Simmons finished with 20, and NyKee Mahan amassed 15.

    Strong’s scoring leader was Lee who had 18. Javonte Newton scored 12, and Dallas Wayne finished with seven.

    Hermitage 62,

    Woodlawn 55

    The Hermitage Hermits, seeded second, claimed a hard-earned victory over Woodlawn Thursday, securing a berth in the upcoming Class 2A South Regional.

    However, at the intermission of this second round 7-2A East District Tournament contest, Hermitage trailed the Bears 31-30. In the third, the Hermits grabbed the lead as it held a four-point advantage at the start of the fourth period. When the game reached its conclusion, Woodlawn had loss by seven.

    Hermitage was led in scoring by Colton Franklin who had 18. Monta Thomas scored 11 and Kentrez Davis finished with 10.

    Woodlawn’s scoring leader was Ben Corley, who amassed 18 points.