By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
After starting the season with two wins, the Heber Springs Lady Panthers ran into a buzzsaw at the Panther Den Thursday.
Central Arkansas Christian built a 28-9 first-quarter lead and defeated the Lady Panthers 62-32 in a nonconference basketball game.
“CAC has more playing experience, shot well and ran its offense well,” Heber Springs coach Jamey Riddle said. “I knew it would be a high-caliber game. We needed to attack them quicker early in the game, but we didn’t have success.”
Heber Springs (2-1) trailed 52-18 at halftime. The Arkansas Activities Association sportsmanlike rule was in effect during the final two quarters.
“When you trail by that much at halftime, all you can tell them is go out and play hard, do a better job of running our offense and pick it up on defense,” Riddle said. “I also told them go out there and play for pride. This was a game that the team will learn to grow.”
Ellie Riddle scored 12 points for Heber Springs.
The Lady Panthers will host Batesville in a nonconference game Tuesday.
CAC 28 24 5 5–62
Heber Springs 9 9 7 7–32
CAC scorers — Bethany Dillard 24, Riley Bryant 15, Ava Knoedl 7, Payton Gaston 5, Reese Shephard 3, Livian Burton 2, Katie Odom 2, Carleigh Petlak 2, Avery Lillard 2.
Heber Springs scorers — Ellie Riddle 12, Jaylee Hooten 8, Sophie Stone 6, Hailey Bresnahan 3, Madison Clemons 3