Tag: Brenton Knapp

Eagles fall short in 1A title game

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By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY

HOT SPRINGS – Viola converted 23 West Side turnovers into 27 points and pulled away during the second half and won the Class 1A state basketball tournament championship 62-47 at the Bank OZK Arena on Thursday.

West Side played for the second time in school history for the boys’ state title. The Eagles defeated Gould 43-42 in the 1983 championship game.

It was the fifth game this season between the two teams and the third time in a tournament final. Viola also defeated West Side in the conference and regional tournaments.

West Side Greers Ferry coach Keith Brown. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

Malachi Miller led West Side with 18 points and Travis Gentry had 15 points. Game most valuable player Mason Luna scored a game-high 21 points for Viola. Bryson Luna contributed 16 points and Gage Harris chipped in 13 points.

West Side (28-7) utilized the inside game with Miller, who scored 10 points for a 14-8 lead after the first quarter. Viola rallied late in the second quarter and took a 28-25 lead into the dressing room at halftime.

Viola (37-6) began its push with a 15-7 scoring run and increased the lead to 46-34 going into the fourth quarter. The Longhorns put the game early in the fourth quarter with a 7-0 scoring run.

“We had a great year,” West Side coach Keith Brown. “I could not be more proud of a group of players. I wouldn’t trade them for anybody. They are good kids and will do outstanding things in life. The team took me on a great ride. We didn’t get it done tonight Thursday) and it stings right now.”

West Side Greers Ferry’s Jacob Ballard. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

First-year Viola head coach Rick Luna, who led Dora to the Missouri Class 1A last season, said all of the credit goes to his players.

“The players motivate each other and hold each other to a high standard,” Luna said when asked about the team’s performance during the second half. “We came out, refused to lose and did what was needed to win.”

West Side held a 32-20 rebounding advantage, including 18-12 on the offensive end. The Eagles scored six points off 12 Viola turnovers.

“We changed things from previous games against them and had a good plan, but they are a very good team,” Brown said. “We didn’t take care of the ball at times.”

Rick Luna said it was important to keep changing defenses during the second half.

“We wanted to keep giving them different looks,” Luna said. “Good teams will adjust if you keep doing the same thing all of the time. We felt forcing turnovers was important. Our best offense was our defense.”

Brown credited Viola for forcing his team into turnovers.

“We were not trying to turn it over,” he said when asked about the turnovers during the second half. “Viola played the same press against us in the other games.”

West Side Greers Ferry’s Ashton Klepko. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

West Side gained the lead 9-8 on Ashton Klepko’s field goal late in the first quarter. Miller made a 3-pointer and on the next trip down the court, he hit a short jumper as the Eagles led 14-8 going into the second quarter.

Viola tied the game at 16-16 with an 8-2 scoring run. The Longhorns held the lead until Miller’s field goal late in the first half put the Eagles ahead, 25-24. Viola scored the final four points and led 28-25 at halftime.

The Longhorns pulled away on a 18-9 third-quarter scoring run and led 46-34 going into the fourth quarter.

Viola started the fourth quarter on a 7-0 scoring and later built its lead to 22 points. West Side showed no quit and pulled to within 15 points before the final buzzer.

Viola 8 20 18 16-62
West Side 14 11 9 13-47
VIOLA (62): Mason Luna 21, Bryson Luna 16, Gage Harris 13, Kenneth Marberry 9, Austin Luna 3.
WEST SIDE GREERS FERRY (47): Malachi Miller 18, Travis Gentry 15, Ashton Klepko 6, Nate Bittle 4, Brenton Knapp 2, Jared Cothren 2.  
VIOLA STATISTICS: Kenneth Marberry 1 steal, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot; Bryson Luna 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist; Gage Harris 1 rebound, 6 2 assists; Mason Luna 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 assists; Austin Luna 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist; Andrew Cantway 1 rebound.
WEST SIDE GREERS FERRY STATISTICS: Jake Ballard 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist; Ashton Klepko 3 rebounds, 1 assist; Travis Gentry 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot; Brenton Knapp 3 rebounds, 1 blocked shot; Malachi Miller 8 rebounds1 assist, 2 blocked shots; Kirby Cothren 1 rebound; Nate Bittle 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot; Zack Birmingham 2 rebounds.

Eagles looking to make history

By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY

GREERS FERRY – The West Side Eagles hope to earn its place in school history and become the third team to win a state basketball championship.

West Side (28-6) will play conference rival Viola at 7 p.m. Thursday for the Class A state tournament championship at the Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs.

The Eagles look to duplicate the accomplishment of the 1983 team that capped that season with a 43-42 win against Gould in the state finals. West Side finished that year at 36-1 with its only loss to Camden Fairview at the state overall tournament.

The Lady Eagles won the 1999 state championship.

“We know what the 1983 team did and hope that people will talk the same way about the 2021 team in 20 years,” West Side coach Keith Brown said. “We respect everything that team did. That gives them more incentive to win. We have received great support from those guys as well as other alumni. We want to keep the tradition going.”

“Winning a state championship would mean everything,” starting guard Travis Gentry said. “I’ve been at this school for most of my life and watched all of the teams play.”

Gentry said he welcomed the opportunity of playing in Thursday’s game.

“I’m happy for the opportunity to lead the team to the state championship game,” he said. “Going into the season, I felt this might happen. We didn’t end our season last year well. I felt like it could happen if we played well.”

Gentry said he and his teammates admire the 1983 team and hope fans will remember this year’s team in a similar way.

“We want people to talk about us in 20  years like they are talking now about the 1983 team,” he said. “We hope they will talk about us for years to come.”

Senior Zack Birmingham made two of the most important free throws of season late in overtime against Izard County. Birmingham’s free throw clinched a win and a spot in the state finals.

“I had a similar experience in junior high, but that game was not as big,” Birmingham said. “I knew the first one was going in because of how I felt when the ball left my hand. The second free throw didn’t feel as comfortable, but it went in.”

Birmingham has attended West Side school since kindergarten and winning the title would cap his senior season.

“It would mean a lot if we won,” he said. “I am glad to be a part of this team. I can’t wait to get to Hot Springs.”

Brenton Knapp moved to West Side at the start of his fifth grade year. Knapp remembered games during recent years, and he hopes this year’s team will bring back the state championship to the school.

“It would mean the world to me,” he said. “I came to many games and watched teams that came close. We have a chip on our shoulders after losing last year at the district tournament  We wanted to come back strong and take care of unfinished business.”

Knapp said he and his teammates wants to win and add to the trophy case.

“We hope to become the third team to win a state championship,” he said. “I just want to contribute to the team. My role is to rebound and score on putbacks and whatever else the team needs me to do.”

Seniors Jake Ballard and Malachi Miller arrived before the start of last season.
Ballard played a big role in the win against Izard County by hitting four 3-pointers and scoring 14 points. He hopes to earn a championship ring and match the accomplishment of his brother, who was a member of the 2017 state champion Guy-Perkins.

“We hit our stride during the second half and realized we could win the game,” referring to Monday’s semifinals, Ballard said. “I made two threes early in the game and two more threes during the second half. I needed to make those shots to get us back in the game.”

Despite playing with new teammates, Ballard said he was accepted from the beginning and happy to be playing for the Eagles.

“I was accepted right away,” Ballard said. “I remember my first game when fans told me they were glad I decided to come to West Side.”

Ballard said he heard the stories about the 1983 team and glad to be a part of the team that may bring back another championship.

“I’m looking forward to playing in Hot  Springs with guys like coach Brown, Malachi, Travis and everyone on the team.” Ballard said. “This is a great group of guys to be around. It would mean the world to win on Thursday.”

Miller, who scored a game-high 25 points against Izard County, said he also felt welcomed from his first day at West Side.

“I felt a part of this team since I came,” Miller said. “I knew we had a good chance to be where we are right now. Stats are not that important. I’m happy we are winning games whether I have 10 rebounds or scoring 10 points. It’s a great feeling to have a chance at making history.”

West Side practiced on Tuesday afternoon and left at noon Wednesday for Hot Springs. The Eagles plan their final practice at Lake Hamilton High School before the championship game.

“I tried to keep practice as normal as possible,” Brown said. “We know Viola well. We will be trying to do things different, so we can have success. Neither team will have anything to hide after playing so many times. It will come down which team executes its game plan better.”

West Side and Viola split games during conference play. Viola defeated the Eagles in the finals of the conference and regional tournaments.

“The big keys are taking good care of the ball and rebounding,” he said.

Eagles earn first finals trip since ’83 with overtime win

The West Side Greers Ferry Eagles punched their ticket to the 1A state finals in Hot Springs on Monday in Greers Ferry. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE MCCARTY

By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY

GREERS FERRY — The West Side Eagles didn’t take the easy path back to the Class 1A state championship game. West Side, which will make its return to the finals for the first time since 1983, trailed by nine points after three quarters, but rallied to force overtime.

The Eagles made 8-of-11 free throws during overtime and emerged with a 66-62 win against conference rival Izard County at Brady-Hipp Arena Monday. The win was the third this season against the Cougars, all close games.

West Side (28-6) will play Viola, another conference rival, at 7 p.m. Thursday for the state championship at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Malachi Miller, who led all scorers with 25 points, made 3-of-4 free throws for the Eagles during overtime. Travis Gentry, Jake Ballard and Zach Birmingham each hit 2-of-2 attempts and Ashton Klepko connected on 1-of-2 at the free-throw line.

Birmingham’s two free throws with less than 10 seconds remaining made it a two-possession for a 66-62 lead.

West Side Greers Ferry coach Keith Brown said the Eagles also won the rebounding battle, particularly during the second half.

“A big key in the second half was keeping them from getting an offensive rebound,” he said. “We did a good job of rebounding.”

Ballard followed Miller with 14 points. Caleb Faulkner led Izard County with 23 points, while Coby Everett scored 11 points and Chase Orf had 10 points.

“Ballard hit big shots throughout the game,” Brown said. “Miller also scored well. It was a team win, but those two players were battling and came through for us.”

Brown also credited the team’s mental toughness as another determining factor.

“Our mental toughness was a difference in the game,” he said. “The players have answered the bell all year and are as tough as nails. Nothing fazes them.”

West Side started the game with an 8-2 scoring run, but Izard County quickly answered. The Cougars rallied for an 12-11 lead and held a one-point lead until the final seconds of the first quarter. Miller scored on an inside move as the Eagles took a 16-15 lead going into the second quarter.

Izard County regained the lead midway through the second quarter and increased it later to eight points, 30-22. West Side closed the gap, but the Cougars scored the final five points for a 33-26 halftime lead.

West Side failed to make ground on Izard County during the third quarter and trailed 46-37 going into the fourth quarter.

The Eagles made through move by outscoring the Cougars 19-10 and forced overtime.

Miller made 1-of-2 free throws with 1:56 to go in overtime for a 61-60 lead and never trailed again.

“I’m very proud of this team,” Brown, who is in his third season at West Side, said. “I’m usually a man of many words, but speechless after the game inside the dressing room. The players deserve all of the credit. I thought three years ago they could reach the state finals if I didn’t mess them up too much.”

Izard County 15 18 13 10 6 –62
West Side 16 10 11 19 10–66
Izard County scorers — Caleb Faulkner 23, Coby Everett 11, Chase Orf 10, Noah Everett 9, Denton Reiley 6, Landon McBride 3.
West Side scorers — Malachi Miller 25, Jake Ballard 14, Travis Gentry 8, Nate Bittle 7, Zach Birmingham 4, Brenton Knapp 4, Ashton Klepko 4.

Eagles soar into 1A semifinals

By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY

GREERS FERRY – The West Side Eagles depended on their defense and opened the door to the Class 1A semifinals and an opportunity of earning a trip to the state championship game.

West Side (27-6) led from start to finish and defeated The New School (Fayetteville) 51-34 in Friday’s quarterfinals at Brady-Hipp Arena. The Eagles will meet Izard County at 1 p.m. Monday in the state semifinals.

“Congratulations for getting to the state semifinals,” West Side coach Keith Brown told his players after the game. “This is a good accomplishment. I’m very proud of them. The game turned into a defensive battle. I was pleased with our halfcourt defense. They (The New School) were averaging around 70 points a game, and we held them to 34 points.”

Travis Gentry led West Side with 16 points. Malachi Miller scored 14 points, and Nate Bittle came off the bench and contributed eight points. Michael Hardiman scored seven points for The New School.

The Eagles broke an early 2-2 tie by scoring nine unanswered points and never trailed. West Side led by as much as 14 points during the first quarter. The Eagles started the second quarter with a 20-7 lead.

Defense dominated on both sides as West Side scored seven points and held The New School to six points on the way to a 27-13 halftime lead.

“We got off to a quick start and would have liked if we had extended it,” Brown said. “The New School is a good team or it would not have advanced to the quarterfinals. They were 37-4 on the season.”

West Side increased its advantage during the third quarter, but it never could pull away. The Eagles took a 39-21 lead into the fourth quarter.

“We controlled the game and made shots when needed,” Brown said. “We did play with a lot of patience and tried to take what they were giving us. Defense was the difference. We played good man defense and did a good job of helping each other.”

Brown said another key to the win was the Eagles were able to control the inside.

“We also rebounded well,” he said. “When we rebound well, I knew everything would be fine for us. We were able to get the ball inside and got them into early foul trouble. We wanted to pound it inside.”

The New School 7 6 8 13–34
West Side 20 7 12 12–51
The New School scorers — Michael Hardiman 7, William Sturner 6, Holden Blankenship 6, Evan Goodman 5, Gunner Husnian 3, Max Warford 3, Quintus McNeal 3, Vontae Rimsey 1.
West Side scorers — Travis Gentry 16, Malachi Miller 14, Nate Bittle 8, Brenton Knapp 6, Jake Ballard 5, Zach Birmingham 2.