November 21, 2019
By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
The Heber Springs Lady Panthers avoided a slow start and remained undefeated on the season with a 67-27 rout of Riverview in a non-conference basketball game at the Panther Den Thursday.
Heber Springs completed a 3-game homestand and appeared ready for its first road test when the Lady Panthers travel to Clinton on Tuesday.
“I told the players after the game not to be into a false sense of security from the last three games,” Heber Springs head coach Jamey Riddle said. “Our next game will not be like these games. It will be a new challenge at Clinton.”
The Lady Panthers came out firing and quickly gained control against Riverview. Libby Stutts started a 16-0 scoring run by making a 3-pointer and Ellie Riddle scored two field goals. Claudia Newberry converted a jumper and later sank 1-of-2 free throws. Jillian Herring capped the surge by making a pair of 3-pointers.
Riverview didn’t score until almost three minutes left in the first quarter.
Heber Springs finished the quarter strong as Ashley Spanel and Herring made 3-pointers for the 22-6 lead going into the second quarter.
“We fouled too much early in the game against Southside Bee Branch,” Jamey Riddle said. “We did a better job of trapping on the first pass and waiting to go for the steal on the second pass in this game. We converted our layups and made good things happen.”
Herring, who made three 3-pointers, led the Lady Panthers with 14 points. Ellie Riddle and Hailey Bresnahan each had 13 points. Newberry scored 12 points.
Heber Springs had its only scoring lull early in the second quarter. Riverview scored five consecutive points and held the Lady Panthers scoreless until midway through the quarter.
Newberry scored with 4:31 left in the first half, giving the Lady Panthers a 24-11 lead. The Lady Panthers closed out the quarter on a 17-7 scoring run and for a 41-18 halftime lead.
“We had that one cold period and couldn’t set up in our fullcourt press,” Riddle said. “When we can’t do that, it is more difficult for us to score.”
Heber Springs returned for the second half and left little doubt. The Lady Panthers outscored Riverview 18-4 during the third quarter and took a 59-22 lead into the fourth quarter.
“After the period when we couldn’t score, we picked up the pace late in the first half and played well in the second half,” Riddle said. “We got steals and kept rolling.”
The coach expects a tougher time against Lady Yellowjackets on Tuesday.
“We got good play from everyone,” Riddle said. “The players know the competition will be tougher at Clinton. We need to play well in our first road game and see how we will respond.”
Tuesday’s game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. following the junior high school games.
Riverview 6 12 4 5 -27
Heber Springs 22 19 18 8 -67
RIVERVIEW SCORING (27): Jonna Nicholson 7, Mackenzie Cook 5, Christa Bradley 4, Daisy Basinger 4, Riley Shanks 3, Annabelle Schmitz 3, Gabrielle Sullivan 1.
HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (67): Jillian Herring 14, Ellie Riddle 13, Hailey Bresnahan 13, Claudia Newberry 12, Ashley Spanel 7, Libby Stutts 6, Olivia Norton 2.
HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR GIRLS 2019-2020 SCHEDULE/RESULTS RECORD: 3-0 November 12 - Heber Springs 55, Nemo Vista 31 November 19 - Heber Springs 70, South Side Bee Branch 45 November 21 - Heber Springs 67, Riverview 27 November 26 - at Clinton December 2 - at Conway St. Joseph Tournament December 10 - at Dover ^ December 13 - at Marshall December 16 - at White County Central December 20 - Ozark ^ December 26 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic December 27 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic December 28 - Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic January 7 - Pottsville ^ January 9 - at Newport January 14 - Dardanelle ^ January 17 - at Clarksville ^ January 21 - Morrilton ^ January 24 - Dover ^ January 28 - at Pottsville ^ January 31 - at Ozark ^ February 4 - at Dardanelle ^ February 11 - at Morrilton ^ February 14 - Clarksville (Senior Night) ^ February 17 - 4A-4 District at Dardanelle (^ - Denotes 4A-4 conference contest)
