January 21, 2020
By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
Heber Springs didn’t back down from 4-4A Conference co-leader Morrilton at the Panther Den Tuesday.
The Panthers (1-6 in conference, 1-16 overall) finished the game with a productive fourth quarter before falling to the Devil Dogs 58-43.
Heber Springs trailed 47-27 going into the fourth quarter when it outscored the Devil Dogs, 16-11.
Dalton McCollum scored 15 points for Heber Springs. Adam Martin, who missed the last two games because of a shoulder injury, had 14 points.
Devin Foster led Morrilton with 21 points and Darrius Allison had 19 points.
“We played well against the team which may win the conference championship,” Heber Springs coach Chad Johnson said. “They have the complete package. One of the motivating factors for the game was playing a team of its caliber. We played great defense in the first half, but turnovers and lack of rebounds hurt.”
Martin’s 3-pointer gave Heber Springs a 3-0 lead. Morrilton scored six straight points and maintained the lead for the remainder of the first quarter.
The Devil Dogs led 13-7 going into the second quarter.
Morrilton increased its lead to double figure midway through the second quarter and built it to 25-12 by halftime.
“We addressed our turnover and rebounding problems during halftime,” Johnson said. “We didn’t do that well at the start of the second half. That is why I called a quick timeout.”
Morrilton increased its lead to 47-27 by the end of the third quarter. The Panthers were outscored 20-15, but Johnson said the team’s play improved after the timeout early in the quarter.
“The effort was there and we played with a lot of enthusiasm,” said Johnson, referring to the team’s play after the timeout. “We needed better execution.”
Johnson said McCollum has played well in recent games. McCollum moved to point guard, with Martin to the shooting guard.
“Dalton cashed in after making the change,” Johnson said. “It was good to have Adam back on the floor again. We had missed his senior leadership.”
The Panthers will start the second half by hosting Dover Friday, a team they defeated in the conference opener.
“We won a tough game at Dover and did it by making big plays,” Johnson said.”We want to execute better and score more points. Dover has improved since that game, but we have improved, too.”
Friday’s game will start at approximately 7:30 p.m.
HEBER SPRINGS BOXSCORE Morrilton 13 14 20 11 - 58 Heber Springs 7 5 15 16 - 43 MORRILTON SCORING (58): Devin Foster 21, Darrius Allison 19, Bugg Rector 6, Quincy Clemons 4, Byron Hardiman 4, Julian Brockman 2, Nevin Williams 1, Benjamin Black 1. HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (43): Dalton McCollum 15, Adam Martin 14, Garrett Hudspeth 9, Logan Monahan 3, Wyatt Sanders 2.
4A-4 SENIOR BOYS STANDINGS
Conference Season
Morrilton 6-1 14-6
Ozark 6-1 13-6
Dardanelle 5-2 18-2
Pottsville 4-3 6-9
Clarksville 3-4 7-12
Subiaco Academy 3-4 7-11
Heber Springs 1-6 1-16
Dover 0-7 4-16 HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL 2019-2020 SCHEDULE RESULTS RECORD: 1-14 4A-4 RECORD: 1-4 November 21 - Riverview 68, Heber Springs 36 November 26 - Clinton 71, Heber Springs 35 December 3 - Conway St. Joseph 44, Heber Springs 21 # December 5 - South Side Bee Branch 50, Heber Springs 49 # December 10 - Heber Springs 37, Dover 32 ^ December 12 - South Side Bee Branch 64, Heber Springs 53 December 13 - Marshall 69, Heber Springs 43 December 16 - White County Central 65, Heber Springs 43 December 20 - Ozark 69, Heber Springs 34 ^ December 26 - Rose Bud 68, Heber Springs 65 (OT) * December 27 - Batesville 72, Heber Springs 60 * December 28 - Mayflower 66, Heber Springs 41 * January 7 - Pottsville 59, Heber Springs 26 ^ January 10 - at Subiaco Academy 47, Heber Springs 28 ^ January 14 - Dardanelle 70, Heber Springs 13 ^ January 17 - Clarksville 38, Heber Springs 32 ^ January 21 - Morrilton 58, Heber Springs 43 ^ January 24 - Dover ^ January 28 - at Pottsville ^ January 31 - at Ozark ^ February 4 - at Dardanelle ^ February 7 - Subiaco Academy ^ February 11 - at Morrilton ^ February 14 - Clarksville (Senior Night) ^ February 17 - 4A-4 District at Dardanelle (# - Denotes Conway St. Joseph Tournament) (^ - Denotes 4A-4 conference contest) (* - Steve Landers' Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic at Heber Springs)