Van Buren 53, Bentonville West 51

Mekhi Burnett scored on a set inbound play and was fouled with 1.6 seconds left to lift Van Buren past West during Friday's consolation action in the Neosho (Mo.) Holiday Classic. Burnett, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, came off a screen, caught a pass and immediately went to the glass with the ball as West, with only five team fouls and 2 seconds left on the clock, tried to foul to run off more time. The Pointers (8-5) took possession of the ball with 1:20 left after Gabe Hornsby tied the game at 51 with a short jumper. After holding the ball down to 8 seconds left, Jordan West tried to dribble penetrate and create a shot, but his layup was off the mark. He then took possession of the ball after a wild scramble for the rebound and called time to set up Van Buren's winning play. Junior guard Kindrix Presley led Van Buren with 19 points on 7 of 10 shooting, including 5 of 8 from behind the 3-point line. Burnett finished with 16 and West added 12. Senior guard Collier Blackburn drilled four 3-pointers to pace the Wolverines with 14 points and eight rebounds, Hornsby added 13 points. Van Buren advances to Saturday's ninth-place game against Neosho while Bentonville West will play Memphis Sheffield for 11th place. The two teams meet again next week in Van Buren for the 7A-West Conference opener.

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VAN BUREN 53, BENTONVILLE WEST 51

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Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 12/30/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Van Buren High School Athletics