Lady Pointers dominate Bryant to advance in 7A tourney

The Van Buren Lady Pointers started the Class 7A state tournament with three single-digit quarters on defense and exploded on offense, too. Van Buren scored 21 points in the second quarter, added 20 in the third and rolled to a 61-32 win over Bryant at North Little Rock on Wednesday. Van Buren (18-10) will play Conway, the tri-champion of the 7A-Central along with North Little Rock and Northside, in the second round on Friday at 4 p.m. “When you get to the second round of the state tournament you’re going to see a good team,” Van Buren head coach Chris Bryant said. “Anybody left is going to be a quality team. We’re looking forward to the second round. I know our kids will show up and give a great effort. They’ll be excited about playing Friday.” Wednesday, Van Buren’s defense was stellar, holding Bryant to seven points in the first quarter, 11 in the second, nine in the third and five in the fourth quarter and invoked the Arkansas Activities Association’s Sportsmanship Rule. “I’m just really happy with the energy and the effort and attention to detail on defense,” Bryant said. “It gives you a chance to battle and find a way to get some shots to go in.” Bryant (11-16) heavily guarded Van Buren point guard Jamilyn Kinney, holding her scoreless in the first quarter on just two shots. That just opened it up for Kayleigh Evans on the inside. Evans scored the first three buckets of the game for a 6-0 lead and added a free throw for a 7-2 lead with 4:18 left in the opening quarter. “Kayleigh got off to a great start, and that really helped us,” Bryant said. “It broke the ice and gave us a chance to score around the basket, which is always beneficial. She had our first seven points, and that forces them to change some things they’re trying to do defensively.” The Lady Hornets answered and tied the game on Kalia Walker’s 3-pointer, but Van Buren closed the quarter with six straight points, including four free throws when the Lady Pointers again went inside. “That was the benefit of being able to get the ball inside early and going to the offensive boards the way we did,” Bryant said. “We attacked the basket so it put us in position to be in the bonus, and it put them in some foul trouble.” Van Buren led, 13-7, after a quarter and Bryant stayed close, 18-11, in the second quarter when Kinney got loose. She hit a 3-pointer after Ira Sandoval found her open with a drive and dish, and rolled in a floater inside before sophomore Emmalee Greebe scored inside. Kinney then capped a 10-0 run with another trey for a 28-11 lead with 3:06 left before the half. “Jamilyn got loose for a shot or two, and it gets going,” Bryant said. “We’re spoiled. We’re very appreciative of her being able to do that.” Van Buren led, 34-18, at the half after scoring 21 points and hitting 7-of-10 shots from the floor in the quarter. “That will always get you off to a good start, while you’re defending, and we defended with a lot of energy possession-by-possession early,” Bryant said. “Then when you hit some shots, it gives you a chance to distance yourself.” From there, Bryant was never close although the Lady Hornets did breathe some life when Kinney picked up her fourth foul on a charge with 5:13 left in the third quarter. Walker drained a three on Bryant’s next possession to draw the Lady Hornets within, 41-21, with 4:57 left in the quarter. Sophomore guard Lexi Miller answered for Van Buren with a driving bucket. She also went coast-to-coast for a layup to cap a 9-0 run. In between, Sandoval drove a bucket, and Rylee Ryan swished a 3-pointer from the top of the key off another assist by Sandoval. “Every time you looked up we had a kid coming off the bench to make a contribution,” Bryant said. “The two sophomores played really well in this environment. I’m very proud of them and proud of these girls finding them and giving them those opportunities.” Evans finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. Kinney had 13 points, five points and three assists. Sandoval had nine points and nine rebounds. Miller chipped in 11 points. “We’re very happy with the way our kids played,” Bryant said. “That’s what you’re looking for this time of the year. You want to play well.”

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Van Buren High School Athletics

LADY POINTERS DOMINATE BRYANT TO ADVANCE IN 7A TOURNEY

LELAND BARCLAY

Times Record | 3/1/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Van Buren High School Athletics