Bentonville High 59, Van Buren 55

Brayden Freeman hit two free throws with 2.4 seconds remaining to help Bentonville hold off Van Buren and clinch a spot in the Class 6A state tournament. The Tigers (18-4, 8-1) never trailed again after taking a 24-23 lead on Ben Pankau's 3-pointer with 3 minutes, 32 seconds before halftime. Bentonville led by as much as 41-32 on Josh Smith's 3-pointer with 4:30 left in the third quarter and took a 45-38 lead into the fourth quarter, but Van Buren (5-17, 1-8) was able to cut it down to 57-55 on Gary Phillips' 3-pointer with 9 seconds left before Freeman's free throws. "It was just a struggle," Bentonville coach Dick Rippee said. "It was a hard game to play in, a hard game to coach. Our guys were just a little flat. I thought our approach Friday night with Michael Shanks was a lot better than it was in this game. "You have to have an edge about you. I didn't think we had that same edge, and our preparation wasn't as good in practice. You see what you get on the floor if you don't prepare the right way. Hopefully, our guys will learn for it." Freeman had 19 points to lead Bentonville, which played its second game without Shanks as he deals with an injury, while Connor Deffebaugh added 17 and Colton Simmons 14. Phillips had 22 for Van Buren, followed by Brayden Gilmore with 16. Van Buren^12^13^13^17^--^55 Bentonville^16^14^15^14^--^59 Van Buren (5-17, 1-8): Phillips 22, Gilmore 16, Newton 5, Brothers 5, Moore 4, Ball 3. Bentonville (18-4, 8-1): Freeman 19, Deffebaugh 17, Simmons 14, Pankau 8, Smith 3, Spencer 2, Price 1.

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Van Buren High School Athletics

BENTONVILLE HIGH 59, VAN BUREN 55

RICK FIRES

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 2/6/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Van Buren High School Athletics