LADY BEARCATS BOUNCE PANGBURN FROM FIELD

With four players reaching double figures, the Booneville Lady Bearcats blasted Pangburn 60-43 in the opening round of the Class 3A state tournament Saturday.

Lexi Franklin scored the first five points of the game, which was held at North Arkansas College’s Pioneer Pavillion – Valley Springs is the host – before it was 40 seconds old and, after a 3 by Leigh Swint, it was 8-0 prompting a Lady Tiger time out.

Franklin was on her way to 11 points and Swint was on her way to a team high 16 points to go along with seven rebounds and five assists.

Pangburn finally got on the scoreboard with 3:46 left in the opening quarter and was actually within 10-5 after a 3 by Brynlee Huggins.

That was as close as it would get.

The Lady Bearcats scored the next 16 points. Joliegh Tate was responsible for half of them and would reach the 10 point mark as well as matching Swint with seven rebounds.

The Lady Bearcats would eventually lead by 23 before head coach Tim Goers went had all five starters sitting – Franklin, Swint, and Tate all had two fouls by the 5:42 mark of the second quarter.

Franklin actually had both of hers in the first quarter which opened the door for Brooke Turner, who closed the Lady Bearcat scoring in both quarters, contributing five total points with one of five first half 3s.

A jumper by Turner made it 32-12 but Pangburn was able to trim the lead to 32-17 by halftime.

There were five more 3s coming for the Lady Bearcats in the third quarter.

Hayley Roberts (shown) owned the third quarter with two of the 3s and 10 total points. She finished with 12 points and blocked two shots.

Her second 3 made it a 51-27 game through three quarters.

Franklin started the final quarter with a conventional three-point play and the Lady Bearcats were on cruise control.

Karmen Kent scored the final points of the night with a nifty reverse layup.

While she had an uncharacteristic night shooting, Heaven Sanchez complimented her two points with four rebounds, four steals, and five assists.

The Lady Bearcats move on to the quarterfinal round to face Lamar, who beat Drew Central in the opening round on Friday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Sunday.