Bentonville, Gravette claim titles in Harrison

HARRISON -- Bentonville High's boys learned how to come from behind throughout the Lendel Thomas Classic. The Tigers, who rallied from double-digit deficit for earlier wins against Earle and Springfield (Mo.) Parkview, used a 14-3 run over a 5-minute span to bounce back and win the tournament title with a 57-48 victory Saturday night over host Harrison in the new Goblin Arena. "All three times, I think it was our depth and our bench that brought us back into the games," Bentonville coach Dick Rippee said. "The guys just came in and fought hard. We just tried to take it possession by possession. I know it sounds cliche, but that's what you have to do. "The flow of the game, where you have 16-minute halves, gives you more flexibility. You don't have as many stoppages, so it's easier to sub and I really like it." Bentonville (8-3) trailed by six points on three occasions, with the last time coming after Harrison used buckets by Noah Ditmonson and Ben Elliot to make it a 27-21 game in the opening minute of the second half. The Tigers quickly tied it with 3-pointers by Michael Shanks and Asa Hutchinson IV, but Elliot answered with another triple to put the Goblins back in front. Harrison's lead, however, didn't last long. Bentonville ran off the next eight points and claimed a lead it didn't relinquish as Hutchinson's two free throws put the Tigers ahead 35-30 with 9:54 remaining. "We finally had some guys to hit some shots," Rippee said. "I thought we were getting good shots in the first half, but they just weren't going down. Credit Harrison with guarding well and contesting our shots." Colton Simmons finally gave the Tigers some needed breathing room after the next two minutes were spent with both teams trading shots. He scored nine of Bentonville's 11 points during a 3-minute span, and it was his bucket with 4:20 left that gave the Tigers a 51-43 lead before they sealed with win with free throws. Michael Shanks led Bentonville with 13, followed by Simmons with 12 and Connor Deffebaugh with 11. Carson Journagan paced Harrison with 17 while Skyler Young added 10.

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BENTONVILLE, GRAVETTE CLAIM TITLES IN HARRISON

HENRY APPLE

Arkansas Online | 12/31/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Bentonville Athletics