Late free throws puts Har-Ber past Bentonville

Lawson Jenkins called what he had to do "just another night in the gym by myself." It was anything but that Tuesday night. The Springdale Har-Ber senior hit five free throws in the final 3.1 seconds and gave the Wildcats the unlikely 60-59 victory over Bentonville High during 6A-West Conference action in Tiger Arena. "I've seen something like that happen, but I've never been in that position myself," Jenkins said. "I've practiced free throws all the time, so it was just another free throw." Har-Ber (16-3, 7-1) appeared headed for its second straight loss after Thane Spencer's two free throws gave Bentonville (13-7, 4-4) a 58-55 lead with 11.6 seconds remaining. Spencer then grabbed the rebound when Nick Buchanan missed a game-tying 3-point attempt, and Spencer just needed to hit a free throw to make it a two-possession gae and set up a likely Tigers victory. Everything changed when Bentonville's Colton Simmons was hit with a technical foul in the backcourt as play proceeded to the free-throw line. Spencer then hit one of two free throws to make it a four-point game, but Jenkins hit both of his free throws to make it a 58-57 game. The Wildcats then had to put the ball in play from midcourt, and Jenkins went for the win as he fired a 3-pointer in front of the Har-Ber bench. The shot didn't go in, but he was fouled with 0.4 seconds remaining and hit all three free throws, even when Bentonville called time to ice him with 0.4 seconds remaining. "We're kinda used to crazy finishes," Har-Ber coach Tommy Deffebaugh said. "I heard the technical being called, but of course I was looking down the floor. I'm looking down the floor as we're trying to get the ball back, and all of a sudden I turn around and -- Bam! -- the referee said technical. Wow. Something like that just happens. "When we get that kind of opportunity, and Lawson gets to hit free throws, then we're going to take it. The other players -- I know they're Lawson's teammates and friends -- but I'm telling them to just leave him alone and listen to me. I told them to not hit his hands and not bother him. Just let him stay in his zone and do his rhythm and let him get prepared." The final turn of events overshadowed the 30-point performance of Bentonville's Brayden Freeman, whose 3-pointer gave the Tigers a 48-47 lead with 5:32 remaining. He later added a free throw to make it a 51-47 game with 3:41 on the clock, then both teams traded points until Buchanan hit two free throws and pulled Har-Ber within 56-55 with 12.9 seconds left. JaJuan Boyd had 19 points -- 13 in the second quarter -- to lead Har-Ber, which retains its share of the 6A-West lead with the win. Jenkins was next with 18, followed by Buchanan with 11. Har-Ber^11^15^18^16^--^60 Bentonville^7^14^24^14^--^59 Har-Ber (16-3, 7-1): Boyd 19, Jenkins 18, Buchanan 11, Eckwood 6, Livingston 4, Bockelman 2. Bentonville (13-7, 4-4): Freeman 30, Spencer 9, Price 6, Simmons 6, Shanks 3, Lee 3, Hicks 2.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Bentonville High School Athletics

LATE FREE THROWS PUTS HAR-BER PAST BENTONVILLE

HENRY APPLE

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 2/5/2020

PHOTO CREDIT: Ben Goff