The Hillcrest Hornets stayed strong and pulled out a victory by a score of 72-58 over the Central Bulldogs on Friday night at Hillcrest.
Freshman Tyem Freeman stepped up big for the Hornets, as he led all scorers with 18 points.
Hillcrest head coach Joel Brown had high praise for the freshman.
“He is just now starting to play some varsity time,” Brown said. “He is starting to work hard on a consistent basis. He has a very
high ceiling and a lot of potential,”
The Bulldogs were able to cut the Hillcrest deficit to 22-20 late in the second half, but Hillcrest answered with a 10-0 run which
included two Shahn Clark three-pointers and was able to extend their lead to 32-20.
Freeman was able to cap off a nice half with a dunk to put the Hornets up 37-25 at the half.
“It felt good to get that one down,” Tyem Freeman said. “I think it helped us going to into the locker room, but I was glad to get
one for the home fans,”
“The main thing I told the team at halftime was that we wanted to make this as simple as possible. Just worry about getting one
stop and then one score,” Brown said.
Bryson Dankert had seven points in the third quarter, which included back-to-back three-pointers to help give the Bulldogs life.
Central forced Hillcrest to commit three straight turnovers in a row in the second half and was able to cut the lead to 50-46
heading into the final period.
Things stayed close in the fourth quarter, and Hillcrest found their team holding a 60-57 lead with 1:58 left in the game, and
were able to capitalize off of four straight missed free throws by Central and extend their lead to 66-57.
Hillcrest had suffered several close defeats early in the season after advancing all the way to the state championship game in
2015. The Hornets fell by two points to Springdale (Ark.), but five to Harrison (Ark.) and by six points to Willard.
“Down the stretch we were able to attack, but do with composure, patience, and poise,” Brown said. “We are young and slowly
learning how to play in close games,”
“Central is a good team, and can get up-and-down the floor very fast, but I feel like we wanted it more tonight,” Freeman said.
“We came out and played strong defense and pulled out a nice W.”
Hillcrest will face Glendale next Tuesday night and Central will travel to Joplin on Tuesday.
High school boys' basketball
HILLCREST 72, CENTRAL 58
On Friday, at Hillcrest
Hillcrest 14 23 13 22 — 72
Stockton 9 16 21 12 — 58
Hillcrest— Hezekiah Duke 12, Tim Washington 8, Jaydun Sydnor 9, Jevazz Podurgiel 4, Cole Pryor 7, Josh Powell 4, Tyem Freeman 18, Shahn Clark 10.
Central — Damarcus Mason 9, Bryson Dankert 15, Brandon Dankert 3, Tavi Robinson 8, Deontei Johnson 4, Quinton Batson 4, Robert Galvan 15.
