Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Magnolia holds on after big early lead

- RICK FIRES NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

CLASS 4A MAGNOLIA 57, JOE T. ROBINSON 52

FARMINGTON — Magnolia held on after a fast start Wednesday night.

Magnolia built a 12-point lead in the first quarter then needed key free throws late to secure a 57-52 victory over Joe T. Robinson in the Class 4A state tournament at Cardinal Arena. Junior Williams scored 18 for points for Magnolia (25-2), which will play host Farmington at 8:30 p.m. tonight.

Magnolia had to fight to the end after jumping to leads of 11-0 and 13-1 in the first quarter. Joe T. Robinson rallied to take a brief 34-31 lead on a steal and a layup by Dalton Palmer late in the third quarter. Magnolia eased back ahead in the fourth quarter then held on after Rodreous Young and Ahmad Davis made two free throws apiece in the final seconds. Davis added 13 points and Young 12 for the Panthers, who led 3534 to begin the fourth quarter.

“You always want to jump out to a lead if you can, but once you get in that position you feel like you’re playing not to lose,” Magnolia Coach Ben Lindsey said. “By then, it’s like an NCAA Tournament game, a 16 [seed] versus a 1, and the whole place it seems starts cheering against you and you tighten up. But we were able to take a deep breath and settled down a bit.”

Robinson was already behind 13-1 when Micah Moore connected on a 12-foot jumper with 1:02 left in the first quarter. That basket seemed to spark the Senators (15-18), who got going offensivel­y and kept the game close the last three quarters.

Cairon Allen scored 15 points and Palmer 13 to lead Joe T. Robinson.

BROOKLAND 55, MORRILTON 39

Tyler Parham scored 18 points to lead Brookland past Morrilton.

Parham had eight points in the third quarter when Morrilton got within 2823 following a three-pointer by Isaiah Templeton. Briar Allred countered with a three-pointer before Parham ended the third quarter with two more threes to give Brookland a 39-23 lead.

Cole Kirby added 12 points and Allred 10 for Brookland (27-5), while Templeton finished with 13 points to lead the Devil Dogs (27-7).

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