PINE BLUFF — Two last-minute defensive stops and a pair of clutch free throws allowed White Hall’s boys basketball team to win its home opener 57-54 over Morrilton on Tuesday night.
White Hal Coach Matt Williams said several players stepped up defensively to close out the game, especially in guarding Morrilton junior Isaiah Templeton.
“He had 36 against El Dorado last week, and so Marcus (Murry) stepped up and was big on him,” Williams said. “Jaxson (Turner), a freshman, stepped up big on him. Ivan Armour — we don’t even play Ivan in the first half — and he was huge getting rebounds down the stretch because of his athleticism. So really proud of everybody.”
White Hall (2-3) led 55-52 with 12.5 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs fouled Morrilton in transition to prevent them from shooting a game-tying three-pointer, but the officials ruled it an intentional foul, giving the Devil Dogs (2-3) two free throws and possession.
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Morrilton junior Corey Clemons made both free throws to cut the White Hall lead to 55-54. The Devil Dogs then inbounded the ball from in front of their own bench, needing any field goal to win.
Instead, Murry knocked the ball away and junior AJ McCray scooped it up, forcing Morrilton to foul with 5.9 seconds to play.
McCray made both free throws, forcing Morrilton to attempt a three-pointer to tie. White Hall’s defense held long enough to prevent the Devil Dogs from taking the shot until just after the final buzzer sounded.
Williams said McCray is known for his three-point shooting but showed his versatility in this game.
“He did everything but shoot three-pointers tonight, and he was a huge reason we won the game,” Williams said. “He’s an upperclassman. Showed a lot of maturity and made good decisions. Super proud of him. He’s in here late at night every night, so he deserved to have that.”
McCray didn’t make a three-pointer but still finished with 17 points, while freshman Brian Cal Jr. led the Bulldogs with 22 points despite sitting out significant stretches due to foul trouble.
Templeton led the Devil Dogs with 14 points, followed by Clemons with 11.
GIRLS
White Hall 55, Mount St. Mary 40
The White Hall girls never trailed as they cruised past Mount St. Mary on Tuesday.
White Hall (5-1) drove to the rim and drew numerous fouls from the start of the game. The Lady Bulldogs attempted 14 free throws in the first quarter and finished the game making 19 of 29 attempts.
The early aggression also paid off by quickly, putting Mount St. Mary junior post player Jose Wrape into foul trouble. She sat most of the first quarter after picking up two early fouls. She returned to start the second quarter and made two quick shots before picking up her third foul.
White Hall Coach Dustin Powell said getting Wrape in foul trouble was huge.
“Our girls weren’t scared and drove right at her, try to create some contact and get to the line,” Powell said. “I think they did a good job of it.”
Despite sitting most of the first half, Wrape finished as the Belles’ leading scorer with 12 points.
The Lady Bulldogs led 33-17 at halftime, but the Belles (3-4) began the third quarter on an 8-2 run to cut it to 35-25. White Hall didn’t let Mount St. Mary get any closer, finishing the quarter on a 7-0 run.
White Hall junior Kenedi Bowman led the Lady Bulldogs with 15 points, followed by junior Blair Weston with 10.
Bowman said the Lady Bulldogs’ teamwork is why they have started the year 5-1.
“We’re a family,” Bowman said. “When one of us gets down in our head, we’ll pick each other up.”