TEXARKANA — The Pine Bluff boys’ basketball team has been struggling all year to make free throws in critical situations.
On Friday against Texarkana, Ricky Clements Jr. and Darrian Kee made 11 total free throws in the fourth quarter as the Zebras came back from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter for a 74-71 6A-South Conference win.
“We have been talking about it all year that free throws will win or lose a ball game, and it has lost us two games this year,” Pine Bluff coach Ronald Moragne said. “We have been working on them all year in practice and made them (Friday).”
Clements, who led the team with 21 points, made five straight free throws toward the end of the game to seal the victory. Kee added 17 points and at one point made six straight free throws in the fourth quarter.
Quentin Williams added 19 points as Pine Bluff improved to 10-4 overall and the win gave the Zebras sole possession of second place in the conference with a 4-1 record.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Down 13 points in the fourth quarter, Moragne said the team became stubborn in the final period of play.
“We basically sucked it up … got more physical and started to attack the basket,” he said. “Basically, a great team effort and worked hard. We outworked them and wore them down.”
Texarkana fell to 13-5 overall and 3-2 in the conference.
Star City 54, DeWitt 41
DeWITT — The Bulldogs (7-11, 4-2 in 8-4A) scored only two points in the first quarter but got their offense going from there in beating the Dragons.
Star City came back from trailing 18-14 at halftime had a 22-point third quarter en route to the win. Damar Reed led the Bulldogs with 16 points, Jemiel Thompson added 13 and Landen Burns scored 12.
Diante Hicks led DeWitt with 14 points.
Lake Village Lakeside 60, Warren 51
LAKE VILLAGE — VonEric Gonder scored 20 points for Warren in a nine-point loss Friday.
Kaleel Thomas added 11 points and Shaq Thomas had 10 points for Warren, which fell to 0-11 overall and 0-4 in the 8-4A Conference.
In the junior high game, Warren beat Lake Village 38-28. Darveon Brown had 11 points for Warren and Ryan Clary added seven points.
GIRLS
Texarkana 46, Pine Bluff 33
TEXARKANA — Pine Bluff dropped its third straight 6A-South Conference game Friday as the Razorbacks defeated the Fillies 46-33.
“We gotta find a way to win; I don’t know what to say,” Pine Bluff coach Loy Moore said.
Pine Bluff fell to 10-8 overall and 2-3 in the conference. Texarkana remains undefeated in the conference at 5-0 and 14-4 overall.
Ajia Richardson scored 16 points for Pine Bluff, which fell back by eight points early in the game.
Moore said it team had a tough night putting points on the board.
“We just struggled to put the ball in the hole all night,” he said. “We just couldn’t score.”
Star City 54, DeWitt 14
DeWITT — The Lady Bulldogs (18-1, 6-0 in 8-4A) nearly shut out the Lady Dragons in the first half, taking a 32-3 lead.
In fact, DeWitt, which is 3-3 in the 8-4A, scored more than three points in a period once. That was in the third, when the Lady Dragons had eight.
Olydia Thornton scored 11 points and Tyeshia Harris 10 for Star City.
Drew Central 36, Camden Harmony Grove 27
HARMONY GROVE — Offense picked up for both teams in the second half after Drew Central (17-4, 3-0 in 8-3A) led 14-9 at the break.
Adruna Simpson led Drew Central with 16 points.
Fordyce 43, Smackover 25
FORDYCE — The Lady Bugs (15-5, 3-0 in 8-3A) kept pace with Drew Central in the conference with a victory over the Lady Buckaroos, who fell to 0-3 in the league.
Freshman Lacie Hulse scored 19 points to lead Fordyce.