DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY/dewayne@mcnews.online
PEARCY – The Caddo Hills Indians and Lady Indians opened the 1A State Tournament with thrilling victories to advance to the quarterfinals, but failed to make it to the final four.
The Caddo Hills Indians were the first to take the court with an opening round match up against The New School. The opening round game pitted father against son with Caddo Hills Coach Josh Ferrell’s father, David Ferrell, coaching the Cougars of The New School.
The Indians jumped out to a 21-7 lead in the first period and held a 36-19 lead at the half. The Cougars bounced back in the third quarter, cutting the lead to nine by the end of the quarter with a 14-6 run. Caddo Hills had to fight to keep the lead in the fourth and ended the game with a 55-47 victory.
Connor KinCannon led the Indians with 22 points, including 8-9 from the free throw line. Matt Turner scored 14 and Jarrett Runyan hit three 3’s and scored 13 for Caddo Hills. Rayce Young scored three and Keegan Williamson scored two.
Filip Obradovic led the Cougars with 15 points. Chase Ammons scored 14.
The Lady Indians found themselves playing catch up early in their first round match up against the County Line Lady Indians, but they were able to walk away with a 59-47 victory.
County Line opened with a 17-13 lead in the first period and held a 32-27 lead at the half. Caddo Hills controlled the tempo in the second half. They were able to tie things up by the end of the third period with a 13-8 run. Ashton Young hit a short jumper early in the fourth to give Caddo Hills a 42-40 lead. It was the start of a 19-7 fourth quarter run which resulted in the 12 point win.
Peyton Powell led Caddo Hills with 18 points, Jaci Vines scored 13, Taylor Allen scored 12, Ashton Young scored eight, Capri Fogle scored seven and Morgan Caldwell scored one.
Martha Neumeier led County Line with 15, followed by Shae Parsons with 14.
Caddo Hills opened their quarterfinal match up with Mount Vernon-Enola with a 9-2 run, but a string of charge calls against the Indians slowed their momentum. They were able to end the quarter with an 11-10 lead. The Warhawks wrapped up the first half with a 13-5 run and a 23-16 lead. The Indians outscored Mt. Vernon-Enola 21-18 in the third quarter and was able to cut the Warhawk lead to four in the fouirth period before another string of whistles flipped the momentum in the Warhawks favor. Mt. Vernon-Enola was able to hold on for a 60-50 win, eliminating the Indians from the tournament.
Senior Jarrett Runyan led the Indians with 13 points, followed by Connor Kincannon with 11 and Rayce Young with 10. Keegan Williamson scored six and Tate Dumont and Florien Dequen each scored four.
Jasper Lasley led the Warhawks with 19 and Wesley Booker scored 18.
The Lady Indians season ended with a 53-27 loss at the hands of the Viola Lady Longhorns.
Viola jumped out to an 18-3 lead in the opening quarter and held a 34-13 lead at the half. They outscored Caddo Hills 17-7 in the third. Both coaches turned to their benches in the final quarter as Viola held on to win the game.
Jaci Vines led the Lady Indians with six points, followed by Loren Bell with five. Taylor Allen, Peyton Powell, Ashton Young and Capri Fogle each scored four.
Sami McCandles led the Lady Longhorns with 11. Keyaira Moore, AJ McCandis and Braidyn Fierce each scored four.
