Little Rock Central, North Little Rock to meet for third time this season for 6A boys basketball title game berth

By Jeff Halpern I Photos by Tommy Land

LITTLE ROCK — Little Rock Central dominated at both ends of the floor in a 74-48 victory over Bentonville West in the Class 6A quarterfinals Friday night at Gryphon Arena.

The Tigers (18-11) will meet North Little Rock in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Bentonville West finishes the season at 19-7.

“We played really well at the defensive end,” said Central Coach Brian Ross. “We knew it was going to be a demanding game because of the way they like to shoot the threes, but we got after it and communicated and played a great game on the defensive end.

“On offense, we did a great job of getting to the rim.”

The Tigers held the Wolverines to 17-of-44 shooting from the floor, collected nine turnovers and won the rebounding battle 31-25.

Riley Buccino led the Wolverines with 12 points, shooting 3-of-17 from the floor.

The Tigers were led by Cody Robinson, who finished with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting. He also made 8-of-10 free throws. Luke Moore had 11 points and five rebounds and Annor Boateng had 9 points and 5 rebounds.

Central shot 29-of-59 from the floor, including 16-of-28 in the second half. They also shot 15-of-22 free throws in the game while West shot 11-of-19.

“We’ve been very balanced for a long time,” said Ross. “We’ve started 11 different players and we’re so balanced that when we sub in, we don’t have a drop off. They all stepped up and played great tonight.”

The score was tied 6-6 midway through the first quarter before Central went on a 11-2 run to end the quarter with a 17-8 lead. Boateng started the run with consecutive field goals and then Daijon McDaniel made a three pointer, Moore had a jumper and Darren Fleming rebounded his own miss.

Central stayed in control from that point on. The only time the lead got below nine points was midway in the second quarter when West’s Riley Buccino made two free throws to close it 22-4 at the 3:49 mark.

Central led 29-18 at halftime and 54-32 after three quarters as three players — Robinson, Gavin Snyder and Savaughn Smith — scored during that stretch.

Central lost both games to North Little Rock. They lost 76-74 on Feb. 1 and 79-51 on Feb. 22.

“It’s going to take a great effort to beat them” Ross said. “They have a lot of talent, but we have a good team and if we do the right things, we’ve got a chance. We’re going to show u and give it our best shot.”

NORTH LITTLE ROCK 79, SPRINGDALE 40

North Little Rock Coach Johnny Rice had nothing to complain about after his team won in a game in which the Arkansas Activities Association’s mercy rule was enacted for the final quarter.

“I was pleased with how we came out,” said Rice. “We made some shots early and that helps. We hit some threes and that opened things up inside.

“We talked about the fact they had already played a game and had chance to get the jitters out. What we had to do was come out and play together and share the basketball and that’s what we did.” 

The Charging Wildcats (26-3) led 16-8 after the first quarter, 38-20 at half-time and 63-28 after three quarters.

Nick Smith scored 20 points in the three quarters. Kel’el Ware scored 18 points and had a leaping dunk in the third quarter.

Isaiah Sealy led Springdale (19-9) with 14 points. Tevin Tate had 12 points.