NEW BOSTON, Texas-Arkansas High's boys had an easier time in the Gunslinger Tournament semifinals than the Razorbacks had in their opening round.
The Hogs topped Hope, 76-47, to reach today's final against Idabel, which had to survive Texas High's junior varsity in a nail-biter.
After stunning Pleasant Grove's varsity in Thursday's opener at the annual Gunslinger Shootout at New Boston High School, the Tigers' young team led Idabel with less than two minutes left in Saturday's semifinals before falling, 66-65.
The Warriors play Arkansas High (5-1) in the championship game at 6:20 p.m.
Ashdown's girls play Idabel in the girls' title game at 5 p.m. The Lady Panthers beat Liberty-Eylau in a thriller, 49-45. Idabel rolled past Pleasant Grove, 60-25.
The tournament resumes today at 9 a.m. when host New Boston plays Liberty-Eylau's junior varsity girls for seventh place. New Boston's boys face Pleasant Grove at 10:20 a.m.
Arkansas High's girls challenge Hope for the consolation championship, and defending champion Paris plays Daingerfield at 1 p.m. L-E's girls duel district rival Pleasant Grove for third place at 2:20 p.m. Texas High's jayvee tangles with Hope for third immediately afterwards.
Boys division
Arkansas High 76, Hope 47
The Razorbacks scored 31 points in the first quarter in building a 45-35 first half advantage, and then put the game out of reach with a 14-0 run to start the third period.
Guards Kyndal Martin and Taviron Oliver combined for 45 points, Oliver leading the Hogs with 23. Johnny Gullett added 10 for the winners.
Keith Brown had three treys and scored 18 for the Bobcats, while Markel Haynie contributed 17.
Idabel 66, THS JV 65
Texas High's junior varsity had the ball and 15 seconds to score the tournament's biggest upset, but a three-point attempt at the buzzer was blocked, allowing Idabel to escape and advance to today's championship game.
The Warriors improved to 5-1 with the win, while the Tigers slipped to 4-2.
Tyrone Howell led the Oklahoma team with 21 points. Tyriq French scored 18.
Quechez Clark paced the Tigers' attack with 17. Kyle Wright scored 15 and Jonathan Blair added 11.
Daingerfield 65, PG 58
Daingerfield (1-4) won its first game of the season in taking a physical encounter with Pleasant Grove.
The Tigers outscored PG in the first three quarters before watching an 11-point lead slip to two points in the final five minutes. Keith Bryson converted five straight free throws in the final seconds to preserve the win
Micah Reeves poured in a game-high 30 points for Daingerfield, with Tim Broner adding 10. Connor Ouelette led the Hawks with 16. Aaron Harmon scored 15, and Garrett Young contributed 13.
Paris 71, New Boston 42
Junior standout Josh Robinson poured in 37 points (28 in first half) and the Wildcats improved to 7-1 after losing their first game to Arkansas High Thursday.
Robinson came into the game averaging 35 points per game. He was held to a season-low 29 by the Razorbacks.
The host Lions battled hard, but were no match for the athletic Paris squad. Deaundre Robinson led New Boston's offense with 10 points.
Girls division
Ashdown 49, L-E 45
Cambre McCullough scored a field goal and two free throws in the final seconds to erase a 45-44 L-E lead as the Lady Panthers survived a strong second half by L-E (9-5).
The Lady Leopards trailed 27-18 at halftime, but battled back twice to capture the lead before McCullough's heroics.
Adaysia Thompson led Ashdown with a game-high 25 points and 15 rebounds. Taylor Crabtree sparked L-E's comeback with 22 points, including three treys.
Idabel 60, PG 25
The Lady Warriors got a wakeup call early when Pleasant Grove roared out to a 10-3 lead.
That changed quickly with Idabel's defensive pressure accounting for numerous turnovers, allowing the Warriors to outscore PG 57-15 the rest of the way.
All five of Idabel's starters scored in double digits. Shyna Smith led the way with 16 points. Stevesha Cursh scored 13, Tearsney Grayson 11, Tyarica French 10 and Mirade Beard 10.
Abby Hines had six points for the Hawks, all coming on two treys in the first quarter.
Arkansas High 67, L-E JV 38
Tierra Holliman helped the Lady Backs get off to a fast start and 19-5 lead in the first eight minutes. Holliman finished with a game-high 26 points, including five treys.
AHS also got 12 points from India Young, while Kiara Young added 11. Aaliyah Thompson paced the Lady Leopards with 12 points.
Hope 56, New Boston 51 (OT)
Courtney Davis buried a 3-pointer with 55 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, and then swished another trey in the extra period to put the Lady Cats on top for good.
Davis finished with a game-high 15 points, all on treys in the second half or OT. Quiana Gulley scored 13 for the winners and Raley Potter added 11.
Madison Thomas led the host New Boston team with nine points.