HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Four Hot Springs seniors represented themselves well Wednesday in a season-ending loss to second-ranked Greenwood at the 5A Girls State Basketball Tournament, 65-44.
Senior Jaylia Reed ended her brilliant Lady Trojan career with 20 points. P. Jones added 11 for the host team.
“The girls competed, and did their best to make the right decisions,” said Hot Springs coach Josh Smith. “I’m just so proud of this group. I didn’t change what we do in preparing for this game, or who we are. We came out and fought hard, and controlled what we could control.
“Jaylia and the other seniors represented their team and themselves well. All four brought different things to the table. they’re all great kids, with great futures ahead of them. They’re going to go do big things.”
Greenwood captured big lead early
Greenwood (19-3) jumped out to a big lead early, outscoring the Trojans 19-4 in the first quarter. Hot Springs fought back to outscore the winners in the second period, but trailed 32-21 at intermission.
Senior Kinley Fisher led Greenwood with 20 points. Sophomore Mady Cartwright added 18 points, with three 3-pointers.
Greenwood advances to play Jonesboro Friday at 4 p.m.
In other tournament action both Centerpoint and Ashdown have advanced in 3A.