PEARCY, Ar. — It was Senior Night and eight Lake Hamilton girls got lots of flowers, goodies and their 39th consecutive league win Tuesday night over visiting El Dorado, 63-44.
Seniors Hayleigh Wyrick and Audri Winfrey combined for 46 of the Wolves’ points. Wyrick, who is going to play basketball at Arkansas Tech, led the winners with 30 points. Winfrey, a Ouachita Baptist recruit, scored 16 points.
Another significant plus for Lake Hamilton (23-2, 12-0) was its free throw shooting. Wyrick made all five of her free throws, while Brooklyn Broughton and Ginny Higginbotham were both 6-6. Winfrey swished 6-7 of her charity shots.
Lady Wolves take charge in fourth quarter
“We knew this would be a pretty tough game,” said Lake Hamilton coach Blake Condley. “El Dorado is really athletic and strong. They play very hard. When we played at their place they had trouble making shots. Some of those shots fell tonight.
“It was a three-point game in the fourth quarter. We had to figure out how to win one late and that was good for us. Conditioning wise, and mentally knowing we can win a game when it’s close.”
The Lady Wildcats led 9-7, but Lake Hamilton scored the final 10 points of the quarter to capture the lead for good. El Dorado was still in striking distance at halftime (26-19). The Wildcats outscored their hosts 21-20 in the third period behind the shooting of Charalyn Rester (11 points) and Lindsey Lockhard (12).
El Dorado remains third in 5A South with a 14-7 overall record and 7-5 ledger in conference.
Lake Hamilton plays at Texarkana Arkansas High Friday night, with games at Pine Bluff and White Hall next week.