FARMINGTON -- Basketball highlights were recorded in lightning fashion during Gravette's 74-67 defeat of Berryville in the second-round of the District boys' basketball tournament held at Farmington last Wednesday.

Gravette senior Terence Pierce and Berryville senior Austin Carr took turns filling up the basket, accounting for a combined 89 points between them. In the end, Gravette prevailed behind Pierce's 44 points while Carr cooled off, missing his final six shots after scoring 35 points.

"I think we got to his legs a little bit, he was short on a couple of those," said Gravette coach Dustin Peters. "Berryville is really good. They always play well against us. Our systems are so similar, it seems like it always comes down to a close game at the end."

Gravette led 55-51 on a Pierce 3-pointer before Berryville's 6-foot-6 Josh Morrell scored twice on bank shots sandwiched around Justin Turner's putback to keep the Bobcats within reach, 58-57. Pierce had a breakaway dunk and added a free throw for a 3-point play at the 4:49 mark, but then Gravette suffered consecutive turnovers and another Morrell bucket put the Bobcats ahead, 60-58.

Peters called time out and settled his team.

"I told them to relax and continue to do what we have been doing," Peters said.

The Lions responded and benefitted from Berryville missed free-throws that would have extended the Bobcats' lead. Instead Pierce tied the game at the line and then slam-dunked Gravette to a 62-60 lead off a steal with 3:08 to play.

Carr then went cold and Pierce put the game away with eight points down the stretch.

Berryville had the upper hand in the second quarter, rolling to a 33-26 lead after Pierce's deep trey from the right wing tied the game and Cole Turner's put-back sent the Lions ahead, 23-21. Seth Helmlinger drove to the rack and Carr hit from the right corner after elevating to steal an entry pass intended for Gravette's Otto Troutner in the post.

Carr's score on the offensive glass ended the half, but Pierce hit a pair of treys out of the gate to begin the third, then Zach Carleton scooted around a defender to bank in a shot, and Pierce hit again from long range, capping an 11-0 Lion run.

Carr then scored the next eight points, hitting twice on 3-pointers from the right wing and a spin move. Carr's free throws at the 1:01 mark of the third lifted Berryville to a 45-44 lead, but Pierce drained a trifecta, restoring Gravette to the lead, 47-46, after three quarters.

With the win, Gravette advanced to a Friday night meeting with Farmington in the District semifinal where they lost, 65-48, with Pierce held to 18 points.

Pierce recorded another slam-dunk in the contest but wasn't able to get in rhythm from the perimeter.

"We didn't shoot it well. Farmington played real well. We struggled with mental toughness at times," Peters said.

"I told the team to forget that one. We have got to move on to get ready for Wednesday. We're going to have a real tough opponent. We've got ourselves behind the eight-ball a little bit, but if we come out and shoot it well, I feel like we can play with anybody."

Gravette takes on 4A-4 District champion, Maumelle, a 59-55 winner over Subiaco, in a must-win game to qualify for state at the 4A North Regional at Lincoln Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.

Thursday Boys

Gravette 74

Berryville 67

Berryville 5 9 12 15 -- 67

Gravette 8 7 11 18 -- 74

Friday Boys semifinal

Farmington 65

Gravette 48

Gravette 11 14 5 18 -- 48

Farmington 14 11 15 21 -- 65