ALMA — It wasn't easy for Bentonville West coach Greg White facing his former team the first time earlier this season, and it wasn't any easier Thursday night either.
West survived a late run from Gravette in the third quarter, then used a strong final quarter to pull away with a 54-40 victory in a semifinals matchup at the Airedale Classic.
"First of all I'm proud of all my kids," said White, who coached the past two seasons at Gravette. "Those kids on the other side helped to get me where I'm at now. I'm very proud of the way they competed. They got 58 points the first time. I'm proud of our defense this time around."
Gravette was down 24-17 at halftime but then used a 12-3 run to cut the lead to 30-29 with a 3-point basket from junior Kelton Trembly.
West (6-6) picked up a 3-point basket of its own from Garrett Wilmot to close the third quarter, then outscored Gravette 21-11 in the fourth quarter to hold onto the victory.
"Our kids played hard for one quarter, and that's what we all talked about together," Gravette coach Matt Busch said. "We showed up for one quarter. Outside of that quarter, it didn't go in our favor."
Collier Blackburn came off the bench to lead the way for West with a team-high 14 points. Gabe Hornsby also added 13, while Cobe Muldrew finished with 11 for the Wolverines.
"Our bench gives a great punch when they come in the game," White said. "It's a good feeling the way we are playing as a group. Kids really like playing their role to help the team."
Gravette (9-3) was led by Dayten Wishon, who finished with a game-high 17 points, while Trembly added 11 points for the Lions.
Gravette shot a respectable 16 of 33 in the game but also had 22 turnovers and allowed some offensive rebounds that limited shot opportunities.
"If we shot it well, it sure didn't feel like it during the game," Busch said. "I was telling our guys we need to do some manual labor because we were missing some rebounds out there."
Hornsby hit a 3-pointer to cap a 10-5 run to open the fourth quarter, then West used a 7-0 run to push the lead out to 50-36 late in the game.
"Our third quarters have been tough," White said. "We came out and hit a bucket and survived their run. We played a very good team. They made it tough on us, but we played a strong final quarter."
West took a 24-17 lead heading into halftime with a strong second quarter from Hornsby.
Hornsby didn't score in the first quarter but bounced back and finished with a 10-point second quarter to help lead the offense.
West scored the first seven points of the second quarter to extend its first-quarter lead out to 14-6 early.
Hornsby then hit a 3-point basket, stole the ball on the next possession and finished with a dunk that made the lead 19-10 in the second quarter.
He also hit another 3-pointer before halftime to push the advantage out to 24-15 just before the break.
"The last time we played him, they tried to get to Gabe with physical play," White said. "I'm really proud of the way he played this game. They kind of wanted him to shoot outside and he made those shots."
GIRLS
Gravette 53
Little Rock Episcopal 40
Gravette overcame a sluggish three quarters and put away Episcopal during the final 8 minutes of a consolation game Thursday.
Cally Kildow led Gravette with 24 points, followed by Tori Foster with 11 points.
Scranton 52
Gravette 47
The Lady Lions played against the Lady Rockets of Scranton in a non-conference tournament game at Alma on Dec. 28. The Lady Lions were down by two at the half, 25-23, and took the lead in the third, 35-32, but the Scranton girls outscored the Lady Lions in the fourth, 20-12, to take the lead and the game, 52-47.
Bentonville West 54
Gravette 40
West 7 17 9 21 -- 54
Gravette 6 11 12 11 -- 40
West (6-6): Collier Blackburn 14, Hornsby 13, Muldrew 11, Wilmot 7, Gibson 4, White 3, Collin Blackburn 2.
Gravette (9-3): Wishon 17, Trembly 11, Duke 7, Miller 5.
Sports on 01/04/2017