CAMDEN — By PATRIC FLANNIGAN
Sports editor
The Bearden Bears advanced to the title game of the 7 2A East District Tournament for the second consecutive year, after beating a much improved Rison team, 58-45.
Rison came out prepared to run with the Bearden Bears as it kept the score down over the fist five minutes of the ball game. The Bears finally took the upper hand around the 2:30 mark of the first quarter and went on a solid run to take a 13-5 lead.
The Bears grew its lead all the way up to 14 in the second, but a mini run by Rison cut the lead down to eight at the half.
In the third quarter, Rison fought to within two points and kept the game close for most of the fourth, before the Bears started to get in the fast break and finish.
The Bears were the better rebounding team throughout the night but missed several lay ups and put backs at the goal. The free throw line was another struggle for Bearden, as it finished at 40 percent (10 of 25).
Bearden Head Coach Anthony Hammonds didn't shy away when asked about his teams play.
"There was a few fundamental things that I was very disappointed in," Hammonds stated. "Layups and freethrows. Those are some of the basic things they teach in pee wee. We did not do that well tonight. But in terms of the overall ball club and playing against a good ball club and pulling out a win, I am happy for that, because the alternative is losing and we don't like doing that."
Hammonds also shared that the pressures of post season play can be an adjustment for any team, but he is confident his team will play well going forward. The Bears got big help off the bench and were in great shape as far as energy. Sophomore Lavarious Hughes finished with 20 points to lead the team, followed by his brother Dee Hughes who scored 17. Garret McWhoter, Tyler Berry and Kendrick Juniel scored 6 points each. The Bears combined for 8 blocks on the defensive end to combat turnovers on the offensive end.
"Like all post season games going into a tournament, there's going to be a little lag," Hammonds explained. "Everybody's not going to play their best. It happened to us in the first run of regionals last year and it happened in the second run of the second tournament last year. It happened in the first run of district last year. There's always a little lag and it takes a minute to get in your element and pick up the pace... Cam'ron Byes, Kendrick Juniel and R.J. Miller. Those are three guys that I trust coming off the bench. They are great players."
Hammonds will coach against friend and fellow Bearden High School Graduate Josh Langley, who is in his first season at the helm of the Parkers Chapel Trojans basketball team.
The game will start at 8:30 p.m. in Parkers Chapel.