NLR pulls away late vs. Lady Hornets in freshman game

Lania Ratliff launches a shot during Thursday’s game. (Photo by Kevin Nagle)

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Despite the fact that the North Little Rock Lady Charging Wildcats freshman team had a very tall front line and a talented group of guards, the Bryant Lady Hornets stayed right with the Central Arkansas Junior High Conference leaders for a half on Thursday.

The Lady Cats put together a 6-0 run along the way to built an 11-5 lead and held a 15-8 edge at the half.

But, in the second half, North Little Rock brought in guard Amber Hawkins. She turned out to be the team’s best player. Hawkins scored 17 points in the second half, leading the team to a 40-16 win at the East Academy gym.

Even with Hawkins turning North Little Rock into the team that nobody in the league has beaten, Bryant only trailed 21-15 late in the third quarter. But after Destiny Martin’s drive to the hoop at the 1:23 mark of the third period, Hawkins and North Little Rock closed out the game with a 19-1 blitz.

Even then, the Lady Wildcats’ twin towers of Karissa Jones and Yominis Morris (who, along with Hawkins, are eighth graders) were held to 7 points between them by the Lady Hornets. The duo did, however, make it tough for Bryant to get anything going inside offensively.

Kendal Rogers winces in anticipation of the physical defense played by North Little Rock as she drives to the basket. (Photo by Kevin Nagle)

The Lady Hornets were limited to one free throw down the stretch but had opportunities for more. They converted just 2 of 16 from the line in the game. From the field, they were 6 of 27 (22 percent). North Little Rock forced 20 turnovers but only out-rebounded Bryant 30-27.

The loss dropped the Lady Hornets to 9-12 overall and 2-4 in league games going into the final week of the regular season. They visit Mount St. Mary Academy on Monday, Feb. 10, before closing out against Conway Blue at home on Thursday, Feb. 13. Conway will host the CAJHC post-season tournament starting Feb. 17.

Macey Jaramillo scored 6 points, Destiny Martin 5 to pace the Lady Hornets at North Little Rock. Kendal Rogers added 3 and Sarah Kennedy 2. Martin finished with nine rebounds and Rogers six.

Bryant led early. Martin’s driving scoop shot broke the ice. After baskets by North Little Rock’s Mareva Ford and Jones made it 4-2. Rogers hit a free throw then made a steal and a layup and Bryant held a 5-4 lead, forcing a North Little Rock timeout.

When play resumed, however, the Lady Cats made their run, taking a 10-5 lead going into the second quarter and adding a free throw by Morris to start the second quarter.

Both teams missed chances at the line before Jaramillo drained a 3-pointer with 2:19 left in the half, cutting the margin to 11-8.

Macey Jaramillo hit two 3’s in Thursday’s game. (Photo by Kevin Nagle)

Nykia McGee scored hit two free throws and drove for a layup off a Bryant turnover to make it 15-8 with :51 left in the half. Bryant missed four free throws and North Little Rock two before the half was over.

Hawkins scored the first 6 points of the second half but, trailing 21-8, the Lady Hornets put together a 7-0 push. Kennedy scored off an offensive rebound and Jaramillo connected on her second triple, setting up the driving bucket by Martin that trimmed it to 21-15.

But Bryant didn’t score again until Martin hit a free throw with 2:59 left in the game. By then, Hawkins and the Lady Wildcats had doubled up the Lady Hornets, 33-15. And, after Martin’s free throw, Hawkins hit a 3 to make it a 20-point lead.