According to Benton Coach Dexter Hendrix, a four-year player for the Panthers in high school, Benton did something Tuesday for the first time in a long time – the Panthers defeated the Little Rock Hall Warriors 37-35 at Cirks Arena. Not only was the victory the first in awhile, the win came on the road.
“We were pleased with our defense the first half, and we could have done a lot better things offensively,” Hendrix said, “but for our program and our kids to beat Little Rock Hall … that’s first time, that i know of, of Benton beating Little Rock Hall. That’s huge for our kids’ confidence.”
A low-scoring game to start – Hall led Benton 5-3 after one quarter – the Panthers would fight back to take a 17-12 halftime lead, but Benton was ready for the expected Hall comeback in the second half.
The Warriors tied it up quickly to start the second half with an offensive rebound and put back by Grant Jackson and an and-1 layup by Antonio Smith for the 17-17 game. A 3-pointer by Dayton Artis gave Hall a 20-18 lead, but Benton (9-5, 1-1 South) responded with an 8-1 run started by junior Shaheed Halk’s layup and capped by senior Clay Anderson’s layup for the 26-21 lead with 1:42 left in the third.