It seemed as if the Benton Panthers were going to cruise to their second 6A South Conference victory of the season after leading the Sheridan Yellowjackets 20-8 after the first quarter. Though the Panthers still picked up a 57-46 win in Sheridan, it didn’t come as easily as first thought.
“It’s always very tough to play here at Sheridan,” Benton Coach Dexter Hendrix said. “Well-coached, the kids play hard.
“I thought we got off to a good start, but then we didn’t finish plays. That’s something we’re having trouble with. I thought we got some really good looks under the basket, out from the perimeter, we just didn’t finish. There’s certain things we didn’t finish, on offense and defense, in the second quarter.”
Benton junior Westin Riddick hit three threes in the first quarter and senior forward Jake Scoggins laid it in with an assist from junior Shaheed Halk at the end of the first quarter. Senior Clay Anderson opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer and the Panthers led 27-8 with 3:39 left to halftime, but Sheridan wasn’t going away.
The Yellowjackets had a 9-1 run to finish the half, which Benton led 28-17.
Sheridan would get two free throws from Aron Theiss and a three by Sean Brasseal to get within 28-22 to open the second half, but the Panthers (10-6, 2-2) woke up. Anderson scored six straight points, two from an offensive rebound and put back, to give Benton a 34-22 lead with 4:41 left in the third.
Lady Panthers have tough time on road
The Benton Lady Panthers ran into a buzz saw on Tuesday when they traveled to Sheridan to take on the Lady Jackets in 6A South Conference play. Sheridan jumped on Benton, leading 40-12 at the half, in an eventual 59-30 win over the Lady Panthers.
Sheridan was up 9-0 after Madison Raney’s layup with 5:21 left in the first until Benton sophomore Kinsey Bryant hit a 3-pointer assisted by junior Lenzie Newaman. An offensive rebound and put back by senior Taylor Oglesby brought Benton within 9-5 with 4:16 left.
Down 15-6 after Kaylee Stewart’s three, Newman responded with a three assisted by Oglesby for a 15-9 game, but that’s as close as it would get. Sheridan went on a 10-0 run and outscored Benton 21-3 in the second quarter for the 40-12 lead at the half.