No Ware, no problem: North Little Rock wins big over Bryant without star post player

Nick Smith Jr., a University of Arkansas signee, picked up the scoring slack by totaling 33 points.

By Jeff Halpern | Photos by Jaison Sterling

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — The No. 1-ranked North Little Rock Charging Wildcats (22-3, 11-0 6A-Central) were without 7-0 senior post Kel’el Ware, but it didn’t make any difference as the Wildcats blew out No. 11 Bryant (17-7, 10-3) 72-41 at Charging Wildcat Arena on Friday night.

Ware, who signed with Oregon in the fall, jammed his wrist in practice on Wednesday, was held out of the game, but North Little Rock had more than enough to make up for his absence.

Nick Smith, Jr.,, a University of Arkansas signee, picked up the scoring slack by totaling 33 points on 13-of-26 shooting and grabbed six rebounds. Corey Washington added 14 points and snagged12 rebounds.

North Little Rock, which trailed 3-0 at the start and was tied 6-6 early in the first quarter, quickly took control and led 22-8 after the first quarter, 40-22 at halftime and 54-30 after three quarters before the Arkansas Activities Association’s sportsmanship rule went into effect for the final six minutes of the game.

“I could see something different with him today,” said North Little Rock Coach Johnny Rice of Smith. “He looked a little more focused, and it showed.”

Smith scored 13 of North Little Rock’s points in the first quarter. Seldom-used Ja’kory Withers knocked down two 3-pointers in the first quarter. Washington helped lead the Charging Wildcats with 7 points in that quarter while Tyler Frederick knocked down 2 three pointers in that quarter.

While Smith dominated the stat sheet, Rice was proud of the way his team played defense and did not allow the Hornets to stay in the game, a sharp contrast from its 73-65 victory at Bryant on Jan. 25.

“Defensively, we played different without Kel’el,” said Rice. “We couldn’t rely on allowing people to come to him where he could block their shots. The kids got after it and I was pleased with them defensively.

“It changed ball screen coverage without him. They bought into it. It takes five guys to guard them properly. We rotated and communicated, and I was really pleased.”

The Charging Wildcats held Bryant to 15-of-44 shooting from the floor, including 4-of-19 on three-pointers. North Little Rock out rebounded Bryant 31-17 and forced 10 turnovers.

Khassen Robinson was held to 10 points on 2-of-12 shooting. Gabe George had 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting and T.J. Lindsey had 12 points and 8 rebounds on 6-of-8 shooting.

"We wanted to gap Khassen up so he couldn’t see lanes and contest shots,” Rice said. “Finding George and keeping Fowler out of the paint were a lot of of keys. I thought We did a great job on all of them.”

NORTH LITTLE ROCK 70, BRYANT 40 (GIRLS)

No. 2-ranked North Little Rock (22-3, 9-1) had little trouble beating No. 15 Bryant (16-8, 7-6) by 30 points Friday night, a sharp contrast from the 62-50 victory they enjoyed on Jan. 25 in Bryant.

April Edwards led the Lady Charging Wildcats with 18 points, scoring 16 in the first half, while making 3-of-5 three-pointers. Jasirae Vick scored 16 points while making 4-of-6 three-pointers. Destinee Duckworth scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Amauri Williams had nine points and four rebounds.

North Little Rock shot 27-of-47 from the floor, including 9-of-18 on 3-pointers. The Lady Charging Wildcats held the Lady Hornets to 14-of-47 shooting from the floor and out rebounded them 21-9 while forcing 14 turnovers and overcoming 13 turnovers, 11 of which came in the first half.

“We were a little sloppy early and settled down a little bit and shot the ball really well,” said North Little Rock Coach Daryl Fimple. “It makes things extremely good when we shoot that well because we have Amauri inside and we can create space for her when you’re knocking down shots like that.”

Parris Atkins led Bryant with 12 points but was held to 3-of-14 shooting.

“I thought we did a great job slowing Parris down,” Fimple said. “She’s one of the best players in our league, and I thought our kids did a great job on her.

“We wanted to get out and challenge them on the shots and make them put the ball on the floor and not make them catch and shoot it. I thought our effort was great and we kept our foot on their throats.”

North Little Rock led 22-12 after the first quarter, 34-22 at halftime and 55-35 after three quarters.

Photo by Tommy Land