THIRD QUARTER SPLASH PUTS GAME AWAY FOR LADY GOBLINS

By JEFF BRASEL jeffb@harrisondaily.com
OZARK — In the first round of regional tournaments, a team must win the first game to continue playing next week. That pressure was on Harrison Thursday morning as they tipped off against the Class 4A North Region host school, Ozark.
Harrison left no doubt about a trip to the state tournament as they defeated Ozark, 47-23.
The Lady Goblins went into the lockerroom at halftime with a 21-14 advantage after Maggie Salmon of Harrison drained a trey to end the first half scoring.
It didn't take long for the Lady Goblins to put the game firmly in the hands of the Lady Goblins.
Sydney Shrum drained a trey after taking a kickout pass from Alex Hill. The buckets gave the Lady Goblins a double digit lead that they never relinquished.
Ninety seconds later Salmon hit another long shot after Mariah Hudson dove the lane and found Samon all alone for the reach shot from the right corner.
On the ensuing possession by Ozark, Hill found a loose basketball and she hit a layup. She was fouled on the play and the Lady Goblins had taken a 30-14 lead with 5:48 left in the third period.
The Lady Hillbillies hit a triple, but Salmon answered it 30 seconds later.
Harrison ended the last 4:50 of the third period with a 6-1 spurt.
Clare Barger had a steal and scored a layup and then she added a baseline jumper. Hill put the third period scoring to rest when she hit two free throws after she had an offensive rebound.
The Lady Goblins led, 39-18.
Ozark opened the final frame with a 3-pointer, but Hill scored before Hudson added a free throw.
Shaylee Ward hit a free throw and then took a pass from Hudson to add a field goal.
Madison Bell scored the last points for Harrison at the free throw line with two charity tosses.
Harrison opened the game with a 5-0 lead with Barger scoring and Hill connecting a 3-point attempt.
Ozark held the lead for 1:33 of the game as they jumped ahead of Harrison, 6-5.
Hill connected on two charity tosses to set the first period score at 7-6.
Shrum started the second with her first trey of the game. Hill converted a three-point play and the Lady Goblins were ahead, 13-6.
After Ozark hit two free throws, Hill answered by connecting on one free toss. The Lady Hillbillies got within, 14-10 of Harrison, but Ward scored after collecting an offensive rebound.
Barger then scored the next Harrison points as she collected a defensive rebound and outran everyone to the other end of the floor. She was fouled on her layup attempt. She hit both free throws to make the effort pay off.
Ozark got back within four points, but Salmon's second period ending shot crushed the threat.
Harrison will be back in action on Friday at 10 a.m. as the Lady Goblins face Pea Ridge in the semifinal game. Harrison will play again on Saturday.
A victory over Pea Ridge would put the Lady Goblins into the regional finals at 4 p.m. on Saturday. A loss would put the team in a 10 a.m. third-place game.
The state tournament is next week in Morrilton.
Leading Harrison in scoring was Hill with 16 points. Salmon added nine, Barger eight, Shrum six, Ward five, Bell two and Hudson one.