HARRISON VS. FARMINGTON, ROUND FOUR

It will be the fourth time that Harrison and Farmington will meet on the basketball court this season.
Playing each other so many times is what happens when two teams from the same conference meet in the state championship game.
The Lady Cardinals own the series lead, 2-1, heading into the tournament.
Harrison defeated the Lady Cardinals in the first meeting in Goblin Arena on Jan. 8, 56-42.
The Lady Goblins finished the regular season undefeated, but played Farmington in the semifinals of the district tournament on Feb. 23.
Again the game was held at Harrison and the Lady Cardinals missed very few shots on the way to handing Harrison its first loss of the season, 76-64.
Both teams suffered semifinal losses in the Class 4A North Region Tournament. That pitted the defending Class 4A State Champion against Harrison again. In a battle, Farmington came from behind in the fourth period and defeated the Lady Goblins, 63-61.
Farmington is 23-7 on the season. The squad has lost to Morrilton and Pea Ridge in postseason play.
The Lady Cardinals lost games to Gravette, Pea Ridge and Harrison in league play.
Other regular season losses for Farmington include to Fort Smith Northside and Bentonville.
Farmington has experience in late state tournament games with making deep runs over the last few years.
“They have a lot of experience and have several players that have been in this situation in the past couple of years,” said Harrison coach Kristian Williams.
Both schools are familiar with what each bring to the basketball table.
“They can shoot it and they transition the ball very well,” said the coach “This will be our fourth meeting, so we know each other well.”
When asked if her Lady Goblins had learned more about Farmington from the previous meetings, Williams said, “yes.”
Physically the two teams matchup well when it comes to height. However, Harrison does have an advantage in some areas.
“We are very similar until I play some of my younger post players,” said Williams. “I feel like we do have the size advantage on them when the younger players are in the game.”
Being familiar with each other, Williams has kept an eye on the Lady Cardinals and knows what to expect.
“Typically they play man, but we are preparing for several different ones,” said Williams. “They have switched it up as of late.”
The 4A-1 is a very strong conference with three teams making at least the quarterfinals. That is something that doesn’t surprise the coach.
“I am not surprised one bit,” said Williams. “We have said all along our conference is tough.”
Heading into the game, Williams wants to do some things that she feels will be key for the contest and to help the Lady Goblins win.
“We want to control the tempo,” she started. “We need to rebound well and not have any unforced turnovers.”
Williams went on to add about Farmington’s court appearance.
“They like to play transition basketball and they relying on outside shooting,” she said.
Harrison will meet Farmington at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning. The game will be held at the Hot Springs Convention Center, Bank OZK Arena.
Team members include: Alex Hill; Clare Barger; Claire Cecil; Sydney Shrum; Brynn Oleson; Tenelle Tate; Madison Bell; Mariah Hudson; Marianne King; Trevera Whitehorse; Maggie Salmon; Shaylee Ward; Jenna Mae Jones; and Reese Ricketts. Team coaches are Kristian Williams, head coach; Stacie Klott, assistant coach; and Kyle Brashears, assistant coach. Team manager is Shelby Oswalt.