Higginbottom ends career with team high 18 points for Batesville
Hot Springs – Much of the Batesville-Vilonia Class 5-A Quarterfinal girls match-up played out like a game of chess.
Each time the Pioneers looked like they were ready to make a strong challenge, senior forward Lauren Patterson and the Eagles had an answer.
Patterson scored 15 points – including a clutch coast-to-coast lay-up with under a minute remaining – to help Vilonia hold off late-charging Batesville 67-63 and advance to Monday’s state semifinal against the Lake Hamilton-West Memphis winner.
Missouri signee Izabella Higginbottom, who scored a state record 57 points in the Pioneers first round win over Parkview sputtered early out of the gate shooting but finished with 18 points to lead Batesville.
Although they never trailed in the contest, Vilonia saw the Pioneers roar back and come within a point on a few occasions.
Batesville closed within 27-26 midway through the second quarter following Belen Sanchez’s steal and dish to Anna Hurley for a deep 3-pointer and then after a Vilonia turnover on a Higginbottom block, Rylie Freeman would bury another 3 from the top of the circle.
Vilonia guard McKenzie Floyd would answer back quickly with a 3-pointer a few seconds later to extend the Eagles lead back to 30-26.
After battling back throughout the second half and keeping the Eagles close, Batesville crept back within 61-60 on a lay-up by junior guard Taylor Rush with 1 minute and 4 seconds left in regulation.
Patterson took the ensuing inbounds pass and weaved her way downcourt for an uncontested lay-up that gave Vilonia a 63-60 cushion that they wouldn’t relinquish as both Laney Mears and Clara Prater each connected on free throws down the stretch to keep Batesville at bay.
The Eagles, who have bowed out in the first round in the previous two seasons, are now a game away from a state tournament final appearance.
The Girls 5A state final will be next Saturday, March 20 at 10:00 am
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