Monday’s basketball results included five more area teams earning the right to play for a state championship.
Norfork’s girls punched their ticket to Hot Springs after winning in the semifinals of the Class 1A State Tournament at West Side High School in Greers Ferry. The Lady Panthers were able to beat the host Lady Eagles 54-48.
Rural Special will be Norfork’s opponent Thursday at Bank OZK Arena after eliminating another area team. Viola was edged out by the Lady Rebels 56-53.
Viola fared better on the boys’ side knocking off the defending state champions. The Longhorns defeated Nevada by a final of 66-62.
In the first boys’ semifinal, Izard County’s streak of three consecutive trips to the state finals was snapped with a 66-62 overtime loss to West Side. Caleb Faulkner led the Cougars with 23 points, Coby Everett scored 12, and Chase Orf and Noah Everett added 10 each. Izard County finishes the season with a record of 27-8.
The semifinals of the Class 2A State Tournament at Melbourne ended with two local girls’ teams advancing to play for the ultimate prize.
Salem will head to Hot Springs after a 51-42 victory over Bigelow. The Lady Greyhounds were led by Chelsea Hamilton with 27 points, and Marleigh Sellars chipped in 14. Salem improves to 22-7 on the year.
Salem will be matched up with Melbourne for the fifth time this season in the title game. The host Lady Bearkatz invoked the mercy rule in the first semifinal, as they routed Fordyce 70-33.
Two other area girls’ teams took part in the semifinals of the Class 3A State Tournament at Clinton.
Bergman watched its season come to an end in the first game of the day. The Lady Panthers were bounced by Mayflower by a score of 63-49.
Valley Springs was eliminated in the second semifinal of the tournament. The Lady Tigers ended up falling to Centerpoint 49-45.
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