Helena-West Helena Escapes LR Christian

LITTLE ROCK- Helena-West Helena Central (5-6, 2-4) survived a 3-point assault in the second half to escape the Warrior Gymnasium at LR Christian with a 59-54 victory.

The first half belong to the Cougars as the Cougar defense stifled Little Rock Christian, which did not get its first point until the 3:24 mark in the first quarter.  By the end of the opening quarter, the Cougars built a nine point lead at 13-4 .

The second quarter saw the Cougar defense continue to smother the Warrior offense.  Little Rock Christian didn’t reach double digits until the buzzer when Cole Hendrixson hit a half-court shot to make the score 27–12 at the break.
The Warrior came out inspired in the second half and and started on a 9-2 run and had cut the lead to eight when Alex Caroom hit two free throws to make the score 36-28 with 1:32 to go in the third quarter.  Helena-West Helena got a bucket from Frederick Bedford to make the score 38-28 at the end of the third.
It was pandemonium in the fourth.  When Hendrixson hit one of the Warriors’ nine second half three point shots early in the final stanza, the Warriors had the lead down to seven at 44-37.  Hendrixson was the go-to guy for the final rally, hitting two threes in the final two minutes.  With 1:32 remaining, the lead was down to five at 53-48, but the Cougars would hit their free throws down the stretch to win 59-54.
Helena-West Helena was led by Bedford 18 points.  Rickey Beckwood added 12 points, followed by Anthony Lewis with 10 points.
The Warriors were led by Hendrixson with 20 points.
Coach Willie Jackson said, “I am so proud of these players.  They fought hard the whole game.  They showed a lot of determination in the face of a lot of adversity.  This is a good win for us.  Our kids grew up a lot tonight.”