MWC Lady Cat Invitational Game 4: Har-Ber vs Vilonia Recap

Preview   Like in game 3 of this tournament, both Vilonia and Har-Ber are coming off solid 2023/24 seasons, and opened their 2024/25 seasons against one another.   6A West Springdale Har-Ber High School went 14-9 last season, and had a conference record of 6-4. They would lose to a great NLR team in the 6A state tournament, but this team has a chance to be even better in the 6A classification, as they bring back talented young and veteran players.   5A Central Vilonia High School compiled a 23-7 overall record, while obliterating the competition in their conference, going 13-0. They made it deep in the 5A state tournament, losing in the championship game to Greenwood High School. This team also brings back talented players, with several of them on college recruiting radars.   Recap   This 6A vs 5A bout was close throughout the first half, but Har-Ber would hold on to their lead during the first two quarters. The Vilonia Lady Eagles have three star players, but Har-Ber kept them in check throughout the game. Their scoring had to then be spread around amongst the team. With only 3 points scored off the bench for Vilonia, they had to rely heavily on their starting lineup, but they kept them within striking distance. The Har-Ber Lady Wildcats' offense was also spread out amongst their stars and their support players. Their hot outside shooting propelled them to a 31-25 lead at the half, and their first half defense was stellar, keeping Vilonia's three stars from making a big impact on the scoreboard. In the second half, Vilonia's stars began to find a rhythm, but it was not enough. The Lady Wildcats' two-way play was too good to handle, eventually allowing them to break away with the 63-49 victory.   Key Performances from Springdale Har-Ber Players   As I mentioned, the scoring was distributed evenly amongst the Lady Wildcats, with the starters having solid games, while the second group was able to get in on the action as well.    Both of the Campbell twins had solid outings, but [player_tooltip player_id='1090312' first='Madisen' last='Campbell'] starting the game firing on all cylinders, and was tied with [player_tooltip player_id='876288' first='Brooklyn' last='Owens'] for the most points scored between the two teams with 14.   Campbell was much more of a defensive presence as a freshman for this Lady Wildcat team, but she made a massive impact from behind the arch, knocking down four triples on the night, only missing two. If memory serves me correctly, Campbell nailed three of those 3-pointers in the first half, and she was Har-Ber's most viable scoring option at the time.   Vilonia came into this game with one of the top players in Arkansas, [player_tooltip player_id='465493' first='Sidni' last='Middleton']. Along with her sister, Campbell held the Lady Eagle star to just two points in the first half, keeping her from having any lane penetration.   Campbell's defense was probably more important than her offense last night, but she got the job done on both sides. Har-Ber does not win this game without her two-way play.     The Drury University commit had a slow first half, but the multi-faceted scorer became more involved in the second, finishing the game with 14 points.   Owens is at her best when she is able to penetrate inside and finish at the basket, which she was able to do, especially in the second half. She used her length to get her shot up and over the defense, while also drawing fouls and heading to the charity stripe. She also showed her confidence when shooting any shot from the mid-range area, whether it was a turn-around, a pull-up, or a contested fadeaway.   Since Owens was not scoring in the first half, she had to make an impact in other areas of the game. Her passing was solid, as she was able to find cutting teammates and had some slick connections. She played strong defense, utilizing her length and athleticism to contest shots and to crash the glass.   [player_tooltip player_id='876288' first='Brooklyn' last='Owens'] showcased several abilities in Har-Ber's win over Vilonia, and she will be a fun player to watch during the season.     When one Campbell sister has a good game, the other tends to not be far behind. [player_tooltip player_id='1090299' first='Makenlie' last='Campbell'] had eight first half points, finishing the game with 11.   Campbell had some good looks from the perimeter, but she made most of her money when she attacked the defense on the interior. Campbell was able to split two defenders on several of her drives, along with using a freezing hesi, and a hard jab step. She was able to finish up and over the teeth of the defense, becoming the third of four Har-Ber players in double-digits.   Campbell also played great defense. Alongside her sister, Campbell was able to slow down Vilonia's strong perimeter attack, even generating some turnovers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1090299' first='Makenlie' last='Campbell'] will continue to lead the way for the Lady Wildcats on offense, and Har-Ber's star trio will be so much fun to watch this season.    As I mentioned, the scoring for Har-Ber was spread out, as some other Lady Wildcats were able to get in on the game's fun.   #5 [player_tooltip player_id='1091140' first='Jazmine' last='McCarther'] 5'5" PG Senior- McCarther was a part of Har-Ber's 3-guard starting lineup, and was the final Lady Wildcat to put up double-digits in scoring, finishing with 10. She had a shifty handle, getting by any defender, and she had a solid mid-range jumper. Scoring from the mid-range and in the paint is McCarther's game, and she will provide some much needed relief for Har-Ber's star guards.   #15 [player_tooltip player_id='1090325' first='Gracie' last='Davenport'] SG Sophomore- Davenport is a sophomore who will have a big role throughout the season, as she serves as Har-Ber's sixth-man. As soon as she entered the game, Davenport nailed a catch-and-shoot triple, and then nailed another later in the second quarter. She finished the game with six points on 2/3 shooting from beyond the arch.   #22 [player_tooltip player_id='1091142' first='Myah' last='Haney'] 5'8" F Sophomore- Haney did not have her largest impact in the scoring category, finishing with just four points, but the Lady Wildcats did not need her to do anything more than playing solid defense and making hustle plays. Haney seemed to always be the first one on the floor to recover a loose ball, and she did an excellent job rebounding, as well as finishing her looks at the rim when she had the chance. [player_tooltip player_id='1091142' first='Myah' last='Haney'] should be a player to watch out for, as I highly suspect she makes winning plays throughout the season.   Key Performances from Vilonia Players   Though Har-Ber held the Vilonia star trio in check for much of the game, they were still able to break away every now and then, and make positive plays.    [player_tooltip player_id='465493' first='Sidni' last='Middleton'] was the lone Division I commit on the floor for either team, but she had a slow first half, only recording two points. However, she woke up in the second half and tried to pull Vilonia back into the game.   Middleton's first points were off a nice back-door cut, where she caught the defender sleeping and became an easy target for her passing teammate to find. In the second half, Middleton was able to find ways to penetrate through the defense, getting looks at the rim. She was also able to pull up and hit mid-range jumpers, despite tough contests. Middleton even showed off her high IQ on offense.   During the third quarter, Middleton was inbounding the ball under her basket on the baseline. No one was getting open, and since the player defending the inbound pass had her back turned, Middleton threw the ball off her back, caught it, and scored an easy basket in the paint.   [player_tooltip player_id='465493' first='Sidni' last='Middleton'] finished the game with 13 points, 11 of them coming in the second half. Expect the UT-Martin commit to have more impactful scoring outings during the 2024/25 season.     [player_tooltip player_id='876312' first='Maddie' last='Mannion'] was clearly the best 3-point shooter on the floor, knocking down two triples from way beyond the 3-point line.   Mannion had 10 first half points, along with two deep triples. Her release is quick and flexible, as she is able to launch it from deep, even against closeouts.   When the Lady Wildcats started to key in on her outside shooting, Mannion had a quiet second half. Despite that, Mannion was able to find ways to make an impact. She played sound on-ball defense and made some nice passes, especially in transition to get her teammates involved.   [player_tooltip player_id='876312' first='Maddie' last='Mannion'] is one of the state's best 3-point shooters, and she will have plenty of games where she lights up the stat sheet this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='871868' first='Kim' last='Henry'] was one of the state's top freshman a year ago, and now she enters the season as one of the best sophomores in Arkansas. Henry did have a quiet night in the scoring chart, finishing with five, but she was able to make plays in other areas of the game.   Henry was a tough scorer in the paint as a freshman, but last night, she showed everyone that she is a capable mid-range shooter. She is also an animal on the glass, grabbing multiple offensive rebounds.   Henry pulled down several defensive rebounds, but on that side of the ball, Henry showed toughness against the hard Lady Wildcat drives. She was not afraid to sacrifice her body, drawing a charge and getting on the floor after loose balls.   [player_tooltip player_id='871868' first='Kim' last='Henry'] is set to have a massive impact on this Vilonia team this season, so keep up with this squad.    When that trio was struggling to provide consistent offense, the Lady Eagles called upon the Burnham twins to add an offensive spark.   #14 [player_tooltip player_id='1091148' first='Brooklyn' last='Burnham'] 5'8" G/F Sophomore- Burnham played well on both sides of the ball for Vilonia. She played hard on defense and used her active hands to poke multiple balls away. She also showed her toughness when attacking the basket, scoring eight points.   #33 [player_tooltip player_id='1091156' first='Briana' last='Burnham'] 5'7" G/F Sophomore- This Burnham sister also had a large two-way impact for Vilonia. On defense, she was disrupting the passing lanes and taking the ball up ahead and finishing on the fastbreak. Burnham was also able to drive through the lane and draw multiple fouls, finishing the game with seven points.   Review   Both Vilonia and Springdale Har-Ber will have fantastic seasons in their respected conferences, and both sides have multiple players with futures in college basketball. Har-Ber showed the 6A West that they are a darkhorse championship team once they inevitably make the postseason. Vilonia showed that they have multiple players who can post solid offensive output, and they could have another undefeated season in the 5A Central.

Preview