MAGNOLIA — CHRIS GILLIAM
Sports Editor
Magnolia will look to stretch it’s winning streak to 46 games Tuesday night at Warren during 4A-8 Conference play.
“We don’t any team lightly. We just worry about us getting better. Strategy wise, we prepare for each opponent throughout the year and try to adjust to what they are trying to do to us,” explained Magnolia head coach Ben Lindsey.
According to the coach, Warren tried to throw the Panthers out of rhythm during their first meeting.
“We don’t want to let anyone throw us out of rhythm. Warren will set physical screens and we must avoid uncessary fouls,” said the coach. “Regarding conference and how we’re playing, I feel as good as one can right now. I still worry about a lot of things because anything can happen.”
The unbeaten Panthers (14-0, 8-0 4A-8) are ranked No. 1 in Class 4A and No. 5 in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Top 10 overall poll behind Marion, Bentonville, Bryant and North Little Rock.
Another state overall ranking has the Panthers tabbed as No. 1, ahead of Little Rock Central, Marion, North Little Rock and Bryant.
Magnolia’s last loss was a 58-55 setback to Monticello on Feb. 22, 2019 in the regional tournament. They are also 23-1 in conference play over the past two seasons, with Monticello beating them by three points on Feb. 2, 2019.
With a perfect mark in league play this season, the Panthers have been seriously challenged only once. They managed to beat Star City on the road by 10 points, but the game was tied after three periods. Up by six during the final two minutes, the Panthers managed to get back-to-back buckets for a 10-point victory.
In two games last week, Magnolia rolled over Camden Fairview and Hamburg. In their last six outings, the Panthers have won by margins of 50, 33, 46, 55, 29 and 41 points. Against the Cardinals, Magnolia knocked down 10 3-pointers.
Against Hamburg on Friday, Colby Garland and Derrian Ford had 21 points apiece to lead Magnolia to a 73-32 victory. The Panthers led 16-6 after one period, 38-10 at the half and 61-21 following three quarters.
“I thought we were focus and played really well. We didn’t shoot well from the free-throw line,” said Lindsey.
Magnolia has a two-game lead over Monticello (9-2, 4-2), Watson Chapel (4-7, 4-2) and Camden Fairview (4-5, 3-2) in the 4A-8 Conference standings. They are followed by Crossett (7-6, 3-4), Star City (5-11, 2-3), Warren (1-5, 1-5) and Hamburg (1-9, 0-6).
The Lady Panthers more than likely won’t play games at Warren Tuesday and Watson Chapel Friday because of COVID-related issues.