Panthers prevail over Red Devils on Senior Night

By Landon Willmuth
UCA sportswriting

The Greenbrier Panthers took advantage of Senior Night on Tuesday, defeating the Morrilton Red Devils, 52-49.

"This game was big because the kids will remember this one for a long time," Greenbrier coach Jason Johnson said, referring to the Senior Night victory. "(The seniors) are all great guys, very likable, work hard, and it's just been a great experience to coach them."

After a sloppy first quarter that saw 10 combined turnovers, the Panthers held a 9-6 lead. When the Red Devils tied the score at 13 with 3:40 left in the first half, Greenbrier went on a 8-0 run to lead 21-13 at half.

The second half started practically the same as the first with sloppy play by both teams and missed shots.

Greenbrier led 34-28 going into the fourth quarter, but that lead did not hold forever. Morrilton charged back into the game behind the superb play of junior Tyrone Willis, who with 1:40 left in the game, hit a pull-up jumper to bring the Red Devils within three points.

“They definitely made a comeback on us, but I was proud of the way our guys held off their comeback and got the win,” Greenbrier coach Jason Johnson said. "What helped us out a lot was our ability to make free throws at the end of the game and put more pressure on them to score."

After senior center Matt Cain missed a his second free throw attempt that would have put Greenbrier up by four with three seconds left in the game, Morrilton junior guard David Ford heaved an improbable half-court shot that would have tied the game at 52 apiece, but it came up a little short.

The Panthers (12-12 overall, 4-8 in the 5A-West) were led by Neal Burcham with 17 points and six rebounds. Jordan Crank pitched in 12 points. Willis led the Red Devils with 18 points.