Lady Rabbits fall to England in finals of tourney; go 3-1 last week

The Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits finished as runners-up in the Conway St. Joseph Tournament. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

CONWAY — The Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits had a good week despite falling to England in the finals of the St. Joseph High School Tournament championship game Saturday night. 

Lonoke went 3-1, including a conference win and two wins in the tournament, to move its record to 5-2 on the season. 

Against England, Lonoke jumped out to a 12-5 lead in the first quarter but fell to the Lady Lions 52-41. 

Lonoke led 8-0 with 1:59 left in the first quarter. England did not score until there was 1:52 left. Lonoke led 12-5 with 23 seconds left following a short jumper by Keiunna Walker. England's Julia Bryant hit two free throws with 16.5 seconds left to start a 12-0 run to give the Lady Lions a 17-12 lead.

Lonoke cut the deficit to 17-16 on four consecutive points by Ashlyn Allen. Lonoke tied it at 18-18 on another basket by Allen. England led 25-20 at halftime and 35-30 after three quarters.

England led 42-34 with 4:46 left in the game. Walker and Jarrelyn McCall hit consecutive baskets to make the score 42-38 with 3:50 left. 

Lonoke had a chance to get closer but missed a short jumper. From there, England scored five in a row to lead 47-38. 

Tatayana Penister led England with 17 points. Bryant had 12. Amber Martin had 10.

Walker led Lonoke with 19 points. Allen had 11. McCall finished with seven. Kennedy White had three. Kaley Woodruff had one.

Lonoke beat Perryville 52-41 in the second game of the tournament. 

Walker led Lonoke with 24 points. McCall had 13. Mickenzie Williams and Allen had four points each. Tashalla Gomillion had three. White had two. Woodruff added a free throw.

Lonoke opened the tournament with a 61-20 win over Shirley. 

Walker and McCall led Lonoke with 18 points each. Allen had 14. White had five. Woodruff had four. Jayla Van Buren had two. 

Lonoke also beat Southside Batesville in a 4A-2 conference game last week. The final score was 55-52 in overtime.

Walker led Lonoke with 22 points. McCall had 13. Williams had 10. Woodruff and Mia Brown had three points each. 

Lonoke's Keiunna Walker drives to the basket against England.