Web posted
Friday, February 1, 2008
Ark City hosts Salina Central
By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor
sports@arkcity.net
They always say that the game following a big win is the most important.
For the Arkansas City girls basketball team, it hopes that Tuesday's thrilling 51-49 overtime win over Winfield will springboard them the final three weeks of the regular season and to a potential first-round home playoff game.
Well, that next game is upon us.
The Bulldogs host Salina Central at 6 p.m. tonight, the only meeting on the season between the schools. In last season's meeting in Salina, Teall Culbertson scored 15 of her game-high 21 points in the second half as Ark City edged Salina Central 53-52.
Both teams have struggled so far this season. Ark City is 4-9, but hopes that Tuesday's win over Winfield is a big step in turning around its season around. Salina Central enters tonight 2-11, losers of three straight games.
Salina Central's latest outing was a 57-46 loss to Hays on Saturday.
Salina Central is led by seniors Stephanie Davison (12.4 points, 8.4 rebounds) and Kiersten Hancock (11.2 points, 5.7 rebounds).
Bulldog senior Natalie Stinson proved to be the difference in Tuesday's win. She scored all four of Ark City's points in overtime, and had a blocked shot and defensive rebound on the same sequence with just under 30 seconds remaining. She then sealed the win with two free throws.
Ark City is currently 1/2 game ahead of Valley Center (4-10) for the final first-round home playoff spot -- and every game until the end of the regular season is crucial to where the Bulldogs end up in the first round of the playoffs.
Ark City boys face tough task
After coming off perhaps its best win of the season on Tuesday against Winfield, the Arkansas City boys face a tall order tonight in Sallna Central, ranked No. 6 in Class 5A.
After finishing 12-9 last season, fourth-year Salina Central coach Doug Finch is building the Mustangs into a state contender this season.
And Salina Central's window for advancing to the state tournament is not just limited to this year -- as it boasts only three seniors.
The Mustangs enter tonight's game at 11-2, and are currently riding a four-game winning streak. They defeated Concordia, Southeast of Saline and Clay Center by an average of 24.3 points two weekends ago to win the Salina Invitational Tournament. Salina Central followed that up last Friday with a 62-42 rout of Campus.
The Mustangs are led by six-foot-five senior Stephen Shaw (15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds), and juniors Jack Shoup (12.2 points, 5.2 assists) and Craig Knox (10 points).
Ark City used a patient and balanced attack in Tuesday's 54-37 win over the Vikings. Jordan Fields (14 points), Ryan Rohrs (11) and Kestian Harris (11) helped Ark City (7-6) to outscore Winfield 33-19 in the second half.
The Bulldogs currently hold one of the top four playoff seeds in its eight-team Class 5A region, but a win tonight over Salina Central would go a long way into build an added confidence for Ark City heading into the final three weeks of the regular season.
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Salina Central players to watch:
BOYS
Stephen Shaw, sr., 15.5 points, 8.6 rebounds.
Jack Shoup, jr., 12.2 points, 5.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds.
Craig Knox, jr., 10 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists.
GIRLS
Stephanie Davison, sr., 12.4 points, 8.4 rebounds.
Kiersten Hancock, sr., 11.2 points, 5.7 rebounds.
Sarah Cooper, so., 3.5 points, 12 rebounds, six assists.
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