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The prequel to next week's Class 5A playoff game became a little more dramatic than Arkansas City wished for.

Carrying an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter on Friday night, Valley Center turned up the pressure and got to within a single possession.

But Ark City was able to hold off the Hornets and secure a home playoff game, in which the same two teams will play each other for the third time this season.

After Darrell Freeman missed a free throw in the waning seconds, John Miller was there to grab the loose rebound and allow the Bulldogs to escape with a 45-42 win over Valley Center.

Just a few weeks ago, it appeared that the Bulldogs were a lock for a home playoff game. But it took them until the last regular season game to secure one.

"It's awesome," Ark City coach Ben Proctor said. "We didn't do any favors for ourself recently. It's nice to have a home game."

Ryan Rohrs hit three three-pointers in the first half for a 28-17 Ark City lead at intermission Rohrs led the Bulldogs with 13 points. Tayler Rock added 12.

Ark City finished the regular season 9-11. Valley Center went 7-13.

Ark City 11 17 11 6 - 45
Valley Center 5 12 11 14 - 42

Ark City: Rohrs 13, Fields 8, Freeman 6, Miller 4, Harris 2, Rock 12. 18 (4) 5-9 11 45.
Valley Center: McKown 16, Toews 9, Buell 2, Wall 2, Hinckley 13. 15 (1) 11-17 10 42.

Valley Center 47
Ark City (girls) 32

For one half, Arkansas City's defense allowed them to keep pace with Valley Center.

Then, the bottom fell out, especially on offense.

After trailing by just four points at halftime, Valley Center outscored the Bulldogs 24-13 in the second half en route to a 47-32 win in the team's regular season finale on Friday night.

The loss was Ark City's ninth straight, finishing the regular season 4-16. The Bulldogs open the Class 5A playoffs next week at Kapaun Mt. Carmel.

Ark City led 12-9 after the first quarter and trailed only 23-19 at intermission, but the Hornets limited the Bulldogs to only four points in the third quarter. Valley Center put the game away in the third quarter, scoring eight points within the first couple of minutes.

"In the second half, we had no intensity," Ark City coach Bill Stinson said.

Natalie Stinson scored a game-high 16 points in the loss. Bradye Penniston scored nine points for the Hornets.

Ark City 12 7 4 9 - 32
Valley Center 9 14 13 11 - 47

Ark City: White 2, Benton 6, Sturd 2, Warren 6, Stinson 16. 12 (2) 6-7 13 32
Valley Center: Konen 9, Peniston 9, Mayber 2, Pond 4, Taylor 8, Cummings 3, Stuke 4, Barnes 8. 16 (3) 12-17 10 47.