SOPHOMORE GOFORTH PACES FAYETTEVILLE ON SENIOR NIGHT

Sasha Goforth hustled for a loose ball, stepped back, and swished a 3-point basket. It was that kind of night for Goforth, the standout sophomore guard for the Fayetteville Lady Bulldogs. Goforth scored 26 points to lead Fayetteville to a 51-32 victory over Van Buren Friday in 7A-West Conference play at Bulldog Arena. She had 16 points and made four of her five 3-pointers in the first half to stake Fayetteville to a 20-12 lead. The win completed another unbeaten conference season for Fayetteville (22-3, 14-0), which plays at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Class 7A State Tournament in North Little Rock. Fayetteville finished 30-2 last year after defeating North Little Rock 59-49 in the championship game at Hot Springs. "It shows the health of our program," Fayetteville coach Vic Rimmer said after winning the conference championship. "I'm not about records. The talent and camaraderie we have year-by-year, I enjoy that part of it." Coriah Beck provided most of the offense with 23 points in Tuesday's 53-45 win at rival Springdale High. This time is was Goforth, who made five of eight 3-point attempts. "That tells you our kids are unselfish," Rimmer said. "Sasha had a great night and, obviously, started off real well. Whatever they do to us (defensively) we have a player who can answer." Beck and Goforth opened the third quarter with 3-pointers then both went inside to help Fayetteville a 30-13 lead. Van Buren called two quick timeouts but the Lady Pointers could not slow the Lady Bulldogs, who led 43-19 early in the third quarter. Senior Jasmine Franklin added 12 points in her final home appearance for Fayetteville. No player had more than six points for Van Buren (17-10, 8-6), which was held without a point in the second quarter. BOYS: Fayetteville 71, Van Buren 64 Collin Cooper scored 22 points, including a rare four-point play, to lead Fayetteville past Van Buren. The win earned Fayetteville (18-8, 11-3) a share of the conference championship and the No. 1 seed for the state tournament in North Little Rock. Van Buren led 62-61 when Cooper was fouled while making a long 3-pointer with 1 minute, 51 seconds left in the game. He then made the free throw to give Fayetteville the lead for good. Jon Conley followed with four consecutive free throws to secure the victory for Fayetteville, which will play at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday in North Little Rock. Jordan West finished with 28 points in an outstanding performance for Van Buren (14-13, 5-9). Van Buren led 35-31 at halftime behind the shooting of West and K.J. Stewart, who combined for 22 points. The Pointers also outplayed Fayetteville inside by outrebouding the Bulldogs 16-11. Van Buren rebounded the ball three times on one possession, which included two free throws by West to end the first half.

SOPHOMORE GOFORTH PACES FAYETTEVILLE ON SENIOR NIGHT

Photo Credit: Andy Shupe

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