Fayetteville blows out Springdale to take over first place

There's a saying among coaches about big-time players playing big in big-time games. Fayetteville's top two stars did exactly that on Friday night in a matchup between first-place teams in the 6A-West Conference. Sasha Goforth and Coriah Beck combined for 46 points to lead Fayetteville to an 85-45 victory over Springdale High at Bulldog Arena. Goforth scored 27 points and Beck 19 for Fayetteville (12-2, 5-0 6A-West), which took over in the second quarter and turned the game into a rout in the third quarter. Both players left the game for good after Fayetteville increased its lead 70-35 in the third quarter. "They're such different players," Fayetteville coach Vic Rimmer said. "Coriah, she's more around the rim. She's a creative kid and she's got some wiggle to her. Sasha, she can shoot the 3 and she can go to the rim because she gets so high. Both of them can drive and hit those open players, which shows how unselfish they are." Goforth made five 3-pointers for Fayetteville, which hit 12 of 23 attempts. That's quite an improvement for Fayetteville, which had struggled with its shooting in recent games. "The other night against Bentonville, we were 1 for 17 in 3-pointers," Rimmer said, "and it was worse before that. Not that we rely on the 3, but it's a big part of what we do." Marquesha Davis, an Arkansas signee, scored 18 points while Thaly Sysavanh added 11 for Springdale. The game was only close in the first quarter when Springdale (11-5, 4-1) trailed 11-10 after a basket Sysavanh. Fayetteville took over behind Beck, who scored on a variety of moves and had 15 points by halftime. Goforth then showcased her ability by scoring 12 consecutive points to extend the Fayetteville lead to 45-25 at halftime. The break did nothing to slow Fayetteville, which outscored Springdale 25-10 in the third quarter. Goforth opened the second half with a 3-pointer, followed by two more baskets from Beck. Ten players scored for Fayetteville, which emptied the bench in the fourth quarter. Springdale 11 14 10 10-- 45 Fayetteville 22 23 25 15 -- 85 Springdale (11-5, 4-1): Davis 18, Sysavanh 11, Gause 6, Minchew 5, Bahena 3, Jibas 2. Fayetteville (12-2, 5-0): Goforth 27, Beck 19, Bridges 7, Releford 5, Ritter 6, Flannigan 6, Roberts 6, Byars 3, Bailey 3, Saitta 3.

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Fayetteville High School Athletics

FAYETTEVILLE BLOWS OUT SPRINGDALE TO TAKE OVER FIRST PLACE

RICK FIRES

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 1/19/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Andy Shupe