PRAIRIE GROVE -- More than one opponent underestimated the potency of Prairie Grove's offensive capabilities during the Lady Tigers' 23-12 season and run to the state semifinals.
Arkansas Baptist found out the hard way that the undersized Lady Tigers play at a high level in Prairie Grove's first-round victory at the 2015 4A North Regional tournament held at Ozark.
With 6-feet-1 national shot-blocking record-holder Caroline Hogue in their lineup Eagles' fans thought their team wouldn't have no problem with Prairie Grove as they watched the teams warm up. Some of their boasts reached the ears of Prairie Grove coach Kevin Froud, but he had the last word as the Lady Tigers surged to a decisive, 43-27, win ending the Arkansas Baptist season.
"We were up by 10 or 12 at halftime and only hit one two-point basket," Froud said.
Mattie Hartin came out sizzling, hitting 6-of-9 first-half 3-pointers putting 24 of the Lady Tigers' 28 points on the board. Prairie Grove's defense was smothering in the third quarter limiting Arkansas Baptist to 2 points. Hogue scored 16 points and recorded double digits in blocks yet Prairie Grove prevented her from hurting them on the offensive glass.
"Ashley Cox and Sara James [Stone] know they've got to block out to help us on defense," Froud said while acknowledging the close-knit ranks of the team contributed to post season success.
The Lady Tigers went 12-2 to become co-conference champions and knocked off No. 1 seed Huntsville to win the District 4A-1 title, then finished runnerup to Ozark at the 4A North Regional earning a rematch a week later in the state 4A semifinals.
Taylor Hartin, Mattie's twin sister, had a 30-point game during the run and Camree Bartholomew proved deadly from long-range giving Prairie Grove a trio of 3-point threats.
"One of our strengths is our shooting ability on all girls," Froud said. "It's a credit to them. You can't become a great shooter just by doing it when we practice."
Froud said the girls worked on their shooting on their own building confidence as prolific scorers. The team is concentrating on that aspect of the game this summer.
"That's what made them great shooters doing the extra time," Froud said.
Parker Lopez was another key cog in Prairie Grove's offense, often taking defenders off the dribble for lay-ins at the goal.
"Parker has a great knack about finishing around the basket and making moves to get to the basket," Froud said. "She is a matchup problem because we have so many shooters. If they try to help she can kick it out to one of our shooters. If they don't she can go finish around the basket."
The 40-39 loss to Ozark in the state semifinal brought an abrupt end to a fine season and Froud not only has to encourage his players after such a game but also must reach out to his three sons, Brady, Trey and Craig, who are hanging on every shot.
"It hits my oldest one the hardest. We just try to talk to him and we tell him it's that way in life. There's going to be a winner and there's going to be a loser," Froud said.
"My boys, they're kind of like their daddy. They get very wound up in a game," Froud said.
Still, Prairie Grove wins more often than not and the Froud boys enjoy the success of the program reaping the fruits of their dad's labor, riding the team bus and staying in motels during postseason tournaments. Froud's wife, Dana, has a rule -- when Prairie Grove wins the boys get to join the team in the lockerroom to celebrate but when the Lady Tigers lose they must stay out of the postgame activity. The boys look forward to participating in each victory.
"They're proud of the girls' accomplishments. That's kind of their atmosphere."
Sports on 07/22/2015