PRAIRIE GROVE -- Madsyn Pense enhanced the soundtrack of Makenna Vanzant's return to basketball competition, playing the fiddle to the tune of six 3-pointers and a game-high 21 points.

Vanzant averaged 15.5 points-per-game as a freshman and Pense 13.5 as a sophomore last season as the 1-2 punch led the Lady Cardinals to a 24-8 record and appearance in the 5A State semifinals. Their roles were reversed as Farmington opened the season in fine fashion securing a 50-22 win at rival Prairie Grove Nov. 27.

Vanzant was hospitalized in mid-October and battled life-threatening Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome or HUS. On Oct. 26, Prairie Grove players responded to an urgent prayer request and attended a prayer vigil on her behalf held at Farmington's Cardinal Arena. Prairie Grove coach Kevin Froud said he learned of the event, which was hastily organized and held within three hours of Vanzant being transferred to ICU, when her health battle took a turn for the worse. Froud informed his players and they went on their own as a team to participate in the prayer vigil.

Farmington coach Brad Johnson made a decision to play Vanzant the day before the rivalry game in a limited role.

"It's really about getting her back into shape and back into playing condition," Johnson said after the game. "We're very cautious with it. She was showing such progress. All of her numbers continue to improve. We came into tonight with a base amount of minutes she was going to play and let her work back into it."

Her teammates made certain there was no pressure by jumping out to an 18-0 lead. Pense and Camryn Journagan sank two 3-pointers apiece before Vanzant checked in to rousing cheers with 1:25 left in the first quarter. Thirty-five seconds later she notched her first field goal of the season by connecting on her trademark floater while driving to the hoop. Vanzant's first free throw happened midway through the second when she got her own rebound doing what she does best - driving to the goal. Her first 3-point bucket came on an assist from classmate and close friend, Joelle Tidwell, who fed Vanzant coming off a screen at the top of the key with six seconds remaining in the first half. The trifecta put Farmington comfortably ahead, 32-11, and Prairie Grove never threatened in the second half.

Vanzant set up Pense beautifully in the third. She feigned a drive, drawing defenders to her, then left the basketball for Pense spotted up in the right corner. As Vanzant cut to the basket, Pense knew precisely what to do and knocked down her fifth 3-pointer. She would get one more when Tidwell, who didn't score yet came away with multiple steals, took the ball away from the Lady Tigers for what seemed an umpteenth time and saw Pense open.

"That was a pretty special moment when Makenna checked in. I looked around and both sides stood," Johnson said. "To see her healthy and back on the court doing what she loves that's uplifting to me as a coach and it's uplifting to her teammates, as well."

Prairie Grove labored against Farmington's half-court defense, managing only 8 field goals for the game.

"We worked on that defense for a long time preparing for it," Froud said. "We had a hard time getting the ball in the right spots. When we did, we didn't make the shots. They (Farmington) had six 3-pointers in the first half and nine for the game. When they are hitting like that and we are turning the ball over it's going to be a long game."

Ever the sportsman, Froud acknowledged Vanzant's return, saying, "I'm glad to see that Vanzant girl back out there playing after all her health issues."

Farmington 50, Prairie Grove 22

Prairie Grove^4^7^7^3^--^22

Farmington^21^11^16^2^--^50

Prairie Grove (1-2): Aniyah Gibbs 3 2-2 8, Sarah James Stone 2 1-5 5, Jasmine Wynos 1 3-3 5, Larisha Crawford 1 0-0 2, Jordan Sugg 1 0-0 2. Totals 8 6-10 22.

Farmington (1-0): Madisyn Pense 7 1-3 21, Camryn Journagan 4 1-3 11, Makenna Vanzant 3 1-2 8, Alexis Roach 3 0-0 6, Audrey Culpepper 1 0-0 2, Madison Parsley 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 3-8 50.

3-Point Goals -- Prairie Grove 0, Farmington 9 (Pense 6, Journagan 2, Vanzant). Total Fouls -- Farmington 12, Prairie Grove 7.