Basketball: CAC stampedes into regionals

Feb 19, 2023

Central Arkansas Christian took care of business and defeated Baptist Prep, 57-55, on Friday in the district tournament finals at Maumelle Charter.

The win pushes the Mustangs in to the regional tournament at Rose Bud this week and CAC will face Lisa Academy North at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday night.

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Lisa North was the last team to beat CAC, 80-79, on Nov. 21, 2022. The Mustangs have since won the last 20 games

On paper, it should be a good matchup. Lisa North is 22-8 but lost in the district tournament to Episcopal Collegiate, 116-114, in four (!) overtimes.

CAC is 22-6 and riding one of the state’s longest win streaks at 20 in a row.

It is a win or go home game as well with the winner advancing to semifinals at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24 against the winner of Episcopal and Mayflower. CAC also lost to Episcopal earlier this season but has defeated conference rival Mayflower twice this season.

The championship game at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday with the runner-up game being played at 1:30 p.m. the same day to determine seedings in the state tournament the following week.

On the other side of the bracket are Riverview, Lamar, Baptist Prep and Rose Bud.

Maumelle lost to Little Rock Catholic on Friday but are still no. 1 in the 5A-Central standings with one game remaining. Vilonia trails by half a game but they’ve got two to play this week.

The Hornets will be in the 5A state tournament starting on Feb. 28 at Pine Bluff. North Little Rock’s boys and girls teams will be in the 6A state tournament at Rogers also starting on Feb. 28.