Da Matchup Showcase Day 2 | Maumelle vs. FS Northside

It might have been a 9AM game… but nobody told these kids.

Day 2 of Da Matchup Showcase tipped off early, but you wouldn’t have known it based on the energy inside Warrior Arena. The Maumelle Hornets and FS Northside Grizzlies stepped onto the floor ready to trade punches, setting the tone for what promises to be a long, talent-filled day of Arkansas high school hoops.

Both teams are coming into the season with something to prove. Maumelle may be young, but they are still Maumelle returning two key seniors that the state didn’t get to see last season due to injury: Jordan Harris and Bubba Johnson, both of whom started varsity as freshmen. With new head coach Jeremy Hall taking over the program, the Hornets still have the pieces to make noise in the 5A Central.

Fort Smith Northside is in a similar reload, returning several contributors from last season and adding new young talent, including freshman guard Khyron Bell. The Grizzlies and Hornets met last year at the Hot Springs Tournament too, with Maumelle pulling out a narrow win. History told us this one might get interesting, and it did.

First Half: Maumelle Controls the Tempo

Halftime Score: Maumelle 34 – Northside 21

The Hornets came out with poise and discipline. Senior Reese Shearon opened the morning scorching hot, going 100% in the first quarter with 8 points on two threes and a smooth pull-up. Maumelle dominated the glass early, with Kennon Johnson and Jackson Walker combining for 7 rebounds before the second quarter even settled in.

On the other side, Northside struggled to find rhythm although Lee Prince kept them within striking distance, leading the Grizzlies with 7 points, 3 rebounds, and a steal at the half.

Third Quarter: Northside Comes Alive

Whatever was said in the Grizzlies’ locker room worked.

Northside stormed out of halftime, exploding on a 19-8 run and cutting the Maumelle lead to one point by the end of the third. Jayvyn Bullock absolutely woke up, dropping 14 points in the quarter, attacking the rim and shifting the momentum entirely.

Maumelle held on, thanks to clutch moments from Shearon and Johnson, but the tone had changed. The calm control of the first half was gone. This became a fight.

Final Quarter: Free Throws, Fouls, and a Wild Final Minute

The fourth quarter was a roller coaster of defensive stands, fouls, pressure possessions and missed free-throws on both sides.

With 2:27 left, Maumelle led 51-49.Both teams traded turnovers and trips to the line.Northside had chances to tie or take the lead, but missed critical free throws.

With 4.2 seconds left and Maumelle up two, Lee Prince was fouled shooting a three. A chance to steal everything. He sank the first… missed the next two. Maumelle secured the rebound, drew another foul, and Reese Shearon iced the game at the stripe, sealing a gritty 55-51 victory for the Hornets.

Final Leading Scorers:

🔸 Maumelle: Kennon Johnson – 17pts, 7rebs

🔹 Northside: Jayvyn Bullock – 17pts, 4rebs

Game MVP: Kennon Johnson (Maumelle)

Johnson’s composure, rebounding, and timely scoring kept Maumelle alive when Northside surged. A true statement performance from the junior forward.

Final Thoughts

This may have been the first scoreboard of the day, but it set the Showcase ablaze.

Maumelle proved that despite their youth and a new era under Coach Hall, they still have the toughness and defensive grit that has defined Hornet basketball for years. Northside showed heart and a promising young core that should not be overlooked in the 6A West this season.

If this is how Day 2 started at 9AM… Arkansas high school basketball fans are in for a long, thrilling winter.

KFletch 🖤