OZARK -- The Mammoth Spring Lady Bears will take a hot streak into Hot Springs and the state championship game next week.
The Lady Bears roared over the final 20 minutes on Saturday afternoon, cruising to a 75-38 win over Wonderview in the first semifinal of the Class 1A state tournament at Ozark Activity Center.
Mammoth Spring (37-4) is making a return trip to the championship game after losing to Norfork last year. Mammoth Spring will play Norfork on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
"It's a special time for our kids," Mammoth Spring Coach Scott Small said. "That was the goal all year long, it was always to get back to that game and win it. That was the last big step for us, and we've got one more to go."
The Lady Bears trailed 14-13 after a quarter and 23-19 midway of the second quarter when they started clicking.
Tay Davis hit a three-pointer to start a 9-0 run to take the lead for good.
Davis added two free throws, Brynn Washam scored inside, and Adrianna Corbett hit two free throws for a 28-23 lead.
"That was a big run," Small said. "Our game plan was to wear that team down. I thought we were able to do a little more full court than what they've been able to do in the past."
Mammoth Spring then put up consecutive 22-point quarters for a 53-34 lead after three quarters.
"That run helped, and the third quarter they came out a little flat," Small said. "We came out hot and it went from there."
Washam led Mammoth Spring with 24 points, including all 10 points for the Lady Bears in the third quarter with a three-pointer, a layup, a conventional three-point play, and a steal and layup. She also ended the first half with a three-pointer for a 31-25 lead.
Laney Young scored 17 points, Davis added 10, and Sara Crowe 10.
Wonderview (23-9) was led Abbi Baker, who scored 14 points.
NORFORK 55, RURAL SPECIAL 26
The Norfork Lady Panthers went on a scoring surge early and wrapped up their Saturday night early.
Norfork made it four-in-a-row over its conference rival Rural Special with a 55-26 win in the semifinals of the Class 1A state tournament at Ozark Activity Center.
Norfork (32-7) will be back at the Hot Springs Convention Center to defend its state championship and will play Mammoth Spring on Friday at 6 p.m.
Norfork quickly erased a very early 5-4 deficit with a 12-0 run in a three-minute span.
"They showed up ready to play," Norfork Coach Luke Cornett said. "That's about all I can say. I'm proud of them for that. That's a big deal."
The Lady Panthers were 7-of-11 shooting in the first quarter and went up 20-7 after a quarter.
Last year's state championship game Most Valuable Player Kiley Alman hit two free throws and splashed a three-pointer to start Norfork on the 11-0 run.
Jordan Rasmussen, who's also an all-state bowler, scored inside, Alman drove the baseline for a basket, and guard Keely Blanchard ended the spiel with a driving basket and free throw after being fouled on the play with 2:22 left in the first quarter for a 16-5 cushion.
Northfork went up 29-12 at the half, behind a banked in three-pointer from the corner by Alman in the quarter.
Alman added another three in the third quarter to help Norfork take a 44-20 lead into the final quarter.
Alman finished with 21 points and seven rebounds. Blanchard added 11 points, and Liza Shaddy had 11 points and 11 boards.