Trojan Triumph: Hot Springs Outpaces Lakeside in Rivalry Showdown

Lakeside High School was the epicenter of high-energy basketball on Thursday night, as the hometown Rams (8-2, 1-1) squared off against cross-city rival Hot Springs Trojans (7-4, 1-0) in a 5A South conference clash. The tightly contested game saw Hot Springs pull away late to secure a 69-58 victory.

Lakeside Sets the Tone

The first quarter set the tone, with Lakeside’s defense holding the Trojans to just 13 points while capitalizing on open looks. The Rams’ effort earned them a slim 16-13 lead. But the Trojans weren’t going down easily, as they roared back in the second quarter. Junior Jaeir Hardwell, who led all scorers with 15 points in the first half, sparked Hot Springs with a scorching performance, hitting three shots from deep and converting at the free-throw line. Fellow standout Jai Hayes contributed significantly, with three blocks and a key putback to cut into Lakeside’s lead.

The two teams headed into halftime deadlocked at 33-33 after Lakeside true freshman Axel Janske drained a clutch three-pointer for the Rams just before the clock ran out. Janske’s 8 first-half points, coupled with 2 assists, had the Lakeside faithful buzzing, but adjustments were clearly going to be the difference-maker in the second half.

Trojans Take Over

The second half belonged to Hot Springs, particularly to their dynamic duo of Hayes and Hardwell. Lakeside struggled to recapture its early momentum, and a pivotal coaching decision kept Janske on the bench for the opening minutes of the third quarter. In his absence, the Trojans went on a commanding 14-6 run fueled by Hayes, who racked up 10 of his 12 third-quarter points during that stretch.

By the end of the third, Hot Springs outscored Lakeside 22-14, creating a cushion that the Rams couldn’t overcome. Hardwell hit two major three-pointers during this period, sending the Hot Springs student section into a frenzy and further demoralizing the Rams’ defense.

Despite a technical foul against the Trojans early in the fourth quarter that allowed Lakeside’s Sloan Hayes to convert two free throws, Hot Springs maintained control. The Rams’ offensive spark fizzled as Hot Springs tightened its defensive grip and moved the ball with precision. A crucial diving play by the Trojans late in the game led to a well-timed timeout by Coach Hayes just shy of setting up Hardwell for yet another crowd-pleasing three-pointer.

Final Stats and Takeaways

Hot Springs’ Hardwell finished with a game-high 29 points, adding five rebounds and a steal. His ability to find his rhythm from beyond the arc (5-for-10) and contribute in critical moments was the deciding factor. Hayes also shined, dominating inside with a double-double in 16 points, 10 key rebounds, and multiple blocks.

For Lakeside, Sloan Hayes led with 14 points, four rebounds, and three steals, showcasing the Rams’ grit. However, Janske’s second-half drop-off after his promising start left a void that the Rams couldn’t fill.

Looking Ahead

Both teams showed flashes of brilliance and will likely remain top contenders in the tough 5A South. The Rams’ scrappy defense and shooting potential make them a scary opponent, and their February rematch with the Trojans promises to be another must-watch game.

Next up for Lakeside is a December 27th matchup against Arkadelphia in the Lakeside Tournament at 11:00 a.m. Meanwhile, Hot Springs heads to Conway for the John Stanton Classic, where they’ll face Conway High School at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

The rivalry game may be in the books, but both squads have plenty more to prove as the season progresses.

KFletch 🖤