By Rob Patrick
NORTH LITTLE ROCK — By now, the seniors for the Bryant Hornets are fully aware that, in the 7A-Central Conference, you’re not going to get many breaks on the road, particularly late in a game.
Not counting bones and blood vessels and stuff like that, of course.
Opponents will play defense with their hands, their forearms, their chests and their hips along with usually quick feet.
So no one should’ve been surprised when Bryant guard Brandon Parish was worked over in a trap without a foul being called during the final seconds of Tuesday night’s 7A-Central Conference game at North Little Rock, ending the Hornets’ last chance at a tying or winning basket.
Or a few moments earlier that, chasing after a loose ball near midcourt, Bryant’s K-Ron Lairy made a dive to gain possession, beating North Little Rock’s Jamicah Gibson to the ball. Then was called for a foul when Gibson, still a step away when Lairy grabbed the ball, tripped over him and was awarded a trip to the free-throw line when Lairy was inexplicably called for the foul.
And, though it’s no surprise, it was still deeply disappointing to the Hornets and their fans that, after leading much of the tight game, they wound up with a 42-40 loss to the Wildcats.