Arkansas high school girls basketball state tournament final live updates recap: Farmington uses big 2nd quarter to blast Morrilton (3/7/2024)
With a little more than four minutes to play in the first half, Morrilton was hanging with Farmington in the Class 4A state championship game. They only trailed 18-14.
However, by halftime, Farmington, the No. 1 team in the SBLive Arkansas Top 25 girls basketball rankings, had rattled off a 14-0 run and led 34-14 at halftime before running away with a 58-31 victory.
"They don't care how they [win], it is always going to be about a collective effort," Farmington head coach Brad Johnson told Arkansas PBS following the game. "They are like that on the floor, and you see it night in and night out. It is pretty special to be a part of that."
The closest Morrilton got in the second half was 17, but then Farmington started the fourth quarter strong and by the final few minutes of the game led by 30 points and triggered the Arkansas Activities Association sportsmanship rule and continuous running clock.
Farmington's Reese Shirey picked up MVP honors and led all scorers with 15 points. She also dished out four assists. Zoey Breshers was a force early and finished with 11 points, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Marin Adams also had 11 points and Kaycee McCumber had 9.
Aubrey Henderson led Morrilton with 10 points.
See previous live updates below.
Final: Farmington 58, Morrilton 31
4th Qtr: Farmington 56-27, 3:43
Morrilton has gone cold again. Farmington on a 21-2 run this quarter. We have a time out on the floor. When we come back the sportsmanship rule will be in effect, and the clock will not stop.
4th Qtr: Farmington 50-25, 5:28
Twenty-five is Farmington's biggest lead of the game.
Farmington is eight minutes from earning back-to-back 4A state titles.
Farmington led 45-25 after three quarters. (Photo by Tommy Land)
End of 3rd: Farmington 45-25
3rd Qtr: Farmington 40-23, 2:29
Morrilton scores back-to-back hoops and show a little life while Farmington hasn't asserted itself as much in the third quarter.
3rd Qtr: 40-18, 4:51
J'Myra London and Sophia Wahrmun get tangled up on a loose ball and exchange pleasantries. Both players were assessed off-setting technical fouls.
3rd Qtr: Farmington 34-16, 6:45
Morrilton finally gets a shot to fall after not scoring for more than four minutes to hed the half.
We are underway in the second half.
Halftime: Farmington 34-14
The Lady Cardinals show in the second quarter why they are the No. 1-ranked team in SBLive Arkansas's Power 25. They finish the half on a 16-0 run and are in overwhelming control of this game.
2nd Qtr: Farmington 32-14, 1:22
Morrilton hasnt score din 4:28 and the Lady Cardinals on a 14-0 run.
2nd Qtr: Farmington 26-14, 2:53
Farmington has the momentum. Brehsers gets her second block on one end and then the Lady Cards grab an offensive rebound at the other end to push the lead to 12.
2nd Qtr: Farmington 23-14, 4:20
Breshers hits her third three-pointer after McCumber chases a long rebound. The nine-point lead is the largest of the game for Farmington.
2nd Qtr: Farmington 18-12, 6:20
Aubrey Henderson hits a three to cut the lead to three but Farmington's Kaycee McCumber hits one of her own.
End of 1st: Farmington 14, Morrilton 7
A flurry of scoring in the final minute - including a three-pointer by Morrilton's Sophia Warmund to cut it to five, but Reese Shirey hit a short jumper in the paint to extend the lead back for the Lady Cardinals.
1st Qtr: Farmington 10, Morrilton 4, 1:54
Bershers for three ... again. She has all eight points.
1st Qtr: Farmington 5, Morrilton 4, 3:56
We have a time out on the floor - both teams slow to start.
1st Qtr: Farmington 5, Morrilton 2 5:15
Zoey Bershers already has five points, including a three-pointer to start the game.
We are underway!
We are almost set for basketball. Teams almost done warming up.
--Nate Olson | nate@scorebooklive.com | @ndosports
