Arkansas high school girls basketball state tournament final live updates: Conway vs. Little Rock Central (3/8/2024)

All of the live action from the Class 6A girls final

Author:
Kyle Sutherland, SBLive Sports
Updated:
Mar 9, 2024 4:12 PM EST
Original:
Mar 8, 2024

HOT SPRINGS – It all came full circle for Little Rock Central's 2024 senior class Friday night at Bank OZK Arena.

The group that played a large role in upsetting heavy favorite Conway in the 2022 state semifinals took down their 6A-Central foe 58-40 to claim the program's first ever state championship.

Central (19-12) utilized its height advantage to out-rebound Conway 49-29, while also holding the Lady Wampus Cats (26-8) to just 20% from the field, including 10% from three-point range.

Central's Alivia Montgomery scored a game-high 19 points, followed by Louisiana Tech signee Jordan Marshall, who finished with 9 and pulled down 12 boards while being named the 6A state tournament's Most Valuable Player. Taylor Day-Davis also filled out the stat sheet, finishing with 8 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks.

For Conway, Alexis Cox led with 14 points, and also had 6 rebounds as well as 4 steals, while Emerie Bohanon added 12 and pulled down six rebounds.

See previous live updates below.

Final: Central 58-40

Central wins its first state championship in program history.

4th Qtr: Central 52-39, 1:21

Conway takes a timeout, but Central is all smiles knowing a trophy is imminent.

4th Qtr: Central 48-37, 3:35

Lady Tigers reach a double-digit lead on Montgomery's two-pointer.

4th Qtr: Central 44-37, 4:27

Conway has kept it within a close deficit, but the Lady Tigers remain seven points ahead as we approach the 4:00 mark. Media timeout.

End of 3rd: Central 37-30

Central maintains the lead heading into the final frame, looking to upset the defending state champions. The Lady Wampus Cats are struggling to get the ball in the hoop, shooting just 22% from the field, including 15% from three-point range.

3rd Qtr: Central 30-27, 3:48

Conway gets back to the charity stripe and Mi'Raiyh Wilson connects on both to make it a one possession game. Media timeout.

3rd Qtr: Central 30-25, 4:30

Lady Tigers begin the third on a 7-5 run, but Bohanon cuts the lead to five after converting 1-of-2 free throws.

Halftime: Central 23-20

A physical first half that featured seven lead changes has concluded. The lengthy Lady Tigers are winning the rebounding battle 24-16, but have overcome 12 turnovers.

No one is in double digits, but Alexis Cox and Weston lead all scorers with seven points each. Day-Davis leads Central with six points, along with seven rebounds.

2nd Qtr: Central 19-17, 2:20

Central is back on top thanks to free throws from Taylor Day-Davis.

2nd Qtr: Conway 16-13, 4:20

It was tied at 13 for over two minutes, but Emerie Bohanon hits a free throw to put Conway back up.

2nd Qtr: Tied at 13, 6:31

Conway has been ferocious on defense and another Central turnover leads to a tying bucket by Conway's Traniyah Weston.

End of 1st: Central 11-9

Alivia Montgomery connects on a three-pointer right before the buzzer. Lady Tigers take the third lead change of the game and are shooting 57% from the field to Conway's 23%.